Argh, this chapter just wouldn't turn out quite how I wanted it to...Hope you enjoy it anyway!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed and put this story on alert - you make me smile :-)

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Jack was whistling as he sped down the motorway to Sussex, enjoying the early spring morning with his roof down and the strains of Glen Miller floating around. He had been invited to breakfast in the rooms of Sir Michael Heart, the high court judge who was sitting in the courts there and couldn't help but hope that he might walk away with a date to sit for him as a recorder. It was no secret in the legal world that Jack had his sights firmly set on sitting at the bench, neither was it an impossible dream. Of all the things that were whispered about him, no one had ever seen him compromise any of his principles.

There were admittedly, a few areas where his principles had been found somewhat lacking. The blonde in his bend this morning for example, hadn't been most satisfied with her dismissal of "Here's a cup of coffee darling, and don't take my copy of the Times." Jack had failed to see the problem, and sworn under his breath as the coffee ended up trickling down his shirt and he was forced to change before leaving. He was making up speed now, watching the speedometer climb higher and higher as the motorway beckoned, and he let himself briefly imagine how good he'd look in the recorders purple robes. It was a pleasant thought.

Pulling into the car park at the Sussex courts, Jack absently noted the lack of cars in place, and surmised that not all the courts were in session. He was right as it turned out, they would start sitting with a full house the following week and consequently Sir Michael was more relaxed than usual.

"Jack" he exclaimed, holding out a welcoming hand and offering a warm smile. "good to see you, recovered from that triple murder yet?"

"Oh you know me, out of the frying pan and into the fire"

"Really? Good lord, you don't mean to say you've got a more flammable case than that on your books?" Jack chuckled and saw through the Judge's concern immediately. Whilst Jack was in prime position as king of his peers to pick and choose his cases, the manner of selection for Judges to hear them was supposed to be all the more impartial. In actual fact it was a scrabble among them to get the juicy cases first: fraud would almost always still be sitting in the in tray of the last to arrive at courts. A tip from Jack Harkness was one worth taking.

"Nothing they'll hear in Sussex Michael, it'll be heard at the high courts." Michael rolled his eyes warmly, and led Jack into the dining hall. Beckoning to one of the waiting butlers he ordered a pot of coffee and an omelette. Jack nodded for the same, and as the butler retreated Michael beckoned him forwards.

"Look Jack, you've done me an awful lot of favours in our time. Tipped me off about cases, such forth. Needless to say I owe you. You've heard the rumours I presume?"

Jack nodded. Everyone who had an ear to the ground had heard the whisperings that after the death of Sir Fitzroy, Sir Michael was next in line for ascension to the Law Lords.

"Well I've been approached. Shan't say who of course, bad luck" he winked conspiratorially at his friend "but soon I'll be in a position to repay some favours. Can't have this conversation then of course, couldn't have it in London now m'boy; but may I give you some advice?"

Jack nodded. He wasn't promising to take it, after all.

"Your name is on the circuit for potential recorders, there's been talk of you trying your hand at a few small cases, nothing of consequence, you know. A good start. I'd be happy to have you here, and I've said as much. Problem is, you still fill out too many columns in the gossip pages if you know what I mean. Not that I blame you" his eyes glazed over for a moment "if I were your age…anyway. You've got prospects Jack, and you're on the up. But tone down the theatrics, in and out of court. Ok?"

Jack smiled. Michael had been a good friend to him, and as his pupil master he still looked out for ways to help him up into the lofty heights of the judiciary.

He held his hand out and shook the old man's warmly.

To give Jack his due, he did consider the words of warning Michael had given him; but a quick thought of the girl who worked in the coffee shop by his flat and that boy who delivers the mail in chambers and he knew the chances of him sticking to them were slim to none. He wondered briefly if he had time to go and find one of them before his nine o clock briefing with his new barrister in training until he noticed the time. 9:15.

Great start jack, he muttered to himself, swinging his car into the underground car park.

Walking quickly through the offices his long coat trailing out behind him, Jack swung round to his secretary and placed a fresh muffin on her desk. Anne adored him after he'd sued her previous company for unfair dismissal, and wangled her a settlement that ensured she never had to work again.

She still took the job for him.

She was much coveted by all the barristers in chambers, and occasionally the Judges too, and yet she refused to leave Jack, claiming that no one else would be able to decipher his handwriting. She was also popular among the assistants, and Jack new the never ending drip of gossip and murmurings she had access to were invaluable.

"You're late." She quipped, as he dropped a sheaf of files on her desk.

"Shoot me" he grinned, "the Collins case, ready to be filed away. Just another one to chalk up to victory." Her eyes were furiously darting at the other side of the room and then back to him. He followed her gaze to rest on a young man facing the water cooler. He couldn't see his face; but he didn't imagine it could offer a more attractive view than he was getting at the moment. A perfectly tailored suit hugged the contours of what promised to be a perfect arse with such blatant ease that Jack could almost believe the man was teasing him on purpose.

The man spun on his heel, and placing his water on Anne's desk proffered a hand.

His face was just as attractive.

"Jones, Sir, Ianto Jones. It's a pleasure to meet you Sir."

"Well, I think the Sir is something I think we can agree to dispense with don't you? Call me Jack."

"I'm not sure that would be proper, Sir."

"I'm enjoying imagining a series of improper things, Mr Jones. What can I do for you?"

Ianto darted his eyes in question to Anne, who simply shrugged her shoulders and shielded her mouth in laughter. She was going to enjoy the next six months.

"You're down as my pupil master?"

Jack let his jaw drop open for a moment; before committing the folly of thinking out loud. "You mean I'm spending the next two six's holed up with you?" His leer dropped from the man's perfect lips, to his perfect waist, slightly lower and then came back up to meet his eyes.

"You'd better come in then" he grinned, and motioned towards his office.