26

Ianto and Jack were apologizing to staff when two Heddlu came through the doors with intent.

"Oh god, you called them?" Jack asked the manger who shrugged.

"Sorry, we didn't know it was a family thing" he simpered, "Your wife and sister looked ready to kill each other."

Ianto was about to bristle at the sister remark and then caught on that she was the 'wife' and blushed as she turned away to hide her mirth.

The comments from John Hart ringing in her ear about who was a good wife and she knew Jack would have an answer now.

"Oh, Yan and I aren't married" Jack grinned as the Heddlu came along side and Andy Davison looked at Ianto who was still struggling, "I've not asked her yet."

Ianto swallowed a lump of air, staring at Andy with open shock.

"Ianto?" Andy asked, he eyes growing wide as familiar blue eyes twinkled back at him, "Christ on a stick! You were always a gorgeous … I mean … wow … er …. Wait. Forget I said anything."

Andy had gone bright red and Ianto had her own blush as Andy's admission of attraction was said out loud and she knew things could go south at any moment, given the sharp intake of breath behind her.

"Now Andy, even when we were little and out mums had their cuppas while we played in that excuse for a park, I always said I would marry Tall Dark and Pretty" Ianto teased, the memory of Lisa with them a soft reminder that things had changed.

"Yeah" Andy said softly as he looked at his feet, "Knew I could never compete with that. Even as young ones you made goo-goo eyes at each other. Typical he comes along and gets more than just your eyes gooey."

"Andy!" Ianto giggled with fake horror, "What a thing to say to a lady!"

"Yeah, well. Like you said. Known each other since wee ones on the estate. You aren't no lady, just like I never grew tall dark or handsome!" Andy snorted.

"Now that's not fair" Ianto's face softened and she reached for his arm, "You are sweet. And you are handsome. I just like that tall dark bit."

Andy snorted and grinned widely, "You and your spooky-dos! This a forever thing or a "oops, gotta wear off" thing?"

"We honestly don't know Panda" Ianto sighed and Andy grinned at the childhood moniker.

"Well, I'm sure you can muddle through, as it were Digit!" he offered, "You certainly are a good looking bird!"

"Yeah, mine!" Jack finally spoke and Ianto rolled her eyes as Andy stepped back.

"Er, hello Captain. Didn't even notice you there" Andy stuttered.

Ianto was laughing now as Jack fluffed up in a fair imitation of Bantam Owen.

"Now, now boys, that's enough if that!" she giggled, "Might have to call the law in!"

Jack laughed softly and stepped back, surprising Andy who was used to butting heads.

"When we get the place in order you must come for dinner" Ianto said warmly, "Would be lovely to have a wee party."

"I'd like that" Andy smiled, waving his partner away.

"Sorry about the false alarm Andy, it was just a spat" Ianto smiled and Andy nodded as he walked away.

"I didn't know you two grew up together" Jack said as he drew Ianto into a hug from behind.

"Yeah, since we were babbies" Ianto answered, pretending not to notice the dominating glare Jack was boring in to Andy's back. "Our mums went to school together. Rhia was a bit older but me and Andy were sort of besties. I called him 'Andy Pandy Pudding Head' and He called Me 'Yan-toe the Digit Man' so when we got older it became Pandy and the Digit. Lisa came along and threw a spanner in the works at high school"

"He knows she's gone" Jack stated it as fact and Ianto nodded.

"He was at the funeral, felt like a right fake crying over an empty coffin." Ianto sighed, leaning back into his arms, "So many never got the right respect."

"We've never really talked about what you went through that day" Jack said softly.

"One day Cariad" Ianto whispered, "One day I will tell you about that hell, you will tell me about the Valiant."

Jack shuddered and accepted the comparison.

They would probably never discuss it.

No need.

They both survived and that as all that really counted.