50
It is easy to become complacent. A gentle life, a simple routine and lots of laughter filling a space … you can forget. Let things slide.
Ianto was standing on the back porch looking at the play area as he wondered if they should put some mats out before the crowds arrive when he got the first glimpse of…something in the far distance and he frowned as he tried to pick what it was, then his face changed a she turned to call out "Incoming. Looks like a posse."
Jack was there in an instant along with John and their raised their binoculars to look, then John cursed and muttered about things coming back to haunt. Ianto tuned to look at him, "Are they after you?"
"Maybe" John shrugged, "I am a bad bastard sweetling."
"Then get inside, Mace and Owen to the walkway with weapons drawn but not aimed. Yet" Ianto demanded as he watched Tosh call the babies in for a snack, little ones all excited about the afternoon of fin they were going to have with the townsfolk, missing the coming storm. "Just a show."
"They might be coming for me too" Jack reminded him softly, "I am a bad bugger to Tiger."
"Well unfortunately for them I am not in a giving mood and you are mine"
Jack felt a swell of delight at the snark and went after John as Rhys came to stand on the bottom step, s shield between Ianto and those they did not know. Although Ianto knew Rhys would be little help and if it came to a bum fuck he would have to save him it was still touching to see his loyalty.
Five men in Hovers came at speed and came to a halt by the jungle gym, looking at the fencing with something akin to disgust and one reached out as Ianto called calmly, "It's electrified. lt will send you back a ways."
"What the hell it this?" another demanded.
"My property last time I checked the deeds" Ianto replied as he took a deep breath and stepped from the porch into the light, moving to stand on the other side of the fence ignoring the guns swinging to train on him. He knew they were becoming aware of the guns trained on them in turn a several weapons were loudly cocked including the ssft him of a pulse. Ah, Toshiko.
"We've looking for someone, chasing a fugitive" the man on the ground flashed a badge and Ianto canted his head like they were discussing livestock, not the wanted poster of John Hart being thrust through the wire gingerly.
"Well, if I saw him I would give him the same polite 'piss off' that you are receiving. My children are not subject to … those sort" Ianto's top lip quivered as he whispered his reply and the man watched with a mesmerised gape as Ianto let it lift enough to show a fang then let it drop "Probably tastes sour. I don't do that, I like my men god fearing food, much as yourself. Sweet meat."
Silence as they stared at one another.
"What did he say Larren" one yelled, "can't hear him!"
"He sounds… young." Ianto was not speaking so gently it was like he was in the man's head and his eyes widened, "probably still a virgin?"
The man stepped back from the wire with horror as a hover rounded the driveway and changed course from the designated hover ports to come over to the fence line, the Sherriff calling out as he neared "Larren, that you? You bothering Laird Jones?"
"Laird?"
"He's our Laird around these parts, yeah" the sheriff leaned forward and nodded to Ianto politely who canted his head forward in reply and smiled at his friend, his face transforming into one of beauty before settling back into resting bitch face.
"Larren?" the young brother called agin, "What's he say about me? He was looking at me, did he ask something?"
Ianto looked at the teenager with wide eyes, "I was asking if you've had yourself a girl yet. You smell so …fresh."
The two lawmen stared at one another and then the Sheriff let out a gawf of laughter, "Go on Larren. You've bitten off more than you can chew here, if you are doing your bounty hunter thing you either lost the trail and stumbled into a briar patch ot your man did come this way the these lovely people ate him for Sunday roast. Either way, he ain't here!"
"Ate? Did you say ate?" one sputtered.
"I'm sure he didn't, I was joking. Laird Jones, did you eat someone else? I told you ya have to register your hunts, any kill must be tagged, it's law!" the sheriff mock scolded and Ianto smiled freely now, the huge mouthful of teeth on display as he let his freak flag fly and some moved their hovers back a tad.
"Aw, now don't be like that. He's an amicable enough fella. Anyway, sounds like he just ate" she sheriff was enjoying himself and leaned back into the persona he was creating for himself, "Hope you make it home before dark, we have three packs around there at the moment in a turf war. Mighty hungry…and the vampires do fly as dusk to feed, wondrous sight. Like giant birds of prey…huh. I guess the gurly technically is one. This is a protected area under my jurisdiction and I think you need to leave now."
More townsfolk had started to arrive and some stormed over demanding to know who these people were upsetting their benefactor and Ianto closed his mouth to turn to them, meek and attractive again, "They think I am harbouring some …. Some… criminal. Here. With my children! As if I would allow that."
"Don't be a fool, this is a place of peace and tranquillity, now piss off ya fuckers! Leave our Master Jones alone, he's a good man. Keeps us safe he does, go on. Get going!" one of the large men roared as his children raced through the open gates of the parking lot to get Ianto's who were streaming out with matching screams of glee.
As the children started to clamber onto equipment the posse moved on and the Sherriff called after them, "I'd move it to Mac 2 if I were you, top speed might do it. I bet that young one got his attention!"
With no idea that he was actually hitting the nail on the head, the Sherriff ensured a trouble free day as the hovers took off and the dust settled.
Ianto watched them go and knew they would make the far township well before dusk and settle for a gripe and general interrogation of the townsfolk about their weird orphanage. He smiled to himself as more started to arrive for the afternoon invite to high tea. The town would bloody destroy them for even suggesting he was anything but the lovely polite man he was.
On the outside.
Snigger.