7

Ianto was incredibly adept with Melissa, clicking his tongue as he cuddled her, slinging softly as he walked the floor and her head soon lolled with sleepiness.

"So, no worries?" Jack asked.

"No, the paperwork was al in order and it was not their first rodeo, I took her and came straight here. Andy, our agent left behind there to stake out her arrival saw her arrive to collect Melissa and she apparently went ape shit. I don't think she had been served the papers yet." Toshiko replied.

"So… she doesn't know about the divorce proceedings?" Ianto turned from the stove to look at her "well, tomorrow will be interesting. She will be freshly pissed off. Let's see if she can control herself or make a scene. If she leers up at you… don't react except for looking upset and maybe even concerned for her. Or maybe a little afraid of her might play better. If she gets too mad say softly so people can hear that at least she can't slap you in public. Let HER be the one to face the music. Especially with the CCTV footage of her committing all the violence with you just standing there. We need to get through Gwen… then we can get through Lucia."

"God, it sounds like we are at war" Jack laughed softly, his baby now in his arms and nothing else needed to make him feel safe.

"Chin up. Do not look defeated or ashamed. Look angry. Look shocked and above all… look like yourself." Ianto counseled, then added like an afterthought as he disappeared into the kitchen "Handsome."

Jack turned to look at the space now empty, Owen and Toshiko sharing a look of surprise.

Well now.

.

.

The lawyer droned on and on and on. Gwen alternating between crying and looking outraged. She was putting on such a show that even Rhys had started to frown at her.

Then it was the defense team's turn.

"Ms Cooper, as you have already testified, the time and places of these… dalliances… are iron clad?"

"Yes. I know for sure as I write things down" she bristled.

"I see. Brilliant. So… the CCTV footage for these places and times will show this?" Archie grinned as he clicked a button and the footage began of Gwen and her personal trainer/co-worker in … well… oops. "Oh sorry… this is the time you said he tore your blouse. Is that Captain Harkness in this? We have a face shot… oh. Well. Ms Cooper, care to change that one?"

The young buff man was looking directly at the camera, his face distorted as he blew his load, Gwen's tits the recipient. At the back of the room Rhys made a noise of anger.

"Sorry… let's try the time he was all night… there… oh dear. Sorry… wrong fella again"

They watched footage after footage of someone else in her bed, office and even in her car. The CCTV footage in the car park good enough to see Gwen's gap in her teeth as she laughed at something. Not all were of the same man, another almost teen aged boy was in some with… a uniform from her office's postal room on?

Silence in the courtroom.

"OK… I am sorry your Honor. I seem to be unable to find any footage of them… wait. There is this one" Archie clicked it and it was Jack scolding her, his finger wagging as he told her to cut it out and stop trying to proposition him or he would have to go to HR. Telling her he was not attracted to her and it was getting embarrassing.

"Oh. Um… Ms Cooper… care to change the dates? I mean… if you are with child the date of conception must be…? We see no record of any prenatal visits... are you with child? Whose is it? After all, the dates you provided are all ones where it was another co-worker sharing body fluids with you instead of Captain Harkness."

Gwen looked horrified, her eyes sliding to another area and then came the bellow of rage, followed by a girly scream as the Toy Boy exploded from the gallery, rushing out of the doors as Rhys chased him.

The Judge shook his head as he slammed the gavel down, yelling for order.

Then he dismissed all charges and Jack stood there now insure what to do next.

Ianto's hand pressed again and Jack rook a deep breath, turning to look directly at Lucia who stood there with a look of total horror. Her entire reason to seek a divorce was gone. She had no evidence that he had cheated.

As her eyes met his he could not help himself.

He winked.

She roared as she launched herself at him, fingernails out like daggers and he yelped as she made contact, scratching his face as she screamed that she was going to kill him. That she would destroy him and her lover was so much better in bed than him, she had been fucking him for months.

"MONTHS YOU USELESS BASTARD" and then she added "I will take everything from you."

Ianto stepped between then, hissing so softly that no one else could hear "Over my dead body."

She turned her ire on him, screaming that she could kill him too. But, as she advanced he caught the fist flying at his face, expertly flinging her over his hip to land at the feet of the court bailiff that had been trying to get to them from another room.

As the cuffs were slapped on, her face was a picture of shock.

Jack stood there and realized Ianto was like a good luck charm. Not only had he lifted his sprit, helped gain the baby girl, he had also been there when Lucia fucked up.

Like the weather, the winds of change had blown through.

And now the shoe was on the other foot.

And Jack preferred bare feet in the dewy grass these days anyway.

Back home where Toshiko was watching Melly.

Home.

Huh. When did that happen?