"Ianto!" Jack called, jogging after the Welshman who was heading toward the corner. Most likely to catch a cab, he figured. "Ianto, wait. Please?"

Ianto slowed his pace, allowing Jack to catch up with him. Jack stopped in front of his boyfriend, placing his hands on his shoulders. Ianto looked up at him, eyes red-rimmed. He'd evidently been crying.

"What is it, Jack?" Ianto asked him, sighing. "If you think I'm going back in there you're mistaken."

"No, Ianto," Jack said softly, cupping his face. He didn't pull away, so Jack took that as a positive sign. "I wouldn't ask you to do that. But you have to know, Ianto, she kissed me out of the blue. I swear to you."

"I know, Jack," Ianto replied, eyes filling with tears again. "I saw and heard what happened. But…Jack, that's not why I'm upset with you. Even though it was hard to watch."

"Then what is it, Ianto?" Jack asked, swallowing hard. He'd been horrified that Ianto had seen Gwen kiss him, and was glad he'd at least known Jack hadn't initiated anything, but at the same time he knew that entire part of the conversation was something Ianto shouldn't have had to witness. "What did I do?"

"It's what you didn't do, Jack. They all sat down with us and you said nothing," Ianto said, shaking his head.

"But Ianto," Jack argued, gently. "You made room for them. I thought that meant you were okay with it. I didn't want to start a scene in the restaurant if it didn't matter to you."

"It did mean something to me. This was supposed to be a date, yeah? Time for us to be alone."

Jack lowered his eyes. "That's what I'd planned it to be, yes."

"I didn't say anything to Gwen or the others because you were treating me to dinner. It wasn't really my place to do so."

"But if you didn't want them there you could have said something to me, Ianto. I would have agreed with you," he told him, squeezing his shoulders.

"Well Gwen's not obsessed with me, Jack. She's got her eyes on you. She always has." Ianto frowned at him. "You obviously haven't talked to her, Jack."

"I…" Jack looked away, sighing deeply. He'd really screwed things up. "I'm so sorry, Ianto. I just haven't had the chance to talk to her. God, this is all my fault. I should have made the time at school."

"Jack! Ianto!"

Jack turned to see Toshiko heading towards them. He lowered his hands from Ianto's shoulders, catching one of his hands in his own. Ianto allowed him to do so, wiping his face with his other hand.

"Tosh?" Jack said, seeing her carrying two large paper bags.

"I brought you your food," she said, slightly out of breath. "I was going to bring it to Ianto's house, but I'm glad I caught you here."

Jack smiled, taking their bag from her. "That was really nice of you Tosh. You didn't have to do that."

Toshiko smiled back. "It was no problem. You didn't get to have your meal because of us. Truthfully, I couldn't wait to get out of there either. Ianto, I am so sorry you had to see all of that."

"Doesn't matter," he muttered, not meeting her eyes.

"Yes it does," Tosh told him. "Gwen had no right to say the things she did, and quite frankly, I'm embarrassed on her behalf."

"Did you leave them there?" Jack asked. "You drove, didn't you?"

Tosh smirked. "Yep. I asked Lisa if she wanted to leave with me, but, being new, I think she's a little afraid to be on Gwen's bad side."

"And you?" Jack inquired, smirking as well.

"I couldn't care less about being on her bad side. Especially when hers is the wrong side." Tosh smiled. "I'd rather eat my food alone than sit with someone so rude and hateful. I mean really, with poor Rhys sitting at home, not knowing what her real plans are? I feel for the guy."

"Me too," said Jack, shaking his head. He'd seen Gwen's true colors tonight, and knew their friendship would suffer for it.

"Ianto, sweetie?" Tosh said, getting the Welshman's attention. "I mean it. You really don't deserve the things Gwen was saying or doing. She's spiteful and vindictive, and considering how long we've all known each other I'm appalled. You're okay, right?"

"Yes, Tosh," Ianto said softly, smiling at her. "Thank you. I appreciate your support."

"Don't mention it," she replied. "Now, I better get home. I'm absolutely starving!"

She headed off with a wave as she made her way to the car park. Jack turned back to his boyfriend. "Do you want me to go back in there and give her a piece of my mind?" he asked, quite serious. "I'll do it, if you want me to."

"No, Jack," Ianto said, shaking his head. "You're right. There's no reason to cause a scene in the restaurant. It's not really fair to the other patrons."

Jack nodded, drawing Ianto into his embrace. The boy didn't resist and Jack held him close. "I don't want to lose you, Ianto Jones."

"I'm not going anywhere," Ianto murmured into his shoulder.

"Good," Jack told him, burying his face in Ianto's neck and inhaling his scent. "And now my lips have been tainted. I wish I knew a way to fix that…"

Ianto pulled back, glaring at him. "Funny, Jack," he said, pressing his lips to Jack's for a long, deep kiss.

When the kiss ended, Jack grinned, grabbing Ianto's hand again and tugging him toward the car park. "Let's get out of here, Ianto," he said, swinging their hands together. "We have plenty of time left to enjoy our dinner at home."

"That sounds nice, Jack," Ianto replied, squeezing his hand as they approached the car. "But maybe," he added, letting go of Jack's hand as they each got into the car. "Maybe you could stay over tonight?"

Jack closed his door, smiling at Ianto across the seats. "Really? You want me to?"

"I do," Ianto confirmed, smiling back shyly and looking up under his lashes.

Jack beamed. "Well, then we'll just make a quick trip to my house and pick up some overnight things, okay?"

"Okay, Jack," Ianto replied.

Jack started the car, unable to wipe the smile off of his face. He'd been so sure he'd lost Ianto tonight, after Gwen's behavior and his obvious lack of ability to see the kind of person she'd become. But he wouldn't make that mistake again. He'd make sure Gwen not only apologized to Ianto but to him as well.

tw tw tw tw tw

After fixing an overnight bag of clothing and essentials, and having a quick conversation with his mother and father, Jack was back in the car with Ianto and they were on their way. Jack held Ianto's hand on the way back to the Welshman's house, reassuring himself that things between them were going to be okay.

When they arrived at Ianto's, Rebecca greeted them at the door. They confirmed, just as they had the last time, that they'd still like her to complete her hired time, and she seemed pleased. They made their way to Ianto's room but Ianto stopped off to check on his mother.

Jack had placed his bag and the food bag on the floor by Ianto's wardrobe, and was sitting on the bed when the Welshman returned. He smiled at Ianto, standing up and reaching out his hand. Ianto took it, moving closer to him.

"I'm really sorry, Ianto," Jack told him, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's waist. "I should have talked to Gwen a couple weeks ago, and maybe tonight would have never happened."

"I have a feeling she still would have tried to kiss you," Ianto told him, smiling sadly. "She doesn't understand personal boundaries."

"No, I don't think she does," Jack agreed, nuzzling his Welshman's nose with his own. "But I'm going to tell her, Ianto. Either she straightens up and respects our relationship or I can't be friends with her."

"I hate making you choose between us."

"It's a shame I have to," Jack replied, pressing a kiss to Ianto's forehead. "But that's her fault, not yours. She's the one making it impossible to be friends with her."

Ianto nodded, then kissed Jack softly. "Can we eat now? My stomach is growling."

Jack smiled, stepping over to where he'd placed the bag of food. "Do you think Rebecca and your mother are hungry? These portions are huge."

"I'll ask," Ianto said, slipping out of the room. He returned a moment later. "No, they've both eaten," he told Jack, leading him into the kitchen. "Maybe we'll just have breakfast for the morning."

Jack grimaced, laughing. "Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo for breakfast?"

"Why not?" Ianto asked, taking one of the containers and placing it in the refrigerator. He dumped the other on a plate, setting it in the microwave to heat up and tossing out the container.

Jack shook his head, grabbing two forks from a drawer and then leaning on the counter. "Just sounds…weird," he admitted, shrugging.

"We can't all eat donuts and biscuits for breakfast, Jack," Ianto teased him.

"Maybe, but they go better with coffee."

The microwave chimed and Ianto took out the plate. "Kitchen or bedroom?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Bedroom's fine," Jack answered.

"Alright," Ianto agreed, moving towards his room.

Several minutes later they'd cleared the plate, each raving about the quality of the food. Ianto took their plate and forks to the kitchen, washed them quickly, then returned to the bedroom to join Jack. He hopped up onto the bed, kissing Jack hard on the mouth.

"Mmm, what was that for?" Jack asked, smiling at him.

"Do I need an excuse to kiss my boyfriend?" Ianto asked, smiling back.

"Never," Jack told him, kissing him in turn.

They settled down to watch some telly, and before Jack knew it Rebecca was tapping on the door to let them know it was time for her to leave. Jack gave her the money she'd earned, both of them thanking her again for her time.

"It's a pleasure," Rebecca told them, smiling. "Your Mam is charming, Ianto."

"Thank you," he replied, returning her smile.

Once she'd left the house, Ianto checked on his mother one last time to wish her goodnight, then made his way back to the bedroom.

"How's she doing?" Jack asked, seeing the smile still crossing Ianto's face.

"She's doing well, today," Ianto told him, sighing. "It's nice to see her smile so much."

"That's good," Jack agreed. "Seems Rebecca's cheerfulness is good for her."

"Yup."

They both prepared for bed, Jack moving to the bathroom to change into pajamas. Ianto joined him a few moments later and they both brushed their teeth.

"I'm glad you asked me to stay over," Jack told him when they were back in Ianto's bedroom, snuggled under the covers.

"Me too," replied Ianto. "I slept well the last time you spent the night."

"Even though you woke up cuddling with me?" Jack teased, smiling at him.

"Yes, well," Ianto mumbled. "At least this time I have the right to."

Jack snickered. "You had the right to then, as well. I didn't mind at all."

"I'll bet," Ianto said, burying his face in Jack's neck. "I still can't believe you don't wear cologne."

"Nope, sure don't," Jack confirmed. "Well, there was one time," he admitted, chuckling. "My brother bought me this awful little bottle of cologne for Christmas one year. I don't know what our mother was thinking, letting him get it. But the thought was there, so I had to at least wear it once."

Ianto giggled. "Gray's a good kid. You're lucky to have a brother like him."

Jack sighed. "Yeah, I really am."

They were quiet for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Jack?" Ianto said, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?"

"Have you…I mean…do you..?"

"Do I..?" Jack said, waiting for the rest of the question.

Ianto blushed. "Never mind."

Jack pulled back a bit, looking at his boyfriend. "It's okay, Ianto," he said, brushing his fingers through Ianto's hair. "Whatever it is, you can ask me."

Ianto looked deep in thought for a moment, his eyes meeting Jack's a moment later as he worried his bottom lip. "Do you ever think about…doing more? With me, I mean?"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "As in…more than kissing?" he asked, wanting to make sure they were on the same wavelength.

"Yeah," Ianto said, blushing again.

Jack smirked. "Yes, of course I do. Why?"

"I was just wondering," Ianto said, dropping his eyes.

Jack kissed him slowly, exploring Ianto's mouth with his tongue before moving his lips to Ianto's neck. He bit him softly, soothing the marks with his tongue and then moving his mouth to Ianto's ear. He whispered, "I'll do whatever you'd like me to do. All you need to do is ask."

Ianto's hand clutched at his hip. "I…I don't know, Jack," he managed, swallowing. "I've never done anything before."

Jack pulled back, a smile crossing his face. "Met neither, Ianto," he admitted.

"With anyone?"

"Nope."

Ianto smiled, curling further into Jack. "Well, you can. You know, if you want to. With me."

Jack kissed Ianto again, unable to resist him. When they broke apart they were both breathing heavily. Jack kept his eyes locked on Ianto's, but slid his hand down his chest, cupping his boyfriend's erection through the soft flannel of his pajamas.

Ianto's eyes closed and a small moan escaped his mouth. Jack kissed it away, stroking Ianto gently.

"Are you sure?" he whispered, still moving his hand.

"Y-yes," Ianto replied, gripping Jack's shirt in his fist. "P-please, Jack."

Jack nodded, tilting Ianto's face up so he could kiss him again as he slid his hand into Ianto's pajama bottoms.

~tbc~