24 –Jack

The insurance assessor wants to meet Ianto in the tow yard to look at the car and I drive him over after we pick up the two kids, both of them excited to find snacks waiting. I park where we can see the SUV then get out, meeting the tepid little man who is already in the vehicle's passenger seat writing out something on a form.

"Hello there" Ianto calls and I see he is nervous as he adds "It's my car there."

"I was told by the Towing Company that you came from a wedding. Did you get breathalysed at all?" the man demanded… not even a hello or a business card. I immediately feel protective and find myself stepping forward.

"Capitan Jack Harkness, Heddlu. Ianto was not to blame for the accident, he hit a patch of black ice as is clearly stated in the police report that also states he blew below the legal limit at the hospital where he was treated for minor injures!" I snarl, bristling a little as I eyeball the prick "I can tell you right now, in my experience as a holder of a badge for almost fifteen years that this was clearly not his fault and an accident. The car had no history of fault, the warrant is valid and the tyres were still intact. I myself drove that stretch of road that same day and noted the patch of ice my own dammed self!"

Ianto blinked at me with surprise, then I saw a hint of a smile before he turned to look back at the SUV, his back to the man and I knew without looking that Ianto was fighting one of his giggling fits that seem to happen when nervous.

"I take it there will be no problems with his claim will there? Given the state of it and the way the passenger side impact beams are stoved in … she is clearly a write-off. Ianto is OK by the way … there will probably be some medical bills coming your way once the hospital sends them out but I know he is covered there to right?" I felt the need to stress that he was injured in the accident and see it does make an impact, the man changing his body stance as he looks at Ianto who had turned back to face him now. The bruising around his hairline and upper forehead shows the pain he must have felt and the latent ache I know is still there.

"Are you Ok now Mister Jones?"

"Just a little headache now and then. To be expected with a concussion and the stitches come out at the end of the week" Ianto assures the man with a tone of one who is speaking with a loved friend, something Ianto is good at. Putting people at ease and I see the man smile softly as he is taken in moving to sign the forms with a flourish.

"Right then, I agree. There will be some papers come in the mail, nothing to worry about. Just closing out the claim and the amount the vehicle was insured for will be in your bank account within three working days Mister Jones. Thank the lord you were not badly injured"

"Thank you so much" Ianto smiled at him softly "This is upsetting, I do love this car but I guess it is just a car after all."

The man leaves and Ianto turned to me, winks and then leans in to open the locked glove box, the small pug nosed gun he pulls out is a shock to me. I know I am gaping as he checks it and slips it into his trouser pocket then whispers "It's not real. Don't look like that. It's a cigarette lighter Lisa hated the sight of. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away as it tickled my fancy. Now I can put it in my house"

I hold my hand out and he hands it over, now opening the doors to remove more things and I see children's toys coming out. Of course. The kids. He has them most of the time, clearly evident in the jackets and umbrellas from the boot of the car.

Soon we are moving again, this time Ianto is pensive and I wonder what is wrong but trust he will tell me when he is ready.

"I think … I think my days of sports cars are over. Was silly really, looking back I think I got it for Lisa more than me. Don't get me wrong, I love cars but … this is such a nice vehicle. So high up and you feel so safe in it. Maybe I need to think of the kids as well as all the gear you can fit in on." He then added softly "Especially if I get a dog to go with the cats."

The back seat erupts as the kids demand to know what dog, where, what sort, boy or girl, David's 'will it sleep with me' plaintive and I see the boy really has a gentle side that matches his uncle. Maybe that's why he acted like a little turd at the wedding? Not naughty … sad. He doesn't like Gray. Not that I blame him … my brother is a twat.

"Maybe in a week or two, we need to settle Jack into the house before a dog, also the cats." Ianto says, enjoying more excitement as they kids talk about the cats. Ianto is good at this parenting thing.

I ponder this as we drive home and the hand that slides onto my knee for a gentle squeeze before disappearing again is comforting.

This new life full of surprises.