17

They were eating tea, Ianto's mother both delighted and shocked to be sitting next to Alice who was overjoyed as she talked to her, telling her all about the book she was making at school, drawing the pictures herself.

Ianto heard her talk about a dog as the main character and remembered the little dog they had got her once settled only to lose the poor wee thing when a courier came to deliver a package and ran it over, barely missing the little girl who it was chasing.

Ianto remembered Jack's grief and anger as well, the first time they had the 'my child' fight. By Pete that had hurt and as a consequence the dog was never spoken of again. A slight. Ianto hadn't realised she was missing a friend because of his hurt.

Childish he scolded himself, petty.

"Cariad?"

"Hmm?" Jack looked up from his plate.

"I want to raise a discussion after tea in my Rumpus Room please" Ianto said and Rose giggled, slapping a hand over her mouth, then gasping as a ping initiated a Vid-call to screen.

Gray was there, "Hey. Interrupting?"

"Not at all" Jack said happily, "You travelling?"

"Already. Yeah, we are swinging around the third moon now" Gray smiled, "I've missed you all. I can't wait to get home and get a big cuddle with my favourite boy and girl."

"Yes well, I hope Caden gets a cuddle too" Ianto said cheekily and Gray roared with mirth.

"I have missed you too Ianto" he smiled, "Too long this time. Thank Pete the Treaty is almost signed sealed and delivered. This time next week I will be at that table with you."

"That will be grand" Ianto said happily, then he canted his head, "So, that break away element seen to?"

"Yeah, the rebels were chased off planet. Made their empty threats about bloodlines and stuff then took off" Gray snorted, "Funnily enough, guess who their ship was Captained by Jack?"

"Who?"

"John Hart" Gray chortled "I almost shat myself when I saw him, he recognised me straight away and started asking questions. Knew about Alice, asked after her too. Was shocked to hear you had remarried, asked if she was a looker. Showed him a pic of the two of you, he went so damned pale."

Ianto had stopped eating and frowned as he realised there was another element he hadn't considered, then he knew Jack had thought it as well, the anger thrumming.

Mainframe hadn't spoken yet, or if she had it hadn't been to him.

Ianto then felt his gut drop as he turned to face Jack, the voice whispering in the back of his head getting stronger as it finally occurred to him that he was not the only one working on the problem.

"John is fine, I've already talked to him via vid-com after he spoke with you" he was saying to Gray's image, "Not his style. You know he is more likely to come at you himself, straight to your face. John doesn't do covert, his impulse problems makes that too hard. No. I've ruled him out."

Ianto rose, patting his mouth with his napkin, "I'll be in the room waiting Cariad."

He let his hand rest on the back of Jack's neck for a moment and then left the room, Gray watching him go, "Is he OK?"

"His shoulder is giving him pain, he doesn't like to admit any weakness" Jack sighed, "I've not known someone to hide pain like he can."

Ianto's mother looked uncomfortable and rose, "I think someone needs their bath now."

Two children started to argue and she shushed them, "Well maybe you should share then. We can use my big bath then, in my quarters. Your Taddy had one put in that is like a wee pool."

The kids scampered off and Jack bid his brother a safe journey and then went through to see what was troubling Ianto, his anger raw in the room, and his touch.

Ianto stood at ease in the middle of the room, his eye following Jack as he entered.

"You wanted to talk?" Jack said as he sat in his chair.

"Gwen. A past subject from our careers who seeks vengeance. John Hart. My father?"

Jack blinked, "huh?"

"The bombing. The first attack against me was the parking level with Caden. Again at the concert. Jack, who is the target? Me? You? Yvonne?" Ianto had another thought, his voice softer and uncertain "Cariad?"

"What?" Jack asked with a frown as he sat forward.

"Each attack is on me? I was supposed to be behind the children and Yvonne with you, not in front. Caden was to be in front. Think about it, is this something we have been looking at all wrong? Gwen has been following Mother and Alice for weeks. She has got close enough for mother to recognise her without ever meeting her. Think about it, she could have harmed her then. Not Gwen. John? Too far away. Someone from our past? Mainframe is still looking but all of my files are closed, as are yours. I know you are active, I smelt the gun oil. No. I believe the target is not me or you."

It's not Yvonne." Jack said, "I've ruled her out too. You know who the target is Tiger?"

Ianto sighed as he knew there was only one possibility left, he didn't like it but Jack had to see.

It's Caden."