40

Owen had given the boy a book of names, to Ianto's delight he saw it was Welsh names and he made a mental note to thank the man for that later. Now the little one sat in Jack's lap reading the book, his mouth moving silently as he tried to get the words right and Ianto knew there must be a phonic description for each name. Good. He would have wanted that while choosing one too.

Finally the boy looked up and said "Brac."

"Brac?"

"Yes. Like Brick-a-Brac. Grandy says Brick-a-Brac is needed to make a house a home. I will be the Brac to the bricks of this place" the boy nodded.

"And the meaning of the name?" Jack asked gently, his face showing open pride like he had somehow found the cure for cancer. Ianto's heart twisted with delight in the small scene of love.

"It means…. Free." The child said, then lit up "YES! Yes! Me!"

"Yes. It is already you, see? I said you would find yourself, your true self. There it is. You are free. You are Brac" Ianto nodded, as he accepted the name that sounded coarse and guttural. He hadn't known what he wanted for the child though, and it was not his name to choose. So … OK. Strong, barked name. Brac.

"Will you pummel someone today?" the child….er….Brac asked as he chewed his piece of toast from Jack's plate.

"I might shoot something instead" Ianto was amused by the little one's delight in watching the training.

"Well … I am tracking things and we need a meeting after breakfast" Toshiko cut in, her face blunt and devout of emotion which immediately told the team it was not a nice topic.

"Brac, maybe you can help Grady with the recruits then. There is a training exercise where they hang off the side of the wall and you throw things at them. Grandy?"

"YES! I've not thrown something in an age. Boy, you come with me and we can check your throwing arm!" Ifan nodded, also aware that something was not right out in the world but he was not really one to care about those things. All he needed and wanted here in this castle. In this room. Right?

After breakfast Brac eagerly ran alongside the wheelchair as he and Grandy talked, leaving the team to discuss whatever Tosh was displeased about, Eggsy leaning over the back of a chair as he remained with them, fast becoming part of the team it seems.

"Right. The virus. There was a patient admitted last night to the all night clinic complaining of a fever and chills. Heddlu had picked him up at a nightclub causing a problem with the punters, argumentative like drunk or drugged. Only when in the back of the van did they see he was not quite right. They isolated him at the clinic and…well … doesn't sound good. When he became violent they called Heddlu to take him back as they could not help him like that and they have him in a cell where he is apparently attacking anyone that tries to enter. They are checking him every hour and waiting for him to calm down but…"

"Each time they go in they are exposed" Ianto sighed "If it's OUR virus then…"

"Yeah. They then go out to the slide to talk to the public, other cops who wander the streets… it's airborne within … what. Fifteen minutes after the turn? Not sure if he has turned … might not even be the virus but the symptoms are…. Well … I am tracking the first symptoms but am not sure if he is already there or not."

"Owen, you and Toshiko go down there and find out. Take a dart gun, treat him like a wild animal and watch those teeth. One bite is fatal. Mask and gloves…. Be safe." Jack demanded "Ianto and I will try to back-trace his journey and see if we can work out where he came from. Gwen … witnesses. Go to the night club where he was picked up, give us something to follow."

"I will leave now, get a jump for you" Gwen rose then hesitated and Ianto knew why, smiling as he reached into his pocket.

"Need a ride missus?" he asked while dangling some keys, "Not a Torchwood issue but … I am sure you will not mind. Take that man of yours with you, might need some muscle to make them see you are not a wall flower."

"Ta" she grinned, walking off to find Rhys to take, Jack turning to look at Ianto with raised eyebrows.

"He is annoying the chef. Like … knife between the shoulder blades if he does not stop touching and tasting sort of annoying. Besides … she will stay out longer with him, maybe cool down a bit, she is so wound up." Ianto shrugged.

"Agreed" Jack nodded, then another thought "What did you give her?"

Ianto grinned as he shook his head, "Not telling you."

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Gwen stood in the vehicle pool pointing the key and pressing as she turned slowly, then finally a BEEP BEEP and she gasped as the BMW winked at her.

"Christ … it's … look. Leather seats. Blimey… it's your colour love" Rhys spluttered as the bright red vehicle looked like it was covered in freshly poured paint, the wheels brand new and the entire thing screaming of wealth.

Gwen squealed with glee.

Rhys hoped she didn't' bloody ding it getting it out of the park.