41

Ianto was feeling much better, wanting to go outside into the sunshine and as he walked to the door he glanced over at Myfanwy, "Coming love?"

She made a noise and struggled to rise as Hamish looked at Ianto with anger. Then to his surprise she rose to walk unsteadily after him, her long limbs so graceful and as she moved she became more fluid in her movements. By the time she stepped outside she was in full control and she tilted her head back to breathe deeply, drinking in the warmth of the new day.

She was a striking woman.

.

.

Gwen was howling.

Rocking back and forth as she begged to see Rhys, speak to him, get a message to him… in the end not even making sense as she fell to her side and had a total meltdown.

"See?" Rhonda said to her boyfriend as they stood well back outside the staked area "This is what a child might be like."

The two young people calmly moved back more from the basket of food for Gwen, shaking their heads as Tony agreed that he did not want a child if it was going to be like this. He liked the cuddly ones, the little pure faces "Maybe we can adopt one that's already past potty training?"

"Well, she's not shit herself yet" came the amused counter and they both giggled as they walked away, leaving Gwen on the ground. They did not expect her to rise and follow them out of her quarantine zone, stepping over the ropes about five inches off the ground that were staked around the caravan as a guide for the 'safe zone' intended to show Gwen where her boundary was.

Gwen stormed after them, her face full of rage and she was almost to Tony, reaching out to seize his arm when the bark of warning came from Ianto, watching with horror as he ran from outside the house towards the young couple who were about to be contaminated.

Gwen turned to look at Ianto and she screamed as she watched him transform into the Harbinger, his mouth widening in open threat. She turned tail and ran for the caravan as he raced after her, his deep booming roars like a large dragon attacking a village.

Finally she was inside, the door slamming shut as Ianto growled low in his throat, and then he coughed. God, that had taken some energy to do that but Jesus H Christ on a Harley… what the fuck!

"Right. I want an armed guard stationed down in the quarantine zone at all times!" Owen demanded, "Next time she tries that shit… shoot her!"

He said it loudly, knowing she could hear and then he walked over to stand next to Ianto. He didn't wear any protective gear as he looked him over, knowing he was no threat now, the infection gone. "Finished? Go sit down and drink something."

"Yes mother" Ianto growled, the voice coming from the monster so … Ianto…. that Owen grinned.

Jack relaxed the grip on his Webley as he watched Ianto turn and start walking towards him, transforming fluidly into the man he l…ah…. Yeah. He can say it. Loves. Jack smiled as he watched the fur change to clothing and was amazed at the power and magic of their abilities.

Everyone moved with purpose as Owen said to himself, just loud enough for some with advanced hearing (like a couple of aliens) to hear "we should just shoot her and get it over with. Waste of resources. If she doesn't get herself killed, it will be one of us."

Ianto and Jack shared a glance.

Yeah.

If only it were that simple.

.

.

Mica was practicing. Sloppy but trying as she crouched on all fours and made noises like her uncle made when transforming. "Why can't I do it!"

"Because you are not in battle mode" Ianto replied gently "It takes time to transform at will, at your age transforming is to save a life, or take one."

"Sobering" Rhiannon said behind him and he turned to smile at his sister.

"Where is that David? He should be here near her at this time in her development" Ianto asked.

"Tummy ache again. Owen is looking him over, I think it is the stress of everything catching up to him" she replied, "Poor kid."

"Yeah it's been hard on all of us, he's been a trooper." Jack agreed as he came to join the conversation, looking at the little girl "good job darling. You look fierce even in human-mode. I would run."

"Would you Uncle Jack?"

"Hells yes. You look deadly"

She puffed out her chest with delight and Ianto turned to pull Jack close "thank you Cariad. You always know just what to say."

Jack didn't answer, holding his now cleared for duty lover as close as he could. He didn't know the words yet, not yet but he hoped Ianto was right. Sooner or later… he would have to lead them through this shit and he needed the words to make them understand. He held Ianto with their foreheads touching like maybe he could glean them from Ianto's brain.

The kiss a sweet balm he knew he would always seek.

Let it go Cariad… don't force it.

Jack smiled as Ianto reminded him why they were destined to be together, his voice so clear in Jack's mind as he scolded for the visible consternation in Jack's face.

"Come on lover… let's go get a drink of that iced tea Toshiko made." Ianto offered.

Good.

That WAS something they could do.