5

When Jack was checking on JJ after the Easter egg hunt, Tosh pulled me off to the side, out of earshot of everyone else.

"So, what's going on?" she asked. "I thought you said he was just someone who came to the museum once."

"He is, or, he was." I buried my face in my hands. "Argh! I don't know. It just happened but he's so…"

"Hot?" Tosh asked, looking across the way to study him. "I mean, he doesn't do anything for me, but he does do you, honey."

"It's not that," I said. "I mean, he is kinda hot. But it's also that he's so sweet, and smart, and he seems like such a good father. I don't know." I wasn't sure where I was going with this, except that I was hoping for the chance to find out.

"So are you going to see him again?" Tosh asked. "Or is this just a little Easter fling. Which if it is, I'm totally supportive of it. Sometimes a little action can relieve the holiday stress."

I smacked her on the arm, laughing. "Stop it! I'm not looking for an 'Easter fling.' He has JJ to think about."

"So, make sure to give him your number. Or better yet, invite him to your birthday."

"Oh, no. I'm not doing a birthday party this year."

"What?" Tosh crossed her arms and stared me down. "Look, boy, I don't care what you say. I'm not going to see you again for months. We're going out for your birthday."

"Technically my birthday is next week," I said. My birthday was always near Easter, though since Easter was on a random Sunday each year and its position on the calendar could only be understood by mastering quantum physics, I never knew if my birthday would actually fall on Easter or not. Had I not been a prem baby, it would have been August or something … born so prem they didn't think I was gonna live. Look at me now …all living and shit.

"Technically, schmecnically. We're going out tomorrow before you go home, and we're having cake. In fact…" She grinned when she saw Jack and JJ returning. JJ held the bottom of his shirt folded up like a basket, with a pile of plastic eggs nestled inside. He was using his free hand to open the eggs and sort through the candy.

"Jack!" Tosh said, giving him a hug. "So since you and Ianto are 'getting along' so well, he wanted to invite you to his birthday party tomorrow. Cake, tacos, and plenty of good music. You game?"

"I'd love to," Jack said. "Just tell me when and where."

He gave me a warm smile, and I felt all of my protests dying on my tongue.

"Tomorrow night, my place, and whatever time you get done working. Say, six-thirty?"

"I'll be there," Jack said.

Tosh gave Jack her home address, grinning at me the entire time. I gave her the death glare, torn between being irritated with her for trapping me like this, and glad that she'd set up a chance for me to see Jack again.

The rest of the day was uneventful as the gathering slowly wound down. There was no more flirting between Jack and I, especially since he still had to keep up with the pretence that he was here as Tosh's date. Though at the end of the day, he walked me to my car, while JJ was busy saying goodbye to the friends he'd made.

"I'm glad we ran into each other here," he said, taking my hand. "And I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

"Me too. Though don't expect much of a party. It'll probably just be us, plus Tosh and Owen."

"Ahh, yes. The boyfriend who couldn't come today." He frowned and shook his head. "It's a shame Tosh has to hide so much. You'd think she'd be past that by now."

I shrugged. "It's more that he isn't past it, from what she's said. I think in time he'll get comfortable enough to come around the family. He's a shy guy and doesn't like having to explain himself."

"Well, I hope that if things work out between you and me, we don't blow her cover."

My heart skipped a beat and then I laughed. "Oh, yeah, I can just see it now. 'Hey, Ianto, isn't your date the guy Tosh brought at Easter?' Oh dear."

He laughed as well, and then we shared a moment of comfortable silence. He took both of my hands in his, then leaned forward. I met him halfway, letting my lips brush against his just for a moment.

When we parted, I glanced across the parking lot and saw JJ staring at us. I swallowed a lump in my throat, but kept my mouth shut. Considering what he'd been through lately, I didn't know how he'd react to his dad meeting someone new. Though I realized Jack would need to talk to him about it sooner rather than later.

"I'll see you tomorrow night," Jack said. He squeezed my hands one last time, then turned and left.

I watched him go, and then I loaded my cooler, filled now with the leftovers, into the back of my car. I drove back to Mum's house with a big smile on my face, dreaming of what tomorrow night would bring.