A STOMACH FULL OF RATS PART 25
Ianto tossed aside his brief case and room key and stood by the door, hands on hips glaring at his boss.
"What are you doing here, sir?" He almost squealed and Jack sat up with a massive grin on his face, which quickly fell away when he saw the expression on Ianto's face. He was immediately alert.
"Ianto, what happened today?"
Ianto was at a loss, too gob smacked and disconcerted to get a word out, he headed straight for the mini bar instead and helped himself to a large scotch. It took him a few moments gather his wits as he sank down into a chair and kicked off his expensive leather soled shoes.
"Jesus Jack.... what the fuck is going on? Why are you in London?"
Jack frowned.
"Ok, lets start again.... Hi Ianto, how was your day?"
Ianto swore at him and took another swig from the glass in his hand. "I'm ordering room service, are you hungry, sir?"
"Right we're back to sir now.... that's good I was starting to worry."
Ianto rolled his eyes and picked up the hotel menu from the table, trying to order his thoughts.
"Seriously why are you here?"
Jack smiled again, something much less leery, bordering on affectionate.
"I thought we could.... you know..... on neutral ground..... catch up a little."
Ianto held his uncertain gaze for a long time and then finally smiled himself, his shoulders relaxing.
"Sounds nice, sir."
"Jack..... we're not at work."
Ianto put the menu down and sighed. "Actually sir, I think we are. We need to talk about Saxon."
"We do?"
Ianto nodded.
"Can we do it over dinner? It's a long drive from Cardiff."
Ianto tossed him the menu. "Would you order then? I'd like to get a shower."
Jack followed with his gaze as Ianto headed toward the ensuite. "Need a hand in there?"
"I think I can manage, sir."
The food was there waiting when Ianto came out of the bathroom in t-shirt and trackpants, towelling at wet hair. Jack enjoyed the view as Ianto sat opposite him at the small table.
"So tell me....."
Ianto piled steamed rice and vegetables on his plate, grateful that Jack had avoided meat dishes.
"Harold Saxon gives me the creeps. I thought Frobisher was bad enough but Saxon reminded me of Hartman." He sipped on the iced water that Jack poured for him.
"Go on."
"He knows a lot more than we tell him Jack. I can only assume that some of that information has come through UNIT, but definitely not all of it. He seemed to have some information on all of us, but he was asking a lot of questions about you..... about your personal life.... about some of the people you see, if you get my drift. He asked me questions about my family.... it was just weird..... friendly; but I still felt like I was being examined the whole time and it's given me a whopper of headache."
Jack listened intently as he shovelled his food down. Ianto ate far more delicately as he talked.
"It was just..... He felt wrong Jack from the moment I shook his hand I felt that there was something.... wrong..... it's the only word I can think of. He scared me. He looked at me and I swear he could read my thoughts......."
Jack looked up at that and fixed Ianto with an intense look. Ianto lowered his fork.
"What is it?"
"Did he?"
Ianto frowned in confusion. "Did he what?"
"Read your thoughts, did Saxon read your mind?"
Ianto couldn't believe that Jack was asking, but then really he should, this was Torchwood.
"Honestly Jack?"
Jack nodded.
"Then yes..... not that I know what it feels like."
"You don't need to, I trust your instincts, it's why I sent you here. If Saxon was reading your mind, I think you'd know. You've always been very 'aware' of everyone around you."
Ianto chose not to comment and finished the rest of his meal in silence after that. Jack watched him for a moment before continuing to eat himself.
Jack dumped the trolley of dishes out in the corridor outside the room and closed the door, making sure it was locked. A quick glance at his watch told him it was almost 8pm. He thought about calling Owen, but decided against it. Someone was bound to call if there were trouble in Cardiff. The others could cope without him for a night, of that he was sure. Ianto had turned on the TV, channel hooping and finding nothing he'd turned it back off. He looked at Jack, suddenly aware that he was being watched.
"Sir?"
Jack smiled. "I'm gonna get a shower."
Ianto sighed. "Er... were you planning on staying here all night?" He asked trying to sound like he had a say in the matter.
Jack shrugged. "You want me to leave?"
"I don't mind if you stay. I just don't want anything to happen."
Jack arched his eyebrows.
"Ianto, I would never......"
"That's not what I meant Jack! I know you wouldn't do that. I just don't want you to be mislead here. I'm just too mixed up, I can't...."
"It's just sex Ianto."
Jack watched the Welshman blush prettily.
"Not to me it isn't. It never was."
Jack kept his expression neutral. "I'll have the couch, you look like you need the sleep."
Ianto rolled his eyes. "Don't be an ass Jack. I can trust you to keep to your side of the bed can't I?"
Jack grinned at that. "You can trust me all you like, but I don't." He disappeared into the bathroom leaving Ianto to sigh. The confusion of his feelings towards Jack adding to his headache. He was tempted to have another shot of whiskey but thought that might not be his best move.
Jack decided that the best thing for him to do was deal with himself in the shower, get dry and dressed and drive back to Cardiff. He got the shock of his very long life when Ianto slammed him against the bathroom door and kissed him senseless.