Twenty

Just a quick note: The next update will be in two weeks. I need to write the next few chapters. I am on holiday for the next week and I am also working on some surprises as well as this. Hugs Eva

Sitting forward, Ianto went through the lines of code of his translation programme. A smile crept onto his face and he knew why he was happy, overwhelming, astoundingly, divinely happy. The depth of his love had caught him by surprise. Jack was a wonderful man and he felt such release of surrendering some of his control especially in the bedroom. Days of sweet divine lovemaking and fun, meant they had created a wonderful bubble of affection, sexual delights, and sharing.

They complemented each other in ways he had never considered. It meant, moving forward, their life was going to be an adventure. Jack challenged him in ways he never expected. That said they were equals in just about every possible sense and even those arears they weren't Ianto knew Jack was up for the challenge as equally as Ianto was. Three days ago Ianto realised if he had calculated correctly the news would reach his family that he was missing and he feared what his father might do. That was why Jack was working on the portal; he understood, even if he personally never wanted to leave, Ianto had to.

But going home meant he would have to face the fact he now was with Jack. When he had made the choice to live in the now Jack's words they might never get home had slammed into him and he didn't want to waste another moment. The future would look after itself and both he and Jack had fallen into each other's arms. How could he not?

Now that he was in love all his fears and worries had come back full circle. Jack was not going to be his dirty little secret. He wanted to shout from the roof tops that he loved Jack mind, body, and soul and yet he didn't know how he was going to face down his family's disproval. He didn't want Jack to be a point of contention but it was inevitable.

But he was not going to walk away from the first true happiness he had found since Liselle and that wonderful moment when both he and Craig had realised they wanted to be together.

His relationship with Jack was a reality his family were going to have to accept. Yet he didn't want to drive a wedge deeper and cause them more pain. He wiped his hand over his face. How to retain what he had with Jack but not lose what he had worked so hard to regain was what was causing him some consternation. The only thing he knew for sure was his relationship with Jack was non-negotiable.

He had had to live with their disapproval his whole life so maybe this was not so different. He could handle the zero invitations, not that there had been a lot to begin with, and it would be a relief really. No more awkward family gatherings or having to put up with Charles' bluster and trying to fit in. He didn't give two tosses about Space Industries or any of the subsidiaries. His personal fortune had been gathering interest which meant money was not going to be an issue. In fact he and Jack had a few ideas of their own on how to fund themselves anyway.

Only Dad mattered; losing him was something Ianto didn't think he could bear. Minulaya's words and her example came to him, with Jack by his side gave him hope that they could find a way, but that didn't stop him worrying.

Arthur shut the door of his office and locked it. It was not often he locked himself away but it was an outside indication that no single person in the entire universe was to interrupt him as he received and then watched the message from his beloved son.

Every single one was much anticipated and longed for. For a few moments he felt alive as he heard his voice and looked upon his face and pretended they were sharing each other's company.

The price for this fantasy he knew came with a high price as the sorrow he felt when the message ended left him feeling like gravity had increased its power by a factor of ten. Then he would sit staring at the wall wondering what he could do to heal the rift between himself and his son.

He was well aware of the cause. Ianto had lost his mother in terrible circumstances and Arthur knew he could never undo that event. No amount of money or influence could overcome his actions, driven by grief and rage, had caused.

Arthur knew he was paying the price of a son he loved more than his own life. Who was playing out that abandonment in reverse. How could he show and prove to his son how much he loved him when even five years of devoted care was to no avail?

He was an aging, impotent old man paying the consequences…as well he should. Arthur knew he should accept Ianto's absence as just punishment but he missed him beyond words.

Reaching out he pressed play. For a second he was confused as he did not recognise the man. The man's lips appeared to be speaking a language he couldn't understand.

As his mind cleared he restarted the message. As he listened his heart pounded in his chest and he shouted for the recording to end and then screamed at the screen.

'You're what!' Rhia looked at her father as if he had gone mad. 'The trip will take months.'

'Not using the latest long range ship drive, in cold sleep,' Arthur replied.

'Dad you're sixty nine years old! No reputable company will accept you.'

'I've had this conversation. The matter is now closed. I am going,' Arthur declared.

'This is crazy. You can't just leave and go running off!' Rhia pointed out.

'My son is missing. I can't just stay here pacing up and down wringing my hands.'

Something came to Rhia 'What did you mean? You've had this conversation and the matter is now closed and you are going?'

'I have far too much to organise to explain.'

'You had better start because I'm not leaving until you do.'

'So you don't leave and Ianto never stops running,' he pointed out.

'The pair of you could be twins. He said the same bloody words. He has to do this,' Rhia retorted.

'He's right; this is something I must do.'

'This is not a trip to some luxury resort on your private yacht. Ianto is 23 light years outside the 50 home systems. Even if you left now at top speed it would take four years to get there and what do you think you are going to do when you get there?'

'As I said how I get there has been resolved.'

Rhia suddenly made a connection. 'You didn't Dad, tell me you didn't?'

Arthur brought himself up to full height 'They may have been able to refuse me as a passenger but as sole owner they cannot.'

'Have you gone mad?'

'I know this is hard to understand but I am going to find him and bring him home if it's the last thing I do. So much between us has been left unsaid. So much that I have to undo.'

'He knows you love him.'

'Does he? And how would he know?'

'Some things don't need to be said.'

'I've done many things in my life I regret; how I pushed you both away after your mother died is one. There are things I need to say and he needs to hear.' Arthur became emotional.

'Dad, no one would deny how much you love him but is running off to some god forsaken planet… just what do you think you can achieve?'

Arthur took her hand. 'Too long I've stood on the sidelines of his life trying to make up for the mistakes I've made. For once I'm going to do the right thing by him. You didn't suffer like Ianto did, when your mother died. You were younger you don't recall any of it. I pushed him away when he needed me the most. '

'What was the past five years?'

'Nothing changed. The hurt was too deep. In the end he just saw me as a fussy old man trying to stop him living his life and he ran away. Then he ran again. This has to stop and only I can do it.'

'So you are just going to turn up?'

'I'm assembling an expedition of my own, along with all the equipment.'

'By the time you get there he might already be back.'

'So be it. I will spend the remainder of my time there by his side and I will not leave until I fix the wrong between us.'

'What are you talking about?' Rhia saw him pale and seem to sway but only for a second.

'Call Charles and get him here. I have something you should all know. Something I should have put straight a long time ago.'

Rhia crossed her arms. 'I will and I'll ask him to make his strongest argument that you not to do this. Dad please listen.'

'No, Rhia. This is something I have to do. Now get Charles here.' Arthur lost his patience.

Stumbling out Rhia headed for the comm suite.

Charles was furious. His brother had gone mad and this crazy nonsense had to stop and it was going to stop now.

Charles found it hard to forgive Ianto the pain he had caused his father. Seeing his brother in such distress hurt them all equally. It was unforgivable.

True, Ianto had managed to overcome the difficulties he had exhibited when he was a teen, when they had all despaired he would make something of himself. However had he been his son and caused the death of his wife he doubted he could have found the inner strength to even acknowledge the boy as they passed on the street let alone as his son.

As always Arthur was the bigger man, forgiving to the nth degree and supportive beyond all possible imaginings. Yet no matter how hard Arthur tried Ianto always rejected every possible offer of help. And now the boy was a siren calling his brother into a fool's errand of the worst possible folly.

Charles opened the door to Arthur's study without any ceremony and confronted him. 'Is what Rhia told me correct? Ianto has gone missing and you are going to head off like some mad man on a damn fool mission?' he demanded.

Arthur nodded. 'Yes preparations are well under way. My resignation as chairman of the oversight committee and my role on the board will be with you tomorrow.'

'I refuse to accept it. This nonsense has to stop.'

'Did Vera come with you?' Arthur asked as he looked directly at his brother.

'Yes she's here to talk some sense in to you.' Charles said.

'Can you call her and Rhia because I don't I have the courage to tell you all separately.'

Charles opened the door and Vera and Rhia entered.

'I have something I need to tell you…confess,' Arthur began.

'The only thing you have to confess is that you love your son beyond all reasoning and forgiven him more than I thought was possible,' Charles blustered, crossing his arms.

Arthur sighed. 'If only that were the truth of it.' He looked at all their faces showing their distress, disbelief, fear for his well-being and determination to stop him.

'What I have to tell you is unpleasant. It is a secret, which I have kept since those terrible events leading to Margret's death. Once you have heard what I have to say you will rightly think poorly of me, but it will explain why I have to go.'

'I have allowed all of you to believe the blame for Margret's death lay firmly with Ianto. I am aware my actions gave a great deal of weight to the lie. The lie was that his behaviour was so out of control we as parents chose to act. The truth is the only person responsible for what happened was myself.' Arthur paused to allow this statement to sink then continued. 'Ianto was not to blame for what happened to Margret in any shape, thought or deed.'

'You are going to need to explain.' Charles looked startled.

'As you know at the time we were all under terrible pressure; the trial, the ongoing repercussions, the family itself was under attack. To say Margret was unhappy would be an understatement. I was self-absorbed and working to the neglect of everyone around me. In fact even the times I went through the motions and managed to find some time for each other I was absent.

'I recall the school called and he was in trouble. All I could think was my own son was bringing the entire family into disrepute. In my mind I could already see the headlines and scandal. The boy was nothing more than a pampered darling and a hard shocking dose of reality in the real world was what he needed I argued to myself.

'When Margret found out what I had done she was furious. I felt her interference was outrageous. I can say with all honesty it was the worst row we ever had. She reminded me that Ianto was only 13 years old and he had done nothing worse than get into a scrape with some other boys. She threatened to leave and end the marriage. She accused me of only taking notice of his existence the first time he stepped out of line. I acted like Ianto only counted as some sort to trophy to enhance my own standing in the world. He was just some kind of prize poodle to be trotted out only when it suited me. As vile as her accusations were I now accept they were closer to the reality of the situation then I was prepared to admit at the time.

'I recall shouting if she removed him from the wilderness facility we were over. She stormed off to return him to school. You know what happened next.

'My twisted grief turned on the boy. I felt such hatred and loathing for him I could not bear him in my presence. I fully blamed him for what had happened. He needed to be punished and his banishment was fitting I argued.

'As my grief lessoned, my anger too began to fade along with a growing realisation of what I had done. By then he was back in school working hard but my pride would not let me face him. It was three long years before the full consequences of my actions sank in. In truth I did not know how to face him. What does one say to one's son who you have wounded? And by the one person who should have been giving him comfort? I heard that he had gained some prowess on the skiing circuit and I decided I would turn up and at least watch him. I will never forget the look of shock on his face as I shook his hand in congratulations.

'As he found his way forward all I could do was slowly insert my way back into his life. I have tried to be as supportive, becoming his fierce protector, fought for justice and for him to regain his health.

'Where is this all leading to you ask? What I am left with is a son who has not stopped running and I suspect he never will.

'One last thing you should know. Everything he has achieved he has done so solely on his own merits. He has not touched a single penny of his inherited wealth. He only took some funds from the small legacy from his mother to pay for his Space Academy fees. He has asked no favours, or help. In fact, he had refused ever offer.

'Now he has gone missing, and I am left with the reality he is out there somewhere with the belief that his actions caused his mother to die. I have to find him and for me to tell him exactly what I have told you and pray he can forgive me.'

'How could you?' Vera broke the shocked silence.

'I cannot tell you how ashamed I am of all this. I cannot recount the number of times I tried to tell him only to have my courage fail and I never seemed to find the right words or moment because I was scared of losing the affection he has for me. Time is running out and Ianto should not be forced to live under a cloud I created, fed and allowed to hang over him any longer.'

'Now I know what he meant,' Rhia said and everyone turned in her direction. 'He said I didn't understand, that I had you, Uncle Charles, and Auntie Vera, which means he had no one. All his refusals for help are not because he's stubborn but because he has never felt he was part of the family.' She looked at Arthur as a terrible thought came to her. 'He wasn't even allowed to attend the funeral was he?'

Arthur shook his head sadly. 'To my everlasting shame…no.'

Rhia burst into tears.

Vera blew her nose, stood, and put her arm around Rhia. 'I'm not sure I can ever forgive you for this,' Vera said.

'I'm not so sure, 'Charles spoke for the first time. 'I'm not convinced he did nothing to facilitate the chain of events leading to the accident.'

'The horrible truth is the only person responsible is myself. Had I not overreacted and spoken to Margret first, none of what followed would have happened. It is a terrifying testimony that I cannot fully recall what Ianto did at his school to make me so angry but nothing he did warranted what happened next.

'I do know that I love him very much and I miss him more with every moment he is gone. I can't undo the past but I can tell him the truth.'

'Not just you,' Vera spat out angrily. 'We've all been keeping him at a distance.'

'Time is precious. Let's not waste any more of it. Or the rest of my life will be spent in regret and I've had enough of missing my son,' Arthur entreated.

'I'm still struggling with this,' Charles said. 'I have always held you in such high esteem.'

'You and I both know that we didn't get here by playing nice. Nobody is as successful as we are without treading on a few toes, and we both had to act ruthlessly. This happened at the lowest point in my life due to a combination of arrogance and belief in the rightness of my actions.'

'And I supposed we are to accept you running off just when we are in need of your support and assistance with the government,' Charles pointed out.

Arthur laughed. 'Yes I imagined you would say this. I'm sure you will manage fine without me.'

'Are you sure you are not being selfish? Sounds like you are doing this because you need his company and not the other way round,' Rhia pointed out bluntly

Arthur stiffened. 'Make no mistake about it. I am being totally and utterly selfish but for once I am doing so for all the right reasons. He is my son and I love him. You have only known the better side of me. You were so young when all this happened you don't recall what a miserable bastard I was; not just to Ianto but to your mother. Ianto has been running from his family his entire life. I cannot…we cannot heal or move forward until I tell him the truth and beg his forgiveness. You are quite correct Ianto he doesn't need my help. He hasn't needed it since he took control of his life and left school to join the ski circuit but that won't stop me trying. First I have to find him. Sitting here waiting has never been my style. I have to act and going there will take me closer to where he is. I taking with me a group of experts to ensure that no stone is left unturned and bring him home.'

'Home. He's not had one all this time,' Vera said sadly

'And if he rejects you?' Charles said.

'He's already done that. I'm sure the boy is convinced that he is only of value because of his exploits and successes. I need to tell him he is not some trophy, who he is, is enough. My acting is something I have the money to indulge in and I don't care how crazy it all seems.'

Vera looked at Charles. 'I can't bear to stay any longer. Are you coming?'

'Yes I'm coming.'

As she went to leave Vera turned and pointed at Arthur 'You make sure you find him and bring him home. Don't you dare face me or anyone else in this family ever again until you do.'

The door opened and Ianto saw it was Jack carrying two mugs.

'Thought you might like this about now,' Jack said as Ianto took a mug.

'How did you get on?' Ianto asked taking a sip.

'I'm pretty sure its wind driven, but how it gets soaked is anyone guess. There is no water anywhere in or around the immediate area of the portal.'

'The one thing we know is that all the portals up to now have had the same basic operating functions in common: add water, clear or link up the power supply and then whack lever.'

''The only way the dome here is going to get wet is by rain and the amount of water needed means a hurricane.'

Ianto sat back. 'That makes no sense. Every portal is so simple even an idiot could use it, we even set one off by accident.'

Jack raised his eyebrow.

'You know what I mean. There has to be a water supply here somewhere. Waiting for a hurricane makes that too random an event for any practical use. It means we haven't checked every possibility, unless it rains here for months at a time.'

'Numbers told me Neuro Developer One had taken an interest in the dome and she gave me these.'

Jack handed Ianto a notebook. Opening it Ianto saw pages of competently executed drawings that expertly laid out every rock and structure on, in, and around the portal.

'As for the rain and it does rain but all the portals have piped-in water from a source or in two cases either by or in water.'

Ianto let out an expletive and Jack continued.

'And we are going to need a mechanical engineer to construct a windmill of some kind.'

'Don't I recall you fixing a sled?' Ianto pointed out.

'All I did was follow instructions. Mickey was the one who had all the skills. You?' Jack asked

'Me, I wouldn't know a bolt from a screw, well maybe those but anything else it's all greasy and gets under your fingernails. Like you I've made repairs but under direction, handing over tools mostly plugging in new models or replacing one part with another.'

'It can't be that difficult. There has to be some designs in the main database we can put together. It's not going to be hard to find materials, there are workshops filled with all manner of bits and pieces.

'I can see you are on the same level as me. I pretty certain we can figure something out and there are several androids who can help. The problem is…' Jack paused.

'And the problem is…' Ianto repeated.

'There is a bracket missing.'

'Bracket?'

'Where the flask was on the last portal it's clear there is some kind of housing which possibly plugs into a windmill. In fact the housing is clear; the problem is I have no idea what the bracket might look like or even how to convert vertical force from the blades to go sideways.'

'We have to find a way,' Ianto said sounding worried.

Jack put down his drink and took Ianto's hand. 'We will I promise. Short of having Mickey suddenly appearing we have all the tools we need except knowledge and that means you and I need to get into the mainframe. And on that topic how is the translation project going?'

'It's almost done,' Ianto said.

'How will this work?' Jack asked.

'Once in place it will instantly convert any Thrall into basic.'

'I just had a thought. What if this stuffs up their entire system in some way?'

Ianto rolled his eyes. 'Firstly I've created a shell programme which is a copy of what is already there. I've ensured this system is isolated from the main operating system. If running my translation programme causes any issues it will only crash the copy. Secondly I'm using the same protocols from the speak translator units which are designed in such a way that can only be described as beautiful.'

Jack leaned in for a kiss which lengthened to several seconds and ended up with them both standing.

'And if you don't keep distracting me I will be able to test shortly,' Ianto said paying attention to planting kisses along Jack's jawline.

'Would giving you a blow job be considered a distraction?' Jack asked unbuckling Ianto's belt.'

'Monumental,' Ianto agreed breathlessly.

'Good.' Jack fell to his knees and Ianto threw his head back and placed his hands on Jack's shoulders as he was unzipped.