Ianto awoke early in the morning. Jack wasn't beside him. Getting out of bed, he slipped on his trousers and climbed the ladder into Jack's office. He wasn't there, either. Moving into the Hub, Ianto moved down towards the area where people and aliens were put in deep freeze. He saw Jack, pushing a drawer shut and placing a name tad in the slot provided. Jack turned as Ianto approached.
"Was wondering where you were." Ianto wrapped his arms around Jack's waist.
"Had to freeze him before the Weevils started going crazy for the smell."
"Mmm. I missed you."
"Sorry." Jack kissed the top of Ianto's head. "Let's go back to bed. I promise to stay there til morning."
They walked back to Jack's office, hand in hand. Once there, Jack turned to Ianto.
"Five years. I was with John for five years. We were stuck in a two week time loop. It was good for a while."
"Why didn't you leave?"
"He…needed me, and on a certain level, I guess I needed him, too."
"And now," asked Ianto, sitting down.
"I don't feel anything for him. Even before you. There's nothing there."
"Is he here after you?"
"You heard him the same as I did." Jack knelt beside Ianto's chair. "He's bad news, and don't want him anywhere near Torchwood, or you." Jack stood up, taking Ianto's hands in his. "Let's go to bed."
Ianto rose from the chair and followed Jack back down the ladder to the bedroom.
"I won't ask you about him again," said Ianto, climbing into bed.
Jack replied by kissing him on the lips before taking him in his arms.
Ianto snuggled against Jack's bare chest, secure in the knowledge that he was the only one in Jack's life. He was sleep within minutes. Jack lay there, awake. He couldn't get John Hart out of his mind. Why was he here? Not just for Mason, he was sure of that. But one way or another, he was going to find out.
Next morning, when Gwen arrived, Ianto was just putting a mug of coffee in Jack's office. Jack himself, was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Jack?" asked Gwen.
"Archives," replied Ianto, not looking at her.
"Arr. And how are we this morning?"
"Yeah, fine, and you?"
"Great."
Jack appeared in the Hub. "Morning, Gwen."
"Jack."
"I called UNIT, told them about Mason's 'accident'," he emphasized the word with his finger. "Told them I'd put him in deep freeze. They didn't seem to be bothered. He's out of their hair now." Jack turned to Ianto. "Coffee?"
"In your office."
"Thank you." he walked towards the stairs leading to his office, then turned to Gwen. "Let me know when Owen and Tosh get here."
"Okay, Jack."
Ianto went to walk back to the kitchen.
"So, Ianto, John and Jack."
Ianto frowned.
"Who'd 'ave thought?" Gwen saw the look on Ianto's face. "Oh, sorry, Ianto."
"It's alright. Jack told me about him."
"And?"
"Not much to tell, really." Ianto shrugged.
"And you and Jack. You're okay?"
"Yes, we're fine." Ianto continued on to the kitchen, making Gwen a cup of coffee. Before he'd finished making it, Tosh and Owen arrived.
"Tosh picked me up. Bloody car wouldn't start." Owen tutted.
Gwen touched her coms devise. "Jack, Tosh and Owen are here."
"Okay. We'll meet in the Boardroom in ten minutes."
"Okay Jack, I'll tell them."
"Ianto, too," he added.
"Righto." Gwen turned to the other Torchwood members. "Jack wants us all in the Boardroom in ten minutes.."
"I better make fresh coffee, then," said Ianto.
"You, too, Ianto."
"Promotion," kidded Owen, looking at Ianto.
"Very funny, and so early in the morning. You must have been up all night thinkin' about it."
Owen walked passed Ianto and went to the Boardroom. "I'll take my coffee in the Boardroom."
"That's where I was taking it, Owen."
"Don't take any notice of Owen, Ianto," said Tosh, smiling.
"Never do." Ianto replied.
Jack appeared at his office door and looked down at Gwen. He signalled for her to join him.
As she climbed the stairs, Gwen looked back and smiled at Ianto. He didn't smile back.
"What's up, Jack?"
"Close the door."
Gwen did so.
"I just got a message from John Hart. He's coming back…for me. If I don't go with him, he'll take Ianto."
"What are you going to do?"
Jack moved to look out of his window. He watched Ianto making coffee. "I have to meet him. I can't risk him trying to take Ianto."
"Could he Jack? Take Ianto back to wherever he came from?"
"If he tried, it'd kill Ianto. Humans aren't built to jump through time and space." Jack turned back to Gwen. "I have to get him away from here. But I'll have to come up with a good excuse."
"Can't you tell him the truth?"
"You think he'd listen? Especially now. No." Jack looked at his watch. "Right, Boardroom."
They left together and followed behind Ianto as he took a tray of mugs full of steaming hot coffee into the Boardroom.
Jack walked round to the top of the table, and indicated for Ianto to sit at the other end.
Unit want us to go back to The Renegade Hotel and make sure it's empty of Weevils and Blowfish.
"Come on, Jack….." began Owen.
"And I agree." Jack said, butting in.
Owen shook his head.
"Owen, Ianto, you leave straight away."
"Jack…"
"No discussions, Owen. That's final."
Ianto looked at Jack, and nodded.
"Tosh, check out another property owned by Mason. Houses, boats, anything. Gwen, check with PC Andy. Find out if Mason had a record. What it was for." Jack turned to Owen. "Take the SUV, guns and stun guns, just in case. Go."
Owen and Ianto stood up.
"I'm not 'appy about this, Jack." Owen protested.
"Noted."
As Ianto left the room, he turned to look at Jack. Their eyes met and held for a second, then he was gone.
"Where are you meeting John Hart?"
"Meeting John Hart? Why, Jack?"
"He wants me back. Thinks if he threatens me with taking Ianto, I'll give in and go with him."
"And will you?" asked Tosh.
"If I have to, yes." Jack moved out from the Boardroom into the passageway. "Stay where you are." He punched in a number on his wrist strap and was gone.
But just before he disappeared, Gwen thought she heard him say 'Tell Ianto I'm sorry and that I love him.'