Friday

It was a wet and windy day and the Tourist Office was full of draughts. Ianto shivered behind the counter as the door opened yet again. He hoped it was not the Swedish students back; they had filled the place and dripped water onto his newly cleaned floor.

"Morning, Ianto," said Toshiko. She had been at an IT exhibition and was arriving very late for her; it was nearly midday.

"Good morning. Did you enjoy the exhibition?"

"Very much. They're way behind us, of course, but I picked up a couple of leaflets about some new telecoms that would be useful. Do you know if there's any money still in the budget?"

Ianto frowned. "There's not much left. But you know Jack, if you say it would be beneficial he'll buy it anyway." He paused, then mused, "I sometimes wonder why we have a budget."

"We never paid any attention to it before you came. Jack likes to see you get hot and bothered making it balance," Toshiko giggled. "He loves the budget meetings when you two are holed up in the Board Room. He makes bets with us about how long it'll be before you walk out in a huff."

Ianto mouth dropped open. "What!?" he asked incredulous.

She giggled again, this time at his expression. "Uh huh. I'd better get downstairs." She leant over and pressed the release for the Hub door. "See you later."

"Um, yes," he managed. He was astounded. He knew that Jack played fast and loose with the money allocated to them by the Treasury but had had no idea that it had all been a joke, a source of amusement to all and sundry. He'd show him next time.

He was still in the Tourist Office when the pizzas he'd ordered for lunch arrived. He took them down to the Conference Room and everyone gathered there to eat. Gwen was having her second day off, ostensibly recovering from her ankle injury but probably just glad of a couple of days at home, so it was just the four of them round the table. Owen told a disgusting story about a decomposing body, found after two weeks in the River Thames, that he had had to deal with when he'd been a medical student. Jack took that as a challenge and came up with an even more stomach-churning tale that put Tosh off her meal for good. She went back to her desk and Owen and Jack fought over who should finish her pizza. Ianto left them to it.

The afternoon was quiet and Ianto was pleased finally to complete the report on the Cullowpian incident. He was up to date with his filing, the Weevils and other guests in the cells had been fed and cleaned and Myfanwy was not due another meal until tomorrow. The Tourist Office floor had been washed yet again and the rain had stopped. He was content. Owen made a quick getaway at 17.00: he was off on Saturday and wanted a early start to his few hours of freedom. Ianto made coffee for himself, Toshiko and Jack. Tosh took hers at her desk, she was anxious to make up for the morning's work she had missed.

"Your coffee sir," said Ianto, placing the mug in front of Jack.

"Thanks. Going to sit and drink yours with me?" he asked, looking up hopefully.

"Yes, okay." He sat down in the visitor's chair. "Did you have a chance to look at the request from UNIT?" It was common for UNIT to ask for the loan of artefacts from time to time. Jack was usually wary, but this time he seemed relaxed about it.

"I'm happy for them to have this one but we need to make sure we get it back. You okay to liaise with them?"

"Yes, no problem. I'll get onto it now."

"There's no need to do it now!" admonished Jack. "Make them wait 'til Monday at least." He took a sip of his coffee and sighed contentedly. "Ah, this is a good way to end the week. Coffee and a chat with someone good to look at." He smiled at Ianto, "Are you still okay to stay tonight?"

"Yes, I'd like that." Ianto was looking forward to a steamy sex session that would make him forget all the doubts and uncertainties of the past few days. He shifted in his chair as his body responded to the expectation.

"Looks like you are," smirked Jack. "Do you want to eat? We could go now or wait 'til later?"

Ianto considered this; he liked the idea of dinner as well as the sex. It made the evening feel more like a date. "Now, while everywhere is still quiet."

"Okay. How about the bistro round the corner?" He glanced at his watch. "It's nearly six. Shall we say 15 minutes?"

"Right." Ianto got up and took the mug from Jack's hand, making sure their fingers touched.


Well Ianto seems happier ... Final chapter coming soon.