Mucho gusto with the apologies with the delay. "Immortality" and original fiction have taken the forefront, then there're all these other whacky ideas popping into my head distracting me. Driving me bonkers.

Anyway, here we are. Do let me know what you think. Much appreciated.

Chapter title: Father's Day pt. 1


Cadfael Jones Sr. awoke with a gasp. He wasn't sure how but his children must have defeated the demon and Cadfael was allowed to return to his body. He was never actually dead in the first place but they thought he was, so much so that they put him in the family crypt; fortunately an autopsy wasn't performed—that would have killed him.

He got up off the slab and the smell of his dead relatives hit his nose. Now, how to get out of this crypt? The door didn't open from the inside. Oh look, a window—he'd have to break it and crawl out. He sighed, he was too old for this.

He crawled out into a dark cemetery, it was night or early morning, one of the two. Now what to do? He checked his pockets, nope they didn't entomb him with any money. That was a shame. Who would he call anyway? They all thought he was dead. Well there was one person, the one who Cadfael had enlisted to ensure he did not get an autopsy but if he did as Cadfael asked, he wouldn't remember anyway. He had to get to his children but he couldn't just go up to them and say 'Sorry did I miss lunch?' First he needed to find out how long it'd been because he had no idea and talk to someone who could break it to them gently.

His mother-in-law's house was closest to the cemetery. He'd have to walk.

The sky was lighter and the sun was beginning to rise by the time he reached Kylia's house.

There wasn't a car out front but that was normal as Kylia didn't drive. He went up to the door but before he knocked he saw a newspaper on the doorstep and picked it up. He quickly found today's date: 17 June 2007. Dear Gods. He'd been gone eight years, what's more it was his 60th birthday.

Cadfael sighed deeply, he'd think about it later. He knocked, knowing that Kylia always got up with the sun. Then he stopped, eight years, was his mother-in-law even still alive? He put his ear to the door, there were no sounds of movement so if there was anyone home they may not have heard the door. He looked back at the driveway, there were tyre tracks on it; a car was parked there normally.

He decided to go for it. He knocked again "Anybody home?" he shouted "Hello?" after five minutes there was still no answer. Clearly no one was home. Cadfael had to find out who lived here. There was no name on the letter box. He went around to the back hoping to find the spare key in the false rock. It was exactly where he remembered.

He opened the back door and stepped into the kitchen. He turned on the light and the first thing he saw was the fridge practically plastered in children's drawings. That didn't exactly tell Cadfael anything, Kylia was a very proud grandmother and kept crayon pictures up even though her youngest grandson was a teenager. Well he was when Cadfael saw him last. He figured Ianto would be twenty-three now. Almost twenty-four.

The kitchen he noticed was very tidy. There was a coffee machine on the counter. Cadfael opened the cabinet above it and sure enough there was a canister in it. He took it down and opened it, ground coffee and it smelled like Ianto's work. He replaced it precisely where he found it.

Then he got a closer look at the fridge. The drawings were all signed either Rini or Cory, mostly Rini though. One picture in particular caught his attention, it was of a little boy and girl standing between two men. One of those men was wearing a long bluish-grey coat.

What? That wasn't a child's depiction of who he thought it was, was it?

Amidst the drawings Cadfael spotted a spelling test that received full marks, the name in the corner was Cory Jones.

Who was Cory Jones?

Cadfael took a deep breath and exited the kitchen into the dining room. There wasn't much in there that could tell him who lived here because like the kitchen it was clean and organised. Deciding not to bother looking he moved on to the family room.

This was where he found out who lived here.

"Oh my God" he went over to the fireplace where a half a dozen photos rested. One was his and Iseult's wedding picture, one was of his parents and one was of Iseult's parents. There were the two little kids, he figured lived here, the boy looked just like Ianto. Did that mean…? Then there was a picture of that idiot Harkness with his arms wrapped around who Cadfael was sure was Ianto.

What the hell?

The front door opened and before Cadfael could hide, Ianto walked into the room. He paled considerably and dropped the newspaper he was holding. "Tad?"

"Bore da, Ianto."


Jack was driving the Torchwood SUV with the kids, they and all the other spouses and kids had been waiting at Cadfael's house.

Ianto was perturbed to find the newspaper unfolded on the doorstep, that paperboy was getting lax. He went inside and walked into the family room where he saw his father, dressed in his funeral clothes but looking very much alive.

Ianto dropped the paper "Tad?"

"Bore da, Ianto" he said.

"Aren't you dead?" well, Ianto didn't know what else to say.

"I got better. It's a long story but I am alive, thanks to you and your brothers and sisters, I imagine."

Ianto took a breath and stepped closer to him. He took hold of his tad's wrist and felt for a pulse. There was one and he was warm. Definitely alive. "We thought we were fighting for your soul, nobody said anything about bringing you back to life—not that I'm not glad…wait, how do I know you're who you say you are?" He stepped back.

"I got in through the backdoor, there's a spare key kept in a false rock by the potting shed, which you apparently don't use. Also I gave that idiot" he pointed to the picture of Jack "explicit instructions to stay away from my family so what exactly is the meaning of this?"

Ianto sighed "I don't think now's the time to get into this."

Tad sighed "Right you are."

"But I will not deny he is an idiot."

Tad's lips curved just a trifle upwards "Well at least you're not blind."

"I don't understand, how are you alive?"

"That's just it, I was never actually dead in the first place."

"But I saw you die, we put you in the crypt."

"You didn't see what you thought you saw. And yes, I was in the crypt, that's where I woke up, had to break out. I knew one day you kids would have to face the demon and I knew you would win."

"So killing the demon woke you up?"

"Yes and the apparent loyalty you kids have for your old man."

"I don't get it, Tad" this really was making Ianto's head hurt "you were sick, weren't you? Does this have to do with what you did when you came after me, Gav and Gwill in '96?"

"Yes."

Ianto put a hand to his head "This is confusing."

"I don't fully understand it either, if it's any consolation."

"It's not."

The door opened. Oh no.

"Ianto" Jack called "Cory and Rini have offered to make us toast. Isn't that sweet?" the three of them came into the room.

Ianto's cheeks were on fire "Jack…" he began.

"I see we have company, hi Cadfael…Cadfael?" the colour drained from Jack's face "what?" he squeaked.

"What's going on, Tad?" Cory asked "I thought Tad-cu Cadfael was dead."

Ianto took several calming breaths "He got better. Look, Cory, Rini I need you two to go upstairs for a few, okay? Please? Get some rest, it's been a long night."

"But…" Rini began,

Cory took her arm "Come on Rini, do as Tad says" he led her up the stairs.

Jack hadn't moved and his mouth hung open.

"That's a very obedient child you have there," Tad said "looks just like you."

Ianto laughed nervously "He's six going on forty." He laughed again "god, do I want a drink."

"It's not even seven o'clock" Tad said.

Ianto couldn't stop laughing, he believed this man was his father but there was so much to explain to him, the situation was just so not funny it was funny.

"Okay" Tad said "hysteria and shock. I'll make some tea, shall I?"


As Cadfael passed by Harkness he said "And it's Mr Jones to you till further notice" with that he made his way to the kitchen.

How did this happen? What was a 23 year old Ianto doing with a 6 year old son? How did he get involved with Harkness? Who was the little girl? She looked more like Harkness so she was probably his.

But how…? Never mind, Cadfael, just make the tea. He found the kettle and filled it with water and set it on a burner. Now he had to find the tea.

"If you're looking for tea, you won't find any" Ianto had come into the kitchen, calmer but face red "you should know I don't believe in it."

"Oh yes. I was thinking of your Nain Kylia. Is she…?"

"She passed away a few years ago, breast cancer."

"I'm sorry to hear that. She was a lovely woman. Why do you have a kettle then?"

"For cocoa, I don't like using the microwave to heat water. I can make coffee, if you like."

"Sure, yes" Cadfael turned off the burner.

Ianto took the coffee canister out of the cabinet "I think you should wait till we're all together before you explain how you're alive. I know you hate repeating yourself. I'm just glad you're back. I missed you, Tad."

Cadfael pulled him into a hug "I missed you too. I can't believe I missed so much." He released Ianto and looked him over "You've grown and you look exactly like your tad-cu Ifan. That's a shame."

Ianto rolled his eyes "That's what Tad-cu Taliesin said when his spirit told me your soul was in trouble."

Cadfael chuckled "I'm not surprised. But seriously son, you look good. Are those jeans designer?"

"No, just new. I don't fight demons in designer clothes. Happy birthday, Tad, and happy father's day too."

"Is it Father's Day?"

"It is."

"So tell me, how many grandchildren do I have now?"

"Nineteen, twenty if you include Rini and I do and so does everyone else."

Cadfael had to steady himself on the counter, how many grandchildren? "She's, uh, Jack's daughter?"

"Yes."

"You two are serious then?" Cadfael's mind was racing.

"Very. I love him Tad and he loves me. We're getting a civil partnership."

"A what?"

"Gay marriage."

For a moment Cadfael couldn't respond, his youngest child was marrying Jack Harkness? "It, uh, has to be in its own category?"

"Yes, I don't know why."

"That's a bit unfair. But how did you meet him? I told him to stay away…"

"You threatened him and that's the bit I'm not looking forward to telling you. But I may as well get it over with. So long story short, nobody told me I was supposed to stay away from Torchwood, Tad. I ended up joining it in London and when that was destroyed I convinced Jack to hire me, he's the leader now."

"Convinced?" Harkness had clearly gotten passed his shock and entered the kitchen "he stalked me, gave me coffee and wore a suit, how was I supposed to say no? I tried though, I really did but he wore me down."

The look Ianto shot Jack told Cadfael just who was in charge of this relationship. And that pleased him.


Jack withered under Ianto's glare but he held himself "Well it's the truth" he said "that's what happened" he put a hand on Ianto's shoulder "stole my heart while he was at it," he said to Cadfael.

Ianto relaxed somewhat under his touch.

Cadfael eyed Jack cautiously "Have you been through the Interrogation?"

"Yes sir, he has" Ianto said "and he passed with the others."

"Hasn't passed with me yet."

"Tad."

"So, Mr Jones" Jack said "good to see you alive."

"Yes I think so. Some time, Harkness you and I are going to have a long talk."

Jack smiled nervously "I look forward to it."

Ianto took out his mobile "I should call the others."

"That can wait" Jack told him, squeezing his shoulder "why don't you take a shower and change?"

"Are you saying I stink?"

"No, I'm saying you need to relax, you're very tense."

Cadfael sighed "It pains me to say this, but I agree with him, Ianto. It sounds like you've have a long night, please freshen up. Afterwards, I'd very much like to meet these children of yours."

"Very well" Ianto poured himself a coffee "I'll leave you two alone then, shall I? Help yourself to the coffee." He left the kitchen.

Alone? Alone with Cadfael? Jack hadn't thought of that. He gulped.

"Perhaps we can have that conversation now, Harkness."

"How are you alive?" Jack wanted to delay that interrogation for as long as possible.

Cadfael sighed again "That's part of it. Hold on," he held up a finger as the creaking of the stairs could be heard "I've been harping on Kylia to get those fixed, guess nobody's listened."

"Ianto thinks it adds character. He likes to hear when I get home."

The squeaking stopped and Cadfael continued "I knew what was going to happen to me. I enlisted your help."

Jack couldn't believe what he just heard "You what? I don't…"

"Then you must have did what I asked. I told you what was going on, I asked you to ensure I was not autopsied and I asked you to forget about it once done. I know about this pill of yours, I asked you to make yourself forget because my children couldn't know about it."

Jack didn't know what else to say other than "Why not?"

"They had to go into it blind, if they had known, it would have put them in far more danger."

Jack wracked his brain, thinking about the time Cadfael died, there were a couple days he could not remember clearly. "I hope I wrote this down."

"Why?"

"Because Ianto will be pissed off if he thinks I lied to him. An angry Ianto is a scary Ianto. He gets it from Ifan and you."

Cadfael smiled slightly "Do you love my son, Jack?"

"Yes I do. I would die for him if I could. I want so much to grow old with him."

Cadfael's eyes searched his "Does he know about you?"

"He knows everything."

"We still need to talk but I can see you're sincere. Do you need to get changed as well?"

Jack checked the time "Yeah, but I'm faster than Ianto. I'm going to breakfast with my sister and dad this morning."

"Since when do you have a sister and dad?"

"Long story, it involves time travel but my dad is from the 20th century and…"

Cadfael held up a hand "Tell me later, I don't need a headache right now. I should like to meet him, your father."

Cadfael knew Jack was from the future because Ifan had known and Iseult had known.

"Sure" Jack poured a coffee and handed it to Cadfael "We're all going to that party at your house later."

Cadfael took a sip "there's a party at my house?"

Jack poured his own coffee "In honour of Father's Day and your birthday. Your kids love you very much. You did a great job with them."

Cadfael sighed "I'm sure I could have done better."

"Don't sell yourself short. They're all successful and happy and will be even happier now you're back. And they are all very intelligent."

"What does Ianto do at Torchwood?"

"He doesn't anymore. He resigned last month to spend more time with the kids."

"Really?"

"I think he was already considering it but when he found out how you felt about Torchwood and how Kylia felt about it, I think that was the catalyst."

Cadfael smiled "Damn kids, always doing what I say."

"Yeah. Ianto was our archivist mainly, I didn't intend on giving him that job but he volunteered. He also kept things clean without being told and pretty much did everything the rest of us didn't want to."

"I guess that's where he differs from his tad-cu, they are alike."

"Tell me about it" Jack took a drink "glares like Ifan, sounds like Ifan and I went and gave him Ifan's gun."

"Why'd you do that?"

"So he'll have protection when I'm not around. Do you know what the cheeky bugger did the other night?" Jack decided to share this to show Cadfael that he was not the boss in this house "he found Ifan's suits and put one of them on."

"He didn't?"

"Did and I nearly had a heart attack when I saw him. Thought it was Ifan come back to haunt me."

This had Cadfael laughing "I can't believe I'm asking this but he wasn't intending on role playing was he?"

"No, no, I'd told him before if he dressed like Ifan I wouldn't be able to do a damn thing other than cower in fear."

Cadfael was on the floor in laughter and Jack found himself laughing too, the normal tension between them was for the moment anyway gone.


After checking in with the kids and seeing that they were napping, Ianto took a quick shower and shaved. He put on one of his better 3-piece suits and then made his way back downstairs. All in all it took about twenty minutes.

When he got back to the kitchen he felt like he'd entered the Twilight Zone. Jack and Tad were laughing, Jack leaning on the fridge and Tad on the floor. "Cariad, what have you done to my father?"

Jack caught his breath "Only told him that you're the boss of me. He seems to enjoy that."

Tad got a hold of himself and got to his feet "Ianto, you look good. That's a nice suit, red's your colour."

"Thank you, Tad. Jack, if you want to have your shower now."

"Sure" Jack made for the kitchen door.

"I'll be with you in a moment Tad" Ianto followed Jack out and grabbed him, pulling him into a kiss "Happy Father's Day, Jack."

Jack smiled "Happy Father's Day to you too."

"There's a present for you on the bed."

"Is there? I'll open it later when I give you yours, is that all right?"

"Of course. Are you all right, Jack? With Tad being here?"

"Of course. It's not me I'm worried about, Tiger. You had a tough night, will you be all right today? You wanted a drink earlier."

Ianto sighed "Still do but I highly doubt I'll have time to sneak off to find one. And before you ask, yes I took my pills. Now, go take your shower and will you wear one of the suits I made you, I want to show Tad."

Jack kissed him again "I was thinking the same thing" he left the dining room and by the sounds of it bounded up the stairs.

"Did you hear any of that?" Ianto asked when he stepped back into the kitchen "Uncle Iestyn says you like to eavesdrop."

"There's a big difference between like and can't help it. And your uncle Iestyn is a tattle-tale. Why would you need to sneak off for a drink?"

Ianto leaned against the counter "I'm a recovering alcoholic. The pills are for bipolar and hyperthyroid."

"Oh son, are you all right?"

"Sure. I'd better start the calling tree" he pulled out his mobile and called Cadfael Jr., it was required he call the eldest first.


Cadfael couldn't believe this, he leaves them alone for eight years and everything gets weird. Ianto was an alcoholic and bipolar? What problems did the others have?

He watched Ianto as was on his mobile phone.

"Caddy," Ianto said into it after a moment "I'm sorry if I woke you…no, nothing's wrong, everything's great actually…Happy Father's Day to you too, listen…Cadfael, listen. Thank you, what we did last night, we didn't just save Tad's soul, we, sort of, um, saved his life. I'm serious, he's standing in my kitchen right now. Cadfael, I'm bipolar not schizophrenic. I'll put you on speaker" Ianto took the phone away from his ear and pressed a button "can you hear me?"

"Yes Ianto" that was Cadfael Jr.'s voice "now what's going on?"

"Say something Tad" Ianto said.

Cadfael got close to the phone and spoke into it "Hello Junior."

There was a clattering sound as if Caddy had dropped his phone.

"Caddy?" Ianto said "you all right?"

There was a scrambling sound followed by a deep breath "Ifan, have you learned to impersonate Tad?"

"Caddy, I wouldn't lie about this. I'll take a picture and send it to you." Ianto held up his phone, "Smile Tad."

"Are you saying that mobile, which appears to have shrunk by the way, can take pictures?"

"Yes sir" Ianto pressed a button and there was a flash and clicking sound.

"That certainly sounded like something like Tad would say" Caddy muttered.

Ianto pressed another button "There I sent it."

"So not only can mobiles take pictures but they can send them to other phones?" Cadfael asked.

"To other mobiles yes" Ianto said "Would you like some more coffee?"

"All right, here it is" Caddy said over the phone "oh gods. I can't believe it. Tad, is that really you?"

"Yes, son" Cadfael spoke into the phone "I'll explain once we're all together but I am alive."

Caddy took another deep breath "Okay, Ianto, I'll call the older half and you call the younger. We'll meet in the office at uh…"

"8:30 will work" Ianto said.

"That's fine, well we'd best get to calling. We'll see you later, Tad."

Ianto hung up the mobile and then pressed another button. After a moment he said "Gwill," he'd taken the phone off speaker "you may want to come over once, actually just come over since you live right down the street. I have to call the rest of the younger half. Gwillym, please, we're in the kitchen, just come on in." Ianto hung up.

"Gwillym lives nearby?" Cadfael asked.

"Yeah, just four houses down. He'll probably be here before Jack gets out of the shower" Ianto pressed another button "Come on, Rhiannon, answer your damn phone."

Shit, Cadfael remembered he'd been in the middle of making Rhiannon's wedding dress when he "died" "Ianto, how did her wedding turn out?"

"Oh, I finished the dress for her" then he said into the phone "there you are, I don't want to know what you were in the middle of. Listen, thank you. I'm sending you a picture to your phone. You'll want to check it."

At that moment the front door opened and the stairs creaked.


Gwill was worried, what could Ianto possibly want at this hour? Okay, it wasn't terribly early but still…He told Anwen he'd be back in a little bit and as soon as he left the house he found an image sent to his mobile. He opened it and ran to Ianto's. Just as he stepped through the front door he saw Jack coming down the stairs.

Jack smiled "Morning Gwill, I take it Ianto called you."

"What's going on Jack?"

"Apparently what the ten of you did last night woke your father from a Sleeping Beauty-like sleep. He's in the kitchen."

It took a moment for Gwill to remember how to move. What had Jack just said? Only one way to find out, he made his way to the kitchen.

When he got there Ianto was on his mobile to Gavin and there was Tad.

Tad gave him a smile "Bore da, Gwillym."

"Tad?" Gwill said meekly.

"Yes, son it's me."

Gwill broke into a grin "Tad!" he pulled his father into a big bear hug, lifting him off the floor "I can't believe it. This is fantastic!"

Tad patted his back "Yes Gwill, it's good to see you too but do put me down, son. I can't breathe."

"Right sorry" Gwill put him down and released him "why'd you come to Ianto's house?"

"I thought it might still be Kylia's till I got here. It was closest to the cemetery. I wasn't about to walk all the way to my house, now was I?"

Ianto had gotten off the phone with Gavin "And before you say anything, he's fine with Jack" he pressed a button on his phone and after a moment said "Gwenora" into it as he stepped out of the kitchen leaving Gwill and Tad alone.

"So," Tad said "you still a cop?"

Gwill nodded "Detective Inspector now."

"Congratulations, I'm very proud of you. How's Anwen?"

"She's great. We just had our fourth baby."

"Four already? Has your mother-in-law calmed any?"

Gwill arched an eyebrow "You mean my monster-in-law? Anwen's brother is engaged so no, not really, she just keeps most things to herself these days."

"Small favours."

"And I have to hear complaints about that woman from two people" Jack had entered the kitchen "you and Gwen" he said to Gwill.

"Gwen Cooper is Anwen's future sister-in-law and she works with Jack" Gwill explained but Tad was staring in amazement at Jack.

Tad stepped closer to Jack "I say Jack, that is a remarkable suit you have on. Who is your tailor?"

Jack grinned "Ianto made this for me."

Tad walked around Jack like he was checking a car "Ianto made this? It fits you perfectly."

"And get this, he said it wasn't his best work."

At that moment Ianto and the kids came in.

Tad looked at Ianto, eyes filled with pride and pulled him into a hug "I am so proud of you, Ianto."

"Uh, okay, thank you. Why?"

Tad stepped back and indicated Jack's suit "This is remarkable work son."

Ianto blushed with a smile "I learned from the best, sir."

"Now, are you going to introduce me to these beautiful children?"

Ianto nudged Cory forward "Tad, this is my son Corrigan, Cory for short. Cory, your tad-cu Cadfael."

Cory held out his hand "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I am very glad you're alive."

Tad shook Cory's hand "And it's a pleasure to meet you too, Cory. I've never met a more polite boy, not even your tad."

"Hey!" Ianto was indignant. Jack and Rini giggled and Gwill just plain guffawed.

Jack cleared his throat "This is my daughter Serena…"

Rini stepped forward and held out her hand "You can call me Rini though, Mr Jones, sir."

Tad shook her hand "Well Rini, since the four of you seem to be quite the happy family, you can call me Tad-cu."

Rini beamed "Really? Thank you" she hugged him.

Tad patted her back "What a delightful little girl."

"Thank you" Jack and Ianto said in unison.

"She gets her charm from her daddy" Ianto said.

"And her accent from her tad," Jack said, "combine the two and you have an unstoppable force of nature. So if you she doesn't have to call you Mr Jones….?"

Cadfael held up a finger "You still have to call me that till further notice."


So if this were a show, that might be where we go to commercial. Anyway, we'll pick it up in the next chapter. We might just skip ahead to the meeting in the office, we'll see what the muses have to say. But I thought that was a cute place to end this chapter.

By the way, there is a song that I might have Ianto perform for Jack at some point, I want you all to look it up, it's called "The Naked Maid" from the fun, fun, fun musical 'Naked Boys Singing'. It's exactly what it says on the tin.

Reviews are cookie dough and I do love cookie dough ;)

TTFN