A/N – Bit more lighthearted than my past couple of fics. I'm tackling a subject that it seems most Torchwood fic writers touch on at some point.

8. Don't Fence Me In

On a rare rift free evening, the Torchwood team found themselves at the local pub. It'd been a while since they had been able to just hang out and enjoy each other's company. Jack had insisted on footing the bill for the festivities so of course everyone was making the most of it.

Their fearless leader had gone to the bar to order another round. He was currently laughing and whispering with the brunette standing next to him. Ianto took a sip from his nearly empty glass, knowing the others would be watching him. Tosh would give him a sad and supposedly knowing look, Gwen would give him a pitying glance with those cow eyes, and Owen, depending on his mood, would either smirk at him or turn his gaze angrily to Jack.

Sometimes Ianto wanted to correct them in their assumption of Jack and his flirting, but tonight he decided to let them squirm.

A few minutes later, Jack returned with the drinks. He handed them out finishing with Ianto's lager. No one missed the lingering touch as the captain handed off the glass to the Welshman.

TWTWTW

A few days later, Ianto was leaning against the SUV as Jack finished talking with a young PC about a weevil attack. The 'poor diseased animal' was now sedated in the back of the vehicle. Owen was sitting impatiently in the driver's seat complaining that there was no need for Jack to be taking this long. Ianto watched at Jack edged closer to the PC, laughing and putting his hand on the guy's shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Owen bristle.

Finally, Jack strode back to the SUV. He laughed when Owen made a comment about making new friends. But as he started up the engine, Jack made sure the medic couldn't not see the lecherous look he gave Ianto.

TWTWTW

After a particularly crazy day, it was almost time to go home and the team were all at their stations. Owen was finishing an autopsy on a particularly aggressive weevil. Tosh was setting up an analysis to run overnight. Gwen was busy completing some paperwork for the local police and Ianto had just finished up the cover story for the local news. Jack was currently on a phone call with UNIT.

Glancing at the time, Ianto got up and made a comment about "last call" for coffee as he headed towards the kitchen. Soon he was making his way around the hub handing out mugs. After setting down Owen's mug at the top of the stairs leading down to the autopsy bay, he started to climb the steps to Jack's office. Giggling could be heard wafting out of the office door. Obviously whatever business needed to be discussed was over. Ianto felt the eyes on his back as he stepped through the glass door, entering Jack's office.

He placed the captain's mug on the desk, then sat in one of the guest chairs, sipping from his own mug as Jack finished the call.

"You put on quite a show there." Ianto said with a smile. "The others might have concerns over your intentions."

Jack swallowed the gulp of coffee he had in his mouth. "What? With Martha?" The captain screwed of his face.

"I believe, sir…" Ianto took another sip from his cup. "That they think the intergalactic lothario is leading the poor little tea boy on and that I crumble inside every time you flirt with someone."

The captain thought for a moment, suddenly serious. "Do you?" He hesitated. "You know it doesn't mean anything, right? It's just work… or fun…." He trailed off.

The younger man rolled his eyes. "God Jack, if it bothered me do you honestly think I'd be sitting here? It's who you are. "He leaned forward almost conspiratorially and nodded towards the main hub. "I think they're trying to protect me."

Jack grinned.

"I'm not the shrinking violet they all think I am." The Welshman winked. "You of all people should know that."

Jack laughed out loud then leaned forward to meet Ianto's gaze. "Do you think we should tell them that your virtue is long gone."

Ianto sighed and rolled is eyes dramatically. "Rein it in, cowboy." He grinned and got up. Reaching the door, he turned, "It's almost closing time. You coming with?"

Jack smiled a genuine smile. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

End

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A/N – I really don't like fics that have Ianto crying whenever Jack looks at another person. He's so much stronger than that and wouldn't put up with it, if it had any real meaning. I believe that, yeah Jack would flirt with a brick wall, but that's all it is… flirting. It's who he is. Nothing is going to happen.