20

She looked like a little princess.

The Audrey Hepburn thing was working for her, the jet black so sweet. Ianto had let Jack help him dress, foregoing the sling for a pocketed waistcoat he could slip his hand into in order to keep the shoulder immobile.

"OK?" Jack asked softly as he showed his concern and Ianto's answer was a soft kiss, letting his affection flow as Jack gently threw the black cape around Ianto's shoulders. Lighter than a coat and less likely to drag on the injury.

"OH WOW!" Alice gasped with glee, looking at the handsome parentals kissing like newlyweds, their outfits completely black like hers. Ianto knew what Yvonne was thinking as she saw them off, her two once top agents looking like the killers they were.

Still are.

Caden's laughter drew her to his room where he was pulling at the tent he wanted as two bugs fought over another one in the large cupboard.

"Look here you heathens!" she scolded, "You can all have a tent, come on. Let' set up the ball room like Daddy and Taddy promised, maybe that picnic tea will be ready soon."

She helped them build a campsite and even a fake fire out of coloured cellophane and she felt a stab of pleasure as Caden declared her the bestest at it. Yvonne rose to look out at the darkening sky, the guard posts brightly lit and the fencing now sporting tazer wire, reassuring her that no one could enter this property without detection. The shadows moved close to the house and she knew the bugs were watching as well, a second line of defence that were both hidden and deadly. Such a relief.

Everyone saw the Jones Security Force entering ahead of the family to line the walls of the auditorium and it was slightly intimidating to see them enter, like bloody royalty. Ianto hated it. Ianto and Jack watched their daughter glow at the event, cruising around the large buffet style dinner accepting people's well wishes and giving her little smile of acceptance to those deigned worth it.

"She looks at their medals" Jack whispered, "Look at the wee minx. She checks their chests before she lets them kiss her hand."

"We taught her well" Ianto sighed theatrically, "Look for money or status."

Jack snorted softly, turning his head to kiss Ianto's forehead in a public display of affection, revelling in Ianto letting him as he leaned into him and shied from those who approached too close. Jack could feel his pain as the shoulder thrummed. He wished he could take Ianto's pain for him, the idea of him hurting on such an auspicious night upsetting for them both as he knew Ianto wanted to drink champagne and eat the little finger foods that always amused Jack.

"Captain and the Wolf" a voice purred, both of them turning to find John Hart approaching them with a slow swagger and cheeky grin. "Look at you, so handsome a couple."

"Hello John" Jack said softly. "How the hell did you get past the security checks? No, don't tell me."

"Hello Johnty" Ianto said with equal calm, Jack's shock showing as John's childhood name was used.

"Well, this is a shame. Both of you so fuckable and me only here for quick offloading and resupply" John pouted, then his face changed as Alice skipped past him.

"Taddy, look. They have beets carved like flowers" she gushed and Ianto looked down lovingly at his child, "Can you do that?"

"Yes love, I can do radishes for little ones too" Ianto assured her, "Next wet day we will have a little play with some vegetables, OK? Apples are great too."

"Oh they would be" she gushed, then presented her cheek for Ianto to lean over and kiss, his pain hidden from her as he complied and watched her race off before grimacing.

"You're hurt little wolfie" John said softly, his frown deepening as Jack whispered quickly and he learnt of the attack. "But why, I mean … pulling your chain is like deciding to stick your face in a barrel of Gerdorf."

"Exactly" Jack agreed, "It tells us they are dedicated to eradicating our son, maybe the other remaining toddlers too. John, if you hear of bounty on any toddler can you please pass it along? They might even be related to Caden, part of his gene pool."

John looked between the two men and saw the affection there, the bond strong and smiled, nodding his agreement to do so as he looked again at the little one he had once been asked to take with great force, glad he turned the mad cow down before explaining to her who her husband really was. He knew it was not Gwen behind this, her horror as he had described how Jack had killed and skinned an agent who had turned on them …. Not necessarily in that order …. ensuring she would never challenge Jack. Now he saw the sweetling he knew he had made the right move in saying no.

As she turned to flash him a smile he couldn't help but smile back, then wonder about the little boy.

If what they surmised was true, he was in danger.

Such a rare crossbreeding was not only illegal, it was forbidden.

If the Shadow Proclamation decided this was too much hassle they would simply destroy the children themselves, the idea of it alone scaring John. Ianto and Jack would fight to the death to protect him, he knew this without even meeting the child, the love when they spoke about him making it clear that he was their chick.

Typical cuckoo.

John bowed politely to those he passed as he moved quickly through the room, his cape waiting for him and as he entered his travel pod he glanced back at the brightly lit building with growing fear.

After all, he was a cuckoo too.