A/N: So it has come to this. Meat.

Beta-ed: TattoedLibrarian

Spoilers: Meat

In the morning Ianto wasn't surprised that he was alone. It was expected. After all, it was work day. But this time there was a note on the nightstand. Nothing romantic, but it could be when Jack was involved.

"You worked late last night, come in later."

It was not signed, no unnecessary evidence to be found by a stranger, but enough for Ianto to smile. The boss is telling him to take the morning off, he probably didn't consider shagging a late night work, but the stake out, it was kinky in some way. Ianto would have to step up his game, to get back to some playful things that began their fling.

And maybe they could have another Sunday morning at Ianto's this week. That would be nice, and surely useful for Jack. He got too distracted and sad last night, some everyday bantering would be good for him. Ianto put on his new suit, and was satisfied with his reflection. Some investing in clothing proved to be useful, and flattering, but beside that he was satisfied with himself. After all he proved to be more than able to live beside Jack without the need to share aloud the new state of things. He accepted that he feels deeply for Jack, uncomfortably deeply, he even named that feeling, but now was more willing to avoid that name, just for the sake of keeping his daily tasks in mind. To even that gripping need to spill feelings before Jack, or God forbid others, Ianto made sure he did something for Jack on daily basis. He always did things for Jack but now he ensured that he did something out of his everyday duty.

Bringing flowers or candy boxes was out of question, as were writing greeting cards, things that were normal in a relationship with Lisa. Those things would surely go by well in any other relationship, but this was Jack, those kind of things would just be a red flag to get away. Ianto had no illusions about how easily Jack could disappear on one of his adventures and just how bad he was in maintaining relationships. Meeting his old Captain only highlighted that what he already knew.

No, for Jack, there was cookies in the jar, warm coffee, pressed shirts, clean trench coat, that last one was especially important, mainly after it being torn by some random death or injury. That's why Ianto always had tailors at hand, Jack was a good customer. Except that there was tidy Hub, clean SUV, which always got dirt on it, reports, cover ups, research. All things Ianto did in the Hub, that were his job, only now he did them better, with more care, but more so, he kept an eye on Jack giving out assignments as soon as he would show signs of trepidation, melancholy or anger. Nothing was better for Jack than stretching his legs and running around.

Today Jack beat him to it. Today everyone beat him to it, because he did comply with the note Jack left him and took the pleasure to groom some more. When he entered they were already on their way out.

"Come on Ianto" Jack shouted in the passing. "Join us, Tosh will stay in. This should prove to be interesting."

"Yeah" smirked Owen. "And it surely will involve some cleaning."

"Owen" Gwen reprimanded him. "Play nice or I'll put a pickle in your coffee, if Ianto won't."

"Like you could find unsupervised coffee around here" Owen shook his head. "It's carefully manoeuvred and quickly consumed. I wonder how much mess this one will be."

"It's just meat accident" said Gwen frowning. "It shouldn't be all that messy, it's not like blood is still running through it. Live animals would get awful, but meat is probably frozen, rolled down the street. I wonder why they called us."

"Probably something sinister" mocked Owen. "Like a chicken crossing the road causing the accident. Gwen please don't make that into a real case."

"I'm not the one that called in" Gwen argued. "They called us."

"That's never a good sign" said Jack and paused by the SUV waiting for everyone to get in. As Ianto passed him by, Jack briefly touched Ianto's upper arm as he helped him in. Ianto blushed at the contact but no one noticed.

As Jack drove they talked about the case and Ianto got up to speed but he was constantly aware of Jack's eyes in the mirror. It was as Jack was watching him, searching something in his eyes. Ianto couldn't figure out what, but he hoped that this was still Jack from last night, that he didn't go off for a few years with the Captain, or spent days in some strange time loop. It was somehow important to Ianto to stay alert, to know in which state his Jack, his current Jack was in.

And his current Jack seemed to have the need to keep an eye on Ianto.

"Ianto find out where this lorry came from. Owen with me to take a sample" Jack instructed them before they went out and Ianto had to stifle his smile. No cleaning for him then. That was good, he would hate for this suit to get ruined. It was risky wearing it to work, but where else should he display it. Some risk was mandatory. When they exited he was grateful that he didn't have to go in, the stench was awful even on the outside. He phoned and got the lorry's dispatcher but couldn't find out where it came from. He hated to be unable to perform instantly, it was irritating that he wasn't at his station offering guidance and information instantly. He said that to Jack only to find out that it was related to Gwen.

"That's Rhys's firm" Gwen said and Ianto thought great, that will be awkward.

Silence from Jack's side confirmed he thought the same thing. They drove back to the Hub in silence and Ianto hoped it really wouldn't be Rhys related, he wasn't in the mood for domestic troubles.

Now review. The time will run out soon. Express yourself. Thnx.