21

John was silent as they left the dock and floated out of the port.

"Engage" Jack said and Torchwood jogged until they were far from the planet.

"Ok Darling, shake out those cobwebs!" Jack grinned and they felt a light bump as Torchwood opened her engines and leapt.

John had never felt anything like it, a true jumper.

She jumped again and he laughed as Bennu crowed at the free fall for a millisecond.

Then she slowed and shone with newness.

Free.

Bennu made for his quarters, intent on dragging out his hoard and reestablishing the nest.

John remembered the trinket in his pocket and offered it to him as he clapped.

A little ladybug, deep purple and pretty.

"For our own little bug" John whispered, "May our firstborn be fierce, yet delicate."

"Oh Cariad" Bennu leaned forward and their lips met, fire and ice.

John pulled Bennu onto the bed and held him, enjoying the warmth as Bennu nuzzled into him and mewled with delight.

Once Bennu was asleep, John snuck next door and found Phoenix sitting alone.

"Hey" he sat at the pretty table and watched as Phoenix slowly blinked. "You OK?"

"I am glad you came back, Bennu was getting frantic."

"I'm sorry, it was an honest mistake." John begged.

"He was asking questions about the strength of your bond" Phoenix sighed, "He was going to cast for you soon. I believe another cycle and he would have given us away."

"Goddess"

"Please don't do it again, I believe you are close enough to be with him." Phoenix sighed softly, showing fatigue, "We can bond you soon as adults and you can procreate. He will have his first cycle once the bond is confirmed. He will be happy then."

"And you? What about you Candy?" John whispered.

Phoenix looked up with surprise at a long since forgotten tease and smiled.

"You are not well" John surmised, "You've not told him."

"He will think I am with child again, but I am not" he sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes again, "I do not think I will ever bear children again."

"I am sorry" John sighed, "But perhaps it is his turn, give you a chance to breathe."

Phoenix snorted and shook his head, rising to pour the drinks, "No. We do not work that way. Jack does not … I mean, it would not happen."

"You mean; he does not allow you to have control?"

Phoenix shook his head.

"But, thought he did. I was under the impression that you both enjoyed … riding." John said as diplomatically as was possible for him.

"Not for some years now" Phoenix shook his head, "Bennu is not the only one who has become stale with the lifestyle we hid behind."

"He didn't like haulage" John snorted, "We did it once, for about two years while undercover. He was like a fishwife whining and sulking about the place."

"Now, now John!" Jack said as he entered, "You were the wife"

Phoenix did not smile at the old joke, rising to offer his chair to Jack as he left the room.

"That was well done" John said softly, "You arrive and he leaves."

"Been like that for a while." Jack shrugged.

"Maybe he's worked it out" John said calmly.

"What?"

"Come on, he lost the baby and now can't get another" John leaned back to stare back at Jack, "Each cycle doesn't catch and you ride him. He was embarrassed to admit it, but you know me. Surprise the truth out of him."

Jack glared.

"Come on Jax" John snorted, "I'm not stupid and neither is he! He's worked out that you're doing something to stop him from having a baby and with his always bottoming, you can't conceive either."

Jack began to look uncomfortable.

"Come on! You've set the birth control in your VM and it only works on your sperm, not your eggs. By not letting him fill you, you are making sure no baby comes between you again"

"It's not like that!" Jack snapped, "He almost died!"

"So why will you not give him one!" John challenged, "Stop the birth control and have a baby for him."

"Really" Phoenix snorted from the doorway, "What makes you think I want one now I know he doesn't want any more blends with me."

"Phoenix …."

"No! I have been denied a child because I failed?" Phoenix wailed, "You …. You punish me with a barren womb?"

"Phoenix!"

Jack rose to explain but his mate was already gone.