20

Ianto knew this was going to happen and he had struggled to accept it but today he was not in the mood as for the third time Jack beat him to the kettle and made the cuppas.

Ianto smiled politely as he went to offer a biscuit but once again Jack was there, "Brownies? Cookies? We have this lovely banana cake here."

"Yeah, grand ta" Charlie said as she watched Ianto pull a face, and then settle.

"So, the next scan is soon?" Jack took the lead there as well and Ianto smiled politely again as Bobby snorted and looked away quickly.

"Yeah, tomorrow" Charlie said with obvious glee, "Was gonna ask if Ianto wanted to come."

"We would love to" Jack said happily and Ianto's head slowly swivelled to stare at him, a slow blink, then again with the polite smile and Bobby was choking to cover the giggle that bubbled up.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked.

"Just went down the wrong way" she managed to choke out as she watched Ianto slow blink again.

"Look, it's in the morning so you have work, don't you?" Bobby asked.

"Retired" Jack said happily, "Ianto has my undivided attention 24/7 these days."

"Ahhhhhh" Charlie finally saw the problem, "Actually Jack…if it's OK, I was hoping to take Ianto on his own. You know, it's a special one."

Jack pouted as he shrugged and she felt a heel, even as Ianto looked relieved. It was Bobby who relented, "Well, I don't see why Jack can't come too."

Jack looked triumphant as Ianto smiled serenely at him.

As Ianto rose to get his diary and Bobby looked at Charlie who nodded, then started to speak once Ianto disappeared down the hallway, "Jack, are you smothering him?"

"What?"

"I said, are you smothering him. He looks like he's ready to blow!" she snorted, "Have you not given him any time alone to do his meditating?"

"Meditating" Jack repeated, and then groaned.

"Right. So you went from never here to ALWAYS here, sure. I'm sure he's loving you in his grill all the time." She sighed, "Does he get to think for himself at least? You are even answering for him"

"Shit" Jack said softly.

"What?" Ianto asked as he returned and sat, noticing Jack was annoyed about something.

"I forgot I promised Walter I would collect his latest photo mags and that new lens he ordered from the other end of town." Jack said quickly and Ianto frowned as he nodded.

"How about we do the scan and then I zoom across to get the things while the girls take you for lunch, or we can meet back somewhere to eat, yeah? Maybe you and the girls can do a spot of shopping at the mall while I am doing my thing."

Ianto nodded as everyone looked pleased with themselves at giving Ianto a bit of time alone.

Of course Ianto was the only one at the table that actually realised he would not be alone.

He was just exchanging one jailor for another.