Minor spoilers for Random Shoes

Beta-ed: GlassSplinter


Jack looked at his watch and went to his office. Ianto's estimations were usually more than accurate, so he had an hour before he had to put his plan in motion. He was pleased with himself. Everything was going his way, the universe was sometimes funny like that. All the tumbling and turning, running, dying and hurting, didn't last all the time, sometimes a little space would open where he could enjoy himself with little things. It seems that the universe decided to give him a little space like that with Ianto. He could never predict these kinds of things. If he was asked, he would probably predict that Gwen would've had her way with him, she sure did show all the signs, but 'till now nothing happened. On the contrary she was drifting towards Owen, something that he wouldn't have guessed. The desire was there, but there also was fear, caution, awareness. She thought he would consume her; that he was too much for her, and he knew she was right. On the other side Ianto, he couldn't help but smile, his capacities had proven to be deeper than he anticipated. That was why he would put him through this challenge. The sweet thing was that Ianto had given him such a good excuse to try.

When the forty minutes had expired Jack became impatient. What if Ianto skipped a few steps and came back early, the others could take him with them, they tended to do that, go off in groups. He strode down the stairs.

"So, it figures that the rift is quiet when Gwen is gone." He started without intro, with his hands in his pockets.

"I was just wondering where she is." Owen turned in his chair instantly. "Thought you sent her on a job, investigating."

"Oh, no, not me, she just reported to me that she is going to some convention for the weekend." Jack shrugged his shoulders.

"Oi, she gives herself too much credit, that's just not fair. We work our asses off and we don't get any time off. The hell if I'm going to sit here while she's off on a weekend." He throws his pen on the desk and lifts himself up. "Going, Tosh?" He turned.

"What? Right now?" She wasn't convinced; her fingers were still glued to her keyboard.

"Come on Tosh, live a little, those bugs won't run away." Owen smiled and Jack knew he won.

"Oh alright, I can take my laptop home with me." She unplugged it.

"God forbid you should go without it." Owen rolled his eyes.

"Is that all right with you Jack?" She looked at him, still sitting and ready to stay.

"Oh, I guess." He rubbed his neck, pretending he was considering it. "Ok, it's quiet, and you do need to rest from time to time. Take tomorrow too, but be by your cells." He stared at Owen. "Don't care how wasted you are, you should come if the world falls apart, ok?"

"Yes sir." Owen saluted him mockingly and went towards the door. "And give Tea Boy off too, it would just be cruel to force him to work alone."

"Oh, don't worry, I'll get him off." Jack grinned, Owen rolled his eyes and went, Tosh hurried to catch up with him.