4

Jack knew he had behaved in an inappropriate manner and wanted to apologies, chiming politely for access as he waited outside the residence of his Personal Assistant, the one they called his bum boy behind his back, and the flurry of activity behind the door told him someone was home. Then the door swished open and Ianto stood there with his cheeks flushed and his tunic swinging open.

Ah. He had been relaxing. No shades, Ianto was barefaced and now Jack had to resist looking into those eyes again.

Bugger.

"Mister Jones, I apologise for coming to your private Berth but I feel the need…" Jack squeaked as Ianto seized his tunic and yanked him into the quarters before the door could close on him and Jack looked at him with open surprise as the door boomed shut.

"The door sticks then slams shut" Ianto explained, "I've been complaining for weeks but they have bigger issues than a door. That satellite array is still twitching."

Jack nodded and went to speak then saw something that made him pause.

A little girl was in the corner of the room behind a chair, her little golden locks shinning as she peered out with wide eyed wonder, her eyes a brilliant blue that matched the colour of her little shirt. Ianto turned and looked in the direction of Jack's gaze and paled.

He had thought them all safe.

"Mimi?" he said softly, "I thought you and your brother were playing in the inner sanctum. You are out of tunic as well as your hair is displayed, go get your bonnet."

"Hidey seek" she said with her eyes sliding to Jack again. "He's not found me yet."

"Get in there young lady!" Ianto barked and she erupted from behind the chair with a squeal of laughter that showed she knew his anger was just a show, to run for the door to their inner sanctum. Her startling blue shirt made Jack's eyes follow it as she slid inside and then the dull grey of a uniform had him looking up to the face of the woman who must be his mate. Plain yet ... wholesome. Motherly and soft. Jack was immediately taken with her eyes, the same as Ianto's. It must be a trait of their sector maybe? The little girl had the same eyes too. He bowed, telling himself not to look at her eyes again as she glided over to hand Ianto his glasses with a scalding look.

"Thank you love" he said distractedly as he shoved them on, her nod as she slid back in was forced.

"I don't think she likes me" Jack said with a smile, "That little one… it was her Born Day the other day?"

"Yes sir" Ianto nodded then watched Jack's face change, following his gaze to glance at the inner door and felt his stomach drop as the red balloon that shot out as Rhiannon closed, the static of her skirts flicking it around the doorframe, bumped along the ground. Jack blinked and walked over to pick it up, turning to look at Ianto.

There was no explanation that could save him if his Captain chose to report this blatant breach and Ianto could only shrug and say softly, "Welsh. Red."

"Well … I guess since it is from the inner sanctum …" Jack seemed flustered and he handed the balloon to Ianto, "Since this is your private domain and it is permitted to have small displays of tradition … I shall pretend I never saw such a pretty thing."

"Thank you sir, I appreciate that" Ianto grimaced as he accepted the balloon and placed it behind his back, "Since these will be her only joy and once popped are gone long before the end of week inspections, I appreciate you letting her keep them."

"Them?"

Ianto did not answer, blinking slowly instead.

Jack find himself grinning as he realised there were more, maybe different colours as well and he reassessed his PA. Seemed Mister Jones was less of a 'Bug up the Butt' as Owen Harper the Ship's Physician called him and ore of a …. Shy man?

Ianto showed Jack to the door and then hesitated, "I understand that you were annoyed, as was I. To have refused to show her to her quarters would have meant a mark. I almost got one anyway and am relieved you turned up before I had to refuse her advances and wind up accused of something."

"Look, I think we both learnt something about that particular delegate and I suggest that you not be alone with her again. I will also remember this as unlike you, I am unbounded and cannot beg off if she demands attention" Jack said as he saw the dangerous position Ianto had been in.

"Thank you Sir" Ianto nodded and he watched Jack walk down the corridor and as he turned the corner he glanced back, a mind numbing grin. Then he was gone.

Ianto stood a moment longer then sighed, closing the door and then leaning against it as he lamented the simple fact that the Captain was his type.

Gods he was sexy.

Damn it.

/

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To those who have responded to the 'gang' elemments here ... there are even places here in my country were you can be attacked for wearing the wrong coloured clothing. Also ... our two main political parties are red and blue so the idea that a planet can be torn according not to race but colours is not far fectched. As long as there is a way to choose a side in something ... there will be 'something' to choose a side over. As with all things, the bullies usually win.