Ok, this is chapter 1 of stalked, posted here first so you can read it here or under Raehart on teaspoon.
Ok, been working on this chapter for a while, takes place after kiss kiss bang bang. Has been beta'd by winterhill (thanks alot for reading it so many times). Please comment, i'll try and get at least 1 chapter a week.
(Also Gareth David-Lloyd is in a band so thought I'd bring a bit of a musician out of Ianto.)
Serious JackxIanto fic, don't like don't read, simple as, also mentions of OwenxTosh, Jack and Ianto haven't been on a date yet and Ianto's regretting agreeing.
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Stalked
Ianto strolled around the hub, a tray loaded with coffees in his grip as he handed them out around the hub. Having memorised the team's habits he had perfected the art of brewing coffee at an early stage in his time at Torchwood Three.
"Tosh, can you check for rift activity, even a small spike, I'm getting bored," Jack complained from his office, leaning forward in his chair and shuffling through paper work. The rift had been quiet for about a week and the team was all beginning to get a little stir crazy, no aliens, no threat, not even a weevil sighting.
"Sorry Jack, nothing, it's so quiet it's unreal." Tosh commented typing rapidly on her keyboard, looking for even the smallest blip.
Ianto didn't want to comment, he'd been a little jumpy lately, he was feeling someone watching him; when he went home, when he went weevil hunting with Jack, even as he managed the tourist office, the front of Torchwood 3. He felt a cold shiver run down the back of his neck and jerked round reflexively.
Seeing nothing, not the slightest bit of paper or post-it out of place, he shook his head as if trying to clear the cobwebs and building paranoia. He reflexively straightened his tie and strolled through the hub, distributing their beverages accordingly.
When Ianto passed a mug of coffee to Jack, Jack lightly caressed the back of his hand, he tended to do that a lot. Every slight touch sent shivers down Ianto's spine; sometimes he barely caught himself before he made an offer he was sure he'd regret later. Ianto periodically regretted what had happened after they had returned from the country. His body had just about shut down, his defenses lowered and need to feel anything other than complete terror had made the night almost inevitable.
He'd slept with Jack, or more appropriately, Jack taken him, in such an understanding tender way it made Ianto's heart ache to think it would never progress beyond comfort and sheer primal lust. It was the same when he'd propositioned Jack after Suzie's death, a need for comfort from both, neither wanting to spend the night alone.
Jack sighed reflexively and watched Ianto head back towards the kitchenette, his posture slightly defensive after that fleeting contact Jack had craved and partaken in. Oh he remembered their night together in vivid technicolor, the welt and bruises across Ianto's beautiful body, the dark mottled bruises across his ribs and long cut across his neck; the way said neck felt with Ianto in the throes of passion, arched back and his pulse, strong and so very much alive beating against his lips. Everything Ianto had ever offered Jack had readily and almost greedily taken, but he didn't regret any of it. Ianto's beautiful body arching tantalisingly, his skin sweet and his whole body acting like a finely tuned instrument, licking, nibbling or caressing different parts of Ianto's body yielded unbridled and wanton moans, gasps and pleas.
Asking Ianto on a date had been a carefully thought thing while he was suffering in the year that never happened. This one man, so much younger than himself was the reason Jack had endured so much and come back; they had only slept together twice, even though the rest of the team probably thought they had been together so much before he left. Ianto had flirted sure, but only those two times would he drop his guard enough to let Jack in. The wonderful man, the strong, silent member of the team.
Ianto shivered slightly, feeling that same piercing gaze on him; he knew when Jack was looking, that hot feeling just seemed to send sparks down his spine, but this was a terrifying sensation that clawed at his chest and he quaked silently in terror. He let his eyes dart around the Hub, trying to appear as he usually did, but nothing would alleviate the feelings that cut through him as Jack finally announced they could leave.
Ianto quickly tidied up as the rest of the team, minus Jack, bolted for the door. He straightened the report on Owen's desk, turned off Tosh's monitors and picked up the pieces of paper Gwen had previously been scribbling on. Saying his farewells to Jack he prepared to leave for the night. So caught up was he that he didn't notice Jack standing behind him till a hand was placed on his shoulder, causing him to jerk away and turn.
Jack held up his hands in a non threatening manner.
"Bit jumpy aren't you?" he asked lowering his hands when Ianto took a deep breath. He was worried about the youngest member of his team, whom he had noticed seemed apprehensive and slightly agitated these last few days.
"Sorry, just being a bit paranoid I guess," Ianto shrugged trying to sound nonchalant, but the slight waver in his voice gave him away. Jack lightly raised and hand and began caressing his head, smoothing his hair out and lightly massaging his scalp. Ianto wanted to lean into the touch and suddenly seemed to think better of it.
"Well how about I get any alerts sent to my phone and you and I go on that date?" Jack asked, not at all perturbed.
"Umm, is that wise right now?" Ianto asked reminding himself not to add 'sir' to the end of that sentence.
"Why not, all's quiet and we'll be ready if we need to be. So interested?" he asked throwing Ianto that patented Harkness grin which sent anyone on the receiving end weak at the knees.
Ianto sighed thinking it over, on the one hand he desperately wanted that date with Jack to see if anything between them could ever develop or if it would revolve around sex, not that he'd mind that but he hoped desperately for something more.
Just as Jack began to worry about the lack of response from the archivist Ianto nodded slightly. Jack beamed, looking for all the world like someone had just told him the best news he could expect to hear.
Ianto picked up his coat, shrugging it on and pulling the collar up to protect his face against the extremely cold winds that he knew were whipping across the bay outside. His hands deftly buttoned the garment as he watched Jack throw on his greatcoat.
"Come on, I know a great little Italian place," Jack started taking Ianto's unoccupied hand and pulling him towards the invisible lift. The whole thing suddenly seemed like a bad idea.
"Jack…" Ianto started only to be cut off.
"Ianto Jones, you are not making excuses, come on, it's a date, try have some fun, get away from this place for a while," Jack enthused gesturing at the Hub in all its sewer–like glory.
Ianto resigned himself to the date, Jack usually got his way and Ianto was to tired to spend the finer part of an hour making up a plausible excuse.
"I promise it'll be fun, learn to live a little Mr Jones." Jack said smiling.
Ianto sighed following Jack obediently as he was helped up onto the slab before they ascended in relative silence.
Jack instinctively wrapped his hands round Ianto's waist as the lift jolted to a stop, to stop the young man overbalancing. He smiled roguishly as he guided them both off the lift and into the relatively empty plass, dragging the reluctant Welshman with him down to through Mermaid Quay. The sun was barely visible on the horizon; Ianto checked his watch and saw it was just after 6. Not really a bad time for a date.
Jack enthusiastically pulled Ianto towards a beautiful restaurant, the signs declaring it to be Signor Valentino, a well known restaurant. At least to Ianto, it was one of his favorites, when he had time to enjoy a quiet meal away from work.
Jack smiled lightheartedly and propelled them up the stairs to the top floor restaurant, its beautiful balcony overlooking the bay, the sun sinking low on the horizon, spilling beautiful golden lights across the bay, the water seemed to turn to fire.
Jacks hand moved from grasping his hand to slip and lightly rub the small of his back in slow, soothing circles and Ianto felt instantly at ease. He let out a small nervous laugh and looked at the Captain.
"So, wanna go in?" Jack asked, his voice light and reflecting the gentle smile that spread across his face, his eyes sparkling with a warmth Ianto had rarely seen before.
"Well since we're here and since you're obviously paying," Ianto said smirking and relaxing in the company of the Captain.
"Of course, can't expect my gorgeous date to pay, after all, I have expensive tastes," he laughed.
Ianto relaxed, the atmosphere was comfortable, the restaurant was relatively quiet as they were seated outside at Jacks request. Jack ordered a bottle of Don Perignon, after promptly stealing the wine menu from Ianto's fingers so he couldn't complain about the price of the bottle. The beautiful meal was filled with happy conversation and Jacks wild stories and gestures. Ianto leant forward on the table and tilted his head interested as Jack spoke, silently allowing Jack to link their fingers as they shared a desert of lemon sorbet and vanilla ice cream.
They fed each other bites of the cool deserts and Jack watched as Ianto daintily licked his lips and leant over the table, placing a tender chaste kiss on Ianto's beautiful full lips.
Ianto relaxed under Jacks lips and slowly began to return the kiss his hand lightly moving to cup Jacks cheek as the kiss deepened, their tongues toying with each other in a playful and loving manner.
Ianto slowly pulled away as the need to breathe became all to obvious, his eyes which had closed some at some point during the kiss opened, his own eyes started into Jacks beautiful smiling blue.
"So, want to finish this bottle at your apartment?" Jack asked, his statement was free of any sort of sexual advance. His smile was genuine and his whole demeanor was relaxed.
"Sure, after all it's still to early to end our date yet," Ianto said watching Jack wave the waiter over and pay for their wonderful meal, but not before ordering a second bottle of Don Perignon.
"Jack, there's no need to spend so much money on me," Ianto insisted.
"Well, I think you deserve to be treated to something nice and I'm going to get my way. You deserve so many nice things Ianto, let me treat you once in a while," Jack said sincerely.
Ianto sighed knowing there wasn't any way he could win against Jacks pout.
On the way to Ianto's flat Jack reached over holding Ianto's hand as they conversed quietly, their attention only deviating when they got to Ianto's building. Unlocking the door and letting in himself and Jack, Ianto closed the door and slipped the lock back in place; he was always sure to lock it since his neighbors were three women, two were students at Cardiff university and the other an elderly lady on the ground floor, she owned the building and often treated Ianto like her son. It was a welcome change sometimes.
Leading Jack to the top floor apartment he opened the door and pushed it open, motioning Jack inside. The captain entered and took off his great coat, which Ianto took and hung beside the door alongside his own. He flicked the light switch on and light flooded his flat.
A large open plan space sprawled out in front of them. Large windows with views of the bay and the plas, a beautiful leather sofa and entertainment system filled the living area, a piano and guitar against one wall and an open plan kitchen beyond an elegant dinning table.
"Beautiful place," Jack said placing the bottles down on the coffee table as Ianto brought over a pair of crystal wine glasses, which Jack slowly filled.
"Thanks, it's not much but I like it," Ianto said truthfully; he'd only really finished moving in about a week after Jack had left, he still hadn't quite finished, but it looked more personal than it had a few months ago.
"I didn't know you played." Jack said trying to make conversation while pointing to the instruments.
"Well my mum taught me the piano when I was little. I learnt the guitar at college and while I lived in London, used them as a way of making a little extra money in between my time at Torchwood One." Ianto said.
"Well I learnt to play, I haven't for a while though," Jack said, walking over to the piano and caressing the keys gently.
"Play me something?" Ianto requested quietly watching Jack with interest.
"I'm a little rusty but I'll try," After a few false starts Jack began playing a beautiful, haunting melody. Jack's fingers moved lightly across the keys and Ianto leant back into a plush couch cushion to listen.
The alcohol ran through Ianto's system and relaxed him, his eyes closed and he began to drift off in the company of his enigmatic boss, only waking up when Jack came and sat next to him.
"Well I'd better be off, thanks for being great company Ianto, we should definitely do this again some time," Jack said lightly caressing Ianto's cheek and kissing him lightly on the lips, before standing and putting the bottles in Ianto's fridge.
"I'll see you in the morning," Jack smiled running his fingers through Ianto's hair before collecting his coat.
Ianto moved to see him out.
"I had a great time Jack, thank you," Ianto said honestly his features unguarded as he kissed Jack good night, watching the matinee man walk down the stairs before locking his door and moving to his bedroom.
Changing into a worn pair of track suit bottoms and a grey vest he pulled back the sheet on his bed and was just about to settle down to sleep when he heard the phone.
Irritated and cursing quietly in welsh Ianto pulled the phone up to his ear from its place on his bedside table.
"Hello?" he said wearily.
"Good evening Mister Jones." A deep voice, a voice that seemed to come from the depths of hell itself pierced his mind. He recognized that voice.
"I found you," The voice taunted and Ianto panicking hung up, pulling the phone up and moving round his room, checking every corner, searching for anything out of the ordinary. He began to panic and hastily dialed Jacks number.
"Hello?" Jack's voice came down the phone.
"Jack," Ianto said his voice strained and edgy as he noticed a small reflective surface from above his bed.
"Ianto, what is it, what's the matter?" Jack asked worriedly.
"Jack," Ianto's voice broke as he pulled a tiny camera from his ceiling.
"Please come back," Ianto begged throwing the camera into a drawer and moving to lock his bedroom door.
Ianto remembered that voice, that voice that had haunted his nights for years, the cold tones, the veiled threats. All of it piled on him. His shoulders shook with sobs, his voice quivering and hitching in between words. He remembered the feel of eyes on him, for so long now, he'd been used to it, the sudden repeat of something long forgotten terrified him.
"I'm coming Ianto," Jack said his voice coming in harsh rasps down the phone.
Ianto gripped at the phone and sat huddled in the middle of his bed. A sudden sharp bang on his door drew him back. Fear gripped at him.
"Oh Mr Jones, this isn't very polite now is it?" The earlier voice called taunting, his door rattling as whoever was outside banged harshly.
"Hurry Jack please," Ianto begged tears of fear streaming down his face. If this person was outside his door he didn't know what was going to stop this nightmare, unless Jack hurried up. The banging increased as the door to his apartment was kicked open.