PF Chapter 7

Jack and Ianto slept well that night, locked in each others arms. They'd made love and were both sated. Both warm in the aftermath of lovemaking.

Jack woke before Ianto the next morning and careful not to wake his lover, gently moved him so he could get out of bed. Ianto just turned over and pulled the covers around his waist.

Grabbing clean clothes from the wardrobe Jack climbed the ladder into his office. It was barely 5am, but Jack couldn't sleep any longer. Something was nagging at him, but he didn't know why or what.

He got dressed then, picking up his mobile phone, Jack checked his messages. He had two. He scrolled to the first one.

Thanks for the address, Jack. We're going there in the morning. Tell Ianto I'm sorry, but I just can't speak to him yet, Rhiannon

Jack sighed, turning to look at the porthole in the office floor. Then he scrolled to the second message.

Called Tad, he didn't want to talk to me. He was really abusive. Ianto was right. I should have listened to him. Called his mobile, it's switched off. Tell him I love him, Jack. Thanks, Rhiannon

Jack picked up the note from Ianto's file with the information about his father's whereabouts on it. Recognition hit home.

A noise from behind him, made Jack turned, as Ianto appeared at the top of the ladder, dressed in Jack's shirt from the night before and boxer shorts.

"Morning." Jack said, putting the phone on his desk.

"Morning." Ianto pointed to the phone. "I turned mine off, I don't know why. I don't usually."

"I know." Jack picked up the phone and handed it to Ianto. "Check the messages."

Ianto took the phone and pressed the buttons until the first message came up. Ianto sighed after reading it.

"Read the next one."

Ianto scrolled down. His face changed into a frown.

"I thought he would at least want to see her and her kids." Ianto shrugged. "I wish I knew who put that note in my file."

"Would it change anything?"

Ianto shook his head. "No, I suppose not. But…."

"Let's just say the person had good intentions."

Ianto's head shot up. "You know?"

"Yeah. Figured it out this mirning."

"But your not going to tell me, right?"

"Right. It wouldn't help."

Ianto moved closer to Jack, wrapping his arms around his neck. "Happy Birthday, by the way."

They kissed, Jack snaking his arms around Ianto slim waist.

"Mmm, thank you, Cariad." Jack ran his hands up under the shirt, caressing Ianto's naked back. "So….what did you get me?"

Ianto laughed. "Oh, no. You will have to wait until the party."

"Party, right. Balloons, cake, presents cards, guests." Jack smiled.

"All of the above, and more, believe me."

Jack swung Ianto round and they sat at Jack's desk, Ianto perched on Jack's lap.

"You are so beautiful first thing in the morning," said Jack, touching Ianto's cheek.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, I'm afraid. Not today."

"Brat!" Jack said, jokingly.

"Yep." Ianto picked up Jack's right hand, looking at the watch. "Fancy going back to bed for a few hours? There is a Birthday present I can let you have now." Ianto smiled wickedly.

"Why, Ianto Jones, whatever could that be?"

Ianto stood, taking hold of Jack's hand. "Come back to bed and I'll show you."

Jack followed.

They made love passionately.

By 8.30am, Jack was in his office working and Ianto was making coffee. Gwen arrived just after. Tosh arrived at 8.40am. They were all drinking coffee by Gwen's workstation when Owen arrived at 8.50am.

"Sorry I'm late. There's this guy outside. I think he's lost. Keeps shoutin' for someone. Couldn't hear who."

Jack turned to Tosh. "Bring up the cameras around the Bay area."

Tosh pressed a few buttons and the monitor showed six separate views of the Bay.

"Oh, God!" said Ianto. "It's Tad."

Jack looked at the horror on Ianto's face.

"But how did he….?"

Jack looked at Tosh. She bowed her head.

"It was me."

Ianto turned to look at her.

"I put that note in your file."

Ianto walked towards her, she backed away.

"Why would you do that?"

"I thought…."

"No! You didn't think." Ianto ran a hand through his hair. "Not today," he said, almost in a whisper.

Jack turned to Tosh. "How did he know to come here?"

Tosh didn't answer.

"Toshiko!"

"I phoned him last night."

Daggers flew from Ianto's eyes "Why would you do that? I told you he was dead. Wasn't that a clue?"

"I….just though….if you knew where he was…."

"It almost turned my sister against me. Did you know that? Do you even care!"

"Of course I care, Ianto. That's why I called him."

Ianto laughed. "I don't believe this!"

Jack stepped forward, laying a hand on Ianto's back. "Do you want to go talk to him? I'll go with you."

"And say what, Jack? Sorry I hit you. I'm not, actually. Shake hands. When hell freezes over." He threw his hands up in frustration. "It's your birthday, for Christsake!"

"Then get it over with, Yan."

Ianto turned to look at Jack, then nodded.

Taking the secret lift, Jack and Ianto appeared by the Water Tower and walked down through Roald Dahl Pass to the carousel. Brin Jones turned on seeing Ianto and Jack approaching.

"Before you start punching my lights out, listen. I was wrong to run out on your all. I just couldn't stay. I wasn't fit to support a family. And I was wrong yesterday. I am proud of you," Brin looked at Jack then back to Ianto. "Very proud. I'll support your choices, whatever they might be." He smiled at Jack.

"You look after my boy, you hear?"

"Trust me, he's in safe hands."

"What about Rhiannon?" asked Ianto.

"I phoned her earlier. We're meeting up over there," Brin pointed to the Millennium Centre. "Been awhile since I spent any time with young kids," he smiled. "Guess I got a lot of years to catch up on."

Ianto nodded.

"I want you in my life, son. But if that's not possible…."

Ianto looked at Jack, he nodded his reply. Brin opened his arms and Ianto melted into the embrace, tears in his eyes.