52
They arrived home to a little girl breaking her heart, tears rolling down her cheeks as she stood in the middle of the compound crying. Ianto was out before the Transporter was stopped, running over to her to croon and ask what was wrong.
"There was lots of smoke over there" she sobbed, pointing in the direction of the explosions "and… and… Aunty Gwen said you were all deaded."
"Gwen" Ianto repeated with horror, rising to look over at his house "Tell me she is not in our house!"
"Uncle Rhysie Bear wouldn't let her in and she's so angry and mean" the child sobbed, hitching a breath to add "And she said I am a horrible child… Mimi kicked her! Anwen hid and she is looking for her."
"Oh Annie, you are not a horrible child. You are my wonderful, perfectly lovely little one and Aunty Gwen is a big fat cow. Needs to go eat grass outside the fence lines so the Bugs have something to eat" Ianto muttered into her hair and was rewarded with a giggle as he was so naughty to say that.
"Where did she arrive" Jack said with annoyance as he lifted Annie up and cuddled her close "what's wrong with my princess. Is that mean horrible woman being a big bad witch of the west? Hmmmm? Shall I drop a house on her head?"
Annie snuffled into Jack, her tears now gone as Ianto rose and turned to glare at the woman now powering towards them calling out to then "There you are. We get here and no one seems happy to se us. Owen was not going to let us in, can you believe that?"
"We are at capacity Gwen, you are NOT welcome" Ianto said before Jack could speak "You chose your place, why the hell are you here now?"
"The place got too big" she sniffed "I was made to do some work, can you imagine… me… cleaning. And I could not stand the noise of everyone, taking all the hot water so showers were cold and food scarce."
Ianto looked at her blankly, then turned to Jack "I don't want her here. She's dangerous and will get someone killed, not herself mind… but… probably why she's here. Someone got killed and she had to leave, came here for the next round of stupid."
"HEY!" she spluttered with anger "that's not true. I only suggested they check the garden and…"
"How did you get here!" Jack cut her off and she pointed at an RV. "Right, go see Martha over there. She can give you a map for the town where Ianto comes from, just that way… about half a day's drive and they are safe, reinforced walls and even power. Solar and wind… farming community and all, food is great."
"Power?" her eyes lit up "seriously?"
"Go ask Rhiannon, Ianto's sister over there about it" Jack pointed at the woman who was currently slapping John Hart around the head as he struggled to get his filthy boots off on the bottom step of the porch "she was there. Came here because Ianto collected her and wanted her here. They have kids, schools…"
"I could take Rhys and…"
"Nope. Rhys and Anwen live here." Andy spoke, stepping closer as he eyeballed her "With me!"
She slammed her mouth shut, staring at him and then she took a deep breath through her nose and opened her mouth only to have Andy add "and I will shoot you if you touch her. She's mine now."
Gwen closed her mouth.
Gwen stormed off and found the kids laying on the playground, walking over to call Anwen over to her, waving happily "Cooeee sweetie, come to Mama."
Anwen looked at her then pulled a face and promptly clambered up the monkey bars to sit on the top and scream back "NOOOOOO!"
"Gwen, leave those kids alone!" Rhys roared as he stormed toward her. "I swear to god I will throttle ya!"
"My little girl… I don't think she recognizes me."
"She knows it's you. She also remembers that you told me to take her as you didn't want to have to care for her yourself. Did you forget she was in my arms when you said she was just a crying mess, a burden that makes you so tired" Rhys folded his arms. "you said she was a fat little mess."
"Well… I've had a break now and I want her back, I am her mother. I have rights."
"So… sue me. I will let my lawyer talk to your lawyer" Rhys blandly replied.
"Gwen, we need you to move now, there is snow coming and soon the road will be closed. If you want to get to somewhere with hot water and their own Kentucky fried chicken up and running, you need to leave now" Ianto sighed as he walked over "here is the map. Your fella who came with you is already getting fuel so you have a nice full tank, there are no Bugs out there right now but you only have a couple of hours."
She seemed to consider, then after a moment or two she walked away, leaving Ianto to watch her with growing unease.
He wanted her gone.