CHAPTER SIX
"I never think of the future – it comes soon enough."
Albert Einstein
Jack wasn't surprised when they didn't hear anything from Ianto for the rest of the day. Gwen suggested going round just before she left that evening, but Jack had been quick to put a stop to that. If he knew Ianto – and he was pretty sure that he knew the man fairly well now – then he wouldn't appreciate Gwen offering him cups of tea, blankets and chicken soup, however well meant they were. No, he'd left Ianto with a packet of painkillers and a glass of water, curled up under his duvet, which would be enough.
It didn't mean Jack wasn't worried about him. They'd all been overworked recently, too much to do and not enough people to do it. He knew as well as the next person that they were understaffed, but it felt like a cardinal sin to admit it. He didn't want to replace Tosh and Owen, not because they didn't need a doctor or a technician, but because replacing them would be like admitting they were gone, or worse – that they were never there.
Jack looked up from the file he was perusing about people going missing in the morgue of St. Helen's when the lights above the cog door started flashing. Jack glanced at the clock on his desk and smiled. He could set his watch by Ianto Jones. And there he was, removing his coat as he stepped through the cog door, a pinstriped suit with a red shirt and waistcoat, looking good enough to eat.
Jack scooted back in his chair slightly so he could follow Ianto up the stairs with his eyes - eyes that were now watching pinstriped trousers stretched tight over the young man's assets. Jack had once asked Ianto why he still wore the suits to work when it was obvious that he was no longer trying to seduce the boss - at that moment in time both of them had been lying stark bollock naked on Jack's camp bed. Ianto had replied with a question of his own, 'Why do you still wear a coat that went out of fashion in the 40's?' That had been enough of an answer for Jack.
Jack couldn't help licking his lips now as he watched Ianto stand in front of the coffee machine, brewing the first – but certainly not the last – cup of the day. The first cup always tasted the best, but that was usually because it was preceded by a kiss if Jack was lucky enough. Jack smiled to himself as he slid out his chair and sauntered out of his office, hands in his pockets. Ianto was whistling to himself as he turned buttons and pulled on levers.
"You're in a better mood this morning," Jack commented as he descended the stairs towards the small kitchen area. Ianto glanced over his shoulder at Jack, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"Twelve hours sleep and industrial strength painkillers will do that to a person," Ianto replied as he pulled Jack's mug down from the top of the machine.
"Maybe you should try it more often," Jack coaxed, hands grabbing at the side of Ianto's waist as he moved in to kiss the side of Ianto's neck. Ianto ducked out the way, moving past Jack towards the fridge where he retrieved the milk. When Ianto turned back again Jack was already there, trying to move in for another kiss. Ianto's hand shot up to press against Jack's chest, keeping him at arm's length.
"Not at work," Ianto told him firmly, moving past Jack again and back to the machine. Jack frowned after him.
"Gwen's not in yet you know," Jack commented, shoving his hands back in his pockets but moving towards Ianto with intent. "You're not really going to deprive me of my morning treat are you, Ianto?" Jack asked, raising his eyebrows as a sultry smile crept onto his lips. Jack was surprised when Ianto turned towards him, a scowl on his features, before he shoved Jack's freshly made brew towards his chest, grasping at his own mug before sweeping away towards the cells, presumably to feed the Weevils.
Jack watched him go, curious as to Ianto's mood. Jack knew Ianto got funny about public displays of affection sometimes, but there wasn't anyone in the Hub this early and it wasn't as if Gwen hadn't caught them doing rather more unsavoury things than a simple kiss before now. Jack sighed before taking a long sip of his coffee, wondering when it had all gotten so complicated.
