42
Owen was still chastising Ianto who was looking longingly at Jack when they heard another engine, "Hover. Sherriff's I bet."
Ianto sighed and Jack drew him in for a soft kiss, the thing he really wanted would have to wait and he would have to be strong a little longer. Ianto drew himself up and smiled softly as Jack gave his support and he went out "Sherriff, hot day forming"
"Yeah, gonna be one of those 'Dead Dogs in the Shade' kinda days" the man smiled as he got out of the machine and waddled towards them, Ianto moving back towards the shade more.
"Come inside and have a drink with us" Ianto slid inside and found Andy anticipating his request, food and iced tea coming out. Ianto motioned for the sheriff to sit as he looked around with interest at the tidy house.
"No kids?"
"School time" Ianto replied sagely, lifting the glass and freezing as he was proven wrong, two little ones creeping around the perimeter of the room to watch. Ianto continued the motion of the glass, then placed it down noting the hint of mint from the garden.
"I thought you lost the governess" the Sherriff said and Ianto canted his head with interest.
"Gwen? She was taken, yes. Doctor Harper and his lovely wife Toshiko have started the lessons. Both have more qualification than she had, we just wanted her to feel like she had a role here" Ianto tapped the glass as the little ones crept closer, sliding under the table. Still, the sheriff hadn't noticed.
"Ah, I forget how many are here, such a big place."
"Yes. We are many"
The sheriff looked at Ianto for a moment than took a sip, looking down at his glass and then under the tale at the small faces looking up, his face changing "Well hello there, what is this? Are you two going to ambush me?"
They climbed out to stand side by side, hands clasped together looking angelic as they smiled.
"I don't know if I've met you two, how many of you are there?" he smiled as he leaned forward.
"There are no others like us" came the musical reply as the two Chylde smiled back, showing their fangs and he leaned back with shock.
"Essi, Dal" Ianto warned softly, "Behave my Chylde."
They closed their mouths and turned to Ianto as a single unit, "Sorry Tadda."
"Now go to class if you insist on being up at this godly hour." He droned and they tittered in a soft musical way as they scuttled off, leaving Ianto to sigh.
"Sorry about that, little buggers are upset with all the happenings. Bad for their sleep cycles" Ianto smiled as he watched the sheriff lean around in his chair to watch them go, "They are Vampyre, rare and exotic."
"I heard you had one…but two" the man shook his head, "Protected, right?"
"Yes, they are registered and under royal protection" Ianto nodded, "Like any rare creature of this Realm, they have special privilege."
John turned in his chair at this comment, suddenly realising they were on a Royal Planet and he pointed, "Does that count for Chimera too?"
"Things of myth" the Sheriff said as he reached for a biscuit, not even noticing Ianto's glance at John as Jack punched his leg under the table. "So are Vampyre I guess, I suppose there are still some of them out there, hating us bastards."
"That's not fair" Ianto said gently, "Some of you are quite cute when you're drunk."
The sheriff laughed then looked up as Ianto, his smile fading slightly, "You know, I do wonder when you are playing or if it's a threat of some kind."
"Ah, you have nothing to fear from me, you always bring me the lost and the forgotten" Ianto smiled happily, "When we finally call down the mother ship to enslave you, your name will be on the protected list."
He stared at Ianto, then started to laugh, slapping the table as they all joined in.
"Christ, I've not heard that one since I was a child" he spluttered.
"Yes, must be one of those old long haulers" Ianto winked, more laughter as he settled back and then the Sheriff rose.
"You know, even if you were one of those Chimera I think we would be safe. They say they always love those who love them and I don't think I know anyone else around here I love as much as you young man."
"Ditto"
They walked him out, Ianto hesitating on the porch and he finally decided to take a small step forward, "Jason, you do know that I am not completely human right?"
"I am not sure what you are" he turned to face the handsome enigma, "Sometimes I think you are a Vamp, then I think you might be a Gorvelli but you don't smell like one but then you freak me out with that look you get behind your eyes."
"It's called humour, I know it might be frightening at times" Ianto canted his head, everyone laughing.
They watched him putter off and John frowned "What the hell did he want?"
"To see if we were OK" Ianto said as he sighed softly, "He knows they were here and that's why he walked around the yard before getting in the Hover, looking for blood on the ground."
John snorted softly as he glanced up at the corner of the stables where Mace still watched the retreating Hover through his sights.