Author's Note: A little something for Harri-Sal - just to raise a smile.


An Unacceptable Risk?

"You know this isn't fair, Jack!" Ianto leaned back in his chair, his usually urbane and handsome features marred by a petulant scowl. "I don't remember reading anything about this in our contracts!"

"Yeah," added Owen with a curt nod, his own face frowning in displeasure. "I'm pretty sure I'd have noticed if this had been written into the small print."

Jack's eyebrows raised in clear disbelief. "You read the contract?"

Owen looked sideways to Tosh and Gwen for support but their eyes slid away from his, their expressions apologetic.

Owen coloured. "Yes, well, alright, point taken. But still, I can't see what harm it would do? After all it is ours!"

This time Tosh and Gwen echoed his sentiment unhesitatingly and turned accusing eyes to Jack occupying the chair at the opposite end of the conference room table.

"It would be peculiar if we didn't, Jack," Tosh reasoned. "It could cause unwelcome publicity, even start a manhunt. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened."

"That's true," Ianto interjected, his tone now much more calm and measured. It probably wasn't going to help their cause if he acted like a five year old having a temper tantrum...even if he did feel entitled right now. To be fair, this was something Jack had never had to worry about before, it was unlikely that any other of his teams had ever faced this particular challenge. Ianto knew for a certainty that nothing was explicitly written into their contracts. Even Torchwood One who had usually thought of everything had not considered this eventuality. No doubt Jack was considering the consequences. You heard stories, even Jack, in his little bubble couldn't fail to be aware of the impact something like this could have, but Ianto feared Jack was underestimating them.

"It's not going to change anything," Gwen said quietly, echoing Ianto's thoughts. "You know us better than that. But we're entitled to the chance."

Jack sighed, his gaze moving from one team member to the next, reading the hope buried far back in their eyes; hope that for once, fate would deal them a good hand. Gwen was right, they deserved it, dear God he knew that. But as for not making a difference, he'd been alive long enough to know that Gwen was fooling herself. One little nudge was all it took, and this was a pretty big nudge. Owen would be first, then Gwen herself, though she'd argue she had no choice, and he wouldn't have the heart to deny Tosh. His eyes rested on the last member of his team, the young Welshman sat back in his chair trying to read Jack's face, his expression contemplative. He didn't know what Ianto would do. He'd like to believe that Ianto would carry on as before, he wanted to believe that the bond between them was strong enough to survive this, but...

Ianto's not something I'm prepared to risk.

He pushed his chair back, rising to his feet and sweeping up the small rectangle of paper from the centre of the table before anyone else could move. His expression was apologetic but resolute.

"I'm sorry, it's too much of a risk. It will invite comment, media attention. I'll make sure that each of you receive a modest share but the majority will be redirected to a worthy cause." As he spoke he pocketed the winning lottery ticket thrusting it deep down into the soft folds of the heavy material of his greatcoat and swept from the conference room ignoring the clamour of angry voices behind him.

Fifty thousand apiece should do nicely; just enough to make life a little easier without inviting comment, and not enough to spark any life changing career choices. He was pretty sure the local children's hospice could make use of the remaining £86 million...