37

Finally, they were going to meet with the other couple. Ianto was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of hover chairs, Jack more amused than anything as he watched his mate smooth his hands down his tunic again.

"Feel silly in this, I would have rathered a suit" Ianto muttered.

"He's ex-military, like you" Jack soothed, "He made the request for formal wear. I get the feeling that he is nervous."

Ianto's snort was accompanied by a lip curl that went to Jack's groin and he cleared his throat in warning as he looked at the beautiful creature in his dress blues. Goddess, he was so fuckable.

"Right, so what do we know about them Malcolm, love?" Ianto asked as they walked and the cameraman filled them in, his camera dropping as he spoke, a hand nestled protectively in Ianto's arm as Jack's hand found a home in his lower back. Since the whole debacle is seemed Malcolm was given a larger role and his affection for the couple was new clearly visible as he tried to help them.

"She's a bit gobby, he's a real sweetie. Both Welsh, like you so she's like a Troglrta rampaging while he morosely follows apologising" Malcolm said and Ianto laughed softly, "Also, they are playing the game differently. They've not watched. Didn't want to form attachments to other teams so they are playing blind, pardon the pun buddy."

Again Ianto laughed softly, showing how comfortable he was with the banter and how far he had come from the first episodes.

"So they know little of us?" Jack asked with surprise.

"Nope. They don't even know your names. As others fell, they were given ID files, never opened them. They really want to play naturally, that's why they dragged their feet about meeting. Apparently a wee Royal Decree made the reconsider"

Now Jack laughed and shook his head, "Our King is a good man, a just man and it warms me to know he is of a like mind to me."

They entered the dining room and Jack led Ianto to a chair, talking softly.

"He's blind"

Jack looked up to answer the woman and froze, his surprise turning to horror.

"Gwen?"

"Jack?"

"Bloody Hell! This is the fella you were first promised to?" another voice spluttered.

"Ah, not exactly" Jack sat and looked at the man with his ex, "Our parents did a deal behind our backs. Gwen and I were not suited. We are both too similar. We are strong, opinionated and both dominate a situation. We both required mates to compliment us, not clash. Ah Gwen, you look wonderful. I am so glad you found a true mate. It suits you, I did say that you deserved to be a queen."

Gwen was grinning as she leaned over and patted his arm, "My parent are relieved. After the whole mess with you, Goddess, the foyer still has the scars from that throwing fit I had. Mama still moans about that vase that actually hit your head as it exploded. I wasn't trying to hit you with that one either"

Jack laughed with her, their familiarity and comfortable banter setting Ianto's teeth on edge and he wondered how the other mate felt about this.

"So …Rhys is it?" Ianto smiled in his direction, "I take it you are a quieter person like me then. More used to following orders?"

"Ex military, yah" Rhys was smiling, his voice full of sunshine and Ianto grinned back, "I served. I was in the big one, got a discharge with honours. Never have to serve again, but I would ya know. Was a terrible time, a horrible thing but …for the quadrant, I would serve in a heartbeat."

"As would I" Ianto agreed, now knowing why they had gotten so far and were so close in polls. He and Rhys were the same. Ex-military, proud and loyal. The only anomalies were Jack and Gwen. Ianto now wondered if it was Jack that was swinging the votes in their favour. Or Lolly?

"Where did you serve?" Ianto asked, settling as the man started talking about his inductions, the pride in his voice evident as he spoke of his service. Then came the part that Ianto had somehow known was coming, that voice in the back of his head whispering of familiarity.

"I was in the big one" Rhys said with pride, "The Battle of the Barrens."

Ianto placed his fork down and waited, now knowing where he had heard the voice before and what was coming next. Cursing Malcolm silently for not giving this bit away, as he must have known.

"When it all went to shit on the Battle Cruiser I had to step up, me and me CO were the ones who pushed the button." Rhys said as he pointed with his knife, "The order was given to drop the payload and we nodded to one another and …poof."

"Teddy" Ianto said softly, "You were called Teddy by the other men in engineering. You are a grease monkey. Solid, wide shoulders and that Welsh grin. I remember you at the berth when we were led around the boat. You asked where the shitters were and your entire squad laughed like it was an inside joke. Brown hair, expressive face and a huge grin. A real jokester. I remember you. "

Rhys has stilled and grown pale as he stared at the man across from him, "Goddess on a Donkey, you were on the Battle Cruiser Sky Gypsy too?"

Ianto sighed and leaned back in his chair, now sad that it was about to ruin the evening to answer, but also now knowing he could not deny the man.

"I am FL Ianto Hallet. The one who took command after the anti-grav attack. I am the one who was giving you the orders. Remember? Holdfast, stand strong and breathe. I told you to close your eyes and see the moors, smell the grass and find peace before pressing the button. You spoke to me in Welsh, so afraid yet ready. So …brave. I found comfort that at the end of all things, in the middle of hell that there was a fellow Welshman on board." Ianto snorted softly, "I thought we were all going to die. I was ready. I had released Lisa's body and stood proudly to face my fate. You counting down in the background in Welsh. Such a lovely sound. I found such peace in that moment with you. Teddy, I will never forget the moment you pushed. 'Away with you' you said softly. 'Away with you.' Like you were sending a child off to play. Then the silence …that long horrible silence as we waited to see if it reached it's target."

"Blood hell" Rhys was rising with horror as he finally recognised his superior officer and he was at attention, the salute in place as the cameras broadcast. "Sir! First Lieutenant Hallet-Jones. I salute you. It was an honour to serve!"

"Yes" Ianto got to his feet and returned the salute, even if he couldn't see Rhys' he had heard the snap of the sleeve, "It was an honour. I recommended you for release with stipends. Did you receive the medal I also requested?"

"Yeah" Rhys sighed as he slid around the table and engulfed Ianto, "You gave my family such honour. We are still considered of high standing in our home town. Bloody hell man. You saved me, you …shit a bertag …you are my bloody hero."

Ianto's laugh as soft and warm as he returned the hug, murmuring that all who serve are heroes.

Jack looked triumphantly at Gwen as her face fell.

They both knew who had just won.

Gwen's face turned to one of petulance and Jack stifled a groan.

She was going to be a bloody mare now!