8

"So, Site B. Not like those dino movies where Site B has them all running wild or whatever I would hope" John said as he stood the large open plan living room/dinning/kitchen area that overlooked the sea.

"I have many sites; this is just a holdover one. So… I can take a moment to breathe, lick my wounds and decide where we are going next." Ianto replied calmly, clearly used to John being a twat.

"Moving on… I like it here" John complained.

"Oh? First of all, what makes you think you are part of my plans going forward?" Ianto tilted his head back slightly, the Bastard Look.

John grinned "Come on Eye Candy. You like me around. Makes you feel normal to have me here all abnormal and everything."

"Not really. You are like Chaos." Ianto frowned.

John laughed, taking it as a complement. Typical really.

"Anyway, we can't stay here long term. No fencing. Alice is too small to be around the water without some form of protection" Ianto said as he slumped in a kitchen chair, then grimaced.

"I knew it!" Owen pointed a finger at him "You're hurt."

"Had a knife sticking out of him… like… this" John helpfully motioned at his side as Ianto glared at him.

jack remembered now, his face one of horror as he rushed to grab at Ianto like he might faint at any minute. Ianto took it well, only threatening to slap him, not actually following through with violence.

"So, what's your assessment" Ianto asked calmly "Am I gonna live doc? You can tell me, I can take it."

"Ah shut ya face ya knobhead" Owen muttered as he stitched him up, shaking his head "God, at least you are a good healer. Here… I will give you some pills ya probably won't take once I am gone and some more pads and such to change the dressing that I know Jack will do even if you whine like a little girl."

Ianto poked his tongue at him.

After they were done, they all sat and John was the first to speak, the little girl running in the surf with Toshiko was visible down below in the sand, just bright specks as they ran back and forth playing. "So. The Boss?"

"I don't know what to do about this. After all this time, for this to blow back at me doesn't feel right" Ianto agreed. "All I do know for sure is that this was one of Lisa's units and it was her piece of fluff in amongst them. Maybe he was supposed to send her a pic of my corpse for an extra blow job or something. I don't know. Right now, I am stunned that they even attempted this… a B Team. So fucking insulting."

"Yeah, which doesn't see right to me either" Ianto sighed "Is he tying up loose ends so Hemi can take over? Is he nearing retirement? I thought he would remain at the helm until the Iceberg is well in the distance."

John snorted at the analogy. The Iceberg was Lisa. A big bitch that sinks ships. She had been called that behind her back for a long time.

"Well, I can make some calls, see what I can see" John rose and wandered outside, watching the little girl as she fell, then clambered back to her feet still laughing, Toshiko rushing to pick her up and swing her into the air.

He made a few calls then stood a while longer, watching the little idyllic scene.

Ianto had a lot to protect.

And he owed him so much more than he could ever repay.

Time to get busy.

.

.

"Are you OK?"

Ianto turned to find Jack behind him in the bedroom, the concern on his face not a look Ianto liked so he stepped in close to kiss him and let him embrace him. They swayed gently, the feeling of love and acceptance washing over them both.

"I am now" Ianto finally admitted.

"So, what's the plan?"

"A few days here, time to destress and settle down. I need to consider my other houses, find one that will not only fit us and I can feel safe in. Some are close to what we need but all of them will need degrees of Alice Tweaks so… I need to think. I am so tired. I need a few days of nothing" Ianto sighed softly. "Then I can focus."

"And what is John up to out there?"

"Being Johnty." Ianto snorted.

"We have complicated things for you" Jack groaned softly "I… I did this."

"Jack... stop that. This was going to happen sooner or later. If the Boss set this up, it mattered not when or where. It was inevitable." Ianto lied.

What can be achieved by making Jack feel stink, it was here. The time of choosing had passed and now the time of making a lone in the sand was here and if there is anything we know about Ianto Fucking Jones it is that a Line is something you can never go back over.

For he marks his with blood.