Fic: Returning To Torchwood Three Part 2 (Torchwood Jack/Ianto M Time Verse)
Part 1
Ianto opened the air vents of the musty room under Jack's office. He turned around and surveyed the room with a critical eye. Moving quickly over to the chest of drawers that stood next to the ladder hanging from the hole in the ceiling leading to Jack's office, Ianto pulled open each drawer and took inventory, committing to memory it's contents. He moved around to the bed. Double sized metal frame spring base, with a camp issue mattress. Sheets would need to be replaced, blankets too. He picked up the pillows and smelt them.
Yup, they're on the list as well, he thought. After the staff meeting he'd be doing the one thing he hated more than anything else. Shopping.
He moved into the bathroom and immediately backed back out again. That needed to be scrubbed down with hospital grade bleach and a gas mask. He sighed. At least it meant that no one had been down here in Jack's space while he hadn't been here. Ianto took a little comfort in that. He moved back to the bedroom and sat down on the bed, the mattress creaking under his weight, and rested his forearms on his knees. Everything seemed to be moving so fast, and yet moving so slowly as well.
Looking around the room brought back so many memories. Ianto looked up at the wall. He remembered putting his hands on there, bracing himself as Jack moved behind him, pulling him back against Jack's chest, fucking into him, making love to him, he to Jack. This bed he sat on. The nights they had spent together on it, in it, sleeping, fucking, making love. Ianto had many memories in this room. Watching over Jack as he rested after coming back to life from one of his many resuscitations. Where Jack had watched over him when he rested after he'd been stitched up after their many weevil hunts.
Where he had first told Jack he loved him.
He blew out a breath.
This room held many memories.
Ianto stood up. He needed to go back upstairs. He knew he needed to. He just... he looked around the room again. Maybe he could stay down there just a little longer. He looked up at the ceiling. Upstairs held questions and poking and prodding, glares from Gwen and, he shuddered, Donna.
“Ianto?” Jack called him.
“Yep!” Ianto called back and sighed to himself resignedly. Time to head back. He looked around one more time. Yes, it was small and pokey. Yes, it was dark and underground. He smiled. It was all those things, but it was home. He walked to the ladder, flipped off the light switch and climbed the stairs. “You bellowed, sir?” he asked as he climbed out.
Jack gave him one of his trademark grins. “I was just checking if I needed to go in search of an oxygen tank.”
Ianto straightened his suit and looked up at Jack. “No, but we will need some industrial strength cleaning products, and maybe a hazmat suit. No one's been down there since you came looking for me. The state of that bathroom is atrocious.”
Jack managed to look ashamed. “Ah. Yeah. I kind of let a lot of things go when you disappeared.”
Ianto managed to look amused. “Yes. Well. I'm back now so our standards will be quite a great deal higher, won't they?”
“Sir, yes, sir!” Jack mock saluted him as Ianto walked over and perched on the edge of his desk again. “I love it when you're demanding.” Jack pulled at Ianto so his legs spread and he slid onto Jack's lap.
“Jack. We're in the office,” Ianto protested weakly, his hands finding Jack's arms for purchase.
“So?” he asked as he wrapped his arms around Ianto's waist. “This is our home too.”
“Not between eight and five, at least.”
Jack kissed him, nipping at his lips until Ianto opened up. Jack slid his tongue inside, tangling and stroking Ianto's until he felt his lover start to squirm on his lap, his fingers digging into his biceps. Jack's hands spread across his back, moving up under Ianto's jacket and splaying across his shoulder blades. Ianto pressed closer, his own hands gliding over cotton to find skin, seeking out the strong jawline, fingers ghosting along the edge, fanning Jack's cheeks as he sank into his kiss, losing himself to the scent washing over him, the warm embrace holding him, the powerful legs under him.
“Oh, sorry! Uh.”
Jack and Ianto ended their kiss, Ianto closing his eyes and resting his forehead against Jack's head, sliding it down into the curve of his neck, hiding, as Jack looked over his shoulder.
“Mickey.”
“So-sorry! Marfa said to come up and meet the bosses. I just-” Mickey, who looked incredibly embarrassed, his blush showing through his mocha coloured skin.
“S'okay. C'mon in,” Jack said, waving him in. Ianto tried to discreetly stand up, or at least to do so with a little grace, but alas, he gave up. He scrambled to his feet and stood behind Jack in an attempt to cover his crotch, which was now showing interest thanks to Jack's skilful tongue. Jack held out his hand as he stood up. “Captain Jack Harkness.”
“Mickey Smith,” Mickey said as he shook Jack's hand.
“Ianto Jones,” Ianto said as Mickey turned his attention and his hand to Ianto, and Jack hitched up his pants, then put his hands on his hips. “Nice to meet you,” then added under his breath, “again.”
“Yeah, yeah you too. Marfa's told me so much abou' ya. You two are pretty much legends aroun' this place,” Mickey said with a smile.
Jack and Ianto exchanged a look. “Really?” Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah!”
“Great, that's all we need,” Ianto groaned.
“What?” Jack asked, looking at his lover.
“More flattery to your already over-inflated ego,” he replied wryly.
“Hey!”
Mickey snickered.
“I have a healthy ego!” Jack defended.
“Yes, very healthy,” Ianto agreed sarcastically. “So. Mickey, you've been with Torchwood for 6 months now?”
“Yeah. I was workin' in London as security at a nightclub see. It was good money, you know, but not in the best part o' town. Anyway, one night this punta comes in an' suddenly all the birds in the place just swarm on him, right? Neva seen anyfin' like it.” He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “It caused a bit of a stir actually. Bar fights everywhere. Coppers on the street makin' arrests. Marfa, Owen and Gwen came, started askin' questions. I guess you could say it made me curious. I did some of my own diggin'. Bumped into them when they were trailin' the geezer that had come inta the club the night before. Turns out he was some alien who had come to find a mate. I guess there was something to do with his smell of somefin'-”
“Pheromones,” Jack and Ianto said at the same time, then shared a look, before Jack cleared his throat. “Ah, yeah, go on.”
“Yeah, them. Anyway, Gwen said I had good instincts. Marfa fought her on it at first but Owen and Tosh backed me up. I moved down here, been here ever since. Guess I prove meself, hey. Marfa don't seem to mind me taggin' along wif her now.”
Jack nodded. “You don't mind if we put you through your paces, get an idea of your skills, do you?”
Mickey shrugged. “Nah, not a problem. Actually be nice to get an idea of how I'm going. To be honest, there wasn't much of a training program when I got here.”
“Ah.” Jack looked at Ianto.
“Sink or swim, not exactly the best way to go with new staff,” Ianto muttered as he moved to stand next to Jack. “Give me a day. I'll schedule up a series of tests. Might be a good idea to get everyone to go through them, actually. Can't hurt to do a refresher for everyone.”
“What about Donna?” Jack asked. Mickey laughed. “What's so funny.”
“Nuffin'. It's just, Donna's a little scary, ya know what I mean? She's unarmed an' still very dangerous.”
Ianto gave him a tight smile. “Yes, I've already worked that one out for myself. Still, there may come a time where all of us may be called upon. It might be prudent to at least train her up to defend the base. Especially if I'm going to be doing more field work than I was.” He looked at Jack. “Of course, that will depend on whether I can trust her with my archives.”
“Should I be jealous?” Jack asked teasingly, slinging an arm around his shoulders. Ianto smiled softly as Jack squeezed them.
“Of Donna, or the archives?” Ianto asked. Jack rolled his eyes. “Anyway, there's a staff meeting at ten in the conference room. I'm not entirely confident that Donna will work out how to inform everyone on time.”
“Got it. I'll get onto Gwen and Owen.”
“Thanks, Mickey.” Mickey left Ianto and Jack alone in Jack's office.
“Well. That went rather well,” Jack said, turning and pulling Ianto closer as he settled his other arm around Ianto's shoulders. Ianto's hands found Jack's waist.
“It's almost like we never left.” Ianto sighed.
“How you doing? You okay?” Jack asked, carefully looking Ianto over.
The younger man nodded. “Yep. A little overwhelmed but... I'm okay. There's plenty of work to be done though.”
Jack nodded. “What do you think about putting a desk in here with a computer for you?” Ianto raised an eyebrow. “Well, Owen, Tosh and Gwen are down on the lower level, from what I can tell Donna is in the Tourist Office and I assume that Mickey is either in the archives or they've squeezed another computer downstairs.”
“Well, I had rather hoped to be on roaming,” Ianto stated. “Tosh said that she had a laptop set up for me, well she was in the process of doing one. If that's the case, I can set up anywhere. Of course, when we get our home set up, I'd like to have a full monitoring system installed as well, so we can switch the monitoring of the base to there remotely.” Jack grinned. “What? Did you think I would suggest someone else monitor this place?”
“Well, the thought did cross my mind.”
“I know you, Jack, better than you know yourself sometimes I think. You'll be demanding that everyone have a life in no time, to the detriment of our own, which I know, we have forever, but still. If I can accommodate a little bit of luxury into that and make our 'down time' a little bit easier, then I damn well will.”
Jack kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Ianto smiled. “And I do love hearing you say it,” he admitted quietly.
Jack pressed a kiss to his forehead as the cog door alarm resonated. “C'mon. More hellos to give.”
Ianto sighed. Torchwood work was never done.
~*~
Ianto headed to the kitchen and looked over his beloved coffee machine. He smiled when his eyes caressed the shiny chrome. He eased his hand over his machine and talked to it in hushed tones, apologising for being gone for so long. His happy feeling suddenly disappeared when he saw what brand of coffee was being used.
“Gah! Oh, sweetheart, what have they done to you?” he bemoaned, reaching for the rubbish bin and tossing the offending bag of what he would loosely call 'coffee' inside with force. Then he set about eradicating every last granule of the inferior brand and cleansing the machine of its scent and taste. While he ran a plain filter through the machine to clean it, he put a call in to his regular supplier to order replacement beans to his specifications. Thankfully they had some in stock. He agreed to come and pick them up immediately.
Checking his watch to make sure there was enough time, Ianto made his way to Jack's office and knocked on the door. Jack looked up from where he was going through a pile of mail. Well, it was more like a box of a mail.
“Yeah?” Jack raised an eyebrow then looked back down at the envelope in his hand before tossing it over his shoulder into a large box.
“Is that the go-through pile?” Ianto asked, pointing.
“No, that's the 'lost in the mail' pile since it's better for it to be lost in the mail and left unopened,” Jack replied, tossing another envelope in there. “What's up?”
“I've discovered a grievous atrocity,” Ianto said as he walked in and perched on the edge of Jack's desk.
“Oh yeah? Mistreated aliens?”
“Nope.”
“Genocide of an entire race?”
“Uh, no.”
“Wales lost again to England in the rugby?”
Ianto paused, “No, but thank you for reminding me to look that up.”
“Anything to help out. So what is this horror that has offended your delicate sensibilities,” Jack said as he tossed another envelope. Then he looked up at Ianto. “Oh wait. Don't tell me. Someone changed the brand of coffee.”
“You really are more than just a pretty face,” Ianto patted Jack's cheek. Jack grinned. “I called Kingsley. He has some of my preferred beans in stock and is grinding and blending it to my regular specifications as we speak. Thought the walk might be nice before the meeting,” Ianto pushed off Jack's desk and walked towards the door. He turned back when he heard a box being tossed to the ground.
“Yeah, you're right. A walk would be great.” Jack reached for his coat and quickly slid his arms into it. “Coming?” He asked as he walked past Ianto out the door way and down the stairs if it was his idea.
Ianto smiled to himself. “Of course, sir,” he said as if it was Jack's idea, and followed him to the tunnel, alarms blaring as the cog door opened announcing their exit. He didn't anticipate going anywhere without Jack for a few months yet. Not until Jack got over his fear of the rift taking Ianto away from him again.
Jack told Donna where they were headed as he swept out of the Tourist Office door, sliding aviators on to shield his eyes from the glare. Ianto wore a pair a little more stylish (they matched the suit) and kept in step with Jack. It felt like old times, like they'd never left. He felt like the years he'd lived just fell away and he was once again just that 27 year old man, walking quickly beside his 40 year old boss/lover on their way to somewhere important - probably to save the world, but preferably somewhere more mundane like 'Grind to Order'.
Upon reaching their destination, Ianto grinned gleefully when he heard the bell ringing overhead as he pulled the door open, the aroma of coffee beans wafting out to wrap around them in a heady embrace. Jack couldn't help but chuckle at him.
“What?” Ianto looking at his partner in question.
“Put you in a coffee bean store and you're like a kid in a candy store,” Jack mused with affection.
“We all have our vices,” Ianto said indignantly as he continued into the store.
Inside the dark store just off the Plass were walls lined with creates of coffee beans, ready for customers to inhale their aroma or try the bean by biting into it - which Jack thought was insane, but then again, he'd had sex with alien lifeforms of non-human origin so who was he to judge?
“Ianto, mahn, it's so good to see you!” An attractive man of Jamaican nationality wearing a navy suit and a crisp white shirt, looked up from his work behind the counter causing his long dreadlocks to bounce behind his head where they were held back by a wide black band. His wide smile showed a row of even white teeth as he dropped his pen and immediately walked around the counter to offer his hand.
“Hello Kingsley,” Ianto said warmly, shaking the hand firmly and bowing a little. “You're looking well.”
“Oh, you are too kind! Jagruti makes her curry too well,” He chuckled as he patted his flat belly, speaking of his wife who was of Indian descent. “Now you are back, I'll have to make sure to bring you some, mahn.”
“Oh, really? That would be wonderful! I'd be honoured.”
“Of course! Ianto, you are my most valued customer. Your return must be celebrated!” He laughed. Then he noticed Jack, looking him up and down. “Ah, this must be your beloved, yeah mahn?” he asked in a hushed tone, glancing between Ianto and Jack and raising his eyebrows.
“Oh. Ah, yes, well. Kingsley Lewis, this is Captain Jack Harkness. Jack, Kingsley Lewis, the proprietor of this establishment,” Ianto introduced. “Kingsley has been the one to keep us well stocked with coffee in the past. Be-before my, ah, our leave of absence.”
Jack regarded the man who had greeted his lover warmly and with such familiarity, but shook the offered hand firmly. “Mr Lewis.”
“Captain Harkness, your reputation precedes you.”
“It does, huh?”
Kingsley laughed loudly. “You always ask Ianto for coffee, yeah mahn?”
Jack looked at Ianto with a raised eyebrow, who blushed. “We tend to be awake a lot of hours in our line of work,” Jack replied wryly.
“Of course, tourist season is very busy,” Kingsley said with a knowing smile. “You must do for the amount of coffee Ianto has purchased from us over the last few years.”
Jack looked at Ianto. “Exactly how much coffee are we talking about?”
“Well,” Ianto paused to calculate. “A lot. Believe me, had it not been for my enforced leave of absence, the Tourist Office of Cardiff would not have ended their contract with 'Grind To Order', Kingsley. Rest assured, I will find out who did it too.”
Kingsley laughed again. “I did say he was our most valued customer! Ah, Ianto, it is water under the bridge. I am just happy to have your business return! Our revenue went down by thirty-five percent over the last two years.”
“Thirty-five percent?” Jack's eyes widened. “Is business that bad or do we just drink a lot of coffee?”
“That would be the latter, Jack,” Ianto shared a smile with Kingsley. “The coffee beans ground here are the most sought after in all of Wales.”
“Is that right?” Jack asked, looking at Kingsley in awe.
Kingsley smiled. “We do alright.” A door behind the counter opened and a lanky brown haired male in his late teens came out, dressed in black pants and a black polo with the 'Grind To Order' logo embroidered on the top left corner, carrying a large bag and placed it on the counter. “Thank you Nigel.” The staff member said nothing, just smiled and turned and left. Kingsley moved back behind the counter and rung up the order. Ianto handed over some cash and Kingsley added the receipt to the bag. “Ianto, shall I set up the same account order and delivery system we had last time mahn?”
“Yes, thank you. I think that will increase in time, as we have more staff now, but at the moment, that will be fine.”
“Not a problem, mahn. I'll have Nigel drop the deliveries off to the Tourist Office every Friday morning then.” He offered his hand to Ianto, who shook it and then Jack. “It's always a pleasure doing business with you.”
“And with you, Kingsley. Thank you.” Ianto said, picking up the bag. Kingsley walked them to the door, waving as they left.
“He was rather attractive,” Jack said offhandedly as he looked around the Plass on their walk back to the Hub. Ianto gave him a sideways glance. “What?”
“Jack.”
“I'm just saying...”
“And I've told you before-”
“I'm the only man you've ever been interested in, yeah, yeah, I know.” He glanced over at Ianto and grinned. “He was attractive.”
“If you say so, Jack.” Ianto smirked, “You should see his wife.” Jack stopped in his tracks and Ianto chuckled to himself as he kept walking. “C'mon Harkness. We have a meeting.”
“Ianto, you didn't mean what I think you did, did you? Yan?” Jack hurried after his lover, who was laughing all the way back to the Hub.
About time Jack got a taste of his own medicine.
~*~
When they got back to the office, Jack headed back to his office, albeit under duress, while Ianto went straight back to the kitchen with his beloved coffee. Donna was in the kitchen, looking around for something.
“Looking for something?” Ianto asked her as he opened the bag from 'Grind To Order'.
“Ah, yes. We're out of coffee,” Donna said, rather timidly considering her brash approach towards Tosh earlier.
Ianto pulled out the bag of coffee. “No, what was here before wasn't coffee. But if you're looking for that sad excuse, it's in the rubbish.” She gaped at him. “Before you say anything, smell this.” He opened one of the bags of freshly ground coffee and allowed Donna to smell it.
“Ooh. Oh my. What is that? It's amazing!”
“That, Ms Noble, is real, honest to goodness, true coffee. A specific blend ground to my own specifications from a local establishment. Every Friday they'll deliver more ground coffee, so we'll never run out, but if we do, I'll just call them to increase the order.” He set about putting the right amount of coffee into the machine and setting it to work, adding water and the pot, flipping switches and levers. The machine burst to life with a whir and steam billowing from the top. Donna turned and got a tray, and set out enough mugs for everyone. “Oh. If you wouldn't mind...” Ianto asked as he pulled one mug off and exchanged it for another - a blue and white striped mug. “That's Jack's mug.”
She smiled softly at him. “Do you mind if I say something?” Ianto shook his head. “I feel like we got off on the wrong foot. Do you think we could start again?”
Ianto turned to her and held out his hand. “Ianto Jones, pleased to meet you.”
“Donna Noble, very pleased to meet you.” She shook his hand and then leaned in closer. “Is Gwen always a bitch or is it just me?”
Ianto smiled. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
~*~
Everyone gathered in the conference room at ten so Jack, and Ianto, could explain their how they found each other. Of course, Ianto sidestepped any questions about Havasaana, stating plainly that he didn't remember anything prior to waking up in the home of his carer's house. Jack knew he was lying, but didn't call him on it. He had Ianto's word that he would tell him about Havasaana when he was ready. Deep down, Jack was dreading that day, as it meant coming clean to Ianto about the state of his diaries - a conversation he didn't want to have. Instead, they readily answered questions about the other planets - Daelynea was of most intrigue considering it was where they had spent the most time together before returning - and of course, the Doctor.
“You were on his ship?” Tosh asked excitedly, leaning forward, her chin resting on the palm of her hand.
“The TARDIS, yes,” Ianto nodded.
“What's it like, then?” Owen asked, trying hard not to be impressed.
Jack grinned. “She's a blue police box on the outside, but on the inside...”
“She's magnificent,” Ianto said softly, looking at the floor. The he looked up. “She could do with some safety harnesses though. Rough landing every time.” Jack laughed.
“What's the Doctor like?” Gwen asked, grinning. “I've always wondered why Jack went running at the drop of a hat-”
“OI you!” Donna narrowed her eyes at Gwen and folded her arms over her chest as she straightened her back.
“Well he did! Just dropped us like a hot potato and left Ianto like a jilted bride-”
Donna stood up, hands balled into fists, her mouth drawn together. “Now listen here, missy-”
“Gwen-” Jack started, but Ianto put his hand on Jack's arm and squeezed.
“It's okay.” Everyone looked at Ianto.
Donna motioned towards Gwen but he shook his head and Donna gave him a smile and sat back down. Then she looked over at Gwen who looked smugly at Donna. Donna growled at her and leaned forward, causing Gwen to flinch and stop smiling. Satisfied, Donna crossed her legs and sat back to listen to Ianto.
“I used to wonder too. Now I know. The Doctor is... well, anyone who's travelled with the Doctor could tell you that there really aren't words to describe him, nothing adequate anyway. He has the world's worst taste in clothes. Seriously, Boy George is better dressed than he is sometimes.” Martha stifled a giggle as Ianto continued, “And okay he gets more side tracked than goldfish... and he does attract more trouble than a magnet in an iron factory... But his mind is ... the amount of knowledge he has is incredible and he has an unquenchable thirst for more. His hearts are bigger than anyone I've ever met. He could destroy worlds in a heartbeat with the amount of knowledge he has but he travels across the universe saving them, or as best he can. He doesn't understand sarcasm, which made travelling with him quite fun for me,” Ianto smirked. “But he loves humans. He loves us. Without caution. Freely. So, yes, I can see why Jack left without a word when he heard the TARDIS. But I'm thankful he came back,” he said, looking at Jack before letting his arm go.
“Okay. So how come it took you so long to get back then?” Mickey asked. “If this Doctor has a time machine, couldn't he have just brought you back to just after you were taken, save everyone the heartache?”
Jack sighed. “I wish it were that simple.”
Ianto chuckled. “Time is a very wibbly wobbly thing.” He shared a look with Jack, then with Martha, who covered up her grin. “This was the earliest the TARDIS could return us without creating a paradox.”
“A wot?” Mickey asked, his face screwed up in confusion.
“A paradox,” Tosh repeated. “A situation which seems impossible to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics.”
“Like two Jack Harknesses,” Owen said as an example. “But hang on. How the hell did you not rip time and space apart given that you essentially just came from four time paradoxical realities?” Jack looked at Owen, dumbfounded. “You just said that in each reality you came face to face with Jack Harkness.”
Jack rubbed his jaw. “We came across another me, well Jack, twice and only spoke to him once. The Doctor calls me an impossible thing, being that I'm a fixed point in time and space. Perhaps I can't create a paradox by being with myself?”
Ianto looked thoughtfully at Jack. “Wouldn't that itself be a paradox? That you didn't create a paradox by being in the same place at the same time as another version of yourself?”
“Anyone got any bourbon?” Owen asked, his eyes crossing as he held his head. “This is far too philosophical for me. I'm a man of science.”
“What about Ianto-?” Gwen started, but Ianto shook his head.
“I was dead in three realities and in the fourth, well, it didn't matter anyway. My DNA has changed. I guess I'm not technically Ianto Jones any longer, at least not biologically. I wouldn't create a paradox, not technically.”
Everyone gaped. Then Gwen stood up, gesturing towards Ianto, “Then how do you know this is Ianto? Our Ianto?”
Jack lifted one eyebrow. “Do you think I wouldn't know? You think I wouldn't be able to pick out an imposter?”
Gwen gaped. “Jack, you've been stricken with grief! We all saw how distraught you were when you left. I-”
“No, Gwen! Enough!” Jack was furious. He leant on the conference table with both hands, his eyes blazing. “I'm not going to spend the rest of your life here at Torchwood justifying Ianto, justifying my relationship with him. I shouldn't have to. It stops now, or you will find yourself looking for a new job!”
“Jack!” Gwen teared up.
“If you undermine my second in command, then I can't have you on my team. I need a team that can work together. I need a team I can trust. We deal in life and death situations, and if I can't trust with you with my life, with the life of every member of this team, then I can't have you on the team. It's that simple.” He looked around the room as he stood upright. “That goes for the rest of you. Anyone who has a problem with how I run things, come to me. You have a problem with Ianto, go to him first, if you can't resolve it, then come to me. If you can't work with either of us... There's the door, with a dose of retcon on your way out. You're all adults. You know by now what it's like to work here. That said, we want you to have a life outside of Torchwood. We want you to keep up relationships, see family, date, catch up with friends. This job is tough, and it will eat you alive if you let it. So don't.”
“Does that mean we get weekends off?” Mickey asked and Jack looked at Ianto.
“Tosh, how's the rift predictor program you were working on before I disappeared?” Ianto asked, looking over at his friend.
“I finished it before Jack left. I, um, kind of buried myself in work after you were taken.” She blushed.
Ianto offered her a smile. “That will change now I'm back, right?” She nodded. “Good. Depending on how far in advance we can predict the rift, and how active it becomes, I don't see why we can't get some sort of roster worked out. We have more than enough field agents now, presuming none of you end up dead.”
“Now there's a cheery thought, cheers Teaboy.” Ianto quietly chuckled. “What?!”
Ianto shook his head. “Nothing. Just... Never thought I'd miss being called such a derogatory name. It's funny the things you miss when you don't have them any more.” He eyes widened. “How's Myfanwy?! Is she-?”
Owen smiled. “Relax, she's fine, though no doubt missing your spoiling her with dark chocolate.” Ianto visibly relaxed, knowing his pet pteranodon was still around. He felt guilty for not thinking of her immediately and resolved to buy her the biggest block of fine, dark chocolate he could find. “By the way, Ianto... Feeding her is one job I'll gladly hand back to you.”
“Speaking of diving up jobs,” Jack interjected, “we all need to remember to clean up after ourselves, me included. Ianto and Donna are not our slaves.” Jack clapped his hands together. “Right, the other thing is that Ianto and I are going to devise a training course for new field agents, and you guys get to be our guinea pigs!” There was a collective groan. “Aw c'mon kids! It'll be fun!” Everyone grumbled. “Alright, alright, settle down. And now, the big question.” He looked around the room. “Who's up for pizza for lunch? My treat.”
~*~
Donna looked over her shoulder when she heard footsteps on the stairs of the concrete tunnel that led down into the secret headquarters of Torchwood Three. She drew in a deep breath and steeled herself.
Right, Donna Noble. You can do this! You are good at what you do. You can show them that you can be more than just a temp from Chiswick. She sighed and stood up, snatching the report Ianto had requested off the printer, and stapling it together. She turned when she heard a knock on the door of her office. Instead of the expected visitor, she found herself face to face with an unexpected one.
“Captain Harkness,” Donna put her hand to her chest, in a poor attempt to slow her heart rate down. Was it hot in here? “I'm sorry. I was expecting-”
“Ianto, I know. He'll be up soon, I'd imagine. He's just making another pot of coffee and finishing some urgent online shopping,” Jack smiled as he leaned on the doorway. “You stood up for him, you know, with Gwen's...insinuations.”
Donna raised her chin, on the defensive. “So wot? Is that a crime now is it?”
“I just wondered why you did that? You've known Gwen longer, and the first time you spoke to Ianto, he basically disciplined you in front of colleagues. Seems like an unusual response, that's all.” Jack crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Donna squirm under his scrutiny.
“Ianto and I met again in the kitchen. We agreed to start again,” Donna said straightening her shirt. “Besides, I didn't like the way she was looking at him. Like he was beneath her.” Jack chuckled. “Wotcha laughin' at?”
“You think Ianto can't take care of himself?” Jack asked, tilting his head forward.
She shook her head and gave him a wry smile. “Yeah, okay, I'm sure he can. But she had no right to look at him like that. No right to look at anyone like that. And anyway, everyone can use a little back up now and then can't they?”
“Yeah. Yeah, they can. A team player. I like that,” Jack nodded once. “You're a temp, right?”
Donna hesitated. “Y-yes.”
Jack nodded. “I may run this place,” he said as he looked around the room, “but for you to keep your job permanently, I'm not the one you gotta impress.” Jack grinned.
“And who would that be then?” Donna asked, folding her arms over her chest.
“That would be Mr Perfectionist.”
“Ianto,” Donna guessed. Jack nodded. “Right.”
“I like you, Donna. So I'm going to give you a few tips to get in Ianto's good graces.”
Donna looked a little skeptical. “Are these PG rated? Because...?”
Jack threw his head back and laughed. “Perfectly G rated.”
Donna grabbed a pen and paper. “Right. Hit me.”
~*~
When Ianto made his way up to Tourist Office, he found that the brochures had all been restocked and perfectly realigned. He blinked, and put the two cups of coffee in his hands down on the counter and inspected the walls. New posters had been put up with the area's attractions, all of them perfectly lined up. The fliers had been restocked, the maps perfectly folded and straightened. He turned around and saw Donna leaning in the doorway of her cubby hole.
“Wotcha think?” Donna asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I'm not easy to impress Ms Noble,” Ianto said as he walked over and picked up the coffees. He handed one to her. “But you've managed to do just that. At least a little.”
She smiled and straightened up as she accepted the coffee. “Thank you.”
“You have the report for me?” Ianto asked, sipping his coffee. Donna reached behind her and plucked it from her desk, handing it to him. “Thank you.” He read over the file. He sighed. Then he looked up.
Donna put her hands up. “Now, look, I know what you're going to say-”
“You have no idea what I'm going to say,” Ianto said, straightening his back. Donna stood upright. Ianto put his coffee down on the counter, tossed the report down on the counter beside it and leaned back against the ledge behind him.
“Alright I don't. But I can imagine it's not pretty,” Donna muttered.
Ianto gave her a small smile. “Donna. May I call you Donna?” She nodded. “Do you know why I got you to write this report?”
“To check up on me?”
Ianto smiled. “No. To see what you're capable of.” He patted the report. “This tells me that you are articulate, concise, accurate, have an acute attention to detail - which is something I personally look for in staff members however much Jack likes poke fun at it - and more to the point you have excellent time management skills, which is sorely lacking in this place.”
Donna beamed. “Really? You got all that from one little report?”
“Well, one little report, and Jack giving you some hints and tips as to how to win me over. I can't imagine the spring clean in here was your idea, was it?” Ianto smirked. Donna blushed. “I thought so. You take suggestion and instruction well, that's another point in the plus column.” He tilted his head a little and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you like working here?”
Donna's eyes widened. “Are you kidding? This is the most amazing place I've ever worked before! I mean, don't get me wrong, some of the people are … you know...”
“Unusual?” Ianto offered.
“Insane,” Donna corrected. “Take Owen for example. Right smart bloke, doctor in'he? Gawd, you wouldn't get me going to see 'im for a physical. Bedside manner of a badger with it's tail caught in a trap. Scratch the surface though, and he's got a sweet side. Just doesn't want anyone to know 'bout it. All bark and no bite that one. And that Toshiko.” Ianto stood upright. “She's got to be some kind of genius. She's always staring at those computer screens and typing away. Never see her away from 'em though. She's very shy. I guess I scare her a little. I don't mean to, but you know, big personality, booming voice, can't help it sometimes... and I think she's got a thing for Owen to be honest, but he's dead oblivious. Martha, now she's amazing. Drop dead gorgeous, bright as a button, smarter than Owen, but don't tell 'im that. I think she's got the hots for that Mickey to be honest with ya.” Ianto just smirked. “Wot?”
He shook his head. “You really are observant.” Ianto drew in a deep breath. “Okay. I'm going to talk to Jack, but assuming he agrees, which I'm fairly certain he will, I'd like to give you a trial.”
Donna shook her head, confused. “A trial?”
“This report doesn't show anything about the archives, research and development, or any field training at all.”
Donna shook her head. “No. I was just here to answer phones, clean up after everyone, file reports, look after the 'Tourist Office'...”
Ianto nodded in understanding. “That changes. Everyone can clean up after themselves, like Jack said. You'll still file reports, answer the phone up here, look after the Tourist Office, deal with deliveries, etcetera. In the downtime, together we'll go through the filing of the archives. There are artefacts that have either not been catalogued correctly or at all. Also, you'll have to have basic field training. We can't have you at the base by yourself if you can't at least defend yourself.”
Donna's eyes widened. “You mean with... with guns?”
Ianto chuckled. “Yes. There's a shooting range on one of the lower levels.”
“Oh, oh I couldn't. I mean, me? Going out there? Guns blazing? Could you imagine it?” Donna started laughing but Ianto didn't laugh. “Ianto, I'm just a temp. From Chiswick. I'm not bloody Wonder Woman.”
“Well if Gwen can do it...” Ianto suggested softly, raising an eyebrow. Donna mimicked him silently, and then shook her head before nodding. “Don't worry. We won't start today.” Ianto picked up the report and his coffee. “Thank you, for this,” he said, lifting the report. “I'll get back to you about the trial period after I speak to Jack. Also, there should be some deliveries being made this afternoon under my name. Just sign for them and or call me when they arrive and I'll come up.”
Donna nodded. “O-okay. Thanks.”
He smiled and headed down the stairs to the Hub's main level, and walked into Jack's office. Jack looked up from the mail he was slowly getting through.
“How'd it go?” Jack asked, leaning back in his chair. Ianto put his coffee down on Jack's desk as he perched on the edge, rolled up the report and smacked Jack over the head with it. “What was that for?”
“You cheat! You always cheat!” Ianto admonished.
Jack couldn't help but smirk at his lover. “I just gave her some pointers on how to get in your good graces.”
“Mmm.”
Jack studied him. “So, what do you think?”
“She's brash, bold, needs a lot of confidence building.” Ianto sighed. “Actually, she could do with travelling with the Doctor.”
Jack smiled. “Yeah, I don't think that's in the cards.”
Ianto smiled ruefully. “No. I know. She's highly intelligent Jack.”
“You think?”
Ianto nodded. “I'd bet her IQ would be close to 150. A little training, a little moulding, you won't recognise her.”
Jack poised his fingers under his chin. “You think we should hire her?”
“Well. I could be wrong,” Ianto said softly. “So I suggest a 3 month trial. Probation if you will. If she passes the basic field training test, then I think she should become a fully fledged member of the team.”
Jack thought for a moment. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
He leaned forward and started to go through the mail again. “What, did you want an engraved invitation?” he asked, smirking.
Ianto chuckled, “I'll go tell Donna.” Ianto got up and headed for the door.
Jack nodded. “Okay. Then check with Tosh if the rift alert was clear for the rest of the evening. If it is, send everyone home.”
Ianto turned back. “Really?”
Jack looked up. “Yeah. I kinda want to just spend some time with you in our home.” The smile Ianto gave him made Jack's heart flutter. He didn't say anything though, just left the room, walking briskly, stopping at Tosh's desk first before going to speak to Donna. He watched as everyone started to pack up and shut computers down, wave up at Jack and pick up jackets and bags as they walk out. Ianto then followed them all up the tunnel to the Tourist Office.
Jack smiled to himself and looked back down at his desk. He went about tidying up the piles of paperwork into urgent, semi urgent, non-urgent and the box to be added to the incinerator. There was a knock on his door as he was just finishing with the mail.
“Yeah?” Jack asked, moving the box to the floor.
“Jack?” Gwen timidly stood in the doorway.
“Gwen. What can I do for you?” Jack asked with a sigh as he straightened up.
She straightened up and walked inside Jack's office. “Jack. I wanted to talk to you about Ianto.” Jack hung his head and put his hands on his hips. “Please, hear me out.” Jack looked up, stared at her for a moment and then motioned for her to go ahead before he crossed his arms over his chest. “Jack, can you at least see why it's hard for us to accept after hearing Ianto say that he doesn't have the same DNA as our Ianto that he in fact our Ianto?” Gwen asked pleadingly. She started to get frustrated. “I mean for the love of fucking God, Jack, you disappeared to search for him for a year! You left us-”
“You're the only one who can't believe it's Ianto Gwen, and I left you with help. I sent Martha to you. You didn't need me, not the way I was without him,” Jack said patiently as he rounded the desk to rest on the edge of it.
Gwen sighed and shook her head. “I don't understand what's happened here, to us, to Torchwood. Ianto gets taken, you ...” she waved her hands in the air, “lose the plot and disappear, we double in size, you come back with a clone Ianto.”
“Gwen. He's not a clone. He is Ianto.”
“How do you know?” she asked as she came closer, her fingers bunching Jack's shirt as she grabbed him. Jack's hands moved to grip the edge of the desk.
He evened his breathing. “You need to back off. Now.”
“Tell me how you know,” she said replied. “I'm not leaving until you tell me how.”
Jack closed his eyes. He didn't want to retcon Gwen but she was skating dangerously close to forcing his hand.
“Gwen, last warning, back off.”
“I'd listen to him if I were you,” came from behind them. Jack looked up, and Gwen gasped as she looked over her shoulder at Ianto who stood in the doorway carrying a couple of bags and a stack of boxes, clearly unhappy with the scene in front of him. “You just never listen, do you Gwen?”
Gwen let Jack go and moved back, turning to face Ianto. “Then how about you answer some fucking questions instead of sidestepping them?”
“I would if they were any of your fucking business,” Ianto muttered as he walked tried to walk past her.
Gwen stepped into his path. “As Jack said earlier today, we deal with life and death situations. If I have to put my life in your hands, then I have to trust you. And right now? I don't! I don't know who you are!”
Ianto dropped the boxes on the floor at his feet with an echoing thud. “Gwen Elizabeth Cooper, born 16 August 1978 to Geraint and Mary Cooper. Joined Torchwood in 2007 after witnessing Torchwood operatives Suzie Costello, Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato and Captain Jack Harkness at the scene of a crime which you were, as beat PC, assigned to. Always were a nosy parker even back then.”
“None of what you said proves anything other than you can read my Torchwood file,” Gwen said, putting her hands on her hips.
Ianto's lips pressed into a thin line as he pushed past Gwen, stepping around the boxes, to put the bags he was carrying onto the sofa in that was positioned against the wall of glass windows. He turned back to face Gwen.
“Fine. How about you like your coffee black, but your tea white with one sugar. You like your fish and chips with vinegar instead of lemon, and prefer lemon chicken to sweet n sour pork when we have chinese. You like lasagna better than spaghetti and you hate olives on pizza. You slept with Owen even though you know Tosh is in love with him while you were dating Rhys, and you've brushed off your previous PC partner Sgt Davidson more times than Manchester United has won the FA Cup. How am I doing so far? Any of that in your Torchwood File?” Ianto asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, Jack could have-”
Ianto sighed. “Okay. We're going to have to bring out the secrets then are we? I really didn't want to have to go down this road, but you've left me no other choice.”
“Secrets?” Gwen's brows drew in together in confusion. “We don't share any secrets.”
“Oh Gwen. Don't tell me you've forgotten.” Ianto looked over at Jack who was frowning at him. “You didn't want to say anything to Owen, couldn't tell Tosh, it would hurt her too much. The mathematics didn't work for Rhys, he'd been out of town on that training course in London for two weeks. He might not be the brightest bloke in the world but he would have worked it out eventually.” Gwen paled. “Jack wasn't here, he was with the Doctor. So you came to the only person you knew wouldn't say anything to help you with your little 'problem'. Not that you would have told anyone if you hadn't needed a lift home after the procedure.”
“Shut up!” Gwen gritted her teeth. “You promised.”
“You left me no choice. How else was I to prove I am who I claim to be?” Ianto demanded. They stared at each other in silence. Finally Ianto broke it. “How is Rhys anyway?”
Gwen glared. “He's fine.”
“No more... 'problems'?”
“No, thank you for your concern.” Gwen gritted out sarcastically.
“Gwen?” Jack looked between the two of them, unsure of what just happened. Gwen looked at Jack.
“Fine. I believe it. He's Ianto. I'll see you both tomorrow.” And without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out of Jack's office and didn't stop until she'd left the Hub, alarms blaring as the cog wheel door opened and closed behind her.
Jack looked at Ianto who was staring after her. “What just happened?”
Ianto looked back at Jack. “I just made a formidable foe from a friend.” Ianto didn't want to dwell on it. He needed a distraction. They both did. There were two ways he could do that. “C'mon. If we're going to have sex before we go to sleep tonight, we need to clean that room down there, because there is no way I'm doing either with the stench that is permeating down there.” He walked over to the sofa and picked up the bags.
“Let me get this straight, if I help you clean, I get rewarded with sex?” Ianto nodded. “Any kind of sex I want?”
“Yes, Jack. Any kind you want.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Jack grinned, walking over to pick up the pile of boxes and follow his lover down the manhole into their room below. Jack wanted to talk about what just happened between Gwen and Ianto more, but he figured the best time to do that was when Ianto was relaxed and sated. If that meant doing some cleaning and then fucking him senseless, well, he'd take one for the team. It wasn't like it was a hardship. Before he made his way down, he stopped by his desk, tapped a few keys on his keyboard to make sure the night alarms were set, locked the PC up and followed Ianto to the manhole in the floor.
It was time to look after his lover.
Next story in the Time Verse: Interrogation Techniques
Ianto opened the air vents of the musty room under Jack's office. He turned around and surveyed the room with a critical eye. Moving quickly over to the chest of drawers that stood next to the ladder hanging from the hole in the ceiling leading to Jack's office, Ianto pulled open each drawer and took inventory, committing to memory it's contents. He moved around to the bed. Double sized metal frame spring base, with a camp issue mattress. Sheets would need to be replaced, blankets too. He picked up the pillows and smelt them.
Yup, they're on the list as well, he thought. After the staff meeting he'd be doing the one thing he hated more than anything else. Shopping.
He moved into the bathroom and immediately backed back out again. That needed to be scrubbed down with hospital grade bleach and a gas mask. He sighed. At least it meant that no one had been down here in Jack's space while he hadn't been here. Ianto took a little comfort in that. He moved back to the bedroom and sat down on the bed, the mattress creaking under his weight, and rested his forearms on his knees. Everything seemed to be moving so fast, and yet moving so slowly as well.
Looking around the room brought back so many memories. Ianto looked up at the wall. He remembered putting his hands on there, bracing himself as Jack moved behind him, pulling him back against Jack's chest, fucking into him, making love to him, he to Jack. This bed he sat on. The nights they had spent together on it, in it, sleeping, fucking, making love. Ianto had many memories in this room. Watching over Jack as he rested after coming back to life from one of his many resuscitations. Where Jack had watched over him when he rested after he'd been stitched up after their many weevil hunts.
Where he had first told Jack he loved him.
He blew out a breath.
This room held many memories.
Ianto stood up. He needed to go back upstairs. He knew he needed to. He just... he looked around the room again. Maybe he could stay down there just a little longer. He looked up at the ceiling. Upstairs held questions and poking and prodding, glares from Gwen and, he shuddered, Donna.
“Ianto?” Jack called him.
“Yep!” Ianto called back and sighed to himself resignedly. Time to head back. He looked around one more time. Yes, it was small and pokey. Yes, it was dark and underground. He smiled. It was all those things, but it was home. He walked to the ladder, flipped off the light switch and climbed the stairs. “You bellowed, sir?” he asked as he climbed out.
Jack gave him one of his trademark grins. “I was just checking if I needed to go in search of an oxygen tank.”
Ianto straightened his suit and looked up at Jack. “No, but we will need some industrial strength cleaning products, and maybe a hazmat suit. No one's been down there since you came looking for me. The state of that bathroom is atrocious.”
Jack managed to look ashamed. “Ah. Yeah. I kind of let a lot of things go when you disappeared.”
Ianto managed to look amused. “Yes. Well. I'm back now so our standards will be quite a great deal higher, won't they?”
“Sir, yes, sir!” Jack mock saluted him as Ianto walked over and perched on the edge of his desk again. “I love it when you're demanding.” Jack pulled at Ianto so his legs spread and he slid onto Jack's lap.
“Jack. We're in the office,” Ianto protested weakly, his hands finding Jack's arms for purchase.
“So?” he asked as he wrapped his arms around Ianto's waist. “This is our home too.”
“Not between eight and five, at least.”
Jack kissed him, nipping at his lips until Ianto opened up. Jack slid his tongue inside, tangling and stroking Ianto's until he felt his lover start to squirm on his lap, his fingers digging into his biceps. Jack's hands spread across his back, moving up under Ianto's jacket and splaying across his shoulder blades. Ianto pressed closer, his own hands gliding over cotton to find skin, seeking out the strong jawline, fingers ghosting along the edge, fanning Jack's cheeks as he sank into his kiss, losing himself to the scent washing over him, the warm embrace holding him, the powerful legs under him.
“Oh, sorry! Uh.”
Jack and Ianto ended their kiss, Ianto closing his eyes and resting his forehead against Jack's head, sliding it down into the curve of his neck, hiding, as Jack looked over his shoulder.
“Mickey.”
“So-sorry! Marfa said to come up and meet the bosses. I just-” Mickey, who looked incredibly embarrassed, his blush showing through his mocha coloured skin.
“S'okay. C'mon in,” Jack said, waving him in. Ianto tried to discreetly stand up, or at least to do so with a little grace, but alas, he gave up. He scrambled to his feet and stood behind Jack in an attempt to cover his crotch, which was now showing interest thanks to Jack's skilful tongue. Jack held out his hand as he stood up. “Captain Jack Harkness.”
“Mickey Smith,” Mickey said as he shook Jack's hand.
“Ianto Jones,” Ianto said as Mickey turned his attention and his hand to Ianto, and Jack hitched up his pants, then put his hands on his hips. “Nice to meet you,” then added under his breath, “again.”
“Yeah, yeah you too. Marfa's told me so much abou' ya. You two are pretty much legends aroun' this place,” Mickey said with a smile.
Jack and Ianto exchanged a look. “Really?” Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah!”
“Great, that's all we need,” Ianto groaned.
“What?” Jack asked, looking at his lover.
“More flattery to your already over-inflated ego,” he replied wryly.
“Hey!”
Mickey snickered.
“I have a healthy ego!” Jack defended.
“Yes, very healthy,” Ianto agreed sarcastically. “So. Mickey, you've been with Torchwood for 6 months now?”
“Yeah. I was workin' in London as security at a nightclub see. It was good money, you know, but not in the best part o' town. Anyway, one night this punta comes in an' suddenly all the birds in the place just swarm on him, right? Neva seen anyfin' like it.” He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “It caused a bit of a stir actually. Bar fights everywhere. Coppers on the street makin' arrests. Marfa, Owen and Gwen came, started askin' questions. I guess you could say it made me curious. I did some of my own diggin'. Bumped into them when they were trailin' the geezer that had come inta the club the night before. Turns out he was some alien who had come to find a mate. I guess there was something to do with his smell of somefin'-”
“Pheromones,” Jack and Ianto said at the same time, then shared a look, before Jack cleared his throat. “Ah, yeah, go on.”
“Yeah, them. Anyway, Gwen said I had good instincts. Marfa fought her on it at first but Owen and Tosh backed me up. I moved down here, been here ever since. Guess I prove meself, hey. Marfa don't seem to mind me taggin' along wif her now.”
Jack nodded. “You don't mind if we put you through your paces, get an idea of your skills, do you?”
Mickey shrugged. “Nah, not a problem. Actually be nice to get an idea of how I'm going. To be honest, there wasn't much of a training program when I got here.”
“Ah.” Jack looked at Ianto.
“Sink or swim, not exactly the best way to go with new staff,” Ianto muttered as he moved to stand next to Jack. “Give me a day. I'll schedule up a series of tests. Might be a good idea to get everyone to go through them, actually. Can't hurt to do a refresher for everyone.”
“What about Donna?” Jack asked. Mickey laughed. “What's so funny.”
“Nuffin'. It's just, Donna's a little scary, ya know what I mean? She's unarmed an' still very dangerous.”
Ianto gave him a tight smile. “Yes, I've already worked that one out for myself. Still, there may come a time where all of us may be called upon. It might be prudent to at least train her up to defend the base. Especially if I'm going to be doing more field work than I was.” He looked at Jack. “Of course, that will depend on whether I can trust her with my archives.”
“Should I be jealous?” Jack asked teasingly, slinging an arm around his shoulders. Ianto smiled softly as Jack squeezed them.
“Of Donna, or the archives?” Ianto asked. Jack rolled his eyes. “Anyway, there's a staff meeting at ten in the conference room. I'm not entirely confident that Donna will work out how to inform everyone on time.”
“Got it. I'll get onto Gwen and Owen.”
“Thanks, Mickey.” Mickey left Ianto and Jack alone in Jack's office.
“Well. That went rather well,” Jack said, turning and pulling Ianto closer as he settled his other arm around Ianto's shoulders. Ianto's hands found Jack's waist.
“It's almost like we never left.” Ianto sighed.
“How you doing? You okay?” Jack asked, carefully looking Ianto over.
The younger man nodded. “Yep. A little overwhelmed but... I'm okay. There's plenty of work to be done though.”
Jack nodded. “What do you think about putting a desk in here with a computer for you?” Ianto raised an eyebrow. “Well, Owen, Tosh and Gwen are down on the lower level, from what I can tell Donna is in the Tourist Office and I assume that Mickey is either in the archives or they've squeezed another computer downstairs.”
“Well, I had rather hoped to be on roaming,” Ianto stated. “Tosh said that she had a laptop set up for me, well she was in the process of doing one. If that's the case, I can set up anywhere. Of course, when we get our home set up, I'd like to have a full monitoring system installed as well, so we can switch the monitoring of the base to there remotely.” Jack grinned. “What? Did you think I would suggest someone else monitor this place?”
“Well, the thought did cross my mind.”
“I know you, Jack, better than you know yourself sometimes I think. You'll be demanding that everyone have a life in no time, to the detriment of our own, which I know, we have forever, but still. If I can accommodate a little bit of luxury into that and make our 'down time' a little bit easier, then I damn well will.”
Jack kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Ianto smiled. “And I do love hearing you say it,” he admitted quietly.
Jack pressed a kiss to his forehead as the cog door alarm resonated. “C'mon. More hellos to give.”
Ianto sighed. Torchwood work was never done.
~*~
Ianto headed to the kitchen and looked over his beloved coffee machine. He smiled when his eyes caressed the shiny chrome. He eased his hand over his machine and talked to it in hushed tones, apologising for being gone for so long. His happy feeling suddenly disappeared when he saw what brand of coffee was being used.
“Gah! Oh, sweetheart, what have they done to you?” he bemoaned, reaching for the rubbish bin and tossing the offending bag of what he would loosely call 'coffee' inside with force. Then he set about eradicating every last granule of the inferior brand and cleansing the machine of its scent and taste. While he ran a plain filter through the machine to clean it, he put a call in to his regular supplier to order replacement beans to his specifications. Thankfully they had some in stock. He agreed to come and pick them up immediately.
Checking his watch to make sure there was enough time, Ianto made his way to Jack's office and knocked on the door. Jack looked up from where he was going through a pile of mail. Well, it was more like a box of a mail.
“Yeah?” Jack raised an eyebrow then looked back down at the envelope in his hand before tossing it over his shoulder into a large box.
“Is that the go-through pile?” Ianto asked, pointing.
“No, that's the 'lost in the mail' pile since it's better for it to be lost in the mail and left unopened,” Jack replied, tossing another envelope in there. “What's up?”
“I've discovered a grievous atrocity,” Ianto said as he walked in and perched on the edge of Jack's desk.
“Oh yeah? Mistreated aliens?”
“Nope.”
“Genocide of an entire race?”
“Uh, no.”
“Wales lost again to England in the rugby?”
Ianto paused, “No, but thank you for reminding me to look that up.”
“Anything to help out. So what is this horror that has offended your delicate sensibilities,” Jack said as he tossed another envelope. Then he looked up at Ianto. “Oh wait. Don't tell me. Someone changed the brand of coffee.”
“You really are more than just a pretty face,” Ianto patted Jack's cheek. Jack grinned. “I called Kingsley. He has some of my preferred beans in stock and is grinding and blending it to my regular specifications as we speak. Thought the walk might be nice before the meeting,” Ianto pushed off Jack's desk and walked towards the door. He turned back when he heard a box being tossed to the ground.
“Yeah, you're right. A walk would be great.” Jack reached for his coat and quickly slid his arms into it. “Coming?” He asked as he walked past Ianto out the door way and down the stairs if it was his idea.
Ianto smiled to himself. “Of course, sir,” he said as if it was Jack's idea, and followed him to the tunnel, alarms blaring as the cog door opened announcing their exit. He didn't anticipate going anywhere without Jack for a few months yet. Not until Jack got over his fear of the rift taking Ianto away from him again.
Jack told Donna where they were headed as he swept out of the Tourist Office door, sliding aviators on to shield his eyes from the glare. Ianto wore a pair a little more stylish (they matched the suit) and kept in step with Jack. It felt like old times, like they'd never left. He felt like the years he'd lived just fell away and he was once again just that 27 year old man, walking quickly beside his 40 year old boss/lover on their way to somewhere important - probably to save the world, but preferably somewhere more mundane like 'Grind to Order'.
Upon reaching their destination, Ianto grinned gleefully when he heard the bell ringing overhead as he pulled the door open, the aroma of coffee beans wafting out to wrap around them in a heady embrace. Jack couldn't help but chuckle at him.
“What?” Ianto looking at his partner in question.
“Put you in a coffee bean store and you're like a kid in a candy store,” Jack mused with affection.
“We all have our vices,” Ianto said indignantly as he continued into the store.
Inside the dark store just off the Plass were walls lined with creates of coffee beans, ready for customers to inhale their aroma or try the bean by biting into it - which Jack thought was insane, but then again, he'd had sex with alien lifeforms of non-human origin so who was he to judge?
“Ianto, mahn, it's so good to see you!” An attractive man of Jamaican nationality wearing a navy suit and a crisp white shirt, looked up from his work behind the counter causing his long dreadlocks to bounce behind his head where they were held back by a wide black band. His wide smile showed a row of even white teeth as he dropped his pen and immediately walked around the counter to offer his hand.
“Hello Kingsley,” Ianto said warmly, shaking the hand firmly and bowing a little. “You're looking well.”
“Oh, you are too kind! Jagruti makes her curry too well,” He chuckled as he patted his flat belly, speaking of his wife who was of Indian descent. “Now you are back, I'll have to make sure to bring you some, mahn.”
“Oh, really? That would be wonderful! I'd be honoured.”
“Of course! Ianto, you are my most valued customer. Your return must be celebrated!” He laughed. Then he noticed Jack, looking him up and down. “Ah, this must be your beloved, yeah mahn?” he asked in a hushed tone, glancing between Ianto and Jack and raising his eyebrows.
“Oh. Ah, yes, well. Kingsley Lewis, this is Captain Jack Harkness. Jack, Kingsley Lewis, the proprietor of this establishment,” Ianto introduced. “Kingsley has been the one to keep us well stocked with coffee in the past. Be-before my, ah, our leave of absence.”
Jack regarded the man who had greeted his lover warmly and with such familiarity, but shook the offered hand firmly. “Mr Lewis.”
“Captain Harkness, your reputation precedes you.”
“It does, huh?”
Kingsley laughed loudly. “You always ask Ianto for coffee, yeah mahn?”
Jack looked at Ianto with a raised eyebrow, who blushed. “We tend to be awake a lot of hours in our line of work,” Jack replied wryly.
“Of course, tourist season is very busy,” Kingsley said with a knowing smile. “You must do for the amount of coffee Ianto has purchased from us over the last few years.”
Jack looked at Ianto. “Exactly how much coffee are we talking about?”
“Well,” Ianto paused to calculate. “A lot. Believe me, had it not been for my enforced leave of absence, the Tourist Office of Cardiff would not have ended their contract with 'Grind To Order', Kingsley. Rest assured, I will find out who did it too.”
Kingsley laughed again. “I did say he was our most valued customer! Ah, Ianto, it is water under the bridge. I am just happy to have your business return! Our revenue went down by thirty-five percent over the last two years.”
“Thirty-five percent?” Jack's eyes widened. “Is business that bad or do we just drink a lot of coffee?”
“That would be the latter, Jack,” Ianto shared a smile with Kingsley. “The coffee beans ground here are the most sought after in all of Wales.”
“Is that right?” Jack asked, looking at Kingsley in awe.
Kingsley smiled. “We do alright.” A door behind the counter opened and a lanky brown haired male in his late teens came out, dressed in black pants and a black polo with the 'Grind To Order' logo embroidered on the top left corner, carrying a large bag and placed it on the counter. “Thank you Nigel.” The staff member said nothing, just smiled and turned and left. Kingsley moved back behind the counter and rung up the order. Ianto handed over some cash and Kingsley added the receipt to the bag. “Ianto, shall I set up the same account order and delivery system we had last time mahn?”
“Yes, thank you. I think that will increase in time, as we have more staff now, but at the moment, that will be fine.”
“Not a problem, mahn. I'll have Nigel drop the deliveries off to the Tourist Office every Friday morning then.” He offered his hand to Ianto, who shook it and then Jack. “It's always a pleasure doing business with you.”
“And with you, Kingsley. Thank you.” Ianto said, picking up the bag. Kingsley walked them to the door, waving as they left.
“He was rather attractive,” Jack said offhandedly as he looked around the Plass on their walk back to the Hub. Ianto gave him a sideways glance. “What?”
“Jack.”
“I'm just saying...”
“And I've told you before-”
“I'm the only man you've ever been interested in, yeah, yeah, I know.” He glanced over at Ianto and grinned. “He was attractive.”
“If you say so, Jack.” Ianto smirked, “You should see his wife.” Jack stopped in his tracks and Ianto chuckled to himself as he kept walking. “C'mon Harkness. We have a meeting.”
“Ianto, you didn't mean what I think you did, did you? Yan?” Jack hurried after his lover, who was laughing all the way back to the Hub.
About time Jack got a taste of his own medicine.
~*~
When they got back to the office, Jack headed back to his office, albeit under duress, while Ianto went straight back to the kitchen with his beloved coffee. Donna was in the kitchen, looking around for something.
“Looking for something?” Ianto asked her as he opened the bag from 'Grind To Order'.
“Ah, yes. We're out of coffee,” Donna said, rather timidly considering her brash approach towards Tosh earlier.
Ianto pulled out the bag of coffee. “No, what was here before wasn't coffee. But if you're looking for that sad excuse, it's in the rubbish.” She gaped at him. “Before you say anything, smell this.” He opened one of the bags of freshly ground coffee and allowed Donna to smell it.
“Ooh. Oh my. What is that? It's amazing!”
“That, Ms Noble, is real, honest to goodness, true coffee. A specific blend ground to my own specifications from a local establishment. Every Friday they'll deliver more ground coffee, so we'll never run out, but if we do, I'll just call them to increase the order.” He set about putting the right amount of coffee into the machine and setting it to work, adding water and the pot, flipping switches and levers. The machine burst to life with a whir and steam billowing from the top. Donna turned and got a tray, and set out enough mugs for everyone. “Oh. If you wouldn't mind...” Ianto asked as he pulled one mug off and exchanged it for another - a blue and white striped mug. “That's Jack's mug.”
She smiled softly at him. “Do you mind if I say something?” Ianto shook his head. “I feel like we got off on the wrong foot. Do you think we could start again?”
Ianto turned to her and held out his hand. “Ianto Jones, pleased to meet you.”
“Donna Noble, very pleased to meet you.” She shook his hand and then leaned in closer. “Is Gwen always a bitch or is it just me?”
Ianto smiled. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
~*~
Everyone gathered in the conference room at ten so Jack, and Ianto, could explain their how they found each other. Of course, Ianto sidestepped any questions about Havasaana, stating plainly that he didn't remember anything prior to waking up in the home of his carer's house. Jack knew he was lying, but didn't call him on it. He had Ianto's word that he would tell him about Havasaana when he was ready. Deep down, Jack was dreading that day, as it meant coming clean to Ianto about the state of his diaries - a conversation he didn't want to have. Instead, they readily answered questions about the other planets - Daelynea was of most intrigue considering it was where they had spent the most time together before returning - and of course, the Doctor.
“You were on his ship?” Tosh asked excitedly, leaning forward, her chin resting on the palm of her hand.
“The TARDIS, yes,” Ianto nodded.
“What's it like, then?” Owen asked, trying hard not to be impressed.
Jack grinned. “She's a blue police box on the outside, but on the inside...”
“She's magnificent,” Ianto said softly, looking at the floor. The he looked up. “She could do with some safety harnesses though. Rough landing every time.” Jack laughed.
“What's the Doctor like?” Gwen asked, grinning. “I've always wondered why Jack went running at the drop of a hat-”
“OI you!” Donna narrowed her eyes at Gwen and folded her arms over her chest as she straightened her back.
“Well he did! Just dropped us like a hot potato and left Ianto like a jilted bride-”
Donna stood up, hands balled into fists, her mouth drawn together. “Now listen here, missy-”
“Gwen-” Jack started, but Ianto put his hand on Jack's arm and squeezed.
“It's okay.” Everyone looked at Ianto.
Donna motioned towards Gwen but he shook his head and Donna gave him a smile and sat back down. Then she looked over at Gwen who looked smugly at Donna. Donna growled at her and leaned forward, causing Gwen to flinch and stop smiling. Satisfied, Donna crossed her legs and sat back to listen to Ianto.
“I used to wonder too. Now I know. The Doctor is... well, anyone who's travelled with the Doctor could tell you that there really aren't words to describe him, nothing adequate anyway. He has the world's worst taste in clothes. Seriously, Boy George is better dressed than he is sometimes.” Martha stifled a giggle as Ianto continued, “And okay he gets more side tracked than goldfish... and he does attract more trouble than a magnet in an iron factory... But his mind is ... the amount of knowledge he has is incredible and he has an unquenchable thirst for more. His hearts are bigger than anyone I've ever met. He could destroy worlds in a heartbeat with the amount of knowledge he has but he travels across the universe saving them, or as best he can. He doesn't understand sarcasm, which made travelling with him quite fun for me,” Ianto smirked. “But he loves humans. He loves us. Without caution. Freely. So, yes, I can see why Jack left without a word when he heard the TARDIS. But I'm thankful he came back,” he said, looking at Jack before letting his arm go.
“Okay. So how come it took you so long to get back then?” Mickey asked. “If this Doctor has a time machine, couldn't he have just brought you back to just after you were taken, save everyone the heartache?”
Jack sighed. “I wish it were that simple.”
Ianto chuckled. “Time is a very wibbly wobbly thing.” He shared a look with Jack, then with Martha, who covered up her grin. “This was the earliest the TARDIS could return us without creating a paradox.”
“A wot?” Mickey asked, his face screwed up in confusion.
“A paradox,” Tosh repeated. “A situation which seems impossible to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics.”
“Like two Jack Harknesses,” Owen said as an example. “But hang on. How the hell did you not rip time and space apart given that you essentially just came from four time paradoxical realities?” Jack looked at Owen, dumbfounded. “You just said that in each reality you came face to face with Jack Harkness.”
Jack rubbed his jaw. “We came across another me, well Jack, twice and only spoke to him once. The Doctor calls me an impossible thing, being that I'm a fixed point in time and space. Perhaps I can't create a paradox by being with myself?”
Ianto looked thoughtfully at Jack. “Wouldn't that itself be a paradox? That you didn't create a paradox by being in the same place at the same time as another version of yourself?”
“Anyone got any bourbon?” Owen asked, his eyes crossing as he held his head. “This is far too philosophical for me. I'm a man of science.”
“What about Ianto-?” Gwen started, but Ianto shook his head.
“I was dead in three realities and in the fourth, well, it didn't matter anyway. My DNA has changed. I guess I'm not technically Ianto Jones any longer, at least not biologically. I wouldn't create a paradox, not technically.”
Everyone gaped. Then Gwen stood up, gesturing towards Ianto, “Then how do you know this is Ianto? Our Ianto?”
Jack lifted one eyebrow. “Do you think I wouldn't know? You think I wouldn't be able to pick out an imposter?”
Gwen gaped. “Jack, you've been stricken with grief! We all saw how distraught you were when you left. I-”
“No, Gwen! Enough!” Jack was furious. He leant on the conference table with both hands, his eyes blazing. “I'm not going to spend the rest of your life here at Torchwood justifying Ianto, justifying my relationship with him. I shouldn't have to. It stops now, or you will find yourself looking for a new job!”
“Jack!” Gwen teared up.
“If you undermine my second in command, then I can't have you on my team. I need a team that can work together. I need a team I can trust. We deal in life and death situations, and if I can't trust with you with my life, with the life of every member of this team, then I can't have you on the team. It's that simple.” He looked around the room as he stood upright. “That goes for the rest of you. Anyone who has a problem with how I run things, come to me. You have a problem with Ianto, go to him first, if you can't resolve it, then come to me. If you can't work with either of us... There's the door, with a dose of retcon on your way out. You're all adults. You know by now what it's like to work here. That said, we want you to have a life outside of Torchwood. We want you to keep up relationships, see family, date, catch up with friends. This job is tough, and it will eat you alive if you let it. So don't.”
“Does that mean we get weekends off?” Mickey asked and Jack looked at Ianto.
“Tosh, how's the rift predictor program you were working on before I disappeared?” Ianto asked, looking over at his friend.
“I finished it before Jack left. I, um, kind of buried myself in work after you were taken.” She blushed.
Ianto offered her a smile. “That will change now I'm back, right?” She nodded. “Good. Depending on how far in advance we can predict the rift, and how active it becomes, I don't see why we can't get some sort of roster worked out. We have more than enough field agents now, presuming none of you end up dead.”
“Now there's a cheery thought, cheers Teaboy.” Ianto quietly chuckled. “What?!”
Ianto shook his head. “Nothing. Just... Never thought I'd miss being called such a derogatory name. It's funny the things you miss when you don't have them any more.” He eyes widened. “How's Myfanwy?! Is she-?”
Owen smiled. “Relax, she's fine, though no doubt missing your spoiling her with dark chocolate.” Ianto visibly relaxed, knowing his pet pteranodon was still around. He felt guilty for not thinking of her immediately and resolved to buy her the biggest block of fine, dark chocolate he could find. “By the way, Ianto... Feeding her is one job I'll gladly hand back to you.”
“Speaking of diving up jobs,” Jack interjected, “we all need to remember to clean up after ourselves, me included. Ianto and Donna are not our slaves.” Jack clapped his hands together. “Right, the other thing is that Ianto and I are going to devise a training course for new field agents, and you guys get to be our guinea pigs!” There was a collective groan. “Aw c'mon kids! It'll be fun!” Everyone grumbled. “Alright, alright, settle down. And now, the big question.” He looked around the room. “Who's up for pizza for lunch? My treat.”
~*~
Donna looked over her shoulder when she heard footsteps on the stairs of the concrete tunnel that led down into the secret headquarters of Torchwood Three. She drew in a deep breath and steeled herself.
Right, Donna Noble. You can do this! You are good at what you do. You can show them that you can be more than just a temp from Chiswick. She sighed and stood up, snatching the report Ianto had requested off the printer, and stapling it together. She turned when she heard a knock on the door of her office. Instead of the expected visitor, she found herself face to face with an unexpected one.
“Captain Harkness,” Donna put her hand to her chest, in a poor attempt to slow her heart rate down. Was it hot in here? “I'm sorry. I was expecting-”
“Ianto, I know. He'll be up soon, I'd imagine. He's just making another pot of coffee and finishing some urgent online shopping,” Jack smiled as he leaned on the doorway. “You stood up for him, you know, with Gwen's...insinuations.”
Donna raised her chin, on the defensive. “So wot? Is that a crime now is it?”
“I just wondered why you did that? You've known Gwen longer, and the first time you spoke to Ianto, he basically disciplined you in front of colleagues. Seems like an unusual response, that's all.” Jack crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Donna squirm under his scrutiny.
“Ianto and I met again in the kitchen. We agreed to start again,” Donna said straightening her shirt. “Besides, I didn't like the way she was looking at him. Like he was beneath her.” Jack chuckled. “Wotcha laughin' at?”
“You think Ianto can't take care of himself?” Jack asked, tilting his head forward.
She shook her head and gave him a wry smile. “Yeah, okay, I'm sure he can. But she had no right to look at him like that. No right to look at anyone like that. And anyway, everyone can use a little back up now and then can't they?”
“Yeah. Yeah, they can. A team player. I like that,” Jack nodded once. “You're a temp, right?”
Donna hesitated. “Y-yes.”
Jack nodded. “I may run this place,” he said as he looked around the room, “but for you to keep your job permanently, I'm not the one you gotta impress.” Jack grinned.
“And who would that be then?” Donna asked, folding her arms over her chest.
“That would be Mr Perfectionist.”
“Ianto,” Donna guessed. Jack nodded. “Right.”
“I like you, Donna. So I'm going to give you a few tips to get in Ianto's good graces.”
Donna looked a little skeptical. “Are these PG rated? Because...?”
Jack threw his head back and laughed. “Perfectly G rated.”
Donna grabbed a pen and paper. “Right. Hit me.”
~*~
When Ianto made his way up to Tourist Office, he found that the brochures had all been restocked and perfectly realigned. He blinked, and put the two cups of coffee in his hands down on the counter and inspected the walls. New posters had been put up with the area's attractions, all of them perfectly lined up. The fliers had been restocked, the maps perfectly folded and straightened. He turned around and saw Donna leaning in the doorway of her cubby hole.
“Wotcha think?” Donna asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I'm not easy to impress Ms Noble,” Ianto said as he walked over and picked up the coffees. He handed one to her. “But you've managed to do just that. At least a little.”
She smiled and straightened up as she accepted the coffee. “Thank you.”
“You have the report for me?” Ianto asked, sipping his coffee. Donna reached behind her and plucked it from her desk, handing it to him. “Thank you.” He read over the file. He sighed. Then he looked up.
Donna put her hands up. “Now, look, I know what you're going to say-”
“You have no idea what I'm going to say,” Ianto said, straightening his back. Donna stood upright. Ianto put his coffee down on the counter, tossed the report down on the counter beside it and leaned back against the ledge behind him.
“Alright I don't. But I can imagine it's not pretty,” Donna muttered.
Ianto gave her a small smile. “Donna. May I call you Donna?” She nodded. “Do you know why I got you to write this report?”
“To check up on me?”
Ianto smiled. “No. To see what you're capable of.” He patted the report. “This tells me that you are articulate, concise, accurate, have an acute attention to detail - which is something I personally look for in staff members however much Jack likes poke fun at it - and more to the point you have excellent time management skills, which is sorely lacking in this place.”
Donna beamed. “Really? You got all that from one little report?”
“Well, one little report, and Jack giving you some hints and tips as to how to win me over. I can't imagine the spring clean in here was your idea, was it?” Ianto smirked. Donna blushed. “I thought so. You take suggestion and instruction well, that's another point in the plus column.” He tilted his head a little and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you like working here?”
Donna's eyes widened. “Are you kidding? This is the most amazing place I've ever worked before! I mean, don't get me wrong, some of the people are … you know...”
“Unusual?” Ianto offered.
“Insane,” Donna corrected. “Take Owen for example. Right smart bloke, doctor in'he? Gawd, you wouldn't get me going to see 'im for a physical. Bedside manner of a badger with it's tail caught in a trap. Scratch the surface though, and he's got a sweet side. Just doesn't want anyone to know 'bout it. All bark and no bite that one. And that Toshiko.” Ianto stood upright. “She's got to be some kind of genius. She's always staring at those computer screens and typing away. Never see her away from 'em though. She's very shy. I guess I scare her a little. I don't mean to, but you know, big personality, booming voice, can't help it sometimes... and I think she's got a thing for Owen to be honest, but he's dead oblivious. Martha, now she's amazing. Drop dead gorgeous, bright as a button, smarter than Owen, but don't tell 'im that. I think she's got the hots for that Mickey to be honest with ya.” Ianto just smirked. “Wot?”
He shook his head. “You really are observant.” Ianto drew in a deep breath. “Okay. I'm going to talk to Jack, but assuming he agrees, which I'm fairly certain he will, I'd like to give you a trial.”
Donna shook her head, confused. “A trial?”
“This report doesn't show anything about the archives, research and development, or any field training at all.”
Donna shook her head. “No. I was just here to answer phones, clean up after everyone, file reports, look after the 'Tourist Office'...”
Ianto nodded in understanding. “That changes. Everyone can clean up after themselves, like Jack said. You'll still file reports, answer the phone up here, look after the Tourist Office, deal with deliveries, etcetera. In the downtime, together we'll go through the filing of the archives. There are artefacts that have either not been catalogued correctly or at all. Also, you'll have to have basic field training. We can't have you at the base by yourself if you can't at least defend yourself.”
Donna's eyes widened. “You mean with... with guns?”
Ianto chuckled. “Yes. There's a shooting range on one of the lower levels.”
“Oh, oh I couldn't. I mean, me? Going out there? Guns blazing? Could you imagine it?” Donna started laughing but Ianto didn't laugh. “Ianto, I'm just a temp. From Chiswick. I'm not bloody Wonder Woman.”
“Well if Gwen can do it...” Ianto suggested softly, raising an eyebrow. Donna mimicked him silently, and then shook her head before nodding. “Don't worry. We won't start today.” Ianto picked up the report and his coffee. “Thank you, for this,” he said, lifting the report. “I'll get back to you about the trial period after I speak to Jack. Also, there should be some deliveries being made this afternoon under my name. Just sign for them and or call me when they arrive and I'll come up.”
Donna nodded. “O-okay. Thanks.”
He smiled and headed down the stairs to the Hub's main level, and walked into Jack's office. Jack looked up from the mail he was slowly getting through.
“How'd it go?” Jack asked, leaning back in his chair. Ianto put his coffee down on Jack's desk as he perched on the edge, rolled up the report and smacked Jack over the head with it. “What was that for?”
“You cheat! You always cheat!” Ianto admonished.
Jack couldn't help but smirk at his lover. “I just gave her some pointers on how to get in your good graces.”
“Mmm.”
Jack studied him. “So, what do you think?”
“She's brash, bold, needs a lot of confidence building.” Ianto sighed. “Actually, she could do with travelling with the Doctor.”
Jack smiled. “Yeah, I don't think that's in the cards.”
Ianto smiled ruefully. “No. I know. She's highly intelligent Jack.”
“You think?”
Ianto nodded. “I'd bet her IQ would be close to 150. A little training, a little moulding, you won't recognise her.”
Jack poised his fingers under his chin. “You think we should hire her?”
“Well. I could be wrong,” Ianto said softly. “So I suggest a 3 month trial. Probation if you will. If she passes the basic field training test, then I think she should become a fully fledged member of the team.”
Jack thought for a moment. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
He leaned forward and started to go through the mail again. “What, did you want an engraved invitation?” he asked, smirking.
Ianto chuckled, “I'll go tell Donna.” Ianto got up and headed for the door.
Jack nodded. “Okay. Then check with Tosh if the rift alert was clear for the rest of the evening. If it is, send everyone home.”
Ianto turned back. “Really?”
Jack looked up. “Yeah. I kinda want to just spend some time with you in our home.” The smile Ianto gave him made Jack's heart flutter. He didn't say anything though, just left the room, walking briskly, stopping at Tosh's desk first before going to speak to Donna. He watched as everyone started to pack up and shut computers down, wave up at Jack and pick up jackets and bags as they walk out. Ianto then followed them all up the tunnel to the Tourist Office.
Jack smiled to himself and looked back down at his desk. He went about tidying up the piles of paperwork into urgent, semi urgent, non-urgent and the box to be added to the incinerator. There was a knock on his door as he was just finishing with the mail.
“Yeah?” Jack asked, moving the box to the floor.
“Jack?” Gwen timidly stood in the doorway.
“Gwen. What can I do for you?” Jack asked with a sigh as he straightened up.
She straightened up and walked inside Jack's office. “Jack. I wanted to talk to you about Ianto.” Jack hung his head and put his hands on his hips. “Please, hear me out.” Jack looked up, stared at her for a moment and then motioned for her to go ahead before he crossed his arms over his chest. “Jack, can you at least see why it's hard for us to accept after hearing Ianto say that he doesn't have the same DNA as our Ianto that he in fact our Ianto?” Gwen asked pleadingly. She started to get frustrated. “I mean for the love of fucking God, Jack, you disappeared to search for him for a year! You left us-”
“You're the only one who can't believe it's Ianto Gwen, and I left you with help. I sent Martha to you. You didn't need me, not the way I was without him,” Jack said patiently as he rounded the desk to rest on the edge of it.
Gwen sighed and shook her head. “I don't understand what's happened here, to us, to Torchwood. Ianto gets taken, you ...” she waved her hands in the air, “lose the plot and disappear, we double in size, you come back with a clone Ianto.”
“Gwen. He's not a clone. He is Ianto.”
“How do you know?” she asked as she came closer, her fingers bunching Jack's shirt as she grabbed him. Jack's hands moved to grip the edge of the desk.
He evened his breathing. “You need to back off. Now.”
“Tell me how you know,” she said replied. “I'm not leaving until you tell me how.”
Jack closed his eyes. He didn't want to retcon Gwen but she was skating dangerously close to forcing his hand.
“Gwen, last warning, back off.”
“I'd listen to him if I were you,” came from behind them. Jack looked up, and Gwen gasped as she looked over her shoulder at Ianto who stood in the doorway carrying a couple of bags and a stack of boxes, clearly unhappy with the scene in front of him. “You just never listen, do you Gwen?”
Gwen let Jack go and moved back, turning to face Ianto. “Then how about you answer some fucking questions instead of sidestepping them?”
“I would if they were any of your fucking business,” Ianto muttered as he walked tried to walk past her.
Gwen stepped into his path. “As Jack said earlier today, we deal with life and death situations. If I have to put my life in your hands, then I have to trust you. And right now? I don't! I don't know who you are!”
Ianto dropped the boxes on the floor at his feet with an echoing thud. “Gwen Elizabeth Cooper, born 16 August 1978 to Geraint and Mary Cooper. Joined Torchwood in 2007 after witnessing Torchwood operatives Suzie Costello, Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato and Captain Jack Harkness at the scene of a crime which you were, as beat PC, assigned to. Always were a nosy parker even back then.”
“None of what you said proves anything other than you can read my Torchwood file,” Gwen said, putting her hands on her hips.
Ianto's lips pressed into a thin line as he pushed past Gwen, stepping around the boxes, to put the bags he was carrying onto the sofa in that was positioned against the wall of glass windows. He turned back to face Gwen.
“Fine. How about you like your coffee black, but your tea white with one sugar. You like your fish and chips with vinegar instead of lemon, and prefer lemon chicken to sweet n sour pork when we have chinese. You like lasagna better than spaghetti and you hate olives on pizza. You slept with Owen even though you know Tosh is in love with him while you were dating Rhys, and you've brushed off your previous PC partner Sgt Davidson more times than Manchester United has won the FA Cup. How am I doing so far? Any of that in your Torchwood File?” Ianto asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, Jack could have-”
Ianto sighed. “Okay. We're going to have to bring out the secrets then are we? I really didn't want to have to go down this road, but you've left me no other choice.”
“Secrets?” Gwen's brows drew in together in confusion. “We don't share any secrets.”
“Oh Gwen. Don't tell me you've forgotten.” Ianto looked over at Jack who was frowning at him. “You didn't want to say anything to Owen, couldn't tell Tosh, it would hurt her too much. The mathematics didn't work for Rhys, he'd been out of town on that training course in London for two weeks. He might not be the brightest bloke in the world but he would have worked it out eventually.” Gwen paled. “Jack wasn't here, he was with the Doctor. So you came to the only person you knew wouldn't say anything to help you with your little 'problem'. Not that you would have told anyone if you hadn't needed a lift home after the procedure.”
“Shut up!” Gwen gritted her teeth. “You promised.”
“You left me no choice. How else was I to prove I am who I claim to be?” Ianto demanded. They stared at each other in silence. Finally Ianto broke it. “How is Rhys anyway?”
Gwen glared. “He's fine.”
“No more... 'problems'?”
“No, thank you for your concern.” Gwen gritted out sarcastically.
“Gwen?” Jack looked between the two of them, unsure of what just happened. Gwen looked at Jack.
“Fine. I believe it. He's Ianto. I'll see you both tomorrow.” And without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out of Jack's office and didn't stop until she'd left the Hub, alarms blaring as the cog wheel door opened and closed behind her.
Jack looked at Ianto who was staring after her. “What just happened?”
Ianto looked back at Jack. “I just made a formidable foe from a friend.” Ianto didn't want to dwell on it. He needed a distraction. They both did. There were two ways he could do that. “C'mon. If we're going to have sex before we go to sleep tonight, we need to clean that room down there, because there is no way I'm doing either with the stench that is permeating down there.” He walked over to the sofa and picked up the bags.
“Let me get this straight, if I help you clean, I get rewarded with sex?” Ianto nodded. “Any kind of sex I want?”
“Yes, Jack. Any kind you want.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Jack grinned, walking over to pick up the pile of boxes and follow his lover down the manhole into their room below. Jack wanted to talk about what just happened between Gwen and Ianto more, but he figured the best time to do that was when Ianto was relaxed and sated. If that meant doing some cleaning and then fucking him senseless, well, he'd take one for the team. It wasn't like it was a hardship. Before he made his way down, he stopped by his desk, tapped a few keys on his keyboard to make sure the night alarms were set, locked the PC up and followed Ianto to the manhole in the floor.
It was time to look after his lover.
Next story in the Time Verse: Interrogation Techniques