IX.

Jack needed to go to the bathroom. Which meant he needed Ianto. Not because he got off on having a piss with the other man around, but because thanks to a tech retrieval gone dramatically wrong, Jack and Ianto were now linked together. If one of them moved more than three meters from the other, they were both knocked unconscious by a severe electrical shock administered by the small metallic implants in their forearm.

Tosh was working on the device that had connected them, but she hadn't had any luck disabling it, and had in fact knocked them out twice so far. Owen had found it hilarious, until Jack had set him to cleaning out every cell in the place to get him the hell away from Ianto, who was furious to the point of possible violence, though Jack wasn't sure if the Welshman's ire was directed more at him or at Owen. Gwen was helping Tosh as best as she could. She'd also tried to make Ianto some chamomile tea. Jack had never seen a more disgusted look on the Welshman's face and, after watching him pour it into the basin when her back was turned, had invited Ianto up to his office for a beer instead.

Really, being connected wouldn't have been so bad, if they'd been on more comfortable terms. Ianto had been back from his suspension for just over a month, but it had been a rough return in more ways than one, from the nightmarish trip to the countryside to the debacle at the Ferret a week ago (which had ended rather well back at Ianto's flat, all things considered.) Jack wished things were better between them, but he knew that with their history there probably wasn't much chance of anything happening, and sleeping together had actually made it worse. They'd barely finished their drink before Ianto had fled back to the Hub.

"Ianto!" he called as he left his office. Ianto was at his computer talking with Tosh and Gwen and turned when he heard Jack's voice.

"Yes, sir?" he replied. Jack jerked his head to the right.

"Nature calls, let's go."

Ianto's eyes went impossibly wide, and Jack rolled his own at the man's look of panic. "I need to pee, Ianto. That's all."

"Right," he said. "And since we don't want you falling face first into the loo when we're both electrocuted, I suppose I'd better wait outside, twiddling my thumbs." He stood with a sigh and followed Jack toward the bathroom, ignoring the girls behind them. Jack wasn't sure if they were giggling or feeling bad for them yet.

"I really am sorry about this," Jack said as they walked. Ianto cocked an eyebrow.

"Everyone needs to relieve themselves, sir," he said, and Jack grinned.

"True, and in more ways than one." He winked, and this time Ianto rolled his eyes. "But I meant about this whole situation, being connected. Tosh will fix it before we have to figure something out for the night."

Ianto's eyes slipped closed. "God, I hadn't even thought about that. I'd have to sleep…I don't know…at your desk or something."

"Not an option," Jack replied firmly. "If we're still hooked up, you can have my bed, and I'll keep working. I don't need as much sleep."

"It's your bed," Ianto argued.

"And it's yours for tonight if you need it," Jack tossed back. "I won't even joke about sharing it."

For the first time in several hours, Ianto smiled. "I appreciate your restraint."

Jack grinned back, feeling some of the tension between them dissipate with the banter. "Write it down, it doesn't happen often."

Jack used the loo while Ianto stood outside the door, arms crossed over his chest. He didn't move when Jack came out, and Jack gave him a curious look.

"What's it for?" Ianto asked. "The device we found? What's the point of connecting people like this?"

"Could be any number of reasons," Jack replied, leaning against the opposite wall. "Usually these sorts of things were used for keeping track of multiple prisoners during transport, but I've seen them sold in sex shops as well."

"Sex shops?" Ianto asked, his eyebrows almost climbing off his forehead. "What kind of sex shops would sell alien tech here in Wales?"

"Didn't say it was in Wales," Jack pointed out. Ianto ducked his head, as if trying to figure out exactly what Jack meant, or perhaps trying not to.

"Again, what's the point? If someone's looking for some fun, why something that connects them like this?" He shook his arm at Jack. "Handcuffs are easier, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and don't try to kill you."

"All good and true," Jack agreed. "But I'd guess it was used as an element of danger—a game, especially out in public." Jack shook his head. "Or maybe dom/sub stuff, I don't really know. I prefer my partners free and willing."

"And awake?" Ianto asked dryly. "Not unconscious due to electrical stimulation?

"Exactly!" Jack exclaimed. "Not much fun being naked with someone who can't participate on their own, stimulated or not."

"Hm." Ianto was eyeing him in a way that suddenly made Jack's trousers tighter.

"Are there different settings?" Ianto asked. "One for prisoners, one for sex, that sort of thing?"

"Maybe," said Jack, crossing his legs at the ankles as Ianto moved closer. "I've never used anything like this, but I suppose it's possible."

"So if a prisoner tried to escape, it stuns them," Ianto said, taking another step closer. "What if two people were using it for fun? Maybe it works differently?"

Jack frowned, trying to follow Ianto's line of thinking. Before he could come up with anything, Ianto was right in front of him, crowding Jack's personal space.

"Maybe if you're bad, it punishes you, but if you're good, it rewards you," Ianto said softly, blue eyes bright. Jack's heart was hammering and he knew he should have a clever comeback, but he didn't. All he could think about were Ianto's lips, right there, so close yet so far.

"Maybe," he managed, and Ianto smirked. Jack's eyes widened; yes, the Welshman was definitely smirking, and damn if it wasn't the sexiest thing Jack had ever seen.

"We should test the theory," Ianto murmured.

"Yeah," said Jack, completely incoherent. He had just enough rational thought left to close his eyes as Ianto leaned forward. Ianto was going to kiss him. Again. Like in the SUV last week.

They came together slowly but passionately, tongues slipping easily past lips to explore. And as he enjoyed the taste and feel of Ianto Jones once again, Jack was hit with a sudden, powerful jolt of…something. Not electricity, but close. Like a focused beam of lust, concentrated in his groin, brilliant and hot and so intense he almost came in his pants. He instinctively gasped and pulled away, banging his head on the wall behind him. Opening his eyes, he found Ianto breathing hard and staring at him, his mouth hanging open until that filthy grin returned.

"Bunker, now," he whispered, and turned to leave. Jack had no choice but to follow him, not if he wanted to stay conscious.

And truth be told, if one kiss brought that kind of reaction and reward, Jack needed more. He couldn't wait to see how good it could be once they were naked and rolling around his bed.

And if Ianto wanted handcuffs too, Jack had plenty to choose from.

Author's Note:
One more! And it's the 'real' one. It needs a few more days, though. Thanks for reading!