Ianto made his way up to Jack's office, pausing just outside the door as he heard voices coming from inside. Jack was on the phone, but it was obviously a casual call as opposed to official Torchwood business. Jack never laughed like that on the phone to UNIT operatives. Ianto didn't want to intrude on Jack's private conversations, but it was impossible for him not to overhear.

"So, Saturday, around 5?" Jack was saying down the phone.

"Of course I'll bring wine, what kind of a question is that?!" he laughed.

"Yep, can't wait, see you then"

He went to hang up, then Ianto gasped as he heard something that Jack hadn't ever once said to him.

"Love you"

Ianto was shocked. Jack had said those words so casually, as if he used them all the time. He might well do, but never with Ianto. He stormed away to the small kitchen, blinking back tears.

It was only about 20 minutes later, just when Ianto had finished his thorough cleaning of the coffee machine, that Jack bounded down the stairs to the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Ianto's waist.

"Hey, you" he whispered in Ianto's ear seductively, "I've sent everyone home early, so it's just me and you"

Ianto stepped away from Jack, "And?"

Jack looked confused "Well I was thinking, maybe we could...."

Ianto glared, "You know what? I think I'll pass"

He dodged around Jack and headed for where he kept his coat, calling over his shoulder as he moved.

"Sir, as you sent the others home, I assume you won't mind me leaving" he headed for the heavy cog door.

"I mean, it's not as if I'm any different to the rest of them, is it?" he added as he walked out of the HUB.

Jack stared after him for a moment, before darting up the stairs and across the Plass to where Ianto was still walking, heading home, for some obscure reason.

"God, he can move when he's upset!" Jack thought to himself.

He reached Ianto and grabbed his arm, spinning him around to face him. Ianto wouldn't meet his eyes, instead looking at the floor. Jack still hadn't loosened his grip on Ianto's arm, and the contact was making Ianto uncomfortable. He couldn't be this close to Jack, not when he'd just discovered that Jack had been getting much closer with somebody else.

"Is there something you wanted, Sir?" he mumbled, keeping his tone professional.

"Ianto, what the Hell is wrong?!" Jack was getting angry, "You've just suddenly gone all cold on me, but I haven't got a bloody clue what I've done!"

"I heard you on the phone, Jack, Okay?!" Ianto yelled. Jack blinked. That was not what he'd been expecting.

"What?"

Ianto sighed, "I heard you talking on the phone earlier in your office. You said you were going to meet someone on Saturday, that you'd bring wine. Then you said" he took a deep breath, making sure he wouldn't let Jack see him cry, "you said 'I love you'"

Jack's eyes lit up with recognition, "You've got completely the wrong end of the stick, Yan"

Ianto glared, "What, so I DIDN'T hear you say that? Are you really gonna deny the whole thing, because that's a cowards way out, Jack"

"No, of course I'm not. I did say I love you, but not in a romantic way"

"I don't understand"

Jack groaned, "This is so not the way I wanted you to find out, but....I was on the phone to Alice"

"Who the hell is Alice?!"

"Alice is my daughter, Yan"

Ianto's eyes widened in shock. He'd known Jack had a past, and, seeing as he'd lived so many lifetimes, he should've assumed he'd have had children somewhere along the line. He'd just never thought he'd hear about any of them.

"Okay, I need to sit down a sec" Ianto breathed, walking over to a nearby bench and putting his head in his hands. Jack sat beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry you had to find out like this" he murmured, "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier" Ianto looked up at him.

"I understand why you didn't, I think. And anyway, at least I know you're not seeing somebody else. Or are you?" Ianto questioned, narrowing his eyes.

"I can assure you I'm not" Jack laughed, "There'd be no point, when I've got everything I need right here" he draped his arm across Ianto's shoulders. Ianto smiled and leaned his head against Jack's strong chest.

"Right then, Alice. Tell me about her"

Jack smiled, "Her name is Alice Carter. I was....married to her mother up until 1987. She died in 2006."

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be. She lived a full life" Jack smiled sadly, "anyway; Alice lives with her 8 year old son, Stephen. She's 32"

Ianto groaned, "God, Jack, your daughter is older than me!"

Jack kissed the top of his head gently, "Do you wanna meet her?"

Ianto looked nervous, "Do you want me to?"

"Of course. And she's looking forward to meeting you. She's impressed by anyone who can keep me under control" he laughed. "She told me to bring you along Saturday, if you wanted. Then I told her you didn't actually know, and she went a bit ballistic" he admitted sheepishly.

Ianto smiled, "I think I'll get along with her very well"

"So...is that a yes?" Jack asked.

"It is" Ianto nodded.

Jack beamed, pulling Ianto to his feet and into a tight hug. He pulled back and lightly kissed Ianto on the lips. Ianto sighed against his lips. He was immensely relieved, of course, that Jack wasn't seeing somebody else, but in some ways that could've been easier. Now, he had to impress Jack's family, something he'd never expected to have to do. He wanted to know them, to know Jack, a little better, but that didn't stop the nerves eating away at him. But Jack had said it would be fine, and he trusted him, right?


This'll be continued in later chapters, with the meeting of Ianto and Alice.

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