17

Ianto followed Jack to the stables and up to his quarters where Jack knelt to pull the cushion off the old chair. He looked down at the money, jewels and modern credits all nestled in the framework.

"Goddess, I've been sitting on a bloody throne" he breathed with wonder.

The hand on the back of his neck was warm and unbelievably gentle as Ianto crouched and drew his attention to him, "Jack. This is not an incentive; I am not doing this in some attempt to keep you here. Please know I do this because I choose to."

"Do what?" Jack asked with surprise.

Ianto's lips were warm too, searingly hot actually as Ianto slammed them together and Jack found himself on the floor with the handsome man on top so he rolled, only to have a chuff of laughter brush his cheek as Ianto rolled them again, now on top again with their noses brushing together as Ianto stared into his eyes.

"I knew you would be trouble" Ianto whispered softly, his fingers tracing Jack's hairline from his temple down to his ear, "I knew the moment I smelt you I would be a fool. I do love the bad ones."

"You are not a fool" Jack assured him as he let his hands side around that pert arse, "I know you are not showing yourself in an attempt to lure me. I know this is not some power play. Ianto … I see you. Have done for some time and I also know you are an honest man, even if I am not."

"Now, now then sir. Can't con a con-man remember?" Ianto's eyes danced as he leaned in, this kiss gentle and full of promise.

"You don't have to keep his scent on you" Jack suddenly got it, "You kept sidestepping me because she would know, would smell me. Oh Ianto, you've not been rejecting me, you've been denying us."

"I don't have to now" Ianto whispered in his ear before a gentle nip, "Either we win or lose but if there is one thing I learnt in my time in service is that you are either all in or you are out. I know you are all in, I know the war continues and the next battle will ether win us the high ground or force our retreat."

"Whatever we need to do, we will get it done" Jack assured him, "Whatever the cost."

"I have faith in you" Ianto whispered, "Wouldn't mind something else in you either."

Jack knew he wasn't breathing as the cheeky comeback failed him and instead he seized Ianto's head and kissed him hungrily, their bodies writhing together in the warm space, their groins grinding oh so yummily.

"That's dirty pool" Jack said once he had to break for air and Ianto groaned.

"Just remember what we are fighting for" Ianto smiled as he slid to his feet, "Our future."

"All of us" Jack agreed as he leapt up to face him again, "Together."

"I like that idea" Ianto grinned, nodding as he kissed Jack and moved away, "I also like the idea of a cold shower now."

Jack laughed as he took a few minutes to control his own libido, then scooped out the money and headed down to find Mace and Rhys already in the hover waiting as Toshiko climbed in.

"Rhys?" Jack looked up with surprise, "Where's herself?"

"I wanted to shove her in the cage but settled for locking her in our room" Rhys huffed, "I don't know if she understands what she did, I sure as hell screamed it at her till I was hoarse."

Jack glanced at Ianto who nodded from the shadow of the porch and he climbed in to take the controls, "We will be swift, sure and bloody savage. Toshi love? I want you and Rhys to stick together. Rhys. Guard her with your life, she is the only one who knows how to set up those sensors we need for early detection and arming."

"Also, a mean poker player" Andy quipped from the porch next to Ianto, "Be careful, don't flash it around."

Jack grinned as he glanced at him, "awwww, really?"

"You prick, you know I mean the credits" Andy laughed.

The hover lifted off and Ianto felt hands slide around his thigh, looking down to find blue fingers clutching at him and he lifted Winkle up, no longer afraid to have physical contact. It didn't matter now, she would come. Or another pack would come. This he knew.

Time to be the man he wanted to be, the one he denied himself for too long.

Ianto hummed as he waltzed with the little one on the safety of the porch, her little face glowing as she laughed and he kissed her cheeks.

"Come on princess, I'm hungers. You hungers?" Ianto crooned and she squealed as he carried her in to find something to eat, Andy hurrying after them to help.

Gwen watched the hover leave from the bedroom window and reached for the her bonnet, removing the hat pin.

Thought he could contain her?

Really?