34

The returning Tardis had everyone turning to the corner of the room.

River is the first out, her anger making her shake.

"Bitch is dead!" she snarled.

The Doctor followed, quieter and less angry … more … disappointed.

"You killed her?" Ianto asked with worry.

"No. Her own pets did" she snorted, "Apparently they decided she was not fun anymore."

"So … what now?" Jack asked, watching the Doctor.

"Well, we clean up the stragglers and you're good to go" the Doctor shrugged.

Ianto looked to Jack, unable to accept that it could be so simple.

"Stay here, stay safe" River said calmly as she followed her husband from the room.

"Why?" Ianto called after them.

"Stragglers" came the faint reply.

Ianto looked at Jack with hope, the thought of a future, one without fear of shadows finally here.

Jack hoped it would be that simple.

Somehow, he didn't think so.

They checked the entire place and declared it clean.

Everyone started to clear out any mess and start getting the hub back to normal.

Ianto watched from the mainframe room as they worked, stroking the walls absently, then he rose and made his way to Janet.

She was pleased to see him, moaning softly as she hugged him to her, feeling his fatigue.

Poor baby.

Ianto was so tired, so upset and overwrought.

River watched for a while, still trying to get her head around the fact that this was her father, also her … what. Nephew? Step-Grandson? How did it work?

Could really do your head in if you weren't used to timey-wimey stuff.

She decided to leave them to it, glad he had someone he could go to that wasn't judgmental.

She had the feeling that this team might be a bit cloying and overbearing.

Ianto sighed softly and kissed the leather face of his friend, then started to leave.

This is when he felt it.

He turned to Janet with a yelp and she let out a roar as she felt it too.

Everyone up in the hub turned as they heard the roar and Jack swore as he started to run.

The Doctor was right behind him as everyone looked around with confusion.

They entered the cells and found them empty.

Ianto was gone.