To his credit, Jack was the epitome of caring boss after that. He showed an interest in their lives, took time to apologise to each of them in turn, ensuring they all took downtime as often as possible with such hectic work lives. This extra effort combined with his natural charisma meant that the team quickly returned to comfortable normality under Jack's leadership. He and Ianto had managed to work well together without brushing below the surface of what either of them was feeling, in terms of friendship or of anything more. There was an unspoken question between them, the matter instead being discussed at length between the others, each with their own theory in the will they wont they dilemma.

Two weeks after his return, the team were sat together in the boardroom, an obscene amount of pizza in front of them. Ianto always ordered too much knowing the leftovers could stay in the fridge a couple of days just in case.

Jack smiled to himself as he looked around at his team. The scene was one they had repeated so many times, eating dinner around the table talking and laughing about nothing at all. Owen shoved the rest of his crust into his mouth, rubbing his greasy hands into his jeans causing Ianto to shiver in disgust, before turning to Tosh with a mouthful,

"So, what's the update for tonight, we gonna have a quiet Friday night?"

"If you mean rift-wise, then yes" Tosh smiled, "but quiet one wouldn't be how I described our last night out, so we'll see"

"That wasn't my fault!" said Owen indignantly, "I just bought a few shots too many and it would've been rude for us not to drink them"

"Was it not rude to wear Gwen's bra home on your head, Owen?" Tosh raised an eyebrow sceptically,

"Who took it off her then?!" he glared accusingly, smirking as Tosh blushed and tried to stutter out an excuse,

"Okay!" Gwen laughed and put a stop to it all, "lets just agree to go out for a few drinks, no shots, all underwear remaining on"

"agreed" Owen grinned, then glanced over to Jack, "you coming, Jack?"

"oh, I don't know…." He glanced around at the rest of them for confirmation, his eyes lingering over Ianto for far too long. Ianto didn't miss the looks he was getting from the others, either. Cheers guys way to be subtle! He sighed inwardly and turned to Jack.

"You should come" he said casually, "would be nice to go out as a team"

X - X - X

Which is how Jack found himself sat in a booth in the Prince of Wales pub, nursing a pint of water while the team engaged in raucous laughter around him. Tosh and Gwen were splitting their second bottle of wine, giggling to each other having spotted a member of the Welsh rugby team at the bar. Owen was leaning into the booth next to them, flirting outrageously with a group of women.

Ianto was on his third pint, his inhibitions lowered, which was a complete delight to see. His sleeves rolled up, his tie long removed, his hair messy and a dopey smile on his face while he watched Owen make a fool of himself, he'd never looked more beautiful to Jack. Shit this is dangerous territory Jack scolded himself, you're supposed to be trying to be his friend, remember?

"So, Jack" Gwen elbowed him, breaking into his reverie "why are you sat here like a miserable old fart? Have a drink!"

"At least one of us has to stay sober, remember? In case of a rift emergency, got to be ready"

Gwen rolled her eyes, "doesn't mean you have to sit with a face like a slapped arse though does it?" She leaned in closer to whisper, "Staring at Ianto like that isn't a great idea either"

Jack turned to look at her "I wasn't"

"Oh, don't be a twat"

Jack raised an eyebrow, "I'm gonna assume that's the wine talking"

"maybe a bit" she giggled, "but better hope he doesn't catch you looking at him like that"

"not like it really matters, Gwen, he's moved on"

"Moved on from what?! You gave him nothing except a few snogs and a whole lot of confusion"

"that's what he said?" Jack looked sad,

"well not in those words obviously, it's Ianto after all" she looked up at him, "but basically that's what you did. Now lighten up, be his friend, and be our boss. Simple as"

"what if I wanted…more than that?" Jack sighed, "I didn't handle it well before, but…"

"Oh shush" Gwen squeaked, sticking a finger over his lips "one thing at a time. I'm too drunk to give you sensible advice right now"

She turned her attention back to the bar and the rugby player, whispering something to Tosh which made the other woman blush and giggle hysterically.

"What's Gwen trying to give advice on now?" Ianto had picked up on the last sentence and turned to Jack, turning towards him in the booth. The question was casual, no indication that he thought he was the subject of Gwen's little outburst, and Jack certainly wasn't going to draw attention to that,

"Oh, nothing much really" Jack smiled tightly, "You know what she's like under the influence"

"Well be careful, last time we went out she tried to convince me to get a tattoo on my arse"

Jack laughed, "did it work?"

"Wouldn't you like to know" Ianto responded immediately, the alcohol lowering the professional mask almost completely. Jack laughed uncomfortably. He supposed this was a definite improvement on Ianto either shouting at him or ignoring him, or the almost painful politeness of the last couple weeks. Noting the look on Jack's face, Ianto frowned,

"What's wrong? Look the way I see it, you flirt with absolutely everyone" he ignored the resigned eye roll from Jack, "So if we're gonna try this friendship thing I may as well join in"

"really?" Jack looked at him, "you want that?" this was the first time their previous conversation had been addressed,

"Yeah I mean we're all pretty good friends now, the whole team" Ianto smiled, "Don't see why we should be any different"

"I guess not" Jack smiled weakly, knowing he should be happy but fighting down the disappointment.

"Okay then, friends"

"yep, if that's what we both want"

Ianto nodded wordlessly. They met eyes, each one searching the other for some indication of emotion. They looked at each other, both feeling that tension but neither willing to break the contact. This was becoming dangerously close to a Moment.

"Ianto, isn't that Jenny over there?" Tosh piped up, giving Ianto an excuse to drop his gaze and look over.

Jack's stomach lurched as he followed her indication. He'd had no desire to ever lay eyes on the woman if he could help it, as if by not meeting her it would be less real, Ianto would be less completely out of reach to him. He childishly viewed her as his competition, which didn't exactly give either her or Ianto any credit.

She was lovely, Jack had to give her that. Long dark hair swept off her pretty face, warm brown eyes sparkling as she laughed with her friends at the bar. Black skinny jeans clung beautifully to her hips as she leaned against the bar. She glanced in the direction of the group, her eyes lighting up as she recognised Ianto. That look of happiness cut Jack deeper than it should. He knew that look; he fought to keep it off his own face when Ianto walked into a room. She tottered over on her heels to the group with a cute little wave, perching on the edge of the booth next to Ianto,

"Hi everyone" she smiled to each of them in turn, her eyes stopping as she reached Jack, "I don't believe we've met, I'm Jenny, Ianto's girlfriend"

"Jack Harkness" he shook her offered hand gently, a tight smile plastered on his face.

"Oh, so you're Jack! The infamous boss" she grinned, "Ianto, you didn't mention he was so hot, how do you all keep your hands off him" she teased, nudging the man playfully, who immediately tensed and blushed,

"Yeah, I…um" Ianto spluttered uncomfortably, not sure how to get out of the increasingly awkward silence. Awkward to everyone except Jenny, who of course had no clue that she'd hit a nerve.

"We don't broadcast that, don't like to feed his already massive ego" Owen said snarkily, earning a grateful glance from Ianto. They continued in polite conversation, Ianto remaining tense at having Jenny in such close proximity to Jack. While she had met the others previously, they'd all been pretty vague about their boss, who had been 'away on business' for the past few months. She began asking Jack about his trip, an innocent question that she could never have truly understood its significance.

"Ok,well I need a drink" Ianto stood to head to the bar, interrupting the conversation, "Jen, want anything?"

"No, we actually should be heading off now, Claire wants to go Popworld" Jenny rolled her eyes, "you know what she's like, any opportunity to dance she's there"

"Right. Well, have a good night" Ianto smiled down at her,

"You too, I'll call you tomorrow" she pecked him on the lips gently, oblivious to Jack's eyes burning into the back of her head. She waved to the others and headed off to meet her friends. Ianto turned and headed to the bar without another word, and Jack found himself with eyes boring into him from both Gwen and Tosh. He didn't meet any of their stares, choosing instead to look into the glass of water he was swirling around in his hand.

Owen followed Ianto to the bar, catching up to him just as he was ordering another full round for the table,

"And two tequilas" Owen shouted to the barmaid taking Ianto's order, "Much needed"

"Hell yes" Ianto closed his eyes, "that was awkward right, it wasn't just me?"

"Nope, definitely awkward"

"Great" Ianto sighed, "we're trying at friends, I want him to be one of the team to me like the rest of you, its just…." He took the shot that had just appeared in front of him and immediately gestured for another, which he swallowed straight down the same as the last. Owen raised an eyebrow,

"Just…?"

"Nothing" Ianto waved him away, "Forget it, we're gonna be friends, that's all"

"If you say so" Owen shrugged, picking up some of the drinks to head back to the table. Ianto took a deep breath to steady himself before following, the shots having gone straight to his head. He concluded that alcohol was the only thing getting him through the rest of this evening.

X - X - X

Having Jack as a designated driver had worked out well. Owen had declined the lift, choosing instead to wander home with the vague possibility of pulling but more likely picking up a kebab to walk home with. Tosh had tottered into her flat on her heeled boots, stuttering out an apology for her inebriation that was just adorable. Gwen had yelled "goodbye boys" at such a level that several neighbours had peeked through their curtains. Which inevitably left Jack alone with Ianto, the short journey made in silence. The younger man was leaning his head against the car window, the cool glass soothing his spinning head. Jack stopped outside Ianto's building and got out of the car, not trusting the other man to get to his flat without falling over.

Ianto poured out of the SUV lacking his usual elegance, using the bonnet of the car to steer himself towards the building. He turned to Jack, who was watching him navigate himself with faint amusement.

"Where did you go Jack?" Ianto was almost slurring, "You can tell me, I probably won't remember in the morning anyway"

Jack smiled sadly, "I'll tell you everything one day"

"Aww" Ianto pouted adorably, pursing his lips in such a kissable way Jack almost forgot everything and leaned in, "you're mean"

"And you're drunk" Jack pointed out, "So upstairs and into bed"

"You're gonna put me to bed?" Ianto's eyes widened and was Jack dreaming or was there something hopeful in those drunken eyes

"No, I'm gonna make sure you get into your flat safely"

"Oh" Ianto nodded, "Well let's go then"

Jack punched in the code for the external door then led Ianto upstairs to the second floor and the front door of his flat. Ianto was too drunk to question how Jack knew which was his, all he could think of was getting the door to stop spinning enough for him to walk through it. Jack saw the younger man stumble and instinctively stepped forwards to steady him, wrapping a sturdy arm around his waist,

"Thanks, Jack, you're a good friend" Ianto sighed, "didn't think id be saying that but hey ho"

"what do you mean?"

"Well maybe I had some mad visions of us being something else once upon a time" Ianto shrugged, "Not that you wanted that obviously, but maybe a shag eventually could've been nice"

Jack groaned inwardly, "Ianto, it wasn't like that"

"Doesn't matter" Ianto grumbled, "we're friends now, even if you do smell bloody fantastic"

He buried his nose into Jack's neck and breathed in deeply, and Jack had to close his eyes for a minute to steady himself. He gently guided Ianto into the flat, trying not to think about the other man's breath ghosting over his skin, his hand creeping up to rest in the small of Jack's back. He headed to where he assumed the bedroom was, taking note of the unsurprising neatness of the whole place. Everything was tidy and ordered in its proper place, with the exception of a woman's denim jacket flung over the back of the sofa. This small addition spoke volumes to Jack. She had made herself comfortable here, a piece of Ianto's world Jack himself had never even stepped foot in.

He pushed open the bedroom door and sat Ianto down on the edge of the bed. Ianto pulled away from Jack but his hand stayed where it was, gripping the back of Jack's coat tightly. He let go reluctantly as Jack stood, his drunken state debating asking him to stay.

"I'll go get you a glass of water" Jack said, "get into bed"

Ianto mumbled something under his breath but did as he was told, at least having the coherence to take off his shoes, trousers and shirt before crawling under the covers. Jack had purposely turned away at this, knowing seeing Ianto undressing in bed would be far less than helpful.

When he returned with the water Ianto was already snoring lightly, his head buried into the pillow adorably. He set the glass down on the nightstand, unable to stop himself reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Ianto's forehead,

"God, Yan" he whispered, "I wish I hadn't fucked this all up"

Ianto snuffled in his sleep, nuzzling his head into Jack's hand. Jack sighed sadly and rose to leave, with one last fleeting glimpse at the sleeping man before heading out the door.