A/N: Yup. It's most definitely updating time. BUT, first…

THANK YOU, so, so much, for all your AMAZING reviews and listings! I have no words. You guys are AMAZING and I swear that I'll do my best to meet your expectations. (HUGS)

Awkay, before I get all mushy… Let's go! I really hope that you'll enjoy the ride.

Slip ups and Make ups

Almost sixteen weeks, now.

Ianto stared at his reflection on the mirror of Jack's office in a state of disbelief, his eyes searching curiously for changes. Curiously and with, in his opinion, a rather healthy hint of lingering fear. A week or so ago he noticed that his pants wouldn't quite fit him anymore. His shirt could still be buttoned but it was a bit tighter than before. Even though a reasonable part of his brain kept reminding him that it was all good, that it meant that the baby was healthy and growing, a tiny part of him was far from comfortable with the loss of control over his body.

Ianto was surprised that he hadn't gained more weight, honestly. Because he was eating more than ever in his life. Now that the throwing up routine was mostly over he'd found cravings setting in.

Taking a look at his unfinished meal he wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "You know, Peanut… You have the weirdest taste I've ever encountered. It must come from your dad's side."

"Hey, don't gang up against me before he's even born!" Jack, who'd magically materialized from nowhere, admonished with a chuckle.

Ianto smiled without noticing it, leaning towards the kiss placed to his neck. "Again with the 'he'?" he teased. "I'll be sure to tell our little girl about that one."

Blatantly ignoring him Jack wrapped a pair of arms around his waistline and peered over his shoulder towards the mixture of takeaway food. The captain's ensuing expression was a rather hilarious mixture of horror, confusion, disgust and disbelief. "Is that…?"

"… fried banana covered in pasta sauce? Yes." Ianto shot a half hearted glare at the immortal. "If Peanut starts to crave for something suspicious from the future I'll have you castrated."

Jack's eyebrow arched. The man, however, barely seemed to notice his threat. "'Peanut'?"

Ianto shrugged and turned back towards his stomach turning dish. "We have to start coming up with names from somewhere." Small steps, swallowing it all down in tiny particles. That's how he might just handle this whole thing without losing his mind.

Jack was very, very quiet for a while. Then he felt the man shrug. "Well, it fits." A stunningly soft kiss was placed to his hair.

It was most likely due to hormones. But Ianto could actually feel something happening to both his mood and body. Certain parts of him were very… excited about Jack's advances. He nodded towards the man's desk, purposefully rubbing his head against his partner. "Oh, and another craving… There's some whipped cream and strawberries." Hormones, apparently, took over him while he was fetching food.

And how about that. Jack felt quite eager against him as well. A different kind of a kiss was placed to his cheek while a tender hand rubbed circles at his belly. "Oh, I love you…!"

It took a long moment before either of them realized just what had been said. Ianto's eyes widened and his whole body froze with shock. He swallowed, hard. "Which one of us were you talking to?" he asked breathlessly.

Jack cleared his throat. It was easy to hear the man's discomfort. "Ianto…"

Ianto shook his head. Perhaps a little too forcefully because he ended up feeling dizzy. He gestured towards his stomach. "You don't have to say it, just because…" Of course it felt amazing to hear those words. And he wished that he'd be able to utter the same to Jack before it was in his dying moments. As for Jack… He knew that the captain cared about him deeply, just like the man cared about his whole team. The immortal quite possibly had a big crush on him. But love? Enough to settle with just one person for that person's entire lifetime? Hardly. It wasn't out of spite, just how Jack Harkness was. Which was a bitter pill Ianto had swallowed willingly from the start of… whatever they were now.

No hard feelings. No confusion. No expectations. Wasn't that the whole plan?

Or well, that was what Ianto thought. Until he saw Jack's eyes at that very moment. And devious doubt, perhaps even wishful thinking, began to rise.

They didn't have the time to finish that conversation, though. Because just then there was a hesitant knock. The captain growled what sounded suspiciously lot like a list of swear words and composed himself for a couple of seconds before spinning around. Still the man's voice was pure acid. His eyes were even more threatening. "What?"

Tosh swallowed, appearing apologetic and slightly intimitated. She took an instinctive step backwards. "We've… got Rift activity. It's bad."

It wasn't catastrophic but bad enough to postpone the talk. Still there was a heavy cloud of confusion hanging on Ianto's mind while he met Rhiannon later that evening. Just a small dinner in a nice, albeit not posh, restaurant to celebrate her birthday. Neither of them was in the mood for partying.

Rhiannon kissed his cheek fondly after opening his present. For the first time that evening there was a genuine smile on her face. "This bracelet is amazing!" She poked at his chest gently. "But not amazing enough to make me forget that I've barely heard from you in weeks. I was already planning on filling a missing person report."

Ianto felt a stab of guilt. Spending time with her, with all the unpleasant memories it aroused… It wasn't easy. He did prefer the make belief version of his family, after all, and actually talking with her shattered the illusion. Which wasn't an excuse to avoid her. Not that it would've been the only reason lately. "I'm sorry. I've just been… busy."

Rhiannon frowned, looking at him intently. "You do look tired. Your boss is seriously wearing you down."

Those words nearly made Ianto choke on his very breath. He was a little too happy when a waitress appeared to take their order. The relief turned into worried confusion when he listened to her order.

Ever since their father's death she'd ordered some Scottish on every special occasion the honor their old man's memory. Ianto himself couldn't touch that stuff because even the smell made him feel sick for reasons that he'd never be able to tell her without shattering her heart. But for Rhiannon it was always the same, down to a particular brand. Now she only had water.

This time it was Ianto's turn to frown and study her with his gaze. "Are you alright?" She didn't seem ill but…

Rhiannon nodded slowly, looking away. She took a deep breath before finally spitting out the words. "Johnny and I… We've been trying for a… one more, you know? For months." She wiped at her eyes with a small, teary chuckle. "It's stupid, I know. We've alredy got an amazing family but…" She sighed. "It shouldn't be this hard, you know? Or maybe we're just not meant to have any more." She sounded far from alright with the idea. Her voice reminded him of the young girl he tried to comfort when she'd been targeted by bullies.

Too bad that now their problems were far more mature.

Ianto swallowed, feeling cold all of a sudden. He'd been entertaining the idea of telling her about his pregnancy. It would've been good to have his sister, who had children of her own, supporting him through the oncoming hurricane. But how was he supposed to tell her that he, a man, had been knocked up accidentally when even her best efforts wouldn't grant her the same miracle? There was no way he could twist a knife in her open wound like that.

And so Ianto did the only thing he could. He moved from his chair and wrapped his arms around her, pulling his sister into the kind of a warm hug that they hadn't shared in much too long. She melted to the contact easily, hanging on to him with a baffling amount of force.

Ianto cleared his throat. Public displays of affection weren't exactly his area. "We, uh… We're drawing attention."

Rhiannon laughed while letting go. Her voice wasn't exactly steady but she wasn't sobbing. "Oh, don't give me that…!" She gave him an amused yet meaningful look. "You know, I'm not the only person you've been seen with in public lately." She leaned closer. "Tall, dark and handsome… Does that ring a bell to you?"

Ianto winced, looking away. "Rhiannon, it's… It's complicated." How was he supposed to explain something that even he couldn't understand?

Rhiannon arched an eyebrow. Obviously not about to swallow his vague response without a fight. "'Complicated?'" When it became obvious that he wasn't going to explain further she sighed loudly. "You've always been too good at keeping secrets. Ever since you were a kid. You never trust me with anything actually important."

Ianto gulped, not quite knowing how to proceed. He focused on staring at his glass of water. The liquid's surface was eerily still. "Well…" The words about to come tasted strange on his tongue. "He… did blurt out that he loves me, today."

"WHAT?!"

After the long, much too emotional and hectic day Jack had headed for a long walk. And some standing on a rooftop. Somehow the cool air brushing his face always managed to clear his head, at least a little. Despite the number of hours he spent there he couldn't figure out which one was more upsetting, his slipped words or Ianto's reaction to them. All that hurt and confusion… Jack wished that he would've been able to offer something strong and solid but his head and heart were too much of a mess. All he knew was that Ianto and the life inside him were the most precious things he had and he had no idea how to make the Welshman believe it.

Upon returning Jack fully expected that he'd be alone at the Hub. He'd given everyone the rest of the day off and strict orders to show up late the following day. He'd also been sure that Ianto wasn't in the mood for talking, let alone for anything else. That's why he arched a curious eyebrow upon hearing Myfanwy's excited chirping. She only sounded that way with someone in particular nearby.

Jack wasn't entirely sure if he was ready for the conversation up ahead. But he also knew that they weren't hormone driven, moody teenagers. And so he approached.

To someone not familiar with Torchwood the sight would've been beyond bizarre. For the first time since the early afternoon Ianto seemed relaxed as the archivist sat on the floor, with their massive pet nearby. Myfanwy's chirping became even further excited when Ianto offered her some more chocolate.

Jack couldn't help but chuckle. "So that's why she likes you best. You bribe her."

Ianto's looked towards him with surprise and a hint of startle. Myfanwy reacted instantly. She emitted what could only be called a hiss, making an aggressive move towards Jack. Obviously she interpreted his presence as a threat.

Jack backed off immediately, outstretching a pair of pacifying hands. "Woah, woah…! Calm down, girl. It's just me."

Ianto winced like a parent embarrassed by their child's antics. "Sorry about that. She's been a bit protective lately."

Well, Jack certainly couldn't blame her on that. The tension didn't disappear magically but the air around the three of them wasn't quite so heavy anymore. For quite a while they all lingered in their thoughts.

In the end Jack inhaled heavily, deciding to make the first move. "Look… About what I said today…"

Ianto shook his head. Finally their eyes met properly. "You don't need to explain anything. Just… If you ever say that again… Be sure, alright?"

Jack nodded. Wishing that his throat had been able to push out everything there was building up immediately. Before it'd suffocate him. Not that he wouldn't survive a suffocation. He glanced towards Myfanwy who was still looking at him with sharp, suspicious eyes. "Is it safe to approach?" he inquired.

Ianto nodded, appearing more than a little amused. "If she'd want to peck your head off she would've done it by now. But you still need a peace offer." The younger man nodded towards his coat. "Search your pockets."

Quirking an eyebrow with interest Jack did as ordered, his motions so eager that it might've embarrassed him under different circumstances. What he found was cholate. He blinked at it once, twice. "How…?"

Ianto grinned widely. The mere sight of it was enough to make anyone feel warm all over. "Magic, sir."

Somehow no words were needed from that point on. Encouraged by Ianto's gesture Jack walked closer and slid to the floor beside his lover, one arm wrapping around the Welshman. The only thing that felt better than the warmth of Ianto's body was how the man leaned just a little bit closer. And that was how they sat for a very long time, soothing Myfanwy with chocolate and each other with silent promises.

A few days later Jack and Ianto were both amusingly tense and nervous as Owen helped them meet their unborn child for the second time. Again it took a bit of seeking and a few muttered, ill chosen words that earned a sharp glare from Ianto. But eventually a triumphant look appeared to Owen's face. "Here we go! A slippery devil, this one."

Unable and unwilling to contain their curiosity Jack and Ianto both looked at the screen. A rather adorably synced gasp left them. Their child had grown up so much that it was unbelievable. The baby actually looked like a tiny human being, now. One that was sleeping and sucking their thumb. In fact, the baby had grown up so much that it was possible to distinguish certain delicate areas.

Jack leaned closer to the screen. And closer. And closer. Then frowned. "Wait a minute… Isn't that…?"

Owen smirked. "Or rather, 'there isn't'." The doctor focused on the baby. "Unless the brat is as good at hiding… stuff as you two, I'm pretty sure that you're going to have a baby girl."

For a moment Ianto was so still and pale that it truly worried the two others. Then smiled in a way they'd never seen before. "A girl…" The archivist's gaze shifted towards Jack after a prolonged stare at the monitor. "You know what this means. You owe me a…"

Instantly Owen winced and lifted his hands in surrender, effectively cutting off the Welshman. "Whatever it is, I don't want to hear." The doctor gave them a threatening glare. "This is probably one of those moments during which you'd want some privacy so I'll… just, you know, go, for a bit. But no shagging on that table, understood? Or there'll be horrible consequences."

"Really, now?" Jack's eyebrow bounced up. "What sort of consequences?"

Someone who hadn't been through the things that the couple had might've been intimitated by the look in Owen's eyes. Or at least creeped out. "I'm creative."

Somehow Jack and Ianto managed to keep it together until the doctor had walked off. As soon as the Londoner was out of earshot they began to giggle like a pair of five-year-olds. "I suppose that it wouldn't do any good to tell him that his warning came too late?" Jack mused out loud.

"Don't worry", Ianto, who'd managed to get a hold of himself by then, reassured him. The Welshman seemed unable to stop grinning. "I was very careful with hiding the evidence."

Jack smirked and gave the younger man a kiss. His eyes refused to stop sneaking glances towards the monitor's screen. Their impossible baby girl. Their miracle. "You would've made a disturbingly good criminal mastermind if you'd chosen a different side of the law."

Another few days later found Ianto returning from purchasing cleaning up supplies that'd take care of the mess left to the Hub by their latest extra terrestrial visitor. He groaned when his cell phone began to ring. He didn't even have to look at the caller ID to know who it was. "Jack, I left less than twenty minutes ago and this is the fourth time you're calling me." While it was very adorable, almost touching, it was harboring becoming irritating. Clearly the captain didn't like having him out of his sight.

"Did you remember the disinfectant?"

Ianto couldn't help but smile. "I did. Everything's alright. I'll see you soon." With that he hung up.

Putting his cell phone to his coat's pocket Ianto began to step to the road, noticing that he had a green light. What he didn't notice was the police car speeding his way, sirens blaring and charging violently against a red light. Fortunately someone else did notice.

Ianto gasped when all of a sudden a pair of tender yet firm arms yanked him backwards. Just seconds before there would've been a collision. While the burst of air from the passing by vehicle caressed his hair Ianto's wide eyes met his rescuer.

Tall, dark and well built. Dark eyes. With an air of something very, very familiar that Ianto just couldn't put his finger on. "You just…" He gasped for a one more time, pleased to have his breath back properly. "Thank you."

The stranger smiled at him. "No problem. But you really should be more careful." Slowly, a bit too much so for comfort, the man let go of him. "Have a good day."

Ianto could only nod, his throat very dry all of a sudden. "You too." With that he began to walk on, some nagging voice inside urging him to hurry away from the stranger who just saved his life.

Walking the opposite way Gray let a small, chilling smile appear to his lips. Only about twenty weeks left, now. All in a good time.

Jack wouldn't know what hit his new so-called family until it was too late.

TBC

A/N: Now that ended on a rather chilling note… (shudders) Just what is Gray planning? And how will the pregnacy AND our beloved couple's relationship develop?

Thoughts? Comments? PLEASE, do let me know!

I've reeeeeeally gotta get going now. I've got a sinfully early morning ahead of me tomorrow. Until next time! I REALLY hope that I'll see ya all then.

Take care!

Guest: I'd say! (shudders) Now that's the question, isn't it? We'll see just what his plan is…

Massive thank yous for the review!