Note: I do not own Torchwood or their characters.

This is where the entire story is AU now I will not follow Season Two Three or Four. Radio plays or books. OC characters and those from later seasons.

Chapter Six

It had taken four of the five days that Ianto had taken off to show Rhiannon and Alice all the compounds. He made sure they met everyone and everyone knew that they were who they would be dealing with from now on. Rhiannon and Alice had outlines what they hoped they could achieve together and left their contact details if anyone needed anything from now until they started a regular contact. Ianto didn't mention that Jack had left with the Doctor but he hoped that when the Doctor bought him back that he would be able to take these aliens where they wanted to go. The places would always be available to those who were stranded until they could be taken home if that was what they wanted. Or at least taken somewhere they wanted to be instead in a time and world that had no familiarity.

He left Flat Holm for last because he knew it would be the hardest to understand or leave. He had tried to make some good progress but he couldn't be sure if it helped or not even if the head nurse said otherwise. This was the one he really was apprehensive to show them. The others were places that over time had become homes they were where those who were alike came together to be a family. Flat Holm was a medical facility one where those who are injured and hurt are in ways that no human could ever conceive. He knew that what was here would be permanently scarred on their minds forever but he also knew that they would give these people everything they had to help them.

Rhiannon and Alice did not need empathy to know that Ianto was weary about showing them this place from what they read they understood why but this would be one of the places they looked after so they needed to see it and meet the people there. They knew nothing could prepare them for what they were about to see but they would help these people any way they could. Rhiannon and Alice sat together one end the boat going over the files that Ianto had given them. They took in the information resolved not to make any judgement until they saw the place. They noticed what Jack had done and what Ianto had added when he started to help weeks ago but since they had more time to dedicate they saw areas even on paper they could improve.

Alice took out the paper and pen she had carried around with them the past few days and began taking notes on what she and Rhiannon saw. They had been doing it everywhere they went. It included things they offered things they could see could change and requests from the residents. Ianto stood at the other end of the boat watching already working he was glad that they were stepping into their new roles seamlessly it finally strengthened his conviction that they were the right people for the job.

He looked over at the island they were heading to remembering his first time here and how he understood Jack more in that moment he knew some of what some of these people had been through time travelling torture abandonment Jack had experienced a lot through his life and Ianto knew there were moments in his life he regretted despised himself for and wished over and over again he could go back change but he couldn't. He could just try to be better in the future.

Ianto knew Jack had over time removed all files pertaining to him out of the archives but Ianto knew they were in the secure vault. He had against his better judgement read them and understood why Jack didn't want anyone else to know some the things he had done. The only comfort Ianto could take from them was that some of them were not Jack's decisions he was the person they had made to do them and the others were all things that saved a great many lives. But he finally understood Jack's character and why he loved from a distance and not up close he was afraid and Ianto would do anything to make Jack happy. After everything else in his life he deserved someone who did not judge him on actions alone but took the time to get to know the man not the Captain.

Alice and Rhiannon went over the main things with the head nurse. He had already informed her that Owen would start making weekly visits to give his expertise and bring over the advanced equipment over to hopefully give more help. Alice and Rhiannon wondered if Mel would also be of use but they knew it would take time for them to be able to bring all the changes they wanted to but the head nurse seemed to be open to their ideas. Ianto thought she was a little glad that Alice and Rhiannon were going to do a lot more than he or Jack could. She understood that their jobs were busy and dangerous and she understood but she also knew that these patients may benefit from what Rhiannon and Alice were suggesting. Like they had at every other place they handed over their contact information and told her to call if she thought of anything she needed before they came over again.

It wasn't until they were back in the car heading to Rhiannon's for dinner that she spoke up.

"I understand why you were the way you were about this one Ianto. I cannot imagine surviving what they did nor can I even think about what I do if it happened to my children." Rhiannon told him.

"Same here." Alice's voice was quiet. She had seen the good her father had done and it had shown her a side of him she had barely been privy to. He offered her help he wanted to be part of her life and she was hard on him because she knew his job she knew the risks that came with it. And like Ianto said he knows there are things in Jack's past that Jack wanted to forget and she didn't focus on that she focused on focusing on what he was like now and hopefully what he could be. A part of their family.

"I know but now I have seen you with everyone I know that you will do more good than me and Jack could have achieved with our job. You are their full time carers not part time or when we can find the chance. You will make their lives better because you will treat them as your own." Ianto replied.

"You know you have done and would do the same if you were the full time carers. You would I know you Ianto because you take care of everyone apart from yourself." Rhiannon reaffirmed them.

"Do I now?" Ianto asked her but it wasn't Rhiannon that answered.

"You have looked after me and Steven and all you had to go was what my dad said. He didn't ask you to and you didn't have to but you welcomed us into your family gave me a chance to know dad properly and gave me something that I know will make a difference." Alice leaned forward resting her chin on the shoulder of the car seat.

"You got me personal physician paid for my hospital bills and gave me a job so I could provide better for my family. And you gave me a new family too."

"Empathy helps with that. I know how people are feeling well the more prominent emotions anyway but it does help to know so I know what they may need. It has saved a lot of fights in the hubs when I'm around making sure they go to their separate corners to cool down. Although I have to admit throwing the rotas out means everyone has worked out when they want to be in and who doesn't but it gives them more flexibility to be with family and have some semblance of a normal life."

"But how many come in every day and stay most of it?" Rhiannon asked him following his choice of conversation knowing that if they went down the caring route they would end up back at Jack and as much as Rhiannon liked Jack and knew how much Ianto loved him he did need some conversation some time where it didn't end up there. Where he could talk and know that it wasn't all memories of Jack.

"You have to admit working in Torchwood yeah it can be dangerous but it is mind blowing. What we find what we see its hard going back to the real world and pretend it doesn't exist. Just in the archives I have learned more about this universe I could never have imagined." Ianto turned into Rhiannon's estate. He Alice and Steven were joining Rhiannon and everyone for dinner again like they had every night during the visits. Ifan and Gail had picked the children up from their schools and taken them back to Rhiannon's.

"Dad has seen it at its worst though hasn't he?" Alice asked him.

"Yes and he spends his life trying to make up for the past." He responded.

"Even when he wasn't involved." She was trying to get some answers but she wasn't sure if she wanted them.

"Even then. Until he took over Torchwood he was just another asset to do the dirty work no one else would. They knew what he was and wasn't above using it to get him to do what he wanted. He has also been trained to do what was best for the majority which means."

"Sacrifice." Alice said quietly. Ianto just nodded he told her what he thought she needed to know but he should have known she would be like her father very curious.

"You remind me of Jack. Sometimes too curious for your own good." He muttered. She went to retaliate say she wasn't like her father but she knew he was right. But now she knew the better parts of her father's character she knew it wasn't an insult. But she had to double check.

"That was a compliment right."

Ianto pulled up he turned to face her. "Your father would give up anything and everything fight with everything he had to protect someone he called family or friend. Yes my darling it's a compliment. Come on I'm hungry." Alice siled as she got out grabbing their notes from the boot while Ianto helped Rhiannon. Her arm was out of the cast but it was just her leg. Owen had mentioned maybe using some equipment they had but Rhiannon had said no because it was experimental. She knew that her leg would take time to heal she still had a few weeks before her next appointment but Owen had told her that it was healing well. Even though she had turned down the equipment he still researched it and he thought it was valid.

Ianto helped his sister to the door she was good at moving around but sometimes seeing her wearing the cast still got to him.

"You know Rhiannon Owen wouldn't offer to use that thing if he didn't know it would work. He wouldn't want to piss me or Rosanne off let alone anyone else." He told her as they walked through the door.

"I know Ianto I just don't want to risk it you know. Its healing right anyway."

"Yes but at least it would be instant and you could start exercising it and getting around easier. And I don't like seeing you still in that cast is that so bad."

"I know Ianto I don't like being in it. I'm just apprehensive as much as I like Owen and know he is a great doctor but that doesn't mean I want to use equipment that we don't know much about."

"I get that Rhi. I just want you better I'm your brother let me at least worry."

"If I agree to think about it will you agree not to mention it again." she asked him as she hung up her coat and placed her purse on the phone table.

Ianto pretended to think about a moment or two earning him a glare from Rhiannon. He grinned at her. "Alright that will have to do. The equipment Owen has is used on us lot all the time he wouldn't use something he wasn't sure on."

"I said I would think about it so zip it." She cuffed his shoulder.

He hung up his coat still grinning. Alice placed her purse next to Rhiannon's and went in to see Steven. He was working on his homework at the kitchen table. Gail was at the stove cooking again. She kissed the top of his head as she looked at how much he had done. His granddad had always told him to do his best at school so he could be anything he wanted to be and he always did so.

"Ianto Alice cuppa?" Rhiannon asked as she put the kettle on.

"Please." They both answered. Alice was getting filled in on Steven's homework and how school was while Ianto had ran upstairs to see his niece and nephew. Alice offered to take his tea up when Rhiannon was finished making it.

"You know that he is going to get used to you waiting on him." Rhiannon told her handing over the mug.

"No he won't this is only while I get in the good books then he is on her own." She sent a cheeky grin Rhiannon's way.

"Good on you." Rhiannon laughed as she put the milk away. "Steven would like another drink?" she asked him since his glass was empty.

"Yes please Aunt Rhi." Second day she had told him to call her that. If you wanted to go properly Alice would call her Aunt Rhi but since Alice was older it didn't seem right. David and Micah were told to call Alice Aunt as well if they wanted to.

"Fizzy pop or juice?"

"Can I have some fizzy pop please?" he took his glass over to the counter so she didn't have to carry the bottle over to the table.

"Of course you can." She poured him a glass.

"Thank Aunt Rhi." He picked up the glass and took it back to the table.

"Welcome." Gail watched silently from the stove. Steven was a very polite boy and always ready to help. "Anything I can do Gail?" Rhiannon asked moving over to the stove.

"Can you get the plates out the food will be ready soon." She gathered all the plates and cutlery together. She didn't ask Steven to move yet because she didn't know how long it was all going to be. And she didn't want to interrupt him while he was doing his homework.

"So was it all right today?" Gail asked her as she started checking over the dinner.

"Yeah it was okay. This one was more difficult than the others but I think together Alice and I can at least make this feel more like home but how can we really?"

"By making them feel at home. Right now they are stranded and invisible you and Alice are going to give them a voice. Giving them a chance to at least have a home for however long they are here people who care and who listen to what they need. That's a home it isn't just a few walls and a coat of paint its people who will care what's going on and how they are feeling. You and Alice can do that." Gail was confident that Ianto made the right choice.

"I'll try."

"Steven can you put your homework away please we need to set the table." Gail asked him kindly. Alice came downstairs and took the pile of mats that Rhiannon passed her. Steven put away his homework and helped his mum and aunt set the table.

Ianto was now in the front room with Johnny and Ifan a rugby match gracing the TV screen. He had checked with his nephew and niece and then checked in with Johnny and Ifan. Lounging on his sisters sofa he felt young would be the right word for it. He wasn't a leader here he was still his sister's 24 year old brother the one that needs to come home more often and spend more time with his family. It felt good just to be and now he had done what Jack didn't and expanded the teams they all could have more time for family and hobbies. Maybe they would live longer than the average employees having so many more expertise' in the hub. Being able to analyse data quicker and better not that Tosh wasn't fantastic she was but it meant that she could focus on what she did best.

He wanted to make sure that everyone who worked for Torchwood were as safe as they could be. And maybe with their combined efforts they could be a lot safer and maybe they could someday stop the tragedies before they happened.

"Dinner." Rhiannon called from the kitchen/dining room. Ianto all but ran to the table leaving a Johnny and Ifan laughing in his wake. He didn't mind at all because it meant they were finally settling in again they were finally a proper family not just one that got together every now and again for lunch. A huge weight had been lifted form his shoulders because he always believed that if he was part of Torchwood he couldn't be a part of his family he didn't want to put them in harm's way but he learned that he could protect them and he needed his family to help deal with what he saw what he knew about what had happened that no one else ever would know. The things that were kept secret to keep everyone safe for now until it was time for Earth to take to the stars Ianto knew that it was very unlikely that he would ever see it but he could make sure his family had a chance to.

Sitting next to Rhiannon at the table he looked around as the food is dished out thinking that Jack was the only person missing. Family was important to him and Jack wasn't here and he wanted him to be; well if Jack still wanted to be when he returned if he returned.

The dinner was friendly and more open than it had been the weeks before. Alice must spend so much money on diesel coming over to Rhiannon's but she never complained Ianto knew she received money from Jack every month enough so she didn't have to work that didn't stop here learning though she went to language classes she could rival Andy with the amount of languages she knew. He wondered whether or not it would be a good idea to introduce them despite the age difference even though he really couldn't be against that considering his relationship with Jack and would it be fair to introduce her to an operative of Torchwood likely to die at a younger age; which could happen to him too. Arguing with that would be useless. Hypocritical. He knew at some point he would have to inform the others to Alice's existence and who she was because he knew that one person in particular would dig and find out what it meant. He also knew that it was a possibility that he would have to expose the secrets Jack kept regarding the safe houses and compounds. Owen and Tosh already knew and they were starting their own research and maybe more minds would be a good thing but could he really betray Jack's confidence and cause more unrest between the longer members of the team. Would Jack understand telling them would he agree if he could help then more? The members of the team would understand his reasons wouldn't they? Unfortunately it all came back to could he betray Jack's confidence they trust he clearly put in him. Maybe he would talk to his sister and Alice about it and then Tosh and Owen see what they all said. As much faith as Jack had in him to lead the team and run the hub he still needed advice sometimes he needed to know that he was doing was right he needed to know he was doing a good job to those he was meant to be leading and protecting.

"Ianto you okay?" Rhiannon poked his arm trying to get his attention. Everyone else had finished their dinner and were leaving the table clearing the table as they went. He hadn't eaten his and evidently had been lost in thought for some time but no one had bothered him. He was a little embarrassed but his family knew he had a lot on his plate and left him to it, he was grateful to them for that.

"Just thinking would you and Alice mind staying here while I eat I would like to ask for some advice?" they looked at each other before Alice sat down opposite Ianto. Johnny and Ifan were busy filling the dishwasher and the sink getting ready to clean up. They didn't pay attention to what Ianto was talking about out of respect that it was most likely about their work as even tough Johnny worked at the hub now he still didn't really listen to what was going on because he would rather stay out of it and keep his innocence about aliens a little while longer.

"Well what's wrong?" Rhiannon asked him. He had been silent during the meal but no one asked what was wrong they could all see that if he wanted to talk about it he would have and left him to his thinking.

"I know that at some point I will have to explain about you and Alice to the team. I also know that at some point they will have to know about the safe houses compounds etc. And I know that more minds could be beneficial better medical care translation and so on."

"But?" Rhiannon prompted after a moment's pause from Ianto.

"I can't reconcile the benefits with betraying Jack's confidence. He trusted me with these and here I am thinking about telling everyone. They are already angry that he left and didn't tell them how do I tell them he kept even more secrets from them?"

"He has been around for a long time he has secrets that nobody knows even you Ianto they should already know that." Rhiannon told him.

"Yeah but when it comes to Torchwood when it comes to something they believed they could have helped with that they could still help with and they will not like that I know that. Gwen especially since she thinks he confided with her more than anyone she will dig and dig until she finds the truth she wants and I'm afraid telling them just a little will set something off which we can't stop. I know that those I hired after Jack left would take my word for it however Tosh and Owen know and they are conducting research now but they are still hurt and angry at Jack for leaving and for keeping it from them. They understand and they are not angry at me but they could have helped and now are spending their off time trying to make up for lost time. Rosanne knows something is going on and trusts me but that doesn't mean she won't be hurt that she couldn't have helped either. Gwen doesn't know and I don't think I can deal with her going on about it. But at the same time the benefits keep coming to the front of my mind."

"Alright let's not focus on their reactions to been told about all of this for now. You said the main worry for you is breaking Jack's confidence." Rhiannon said trying to get through one thing at a time and as Ianto said he didn't want to betray Jack's trust.

"Yeah I mean if I'm honest I could handle the team's reactions well I could try to at least. But I have already betrayed Jack twice and I don't think I could do that to him again. He has had too many people betray him I cannot go there again."

"Like I said stay away from the reactions for now. Jack left you in charge because he knew you could handle it. He knew that you were the best candidate to run the hub because you work well in both world's field and hub. Your archiving knowledge and dealings with authority gives you the skills to run the hub but you also know people your empathy allows you to deal with people efficiently. You pick things up very quickly and since you have an amazing eye for detail and you're accurate observations makes you effective in the field. Jack knew this or he would not have left Torchwood in your hands." Rhiannon told him.

"Okay but I don't see where you are going though." Ianto was a little confused.

"In the short time you have had control of Torchwood you have hired more people to take over important areas of research and defence. You have hired myself and Alice to care for the safe house compounds and Flat Holm. You have started that information exchange between yourself and UNIT Rodney has took over his role as liaison between the two of you. You have already informed Tosh and Owen of what mine and Alice's roles are. You have hired a construction team to upgrade the hub where necessary and fix what is needed to be fixed. You hired a therapist to help everyone deal with the abandonment the new arrivals and whatever else was bothering them so the hub could still run. In the past few weeks you have managed to do all of that and you just spent your days off carting us around Cardiff introducing us to everyone and showing us who we will be looking after. After he left you spent all of time at that hub sorting it out and now you are finally getting to rest. But it doesn't mean that you are thinking a lot more and of course you are right at some point you may have to tell them but that all ties in with your love for Jack." Rhiannon paused to take a breath she had started and hadn't stopped because she was trying to portray how much he had done.

"Jack knew what you are like he knew you would make the right choices he knew you would be the right person for the job. So he must have known that would end up at this decision not because you couldn't handle it but because you and he have very different styles of leadership and he has spent so long alone needing to handle everything whereas you know you can rely on people and they won't let you down like he has experienced nearly his entire long life. The fact that he chose you knowing you will do what you think is right following your instincts means he knows that there is the possibility that you will do different to him. Yes he trusted you. He trusted you to do what you believed was right."

"She's right Ianto." Alice said quietly. She didn't need to say much because Rhiannon had already covered it. "He chose you. He trusts you and he knows you will do everything in your power to protect those you care about. He trusted you with us with me and Steven before he left way before he left because he trusted you."

Ianto looked down at his hands he had eaten while his sister had spoken he wasn't finished yet. His hands were shaking a little at what they said he didn't see himself as that good. He just did what he believed he had to.

"I did what I had to; to keep the hub running and everybody happy." He murmured taking another bite of his dinner.

"What you had to do is exactly why Jack chose you. Now I know you're worried about their reactions but at the end of the day you are the leader of Torchwood you outrank them for the job anyway either way they would answer to you and if they don't like it they don't have to stay. Just make that clear and make it clear you are only explaining it because you believe more minds would be beneficial and that you have faith in them to act responsibility respect the decisions Jack made as leader because he was his choice. I know these people are your friends and you love them but right now first and foremost you are their boss and they don't get to tell you how to run your organisation they don't get to run it for you. It up to you now and whether they like it or not you are in control." Rhiannon understood her brother's reluctance because as he said he had betrayed Jack before and was forgiven for them but that didn't mean that to Ianto he had earned that trust yet even though she was sure Jack harboured any feelings of betrayal anymore otherwise he would not have left Torchwood in Ianto's hands.

"I do not mind you telling them about us in fact I will come in myself but I will make certain no one will dig any information." Alice voiced had taken the edge Jack got when he was ready to fight for what he believed in.

"You don't have to do that darling like Rhiannon said it's up to me. I would say that if someone digs; they would not find anything but since you are now on the payroll you are on our system but Tosh had made sure only myself and herself can access it."

"It's not about that anymore, yes you promised to look after us and I have agreed to work for you which means I will have to at some point be in the hub. They need to know about me but that does not mean that they get to know me. And don't worry Ianto I can handle Gwen and if she tries to get anything I will make her stop." And there was that dangerous tone which Gwen listened to in Jack after she ignored him otherwise but he was certain Alice would not be afraid to stop her by any means necessary. Like Jack Alice had someone else to protect and you should never underestimate a mother when it comes to her child.

"Well why don't you call a team meeting tomorrow and we can introduce ourselves and what we will be doing. That way they will come at us first and then you it gives you the upper hand at answering their questions after." Alice told him, she looked over at Rhiannon who was nodding her agreement.

"We can work out what we are going to say." Rhiannon added she wanted to make sure her brother knew that they would back him up if necessary.

"I don't really have a choice do I? Considering that you say I run Torchwood right now you two are telling me what to do." He took the last bite of his dinner looking up to two blushing women trying to look anywhere but him. "I was kidding I asked for the advice." He placed a hand over his sisters and a hand over Alice's. "Thank you." He looked at the clock and realised it was past eight. "I am going to send out a memo about the meeting tomorrow and I am going to go home and sleep." He passed his plate's cutlery and glass over to Johnny.

"Alright well Steven is staying in David' room and Alice is taking the sofa so we can meet at the hub early if you want." Rhiannon told him standing up and holding on the chair. As much as she objected to using the equipment at the hub she was starting to seriously consider it. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

"I'll set up the meeting. Get everyone in for lunch that way those who stayed during the night have time to get a couple of hour's kip. I'm going to say goodbye to everyone." Rhiannon nodded as he ran upstairs to see the kids.

"Will you be okay tomorrow? They already know about me are you sure you want them to know about you and Steven." Rhiannon asked her.

Alice looked a little worried but she shook her head and squared her shoulders. "I'm sure. And if they don't back off my father taught me how to make sure they do." Ianto and Rhiannon both knew about the gun she kept on her at all times. She made sure they did but Ianto wanted her to take a more extensive firearms test.

"Okay but I do know Ianto won't tolerate anyone bugging you." Ifan and Johnny had finished not long before their conversation wrapped up but they had refrained from making them a drink because they didn't want to interrupt. "Drink?"

"Tea please." Alice stood the opposite side of the counter and leaned on her forearms. "I know Ianto would not let them go too far but I think really the only person he is worried about is Gwen. She is the one that presents the largest challenge because she just doesn't stop but I don't have the same restraints as Dad or Ianto has against telling her off since they both are her boss."

"Yeah I mean in their job both Jack and Ianto have said it's a good quality to have determination to get to the truth but she is meant to be their friend too and she doesn't stop digging. When I was first introduced to the team after the accident I visited the hub and you could see the curiosity in her eyes later Rosanne told me she didn't deny that she wanted info on Ianto because she didn't know him so well. Apparently they all didn't like that."

"Well she'll learn from me I'm more shoot first ask question later." Alice told her taking the cup from her.

"Don't shoot my staff I need them so I can actually get away from work every now and again." Ianto came back down the stairs. He had heard Alice as was descending.

"I won't shoot anyone unless they cross me I promise." Alice grinned at him.

"Fair enough." Ianto shrugged and headed into the front room so say goodbye to Gail Ifan and Johnny.

"I'm glad dad had him unshakable faith and love." Alice murmured.

"Ianto does not do things by halves, when he loves he loves with everything he is." Rhiannon murmured back.

"Right I am off home to relax and sleep before tomorrow." He kissed them both on the forehead receiving kisses on the cheek back.

"See you tomorrow." Rhiannon told him.

"Bye Ianto." Alice said as he left.

On his way out the door Ianto sent out a mandatory meeting memo informing everyone he wanted there. He didn't say if it was important or not although a mandatory meeting after he had been out for a week could indicate that. But it could also mean that he wanted to catch up with everyone. Everyone had answered back with the affirmative by the time he had returned home and settled upstairs catching up with a few more episodes of recorded shows. It was a good job he recorded them in his room so he didn't disturb anyone else.

Rolling over to Jack's side of the bed Ianto let himself fall asleep trying hard not to think about what tomorrow would bring.

A/N: hope this is okay

Rhoda x