6

Jack grinned as he aimed the gun at the forehead of the one who had now started to back way, the lamp lowered as Jack snarled "I think Ianto was clear on this, no fuckers allowed. Get out before I start taking heads."

They spewed outside as the police roared up and Andy was first one, heading for them with open concern "Ianto… what's going on here mate? What the fuck happened to your skull?"

"These fuckers are ransacking the crime scene… where are the officers left on guard here?" Jack roared as he exploded from the house knocking over one of Johnny's brothers in a body slam. "And the old prick bastard hit Ianto with a lamp!"

"Looters?" Andy squealed in a high voice, swinging back to the others still arriving "Hey fellas. These fuckers are looting the crime scene and that old prick assaulted the victim's brother!"

Jack led Ianto over by the moving truck as the fun began. He looked inside and then at Ianto who glowered at him in such a cute way that he grinned.

"Oh, and everything here belongs to us" Jack called out with glee "And check their pockets."

"Pockets" Ianto repeated, "Oh god.. no."

He ran back inside as Jack wondered what was going on now.

Ianto had to start communicating with him, had he not followed him and left Owen with the kids god only knows what night have happened. The thought of this making him kick the fucker still in the flowerbed as he followed Ianto back inside.

Fuckers.

Ianto was racing up the stairs and into his sister's room which was also clearly in the process of being ransacked. He headed to the wardrobe and flung open the doors, pulling things out before finding an old faded house coat in the back with little yellow daisies hand embroidered on it. Cute but it looked too small to git Rhiannon. His hand went into the pocket and withdraw with something in his fingers, his breath harsh as he folded back the handkerchief to reveal the necklace and he collapsed on the floor with relief as he clutched it to his chest with relief.

"Mama's pearls" he said as he struggled to calm down "Her mama gave them to her on her wedding day and Rhi wore them on hers. We hid them so Johnny wouldn't sell them for booze money. She was gonna give them to Mica when… well. Thank god."

"Ianto, come on." Jack offered his hand "let's go."

Ianto rose and straightened his shoulders "No. I came to get the kids some of their tings and.. I will."

So they spent the next half hour packing up the kid's rooms into the truck. What. Finders keepers and it was left there like it was ready for use right? Shame to waste it when already half done. Andy offered to drive it and they worked diligently to pack as much as they could then step back as the crime scene cleaners arrived, leery as always because on the rare occasions Torchwood called them instead of cleaning the scene themselves, it was biblical.

"So, what will you do now?" Jack asked as he watched Ianto shove the last of the crates into the back of his vehicle, Jack's full as well.

"Put it on the market. She died here, I don't' want those kids here… whether they think it's OK or not… I know that they are best with a fresh start because that worked for me and Rhia so we sell this and the money goes into their trust" Ianto stepped back "And I have her funeral to sort, shit to do. I don't have time for him and his family."

"Then don't deal with them. I will" Jack offered.

Ianto looked at him with that hooded look he has when thinking then he asked "Why?"

"Why? Why what?"

"Why are you helping me?"

"Because I care for you… all of you, I care for my team and you are my family. So… those kids are too and right now we have a quiet rift time and it's best to sort this out before things heat up again for Christmas" Jack said.

"Calm before the storm" Ianto nodded. "Well, we can't possibly lock down in the Hub now?"

"No, we will. Christmas is coming and the chaos that ensues, we all agreed to stay out of it so maybe we should look for somewhere to go stay and lockdown instead, just the team…and the kids. Take their minds off things with an unusual Christmas."

"One without their mother" Ianto said then to his horror, a sob escaped. Jack wanted to reach for him but he was already going to the car, slamming the door and wiping at his face with open anger.

"Their school concert is coming up. It will be their last time to see their friends because I am NOT living here. They will have to move to Cardiff." Ianto huffed "Is it better not to do that, a clean cut off? I mean, do you pull off the band aid real slow, or just… riiiiip?"

"Well, enough goodbyes to come and they would have to explain to their friends what happened. They might not be happy to talk about it, kids can ask hard questions too" Jack said as he leaned in the open driver's window "you know… you have already made up your mind there, haven't you?"

Jack watched as Ianto nodded and he let him drive off then turned to find Andy behind him waiting "Well? Lead on Captain."

Jack leaned back on his heels as the vehicle disappeared then he began heading for his own SUV as he prepared for the long drive back to Cardiff, plenty of time to think.

And plan.

.

.

Toshiko and Owen were there at the Hub, so were Gwen and Rhys. Rhy had created a tent in the living room with the kids, the furniture pushed about and Ianto's good sheets sacrificed for the cause. Both kids were entranced with the huge TV Owe usually used for his faming when the Hub was quiet as Rhys now sat with them, Gwen walking past with more food.

Yes. They are mourning, feed them. Ianto shook his head wondering how long before one of them threw up.

Ianto was hanging up his coat when Jack entered, his own coat being shucked off as Andy came last, his arms full of cat carrier.

"GREMLIN!" Mica cried with relief, grabbing it to peer into and croon at her fat cat who let her know he did not approve of any of this bullshit at all.

"Unkie… what is this place?" David hissed "This isn't a bloody tourist's thingie."

"Later Turd" Ianto promised and watched him turn to look after his sister.

"Jack, I have some options here for you" Toshiko said as she walked to the small kitchen table and spread out files.

"What's this?" Ianto asked too tired to care. Barely lunchtime and he was exhausted.

"Safe houses in the vicinity of Cardiff, all within a half hour's drive from the Hub" Toshiko replied "Some are larger than others but… these five were the ones best for the kids and all of us if we are going to have a team Christmas at one."

"You meant that?" Ianto asked, turning to Jack.

"Of course I did. We are locking down the Hub, going remote and getting out of Dodge before the Doctor rolls in and cased chaos like the whirlwind of madness he is" Jack nodded as Ianto leaned over to look at the addresses on the files.

"Well… if it's for everyone then… yes. This one I know this one. I outfitted the kitchen after that… ah… Derkim mishap." Ianto said as he tapped a file and sighed.

"Oh yeah… who knew salt would do that to them" Jack agreed like it was no big deal they had accidentally exploded one.

Well… not the first time an Alien exploded.

Won't be the last.