9

Ianto was steaming, his brain overworking as he tried to remail calm. Wow, just… wow. He really wanted to tell her exactly where to put her sanctimonious shit… Goddess on a shooting star. He had slowed to a reasonable pace… like double speed for a human.

He was now trying to decide if this was worth a battle, was this the hill he was ready to due on or was she right… it didn't matter anyway. He had spent so much time here, so much time for Lisa… for Jack… for…ah… there they are. As he neared the park, he could hear kids screaming and he smiled as he recognized a little pigtailed brat with a long piece of bullrush, swinging it with gusto.

"Mica!"

"UNCLE" she screamed, running for him with delight and he caught her easily.

Rhianon was tying David's shoe and rose with a soft smile "I thought you had forgotten we were gonna be in town today."

"No, I hadn't forgotten… I thought I had another hour o so of work is all, but I just popped a gasket."

She laughed "Oh god, Sylfaenwr. What now?"

"Oh, my darling girl… you would not believe me if I told you." He winked, her shaking his head as he turned to watch "And how many time do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

"Uncle? What's a Sil-vine?" David asked, trying to work out what his mother had said.

"It is an old word, one your mother and some others call me but… not one used much. I much prefer being Uncle anyway" he winked.

They giggled and he looked around then whispered, "I did a bad thing."

"What?" both kids crowded in, and Rhiannon looked on with alarm as Ianto whispered that he had a new baby alien beast and they both cooed with delight.

"Sil? A what?" she frowned.

"I will show you at home while I decide what I am going to do next. Stop calling me that, for the love of tea leaves" Ianto rose and ushered them towards the car, Rhiannon's people mover vast like a spaceship and it felt comfortable to her, as it did to Ianto.

They drove to his apartment, and all rushed inside, Mica calling out to Lary with delight.

Ianto shucked off his jacket and opened his shirt, Blerp awake and looking out from his bicep. Rhiannon did not act shocked or afraid, rather she rushed forward with her hands cupped to encourage Blerp to unfurl and straighten up, the flattened purplish wrap becoming a little humanoid with huge teeth.

"Hush now… that's enough of that" she cooed, the teeth shrinking to a grin "Awwww Ianto. He's gorgeous."

"I know. Why I don't know what to do. I talked it over with… himself… and I might go visit for a while. See if I can't sort out how I feel about this." Ianto huffed "Been a long time since I was a Tad."

"And you were a good one" she said softly, not looking at him "To all of us fledglings."

Ianto made a snorting noise and waved a hand "Let's not talk about things we agreed to leave in the past. Now is now and here is here."

"And ashes are ashes in the wind" she said in a sing-song way like this was a long since spoken phase. "How is he?"

"You know him. Running, lying and pushing bloody buttons. I swear Theta will be the death of me." Ianto huffed.

"Come on… he did a lot for us." She scolded, then added "As you have done for us as well. You did not have to stay, to help us as you did. I know you did not do it for him."

"And now look at me. Adrift."

"Silv. You were the lighthouse; we were the boats lost at sea. You brought us home, to a new home. Your light still shines brightly, we all see you. We are all content." She reached out to place a hand on his arm "maybe… maybe it is time for you to consider sailing again. There is a huge black out there and I know your ship still sits moored and bored."

"Lisa…" Ianto went to speak and instead cleared his throat, his distress still there "I failed her."

"No. Theta did… he knew and was more concerned with stopping the entire thing, as always he focused on the whole, not the significant. Cut out the good with the bad." she was angry now, waving a hand in the air like she was swatting at a fly.

"Well… let's not be too harsh on him. He is still so young" Ianto finally said as he started to get ready to leave and she laughed softly.

"He is almost as old as you!" she pointed out and he shook his head.

"No… no he isn't. He's only eight… or is it nine?" Ianto frowned as he tried to work it out "You know I am twelve… or something. I don't know, don't ask me to convert it to Sol3 years… this planet is always annoying with its measurements of time."

She giggled as she bowed to her sylfaenwr. The founder of their kind. The first hybrid that all of those who came with him were borne from.

Her creator.