A/N: Warning: More hanky panky, but Ianto's insecurities and Jack's ego gets in the way. Typical male overreactions follow!

Chapter 6 – Always Prepared

Owen was asleep on the couch when they got to the Hub. Tosh went to work on the "Rift-a-bric-a-brac". Gwen started looking into any other complaints in the neighborhood. Ianto said he'd pull the reports of all the other Rift activity that had been logged in the area in the historic archive, not all of which had been digitized. Jack went to his office for a few minutes then disappeared.

Ianto was sitting at a computer in the Archives searching for the location. Ianto had digitized more of the old paper files than he let on to anyone. Even so, he'd have to dig through the paper as well, but he didn't think it was a priority. A loud noise wasn't much to go on. He was thinking of ways to limit the parameters when he felt hands on his triceps.

"I thought you said D room," Jack said. Ianto knew that pissy, annoyed tone. He heard it whenever someone was doing something other than what Jack wanted. If that person was Ianto and Jack was the something he should have been doing, the tone took on a more aggrieved aspect.

"Thought I'd do a quick search," Ianto said not looking away from the screen.

"Not important," Jack said turning the monitor off. "Get up, get into that room, and get your clothes off before you lose another suit." Jack raked his fingernails against the newly shortened hairs on the back of Ianto's neck. Ianto failed to contain a shiver.

Ianto stood up slowly and walked equally slowly to D room. Jack entered, slammed the door, and locked it. He began taking his clothes off in great haste and tossed them on a small, rectangular table. Ianto, still moving slowly and deliberately, removed his jacket and arranged it on the back of a chair next to the table. He focused on removing his tie and purposely didn't look at Jack's naked body.

"Need some help," Jack said stepping into Ianto's personal space and grabbing his tie. Ianto snatched it away.

"No, I'd like to keep this outfit intact, thank you very much." He placed the tie over his jacket then moved it over an inch to the left and then back to annoy Jack.

"You brought the change of clothes like I said, right?" Jack reached for Ianto's belt buckle. He swatted his hands away.

"Yes, but they are in my car because somebody had to ambush me in the parking lot." Ianto slowly undid the buckle and undid the button on his trousers. "I wasn't really needed." He unbuttoned his cuffs.

Jack crossed his arms over his naked chest.

"I like having you on missions. I don't like putting you in danger, but this was hardly a dangerous assignment. I like seeing you integrate into the team. You were alone too long."

Ianto pulled his shirt out and undid the buttons.

"I like you, Ianto, in so many ways."

Ianto slid his shirt off and put it neatly on the chair. He took his undershirt off, folded it with care, and placed it on the far end of the table.

"I like your humor, your efficiency, your loyalty, and, most importantly at this moment, your body."

Ianto sat in the chair and carefully removed his shoes and socks. He stood, unzipped his fly, and let his trousers slip down a few inches.

"So you mean there are bits of me you don't like?"

"Yeah, your sense of timing. Clothes off now."

Ianto smiled at Jack's impatience. This was a Jack he understood. This was the 'I want sex gimmie gimmie gimmie' Jack. This was the 'needy, drooling, begging for it' Jack.

Ianto took off his trousers and folded them quickly over the back of the chair. He removed his underwear, folded them, and slid them next to his undershirt. Ianto turned back to face Jack.

"Did you have...ouf!" Ianto was interrupted mid-sentence. Jack launched himself at Ianto, forcing him back onto the table. Jack jumped on top of Ianto and slammed his pelvis against him. He bit Ianto's shoulder, hard, and ground their cocks together.

Ianto knew this Jack, too. This was the 'sex crazed, animalistic' Jack. This was the 'hang on or you will get hurt' Jack. When Jack was like this, Ianto felt like he was barely preferable to an inflatable sex toy. Still, that little preference meant the world to Ianto. He also had to admit that Jack's desire turned him on.

"Wish I brought some lubricant," Jack said continuing the frottage. Ianto put a hand on Jack's chest and pushed him back a step.

"Hold on," Ianto said. Jack grabbed Ianto's cock. Ianto pushed his hand away and laughed. "I mean be patient for one moment, sir." Ianto walked over to a shelf and pulled out a banker's box. He brought it back to the table.

"What's that," Jack asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Ianto said smiling at Jack's curiosity. He opened the box turning so Jack couldn't see inside, pulled out a small bottle, and quickly put the lid back on the box. Ianto handed the bottle to Jack and slid the box under the table.

"I was just telling Gwen how well you anticipate my needs! Lie down on the table," Jack commanded. Ianto did as he was told and Jack straddled his hips. He rubbed their cocks together again. He rubbed the bottle against one of Ianto's nipples and raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Before Ianto could say anything about making a mess, Jack flipped the bottle open and dribbled lube over both their cocks then between Ianto's thighs. He threw the bottle down and rubbed against Ianto a few more times.

Ianto knew what was coming. Intercrural sex was not something he had ever done with a woman. He hadn't even heard of it until he read up on all manner of homosexual practices out of curiosity when he started fantasizing more about Jack than Lisa. He thought it was something he wouldn't enjoy. He'd been right. He was no longer preferable to an inflatable sex toy, just warmer with about the same chance of climaxing. At least he knew how to get it over with faster.

Jack moved down a little and pressed his erection between Ianto's thighs. Ianto pressed his thighs together as tightly as he could. Jack thrusted between his lubed thighs slowly looking for the best angle. Ianto felt the meat of his thighs rubbing and reminded himself of his promise to go to the gym. He thought Jack would prefer firmer thighs.

Ianto assumed Jack found the sensation he was looking for when he began thrusting faster. He gave Jack a minute then grabbed his ass.

"Oh yeah," Jack huffed without breaking his stride.

Ianto kneaded Jack's ass in time with his thrusts. He found this technique purely by chance, but Jack liked it and if it got Jack off faster, Ianto was all for it. Ianto closed his eyes and almost laughed as the phrase "close your eyes and think of England" crossed his mind. He gripped low on Jack's ass cheeks.

It was only a few moments before Jack's moans became louder and his movements more frantic. Ianto opened his eyes and watched the muscles and tendons tighten in Jack's shoulders and neck. His eyes were closed and he was biting his lower lip. His face looked damp and flushed. This was the part Ianto did like. Jack looked amazing, almost ethereal.

"You're so beautiful," Ianto whispered.

Jack's eyes snapped open and his lips parted in a near scream as his orgasm started. His eyes scrunched shut as his muscles contracted. He collapsed on top of Ianto breathing heavily.

Ianto patted Jack's ass with one hand and rubbed his back with the other. He kissed Jack's forehead and closed his eyes. He hoped Jack would roll off him quickly so he could clean up before the lube and semen started to dry. He could feel Jack's sweat soaking into his skin. He wondered if he could complain about post haircut trimmings leaving him itchy and take a shower without the team getting suspicious. He could always say he had a mishap feeding Myfanwy. Maybe he could get Jack to get his spare suit from the car.

Then again, while it wasn't comfortable in a traditional sense, it was comforting. The previous late night was catching up to Ianto and he was on the cusp of sleep. The comfort was ripped away as Jack pulled away from him.

"That was amazing as always, Mr. Jones," Jack said. He climbed off Ianto and the table. He kissed Ianto's cheek.

"I serve to please and am pleased to serve, Captain Harkness, sir." Ianto reluctantly opened his eyes. He had to admit this wasn't a good place for a nap. He rolled off the table and stretched. So starting back at the gym tomorrow, he thought.

"Salute when you say that," Jack said crowding Ianto. He grabbed Ianto's semi-erect cock. "I want you at full attention." It only took a few strokes of Jack's hand with his breath on Ianto's neck to get him hard. "That's a good soldier," Jack purred.

"Anything for my Captain," Ianto huffed.

Jack moved his hand faster and bit Ianto's neck. Ianto moaned loudly and grabbed the table for support. He leaned his head back giving Jack more throat to bite.

"You like that, don't you? This is nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you tonight," Jack growled. He tightened his grip. His lips latched onto a clavicle. Jack's roving hand settled on Ianto's chest and his fingers rubbed against a hard nipple.

Ianto pulled Jack's head up and kissed him messily. He moaned around Jack's tongue as he came over Jack's hand.

Their foreheads touched as Ianto took deep breaths. Ianto kissed Jack's smirking mouth.

"I don't remember saying 'at ease', soldier," Jack said one hand lazily rubbing Ianto's spent cock.

"Sorry, sir, but if you keep that up, I'll be at attention again in no time." Jack stepped away.

"We wouldn't want that. We've got to save some energy for tonight." Jack went to his pile of clothes. "Did you have any luck finding any previous reports from that address?"

"Um..." Ianto was amazed at how quickly Jack could switch personalities. He had to think a moment before remembering what he was doing before Jack showed up. "No, not yet. I was distracted."

"Okay, get a list to Tosh as soon as you can." Jack already had his socks and underwear on. "Gwen can cross reference them to see if there are any other police reports."

"Yes, sir. Let me clean up and I'll get right to it." Ianto pulled the box out from under the table and put it on top of it. Jack looked at him quizzically as he reopened it.

Ianto pulled out a box of wet wipes. He gingerly wiped the lube and Jack's come off his leg and groin. He pulled out another wipe and patted down his chest. He pulled out a stick of deodorant and Jack laughed.

"Do you have a portable shower in there, too?" Jack walked over to look in the box.

"Why do you think I said Room D? Did you think I had some romantic attachment to it? Nobody comes in here and nobody is going to open a box," Ianto said spinning the box around and pointing at the side, "with a biohazard sticker on it. It's my post-Jack Harkness recovery box."

Jack looked through the contents of the box. Band-aids, sprain bandages, aspirin, wet wipes in both anti-bacterial and deodorant styles, a towel, socks, scissors, a magnifying glass, two bottles of water, lubricant, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, peroxide, tweezers, gauze, a handful of povidone iodine swabsticks, a tube of aloe vera gel, needle nosed pliers, a sewing kit, a package of Hob Knobs, and numerous other items were neatly packed into the box.

"It's like a cross between a medical kit and a junk drawer," Jack said picking up a penlight.

"And what would you say if I told you I've used everything in this box at least once after you've had your wicked way with me?"

Jack bit his tongue.

"Really? And when exactly did you need..." Jack picked up the magnifying glass, "...this? I don't think you can handle larger than life."

"Old wooden bench on level 3, splinter, used the magnifying glass, tweezers, and iodine swab."

Jack smiled and chuckled.

"Oh yeah, that was good. I don't remember a splinter. Seemed like a perfect evening to me."

"And thanks to the recovery box I can maintain the illusion!" Ianto reached into the box and pulled out a tube of cherry Chap Stick. He ran it over his lips, smacked them together loudly, and placed the tube back in the box. He put the lid back on the box and lifted it to put it away. Jack stood in his way.

"Hold on. I don't think I like that tone. What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing. I'm not spoiling for a fight or anything." Ianto sighed. "Finish getting dressed. I'll put this box away and get dressed so I can get those reports."

"So now you're telling me what to do."

"No," Ianto said dropping the box. "I'm suggesting, since we're done here, we get dressed and go about our business. If we keep talking, I'm going to say something I'm going to regret."

"If you've got something on your chest, spit it out," Jack commanded.

"Fine. You drive me crazy. Sometimes you treat me like a lover, sometimes you treat me like a special project, and sometimes you treat me like a living sex toy. I never know which Jack I'm going to get and sometimes it changes in a second. I try to give you what you need, but a lot of times I feel like I'm failing in the big scheme of things. I feel like I've lost sight of who I am versus who I think you want me to be."

Jack stared at Ianto.

"See? I regret saying that."

"Wow. Ianto Jones managed to string together more than three sentences. That must be a record."

"There's no point talking when you're not listening."

"You know what," Jack said with a hint of panic in his voice, "I've had an epiphany of my own. I don't need you. You're the one who needs me. Guess what? You ain't getting it anymore." Jack stalked to his clothes. "And another thing," he added turning to Ianto, "I've had living sex toys. Way better than you." Jack grabbed his trousers and untangled the suspenders with less than nimble hands.

"I never said I didn't need you. That would be you not listening again," Ianto said calmly. He picked up the box and put it back on the shelf. He was upset. Was this a fight or the end of whatever he and Jack had?

If it was the end, Ianto, in a way he thought was his biggest character flaw, felt relieved. No more worrying about when it would end; it had ended. As devastated as he was when Lisa died, part of him had been relieved. She was no longer in pain. He didn't need to keep her secret any longer. He thought his ulcers could begin to heal and maybe he'd regain his appetite.

But then things got complicated. Again. Getting involved with Jack had been a mistake in a long line of bad decisions. All the anxiety he'd had should have been a clue. He wasn't even gay so what was he doing having sex with his male boss? No, this was for the best. No more confusion, no more compromising.

I'm going to be alone for a while, maybe a long while, and figure out who Ianto Jones really is, he thought. He had strived to be Lisa's perfect man, then her ideal protector, then, when he should have taken time to get his head together, he struggled to be Jack's model partner. And, in all his quests for perfection in the eyes of others, he had failed. No wonder he was so tired all the time.

Ianto broke out of his reverie and returned to the table to retrieve his clothes. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Jack, now fully dressed, was still there. His steely stare made Ianto feel even more naked than the lack of clothes. He snatched his underwear off the table and put them on quickly.

Jack's head was bowed. He looked up through his eye lashes. Ianto avoided looking at him for the most part, but he glanced at him when he reached for his undershirt.

Damn him for making me want him. Ianto ground his teeth.

"Does this mean you aren't spending the night," Jack asked casually.

"Yeah, well, I guess so," Ianto said trying to mimic Jack's tone.

"Okay."

"Yeah."

"Fine."

"Right."

Ianto heard Jack's words echoing in his head. "I don't need you." Ianto never expected to be wanted, but he specialized in being needed. He sneaked in and pecked away until he was indispensible.

"Just personally or professionally, too," Ianto asked while getting dressed.

"What do you mean," Jack asked.

"I understand you don't need me personally," Ianto said, "but what about professionally?"

Jack looked at Ianto with that enigmatic look Ianto could never read.

"Get dressed," Jack said. He lingered a moment then unlocked the door and left.