Fic: The Boy Is Gone 3/20
TITLE: The Boy Is Gone 3/20
AUTHOR: Erin Giles
DISCLAIMER: Torchwood and its characters are property of the BBC. The Family Jones is of my own creation.
RATING: PG-15
PAIRINGS/CHARACTERS: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, PC Andy, OC’s
SUMMARY: The Rift has never been the most stable influence in Ianto Jones’ life but when children in Cardiff start disappearing all over the city, Ianto’s family life crashes rather dramatically with Torchwood.
AUTHOR NOTES: This is the sequel to my stories, “Family Matters” and “A Nostalgic Yearning” and is the finale in the series “Footprints in the Sand”. It will not make sense unless you have read these. Set in post Exit Wounds.
You know that drama I was talking about... well this is only the beginning... *hides*
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
Saturday 9th August 7.08am
Ria was heavy footed down the stairs the next morning. She felt uncomfortable and had finally given up on sleep after tossing and turning for the last couple of hours. It was only 7 o'clock but she could hear the dulcet sounds of Pocoyo in the living room. She pushed open the door expecting to find a disgruntled Gwen watching cartoons with a five year old, but she was surprised to find Jack instead.
"I didn't hear raised voices last night," Ria commented as she came into the room and leant against the back of the sofa.
"Should you have?" Jack asked, shifting slightly with Finn still on his knee so he could see Ria.
"Well when you sleep on the couch there's usually some argument involved."
"Gwen fell asleep on the bed, I didn't want to wake either of them," Jack supplied, turning back to the television.
"Does her husband know?" Ria teased. Jack turned back to regard her, a wry smile on his face.
"I don't think Rhys will mind. Now if I'd been the one sharing the bed with her it might have been a different matter."
Ria laughed, rolling her eyes at Jack before she was clutching at her stomach as she felt the baby kicking. "I swear this one's trying to kick it's way out of me. It wouldn't let me sleep last night for kicking," Ria complained, rubbing her stomach in an attempt to lull the baby. "Maybe feeding it will keep it quiet. Do you want anything Jack? Cup of coffee? Toast?"
"Cup of coffee would be good, but I'll get it, you sit and watch Pocoyo," Jack suggested, already trying to move Finn so he could get to his feet.
"No, it's fine. I'll get it; I need to walk about a bit. What about you munchkin? You want some juice and a bit of toast?" Ria turned her attention to her son who was busy dancing, mirroring Pocoyo and Pato as they too danced on screen.
"Please," Finn replied, nodding enthusiastically. "Apple juice," he added as an after thought. Ria chuckled before she bent over the couch and kissed Finn on the head before exiting the living room. She met Ianto coming down the stairs looking rather drowsy.
"Mention the word coffee in this house and your ears prick up," Ria teased her brother. Ianto did nothing but groan in reply as he followed her into the kitchen, his feet dragging on the linoleum. He flicked the switch on the kettle, opening the fridge to retrieve the milk before he left the kitchen again, on autopilot as he moved into the living room.
He stopped short in his tracks as he found his nephew and Jack up in the middle of the living room dancing together as Ellie, Pato and Pocoyo did the same thing on TV. He blinked a couple of times as if this was entirely normal before picking up his phone and the charger as Gwen appeared in the living room doorway.
"Morning," she sung cheerily, laughing when she caught sight of Jack and Finn dancing in the middle of the living room. She watched as Ianto shuffled by her, eyes slightly glazed looking as he grunted at her before hefting himself back upstairs again.
"He's not a morning person," Jack clarified, sitting back down on the couch with Finn now that the Pocoyo episode was over. Gwen nodded in understanding before she joined them on the couch.
"Sorry about last night Jack, we both just seemed to conk out. You should have just woken me, told me to shift my arse," Gwen apologised, combing her fingers through her long tresses to try and put them in some semblance of order. Jack shrugged as he watched Finn flicking between the CBBC channel and the CITV channel unsure of what to watch when Jack knew he was really looking for Thomas the Tank Engine.
"You were both tired, and I didn't mind sleeping on the couch. Just as long as Rhys doesn't find out you spent the night in another Welshman's bed," Jack joked, watching as a blush crept up Gwen's neck onto her face.
"Jealous are we?" Gwen teased in return.
"What have I got to be jealous of, I know who brings me my coffee first in the mornings," Jack grinned just as Ianto shuffled into the living room with two cups in his hand, handing one to Jack as he slurped at the other one before he plonked himself down in the chair. He was turfed out of the chair a moment later as his sister came back into the living room, handing Finn a slice of toast and a cup of juice before kicking Ianto with her foot to move him from the chair.
Ianto grumbled as he pulled himself to his feet before sitting down on the floor resignedly, leaning back against the side of the sofa Jack was on. They were now watching Bob the Builder, Finn chewing noisily on his toast, dropping crumbs in Ianto's hair.
"Careful you," Jack reprimanded, reaching out to brush the crumbs out of Ianto's hair.
"Sorry Uncy Yan," Finn apologised round a mouth full of toast, not taking his eyes off of the television.
Gwen watched them all with fascination. She watched Ianto slumped on the floor with a mug of coffee, dressing gown adorning his frame, hair ruffled slightly as he yawned, unable to articulate properly; Jack in pyjama bottoms and a t-shirt, a little boy in his lap as he watched morning cartoons with a content look on his face. It was so unlike anything Gwen ever witnessed between them at work, it was almost unnerving to see it up close, it was so domestic that it gave Gwen the hope for the first time that after losing Tosh and Owen, everything was going to be okay.
"I'm just going to go give Rhys a call," Gwen announced, pulling herself to her feet and disappearing back up the stairs to Ianto's bedroom where she had left her phone in her jeans pocket.
"How do you fancy going to the park today munchkin seen as it's a nice day?" Ria asked as she took the empty juice cup from Finn who was now climbing down from Jack's lap and crossing the room to retrieve his train set.
"Yeah. Can Uncle Jack and Uncy Yan and Gwen come too? And we can play on the swings and go for ice cream?" Finn asked excitedly, turning to look at his mother before following her out of the living room into the kitchen.
Ianto could hear Ria's dulcet tones telling Finn that they had to work and Finn protesting that they always worked. Ianto had the tendency to agree on that matter. He drained the dregs of his coffee before pulling himself awkwardly to his feet.
"I'm going for a shower," Ianto told no one in particular, but since Jack was the only one still in the living room he took it to mean Ianto was addressing him.
"Want some company?" Jack asked, switching the television off and making to follow Ianto up the stairs, a sly smile on his face now.
"I need to wake up Jack," Ianto protested.
"I know, that's why I offered my company," Jack answered, still trailing Ianto up the stairs.
"You don't want me fired do you? 'Cause my boss will be angry if I'm late for work," Ianto complained as he pushed into his bedroom, noting Gwen as he moved towards the bathroom door.
"I'm sure your boss will be understanding," Jack replied, grinning wolfishly as he followed Ianto over the threshold of the bathroom.
"I'm sure he will," Ianto answered as he shut the bathroom door behind them, locking it.
"You there love?" Rhys asked down the phone when Gwen didn't reply. She was too busy staring at the now closed bathroom door and the giggling coming from behind it before the water in the shower started running. Gwen didn't want to know.
"Yeah, sorry sweetheart," Gwen replied, stepping out into the hall before it left her with a permanent imprint on her brain.
Saturday 9th August 11.42am
Jack stopped mid-sentence as Ianto’s phone started ringing. Ianto gave him an apologetic look as he fished the phone out of his jacket pocket, frowning down as the name Ria blinked up at him.
“It’s Ria, I better,” Ianto motioned to the phone as he pulled himself to his feet.
“Might be the baby.” Ianto slide the phone open as he started walking towards the door of the conference room.
“Hello?”
“You know I sometimes wonder if I’m in charge anymore,” Jack voiced huffily as he sat back down in his chair, watching Ianto as he stood in the corridor.
“We humour you really,” Gwen replied, patting Jack affectionately on the arm.
“Ria calm down I can’t understand you, who’s gone missing?” Ianto said, trying to placate his sister somewhat as he started pacing back and forth outside the conference room. Jack frowned, leaning forward slightly in his chair watching all the colour drain from Ianto’s face as he stopped mid-stride.
“Ria where are you?” Ianto asked, no emotion in his voice now as he came back into the conference room, retrieving his jacket before walking back out again.
“Ianto?” Jack called after him, pulling himself to his feet.
“Ok just stay put, I’m coming.” Ianto’s voice had a slightly hysterical edge to it now.
“Ianto? What’s going on?” Jack called again, now following Ianto as he started jogging through the main area of the hub, moving over to his desk in search of his keys.
“Keys, I need my car keys. Jack, where the fuck are my car keys?!” Ianto yelled, pushing things off his desk now in a desperate attempt to find his car keys. Important looking papers fluttered to the floor of the hub, pens clattering down beside them.
“Ianto, what’s happened?” Jack asked, a slight hysteria to his own voice as he grabbed hold of Ianto’s arms to stop his frantic search.
“He’s gone. He’s missing. Or taken. Or something. I don’t know. I just need to get to Ria,” Ianto explained, not looking at Jack but looking wildly round the hub for his keys.
“Who is?” Jack asked, slightly calmer this time.
“Finn, Jack! Something or someone has taken Finn!” Ianto all but spat in Jack’s face, finally looking at him. There was a moment’s heartbeat before Jack was moving away from Ianto into his office.
“I’ll drive,” Jack answered calmly, already coming back out his office, coat swishing behind him and the SUV keys in his hand as Gwen suddenly appeared beside Ianto, pulling her own jacket on before she took Ianto’s hand reassuringly, leading him to the garage.
Saturday 9th August 1.09pm
Ianto tried to swallow down another sob but it was getting harder the more he tried to keep his emotions in check. Ria was sobbing openly now into Jack’s shoulder as the police tried to question her. Gwen was talking furtively with Andy by one of the police cars and Ianto couldn’t keep it in any longer. He slipped away, disappearing behind the nearest tree in the park, his stomach now convulsing with the effort to keep his emotions in check. He let a chocked sob pass his lips, trying to muffle it with his hand but it just rebounded on him making him gag.
That mornings breakfast landed in a rather undignified heap behind the tree as he felt tears running down his cheeks, his face crumpling. He tried to pull it together, tried to be strong, knew he had to be for his sister, knew he couldn’t afford to fall apart now when he had his nephew to find. He couldn’t help it though. His worst fear had been realised. His home life had crashed rather dramatically with the world of Torchwood.
Gwen had watched Ianto disappearing behind the nearest tree over Andy’s shoulder, she was too busy watching for Ianto re-emerging to realise Andy was still talking to her.
“Earth to Gwen,” Andy called, waving a hand in front of her face. “Hello?”
“What?” Gwen snapped, blinking rapidly.
“Oh you’re paying attention now are you?” Andy asked sarcastically.
“Sorry Andy, what were you saying?” Gwen shook her head, trying to focus on her old partner.
“I was just asking if this was all in your hands now?” Andy prompted, crossing his arms in front of his chest and puffing it out slightly as he caught Jack glancing over at them.
“Why would it all be in our hands?” Gwen asked, frowning and shaking her head slightly in bemusement.
“Well I thought seen as it was something to do with one of yours and after Flat Holm and all those missing people,” Andy trailed off, the anger that had been present in his features dispersing into scared since Gwen was now glaring at him.
“So you don’t think its just missing persons?” Gwen asked, ignoring Andy’s comment about Flat Holm.
Andy shrugged. “Well spooky seems to follow you lot about like a bad smell.”
“Just let me know if you find anything,” Gwen finished the conversation abruptly, a hand patting his shoulder before she was stepping round him and crossing the park towards the tree Ianto had disappeared behind. She passed a confused looking bobby holding police tape like he was unsure what part of the park to cordon off since there was no body and no physical evidence that anything had happened; anywhere.
She saw Jack giving her significant glances, Ria still clinging onto him but she ignored him, slowing slightly as she reached the tree. Her hand reached out and touched the bark as she stepped over tree roots, rounding the breadth of the tree to reveal Ianto letting out wet hacking coughs into the ground as he sobbed profusely.
“Ianto?” Gwen questioned softly as she placed a hand on his back. He straightened up stiffly like someone had shoved a broom handle up the back of his jacket, wiping furiously at his eyes as he tried to contain his sobs. He turned to her, trying to give her a reassuring smile but something in him broke again at the sympathetic look on Gwen’s face. Gwen reached out for him, pulling him towards her as pained sobs wracked his body again. Gwen could feel tears wet on her neck as Ianto clung onto her like a child needing comfort, hands clutching wildly at the back of her jacket. Her own hand cradled the back of Ianto’s head to her shoulder, the second one holding the rest of him close to her body as if sheer physical contact would make everything okay again.
If they didn’t find Finn though she couldn’t imagine anything making everything okay again; for any of them.
“He was just there, feeding the ducks with me, and then gone,” Ria chocked out through hiccupping sobs so the policeman taking notes had trouble understanding her. Jack still had his arms around her as she clung onto the front of his coat but he was busy watching the tree both Ianto and Gwen had now disappeared behind.
“Did you see anyone in the area Miss?” The policeman was asking Ria now. Jack saw the brief hesitation before she was shaking her head, finally getting herself under some sort of control.
“I only turned my back for a second,” Ria whispered, blame evident in her voice. Jack tightened his grip on her briefly before he noticed Gwen and Ianto had reappeared from behind the tree.
“Ianto!” Gwen was calling after him as he took off running through the park towards the SUV. Gwen made to go after him, but was too slow, the engine of the SUV already gunning before speeding off past the Castle and out of sight down past the Millennium Stadium. Jack watched him go with wide eyes, giving Ria’s shoulders one more squeeze before he was heading over towards Gwen who was now fishing her phone out her pocket, presumably trying to call Ianto.
“What happened?” Jack was asking her as she pressed the phone to her ear, willing Ianto to answer. She turned her gaze towards Jack, eyes boring into his, a disbelief sparkling in them due to what he was asking.
“He’s lost his nephew Jack, where do you think he’s gone?” Gwen bit out in annoyance, already redialling Ianto’s number, but knowing deep down it was useless.
Jack worried his lip, staring down Castle Street where the SUV had disappeared out of sight. He wanted to be doing something as well, but this was a police matter. Wasn’t it?
On to Part 4
AUTHOR: Erin Giles
DISCLAIMER: Torchwood and its characters are property of the BBC. The Family Jones is of my own creation.
RATING: PG-15
PAIRINGS/CHARACTERS: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, PC Andy, OC’s
SUMMARY: The Rift has never been the most stable influence in Ianto Jones’ life but when children in Cardiff start disappearing all over the city, Ianto’s family life crashes rather dramatically with Torchwood.
AUTHOR NOTES: This is the sequel to my stories, “Family Matters” and “A Nostalgic Yearning” and is the finale in the series “Footprints in the Sand”. It will not make sense unless you have read these. Set in post Exit Wounds.
You know that drama I was talking about... well this is only the beginning... *hides*
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
Saturday 9th August 7.08am
Ria was heavy footed down the stairs the next morning. She felt uncomfortable and had finally given up on sleep after tossing and turning for the last couple of hours. It was only 7 o'clock but she could hear the dulcet sounds of Pocoyo in the living room. She pushed open the door expecting to find a disgruntled Gwen watching cartoons with a five year old, but she was surprised to find Jack instead.
"I didn't hear raised voices last night," Ria commented as she came into the room and leant against the back of the sofa.
"Should you have?" Jack asked, shifting slightly with Finn still on his knee so he could see Ria.
"Well when you sleep on the couch there's usually some argument involved."
"Gwen fell asleep on the bed, I didn't want to wake either of them," Jack supplied, turning back to the television.
"Does her husband know?" Ria teased. Jack turned back to regard her, a wry smile on his face.
"I don't think Rhys will mind. Now if I'd been the one sharing the bed with her it might have been a different matter."
Ria laughed, rolling her eyes at Jack before she was clutching at her stomach as she felt the baby kicking. "I swear this one's trying to kick it's way out of me. It wouldn't let me sleep last night for kicking," Ria complained, rubbing her stomach in an attempt to lull the baby. "Maybe feeding it will keep it quiet. Do you want anything Jack? Cup of coffee? Toast?"
"Cup of coffee would be good, but I'll get it, you sit and watch Pocoyo," Jack suggested, already trying to move Finn so he could get to his feet.
"No, it's fine. I'll get it; I need to walk about a bit. What about you munchkin? You want some juice and a bit of toast?" Ria turned her attention to her son who was busy dancing, mirroring Pocoyo and Pato as they too danced on screen.
"Please," Finn replied, nodding enthusiastically. "Apple juice," he added as an after thought. Ria chuckled before she bent over the couch and kissed Finn on the head before exiting the living room. She met Ianto coming down the stairs looking rather drowsy.
"Mention the word coffee in this house and your ears prick up," Ria teased her brother. Ianto did nothing but groan in reply as he followed her into the kitchen, his feet dragging on the linoleum. He flicked the switch on the kettle, opening the fridge to retrieve the milk before he left the kitchen again, on autopilot as he moved into the living room.
He stopped short in his tracks as he found his nephew and Jack up in the middle of the living room dancing together as Ellie, Pato and Pocoyo did the same thing on TV. He blinked a couple of times as if this was entirely normal before picking up his phone and the charger as Gwen appeared in the living room doorway.
"Morning," she sung cheerily, laughing when she caught sight of Jack and Finn dancing in the middle of the living room. She watched as Ianto shuffled by her, eyes slightly glazed looking as he grunted at her before hefting himself back upstairs again.
"He's not a morning person," Jack clarified, sitting back down on the couch with Finn now that the Pocoyo episode was over. Gwen nodded in understanding before she joined them on the couch.
"Sorry about last night Jack, we both just seemed to conk out. You should have just woken me, told me to shift my arse," Gwen apologised, combing her fingers through her long tresses to try and put them in some semblance of order. Jack shrugged as he watched Finn flicking between the CBBC channel and the CITV channel unsure of what to watch when Jack knew he was really looking for Thomas the Tank Engine.
"You were both tired, and I didn't mind sleeping on the couch. Just as long as Rhys doesn't find out you spent the night in another Welshman's bed," Jack joked, watching as a blush crept up Gwen's neck onto her face.
"Jealous are we?" Gwen teased in return.
"What have I got to be jealous of, I know who brings me my coffee first in the mornings," Jack grinned just as Ianto shuffled into the living room with two cups in his hand, handing one to Jack as he slurped at the other one before he plonked himself down in the chair. He was turfed out of the chair a moment later as his sister came back into the living room, handing Finn a slice of toast and a cup of juice before kicking Ianto with her foot to move him from the chair.
Ianto grumbled as he pulled himself to his feet before sitting down on the floor resignedly, leaning back against the side of the sofa Jack was on. They were now watching Bob the Builder, Finn chewing noisily on his toast, dropping crumbs in Ianto's hair.
"Careful you," Jack reprimanded, reaching out to brush the crumbs out of Ianto's hair.
"Sorry Uncy Yan," Finn apologised round a mouth full of toast, not taking his eyes off of the television.
Gwen watched them all with fascination. She watched Ianto slumped on the floor with a mug of coffee, dressing gown adorning his frame, hair ruffled slightly as he yawned, unable to articulate properly; Jack in pyjama bottoms and a t-shirt, a little boy in his lap as he watched morning cartoons with a content look on his face. It was so unlike anything Gwen ever witnessed between them at work, it was almost unnerving to see it up close, it was so domestic that it gave Gwen the hope for the first time that after losing Tosh and Owen, everything was going to be okay.
"I'm just going to go give Rhys a call," Gwen announced, pulling herself to her feet and disappearing back up the stairs to Ianto's bedroom where she had left her phone in her jeans pocket.
"How do you fancy going to the park today munchkin seen as it's a nice day?" Ria asked as she took the empty juice cup from Finn who was now climbing down from Jack's lap and crossing the room to retrieve his train set.
"Yeah. Can Uncle Jack and Uncy Yan and Gwen come too? And we can play on the swings and go for ice cream?" Finn asked excitedly, turning to look at his mother before following her out of the living room into the kitchen.
Ianto could hear Ria's dulcet tones telling Finn that they had to work and Finn protesting that they always worked. Ianto had the tendency to agree on that matter. He drained the dregs of his coffee before pulling himself awkwardly to his feet.
"I'm going for a shower," Ianto told no one in particular, but since Jack was the only one still in the living room he took it to mean Ianto was addressing him.
"Want some company?" Jack asked, switching the television off and making to follow Ianto up the stairs, a sly smile on his face now.
"I need to wake up Jack," Ianto protested.
"I know, that's why I offered my company," Jack answered, still trailing Ianto up the stairs.
"You don't want me fired do you? 'Cause my boss will be angry if I'm late for work," Ianto complained as he pushed into his bedroom, noting Gwen as he moved towards the bathroom door.
"I'm sure your boss will be understanding," Jack replied, grinning wolfishly as he followed Ianto over the threshold of the bathroom.
"I'm sure he will," Ianto answered as he shut the bathroom door behind them, locking it.
"You there love?" Rhys asked down the phone when Gwen didn't reply. She was too busy staring at the now closed bathroom door and the giggling coming from behind it before the water in the shower started running. Gwen didn't want to know.
"Yeah, sorry sweetheart," Gwen replied, stepping out into the hall before it left her with a permanent imprint on her brain.
Saturday 9th August 11.42am
Jack stopped mid-sentence as Ianto’s phone started ringing. Ianto gave him an apologetic look as he fished the phone out of his jacket pocket, frowning down as the name Ria blinked up at him.
“It’s Ria, I better,” Ianto motioned to the phone as he pulled himself to his feet.
“Might be the baby.” Ianto slide the phone open as he started walking towards the door of the conference room.
“Hello?”
“You know I sometimes wonder if I’m in charge anymore,” Jack voiced huffily as he sat back down in his chair, watching Ianto as he stood in the corridor.
“We humour you really,” Gwen replied, patting Jack affectionately on the arm.
“Ria calm down I can’t understand you, who’s gone missing?” Ianto said, trying to placate his sister somewhat as he started pacing back and forth outside the conference room. Jack frowned, leaning forward slightly in his chair watching all the colour drain from Ianto’s face as he stopped mid-stride.
“Ria where are you?” Ianto asked, no emotion in his voice now as he came back into the conference room, retrieving his jacket before walking back out again.
“Ianto?” Jack called after him, pulling himself to his feet.
“Ok just stay put, I’m coming.” Ianto’s voice had a slightly hysterical edge to it now.
“Ianto? What’s going on?” Jack called again, now following Ianto as he started jogging through the main area of the hub, moving over to his desk in search of his keys.
“Keys, I need my car keys. Jack, where the fuck are my car keys?!” Ianto yelled, pushing things off his desk now in a desperate attempt to find his car keys. Important looking papers fluttered to the floor of the hub, pens clattering down beside them.
“Ianto, what’s happened?” Jack asked, a slight hysteria to his own voice as he grabbed hold of Ianto’s arms to stop his frantic search.
“He’s gone. He’s missing. Or taken. Or something. I don’t know. I just need to get to Ria,” Ianto explained, not looking at Jack but looking wildly round the hub for his keys.
“Who is?” Jack asked, slightly calmer this time.
“Finn, Jack! Something or someone has taken Finn!” Ianto all but spat in Jack’s face, finally looking at him. There was a moment’s heartbeat before Jack was moving away from Ianto into his office.
“I’ll drive,” Jack answered calmly, already coming back out his office, coat swishing behind him and the SUV keys in his hand as Gwen suddenly appeared beside Ianto, pulling her own jacket on before she took Ianto’s hand reassuringly, leading him to the garage.
Saturday 9th August 1.09pm
Ianto tried to swallow down another sob but it was getting harder the more he tried to keep his emotions in check. Ria was sobbing openly now into Jack’s shoulder as the police tried to question her. Gwen was talking furtively with Andy by one of the police cars and Ianto couldn’t keep it in any longer. He slipped away, disappearing behind the nearest tree in the park, his stomach now convulsing with the effort to keep his emotions in check. He let a chocked sob pass his lips, trying to muffle it with his hand but it just rebounded on him making him gag.
That mornings breakfast landed in a rather undignified heap behind the tree as he felt tears running down his cheeks, his face crumpling. He tried to pull it together, tried to be strong, knew he had to be for his sister, knew he couldn’t afford to fall apart now when he had his nephew to find. He couldn’t help it though. His worst fear had been realised. His home life had crashed rather dramatically with the world of Torchwood.
Gwen had watched Ianto disappearing behind the nearest tree over Andy’s shoulder, she was too busy watching for Ianto re-emerging to realise Andy was still talking to her.
“Earth to Gwen,” Andy called, waving a hand in front of her face. “Hello?”
“What?” Gwen snapped, blinking rapidly.
“Oh you’re paying attention now are you?” Andy asked sarcastically.
“Sorry Andy, what were you saying?” Gwen shook her head, trying to focus on her old partner.
“I was just asking if this was all in your hands now?” Andy prompted, crossing his arms in front of his chest and puffing it out slightly as he caught Jack glancing over at them.
“Why would it all be in our hands?” Gwen asked, frowning and shaking her head slightly in bemusement.
“Well I thought seen as it was something to do with one of yours and after Flat Holm and all those missing people,” Andy trailed off, the anger that had been present in his features dispersing into scared since Gwen was now glaring at him.
“So you don’t think its just missing persons?” Gwen asked, ignoring Andy’s comment about Flat Holm.
Andy shrugged. “Well spooky seems to follow you lot about like a bad smell.”
“Just let me know if you find anything,” Gwen finished the conversation abruptly, a hand patting his shoulder before she was stepping round him and crossing the park towards the tree Ianto had disappeared behind. She passed a confused looking bobby holding police tape like he was unsure what part of the park to cordon off since there was no body and no physical evidence that anything had happened; anywhere.
She saw Jack giving her significant glances, Ria still clinging onto him but she ignored him, slowing slightly as she reached the tree. Her hand reached out and touched the bark as she stepped over tree roots, rounding the breadth of the tree to reveal Ianto letting out wet hacking coughs into the ground as he sobbed profusely.
“Ianto?” Gwen questioned softly as she placed a hand on his back. He straightened up stiffly like someone had shoved a broom handle up the back of his jacket, wiping furiously at his eyes as he tried to contain his sobs. He turned to her, trying to give her a reassuring smile but something in him broke again at the sympathetic look on Gwen’s face. Gwen reached out for him, pulling him towards her as pained sobs wracked his body again. Gwen could feel tears wet on her neck as Ianto clung onto her like a child needing comfort, hands clutching wildly at the back of her jacket. Her own hand cradled the back of Ianto’s head to her shoulder, the second one holding the rest of him close to her body as if sheer physical contact would make everything okay again.
If they didn’t find Finn though she couldn’t imagine anything making everything okay again; for any of them.
“He was just there, feeding the ducks with me, and then gone,” Ria chocked out through hiccupping sobs so the policeman taking notes had trouble understanding her. Jack still had his arms around her as she clung onto the front of his coat but he was busy watching the tree both Ianto and Gwen had now disappeared behind.
“Did you see anyone in the area Miss?” The policeman was asking Ria now. Jack saw the brief hesitation before she was shaking her head, finally getting herself under some sort of control.
“I only turned my back for a second,” Ria whispered, blame evident in her voice. Jack tightened his grip on her briefly before he noticed Gwen and Ianto had reappeared from behind the tree.
“Ianto!” Gwen was calling after him as he took off running through the park towards the SUV. Gwen made to go after him, but was too slow, the engine of the SUV already gunning before speeding off past the Castle and out of sight down past the Millennium Stadium. Jack watched him go with wide eyes, giving Ria’s shoulders one more squeeze before he was heading over towards Gwen who was now fishing her phone out her pocket, presumably trying to call Ianto.
“What happened?” Jack was asking her as she pressed the phone to her ear, willing Ianto to answer. She turned her gaze towards Jack, eyes boring into his, a disbelief sparkling in them due to what he was asking.
“He’s lost his nephew Jack, where do you think he’s gone?” Gwen bit out in annoyance, already redialling Ianto’s number, but knowing deep down it was useless.
Jack worried his lip, staring down Castle Street where the SUV had disappeared out of sight. He wanted to be doing something as well, but this was a police matter. Wasn’t it?
On to Part 4