3

"So you left them there?" Vic asked with surprise and Ianto nodded, settling into a chair and holding out his arms for one of the twins.

"So, the birthday bash is going to be in here?" Ianto asked Fay as she handed over Burn, his little grizzles lessening as he snuggled in and then Tum was placed on his other arm so she could complain as well.

"Don't change the subject" Vic scolded, "You really didn't invite them to the safe house at least?"

"Don't use that tone with me" Ianto said back with a deep gravelly growl, "I will always sound scarier than you!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like that I just…they survived all that and we turn them away? They might be useful, at least have information about where they have been and things they might have witnessed we know nothing about" Vic pleaded, "Like the postman, all the gossip."

Ianto stared at him for a moment or two and then frowned, "Well maybe it should be a committee vote if you don't…"

"Hey, hey don't even go there!" Vic was laughing now, "You are blackmailing me!"

Ianto smiled softly as his babies wriggled away, "They took a shot at one of my pups, I am sorry but I cannot forgive that. As you said, they have survived this long, they don't need us."

"Well, can we at least send a small group to give them some supplies? Maybe a meal with them and a talk to glean what we can without inviting them over the threshold" Vic suggested, "Still keep us safe?"

Ianto looked at Jack who nodded, "Sure. The old Browning Homestead we use for the haymaking season? The huge shed we use for the meals, the tables and chairs are still set up, we lead them there? We did say it would be a good common ground if we had to have a meeting place with another friendly clan. This might be the start of it."

"Well, don't expect me to be overly friendly but I will agree to this, a neutral meeting and meal with a select few of us, I don't want them to know how much of us there are or the distance to here." Ianto said as he rose to pluck a baby away from the toys the other children were playing with as once Burn had one he would refuse to give it back.

"OK" Ianto shrugged, "Make a list, check it twice and all that. Whatever."

"I think security should also be there, seen and make it obvious that we are friendly but not lax." Kev suggested, "I want them to see that we are cautious."

Ianto smiled and nodded his thanks as he handed the baby to the nearest person and brushed off his clothes, signalling an end of the discussion. He was uncertain about these people, they were an unknown and his life had become sedate, comfortable and predictable. A new development like that was not welcome. He hoped they understood that it was not personal, despite the shot over the head of his pup, no he simply didn't want any new ripples on his pond thanks.

They made up a care package and headed out, Kev going ahead with Jack to find the group and lead them to the meeting point as Ianto and Sean helped set things up. By the time they got there the place did resemble a large mess tent with the tables and chairs in the middle, food laid out and a welcoming feel to it.

"See?" Jack said happily, "You can all spend a few days here to rest and work out your next steps."

"We were hoping to find a little village or something, somewhere to settle way out here. Never thought we would find people" their leader said and Ianto sat back watching the interactions with interest, finally meeting the rest of those in their group.

There were fifteen of them, including three children that were treated like spin glass but the adults. Clearly there had been losses.

"You have children?" a woman leaned over as she noticed Ianto's eyes follow one of the children, "I mean…we don't have any to spare if that's what you are thinking."

Ianto blinked and then started to laugh at the absurd comment, then he realised she was serious. They had met some less than friendly groups who had tried a little child pinching huh?

"We have our own thank you" he replied, "Why this was a near miss. The one who took a pot shot at my little toddler almost lost his head."

What?" the leader boomed as he looked down the table at them, "Wat do you mean? I can assure you we do not harm children and I do not like that inference!"

Ianto bristled back as he got called a liar and he looked down the table at the shooter who sat sullen and silently staring ahead.

Really?