Chapter 14: Myfanwy
"Look out!" cried Ianto. He was the one most used to dealing with the creature and had established a rapport of sorts with her during feeding. He also gave her treats – dark chocolate – on more occasions than was good for her. He knew that dive-bombing was not a good sign and that Jack 4 was in real danger.
"Where did you get that?" asked Jack 3 interested despite himself. He had joined the main group though he remained by far the darkest in character of all five Jacks.
Jack exchanged a look with Ianto, "We found him." They smiled at the memory.
"You couldn't have found any better bait, Ianto," put in Jack 5, also smiling at the memory. "Made up for all the stalking."
Ianto was unsettled by Jack 5's comment; he did not want to share his memories of meeting Jack with anyone else, even another Jack. But his attention was really on Jack 4. "Move to the wall, she can't reach you there."
Jack 4 waved him to silence and waited patiently. The large creature flew around his head, closer and closer in something akin to an aeroplane's holding pattern at an airport, shrieking loudly. He was totally unfazed, secretly enjoying the concern he was generating. Myfanwy was close enough to touch and he reached up and stroked her chest in passing. She cried shrilly and went into a steeper dive, coming to rest alongside Jack 4. He walked trustingly toward her, crooning softly, and then jumped on her back. Myfanwy took flight and the two soared around the Hub. Everyone else stood with their mouths open. This was new to them all and totally unexpected.
Gwen broke the silence. "When I found him, in the cells, he was talking to Janet and I swear she was answering him."
"Yeah, right! Weevils do not communicate with humans, they just kill us," said Owen, ever the unbeliever.
"You have so much to learn," said Jack 5, shaking his head. "By my time we've ..."
"Enough! Protect the timeline, please!" broke in Jack, though he would dearly have loved to know what Jack 5 was going to say next. Jack 5 looked suitably chastened.
The flight of man and pterodactyl lasted about five minutes, until Myfanwy came to rest on the lower floor of the Hub and allowed her rider to get down. Jack 4 stood close to her, stroking her head, back and chest and crooning as he had before. He looked towards the watching people, "Ianto ..."
"Here," said Ianto moving down the steps and approaching cautiously. He held out an unwrapped bar of dark chocolate.
"You read my mind," smiled Jack 4. He continued to pet Myfanwy as Ianto drew nearer. "Have you ever fed her by hand?" Ianto shook his head; the closest he usually got was about 20 feet when he threw the treat towards her. "Come closer, stand by me." Ianto did as he was bid, amazed at being allowed so close. "Now, hold it upright in your hand, that's right." Myfanwy dropped her head and her large beak opened to take the chocolate.
Jack, watching from above, was sure that Ianto would lose his hand but no, when the creature raised its beak Ianto still had both hands and all his fingers. The chocolate had disappeared. He sighed with relief as the pterodactyl rose and flew steadily back to her nest. Around him others also exhaled loudly; there was a smattering of laughter too. Jack saw Ianto turn to Jack 4, pleasure so clear on his face it hurt Jack that it was directed to someone else, even another version of himself. He watched as the two men walked back to the work area, chatting animatedly, Jack 4's arm round Ianto's shoulders. He pushed down the irrational surge of jealousy: Jack 4 did not have an Ianto in his time, let him enjoy his company now.