37. it's a kind of magic
Laughter filled the hub as they played an impromptu game of catch.
Ianto wandered up from the lower levels and looked up from the file he was sharing with Spike to see the others dancing around as they shouted and laughed. Joyful cheering as Daisy managed to reach to top of the stack of filing cabinets and she clapped her hands at her sister.
Another new member called Darcy was backing up, ready to go wide and Ianto titled his head as he watched Spike join in.
Jack walked from his office on the mezzanine level, yeah he still liked to overlook everyone, just in time to see the ball fly.
Spike's mouth fell open, Jack dropped the file he was reading to shout out a warning and Ianto screamed with terror as he leapt.
He stretched, desperate to save the little ball and his fingertips brushed the fur. His other hand slapped at it, knocking it back into his arms as he fell back down, into the autopsy bay.
Everyone stood with shocked stares as Jack raced for his fallen love.
Ianto lay on the grating floor, the little ball still clutched at his chest as he keened with pain.
"Ianto, oh my baby, oh god my baby" Jack cried, kneeling to run his hands over his Welshman's body.
He found the limbs intact but when he brushed his palms over his sides Ianto let out a bellow.
Spike was at the other side of Ianto in an instant, trying to comfort him through his pain.
"Broken ribs," Jack panted, looking up at the team who stood silently at the rail, "FUCK!"
"Oh God, we never thought he would do that" Daisy sobbed as she looked down, "It was just a wee koosh ball we found under the couch"
"That "ball" is Ianto's bloody pet you dipsticks. Did none of you notice that it was alive?" Jack roared and Ianto sniffled into his chest as he crooned at the fluff.
Once he was sure that the wee Pyra was unharmed, Ianto rose and glared up at the team who knew a full out tantrum was coming.
"HOW DARE YOU PLAY WITH MY STUFF!" Ianto roared, his face red with anger.
"Ianto, sweetie be careful with your ribs" Anwen soothed and Ianto turned to glare at her.
The full Jones Stare was employed and she shrank back with a gasp of surprise.
"My ribs are fine thank you!" Ianto said caustically. "My little Fleck is hungry and I am too angry right now to speak to you …. You … people!"
Ianto stalked off and Spike whistled low, "Healed quick that time!"
"Yeah, thank god." Jack huffed, "I hate to think of him in pain of any kind."
"Right, team. Meeting room now!"
"Actually Uncle, I'm in charge here now and I…." Anwen trailed off and followed the rest of them to their doom as the Harkness Glare was matched with the Jones Stare from the other side of them.
Jack tore strips off them all while Ianto stood with his little pet in his hands.
After a while Jack's voice softened as he admonished them for being thoughtless and the creature overcame its fear that had kept it balled up.
Unfurling like a hedgehog, the Pyra peeked over the fingers at the team who, one by one, noticed the audience.
Owen had been standing defiantly with his little arms folded as he supported Jack's rants and was the first to break formation, running over with a soft coo of delight.
Ianto dropped gracefully to his knees and let the boy pet his baby, grinning affectionately at his two favourite babies as they regarded each other and decided that they liked each other.
Rosie went over to Spike and Jack who were watching the interactions.
"He was badly hurt, but it's like he forgot it even happened" she noted and Jack hummed.
"You think about it baby girl. He was hurt so often, he became used to it." Jack shrugged as he turned to look at her with his usual smile, "my baby forgives."
"I just can't get over it." She shook her head, "I mean. You die, you live. But he is so … I don't know."
"Magical?" Jack prompted. "First time I met him he was wanting a job. I said no. Know what he did?"
She shook her head with wide eyes and the whole room fell silent as they waited for the story Gwen was smiling at already.
"He found me a magical creature. Like a knight slaying a dragon, he led me to a Pterodactyl!"
"Pteranodon Cariad. Different time period all together" Ianto corrected and Jack laughed.
"See? Knows all there is to know and looks good in a suit to boot!"
"Careful sir, harassment that is!" Ianto blushed.
"Ah. See that! That's a kind of magic too."