It was another week before Ianto had a chance to even think about discussing his concerns with their medic. Torchwood had been run off its feet by rift activity, and it hadn't been the kind they could just scoff at. Instead there'd been a near-invasion, two opposing alien species trying to seek asylum that nearly annihilated each other in the process, and at least three instances of debris that caused such a ruckus with the locals they'd had to claim military testing gone wrong. On top of that the Weevils had decided it was a good time for a massive group snack attack, killing at least a dozen people before they were able to subdue them.

When Ianto approached Owen he could see the man was busy, sorting through his various cabinets and drawers, more than likely doing inventory. He hesitated at the top of the stairs before remembering what the doctor had told him the last time. He headed down into the medical bay, standing with one hand in his pocket as he waited for the other man to acknowledge him.

"Not done yet, Ianto," the medic told him, not turning around. "I'll let you know if I need anything for your shop run once I'm finished."

"I wasn't actually here for that," he replied. "I was hoping you'd have a moment so we could talk."

Owen turned to face him, eyebrow raised. "Yeah? About what?"

"The pregnancy."

Owen's lips pursed. "How much time do you need?"

"I just have some questions."

Nodding, the doctor closed the cabinet he'd been looking through and pointed to his stool, indicating Ianto should sit. Ianto did, and Owen turned to lean back against the counter, arms and ankles crossed.

"Alright, spill it. What do want to know?"

Ianto glanced up toward the rest of the Hub before answering. "I've decided not to abort this baby."

Owen smirked. "I really hadn't thought you'd wanted to in the first place, but alright. So you're planning to keep it?"

"No," Ianto replied. "But I will be giving it up for adoption, so I need to know how this will work."

"Not my area of expertise," said Owen. "I would assume another thirty-four to thirty-five weeks in the oven, then a Caesarean section to remove the baby. While the scanner did show you're growing a uterus of sorts to support the baby, you've not grown a vagina the last I checked."

Ianto's brows furrowed. "I'll count that as a positive."

"As far as what complications you may or may not come across, I couldn't say, Ianto. I did my rotation in maternity like every other medical student, but I can assure you we didn't have any male patients."

"Then we'll be playing it by ear," Ianto said, not feeling particularly thrilled by the idea.

Owen shrugged. "You should discuss it with Jack. He's from a time when male pregnancies were the norm. That's about all I can tell you."

Another thought struck Ianto. "What about the rest of my organs?" he asked. "Wouldn't they get crushed by the uterus, since it's not meant to be there?"

"Based on the way your body is changing I'd say no. It appears to be adapting to the baby, making room for what's needed."

That made Ianto feel a little bit better. The last thing he needed was to have his body reject the baby. It was one thing not to want to keep it, but quite another to lose it without his consent.

Ianto nodded and was about to get up from the stool to leave when Owen placed a hand on his arm, stilling him. Ianto looked up, questioningly.

"Why don't you want to keep this baby?"

Ianto licked his lips. "I don't want it, Owen."

"Is it Jack? Does he not want you to have it?"

Ianto shook his head quickly. "That's not it, Owen. It's me, not Jack."

"If he's pressuring you…"

"He's not!" Ianto jumped up from the stool and started to head up the stairs, pausing before his foot hit the second step. He turned, opening his mouth to say something else, and then decided against it, closing his mouth and continuing up the stairs.

He headed up to the kitchen, opening up the fridge and pulling out what was left of the cake from his party, placing it on the counter. It was easily enough for three people but he didn't care. Grabbing a fork from the drawer he tucked in, savoring the taste of the rich, white frosting and its contrast with the dark chocolate cake and cherry filling.

He'd eaten most of the cake himself over the last week, sneaking pieces of it when everyone else was busy or after they'd gone home for the day. It wasn't that he cared if they knew, but he had already snapped at Tosh once for asking for a piece, and even though there was no reason why the rest of the team shouldn't have any he was feeling quite possessive over it.

He was finishing off another bite when he became aware of another presence. Turning slowly with the fork still in his mouth he found Jack leaning in the doorway, a smirk on his face. Ianto blushed heavily, pulling the fork from his mouth and swallowing the bite of cake he'd removed from it.

"It is a good cake," Jack remarked, eyes sparkling. "Almost gone, too."

Ianto looked at the plate guiltily. There was less than one person's serving left. Resisting the urge to hide the piece behind his back he looked back at Jack. "Would you like the rest?"

Jack shook his head. "No, that's okay. Go ahead and finish it. It was yours, after all."

Ianto looked at the floor. "I'm not sure what's wrong with me. I've been so hungry lately. Especially for sweets. I had to stop myself from eating Myfanwy's chocolate yesterday."

Jack stepped closer, lifting a hand and brushing some cake crumbs off of Ianto's blue shirt. "You're eating for two, Ianto. Cravings are a normal part of pregnancy."

"That just sounds like an excuse to eat more than necessary."

Jack chuckled. "It can be."

"I've already gained nearly three kilo," Ianto groused, turning and grabbing the plate. He moved toward the refrigerator but Jack beat him to it, pulling the door open. "I could have done that."

"Your arm is still on the mend. And it's perfectly normal to gain weight when you're pregnant as well."

Moving back to the sink Ianto began washing the fork. "I've started using my arm more now," he said, emphasizing his words by raising said arm and then lowering it. "Can't wear this sling forever."

"I suppose not, but sprains take time to heal."

"It's been three weeks, sir," Ianto said, drying his hands.

Jack smirked again. "And a nasty sprain like yours could take four weeks or more to heal."

"Thank you, Dr. Harkness," Ianto replied sarcastically.

"I've seen a lot of injuries in my time."

Ianto had to concede that point. "Would you like some coffee while I'm in here?"

Jack placed his hands together in front of him in what could be considered the Namaste position. "I thought you'd never ask."

Jack left the kitchen while Ianto started up a fresh batch of coffee. It smelled so good while it was brewing, but he'd been good so far. He'd avoided caffeine nearly entirely, apart from the chocolate he'd been consuming. And he'd have to cut down on that as well or he wouldn't be able to fit in his suits very much longer. In fact, the one he was wearing now was beginning to feel a bit tighter than normal, though that might simply be his imagination in overdrive.

Adding a package of biscuits to the tray – they weren't chocolate. If he was going to cut down then damn it, so were the rest of the team – he left the kitchen, depositing cups on workstations as he went. He'd poured himself an herbal tea in place of the coffee. It wasn't quite the same, but it would have to do.

Ianto took his own cup down to the vaults with a few of the biscuits. It wasn't feeding time, but he wanted to bring the Raspotahn a treat anyway. The alien still hadn't been sexed, so Ianto had taken it upon himself to give the creature its new name. Owen hadn't been amused by what he'd chosen, and teased him that it wasn't Welsh, but Ianto said he was just keeping things simple. Besides, he'd argued, Janet wasn't exactly a Welsh name either and no one had bothered to change that. And he'd threatened the name several times anyway. Owen had plenty of time to make the decision before Ianto made it for him.

"Hello again, Bob," he greeted, smiling. "I brought you something."

Setting his mug down Ianto opened the cell, placing the handful of biscuits on the ground inside. He watched as the alien stepped forward, sniffing them. It picked one up and took a small bite. If Bob had possessed eyebrows Ianto knew they'd have shot up its forehead.

"Good, aren't they? They're cinnamon. One of my favorites."

Ianto reclosed the cell and picked up his mug of tea, taking a sip. As far as teas went he had to admit this one was pretty good. It was a cranberry apple flavor and reminded him of the pies his mother used to bake when he was really little. The smell used to permeate the house and when he'd take a bite it would make his cheeks pucker from the sweet and the tart combined. All in all it was a good memory, and it was what made him buy that particular tea in the first place.

The alien finished off the biscuits in just under a minute and Ianto smiled. "Those are likely better for you than the chocolate ones. Even though I think we can both agree the chocolate biscuits are delicious."

Leaving the vaults Ianto was heading toward the archives when Jack called to him from his office. He made his way up and Jack indicated he should close the door behind him. Doing just that Ianto turned to face him, puzzled.

"Yes, sir?"

"There was another reason I came looking for you today, Ianto," replied Jack, indicating that he should have a seat. "Other than the coffee."

Ianto sat down, nodding. "Alright."

Jack took a seat behind his desk and pulled a couple of papers out of his drawer. "I compiled a list of agencies that deal with public and private adoption here in the UK," he said, sliding the papers across the desk. "I thought that if you had really made up your mind we could take a look at them."

Ianto picked up one of the papers. "And how will that work seeing as how we can't let them know about my pregnancy?"

Jack smiled. "I can act as the mother's representative," he explained. "You can be my assistant. We'd just be checking the facilities out on her behalf."

Raising an eyebrow, Ianto placed the paper back down on the desk. "That could work."

"Would you like me to set any appointments?"

"Wouldn't that be my job, sir?"

Jack laughed. "Well, yeah, normally I guess it would."

Ianto picked the papers up and folded them carefully. "I'll take them with me to the archives and make any arrangements there."

Jack nodded at him and Ianto got to his feet, heading for the door.

"Hey, Ianto?" Jack called, and Ianto turned around. "It is just to look around. No commitments yet, right?"

Ianto swallowed, opening the door. "Yes sir."