44

"You want what?" the Sherriff turned to look at the man who NEVER left his land and felt something weird inside his gut. A flip flopping deep down as the entity stood in his office with his white gloved hands tightly clasped together and the wide brimmed hat shading most of his face. Then he lifted his head and he saw Ianto's calculating stare.

"You know I am different, that this … this… expedition had been uncomfortable for me but I also know for something if this magnitude I must do it myself. Do not piss me off by making it difficult" Ianto warned, "The old Fair Ground. I want to know who owns it so I may purchase it and dismantle some of it for my babans."

"Ah" that made sense, OK Kid's entertainment…sure. Made sense now, "Well … actually my brother owns it. Mortimer."

"Morty" Ianto repeated, "Ah yes, with the Thunderbird he is always going to restore."

Laugher then as the weird feeling went and he saw it was just Ianto hiding himself as he did. Like, he didn't want people to see him or something, always covered in those clothes even on a hot day, shy. That's what it is… shy. Of course the Sherriff wasn't stupid, knew full well why but for him to coexist with these creatures that move amongst them, it was important for him to see them all as people, not their origins and he did like Ianto.

"I'll call him up, think he would jump at the chance to offload it, costing him money ya know" he picked up the phone and the conversation was brief, "He sez fourteen."

Ianto grunted, looking at Jack who made a face and asked, "Really? That much? Come on, I know the scrap man offered him under ten, right?"

The sheriff snorted as he nodded "He said to start at fourteen."

"It's for the kids" Ianto said softly and the sheriff shrugged.

"OK, ten! He said no lower"

"Thank you, you always come through for me" Ianto said in that melodic tone, "Such a good friend to us. I do hope you will come dine with us again soon the children do so love you."

They exited into the bright sun and Ianto hurried to the covered back of the hover to settle in the shade as they moved to the fairgrounds where Morty was waiting and his face showed his confusion as he looked up at Ianto in the hover.

"Ianto? Goddess Saves, you've not aged a day" he said with wonder as Ianto steeled himself and stepped into the sunlight, he reached out without the glove for skin contract, the shot of affection real as he met an old fiend and Morty smiled softly. "Bud. This is for your little ones?"

"You and Nita never…"

"Bah. Never were blessed" he shuffled as he turned away and Ianto whispered softly, "Adoption is a blessing for both parties ya know. I have a little boy at present who craves a Mama, something I cannot provide. Artistic and clever, a real star. Musically inclined. She played the piano doesn't she?"

Morty turned to look at him, "She would never go for it. So ashamed that she's not been….what do you suggest?"

"Come get him for a weekend, tell her it's a favour to me as the other children pick on him for his delicate ways. Like… a little holiday and then step back leaving her to do all the care" Ianto advised "Come Monday help her pack his things and lament that it had felt nice to have a little soul in the house, she looked so young again … it had suited her and you felt like giving him back was a mistake."

"It would work?"

"Then come sign the papers to make him yours and enjoy a son" Ianto smiled, "really all there is to it ya know. She has a big heart craving someone to love … he is perfect for her."

Morty was paused, his hand on the gate to the fairground as he turned to Ianto, "What's he really like?"

"Scared. Lonely, clever. Funny too, has a little happy dance he does on pancake day that is so sweet" Ianto smiled softly, "I love him and would keep him but… I feel she might love him more. He looks like her brother, Dean who was lost. Remember his blonde curls? Like that."

"Shit" Morty said softy as he left the gate swing open and he looked into the ruins of what had once been a place of pleasure, no longer safe with those things roaming out there.

"Ashes" Ianto said softly, "The place where Phoenix is born. Nothing is ever finished Morty, there is always another step, another breath to take. Just try it. The weekend, if they do not gel then no harm no foul. He will not know he is rejected as he will be told it is a weekend adventure."

"Done" Morty nodded "And… whatever you want this place for… shit. Take it, just… how many are there now? Little ones?"

"I have lost count" Ianto snorted, "But if you come visit you will see what your brother has. They are all happy."

"Happy, in a world gone mad" Morty nodded "Yeah. Nita wanted some happy too."

"He will be waiting for you."