Howdy, I hope you all like this chapter. The winner of the 'What should Ianto's middle name be?' contest is Carwyn. Apologies to those of you who wanted Aloysius but don't worry as I like the name it will make an appearance later on.

Chapter summary: Flashback: Before Ianto joined TW1 he meets a mysterious Welshman in London who seems to know everything about him.

Chapter rating: T Chapter genre: er…how 'bout mystery/supernatural?

Warning: This chapter contains material of the religious variety that might be slightly offensive to some people. I mean no disrespect whatsoever.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ianto Jones (obviously) nor do I own London, Hyde Park or anything else that I don't own. I cannot even claim rights to Gwyddion (the mysterious man); I'll tell you why at the end.

I do hope you enjoy this.

Oh BTW, throughout the story there will be some Welsh so if any of you speak or at least know more than me feel free to correct any mistakes I might make.

This chapter has also been changed a bit since it's first posting.

It was a dreary evening in October when the dashing gentleman came into the shop. Ianto had known he was bisexual for a couple of years now and couldn't help but notice as the man took off his black trench coat and slung it over his arm. He wore black trousers and an emerald green wool sweater. The man was without a doubt Celtic; tall and broad shouldered, black hair that fell in curls to his shoulders and eyes the colour of the Welsh countryside. Ianto had chastised himself for the girly thought then but now it no longer bothered him. The man (or god perhaps, Ianto had to think) came up the counter and smiled at Ianto. By the looks of the Green Man pendant around his neck, Celtic was likely the man's religion as well.

"Noswaith dda" he said to Ianto, his voice was the sexiest Ianto had ever heard before and since (sorry Jack).

"Noswaith dda," Ianto replied happily and he continued the conversation in Welsh "what can I get for you this evening, sir?"

"To be truthful, young man I have not tried this coffee drink before. What would you recommend?" He didn't look that much older than Ianto but Ianto attributed it to good genes. Besides his eyes did look far older than his body, he must have seen a lot. But to never have tried coffee? Due to places like Starbucks, that was getting to be a sin worldwide.

"Well sir, I would recommend the mocha, unless you don't like chocolate?"

The man considered this a moment "Chocolate? I have a colleague in Mexico who swears by it. But if you recommend this mocha then I will try it. I trust your judgement Ianto Jones…at least when it comes to coffee."

Ianto certainly didn't remember telling the man his surname, his first name was on his name tag in bold letters. But how did he know Ianto's surname? He let it slide for now and gave the man the price and got started on his drink. After all, Ianto thought Jones was one of the most common names in the country. It was just a lucky guess, wasn't it?

He gave the man the mocha over the counter "I hope you like it sir"

"My name is Gwyddion" he sipped the drink and smiled "I suppose I can see what my South American colleagues see in it. Well done"

"Thank-you sir" Ianto thought it interesting that this man had the same name as his toy dragon but didn't think anything odd about it as it was a Welsh name. Ianto glanced at his watch; it was time to clock out. He looked over at register—the next shift was already there.

"When are you finished working?" Gwyddion asked

"Why?" Ianto was suddenly on guard, as gorgeous as this guy was, Ianto didn't exactly trust people.

"I thought we could talk, I assure you Ianto Carwyn Jones that I mean you no harm."

"All right, the Jones could have been a lucky guess but how the hell did you know my middle name? Nobody knows my middle name."

Gwyddion smiled "Walk with me and find out."

"No way, you are really creeping me out" he switched to English "I hope you enjoy your coffee sir, good night" he turned around and headed to the backroom.

Gwyddion called after him in thickly accented English "I shall be at Hyde Park at midnight, should you change your mind."

Ianto didn't look back. He almost didn't go to the park that night but his curiosity got the better of him.

He got to Hyde Park just as Big Ben stuck twelve.

Who the hell meets in a park at midnight? He thought; a nutcase that's who. At least the sky had cleared allowing some moonlight to shine down and he remembered to bring a torch.

"I knew you'd come"

Ianto was so startled he actually yelped; he turned to find Gwyddion stepping out from behind a tree "Jesus, don't do that"

Gwyddion raised his eyebrows "I told you my name is Gwyddion" he spoke in Welsh again.

"I know that" Ianto snapped and he held out his torch almost threateningly "Now what do you want? How'd you know my name?"

"I have never even met the man called Jesus, though a Greek colleague of mine claims to have"

Ianto was really tired and really confused. Just who the hell was this guy? "Just how many countries do you have colleagues in?"

Gwyddion shrugged "All of them"

"Who the fuck are you and what do you want? Now stop playing games and answer me or I'm leaving."

"I told you my name is Gwyddion"

"All right, your name is Gwyddion I get that but…"

"That is all you need to know, Ianto"

Ianto sighed and sank onto the nearest bench. He was getting a headache "How did you know my name?"

Gwyddion sat next to him "That doesn't matter. What matters is you? You are on a dangerous path, my son."

Ianto groaned "What are you, some Celtic version of a Bible thumper?"

Gwyddion chuckled "No, of course not. I'm not here to tell you what to believe in, that would be rude. I'm here to tell you to be careful. Your father is concerned."

Ianto looked at him sharply "My father is dead"

"Yes he is; that doesn't mean he isn't concerned about you."

Ianto made to stand up "You're nutters you are"

Gwyddion grabbed his arm "At least listen to me please"

Ianto sighed again "Were you a friend of my father's or something?"

"You could say that. I'm closer to your grandmother Kylia though, she's concerned too."

Celts believed in an Afterlife so Ianto figured he might as well humour the guy, especially if he was a friend of his father's. Ianto and his siblings were raised to choose whatever religious path they wanted. But as far as he knew his father was Agnostic if anything. His grandmother on the other hand…. "All right, go ahead talk to me."

Gwyddion took a breath "You are very close to turning back to drugs Ianto. You already drink too much."

Ianto didn't look at him "Why do you care?"

"If you do not change the path you are on, you will die. Simple as that."

"What does it matter? I don't have anyone to miss me. Death might be nice." The truth was Ianto had already contemplated suicide several times. He had recently been diagnosed with bipolar but he hadn't bothered with medication. He already had to take medicine for his hyperthyroid and that was more vital than some silly mental thing. He didn't want any more pills.

"Look at me child."

Ianto looked, Gwyddion's eyes seemed to be glowing in the dim moon and torch light.

He put a hand on Ianto's shoulder "Tell me young one, when was the last time you let those bottled emotions of yours out?"

Ianto's eyes started to sting. Just how did this guy know so much about him? How did he know which buttons to push? Ianto wanted to leave, go home and curl up in bed but the hand on his shoulder felt so comforting. "Why is it important?" his voice came out in a whisper "I don't cry anyway, it's girly and wimpy. I'm no wimp."

"Dear boy even the strongest and bravest of men cry every now and then. Crying is in fact one of the bravest things a man can do. Do you want to know why?" his voice was soft and suddenly reminded Ianto of his grandfather, Taliesin Jones probably because his grandfather had said those exact same words to him once. He had been eight and he came home from school beaten up and refusing to cry because the bullies had called him a girl for crying when he fell off the swing and skinned his knee. His grandfather died a week later of a heart attack. Lately, Ianto had been ignoring his grandfather's words.

Ianto blinked allowing a stray tear to escape "I know why, it's because it shows that he's not afraid to show that he's not unbreakable which proves just how brave he really is."

Gwyddion nodded "Yes"

And Ianto cried; he couldn't fight it anymore. He didn't know how long he sat there crying on Gwyddion's shoulder but by the time he was cried out the sky was a touch lighter. He didn't want to sit up, Gwyddion's arms were around him—Ianto hadn't felt so safe since…well, actually he wasn't sure if he'd ever felt so safe. He decided to keep his head on Gwyddion's shoulder until Gwyddion himself made Ianto sit up.

Gwyddion rubbed circles on Ianto's back "There now" he said gently "why don't you tell me what's bothering you?"

"It's just" Ianto sniffed "just so hard"

"What is?"

"Life…I don't have anyone, not really. My brothers and sisters probably hate me and the best friend I ever had disappeared on me. There's nothing to live for."

"You like rugby don't you?"

"Yeah, but what Welshman doesn't? Besides even rugby holds no interest for me anymore and what does that have to do with anything?"

Gwyddion sat Ianto up and looked into his eyes. He kept his hands on his shoulders though "I'm no psychiatrist but I think you're suffering from depression and that is no reason to end your life. You never know when things will get better. After all, tomorrow is another day."

Ianto took out a handkerchief from his pocket and blew his nose "Scarlet O'Hara said that. 'After all, tomorrow is another day', she said that."

"Who's Scarlet O'Hara?"

Ianto had to chuckle. This guy really seemed out of his time. Hermes Danann had occasionally seemed out of his time too, the only drama he really liked were Greek tragedies. Greek colleague… Hermes was the name of a Greek god and Gwyddion was the name of a Celtic god…Nah, impossible.

"The point Ianto is that you have a wondrous life ahead of you full of fantastic things. Do you remember when you had your cards read when you were ten?"

Ianto nodded "What of it? That girl was creepy."

"What did she say?"

"I can't remember exactly. Why?"

"What do you remember?"

Ianto searched his memory "I'm not sure. My head hurts"

Gwyddion released his shoulders "Very well. Think on it, it will come to you. I must leave you now."

Ianto didn't want him to go "What? Already? Why?"

Gwyddion stood up "I am confidant that you will not attempt suicide in the near future and the moment that you even think about it I will know and I will not be pleased."

Ianto nodded and gulped—he did not want to get on this guy's bad side. "What am I supposed to do though?"

"Live every day. That's all. I will tell you this though: In three days time be at that little fish and chips place closest to Canary Wharf."

Ianto stood "Why?"

Gwyddion smiled "You'll see. I must go now and if you should feel lost again just hug that little dragon of yours."

"Will I ever see you again?"

"Perhaps. Gods go with you Ianto Jones" with that he walked off, disappearing into the night.

Three days later Ianto went to the little fish and chips place and it was there he met Lisa. A month after that he joined Torchwood One. He was also reunited with his best friend, Hermes Danann.

Two years later he met Captain Jack Harkness

So, what'd you think? Was it okay? Please review. I'm about half way done with the next bit so give me a couple of days for that. Oh and cheers for anyone who knows who Gwydion is in Celtic mythology.

Next chapter preview: Ianto went back to his movie and groaned "Inconceivable! Now, I'm going to have to invent a drink. Ianto Carwyn Jones what were you thinking?"

Still interested?

Please review, they make me happy and a happy author is a productive author. TTFN