I glance over at the clock on the wall and tap my fingers on the dark wood desk. It's six p.m. I'm not supposed to be sitting at my desk right now, work ended an hour ago.

What I'm supposed to be doing is mingling and having fun at the end of month Hub party.

Blech.

There are a million other things I'd rather be doing.

Let see; one: go home, two: curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine, three: think about Captain Harkness.

Okay, sure I could think all about Captain Harkness here at the Hub, but it's not quite the same when he's nearby. Here, I'm likely to get all flustered and tongue-tied. At home on the couch, I can pretend its Captain Harkness that gets tongue-tied - all over my body.

I'm sure I just moaned softly thinking about it. I open my eyes to make sure no one heard me and see Owen from Medical heading in my direction.

Double blech.

"Hey, Ianto, come have a drink." He leans casually against my desk eyeing the top of my shirt.

"I'm fine. I have to drive home so I'm having water. Got to stay hydrated."

He laughs and leans in closer. I can smell the sharp alcohol on his breath. "Loosen up why don't ya."

"I'm loose." I twist from side to side in my swivel chair. "So yeah, I'm already fine, thank you for asking."

He blinks like he isn't sure how to respond to me. I get that a lot. I'm the awkward one in social situations and I'm okay with that. It's why other people tend to stay away from me. I'm also okay with that, preferring to be alone.

Sure it gets lonely sometimes and I wish I were the one to come up with the witty remark at just the right time. I'm more likely to think about the perfect response later that evening when I'm lying in bed. Isn't that always the way?

Owen contemplates whether to continue to hit on me or try someone easier. Hopefully it's the latter, I really don't want to have to tell him to get lost. Not again. I need him on my side to do my job right.

"I bet you're a wild one if you get shit-faced." He stares down at my lap. "You'd be much nicer if you let your hair down. Come have a drink with me."

I'm about to respond when Tosh, the lovely Techie of our bunch walks past. Actually, wiggles past is probably a more apt description of what she is doing.

Her tight blue dress clings to every curve. The girl hasn't got an ounce of fat on her.

Lucky her, she seems to be loosening up tonight at least.

I immediately tug down my shirt trying to hide the fact that I haven't been to the gym lately. I'm not fat either, but there are some parts of me I wish were a little tighter than they are right now. Mental note: start exercising.

"Tosh, baby." Owen begins to follow after her. Tosh and Owen. Oh yeah, those two are made for each other. I roll my eyes and turn back to face my desk wondering if I've been here an appropriate amount of time so I can leave.

I hear someone behind me.

"Mr. Jones, Ianto Jones."

I freeze immediately. It's Captain Harkness' voice. It's so smooth and soft; I can already feel my legs turning to jelly.

I turn to face him and do my best to not look flustered. "Hello, Captain Harkness. I didn't see you there."

Jack Harkness is standing before me in a dark grey suit and deep blue tie. The colour of his tie matches his fiercely dark blue eyes. Those same eyes that are looking right at me and making my blood heat. I hope he can't see the reaction I'm having to him.

Good god he's attractive. Late thirties, short dark hair, excellent shape. And those lips. Men's lips are not something I ever notice, except on him, where all I want is having them kissing and nibbling all over my body.

Surely he already knows the effect he has on the women of this team, as well as some of us lowly males. I hear them giggling and making jokes about how they'd like to be spread out across his desk with him ordering them to do nasty things to him. I have to admit that I sometimes think the same things. Hey, the man is gorgeous. I may be awkward but I'm not immune to sexy.

"Are you having a good time, Ianto?" He keeps his gaze fixed on my face rather than scanning down to my shirt like Owen did. I make a mental note to remove my tie more often, he seems to like my chest hair peeking out for a change.

"Yes, the party is fine, thanks." Fine. Who uses the word fine? I need to get a grip. "I have to head home soon though. Busy day tomorrow."

He narrows his eyes and tilts his gorgeous head to the side. "You're leaving already?"

"I can stay a little longer if you need something? You want me to finish the quarterly report?"

His lips turn up into a smile and he raises an eyebrow. "No. You are meant to be enjoying yourself, Ianto, not working. Maybe you'll have more fun at the next party."

"Yes. Of course."

He turns and walks over to the group. They laugh at something he says and I mentally slap myself on the forehead. Why on earth did I have to say that I was leaving?

I had him right in front of me, ready to have a perfectly normal conversation that didn't involve files and I made an excuse to leave.

It's no wonder I don't have a partner since Lisa. I mean, seriously?

I contemplate walking back over and standing with them so I can get back in the conversation and he won't think I'm completely hopeless. I could do it. Just walk over there. Pretend to laugh at something. Act normal. Arrrgh. Who am I kidding?

I pick up my coat and decide the best thing is to just get out of here before I make myself look anymore stupid.