Where is Jack?

At 6.37 I was back in the main area of the Hub. The others were getting ready to go out and search for Jack. "Searching's useless. You have no idea where to look. It'd be looking for a needle in a haystack," I protested.

"We have to do something," retorted Gwen.

"You've already done more than enough," I snapped. "You and Owen." I stood and stared at them, daring them to argue.

"You weren't here, you don't know anything about it, Tea-boy!" jeered Owen.

"Owen's right. Just where did you go? We could have needed you." Gwen again, pursuing the one point I couldn't defend myself against: Jack had sworn me to secrecy about Flat Holm. Luckily I was saved from having to answer as the cog door opened and Jack walked in, face set in an obstinate mask.

"Jack, sweetheart, thank goodness you're all right," said Gwen, running up to him and crouching down to hug him. "I'm so sorry I got angry with you." Jack's body stiffened at being spoken to like a child then relaxed; he always liked a hug. I let out the breath I was holding, it looked like it would be okay. Gwen released him and stepped back. "Where have you been?"

"Out." I'm not sure how adolescents everywhere develop the ability to sound so defiant while uttering monosyllables but they do. And it appeared Jack had managed it too. I remembered acting like it when I was growing up and had seen friends and my nephew do exactly the same. It was guaranteed to annoy any adult. I waited to see how Gwen would react.

"Right. Well, you're back now. That's the important thing," responded Gwen slowly, her smile forced and her shoulders stiff.

"Would anyone like a coffee?" I asked, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

They all jumped at the chance and I got busy. Gwen updated Jack on the rabbity thing – what should we call them? Nothing came to mind – and then the conversation moved to the research they'd all been doing into the Zenotope. Owen's tests were still running as were Toshiko's so answers would not be available until the morning. Gwen had found nothing helpful in the paperwork. Jack was appreciative of their efforts and agreed that nothing could be done for a while. He even made a joke, a small one, and that lessened the tension another notch. I decided it was a good moment to tackle the next hurdle.

"Jack, you can't stay here tonight. It wouldn't be safe." His head whipped round to look at me and he did not look pleased; I hadn't expected him to.

Toshiko came to my aid. "I'll be here for a while yet. I want to analyse the readings as they come in and run a couple more diagnostics. I'm happy to monitor things."

"I can come and relieve you," offered Owen unexpectedly. I'd like to think he was feeling guilty for his earlier crack about the water pistol but I was probably giving him too much credit. "I can't do anything for a while. I'll get off now and come in at … oh, midnight? Then you can get home. Any problems, call me in earlier."

"Thanks, guys," said Gwen hurriedly. "So, Jack, you get to come home with either me or Ianto. You pick." She said this brightly with a gap-toothed grin as if would be a huge treat.

Jack looked around at all of us. "Seems I have no say in this," he began and then sighed, the fight going out of him. I believe he knew he had no option and found it easier to give in gracefully. "You'd never be able to explain me to Rhys – and I'd never be able to keep my mouth shut round him - so it'll have to be Ianto." He looked up at me, "If that's okay?" He appeared to be accepting the fait accompli graciously and I was pleased.

"I'll pack a bag for you."

I went his office and entered the hatch down to his quarters. Behind me, Owen was packing his stuff up and Toshiko returned to her beloved computers. I heard Jack pattering behind me, the trainers squeaked slightly on the Hub floor, and his voice asking Gwen for 'a word'. I was down in Jack's quarters when the two started talking above me. I could have avoided eavesdropping but I didn't. I wanted to know what Jack had to say.

"Gwen, I appreciate this is a strange situation but this afternoon you were out of line. I may look like a kid but I'm not and I don't appreciate you undermining me before the others." He sounded reasonable and rational, slightly rehearsed if anything.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean for it blow up like that. But I was right, you can't go out on missions." She was conciliatory, even a little embarrassed perhaps, but also stood her ground. Smart move.

"I know and I understand. A quiet word, alone, would have been a better approach. For the record, until I'm back to normal, you'll be leading all field ops. But I am still the leader of this team and I decide who does what. We need to work together."

"Absolutely. But it won't be for long, Jack. We'll soon have you sorted." I could hear the smile in her voice and moved away from the hatch and began packing. They'd cleared the air and I hoped their agreement would hold.

I soon had the bag packed with the few clothes and toiletries Jack would need at my place. I climbed back up to the main Hub and found Jack chatting to Toshiko. The others had gone. I picked up Jack's jacket and gloves which he'd thrown down and went out to join them. "Ready to go?" I asked, helping him into the jacket.

"Yeah." He moved his wrist strap from the pocket of his jeans and put it in an inside pocket of his jacket, zipping it securely. He certainly didn't want to lose that.

I put my own coat on and had a word with Toshiko. When I turned to get the bag Jack already had it, though he was standing nearer his office than I remembered. Curious but I assumed he was just determined to be as independent as possible. "Okay then, let's go. Good night, Tosh." We left by the Tourist Office and that reminded me to tell Jack about the interviews. He was pleased we'd found someone. After getting into the car, I turned to him. "So, what do you want to do tonight?"

"Well, I can't do you," he smiled, coming close to a smirk but not quite. He thought for a moment, "I'm hungry, so let's eat."

"Restaurant or do you want to cook?" I was easy either way. It was Jack who liked to fiddle about in the kitchen from time to time and the results were usually good. Only once had it gone totally wrong. He'd decided to try a recipe he'd got from the Internet which involved kidney beans. Of course, he didn't bother to soak them for the required 24 hours so the resulting dish was inedible. Which was providential as I discovered later that these beans are poisonous if not cooked right; no problem for him but potentially fatal for me!

Jack screwed up his face as he thought. "I can't cook. No way I'll be able to reach the stove. Let's eat out."

"Okay by me. Any preferences?" I started the car. We had grown bored of the eateries around the Bay and usually ate in the City or nearer my home. "What about the Italian?" This was a small, family-run restaurant which served excellent pasta and had become a favourite of mine. It was also within walking distance of my flat which made parking easier.

"Okay."

He's safe, thank goodness. Next chapter up now, I can't keep you waiting any longer .... but I think I need a reward, more lovely reviews!