53

Next morning and it was a time for celebration.

Nainny broke out several packets of M&Ms and the children were soon bouncing off the ceiling as they screamed and roared around the yard.

Ianto took the boat with Ifan, Jack, Rhys and unfortunately Gwen on board. Ianto had hissed his displeasure about taking Gwen but Jack assured him that she was going to behave. She was getting jealous of Rhys and wanted a wee trip as well.

Ianto knew this was bullshit but thought that, maybe now Jack would be pushed far enough to finally defend him. If not, then Ianto didn't know him at all. Ianto's head was still all over the place and the nightmares the night before hadn't helped.

He wanted reassurance, needed some attention and knew he sounded like a bloody girl's blouse thinking this way but his heart ached. Was it necessary to have acted the way he did? Did he enjoy it? What was happening to him? God, he just wanted Jack to hold him and tell him he was right, good and still loved.

He felt so …. So … cold inside.

The morning dew made the greenery look freshly painted, glistening with newness. Ianto wondered if the explorers of the amazon and new worlds saw such beauty in something as simple as a dew dropped leaf. It was as if he was seeing the world with new eyes.

Silly, I know but Ianto was an archivist. The details are important to him, the devil is in the details!

Within minutes of docking she started. Ianto's fragile heart sank as Gwen got into high gear. Her horror at the "barbaric" killing of the Unit scumbags had her openly berating Ianto.

"Like animals! God, look at the blood spatter! Even on that rafter up there," She snarled, "What the fuck were you doing? Some pagan ritual?"

Ianto looked over at Jack who had his hands in his pockets as he looked up as well. Jack saw the blood and quite admired the strength it must have taken.

"You haven't been the same since the Z bite!" she accused, "I think you're infected but like a carrier. You exhibit the destructive impulse to destroy innocent people, you're no better than those … those …. Monsters!"

"Gwen" Jack said in warning as he stepped closer to Ianto, "That's enough."

"When will it be enough?" she demanded, "When he decides to kill one of us because we got in his way, or beat him at cards? Are our children safe?"

Ianto was stunned. Hurt and mortified but mostly stunned as he gaped at Gwen, waiting for Jack to defend him. Our children?

Jack knelt by Thorne and frowned as he recognised an old foe, no great loss there!

"Gwen, stop it" Rhys said, pulling on her arm.

"He shouldn't be near the children in case he snaps" she said loudly, "We should leave him here, he can live here!"

Jack was going through Thorne's pockets and missing a critical juncture in the relationship he had worked so hard to forge.

"Jack?" Ianto said sadly, "Are you even listening to Gwen?"

"Huh?" Jack looked up and smiled, "Yeah. Whatever."

"Whatever" Ianto mouthed, then he turned and stormed out of the building and to the edge of the lake. He looked out over the water as it lapped at his feet and wondered what the bloody point was.

"Boy?" Ifan had heard the yelling and had been about to enter and confront the woman when Ianto had emerged.

"Jack said whatever" Ianto deadtoned. "Jack doesn't care if I return with you or am abandoned here like Gwen wants. Whatever."

Ifan gaped, then turned and entered the building.

Ianto turned his face to the sun and let his mind go blank.

Behind him, the voices in the barn became raised and clipped, then the sound of flesh hitting flesh followed by more intense shouting. Ianto found that he really didn't care anymore.

He took a few steps, up to his knees now and he let his arms splay out so his fingers could cause small ripples around his body.

Another step and he was almost to his groin. Might tickle.

Ianto sighed and was about to step again when strong arms lifted him out of the water and he was carried back to shore. Jack dropped him onto the grass and stood staring at him as he put his previously discarded greatcoat back on.

"My shoes are wet now, you know I hate wet feet" Jack said softly and Ianto shrugged.

"Whatever." Ianto muttered as he rose gracefully to his feet.

Ianto, I didn't hear the conversation and I know I should have asked for clarification but you caught me with my brain out of gear" Jack reached for him but Ianto stepped away, looking out at the water again.

"What were you doing in there?" Jack said softly.

"Washing away my sins?" Ianto frowned, "Why, does it matter?"

"Yes." Jack huffed, "It does to me!"

"Jack." Ianto sagged and then rubbed his eyes with the balls of his hands. "I don't want to fight but I always seem to find myself on a one man team. She is relentless and you won't take sides."

"Ianto, as the captain I have to …"

"I don't love the bloody captain" Ianto roared, "I love you! You, you bastard. You bloody pompous git of a twat! Why do you not love me back?"

"I do, I do love you" Jack cried, "Desperately."

"Then fucking show it" Ianto spat. "I may not be a damsel in distress but I thought I was your bloody partner."

"You are, gods, you are" Jack was beside himself as he saw how hurt Ianto was.

"Whatever"

"Stop that!" Jack grabbed him and shook him, "Stop trying to make this all my fault."

"No Jack" Ianto extracted himself from Jack's grip, "It's not your fault. Clearly it's mine. Cheers."

Jack deflated and stared at Ianto.

"I love you" Jack whispered.

"Who loves me? Jack? Captain? Sir?" Ianto tilted his head, "Companion? Time-agent?"

"Jax?"

Jack narrowed his eyes and seized Ianto again, kissing him fiercely. Ianto struggled but Jack slammed him against the building and forced a hand down his pants, jerking him roughly.

"Me. Fuck you, me!"

Ianto panted as he glared back, then pushed him away.

"Why not just cock your leg on me!" Ianto snarled.

"I'd rather put a ring on you finger" Jack said as he turned to walk away, "Like you'd ever marry me"

Ianto heard the parting shot and raced after Jack, tripping him and climbing over his body, expertly flipping him onto his back and kissing him long and hard.

"You are such a bastard!" Ianto sobbed as he touched their foreheads together. "How the hell can I turn down a proposal like that?"

Jack grinned as he held his Welshman, hoping he could live up to his own hype.

Ianto lay in his arms knowing, as he does about all things, that Jack would come through for him in the end.

The look on Gwen's face when they announce the news will be the cherry on the fucking top!