20
They didn't come.
Ianto flagged and Jack slid in beside him and held him as he shook in the dark.
"The waiting is the hard part" Ianto whispered, "I hate waiting."
"Jitters" Jack agreed, kissing Ianto behind his ear and getting a good whiff of him for the first time. No longer covered in the stench of the baby, Ianto had showered and was now giving off his own unique scent that was so intoxicating. Gods, he smelt like chocolate and honey. Hmmmmmmm.
"So … what's so special about you" John asked as he looked at Ianto and then Ianto looked directly at him, again giving off the cool feeling that chilled John to the bone.
"He's out of bounds" Jack repeated, "He is mine. I am his. I will put you down, no matter how much I love you, I will put you down if you become a threat to him."
"He will not" Ianto said softly, "Johnty will behave, won't you Johnty."
"John leaned back to nod and looked at Jack, "How did he know…."
"I know a lot of things" Ianto said as he rose, "And it's on your Wanted Poster."
Andy snorted as Ianto stalked from the room and he leaned over to poke at John, "I think he like you."
.
.
.
.
John enjoyed the last meal, a midnight snack as it were, then followed Jack to his area in the stables. Not yet safe in the house is seems, Ianto was still deciding if he could be trusted around them while asleep.
"You can sleep over there on that cot or in one of the stalls. I like up here where I can see the screen bank" Jack waved at the wall of monitors, "Winkle sleeps with me or in her little tent, she is a bit fickle and the temperature changes make her nervy."
John sat in the chair as he watched the tiny blue child fold back the flaps of the tent and crawl in to make the bed.
"She doesn't speak?" John asked.
"Dunno" Jack replied as he folded back his own bedding, "She has her own little mind. She watched the Others come in the night, their hover dipping too low in the cool air of evening that disrupted the thrusters, she watched her family devoured by those things. Maybe she has nothing to say."
"Shit" John puffed out.
"Yeah, maybe that one echoes in her mind" Jack agreed as he sat on the edge of the bed, then rose and John wondered why then looked to his left to find Ianto standing with his arm on the back of the chair looking down at him.
"Shit a porcupinorus!" John spluttered as he shot to his feet and found the man still larger than him.
Jack snorted softly, "Oh yeah, and Ianto is a wraith."
John blinked then looked Ianto up and down as he stood silently looking back at him, then Ianto turned to Jack dismissing the smaller man, "Jack. A word please."
"Sure, I'll meet you up top" Jack nodded, stretching as he looked longingly at his bed then followed Ianto up to the walkway where Rhys was leaning on the railing looking out to the tree line.
"Anything?" Jack asked.
"Nah, I will go check the locks again" he headed down and Ianto sighed as he watched him go, then turned back to Jack.
"He's looking for her" he said sadly, "Part of him hopes Gwen is doubling back remorseful for her stupidity and is going to rap on the door to be let back in."
"Do you think she will be back?" Jack canted his head.
Ianto stepped forward and seized him, so fast and strong that Jack didn't have time to react before lips were against his and the searing kiss took his breath away, Ianto stepping back with a soft "Sorry."
"Really?" Jack laughed, "For what I wanted?"
Ianto smiled softly, "I don't like him. I don't like his….his…."
"Aura?"
"Lies" Ianto finished, "He's holding something deep down too, something he's secretly pleased about. Something to hold over you. Leverage. I don't like it."
"What could he possibly have that I don't know about, most of what he holds close he stole from me in the first place" Jack laughed, "All stuff I sort of let him take anyway."
"I don't know" Ianto sighed, then stepped in for another kiss, this one longer with more promise. Hands slid over Jack's back as Ianto pulled him close and then a soft nip to his neck had him pulling back with surprise.
"Ow"
"Sorry, you smell so good it's hard to resist a taste" Ianto sniggered, "I bet you are a feast."
"Animal" Jack smiled, kissing him and he was surprised to taste blood, feeling his neck and finding a small cut.
"Your animal" Ianto whispered, pulling him close to lick the wound and Jack felt a slight tingle, then it felt fine with his fingers exploring as he sought blood but found not even a scab.
"How did you do that?" he asked with shock.
"I have me secrets too my Captain" Ianto winked as he stepped back into the shadows and then was gone.
Jack snorted and then turned to go inside.
Those secrets were safe with him.