25

Unit had insisted on the meeting and now they were there Ianto felt a strange foreboding.

"So, we would like to finish up with a few matters of housekeeping" the General said as he cleared his throat and Jack glanced at Owen as they both knew that this was what they were really here for, whatever they were about to ask.

"Of course" Jack smiled disarmingly as Ianto placed another cup of coffee down.

"Your personnel files" the General said and Ianto tried not to show interest as he settled into a chair.

"Beg your pardon?" Jack was honestly confused. "All staff are listed, cleared and fully qualified."

"Well, Ms Cooper is living with someone not listed" the man pointed out and Jack knew that was another bluff.

"Not listed because he is not cleared. He thinks we are a special ops section of the Heddlu" Jack smiled again as he waited, his mind swirling with possibilities and he wondered if Tosh was about to have a spot review.

"And you, Mr Jones" the Genera turned to face a surprised Ianto, "You do not have a listed address. It appears you never leave this place, except under supervision. If there a reason for this that we are not aware of?"

Jack was stunned.

"We have staff quarters here." Ianto smiled evenly, "As we can have hectic night shifts and such, as the head archivist it makes more sense for me to be available. A lot of the archives are not computerized yet so we still deal with an antiquated fling system."

"Staff quarters?" the General smiled, "Can I see them?"

"No" Ianto said flatly, "They're Jack's as well."

The silence was immense, like a heavy weight as he eyeballed the general calmly.

"I see" the General finally spoke, "I didn't think … er …"

"The staff physicals are not in the files provided Doctor Harper" the General looked over at Owen, "When were they last done?"

"When my Captain told me to and as they are medical files they are not included in a public file. They are classified higher than the ones provided." Owen replied.

"You will not be provided with those as it is none of you business but I will confirm that I am not pregnant at this time" Jack snapped.

As hoped, the General dropped it and the meeting ended but as Unit departed Jack was left with a sour taste in his mouth.

They were watching Ianto.

Jack and Owen agreed that they needed to up their security and Tosh said she was already on it.

Jack thought about it and then found Ianto in the tank room.

"Hey" he said softly as he settled to watch Ianto fold towels.

"Someone is feeling excited about the pick-up you scheduled" Ianto smiled softly as he hooked a finger at the tank.

"You aren't safe while they sniff around" Jack said and he watched Ianto's hands still their movement as he turned to look at him.

"What do you suggest?"

"The cabin" Jack sighed, "I can take you there and you will be off their radar. It doesn't exist, not on any paperwork near me. Registered to Penny Wisklon at the moment. All expenditure paid from a trust fund. You can settle there nicely until they loose interest."

"Pennywise the Clown?" Ianto raised his eyebrows, "Really sir, Stephen King?"

Jack grinned, "We all float down here."

Ianto snorted and then sighed, "Only me. All on my own?"

"Been thinking about that as well" Jack grinned, "Got a friend in the Heddlu, specialises in the Dog Squad. I've already spoken to him and apparently there is a dog up for retirement that needs a home. A pretty red setter called Lucy."

"A dog" Ianto said softly.

"Yeah. One trained to attack" Jack replied. "Friendly, and loving but with sharp teeth."

"So … when do I leave?" Ianto sighed.

"I will take you up there and stay overnight, settle you and then go do the bloody Conference Unit forced me into over the ditch." Jack frowned as he considered, "A week at most then I'm back and Unit will have either moved on or taken the hint that I am not going to share."

"I still don't understand why you have to fly all the way to the US for this bloody conference" Ianto huffed, "Bloody inconvenience."

"It is, but I get the feeling that Owen moving into my side of the bed might be one too" Jack joked.

"I feel … I feel like I'm being shipped off to prison or something" Ianto sighed.

"Hey, this place is nice. I love it. Besides it will be our second home so you can start moving stuff about and making those lists you love to make about things you want to change. We can get some stuff out of the lock-up and make it more your home too. Right?" Jack begged and Ianto knew he was trying to make it sound like an adventure, so he nodded and tried not to pout.

"I will miss you something fierce" he finally huffed.

"Me too but there is always phone sex, right?" Jack pulled him into a hug, "Anyway, maybe one day I will hand over the reins here to someone and retire. I always saw that place as my little hideaway. Having you there, will make all the difference."

"You mean that?" Ianto pulled back to regard him, "I mean. Me? Us?"

"Ianto, I want you forever baby" Jack grinned, "I love you."

Ianto knew he was blushing but he didn't care as he kissed Jack in the middle of the day, during work time.

This cabin was sounding better by the minute.

And a dog.

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.So … are you all invested in this story?

Are you strapped in and ready for the ride?

Things are about to get bumpy and the real suspense is about to start.

Just remember …..

I did warn you.