Last part to my version of Countrycide. I seem to be getting a bit more time to myself so hopefully the next part of the Unseen verse will be up far quicker than this was. Again, thanks for reading, reviewing,m and making me want to continue.

With everyone finally back to themselves for the most part, the next morning Jack called for a team meeting. Tosh was kind enough to carry the tray of coffee for Ianto while he brought the pastries to the boardroom, Jack taking them and emptying the bag onto the platter in the middle of the table so Ianto didn't have to strain his ribs. Once seated, Jack looked round and realized that while things had gone almost as wrong as they could have one thing seemed to have been accomplished. Gwen was still shooting unhappy looks at Ianto and being less than polite but Owen seemed to have developed a grudging respect for the young archivist. While he was still giving him grief almost constantly there was a different tone to it, perhaps not affection but far less actual hostility. Tosh, well Tosh liked Ianto from the beginning but now there was a fierce mother bear attitude there and goddess help anyone who crossed it. Finishing the cinnamon roll he had been eating, Jack took a fast swig of coffee and let out a moan, catching the attention of the rest.

"I swear, best coffee in the universe," Jack sighed, throwing a flirty wink at Ianto and grinning when he blushed.

"I'll take your word for that, sir," Ianto answered, breaking another small piece off the chocolate pasty he had in front of him and popping it in his mouth.

"Right." Jack switched to boss mode and looked round the table, taking a moment to focus on each of them. "Owen, let's start with you. Update on the injuries?"

"Tosh seems to be pretty much healed although I still want to keep an eye on the throat bruising. Hasn't interfered with her breathing or if so she hasn't told me but lots of delicate stuff in there so better safe than sorry."

"Delicate stuff? Is that a medical term?"

"Dumbing it down for your benefit, Harkness." Owen smirked at him and went back to his notes. "Gwen. The pellet wounds are doing well, all scabbed over and starting to close. Still needs to keep on limited duties so there is little danger of breaking them open. Another week or so and she'll be cleared unless you

have some magic elixir in the archives that promotes automatic healing."

"How's the pain, Gwen?"

She fluttered her lashes at Jack. "Nothing I can't handle, Jack. Anything you need me for I'm available."

Jack simply nodded. "And Ianto?"

"He's doing remarkably well. Must be keeping it in your pants Harkness, and giving him a chance to heal."

"And there's the twat we know and dislike," Ianto muttered.

Jack's scowl did nothing to wipe the smirk off Owen's face. "His ribs are doing really well, the broken ones healing nicely. The bruising is starting to change color so that is healing as well. Still want him on very limited duties for another two weeks to give those ribs a chance to really heal and to let all the deeper tissue bruising heal as well. He says the pain is moderate so I'm guessing it hurts like fuck so even if he doesn't like it he will continue on the pain meds but I might cut back on the dosage. That does not mean you can sneak off to the archives and do whatever it is you do down there or that I am giving you permission to get up to with Harkness whatever you get up to with Harkness. While you might think the pain is livable at the moment, you do even one tiny bit too much and you're going to be giving me a bloody headache with the screaming. I also am of the opinion that at least until the ribs are healed I want you to continue to take a mild sedative at night so the nightmares are lessened. I've not asked because I know you're going to tell me to fuck off but there is no way those nightmares are just from this and while I am normally not one to say this I am a twat for not checking on you about that sooner but at the same time you are a wanker for not telling me that you were having them." Owen flinched at the look of utter fury on Ianto's face. "And yes, I know we should have discussed this alone but you would have simply said you were fine and ignored it. This way I know Jack is going to make sure you get what you need to at least properly heal from this wonderful jaunt into the country." Owen sat back and took a deep breath. "That's it from me."

Jack nodded. "We will be discussing some things, Owen." He turned to look at Tosh. "Tosh?"

"I have a new automatic locking system designed for the SUV." She stared pointedly at Owen until he squirmed. "It will require a fingerprint scan in order to release the locks and even if the keys are left in one of the manual ones the auto will go into effect after sixty seconds. The input area will be right next to the handle on the driver's side so it will only delay entrance to the vehicle for a second or two." She shrugged. "It's the best I can do, Jack. If I get anything more on there when we're in a hurry it could delay us leaving and sometimes a second means a lot."

"It's fine, Tosh. In fact it's perfect. What about the equipment that was in the SUV when it was stolen?"

"All accounted for. There was some damage to a few of the more sensitive scanners but they've been recalibrated and are working fine."

"Brilliant as always," Jack said, giving her the patented Harkness grin. "Thank you, Toshiko." He turned to Gwen. "Gwen?"

"What?"

Jack sighed and shook his head. "Follow up with the police about the remaining villagers?"

"Oh. Um. I..." She shuffled several papers in front of her. "No one has gotten back to me."

Jack had to remind himself that she was wounded and might be slightly traumatized by the whole situation and thus it was best that he keep his temper in check. "Gwen, if you don't hear from them it is your job to continue to try to reach them instead of sitting back and waiting. Now, I suggest you make a sincere effort today to do so." He took a deep breath and turned to look at Ianto. "Ianto?"

"The files are updated with a complete recounting of what has been going on. If there is another incident that is similar it will be easily referenced so perhaps keep the outcome less devastating for the victims." he smiled gently when Jack winced. "Not us, Jack. You had no way of knowing what was out there. I'm referring to the ones who didn't make it back." He glanced down at the file in front of him. "The surviving victim has been returned to his family. It is unfortunate he can't remember the last several weeks and has to suffer the death of his friends in the hiking accident but his injuries are healing well and from the observation in hospital he is not suffering any night terrors or recalling the cannibals themselves." He glanced at Gwen. "I also spoke with one of the actual constables who were there for the clean-up and he told me that the remaining villagers have been transferred to a high security prison and their trials have been taken over by higher ups."

Jack's eyebrows rose. "UNIT?"

Ianto shook his head. "No idea, apparently the Queen demanded that something be done immediately. She was not happy that people have been being killed and eaten for years and no one thought to look closer. She also seemed to be a bit unhappy when she asked how..." He blushed and dropped his eyes to stare at the file again. "She became quite vocal for her when I told her why I was late phoning in to report." He glanced up at jack. "I didn't have a chance to tell you since she just phoned this morning and as soon as I got off the phone with her I had to call the Prime Minister and immediately after that I got the call from the constable informing me that the prisoners had been confiscated." Ianto grinned. "His word, not mine. he said someone came in and took them without more than a paper shoved at their captain."

"Good, then I have no worries they will be dealt with and you need to tell me just why Liz is so fond of you." Jack winked at a once again blushing Ianto. "So now it's my turn. I Understand that things did not go near as well as I was hoping out there. I am very disappointed that my attempt to get everyone to work better as a team did not go to plan. However, I must say that what I saw from all of you made me happy. There are a few things that need to be addressed but I will do them with each of you individually. That said, I do want to point out that the risk Ianto took, which was not the best option so I will be having some one on one hand to hand combat training with you, was most likely the reason he and Tosh were still alive when I managed to break into the house. What you did was brave and a little foolish but I would say that you have proved your ability as a field agent and in the future I will be looking to continue your training in that area." He leered at a flushed Ianto. "You did well, Mister Jones, and I am proud of you. I am proud of all of you." He stood. "Owen, you first, in my office." He turned and left the boardroom, leaving the other three sitting with their mouths hanging open, especially a very red-faced Ianto.

"Well done, Teaboy," Owen snarked, rising and following Jack. He entered jack's office, closing the door and sitting in the chair in front of jack's desk. "So?"

"You ever do something as stupid as leaving the keys in the SUV again and I will suspend you. That could have been far worse than it ended. Get your mind out of Gwen's knickers and on your job."

Owen's face flushed red. "You're one to talk as much as your mind is in the fucking Teaboy's!"

"My feelings fro Ianto do not interfere with my job! If you can sit here and tell me that the fascination you have with getting Gwen into bed did not play a part in the incredibly stupid and irresponsible act of leaving those keys in that lock then do it!"

Owen ground his teeth. "Right. It won't happen again."

Jack sighed. 'Owen, I can't tell you not to do it but I am going to suggest that you keep in mind she has a relationship outside of here and it might not be the best thing. Besides, you have other teammates who will be affected by it. So think before you act."

"Is that all?"

"Yeah, tell Gwen I want to see her." Jack almost laughed at the flash of discomfort on the medic's face and he purposefully kept the stoic mask on his face, not saying anything else until Owen got up and went to the door, taking one last glance over his shoulder before opening it and leaving. Jack heard him shout at Gwen that she was required next and he ran a hand over his face, wishing he had asked...

A soft knock and then the smell of Ianto's wonderful coffee filled the room and he grinned when his usual blue and white mug was set on the desk. "Thought you might need this," Ianto said quietly, letting his free hand come to rest on Jack's shoulder and giving it a squeeze before stepping away and going to the door, standing aside to let Gwen enter before he left and shut the door behind him.

Jack shook his head and forced the smile off his face before fixing his gaze on Gwen and pointing to the chair in front of his desk. "Sit. I have several things that I would like to address with you." She sat and widened her eyes, leaning slightly forward to display her cleavage. "Not going to help," jack said, frowning. "First of all," he continued, ignoring the flush of anger on her face, "what possessed you to kick open that door?"

"You were doing it!"

"Despite what you might think, I am the leader of this team and it is my responsibility to take those risks. Not yours. If you ever do that again you will be put on desk duty until I am sure you understand what your place in this team is and that you will abide by the rules and your training. The second thing is what have you been doing instead of your job? You are the police liaison, or so I thought yet Ianto has had more contact with them as of late., I have come to understand that not only is he the one that knows where the remaining cannibals ended up, he has also formed a working relationship with none other than Detective Swanson. Why is that? Why is he the one she calls and not you?"

"She doesn't like me! She's jealous of the fact that I got the job with Torchwood and not her!"

"That's rubbish! Although she may not like you I don't think it has anything to do with jealousy. Now, why is it that you are unable to do the job you were hired for?"

"I could do it if he would just keep his bloody nose out of it!"

"It isn't Ianto's fault. I am giving you another chance Gwen, but don't screw it up. Now, the last thing is I am done with the attitude you have had over the incident with the fairies. If I see any indication of it continuing you will be suspended. And since I have had to suspend you previously, this time it will be a formal suspension with notice going into your file. If it happens again you will be fired. Clear?"

"Clear!" she snarled through her teeth.

"Good. You're dismissed. And you need to finish that pile of paperwork on your desk before you leave tonight." Jack lowered his head and opened the file in front of him, picking up his pen and beginning to read. he heard the scrape of her shoes on his floor and her harsh breathing before the door was yanked open and she stomped down the steps. He let his lips curl, picking up his coffee with his free hand and taking a long sip, letting the sweetness of vanilla and caramel along with the bitterness of the beans seep thorough him.

-TW-

"Jack?"

Jack looked up and nearly swallowed his tongue. "Uh?"

Ianto laughed. He was leaning against the door frame, wearing a pair of loose pajama pants and an oversized white shirt. "It's late, and everyone has gone. I ordered some pizza, thought you might want to join me."

"Sure." Jack closed the file folder he had been working through and stretched. "Let me change and..."

"I kind of like you as you are."

Jack grinned, jumping up and coming round the desk to stand in front of Ianto. "I feel the same, Mister Jones."

"You like you the way you are?" Ianto arched an eyebrow. 'We really need to discuss this narcissistic tendency of yours, Captain Harkness."

"I like you the way you are," Jack said softly, letting his hands come to rest on Ianto's hips. "I think I want an appetizer. Something savory yet sweet. Something that whets my appetite for so much more."

Ianto straightened and carefully wrapped his arms round Jack's waist, still mindful of his bruised and battered body. "And what might that be?" His voice was husky, his accent thickened.

"You," Jack whispered and with that he moved his head and claimed Ianto's lips, stroking them with his tongue and taking full advantage to dive inside when they parted. Goddess he tasted good, coffee and a taste the was uniquely him. Ianto's tongue stroked against his, teasing as it pushed into his mouth and traced his palate, curling back around finding a spot on the underside of Jack's tongue that made his cock lurch in his pants. He felt and tasted Ianto's answering groan, the slight forward press of his hips bringing his own burgeoning erection into contact with jack's. Reluctantly, hating that it was the right thing to do, Jack gave a last lick of his tongue over Ianto's and then broke the kiss, tipping his head to rest their foreheads together. "If I don't stop now I don't know if I can and while I would like nothing more than to remove every bit of your clothing and take you to bed I know that your body is not ready for it and I don't know if your mind is either."

Ianto nuzzled Jack's neck, darting his tongue out to taste the skin and smiling when jack groaned. "You've been so patient with me," he breathed, loving the shudder that went through Jack as his breath drifted over the damp skin, "and while my body is not ready believe me that my mind is fully committed to the idea of being with you. The taste of you," he nipped Jack's throat, "the smell of you," he pressed his nose to the side of Jack's neck and breathed deeply, " and the feel of you," he pushed his hips forward, letting their erections press together, "is making me as desperate for you as you are for me."

With a groan, Jack once more claimed Ianto's lips, this time the kiss filled with the desperate passion that seared through his veins, Ianto's answering need thick and hard against his own.

Ianto had to lean against the wall to stay on his feet and hold his ribs to protect them from the laughter that left him crying at the amazingly long and loud litany of cursing that came from Jack when the Rift alarm sounded.