The title says it all …

Ianto's Christmas Day

The cog door rolled back and the alarm sounded as Ianto walked into the Hub. It was just after 11 o'clock on Christmas Day and the place appeared to be deserted. He walked over to Jack's office but there was no sign of him. He checked the screens on Tosh's desk but there was nothing to show that Jack had left to answer a Rift alert. Ianto made himself a coffee and sat on the couch.

He was not supposed to be at work today. Jack had given them all the day off, although Owen and Tosh were on-call if needed. However, Ianto's plans had been derailed when his mother had called early that morning to say his father had come down with the vomiting flu bug that was decimating the country. Dai Jones was not seriously ill but the virus was contagious so it was sensible for Ianto not to visit them. With nothing to do at home, and no festive food in his cupboards, Ianto had come into the Hub expecting to find Jack and spend the day with him. But Jack wasn't there.

With his coffee finished, Ianto tried the comms. "Jack?"

"Ianto. What can I do for you?"

"Where are you?"

"In the Hub. Why are you calling me, surely you're not tired of your parents already?" Jack's chuckles were clear.

"I didn't go. I'm in the Hub too, where are you?" There was silence and he wondered if Jack had invited someone in and was now embarrassed by Ianto's presence. "Jack?" he called again after a few seconds.

"Ianto." Jack was not talking on the comms, he had appeared through the door leading to the garage. "What's going on?"

"Dad's got this flu bug. No point in me going and getting it too. I thought I'd come and work, maybe we could get lunch somewhere together." Ianto smiled at Jack who was now climbing the steps to the work area.

"Sorry, I have plans." Jack stood with his hands in his pockets, smiling.

"Oh." In the lead up to Christmas Jack had said nothing about how he would spend the day and Ianto had assumed, like the rest of the Torchwood team, that Jack would be here alone in the Hub. "Right." Ianto suddenly didn't know what to do with himself. This was more embarrassing than if Jack had been shagging someone.

"Hey, you made coffee. Any chance of getting one?" Jack looked over hopefully.

"Of course."

"I'll be in the office." Jack clapped a hand on Ianto's arm as he walked past and entered his office.

Ianto turned back to the coffee machine and took his time making a cup of the industrial strength blend that Jack liked so much. Then he took it to the office where Jack was talking on his mobile. Jack waved him to a seat.

"That's real good of you. Twelve thirty, okay?" He laughed at something the person on the other end of the line said then hung up. Jack took up the beverage and sipped the coffee. "That's good."

"As you have plans, I could stay here and keep an eye on things," volunteered Ianto.

"No need, I've got the alert programmed into this." He indicated his leather wrist band. "Anyway, you're coming with me."

"I am?"

"Yep, can't have you all on your own at Christmas." Jack smiled again as he drank his coffee.

"Well, if that's okay," said Ianto.

"All fixed. We'll be leaving at twelve so I'd better get changed." He stood and, taking the coffee with him, made for his quarters. "Won't be long."

-ooOoo-

At ten past twelve Ianto was in the SUV with Jack which wasn't so unusual. The only thing different was that Jack was dressed as Father Christmas. He had on the red suit, the big boots, the hat and, of course, the white wig and beard. Ianto had yet to find out why he was dressed in this way, all his enquiries had been batted aside as Jack sang carols at the top of his voice.

"Almost there," said Jack cheerfully as he drove down a residential street in one of the Cardiff suburbs. "On time too." He turned into the drive of a large house and stopped outside the door. "You can help me take the stuff in, okay?"

"Jack, what's going on?" Ianto had a hand on the older man's arm, keeping him from leaving the vehicle.

"I'm playing Santa, thought that would have been obvious, and you're my elf in a suit. Come on." He pulled free of Ianto and went to the boot of the SUV and started unloading two sacks of gifts. "I could do with a hand here," he called as Ianto remained immobile in the passenger's seat.

Ianto joined Jack and took the sack – red and fur trimmed – he was given. Jack took the other one and slung it over his shoulder, closing the boot at the same time. He then led the way into the house which Ianto belatedly realised was a residential home. Inside, Jack started playing Santa in earnest, yelling 'Ho, Ho, Ho' all the time and grinning maniacally. Ianto just stared in amazement as for the next hour he trailed after Jack who dolled out gifts to the residents and staff of the home. When the gifts had been distributed, he and Jack joined everyone for lunch. Jack kept on the suit and hat but pulled the beard down while eating. By this time Ianto was enjoying himself and from what the people around him said he realised that Jack had played Santa here before. In fact, it was a tradition the long-term residents looked forward to every year.

After watching The Queen's speech on TV, Jack and Ianto left the home. There were lots of kisses under the mistletoe as each of the lady residents said their goodbyes to Jack. Right at the end, Jack grabbed Ianto and pulled him into a deep kiss too, to the on-lookers' evident delight. And Ianto's! When they were back in the SUV, Jack drove away from the Hub towards Barry Island. Ianto sat back and let himself be taken wherever Jack was going. He had enjoyed the past few hours and especially seeing this new side to Jack, one he had never imagined.

"So you've been their Father Christmas for the past ten years," he said.

"Longer actually. I haven't made it every year but I started back in the 50s, when there were just six residents. One of them was an old war buddy of mine and I got asked to help out. It's good fun."

"You made their day, Jack. Especially the old ladies who got kissed!"

"Everyone deserves to be kissed at least once a year." Jack smiled then sobered. "The next place we're going isn't so … happy. But I think you can handle it."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see." Jack drove on and they didn't talk any more until the SUV drew up at a dock. "This is us," announced Jack, leaving the vehicle and taking the one sack of gifts still in the back.

The two men walked to a waiting boat and were soon off into the Bristol Channel. Ianto huddled in the cabin while Jack paced the deck for the short ride. On landing, Jack started to talk as they climbed up towards the lighthouse. He told Ianto of the facility he'd established here on Flat Holm island, its purpose and its inmates. He explained what the residents would be like and warned Ianto's about what he could expect to see.

None of this prepared Ianto for the conditions and the horror of people with minds broken by the Rift. He followed Jack around as he handed out gifts and spoke to the residents, staying quiet himself. He felt such great pity for these people who had done nothing to deserve their fate. He was quiet when they returned in the boat and climbed into the SUV.

Jack peeled off his hat, wig and beard and threw them onto the back seat. He turned to Ianto, taking one of his hands in his own. "They deserve to be looked after, Ianto, in the best way we can manage. It's not perfect, I know, but it's better than when they were kept in the vaults."

"I can see that," the young man said, "but it's so little." There were tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat as he thought of the ruined people he had just met.

"I know. When I can do more, I will, promise."

"Oh, I'm not criticising you, Jack. I know you're doing your best. They just deserve more." He held Jack's hand up to his face and then leant over to rest his head on Jack's shoulder. "Nobody's ever mentioned this place before."

"No one else knows. Suzie did but with her gone I need someone to keep an eye on the place if I can't for some reason. Will you be that person?" Jack's arm was round the younger man's shoulders and his hand was stroking his arm.

"I have to keep it secret?"

"Yes. I don't want more people to know than necessary, it's just better that way."

"All right." Ianto paused, "As long as I don't have to dress up as Santa." They both laughed, grateful for the change in mood.

"No, that's my role. Though I could get you an elf costume for next year."

"You dare!"

They laughed again and disentangled themselves so Jack could drive off. On the way back to the Hub they chatted sporadically about everything other than Flat Holm, they both wanted to forget it for the rest for the day. It was dark and cold when they parked the SUV and walked back into the Hub.

"You don't have to hang around, Ianto. Why don't you get home?" Jack was looking at the Rift predictor; all was still clear.

"Do I have to? It'll only be me at home and I'd rather be here with you."

Jack smiled, "Of course you can stay. We can have mince pies and a drink to celebrate the season. I'll just get changed."

"Please don't." Ianto moved closer, putting both arms round his boss. "I like you in red." The two met in a gentle kiss which quickly became something more. Later, much later, Ianto decided that this had been his weirdest Christmas Day ever but also the best.

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