Disclaimer: Still not mine.

*.*.*

After a quick search for alien insectoids—because, he thought, wouldn't that be just my bloody luck—and soothing Ifan back to sleep, Ianto crept his way back to the bedroom, miserable and awkward.

Jack smiled warmly at him. "Should I get the flame thrower?"

If his answering chuckle sounded forced, Jack said nothing. "Nope. No bugs, alien or otherwise."

"That's good."

"Yeah."

Jack looked at him for a bit, standing uncomfortably in the doorway. Ianto knew he should say something—apologize maybe, or just...well, he didn't know what. That was the problem.

"Would you like a cup of coffee, sir?" he asked instead, avoiding the other man's gaze at all costs.

Jack, never a fan of deflection, cut right to the chase. "What's wrong?"

Ianto took a steadying breath and closed his eyes. "I...I can't do this. Not right now. Maybe not ever."

"You were doing a pretty good job of it just a few minutes ago." There was no anger or bitterness in his voice, just a calm, level voice. Somehow, that bothered him more.

"I know. I'm sorry. I just—I don't know. It's too much, Jack."

"Because of Lisa or because it's me?"

He dragged a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Neither. Both. Does it really matter?"

Jack shifted off the bed and padded closer. Ianto was relieved to see he'd put his boxers back on, at least.

"Of course it matters. If it's too soon after everything that happened, everything that's still happening, then that's to be expected, isn't it? I'll have to be patient and give you your space." He stepped forward, resting his hands on Ianto's hips, and lowered his voice. "But if it's me...well, I'll have to cope, but I can't pretend I won't be very disappointed."

It was hard—Jesus, hard—it was difficult to concentrate with Jack so close. The pheromones—at least, that's what Jack called them—seemed to creep into his brain and invade his senses.

"Is it me, Ianto?"

Ianto wasn't sure if he shook to clear it or because he knew that, given enough time, there wasn't much Jack could do that would be too much to overlook.

Jack smiled and kissed him on the forehead. "Will you be ready to come back to work on Monday?"

"Yes."

The smile broadened. Jack's teeth were impossibly bright in the dark room. "I'm going to be away for the rest of the weekend, but I'll be back around midday. Now," he added brightly. "Just one more question."

Ianto cocked his head to the side, waiting.

"Got any clothes I can borrow?"

*.*.*

A/N: Well. That's Another Secret. Like I said, I plan on doing these in episodic stories. The next one, Another Loss, will be put up sometime soon. To be 100% honest, this is not a project that will take a priority, but I will keep up with it.