Never Bet Against the House
Owen and Ianto sat in the SUV and watched Jack flirt with the security guard.
“There’s no way we’re getting past him,” Owen said.
Ianto curled his lip dismissively.
“He’s not even looking at Jack. Captain Magnificent’s good, but even Jack can’t have his way with everyone.”
“Jack will get us inside.”
“Want to make a bet on that?” Owen asked, grinning.
Ianto looked for pitfalls in Owen’s offer but found none. “I would,” he said. “Jack will have us inside and he’ll do it within 5 minutes.”
“What’s the stake?”
“If I win, you clean the weevil’s cage tomorrow.”
“And if I win?”
Ianto looked at him, one eyebrow raised.
Owen laughed sinisterly. “If I win, you call me ‘sir’ all day tomorrow.”
Ianto considered. As irritating as it would be, it would drive Jack mad to hear him call someone else sir. “Agreed.”
They nodded at each other.
Ianto pulled the stopwatch out of his pocket. “That’s 5 minutes - and counting.”
“Do not ever explain to me why you carry that around,” Owen said fervently.
Ianto smirked and glanced at Jack, who was leaning against the guard post, looking boyishly sexy with his hair all tangled.
Owen grinned when he saw the guard look away from Jack. Tomorrow is going to be so sweet, he thought.
His grin turned into a frown when he saw the guard and Jack smile widely at each other.
His stomach dropped when he saw Jack touch the guard’s shoulder. The guard seemed to sigh blissfully. He pressed a button and the gate started to rise.
Jack bounded back to the SUV and jumped behind the wheel. “Alright kids, we’re in.” He winked at the guard as they drove past.
Ianto held the stopwatch up and clicked the button. “3 minutes and 38 seconds.” He looked at Jack sideways. “You’re slipping, sir.”
Jack flashed a smile at Ianto. “What can I say, he wanted to play the coy maiden.”
Owen stared glumly out the window.
“Oh, and Owen,” Jack said, his eyes twinkling, “have fun tomorrow. We’ll be sure to keep the CCTV footage for Christmas parties.”
“We have Christmas parties?” Ianto asked.
“If we have that tape, now we do,” Jack answered. He looked in the rear view mirror, caught Owen’s eyes. “Owen, hope you know where the shovels and mops are.”
Owen continued to stare at him, stunned.
Should have bet on his hearing too, Ianto thought regretfully.