4

Sherlock saw himself out as Jack cleared away the dishes and empty containers.

Ford stood at the window, brooding.

"What will he tell him, do you think?" Jack said as he flopped onto the sofa and Ford turned, the cat in his arms floppy like a toy.

"He will tell him nothing but he will work it out" Ford finally said as he placed the limp cat in his chair.

"I thought she was coming back for that!" Jack changed the subject, seeing a flash of surprise and relief cross Ford's face.

"She does this all the time. A few days can be anywhere from a week to a bloody month!"

"Aw, well he does like you" Jack smiled, "We could get you one of those naked ones."

"A what?" Ford raised an eyebrow.

"You can get hairless ones" Jack pointed out, "like … Egyptian looking."

"Oh. Sphynx cats" Ford nodded, "I've met one. Quite sarcastic manner."

"You can communicate with cats?" Jack asked with surprise.

"They are not cats. We live in your world, you know others do too" Ford laughed, "the 'Men in Black' movie used a pug dog because it was funnier, but Frank was based on a Sphynx called Roger over in Summerset."

"Bullshit!" Jack spluttered, then folded over as he roared with laughter.

Of course he was telling the truth, why lie about such a thing.

"So … so, you don't like them?" Jack asked, "Maybe they are not all the same. Wouldn't pay to judge them all based on one or two."

"Maybe" Ford frowned, "I used to have a pet ferret. Liked him."

"A ferret?" Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Brett the Ferret!" Ford snorted, "Was supposed to be Mycroft's but it hated him."

Brett the 'ret!" Jack snorted, wiping his eyes.

"Yes, well. Mycroft likes order" Ford giggled, "I wanted to call him Beelzebub!"

Now Jack really laughed as he saw the child Ford must have been, cheeky and combative.

"You must have clashed with your brother a lot" Jack finally said.

"Yes. He was always telling me to settle down and stop stirring the pot" Ford smiled, "then he told me it was my fault when Locky took the same route."

"From what I saw of him tonight, he chooses his own path quite easily" Jack nodded.

"Yes, he doesn't walk to the beat of his own drum … he sways to his violin"

"Violin? Do you play anything?" Jack asked hopefully.

"Piano, but I prefer the guitar" Ford sighed, "I love the soothing music they create."

"I would love to hear you sing. Not Ianto … you. Ford." Jack said softly and was rewarded with that smile only he got.

"for you Cariad, I would sing a love song" he whispered, "One even the Goddess would weep to."

Jack opened his arms and Ford crossed the room, settling into his embrace as he folded into his lap.

"For you, Ford my love, I would write the lyrics in the stars" Jack whispered.

"We could be together forever then" Ford murmured as he kissed Jack gently, "Written in the stars."

They held each other and wished it could be true.