Unbreakable (21/60)

Rating: Overall NC -17

Characters/Pairings: Jack; Ianto; Gwen; Martha; Tom; Rhys; OMC (Kynan); 10^th Doctor; Rose; Donna; New Doctor; Mickey; Jack/Ianto; Martha/Tom; Gwen/Rhys; suggested Rose/10; past Rose/9 and Jack/9 and past Jack/John

Spoilers: All of Dr. Who and Torchwood (including “Lost Souls”) is fair game

Length: 60 Chapters; Prologue; Epilogue; Various Interludes; 56K words (someone gave my fic Flintstones Vitamins . . .)

Summary:  Logically, he knew the child was not at fault, but that did not stop the ache in the pit of his stomach.

Warnings: Slash; mentions Mpreg, past child death, and past miscarriage; Character Death; Angst; Crossover with Dr. Who;

A/N:  For Caz who is made of awesome, and for Itoshii, Gracie, and Kate - who asked.

Thanks to Caz, Andi, and Bookwrm for the wonderful feedback and beta.

Prologue      Chapter 1   Chapter 2   Chapter 3    Chapter 4   Chapter 5

Chapter 6   Chapter 7   Chapter 8   Chapter 9    Chapter 10  Chapter 11

Chapter 12  Chapter 13 Interlude 1  Chapter 14  Chapter 15  Chapter 16

Chapter 17  Chapter 18 Chapter 19  Chapter 20

Chapter 21

After spending an hour in Jack’s office collecting himself, Ianto ventured back down into the Hub. Despite his worry, he smiled at the sight of Gwen sitting on the sofa giving Mattie a bottle. He had seen that image often with Kynan.

Moving to sit next to her, Ianto again avoided looking at the baby. His emotions were whirling. “How is he?” He asked the Welshwoman.

“Tom says he looks healthy if a little underweight.” Gwen pursed her lips at that thought. “He’s running blood work and the DNA tests now. He was in here a few minutes ago and said to give him about thirty more minutes.”

“That soon?” Ianto glanced up towards the medical bay.

“I think he’s using one of the modified scanners. I mean what’s the use of finding all this technology . . .” Gwen was rambling and she knew it. She couldn’t imagine what was going through Ianto’s mind.

“Where’s Mickey?” Ianto looked around.

“I sent him home. Pointless for all of us to just wait here. Plus, I wanted us to be able to talk freely. No need for Mickey, Donna, or even Rhys to hear about this until we know everything. It’s going to be hard enough on you and Jack.”

Ianto nodded. “Thanks. We’ll know shortly.” He finally glanced at the small life in Gwen’s arms. Logically, he knew the child was not at fault, but that did not stop the ache in the pit of his stomach.

“Officially, yes, but Ianto . . .” Gwen sighed.

“I know. He looks just like Kynan . . . just like Jack.” Now that he really looked at him, Ianto found he couldn’t take his eyes off the infant. There were differences - a slighter bone structure and a different shape to his nose – but this child was the image of the sprog when he was a newborn.

“I’m sorry, pet.” Gwen soothed. “I know how I’d feel if I found out Rhys had a baby with someone else.”

“I doubt it. I’m not sure how I feel. I really doubt you can guess.” Ianto flinched at the hurt in Gwen’s face. “Sorry. Lashing out. I’ve got no right to be angry at anyone but Hart, and he’s paid a high enough price.”

“Jack probably deserves some of the anger.” Gwen noted.

“Maybe for letting John live, but not for anything else.” Ianto ran his hands through his hair. “The Jack that likely fathered this little boy won’t meet me for over a century. He’ll have so much happen to him between John and me. I can’t be angry with him. I can’t even be mad he didn’t tell me. He doesn’t remember, though subconsciously it may be why he couldn’t kill John.”

“I suppose.” As Mattie finished his bottle, Gwen shifted him to her shoulder to pat his back. He immediately began to fuss and cry. “Shhhh little one. It’s okay.”

“Is he all right?” Ianto asked worriedly.

“He was doing this before I fed him.” Gwen said as she jiggled the baby to try to quiet him. “I can’t seem to get him to settle.”

“Let me try.” Ianto said quietly, reaching for the little boy whose face was now scrunched up and red from screaming. Almost immediately, he began to quiet.

“You’re such a natural.” Gwen said wistfully.

“It’s not you, Gwen.” Ianto spoke softly. “He’s used to a male presence – Jack and John.” Ianto inhaled a familiar scent. The little boy smelled like Kynan too. He felt a rush of love flow over him for Jack’s son and his son’s brother. “You’re going to be just fine, Titch. Tad’s got you.” Biology didn’t really matter, Ianto reminded himself. His own life was proof of that.

Biting her lip, Gwen did not question Ianto’s assumption. As Ianto rocked the baby to sleep, she watched. The two sat silently for over thirty minutes until Tom walked into the main part of the Hub. Seeing Ianto with the baby, he came over and knelt next to the sofa. “Ianto . . .”

“He’s Jack’s” Ianto stated, not really needing confirmation anymore.

“Jack and Hart’s.” Tom affirmed. “Jack’s DNA shows as the paternal parent. Hart’s DNA is the maternal. I would say he’s seven or eight weeks old. No more than that. I’m sor. . .”

“Don’t.” Ianto said brusquely. “Nothing to be sorry for. We never want this little guy to feel anything but loved and wanted.”

Gwen and Tom exchanged glances, both of them wondering what Ianto was burying beneath the calm exterior. Before anyone one could say anything, alarms sounded as the Cog door rolled back to reveal Jack and Martha. Immediately, Mattie began to wail.

“What the hell . . .?” The Captain demanded, recognizing immediately that the baby Ianto held was too small to be Kynan.

“In a minute, Jack.” Ianto replied. “Go up to your office. Let me settle him then I’ll explain.”

“Ianto . . .” The Captain’s voice held a warning note.

“Please.” Ianto’s voice was firm. “We need to have this conversation in private. Just let me settle him down. He’s been through a lot tonight.”

Jack threw up his hands in exasperation as he stomped off towards the office. The door slammed and Mattie began to wail again.

“Hush Titch. Tad’s here.” Ianto crooned. “Daddy’s just having a fit. Get used to it.”

“Tad? Daddy?” Martha yelped as her eyes widened, but her husband stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Come on, I’ll explain and show you what I’ve found.” Tom steered Martha towards the medical area as a grateful Ianto continued to soothe the baby.

Once Mattie had settled, Ianto laid him in the Moses basket with Gwen in attendance then headed up to tell his partner he had another son.

TBC