42
The Brig had moved to the closed door and sat trying to look disinterested while he kept a hand on his pocket and the sonic pistol hidden within, Yvonne pulled her purse to hook on her chair, her own pistol now in reach as she gathered little Annabelle into her lap and stroked her blonde waves.
Ianto watched the children playing. Spider babies, buglies and Caden were a writhing mass on the floor as Alice laughed and choked, tying to stop her dog from laying on top of her. Their friend from the pound was also there, Ianto's heart not willing to release him into the wilds without a proper start. Of course this really meant he had a lifelong home and family now as he adoringly cradled a little spiderling in his hands and sang to it.
It was almost festive.
Almost.
Ianto was furious, his anger thrumming like a wind fanned scrub fire and it was quickly spreading through the house and staff soon bristling as well. Jack finally accepted that whoever had set the device had done so outside the shields and it had travelled in on the hover.
He knew this was not going to be pleasant and he walked down to find Ianto pale and slightly paranoid in the corner of the room as the children plated around him.
"Hey" Jack chose a chair "It was placed outside somewhere but I still don't know how the shields let it through."
"Who's Hover. Mine?" Owen asked, "I mean me and Tosh are the only non-military here that might be an easy mark right?"
"Yvonne's" Jack said softly, watching his father-in-law explode with horror.
"Oh by Pete, you offered to collect me too, I was so adamant I wanted to finish that stupid report first" Yvonne whispered with horror, "I would have parked where I usually did in the inner parking area otherwise, I came late and left it out in the courtyard for a change. Not raining so I though….oh gods."
"Yes, you park directly under the room we dine in of a normal day" Ianto said slowly, the clipped tone and choice of words showing his anger, "If the bomb had exploded as it should have instead of the shields dampening it as it was detected going off we would all be dead."
"And in the under garage there are no shields" Jack agreed, "This was an attempt not just on you but us as well."
Ianto frowned as he considered and Yvonne looked at the Brig again, "Well? What now?"
"Now you stay here, you all spend the night and do not leave my double shielding" Ianto said sullenly, "The first meeting for the …..shit. The Ethics Committee. Tomorrow is the first sit down for the Cuckoos."
"You think its connected boy?" The Brig frowned, it made sense after all.
"Ianto and Yvonne are their largest threats, the loudest voices at the table. Agreed." Jack nodded, "This has been an assassination attempt."
Ianto was angry as he rose and rubbed his belly, his gaze locked on his mate, "I will not back down and I will not leave that fucking chair empty. I will be there, if I have to take the entire Bug Horde with me, see how they like a room with bugs lining the walls, see who wants to have a go."
Jack knew he couldn't deny him and despite his reservations he also agreed that they couldn't be seen to be intimidated by this act. They were the Captain and the Wolf for the love of Pete!
He also felt that this meal that had been unscripted had not been known of and in all likelihood they had thought they were just getting rid of Yvonne and possibly the Brig. For all the worry this had caused by wanting to please his mate with a surprise meal, Jack was relived he had done so and their superior shielding had not only saved their family but people important to them.
Whoever this was had also made a tactical mistake in not knowing that bugs have a heightened nose. Whoever had placed that device was now scented, known. The fragments taken before he could examine them for himself by enraged bugs who passed them around to scent. If and when they smelt that particular human again there would be bloodshed.
Jack knew it would be a question of when, not if.
After all, the Horde was going with Ianto, would line the conference room like Ianto had spluttered and outer building as well. Let's see how they react to Jones Security Harkness-Jones style eh?
Jack's delight ws also knowing he would be there to see.
Maybe hold Ianto's Burberry for him.
He knew it would be Ianto's time to lead.
His time on the bench over.
He was ready to play and by Pete he was a spear tackler if ever you saw one.