The Sequel Chapter Two

Ianto eyed the skinny man before him, then smiled. "Pleased to meet you," he extended his hand.

Owen shook hands, smiling sheepishly at Jack. "Sorry about that."

"Did you want something?" asked Jack.

"Er, yeah."

"Well?"

"Oh. Phone call. Urgent."

Jack looked from Owen to Ianto. "Could you stay here with Mr…. I didn't get your name, by the way."

"Jones. Ianto Jones."

"Mr Jones until I get back, please Owen. He's looking for Torchwood Three."

Jack winked.

"Arh! How interesting."

Ianto smiled, watching Jack disappear through the secret door.

"How far below is it?"

"Four floors….shit! You tricked me!"

"Sorry." and he was.

"Jack's gonna be pissed."

"Jack?"

"Captain Jack Harkness."

"That was him?"

Owen nodded. "Yeah. The boss man. I thought you'd met him."

"We hadn't been introduced."

They stood there, Owen on one side of the counter and Ianto on the other, not saying a word, until Jack returned ten minutes later.

"You're still here?" Jack said to Ianto.

"Still looking for Torchwood Three." Ianto looked towards the door Jack just come back through.

"Er, he knows, Jack. Tricked me."

Ianto smirked.

"There's nothing here for you, Mr Jones."

"I need a job. Archives. Secretary. Tea Boy. Anything." Ianto turned sad eyes on Jack. "Please. Just give me a chance. You won't regret it. I make great coffee. I work hard…."

"Ianto….Mr Jones survived Canary Wharf," Jack told Owen.

"Shit! Really?"

"There is no position here for you, I'm sorry," Jack told him.

"I'll do anything. Just give me a chance."

Jack shook his head.

"I won't give up. I'll be back tomorrow and the next day." Ianto turned and put his hand on the door. "You can count on it." Then he was gone.

"We could use an archivist and I long for decent coffee." Owen told him.

"He's damaged, Owen." Jack shook his head. "Who knows what he saw….what he went through at Canary Wharf. I can't rink having someone like him working for Torchwood."

"Tosh was damaged. Hell, I was damaged. You sought us out. He's come direct to you." Owen looked at the door. "Go after him, Jack. Give the guy a break."

Jack sighed, rounded the counter and went through the door out onto the boardwalk.

Ianto was just reaching the steps leading up to the bars and cafés.

"Ianto!"

Ianto turned.

"Wait up." He joined Ianto on the steps. "Let's go grab a coffee and have a chat."

Ianto smiled.

"A chat mind you. I'm not promisin' anything."

"Okay." Agreed Ianto.

They walked up the steps together and Ianto stayed outside. Jack went into Starbucks. He ordered two coffees, taking them back outside to where Ianto was sitting.

"If I did employ you. If, mind….you would be doing menial jobs to start with; clearing up after us, making coffee, archives, general dogs body. Could you handle that?"

Ianto smiled. "Yes, I think I could."

"No field work. You direct us from the Hub. Our headquarters, okay?"

Ianto nodded. "Okay."

"Drink your coffee and I'll introduce you to the rest of the team."

Outwardly, Ianto looked happy. Inside, his stomach was in knots.