"Ianto?" she whispered, all the fight going out of her when she saw her brother standing behind the man who had just told her he was alive… again. "I don't… what is this? He's trying to tell me you were dead and you're back to life." She kept shaking her head in disbelief. "That can't happen! Unless it's one of those weird medical things where someone's heart stops for a few beats and they do that electro-shock thing, but that's not what he was saying!"

Ianto took a deep breath; just listening to his sister's panicked chattering winded him. "It's alright, really. Come here," he said, opening his arms. Rhiannon ran to hold her brother, to see for herself that he was real and alive and well. "C'mon, let's sit, cariad," Ianto said, feeling how she was shaking.

"Ianto? What happened to you? You weren't really dead… they just thought you were. It was a mistake. Right?"

"No, I… well, I did die." Ianto sighed. "To be honest, I've probably got a bit blasé about it all. Practically all of us have done it now, except Gwen and Tosh."

"Ianto."

"Sorry. Yes, I died. I'm fine now though, obviously. Jack…. He, um, blew up a planet to get me back."

"Probably not my finest moment," Jack muttered.

"Nonetheless," Ianto said. "Can you get us some more coffee?"

'Well, there's a switch!' Jack thought. "Sure," he said, glancing at Rhiannon, who nodded.

"Ianto… I know there's aliens and things… now. I mean, I used to have a laugh about those sci-fi programs you and granddad watched, but ok, so all that's real. But… there's some things, here on earth, that don't just change. The sun isn't going to rise in the west just for a change of scenery! And people, human people, here, who die… they don't come back, no matter how much we want them to."

"I know. Believe me, I know. But, I've also seen so much, Rhi. I've been up there." He nodded skyward. "Up in space. Before he came here, Jack used to travel the stars. I've met a man who travels all of space and time in an old-time police box. The things that are out there are more than you can imagine. More than anyone can imagine. And it's not all aliens that want to destroy us or colonize us. I've learned so much about time and how it works…."

"You really died…."

Ianto looked at her for a long moment, then nodded once.

"But… he woke you up… cured you."

"Something like that. Unfroze me and cured me. With help from a friend of ours."

Rhiannon nodded slowly. "How long have you been… back?"

"Almost a month, I think."

"A month? You didn't ring sooner than that?"

Ianto couldn't help laughing shortly. It was so predictable. "Rhi. We needed a little time. I wanted to be settled into our home before I reached out again. I wasn't looking forward to it, you know. I knew this would be hard for you."

"What d'you mean he 'blew up a planet' to get you back? You sure that's the sort of man you want to be living with… blows up planets at the first sign of trouble."

"Actually, that was rather more 'last act of a desperate man' for him. A part of him definitely likes blowing things up, but he hates hurting anyone unless they've hurt someone he cares for. And it was the home planet of the aliens that wanted the kids, so, not like there wasn't a threat. Rhi, you've got to trust me when I say there's no finer man on this planet than Jack Harkness."

"I'm inclined to disagree," Jack said, coming back with three coffees. "And anything good about me is probably something you inspired in me."

"Stop it and take the bloody compliment," Ianto grumbled, taking the coffee Jack held out as an offering. "Earth would have been done a long time ago if not for you."

"And the Doctor. Hell, he cleaned up after me when I almost screwed up WW2."

"The Doctor's a nutter who never shuts up," Ianto explained to Rhiannon, who was back to looking very confused. "And thinks bow-ties are cool."

Jack shrugged. "It's the regeneration. He was a pretty sharp dresser at times."

"Oh, yes, I remember a particularly good file photo that looked suspiciously like a dust mop in a coat and a mile-long scarf. And another of a man who's jacket seemed to have gone through a very bad wash-cycle and come out completely rearranged."

"Ok, not at all times…."

"Whatever. Anyway, the thing is, Rhi…. I don't want to lie and hide anymore, about who I am and what I've done. I was proud of what we did at Torchwood, even if I'm glad those days are over. We did good, all of us. And I'm proud of who I am. And now that I've got the chance to act like it, I'm going to do so. Anyway, we don't have a lot of family, Rhi. We're it. I know we don't have everything in common, but that's ok, yeah?"

Rhiannon gave a watery smile and pulled her brother into a hug. "You daft sod, you. This is a thing I never thought I'd see. Look how happy you are! I don't have to understand all this, I just have to know you're alright. And maybe that you'll come round a little more often? And you'll bring your… boyfriend, is it?"

"Of course," Ianto said, breathing again after Rhiannon let up on the hug. "I think we're going with 'partners' at the moment. But we're not driving over, not after the last time I lost a car on that estate."

"Hey, I could wear my manipulator and use it to throw a perception filter," Jack suggested.

"They got through a triple deadlock, Jack. Perception filters are probably nothing to those kids. They've all had bloody mobiles since they were two; there's no imagination so how you can change their perception?"

Jack shared a glance with Rhiannon that plainly said, "Yep, that's Ianto."

"Ianto… you will come round, though? Or at least ring sometimes? Because I know you don't like coming to the estate, I understand, but… you're not ashamed of me, are you? After you… you were gone… I just didn't feel like I knew you at all."

"Bloody hell, Rhi… of course I'm not ashamed of you," Ianto said, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, but you understand why I couldn't exactly come round for a chat very often, yeah? Torchwood was basically 24/7."

"And when it wasn't, you needed all the sleep and fresh air you could get," Jack added.

"As well as posh dinners, I reckon," Rhiannon grinned.

"Rare occasions, indeed," Ianto said.

"Usually it was pizza and beer. I hate to think how many pizzas we ate over the years down there."

"My last count was somewhere around 1875, from the time I started. Not including anyone else's orders, so that might be closer to 1930."

Jack and Rhiannon shared another glance. He even knew how many pizzas he'd ordered over the years. Neither were surprised by that.

"Rhi, what about the kids? Are they alright?"

"Of course. I think Mica is still a bit scared at night, but they're kids, they forget about it as soon as the next telly program comes on."

"Just make sure they know you love them, that's the most important thing," Ianto said.

"I do," Rhiannon said, holding Ianto's hand. "I hope I do, anyway. I try my best. They seem like happy children. Even when they drive me mad." A tinny, muffled version of "Wannabe" emanated from Rhiannon's purse. "Oh, sorry… that's my mobile."

Ianto sighed, leaning against Jack as he tried not to eavesdrop as Rhiannon walked over to the railing and explained where the packet of Penguins was in the kitchen and reminded Johnny not to leave the bacon under too long.

"You ok?" Jack asked quietly. Ianto nodded and Jack dropped a kiss on his cheek.

"I shouldn't stay long," Rhiannon said, sitting back down. "God knows Johnny's not exactly Gordon Ramsey. Mind you, I don't give Delia Smith much competition either," she laughed. "When am I gonna see you, then?"

"Soon, I promise," Ianto said.

Jack cleared his throat, obviously attempting (for the first time in his many lives) subtlety.

"Yes, dear?" Ianto asked, turning to Jack.

"What if we invite them for dinner at the house?"

"Would you come round?" Ianto asked hopefully. "I mean, we are passed Culverhouse Cross, near to Pendoylan, but it is beautiful out there."

"Of course we will. You just tell us what day."

"Friday next, after 6?" Ianto suggested.

"Sure. We'll be there."

"Any allergies or aversions? I feel awful not knowing…."

"Stop it. We'll catch up now, really. And no, no allergies or anything. Except Mica doesn't like mushy peas, but then you never did either."

Jack snickered and earned a mild 'look' from Ianto. "Oh, the secrets you keep, Mr. Jones!"

"Shut it. No mushy peas, I promise. And yes, we will catch up, properly. No more missed birthdays."

"Oh yeah, but I don't mind if you conveniently forget which year, I can tell you."

"Age is just a number," Jack grinned. "Trust me on that."

"It was nice to meet you," Rhiannon said, reaching out to shake Jack's hand.

Jack, of course, took her hand to kiss.

Rhiannon blushed. "You'll have to watch this one!"

"I know, believe me, I know," Ianto sighed.

"Not anymore," Jack said. "Well, not much anyway."

"Did you really blow up a planet?"

"Yes, I did. And I'd have done more if I'd had to," Jack said seriously.

"Bloody hell…. Handy with the plumbing as well, are you?"

Jack just grinned wickedly and Ianto rolled his eyes. He reached out to give his sister a hug.

"Oh, don't you go leaving again, Ianto Jones. You hear me?"

"I promise, Rhi. Not for a long time."

"You better! Right. And I better be off. I'll see you Friday next, then. And ring me, too, yeah?"

Ianto nodded. "Rhi? How're you getting home?"

"Driving, you daft bugger. Oh, you mean about the car. A girl came round a few weeks after… well, after you… you know. Said she was from the government. Well, Johnny nearly took a swing for her after everything that'd happened, but she said she was just there to return the car. Handed over the keys and just walked off. Don't remember what she was called. Louise or something."

"Lois? Habiba?" Ianto asked. "Braids?"

"That's it."

Jack and Ianto shared a smile.