One and half months. One and a half months since the day his life ended, fell apart. One months since he joined Torchwood 3, based in Cardiff, Wales. One month, and still secret, safe, hidden. One month, and still no closer to a cure, a way to fix it. One month and it was as if no one even noticed Ianto Jones was there, save Jack. He seemed to notice, though he rarely said anything. He kept to himself, giving Ianto a glance or a smile. He made the coffee, he cleaned up, he did the archiving and he kept his mouth shut. That was the life of Ianto Jones after the demise of Torchwood 1. A life he was beginning to get used to.
Mid afternoon on a Tuesday. Ianto was working, he was up in the tourist center behind the counter. It was quiet there, only one visitor so far that day. A family of three from America. A man and his two little kids came strolling into the tourist center. Ianto enjoyed it when there were children about, it brightened up the place. He gave each of them, a little boy with light brown hair and freckles, around nine, and a boy with dark curly hair, who seemed around five, a sticker, told them some history about Cardiff and gave them a pamphlet with some interesting places to see. Then they were out the door. "Thank you Mr. Yanto sir," the little dark-haired boy shouted as they left.
Ianto smiled and went back to his work, three hours passed before the door opened again. He looked up from behind the counter and smiled at the young woman that walked in. She had long dark hair that was wavy. It was pulled back for the most part but loose strands bordered her face. She stopped in front of the counter and looked up at Ianto. When Ianto looked at her, he felt a familiar and slightly ominous feeling. She had pale skin and freckles littered her face, making her bright blue eyes pop. His eyes traveled downward, noticing her clothes. A simple white sundress. He could not escape the feeling that she was familiar though. Ianto walked around the counter and stood in front of her, smiling. "Hello." He noticed her give him a faint smile in return but she said nothing. "Have you ever been to Cardiff before?"
She shook her head. Ianto noticed the girl had an amazing capacity to maintain eye contact. She never looked away, and when he did, her eyes would follow. "Well then… There are a lot of interesting place to look at." He smiled at her and extended his hand. She took it and shook his hand lightly. "I'm Ianto Jones. Welcome to Cardiff, Miss…."
"Lily Morgan," she whispered. Her voice was soft, her accent told Ianto she was from London, or around London.
Even her voice had a familiar air to it. It took a moment, then it hit him. He stared at her, almost dropping the paper pamphlet in his hand. "Lily? Lily Morgan?" He studied her and smiled after a moment. "You're hair's different, darker." She smiled and nodded. "Oh god… Lily." Memories flashed through his head as he wrapped his arms around the small woman.
Canary Wharf, London - Six months earlier-
"Jones." Ianto looked up when he heard his name called. He was a junior researcher, nothing more, for Torchwood 1. "Ianto, this is Lily Morgan. She's a researcher, archivist for us. She's new here and I want you to show her around." Ianto nodded and did just as he was told. Ianto stood next to the girl. She had pale skin and a freckle covered face. Her long brown hair, left down had blonde highlights in it.
Ianto smiled, the girl smiled back. "My name's Ianto. Its nice to meet you Lily." She smiled at him and nodded.
It was like that for months. Every morning Lily would walk into work, walk passed Ianto. He would say hello and she would simply nod. Everyone there thought she was a freak. She hardly spoke to anyone, except Ianto. She spoke to Ianto from time to time. Ianto remembered that day, it was chaotic. He found Lily before he found Lisa. He remembered telling Lily to run and not look back, just keep running. He saw the list of the dead and missing later, when it was over. Lily was listed among the missing. Ianto wanted to look into it, to contact her family but she had none. He hoped she was alive, but did not dwell. He did not know her that well and had more important things to worry about. He had Lisa to worry about.
Now Lily was there in the tourist center, in Cardiff, and she was alive. Ianto held her close to him and could feel her shaking. It had been almost two months since the battle, yet she still held the scars. She was shaking, terrified. "Shh," he whispered to her. "It's okay, Lil, you're safe." Ianto looked down at her, resting his hands on her shoulders. He locked eyes with her. There was strength in her eyes and fear hidden behind them. He knew why she was there. She wasn't just looking for Ianto, she was looking for Torchwood. The same way he had been. "Lily, I want you to wait outside. I'll be out there in a few minutes all right?" She nodded and Ianto led her outside. He then walked back in and made his way down to the hub, and Jack's office. "Jack…"
Jack had just shoved an entire donut in his mouth. Ianto stopped in the doorway and raised an eyebrow. "Yesh," Jack asked, though it was almost impossible to understand.
"Umm.. I uhh… How did you fit that… No… I don't want to know. Umm… There's someone you need to talk to sir."
Jack finished eating the donut and stood slowly. "There is? There are a lot of people I need to talk to Ianto. You're going to have to be more specific."
"She's from London."
Jack smiled, leaning against his desk and crossing his arms over his chest. "A girl? Ianto you don't need my permission to date someone…"
"Not what I meant sir," Ianto answered with a small smirk. "She's from Torchwood London sir."
Jack stood straight and his face hardened. A seriousness took over the man's features. "Ianto, don't think because I hired you, that I'm going to start taking in Torchwood London's leftovers. This is not a refugee camp."
Ianto nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I understand sir. Just, talk to her for five minutes sir. That's all I ask. Five minutes."
Jack considered it then sighed and reluctantly agreed. As he followed Ianto out of the hub he turned to the young man. "What's her name?"
"Lily Morgan." He took a deep breath and smiled somewhat fondly as he remembered the girl. "She was a researcher and archivist for Torchwood 1. One of the best. She stored all of it in her head, remembered everything. Give her five minutes sir."
"Ianto, we have you to do the archiving."
"Just five minutes Jack. Please." He looked to the older man, pleading with him. That day when he told Lily to run, he promised her if she ran she'd be safe. He'd look after her. Ianto had learned quickly, after meeting Lily, that she was far from normal. There was a lot going on in her head and she did not know how to sort it all out. She needed someone there to look after her. He promised her she would be safe, and this was his chance. He found her name among the missing and thought he failed her. Then she wandered back into his life and this was Ianto's chance to make things right.
They entered the tourist center then walked outside. The brunette girl was standing, waiting for Ianto. She had a small blue hoodie on over her white dress, her hands shoved into the coat's pockets. Lily looked up at Jack and Ianto approached her. "I doubt she remembers everything Ianto," Jack mentioned as they got closer.
"Captain Jack Harkness." Lily smiled as the man approached. He seemed shocked that she knew his name. "I was granted security clearance to the highest level in Torchwood's archives sir."
Jack nodded slowly and laughed. "Well then. You must be Lily Morgan."
"Yes, sir. Captain Jack Harkness. You were… recruited, by Torchwood because you spoke of the Doctor. In 2000 you became the leader of Torchwood 3, based out of Cardiff, Wales and you've also lied on several occasions about the size of your -"
"Well, I think that's quite enough," Jack said quickly, interrupting her. He found it very unsettling how much this girl knew about him. He could tell, looking in her eyes that even in that list she was withholding information. Jack had no idea what her reasoning was though. "And I never lied about that."
"As interesting as that is sir," Ianto interrupted. He pulled Jack to the side and glanced over at Lily. "She's… complicated. She really shouldn't be out there on her own and I told her that I would keep her safe. She is good at what she does and better at keeping secrets. I'm not asking for you to give her a job Jack, just a chance. She could be freelance or something. Only when we need her."
Jack sighed loudly, crossing his arms over his chest once more and he looked over at the girl, who was watching them intently. "This is not a job Ianto, think of it more as an…. Internship." He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "She is your responsibility."
Ianto smiled and nodded. "Yes sir, of course. Thank you." Jack walked back inside and Ianto approached Lily. "Hey." He brushed one of the loose strands of wavy brown hair behind her ear. She was still trembling. "Lil… Its all right. They're all gone now and no one is going to hurt you. I promise. Come on," he looked down at her and smiled. "Lets go meet the team."