It was the day of the date, and Ianto Jones was on edge. He'd been trying to avoid Jack's knowing stares and suggestive glances all day. It was nearing the end of the day, and Jack was unsubtly hinting that the others could go home. Eventually, Tosh gave up on the alien language she was translating and left, leaving Jack and Ianto alone.

"Right" Jack waltzed down the stairs, coat in hand, "Where are we going?"

Ianto put down the tray of empty coffee cups he had been carrying and went to fetch his own jacket. "Wherever you want, Sir", he answered.

"Hey!" Jack said sharply, "Let's drop the 'Sir', shall we?"

Ianto looked away awkwardly, "Sorry, old habits die hard". Jack laughed as he shrugged on his coat and led Ianto out into the night.

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After eventually deciding on an Italian overlooking the Bay, Jack and Ianto found themselves sitting at a small table for two, pouring over menus. Jack was barely concentrating on the words in front of him. He was very aware of how close Ianto's knee was to his own. Jack was wondering what was wrong with him. Usually, he was a natural on dates, but this time it was different. This time he was nervous, and he was starting to understand why. Never before had someone meant so much to him on the first date. If he was honest, he had felt like this about Ianto for a while, unknowingly. In his head, he had just thought the Office Boy was cute. He never thought it could be something more.

After casual conversation (with some slight flirting) the evening turned serious.

"Jack," Ianto began, "What's it like, when you come back to life?"

Jack hadn't expected the question, so it took him a while to answer. "Like being dragged through broken glass, every time it seems to get harder" Unconsciously, Ianto moved his leg, making it brush against Jack's. His breath sped as he felt something pass between them, and he knew Jack felt it too.

"Do you ever wish you could......stay dead?" Jack smiled to himself.

"I used to," he looked into Ianto's blue eyes, "but lately I've found a few things worth sticking around for" Ianto was silent. What could he say to that? Eventually, Jack stood up, "Let's get out of here" he said, and Ianto rose to leave, still stunned at Jack's words.

The two men walked towards the Hub, not quite touching, but not too far away from each other.

As they neared the door, Ianto turned to Jack, "well, I'm impressed." He said light-heartedly, "There was no groping"

Jack laughed, "So, fancy coming in for a coffee?"

Ianto eyed him suspiciously. "YOU are gonna make coffee?" Jack thought for a moment.

"Well, you could make it, seeing as you practically sleep with the coffee machine!"

Ianto considered, "Deal" he followed Jack into the Hub, muttering, "I don't sleep with it". Jack smiled, and Ianto had a feeling he wouldn't be leaving tonight having just had coffee......