So a dinner date and where to they go from here? Thanks for all the reviews; they've really cheered me up.

Mirror Image – Chapter 5

Jack couldn't keep his eyes off Ianto in that suit. So many memories crashed into his mind; Ianto in the suit, Jack slowly removing it, item by item, until he was left with just the tie and a smile. Ianto stood leaning back on Jack's desk shirt open, chest exposed with Jack grabbing at his belt, slowly undoing it and the zip below or Ianto leant face forward over his desk as Jack slowly pulled down those oh so well fitting trousers to reveal that perfect arse.

'Shit Harkness pull yourself together or you're going to have to use the menu to hide your interest. So have you decided what you're going to have,' Jack asked. 'And don't worry about how much it's going to cost.'

Ianto made his choice and Jack spoke to the waiter. Their food would not be long so the waiter suggested that they move to their table on the terrace.

'Are you ready Ianto?' Jack asked.

'Yes please. The view from the terrace must be brilliant on a day like today.'

'I don't think you'll be disappointed,' Jack replied.

Ianto turned on that smile that Jack loved so much as he said, 'well I haven't been disappointed so far.'

Jack grinned. 'Oh Ianto Jones if this evening goes right I have so many plans for you and that tie,' he thought.

Their table did indeed provide a beautiful view. Jack ordered champagne, the good stuff. Ianto couldn't believe that anyone would spend more than £50 on a bottle of wine but he was going to enjoy it.

'So Ianto tell me about those kids of yours; they must be such a joy.'

'You don't have any of your own then Jack; never been married?' The way Ianto looked at him, head slightly turned to one side, Jack knew he was really interested in his answer.

'I was married Ianto, a long while ago but she died. I didn't handle it very well and her family took our daughter, Alice; I don't see her now. God Ianto, you must be feeling that I'm jinxed with all these things that have happened to those I've loved.'

'Well being around you appears to be rather dangerous. I simply have to work out whether it's worth putting myself in such danger; would it be worth it Jack?' The look between them lasted what seemed like hours to Ianto. Had he gone too far? At that moment there was no-one else in the world, in their world. Jack reached out his hand and put it over Ianto's. He was about to speak when the waiter brought their food and the moment was lost. Jack withdrew his hand and for a while they sat in silence, just eating the food in front of them. Ianto spoke first.

'This is lovely Jack. Its ages since I've had a meal out and I don't think I've ever eaten anything as good as this, even at my own wedding.'

'I want you to enjoy it Ianto. I want you to enjoy yourself and you didn't answer my question.'

'Which one?' Ianto asked, raising his eyebrows, another gesture Jack was oh so familiar with. All Ianto needed to do now was roll his eyes.

'I meant the one about your kids,' Jack replied as the waitress cleared the plates. Ianto sipped some more champagne; somehow they'd got through a bottle already. Jack asked for another.

'My kids are great. When Lisa got pregnant I was only 22. We got married in a bit of a whirlwind. Lisa's Dad had cancer and wanted to be alive to give her away, so we agreed. We were probably too young. And then she got pregnant. So by 23 I was married and the father of two. It was a bit of a shock I can tell you. But they're wonderful kids and I wouldn't be without them for the world.'

'Do you get to see them a lot, even though you're separated?' Jack asked.

'Yeah with Lisa working, I often have them for tea with me, from nursery. Carys is the older by thirty minutes and she's a natural born leader. She is into everything and her favourite word is why. She wants to know about everything and why anything happens. She always seems to understand if you're trying to fob her off with nonsense. She can read already and devours books. Euan is a bit quieter, probably overwhelmed by Carys. He'll do better when he's in school as he does tend to allow her to dominate things. I always feel that he's taking things in on his own terms. He's always watching what's going on. He loves hearing stories and he always knows if you've missed something out in the story. With him you never cut the Gruffalo. Lisa is a brilliant mother. I hope we can work through things. She's got the house. I've moved out into a flat for a while until everything is sorted. Lisa is better paid than me so, thankfully, we've got no financial issues now.'

'So what happened then? Why did you split?

The main courses arrived. Ianto groaned when he put the first mouthful on his tongue.

'Is it okay?' Jack asked.

'I swear this steak is melting in my mouth,' Ianto replied.

'So, you and Lisa?' Jack continued.

'Yeah, well, having the twins had put a strain on us. We were tired and busy. We both worked and then I got a promotion. The school was due to be inspected and the history department needed work, so I worked. Lisa resented the amount of time I spent and felt neglected and well the inevitable happened. I was too tired to pay her much attention and she found someone who could. He's one of the executives at the car firm. She told me six months ago that we were finished. I said I'd change but I didn't mean it really. I love her still but not enough to fight for her. I suppose that says it all. I just want to make sure that I keep my kids.'

'It's one of my regrets that I wasn't there to see Alice grow up.' Jack looked over the Bay. 'Wow that's some sunset.' They both looked at the last rays of the sun glinting off the water.

'Do you want a dessert?' Jack asked.

'No thanks,' Ianto replied, 'but I'd love a coffee if you think its good enough here.'

'Oh it's good I promise,' Jack replied. The coffee came and they drank it slowly. There was a huge question hanging in the air between them – where did they go from here? It was after ten by the time they'd finished and Jack had settled the bill. Ianto took the plunge.

'So what are the rooms like here then? I bet they're swish.'

Jack thought that Ianto was being pretty brave to put himself on the line like that.

'Well we could go to my room for a nightcap if you want,' he replied, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice.

'I think I'd like that,' Ianto said. Despite his calm exterior he was shaking inside. This was a big step he was about to take and he had no idea what might happen, but he wasn't stupid; they both knew what was on offer here.

In the lift going up to Jack's room they were silent. Ianto had felt a bit wobbly after all the champagne and he leaned on the wall to steady himself. As the lift came to a halt it jerked and Ianto fell slightly against Jack, who held him for a moment. It was all Jack could do to stop himself kissing Ianto then; he knew he had to play this right. He didn't want to scare Ianto away. He felt how nervous the younger man was, although he was trying not to show it. He'd let Ianto decide the pace and do whatever he was comfortable with.

At the door Jack swiped his card through the lock and turned on the lights, only to dim them again. He heard Ianto gasp. On one side of the room there was a white sofa occupying one corner. There was a desk as well in another corner; Ianto could see Jack's laptop sat there. On the other side was an enormous kingside bed, with white bedding and a huge mink coloured fur throw. The windows went from floor to ceiling and Ianto could see the lights flashing out in the Bay. It was gorgeous. He swallowed and steadied himself.

'Sit down and I'll get us a drink: brandy?' Jack asked.

'Yes please, that'll be great.' He was really too nervous to care at this point.

Ianto sat on the sofa, giving Jack the opportunity to sit next to him. When he returned with the drinks Jack set them down on the table and sat. He put his hand on Ianto's arm and stroked gently. Ianto picked up his glass and gulped his drink; the liquid warmed his throat. He returned his glass to the table. Jack's fingers had now reached Ianto's neck. He moved closer. Ianto breathed in that delicious aroma. God Jack was intoxicating. No aftershave smelt like that Ianto was sure; it was about the only thing Ianto was sure about. As Jack leaned in towards him, Ianto shut his eyes. He felt Jack's lips touch his own. He felt Jack's other hand go around his waist. He felt those arms pulling him into the kiss. At first Ianto was passive but as the kiss continued he relaxed into it and suddenly he found himself responding with a passion he forgotten he had. He parted his lips to let in Jack's tongue, which was now running across his teeth. He had no idea how he was breathing. He knew he must be. He felt so alive; he couldn't ever remember ever feeling so alive. His body was responding in all sorts of ways beyond his control. His tongue met Jack's and lightening struck. Now he realised that his own hands were probing under Jack's waistcoat. His fingers were running across Jack's back. He could feel the strength underneath.

His mind wandered; he wondered how it would feel to be lying next to Jack, skin to skin; having Jack kissing and caressing him. He wondered about touching Jack, tasting Jack, Jack pushing him onto the bed, having Jack pushing inside him. 'Shit!' he thought. He broke the kiss abruptly and pulled away. He got up from the sofa. Jack looked confused. Ianto just mumbled, 'I'm sorry,' as he stumbled to the door.

He didn't stop moving until he was outside the hotel and sat on a bench in the Plas, overlooking the Bay. There were tears in his eyes and his body was still trembling. He put his head in his hands and cried, because he didn't know what else to do.