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Title: The easiest way in
Fandom: Torchwood
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG.
Length: 500 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for Challenge 61 - Shortcut at fandomweekly
Summary: Jack's old flame is causing tempers to fray.
Jack scowled at his passenger, knowing he'd stalled things long enough already. The others would be back at the hub by now, forced to hail a taxi in the middle of the night whilst he kept the SUV. Apart from there not being enough room for them all, he didn't want them in the same vehicle as John. There was something John was after, Jack just hadn't figured out what that was yet, which made John dangerous.
'Get in,' he commanded.
John raised an eyebrow. 'What? No please?' Jack's expression was enough to answer to question. 'Okay, you're the boss.' He slid in and shut the door, but not before giving Jack a little grin.
Jack puffed out a breath and hit his earpiece, reactivating it. 'Ianto. You there?'
'Yes, sir,' came the curt reply.
'Good. Just letting you know we're on our way in.' He spared a glance at John but he was almost invisible through the heavily tinted windows. 'I'll park up on Bute Street and bring him in via the invisible lift.'
Jack heard Ianto sigh. It was strangely reassuring sound after so long away from his team. 'Of course you are.'
The comment caused Jack to pause. 'What's that supposed to mean?'
'You want to impress him.' The response was blunt and to the point, far more direct a question than he was accustomed to. Ianto was usually far more subtle.
Jack turned away from the car on the off chance John was lip reading. He needed to maintain his air of authority. 'No, it's a shortcut. That way he doesn't find out all our codes and security protocols, or would you like us to use the tourist office and have him memorise the way inside?'
'If you say so.'
'I do. John will be armed to the teeth. Get Gwen ready with the full body scanner so we can disarm him as soon as he gets here.'
There was a snort. 'Like he's going to give up his weapons.'
'I'll ask nicely.'
'Oh, yes? You'll disarm him with your smile?'
Jack's teeth clenched. He normally enjoyed their banter, but Ianto's tone and John's simply being here at all, had him on edge. 'I'm sensing jealousy here.'
'Who me? What would I have to be jealous about?'
Jack's eyes narrowed. 'I was wondering the same.' He knew he was going to be made to regret ever abandoning the team. This was not the good first impression he'd been hoping for.
'How do you know he isn't just using you as a way to get inside? He already killed that bloke in the car park. Maybe you're a convenient shortcut for him to get what he wants. Whatever that is.'
Jack's hands balled up into fists. They didn't know John like he did. Yes, he was dangerous, but maybe, just maybe, his intentions here weren't dishonorable. That was Jack's assessment to make, not Ianto's. 'We'll discuss this later.'
'Of course, sir. I shall look forward to it.'