50

Walter walked up to Ianto's desk and looked at him woefully.

"Walt?" Ianto looked up from his work, "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

Since obtaining work, it seemed natural to place Walter in the school so he and Stephen could be together. They had expected resistance but found Walter excited to spend playtimes with his big brother who seemed equally excited to have Walter on board.

With Babbit coming to work when not at pre-school, Ianto had his babies where he could see them.

"I have a bad head" Walter groused as he headed for the nearest lump of beanbags, finding Babbit already on one, sucking his thumb.

"Hey stink" Walter pouted, "Room for me?"

Babbit held his little arms out and Walter eagerly cuddled in, kissing the baby on his little red cheek.

Ianto watched and frowned as he wondered if it was a bug going around, both kids were listless today.

When Stephen's class came in, Babbit called out feebly, reaching out like the ET movie they had watched at the weekend with a pitiful look on his face.

"Fen" Babbit wailed, "Fen, me and Walty icky"

"Aw, my poor little bros" Stephen crooned as he knelt by the beanbags.

The first time he had been called Fen, he was confused until it was explained that Babbit made names for everyone. Stephen. Steve – Fen. Made sense.

Stephen settled in the beanbag and let his brothers cuddle into his lap as he stroked their hair and crooned like Taddy does when your head hurts.

"Seems like it's going around" Stephen's teacher said quietly as she watched, "Four other children have called in sick and we sent one home earlier."

"I was wondering that, Celia" Ianto smiled.

"I've not much planned for the afternoon as my curriculum needed all the students present so it'll be revision. He can do that here if he wants to stay" she conceded and Ianto smiled again, watching the soft blush.

"Thank you Celia" he purred, "I would appreciate the help with Babbit. He always behaves for him."

The class settled and Ianto sat in a beanbag next to his children.

The class held their breath because this meant a treat, Mr Harkness-Jones never sat unless he was going to read.

As Ianto opened the book a bang was heard and Ianto frowned as he looked up.

"Lord, someone is slamming doors today" Celia sighed and she moved to lean out the door of the library, looking in the direction of the noise.

Another bang, closer and Ianto jumped.

Two more in quick succession and Ianto leapt from the bag, grabbing Celia and pulling her into the library before slamming the door and to her complete shock. Locking it.

He stood staring at Celia and then blinked.

"Everyone, we have a drill" he said calmly as he turned towards the class, "Everyone, we are going to have a tornado alert. Can you all remember what to do?"

A hand raised.

"We go to the office over there with no windows, Sir?"

"Well done." Ianto smiled, "Everyone, calmly and promptly, into my office. Stephen, you know where I keep the Jammy Dodgers. Everyone gets one if they can sit quietly on the floor without bickering"

Celia looked at Ianto as he began to pull shelving in front of the door.

"Ianto?" she asked softly.

"Celia" he whispered, checking the kids were out of earshot, "Those are not slamming. Those are gun shots. I've been on the shooting range with my husband enough times to recognise them."

"Oh my god" she gasped as she shakily hurried to settle the children.

Ianto's hands shook as he rechecked the door and pulled his phone from his pocket.

He hit the triple digits and placed the office key in Celia's hand.

She nodded and stepped in, the lock engaging as Ianto slid to the floor and waited.