5

Ianto was pleased to find Gwen where he thought she would be, sitting in the awning covered rose garden.

"Gwen"

She spun with surprise, not having heard his return, his stealth mode employed and he settled next to her with a serious face, "Gwen, I need your help. I know the others … they need direction on this and I know you have the heart to lead them."

As he had hoped, her face changed to a determined one "What happened."

Ianto laid it out, all of it then settled back with a weary sigh "I don't know what to do. I couldn't leave them and they are so small, so scared and alone. I knew you would never forgive me if I didn't try … gods I was bricking it though. I can't let Jack know that, I know he was terrified for me and …. I have to keep the game going ya know. The moment I admit I am scared I lose my power … like Samson with his hair. Does it make sense? I don't have anyone else to talk to like this, not like you. I miss Rhia, I miss having a sister. I know you will know how to handle the others on this. I … I am so damned tired."

"Don't you worry pet" she patted his arm as she rose from the chair and rubbed her large belly "How far out are they?"

"Maybe half an hour, Owen is taking it slow as he wants them to have time to grieve without arriving here still upset." Ianto smiled "Not a bad man, that one."

Gwen headed inside and Ianto turned to look at Crypto who had arrived, panting as he lapped at a bowl of water. "Think I laid it on a bit thick?"

She is

"Oi!" Ianto laughed as he got up and brushed his clothing down "Cheeky."

Crypto sniggered as he trotted off no doubt seeking his Andy Toy. Ianto watched him disappear into the house and smiled softly, glad he was happy and loved. Andy was a good man and he also knew these kids coming in would be smothered by him as much as the others.

Ianto turned to find Rhys standing there quietly watching him from the garden where he had been weeding and laying more straw to protect the roots of the precious rose bushes "Nice handling. She is the love of my life but she can be a mission sometimes."

"She is a god woman" Ianto said with a nod of his head.

"The kids … they know what the score was?"

"Yes"

"Shit" Rhys rubbed his hands on his trousers and he stared at Ianto then nodded "So … not big meat eaters. Maybe chicken? They can see it's chicken. Some … ah … fruit?"

"Good man" Ianto said softly as he watched Rhys move towards the house, his intent to feed clear as much as Gwen's to nurture.

As the wagon rattled up the driveway with Jack following on foot, leading his horse Gwen erupted from the house, her dress flowing around her as she called out, waving excitedly like it was an adventure about to begin. The two older children took this in, as well as the large stomach that showed clearly this was a mama and they slid from the wagon before it had even stopped, running for her and the safety she represented from their poor sad memories of their own mama.

"Poor darlings" she crooned, her hands smoothing hair and they sighed together, the Welsh vowels also soothing as their memories told them they were in the arms of kin.

"Let's get out of the sun. I stink and so do they." Jack said, Ianto taking comfort in the fact he did not point out the fact it was Ianto and the children that stank from that pit of death, the smell unmistakable.

"Already run a bath" Toshiko said from the doorway, her own hair swept off her face, "Come on. I see two little fishes there with you Gwen. The baby might prefer the other bath on our room, Owen?"

"Yeah, come on little man. You can have one all to yourself" Owen crooned as he stroked the face of the toddler he already felt was his. Ah …. Theirs.

Ianto nodded with satisfaction as he watched everyone else filing out, Crypto and Andy last as they stood close enough to touch hips and Ianto also knew Crypto would head back to the outskirts of that village before dusk to make sure the place was really gone.

Ianto knew it was.

Smote.