Some time ago

Ianto opened the main door to the police station slowly. He had been rousted out of the house while making dinner when asked by Andy Davidson to come down and collect NG, once again. It was the fourth time that month and it was only the second week of said month. The kid was trying to break his own record with a crime spree that manifested about 4 months ago. Good thing for NG that Torchwood has a little pull with the police.

He greeted the desk sergeant, handing him a fresh cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun with a smile. "I'm sorry Paul, the kid will be put away this time." He frowned.

"You said that the last time Ianto, and every time before. I think it is time to let John know the truth. He can handle the kid. Besides, that little thug needs a good thrashing."

"Now Paul, I know you mean well, but we don't thrash our children anymore. Not with uncles that spoil them rotten and keep them safe from their parents' wrath. But you're right; within that sugar coated soul of yours beats the heart of a true parent. Someday I might be defending yours from you!" He laughed, as it was Paul's turn to frown.

"Point taken. But the one thing you should know, it may not be so easy to make this charge go poof! He stole a car and trashed it." He watched Ianto grin.

"And this is new in what way?" His eyes went wide in a challenge. The joking around stopped when the worst-case scenario hit him. "NG didn't hurt anyone? I mean he didn't kill…" Ianto began to panic.

"I wish it was that easy. No he just stole the Prime Minister's limo. He was here on a visit gracing our city with his greatness. NG and his friend Jess thought it would be a neat thing to do. Taking it, that is. But then they smashed into the side of a building downtown. NG was just sitting on the top of the car waiting for us to come and get him. Ianto, the kid's scary."

"Let us deal with the PM, Jack can talk his way out of anything. Now let me collect the brat and we are late for dinner. I hope Jack doesn't burn it again. He can be so hopeless. I don't think his fathers will buy the after school activities again. He shut off his cell phone as well."

"Yes I can see Jack being able to handle the PM. NG's cell phone is here, in pieces. It didn't survive the crash. He also has a nasty bump on his head. You better try to think of explanation for that one. It is pretty big." Paul handed Ianto NG's personal belongings and buzzed another PC to get NG.


NG didn't look at his uncle as they got in the car. It was clear to Ianto that the wound on his head was far bigger than he could make up something for it. The usual excuse was that he got it in gym class. It wouldn't work for this injury.

"My head hit the windshield. I forgot to put my seatbelt on." He rested his head on the glass of his window.

"You are lucky you didn't go through the windshield! We are going to be late anyway. I'll take you to the Hub. Anna is still at work; she can have a look at it. I was picking her up for dinner, anyway. It is at my place, remember."

NG closed his eyes and sighed. "I don't feel like going. Can't you just say I'm not feeling well? No you can't, Papa will run home to take care of me. But then I could tell him without Dad's big nose in it."

"That big nose is only involved because he loves you. NG, it isn't right to tell your Papa and not your Dad. You are putting him in a bad spot having to lie to your Dad like that."

"Okay, then just take me to the house and I will tell everyone what an irresponsible loser I am. Better yet, lock me up in that cell near Janet. I belong with the animals." NG was suddenly a very frightened fourteen-year-old boy as they pulled up to the Hub. He was trying his best to be a man and hold back his tears but it didn't work. He was crying on Ianto's coat as soon as the car was in park.

"Sometimes part of growing up NG is to tell the truth, even if means the ones you love will be hurt by it or not trust you for a while. Besides, I won't let your Dad go all manic like in my house. I still have some of that lip gloss he use to knock people out with." He smiled against NG's head, feeling the boy laugh a little. "Better now?" He let go of the boy wiping his cheeks with his handkerchief.

"I wish you were my Dad, I don't think I would try so hard to get into trouble." He smiled waiting for Ianto to return it.

"Be glad I'm not!" He smiled at the boy. "I think I could be worse than John! Now let's get moving before we miss dinner."


John took the news well in front of the family. But when they got home Leon and Jolein made them selves scarce to avoid the backlash of John's rage. Even Jolein Sr. cleared the room, but not before she held her youngest grandson, telling him to be brave and stand tall.

The vase that Mark liked crashed into the wall, making NG stand perfectly still with fear. Mark shot John a look and positioned himself between John and NG.

"Don't do that again! You want to take it out on something there is a punching bag in the gym at the Hub!" Mark looked at the vase laying in pieces on the floor before turning a death glare on his husband.

"Lovely, don't defend him. What's next? He could have killed someone or himself. When do we stop treating him like he is special?"

"When did you ever treat him like he was special?" NG spoke out of turn making John's anger flare a little. "Oh, I'm here, you can talk to me!" He wasn't a scared child now.

"Don't you dare talk back to me like that. NG, I'm at my end with this, I don't understand what gets into you to do these things. And now I'm madder at Ianto for not telling us this was happening. You have him wrapped around your little finger don't you, my darling boy?" He was closer to the two now.

"Ianto is always looking out for him, John. He would do the same for Leon, Jolein or Mandy; any one of them as a matter of fact. You're more upset that our son is afraid to come to us when things bother him or he gets into trouble." Mark watched NG's tough act fade as he went to a scared little boy again. But as much as he wanted to hold him, he knew that would make it worse in John's mind.

"Please just stop! I can't stand when you two fight, because you only seem to do it because of me!" He didn't care where he went right now. It was more important to just go. So he did, straight out the back door, which he didn't bother to shut. He ran and ran and didn't stop until his body couldn't go another step.

Mark was on his knees crying when John said to let the boy run. It might calm him down a bit. He would be back. He had to be. At least that was what John hoped.

"And if he doesn't, then what?" Mark was beside himself with remorse. "This is my fault, I did this to him. I took him away from us when I did what Loyalwin asked of me. Damn it John, how do I fix this?" John was on his knees in front of Mark, wrapping his arms around his husband.

"Don't, it wasn't your doing. The boy just can't love us, not like we love him. I think that he was just meant to be a bad boy. It reminds me of me at his age. My Dad was far worse than me. He would lock me up when I would have these fits. Lovely, don't cry, he'll be back and maybe he will have thought about what he did. But for now, he will pay back what we shell out for this mess. I think that would be a start." Mark let John kiss him. Taking his hand, John led Mark to their room for a little healing.


"Leon, going after him will only make Dad mad at you. You should just stay and wait it out."

"I once made a promise to him before he was born, that as a big brother I would look after him. I haven't been a very good big brother, Jolein. Don't tell on me, please?" He watched his twin nod her head no as he slipped out the window and headed into the night after NG.

As Nana entered the room, she saw a glimpse of her older grandson and heard her granddaughter say "be careful," before she spoke.

"I know he will come around, Jolein, it is your Dad I worry about. He has too much anger at the boy. What really caused this?" She went to sit on the bed as her granddaughter went back to her desk to study.

"I don't know Nana, I think it is just something that happened with them. Sometimes I find Dad watching NG, like he has seen a ghost. Other times it is like he wants to hold him and say he is sorry for something. He never seems to do anything remotely affection it, just gets mad. I just wish that we could reach NG. He is a good kid, smart and has a kind heart under the terror coat he wears. But I think that he is the one that is blocking us, not that he can't share with us, he just won't."

Jolein Sr. nodded her head at her granddaughter's logic. The girl was always perceptive. This time she had a point. She rested on the bed as Jolein changed the subject and talked about school and her favorite subject, science. "The school is rather limited, not like the Hub, so I have been doing experiments there, but only if Uncle Jack says it is okay. Really, high school is so primitive."

"That is because you are the only 17 year old to be working for Torchwood. High school is bound to not be satisfying."


The bus stop was damp after the late evening rain ended. NG was soaking wet and freezing. But getting away from his home was more important than his personal comfort. He shook, wrapping his arms around himself, praying that the fiver in his pocket would get him out of the city. At least to the border, he just wanted to put a little distance between himself and his Dad.

"Why do you hate me, Dad?" He was begging for once that he could send that thought to his Dad directly. Maybe if he could open his mind and let them all in, they would see how alone he was. "I watch you all share jokes and news all safe from human words, just inside intimately, something I will never know." He wrapped his arms tighter around himself, thankful that the rain started again to cover his tears.

He sat in the car watching the sad young man who sat at the bus stop alone. The young lad was a running away, he was almost sure of that. He must have been thrown out by the lack of jacket and the tears mixing with the rain. But his car was warm. He would kiss all the hurt away and warm the young lad up. He might even make him happy.

The bus was late, NG was aware of that. He glanced at his watch after he wiped his tears away. It was then that he realized he had missed the last bus. "Shit!" He yelled, looking around before he stamped in a puddle and stormed off, determined to get out of Cardiff even if it meant walking.

The thunder mixed with the loud pounding rain didn't allow the car to be heard as it stalked NG as he stormed down the pavement. The car accelerated, catching up to NG as he rounded a street corner.

The car kept moving as it pulled up next to the boy. "Excuse me?" The shadow of the driver said. "I was wondering if you could help me? I'm looking for Clarke St. I seemed to have taken a wrong turn in the rain. I wonder if you could point me in the right direction?" The voice seemed honest enough.

"What do I look like, a walking road map? I think you should hit up a gas station for this. If you are that lost, I can't help you. You are very cold as far as finding Clarke St. around here. Now if you don't mind, bugger off!" He increased his footsteps.

"Oh you are a plucky one. Bet your parents can't appreciate your wit at all. Look, I have no idea where I am and you're drenched. At least let me give you a lift to the nearest gas station and I can get you a cup of coffee for troubling you." The voice was friendly enough and the thought of something hot running through his veins made NG stop to consider the proposition.

Lightning flashed and a crash of thunder shook the sky as Leon soaking wet, rounded the corner to see NG leaning into the strange car. He quickly scanned the vehicle and gulped. What he saw in the mind in regards to what the driver had planned for his little brother was ghastly. He ran to the car just as NG was about the get in. 'I'm your big brother, NG. I will protect you.' He tried to get that thought to NG but it hit a wall and bounced back at him, hurting his mind a little. He shouted next. "NG wait, I need to tell you something before you get in!" He stopped short of the car, gasping for air.

"Leon, I'm not going back, this man is going to give me a ride for a bit of directions. Oh and coffee, we can't forget that!" He went to laugh but saw his brother staring at the stranger.

Leon concentrated all the horrible images he could gather and sent them into the man's head as to what would happen to him if Torchwood ever caught him trying to harm one its own. He waited as the man absorbed it all.

With a scream, the man swore he would never harm a child again and put his car into gear, he sped away, taking the first turn on two wheels.

NG just blinked. "What was that for?" He watched as Leon pulled out his cell phone and called Andy Davidson.

"Andy, its Leon. I have a license plate of the guy that has been murdering young men in Wales for at least 6 years. He is heading on Tyndall St. to Central Link. He just tried to pick up NG. I got here just in time. I don't think you have to worry about that, I told him to confess to the first PC he sees." He ended the call and watched his brother shake. "Come on, let's go to Uncle Jack's and see if Uncle Ianto can make us some hot cocoa. We can talk about the whole thing there. Hey NG, I told you before you were born that I would protect you. I hope you can a least remember that."

NG fell into his brother's arms. "That is one thing I do remember before the great silence is that promise. Leon, thanks for saving me. I almost made a terrible judgment call." They huddled together for warmth as they made their way to their uncles' house.


There was a knock on Jolein's bedroom door. "Hey it's me, open up." The door opened and Mark walked in. Jolein Sr. was on the bed reading a magazine, as Jolein Jr. waited for her Papa to talk. "We are going to go get NG. Leon and he are at Jack and Ianto's apparently. Leon saved NG's life; he was almost picked up by a killer that has been hurting and killing boys in the area. Leon sent the creep straight to the police. When we get back, we are going to try to work this out. Jolein." Mark watched as his daughter played with the pen on the desk.

"I know, Leon just told me. NG remembers before he was born, before the Battle. He is alone in his head and it is a great source of pain. Papa, I'll try to help him, but Dad, he has to let NG be NG."

Jolein Sr. spoke. "I agree with my namesake. Mark, you have to stop letting John distract you from helping NG. I don't know what is wrong with him, but John can't push you in the middle of what he has against his son." She sat up as Mark's eyes went wide.

"That isn't how it is, Mama. He is just trying to raise him, make sure he doesn't get hurt. But NG just doesn't want to obey the rules. John is a Time Agent and a Torchwood operative. Even if it never seemed so with him, John understands that discipline is needed."

"Listen to you and your little 21st century ways. But I can't tell you what to do. I am leaving in the morning. I've found a cute little house that I can sit and watch the ocean in. It reminds me of home. Mark, don't look at me like that. I can't watch this anymore. Beside, this way, NG can have a place to go next time he runs." She smiled, getting up to hug her son. "It is for the best. You can come and stay as well if Mr. Military gets angry." Mark laughed, understanding his mother's mind.

"Love you Mama. Sweet dreams." He watched her leave after she kissed Jolein goodnight. He told John about what she had said in the car as they went to get NG.

"She is smarter than the rest of us." John said as they pulled into Jack's driveway.

"Yes, that is what worries me. Is this world ready for her in her own place again? The last time she did this is was a nightmare. That poor man didn't know what hit him when he moved in with her. Now she wants her space again. Well that's fine." He laughed, feeling better when John took his hand.

"I'll try to be better by him, I promise. I can't say to what degree, but I will try to understand him." They kissed listening to the last raindrop hit the car's roof.

"That, my love, is all we can do. Let's hope he comes around this time. To think we almost lost him." Mark frowned, shivering a little.

"But we didn't, that is what is important." The porch light went on, signaling that they were waiting for Mark and John to come inside.


Two years later.

It wasn't so much the grade as that NG was really attracted to his English teacher. He was after all 16, and a late starter in the whole crush thing. But something about Tom Holden made him approachable. So when NG got the note, "Come see me after class," his heart did race a little bit.

He had no idea it was because he was failing.

Mr. Holden was around thirty, with very high cheekbones, green eyes and dark brown hair worn almost in a mid sixties mod cut. He had light pale skin, being very English. His eyes were rounded, almost feminine in shape; long lashes brushing against the high cheekbones whenever he closed his eyes. He was warmer than most teachers to their students, so he was somewhat of a favorite to his pupils. Especially the girls whom NG just thought of as flies buzzing around shit because of the way they carried on. Their sound reminded him of those same flies on the dead fish husks that washed up under the docks sometimes. So he spent most of his thoughts in his own world imagining what Tom Holden would be like under those docks without the flies and the dead fish of course,

Mr. Holden's class was his last. He promised his Dad he wouldn't be late today. His father was upset that NG had not cleaned the garage like asked, but had instead made a mess of the living room and broke his Papa's favorite collectable plate of the hit American show MASH. He won it after a fierce bidding war on EBay and now it was in very small pieces in a basket in the "messiest garage in Cardiff." That was his Dad's words. NG was just pissed that not only did he get Leon's room when he left for college he also got the ass's chores as well.

But Mr. Holden first, that was more important. He looked up as NG approached the desk. He couldn't help but notice the young man, as he was model beautiful. He suddenly became aware of NG's sexuality. It was the sway in his hips, his soft features, and his wavy brown hair and hazel eyes.

NG wasn't unaware on how hot his teacher was. He could feel his pants restrict slightly as Mr. Holden began to speak. He wasn't sure if he heard most of it, he was too busy watching the teacher's mouth to care.

Mr. Holden shifted his weight in the chair as NG's deep eyes watched him. He cleared his throat to continue. "It isn't like I know you can't do better Nigel. Your sister Jolein was one of my best students. I just think you have been distracted lately. I can understand that. You are a handsome, I mean attractive, I mean a young man and I know things happen at this age, you start to notice others that you find desirable…"

NG leaned over the desk, his face very close to Mr. Holden's mouth. "I can think of one that comes to mind." He went right for his teacher's lips.

Tom didn't hesitate; he wanted to taste those lips. After he had his sample, it didn't take long for the door to be locked, the lights turned off as well as their shirts pulled off. NG just went with it, being his first time with someone. It wasn't until they had their hands down each other's pants that NG's phone sounded impatiently.

"That's my Papa, I'm late." He put his shirt on picked up his knapsack and answered the phone. "I'm on my way, I was asked to stay after class by Mr. Holden. We are discussing what I need to do to get my grade up. What, you don't believe me? Well here he is, ask him yourself."

Tom went white as a sheet when NG handed him the phone. He shook as he brought the phone to his ear, coughing slightly before speaking. "Hello, this is Mr. Holden, Nigel's English teacher… Well he is slipping a bit, so I was helping go over some basics… No he should be fine if he applies himself… Yes, I'll sending him home now… Well if you think that is for the best, every day, and I will give you the list of what he must work on… Yes, you're welcome… Take care…" He handed the phone back to NG's smiling smug face.

"You are a Brat!" He reached for NG and held him, smelling the youth's excitement still on his skin. "Oh god, what am I getting myself into?" They kissed again. "You should go," he said when they came up for air.

"Yeah, I guess. Tomorrow then? I know of a place that we can study in private." He cupped the front of Tom's pants making him groan. "Later, Tiger!"

NG strolled out of the room for once looking forward to coming to school.


He was softly touching his skin, so young and supple. It was wrong. He was almost half his age and by all reason it seemed like sin. NG was rose pink with desire, looking at Tom with such lust that Tom asked him a very serious question.

"NG, have you ever had sex before, I mean intercourse?"

NG ran his hand over Tom's arm as he moved his body a little. He licked his lips as he tried to get the words together. "No, I haven't."

Tom got up and left the bed in the apartment NG said was a friend's who was away in Greece for a few months. "Really he said I could crash here, he knows how my parents can be." So Tom smiled and for over a week they have been spending the afternoons "studying". But now Tom wanted to be with NG in a different way. He was growing fond of the little brat more and more, and it wasn't just physically, though that was proving to be a distraction. The young man had an intelligent and an amazingly sharp wit unlike anything Tom had experienced before. In class they played it cool, just some looks, a small-concealed touch in the hallways and a text message or two but that is as far as it went on school property. Tom waited on the street of the apartment and then entered the dwelling a few moments after NG.

For a week they had gotten naked together and just gotten to know each other by talking openly about everything. It was time to move it forward. Tom went to the dresser and lit a cigarette.

"You shouldn't smoke, it isn't healthy." NG was lying on his side, his slender form propped on his elbow, soft eyes watching his lover. "Tom, I want you to be the first, is that wrong?" He watched as Tom leaned his naked butt on the dresser.

"Oh god no, NG, it is just, I don't want to take it away from you. You may meet someone else and you may want him to be the first. I should go, this is so wrong." He bent down to retrieve his clothes listening to the sound of his heart beating.

"Tom, don't go, please, I just… I don't get along with anyone. I never have. Not even my parents. You don't know what my home life is like." NG smirked to himself letting the crocodile tears fall. Tom was wrapped around him in moments. He was soothing NG with kisses. And when he had prepared NG carefully they made love. Tom let out a deep moan after NG had finished. He relaxed as he pulled out of NG, the youth panting and sighing, moaning at loss of contact.

Tom wrapped his body around NG and pulled him close. " I love you" was whispered into NG's ear as the couple dozed off.


The affair continued for a few months. It was then that the real owner came home to find two men fucking in his bed. He tried to call the police but NG convinced the guy otherwise, saying that he would pay for the cleaning. The guy's eyes popped out of his head when a Torchwood card was handed to him. Then he explained that it wouldn't be necessary, he was happy that NG had offered to make amends.

Tom blinked at NG a few times, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. NG never did tell him. Even when Tom got angry telling the youth that he was nothing but trouble. That only ended in a tickle fest where NG would just smile and laugh and offer his body to Tom in payment. Tom didn't want to say no to the brat, he was in love after all finding NG to be a drug of sorts and hard to refuse even though he knew he should have from the beginning.

The days went on and the pair grew closer. The fate of the couple wasn't for them to be together as somehow it got out what was going on. NG swore it was the manager of the hotel they would go to because someone informed NG's parents what was going on. To embarrass the boy, Torchwood broke down the doors; Ianto and Jack in his Greatcoat, with his Dad in tow while NG and Tom were in the middle of their daily intercourse. Tom was freaking out, wondering if he would do jail time, and if he would lose his job. NG just laughed, as he got dressed, calling him a pussy on the surface while his heart broke on the inside.

John wasn't too happy when Jack said they would just retcon the teacher. John wanted the man's balls for touching his innocent son. Tom turned white at John's words, relieving himself from the fear. Jack shook his head as Ianto and he gave the man some water and a pill while cleaning him up and dressing him. They left no trace of NG or anything of the event that day for Tom Holden to latch onto.

NG walked out of the hotel followed by John. "I don't mind the sex, it is the lies. This isn't working, NG. First the petty theft, the car, then breaking and entering, and now sex with your teacher. I mean this stops here and now. Your Papa is going to finish your education. Once you head to Uni, it is up to you what to do with you life. But under my house, it is my rules!" He grabbed his youngest arm and brought him to face his eyes.

"Like that scary time agent crap works with me. But what choice do I have? You can let go. I'll go home like a good boy, a proper son. But that is a far as that goes." He pulled out of John's hold and walked back to their house. John watched NG walk away wondering just what he really did to wrong his child so.

End Chapter 10

TBC