It was an older communal shower similar to the one the staff normally used up on the main level. Ianto closed his eyes and thought that based on its location, it shared the same plumbing as well. He marveled at the ingenuity of his Torchwood forefathers who had built such a marvelous place. Over the sinks he saw some toiletries stacked on the shelf. Moving closer, he recognized them as his own. He disrobed, carefully folding his wrinkled clothing and placed it on the nearby bench. Going back to the sink, he gathered what he needed and turned on the water at the closest shower head. Once the temperature had warmed up he stepped under the spray.
Memories of other showers crowded his thoughts as he washed, and he found himself hoping that Jack would come down and join him. He knew that wasn't practical in the middle of the day, but still he found himself wishing that he had. Tugging a towel from the ring on the wall he dried off and wrapped it around his hips. With no one down at this level, he felt fine about heading back upstairs to his bedroom to get dressed. He laughed softly. How quickly he fell back into old habits, despite the bizarre circumstances around them. He shaved before picking up his soiled clothing and carrying it up the stairs and back to the storage room.
The air felt cold against his skin and he shivered slightly as he entered the room and closed the door behind him. He peered around the bookcase and was only slightly disappointed that he didn't see Jack waiting for him. He smiled and shook his head. While the thought of Jack lying naked on his bed was nice, had he really been there the rest of the staff would have never seen them again for the duration of the day. Ianto dressed, pulling on the slate grey trousers. He unerringly went for his favorite shirt, enjoying the feeling of the red silk shirt against his skin. The tie was next, his fingers moving by habit into the slipknot. He slipped into his jacket and looked at himself in the old fashioned mirror that stood off to one side. Perfect. He nodded to himself, slapped on Jack's favorite cologne and decided it was time to go topside.
When he emerged from the vaults it was to find the staff still at work. No emergencies had happened over the time he had been downstairs, though it looked like Gwri and Julia had finished with their alien autopsy. Ianto made himself a cup of coffee. Checking his watch, he made a pot of tea as well and brought it over to where Julia sat at her desk.
"Oh, thank you, Ianto. You are a lifesaver!" She exclaimed and smiled at him warmly as he placed the teapot, cup and saucer next to her elbow. "Please, join me."
"I have my coffee here, thanks," Ianto said. He took the stool nearby and sat down.
"My you're looking rather dapper this afternoon," Julia said as she glanced up from pouring a cup. He did look very nice, and the casual elegance made her long for the days when everyone used to dress the way he did. People had no sense of style, she thought to herself.
"Thank you, Julia," he said with a warm smile. "How did your investigation go?"
"Every time I think I've seen it all, Jack pulls in something to prove me wrong," Julia said with a smile. At Ianto's raised eyebrow she continued. "The Graak seem to have a rather unique physical structure to go with that behavioral pattern. In fact, I believe they are biologically wired to fight like that."
"Darwin's theory in action?" Ianto asked as he sipped his coffee. Julia nodded.
"Yes, exactly. I would have loved to see what the female is like, though postulating just from the male anatomy, it must be a rather unique mating ritual." Ianto smiled at her comment. She seemed fascinated by the whole concept. She shook her head. "Where's Jack, by the way?"
Ianto shrugged. "No idea. Either buried in paperwork or out somewhere." His eyes glinted with amusement.
"He needs to get out more," she said with a sigh. "There's more to life than Torchwood. Sometimes we need to remind him of that." Ianto chuckled softly. "Did you actually have a life outside of here?"
"Not really, but then I came here under odd circumstances," Ianto said. "I did have a flat, but spent most of my time here."
"Did you ever get Jack out of here?" Judith asked. Ianto nodded.
"From time to time, yes." He smiled as he remembered.
"I think you need to find another flat then. And make him join you there," she said with a tiny smile. Ianto got a thoughtful look on his face. "If only to be reminded that there is a life beyond this dungeon." They sat for a moment, not saying anything as Ianto absorbed that idea.
"So how are you faring?" Julia asked, keeping her voice low so that the others wouldn't hear. Ianto glanced down at his mug as he thought about it.
"Getting there," he said before glancing back up at her. "Yesterday it hit me what it all meant." She remained quiet, but projected an air of being a confidante which made him want to share it with her. "Jack helped." The expression on her face was very understanding. "If anyone would know what this was like, it would be him."
"It's different for everyone, however," Julia said quietly. Ianto nodded. "You may still have moments of loss. The grieving process is different for everyone."
"I understand," he replied. "Jack was able to give me letters from my family. That helped a lot." He toyed with the handle of his coffee mug, looking downwards. Glancing up, he saw that Julia was gazing at him sympathetically.
A step on the stairs announced Jack's arrival. Ianto looked up and smiled warmly. "Hello."
"Hi," Jack said. He leaned against a post and crossed his arms. "I see you found everything." He gave Ianto an approving glance. Ianto's smile widened. "Just as you left it."
Ianto looked back down into his mug and saw that it was empty. "Yes. Coffee?" At Jack's hopeful look he chuckled. "I'll take that for a yes." He stood up. "Anything else I can get you, Julia?"
"No, this is quite lovely," she said. She watched as the two men walked across the room. Jack hung back and was obviously watching Ianto as he followed the other man over to the kitchen area. Julia smiled and shook her head as she turned back to her computer. Though frankly, she couldn't fault Jack for wanting to admire Ianto. He was a handsome man.
"Your usual?" Ianto asked and Jack nodded. As he prepped the coffee maker Jack leaned against the fridge.
"You okay?" He asked softly, not wanting anyone to hear their conversation. Ianto nodded. "You sure?"
"I'm fine Jack," Ianto assured him. He poured the rich coffee into Jack's mug and handed it to him. Jack was looking at him with a serious expression on his face. "What?"
"I worry about you," Jack said.
"Don't," Ianto said firmly. "Nothing to worry about." He poured the rest into his own mug and drank.
"Find everything okay?" Jack asked. Ianto nodded. "So? What did you think?"
Ianto looked up from his mug and gave Jack a sly smile. "It was amazing, though lacking something." Jack's brow furrowed with concern.
"What?" Jack frowned, wondering what Ianto had found that wasn't right.
"It was missing you, naked on the bed," Ianto said with a smile. Jack looked both relieved and enticed by the idea at the same time.
"I think something could be done about that," he said with a grin.
"Jack?" Rob called from across the room. Jack turned around and looked at him. "Mind if I go out on an assist for the local police? Seems like there's been a disturbance down in the Assembly chambers and my contact would like me to take a look at it."
"Go for it. Need assistance?" Jack asked. "Take Todd or Gwri if you want." Rob nodded and went over to tap Gwri's shoulder. Jack watched as they gathered some test equipment and left before turning back to Ianto.
"Jack, do you have a minute?" Ianto asked and nodded towards his office. Jack shrugged and indicated the way to his office. Ianto picked up his mug and walked across the room, leading the way. Once he got there, he sat back down in the chair he used previously, leaving Jack to sit down at his desk.
"Nice choice, by the way," Jack said as he walked past, lightly touching Ianto's shoulder. He always loved that combination on Ianto. Ianto smiled but said nothing. Jack sat at his desk, his fingers templed in front of him as he waited for Ianto to start. He obviously had something on his mind.
