Chapter 30: Pastries
The new arrivals were Toshiko and Jack 2. After quick greetings, all five moved to the work area and started on the pastries, even though the latest arrivals had already had breakfast.
Ianto went off to make coffee and after a few minutes was joined by Jack. He smiled conspiratorially at his boss. "I still can't get over that ride this morning, it was so fantastic! Didn't you think so? Oh, I know you did." Ianto could not contain his excitement, words just fell from his mouth. "God, I wish we didn't have to forget all this. Or last night," he added suggestively, leaning across to kiss him. He was surprised when there was little response; Jack usually took full advantage of any and every opening. He handed him his special blue and white striped mug.
"I think you may have got mixed up, Ianto. I'm Jack 2," he said, smiling at Ianto's immediate confusion. "Hey, don't worry. I won't say anything." He watched Ianto blush and was attracted to him for the first time: maybe his other selves were right in liking him so much. "I enjoyed the kiss," he added mischievously, pleased to see the blush on Ianto's cheeks growing hotter.
"I um, I thought ...," spluttered Ianto.
"I know. No harm done," soothed Jack 2. "Can I keep this or is it your Jack's mug?" he asked, holding up the untouched coffee.
"It's Jack's," answered Ianto, mentally kicking himself for his mistake. He had been so certain he could tell his Jack apart from the rest he had forgotten there were now two others currently wearing his clothes. "You have this one and I'll give him that one," he continued, swapping the coffees. He beat a hasty retreat, taking coffees to the others and leaving a still smiling Jack 2 behind him.
Owen and the remaining Jacks arrived around 9.10 and joined the others enjoying pastries and coffees. Gwen came in just a few minutes later and completed the group. They were enjoying the last chance they were going to get to chat with the visiting Jacks. They had paired off in much the same way as they had been found. Gwen was talking to Jack 4 and decided that he was not so bad after all, they had just got off on the wrong foot. Jack 3 was in a heated but good-natured discussion with Owen, showing none of the anger and distance that had been so apparent on his arrival. Toshiko and Jack 2 continued their happy relationship, chatting about changes to the Hub's design. Jack 5 was not able to talk to Ianto as he had made himself scarce after serving the beverages. Instead he was talking with Jack, discussing some of the changes that would be coming very soon.
With the coffee drunk and the pastries consumed, Jack called everyone to order. "Okay, everyone. Time we thought about returning you all to your own time. I've got strength 2 Retcon here, which'll make us all forget the last 18 hours."
"I'll need to change," said Jack 3, moving towards the hatch to Jack's quarters. "You coming?" he asked Jack 2 who also had to get back into his own, period, clothes.
"Right behind you," he acknowledged, following his later self into the office and disappearing down the hatch.
The final chapters will be up shortly.