23

Jack rang to see how Walter was feeling and then he asked to speak to Ianto.

Walter took some time to take the phone to him, making Jack annoyed and when he finally heard Ianto's voice he demanded to know what he was doing.

"Vomiting Sir" came a snarled response, "Would you like to hear?"

"Are you OK?" Jack asked softly.

"Fine sir" came the terse response.

"How is the Ton?"

"Fine. He's asleep" Ianto sighed, "Jack, I have a mess to clean up. Do you want something?"

Jack cleared his throat, "The air mattress won't go up."

A sigh down the phone told him Ianto really didn't care.

"Jack! We have spare mattresses in the storage shed. Use a couple of them then."

Jack slapped his forehead, "God, I had forgotten about that. From the old bunk beds, right?"

"Yeah." Came a flat reply.

"Are you angry with me?" Jack asked, "Do you want me to pack up and come back?"

"No. The kids would never forgive me for making them give up now" Ianto replied, "Just have a good time and check Babs hasn't snuck the bloody lizard out."

"OK, I love you." Jack said as he said goodbye.

Ianto looked at the baby asleep on the sofa with Walter and he fetched another blanket to cover them and stroked their heads lovingly.

Then he settled in a chair and closed his eyes, telling himself it was just for a few minutes.

He woke to a dog frantically licking his hand and glanced at the sofa, groaning as he saw Walter still dead to the word and the Ton was gone.

He wearily rose, moaning as his back complained and shuffled towards the kitchen. He already dreaded whatever was about to be found and he peeked around the doorframe and watched as Ton calmly picked another slice of bread from the bread bag he had pulled off the counter and pulled the centre out, chewing on it as he slid another crust up his arm like a bangle.

Ianto slid down the cabinets to sit with his baby and Ton regarded him as he chewed on his bread ball. Then he calmly retrieved another slice from the bag, pulled at the white centre and offered the crust to Ianto.

Ianto gasped and held out his arm, giggling as he received his own piece of fine jewelry.

Ianto held his arm up and jiggled the bread as Ton laughed and did the same.

"Wonderful" Ianto said softly, "You are so clever. Who would have thought of such a thing?"

Ton chewed thoughtfully and then shrugged, pulling another slice out and then turning it into art, offering it again.

Soon Ianto was giggling as he held his arm out for a fourth, a fifth.

The Ton solemnly handed him a whole slice, as if he was passing on the mantle and Ianto made the appropriate noises as he pulled out the white flesh and then snarled as he ate it.

Ton nodded thoughtfully.

Apparently he had done it right and was accepted.

Ton chose another slice and Ianto wondered what the boy would make of a whole loaf.

What a clever sausage.

Ianto could easily sacrifice the loaf.

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Sorry to those of you who are angry with me about Jack's behavior. I do not hate Jack, I love him to bits but he is a simple man. A man who forgets sometimes and that's how he is written in this verse. He will always make mistakes, the difference is that Ianto now defends himself and Jack realizes his mistakes more.

A relationship is not perfect and I will not write one that is, only with a little angst can we see the good times meaning so much.

I know I may have lost some readers, but I will not make Jack into who he is not.

He is Ianto's imperfect hero.

This verse is going to shake things up this time, any of you who are going to be offended … I will not apologize for Babbit.

I love the Babs most of all!