This kind of follows on from Freedom Come, Freedom Go, because for some reason I can't seem to let go of the whole 'flat with a Jacuzzi' concept. I probably should have turned it into a fic of it's own, but then I'd have had to come up with a plot to tie the fluffy interludes together!

Minor warning - There's a line or two in this that might be construed as Gwen-bashing. It's not meant that way, but it's hard to write around all the flirting without arousing some sort of speculation.

"Did he make the train?" Tosh enquired casually. She'd lost when they drew straws to decide who'd wait at the Hub until Jack returned from putting Ianto on the train to London, but secretly Tosh was quite pleased at losing. Gwen would have cheered Jack up, certainly, but conversations between those two seemed to degenerate into flirting sessions and Tosh didn't think that was what Jack really needed at the moment. Owen probably would have tried to get him drunk. Tosh just planned to listen, to be company if he needed it. Or to make herself scarce if Jack proved to have plans of his own for occupying the week his lover would be away.

"Made it with time to spare," Jack answered, his voice a match for Tosh's carefully cultivated casualness. Tosh watched him out of the corner of her eye, wondering exactly what sort of reaction he was hiding. The rest of the week hinged on whether Jack was currently depressed or relieved.

No one was surprised when Ianto was chosen to deliver Torchwood's annual report to Parliament. He was by far the most diplomatic of the team, and could be depended upon to secure their funding for another year. It didn't hurt either that his exemplary manners would see him through the obligatory afternoon tea with The Monarch. Legend had it that only intervention from the Doctor himself saved Torchwood from being disbanded the one time Jack made the visit alone. Jack refused to discuss exactly what happened. Rumors abounded, but Tosh didn't really believe the story about inappropriate advances towards the Corgis. That sounded far more like John Hart than Jack.

It was highly suspicious that the infamous 'My Son is Not Gay' statement circulated the week following that visit, though. The mind boggled to contemplate it, and shut down in defence shortly after.

No, it hadn't been unexpected for Ianto to receive the summons. The surprise was that Jack hadn't immediately produced an excuse to accompany him. Owen snarked that Jack and Ianto had been joined at the hip 'and I mean that quite literally' since they'd moved in together. It was true, in so far as Jack seemed distinctly uncomfortable whenever Ianto wasn't in sight. Tosh thought it was kind of sweet, but it did make her wonder exactly how Jack would react to the week-long separation. And she wasn't the only one.

It was currently a toss-up between noble suffering – Tosh's theory - and Owen's declaration that Jack was about to embark on a week long wallow in the pick-up joints of Cardiff. Gwen shook her head at Owen's pronouncement but after a few moment's thought had been heard to mutter that Ianto really couldn't expect a man like Jack to be …err…alone...for a whole week.

Jack smiled across at Tosh. "Waiting for me to fall into a quivering heap, Toshiko?"

Tosh couldn't help the warmth flooding her cheeks. "Not that, exactly," she stammered. "But…" Tosh didn't really want Jack to be miserable, but equally, she didn't want Ianto to have given his heart to someone who'd cheat on him the minute his back was turned. "You will miss him, won't you?"

Jack's smile broadened. "I take it you're not a supporter of the 'Jack can't wait to shag his way through Cardiff' party, then?"

Tosh spluttered. "Definitely not," she managed to gasp out. Jack waited, eyebrows raised in enquiry.

"That's Owen," Tosh admitted, when she'd got her breath back.

"I can't help wondering," Jack asked, leaning towards her, his eyes alight with interest. "Have you guys actually got a pool running?"

Tosh reddened, but couldn't help laughing. Not much got past Jack. "I'm supposed to report your reaction," she confessed.

Jack snickered. "You can tell the others Owen ought to be disqualified. He's been trying to talk me into a pub crawl with him all day."

Tosh's eyes sparkled. "Come on, Jack, it wouldn't be any fun if we couldn't play for our own teams, would it?"

"Is that why Gwen invited me over for dinner?" Jack asked, eyes widening.

"She might have a friend or two lined up for you to meet." Tosh informed him, giggling at his reaction. Tosh was sure that Rhys being on night shift this week was pure coincidence. She didn't believe Gwen would do that. Well, she couldn't believe it and still work with Gwen, which amounted to the same thing.

"So tell me," Tosh urged finally. "What are you going to do?"

Jack leaned back in his chair. "Of course I'll miss him," he said, answering her earlier question first. "But it is true that we've hardly had a second apart." Jack's eyes drifted, looking inward perhaps. "I think I might enjoy having the chance to miss him, if that makes any sense?"

Tosh smiled. They were going to be just fine.

Jack planted a kiss on Tosh's cheek, then rose. "I'm gonna head home," he announced. "Haven't had the flat to myself since we moved in. Furniture to rearrange." He winked. "Ianto doesn't approve of watching television from the Jacuzzi, but I'll move it back before he gets home." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Good thing we've got a portable phone. Ianto's gonna call when he's settled into his hotel."

Tosh blushed afresh at the implications of Jack talking to Ianto from the Jacuzzi. Though she was kind of looking forwarding to informing Gwen that Ianto hadn't really intended for Jack to…um….. 'go without', at least, not completely.

Jack laughed, kissed her other cheek, and headed for the cog, whistling a tune Tosh didn't recognize.

Tosh couldn't wait to get home, herself, but she stayed long enough to download copies of tonight's CCTV for the others. They wouldn't pay up without proof.

Maybe she'd get a Jacuzzi of her own with her winnings.

Pointless fluff, I know. But it's a cold day here, and fluff is a better warmer-up than porridge. Hope you enjoyed it. I have bits of the Jacuzzi discussion in my head, so there might be a chapter for that, if anyone's interested?