AN: I know I said this wouldn't be up until December, but I've hit a small level of writers block, so I have decided to upload the first section of the story in the hope that getting some reviews might spur me on.

Synopsis: Captain Jack Harkness runs Torchwood Three in Cardiff, where the Rift and Weevils are a normal part of his day. Ianto Jones works in a coffee shop on the Plass. What happens when their two worlds collide, and Ianto has to learn the truth about the dashing Captain Jack, as well as revealing some truths of his own?

Setting: Despite its alternate universe status, this story begins during season two. It is set between 'Meat' and 'Something Borrowed' and so contains events and references from around that time. Due to its AU nature it should be acknowledged that Owen Harper is not dead in any way, shape or form.

Please review and help me get this finished x

Captain Jack Harkness stepped off the paving stone that was modified by the perception filter and strode across the Plass. Yet another coffee run was in motion, and despite Jack being in charge of Torchwood 3, he was more than willing to go. As he made his way towards the newest coffee shop beside the Plass he smiled as he thought about the sight that would greet him when he arrived. Jack was always keen to help local businesses, and when "Bean" had opened a few days earlier he had headed inside, hoping to find a convenient and drinkable source of coffee for his caffeine addicted team. What he'd found instead was much more addictive. As he walked through the door into the cosy shop he was pleased to find there was no queue, and so sauntered up to the counter and smiled at the man waiting to serve him.

"Good afternoon sir – the usual?" The Welsh voice spoke softly.

Jack smiled. "Thank you." He said nodding his head gently.

"You guys certainly get through a lot of coffee – you must all be hyper." The man said with a playful smirk as he set about making the four coffees that made up Jack's standard order.

Jack laughed as he thought of his team; Owen would be asleep as soon as he'd left, Gwen would be playing solitaire on the computer, and Toshiko would no doubt not have noticed. "I wouldn't call them hyper." He said. "Must be something you put in the drinks – I just can't seem to keep away." He added with a subtle wink.

The server smiled as he placed the four cups into a cardboard carrier and placed them on the counter.

"Anything else for you sir?" He asked.

"Your name?" Jack asked hopefully.

"Ianto Jones sir. And you are?" Ianto asked.

"Jack Harkness." Jack said smiling as he proffered his hand, and Ianto shook it.

"Well Jack, that'll be four pounds eighty." Ianto said.

Jack dug into his pocket and pulled out a rather crumpled five pound note. "Keep the change. And I'll see you tomorrow Ianto Jones." Jack said with a grin as he turned to leave.

"I'll look forward to it." Ianto breathed, watching the man in the long grey coat head back out onto the Plass. He had been trying to work up the courage to ask his name since the shop had opened and Jack had been one of the first people to wander inside. Whilst Ianto admitted that the outfit Jack wore each day was a little strange, he was becoming a big fan of the long grey coat, as well as the man inside it.

On Jack's first visit to the shop the only words spoken had consisted of him ordering four coffees and a quick "Thanks" before walking out. Ianto had decided that he was just nosily checking out the shop, wondering if they were any good. He was relieved therefore when a couple of hours later the man had reappeared and ordered four more identical drinks. Jack had returned one final time, just before Ianto's shift ended a couple of hours later, for four more identical coffees. Ianto had no idea where Jack went when he left, he had watched him walk out and onto the Plass, but he'd lost him within the crowd, and not spotted him again until he re-entered the shop for another caffeine fix. Jack had returned at similar times each day after that, each time with a gentle smile, a wink on occasion, always watching Ianto intently as he made each drink, but it had taken till today for their exchange of words to reach what anyone would define as a conversation. As the next customer entered the shop and approached Ianto's counter he snapped out of his reverie and returned to work, silently looking forward to tomorrow and Jack's next appearance.

TW

"Now everyone have finally decided to join us," Jack began looking pointedly at Owen who had slunk in just five minutes ago, "I'll go get coffee." It was the following day, and Jack had been itching to get out the Hub and go and see Ianto all morning.

"Do you want me to go? Seems a bit unfair you always traipsing out." Tosh asked.

"No." Jack answered quickly. "I don't mind, really."

Gwen sniggered.

"Yes Miss Cooper?" Jack asked.

"Nothing to do with the rather handsome young man behind the counter is it Jack?" She asked innocently.

"Oh really!" Owen smirked.

"Do you guys want coffee or not?" Jack asked ignoring the mocking of his team as he made his way to the lift.

"Thank you Jack." Tosh said with a smile.

"What's his name?" Owen asked as the lift began its ascent.

"Ianto." Jack said with a fond smile. "And I'll get him to spit in yours." He called before disappearing from view.

As he stepped off the paving stone the heavy Welsh rain battered him, and he quickened his pace, breaking into a jog as he hurried across the quiet Plass and dove into "Bean". The coffee shop was deserted; the people of Cardiff obviously put off by the weather. As Jack approached the counter Ianto emerged from the kitchen and grinned.

"Morning Jack. The usual?" He asked.

"Good morning Ianto. Tell you what, I'll have mine here, and take the other three to go." Jack said, settling himself into a wooden chair at the table near the window.

"Yours is the double shot black?" Ianto questioned.

"Well done." Jack smiled. "How could you tell?"

"You don't seem the kind of guy to spoil your drink with milk and syrup. Much prefer my coffee plain too." Ianto said.

"You're welcome to join me." Jack said, gesturing to the free seat at his table as Ianto placed his coffee in front of him.

"Despite the lack of customers, I don't think my boss would be too happy if he found me sat down on the job this early in my employment." Ianto smiled.

"Of course." Jack said, a little disappointed.

"I finish at 6," Ianto began. "If you want to get a drink somewhere else?"

Jack nodded. "I'd like that. You'd best give me your number. My job tends to interfere with any attempts at a life, and I'd hate to stand you up."

Ianto took a slip of paper from behind the counter and wrote his name and mobile number on it before handing it to Jack who had finished his coffee.

"Thanks. So on the Plass at 6?" He confirmed as Ianto made his takeaway drinks.

Ianto nodded, taking Jacks money.

"Well have a nice day Ianto Jones, and I'll see you later." Jack said, picking up the three drinks and wandering back out into the downpour after a final wink at Ianto. Ianto let out a deep breath as he smiled. A few moments after Jack disappeared from view Ianto's mobile beeped. He grinned as he read the text.

"Do you get a lunch break? J x"

"Half hour at 2. What do you have in mind? I x" Ianto replied.

A few moments later Jack responded. "I'll meet you on the Plass. Bring an umbrella! J x"

Ianto smiled. "See you later. I x"

TW

At 2 o'clock Ianto took off his apron and placed it on the shelf in the kitchen. His manager Gethin had turned up to help out during the lunch period, and now that was over, Ianto was free to go on his lunch. Making two fresh coffees before he went, Ianto was relieved to see that the rain had finally stopped as he walked out the shop and onto the Plass. Doing a quick scan of the area he couldn't spot Jack, so wandered over to the nearest vacant bench and settled down, sipping at his coffee as he waited. A few moments later Ianto smiled as he spotted Jack approaching carrying a paper bag.

"Hey." Ianto said as Jack sat down.

"Hello – you've not been waiting long have you? Am I late?" Jack asked checking his watch.

"I've been here about 30 seconds – don't worry. Here – thought you might need more caffeine. It's been hours." Ianto said passing Jack the second cup.

Jack smiled in thanks as he took a drink. "I swear this is not a line – but this is the greatest coffee I have ever had, and I have drunk a lot in my time. Where did you learn to make coffee this good?"

Ianto laughed softly. "I wish I had some impressive answer for you, but I'm afraid its just practise. What's in the bag?" He asked.

"Lunch." Jack said as he dove one hand inside. "I have no idea what you like… so if you don't like it, please don't eat it out of politeness." He said passing Ianto a ham and cheese sandwich.

"You're safe – I like ham and cheese. Thanks." Ianto said as he unwrapped the sandwich, Jack retrieving a second one from the bag, before they sat eating in silence.

"So," Ianto asked when he'd finished. "Where do you fancy going tonight?"

Jack shrugged. "I don't mind. Couple of drinks in town… see what happens?" He suggested.

Ianto smiled. "Sounds fine. So I'll meet you back here at 6?" He said getting to his feet as he downed the last of his coffee.

Jack stood up too. "I'll look forward to it." He said as the two men faced each other and smiled.

"Will you be in later for more coffees?" Ianto asked, realising he was saying anything to avoid having to go back to work.

Jack grinned. "Oh I imagine so. Buying our own machine would be much more economical, but nowhere near as fun." He said smirking.

Ianto laughed. "That is true… but if you did that, I'd be out of a job."

"And we can't have that now can we?" Jack replied.

"No… my job has its highlights… be a shame if I missed out on them." Ianto said with a wriggle of his eyebrows, before checking his watch. "Which means I should get back before Gethin fires me for being late."

Jack laughed. "Okay – well have a good afternoon, and I'll see you at 6… if not before." He said turning to leave.

"Jack?" Ianto said quickly, causing him to look back. Ianto stepped forward and planted a soft brief kiss on Jack's lips. "Thanks for lunch." He said simply before walking quickly back to work, leaving a beaming Jack Harkness in his wake.