Adam laid a hand on Ianto's shoulder, forcing himself into Ianto's mind. He had done it a million times on all sorts of planets filled with all kinds of creatures and beings, but this time was different. Having already gotten a feel for human minds, he knew what to expect, and this person wasn't what he expected.
He could tell. From the moment he felt the young man's mind, he knew. There was something odd about him, something foreign and absent from the other humans he had encountered. It resisted Adam's influence, trying to push him away.
Adam wasn't relenting. He pressed in further, feeling the object that blocked his way. It was unlike anything he had come across before. It was a lock, guarding the mind from intrusion. Adam tried to squeeze around it, but he found it was more like a wall, covering and protecting this man's thoughts. He pressed and prodded, trying to break through this block. He needed to infiltrate everyone's mind, and this man was no exception. Everyone here, in Torchwood, had to remember him.
He touched the wall again, watching it shimmer again. The blue shimmer ran over the wall, revealing the various blocks that made up the wall. He perked. He pushed on one specific part and suddenly, a memory, a memory of Ianto's, flooded through his head. And that's when he a wave of understanding washed over him. He found the part he was looking for, implanting false memories, ensuring his survival.
While all this seemed to last a long time for Adam, for the rest of the world, it happened in the briefest of seconds. The confused, lost look in Ianto's eyes disappeared and Ianto smiled broadly at Adam.
"Sorry, I must've had a temporary memory lapse," Ianto shook his head.
"No harm done," Adam removed his hand, putting it back in his pocket. "Everyone, even the great Ianto Jones has them occasionally. Honestly," Adam sat heavily in his chair, tired from his ordeal, "I'm shocked it doesn't happen more often."
"To be honest, me too," Ianto nodded, walking away.
Adam and Jack watched Ianto walk away, and Jack was just starting to turn to head back to his office when he heard a thud. He spun back around to see Ianto on the ground trying weakly to push himself back up, Adam going to his side.
"Ianto, what happened?" Jack came over and helped Adam stand Ianto to his feet.
"I dunno," Ianto shook his head. "Suddenly felt weak in the knees."
"Are you feeling ill?" Adam asked.
"No, nothing like that," Ianto replied. "Not really."
"You haven't eaten at all today," Jack stated.
"Yeah, it's probably that. Low blood sugar. I am a bit hungry."
"Well, let me get you something to eat," Adam offered, standing up as Jack helped Ianto to the couch.
Adam couldn't hide a small smirk as he turned away from the pair. He had a secret about Ianto. He wasn't sure of specifics, and he wasn't even sure if he could use it, but he had leverage against him, against the tea boy. And that made him smile.
Forty-eight hours later, Adam was no more, his information dying with him. He never got a chance to use his knowledge to his advantage. He never got the chance to blackmail the youngest Torchwood member.