10

When the Torchwood limped into port Lazarus was there. His face was so pale that his eyes looked like sapphires. Ali stood silently beside him. Their baby girl asleep in the arms of a nearby nursemaid.

Once the doors opened they were met by Leia who led them through the chaos to the mess hall where Phoenix was still asleep, his chicks cuddled with him in the nest. With a soft sob, Lazarus climbed onto the makeshift nest and leaned in to kiss his children.

Little Flynt woke and grinned up at his birth-father, reaching up to touch his face. Phoenix moaned in his sleep and Flynt turned his attention to his Taddy who got his face stroked instead.

Phoenix woke and smiled down at his little man, kissing his little cheeks as he cooed. Then he looked up and saw his father. His hormones combined with the pain and stress of the last two days were in overdrive and his father's scent was the last straw. With fat tear drops sliding down his face, he sobbed for his father's touch.

Lazarus cooed softly as he climbed into the bed which had grown since its construction the day before. Coats, furs and several rats moved to allow him access to his chicks and he cuddled them tightly as they all began to howl.

Ali started to flap, unsure what to do so Jack showed him Ianto's leg. Carefully folding back the covers, Ali could see the break and he settled with his hands over the bruises apparent.

Phoenix shuddered and groaned as Ali closed his eyes and concentrated his healing thoughts.

"You're a healer?" Jack grinned as Ali worked.

"How I met Rus. I was sent for to heal one of his slaves and we got talking … oooo, this must have been so painful when it happened …. It was like a bomb going off the first time he smiled … poor baby. There you are little Nix … I knew this man was my future"

"Is it better?" Jack asked quietly.

"Not completely healed but enough for him to walk on. A couple of days taking it easy and it will be a slight limp." Ali smiled and Lazarus let out a happy sigh as Bennu leaned over his Taddy to kiss his Grandy-Laz.

"He's grown, look at his little hands" Lazarus crowed as little Flynt stroked Phoenix's face some more.

"My baby" Phoenix murmured, kissing the hand and earning a gummy smile.

"I'm sorry chickies. I've been feeling the strum through the bloodline and so on edge that it's a wonder Ali didn't knock me on the head for all my histrionics." He smiled.

"We're OK now Taddy" Phoenix muttered, half asleep and Lazarus held back a sob as he heard the title.

"Oh, my boy. My poor wee boy and your poor leg." Lazarus kissed his brave son and then laughed as Bennu presented his face for a kiss as well.

"I see your father in you, little minx" he grinned, "A Harkness alright!"

Phoenix snorted his agreement and Bennu wriggled with excitement as he stared at Lazarus.

"What are you trying to tell me?" he whispered.

"Taddy has a firefly in his tummy" he hissed back.

"I thought she was called Blaze" Phoenix frowned and he got an eye roll.

"That was ages ago Tadda. She's changed her mind. She wants to be a firefly now like that one!" He said pointing at Ali's little bundle.

Jack laughed as Phoenix flopped back with a groan.

"These children are horrible beasts!" Phoenix wailed with fake horror and Bennu gave a roar as Flynt squealed with delight.

Lazarus laughed and placed his hand on Phoenix's stomach, feeling the small life within push back.

"Oh, it is a girl. You are going to be busy when this little princess comes along" he whispered, kissing his son.

"Taddy?" Phoenix looked up with wide eyes, "I'm cold."

Lazarus moved quickly, lifting his son from the bed and carrying him from the vessel as Jack and Ali followed weighed down by babies.

Entering the royal chambers, Lazarus laid Phoenix in a bed of pale blue furs. Phoenix hummed with pleasure as he sank into the warm nest. Servants bustled about, confused by the arrival and the order to keep all slaves in their quarters.

Bennu ran in and let out a dramatic gasp, clapping his hands in true Diva style. "Oh Grandy, what a wonderful nest!"

Lazarus preened while Bennu cooed over his Taddy, tucking him in and stroking his hair as he drifted off the sleep, warm at last.

Jack entered and gave a quiet "Wow" as he knelt and unwrapped Flynt, placing him with Phoenix. Bennu had someone else to tuck in now. After a moment he felt around in his hoodie and revealed Shrieker, placing him in the nest as well, while Lazarus reared back.

"What, by all the Gods, it that?" he exclaimed.

"You remember Eep? This is his son. Half Pyra, half rat. Shrieker because he makes a god-awful noise when excited … usually by his cohort, Ben. Flynt loves him too, the thing sleeps with him" Jack smiled.

"Flynt. What a wonderful name for the wee spark." Lazarus settled and motioned for a drink.

"His big brother named him, most insistent" Jack accepted a drink too.

"Phoenix chose well" Lazarus nodded.

"Bennu. Bennu is his big brother. Phoenix is his Taddy now" Jack calmly corrected the slip and Lazarus laughed at his own silly mistake.

"My son, raising my son as his own. Still a hard one to get my head around."

"Blood is blood. I know that every time I see Ianto bearing down to tell me off wearing Phoenix's clothes" Jack laughed, "So much sexier than a three piece suit."

Both men snorted and watched their family sleep.