When Jack's eyes opened the next morning he was surprised to find Ianto up and getting dressed. He smirked. That was unusual. Ianto was almost never awake before him.

"Good morning, sleepy head."

Jack's smirk stretched into a grin. "Good morning. You're awfully chipper this morning."

"Well, someone wore me out last night," Ianto replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed and dropping a quick kiss on his forehead. "I slept rather soundly."

"Oh yeah? Anyone I know?"

"Mmhmm." Ianto stood, crossing the room. "Now get up and showered, Jack. I want to take a walk around the gardens before breakfast."

Jack frowned as he looked down at the clock. "Ianto, it's not even six!"

"And?"

"And we're on vacation, Ianto! Come back to bed."

"Jack," his boyfriend – fiancé – said, drawing out the vowels in that delicious Welsh accent of his, "being on holiday is a chance to experience new things, not just to have a lie in. Now come on…out of bed."

Jack groaned, knowing he'd lost the fight, twisting around to kick his feet off the side of the bed. Padding over toward the en-suite he caught Ianto's smile out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but smile himself.

Later, as they strolled through the gardens, the sun was just peeking over the horizon. Jack wrapped an arm around Ianto, holding him close as the chill of the morning seeped in through his coat.

"This is beautiful, Ianto."

"I thought you might like it."

"I would have liked it after another hour in bed, as well." Jack chuckled as Ianto playfully shoved him away, and pulled the Welshman back into his side a moment later, kissing his cheek. "I'm just teasing you."

"Of course you are."

They were silent for a few minutes and then Jack couldn't help but sigh. "Do you think it's possible for a day to be more perfect?"

Ianto raised an eyebrow at him. "You must be forgetting our dinner plans."

Jack groaned for the second time that morning. "You had to remind me?"

Ianto shrugged. "Sorry, Jack."

"I really wish there were a way to get out of this."

"Not without hurting Gwen's feelings."

Jack stopped in his tracks, pulling Ianto to a stop beside him. It was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "You're telling me you're worried about Gwen's feelings?"

A smile tugged at Ianto's lips. "Well, not exactly worried." He blushed and Jack thought it was adorable. "I just don't see a reason to be rude when she's been somewhat reserved. Measured against her normal behavior, that is."

"Yeah, she hasn't been as pushy as usual. That probably means she's scheming."

"God help us."

They both laughed and continued their walk, heading inside and toward the dining room just before breakfast was to be served.

tw tw tw tw tw

Late morning and into the early afternoon found Jack and Ianto shopping in town. It wasn't normally something Jack liked to do, but he found that he was really enjoying just spending the day with Ianto. He didn't really mind the shopping part, and Ianto was enjoying himself.

"This is completely Tosh," he told Jack, wrapping a black scarf around his neck and then holding up two black gloves. "Do you think she'd like them?"

"I know she would," Jack replied, smiling at him. "You should get them. As a thank you for her help with setting all of this up."

Ianto frowned. "What about our wedding and island fund?"

Jack stepped closer, kissing the Welshman softly. "I don't think these will make a huge dent."

Ianto seemed to consider that for a moment and then smiled. "Alright."

A few minutes later, and with parcel in tow, they were on their way again. When they turned the corner and ran into Rhys and Gwen, Jack inwardly cursed. He plastered a smile on his face, however. Like Ianto had said, it didn't seem appropriate to be rude.

"Well then, that was a lucky break, wasn't it?" she asked them, eyes wide. "I suppose we can just make an early dinner of it."

"I was feeling a bit hungry," Rhys agreed, beaming. "What do you say?"

Jack looked at Ianto and Ianto looked at Jack. Both of them shrugged. "Sounds fine to me," Jack offered, turning back to the other couple. "Although I still feel that you don't owe me a birthday meal."

"Nonsense," Rhys replied. "And you should really try the pub we went to last night. Best chips in Wales, I can tell you that!"

The group made their way to the pub Rhys had mentioned, Jack holding Ianto's hand and squeezing it reassuringly. While Ianto had been quite calm about the whole Gwen situation, Jack knew that deep inside he was angry at the Welshwoman for impeding on their vacation. And if he were honest with himself, Jack was angry too. It didn't seem to matter that he hadn't talked to Gwen in months. She'd still managed to find a way to force her presence on them.

Jack had ignored her, not taking her calls, not answering her texts. And yet, here she was, four hours from home, in a castle that housed only two guest rooms, on the exact same weekend Ianto had booked for Jack's birthday. Even Jack was beginning to doubt that it was just a coincidence.

"Here we are," Rhys said, opening the door for them and ushering everyone ahead of him.

They settled into a booth, and much to Jack's displeasure he somehow ended up sitting next to Gwen, with Rhys and Ianto on the ends. He frowned when he felt Ianto sitting stiffly beside him.

"Want to switch?" he whispered to him, but Ianto just shook his head.

After a few minutes of perusing the menu they'd all made their choices and Jack said he'd go put in their orders. That brought on a scowl by Gwen who ushered Rhys out of the booth.

"Don't be silly, Jack," she said, shaking her head. "Dinner is on us, remember? Rhys, go on then."

"He can't possibly carry all the drinks by himself," Jack stated, indicating Ianto should shuffle out so he could get up. "I can help."

"Well Ianto can go, can't you Ianto?"

Ianto paused and looked from Gwen to Jack and back again. "She's right, Jack. I'm already up. I'll be right back."

Jack swallowed, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. He hadn't been alone with Gwen since he'd told her he was leaving cheer, and their proximity in the booth set him on edge. He could feel the tension between them and knew he'd be able to cut it with a knife.

"So, Jack," Gwen murmured, turning her head to look at him, "how are you? I mean really? How are you doing?"

"I'm good, Gwen. Thank you."

"It must be tough, yeah? Being cooped up in that little house with Ianto's family?"

He turned to face her. "Sorry?"

"You know…with all the problems they've been having."

"What do you know about Ianto's family?"

Gwen pursed her lips. "Oh, I know a lot, Jack. I do. I know that Ianto's sister's husband off and left her, baby in the womb and all. And I know Ianto has to work to take care of everyone, especially his mum."

Jack shook his head. "That's an awful lot of gossip. Ianto's family is wonderful."

"You're having me on."

"Gwen, did it occur to you that I made the choice to move into Ianto's house because I wanted to be there? Because I liked it there?"

"That may very well be, Jack, but it doesn't mean you have to stay. You don't owe them anything."

Jack opened his mouth to argue but closed it again, seeing Ianto and Rhys returning with their drinks.

"All ordered," Rhys advised, sliding back into the booth and pressing a kiss to the side of Gwen's head. "And what did you two get up to while we were gone, hmm? Any interesting conversation we missed?"

"Not at all, love," Gwen told him, smiling sweetly.

Jack narrowed his eyes, looking away from the two of them and seeing Ianto's eyebrow raised. He shook his head, indicating he'd talk to him about it later. He really didn't want to upset Ianto with Gwen's awful comments, but at the same time he couldn't keep them from him. There were no secrets between them.

Their meals were delivered to the table a while later, and conversation flowed relatively easily. They discussed school, Rhys's family, and then suddenly the topic turned to university.

"Did you decide where you wanted to go, Jack?" Rhys asked.

Jack swallowed his bite of steak down and then smiled. "Actually, I've decided not to go to university." There was a gasp from Gwen but he ignored it. "Not right now, anyway."

"But Jack, why?"

He turned to look at her, still smiling. "Well," he said, lifting Ianto's left hand from where it lay on Ianto's knee and showing them the ring, "because I've asked Ianto to marry me, and we're both going to be working full time to save money."

Gwen's fork fell to her plate and she blinked rapidly. "You can't be serious."

Ianto's hand closed around Jack's, squeezing tightly as he dropped them both beneath the table. "We're very serious, Gwen. I've said yes."

"But you're both too young!"

"Gwen, love…"

"No, Rhys! They've said their piece, and now I'm going to say mine!"

Jack sighed.

"Jack, you can't do this."

"Why not?" he asked her, not letting go of Ianto's hand. "Why can't I work instead of university and marry Ianto? Hmm? I'd love to hear your insight."

"Because it's ridiculous, it is! You've already given up cheer for Ianto, and don't think I haven't noticed you've been distancing yourself from me, too!" She looked indignant. "You've abandoned your own family and moved in with his. You're really going to throw your life away on a boy from the wrong side of town?"

"That's enough out of you, Gwen!"

Jack's eyes snapped to his fiancé. He wasn't sure he could remember him every looking so angry, unless maybe when it was directed at Johnny. Ianto's ears were red and his brows were furrowed, and Ianto had released Jack's hand in order to grip the table tightly with both of his own.

"Not bloody likely," Gwen sputtered.

"Oh yes, Gwen. I'm not going to sit here and have you insulting both Jack and myself while you pretend I'm not even at the table."

"Now calm down, Ianto," Rhys started, holding up a hand. "I don't think anyone needs to be making a scene…"

"If anyone's making a scene it's your girlfriend," Ianto growled. "Gwen, I'm going to tell you this once, and you'd better bloody well listen to me. I love Jack, and Jack loves me. He's not going to sneak off with you behind Rhys's back, even though that's what you'd love him to do."

"What!" cried Rhys.

"That's rubbish."

"No, Gwen, it's not, and you know it. Ever since we were kids all you've ever wanted to be was Jack's girlfriend. Do you really think I'm not clever enough to figure it out? Every step Jack's made towards me, you've clung a little bit tighter. Every smile he threw my direction, you scowled a little bit deeper. Well bloody well grow up, Gwen Cooper. Jack Harkness is in love with me, not you, and we're building a life together."

"You're a fool, Ianto Jones. Jack adores me."

"Gwen!" Rhys had stood up and was now staring at his girlfriend. "Don't you do this to me, Gwen. Don't you tell me you've been using me while fawning over Jack Bollocks!"

"Excuse me?" asked Jack.

"Rhys, sit down! I can explain."

"No, Gwen." Rhys shook his head. "No, I don't think I will." And with that he turned on his heel and left the pub.

"RHYS!" Gwen got out of the booth, starting to follow her boyfriend before spinning around and pointing a finger at Ianto. "You did this! How could you?"

"I think you'll find you did this to yourself," Jack corrected, slipping his arm around Ianto's shoulders. "And I also think you should leave. Ianto's right, Gwen. And so were you. I have been distancing myself. I'm done with your attitude and your behavior. Go to Rhys, Gwen. Go attempt to salvage your own relationship and stay the hell away from mine."

Gwen stood there for a moment with fury written all over her face. A moment later, she began to cry, turning away from them and hurrying away from the table and out the door of the pub.

Jack sighed deeply, hanging his head. He glanced up at Ianto and found him still watching the door. "Are you okay?"

Ianto sat rigidly for a second more and then relaxed into Jack's embrace, leaning his head on Jack's shoulder. "I'm sorry Jack. I shouldn't have started all of that here in the pub."

"Don't," Jack murmured, kissing his head. "It wasn't you who started it, it was me. But even before I mentioned the wedding Gwen was back to her old self. She was going on about us while you and Rhys were getting the drinks and putting in our order."

Ianto pulled back turning to face Jack. "What did she say?"

"Some very unsavory things about you, me, and our families."

Ianto frowned. "I had a feeling her happy relationship was just a front."

"I think it always was," Jack replied, smiling sadly. "Poor Rhys."

"Yeah."

"For what it's worth, Ianto, I'm proud of you."

"You are? For what, Jack?"

"For standing up for yourself, and for me." Jack leaned closer, eyes darkening. "It was pretty damned sexy."

Ianto snorted. "It was childish."

"No, it was incredible. You're incredible."

Ianto blushed and turned to look at the table. "I suppose we should pay Rhys back for our meals."

It was Jack's turn to snort. "You're joking, right? Let Rhys get the money back from Gwen."

"You think he would?"

"Maybe." Jack grinned, thinking about how amusing it would be to watch Rhys demand his money back. He gently pushed on Ianto's arm, indicating he should move out of the booth. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

~tbc~