Ianto Jones woke abruptly from sound sleep the moment the smell of caffeine and his nearly consciousness collided. It was a smell he was quite accustomed to ever since Lisa first moved in, but it was not one he ever expected to assault his senses again, as the only time he made it anymore was for the team.
Light was streaming in through an open window at the far end of the room, followed closely with the breezy morning air. Ianto took his time gathering himself and when he was sure he could stand without collapsing right back onto the bed he shuffled off to the kitchen, following the heavenly aroma.
It was a Saturday, a day any other normal person would relish due to the opportunity of a few extra hours sleep, but the weekend could hardly be classified as a holiday when you work for Torchwood. Although it rarely happened, Ianto could easily recall still a good number of times he'd been texted a location, called up during lunch, or met at the door by a certain dashing Captain; barely giving Ianto a moment to grab his coat as he ushered the young man out the flat, urgency relayed in his smooth American accent as he explained the emergency and determination in his eye.
Atop the marble counter-top, sat his favourite mug, filled to the brim with the deliciously strong black liquid. It was still steaming, which lead Ianto to believe it hadn't been more than a few minutes since it was poured. He picked up the cup and inhaled the powerful aroma, about to take a cautious sip before the cellular he'd left charging on the table in the sitting area belted out it's annoying jingle default.
Picking up the small mobile in his unoccupied hand, Ianto caught the flashing digits of a number he didn't recognize. He'd been receiving a lot of hassle from telemarketers and damn automated systems calling to thank him for business he hadn't the foggiest of having done in the first place, or trying to talk him into signing up for a new credit card; so he'd made it a habit to immediately add 'unknowns' -as he put them- to Junk mail. The phone kept on protesting in his hands, now switching to a more subtle approach at getting Ianto's attention and buzzing softly after he'd clicked off the ringer. If it were a bloody 'marketer they would have given up now -he'd managed to work out just how long the average one held on for before moving on to the next down the list- but this one was persistent.
Ianto groaned and finally tapped the green flashing button with his thumb and brought it to his ear ready to tell them off. "Listen, whatever it is you are selling, I'm not interested, okay. So bugger off!" An all too acquainted chortle on the other line made his face instantly heat, and he knew without so much as a glance in the mirror that hung on the wall behind his head, he'd gone a whole shade passed that of embarrassment.
"Ah, so forceful, Jones, Ianto Jones. Really had me goin'" Jack's voice filed his ear, and unconsciously upon hearing it Ianto's hand shot up to adjust his tie – a tie he hadn't yet put on. The Captain was smiling still, Ianto could tell just hearing him, but it was always a safe bet that he was. Come to think of it, rarely did he come across the elder man when he wasn't smiling, and those very few times he always paused whatever it was he was doing long enough to display one for Ianto the moment there eyes locked. Ianto ignored the fluttering sensation this caused in his gut and swallowed.
"Sir ..I uh ..sorry. I though you were.. never mind. Uhm, ..Why are you up so early?" he glanced at his watch – it was just past six.
"Couldn't sleep," came the reply. Ianto distinctly remembered being told that he never could and wondered why that was. He could almost hear the weariness in Jack's voice, and he grimaced empathetically. You wouldn't know of his insomnia to look at him though, Jack was always so on the ball and full of energy. As the boss of any job, even more so one requiring you to be on the constant look out for alien life forms or strange entities tumbling out of the rift, you so have to be on top of your game.
"How was the coffee?" But of course it was Jack who had made it. The past night was one of the worst, and actually, he was quite happy to know Jack had stayed with him even after he'd fallen asleep. It was nice to be, for once, receiving a cuppa' rather than serving it out. Up til then Ianto'd all but forgot about it, only somewhat aware there was a weighty object in his left hand, but not really registering as Jack's voice spoke to him. He took a drink, allowing the now warm liquid coat his tongue before swallowing and grinned.
"Well..., you did your best, sir" Jack laughed on the line. Ianto felt his face automatically respond, his own lips curling up in reciprocation to the grin he knew his boss sported at that very moment. He placed his keys next to his mobile on the island and hastily buttoned his shirt, holding the phone tight to his ear.
"How are you feeling today, Ianto" Jack's voice took on more serious tone.
"I'm fine," Jack repeated his name unconvinced as to Ianto's response. "I'm fine, sir." He knew this answer wasn't at all persuasive, however, it was fortunate that Jack also knew that arguing this any further wouldn't do much either. Ianto Jones was a stubborn man, almost as much as he. Jack recalled the first day he'd met him; he'd come to him for a job. No matter how many times he denied him, Ianto didn't quit, and as much as he hated to admit it, he'd liked that in him.
"Alright," he said, "I'll see you back at the Hub ... Or would you like the ride with the Captain?" Taking the room in a few strides, sliding back the door to the balcony and stepping out, Ianto couldn't help but grin at the sight of the Torchwood SUV parked outside and the tall, dark man in a long military coat leaning against the hood.