It was to everyone's surprise when Jack announced that Torchwood was expected to make an appearance at UNIT's annual masquerade party. When Gwen arrived with Rhys, both dressed as 16th century nobles, she immediately noticed Toshiko dressed like a geisha. She was watching Dee and Ryo, both looking like they stepped out of Carnival in Venice. The Laytner-MacLeans were waltzing to the music and obviously enjoying the chance to have some fun. In a far corner, past the bar was Owen, holding a drink, appearing to have forgotten he was holding it. Typical Owen, he showed up in tee-shirt and jeans under a leather jacket.

Spoilsport, Gwen thought of Owen. She went back to watching the handsome couple move with a grace that almost seemed magic.

The song ended, and another started up. Dee and Ryo left the dance floor. Dee went toward the bar, while Ryo led a stunned Toshiko to the dance floor.

Watching Ryo and Tosh dance, the Japanese woman looking slightly embarrassed and a little flustered, Gwen found herself looking around. She realized she did not see Ianto or Jack anywhere. Of course, considering some of the costumes, the two could be anywhere, but she was fairly certain she would have been able to pick them out.

Gwen wandered over to Dee, who was carrying back three drinks and greeted him.

"Have you seen Jack and Ianto yet?" she asked Dee.

Dee shook his head. "I think Jack decided not to follow his own orders, if you ask me."

"Don't tell me Ianto took advantage of sleeping with the boss to not come either," Gwen commented with a wink.

"Gwen," Rhys warned. Gwen giggled as Dee winked at her.

"Could be," Dee agreed.

"You two are bloody daft," Rhys declared. "Why don't I get us some drinks while you gossip with the girls."

Dee raised an eyebrow at Rhys. "When you least expect it, Williams, I will find a way to get back for that.

Rhys laughed as he walked away, heading for the bar, where he stopped to talk to Owen first.

"So they didn't show after all?" Gwen asked.

Dee grinned. "Knowing Jack, he's probably running late on purpose to make a grand appearance."

"You have a point," Gwen agreed. "I'll be Ianto is fuming." She giggled.

Dee happened to glance toward the door and his jaw dropped. "Oh my God!" he exclaimed.

"What?" Gwen looked over to the door and her eyes went wide. "Oh…."

They watched as a tall striking figure in a RAF greatcoat entered the ballroom. Under the coat was a RAF uniform, circa WWII, complete with the headwear.

"You're fuckin' kidding me!" Dee said, sounding amazed.

"Holy shit," Ryo's voice added as he joined them, along with Toshiko, who was giggling madly. Dee handed the two their drinks.

The man made his way across the ballroom, noticing the small group and came over to join them.

Dee smirked and gave him a cocky salute. "Captain, you're looking exceptionally striking tonight."

"Wear did you get that, Ianto?" Gwen inquired.

Toshiko chuckled. "I doubt he raided Jack's wardrobe."

"Of course not," Ianto commented, raising an eyebrow. "Jack and I agreed to meet here and surprise each other with our costumes. I wouldn't take the chance of him noticing I lifted his clothes."

"Yeah, you'd think he'd notice he was missing his greatcoat," Dee remarked.

Ianto raised his eyebrows again and gave Dee a knowing look.

"Well," Dee said. "I really don't think it was missing that night."

Toshiko looked confused until she noticed Ryo start to blush. "Oh," she said, giggling, remembering the day Dee walked into the Hub, carrying Jack's coat with him.

Gwen shook her head. "Honestly. The four of you."

"What?" Ryo asked, trying to sound innocent.

Gwen looked at the door again. Her arm struck out and hit Ianto across his chest. "This is too bloody weird." She broke out in laughter.

"What is so funny, Gwen?" Ianto asked, then saw who Gwen was looking at.

"Oh my…" Ianto muttered, his eyes fixed on Jack, who had just entered the ballroom.

Dee nearly dropped his drink. Owen and Rhys decided to join the group. Owen's glass was still full. Rhys handed Gwen her drink. When Gwen tried to grasp the glass blindly, her attention going across the room, Rhys gazed in the direction his wife was looking.

"You're fuckin' kidding me?" Owen said. His eyes were on Ianto, and then went over to Jack, who was nearing them.

Gwen laughed. "That's what Dee said about Ianto."

"I'm not sure which one I meant," Owen remarked.

"Red is not Jack's color," Gwen giggled.

"Hey kids," Jack greeted, grinning. He pulled at his buttoned pinstriped charcoal gray suit jacket.

"Alien tech," Tosh stated. "Definitely alien tech."

Ianto was staring at Jack, looking the most amazed, his eyes slowly going from head to foot and back up again. "I think I need some coffee," he said, his voice filled with amusement and awe.

Ryo snorted. "Not Jack's coffee please." He took a sip of his drink.

"Don't listen to them, Jack. I think you look smashing in that suit," said Ianto.

Jack's face seem to brighten more. "Yeah?" he asked.

"Indeed."

"I'm glad, because you look amazing. So commanding, and sexy. It's giving me a few ideas for later." Jack leered at Ianto as he pulled the other man closer. He ran a hand over the familiar feel of the gray wool. "Where did you get this?"

"I had an uncle who was in the RAF during the war. His uniform was still packed away, and I decided to borrow it for tonight. I'm glad it fits."

"I'm glad it fits too, Captain Jones." Jack lightly kissed Ianto.

Ianto looked at Jack again, indicating the suit, the red silk shirt, the designer striped tie. "You had help pulling this together."

Jack shook his head. "No. Just me." He winked at Ianto. "But I'm a quick learner and I had a good teacher."

"Are you sure you didn't cheat?" Ianto asked, running his hands across the lapels of Jack's jacket.

Jack looked offended. "No! Well, I tried to find out what you were going to wear, but you mentioned it to no one. And obviously slipped away without us knowing to get the uniform." He tugged at the tie, as if it was starting to annoy him.

Ryo smirked. "That looks familiar." His eyes settled on Dee, who shrugged and gave a guilty grin for a reply.

"So you didn't know I was planning to go as…," Jack indicated with a wave of his hand at Ianto, "you?"

"No." Ianto slapped at Jack's hands. "Stop it."

Jack's eyes met Ianto's as he dropped his hand from the tie. "Yes sir."

Ianto groaned, and those close to him realized it was not from exasperation. Jack's grin grew. Ianto pulled Jack closer by the tie. Leaning in close, he said low, "Be a good boy and leave that looking neat by the end of the night, we might use the tie as part of our fun later."

"Oh?" Jack's eyebrows shot up, his eyes wide with growing anticipation. "In that case…." He removed Ianto's hand from his tie, then smoothed it. "It'll wrinkle if you insist on handling it like that."

"I'd like to try handling other things," Ianto remarked with a grin.

"Oh, I like that idea. I think the costume is getting to your head," Jack said with a laugh. His eyes took in the sight of Ianto again and decided they definitely could have some fun with it. So with that thought, he tugged at his jacket, smoothing it out and looked back at Ianto. "Dance, sir?" he asked.

Ianto licked his lips, looking at Jack. Finally he smiled and took Jack by his hand to led him out to the dance floor.

"I think they're adorable," Gwen gushed.

Rhys shook his head. "Can you dance that close to a waltz?" he asked.

Gwen gazed at her husband. "Oh sure. Let me show you." Owen ended up holding their drinks as Gwen pulled Rhys toward the dance floor.

"Do I look like a waiter?" Owen complained. He found a table to put the drinks down. He found himself looking at Jack and Ianto again. "Blimey, it's the Captain and the bloody tea boy!"

Tosh squeezed between Dee and Ryo, putting an arm around each of them, with an impish grin. "I guess Dee and Ryo aren't the only ones who like playing that game."

"Tosh!" Dee complained, looking surprised.

"Neesan! Please don't tell me you're peeking," Ryo exclaimed.

Owen was laughing as he looked at the two men, both looking embarrassed. Ryo especially had a nice rosy streak across his nose and cheeks.

"I won't tell you," Tosh said with a wink.

Ryo nudged Owen, giving him a meaningful glare, as Dee moved Toshiko from between them toward the doctor.

"Fine. We did this before," Owen grumbled. "Care to dance, Tosh?"

"If it's not too much trouble to you."

Owen took her hand. "Never let it be said that dead men can't dance." They went over to the dance floor.

Dee and Ryo quickly finished their drinks and decided to join the rest of their friends and co-workers.

~+~ ~+~ ~+~

Much later that evening, Jack and Ianto returned to the Hub. With a smile, Jack help Ianto out of the greatcoat and went to hang it up. "We might use this later," Jack said with a wink.

"If you insist," Ianto with a put up sigh, but his eyes twinkled with anticipation of what the rest of the night held for them.

"Coffee, sir?" Jack offered.

"Can you make that tea?" Ianto stated. "Your coffee tastes as if it's been around since World War II." He laughed at the affronted face Jack made. He pulled Jack closer, grinning. "Never mind about coffee or tea. I see you left the tie on. Now I think it's time to take it off."

Jack leered at Ianto, slipping his arms around the other man's waist. "It's just you and me. In the Hub. For however long it takes."

Ianto's reply was to capture Jack's mouth with his and the two men started to kiss.

~+~ ~+~ ~+~

Toshiko sat back on her couch, her laptop opened on the coffee table. Another night of watching the further adventures of Jack and Ianto in the Hub. Jack in a suit, and Ianto in that RAF uniform.

Definitely the things fantasies are made of.