34

Ianto expected a blustering Captain full of anger and reproach for being in a place of danger so he was surprised to find Jack not only opening his arms to embrace him as he stormed back into the house a short time later but his face was wet with tears.

"Come on dumpling" Jack crooned as he took his daughter, handing her off to Mavis and then pulling Ianto in for a proper hug, his hands soothing as they rubbed his shoulder.

"Ahhhhhh" Ianto moaned softly, letting his body relax against his love.

"Come on baby, sorry…I mean…ah…sorry" Jack was unsettled and it showed as his hands shook, pulling at Ianto's coat and settling him on a sofa. A bug rushed over with a heat pack for the shoulder and clucked softly as it smelt Ianto, its own nerves frayed as were all the bugs 'listening' to the upset in their hive.

Caden slid around the doorframe to see if things were OK, his little brain picking up on the discord and Ianto smiled as he saw his wee chickie, patting his knee for a cuddle. Caden settled there and hummed softly, soothing his beloved Taddy and the spark within.

Ianto heard the Transporter landing and his Papa entered the house totally ignoring the bugs as they swarmed the vessel to terrify the crew inside. The place was on high alert as if should be.

"Hello sweetling" the Brig said as he chose a seat, "Well, we have the name of the lab, we have a team moving in to sweep and destroy. I have given orders that any and all children found are to be removed"

Ianto looked at Jack, "Stay. Please, stay. I know you want to do and storm the place with them but you know as well as I that one look at those little faces and you will be filling this house with them. I would too. We need to focus on what we have."

The Brig seemed satisfied as well nodding as he rose to leave, "I will let you both know how we get on, sweetening you are so pale. Is the spark OK?"

"Yes, we are fine just a little bit freaked out" Ianto nodded, "I think a cuddle with my babies and I will be fine. Caden, go find your sister and see if she wants to come cuddle with us."

Caden nodded and slid off with Henry following sedately, his little claws clicking softly as the only sign of annoyance at all the people in their house.

Ianto settled in the bed and the kids piled in … yes Henry did too. Of course, he did.

Jack puttered about wanting to do something, worrying about the bed full of precious ones as well as his brain in overdrive thinking about ….ah. The sound of the large Transporter had him glancing at the bed to find his wee family asleep so he shot to the keep and watched the Brig appear, a little girl holding his hand with a look of wonder.

Caden.

Jack knew it was not Caden, knew it was another wee cuckoo who had been kept in isolation and was already changing to please with much more Cuckoo in her than Caden but he also saw Ianto in the little nose changing to a button, her little eyes drinking in her saviour.

"What have we here?" Jack asked, watching the man hesitate.

"It was an accident" the Brig said sadly, "I had the team sweep and then went in, this one was hidden in a back room. I tried not to look at her but…she looks so much like the boy. I … I was lax to leave…ah Yvonne."

Yvonne Hartman stood at the entrance to the keep with her jaw dropping, staring at the little one who refocused her gaze and Jack watched with fresh wonder as the hair lightened to a soft honey blonde, the little one's eyes widening with hope as she reached for the pretty lady she chose.

"Congratulations" Jack said softly, "It's a girl."

Yvonne looked at him as she picked the little one up and placed her on her hip, "What is happening here."

"This little DNA spliced sweetling has just decided she likes the look of you for a potential mama bird" the Brig explained, "You have accepted her by touching her. Its set, she now thinks she is yours. After her little life being full of darkness and despair, she expects a lot from you."

Yvonne looked at Jack who shrugged, "Don't look at me. I fell for Storm within the first few moments of his life. This poor little mite has been waiting for a long time to belong. She obviously never bonded, never settled into a DNA bond. You were just lamenting the lack of a family. Here you are. Instant daughter. How loved she will be. I have every faith in you."

Yvonne had finally accepted, finally knew now what had happened and she looked at the little one who looked so much like the Brig and Ianto…and her sweet Caden.

"Come on darling" she crooned "Mama thinks you need some nums."

Jack patted the Brig's arm and breathed a sigh of relief, "Ianto would have had that one."

"Says the man who was already working out how to change the rooms for her as he walked toward us" the Brig uttered back.

Jack's laughter was light as he agreed.

It was not lost on him that Brig had touched the child first. He watched the older man move quietly to flank Yvonne as his hand slid to her lower back in greeting.

Well, well, well.

Chickie did pick it.

Did Ianto know?