A/N: HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY JONES IANTO JONES! This is set a little bit after the chapter 'Accidental Dreams'; I know some of you were eager to find out what happened next. Well, this isn't the wedding, just a little step towards it. The start is a bit shoddy, but it's the bits between Jack and Ianto that I want you all to focus on. Let me know your thoughts.

Ianto woke and looked across at the calendar.

August 19th. Great. He sighed and rolled onto his back. Better get ready for work.

Jack had cleared of hours ago, gone to fetch a Weevil, said there was no point getting Ianto out at 2am, they'd only just got in at the time anyway.

After a brief shower, Ianto slipped into his favourite suit – must be allowed some pleasures on your own birthday – and red shirt with black silk tie covered in a strategic square pattern, only visible in certain light.

He left the house and drove to work, making the note not to even mention what day it was. He'd given up on Birthdays when he joined Torchwood 1 all those years ago.

The Hub was quiet, as usual. No-one in yet. He set about normal duties, feed Myfanwy – give her chocolate on this day, nice dark, rich chocolate. He let himself have a square too.

About half an hour after Ianto arrived, he heard someone else enter. Tosh, going by the tune. It was the Theme Tune from the Television show 'Black Books'. He'd made her watch all three series in one hit two nights ago, and she couldn't get the tune out.

" Hey!" She called up. " How are you?"

" Fine thanks. I'll get your coffee on." Tosh smiled her thanks and Ianto got to work, making the perfect coffee for Toshiko. If anyone, she was his best friend.

And so the day wore on. Gwen arrived, followed by Jack hauling a Weevil with Owen attached to the other end, obviously roped into helping as he passed. Everyone treated the day as normal, because Ianto kept it that way, until the evening.

Everyone had gone home, and Ianto was just clearing up, and planning on going home and taking tomorrow of, then partaking in a geek-end and watching all 3 extended Lord Of The Rings, possibly followed by Star Wars - but only 4-6, the first three weren't as good – depending on how much beer he still had.

" Ianto." Jack called over, but it wasn't like a question, it was a summoning. Ianto rolled his eyes and stepped up the grill to Jacks' office.

" Why didn't you tell anyone it was your birthday?"

" No point." Ianto replied. Jack gestured him over, and pulled Ianto to sit on his lap. Ianto instantly wrapped his arms round Jacks' neck for stabilisation.

" Why not?" Jack was massaging circles onto the small of Iantos' back.

" It's like a countdown." He thought back to the words he'd used once in his diary. No one in Torchwood ever lives to draw their pension.

" In what way?"

" Well, the longer you serve at Torchwood, the closer you are to Death. So celebrating Birthdays is kind of like asking for trouble. So I thought if I didn't, it'd…sort of make life easier?" What had started as a good argument was quickly becoming a downhill conversation. " It's a silly idea Jack. Sorry."

" No no. It's fine. Come on, let's get you home."

" Will you stay the night Jack?" Ianto couldn't stop the hope that drifted into his voice.

" Of course I will." Jack stood up and Ianto helped him into his Jacket before taking his own of the peg.

|TW

As soon as they got through the door, Jack took charge.

" Ianto, go and rest. Wait in the bedroom, and don't come out until I tell you." He gently pushed Ianto in the right direction.

" You don't have to-"

" I want to." Jack cut him off. Ianto nodded and did as he was told.

Jack looked around, washed up anything that needed doing, folded up the now-dry washing, and put the kettle on. No way was he going to try and make a coffee, but he could try something a bit nicer and easier.

|TW

Jack opened the door to see Ianto had changed into a soft light blue pair of Pyjamas. They were really soft and he knew Jack loved them. Jack also had his own pair so he and Ianto could snuggle and watch films sometimes, so he changed into them before reaching round the door and pulling back a tray. It had two large mugs of steaming something, and a box. It was black and had a small gold clip on the front. The whole thing looked old and well looked after. Next to it was a heavy looking envelope. Definitely not through the mail, and too thick to be a card. Next to it was an elegant candle, being the only light in the room.

" Jack…what is this?" Ianto asked with a hint of joy in his voice.

" This is your day. Happy Birthday Ianto."

" It's brilliant." He assured Jack. Jack put the tray on the bedside table and sat next to Ianto on the bed, drawing the quilt from under them to cover their lower halves. He passed Ianto the box. " You got me a present anyway?"

" Yea. I knew all along, but figured you wanted it a secret."

Ianto nodded and inspected it from all angles, trying to guess what was inside.

" Is it…my new coffee machine? One that you can all work?"

" No."

" Is it…a panda?"

" No."

" Is it…a sex toy?"

"…No."

" So I'm getting close." Ianto smiled at the anticipation on Jacks face before slowly opening the lid and closing his eyes. He felt an arm round his shoulders as he opened them again.

He gasped. It was beautiful.

" We broke the last one." Jack whispered intimately into his ear. " So I got you this."

Encased in the rolling black velvet was a stopwatch. One that would easily fit Iantos' hand. There were cogs and things moving visibly behind the glass face, and a perfectly shiny brass button on the top. Ianto picked it out slowly with awe still on his face. The light from the candle reflected on the slim gold hands, making his face appear to glow. He turned it over, looking at every detail on the way. It was perfectly smooth, and there were no marks, as if his hands were the first to touch it.

Turning it over in slow motion, Ianto saw an engraving on the back. It made the world stop for just a moment.

I Love You

Ianto forgot to breath as he read those words. He'd said it. He'd really said it. And it was there for eternity.

" Oh, Jack." Ianto turned and Kissed his strongly for a moment but Jack pulled of.

" Not yet. Open the envelope first." He handed it to Ianto.

Ianto opened it with slightly shaky hands. In side were just papers. Venues, names, menus…

" What is it?"

" Plans Ianto."

" For…?"

" Our Wedding. I've set a date for us. Me and you will be married, on the 5th May." He kissed Ianto, and the hot chocolates remained untouched and Ianto lifted the weighted brass stopwatch, and clicked the button on the top.

A/N: Well? Review as soon as possible please!