Jack was stretched full length on the red leather sofa, of which he had become inordinately fond, reading through a file of reports that had been forwarded to him from his team in Cardiff. He was comfortably propped up with cushions and had one hand resting on his abdomen as he scrolled through the documents on his laptop. Ianto was working at his own desk updating the archives database based upon the information that Jack had supplied and messaging with Toshiko Sato in Cardiff as he quietly transferred copies of the data to Torchwood three's archive database also. Although he hadn't yet met Dr Sato face to face they had become quite good friends in cyberspace;

Tosh; how is Jack? Is he behaving himself?

I.J; at the moment, yes...but how do you cope with him shagging anyone was walks by? I'm afraid to walk into the office without knocking and what is it with that man and stationery cupboards? I've caught him at it twice today and it's not two o'clock yet!

Tosh; He is a bit more restrained on his home turf, Ianto

IJ; really?

Tosh: I shouldn't tell you this but...Jack always makes sure he is a bit more...Jack like when he has to be in London.

IJ; he puts it on? Why?

Tosh; c'mon, think it though. What does Jack think about Torchwood One?

IJ; he hates it and everything it stands for. So?

Tosh; who dictates what it stands for?

IJ; the director. Wait, are you saying he behaves like a slut just to annoy Yvonne Hartman?

Tosh; that's right. He says it's a win-win for him. He gets loads of great sex and pisses off prissy pants Hartman at the same time.

IJ; the man is a god to me!

Tosh; LoL. Gotta go, speak soon

Logging off from the conversation, Ianto surreptitiously raised his eyes and indulged himself, gazing at the Captain. Ianto had been working with him for a two weeks now and was becoming increasingly impressed with the man, he was articulate and intelligent and, despite his outrageous behaviour to everyone else, apart from that first day, he had not attempted to harass Ianto at all; a fact that Ianto was daily coming to regret. Now in the peaceful quiet of their office, with Jack's attention fully engaged on his laptop Ianto felt free to feast his eyes on what he had come to believe was the most gorgeous man he had ever met.

He is so very beautiful, mused Ianto as he ran his eyes over the oblivious Captain. Ianto could never look at Jack without wanting to tangle his fingers in his hair, it always looked so soft and Ianto wondered if it smelt as good as the rest of Jack did. Ianto didn't know how it was that Jack smelt so wonderful but his scent was intoxicating. Watching the man Ianto let his mind drift back to the first day in the office when Jack had made him lie down on the now ubiquitous red sofa with him. He remembered the weight and warmth of Jack's large tanned hand as it rested on his belly and the moist wash of Jack's breath on his neck. His eyes glazed over as he replayed and re-wrote the scene in his mind.

In his head, he didn't almost throw himself of the couch when Jack released him. Instead he turned to face the Captain and lost himself in those bright blue eyes. He allowed himself to be drawn closer to the man's heat and held tightly against the broad chest. He imagined himself running his hands down Jack's back to those pert buttocks and pulling his hips closer to allow their erections to brush against each other. He pictured himself leaning in to capture Jack's luscious mouth in a teasing, tantalising kiss which would leave the older man breathless and whispering his name.

'Ianto? Ianto'

Ianto dragged his mind out of his fantasy and back to reality, 'Sir?' Jack was looking at him with pleading puppy dog eyes, Ianto knew all too well what that look meant, he sighed, 'more coffee, Sir?'

'Please' smiled Jack, 'if it's no trouble.'

Ianto smiled back, 'none at all.'


As he was heading down the corridor to the small kitchen attached to their office suite, the lift doors slid open to allow the post boy to exit with the mail cart. As Ianto threw a smile and a wave at Eugene he was sure he caught sight of Lisa. Where is she going he wondered, she has no reason to be above the seventh floor.

Lisa was feeling uncharacteristically nervous. She had been so confident of success when she had first gone to see Yvonne Hartman but Ianto had been working with the weirdo freak for a fortnight now and not only had she only seen him about three or four times, he had been remarkably tight lipped about his new job and he had only allowed her to stay overnight with him once. She didn't really care if their relationship was ending but unless she found out something soon she didn't want to think how the Director would react.


Ianto carefully manoeuvred his way back into the office carrying a large tray full of coffee and the special almond and pistachio biscuits that Jack loved so much. Ianto had bought them in on their first day of working together and Jack had gone mad over them and begged Ianto to ensure that they always had some in the office. Ianto hadn't told Jack that the biscuits were not store bought so now he baked a fresh batch each night to take in for the Captain's pleasure every morning; he wasn't sure what that said about him. With their mail tucked under his arm he was unable to knock as he usually did. Ianto had quickly learned that giving Jack warning that he was about to re-enter their office was essential if he didn't want to have to repress too many mental pictures of bare flesh, groping, grasping fingers and spurting ejaculate. It was a lesson he seemed to be about to learn again. Ianto stood, shocked in the doorway as he took in the image of his boss in what seemed to be a passionate embrace with Ellie, the very young girl who worked at the local deli and sandwich shop and delivered their lunch every day. Ellie looked round and caught sight of Ianto, she waved

'Hi Ianto '

Ianto swallowed heavily, 'Ellie'

The young girl leant in for another huge hug and planted an enthusiastic kiss on Jack's cheek, 'Thank you so much, Jack' she said, 'I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me.'

Jack smiled, 'Ellie, it was my pleasure. I'll be in touch, yeah?'

'I'll look forward to it, oh Jack I do love you!'

'Love you too baby – go be brilliant'

'Byeee.' Ellie laughed and almost danced her way out of the office.

Ianto walked in stiffly and out the tray down on the table nearest to where Jack had settled himself back down on the couch, 'Your coffee, Sir' He picked up his own mug and began to move back towards his desk.

Jack frowned, 'Ianto? Not joining me?'

Ianto shook his head, 'work to do, Sir'

'Yan? Have I upset you in some way? Are you mad at me for some reason?'

Ianto could not contain himself, he told himself it was because he was genuinely concerned for Ellie, not jealous that she had captured Jack's attention somehow; but nonetheless his temper flared, 'Jesus Jack! What the hell did I just walk in on? I mean, Ellie? She's young enough to be your daughter! God I've seen enough in the last two week to realise that the rumours about you don't even come close but...Ellie? She's barely 17!'

Jack looked stunned, 'What?'

Ianto turned to face him, 'There are over 850 people employed in this building, any one of them would be happy to be shagged by you, why did you have to pick on an innocent child.'

'That's what you think I was doing?'

'Isn't it?'

'It's none of your business. What do you care anyway? You made it crystal clear that you aren't interested in anything I have to offer you!'

'What?' Ianto couldn't believe that Jack was making this about him, 'This is nothing to do with how I might or might not feel about you! I care because I care about Ellie'

Jack snorted in disbelief and fished his mobile out of his pocket; he dialled a number, holding one finger up in the air to indicate to Ianto he should wait a minute. Jack grimaced at Ianto as the phone was answered, 'Ellie? Hi, Jack, listen could you do me a favour and reassure my over protective PA that I don't have designs on your virtue?' Ianto could hear Ellie's indignant squawk across the office as a smug looking Jack held the phone out to him. Reluctantly Ianto took the phone.

'Ellie?'

Ellie sounded so furious she could hardly speak, 'Ianto, you dipstick! You thought Jack was trying it on with me?'

Ianto tried hard to maintain a dignified expression as Jack was watching him intently from across the room, 'Well,' he said uncomfortably, 'there was kissing...and hugging...and you said, erm...' he tailed off

Ellie gave an irritated sigh, 'Jack had just offered me a scholarship to fund my degree studies for the next three years with an option to extend the funding to cover my Masters study if I want. My mum and dad work really hard, Ianto but with the new university fees system there's no way they could support my degree studies. I want to study computer science, specialising in programming, I'm good, you know, really good. I helped Jack with a hacking programme he needed and ended up telling him about my dreams. Jack said he'd help and he absolutely has, he set it up so the scholarship comes from the University and my parents will never know how much help we have received or who from. My Dad is a proud man who wouldn't accept what he would see as charity. Captain Harkness is a wonderful, munificent man and his generosity has made a complete difference to my life. He has never, never behaved inappropriately to me and don't you dare give him a hard time.'

Chastened, Ianto hung up the phone and held it out to Jack, 'I'm sorry' he said

Jack walked up to him and took the phone, the hurt in his eyes hit Ianto like a slap. 'Don't apologise' he said bitterly, 'I know you think I'm a slut so I guess it was a natural conclusion to jump to.'

Ianto reddened, 'I don't think you are a slut,' he said firmly, 'I was talking to Tosh earlier, she told me why you behave the way you do around here.' He tried a small grin, 'pissing off Hartman like that, I think it's brilliant' he took a risk and grabbed hold of Jack's hand, 'I think you're brilliant' he said softly looking into Jack's eyes.

A tiny smile hovered at the edge of Jack's luscious mouth, 'yeah?'

Ianto edged a little closer, 'yeah'

Jack's mouth was millimetres from Ianto's 'yeah?'

Ianto closed the gap, 'yeah'


Lisa was sitting uncomfortably on the edge of her seat whilst Yvonne Hartman prowled the room behind her.

'So despite all your confidence, all the promises you made at our last meeting you have NOTHING for me?'

Lisa swallowed, 'Director, It's only been two weeks and the Captain has been working Ianto very hard, I've hardly seen him.'

'Are you still sleeping with him?'

Lisa blushed, 'pretty much, when I do see him we fuck, I don't stay over as much as I used to but...'

The Director tutted with impatience, 'I'm not interested in your failing sex life Ms Hallett. When I asked if you are sleeping with Jones I meant it literally'

'Oh, well..yeah. After we've...after...we tend to nap for a while'

Yvonne smiled; 'excellent' she walked over to the original Picasso that hung on the wall behind her desk and moved it to reveal a wall safe and spun the dial. She opened the safe and rummaged around inside. 'Ah ha' she turned triumphantly, 'this is what we need'. She held out her hand to show Lisa a small purple oval crystal.'

'What is that?' asked Lisa curiously

'It's a Ciccardian memory scoop,' The Director dropped the surprisingly heavy stone into Lisa's out-stretched hand, 'You place this on Jones's forehead when he's sleeping and it will download the last 24 hours worth of his memories and experiences. It will change colour from purple to green when the download is complete and then all you need to do is place it anywhere on your laptop and it will dump the memories onto your hard drive for you to send on to me. When the dump is finished the crystal will turn purple again and be ready for you to use it next time.'

Lisa frowned, 'the way things are between Ianto and I at the moment, I'll probably only get the chance to use it once or twice a week.'

Hartman raised an eyebrow, 'That doesn't matter, he's working for Harkness, sooner or later you will pick up something we can use against him and the beauty of this is that Jones won't even know that he is betraying his Captain.'

The two women smiled at each other.