6

Things go slowly in a little country town and at the same time… time flew. Before they knew it the Trick or Treaters were getting ready, Ianto laughing as he watched Jack walk towards him pretending not to recognize him as he looked around as if lost.

Jack was in a vintage World War II British Great Coat, the trousers had braces as well as a belt and the hip holster had a realistic looking gun in it even. Ianto smiled and watched as Jack finally saw him, the fake double take at them immense as he gasped "Oh my god. Ianto? Is that… Shae?"

"It is me!" Shae said with glee, sure he had fooled Jack, reaching out to let Joseph take his hand and the two ran for the third one waving at them with the unmistakable red hair sticking out from behind a hockey mask. Jason, Spiderman with horn-rimmed glasses and a tiny Deadpool that kept stopping to do weird moves started blending in with other kids.

"Behave yourself Paul" Jennifer waved and headed to the Pizzeria for work leaving the two men with the kids as she went to start her evening shift secure in the knowledge that they were in safe hands. Jack now knew she was the one in the back cottage, so quiet. The kids were clearly meant to be friends, right?

"So… after this we have… Christmas" Jack said as he watched Ianto crane his neck to see where the kids were. Jack had noticed on their first date that this man was not small, not at all. In fact… in the darkness at the back door as their lips met Jack found that not only was Ianto the same height as him, he was strong. Dating now another thing they were easing into with gentle comfort. Well… training dates as they ran together I guess.

Ianto hid so well, seeming smaller than himself and it was the only thing holding Jack back from committing here. He knew that was what it was. Ianto seemed to linger when talking about the past, he seemed to pause like he was flittering what to say and what not to. Tonight they were all going back to Jack's and maybe while the kids have popcorn and a move they could talk.

Jack wanted a relationship, this was at the stage where people usually took things a step farther. You know… like.. sex? While Ianto sorted the kids out Jack went to the toilet and Ianto went to find him, seeking him and finding his office instead. Ianto stood looking at the certificates, awards and those medals in a frame. He let his eyes wander, then his finger move along spines to read folders, files… he paused.

Jack was in the doorway watching as Ianto's finger lingered then was snatched back like it was about to get burnt, Ianto stepping back with his eyes widening, spinning to find Jack there.

"Hey. You OK?" Jack asked with confusion.

"Yes… yeah. The kids want soda pop and…ah…"

"Oh, the fridge in the garage" Jack said, leading him there to show him the second fridge and for the rest of the evening Ianto sat with the kids, silent and brooding. There was a gentle kiss goodnight without eye contact and after he had left Jack went back to the office to find what seemed to have offended him so. He stood running his fingers along the same spines, passing the DEA one and the Missing Persons one then pausing at the same red one only to become more confused than ever.

Hoodlum Clan Lore?

This was a case he had taken as part of the Undercover Program, long before he had anything to do with Witness Protection. With a slow dawning horror Jack realised his rank, true job description and past life was there on that spine as it proclaimed him the Undercover Operative in the Blue Door Sting.

Jack stood staring at that file for the longest time trying to figure out what it was that might have upset the man. There was a Hoodlum Clan in England…Wales… Scotland… as there were in various parts of the world. Had this man known that life? Had he been part of it even? Then Jack decided that was stupid. This well mannered man who taught little kids for a vocation would not be a gun wielding thug. No. But he knew the name knew them. So… what had it been that had openly scared him in that moment of finding it?

Was it the Clan this man had shied from with force?

Jack found himself torn between pretending not to have noticed and hoping Ianto came around again as he really needed to know who it was he was inviting into his house.

His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock that must be Jennifer coming off her late shift and he tore himself away from the moment, rushing got let her in. She was slightly flushed, disheveled and looked startled. The storm blowing in must be a doozy, the clouds above blocking the stars to make the street lights the only source… "How about I drive you two home. I don't like that storm blowing in. Just a short toddle around the road, better than running through that forest out there in the dark. Can't have you wet."

Her relief was raw as she glanced back.

Scared of the dark?

That's OK. Jack can at least do this.