15

Ianto stood as Owen examined his face, tutting softly as he poked and prodded. Jack stood with a look of doom... like … thunder clouds and lightning bolts from his eyeballs sort of doom.

"Yep. Still no broken bones or lasting damage… sleeping did not half kill him overnight" Owen spoke to Jack "It is just bruising that will fade away."

"But look at him!" Jack roared "That eye is completely closed and the bruising is … well … so many colours!"

"It's a good thing" Owen assured him "The damage would not be so quick to show itself if it was deep … so vivid, so fast. Not deep or lasting this way. A few days of R & R and he will be right as rain. John's forehead will take a little longer, that was a clock and a half!"

"He is Ok though?" Jack's face softened as he glanced at the doorway like John might be standing there as he usually is. Today he was still in the kitchens being fussed on by the chamber maids and enjoying the fuss as they took turns with the conquering hero.

"He is fine too" Owen rolled his eyes "And Ianto was not even preggers this time. Yay. I will tell you something for nothing mate… this family gives me grey hairs!"

"And the Viscount?" Jack asked, looking past Owen to Malcolm who stood impassively watching.

"Still in quaters. I think he wants to go … is making overtures that they need to return home where is it safe… making out that he was an innocent bystander in this farce" Malcolm snorted.

"I still find that very hard to believe" Jack pouted to Ianto, "What do you think love?"

"I think he knew, may have even been slightly afraid … I do get the feeling that the one John and I took down … Meggor… was more than just a bodyguard to him. His reaction to the man's death has been nothing short of… well … a broken heart."

"Lovers" Malcolm nodded "I suspect that as well."

"In which case he knew and gave him quarter" Jack slumped back on the edge of the bed, then lit hp as a little one called out from the other end of the room, racing to the crib to retrieve his little angel.

"Max is getting restless, is she awake yet?" Toshiko said as she entered the room "He is hungry and wants to go."

"Jack is just getting Mac ready now" Ianto answered her and she looked at him paling, as she took in the bruising for the first time.

"Oh my god." She gasped.

"that bad?" Ianto raised an eyebrow and grimaced "Come now… just some bruising. A single rib that maybe has a crack in it."

"You look like you have been ran over by a bus… that backed up a few times" she sighed, walking over to reach out and cup hi face tenderly, leaning in to kiss his poor face lovingly like a sister. Ianto closed his eyes and revelled in this comfort, their friendship still tender sometimes despite their ups and downs.

"Right, put him down, we are ready" Jack said as he stepped forward with the baby in his arms and after a moment he handed her to her Dam. Not a small thing, this was his sweetling after all and he carried her everywhere. Ianto recognised this is a weird 'feel better' thing to let him carry their daughter and smiled at the absurdity of it. Jack was never good with showing his emotions in public. This was his way of fussing.

Max was bouncing in the hallway, his face glowing from being cleanly scrubbed and his clothing pristine. "Where is Granny?"

"Here darling" the old queen slid from her chambers and her two hounds joined Myfanwy in companionable grunts, sniffing ensued and then they took their places with their pack.

"McDonalds for breakfast" Ianto sighed "How ridiculous."

"Max doesn't ask for mcuh and he has been every good this last week with all the bullshit going on, the visitors and all the noise and blister" Jack said haughtily "My son wants Maccas. My son gets Maccas!"

A servant could not have got it in?"

''Yes, but it is you they all want to see. Rumours are rife and some have you dead or without a limb … they need to see you move, breath and wave to be reassured that once again we are solid." Jack replied as they walked and Ianto nodded, smiling as John appeared from a doorway to fall into step on the other side of him.

"Cousin."

"Johnty" Ianto smiled "Coming for breakfast at Maccas?"

"Are you kidding? I want hot cakes!" John reached out and hooked Max up onto his shoulders, the little boy squealing with glee as he was manhandled and clutched at John's head with excitement.

"Me too!" Max squealed as he wriggled.

"Careful of his bruising, not too tight" Jack said, concern for his old friend showing.

"He's OK. We have hard heads apparently" John said with amusement and he winked at Ianto as they walked out of the big main doors to let the crowd see them all as they waved.

Ianto and John stood side by side to let them all see their injures, the place in chaos.

Inside … the Viscount twisted his hands and groaned as he turned to his wife, "what if they don't let us go? What is we are prisoners here now?"

"Oh do shut up Daddy" Lilly sighed as she rose and brushed her hands down her slacks … still not used to wearing pants instead of skirts but liking it. Gray appeared in the doorway with his hand offered "And I shall not be attending breakfast with you this morning. I am going for Maccas with the royal family!"

They swept from the room to follow after the rest of the royal family as her mother gave a sigh of relief.

At least that was still happening.

Something good may yet be salvaged.