28

Ianto waited until he and Rhiannon were alone, knowing she had questions that could not be answered in company so he headed to his old bedroom in the house they had grown up in each summer of their childhood, the smells and feels still there. Comforting, even more now that he understood the need for the barn doors. Big things moving fast need big holes to explode through ya know.

"OK… came on then" he sighed tiring to face her as she closed the door and leaned n it, unaware that Jack was only a few feet behind them.

"Torchwood? Fucking Torchwood?"

"Yes. Fuck rather well too" Ianto replied, making her blush as she glared at him, then he added "This is not the London branch, it's the Cardiff bunch. Their leader is not only a friendly but he is also not from this planet either. Also… he is waiting outside the door with Myfanwy."

She frowned as she opened the door, the dog brushing past as Jack smiled and held up the backpacks. "Sorry… our luggage?"

Rhiannon turned back to watch the dog leap onto the bed and start turning in small circles while humming to herself so loud Rhiannon could hear it. A lullaby? Jack hummed it as well, placing the bags on the chair as she gaped.

"Yes" Ianto said out loud "Jack can hear us. He is empathic too."

"Oi! They have rabbits the size of fucking dogs!" Owen leaned around the doorframe then saw Rhiannon "oops, sorry missus. I mean the size of… well… the other word but… these are huge!"

"And totally Earthling!" Ianto laughed "They are big right? Perfect pets for those who are allergic to cats and dogs… rabbit fur is different for some."

"Really? This place" Owen laughed then disappeared.

Rhiannon blinked and turned to Ianto who shrugged "He's excited. Never seen a Flemish Giant Rabbit before. They do grow to the size of a sheltie ya know"

"He is… a surprise" she leaned out of the doorway to look down the hallway "he is taller than he makes out."

"He likes to be small" Ianto said as he accepted his backpack from Jack and pointed "Those drawers are best for you, that habit of rolling out of bed means your things can be laid out there."

"Cool" Jack said as he sat on his side he preferred, pleased that Ianto had given him this side then he smiled as he knew Ianto knew this. Of course he did.

Rhiannon was staring at him, then Ianto as she said "This is your room."

"Yes" Ianto sat on the other side and pulled things out of his own backpack, "good thing the bed is large enough for three of us."

She blinked, and then stared at Jack who was unloading his Webley as he continued to hum.

"Johnny?" Ianto changed the subject.

"No, he was out with his mates for the weekend. The kids are slightly upset but less than I thought they would be" she sighed "he was feckless but had good Welsh DNA."

"Gods…. I don't know if I have enough socks" Jack suddenly said, the eight pairs all laid out. "Think there are more here?"

"Bottom drawer, I always keep spares in there along with boxers" Ianto replied and Jack grunted, reaching down to check then humming as he added his.

"You are…"

"Comfortable" Ianto said as he rose and lifted Myfanwy's harness "Myf? Want this behind the door?"

She turned to face him and then looked for a chair. Ianto looked as well "No. I don't have a chair in here love, I will find one for you."

Rhiannon blinked "She…"

"She was on one of the shuttles that came to help but it crashed. She almost died but I found her in time. Any others here?" Ianto asked.

"A black dog arrived a few nights ago, nervous and won't come near us… he seemed… frantic to get here but then…"

"Might be?" Ianto asked the dog who chuffed.

"We can go check it out later. Give him time to check us out from a distance and get to know our scents on the wind" Jack said as he rose off the bed and smiled at Rhiannon "Don't worry. We are not here to cause problems, just make things safe for all of us."

"Well… as long as my brother is happy I guess… after all… he was always one who knew his own mind" she finally said.

"Well, Harbingers are stubborn in the loveliest possible way" Jack grinned "I always loved their… stamina."

"JACK! That's my sister!" Ianto scolded.

"I know… good hips" Jack winked as Ianto swung to slap his arm and Rhiannon found herself laughing at this man who seemed to have good reflexes as he evaded the hand flying at him.

"Come on" Jack said as he started for the door "Let's go see if Owen wants to ride a rabbit."

"Oh god" Ianto groaned "Don't do that, if you tell him they grow to the size of a horse he might explode you lying scummer!"

"He is a funny little thing."

"Sherlacks are" Ianto agreed as Rhiannon stumbled behind them, the name familiar as she groaned.

"Oh god… tell me he is not a Sherlack."