"Gwen," Ianto said, walking briskly out of Jack's office. "The PM just called, again. He wants to go over some things with Jack, and I told him Jack was not available right now. I told him I'd get back to him ASAP, but it's up to you."
"Shouldn't we tell him Jack's gone?" Toshiko piped up. "He's going to have to find out eventually. I mean, we can't keep it under wraps forever."
"No, that'd bring up a whole set of questions that we don't have time to make up answers for. Just tell him that Jack is on sick leave and he's left the team to me, Ianto."
The team. Like we're not even human beings anymore; just a possession that can be passed on.
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Ianto said, folding his hand behind his back.
"Why not?"
"Because he - the Prime Minister, that is - is getting quite impatient. He said he needed to see Jack, or someone, or he would cut off all of our funding right now."
Owen rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up on his desk. "Like that would hardly faze us." He snorted and looked around. "If we put half of the junk around here on Ebay and auction it off..."
Gwen gave him a stern look. "Owen Harper, we are not auctioning off alien artifacts, not to mention weapons, that could destroy the world, to people. Besides, we need them."
Owen snorted, but wisely did not comment.
Gwen swiveled in her chair where she was facing Ianto again. "Okay, go set up an appointment for nine o' clock tomorrow, AM. I had always thought that Jack had meant completely outside the government, but apparently not. So, I guess it's best not to fight it."
Ianto nodded, turned, and walked back towards Jack office.
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"I've told you, Prime Minister, you cannot talk to Jack because he is bed-ridden sick. No, not over the phone either, sorry. Because he can barely get out a few words before he starts coughing. Erm, he had to write it down to tell us. No, there is no possible..."
Owen, who had been leaning against the doorframe, marched in and plucked the phone from Ianto's hands. He put the phone to his ear and walked over to the glass window.
"Hello, Prime Minister, Doctor Harper, second in command here. Yes, yes, I'm fine thanks. I've heard you've been giving Ianto some trouble, and well, y'know how Jack gets protective...mmhmm. Well, I've since turned pretty much all of the official stuff over to former PC Gwen Elisabeth Cooper and since Jack is out sick, you're going to talk to her or not at all. Now if you could squeeze her in at nine that'd be great. Thanks."
Owen turned and tossed the phone back. Ianto caught it skillfully, cautiously putting it to his ear only to find a dial tone.
Ianto glared at Owen. "That was rude. Not only was it rude, but it was directed at the Prime Minister, which is beyond rude."
Owen shrugged. "What a shame."
