3

"OH! How did things go at home after the play date ... he had quite a bit of sugar" Gwen smiled as she settled at the meeting table and Ianto looked around the table with that coy blink he has.

"Come on Tea Boy … was he bouncing off the walls all night?" Owen asked.

"No, he was fine. A nice hot bath before bedtime and Jack read him a bedtime story over the phone. Well... I think he did, I couldn't hear what he was telling him" Ianto shrugged.

"So?" Gwen leaned in close, "No closer to something solid there?"

"Solid?" Jack said as he wafted into the room, "A lead in the Gesul Case?"

"No. Gwen is referring to our relationship" Ianto replied calmly and Jack stalled, looking at them both. Ianto rolled his eyes, "As is you and me sir. Not me and Gwen. A healthy comradery there only with her. I am a one person kinda guy."

"Yeah" Jack looked uncomfortable for a second and Gwen leaned back as she pondered this strange conversation. Was this the hold up? Fidelity?

"Jack, speaking of that case. The bartender was well fit" she decided to test the waters and felt Ianto stiffen next to her. Ha. Guessed right.

"I guess, if you like the tattooed skinny man look" Jack shrugged easily as he settled into his own chair, "But … I like mine in a suit these days."

"Oh come on" she decided to push as Ianto went stock still, "You still have your bed warmers right?"

Jack looked up with annoyance then suddenly his face changed as he realised what she was doing and he smiled softly, "I have not been with anyone else since I got back from my time with the Doctor. I might flirt, can't help playing a bit but … no. I have not dipped my wick as Owen likes to put it in anyone else. No. I want this to work with Ianto but I do appreciate your sisterly protection there. Don't worry Gwen … he rings all my bells OK?"

She nodded and glanced over at the man who was suddenly very pale as he moved his files about he didn't even need. Then Ianto said softly, "I thought … that blonde Bobby the other day with those legs…er…"

"Really?" Jack canted his head, "You interested there, Tiger? I didn't know you were…well … still looking."

Ianto looked up and saw the playful smile on Jack's face. "Tease!"

"Says the one who still doesn't let me stay overnight" Jack snorted.

"It confuses him, one day you are there then the next you are not. I would like consistency" Ianto said as he looked at the files again.

"So … Jack should just move in then. There all the time for Max" Gwen said with triumph, "Big of you to say so Ianto."

"I thought I was not invited!"

"I never said you couldn't. I might like that, how do you know I don't want that? Max wants that, I would love to wake up with you but you keep your bloody socks on for a quick getaway and…and….shit." Ianto blinked as he ran out of steam and they all looked at him. He then snapped his pencil and squeaked as he held it up with surprise.

"You know … I like the new Tea Boy, much better than the last one even if you went for the same model. Tell me again how you managed to break him and get a replica with a personality?" Owen asked as he fiddled with a pen shaped like a toilet, "I really like this Ianto. The old Ianto was boring and a bit stuck up. This one is funny. You have to stop breaking things and replacing them with shiny new ones though, the photocopier had my test results still in it when you threw it away."

"Yes, thanks Owen" Jack cleared his throat and motioned for the meeting to start but he kept glancing over at the nervous man who was now beetroot red as Owen silently slid another pen over to him. Unicorn one with glitter in it, Ianto accepting it to start notes.

After the meeting Jack stayed in his seat watching Ianto gather up the files, "Ianto? Would you like me to? I mean… I could stay tonight and see if he is OK finding me there in the morning, right? If he is confused or upset we can say it was a sleepover and no harm done but …"

"But….er…if he's OK…ah…yes. Yes. I would like that" Ianto looked directly into his eyes, "Jack."

Jack watched him bluster off and rose, heading out to find Gwen at the SUV loading a containment box as she argued with Owen about the best route to take for a bit of rift debris.

"Thanks" Jack said without preamble, "Both of you. Thanks for the push. I didn't want it to sound like I was asking. He hates that. I … thanks."

"He never did a housewarming ya know, when you are settled…party?" Owen asked as he leaned into the SUV from the other side.

"If and when it's my home too" Jack promised with delight.

Gwen patted his arm and clambered into the SUV to drive as Owen howled with annoyance, finally realising she had tricked him.

Jack watched them roar off and then walked back in to find Ianto.

He wanted a cuddle.