Chapter 5

Tosh was mad. She was not prone to show anger or violent emotions often. Right now, she was terribly mad.

"Jack, if this group is as organized as we are, they will have a file on Ianto. They won't believe him. You're risking his life with this stupid plan of yours!" She said this quite vehemently.

"Tosh, that's why I'm counting on you to cover his tracks"

"There is just so much I can do."

Jack turned his head towards Ianto.

"Ianto, trust me?"

Ianto simply nodded.

"Tosh, Lisa Harlett. Torchwood One. Captain John. Enter reports of misbehavior in Ianto's file. Ianto can help you with details. The closer to the truth, the better."

"Captain John?" inquired Tosh.

"Jealousy?" asked Ianto.

Jack smiled at Ianto. He would divulge part of their private life with Tosh.

"Tosh, creat a 'situation' in the John Hart report where Ianto and me had a fight, based on my past relationship with Captain Hart."

"Oh!" Tosh cheeks were turning red.

"I'll help you Tosh; I know what he means. But Jack, even if all our records show that you and I have a love-hate relationship, with more hate than love, our records are secure now."

"Tosh, you'll create a back door into your system, but only after a problem in our electrical system in the Hub. Ianto, you'll be able to work on this electrical problem?"

"Yes sir". Ianto was complying with Jack's request without the obvious anger of Tosh. But there was an underlying vibe in his tone as he said this. None of his usual glib came out as he expressed acknowledgment for his assignment.

"Tosh, I don't intend to endanger Ianto. But we need eyes and ears in this association. Who else can do it? We can't leave Gwen and Owen in this state!" Jack was waving his right arm in the general direction of the Hub main quarters.

On the conference table, there was a pitcher of water, a jug of juice, a platter of breakfast food. None of it had been touched yet. Ianto lifted his coffee cup, slowly inhaling the dark-sweet scent of its fume. He tentatively took a small sip, being comforted by the warmth. As he lowered his cup, he extended his other hand towards a bagel and put it down on his plate.

"We should have a row in public Jack. I had planned to invite you to eat at 'Guido' on Friday night. How about we go tonight?"

"We can't have a full blown argument Ianto. Let's go and at dessert time, we'll do something a little edgy that could be commented upon. Tosh, call Gwen's friend, her PC's friend? He can create a very very small illusion of trouble between us. Things small enough - no violence - but worth enough for a police citation."

"Andy?"

"Oy, that's him. We have to eat something now; we have a full day of work inside the system. Ianto, let's have lunch in my office, the two of us." Pause. "If you don't mind Tosh?"

Tosh nodded. There was determination in Jack's every pore,but no recklessness. Ianto would not be in any more danger than in any other mission; the team needed him. Before getting herself some breakfast from the layout on the table, she extended her left hand towards Ianto and her right hand towards Jack. Both men understood her intent and extended their own right hand, depositing their palm, holding her safely. The team, as small as it was now, would make it work and not only save Gwen and Owen from their coma, but recover the alien artifact, and uncover what that foreign association was doing. Ianto was going to try to infiltrate the group, posing as a frustrated and angry Torchwood employee, in an abusive relationship with its leader.

As they ate breakfast efficiently and in silence, eyes wandered between the three of them.

Trusting the Captain, the system, and now, not leaving room for doubts or arguments.

They were all on the same page.

/\/\/\/\

Tosh and Ianto worked side by side all morning. Jack had cleaned the conference room table, rinsed all the dishes, and went up to his office to file all kinds of paperwork, make phone calls and revise his plan.

Tosh whispered a question every so often at Ianto. He would validate a few personal antecedents, and would modify some of the real ones.

Doctor Simon came before lunch to check on his two comatose patients. Gwen was fed fluids and electrolytes through an iv-line, and liquid protein straight through a tracheotomy. Her heartbeat was steady, her breathing clear. There was no obstruction in her airways. With Owen, there was nothing to check, except if his body was starting to show signs of decomposition.

Ianto walked Doctor Simon out, listening to his friends' health news; the doctor would come back later for another round. Rhys would also arrive shortly after his workday. It dawned on him. Rhys. Rhys, Gwen's husband, who could enter the Hub at any time, on his own; almost a de facto member of the team. Ianto returned to his station and addressed his friend immediately. "Tosh, Rhys has to be in on it. He can cover me with plenty of detailed information. I'll speak to Jack about it during lunch".

Tosh approved and nodded her head. "Go talk to him now Ianto." She took hold of his arm as he readied himself to step away. "Ianto, wait!"

Ianto stared at Tosh and saw the beginning of a tear in her eyes.

"Ianto, how do you feel about this foolhardy plan? Why didn't you disagree with anything he said this morning?"

Ianto and Tosh had shared a friendship, ever since the fiasco with Lisa. The young introverted man lifted a hand to his friend's cheek, gently caressing her. "Jack had strong arguments." Removing his hand from her small pretty face, he turned his body towards the autopsy bay where Gwen was resting. "They need me, Owen and Gwen need me; I need them. Jack needs them. We need our team, Tosh. You need Owen." Ianto was reciting the endless needs they all suffered from. "I can do this, I will do this."

Tosh said softly "I know what it will cost you, Ianto. Remember this promise I make to you right now. I will be there for Jack as he comes back to life. I'll hold him as close as you do. This, I promise!" Ianto had disengaged himself from Tosh's hold when he had turned towards Gwen's body, and he now turned around. His arms went to Tosh's waist in a movement that seemed so spontaneous. He tightened his grip on her, to the point where she exhaled a small groan.

He let her go. No thanks were needed between them. He went towards the stairs to Jack's office with determination