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"Well that tears it" Rhys spluttered.

I mean … OK. It's a weird thing, having so many siblings but … really. It's not really tearing, they are carefully helped out and everything is fine. After all, Taddy has had a few, so had Dad and neither of them have anything torn off. I mean … seriously folks. Why are Grups soooooooo dramatic? Just because they didn't know little Jay was in there?

Shadow's question through the bond had the others considering and Ianto turned slowly to look at him with interest "Jay?"

"Well … he wants Jackson now" Shadow said out loud, "Now he knows it means Jack's Son. He likes the play on words. He likes words. Don't ya buddy. Wants a Jay name. Said there wasn't one yet so … now there is."

"Right" Ianto sighed, rubbing his face in that way the kids knew meant he was losing his mind, the hidden pregnancy still sinking in.

"Right" Pip agreed sagely "Or left. We've not had a lefty yet either. Might be interesting. Really … that or a Redhead."

"We are a redhead" the twins scolded as one.

"But … not real red. It's more like… blood … fresh blood" Pip frowned and everyone watched as the conversation took a weird turn, the twins looking calmly at their brother before answering.

"Why, what a nice thing to say. We look blooded? Thank you" they decided it was a compliment and would accept it as such, Pip shrugging to show he really didn't care either way. Nuttas those two.

"I love my twins, their lovely dark red. I don't think he will be. I feel he will be pale and fair. Not blonde but … maybe fair. I feel … a lightness to him." Ianto surmised.

"Like Jackson is dark … like Daddy. Johnson will be fair like Taddy" Shadow agreed, everyone watching Ianto's hands drop for his face to stare at his little one.

"So … the joke continues?" he asked slowly.

"Well … if Jackson gets a Jay name … he wants one too. Likes the yen-yang of it. Yes, that what you call a dark and light … balance. Yes. Oops, sorry, internal voice" Shadow said sheepishly before ducking away to talk to the spark in silence.

"Man, it's like each pup is an upgrade" Owen snorted, then slapped his hand over his mouth as Ianto's' face become steely with anger. After all this time, a Cyberman reference should not fall out around here … Owen new better and looked ashamed as he sighed "Sorry bud. That was uncalled for."

"I don't know if each improves on the last … after all … I do not think any of the others are as strong as Hope when it comes to controlling the pack. Even Pip with his Poppy knowledge can't beat Dean when it comes to communicating with animals and as for Shadow here … he's one of a kind" Jack defended his children with ease "Little Rosie is so nurturing that all the little ones follow her, not matter what the breed and the twins … well. Terrifying beasts. No. Not improving, simply honing certain skills that when used collectively makes them a formidable hive. That's it. A hive mind."

"I guess so but if you are about to call me the queen I might nut you, holding our baby or not!" Ianto warned with a soft smile to show he didn't mean a word of it.

"Stan's name" Marley suddenly blurted out, her eyes unfocused "someone is talking about Stan. It's … a … brother. Stan's brother. Ernie. Really? Ernie? Funny name…ah… worried now that they've not heard anything. Wants to send a party to … tunnels …right. They know about us. All about us. They know Tad and Dad are the leaders….talk of Tad….right. They think we are Pagans that are heathen half wild things, act like animals. We make sacrifices to the gods and eat raw flesh…well….ah..OK. They think Tad wears a bear pelt with the head attached … from a Zoo or something… London … gorillas?... a bear from then, pretending to be a monster …They know about the Wolfling, think they are some breed of dog … watchdogs. Called them Watchdogs. Talk of how to subdue the watchdogs…poison. Meat baited with poison … they want the village. Stan has told them so much. So much. They will not stop. Want it all."

Ianto sighed, watching Jack rub his face with annoyance.

"Do we have a timeline my love?"

"Listening."

They waited for a while, Ianto uneasy as he tried to work out a way to sort this. He was in no shape to take them on. Preggers. Jack wanted baby time, not fair he take them on. Post-preggers. Hope made a soft noise in the back of her throat and Ianto realised he was insulting his pups by not giving them the lead. Oh. Right. Good learning curve here. Old enough? Fine.

"Then maybe Hope should take her brother with her for a little chat" Ianto said out loud, looking over at Dean who perked up with glee, the tins making a noise.

"With your bodyguards" Ianto added, glancing at them "Matching beasts."

"Yes" Pip nodded "We will stay back and watch. You five go … be careful and kick arse."

Ianto blinked at the little man who was pursing his lips as he stared at Marley.

She was going too, right?

All of her.