Right, introductions. Hi, I'm new to the whole fan fiction thing, although I have been writing my own things before this, just no guts to actually post anything. So here is my first story, hopefully with regular updates.

Title: Of Angels and Aftermaths

Spoilers: Mainly 'In the Shadows' as this is my take on what happened afterwards, but also Series 2

Summary: How does Jack cope with being back from Hell? Can Ianto really look after Jack and bring him back to the world he knows?

Disclaimer: Im not that clever to have come up with Torchwood or any of its characters, so they do not belong to me. Also, I very much enjoyed 'In the Shadows.' Joseph Lidster is a great writer.


'Hello'

'Is anyone there?'

'Can anyone hear me?'

Silence. Darkness. Jack Harkness stood alone in the shadows of the decrepit building with his fingers to his earpiece. And he began to panic.

****

The Rift alert had brought Toshiko, Owen, Ianto and himself to a rundown area just outside of Splott. They had left the loud noises and bright lights of Cardiff Bay behind when Toshiko's Rift alarm alerted them and they now found themselves at an old youth hostel which had seen better days. The small building, barely illuminated by the street lights, was ravaged by the marks of time; windows had been smashed, the garden full of weeds and the walls scarred with the graffiti of long ago. Left to decay in favour of game consoles and nightclubs, the teenagers of Splott paid no attention to the area. That was why no one questioned what a black SUV with shining blue lights was doing pulling up next to it in spectacular fashion. Nor did they question why a tall and handsome man in a military coat kicked down the door, pistol in his hand and with a small group of people tailing along behind.

****

'Tosh? Owen? Ianto?'

Jack tapped at his earpiece again, frantic to hear the voices of his teammates. He began to pace. He couldn't help himself. The darkness still lingered as Jack tried to retrace his steps. It couldn't be that hard to remember the way he came in. But as he walked around the room, trying to find the door he came through, the sweat began to build up on his brow and he fought back the sob growing in his throat.

'Anyone?'

****

'It's here,' Toshiko said as she read from her PDA. 'I'm not sure what it is, but it's definitely in this vicinity.' Owen and Ianto had both already drawn their guns and flashlights and were now beginning to sweep the room, alert and prepared. Jack flicked the light switch but to no avail, the room remained in darkness except for the small streams of light emitting from the flashlights. A small sigh passed his lips as he joined the rest of his team.

'Okay,' said Jack as he faced his them. 'Owen and Tosh, you take the left side of the building. Ianto, with me. Keep your comms open and stay together.' Tosh nodded as Owen led her down the corridor, whilst Jack watched as their flashlights began to grow fainter until they disappeared around a corner. He turned back to face Ianto, his eyes locking with those of the young man, allowing himself to smile and lose himself in those eyes for just a second. Those eyes, the ones that had saved him from the shadows not so long ago, seemed to gleam and make the darkness shrink around them.

'So,' Jack began as he tore his eyes away from Ianto and checked his pistol. 'How about we get a Chinese in tonight. A few films, under the covers...'

'How about we get out of here first before planning anything, sir?' Ianto, as dead pan as ever, turned to walk down the corridor. He hid his smile from Jack as they began to search the derelict rooms around them. 'Besides, don't forget I've banned you from ever eating takeaway in my bed again.' Jack smiled and followed him into the next room.

****

'Ianto? Ian...Ianto?' Jack managed to cry as he began to fumble with the door in front of him. It wouldn't open. Shaking slightly, he began to hammer at the door with his fists. The wind was beginning to whistle through the hole in the window and Jack was certain that the wind began to turn into whispers. Whispers that were coming closer, louder and for a second, Jack stopped banging on the door as the whispers began to sing. Ring a ring a roses, a pocket full of poses. And Jack began to cry.

****

'Well, it's either in here or I have just wasted a perfectly good evening alone with you.' Jack huffed as he tried the handle of the final door along the corridor. It wouldn't budge. Forcing himself against the door, he used his shoulders to ease the door open. Time had rusted away the hinges and it took the combined force of both Jack and Ianto to finally get the door opened enough for them to get through.

'If there is anything in there, I think we've lost the element of surprise,' Ianto sighed as he allowed Jack to go in before him. His pistol raised in front of him, Jack carefully made his way into the darkened room. Silence greeted him as he shone his flashlight across the large room. Aside from some filing cabinets and a few dust sheets, the room stood relatively bare. Ianto was about to join him, but a voice coming down his ear made him pause.

'Ianto,' Tosh's voice was calm and steady, which reassured Ianto that they were safe. 'We've got it. It's a small... that's... reading....' The sound of static flowed down his earpiece as Ianto tapped at it, hoping to regain communication with Tosh. After a few attempts, Ianto gave up and turned into the room to face Jack. But Jack wasn't there. Shining his flashlight into the room, he scanned the area but still couldn't see his leader anywhere. Panic began to build up in the pit of his stomach as he tried his comms again, hoping the connection between him and Jack was still working.

'Jack?' No reply. 'Jack, can you hear me?' Static remained the only sound he could hear. Abandoning his comms, Ianto shouted for Jack but still there was no reply. Jack was gone.

****

The whispered singing had stopped. Hunched in the corner, his knees raised up to his chest, Jack Harkness sat alone. He knew it had been too good to be true. He hadn't escaped. It was all a lie, just like before. Ianto hadn't saved him, it was just the cruel tricks of Hell that had given him hope that he was finally free. The years that had passed, the horrors they had thrown up all paled in comparison with the events that were unfolding now. Jack was surrounded in darkness once more, away from his friends, away from any kind of civilisation.

That's when he heard the breathing. Small at first, he hadn't noticed it when he came into the room. Then, the breathing turned into a low growl and the sound of shuffling emanated from the opposite corner of the room. And Jack was terrified. Shining the flashlight to the noise, the shaking beam of light illuminated the figure. The inhuman figure. The Weevil. And as it lunged forward, all that Jack could do was brace himself for the pain and scream.


Evil cliffhanger, I know. But sadly that's it until the next update. That is, if people want updates.