31
Ianto was late, blustering about the house as he double checked the place was clear of bodies before finally accepting that he was the last one still at home. The morning was almost mid-morning and he hated to be late.
He checked his reflection and made a mental note to change the jacket out for the afternoon shift at work in the office, the need to look dapper real, but for now this older slightly faded jacket was nice and warm for the construction site where the last of the houses were now coming down for the new builds to begin. The new build just completed were about to be filled as the new 'imports' arrived for processing. He hoped there were more medical professionals in this lot and less drinkers and gamblers. Pretty soon they would need to bolster the security force. Why Jack was busy with training of the Next Gen who were still wet behind the ears but at least the latest recruits were full of vim and vigor. Or… piss and vinegar as Jack said.
The kids were off to their respective schools, the baby on Jack's chest asleep since daybreak and probably forgotten until one of his security details he was off training pointed it out and the nappy bag was gone so thankfully whoever picked Jack up for the battlefield fames had clocked the baby and seized the ever waiting bag Ianto kept by the door.
So.
Ianto stood and enjoyed the silence as he heard only the sound of the tie hissing while the silk rubbed against itself, creating the knot. He then opened the door to step out and came face to face with a startled woman, her hand raised to knock.
"Oh. Sorry. I was told this is the Harkness House" she said with genuine friendliness.
Ianto felt the anger in his very bones… my god… he felt it like nausea in the back of his throat a he stared at her and he knew who she was in a heartbeat "There is no one here."
"Excuse me?"
"You are misinformed about this place. It's mine. Go check with the records office, check the address marker by the road. This land is mine. Jones." Ianto said sternly.
She looked confused as she looked from his house to those others in the street and then she stepped back "Well, I apologize for interrupting your morning"
"Never mind, but I do have to go. Work to do" Ianto smiled as fakely and weirdly as he possibly could, brushing past her to head for his industrial Hover currently parked in the especially large carpark. As he climbed up into the seat of the huge monster he glanced at her, watching her get into her normal sized civilian's Hover and heading off, no doubt to check that land license like he had suggested.
Ianto knew he was not heading to the construction site, rather to where the war games were being held, even if it meant gaining his baby back.
Jack needed to know what was happening.
.
.
The Hover moved over the uneven ground like it was an iced over lake the thrusters industrial like the rest of it. He could run over a small contingent of soldiers without much bother… but they might not like it much.
Ianto knew where Jack would be, safe in the control area and as he neared it he could hear the unmistakable roar of his youngling. Seems she is getting bored. He powered down, even the sound of the lifters humming not able to be heard over the ordinance going off.
Live fire?
Great, his daughter's little wars ears… oh. Never mind. As he neared the tent he could see his daughter, in the arms of John Hart with tiny little earmuffs on to protect her delicate hearing, the little cat ears on the muffs so cute. John was fussing on her clothing, making sure she was warm and as Ianto drew closer her head suddenly whipped around, feeling him coming.
"Hey, my little stinker" Ianto saif softly "Whatcha doing with uncle Johnty?"
"Miss Astra is supervising" John said in a silyl voice, his affection clear as he kissed a tiny cheek, "You should hear her going off at the men when they come in all dirty and stinky. You tell them all off don't you Azzie?"
She grinned at him like he was her favorite toy.
"Looking for my mate" Ianto said with a touch to his child's face to check if she was warm and finding she was indeed quite comfortable ta. She gave off waves of delight. She did love her Uncle.
Ianto found him pouring over maps while yelling instructions down the coms for the next charge. Even now, this far in the future with all the pulse weaponry there is still little that beats boots on the ground. Ianto leaned over to look as well and earned himself a kiss.
"And now my day is complete. Hey good looking" Jack said as he watched Ianto drink in the map before he rose and smiled down at him as he reminded on his elbows across the map "Whatcha doing? I'm winning a war over here"
"I am here because the latest batch of terraformers have arrived to work, the offload complete and those leaving the planet are also almost done." Ianto reached out placing a hand between Jack's shoulder blades sending out calm loving waves.
"Oh?" Jack straightened up to face him and pulled hm in for a gentle kiss.
"We have had a visitor at the house, one of the newbies. I thought I should warn you, I put her off by saying she had the wrong address, but she will be back. No way she will not find out where you are in the end." Ianto stroked his face and Jack felt alarm as he cuddled him tighter.
"What is it, Tiger?"
"It was your wife."
"what?"
"Lucia."
"Oh… fuck."