9

Sophia sat with wide eyes, watching Ianto intently as he settled in his favorite chair. She had been in it when he entered and had asked her to move, her anger barely disguised as she did so.

Then Jack had entered and now she knew she needed to be careful.

"Sophia. We need to talk" Jack said and she focused on him with a look of extreme willingness. He cleared his throat "Sophia, you know Ianto is an Alpha Prime. As such, any new family members to the Hive will be only if he agrees to it. He and Elizabeth do not want another sister-wife so…"

"Oh no. I understand" she interrupted "Of course not. Siblings do not always make good sister-wives, I learned that with those two toxic…. I mean, no. I understand."

Jack looked at Ianto with a look of annoyance and satisfaction like he was making a mountain out of a molehill again and Ianto tried not to roll his eyes. Their talk the night before forgotten as she sat with her hand on his knee, such a little girl all alone and fragile with monsters everywhere. She was playing to his Hero Psyche perfectly.

Ianto decided he had warned his husband as much as he can and now he had to let this play out, having faith that his husband wouldn't take long to realize the mistake he was making.

.

.

"So you need a wet nurse"

"Yes. A Forhitian one."

"I will see what I can do" Owen promised "And her?"

"Jack has to make his own bed then try not to lie in it." Ianto grimaced "I warned him enough. If she goes too far I will slap her down but for now… I will let her play her game and hopefully Jack will take care of things himself once he has had enough of trying to be her hero."

"You are so calm" Owen sat back and started to swing in his chair "So… you have things sorted. I will sort this."

"Thanks." Ianto rose from the chair "I have no choice here. At the end of the day he IS my Alpha and I made that choice too long ago to break our bond. He has to recognize this, he had to step back and see the danger here. I can only hope she does not go too far. I might never forgive either of them if they do."

.

.

Jack noticed Ianto's absence and when he asked one of the staff he was gently told that Himself was spending some time with the children, a little play day. OK. He did those sometimes, at least twice a week he set and entire day aside just for them and it made sense. Jack nodded and went back to his paperwork.

Then he became aware of someone else in the office, looking up to find Sophia curled up in one of his armchairs by the fireplace, watching him owlishly. He didn't even know when she had entered, so stealthy. Like Ianto. He smiled at the thought of Ianto's wraithing abilities and she softly smiled back.

"Is there something I can help you with Sophia?" Jack asked softly.

"I don't want to be a burden. I know Ianto doesn't want me here and I feel terrible for making him angry. I didn't mean to do this and I wish things could be better between us. Do you… do you think I am a bad person?" she asked with wide eyes.

Jack sighed as he pushed his chair back and considered, then answered "No sweetie. I think some bad things happened and you were put in a position you didn't know you would end up in. Ianto will be OK, he just hates change."

She rose with the same fluid-like grace as Ianto and stalked over to the desk, sitting on the edge of it to look down at him, their legs touching gently "I am glad he found you. You are a good man and I know… I know you would never let anything bad happen. Right?"

"Of course not" Jack said as he slid the chair back a smidgeon to removed the contact.

She was suddenly in his lap, straddling him as she looked him in the eye "You will protect me?"

Jack stopped breathing for a moment before she started to howl into his chest like one of the children.

Hoe could he now want to protect the poor kid.

.

.

Ianto held Kit as the little boy crooned happily, little precious Cherry Pop in his arms. Jax had taken a look, shrugged and moved away as he really didn't care much about the newling. He was more interested in the other one, the one with the pretty skin.

Ianto watched him check the little baby, his hands gently stroking a bald head with wonder and then he grinned, looking up at Joy who was cradling the hatching and she grinned back. Seems they were a little struck on one another. Cute.

Ianto hoped Owen could find a wet nurse.

Soon.

.