62

Tosh recorded the confession like a good girl and after a moment's consideration Jack simply mass emailed it out to all contacts on the mailing list.

He knew by now there were people reading the report and then clicking the video file to watch the man say how they had detailed plans to capture Ianto Jones in order to use as leverage against Captain Harkness.

The Man Who Had the Queen's Ear.

By that afternoon Ianto was not only famous as the partner of Captain Harkness, but also for the accident assistance that had reached the media.

Jack went in search of Ianto and found him downstairs singing softly to his little boy, the tiny tot laying naked in the warm room with an equally naked Taddy laying with him.

"Lovely" Jack said softly and Ianto looked up with a loving smile, "Lotion?"

Jack applied some lotion and noticed that although pink, Ianto had not bruised or if he had the nanites had already taken care of it.

"How's the wee creep" Jack whispered and Ianto shrugged as he told him he hadn't seen Owen and pulled a robe on.

Jack laughed into Ianto's hair and Ianto sighed as he reached out to touch Jack's rear in a rare display of comedy, squeezing an arse cheek.

"I can't get a read on Owen" Ianto whispered, "He acts like such a cockney bastard but …when he looks at Heath he seems like a different person."

"He never had a father figure, just a mother who hates him" Jack answered as he rubbed Ianto's back and leaned back, trapping that lovely cyber hand that was leisurely massaging now, "I think you show the things you remember about your mum. The gentle calm way you do things, your kind heart and need to comfort, to provide. Owen never had that. All he can display is anger and hatred."

"So …he acts like that because he thinks that is what people see anyway?" Ianto surmised as he felt himself relaxing into the clutch, "He is afraid that the real him isn't that spectacular so he may as well give them something to go off about."

Jack looked up and into the eyes of Owen who was standing in the doorway in silent shock.

"You know the worst part?" Ianto asked softy, "I see Owen. I do. I don't' think he realises how loudly he projects and I hear him sometimes, his thoughts and self flagellation as he stomps about. I fear … I mean …if I ever told him that I love him, will he reject me? I see Owen, hidden beneath the bluster and he is a good man, a kind man and a good friend. He makes my day brighter sometimes just with his cheeky thoughts."

Jack watched as Owen blinked and gaped.

"I think Owen does care for you too" Jack tried while locking eyes with Owen over Ianto's shoulder, "I think he fears rejection too."

"We need to stick together" Ianto sighed, "We of the Lost and Unwanted. My Da beat me so bad once I couldn't hide in the ceiling like I usually did. Next night he was able to hurt me more …I had no one to save me. I had only my mother's memory to hold on to, to know I was worth something once. Who loves Owen? How can I hold him and keep him safe without freaking him out?"

"Turn around honey" Jack whispered and Ianto drew back, turning to find Owen behind him and he thrust the baby at Jack before pulling Owen into his arms.

"Oh Owen" Ianto smiled, "You are the best brother I could ask for. You are kind, generous with Heath and so goddamned funny. I couldn't be half a straight man, yeah I know….quite the pun, without you as the comedy act. I see you and I love you."

Owen pulled back, pulling at his jacket and clearing his throat as he smiled and reached for the baby, "I have an hour with him before you get 'im back!"

"How can we help you Owen?" Jack grinned.

"He's grown, I need to measure him coz he needs some new shit" Owen blustered and Ianto snorted as Owen slapped a hand over his mouth.

"We'll let that one go, yeah?" Ianto whispered, "Heath is asleep so it doesn't count."

Owen sloped off with a baby and a lopsided grin and Ianto turned to face Jack.

"I see you too ya know" he informed Jack. "Not the Captain in a coat, not the director of Torchwood Cardiff, not even the party animal. I see you Jax of Boeshane and I love you. You are of worth to me too."

Jack's face softened as he hugged him close again, "I love you too."

"Before you … I was my mother's son. Soft, calm and loving, gentle and needy" Ianto agreed, "But I'm not now. Now I'm a creature of another elk and I have you to thank for that."

"You are a self made man" Jack argued, "You are unique and I love you too my lovely Welshman."

"You know what I am?" Ianto canted his head and Jack grinned as he made a noise of question.

"Thanks to Torchwood, to you … I am who I need to be for our son" Ianto grinned back.

"And what is that Ianto?"

"I am Armed and Dangerous!"