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Ianto latched into the lower jaw of the beast, making it squeal with shock as nothing had ever been stronger and he tore with his back limbs at it's chest until he got traction on the scales, wrenching the jaw until a loud pop told him it was dislocated and he released to fly back and it the wall.

Jack had resurrected and took the opening… literally as he fired into the mouth and after he had emptied the Webley he stepped back, Mickey now there with the canon that exploded the thing.

"Pow" Mickey said softly.

Ianto was checking his child who was now getting up, not crying but stoically glaring at the thing that had got the better of him "Sorry Taddy."

"No, you were brave. I was so proud" Ianto assured him "And Frank did not fail you. He remained with you."

Dean smiled at Frank who pulled him into a hug and Ianto turned to face Jack.

"OK, we need to hustle. After this is done I want to fucking scream at the heavens" Ianto snarled "That was fucking stupid. How can my mama have birthed a man so stupid?"

"He is the oldest" Jack pointed out "Like … the trial run."

"OI!" Sean spluttered.

"I think the least you say the better" Jack snarled at Sean "Let's not forget you pushed the fucking button that caused this. Had he the time, Ianto would have simply scared that away by making noise. It was an Armaderian. They are shy and easily startled."

"Cariad" Ianto hissed "Tick-tock."

"Yes"

They were running for the doors and pushing the Hover even as it sped along and they scraped against one side as they exited the level doors to find themselves in the front foyer once more and Ianto took a moment to stand and silently curse at the black eye his child was starting to sport.

Sean was wisely silent.

"Sound off, are we all present and accounted for!" Jack yelled wildly, swinging to check for himself before slumping against a wall with relief, Frank slowly walked around checking too.

All here.

"See?" Randy said to Sean "We did all that for nothing, it's time for …"

There was no warning, no klaxons or lights flashing or anything. Just a sudden loud thundering roar as doors started to slam shut, everyone looking as the door they had just exited close with such suddenness that they jumped.

"Shit" Randy said softly.

"OK, I want some fresh air and if anyone …ANYONE… wants to say something flippant right now I will rip your head off" Ianto snarled, walking out to stand in the morning air breathing deeply then he looked over and got to witness the sunrise in all its techno-colour glory.

"IANTO?" Ianto lifted the PDA to find Tosh there, her face flushed as she had obviously run for the coms "What happened?"

"Not sure. Think maybe the old circuitry was fried somewhere and the countdown clock was compromised. We lost a few hours … we all got out. It's OK."

"Did you fill the list?"

"And then some" Jack said as he took the PDA and Ianto stepped away to let Jack have his moment, no doubt more committee filing the communication room with Tosh to listen as Jack crowed about their adventure.

"Can't wait to see the body armour camera footage" Tosh gushed.

"Ianto?" he hissed with horror.

"We will edit it for general consumption" Ianto told a concerned looking Abner who nodded, not wanting the children to see the full horror of what they had seen.

"Good, no one has to see me pee" Kitty grumbled and they all felt the tension ease as she lightened the mood.

"I'm hungry" Billy broke the silence as Jack had walked away "Tad?"

"Let's get to Tommy and see what we have in the chiller. The Hover will be an experience to get there on. Better than walking" Ianto smiled and he waved them off waiting for Jack. Frank and Dean had gone ahead to scout the way back to the train but Ianto knew it would be safe.

He felt … protected.

He looked around and although he could not see any he felt the presence of Mara and he wondered why, then he felt a loving wave of affection for them as he knew that they were wanting them all home in one piece as well.

"Cariad" Ianto called out "Stop wanking off to her and let's go home where you can embellish in person!"

Jack walked over and hand him the PDA "First Pip wants Tadda"

"Hey son" Ianto said happily as Pip filled the screen with a slobbery kiss.

"Tadda. Home now!" Pip demanded "I's tywed"

"He's not slept" Tosh explained "He's missing you like crazy. I can't believe you made it out already. God."

"Yeah, Home" Ianto sighed.

He was exhausted.