35

The idiot sheep followed them, almost the entire flock of about twenty plodded behind them like they were kids on some boring day trip with their parents. Ianto was most amused and kept looking back and giggling.

They got home without problem, Ianto watching as Abner crowed over the electric fences and he turned to Jack, "I was thinking on the way back."

"Yeah? I was mostly watching your arse" Jack admitted with a cheeky grin and as he had hoped Ianto laughed.

"No, the fencing. That bloody gorse. Was used as hedgerows, remember?" Ianto smiled, "We plant some and cut some to shove about in the meantime. Clumps that we can then place electric fences out to connect between clumps, in time the gorse can cover the entire area as a fence the sheep and cows won't want to argue with."

"Good idea" Abner nodded, then saw the chickens, "Ah, egg makers! Brilliant!"

Ianto went in and found Rhys sitting on a bed looking into space so he sat next to him for a while, then opened the box he had carried in to reveal the cats, curled up asleep.

"Rhys, these have to be inside animals at night and especially for the next three days so they don't run away, we can't let them out or the lizards will eat them. Can you sort bowls and bedding please?" Ianto asked and Rhys turned to look at him, the look of gratitude raw.

Ianto hadn't treated him like he was damaged, hadn't fussed simply asked politely.

"Rhys, there is nothing I can do or say to make this better right now, you have to work through this" Ianto said sadly, "Gwen could have been a productive member of this family. She might have gotten over her episode, rallied. I had faith in her. When she endangered the children my heart broke for all of us."

"And her sleeping about?" Rhys asked hollowly, "She was gonna bed your fella?"

"Owen and Andy?" Ianto canted his head, "Look. Andy might have been long ago when she first joined the force, I never saw any indication of it. Owen? I think that was a test. She was unsure if she was ready to commit. Maybe sleeping with him showed her she didn't want anyone else. After all, it's you she went home to."

"You think?"

"Rhys, she loved you" Ianto assured him, "She will be missed. Her sense of humor for one."

Rhys nodded as he accepted the little white lies, rising to sort the cats out and Ianto turned to find Jack there listening. Ianto went to him, hugging him as he gave thanks that they were OK and he held his Cariad tightly.

"I'm so tired" Jack said softly, "It's another couple of hours until tea to bring the kids on before dusk lock down, wanna go up and have a snooze?

"Gods yes" Ianto groaned, "My legs are killing me."

"Come on" Jack led Ianto up and helped him take off his boots, inspecting his feet and relived to find them OK, then he undressed as Ianto laid back on the bed and sighed softly. Jack then climbed onto the bed and stated to massage Ianto's' legs as he sighed softly, "Roll over love. Let me at those muscles that will Charlie Horse once you relax into sleep."

Ianto did as asked and was soon drifting in a blissful haze as Jack saw to his tired limbs, satisfied once a soft snore started. Then he climbed in and pulled the covers up, kissing Ianto gently as he wished him good dreams and they slept.

The others unpacked the gear and the kids found the cats, Owen explaining that the doors had to be kept shut so they didn't run away and get eaten. They promised dutifully to care for them, their little lands clasped even though Owen could not see it and he nodded like he could. He sat and told them about cats as they hung off every word, Owen considered wize.

The smell of food woke the men, Ianto wriggling as he kissed Jack and then raced for the loo. Jack laughed as Ianto then ran back for a robe as he remembered he was just in his boxers and Jack rose to follow, going down to find the tea underway.

"The boy is in there, will be out in a sec. Come sit. Eat" Abner said happily, "You brought some of this back after all."

"The chickens?" Ianto asked as he reentered.

"In the barn tonight, I will sort a coup for them tomorrow from one of the old water towers or something. Good job there we forgot them last time" Abner said as he handed the bowl of mashed potato along.

"Good" Ianto smiled, "And what's this. Does someone have a new dress? Lordy, look at this little angel!"

The little girl preened as she stood to show them.

"Dawn, sit and eat please" Bonny said gently as Clyde drank his milk happily, enjoying the full creamy milk that had been milked from one of the cows earlier.

"We need to sort these sheep too. I locked them in but they are buggers for pulling shit about." Abner said, "The fences tomorrow, OK?"

Everyone nodded their agreement, even the children who were using far too much tomato sauce.

So what.

They were celebrating after all.