15

There was nothing to say, just a feeling of euphoria as they headed across the water on the skiff. Ianto watched his little girl as her eyes drank in the new experience. Jack glanced over and watched as Ianto tightened his grip on the toddler who was wanting to see the water splashing against the hull. It felt strange leaving Andy behind, the second trip would collect him and the last of those wanting to come.

Then the large cruise liner came into view as they rounded the coast, Ianto's face changing as he drank it in. He then looked over at Jack and he knew what Ianto was likely thinking.

He didn't like it. Of course he didn't.

The first thing Jack had thought when he had stepped on board back when they commandeered it is tht Ianto would have wanted a different one, this one had a casino in it, old people smells and not at all roomy. A younger generational one, one with more than one pool so some cool thing could be done with one like create a glass house or something … one with better cabins… he could practically hear him raging about the place. He had lamented this to Owen who had been angry that Ianto was being used to be so maudlin. He had told Jack that it was not like Ianto would care now, right?

Then they were getting on board via the lower deck's skiff entrance and he watched Ianto's eyes rove some more. That silent calculating going on. Then a glance. Yep. He wanted a different one.

Jack was not surprised to find he was already thinking the same thing. Going over a strategy to make Ianto happy. God, not back a day and already he was going to change things up. Jack found himself smiling at him. Now Ianto was here, Jack wanted a better one too. It was a bit boring right? Yeah, two is better than one. If one sinks then… stop it. Listen to Ianto, he will have the ideas.

Then Ianto said "I don't like it."

"No, but it's just the first one. I will have them dotted about the place like little islands. There is the Royal one sitting off the Scottish coast. We can get that one as a secondary stationary boat" Jack said like it had always been the plan and grinned as confidently as he could under that steely gaze that detected bullshit like the Doctor could.

"It is not off the coast, it sank three years back and you know it did. You sank it" Ianto said with clear amusement "But that honeymoon cruise one is out there somewhere off Penzance. I want that one, all the cabins are doubles with an ensuite."

"What?" Jack blinked.

"Gwen's wedding, remember who did all that useless research?" Ianto asked "I was in love with the entire cruise, she didn't like the water. Rhys was gutted."

"Oh my god, she DID say something about a cruise ship with hot tubs… I thought she was bullshitting" Jack shook his head "You remember the route it would have taken?"

Ianto stared at him silently and he grinned as he caught the silent rebuke. Asking Ianto if he remembered something, like asking Owen if he was a prick. Forgone conclusions did not need to be vocalized sir.

"Right. So… where are we?"

Jack stared at him then said softly "On a boat."

Ianto stared back as Owen started to laugh behind them then say softly "Fucktard. He means where is the cabin. He wants to put his shit away."

"Oh" Jack said inanely, and then he lit up in a huge grin "Mine? Yeah?"

"I will have to see the condition of it first" Ianto sniffed like there might actually be a rejection and Jack's grin slid slightly before moving back into place. Ianto was messing with him as only he can.

"Come on… I have the little dot!" Jack said, seizing the child from Ianto's arms like she was a football and taking off as the little girl's feet kicked with glee. Clearly the rush of action was exiting her and Ianto sighed softly as he knew he would have trouble getting her back now.

He picked up her bag, leaving the rest as Jack disappeared around a corner, running after him while simultaneously memorizing the route as they went up some stairs, along a walkway and into a cabin. Jack swung to watch him enter with something akin to childish glee "See? The Captain's Cabin. Best on board. Gwen wanted it of course, terrible tantrums and screaming. She was not too nice either."

Ianto stood looking at the cream walls, the captain's table covered in tat and crapolla with distain, then he looked at the bed and nodded "I guess it will do for now but I still don't' like it."

"Well… everyone else does" Jack defended himself, and then added "I am sure the Honeymoon one is better. We will get that, right?"

"Maybe. Might have sunk, been taken by other pirates or may have been in port and is full of rampaging Uglies now." Ianto muttered as he looked around.

"You call them Uglies. So do we" Jack pointed out.

"I know, I was listening to your radio transmissions all the time. Could not contact you back, the secure line would have been a bitch to hack and if I did, who else was listening to you as easily as I was?" Ianto walked the room drinking it all in, "I need a cot for her."

"Yep" Jack rolled on the balls of his feet, nervous now. Shit. Might he really say he didn't' want this room? With him?

"OK. It's gonna do until I get a better offer" Ianto said, dumping her bag and turning to face him, the cheeky glint in his eye making Jack relax instantly. He was still fucking messing with him?

"Ianto…" Jack started to talk, still amazed a how tongue-tied and stupid Ianto can make him with those looks when Ianto stepped in close to kiss him, their lips touching briefly but in an electric fashion, then the child was gone from his arms and Ianto was placing her on her feet.

Jack closed his mouth, stepping after him to seize him and nuzzle the back of his neck while the little girl explored the new territory.

It still didn't feel real.