9

Ianto was hanging the Christmas wreath on the front door when Jack called out, skipping up the steps with glee to lean in and kiss Ianto "hey baby. I see the snow plough came through and did the chopper pad for me too."

Ianto smiled as Jack then walked over to the grassed around at the edge of the chopper pad and released the beast, the little dog daintily picking his way over the cold ground like he was walking in tons of shit, not remnants of snow. "Hey babe… can you get little boots for them this size? He hates the cold ground."

"I think you can" Ianto replied and he was about to say something else whine he saw a car stop at the gates to the cul-de-sac and he pointed "Jack… did you lock the gates?"

"No, Owen is coming behind me with Dad" Jack turned to see some men entering the gates and he frowned, "Who the fuck are these dickheads."

"Dickheads without an appointment or permission to walk on our property Cariad" Ianto said softly and he watched Jack storm towards them with open anger.

Ianto could not hear all the words but knew they were likely another development company trying their luck. Ianto did not have time for this and he turned back to straighten the wreath when he had a sudden thought and swung to look for Bruiser.

There was a man standing in the middle of the street looking at the playground with open interest, and then Bruiser came shooting from the side of Franklin's cottage, screaming with rage as he ran up to the man to snap at his heels. Everything happened so fast, it was like it as happening on a TV screen or something, Jack only able to watch with horror as the fucker tried to kick the tiny dog in anger.

Bruiser yelped as a kick brushed past his tiny head.

Ianto's roar of rage filled the air as he ran hell for leather at the man and everyone gaped as Ianto smashed his fist up under the man's jaw, making the man lift off the ground to fly back then land on his back, choking and blinking with confusion.

Bruiser took the cue from Ianto and raced forward, latching onto the man's left earlobe and the man screamed with shock and pain.

Ianto kicked the man in the balls, snarling "Do not touch my puppy!"

Jack was running, so was John who came from nowhere with the loud pump of the shotgun that he held at hip level gaining attention, aiming it at those advancing. "First one to touch Ianto gets a face full of buckshot!"

Ianto scooped up the puppy who was still unwilling to let go, yanking several times as the man screamed and Ianto scolded "Drop it. Bad boy… drop it Bruiser. You don't know what germs are on that… yucky."

Bruiser dropped it and snuggled agonist Ianto who cuddled him close "good boy. Good boy… yes you are. Good little baby."

"Ianto, is he OK?" Jack asked as he came close looking to see the puppy's face buried under Ianto's chin, trying to hide. "Awww… he's scared."

"I want these fuckers trespassed off our property and the company officially warned" Ianto snarled.

"OOOOOO.. can I do it?" John asked "Come on… like… that can be my Christmas pressie?"

"OK. Only… John" Ianto called out as John stopped stalking towards the men and then swung back with raised eyebrows "Don't blow anyone up this time!"

"Awww…. OK. Get creative. Right. OK boys… hi there. I am not allowed to blow up your building so… let's see… give me your business cards… all of you… I want your driver's licenses too… I want everything… you know what… give me your fucking wallets" John snarled.

"Come on love, let's get him inside out of the cold and check him over for any injuries" Ianto said.

"Should we go to the vets just to be safe?" Jack asked, now beside himself as Ianto considered it. Silly, but you know... not a bad idea.

"I will get him in his capsule, he can ride up front. The little guy is so upset" Ianto said as he headed to the SUV and Jack ran to check the kids were OK with Toshiko. By the time he got to the SUV Ianto was in the back seat leaning forward between the seats to croon softly.

Silly, I know. Ianto knew he was being as silly as Jack but really… this close to Christmas to lose the little guy would have been… can't really say ya know? He's just a baby.

The kids would be upset. OK?

.

.

Three hundred dollars later and Ianto was walking into the house to slump on the sofa, totally spent. God, what a day. The little dog in Jack's arms kicked and wriggled until Jack handed him off to Ianto and the puppy again snuggled up under Ianto's chin and hid there.

"Awww…. You need Taddy?" Jack crooned "I now… I love him too."

Jack feel onto the sofa and kissed Ianto "You know… the way you defended our little man… you were so scary Tiger. Storming over the punch him like that… like a super hero."

"Well, I had to defend your stupid dog" Ianto said as his hand absently patted a tiny back and a deep sigh told them both that Bruiser was starting to relax.

"Yeh… my stupid little munchkin… yeahhhh… sooo bwave gonna eat a bad man's earowwwwwwle" Jack crooned as he placed his head on Ianto's shoulder and placed his hand over Ianto's.

Ianto knew then and there he had lost a war he really should not have tried to start.

I mean… seriously.

Who can resist this tiny thug?