Old Friends.
By Ceefax.
"Ianto!" The Doctor bounded across to envelop the startled receptionist in a hug. "No, wait," he pushed him back by the shoulders, "Torchwood? As well?"
"Do you two know each other?" Jack asked, a little petulantly.
Ianto took a step back and smoothed down his clothes. "We did. A long time ago."
"Very long time ago." The Doctor stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. "Whole other life."
"And you never mentioned this?"
"I can only advise you to contemplate pots and kettles, sir. If you'll excuse me..."
He turned to go, but the Doctor seized his arm. "Oi, hang on a minute... Torchwood?"
Ianto raised an eyebrow, a 'what of it?' look on his face.
"And that seemed like... Hang on..." He paused, and stabbed an accusing finger at Ianto's chest. "What are you doing here?"
Ianto straightened his back and folded his arms. "This is where you left me. No, sorry, this is when you left me. Give or take a few years."
"Oh. Really?"
"Yes."
"Ah. Sorry about that. To be fair, I did have a few other things on my mind."
"Er... Just out of interest, when was he supposed to leave you?"
"I did get the place right, at least. I'm sure I did."
"Yes, you did. It wasn't a great comfort at the time. 1814, sir. As opposed to 2001."
"Well, right place, that's something. I could give you a lift back now, if you wanted?"
"No, I think I'll stick where I am, thanks,"
"Yes, you do seem to have gone a bit native."
"It was that or find a dark corner to rock back and forth in. Would you like a cup of tea before you go?"
"Am I going, then?"
"I think you'd better. I promised myself if I ever saw you again I'd break your nose. I've restrained myself so far."
"Ah. In that case, I'd love a cup of tea."
Jack edged closer to Ianto and took his arm. "Just to clarify - you're from the nineteenth century, and you travelled with the Doctor?"
"I was born in 1794, so technically I'm from the eighteenth century, but aside from that, yes."
"I think we might need to have another little chat about keeping secrets."
fin