The Next Day
Ianto woke up feeling refreshed and oh so happy early the next morning. His dream had finally come true. Jack had taken him on a date.
Throwing back the covers, the young Welshman padded barefoot to the bathroom, relieved himself and, stripping off his baggies, got into the shower. He stood, hands against the wall in front of him, letting the hot water run over his entire body. It felt good. Made him feel alive….just like Captain Jack Harkness made him feel alive.
Today could only get better.
He hummed to himself, as he rubbed shower gel over his body and then shampoo into his hair. He stood there for a few minutes, letting the water wash the soap away. Turning off the water, he stepping out of the shower. Ianto put a towel around his waist and took another towel with him into the bedroom, drying his hair and body. Next he went into the kitchen and started the coffee machine, before getting dressed. He picked a slate grey three piece suit with a narrow pinstripe, his maroon shirt and red silk tie. He knew Jack liked that tie. Well, red did suit him.
Having drank his coffee, checked his mobile phone was charged and put his wallet in his inside pocket with his Torchwood ID, Ianto headed for the door. It was still only 5.34am, but he couldn't wait any longer to see Jack again.
Going down to his car, the young Welshman hummed a tune, smiling to himself. Unlocking the door, he got in and did up the seat belt. Putting the key in the ignition, he started the car and pulled away. The Hub was just five minutes away.
Jack was lying in bed, he hadn't slept a wink. But he didn't mind. Thoughts of his date with Ianto went round and round in his head. A smile creased his lips. Getting up, he showered and dressed, and as he climbed the ladder into his office, he heard the cog door slide back. His heart skipped a beat. He checked his watch and smiled.
Going out onto the platform outside his office door, Jack looked down into the main Hub.
Ianto smiled up at him. "Good morning, sir."
"Morning, Ianto. Did you sleep well?"
"Like a baby, sir. Thank you for asking."
Jack descended the stairs, meeting Ianto in the small kitchen. "Good."
Ianto smiled as he set about making the first coffee of the day.
Putting two cups on the counter top, Ianto filled them with pure amber nectar, before taking them over to the battered couch, where Jack was now seated.
"Here you go, sir."
Jack took the cup offered him. "Thanks you, Ianto." He took a sip. "So, last night…."
"I really had a good time. Thank you."
"Yeah, me, too. We….should do it again," another sip of coffee. "How about tonight?"
Ianto beamed. "I'd like that. Maybe you could come round to mine. I'll cook dinner."
"Say 7.30pm."
"Fine."
They drank their coffee in comfortable silence.
"I was wondering," said Jack, breaking the silence. "Do you want the others to know about us?"
"I….hadn't really thought about it, to tell you the truth, sir. It doesn't bother me, if that's what you're asking."
Jack smiled at his honesty. "Call me Jack when we're alone, okay?"
"I think Tosh already knows how I feel about you." He looked away, shyly. "I got drunk one night and she came over. I think I burbled a bit about you." He looked back at Jack and smiled. "Owen already thinks I'm 'the office shag'."
"Does he now!"
"Gwen might not be too happy about it."
Jack sighed. "Gwen likes the idea of me being immortal. It's a flight of fancy with her. Besides, she has Rhys."
"I wonder sometimes, if she knows that," remarked Ianto, casually.
Jack just looked at him.
Ianto explained. "I think she's sleeping with Owen."
Jack sighed.
"Does that upset you?" asked the younger man.
"No. I just feel sorry for Gwen."
Ianto frowned. "How so?"
"She doesn't seem to know what she really wants, and I think Rhys is good for her."
Time passed on as they sat there and it was Ianto who finally moved. "I better get started on the coffee for the day." He smiled. "It won't make itself."
Jack stood with him. "Are you in the archives this morning?"
"Yep. Loads to go through. Finally got that old tin chest open. I fear there are around 30 artefacts in there, as well as documents, parchments and God knows what else."
"I've been meaning to get that chest open for a while. I just never seem to get round to it."
"My domain, my job," Ianto told him, placing his cup in the sink.
"Your domain!"
Ianto nodded. "Yep. I'm the resident archivist."
Jack chuckled. "I like that."
"Thought you might, sir."
Jack swatted his backside, then headed up to his office. "I'll have another coffee when the others arrive."
"Sir."
Tosh was the first to arrive amidst a lot of faffing and muttering.
"Morning, Tosh," said Ianto, placing a cup of Camomile and Rosehip tea on her workstation.
"Morning, Ianto."
"Is there anything wrong?"
"Mmm, the left click on my laptop is stuck."
Ianto smiled. "Give it here."
Smiling back, Tosh placed her beloved laptop before the Welshman. Within ten minutes, he'd freed the offending left click and smiled at his colleague.
"All fixed."
"Ianto, you're an angel." She kissed him on the cheek.
The young man blushed.
Gwen arrived, cheerful and swinging her arms.
"Mornin'"
"Morning, Gwen."
"Good morning."
Coffee was placed before her.
"Thanks, Ianto." Gwen looked up at Jack's office, then at Ianto, smiling.
Did she already know? thought Ianto. No, she couldn't, could she?
Owen arrived, late as usual, amidst the sound of the Rift alert.
Jack came rushing out of his office. "What have we got, Toshiko?"
"I can't see anything."
"It's me," said Owen, nonchalantly. "I had a run in with this dipsy girl who turned out to be an alien." He was smiling.
"Tell me you didn't sleep with her."
Still smiling. "Mmm, can't do that, I'm afraid."
"Owen!"
Ianto rushed over to Owen with his PDA analyser and scanned Owen.
"See, just a bit of trace left."
"A bit! You set the alarm off!" said Gwen.
"Yarda, yarda, yarda." Owen replied, not caring. "She was good, I can tell you that."
"Er, too much information," said Ianto, placing the PDA on the desk beside him.
"Come on, Tea Boy, wouldn't you like to get laid by an alien?"
Ianto looked at Jack, then smiled. "No comment."
Jack just winked.