Chasing the Saturdays

A/N - Here's another one. Thanks so much for the reviews. Really wish I could somehow type these up in the car as I'm driving home. I listen to the music and these images come into my head. But then once I'm home or at work, I can't really get those same images.

You can hear the song here. (Insert the normal youtube address) /watch?v=pDxSVh-SGgk

I have done several post "Meat" stories because I hate the end of that episode. It's RTD trying to shove Gwen down our throats again and Jack acting like an ass. In so many other ways Ianto is shown to be a strong, capable man (ie surviving Canary Wharf and Lisa's second death), I hate how RTD portrays him as such a wimp when it comes to Jack.

3 - Denial

After her little tirade, Gwen stormed out of the Hub. A defeated Jack brushed past Ianto on the way into his office. Ianto ran his hand through his hair and sighed – no matter what happened in the hub, what mistakes were made, Gwen always got her way.

He turned to see Jack pulling up the CCTV footage of the Plass. Over Jack's shoulder, Ianto watched Gwen meet up with Rhys. Shifting his attention to Jack, he saw the intense gaze in the older man's eyes. He knew this would pass. He also knew that Jack would come to him that night. Ianto sighed. Why did he allow that? After going through so much, why did he allow this man to use him like that?

Making a decision he was sure most people in his situation wouldn't even think about, he entered the office.

"Good night, Jack." He waited a minute and when the Captain didn't even look in his direction he walked down the steps, grabbed his suit jacket and left the Hub.

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As he unlocked the door to his flat, Ianto marveled that he didn't seem to be upset at his decision. But then why should he be upset over losing something that never was. He shrugged to himself before dropping his keys on the table by the door and heading towards the bedroom to change.

Less than an hour later, Ianto was sat on his couch – a half eaten sandwich on the coffee table, a beer in his hand and a James Bond DVD playing on the television. For the first time in a very long time he was content.

His mobile vibrated on the side table and he paused the DVD, knowing without even looking at it who was calling.

"Jack." He answered putting the phone to his ear.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at home, where else would I be." He said calmly, taking a drink from the beer bottle.

"Here… I need you."

Ianto sighed audibly. "No you don't, Jack. Good night." He ended the call and turned off the phone.

Knowing Jack wouldn't consider the conversation over (not having gotten the final say); Ianto pressed play and took another drink. He hoped he'd get through the rest of the film before his doorbell rang.

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According to the clock on the microwave, it was nearly midnight. Ianto finished washing up his dishes from dinner and left them in the rack to dry overnight. He was deciding if he should just go to bed and risk the eventual sleep interruption. When the old grandfather clock in the hall struck, midnight, he decided it was worth the risk. He made sure to engage the chain lock on the door before heading to the bedroom.

He stood in front of his wardrobe in his pajama pants and t-shirt. After only a moment's hesitation, he grabbed an old duffle bag from under the bed and began packing up Jack's clothing. He went into the ensuite and packed the second toothbrush, razor and brush as well as Jack's shampoo and body wash.

As he zipped up the bag, he heard a bang come from the living room, followed by swearing. He smiled. It seems as though the captain had encountered the chain lock. Grabbing the duffel, Ianto walked calmly to the living room and to the front door.

"It's after midnight, Jack. What do you want?"

Jack tried to push the door open again, but it stopped as the chain engaged. "Ianto let me in."

Without hesitation, Ianto answered. "No."

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"I know you haven't heard it very often Jack, but No is the opposite of yes. Negative… deny… refusal."

Jack stepped away from the door, letting the chain relax. "If this is about what happened with Gwen…"

Knowing it was stupid to have a conversation through a crack in the doorway; Ianto unlatched the chain and opened the door. He stood in the doorway, making it obvious that he would not be inviting Jack inside.

"Okay, Jack, I'm going to lay it out for you. It's not about Gwen, directly. It's about you and it's about me. At one point, yeah, I wanted this. I wanted the release…. I wanted excitement… the sneaking around… all of it. It was a thrill. "

Jack grinned. "Yeah it is, isn't it?"

Ianto ignored him and continued. "After everything I've been through, I latched onto you because I knew I couldn't lose you… the man who can never die. But I don't need that anymore, Jack. I need… I don't know… maybe I need some normality."

Jack stood on the landing in silence. Ianto briefly stepped inside and grabbed the duffel and handed it to the older man.

"If I find anything else, I'll bring it to the Hub."

Jack found his voice. "But, I can be normal for you. We can do on that date…"

Ianto sighed. "No you can't Jack. We both know that. I'm not angry. I'm not even upset. I'm just refusing to be your 'go to boy' anymore. It's not fair to me. Good night Jack, I'll see you in the morning." He said before closing the door and engaging the chain once more.

~End~

A/N – Okay, not exactly what I first envisioned, but it works. I love Ianto standing up for himself and not taking crap from Jack. Also, I'm not a fan of stories where Ianto gets all weepy. He's a grown man who has been through a lot, I don't see him breaking down in tears… even over Jack Harkness.

Comments and reviews are awesome and make me want to write more!