The days began to blur together as Jack settled in more firmly into a routine. Thankfully, things were so busy with the rift that he and Andy didn't have any time for anything personal, and although he knew he was avoiding the issue, as long as he was physically about, Andy didn't seem to mind the fact that they didn't have time for any other sort of intimacy. He also settled into a routine with Ianto, disappearing at odd moments of the day and meeting up with the other man for breakfast or lunch. He didn't have time for anything else with him, but he found that he could be satisfied with just getting to know this other man and allowing Ianto to get comfortable with him. Ianto still wouldn't accept any money from him, but he would let Jack pay for meals, so that was something at least. Jack was still trying to figure out the best way to talk about what he wanted to do, but he hadn't been able to find a way to do so, yet.
The rest of the team went back into old habits from before Jack had left. Suzie was still watchful, but relieved that Jack didn't seem to be going anywhere. Toshiko after getting a negative from her spider program gave up on looking into what Jack had been doing. Andy wasn't upset, so she didn't think it was her place to dig any further. Owen was into his own thing and just totally oblivious to anything else going on.
One evening things were slow again and Jack was feeling the itch to see Ianto. His problem was that Andy was also hanging about and dropping hints about spending the night. Jack rested his chin on his hand as he thought about that. He really didn't want to hurt Andy. His glance drifted across his desk and finally rested on a report. Some of the paperwork was spilling out, and he found himself looking at the embossed crest of the royal family. A slow smile crept across his face. He had an idea.
When the rest of the team had kicked off for the night and Andy was cleaning up, he saw Jack working furiously on something. He frowned, wondering what it was that Jack was working on and whether he needed some sort of help. Making coffee as an excuse to visit the office, he tapped on the door before entering.
"Hi," he said, feeling a little tentative since it looked like Jack was so lost in concentration that he didn't want to disturb him. Jack looked up, his eyes a little out of focus until he shook himself.
"Hey," he responded. "Is that coffee I smell?" Andy smiled and nodded, walking around Jack's desk so he could drop it off for him. "Thank you."
"You seem busy this evening," Andy said. He saw piles of documents all over Jack's desk and several layers of windows on his display. Jack was obviously deep in something important, judging by some of the official looking seals and letterheads scattered about. He felt his earlier hopes of them having a quiet night together sink in the wake of the amount of stuff on Jack's desk.
"Yeah," Jack said as he gestured at the pile in front of him. "What I do for Queen and country," he said with a sigh. "Need to compile a presentation for Her Majesty and present it tomorrow in London." Andy blinked at the news.
"You're going to London?" He echoed, feeling a bit bereft at the news. Jack nodded and went back to what he was working on. "Do you need my help? Maybe I could go with you…" he suggested but trailed off as Jack shook his head.
"Wish you could, but I need to keep you here to watch out for the team," Jack said. "This is going to be a quick high level meeting. Just top brass sort of thing. I'm sorry, Andy," he said looking up and Andy could see the sincerity in his gaze. He was truly sorry for what he was saying. "But I can't have you along with me."
"Okay," Andy said quietly. "When are you leaving?"
"As soon as I finish this," Jack said with a nod of his chin towards the screen. Andy nodded again and said he'd go pack him an overnight bag. Jack closed his eyes as Andy climbed down to the bunker. He felt rotten for what he was doing, but he found that he really needed to get away from the Hub. He needed to be with Ianto. Needed to talk to him, and find out if the other man would be willing to travel with him back to his own time and universe. He knew he was on borrowed time here and eventually he was going to have to leave. He played at finishing up the paperwork as Andy came up with a duffel bag.
"You'll take the SUV, of course?" Andy asked. Jack shook his head.
"No, I need to be discreet," he said. "Can't advertise that I'm in London. I'll take a rental." Before Andy could say anything he spoke again. "Already have that set up, so don't worry about that."
Andy felt at a loss as he thought about what else he could do to assist Jack. "Is there anything else I can do?" Jack stopped what he was doing and sat back with a sigh.
"Go home, Andy. Take the night off and get some rest. I don't like the way that you've had to work lately, and you're looking a little drawn to me," he said, getting up and turning towards the other man. Andy looked at him steadily before shrugging. "You need a break."
"I don't want a break," Andy said. Unspoken between them was the rest of the sentence, which was 'I only want to be with you.' Jack stifled a sigh, feeling like a heel. Taking a deep breath he moved over to the other man and wrapped his arms around Andy in a hug. Andy leaned into him and sighed, relaxing into the contact.
"I know, Andy. I know that the last couple of weeks haven't given us a lot of time together. I'm sorry," Jack said, meaning what he said. He was truly sorry for what he was doing, though he knew he wouldn't stop doing it. "But take a break and relax, okay?" Andy nodded and rested his cheek against Jack's shoulder for a moment before pulling back and rubbing it against his face. Jack squeezed him tightly, not wanting Andy to see his face until he could school the expression. When he finally pulled back, Jack gave him a nod. "Go home."
"Okay. You'll be home tomorrow?" Andy asked, his eyes searching Jack's. Jack nodded. Home. Torchwood was the closest thing he'd ever have to a home these days. "Okay, maybe we can do something then."
"Yeah," Jack said, his gaze softening. "Let's plan on dinner or something. Go out on a date," he suggested. Andy brightened up at his words and he smiled. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against the ex-PC. "Goodnight, Andy." When he pulled back, Andy had his eyes closed and the look on his face pulled on Jack's heart.
"Goodnight, Jack." Andy smiled at the man he loved and reached up to brush his hair back. "I'll set the alarms to notify Suzie and myself if something comes up tonight. Safe trip."
"Thanks," Jack said, feeling a lump form in his throat. He watched as Andy left the office, finished picking up and shut down the Hub for the night. When he heard the cog wheel door roll shut he sat down heavily in his chair and rested his head in his hands. Sighing, he sat and stared at the computer monitor. He could see his reflection in the display, but he avoided looking himself in the eye. He didn't want to have to face himself at the moment. Looking down, he decided to finish the report. He hadn't lied about that, he was working on something for the Queen, but it wasn't something he had to deliver immediately. He finished that off and saved it before cleaning up the stuff scattered around the desk. Standing, he leaned on the desk for a moment, his head bowed. Then he pushed off the edge and climbed downstairs to pick up the bag that Andy had packed for him, stopping to grab some other supplies that Andy wouldn't have thought to pack. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he grabbed a folder off his desk and his coat before heading out the door. He went out the invisible lift and walked across the Plass, heading off into the night. Earlier in the evening he had run a program to stagger the CCTV recordings, so he activated that with his vortex manipulator after picking up the rental car and driving off in the direction of London.
He circled the city and triggered his program, making sure that there was no trace of his car as he went to the magic roundabout to find Ianto. He wasn't going to tell the young man not to work, and the two of them had come to an understanding. He chuckled softly to himself. It seemed that he had to rework some of his 21st century thinking back into a 51st century mindset where fidelity and monogamy weren't an issue. He came up to the roundabout and circled around, looking for Ianto. He didn't see him on the first circuit, but knew he would probably be there. He finally pulled up on East Tyndall Street where they had first met and got out. Leaning against the car, he crossed his arms and waited. It didn't take long until another man broke away from a group of youths and angled in his direction. Jack smiled.
"Hey," Ianto said as he walked up to where Jack was. "Is that your car?"
Jack looked down at the little sports car. "Sorta," he said. "Want to run away with me?" He asked with a grin. Ianto looked from the car to Jack and back again. He saw something in the back seat and he leaned against the car, staring over the top at Jack.
"What do you have in mind?" Ianto asked. It had been a slow night and seeing Jack had brightened his evening considerably.
"A little jaunt out of the city, overnight," Jack said. "Interested?"
"Well, it will cost you," Ianto said, his reply more of a joke these days than anything else. The idea of running off with Jack sounded good. He was being casual about it though, not wanting Jack to know how interested he was. He glanced over at the roundabout and saw some of his other acquaintances milling about. Some of them had already commented about his 'regular,' and he knew that they would have already been in the car and away by this point. But he also knew Jack well enough now to know he liked a little foreplay. So he was willing to provide it.
"Money's not a problem," Jack said with a smile, his eyes glinting in the light of the streetlamp. "Just name it."
"Hmmmm," Ianto mused as he leaned against the car, pretending to think. He pushed off and walked around to the side where Jack stood. Closing in on the other man he pressed himself up against Jack. "How long are we talking about?"
"Now until tomorrow afternoon," Jack said. "That is, if you think you're up for it." Ianto laughed softly and deliberately rubbed himself against Jack's hip.
"What do you think?" He whispered before leaning in for a kiss. Jack trembled and they heard the catcalls from across the roadway. Ianto pulled back and grinned. "The usual."
"No, this is longer than that," Jack said with a nod. "Don't undercharge."
"Who's the one negotiating rates here?" Ianto asked softly as he reached up a hand and stroked Jack's neck. "Aren't you supposed to talk me down rather than raise the price?" Jack grinned.
"You are so worth it," he told the man in front of him as he wrapped an arm around Ianto's waist to hold him close. "I've got all the supplies we'll need."
"Oh?" Ianto arched one eyebrow and Jack's breath hitched at the smoky look he was given. "Planning a nonstop evening, are we?"
"Evening into morning," Jack said with a smile. "Ready to go?" Ianto nodded and gave him another kiss, opening his mouth and allowing Jack to explore as they stroked their tongues against one another. They got lost in the moment, pushing and thrusting against one another and this generated another set of catcalls from the other rent boys and girls. Smiling, he pulled away from Jack, deliberately letting his fingers trail from the other man's neck down his front before moving to the passenger side of the car. Jack watched him as he walked before opening his own door and getting back inside.
He glanced across to the roundabout and grinned. He loved giving a show, and Ianto had certainly set the stage for this one. With one last glance at the traffic cameras he got into the driver's seat and smiled at Ianto. "Let's get going," he said as he shifted the gear into drive. Ianto nodded and sat back, trying not to look too impressed with the sports car he was in. Jack certainly had taste and a lot of money to throw about, he mused to himself. Once Jack pulled out onto the road Ianto shifted so he could watch him. Jack seemed to be a bit of a daredevil where driving was concerned. Not that Ianto was too worried about it. Jack looked like he was in command and knew what he was doing. He grinned across at the other man as Jack glanced over and matched his smile. He didn't question where they were going. This was Jack's show tonight.