Chapter 6

Sherlock flooped down on the sofa with a dramatic sigh. "Excellent dinner, John," he muttered as he closed his eyes. It had been a long day, but most of the walls had been reconstructed, which meant that he now had a fairly exact image of four of the missing stones. He toyed with them in his mind, trying to find the common factor.
Ianto glanced at him before getting to his feet and picking up his and Jack's plates. "Let me help you with these, John," he said.

John gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, that's very kind." He took the other plates and followed him to the kitchen, while Jack used the free room on the table to start setting up the portable monitor.

Ianto cleared his throat nervously as he filled the sink with water. "I... I'm sorry for my little disappearing act today," he said. "You know... with Ms Hooper."

John chuckled. "No problem. You didn't miss much, just a frustrated Sherlock when the sound experiments didn't work out. Jack wasn't too much fun to have around though," he grinned.

Ianto nodded. "So I gathered. I wonder what was bothering him..." He looked down, trying to hide a pleased grin.

John smirked. "It was a good thing for Molly as well. She could use some self-confidence," he said while he took a cloth.

"She's a sweet girl."

"Did, uhm, things change between you two?" John asked tentatively, moving his head in Jack's direction.

Ianto sighed. "Not really. Things are what they are. Which is... fine."

John nodded. "I was just wondering because he got so... worked up." He took one of the plates from Ianto to dry it.

Ianto shrugged and smiled a little. "That was unexpected."

John smiled. "Well, if I have to believe Sherlock, it's nice to know and take advantage."

Ianto blinked and paused. Then he grinned. "Yes, I see... But it wouldn't be fair, would it? To Ms Hooper I mean."

"That's true, but you know, there's always Sherlock and me. I mean, not for anything serious, but some flirting to tease Jack a little won't harm anyone."

Ianto turned to look at him. "Seriously? You'd do that?"

John smiled and shrugged, before putting the plates away in the cupboard. "It's only fair. Jack flirts with everyone. So why wouldn't you do the same if you get something out of it?"

"I suppose you're right." Ianto glanced towards the sitting room. "But do you really think Sherlock would..." He shrugged.

"At least we have to let him in on the plan. Although..." John looked mischievous.

Ianto frowned. "Although...?"

"Oh, nothing," John grinned.

Ianto studied him intently, grinning slightly. "What are you up to?"

"Just some fun. Sherlock has never shown much of his jealousy, but now I think back to the time before we were together, when he met my girlfriends..." John chuckled.

"Oh..." Ianto frowned. "But won't he see through it? I mean... He's Sherlock Holmes..."

John shrugged. "Nothing lost in that case. You'll still have your fun with Jack, and I have fun with Sherlock anyway."

Ianto took John's hand for a moment. "Thank you." Then he blushed slightly and turned away. "Should we make some tea?"

"Yes, great idea." John nodded.

"Better make some for the boys too, right?" Ianto asked with a slightly wicked grin.

"Yeah." John looked behind him, to where Jack was working on the computer-like device. "They're both so focused, I don't even know if they'll notice we're staying in the kitchen just a little bit too long." He winked.

Ianto giggled. "I'm sure we can catch their attention. Somehow." He put a hand on John's shoulder and laughed, leaning towards him a little.

Jack looked up as he heard Ianto's laughter. "Do you care to share the mirth?" he asked, smiling.

"Oh, it's nothing, just a little inside joke," John laughed, touching Ianto's hand on his shoulder for a moment before taking tea cups out of the cupboard.

Ianto smiled at him as he prepared the tea. "This might turn out to be easier than we thought," he said, keeping his voice low.

John gave him another wink, this time visible to Jack, then brought him his cup of tea.

"Thanks," Jack said, looking a little suspicious before he sipped it.

Ianto chuckled as he brought Sherlock his tea. Then he put his and John's cups on the small table and positioned himself on the arm of the remaining chair, smiling at John.

John grinned at him and took the chair, patting Ianto's knee while he sat down.

Sherlock glanced at them and frowned as he sipped his tea. Then he looked at Jack. "How is it coming along?" he asked.

"Nothing special. An energy spike here and there, but we can't expect a city like London to be completely without aliens. How many hours before you expect the next attack?" Jack asked.

"Tomorrow. Early afternoon," Sherlock answered. "So we'll have plenty of time to prepare, decide who should be where and what to do when it happens."

Jack nodded.

"And for other things," John said, smirking up at Ianto.

Ianto giggled and almost spilled his tea.

"Careful," John laughed, steadying his hand.

Jack's eyes went from one to the other. "So maybe we should focus on making plans."

"Yes," Sherlock said, getting to his feet and walking over to turn on his laptop and the printer.

While Sherlock covered the wall with printouts, pictures and notes, he made sure everyone was up to date on the previous incidents. Then they agreed that Ianto and John would remain at the flat to keep an eye on the monitor, while Sherlock and Jack would be ready in Mycroft's car, to rush to the scene of the new incident.

"So, we know what to do tomorrow," John said. "Time to catch some sleep first, then?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, best to get some rest before the action... Ianto and I got the bedroom upstairs, right?"

"Sure." John barely suppressed a smirk and looked at Ianto, who blushed slightly.
Sherlock glanced at the wall one final time. Then he took John's hand and pulled him to his feet. "If you gentlemen will excuse us," he said, and practically dragged John to the bedroom. As soon as the door was closed behind them, he pushed John against it and kissed him hard. When he pulled back he grinned and whispered, "I'd almost forgotten how incredibly hot you are when you're flirting."

Ianto glanced at the closed door, his mouth slightly open.

Jack cleared his throat. "Upstairs, then, Ianto?"

Ianto closed his mouth before looking at Jack and nodding. He got to his feet and headed for the stairs.

Jack followed him on the stairs, but almost forgot to enjoy the view. "What happened to 'don't flirt with Sherlock, he and John make a good couple'?" he asked once they had entered the bedroom.

Ianto turned to him, frowning. "I'm not flirting with Sherlock!?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "It's just the same thing with John. Same relationship. Why the sudden change of opinion?"

Ianto turned away and began undressing. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. "John and I became friends when they were with us in Cardiff. We are happy to see each other again."

"Hm. I've never seen you so affectionate with a friend before," Jack mumbled, starting to unbutton his own shirt.

"You've only seen me with Torchwood staff before, Jack. Sure, we are friends, but it's different. We're always on the job somehow. With John I can be... off duty."

"I see." Jack took off his trousers and lay down on his back on the bed.

Ianto hung his suit and shirt in the closet. Then he took off his socks and got into bed too.

Jack folded his arms under his head and looked at him from the corner of his eye.

Ianto smiled and leaned over to give him a quick chaste kiss. "Goodnight, Jack," he said and then turned on his other side and made himself comfortable.

"Goodnight," Jack mumbled, staring up at the ceiling.

Ianto smiled as he closed his eyes.