With a little help from my friends Chapter 4

TWTWTW

"Maybe we could all go out for a meal, or to a show or something." Suggested Ianto.

"That might work. Maybe we should ask Rhys what she'd like, get him involved."

Ianto got up and walked to the window. "Do we ask John?"

Jack sighed. "I suppose so."

Ianto turned around, a smile on his face. "Jack, I love you, don't worry about John. I can handle his advances."

"You think?"

Ianto raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, we invite him, too."

"Good. I'll go call Rhys before they get back."

Just as Ianto got his mobile phone out, Owen and Tosh came through the cog door.

"Jack!"

Jack went to the door. "Here."

"I had a bloody awful day, thank you very much. And now Gwen is being a complete dickhead." He looked at Tosh, who looked away.

"There's left over Chinese, if anyone wants it," said John, smiling.

"No thanks, mate. I need a few cold beers."

Gwen came through the cog door, her clothes dirty.

John laughed.

"Shut it!" Gwen said, frowning. "Bloody Cardiff. It's raining again!"

"If you gave them the day off," said Ianto, thinking. "why are they all back now?"

"I gave them the day off on the proviso that they'd clock on for a few hours this evening, just in case."

Ianto shook his head. "You are a hard man, Jack Harkness."

"They agreed!" he said.

Ianto looked at his watch. "I'm gonna go make that phone call," he told Jack, going off in the direction of the locker room.

Jack just nodded and then turned to the other members of the team.

John saw his chance while Jack was busy, and followed the young Welshman. He entered the locker room just as Ianto was on the phone.

"Hi, Rhys? Yeah, Ianto. About Gwen's birthday. I…we were thinking a meal, maybe a show. What would she like?"

"Dinner would be great, Ianto. She'd love that."

"Good. I'll book a restaurant for say, 7.30pm, is that okay?"

"Great, mate. Thanks."

"No worries. Bye."

Ianto put the phone in his pocket and turned round. John was leaning against the door.

"So, dinner tomorrow night. Am I invited?"

Ianto nodded. "Yes."

John stepped forward. "You look really nice, did you know that?"

Ianto moved to one side. "Please, I have to get back."

"Just a little longer. What's the hurry? Jack is busy with the others."

Ianto sighed. "Please, just move, okay?"

John smiled. "I can make you just as happy as Jack."

Ianto smiled. "First you want Jack, now you're after me! Can't you make your mind up?"

John frowned, pushing Ianto back against the wall a little harder than he meant to. "Don't mock me, Eye Candy."

"I'm with Jack, he's with me, don't you get that?"

John slammed his hand against the wall, close to the younger man's head. "I get it! I don't have to like it!"

Ianto put his hand on John's chest, pushing him back. "Get out of my way, or I swear, I'll scream like a girl and that will bring everyone here. Is that what you want?"

John thought it over and moved aside. "This isn't over."

"Yes, it is."

Ianto left the locker room and went back into the Hub. John stayed where he was, his face turning red with anger.

"It's not over!"