9
Melva stood in the uncomfortable silence as Ford hurried out of the bathroom, pulling his robe around himself as he walked.
"Mother?"
"Hello dear, sorry to come into your den like this, um … we seem to have a slight problem" she said and Sherlock stepped around to stand by Tosh and watch her fingers fly as she tried to ignore him.
"You are welcome here, but a little notice might have me dressed appropriately instead of enjoying a bubble bath" Ianto's clipped tone told her he was displeased with the unannounced visit.
"Mother wanted to tell you, to show you first" Mycroft huffed, flicking papers at him and Ianto looked at him haughtily as Jack walked out with a towel around his waist and bent to pick them up.
"These are phone calls from your compound" Jack said as he read through them. "These are to the throw away phones we found on the bodies, aren't they?"
"I am here to apologize" she said as she watched Ford slowly emerge while he settled against Jack.
Jack absently threw an arm around him and hummed as he handed back the papers, Sherline choosing that moment to chase a pup through the hub as it cried out for its goodnight cuddle from its beloved uncles.
"Little beast" Jack laughed as he scooped the pup up and started blowing raspberries on its belly while it squealed, "You behave for your mama. Uncle Ford and I are busy and will come down for beddy cuddles soon."
The pup licked his face as he laughed.
"Go on now" he said as he passed the pup to Sherline and Ford reached out to stroke her belly.
"Are you OK?" he asked softly, "You didn't eat much at the table."
"Morning sickness" she screwed her face up, "I'll have a midnight sack, promise Old Father."
As she gave Ford the correct title, his mother's face dropped and she looked away. It was obvious that she had thought this the dam with her grandchild on board and her disappointment was clear.
Ford glanced at Sherlock who was looking intently at him and sighed.
"Locky knows" Ford whispered as he turned to wave at the disappearing pup and Jack hummed.
"Dirk" Jack said as he watched the wolf who was currently looking at Owen's screen, "What brings you here?"
"I am here to protect her majesty" he huffed.
"In her son's lair? Really?" Jack canted his head as Andy slid in behind the wolf and sniffed.
"Andy?"
"Same"
"Same what?" Dirk swung to find the blonde wolf had flanked him and Leia was stepping in bedside her mate to sniff as well.
"Same as the stench on the paper of the bombs we disabled" Andy said calmly.
"This is awkward" Jack sighed, "Dirk. Why does your scent match the unexploded bombs?"
Dirk blinked and looked at his Queen who was also looking at him with surprise.
"It was for you" he wheedled, "I honor you. You said he was being dishonorable with his attitude regarding the pack and I knew you wanted to control the packs in this region."
"So you thought I would be pleased at his demise?" she demanded.
"The real problem is timing" Locky said softly and Ford swung to stop him but saw the gleam in his eye as he stepped towards their mother, his hatred for Dirk never a secret between the boys.
"Timing?" Dirk whined with confusion.
"The timing, in that you tried to blow my brother up when he is with child."