2
Chapter 1
"It's touching Jack but could I have my fingers back now?"
Jack Harkness gave his partner an unearned exacerbated expression. "You know how I feel about airplanes," he whispered.
"Really?" Ianto Jones chuckled while trying to rub life back into his hand. "You stand on the ledges of 20 story buildings for fun and you're afraid of flying in airplanes?" He stood up, trying to encourage Jack to depart.
"Anything can happen on these things," said Jack. "I'd feel better if I was the one piloting this sardine can."
"Oh yeah, that'll work," Ianto replied. "If you flew like you drive the entire aviation system would be in crisis."
Jack ignored him and instead gave the stewardess a quick, bright smile, "You must be the reason they used to call it the 'friendly skies'".
Ianto rolled his eyes and shoved a carry-on bag into Jack unexpected arms, "Aliyah and Sarah are waiting for us."
"Did anyone ever tell you that you're too focused?"
"Yes, you, just before I told you to duck."
Jack chuckled as his partner's comment was more than a little true.
The two men left the plane and Jack moved quickly ahead, deftly moving them through JFK Airport to the arrival area, as he had been to New York many times. This was Ianto's first visit and although this was ostensibly on Torchwood business, he had hoped to get in at least some sightseeing and, of course, a Broadway show. Rabbi Aliyah Teelbalum, the head of Torchwood Jerusalem and longtime friend of Jack's from his Time Agency days had called asking for assistance with a particularly tough case. Initially, Jack was going to send Gwen but then there was a report from Constable Andy Davidson of Weevil attacks in a prominent area of Cardiff – a matter that needed "delicate handling" according to Sergeant Swanson. Jack tried to delay things until Gwen would be done but things quickly got out of hand (Weevils shagging or something in Lady Tromphfield's Jacuzzi) and Aliyah insisted help come soon. Jack, crying some fabricated fear that Sarah, Aliyah's wife, is out to kill him, insisted that Ianto come with him. With the others gone so recently, Ianto realized maybe Jack would be lonely. He hadn't counted on Jack needing babysitter.
It was a late Friday afternoon in late March, so the airport was quite busy with New York natives escaping and tourists coming in. Sarah was perched against the car like a starlet's bodyguard outside of the third club of the night. Her dishwater blonde hair tied in a federal agent's ponytail with matching attire, Sarah spied Jack and Ianto immediately coming out of the terminal. She knocked once on the car hood. Aliyah Teelbaum got out of the car's passenger side like someone about to walk the red carpet. If she knew how beautiful she was, she didn't show it. She pulled off hippy chic well in her dreadlocks and skin like a finished Belgian milk chocolate. Her serious but humble demeanor, as expected from any good clergyperson, kept those with adolescent libidos at bay. For those whose pursuit was based on conquest, her brains frightened them off briskly.
"Jack! Ianto!" Aliyah greeted each man in the European style. Sarah gave Ianto a nod while all Jack got was a blank stare as she stored the men's luggage in the spacious trunk.
"Good to see you too, Sarah," Jack said. The blonde Amazon ignored him, finished her duties succinctly, and got in the car. "Still not talking, eh?" Sarah offered a low growl.
"Not to you, Jack," Aliyah laughed. "How was your flight?"
Ianto started to complain but Jack interrupted, "Long and the in-flight movie was atrocious." Ianto simply rubbed his hand some more.
Aliyah was aware of Jack's phobia, so as Jack got into the car, she discreetly said to Ianto, "Thanks for coming. You know he wouldn't have made it if you hadn't come." The young Welshman lit up at the recognition. "Wait 'til you see the hotel I booked for you and it will be well-worth all the trouble."
Aliyah had reservations for her Torchwood Cardiff friends at The Library, a stylish, relatively new hotel about an hour from the airport. "Each of the ten guestroom floors are dedicated to one of the ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal System - Social Sciences, Literature, Languages, History, Math & Science, General Knowledge, Technology, Philosophy, the Arts and Religion," Aliyah explained during the drive. "Sarah and I have stayed there a few times. The whole place feels more like a private club than a Manhattan hotel," she turned around in her seat to give Ianto the brochure. "Each of the rooms is individually adorned with art and a collection of books that relate to the room's unique theme. I know how you boys need your space so I got you a suite."
"Based on what theme?" asked Jack.
"11th floor, Philosophy of Love. It was curated by Dr. Ruth Westheimer."
"Ah, I taught that woman everything she knows." There was a collective sigh in the car. "No, really!"
Aliyah ignored Jack and continued, "You have the Erotic Literature Room because it has a terrace and we know how much Jack likes to stand around naked outside . . ."
"And with so much for all to enjoy!"
". . . . without getting anyone arrested."
"Hay!" protested Jack.
"Anyway, the two of you will be on your own tonight though. I am the guest rabbi for Friday services at Temple Emanu-El on 65th Street. But we are staying at Kyla's, so tomorrow . . ." said Aliyah before being cut off.
"Kyla? Kyla!" Jack barked.
"Yes, Jack, Kyla – Kyla Reishold," Aliyah responded back with equal vigor, "though now she goes by Strossman."
"Yeah," Jack's volume dropped, "I'm sure things have changed." He turned and stared out the window.
The rest of the ride was filled with Jack's quiet hostility and Aliyah's successful job of ignoring his pouting. When they arrived at the hotel, Jack simply got out of the car and entered the building, saying nothing to anyone. Aliyah got out with Ianto and, in that nod only the clergy and one's mother can give, assured him that things would be fine. He acknowledged the communiqué, trusting from past experience with the learned woman that she knew what she was doing. He knew Jack's moods often change like an ADD kid off his meds. Plus, Jack's reaction garnered more curiosity than fear as he only acted in this harsh, sharp manner when he was hiding something, typically something from his past. And Ianto had long ago learned that there were times to ask Jack about his past and times when it was best to just let things unfold – this seemed like a "let things unfold" time.
"This and we haven't even gotten to the alien stuff yet," thought Ianto has he instructed the bellhop regarding their bags and then hurried after Jack.