47

Ianto was tired, looking for somewhere to sit and think as everyone unpacked the contraband. He was relieved the efforts had been not only been fruitful but they had enough. They could not close the village off.

"Hey"

Ianto looked up to find Myfanwy standing there in human form watching him.

"Hey yourself."

"Are we OK here?" she asked as she settled next to him, leaning against him "is that our last forage?"

"Yes. We dig out an area as we have to consider all the soil contaminated now… get those tunnel houses up, then we can fill them with raised beds, fill the beds with the fertilizer and potting mix we took… plant the food and tend it as best we can." Ianto nodded "The pump comes from the underwater spring, no fear of contaminates from the rain water. The rain tanks already full can be attached to the sprinkler system that will wet us if the fire comes."

"So you can stop now? Take a pause? You got us here, you got us safe… you and I have suffered… the antibodies from our virus that will now protect the rest of them… Ianto… Sire. Please!"

Ianto rose to glare at her, bristling as he hissed "stop it. That is the third time you called me that. I do not care if there is royal blood in me… I am not the ruler of anything. Jesus wept!"

"Jesus is an Earth belief. Si… My Lord…"

"MYFANWY!"

She raised her hands and sighed. "Sorry. It's hard to stop now I have smelt it on you. You know, given time the others will twig too."

"Maybe they won't, maybe they will. Maybe I can talk them out of it, maybe I can't… I will burn that bridge when I get to it for Godsake!" Ianto huffed "And do not point out that is an Earth thing either… we are Earthlings now."

"And as such, you are the one of highest standing amongst our kind. You are our leader, sooner or later they WILL discover your lineage you know" she warned.

"Until then, please… you know I need to be one of them… one OF them. We are all one family here." Ianto rose and Myfanwy rose as well.

"Ianto?"

"Yes dear?"

"Hamish." She paused, then cleared her throat "he has.. feelings for me."

"As you have for him, don't forget we are connected sweetie… he made it clear while waiting on you… he is smitten alright" Ianto grinned.

She stared at him.

He stared back, then snorted "Right. Are you asking permission to court him? Seriously? Myf… if you want him… go get him. I will happily give my blessing for a bonding there."

"Thank you…. Brother."

"I like that one more" Ianto laughed as he motioned her out into the sunshine with him, the day waning as he yawned and looked for Jack some more. Ianto was missing him now. He walked over to Owen "Hey, seen Jack?"

"Over at Gwen's hovel. She's saying she's preggers or something… I don't believe it, told him to do the pee test with her. Sorry mate… I don't actually want to deal with her at all. Toxic that one" Owen huffed.

"Preggers my left testicle" Ianto growled and Owen laughed at him.

"Not my exact words but… a spot close" Owen chortled.

Ianto walked that way expecting to see Jack with his arms folded watching the caravan as Gwen tried to pee on the stick inside it. He did not expect to find her in Jack's arms howling as he comforted her. Ianto was surprised. Their bond had not changed.

Jack can shield certain parts while letting others out to… trick? Lay a false sense? Ianto was not sure what to do, hesitant as he looked around. Others were watching, some without and humour in their faces and he knew he had to make a decision here.

Walk away and hope Jack talks himself out of this with the others?

Or take control like this is an accepted thing, lay claim to the man officially.

"Cariad" Ianto called out as he walked nearer "Owen is sure she is no longer in danger of being infected. She can step over the rope without you needed to prop her up"

Soft laugher by those watching and Jack turned to see Ianto coming. Ianto then added "her scent does not have the high hormone levels of a female in heat… or with child. I suspect it's stress that is working here. She is simply mistaken."

Gwen had the pee sick in her hand and drew back, sniffling as she stared at it then wilted.

"I am sorry Gwen. Though a bad time for a child… any child would have been cherished" Ianto said calmly, "Cariad… if you are finished fathering the girl, I have need of your affections and I am sure clothing is optional."

Wolf whistles joined the laughter as Jack grinned, skipping over to Ianto with glee.

"But wash her stench off first" Ianto said under his breath "I want you … slippery."

"Ooooo" Jack said as he skipped off sideways, glancing back with a silly camp attitude.

Gwen stood watching and although no longer needing to… she returned to her caravan.

Ianto had made his point.