29

Marley was sitting with Ianto in the corner of the Family Place, their chairs close to one another as they talked quietly, the sweet noise of children playing around them a balm to her heartburn.

Jack entered and walked towards them only to slow, noticing Marley's hand clasped in Ianto's. Minus several fingers. He settled to watch and saw that they were not talking at all, looking at those hands like they were concentrating and he knew. He closed his eyes and tried to remember what he had learned a lifetime ago at the Academy, finally finding them in the bond as Clickers raced along the railway lines.

Marley and Ianto were checking the line to Scotland.

He was touched and immensely impressed that they had decided this could be done, something that was both time consuming and straining for Marley. A pregnant Marley. He wondered if Ianto was giving her strength through their clasped hands.

"Cariad, will hit you" Ianto's voice so soft as he warned that he was thinking too loud and interrupting their 'little' excursion. Jack grimaced an apology and waited. It was another fifteen minutes as he sat accepting a drink and some cookies his own children had helped bake that morning, before both of them finally straightened up and blinked, focusing on him.

"Cookie?" he held out the plate of still warm biscuits with gooey chocolate chips inside.

"Yum" they both said happily accepting one each and settling back to chew.

"So. Your assessment?" Jack asked calmly, watching Francine pause to stroke the hair from Marley's face and kiss her forehead before moving way, leaving peppermint tea for her and coffee for Ianto.

"There is a tree down about … four hours out by Tommy?" Ianto said as he considered "If we can get that shifted we could travel by train from here to Aberdeenshire in about six hours with a clear track. I had no idea it could be so fast. Really. The rails cut the time so much, vehicles would be such a while longer."

"So … the two days would actually be one?" Jack gaped.

"Seems so … if we had a dolly … you know a little track runner you could spend a day clearing the track ahead of time. Then we have a clear run. There is a portion I am unsure about but the track fixer will clear that up, I see a small twist where land has subsided near the coast." Ianto said softly "I think … yes. A day excursion is all that would take. Might be a good dry run with the team of security to get a feel for the landscape so when the train rolls they have their dead spots already noted."

"Dead spots" Jack snorted, then cleared his throat "sorry."

"It's OK. I get it" Ianto smiled.

"So. Kev. Sean, Billy and Mickey. I know we should include another youngster but … this is maybe a good chance for Rhys to bow off some steam. I know he is champing at the bit for some action and he would be well protected if we take Hope as well."

"Not Hope" Ianto said and Jack felt annoyance only to feel silly as Ianto continued to speak "Dean deserves a peek out there. Dean and Frank can be the two small observers."

"So, we can do it … Thursday?" Jack considered.

"Friday would be better, Kev has the jujitsu course Thursday afternoons with the teens. He is proud of their progress and would say it's OK but really … we should consider him" Ianto relied calmly, letting Jack race off with glee.

"I really thought our travel time would be longer. Just goes to show, rail can be faster than road. At least ours will run on time!" Ianto snorted.

"So, that cuts down the time away? We are now looking at three or four?" Martha asked as she settled to rub her belly "Yeah?"

"Five. I would say a conservative five days" Ianto corrected "Gives me a better feeling at least."

"Will you still make him wait?" she asked "I'm not stupid Ianto. Asking Marley to check … She could have done that in a couple of weeks just as easily. Are you giving in?"

"No" Ianto said haughtily "Just reassessing!"

She snorted and he grinned as he shrugged "Maybe I was being just as childish making him wait that long. MAYYYYYBEEEEEE we can go in a couple of weeks once the security detail are up to scratch."

"Like … can't be in ten months?" she pouted as she slumped and he laughed.

"Nice try missus"

"Yah" she sighed and then leaned forward "You will watch my Mickey Mouse, won't you?"

"Always. Kinda like the cocky git. He keeps Owen on his toes with the snark factor around here" Ianto winked as she sat back again and relaxed.

Gods, she was so jealous.