APS Chapter 2

"What the hell is going on?" said Owen, just making it through the cog door before it closed and locked behind him.

"It appears we have a new broom," said Gwen, pointing to Jack's office.

"Where the bloody hell is Jack, anyway?"

"In the archives trying to placate Ianto."

Owen rolled his eyes. "I'm goin' up there to see what's going on."

Just as he was about the mount the stairs, Jack and Ianto appeared around the corner.

"Jack, what's going on? Why are we in shutdown?"

"Orders from UNIT. It appears they don't trust us anymore." Jack walked over to one of the computers.

"They're all off," said Tosh. "Except the one in your office."

Jack sighed, crossing his arms across his chest.

"So, Jack, what do we do now?"

Goodwin came out of the office. "Shutdown has been initiated for the next 48 hours…."

"You've got to be kiddin!" said Owen.

"I don't think she is, Owen. I saw her put a disk in the main computer. We're lock in."

"Because, why?" asked Owen.

"They want me out. Something is going on at UNIT and they're afraid of me….of us."

"So they've sent her to put us in our lace, is that it?" asked Gwen.

"More or less."

"Come now, Captain," began Godwin. "You do yourselves an injustice. You are far too good for UNIT. You put us to shame. The higher ups want you tamed. Put in your place," she smiled. "Especially you, Captain and your plaything." She pointed to Ianto.

Ianto stepped forward but Jack put a hand against his chest. "She's baiting you. Ignore her."

"Kinda hard when she holds all the cards, wouldn't you say." Ianto walked off in the direction of the archives.

Jack smiled at him. "Godwin's locked in too, don't forget." He called after him.

"I'm expendable, Captain. As are all of you." She smiled.

"Tosh, is there anything you can do?"

"Not while that disk is in the main computer. I can't get online."

"You're going to be in here for 48 hours and you do not want to make an enemy of any of us, believe me." Jack followed after Ianto.

Godwin went back into Jack's office, closing the door.

Owen went to stand between Gwen and Tosh. "Where does she get off, talking to us like that. Expendable indeed."

Ianto walked into the archives. He couldn't believe what she had just called him and worse still, that Jack hadn't defended him.

Ianto was stood by the small desk as Jack came up behind him.

"Ianto, we should all stay together. We should be up in the Hub, trying to figure out a way to unlock the gates."

"Let Tosh work it out then, it's her job after all."

"Ianto…."

Ianto signed. "I wanted to get my laptop. It has it's own battery source." He turned, pushing Jack in the chest with both hands. "Why didn't you say something? I am NOT your plaything."

Jack took a step back then took Ianto's hands in his. "I know that. She's trying to turn us against each other." He sighed. "We can't let he win, Ianto."

Pulling away, Ianto ran a hand through his hair. "I hate the others thinking I'm just…."

"Just what? They know I love you."

Ianto spun round. "Do they? Have you ever said you loved me in front of them, Jack. Ever?"

Jack closed his eyes and sighed. "No."

"Owen thinks I'm just the office shag." Ianto glared at Jack.

"That's just not true." Jack went to take Ianto hand again.

Ianto walked away. "It's humiliating!" Backing up, Ianto opened a filing cabinet and took out a small laptop. Placing it on the desk, he booted it up and logged in. He look at Jack. "She won't be able to detect this. Tosh never has." Despite himself, he smiled.

Jack watched as Ianto's nimble fingers pushed keys, bringing up diagrams and plans of the Hub. Ianto sat down and really started pushing the keys. Jack had a hard time keeping track of what was on the screen, but Ianto knew exactly what he was doing. Pushing the last digit into the computer, Ianto sat back.

"We have four hours until the time release works. If it works."

"Let's go back up into the Hub. We need to tell the other."

Standing, Ianto grabbed his arm. "No! We don't tell them. It's between us, Jack. Me and you." He let his arm drop. "We don't want Godwin finding out." He looked away. "We're good at keeping secrets, Jack."

Jack, understanding, nodded. "Okay."

Jack followed Ianto back into the Hub.

"I think she's locked herself in," Owen told them.

"I'll make coffee."

Jack half smiled as Ianto walked to the kitchen. "Thanks."

Owen threw his hands in the air. "Yeah, great. If all else fails, make bloody coffee."

"Owen!"

"Sorry."

Jack turned to the others. "What she said about Ianto….he isn't my plaything. We love each other. I want you all to know that.""I think we worked that out a while ago, Jack," said Tosh, smiling.

"I know I said a few things to him once, but I was mad at 'im," said Owen in his own defence. "But he did shoot me."

Jack smiled. "Yeah, I remember."

Ianto was listening while making the coffee. Once it was made, he set five cups on the silver tray and took them over to the low table by the couch.

"Now what do we do?" asked Owen.

"We wait," replied Jack reaching for his cup.

Jack and Ianto exchanged a knowing look.