10

Jack woke next to Ianto who was plastered against him snoring softly and for a few moments he lay there thinking that was the craziest dream he'd had for a while, then he turned his head to see the livid bruise on Ianto's face.

They were in a side room, not the bunker and Jack looked around at what he realised must be Ianto's real room. The staff was allowed a room each and this one was floor to ceiling books. It didn't surprise him as much as he thought it should, his smile as he looked at what Ianto would have read only one and then felt unable to discard, his love for all things written making him place them in there like a memory box.

They were laying inside Ianto's memory box.

Evident as a framed picture of Lisa could be seen in one shelf and in another he saw the unmistakable smile of the Fermollian they had re-homed a few months back after living in the lower levels for almost a year. The little cat like creature had become attached to Ianto once he joined the team and apparently it was mutual. He was so nurturing.

It all came back with sickening clarity and Jack let a hand slide down to cover the taught stomach.

Ianto sighed and moved against him, blearily opening his eyes to look at Jack with a frown, "I had the shittiest dream."

"Hush now sweetling" Jack crooned, pulling Ianto closer as he marvelled at this development, "Tiger, when were you going to talk to me about our little surprise?"

Ianto made a noise of question and rubbed his face into Jack's neck, sighing and the soft puff of air made Jack feel quite mushy.

"Yan, you're having my baby" Jack whispered and he felt Ianto go still, the fear beginning as he drew back to stare at him with wide eyes and Jack realised he was about to apologise, "Hey, hey. It's OK. I've been pregnant ya know. Didn't hold. Broke my heart. I remember the dreams and hopes for him and then…I thought I would never have the chance again. Then little Melissa came along and I thought I had a second chance. Well, her mother put paid to that. I didn't carry her so she lived."

"Melissa?"

"Sorry. I have a daughter, called Alice now" Jack grimaced, "She's in her forties. Hates me as her mother filled her head with the fact that I am a freak that…"

"Stop that!" Ianto growled softly, "You are not a freak, don't use that word. You are…"

"Yes?" Jack asked softly, "What am I to you?"

Ianto blushed and pushed against him enough for Jack to feel what he thought and Jack's face softened as he stroked his cheek, "Oh Yan."

"I was afraid you would be angry. Think I was trapping you or something and…I never want to lock you down Jack, I….oh damn it all I love you, you terrible man."

Jack knew his smile was splitting his face but he didn't care as he held Ianto tightly, revelling in the thought of their bonding so strongly that a child might be produced.

"Suzie….there is no way we can hide this from her and she will know that I'm a Riftling" Ianto said after a few moments of silent cuddling.

"Yeah, I'm thinking about that too" Jack sighed, "She is so…"

"Human."

Jack laughed softly as he agreed, she was definitely that.

"Look, let's burn that bridge when we get to it, OK?" Jack murmured as he kissed Ianto's face and he watched the bruising fade slightly. He kissed again and this time the bruising all but disappeared, only a faint smudge.

Ianto's gift was amazing.

"What are you doing?" Ianto muttered sleepily as he started to drift.

"Loving you" Jack whispered as he stroked the soft smudge away, pale pristine skin now appearing.

"Good" Ianto sighed as his eyes fluttered shut and he was soon snoring softly as Jack hugged him gleefully.

"Hey, he OK?" Owen asked as he entered and placed a hand on Ianto's hip so he could peer at his face, making a noise as he saw the clear skin.

"I gave him a little more, not cheating right?" Jack asked and Owen shrugged. "How's Tosh?"

"Pissy" Owen grinned, "She is busy moving shit around in the UNIT system. By tomorrow those cannibals will be in a world of hurt as they get shuffled into those nonexistent labour camps."

"Ouch" Jack grimaced and then Ianto grunted, moving in his sleep.

"I'll let him sleep" Owen rose and hesitated, "He was ready to go if he had to for her ya know."

"It's in his nature" Jack agreed softly, "He will always give his all for those he loves."

"Not a bad thing, but dangerous" Owen frowned.

"Yeah, he could get hurt" Jack agreed.

"No" Owe paused looking back at Jack with a serious stare, "I mean he is dangerous. You didn't see what he did, you don't realise. He took her power to give Tosh that chance. If he can harness the powers of more than one at once…he could be unstoppable."

"Good" Jack said defiantly, "Because I don't ever want him to stop. The day he stops, so do I."

Owen nodded and left as the faint sound of the klaxons sounded to signal Suzie's return.

Time to head her off.