5

"A tail" John said slowly. "A Meatstick?"

"Yes" Jack replied as he waved a hand towards the back of his head "It looked to be.. five… six inches?"

"Shit. Any idea how much hair must be folded and woven to create that? When loose it must be half way to his arse!" John laughed "Jesus… waist level even."

"I know" Jack sat back as he pondered this. A tail this length must take years to grow… something the Agency usually did not allow unless you are able to give cultural reference and a Meatstick can't do that. He had that for a reason.

"There must be a reason" John said out loud, echoing Jack's thought "What did he do before getting this shitty assignment?"

"That's the question" Jack agreed and John assured him he would seek out anything he could find on this man.

"I'll be damned… a Meatstick with a fucking tail"

.

.

"Emilie… that goes in your mouth, not on your head" Ianto was trying to scold but laughing as he struggled with the tot who was growling as she held firmly to her bowl of gruel, wanting it on her head ta muchly.

Jack grinned as he settled at the table and clapped his hand, startling her and she released the bowl to glare at him. "Stinker"

She considered and poked out her tongue as he laughed.

"How was physio?" Ianto asked as he began spoon feeding the child who could feed her own damned self. Jack felt a spike of annoyance as Ianto mothered the child.

"Draining" Jack replied sullenly, sitting back to rub his face.

"Well… the Nanny looks to be finished her break so stinkpot here will be off for a bath… maybe you need a massage or a hot bath yourself to loosen up the kinks?" Ianto suggested.

"I am not your patient or your child" Jack grumbled "I don't need to be handled!"

"Oh. Ah… sorry" Ianto rose and Jack sighed as he knew he had been rude but when he rose to apologize Ianto was already gone.

"Fuck."

.

.

"We don't' have any clearer pictures I am afraid" Ianto said as he swung in his chair, the commander making a soft noise of annoyance.

"It's been three months since the last lead!" he grumbled.

"I know… we are on shaky ground and they are getting suspicious sir" Ianto replied sagely "I am doing the best I can. Have I ever let you down?"

"No.. of course not Agent. No… sorry. That was not fair, you are the one person I know is loyal to the Agency. You have proven that."

"Thank you" Ianto huffed "I will find the bastard, he has dug in but I know we have the right place!"

And he had to find that mole soon because whoever was feeding information to the rebels was the one who gave the access codes that got the warning system shut down… was the one who killed all those people with their stupidity in thinking a little shut down to smuggle something in ahead of the usual flares would go unnoticed and instead got caught with their pants down then the flares struck early. No warning system on meant … well. Ianto didn't have to look at the numbers, he only had to look at the man sitting morosely at his own table to know the cost of this arsehole's actions.

He had to find him before anyone else died.

.

.

"Ianto?"

Ianto looked up as Jack entered his home office to lean in the doorframe. Jack apologized "I… I am sorry I was a prick earlier. I am just tired and frustrated with myself and I tend to project."

"Totally understandable… why I didn't shoot you"

Jack blinked then laughed softly as Ianto mimed shooting him gangster style. This guy was funny.

"Emilie is asleep for the night… you got much more work to do tonight?" Jack asked.

"Just a few reports to sign off on then I am hitting the bunk" Ianto assured him "goodnight Jack."

Jack hesitated like he wanted to say something more then nodded "Goodnight Ianto."

Ianto turned to look at the doorframe for a good second or two after Jack had pushed off it and left the vicinity.

What had he wanted to say?

.

.

"Are you OK?" Owen asked as he watched Ianto pace his office.

"No... Jack is… well… distracting" Ianto finally admitted.

"God forbid the stone cold Ianto Jones actually noticed someone's abs" Owen said with horror "Or was it a little… lower that caught your eye? Don't' think I didn't see you looking mister!"

"Shut up" Ianto scolded then grinned as he shook his head "don't like me like that anyway. Clear in the way he keeps looking at me like I am puzzling."

"You are puzzling, it's you signature thing" Owen assured him gaining a soft thump to his arm.

"Assault, I can have you for that."

"Just try it wizened up monkey man!" Ianto snarled reaching for him "I am nuttier than a space squirrel's shit pile!"

Own roared with mirth as he heard one of his own favorite sayings said back, shoving at Ianto playfully before they settled to discuss the mole.

Owen wanted this assignment to be over too.

He also hoped the two men sharing the apartment never read one another's file.

Things might get messy.