2

"A gentleman always wears a double cuff . And these are made with reinforced cotton to handle the heavy cuff-links I wear." Ianto was explaining patiently to Toshiko as she sat watching him change out a soiled shirt.

"So … it feels a little stiff" she said as she fingered the cuff that had been stained blue with Gerkilon blood "It is the thread count or something?"

"It's the Kevlar" Ianto replied as he glanced over at it and she laughed at him, rising to fold it and flick it at the bin. She glanced at the little label on the inside seam.

"Kingsman?"

"Since 1849, Kingsman have clothed the world's most powerful individuals" Ianto relied softly "London was first opened by my Great-grandfather. My Grandy also worked there, and my father … well … he was a disappointment. Broke the chain. His brother though …well. He is a true gentleman, so English he burps the national anthem for fucksake" Ianto sighed "Me Mam was Welsh … something else that seemed to rankle the firm. Mind you … my father being a family fuck up was sad too."

"So … You got your style from your Grandy? We've never talked about that." she asked as she walked over to pick up the shirt that hadn't made it, her aim was shocking.

"My father died when I ws young so my Uncle and Grandy took me under their wing. Called me their little Dragon like it was funny. They like things like that, anything to do with King Arthur and the round table, you know? The knights and the king … code names and such they and their friends called each other. Since I was not a K…of an age to be one of them … they called me their little mad dragon to recognise the welsh blood."

"So ... one of them was Arthur then?" she giggled. "Makes sense. I rmember an Arthur there somewhere."

Ianto smiled as he nodded and then his body language changed and Toshiko knew before she even looked that Gwen was about to enter the changing rooms. And there she was. "Wondered where you two were."

"Ah, good. We need a third one for the physical test" Ianto said as he rose and faced her, "Remove your clothing. It's best done naked with jello."

"Stop it" Gwen laughed as she waved a hand at him and made to leave, calling to Toshiko "Jack is looking for you."

"I'll be right there" she called back "Just making sure the jello is out of my hair"

Laugh that faded as Gwen walked away and Toshiko glanced at Ianto with amusement "You know. You come across as a stuffy suit but every now and then … you are a blast. You know that Mister Jones?"

"I have been told" Ianto nodded "My instructor told me I was one of the most promising and terrifying student he had ever had in heavy ordinance training actually. In all his years he had never feared someone before but apparently … I am a right nutter when it comes to getting a bang."

"A bang?" Jack's voice echoed as he walked towards them down the corridor "You looking for a bang Mister Jones?"

The moment it left his mouth Jack knew it had come out wrong, Ianto's' face paling as Toshiko laughed and behind Jack Gwen's face hardened to show jealously in the fact Jack was clearly making a statement.

"I can assure you Captain … any …. Banging… will not bother you any more" Ianto hissed as he pushed past him, Jack trying got hook his elbow but once again meeting air as Ianto evaded his touch. Toshiko shook her head at Jack sadly as she followed Ianto.

Jack tuned to watch them go, finally seeing Gwen.

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"Will you ever forgive him?"

Ianto glanced at Toshiko as he reached for the heavy blast doors that separated the staff quarters from the main Hub and he hesitated as he considered then sighed "Honestly Tosh? I don't know. Should I? I mean … I know you all forgave me but … does that mean I have to as well? Just yet?"

"And until you forgive yourself you can't forgive him?" she saw the weird logic.

"Yeah. I almost destroyed the world for love… and love is what saved me. But … did I deserve it? Did he mean it? Or was this some cosmic joke. I don't know. Had he not immediately challenge me …. Not straight away denied that very love that had saved me … well. Maybe it would be easier but as I knelt there with his gun to my head all I felt was ….. pain. I can forgive many things … in my life I have had to but a betrayal of the heart is a hard thing to swallow."

"You could explain to him. He does seem to have an inkling about your people so … if you explained who she was to you. The real reason you were trying got save her then … maybe…" Tosh sighed as Ianto shook his head in a single sharp motion to answer her as tell her someone was coming and to change the subject.

She stepped through the door as he held it for her like the gentleman he was, wondering if she was ever going to break the encryptions now the only chip that had retained the critical information had died along with Lisa.

Time was running out to save the world.

Again.