Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood or Doctor Who, I do own all original Elves.

Beta: The amazing royalladyemma

Written for the Long Live Ianto Big Bang Round 1

Chapter 10

The sun rises behind the magical veil…

The inhabitants of the castle awoke several hours after sunrise with bright eyes and clear minds, and as they gathered for breakfast or tea or work, they all commented on the fact that not one of them could remember having such a peaceful sleep. Andy especially was surprised that he managed to sleep in to what he viewed as late; Prince Ianto was usually up when the first rays of sun hit their lands and Andy was always up with him. The fact that he'd slept in, coupled with the fact that Ianto hadn't come to wake him, that had Andy very worried and the royal bodyguard was heading to his charge's room as fast as he could.

"Prince Ianto! Are you awake?" Andy pounded loudly on Ianto's chamber doors and he was growing all the more worried when Ianto didn't answer. "My Prince, I hope you are decent because I coming in," Andy warned as he opened Ianto's doors.

The first thing Andy saw when he stepped in was the clothing thrown helter-skelter around the room. That alone was enough to set off warning bells in Andy's head; Ianto hated any kind of mess and he always took good care of his possessions. He didn't believe in using servants to clean up what he was perfectly capable of doing himself.

The second thing Andy noticed was that Ianto's bed was unmade; Ianto's Master of Chambers had the uncanny ability to know the instant Ianto got up and he'd have his Prince's bed made before the sheets had begun to cool. Andy knew something was very wrong and his decision was immediate. "I need to see the Kings."

"It's too quiet; something is going on," Nostalion murmured, his blue eyes kept darting about the dining room and his whole body was tense. He cast a glance at his husband. "Why hasn't Ianto joined us yet?"

Calanon placed a comforting hand on his husband's tense hand. "I feel it too, in the air, something has changed. Perhaps we should seek out Idhrenniel and Calathiel, they may have an idea as to what is going on," the blond elf suggested with a reassuring squeeze of his hand.

A smile graced Nostalion's face as he squeezed his husband hand in return. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. You always know how to cheer me up." He lifted their joined hands and placed a kiss on Calanon's hand.

"Prince Ianto is gone!" Andy announced in a panicked voice as he burst through open the doors of the dining room.

Nostalion and Calanon sat up straight in their chairs. "Are you sure? Have you checked everywhere? Have you asked Rhiannon?" Worry was clear in Calanon's voice as he questioned Andy.

"Yes, my Kings, I have searched the whole castle and questioned all I have come across. No one has seen the Prince since last night after dinner." Andy informed them; his own distress obvious in his voice.

Nostalion shot to his feet. "Alert the guards! Tell them to begin searching the nearby lands and villages; perhaps Ianto merely stepped out for something." The High King issued his orders in a clam, clear tone.

"That won't be necessary. You will not find the young prince anywhere in our world, King Nostalion, for he has gone beyond the barrier to complete his destiny." Idhrenniel spoke quietly but firmly as she and Calathiel entered the dining room.

Calanon's eyes narrowed as he stared at the twins. "Where is my son!" He was close to near shouting and his unusual demeanour stunned all who saw it; the blond King was renowned for keeping his cool even in the face of great troubles. Ianto took after Calanon with his level headiness and ability to keep a cool head and think calmly and logically in times of crises. On the other hand, Rhiannon took after Nostalion and most of the time they both let their emotions rule them.

Idhrenniel smiled serenely at the two kings. "Ianto is now with his lifemate, and he is safe. If it would make my kings feel better, it is possible to send one other through the barrier to check on Prince Ianto." She made her offer with a smile, but the twinkle in her eye had Andy on guard.

"Who can you send?" Nostalion immediately demanded to know; of course, they were going to send someone after their son and the sooner the better.

The moment Idhrenniel turned her gaze onto him, Andy had to fight back the groan that threatened to escape his lips. It didn't help that Nostalion and Calanon were both looking at him with hope shining in their eyes. With a deep sigh of resignation, Andy accepted his fate. "When do I leave?"

"Right after breakfast. Oh, and Andy?" The Royal guard glanced at Idhrenniel with a weary look in his eyes that got worse when he saw her smile had turned devious. "Try not to kill the nice man." She warned cryptically before patting the Elf on the shoulder and taking her seat at the table.

Andy and the eyes of the two kings slid to Calathiel in hopes she could explain her sister's odd comment. "Don't look at me!" she exclaimed. "Just because she's my sister doesn't mean I understand how her mind works all the time." Calathiel pointed out quickly, even a bit defensively. 'Really! Just because we're twins, it doesn't mean I can read her mind.' Calathiel was almost tempted to huff but instead chose to fold her arms and lean back in her seat.

Idhrenniel smiled as she felt the confused and wondering gazes on her; oh, she so enjoyed days like today.

Jack hadn't been this happy in a long time as he watched the Doctor fawn all over Myfanwy but Myfanwy had clearly taken a shine to Ianto. The ancient bird barely let him out of her sight, much to the Doctor's chagrin; she barely gave him a second glance. Her indifference didn't stop him from trying to get her attention, though. The Time Lord begged a bar of chocolate from Jack and offered it to Myfanwy in hopes of currying favour with her, but to Jack's great amusement, she gulped the treat down and then continued to ignore the Doctor.

But Jack knew his peace and quiet was not going to last; he knew that once his team arrived, there would be questions that required answers. Before Jack could come up with a plan of action, the Hub alarms went off and Jack steeled himself for what was to come.

"Jack! Who the hell are they?" Gwen's shrieks of demand echoed through the Hub, effectively breaking the spell of Jack's enjoyment of watching Myfanwy bond with Ianto and torment the Doctor.

With a sigh, Jack tore his gaze off of Ianto and turned to face his newly arrived team. "Hey guys, mind keeping it down?" Jack asked, not wanting them to disturb their guests.

Suzie blinked in surprise at the sight of Myfanwy on the floor and was even more shocked when she realised that the pteradon was cooing at the strange man who was scratching her beak. "Who's the cutie, Jack?" she asked teasingly. A strange, growl rumbled from deep within Jack's chest and the unusual sound stopped her in her tracks. Curious, she glanced at her boss and was shocked to see the look of green-eyed possessiveness that shone in Jack's blue eyes.

"Ianto is mine! He is off limits!" Jack's testosterone-fuelled posturing was more primitive caveman than modern man.

Toshiko was standing off to the side, quietly observing the interaction between her team-mates and her Captain and when she saw Jack's reaction to Suzie's off-hand comment, her eyes widened in alarm. She knew some of the details of Jack's past and of his family; Jack had told her just in case something brought out his animal side. She knew that his father had been a shifter; although he hadn't told her what animal his father would become, given the grim look on his face as he was talking, Tosh suspected it wasn't a fluffy bunny.

With a happy smile, Tosh realised that her friend and boss had finally found the missing half of his soul, and that made her heart soar with joy. But then her smile turned into a shiver that ran down her spine; Ianto was Jack's mate, his unclaimed mate and Suzie's comment, despite it's innocent intent, had stirred within Jack's animal side. Tosh quickly crossed over to Jack's side and laid her hand on his arm.

"Suzie was just joking with you, Jack. She didn't mean anything by her remark. We understand that Ianto is yours." She spoke softly and calmly, soothing him with her voice even as she reached out and gently stroked Jack's cheek. He had once told her that he saw her as a daughter and a member of his pack so Tosh trusted that Jack would not harm her.

Jack calmed at Tosh's gentle touch and he sent a small sheepish yet grateful smile. "Sorry about that," Jack apologised with a bashful smile on his face before his eyes turned serious and he warned them all, "Just keep in mind that Ianto is mine." Once they had all given him a shaky nod Jack beamed brightly at them before bouncing off to gather Ianto and the Doctor for introductions.

Tosh sighed deeply as she watched Jack go. Despite his change in attitude, the fact remained that Jack and Ianto had unfinished business that couldn't be put off for very much longer.

"I liked him better when he was Mr Happy Pants." Owen muttered under his breath, wondering what other kind of attitude changes they were going to have to weather from Jack.

Suzie and Gwen nodded their agreement with Owen, while Tosh had a different reaction. "I think it's sweet how Jack is acting; you can tell he really cares for Ianto." Tosh almost had a dreamlike quality to her voice that caused her team-mates to look at her like she was crazy.

Ianto shifted nervously as the eyes of Jack's newly arrived team seemed to all fall on him at once. It was something that did not escape the Doctor's notice and he rested a comforting hand on Ianto's arm. "Try to calm down; I'm sure none of Jack's people bite and even if they do, I'm sure that Jack will make it clear that no one can bite you but him!" the Doctor informed Ianto cheerfully.

Ianto's mouth dropped open and a blush tinged at his cheeks but before he could say anything Jack's voice drifted into his ear. "Ooh, Ianto's blushing! What did I miss?" A sweet smile spread across Ianto's face as Jack appeared at his side and wrapped his arm around his Elf's waist.

"I think Ianto's worried that your team is going to bite him." The Doctor couldn't help but pipe up, an oh-so-innocent twinkle in his eyes.

Jack bristled slightly until he realised that the Doctor was joking with him and the immortal had to admit that it felt good to hear the Doctor teasing him again. "Well then, they're out of luck, because only I am allowed to bite my Ianto." Jack's playful remark was rewarded with Ianto blushing even more. Pressing a kiss onto Ianto's flaming red cheek Jack released his hold on Ianto's waist only to grab Ianto's hand and link their fingers together before reaching out and snagging the Doctor by the arm.

"Come on! I want you to meet everyone." Jack was acting like a kid in a candy store and neither Ianto nor the Doctor could say no to him. Instead they just tried their best to remain on their feet as Jack dragged them along in his wake.

Myfanwy, seeing that her time with the two newcomers was over, let out a mighty screech of annoyance; she enjoyed being the centre of their attention. The young one was sweet and smelled of mystery and magic while the older one, well, there was something about him that made her skin tingle and tickle. She was having so much fun playing hard-to-get with him, but it was only a matter of time before she let him in and they became best friends. She screeched loudly again, just to make sure everyone was watching her, before using her powerful wings to return to her aerie. Once settled in her nest she poked her head over the edge and kept an eye on her new playmates.

Curiosity had gotten the better of the team and they met Jack and his two friends in the middle of the Hub. Gwen crossed her arms across her chest and glared belligerently at Ianto. She hadn't missed the intimacy of Jack's interaction with Ianto and it stirred jealousy deep within her gut. It was no secret that she had a thing, a big thing for Jack; in fact, Gwen was sure she was already more than half in love with Jack and those feelings were behind her reluctance to fix her broken relationship with Rhys. She'd lost Rhys for good, and even though she'd never actually had Jack, it was clear that he was lost too, unless, of course, she did something about it.

"And who are they?" The Welshwoman demanded to know. "Why are you bringing strangers into the Hub?" She ran a scathing glance across Ianto's body. "What makes this guy so important, anyway?"

Jack didn't miss the bitter tone in Gwen's voice and knew he was going to have to have another talk with her but he didn't take the bait. Instead he turned to the others and said, "Team, allow me to introduce you to a very handsome Elf, Ianto, and to the last of the Time Lords, the Doctor." Jack grinned when he saw Ianto blush even harder at his introduction while the Doctor grinned merrily at them. "Ianto, Doc, this is my team. This is my lovely tech genius, Toshiko Sato; my second-in-command, Suzie Costello; our medical officer, Dr Owen Harper; and our police liaison, Gwen Cooper."

The Doctor's gaze had barely left Tosh's face once Jack had introduced her and Suzie was beginning to get annoyed with the Time Lord's endless staring at her girlfriend.

Suddenly the Doctor snapped his fingers. "I thought so! Miss Sato, we met once before during the Space Pig incident. You were brilliant!"

Tosh's mouth dropped open in shock. "That was you? But you look so different! I kinda miss the leather coat you were wearing; it made you look hot." She said much to the shock of her team-mates and to the amusement of Jack and the Doctor.

"I think you've been hanging around Jack far too long, but thank you for the compliment, and I have to say, Miss Sato you looked quite hot yourself in that lab coat of yours." The Doctor sent Tosh a wink.

Normally, Suzie would have agreed with the Doctor, after all, she and Tosh had shared a few nights of role-playing involving said lab coat, but Suzie did not want anyone else having a similar fantasy about her girlfriend. Glaring at the Doctor, Suzie reached out and snagged Tosh's hand. "We're going to run out and get everyone breakfast." Suzie announced curtly before dragging Tosh out of the Hub.

"Was it something I said?" the Doctor asked once they were gone; he looked around from person to person in bewilderment.

Everyone in the Hub just laughed as Jack clapped the confused Time Lord on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Doc! You just managed to piss off the most dangerous woman in all of Cardiff, is all."

TBC…