A/N--So, anyone enjoying this? If so (or if not) mind leaving a review? Thanks!

Chapter Five

"Jack?" He was elbow deep in engine parts when his earpiece flared to life.

"What's up Tosh?"

"They've been a little slow, but you're about to get company."

"Try to wave them off, would you?"

"I already did, Jack. The response I got was 'What the fuck is bloody Torchwood?'"

Jack smiled at the sound of those obscenities coming out of Tosh's mouth. Owen and Gwen might use that language constantly, but Toshiko never swore.

"Not promising," he commented.

"That's what I thought."

"ETA?"

"You've got maybe five minutes."

Jack looked over at Ianto.

"Yan? We've got the locals on the way, and they're apparently not too impressed by 'We're Torchwood.' Think you can go run interference while I finish up here?"

"Of course, Sir."

"Keep them away from here, Yan."

Ianto nodded, and looked over at the two Arkans.

"It was very nice to meet you," he told them formally.

"Likewise, Ianto, friend of Captain Jack, " Oooolie replied. "Maybe sometime we could take the two of you on a pleasure trip. A weekend on Midnight, perhaps? Nothing more romantic than standing at the base of the Sapphire Waterfall…"

"I"—Ianto looked helplessly at Jack, who didn't help at all. "That might be nice, sometime," he finally stuttered, "if Jack wants to go."

Satisfaction wormed its way into Oooolie's wispy tone. "Excellent. I'll look forward to it. Safe travels, Ianto Jones."

With a final nod of his head, Ianto headed out of the ship and back along the narrow trail towards the road. He reached there just as two local police cars pulled up on either side of his vehicle.

"Ianto Jones, Torchwood. We have this."

"Oh, 'Torchwood' are you? And just what is that supposed to be?"

"A bit out of the loop here in Newport, are you? Torchwood is special ops. We have priority in any situation in which we choose to exert jurisdiction."

"Priority. Really. Let me tell you something son, in this town, we're the only priority."

"Oh, really? Would you prefer to speak with the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly, or with the Prime Minister?" He held out his phone. "I have both on speed dial."

"Prime Minister? Prime Minister of what?"

"Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, First Lord of the Treasury Harriet Jones. Is she your preference?" He'd almost been hoping that would be their choice, as he hadn't made the trek across the Plass to the Senedd to take coffee to the Presiding Officer since being injured (an errand he did with semi-regularity as the Assembly's willingness to turn a blind eye to all things Torchwood was a valuable asset, and they were, after all, Torchwood's closest neighbor and one of it's largest funding sources) and didn't really want to have to explain his absence in front of his current audience. Particularly as he hadn't yet figured out what he was going to say.

The cops were both still laughing when Ianto held up a hand to quiet them.

"Security visa 45907. Jones. Yes, Madame Prime Minister? It's Ianto. We seem to be having a bit of jurisdictional quandary with the Newport Constable's office. Thought you might be able to give me a bit of assistance."

He handed the phone to the nearest officer.

"This is Constable Alun Blevins. And to whom might I be speaking?" Ianto had no idea just what the prime minister said, but the officer went white, and after a stuttering series of "yes, ma'am, I'm sorry ma'ams" he wordlessly handed the phone back to Ianto. Ianto put the phone back to his ear.

"Madam Prime Minister?" Her comments made him smile. "Yes, ma'am. Me as well. Thank you as always. I'll talk to you soon." He disconnected, then eyed the motionless officers.

"Ianto Jones, Torchwood. We have this," he repeated. This time both officers stood taller.

"Yes, Sir," replied the first officer. "And how can we be of the most use to you?"

Ianto glance back to see Jack trudging back through the flats, hauling their equipment, looking like he'd just stepped off of a fashion runway—how does he DO that?

"That's Capt. Harkness. Looks like we've wrapped up, but maybe you could wait just until he reaches us?"

"Of course, Sir. And about earlier, Sir…"

But Ianto waved him off.

"Just remember next time—Torchwood always has jurisdiction."

"Yes, Sir. And I'll spread the word."

As Jack drew closer, Ianto could see the subtle signs of fatigue—the result of several sleepless nights, a hike through the marsh hauling gear, and whatever had been involved in repairing the spaceship--but nothing that would be noticeable to anyone who didn't know him intimately. Clearly the already cowed constables were impressed.

"Capt. Jack Harkness," Jack greeted them, throwing Ianto a glance.

"Constables Alun Blevins and Pedr Telford, sir. We just stopped to offer our assistance."

Ianto smirked slightly, but didn't contest the assertion.

"Well, thank you, boys. Always nice when the men and women in uniform are willing to give Torchwood a hand. But I think we've pretty much got it wrapped up here, so you might as well head out. We're just going to load up the truck and go ourselves."

As he talked, Jack maneuvered around the two officers, causing them to turn with their backs to the bay, just in case Oooolie decided not to wait for the "all clear" to take off. Leisure cruisers were remarkably quiet, but it was a little hard to miss a flying saucer taking off from 800 meters away if you were staring straight at it.

"Do you need any help loading up, Sir?" asked Telford. Jack shot Ianto another glance. Whatever gun he'd pulled out to assure the local cooperation, it had been a big one.

"Harriet," Ianto mouthed at him. Jack struggled to suppress his grin. The Doctor might have his issues with her, but Jack was a fan, even if he didn't always agree with everything she believed. Besides, the Doctor didn't have to work with her on a regular basis. Torchwood did. Much better to have her as an ally than an adversary. And as Ianto had taken over most of Torchwood Three's interactions with the assorted powers that be (one part of the job Jack had been THRILLED to give up) over the last few months, he and the Prime Minister had developed a fairly warm relationship.

"Thanks, but it's just this stuff here," he answered as Ianto lifted the hatch so that he could swing the equipment in. "You boys have a nice day."

"Yes, Sir. You too. Thank you, Sir." He hesitated. "Um, Sir, if you don't mind my asking..."

"Swamp gas," Jack replied.

"Very good, Sir," And looking less than convinced, Blevins and Telford made their way to their respective vehicles. As the cars pulled away, Jack visibly sagged.

"You okay, Sir?"

"Yeah, just tired. Let's get out of here, Yan…"

"So, those are Arkans. I thought you said they were verbose," Ianto commented once they were back in the Range Rover and underway. He'd offered to drive, but Jack had shut him down with a single disbelieving glance.

"They are, when they aren't embarrassed out of their minds. Definitely counted in our favor. Besides, Oooolie is the one Arkan I've always actually liked. He's a lot more interesting than most of his species. And you did leave before he really got on a roll. Something about solar flares affecting whale activity around the earth. I don't know—I tuned him out at that point."

He paused and glanced across at Ianto.

"A weekend on Midnight would be pretty romantic, Yan. The planet is supposed to be beautiful, and they have this spa…"

"We'll see. At least it's not camping." The corners of Jack's lips quirked up, but he didn't reply.

They'd been driving in silence for some minutes before Jack changed the subject, commenting, "You did a good job with the officers. Thanks, Yan."

Ianto's reply was so soft, Jack had to strain to hear it.

"Yeah, not as big a fuck up as I was at the damnedable Brynblaidd, at least. Didn't almost get anyone else killed this time."

Jack threw him an incredulous look.

"Yan, how many time to I have to tell you that you did just fine in the Brecon Beacons! Better than fine! As well or better than anyone on the team! You were the only one not to point your gun at a team member at some point. Gwen, Owen and Tosh all did. You weren't the one who flipped out in the middle of clearing a house. That was Gwen. And you didn't let Gwen walk into the spray from a shotgun—I did that. Tosh told me that you never lost your cool, even when they came after you with a baseball bat. Beaten and handcuffed, and you gave her the opportunity to escape."

"But Jack, I was SO scared!"

"That's what being brave is, Ianto." Jack glanced away from the road to survey his young colleague. "Holding it together when you ARE scared. People who aren't scared in situation like that are stupid, not brave."

"Tosh lied about me holding it together. I yelled at her, accused her of enjoying the danger."

"She told me. And she told me that then you went right back to helping her try to assess your situation, try to figure a way out. I did a little yelling myself, you know. Ianto, what we faced? What those people were doing? It was terrifying. Only a madman wouldn't have been afraid!"