4

The doctor was in the lower levels and Ianto started to weep when he heard Alexander cursing at the news.

"Oh no, no little one" Alexander knelt to reassure Ianto, "It means we do this alone, that's all. We delivered Gray, you know? Me and Damec!"

Ianto sniffed and looked up at his father-in-law, "You did?"

"Yeah, we were between jump stations when the ship's hyper drive broke down." He said softly, "My beloved wife went into labour early and I had no-one to help. Well Damec was there, having been sent by Tad who wanted to make sure we were comfortable during the jump."

"Yes, he was early but strong. Mistress made many good noises" Damec agreed.

"Good noises?" Ianto asked softly.

"She welcomed the new master with roars of power" Damec nodded.

"So it's OK if I want to yell a bit?" Ianto whispered and Jackson laughed from behind Alexander.

"In my experience, all Harkness births have needed a bit of yelling." He laughed, "Seems we communicate a lot with loud voices so it is a welcome of sorts, you yell all you want baby boy."

"Oh god" Ianto ground his teeth as another contraction began, "I think I shall!"

Soon Ianto was writhing in agony with Jack hysterically crying in his grandfather's arms. Alexander was trying to be calm but Jack's wails were unnerving him.

The sound of meteors falling continued outside like cannons firing, the sound making the very building shake.

"For goodness sake Jack, anyone would think you were the one giving birth, not this brave boy!" he chastised his son.

"Argh, please… ahhhhhhh….shit!" Ianto had found a new way to vent and used it freely, "Mother fucker … shhh. Guck … fuck …. Arghhhhhhh … shit oh …. Fucking hells teeth …..Fuuuuuuuuuck"

Jack's tears slowed as he crawled into the bedding and took Damec's place to cradle his husband. Ianto clung to him desperately as the pain tore him apart.

Ianto's head fell back and his mouth flew open in a silent scream as Damec tore at the clothing. Ianto's belly was moving, shaking and undulating as the baby struggled within. Damec pulled down the leggings to see Ianto's birth canal was fully formed.

"We have a full canal, he's coming." Damec panted, "Oh gods, my little beloved one is arriving now."

"Well get him the fuck out of me god fucking damn it mother fucker" Ianto roared and Jack felt a hysterical giggle bubbling up.

Damec snorted softly and placed a hand on the belly, then closed his eyes. The surrounding slaves became still as they joined in the silent communicating with the baby.

Ianto went limp, like a plug had been pulled from a power socket and Jack grasped at him with open fear.

"Come here" Damec said softly and the belly moved.

"Come to me darling boy" Damec smiled and a tear rolled down his cheek, "My beloved little boy."

Ianto groaned and lolled his head, his eyes rolled back and he arched his back as Damec reached between his splayed legs.

The slaves had slumped their heads onto their chests and they all started whispering. "Come to me"

Ianto convulsed, his eyes flying open as Damec seized the head. The baby slid from Ianto with a gush of blood and waters. Ianto convulsed again and became limp as Damec gave a crow of glee, "Boy! Oh my beloved boy!"

The baby started its kitten call and Damec looked up at Jackson.

"A boy my love, we have another wee boy" his tears of joy joined by Jackson's as he bent over and eagerly kissed his old slave, showing an affection of old lovers.

The baby gave a lustier cry now and Damec placed him on Ianto's chest then gently rubbed the now flatter belly.

Ianto groaned softly as the afterbirth was delivered and Jack's sobs tapered off as he realised Ianto was OK.

Jack now took a look at his son. A tiny thing all covered with goop and blood, wrinkly and angry.

"Oh look at you, must be my Taddy's anger in there" Jack whispered and the baby opened his eyes.

Strikingly blue eyes stared back and Jack was lost.

He snatched the baby from Ianto's chest and cuddled him into his tunic, cooing and sobbing with joy as his son silently bonded to him.

Damec was not concerned and he looked back then his grin faded.

"Maybe you should help Jack clean up our beloved my darling" he said softly and Jackson reached for his grandson and new great-grandson. Jack struggled from the bedding and the men all drew in to welcome the newest Harkness.

Damec had crawled into the nest and straddles the silent form of his Sweetest One. Ianto was still and silent, his breath shallow and fast as he panted.

Damec touched his face and crooned, begging him to come back and re-join them.

Ianto moaned softly then with a shudder, he went still. Martha was the first to cry out as she saw the blood still flowing into the bedding and Damec didn't hesitate.

He plunged his hand into Ianto's birth canal and felt around with snarl, his fingers feeling for the problem. "Stay here, stay here"

He tugged at another form, bringing a second baby from the womb and the second afterbirth with-in in one quick motion, then he reached in again to examine the empty cavity.

Ianto was still not breathing so Damec leaned in and blew into his mouth as he desperately tried to save their Sweet young friend.

Alexander had looked over and seen the dead baby laying agonist the afterbirth. He tumbled over to gather the small form into his arms, tears falling as he looked at the perfectly formed little girl.

He then realised what Damec was doing and he clutched the little body to him tightly as he watched with horror.

Damec was thumping Ianto's chest as he quietly demanded he come back. Then a sob before he leaned in to blow once more.

Meteors fell outside, then a loud sound of thunder as one hit one of the outbuildings.

Livestock screamed as they were consumed in meteoric fire and several slaves started to weep.

Ianto was dying.