12

"So, what is the real deal?" Franklin asked, watching his son approaching from stage left, the exaggerated tiptoeing cringeworthy.

Ianto must be able to see him out the corner of his eye but he continued to speak to his ex-father-in-law like it wasn't happening, something that happened regularly during their marriage during public events "The deal is shitty."

"Well, how bad is it."

"There is still no power, generators are set up via civil defense and such for the shelters and hospitals but that's it. Given the damage … the broken lines and pylons down, it could be weeks before the city is functioning again."

Jesus. Jack had not even thought to look into that prospect, oh shit. He stopped talking and groaned "Fuck."

"Yeah. We are all stuck here a bit longer" Ianto turned to look at him and Jack saw the fatigue hidden under the stoic mask.

"You mean you have to put up with us, especially Mother Dearest a bit longer" Jack amended, then looked at his father who nodded his agreement.

"I am sorry Ianto, I know she does not make life easy for you and I am sorry about that" Franklin said, then balked as his wife appeared from behind Jack, her face full of thunder as she went to snarl at him.

Ianto did not see her. A rare moment of tired brain, a rare moment of not caring maybe, but Ianto spoke first. "Considering the fact Jack is the one who cheated on me, considering that fact she screwed me over with the changes hidden in the pre-nup we had already written and made sure to take my precious things as punishment for not accepting his infidelity like it was nothing, have you ever looked at Gray and wondered why he resembles your lawyer more than you? You do know he's not yours right? Gray had a feeling too, why he did a DNA test last summer. I saw the results as he used my postal address. Had been drunk at the time and maybe forgot or something as he never asked me for them. Or maybe, he already knew. Now you do too. Your wife protected this arsehole whore of a son as She is also a whore. And this is where I walk away and leave this shitstorm to implode."

"I know" Franklin said softly, making Ianto pause to turn back to him as he continued "I always knew. He was… is… the dead spit. I had a DNA test done as well. I … forgave her. Then Rose and… I knew then too. After all, the doctor confirmed that I was still sterile after my own procedure a few years before she came along."

Ianto and Franklin continued to stare at one another as Daphne made a noise of horror, making her husband turn to face her "And I forgave you again but I never trusted you again. That was the last time we shared a bed… until here. And lying next to you is… not the least bit comfortable for me. I love my kids, all of my kids but I have always known that you do not love me… or them. Not when you like getting your itch scratched more."

Ianto loked at Jack and took a physical step back from the ensuing shitstorm, now sure that once it got underway anyone too close might get splattered in the crossfire.

It was a strange sense of righteousness in his heart. To know he was right. She was a cheater, her son was a cheater and in some ways it was maybe not even his fault… not totally. Growing up he must have been his mother doing it, must have known those uncles he was not to tell his father about, ones he knew about as Jack had been told… the old men in the fine clothes dripping with gold jewellery… were normal.

She had good taste at least. And now out all those lovely expensive baubles from the safe proved that, no doubt gifts from her various lovers as Ianto also knew Franklin did not give gaudy jewellery. Evey piece he had gifted his wife, shown proudly to everyone at their extravagant parties were delicate and fine. Fine as in expensive and dainty.

Oh no…those were her trophies. Like a serial killer might keep a hank of hair or a finger. That old bitch kept rings and brooches and such.

Now Ianto felt a strange amusement as he strode calmly out to the jetty to stand and stare out across the water, this place so serene and gentle. So lovely and at least out here the Harkness Shitstorm could not reach him. She hated water, would not even go on a boat let alone walk over it. Why he also knew choosing the Water Room meant no matter how much she wanted to, she would not go in there to poke about in the room was on stilts over water.

Ianto had always had a strong streak of bastardry in him and she brought it out every time.

And now… he had no reason to hold it back.

You are in MY house bitch!