No spoilers

Beta-ed: TattoedLibrarian

Ianto sat across the table from Jack and watched him talk and listen. He had more listened than talked. Ianto hadn't spoken at all. He wasn't pleased with himself. The John experience left him feeling uneasy. He was far too happy when that bomb attached itself to John; he enjoyed the image of him being blown away. And just moments before his mind let whole another set of images to enter.

"Unless someone fancies an orgy?" John said with his sleazy voice and for a brief moment Ianto was flooded with a string of images that included the three of them, Ianto, Jack and John, but he was fast to clear that away because everyone of them would include John and he couldn't bare him near Jack, even in his thoughts.

He sobered up quickly when Gwen entered into equation and the threat of the bomb became real.

"Drinks on me" Jack said still serious when John had finally disappeared.

They sat in the bar and conversation started to fly around as usual when more than two people were present. Questions were asked but none of them persisted in getting an answer and Jack deflected it all with light humour and counter questions. He got answers, most of them. Ianto had to notice everyone was acting strangely. Gwen fumbled with her phone looking embarrassed and uncomfortable sitting near Ianto with Tosh between her and Jack. Tosh talked to Jack ignoring everyone else looking happy. Owen was serious, not flirting even to the waitress. It all could be explained by the strange night, exhaustion and Jack's returning but they were used to shocks of all kinds.

Jack was the strangest of them all. He sat there all serious in spite of his jokes; his smile didn't meet his eyes. And his flirt was still missing. John was out of the picture but his flirt hadn't returned. Nobody was flashed his Harkness grin, no phone numbers were thrown his way; he didn't even look around to notice the beauty and appeal. He had been serious since he got back but he had a flare for running and his smile would flash around without awareness, but that was extinguished after John had left.

Ianto could feel stupor and coldness, the walls were lifted and his eyes were looking but his hands weren't grabbing, his body hadn't leaned towards them, Tosh's hand lay on the table unpatted. He was disconnected and his eyes didn't dart in Ianto's direction to check on him. Ianto was almost unaware that Jack did that; he would randomly just place his gaze on him just to see if Ianto was still there. The change in Jack was overwhelming. Since he'd gotten back Ianto crossed through all sorts of emotions trying to keep his bearings at all times, to be cautious and careful to spare himself the pain. But now he forgot of all that. Ianto could almost touch the pain behind Jack's wall, and he knew to recognize pain too well. He walked through it often enough to know how it felt and what it looks like. Jack carried on the conversation and the banter but he was only partly here, he was dealing something behind the wall that was hidden from sight. Ianto didn't care anymore for bargaining and conditions of their reencounter, he just wanted to touch him.

"So" Ianto spoke up "where will everyone go? I'll go home, its empty anyway and I won't disturb any timelines. The bed is there, I'll finally get some sleep" everyone stared at him, stopped mid conversation. Jack looked at him curiously a little less absent.

"That's not bad idea mate" Owen cheered up "I'm so drowsy I could sleep on my feet. My place is empty too."

"I'll walk you home" Tosh jumped in "don't want you to end up in some alley sleeping in the dumpster."

"Nonsense" Jack jumped up "I'll drive you all home, safe and sound."

"Rhys will be pleased" Gwen mumbled "we're just talking while that damn man waits to kill me. It's so good to be alive; it will be a nice surprise, night at home."

"First Owen" Tosh said as they exited.

"No, no" Owen defended himself "first Gwen she needs rest after everything. And you must be tired."

"I'll sleep better if I know you're home" Tosh said quietly and Owen didn't contradict.

Owen had taken the passenger seat and the other three of them sat behind. Jack drove in silence dropping them off at their door steps.

"You're just around the corner" Jack spoke up as they watched Tosh unlock her front doors. Ianto sat behind him.

"No" Tosh had waved to them as she closed her door behind her "I moved it's a bit further. I'll show you."

There was a silence again broken by short instructions. Finally Jack stopped but Ianto remained in his seat. Neither of them moved and Ianto watched back of Jack's head.

"Where will you go?" Ianto asked quietly.

"Don't worry, I'll drive around" he answered looking through the window.

"What did he say in the end?" Ianto continued calmly, there was no way around it, and he wasn't ready to pretend the elephant wasn't in the room.

"A name" Jack sighed "the name of someone I lost long time ago. He lied because he knew it would hurt. He couldn't find him, he's lost, probably dead for many years, but not yet; he won't exist for a long time." Ianto could hear loss and there was no place for jealousy or further questions.

"You can come in if you like" Ianto started and hurried to explain "just for a coffee, or a couch, I have a couch if you like. I don't believe you would enjoy roofs tonight."

Jack laughed shortly and it was a pleasant laugh.

"No I wouldn't. Not for a while. I can't hide from you, can I Ianto Jones" he said his name again like an exclamation and Ianto enjoyed it like he always did, even before. "You know I would like that, I've stopped appreciating solitude in the last year."

Ianto didn't question his miscalculation of time that had passed, he accepted as he often did, Jack's word as truth.

"So" he said "whole year, no wonder you look older." Ianto exited the car and Jack followed him.

"Hey" Jack shouted and Ianto glanced back with a smile just to show he's joking, Jack often couldn't tell, he was calmed down by that smile.

"But you know" Jack spoke up as they climbed the stairs "our date still stands, this doesn't count, it's just your version of the Hub."

"As you wish, sir" Ianto mimicked his butler accent and unlocked the door.

:)