You end up bringing a few changes of clothes and a set of pjs, as well as stopping for a couple duplicates of your various products since he commented on it. Then you realize daddy dearest probably didn't tell Ianto /why/ he was working from home today... Making a phone call your next order of business.
"Hullo?" you hear him ask, slightly preoccupied, after a couple of rings.
"Hey. Rumor has it you're working from home. Want some help and company?"
He just chuckles. "Ah. Told to stay home by your dad, then? That certainly explains why I'm not driving them. Though it could have been my lowered reaction time from not getting nearly enough sleep."
You can practically hear him smirk at that last remark, making you mirror the picture in your head. "Hey, you never know, it could be both. Though I don't think you're one to complain~"
"Who's complaining? I'd love your company. And feel free to bring a laptop if you would like to help. I'm sure the team could use an extra hand on this one."
A quick stop home for your laptop, then you're knocking on the door to his place. You hear a couple thuds and a soft curse before your boyfriend answers the door in a tank top and sweatpants. It's an interesting look: not nearly as nice as his suits, but you like it.
"Hey, sorry. I was just... Well. Don't you look nice~"
You just smirk, having picked out a purple button down and nicer pants, the shirt just cut to give you that extra bit of definition. And the top few are unbuttoned. Just 'cause.
"Erm," he blinks and walks back and to the side, motioning you in. "Come one in..." His eyes don't leave you. Apparently you chose well.
You have an extra swag in your step as you put the bag in his room, otherwise asking, "Where should I set up my laptop?"
That, unfortunately, throws him back into business-mode. With a sharp nod, he says, "Right. Just a tic," and manages to set you up a table right by his. "Here, let me get that for you."
"You know," you say thoughtfully, something occurring to you as he plugs your laptop into the base-connector-thing, "I really should register your fingerprint. That way you won't have to ask for a password to get into my computer."
He just smiles at you, that comment actually making him pause. "Sounds good," he says, "Though you already know my password, Jacque."
You raise an eyebrow as he turns back to his work, patting the chair he pulled up for you. On that cryptic note, you turn back to the computers. Especially since your dad's voice comes out of his computer with a, "Whenever you two are ready, dear." Apparently he can hear you.
"Hey, dad. What's going on?"
"Not sure, yet. Just some weird energy readings."
Even though you can't see him - Ianto's computer acting like another com - you can tell he's keeping something from you. You wouldn't be left home if it wasn't really, really bad.
"So this is what you do, when you work from home? Just sit and hope that you guys are okay and look up whatever you need?" you ask.
"Pretty much," Ianto replies, "That and monitor their life signs, keep up a blueprint of the school, and try to track them through the cameras on the campus."
You just nod, thinking that if things were as bad as your dad probably thinks - and he's usually right - you would rather be there to help instead of sitting here and feeling useless.
Just as you say that, Ianto brings up the cctv. Apparently he's hacked into the system, since he follows them real-time as they go through the halls, tosh tracing the energy source down to a broken lift.
"Hey," you say, "I know that one. I have to take the stairs up to maths because that thing's been out of order since 2007."
Everyone pauses. "What?"
"That's what the rumors say. Some janitor trainee broke it during routine maintenance that summer," you say, just looking from Ianto to the screen, "Why?"
The team shares a glance on screen, Ianto just frowning as you ask, "What did I miss?"
"Never mind," Jack says. "Ianto, you probably can't follow us into the elevator shaft, but do your best to get any and every camera you can. Any eyes you can have on or around us will be appreciated. Owen, go to the van and get the tape. I want this entire area roped off, as well as upper floors, got that?" He says a 'yes, sir' and runs off as Jack continues, "Tosh, see what you can get off that elevator. I want it to at least open, though I'd prefer it up and running. Now, Jacque," he says, turning to the nearest camera to look at you.
"Yes, dad?"
"If things get ugly, I want you to be ready to call the police. Tell them Security level one, torchwood, and to quarantine the university on my signal."
"What are you expecting?" you ask, worried for him.
"Never you mind. Just have them on speed dial, preferably away from the screen. Ianto, if things get rough, I want you to get Jacque out of there. Shut down the computers if you have to. You'll know when your help has run out."
Ianto just nods, apparently everyone knowing what the threat is but you.
"Dad..." you say, genuinely scared for the first time you can remember.
"I don't want any argue-"
"No, just... Be careful."
He looks up to the camera again, saying, "Always am."
Then Owen is back, roping things off, and he's called away by Tosh, who managed to get the lift to work again. You just stare at the screen, biting your lip, when you feel Ianto pull you into a hug, causing you to whisper, "It's not going to be alright, this time, is it?"