6

"But you said…"

"I know but this is important!" Ifan cut his son off like he usually did "this is good exposure for the new album."

"New… what new album?" Ianto spluttered.

"I told you… a Christmas one!"

"But you said we were reusing old music, I was just going got rehash some songs to a more … Christmasy sort of feel. A new album… they will expect some new music and I am not ready to share anything. Jesus Da… you are trying to force me to play that new song, aren't you!" Ianto glared "We had an agreement. I get to choose when to share!"

"Don't' be a child" Ifan scoffed.

Ianto settled back as he knew the veiled threat there. Da usually said that when Mica was about to be dangled.

"It's Conan" Jack interrupted "He's nice. How about… how about you ask for the questions ahead, so you can work out your answers. Your Da will help… he will know how to word things right? Then… play something old. A classic favourite you've not played for ages. Surprise them. Instead of a new album, you can get more sales on one of the early ones they forgot about. Come on… you like Conan."

Ianto looked at the piece of paper and sighed, nodding "I know. If he keeps to the questions and we veto any that are too short and curly… I guess… there is a coupe of old ones I have rewritten and never played with the new version for anyone… I guess."

"And it's a night in New York. You like that… we can take the private jet, get a nice suite… you can go shopping in the morning for some Christmas things for the kids that we will never see here… then home again. Then locked away like hermit with your music until New Year." Jack poked at him and Ianto smiled softly, giving in as he nodded his smile widening as he looked up at Jack.

"You will come right?" he asked softly "Keep me safe? They have guns over there!"

"Of course. I know you hate flying and I know you will want tight security. I will handle everything. Don't worry. Me and your Da have this. You just focus on the song. When the questions arrive your Da can look at them and decide what is best for answers so you don't even have to worry about that."

Ianto relaxed as he saw something in Jack's face that told him there was an explanation for this, nodding again as he rose "I need to pee. Then… yeah. I think I know the song I wanna play."

As Ianto moved off Ifan reached out to seize Jack's arm "Thanks."

"Hey, I know you want the best for him, and I have seen how he digs his heels in like a child. You're right, as always. This coverage is good, and it means he can do this and then hide. You get those arseholes off your back that are carrying on about wanting a piece of him. You are looking out for him, even if he doesn't see it sometimes. I do." Jack lied, nodding to others before walking confidently away, the seething under his skin.

He headed off to do his own thinking.

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"Anything else?" Toshiko asked as she scribbled in her pad.

Jack was sitting with her in a crowded café in town, his afternoon off while Ianto prepared as he would accompany him this evening on the plane to New York tonight for tomorrow night's interview. He tapped his fingers on the table and said "Just those. Anything else you think you can do or get under the radar… would be nice but those are what is life and death right now."

"OK Boss" she flipped her pad closed and settled back to talk about Owen and his stupid campaign with a badger in the back garden.

Two friends breaking bread.

And scheming how to bring down an empire.

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.

Ianto was nervous on the jet, fiddling with his jacket zipper.

"Son, cut that out before you break the fucking thing. The press would love to see you with a broken zip. I can see the headlines now 'too broke for new clothes' or some shit" Ifan huffed.

Ianto's hand stilled, then dropped the jacket's zip. Ianto rose to his feet and removed the jacket to hand to his father "Best you look after it then, if it is so important to you."

"Ianto! Don't test me!" Ifan growled.

"Test you? Test you? Da… you are the one needling me. ME. I just want to sit in silence and go over my notes in my head" Ianto threw himself back in the chair then added in a sullen voice "Or I might cancel. If it's such a bad idea."

Once the lane had landed and they were on the tarmac Ianto shivered and Jack realized he didn't have the bloody jacket. For fucksake. Jack shrugged off his Great Coat and fling it around Ianto's shoulders without even thinking about it, Ianto's arms soon sliding in to own the garment.

They were the same height, Jack's shoulders a little boarder. IT fit him.

And as he walked he seemed more confident, his back straighter. He breathed in the coat and the man who had always worn it and felt… invincible.

Bring it on bitches!

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LOKI wanted to add his thoughts on the chapter, so… some Black Cat Samba…

Qaaaa `Q

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