25

Jack stood in the bedroom looking at the bed with open confusions.

He had expected to find Kit in there, maybe even Jax as well but to find Elizabeth twined with ianto was not something he had expected in his wildest dreams… and let's face it… he has some humdingers. Nope… he was snot sure what to think.

Then he watched Elizabeth wake, her hands moving to soothe and comfort and he knew something bad had happened. This was not some Romanic tryst…that he was surprised to find had slightly upset him to think at first … something was wrong. "Liz?"

She looked at him and placed a finger to her mouth, motioning for him to get in the other side of Ianto and spoon him, Jack complying without a second thought as he saw the invitation. His bed after all, right? Soon he was naked, pressed against his husband's back with his knees brought up to tuck in behind Ianto's and the soft sigh as Ianto seemed to lent back against him showed he was needed here.

Elizabeth whispered the events as quietly as she could but by the time she was finished Ianto was awake as Jack clung to him with open horror now, his hands going over Ianto as if a piece was missing he had not been told about. She had not mentioned the baby, Ianto grateful to her for letting that part be his to tell.

"They are back?" Jack asked

"Yes. Heard Owen's Hover an hour or so back" Elizabeth whispered and Jack kissed Ianto then reluctantly rose to go talk to them.

"I will be right back love, just going to see the boys, OK?" Jack whispered and Ianto nodded snuggling back into Elizabeth and Jack was grateful she was there to mother him in such a loving way.

Adham and Owen were sitting quietly with matching drinks, talking quietly and both rose as Jack entered the kitchen "Hey."

"Hey, he's OK?" Owen ased.

"Yeah. Gods I am so glad you were there… all of you really. If he had been on his own…"

"But he wasn't" Owen cut Jack off mid thought "No point torturing yourself with the maybes. OK? We took the Hover through the midnight washer, it is pristine with no trace of ever being off road let alone in the Badlands."

"That's where you took him?"

"Yes. We took him deep … beyond the marches and set it all on fire. I set it with accelerant so it burned quickly, then we shovelled dirt over the remains. Made sure it looks like nothing from the air. Someone would have to search on foot to find anything." Adham nodded.

"You should have seen him … he was fierce!" Owen said with pride "The silly prick didn't stand a chance once he tried to make a move. Loyalty. They man of yours is loyal to you Jack … you are a lucky bastard."

"And I will never forget it" Jack nodded sitting to pour a drink to match what the two men had.

Rhys slammed into the kitchen "The missus just told me. Is he OK?"

"Yeah. Thank the Gods for gifting him a solid backbone. Ianto did his duty to defend the Hive. A true Alpha move. Gods … had he really been a Gentile …"

"Stop it!" Owen slammed his hand on the table "He is not one. Is he! Stop with the what ifs. I told you .. they will not serve us here. We must look to the dawn. Look to tomorrow, accept the Line."

"Line?" Rhys frowned.

"Ianto drew a line over this" Owen said firmly "It is done. Gone. Moving on, never happened, does not matter. We are fine, we are whole … look to the dawn and a new day, the past is behind us and we NEVER look back."

"Yes. That is Ianto's philosophy. Saved them as children, a strong one to hold. He drew a line, we will respect that" Jack agreed, "Come on. I am going to bed to cuddle my Tiger. You lot get off to your own respective nests yeah?"

"Yeah" Owen stood and patted Jack's shoulder then heft, Rhys rising to return to his wife as well, then he turned back before going out the door.

"You know… it's a good thing he is so quick on his feet. Changing the boys into girl's clothing … calling them more effeminate names. I hope those in the village that were questioned were not tortured to find the truth of the matter … you know he will not forgive himself if anyone else suffered for his ploy."

"We will go into town and check tomorrow… once we have confirmation that the fleet have left like the bastard said it is" Jack snarled "Until then… total lockdown!"

"Fair enough" Rhys nodded, then turned to step out the door "Give him my love and tell him he's a scary bastard and an incredible protector. I am pleased my family were here, that he was here to defend."

"I will … it will bring him comfort" Jack smiled as he walked to the door, patting Rhys on the shoulder as he had done him moments ago and Rhys nodded, stepping down then walking along the path as he called back something that froze Jack in his tracks.

"All that and preggers again too … what a bloody legend!"