36

Ianto had stopped shaking and was now coming down with a slump, folded into one of the large chairs with Lola in his lap a Jack carefully tucked a blanket around them both. The deep red seemed comforting in colour if not intent and Jack was stroking it as he softly crooned to Ianto to breathe and relax.

The front door slammed open as Rhiannon stormed in, knocking the security guard over as she roared into his face, "Get out of me way ya fucking Twat!"

"Rhia?" Ianto's face turned up award the noise and she rushed to him, kneeling to stroke his face and check on her little niece who had drifted off to sleep in his arms.

"It was horrible, he was horrible. I want to kill him but they won't tell me where he is" Ianto hissed, "If I had my eyes I would hunt him down. He can't have got far. Did you see? He hurt my Jack."

"Easy darling" she crooned, "Jack's OK. He has a black eye and a cut lip by the looks of him."

Ianto growled, a deep rattle as he was finally told of Jack's injuries and Jack sighed at her.

"No more secrets, no more lies" Rhiannon scolded him, "Remember?"

"Yeah. He would have found out as soon as he got hold of me" Jack agreed, "I just want him to calm down. It's not good for him after the surgery. He is still bloody healing, Goddess on a donkey, you should have seen him. He was so …so …strong!"

"HE is right here! Are we safe?" Ianto asked softly, "The security .."

"The show has sent extras over babe" Jack assured him, "We have security outside as well as in here with us. They are looking for him now, checking that he is off-world. It's OK. His Majesty is enraged and had declared him banned from this planet."

"What? The king? What? He what?" Rhiannon gapped.

"Ianto is a firm favourite with the royal family" Jack smiled, "They have stepped in and declared this entire planet Ianto's home. One hell of a trespass notice, don't you think?"

"Well, I'll be a Gerbolt's uncle" she muttered.

"But you're an Aunty" a little voice said and she laughed as she looked down at the innocent child, leaning in to kiss her.

"It's an expression, like Goddess on a Donkey" Ianto laughed and she giggled as she snuggled deeper into his lap.

"Are you OK darling?" Rhiannon crooned, seeing that she was quite safe and happy.

"Rhiannon, I don't want to seem pushy but is there any chance you and the kids can come stay a few days? Just until we are sure he's gone?" Jack asked her, placing a hand on her arm, "Ianto will worry about you, I know he will. If he knows you are here, he won't pine."

"Johnny has work now he has that job the Representatives sorted for him" she dithered and looked at Jack who gave a knowing nod.

"Johnny might be best to stay at the depot" he suggested, "They have sleeping quarters there. I know he only works there three days a week to ensure his benefits but I am sure there can be something sorted out there. The dislike he has for Ianto would only inflame the situation."

A representative nodded as he moved away to make calls and Jack knew that Johnny would find himself too busy to attend.

Rhiannon rose to use the bathroom and Jack rose as well, "I'll show you where the towels are."

He entered the room and removed a small egg from his pocket, twisting it and placing it down and it began to make the sound of running water.

"A dampener" he explained, "They can't hear us."

Rhiannon slumped as she nodded and he stepped closer, "Do you want this? A break or a break away. Choose. Tell me. I can make him gone. If you and the kids want a life without him, I can make it happen. You don't need his benefit, I will provide. All you have to do is tell me when you are ready. OK?"

"Thank you" she sighed, "I don't …the kids. I don't know ...I …"

"It doesn't have to be now" he said as he scooped up the egg, "Take a few days without him. See how the air tastes. Take your time and consider. I will wait. For Ianto, I will wait."

The egg stopped swooshing and he dropped it back in his pocket, turning to leave.

"Thank you" she repeated and Jack turned back to look at her with a soft smile.

"For Ianto, I would do anything. You are his sister. I will include you in this family, for him" he assured her, then he left.

Rhiannon slumped against the wall and considered.

She considered damned hard.

Could she do this?