Torchwood: Divergence
Book One: Dychwelyd

Chapter 48

When the rest of the team arrived between 7:00 and 7:30, Ianto was reclining on the couch with a cup of coffee. Any idea that he was simply relaxing however had quickly been banished by the empty bin beside his seat and Jack's attentive hovering. Lois had made a run back out for breakfast, returning with bacon butties for the group and a simple poppy seed muffin for the invalid at his request. He'd stiffly made his way up to the kitchenette to put on fresh coffee in spite of his injuries, politely detouring to the loo after to expel the blood the exertion had brought up into his throat from his still healing lungs.

Fortunately, that ugly facet of the Changeling's recovery had faded before noon, though not all of the bruising had disappeared yet and he'd still been very sore. He had unhappily agreed to do comms co-ordination on the next alert, obviously less than pleased to have Jack go out on a mission without him. But his personal knowledge of the streets in Grangetown and long-time familiarity with the computer system had been a huge advantage, as he'd remotely guided the team on its hunt for an armed Blowfish with a penchant for breaking and entering, and a taste for narcotics. Now that the alien miscreant had been safely locked in the cells, Harkness had come to join his partner on the couch.

"Think you'll feel up to a non-work-related outing tonight?" he asked quietly as he claimed the cushion beside the younger man, pleased to find that the twenty-six-year-old was radiating only a little higher than normal body temperature.

"As long as there's no dancing or prods to sing involved," Ianto replied easily, automatically taking the hand the older man held out to him. "I don't think I'll have the lung capacity or diaphragm control for either."

"How about a bit of stair and ladder climbing?" the American ventured cautiously.

"Ah, a true Jack style date then," Ianto half smiled. "I can probably manage... though it might take a kiss or two to get me where we're going."

"That I can cover," Harkness grinned, quickly obliging his lover for good measure. "It's gonna be cold if the rest of the day is any indication. Let me check the weather to see if the rain's due to come back and decide the best destination after that."

"Just let me know where, when, and what I need to do for the occasion," his Archivist nodded, always pleased to have a little private time with the immortal Captain. "Is the team okay with us disappearing for a while?"

"Should only be a couple hours," Jack reassured, squeezing the younger man's hand and preparing to rise. "We'll be back well before 8:00, easy. You relax; I'll let you know what evil plans I come up with."

He headed away toward the office, Gwen passing him as she came to see how their resident Scieron Guardian was feeling.

"You look better," she stated quietly, settling to the cushions beside her young countryman. "He's not having a go about you 'taking risks' again, is he?"

"No," Ianto smiled, readily meeting the former PC's gaze. "Actually, he's trying to arrange a date for tonight."

"Brilliant," Cooper beamed, taking up her friend's nearest hand. "Dinner and a movie, or is he wanting something with more altitude?"

"Altitude," the eternal twenty-six-year-old chuckled, then winced as some remaining part of his injuries protested. "Which is fine. At least now I know I won't die if I happen to fall off."

"Still…" the raven-haired woman shrugged, her green eyes shining. "Perfect excuse to have him hold your hand the whole time."

"Covered," Jones assured her with a conspiratorial smile and wink. "I just won't take my gloves."

"Clever," Gwen giggled, giving his hand a pat before bouncing up off the couch. "Let me know what he ends up with, yeah?"

Ianto nodded equitably as his friend headed for the kitchenette to refill her coffee mug from the side pot, a contented smile touching his face. The day was definitely looking up.

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AN: Just a short, bridge chapter this time (sorry).

Jack's planning another date… think they'll get to go, or will the Rift spoil their evening?

Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM