4

Ianto was silent as they moved the stock, Jack knew it had cost him a lot to even say it out loud, even more so as there was clearly no sign of this man…this…fake god who had not come to fix this. Jack had not even thought of him in all this, now he wondered why the hell he was letting this happen to what he himself claimed was his favourite planet. To his son? Jack glanced at the straight backed rider that trotted past and felt sorrow in the knowledge that Ianto had wondered this as well, maybe blaming himself for not being able to fix things either. This…this….

"Clusterfuck" Crypto said as he trotted past as well, his tongue hanging out.

"Yeah" Jack agreed sagely, "It certainly is buddy. Shit. No wonder you felt safe with him. No wonder I did. He is an honest man. A rarity in itself but…surely the Doctor knows about him"

"He has a habit of leaving things behind. Scarves... hats... people" Crypto snorted and Jack felt a soft tremor then knew Ianto was hurting from the conversation so he changed the subject.

"Mimi was excited about the piano, can she play?"

Ianto lit up and they spent the next half hour talking music, Jack breaking into song as they neared the school and Ianto joined in as Jack found himself more enamoured as they harmonised. Crypto watched them bond more and hoped Ianto would find comfort, they needed comfort and Jack was clearly trying.

Mica was waiting, running to help Rhys with the gates like a big girl and Jack wondered if she wanted to help up on the horse with him then laughed as her arms shot up so he could lean down and pick her up. He scooped her into the saddle in front of him and cuddled her, kissing her little head as he felt a rush of love for the little one who was gleefully placing her hands over his to feel the reins.

Ianto watched as Crypto asked him if he was OK. Ianto nodded and then turned to watch Gwen approach with a solemn look. "What's wrong?"

"I can't work out the room with Bub … they are all nice but all single rooms" she said softly, "I was wondering if we could bust out a wall or …"

"The Headmaster's Office where we all slept last night" Ianto said gently as he drew her close, feeling brotherly as she reminded him of Rhiannon "It has the side room for study and laying out tomes. If you and Rhys take that office we can clear out the side room and make it a little nursery. I want to take the library, you know I love books. Mimi can take the little reading nook for her snuggle pace and Jack and I will take the mezzanine level over the reference books, it's large enough for a bed and some things up there, I can spend days in those books with coffee. Also a wonderful big open fire and hearth. We will be next door to one another then, if you need me in the night."

She leaned against him, "Ianto, I know we started off on the wrong foot and I am so sorry."

"I know. I think we were both too stressed to see one another as friends. It's changed, we know one another now. I know you act from emotions and I don't. We will find a way to make it work, yeah? I want to be friends, we need one another." Ianto reasoned.

"I need you a hell of a lot more than you need me" she laughed as she hugged him.

"Yes but without you I would have no sister at all" Ianto smiled, "I need one of those to fuss over. Tosh feels more like a buddy or co-conspirator."

Gwen smiled as she touched his face, stroking his cheek "I am sorry. We lost so much, all of us have and I am selfish with my whinging. I know you've done so much to keep us safe, I know we owe you so much."

"Hush now, family do not need to say thanks, right?" Ianto hugged her and then began to walk away, "Now I need you humans to get back on the concrete steps while we complete the invisibility defences."

Everyone stepped back with confusion and Jack released Mica who ran to stand and hold hands with Ianto and Scout, their deep hum starting to make their bones rattle.

"Look at the grass" Owen whispered and they all looked down to see it grow before their eyes, the fruit trees bloom and the hedgerow bulk out then hands were released and silence descended.

Ianto opened his eyes and looked around "Shit. We pushed a bit hard kids."

"We did this Tadda?" Mica asked with awe and Ianto looked over at the others with concern but saw only acceptance.

"I knew it!" Andy said gleefully, "She's yours. That makes sense, so cute and all."

Ianto snorted, "Yes. OK? I am a bit of what Scout is. Mica is mine and also part alien, OK?"

"Nah" Rhys snorted, "Didn't ya hear? We're all X-Men now!"

The giggling started.