20

"Are you safe?"

"Yes Cariad. It seems confined to the cities at the moment" Ianto said as Jack's image flickered on the screen and Ianto frowned "Jack … what's happening?"

"They are trying to jam coms, it will make it harder for the military to rally. Honey, we will lose contact soon and may not resume it until this is over so just be calm and remember that you are an Alpha, that is your Hive and you are in charge" Jack's image flickered more then he came in to focus again "I love you."

"I love you too my darling" Ianto said firmly "We will be fine. I know we will. You focus on slipping around their armada and getting back here to us. I will focus on keeping us together and safe. I know what you do … so do you. I love you."

"I love…."

Jack was gone, nothing but static as Ianto took a shaky breath and told himself he had this.

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Kit was grizzling, his fingers in his mouth as he wanted his Taddy and was increasingly upset that this was not happening. His face was flushed and his anger was increased by the fluffy skirts to the dress Rhiannon had struggled him into. They had told the kids it was a game. A 'girl' game where only Owen and Adham could be boys. Taddy was not playing as he was not in the room.

Adham sat near the bathroom door where he watched the children, knowing the plan was for him to race in there and hide in the shower. Hopefully no one would go in and physically check in there, if they did the shower cubicle would be frosted and locked, his wife already in there ... she would call out that she was not decent if they tried to enter. He would hide in the back while she pressed herself against the glass. The outline of her large belly would fend them off, not wanting to upset a pregnant woman.

Owen would be in plain sight as an Omega. There to assist with the childcare. Hopefully considered too effeminate to be worthy of being a soldier. If worst came to worst, Ianto would claim he was his wife's 'comfort' toy. He knew Owen would be horrified to hear himself being called a human dildo but Ianto knew these species did have those … slaves and underlings that were considered lower than dogs. They would not want one and there was no way Owen would hide behind a woman.

The reports were saying that they were fanning out from the cities, just as he had feared and the first of the Hovers were shown on screen. They were airborne. Would not stick to the roads, could easily come from any direction.

It was late evening, everyone half asleep when the first reports of them in the next town came though. Ianto on alert now as he gave the order to lockdown. The house began to rise on those lifters he loved so much and he knew it would not stop a Hover from docking but it would at least show that this house had defenses.

Ianto waited.

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Early morning, everyone awake and nervous as Ianto slipped from the nursery and his enraged Kit, the screams cut off as the door closed and Ianto took a moment to weep for his son's confusion. He always cuddled his little ones after feeding, Kit especially. He knew it would only feed his resolve.

The knock came as three short, hard raps and Ianto took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders and opened the door with what he hoped was a confused look. "Yes? I mean … may I help you?"

"We are of the Federated Skirtii Cordia. Let us in!"

Ianto looked at the one barking, then past him at the one with the most stripes. He nodded and stepped to one side, letting them enter and leading them to the main room where the picture above the mantle was of Ianto, Gwen, Cheryse and Elizabeth. It was taken at the wedding, one where Jack had stepped to one side wanting his harem together. No children in sight. Ianto centre stage.

"Please, may I interest you in a sip of Geffla?" Ianto asked pulling out a bottle of amber liquid that had the men stopping to stare, then their leader stepped forward.

"Is it pure?"

"Enough for my contact to charge extra for the box as well" Ianto laughed easily "But seriously … that fake shit is so …. Blasphemous."

"Yes" the man settled "I am General Fov."

"Hello General Fov. I am Ianto Jones. You may know of my father, or at least heard stories of him. Ifan Jones. Pompous bastard of a man who took out your leader a few decades back now." Ianto smiled "He was an infidel, a turncoat and … my shame was so deep that I ran as far as I could from him to this shitty place believing the man that sold it to me. Now I find myself in a godless land where they do not even allow our Gods their dues!"

"Yes! I thought I knew the name … those in the town called you a Jones. I see not a single House of the Gods" Fov sniffed "Godless."

"Not all. I have met a few brothers but … most hide it. Seems they are too straight laced around here for us. My mother did her best to teach me the ways of our Gods … he hated her for it. Only wed her to get into the church … to get to your leader. Why he never even admits to having an adult son. The last article on him was crowing of a newborn son where he said 'Finally an heir' like a real arsehole" Ianto sighed as his story he had created his head sounded better than he had hoped, knowing that article would have been seen by everyone. Faint hammering made him shoot to his feet "Come. Let me show you the real problem that is being kept from you."

"Brother?" the man asked with surprise.

Ianto started to lead him towards the door that the soldiers were trying to unlock in vain.

His family.