Ianto truly wished their holiday had gone according to plan. All he'd wanted was to share a night of music with his captain, maybe a nice dinner or a walk under the stars, and spend some time away from Torchwood. He really didn't feel that was too much to ask. But since they were now standing face to face with his sister and her husband, he knew his plans had gone vastly awry.

"Ianto? What are you doing here?" she asked him, hands on her hips. "Didn't you say you had to work through the holidays?"

Ianto's eyes were wide and he turned to Jack. Jack gave him a soft smile and Ianto swallowed, looking back at his sister. Okay, so apparently she was going to meet the captain a fair bit sooner than he'd expected. Which, if he were being honest, had been closer to never.

"Actually, we're working right now," he said, smiling.

"At the orchestra?" asked Johnny, scowling.

"He means we're working here in Birmingham," Jack corrected, holding out his hand. "Captain Jack Harkness, Ianto's boss."

Johnny eyed the hand for a moment before shaking it. "You normally go to the orchestra with your employees, do you?"

Ianto could feel his heart racing. Not only was he pregnant and trying to hide it under his clothing, but he was on a date with his boss. His very male boss. And he'd lied about his whereabouts this season. His sister was much too sharp to fall for it once all the pieces came together.

Jack shrugged. "We're out to get a breath of fresh air. We work tedious hours."

"Dressed like that?" Rhiannon nodded at Jack's three piece suit and Ianto's trousers, jumper, and suit jacket combo. "Just out to catch some air? You didn't come here to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra?"

They were standing on the sidewalk in front of the venue, ready to head to the car and get back to their hotel when they'd run into the couple coming out from the show. Sure, it looked mighty conspicuous, he had to admit, but Ianto was thrifty. He could get them out of this.

"We just got out of a dinner meeting," he explained, sighing. "Sir, this is my sister Rhiannon and her husband Johnny. I apologize for the third degree treatment."

"It's not a problem," the captain replied, still smiling. "Did you want to catch up? If so, I can catch a taxi back to the hotel."

"Oh don't be silly, Captain," Rhiannon said, returning his smile. "Why don't we all go for drinks?"

Ianto groaned internally. "I would love to," he said, "I really would, however we'll be heading back to Cardiff in the morning and…"

"And if you can have a dinner meeting on a Saturday, surely you can spare some of your weekend with your family as well, Ianto?"

His sister's cheeks had colored and Ianto knew she was very close to blowing up. He knew what she was like when pushed too far. It was usually why he chose to deal with her over the phone. He'd never been able to handle and angry woman, and especially not his sister.

"Of course," he replied, straightening his jacket. The sooner he got this over with the better. "Why don't we stop in at the pub at the corner?"

"Sounds good," said Johnny, nodding.

When they were seated at a table near the back, Jack offered to get the first round. Ianto had, of course, opted for water, as had Jack, and he brought back a glass of wine for Rhiannon and a lager for Johnny.

"Are neither of you drinking, then?" asked the other Welshman, looking between Ianto and the captain.

"We had drinks at dinner," Jack told them, winking. "Wouldn't want to get out of control."

Rhiannon sipped her drink, eyeing Ianto. "Have you been eating a bit, love?" she asked.

"Pardon?" Ianto replied, although he knew exactly what she meant.

"You're looking a bit plump there, mate," said Johnny, grinning. "Must be seeing a girl, then. Fattening you up, she is."

"Is that true, Ianto?" Rhiannon's face lit up. "Are you seeing a new girl? It's been quite some time since Lisa, after all, the poor dear. Is it serious with this one? Why don't you bring her around to meet the family?"

"That would actually require him to come see us himself," Johnny replied, laughing.

Ianto took a deep breath, his head hurting. "No, I'm not seeing a new girl," he told them, safe in the knowledge that at least this time he was not actually lying.

"Well that's a shame, Ianto," Rhiannon said, frowning. "You know, there's a lovely new girl who moved in just down the road from my friend Penny. She's a single mother of a beautiful little girl. Her husband passed away a year ago. Very tragic. Maybe you'd like her number?"

"Thank you, but no," he replied, taking a drink of his water.

"Love, you can't stay single forever."

"He might have to," said Johnny. "He's not getting any younger. And I'm sorry, mate, but you are quite a bit wider around the middle these days. Office work just isn't suiting you."

"Alright," said Jack, holding up his hand. "I think that's quite enough."

"It's okay, sir," said Ianto, not wanting a war to break out at the table.

"No it's not," said Jack, shaking his head. "You shouldn't have to sit here and listen to this."

"I'm sorry, what?" said Johnny. "Ianto, who is this guy? Listen mate, Ianto here is family..."

"I'm well aware," replied the captain, folding his arms, "which is exactly why I can't believe what I'm hearing."

Ianto rubbed a hand over his face. "I think we should be going."

"Ianto! You just got here!"

"I'm sorry, Rhi, I am. But we've a long drive back in the morning, as I said. And I'm afraid I'm not feeling very well."

"It's always an excuse with him, it is," mumbled Johnny, taking a long swing of lager.

Ianto ignored the barb and got to his feet, Jack doing the same beside him. "Please tell the kids I said hello, and that I hope they liked their Christmas presents."

"You should tell them yourself," she replied, huffing.

"Another time," he said, turning to follow Jack out of the pub.

When they were outside once again, Ianto sighed. He hated fighting with his family. He loved them, but it wasn't easy when his sister constantly wanted to mother him and his brother-in-law was obnoxious at best. If it wasn't for his niece and nephew he doubted he'd make time for his family at all. And he knew he saw them far less than he should, but figured it was probably for the best. The less he was around them the safer they would be from Torchwood and its fallout.

"Are you okay, Ianto?" Jack asked.

"Yes, thank you."

"I'm sorry for what happened in there."

Ianto shook his head. "It's not your fault, sir."

"No, but you shouldn't have to put up with that from family. Or from anyone, for that matter."

"I'm afraid I'm rather used to it by now."

Jack put a hand on his shoulder as they walked to the car park. "How's your head?"

Ianto's eyebrow went up. "How did you know my head was hurting?"

Jack smiled. "I know you better than you think I do."

"It's hurting, but nothing I can't handle, sir."

When they arrived back at their hotel room Ianto took off his jacket, hanging it in the closet. He knew he should probably pack, but they did have the morning to do so. He hadn't been completely honest with his sister about their departure. While it was true they were driving back to Cardiff tomorrow, they weren't leaving until noon. They were planning on having a nice breakfast and relaxing for a few hours before going home.

As he made his way to the bathroom to freshen up, he heard Jack shuffling around in the bedroom. Ianto washed his face, ran a hand through his hair, and then turned around. He found Jack standing at the doorway with a glass of water in one hand and some pills in the other.

"Paracetamol," the captain explained with a smile.

Ianto took the proffered medication from him and swallowed it down with the water. He handed the glass back to Jack. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Come here."

Ianto followed him into the bedroom where Jack set the water glass on the table. When he stood uncertainly, however, awaiting whatever it was Jack had in mind, the captain stepped closer and began to remove Ianto's sweater.

"Sir? I'm not sure I'm feeling quite well enough for this."

Jack chuckled. "You need to be comfortable so I can give you a massage."

"Oh," Ianto replied. "You don't have to do that."

"I want to." Ianto let Jack help him off with his clothes, until he was wearing just his underwear. The captain then led him to the bed and had him sit down. "Can you lie on your stomach or would you rather just stay sitting?"

"I think I can manage," Ianto replied. Jack was aware it was getting harder and harder for Ianto to sleep on his stomach due to the baby. Short term shouldn't cause him as many problems, however.

He moved onto his stomach and yawned, not realizing he was tired until that exact moment. Jack sat on the bed beside him, placing a hand on his back. The captain had already removed his own Jacket, but nothing else. Ianto felt naked by comparison.

As the man's hands began working his shoulders, however, his lack of dress faded completely from his mind. He moaned softly, feeling the knots in his back protest at the deep and firm pressure being applied.

"No wonder you have a headache," the captain said, pressing his thumbs into a particularly hard knot, "you're so tense."

"It's a family thing," Ianto replied.

"Are they always like that?"

Ianto shrugged as best he could in that position. "Unfortunately yes. Rhiannon's not so bad, but Johnny…well, he doesn't understand tact."

"Apparently not."

Jack's hands were working magic on his back, and Ianto could already feel the headache beginning to ease away. If only it could erase the mental anguish as well. He knew he shouldn't let his family get to him, but was also well aware if he'd just come by more often there wouldn't be as much for them to fight about. On the other hand, tonight was a reminder that he couldn't share his life with them. Not the way normal families could share. He couldn't tell them what he did for a living, he couldn't tell them about the real relationship between himself and Jack, and he certainly could never tell them about the baby.

"I think we should speak to a few more agencies when we get back," he said, shifting slightly on the bed to accommodate his stomach.

Jack's hands paused for a moment before continuing their path to his lower back. "If that's what you want."

"Although you might have to speak to them alone, the way things are going," he added.

"You don't want to go?"

"I do, but if my sister and her husband reacted to how large I've gotten, I can't say I'm thrilled at the prospect of meeting with more people."

Jack pressed his thumbs into the small of Ianto's Back. "Strangers will have no idea what you looked like before, Ianto. They've nothing to compare it to."

"I realize that," Ianto replied, "I just feel…awkward."

"Well I can go on your behalf if that's what you want," Jack agreed. "I just wanted you to be able to make an educated choice."

"I trust you, sir."

Jack kissed his shoulder. "I'm glad. Now how are you feeling?"

"Much better, thank you."

Jack began rubbing gentle circles over his back, never staying in one spot long enough to add too much pressure. Ianto sighed into his pillow, enjoying the caress. In fact, he was enjoying it a little too much and had to shift again to get into a better position.

"You alright?"

"Yes sir," Ianto replied. "That feels good."

"Yeah?"

"Yup."

Jack chuckled, sliding his fingertips down Ianto's sides. It was the one spot the Welshman was extremely ticklish, and he struggled not to squirm. The fingers moved on, however, trailing down his legs as Jack changed positions on the bed.

When Jack's hands reached his calves he began pressing harder again, a groan escaping Ianto's mouth. He felt the captain's thumbs dig into the knots in his legs, loosening the tension Ianto had been carrying there.

"How did you get so good at this?" he asked, his voice muffled by the pillow.

"Years of practice," Jack replied. "Years and years of practice."

"Were you taught?"

"You could say that. No one actually sat me down to teach me the finer points of massage, but I picked up a lot over the years."

"Let me guess," Ianto said, "you had a boyfriend who was a masseuse."

"Close," the captain said, beginning to rub Ianto's feet. "Girlfriend's mother."

Ianto would have rolled his eyes if they weren't closed. "Why am I not surprised? And did your girlfriend know you were learning from her mother?"

"Of course!" Jack sounded offended. "We were all together."

Ianto's eyes opened. "You, your girlfriend, and her mother…"

"That's right."

"That's disgusting, sir."

"Not on that planet," Jack defended. "Not only was it not frowned upon, it was highly encouraged."

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Nope, honest. In their culture bloodlines were highly valued. It was quite common to see brothers in relationships with sisters, mothers with sons, and so on."

"Incestuous relationships," Ianto stated. "I'm sorry, sir, but that's just…"

"I know," Jack interrupted him, lying down and sliding an arm over his back, "you've said. Disgusting. But different cultures have different rules and mores."

Ianto slowly rolled onto his side, then onto his back. Jack's hand was now resting on his stomach. "And you don't think I should judge their culture based on my own."

Jack shrugged, propping himself up on his elbow as he stroked Ianto's stomach. "I always try not to. There are just too many people out there being judgmental. Everyone has a right to believe what they want to believe."

"I suppose so," Ianto agreed. He laced his fingers through Jack's. "Thank you for the massage. I think I might try to get some sleep."

Jack smiled before kissing him softly. "Alright."

Jack moved off the bed and began undressing while Ianto slid underneath the covers. When the captain was down to nothing but his underwear he headed into the bathroom, where Ianto could hear the water running.

The night hadn't been bad, up until they'd run into his family. In fact, dinner had been lovely and he'd surprised himself by truly enjoying the concert. Jack had been in his element, lost in the music, and Ianto had loved seeing him so relaxed. He only wished they had the opportunity to get away more often.

Looking down at his swollen stomach he frowned. They wouldn't be doing anything like this again for at least several months. Not until this baby was out and he could get back to being himself again. He probably would have saved himself a whole lot of discomfort and burden if he'd simply opted for the abortion. Unfortunately for him his conscience just wouldn't let him consider it.

Jack returned to the bedroom and smiled at him. "Ready for lights out?"

Ianto wrinkled his nose. "You sound like my mam."

Jack's smile got wider. "Mine too."

He flipped the light switch and climbed into the bed beside Ianto, tugging the covers up and over them both. He scooted closer until he could put his arm around Ianto once more.

"Comfy," he asked?

"Yes, Jack. Goodnight."

After a quick kiss, Jack replied, "Goodnight, Ianto."