Spoiler alert: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Beta-ed: TattoedLibrarian

In the elevator Ianto stared at the numbers changing on the screen. He was acutely aware of Jack's presence, it was a small space and there was just an inch between them. This was the moment where he would, if he was different person or John for that instance, push the stop button and push him against the wall. Bu he wasn't that person, and he wasn't even sorry for that. He grew tired of the play, he didn't want to get back to casual shagging with Jack. As much as it was intense and addictive he would have to pretend that there wasn't anything more, that he hadn't crossed the line and started to care for the man. There was one thing that was worse than standing near the person you want and not doing anything, that was to be able to consume its body but forbidden from going deeper. Ianto felt an ache for Jack even from a distance, even when he was away he imagined him hurt and worried about it, but to stand so close and not be able to do anything was something Ianto could never do.

That's why Ianto contained himself but it cost him his humour that started to escape from him in the last months, it was a relief to just joke around, relaxed and confident. Now he stood firm and closed up and he hated the seriousness that he displayed. He entered the floor focusing his thoughts on the task, he was still good at focusing but Jack broke his concentration with his lines. How did he manage to squeeze `exciting`, `exotic`, `romantic` and `butt` in the same sentence. Ianto couldn't think like that so he spoke up interrupting him before he suggest something more inappropriate, something that could tempt Ianto, he was too damn weak but he was determined to hold his ground. That's why he repeated results of the scan that they both knew.

"How are you Ianto?" Jack's voice changed its tone to less confident sound. It was a first sentence directed right at him, not spoken loud and theatrically for an absent audience.

"All the better having you here, sir" Ianto said with a smile and he was honest, despite his inner turmoil he knew he would be able to control himself and that his emotions would ease down. Having Jack in sight was good enough, he was enjoyable to watch, and this way his anxiety faded knowing he is safe.

"Can we drop the 'sir' now?" Ianto listened and didn't believe his ears, Jack's voice sounded insecure, sincere, and doubtful; he hadn't heard him like that before. "I was thinking when all this is over dinner, movie."

Ianto looked at him totally confused. It sounded like a proper asking out for a chat and spending time together, it sounded like something he would have said when he was asking someone out, someone you're anxious about.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Ianto voiced out not willing to trust his judgment, this was Jack, in his head it could sound like something more casual and friendly. After all, he was a person who considered saying to someone that he was hot like he was saying hello.

"Interested?" he answered with a question not denying but holding his defensive pose with his hands behind his back, lifting his chin not giving anything more. Ianto turned around with turmoil in his guts.

"As long as it's not in an office" he said declining any thought about following through with his line of thoughts about offices and photocopy machines "some fetishes should be kept to yourself" he said expressing his own bitter feeling that had been with him when Jack left, he felt exposed and foolish.

That was enough exposure for Ianto, he showed enough enthusiasm for Jack so he got back to business at hand, and he would have none of Jack-action before that John character got the hell out of here. He wouldn't as much as loosen his tie as long as he was around.

Jack followed his lead and he tried to sound professional but to Ianto's ears, after he painted the picture of him sitting pant-less on the glass, top every office item that he named sounded like possible innuendo. Ianto needed him out of sight so he could focus on his task, if it took too long John would surely drop in and offer his version of sexy office time.

"So it's this floor or the roof. You're good on roofs." Ianto smiled at him thinking of the habit Jack had that Ianto discovered when he found him standing on the roof of the hospital just staring at the horizon not moving. It was like a meditation, he didn't even notice when Ianto stood behind him. Ianto was surprised by the sight so he stood there for awhile watching him not making a sound. He tried to make out what Jack saw out there but for Ianto there were only the same old buildings. Finally Jack moved and Ianto cleared his throat pretending he had just arrived.

In this moment Jack just nodded and headed towards the door looking submissive. Ianto turned to his task but then he discovered that he felt uneasy with that John thing, why did Jack ask him out when he was still obedient to his old lover, he still does his tasks when they are clearly false and he was lying.

"He's reminder of my past. I want him gone." Jack said firmly and Ianto knew he was telling the truth. Ianto nodded, it was enough, Ianto had a past of his own, and he knew that sometimes it was hard to make it go away.

Hopefully they would find this and he would be gone.

"By the way" Jack spoke up again and Ianto turned "was that a yes?"

"Yes" answered Ianto thinking of course it was, "yes" he added, what else could it be he thought inwardly and turned to find that damn thing so they could all be at peace from that John with a malicious smile.