41

Ianto had been right to be nervy, they did come.

Ianto smelt them on the breeze like one would an incoming storm and he flew from his chair with a bark of warning as he swung in the direction of the town, "Them."

Children scattered as John and Mace looked around with surprise, Jack coming out to watch Ianto stride out into the light like it was nothing, holding his head high as the hopper came into view. They slowed and coasted to a stop, a man leaping from it as it came to rest "Ianto, we need to sort this."

"You need to leave, you have no right to be here. Get off my land" Ianto snarled, his hands clasped as he tried desperately not to show pain or fear, the effort making his nails cut the skin, "Turn and go or my men will raise their weapons."

John already had, resting it on his boot as he lounged in the swing chair with his feet up on the railing, like it was nothing yet the fuel cells were well targeted for maximum effect if Ianto gave the order.

"Ianto, please. It's been too long" a woman tried now, her skin as black as the coffee Ianto had brewed that morning and she sighed as she stopped at the front of the hopper, "You need to come in. This is too dangerous out here, you already cost us so much…my little girl…you have to go now admit when you are done."

"Second warning" Ianto was calm as Jack reached them, Tosh close behind with the umbrella like it was her who needed it with her pale skin, stopping with it over Ianto to give him some relief as he glanced at Jack, then spoke with a calm voice, "If on the count of three you do not leave I will be authorised by law to fire on you."

"Taddy"

Shit.

Ianto turned to look at the one who had no idea what was going on, his days down in that cage meaning he did not know the drill, Ianto could only sigh and crouch to catch his son as he raced to him, his eyes wide with fear, "Taddy, why are they here?"

Ianto rose with the little mocha coloured child and focused on him, on those unbelievably blue eyes looking back, "They are just leaving love."

Ianto was mesmerised for a moment by the beauty of his son, as he is every time he sees Jack's eyes and then he saw the swirl of gold seconds before the child swivelled his head to stare at the visitors, his brain working as he looked at his Grandmother, "You look like Mama."

Ianto held him tighter as he turned to walk away, Tosh hurrying to keep up as Jack stayed out in the light facing the family, "Ianto is being as polite as he can but you do see his problem here right?"

They focused on him, letting Ianto close the door.

"Ianto was ostracised by you, she chose to go with. She is gone. He is not. They were legally married so everything that was hers became his. His. What he already owned is still his. When you rejected him you did realise he is worth more than you right? You judged him on his simple clothing and soft manners of someone of service. You never thought to ask if he was part of the Jones Empire or not. Ianto has wealth, his money purchased the way of life that exists out here, not her. Her money went quickly on the wedding she wanted and the first few nights where he struggled with the guilt of taking her from you. And that little one? He is not yours. He is ours. And we will kill for him."

Winkle had ventured out to the porch and was crouched behind John as she listened, her hand on his arm, "Dadda pissed."

"Yes darling, he might shoot one"

"Good. Tadda sad. They make him feel small" she hissed, the hand sliding away as she went to comfort her brother and John sighed as he rose and called out across s the yard.

"Jack, you are too close, when I blow the fuel cells you will get caught in the debris field" he was almost upbeat as he grinned and Jack swing to gesture to him, then grin before turning back.

"Ianto hasnot said three, on that count John will take you out. As will Mace. Can you see my sniper?" Jack smiled widely, showing the predator that he is "Now fuck off will you? You ruined any chance of a conversation when you defaulted to blame."

Jack then turned and casualty sauntered away, knowing there was a gun at his back as the one still behind the controls had not moved bar pulling a pistol when they had first stopped.

Ianto reappeared without his child Winkle sliding around him to go in and he let his hand brush her hair to find comfort before he once again stepped into the light.

"Well?"

"This isn't over" the driver yelled, "We are not finished here."

"So you say each time, yet each time I tell you we are" Ianto sighed, signalling and Rhys opened the large doors to the stables releasing the cattle.

With a screech the woman scrambled back on board as the man pushed her from behind and they took off, the bellowing herd seeming to chase them even thought they were just heading for the clover patch nearby.

Ianto gripped the railing so hard it splintered.

Damn it.