Sorry about the day's delay, it's been a busy week! Also, happy 10th Anniversary Torchwood!
Ianto told himself he hadn't intentionally taken the side of the booth facing the door in order to watch for Jack. He had more luck convincing himself that he wasn't concerned that Jack would get stuck dealing with some last-minute alien thing. It was a sure sign that Ianto's life was lightyears from anything he'd ever imagined when he considered that it was actually easier knowing your boyfriend might have to cancel a date due to an alien invasion than wondering if he was standing you up for someone better-looking.
"Of course, you do know that even if he's had something come up at work, the two of us can still shoot a few rounds. Even if I'm not half as interesting," Tosh said, peering over the table at Ianto.
"I'm sorry, Tosh," Ianto said sheepishly, realizing he was all but ignoring his best friend. "You know I don't think that of you at all. It's just… Jack. He gets into my mind and I can't focus…."
"You're gaga," Tosh snickered.
"Yep," Ianto admitted.
The chime on the pub door sounded and Tosh watched with amusement as Ianto's expression turned warm and glowing. He shifted over in the booth as the tall man in a heavy military coat walked up.
"Hi! This seat taken?" Jack said.
"Might be," Ianto said. "At least, it is reserved for someone who's getting in a round…."
Jack took a moment considering. "I don't know… seems a little steep. But, in light of such lovely company," Jack smiled at Toshiko, "I suppose it's fair. Pleasure to see you again Ms. Sato."
"Thank you, Jack. And you. I don't know if Ianto's told you, but, truthfully, I don't remember much of our last meeting. Sadly."
"Ah, I understand. Trust me when I say, it happens to the best of us. The main thing is that you're ok."
"I am, yeah. Likely be sticking to bottled drinks for a while, though. I sort of got to thinking of all the places something could go wrong with poured drinks. Too many systems involved, you know?"
"That is very logical," Jack nodded. "Shall I make it three bottles to start?"
Ianto nodded and Jack stepped away to order the first round.
"He really is handsome. Well done, Ianto," Tosh said confidentially.
"Not sure what I did, really. Just gave it a go, that's all," Ianto shrugged.
"Sometimes that's quite a lot. I'm glad you've found someone nice. Hopefully, I'll actually remember something about him this time."
"I'm sure you will," Ianto smiled. "That was just a fluke. He's really quite memorable, take it from me."
Tosh just grinned as Jack returned to the table with three bottles of lager and sat down beside Ianto again.
"So, Toshiko…," Jack said, "what's he told you about me?"
"Well… just that you're nice, really."
Jack glanced over at Ianto then huffed. "Well, that's no fun."
Ianto looked back at Jack with a raised brow. "Or maybe Tosh just knows how to keep secrets." Ianto winked across the table.
Eager to avert a domestic, however playful, Tosh decided to change the subject. "You know, I've been meaning to ask you two. As I was thinking about what it might have been that went wrong last weekend, it sort of occurred to me that everyone had different drinks. Of course, most of it is still fuzzy to me, but… did either of you have ice in your drinks?"
Jack and Ianto glanced at each other.
"No. We both had still water to start, and I had a couple bottles of lager after," Ianto said.
"Then maybe that was it. I remember that Gwen had ice in her drinks before you got there. And Owen said he didn't really recall what he drank, but he had a tab that listed a whiskey on the rocks in his jacket pocket. So… that makes you two the only ones who didn't have ice in your drinks. And the only ones I know of who remember anything. Oh, and Gwen said Rhys had no trouble either, but he'd only been drinking bottled lagers as well."
"Huh…. That's pretty clever detective work, Toshiko," Jack said. "You know, I've got a friend in Health and Safety. I could give her a ring, see about having that pub's ice machine checked out."
"Well, that's what I was sort of thinking. If those tubes aren't flushed routinely, it's possible that some mould might grow, and those things can be unpredictable. You'd think the alcohol in drinks would nullify it, but it could also increase the effects."
"You did say she was a genius, didn't you?" Jack said to Ianto.
Tosh shook her head. "It's probably more like I've just been obsessing over it, that's all."
"Nope, that's an analytical, investigative mind you've got, Ms. Sato. You should be proud of that."
"Thank you, Jack. I suppose some people appreciate it more than others."
"Never mind those people. If you don't appreciate intellect, you probably won't appreciate much else of worth. Now… I heard there was pool on this evening…."
"Have you really got a friend in Health and Safety," Ianto asked as Jack drove him home that night.
"Of course. I know lots of people. It's very helpful to have a few well-placed friends who can corroborate stories about chemicals getting into the water supply, gas leaks, things like that."
Ianto nodded. "Makes sense."
"So, uh… gotta get up early in the morning?" Jack asked.
"No earlier than usual. Why?" Ianto, of course, knew perfectly well why Jack was asking, but thought he might drag it out of his lover anyway.
"Oh, no reason. Just curious," Jack responded, refusing to be baited.
Ianto sighed. "Alright. I suppose we're both wanting it, aren't we?"
"Been a few days," Jack nodded.
"And we never know when you'll have to go fight the alien menace."
"Exactly."
"Well, come on then." Ianto jumped out of Jack's car and wasted no time getting up to his flat.
Jack just grinned victoriously and followed quickly.
"Where you going?" Jack mumbled sleepily.
Ianto kissed Jack's cheek. "Shower and coffee."
"In the middle of the night?"
"Try morning," Ianto snickered. "I've got to be up and about, even if you don't."
Jack groaned. "Five more minutes?"
"You can lie in as long as you like."
"No… you five more minutes. With me."
"Nope. Sorry. Shower, coffee. I'll be happy to put on some porridge for you as well."
Jack pouted. "Don't want boring porridge. Want you."
Ianto smiled fondly and shook his head. "Give it a few hours and you can have me all to yourself again. And if you're on the rota for the weekend, I'd be happy to tag along and tidy that office of yours. Or at least the 'tourist office'. That is truly letting the side down."
"I'll think about it, but not before coffee, huh?"
"I'll hold you to that thinking thing. But, yeah, coffee. After my shower."
"Can I share that with you, too?" Jack asked, immediately switching into seductive mode.
"I wouldn't be long enough to share even a passing glance," Ianto said, heading toward the shower.
"Oh, you are from where I'm standing!"
"Behave yourself or no coffee!" Ianto called back over the running water.
Jack frowned, realizing that if Ianto ever figured out what an effective threat that was he'd end up even more wrapped around Ianto's finger than he already was.
"Hey, Rhys?" Jack called, walking into the Hub later that morning.
"What's up, Jack?"
"You know that lady Gwen works with, Toshiko?"
"Yeah. Certified genius, her. She could be doing a lot more than museum databases, if you ask me."
"Yeah… I was kinda thinking the same."
Rhys paused, then gave Jack a look. "I know you're not thinking of recruiting her."
"Well, why not? I'm pretty good with technology, but sometimes I could really use somebody around here who's got a better grasp of present-day tech, as opposed to the stuff I know from my time. That's kinda how it goes, you know? Just because it's technologically simpler doesn't mean it's easy for someone who knows more about the advanced stuff."
"Yeah, and we also need someone who can sort out the archives, but you won't even consider bringing your boyfriend in. Now how's he meant to take it if you recruit his workmate and don't take his offer?"
Jack huffed and crossed his arms. "What's with all of you, anyway? I don't even want to consider having him here. And he'll understand that, that I'm only looking out for him. As soon as I work up the nerve to tell him…."
"You know, for an immortal time-traveler, you can be pretty bloody thick when you want to be," Rhys decided, going back to his computer station.
"Yeah?" Jack challenged obstinately. "Well, I'm seeing him tonight and I'll explain it then. He'll understand it. You'll see."