A/N: Okay. This is meant to be the second part of the second chapter. I somehow missed it when I posted it last night. So it'll count as chapter 3 here, and yet, in anything that goes up anywhere else, it'll still be stuck on the end of chapter 2.. And for some reason, is not liking blank lines..
Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood, or Doctor Who. Honestly, did you think I did?
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The day was drawing to a close. Gwen scooted over to Jack for a hug and then left with Tosh, the two of them waving at Ianto (the Doctor had disappeared somewhere) before leaving. Owen hurried after them, afraid to be left alone with Ianto and Jack, neither of whom seemed to have forgiven him just yet. Ianto's glare was possibly the most terrifying thing he had ever faced, cage full of Weevils included.
The Hub was quiet again. Ianto picked up a cup of coffee and made his way up to Jack's office, glancing curiously at the blue police box in the shadowy corner of the main hub area. He wondered why nobody had commented on it that day, and then shrugged and continued on his way.
He knocked on the door. "Jack?"
A muffled 'Come in' sounded through the door.
Jack looked up from his desk as Ianto walked in with a cup of coffee in his hands. He smiled a smile which made Ianto stutter.
"Uh..I um, brought you a cup of coffee sir."
And there was that smile again. Ianto walked around the side of the desk and handed the cup to Jack, who took a sip and sighed.
"You don't know how much I've missed your coffee, Ianto. The whole time I was away…if only I'd had your coffee…it wouldn't have seemed so long."
"You were only gone for three months sir."
"Felt like a year to me."
Ianto had to agree with that. Every day without Jack had felt like a day without purpose. Not that he would admit it, but when Jack left, it had been…as if a part of Ianto had died. He knew that one day, Jack would just leave again, and another piece of Ianto would disappear. Maybe it was better for him, safer for him to stay away altogether. But then…Captain Jack was like an addiction. And Ianto was already hooked.
"I er...was thinking…if you'd like to go out for dinner, a movie?" Ianto asked hesitantly, "You know, to celebrate your return." He added quickly.
Jack paused for a moment, the smile on his lips going from loving to mischievous. No, Ianto decided, it was positively wicked. His eyes sparkled.
"Are you asking me out on a date, Ianto Jones?"
"Well, uh. I-" Ianto spluttered.
Jack stood, and was almost startled by how close Ianto was to him. He took the opportunity and gave Ianto a quick kiss. Ianto closed his eyes, but the kiss was almost over as soon as it had begun. It was incredibly chaste, for Jack. Ianto was decidedly worried now.
"On any given day I'd say yes automatically. In fact, I still do say yes -"
Ianto's heart sank.
"-but not tonight Ianto. I need to make sure the Doctor's okay."
"Of course." Right. The Doctor. Jack's doctor. The one who had caught Jack after Owen shot him. Ianto was just about ready to hate the man right now. How had he reacted so quickly? Why had Ianto just stood there, behind Gwen and Owen, too shocked to move?
"But tell you what, I'll ask Martha to come down. She can keep the Doctor company, and then you'll have me all to yourself, how's that?"
How could Ianto resist that smile? He nodded and stepped back. "Another day perhaps. I'll uh…be off then." He turned.
"Ianto?"
"Hmm?"
"I am sorry you know. Get some sleep tonight. You look tired."
Ianto was tired. He hadn't exactly been sleeping well the past few months. Ever since Jack disappeared, his brain supplied. Disappeared with the Doctor. Like he needed reminding.
"And don't forget," Jack continued, "you owe me a date!"
Ianto could feel his cheeks tinge red as he smiled back at the Captain, said goodbye and left as happily as he could manage. It was only when he was home, where he knew Jack couldn't possibly see him that he let the sinking feeling in his heart take hold. Ianto didn't want Jack to know how much he had affected him, and so, while Jack could still be watching on CCTV, he held it all back, and pretended. Ianto was a good actor. He had always been. He had to be.
