37

"Porth y Wygyr … Port of the Vikings" Gwen muttered as they circled the huge castle that seemed to be teaming with life as another chopper landed ahead of them and Kingsmen spewed out.

"Beaumaris Castle. King Edward I and his favored architect James of St. George had perfected the art of castle building by the time they began construction of Beaumaris Castle in 1295. Located on the Isle Anglesey in the county of Gwynedd, the beautifully designed concentric castle features a moat connected to the sea, round towers on every corner and staggered entrances and portcullises between the inner ward and outer wall. The south gate could be reached by ship, allowing the castle to be directly supplied by sea. The king actually lived here before it was sold to become a private residence when Lord Thomas Bulkeley bought the castle from the Crown in 1807 for £735, incorporating it into the park that surrounded his local residence, Baron Hill." Ianto gave that monotone speech he usually gave when boring recruits here as part of their training but now he saw Owen's face lighting up and for the first time he looked at his castle as something other than another sometimes training facility.

"I own Baron Hill as well, that is open to the public and is a great cover for us, this castle is publically declared a ruin, unfinished and a hazard. It keeps the locals out but willing to protect it as the tourist bucks are pulled to the main Hall. This way we can do as we like and are heavily fortified." Ianto explained as he placed the child on his little feet, the last chopper winding down behind them as they looked around.

"So … you own this" Owen said softly.

"Yes. It ws left to me by my mother. She was Kingsman too, it has been passed though the family. Grandy had it for a small moment or two … of course … I am the joke of the family for having it now." Ianto shrugged, walking to the edge of the roof so they could lean against the waist high battlements and per over into the moat below.

"Are those water-lilies?" Gwen asked with surprise.

"Yes, it was expensive, getting the moat cleaned out, restocked and it is now a self sustaining moat. Fed from the sea … it was hard to get hybrids that were happy in saltwater, those are from Drayton 5."

Jack turned to look at Ianto "D5. I thought Kingsmen stayed out of the Alien business. Really? That planet is soooo salty metal erodes within days, ships can only hover then get out of there for decontamination showers. Wow. You have some of their flora? That's wicked. I went there once as part of my Academy training. It was …. Dry. Mean. Then came the small oasis of life and it was Paradise."

"I remember" Ianto whispered as he also recalled the amazing spot of beauty in the middle of ugly.

"First of all … you are a grown-arsed man, do not say wicked!" Owen said with his hands on his hips "It doesn't suit you. Secondly ... are you telling me those plants are alien? NOT registered with us"

"Yes" Ianto nodded "I got them on a trip with….ah…."

"The Doctor" Jack sighed.

"Yes. Me Mam had told me about the planet when she…. Fuck. I am really slipping here. My adrenalin is thrumming and I am so tired. Hungry. Yes, I think that's it. Some food and I might have my wits about me more if…."

"Your mother was a companion." Jack said slowly "And so were you. So … now more than just a touch of me rubbing against you … you have known time travel. The TARDIS… that bloody Gallifreyan?"

"Well … of course. He is my God father for fucksake" Ianto finally snapped, "Can I have something to bloody eat! I thought we were past the interrogations now SIR!"

"Right. Food" Ifan said with open nervousness as the child grew still beside him, a small hand clenching the arm of the chair "Come on. Let's not upset the little one. Come on … time to pick at one another later, eh?"

"All this time. You … wait. The Hand. It was you that got me the Doctor's hand, right?" Jack whispered as they walked down the steep stairs.

"Yes sir. It could not stay in T1, I could not safely smuggle it out to here so … I transferred it to somewhere it might be safe. I did have faith in you … even then" Ianto hissed back, "Now leave me the fuck alone. I am hungry, tired and if you recall … we have a child watching this anger flowing between us."

Jack glanced back at the child walking sullenly behind them and sighed reaching back with his arms open and the little face lit up as the boy moved faster with arms outstretched too.

Ianto was right.

What did it matter?