Quarantine

[donutsweeper]

Title: Quarantine
Pairing/Warning/Rating: No pairings or warnings, rated G
Word Count: 373
Summary:  When the team is confined to the Hub, Jack has the perfect solution on how to spend the time.
Author's Note:  Written for joonscribble's prompt for my recent writing meme.  Now with commentary.

No one was willing to admit who broke the vial, but in the end it didn’t matter since all Torchwood employees, as a rule, were inoculated against the toxin’s effects.  The only problem was that once exposed, they themselves were at risk for spreading it and therefore they were stuck in the Hub until all their tests came back clear.

“Can’t let it be introduced into the general population,” Jack explained, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair.  “Don’t want a repeat of the influenza epidemic of-” he broke off when he saw the looks the others were giving him.  “Let’s just say the consequences of getting it out would be bad.”

“What exactly does that mean for us?”  Ianto asked as he distributed the afternoon coffee. 

“Let’s see, with the rate this’ll metabolize?”  Owen skimmed through the files he’d brought into the conference room.  “Three to fours days of quarantine is the norm.”

“So, we’re stuck here?”  Gwen interrupted, utterly horrified.  “For three days?”

“Actually, as I about to say, since we’re not one hundred percent sure of the amount that we’ve absorbed, in this case it should be closer to five days.”

“Five days?”  Gwen’s head sank down onto the table.  “Five days.”

“It’s not so bad.”  Tosh put an arm around Gwen’s shoulders.  “Think of all the work we’ll be able to get done!  You’d said you wanted time to get to know our policies and procedures better!”

“Five whole days?”  Gwen mumbled, not looking up.

“It will be an excellent opportunity for me to catch up on the filing.”  Ianto looked at Owen over his coffee cup.  “Certain people have gotten in the habit of not refiling the documents they’ve taken out for research.”

“Five days.  Five whole days.”

“Yeah, you said that already, sweetheart,” Owen said to Gwen before turning to Jack, “We’re getting paid for this, right?”

“Owen, Owen, Owen. You people are unbelievable.  Money?  Filing?  Policies and procedures?”  Jack shook his head.  “You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves.  Rules about how to spend time while in quarantine are very specific.”

“They are?”  Tosh asked.

“Yes,” Jack responded.  “Now, who’s up for some naked twister?”  Jack rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Comments

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

BAHAHAHA!! Love.

“Now, who’s up for some naked twister?”

And the funny thing is that I hear Jack saying it so matter of factly, like, "Who's up for lunch?"

Thank you so much for writing this!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

For some reason, the minute I read "torchwood, boardgames" Jack and naked twister came to mind. It's just *so* Jack. Glad you liked it! :)

[k-haldane.livejournal.com]

For some reason, the minute I read "torchwood, boardgames" Jack and naked twister came to mind.

I can see that.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what sort of commentary it is on the show that naked twister makes sense, but I'm glad others see it too! :)

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

I can't believe naked Twister hasn't come up before! Hee.

Poor Gwen, she really doesn't automatically have tasks to get done around the Hub like the others, does she? Just research if there's a case they're working on.

This is really cute. :)

You've got a typo near the end - aught/ought

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

glad you liked it! and thanks for the catch!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*snort* the others definitely have their priorities wrong :D

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! :)

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

heee! Love it.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

thank you!

[phoenix64.livejournal.com]

Jack is the BEST boss sometimes.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't he be? *iz all jealous*

[aeron-lanart.livejournal.com]

Naked Twister *snorfle* How very Jack.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

isn't it just? :)

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

heheheh
perfect jack, perfect

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

:) Glad you liked!

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

I so knew that was coming.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

when the prompt is "Torchwood, boardgames" it's just obvious where the story is going, right? :)

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

With Jack in the mix, yes.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

it really is a no brainer! (Especially since strip poker would be just SO passe for Jack)

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Definitely (I'm sure he's worn that one out with the lot of them, too).

[laurab1.livejournal.com]

Ha! Of course Jack would suggest that ;)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

You know it! :) Glad you liked it!

[secbeth.livejournal.com]

I love this one!!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

:) thanks so much!