24

Ianto was standing on the platform overlooking the backyard with a look of confusion, shifting from foot to foot as he tried to focus more in the semi-darkness.

John was aware of this only because Jack had brushed past him to go stand next to the man and John now watched his ex-partner's hand softly graze a butt cheek before coming to rest in the small of Ianto's back as he silently turned to ask him a question.

They were communing.

John canted his head, recognising a bond there and now saw with a finality in it, that Jack had not only fallen for this enigma he had given himself freely to a bond that would be eternal.

He wondered if Jack remembered that.

Ianto's head turned slightly and John could see his features of the old tilly lamp and he was momentarily struck, forgetting to breathe as those eyes swirled. It was the lamp's reflection, the flame of the lamp hidden behind glass that danced in his eyes.

Right?

Ianto's' gaze settled on him and John felt a warmth start as Ianto softly smiled, "John. I detect something in the trees. A single heartbeat. Perhaps you can take a closer look with the scope on your gun?"

John rose and stomped his leg awake as he moved to the other side of Jack, raising his pistol and sighting through the high tech scope that looked so out of place on the old weapon. Had been worth every credit. And bloodshed. John squinted.

"Movement" he agreed, "Seems to be a single entity. Wait….hang on, changing to infrared"

John dropped the weapon to look at the controls and Ianto stepped back making a noise in his throat as his nose twitched.

"Sound the alarm" Ianto whispered then louder, "Jack, incoming. Alarm."

Jack hit the button and klaxons started to clang as the figures Ianto had detected broke from the trees and headed towards the house as speed. Running hell for leather like the hounds of hell were following and…. There….shit … they were coming.

Jack crouched for a lower line of sight, followed by John and they watched the Others lopping behind the figure that seemed to be leading them straight for the house. Ianto glanced over at the stables where Mace and Rhys were also watching, Rhys lifting his binoculars to look closer and he dropped them with a strangled cry, then turned to run from the walkway and head down through the tunnel for the house.

"Fuck" Ianto spat, "This is not good, look to the west."

They did and another pack was now pouring from the direction of the far river, their mouths open as they screamed in challenge.

Another battle was about to be held for those inside the dwelling like it was a winner takes all kinda deal… with those souls inside being the prize.

Ianto was moving away and Jack glanced back, "Rhys will check down there, we are all secure"

"No we are not" Ianto replied with obvious anger, "He is not going down to check we are secure, he is going down to watch through the window and struggle with his desire to open the fucking door."

"Why?" John was on his feet knowing the door opening would be their end, the others seeing an opening would charge it until the locks gave.

"Because that was Gwen running in the lead" Ianto laughed hollowly, "Stupid bitch is a half-turn and gone mad with it as they usually do. She is trying to get back to us. Punishment? Comfort? Who knows? Maybe hunger for flesh? All I know is that that bitch has led a pack we have never seen before into the grounds, we have a new pack. These will know nothing of the unspoken laws and agreements of the other packs around here. This will not just be a battle … we are about to witness a Pack War and there will be deaths out there tonight. Loud, nasty and terrifying for the babies. Rhys will watch her die."

"Shit" John said feebly, "That sucks."

"Worst thing is that he still loves her, as much as he hates her for what she had done she was his first love and he will watch her die. Believe me John, it changes you" Ianto sighed.

"Yes, it does" Jack nodded as he looked down, Gwen now recognisable with her hair flowing about her face and her features twisted into a snarl as she tried to negotiate the steps but her skirts kept tripping her.

"Stupid bitch" Andy said without emotion, "Always did trip on the back steps because she would forget to lift her skirts."

"Go to him" Jack said as he reached for the rifle in Andy's hands, "Go on. Send Tosh or Owen up instead. No one will sleep tonight."

Andy nodded and headed down as Jack and John shared a look, their unspoken bond there still too.

Time to dance.

Both men took up positions as they waited for the impact that would shake the house on it's foundations.

Lizzy screamed from the ravine as her pack advanced, the largest number they had ever seen.

Hell was coming to Torchwood House.

Good thing these men knew how to walk on brimstone.

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Dear Guest ... I do not know your name sorry. I do try to answer questions where I can and I do not consider myself having lots of readers. Real Life is a bit intense right now and I am pushed at the moment but I do try to answer where I can. You asked me about the Others and I did say i prefer to leave them to your imagination but they are not Vampyre. In this verse Vampyre is simply a breed like Bu-man-chu. Others are more like zombies crossed with wolves or something ... slobbering rat/dog beasts the size of st bernards or something with sharp teeth and a relentless hunger. Sorry if you felt I was ignoring you, it is more the fact I try to ignore the Others in RL who try to eat my time when I would rather be writting for Torchwood than having to deal with issues at home. Having an adult with special needs (Phyisical and phychiatric) in your care can get tiring, both physically and mentally. Add two jobs and you can see where some days I find it hard to get a chapter out. Blessings to you.