Chapter 15: Coffee break
Ianto normally found making coffee relaxing. He enjoyed the precision of measuring out the beans and milk and the art of combining them just so to meet everyone's individual preference. This was a quiet spot in his day when he could let his mind focus on something that would bring pleasure, rather than on aliens and possible destruction.
Today was not like that. For a start he had more mugs of coffee to make; he was geared to making five, another four was turning a pleasure into a chore. But what was most annoying was the audience that had gathered around him. Jack 5 had started it, insisting on watching him at work claiming he wanted the 'recipe'. Jack 4 had confirmed that the coffee was a work of art, which Ianto thought absurd, and had encouraged Jacks 2 and 3 to join them around the coffee machine. The four of them were standing around Ianto now, chatting about this and that, and Ianto was learning a lot.
"I guess you're still with Angela," said Jack 5 to Jack 2. "Lovely woman. Always have liked a woman with green eyes. Is she well?"
"She's fine, thanks. Marriage suits us very well." Ianto almost dropped a mug. "What's wrong with Jack 3? He's really angry about something yet the rest of you seem to have got over it."
"There was an incident," said Jack 5, indiscreet as always. "A ship, the Antellier Caroo, arrived and Torchwood let UNIT massacre its passengers. They just stood by and did nothing when they could have stopped it. We left then, spent most of the time trying to forget." Jack 5 looked serious as he remembered that time. "He's in the middle of that." Ianto could not imagine a desperate Jack.
In another group, an earnest discussion was in progress. "Tell me, do I get to meet the Doctor?" asked Jack 3. "I mean, I've waited so long! Is it going to happen? Will it be another 30 years?"
Jack 4 considered then said, "We need to be careful of our timelines but I will say this. We meet him again, more than once, and we become good friends."
"I don't want to be his friend! I want to find out about this not-dying thing. Just seeing you is enough to confirm that it's not going away. I can't imagine living for another three thousand years." He paused and added, "Does it get any easier?"
"No. It's still only just bearable." That shook Ianto; he had no idea Jack thought like that about his immortality.
"Coffee, gentlemen," he announced. "I made it industrial strength as my Jack likes it." He passed round the mugs. The four Jacks sipped the coffee and appreciative comments were made. They started discussing the coffee and other memorable beverages drunk during their shared lifetimes and Ianto was able to slip away and distribute the drinks to the others.
Toshiko and Gwen were at their desks, analysing all the information they had on the grenade. Jack had charged Toshiko with presenting all the facts at the meeting and Gwen was helping collate them. Owen was cleaning up the mess left by the explosion and not relishing the task but he still doing a good job. Ianto left the coffees within reach of all three and then climbed down the ladder to Jack's quarters with his coffee.