m_findlow

Title: Reshuffling the agenda
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Torchwood team
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 500 words
Content notes: none.
Author notes: Written for enchanted_jae's JMDC Challenge 175 - Meeting
Summary: Jack has called the team information a very important meeting.

Owen cast his gaze around the boardroom table as his three teammates. They all looked as blank and confused as him. 'Anyone know why we're here?'

Tosh shook her head. Gwen played with the pen in front of her. There wasn't even any sodding coffee. Owen cast a baleful glare in Ianto's direction and received one back in return. 'I got as much notice about this as you did. I didn't have time to make coffee.'

Owen slumped back in his chair and folded his arms. 'Great. Where is our fearless leader, anyway? He was the one that had called this stupid meeting.'

'Alright people!' Jack cried out, bustling through the glass door. 'I hereby call this meeting to order.' He slid into the chair at the head of the table, looking quickly over table. 'No coffee?'

If looks could kill, Ianto's could have obliterated the Death Star. Jack raised his hands in defense. 'Forget I asked. Not important anyway. This won't take long.'

'Makes you wonder why you bothered, then,' Owen muttered.

Jack's jaw clenched. 'I'll pretend I didn't hear that.' He leaned forward across the table. 'Now, I know you've all been very busy doing important work and that there's plenty still to do, but I'm giving you all the afternoon off.'

Owen rolled his eyes. 'That was the big announcement?'

Jack looked smug. 'Yep. It's my birthday and I'm deciding that the best way to celebrate is by not working. Plus, I happen to know that you all had this big surprise party organised for later, anyway, so this'll free up your day to put the finishing touches on it.'

'Not much of a surprise if you know about it,' Tosh replied.

'Who blabbed?' Gwen demanded to know.

'Nobody,' Jack replied. 'You all just aren't as clever as you think. Ianto, is that bouncy castle fully inflated yet? I was hoping we wouldn't have to wait until tonight.'

Ianto looked incredulous. 'You couldn't possibly know about that! The party, yes, but I went all the way to a payphone in Splott to make those arrangements. How could you have known?'

Jack grinned. 'Maybe I'll tell you one day.' Ianto harrumphed and fell silent.

'So, we only get the afternoon off if we agree to kick off celebrating early?' Owen asked.

'That's the plan.'

'Right-o. I'm up for that. Beers in the fridge should be cold by now. I put them in there last night.'

'I'll go fetch the gifts out from inside that giant bird-eating plant in the hothouse,' Tosh said. 'It was the only safe place I could think to hide them where you wouldn't find them.'

'All the junk food is in the interrogation room. I just need a few extra bowls for all the chips and peanuts,' Gwen said.

Jack looked across at Ianto. 'And?'

He huffed a sigh. 'It should be finshed inflating by now. Storeroom 29-C.'

'Excellent! Meeting adjourned!'

Owen couldn't help but smile. He could do with more meetings like this.