1

Ianto was singing deeply, his voice reverberating around the church as everyone sat engrossed in his wonderful rendition of 'Halleluiah" for the congregation. Once finished, he did not bow or take time with the rest of the choir who had stopped part way through to listen with amazement, preferring to race for the seat waiting for him with a red face, hating the clapping and cheering.

His husband was waiting for him and moved slightly to whisper that he had enjoyed that, making Ianto feel a little better. Ianto smiled softly and then watched the rest of the god awful Sunday Service with what he hoped was a positive expression.

Then it was over, he had survived without being struck by lightning again. Whew.

"Captain Harkness!" a shrill voice called out and Ianto's husband made a small noise of alarm as he turned to find the mayor's wife storming across the car park and Ianto gratefully took off to leave his poor mate to the chopping block.

In the six months since they had moved here, Ianto was still a little uncomfortable with the locals. And they were still coming to terms with the fact that their new chief of police had brought a husband with him.

At least Ianto was not effeminate, it could have been worse and he was surprised to find himself literally camping it up now and then just to upset those whispering cows behind the corner store shelves. He had no idea he could be so fucking childish but there ya go. New home, new life. Jack had no one else to blame for Ianto's discomfort but himself.

He had accepted this post without even thinking about Ianto. Ianto was still passively aggressively punishing him for it as the 'come with me or stay behind' ultimatum had hurt deeply and the move here had been in mostly silence. Jack had tried to make it abut Ianto after the fact, pointing out the country air was better for his cancer treatment, right?

The Prostate Cancer Ianto has been battling was not something he liked to talk about, let alone have it used as a weapon. After all, Jack had not touched him in an intimate ways since the diagnosis and Ianto had hoped this move might change things but…. Still.

Chaste bed mates.

In a way Jack was right about the country air. Ianto was enjoying the trekking on a good day when the cancer meds were not knocking him about, the little goat trails and wilderness trails, creek beds and such that he could spend an entire day wandering on and taking photos for painting projects come the winter.

He only needed to go once a month for a check up and refill of his pills… he self medicated and so far the mass did seem to be in check. But the stress of this surely, was not positive?

Arsehole.

Six months on, Jack was trying to make amends now he understood the problem he had placed them in, one he was unable extricate them from as he had signed a five year contract with the village.

Dickhead.

Ianto slowly started to tune into the conversation and held back a groan as he realized it was the upcoming school fete that was the topic of discussion and their lovely new…. Handsome as fuck… police captain was being asked to be one of the judges for the day.

Fuck.

Now Ianto was forced to smile as Jack swung to include him in the conversation, as Ianto knew he would the fucker, and add calmly "and Ianto here would love to help out in any way needed. His is … sorry… was a bit of an events planner with his huge extended family back in the big smoke ya know, knows more about bouncy castles than most kids."

If looks could kill Jack would be a fucking crime scene.

"Of course, I would love to give a hand too…" he said with why he hoped was not too much venom in his look at his husband.

"LOVELY" she squealed as she interrupted him, one of his pet peeves of being interrupted was clearly this woman's preferred method of communication and she went on to say "The committee meets every Thursday night at the rectory to discuss plans. You would be most welcome, after all most of us still haven't even really met you. So shy."

"Yes" Jack smiled at her as he drew Ianto in and ignored the sharp pinch to his hip as Ianto retaliated "Ianto is… shy."

Jack knew that this would be another silent glare kinda night now.

But damn… he loved it here and was sure Ianto would warm up eventually.

Who knew Ianto hated the countryside this much.

.

.

"So, did they give you your own clipboard?" Owen Harper, MD and general fucker, asked.

"No, they probably don't have a bright pink one covered in glitter for me, will have to order one in" came the tepid reply and Owen giggled to himself as Toshiko gave her husband the look of death. Unlike Jack, Owen did not care about these heart killing glances. He knew she would never throttle him… he has tested her expensively on this.

"Come on, it's not that bad" Toshiko said, and then grimaced as she was forced to agree that she was still a little angry with Owen about their own move there a year ago. Owen ... Mister 'I Hate Grass' had found this job too easy and comfortable to pass up. Ianto knew full well that is why they are here in this little fucking cow shit of a village. Could be worse, Midwich was a half hour drive and felt… creepy. OK… creepier.

Owen and Jack were besties… gods only knows why… and when Owen took up the doctor's position here it was only a matter of time before Jack's withdrawal symptoms would catch up with them. Hearing the Chief of Police was open and knowing he could ask for a post anywhere with his Prime-ministerial awards, Jack had leapt in with both feet and a wailing partner.

"No it's not that bad. I am sure Hell will be a bit hotter. I consider this good training since each Sunday I have to endure the reality that we are going straight there when we die!" Ianto replied and Owen sniggered into his drink some more, perking up as Jack appeared from the bathroom to sit and pick up his own up drink, reaching the other hand to take Ianto's free hand but finding an empty spot on the table all of a sudden.

"You still hot about the fete committee? Come on Tiger, they are trying, least you can do is try too" Jack said and Ianto's head swivelled like something from a horror movie to glare lasers of death at him as Owen now started to laugh in earnest.

"Damn, I love you guys" he finally said as he rose "Where are the chockie bickies love?"

"The red tin dork breath"

Toshiko reached out to pat Ianto's' hand gently and smile as she whispered "Illegal to murder them."

Ianto rolled his eyes and finally smiled back weakly at his own best friend. After all, it was her who convinced him to go on the blind date with her husband's best friend, and got him into this mess.

So messy.

Love.

Hate.

Yeah.

Murder is illegal still.

"Did you hear Ianto sing this morning? Gods, I am still all aquiver. I am so lucky" Jack gushed happily and Ianto felt a thaw in his nether regions.

Slightly.

OK.

Might not kill him after all.

Just yet.