m_findlow

Title: Expensive exercise
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 77 - Anytime at anythingdrabble
Summary: Jack's latest stakeout has cost them more than just time.

Ianto felt uneasy as he sat in the car beside Jack. It had nothing at all to do with the company, nor the surveillance task they were undertaking. It was all about the spot they'd chosen, or more to the point, the spot Jack had chosen.

'It says "no standing anytime",' Ianto told him, peering up at the sign which loomed ostentatiously right beside his passenger side window.

'We're not standing, Ianto. We're parking,' Jack replied.

'I doubt the council will appreciate the distinction,' he said, though knowing arguing about semantics with Jack was an exercise in futility.

'They don't apply to us, anyway,' Jack argued. 'We're Torchwood. Besides, this is the perfect spot and there's not another free parking space anywhere near here. It's not going to be much of a stake out if we're standing on the street right where they can see us.'

Ianto quietly conceded, knowing it was pointless, but it didn't stop him feeling like they were doing the wrong thing.

They'd been watching their quarry at a local café for nearly an hour as he met with various people who stopped in the middle of the street, and sat down to join him for a coffee, before making their leave shortly thereafter. He was up to something, no doubt, and it was their job to clock the people whom he met with.

He was so focused on the task of watching the pedestrians who filtered past the bustling café that the rap of knuckles on his window made him jump. Lo and behold, there was a uniformed police officer, taking offense at their choice of parking spot.

Jack's eyes flicked across the car for only a second, before returning to their task. 'Get rid of him,' Jack ordered, 'before he blows our cover.'

Ianto rolled down the window halfway.

'It says "no standing",' the police officer announced, pointing up at the sign. 'Can't you read?'

Wordlessly, Ianto extracted a fake police ID card which identified them as detectives from the London Met. He couldn't very well admit they were Torchwood, not that it was likely to be believed. Ianto's plain black Audi had none of the hallmarks of the SUV, which made it perfect for surveillance work.

'Important surveillance operation,' Ianto said, schooling his reply, taking out some of the Welsh lilt to his accent. He just hoped Jack didn't open his mouth, delivering that appalling cockney impersonation he was fond of.

The police officer took the ID card and examined it, frowning. He handed it back and made some notes on a small pad, probably meaning to double check their credentials when he got back to base. Once he was done, he tore off the piece of paper and handed it to Ianto before walking away.

'What was all that about?' Jack asked.

Ianto studied the paper, letting out a tired little sigh. 'It turns out the only people Cardiff police hate more than Torchwood are the London Met. We just got fined.'