Merry Christmas everyone!
Just for the record, I hate how this last bit came out and I promise there will be no hard feelings if you flame me. My inspiration ran away to other ideas, so this one was sort of left out, but I really wanted to have it finished so TADA!... Still, I hope you'll find it readable, even if it doesn't compare to its prequels *teardrops*
Disclaimer: don't own it at all!
One day left… Just one day…
Just a little bit more than 24 hours and Ianto would be back… back in Cardiff, back in the Hub… back in our bed… Jack Harkness let out a growl, as his train of thought took a wrong turn yet again.
It had all started the day after his return from Glasgow. He had expected that Monday to be a calm and quiet one for some reason, hoping he'd get the chance to sit back in his office and quietly relieve bits and pieces of his amazing Scottish weekend, that had had absolutely nothing to do with Scotland, except the fact that it had occurred there… or rather in a hotel room in Scotland. But no, reality just had to make an appearance and bite him in the back for the "time off" he had dared to take in order to run to the opposite side of England and calm down his already calm lover. Therefore, the day from hell had followed suit:
Martha had left and gone back to London (after yet another set of apologies); Weevils had started some kind of celebration in the sewers, which at some point migrated above ground (thus making a serious dent in Torchwood Three's stock of Retcon pills, as probably half of Cardiff had required "special attention"); Gwen had announced her pregnancy, throwing the whole team in a bit of a frenzy, seeing how she had chosen to wait and nearly be strangled by a Blowfish before letting out the big secret; and Owen had picked an even worse moment to pounce on Tosh and give her one "helluva" kiss, startling her into unconsciously sending the entire Hub into lockdown for 24 hours.
Yep, not the best Monday…
Therefore, when he woke up after that dreadful day, after the lockdown period expired and he sent the whole team as far away as possible, he decided that some changes were necessary in order for him to survive yet another set of 720 hours without his beloved… and his coffee… and his suit… and his arse…
He growled again, brows furrowing in concentration, blue eyes tightly shut and mind trying to flee as far away as the Pleiades. He was currently sitting down on the floor of his office, feet crossed in front of his him, hands fisted on each of his knees, nose smelling the sweet fragrance smoking out his living quarters, ears listening to the waves of the sea.
"I don't know what's sillier. Him trying to meditate, or him trying to meditate with sea sounds on the background. After all, were in a base below the bloody sea level. Can't he just get out on the Plass or something?" Owen glared at his computer screen as he corrected for the umpteenth time a report on the latest dissected Weevil.
"Leave him alone. If that's what it takes for him to stay put for one more day, then let him be." Tosh gently admonished him from her seat several feet away, a small smile on her lips and fingers running over the keyboard.
"And shouldn't the scent be salty, ocean-like or something? You know, so it could match the sounds?" his irony was apparently having a field day… or a field month, considering the moment when Jack had begun his daily meditation sessions.
"I told him that too, but apparently he wanted something to remind him of Ianto… and apparently Ianto isn't salty." Tosh turned away from her work as she spoke, smiling widely upon seeing the medic's reaction.
"Ugh, I did so not want to hear that, Tosh!" he groaned loudly. "When tea-boy gets back from his trip, he is so owing us a night out filled with alcohol and stories about how abstinence turned Jack bloody Harkness crazy… Wait a minute. You mean, he's got those scented sticks from you?"
"Yeah."
"Well, why don't you ever bring any over to my flat?"
"I thought you liked the smell of leather and plastic." Her brows furrowed as she sent him an inquiring look.
"Yeah… but I wouldn't mind something else… so pick something out." He rolled his chair towards her and gently nudged her left knee with his right one.
"You trust me with picking a fragrance for you?"
"I trust you with a lot more than that." He smirked and started moving even closer.
"What if you don't like it?"
"Tosh, you're perfect when it comes to computers, sushi and blanket-hogging… and that's just to start with… I'm sure I'll love it." His words ended up being whispered just in front of her lips, which he occupied a second later. One minute into their snogging session, loud alarms filled the previously ocean sounds-filled air, forcing the couple away from each other and a kimono-clad Captain out of his office.
"What is it?"
"Rift spike." Tosh answered breathlessly.
"It's got to be something big for the alerts to go mad." Owen allowed the computer genius to do her thing, but still kept close.
"Uh-oh. Jack, you're not going to like this." Tosh interpreted all the chaotic signs flashing on her screen and glanced apologetically at her leader.
"How bad?"
"The monitor just picked up John Hart's wristband signature."
Approximately 40 hours before his "official" return from Scotland, which was probably bound to be celebrated with an evening out with the entire Torchwood Three team and inordinate amounts of sex with Jack over the prolonged weekend, Ianto Jones stumbled through his flat's entrance, along with several bags packed with laundry and souvenirs. Although he had arrived two days earlier than planned, he had no intention whatsoever of announcing his presence in Cardiff. After all, if the following days were going to be, even remotely, as "busy" as he imagined, then he would need all the sleep in the world.
Therefore, he calmly started about his flat, unpacking his suitcases, putting the laundry away, ordering some take-out, taking a long shower, eating said take-out and generally enjoying the rare peace and quiet, his last hours away from the general chaos that was Torchwood Three. And away from Jack. Although he had to admit that the Captain had acted admirably, for once actually keeping himself out of trouble and not giving in to temptation, he didn't want to offer the immortal a reason for not completing the two months of abstinence (minus the short interlude following the first month, of course). And he also had to admit that he was curious as to how Jack had managed to pass the test and stay put.
Unfortunately for our young Mr. Jones, all the housework and thoughts regarding a certain immortal kept him too busy to notice a silhouette circling the area, checking out the block and lurking in the hallway shadows, just outside his front door, for the better part of his first day back in Wales.
"Dammit! He's not answering my call!" Jack let out a very frustrated shout in the middle of the Hub as his wristband failed to make the connection to John Hart, startling Myfanwy in mid-flight, during her daily twelve o'clock exercise around the water tower, and earning himself a very annoyed and equally loud "squawk".
"Jack, shouldn't we at least call Gwen and let her know? Judging by what happened last time, we don't know whom he'll come after." Tosh asked while trying to pin-point Hart's exact location.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. She'll want to come down here and help." Owen grumbled, walking up from the autopsy bay, where he had filled quite a number of syringes with various sedatives, tranquilizers and poisons, not to mention the cocktail of different blood types he had previously concocted during Hart's first visit.
"Yeah. And with her being pregnant and all, she really needs to stay put. I'll call Ianto though. See if he can get here a bit earlier, just in case we'll need a back-up plan." Jack took out his mobile and dialled his lover. "Hmm, no answer." He commented a moment later, but began pushing some more buttons. Finally, a voice answered his second call. "Archie! Can you please put Ianto on? We might have a situation here and I need to inform him of…" he trailed off as the chief of Torchwood Two took over the conversation. "When? Are you sure? You're not making fun of me, are you? Damn… Thanks anyway." He shut the phone and stared at his two subordinates.
"What? Don't tell me he's got a cold from all that "Nessie-tracking"." Owen groaned. "I told him what to do if he ever got himself thrown in a lake by some prehistoric aquatic lizard… again."
"Jack? Where's Ianto?" Tosh stood up from her computer.
"Ianto left Glasgow yesterday. Apparently he's been in Wales for a day already. Tosh, can you track his car?"
"I'm on it." She sat down again and started typing furiously, not minding the two men suddenly hovering over her. A minute later, she got two results from both her searches. Unfortunately, the result was the same. "Oh God. Jack, Ianto's car is at his flat… and so is Hart."
"Let's go."
For the first time in weeks, it was a perfectly sunny and warm day in Cardiff. As far as Jack had considered about three hours earlier, the weather had perfectly heralded his beloved's return home. Now, however, he hated the sun for the simple fact that it shone, making people get out of their houses and fill the streets, creating a relatively chaotic traffic and prolonging his drive to Ianto's flat more and more.
"You know, driving someone over would just ruin this day even more. We'd actually have to stop, assess the damage, assist the victim and probably never even get to Ianto's block, let alone flat." Owen pointed out from next to him, while holding onto the seat belt and door handle for dear life. Behind them, Tosh kept an eye on the two signals from the back seat computers.
"I know, but I can't help it. If John does anything to Ianto…"
"Yeah, yeah, we know and we're totally with you on this one. But you won't be any good to Ianto from behind bars or, worse, dead."
"Don't worry, I always come back from that." Jack spoke jokingly and even sent a slightly hysteric smile down the medic's way. Owen just cringed.
"You might do that. But we don't. And I'd appreciate it if Tosh remained in one piece after this drive."
"My, my, Owen. Haven't we grown protective." The Captain smirked, eyed on the road and hands gripping the wheel.
"Shut up, Harkness." He grumbled.
"And reverted to teenage years too. What's next? Pimples?"
"Guys! Focus!" Tosh finally exploded from her seat, trying to distract the two males from each other, especially after hearing the immortal's teasing and the medic's growls. And in her experience, such reactions never led to anything good, particularly while on a mission. "Second street on the right."
"I know, Tosh." Jack rolled his eyes and pulled at the wheel, making the SUV let out painful noises.
"Alright, now that you've probably alerted the whole neighbourhood, we'll have no problem whatsoever at sneaking into the building and catching Hart red-handed."
"Leave him, Owen." Tosh calmly warned him as the three got out of the finally halted car and made their way towards the building. Several minutes later, after an almost MI-5-like breaking and entry, Jack nearly destroyed Ianto's front door and the team stumbled into the flat, taking in the very unusual view of Captain John Hart slacking in one of Ianto's large armchairs and watching a home-shopping channel.
"Damn, you're early." John groaned at the sight of them, weapons out and pointed at him, but didn't make any move otherwise.
"What are you doing here and where's Ianto?" Jack growled, stomping down to the armchair, putting his Webley away and snatching the other former Time Agent up by his shirt collar.
"I was sort of hoping you wouldn't notice eye-candy's absence for a couple of days, but it seems you're getting better." The blonde man smirked, but once more didn't struggle.
"Tosh, check out the flat. Ianto!" Jack shouted.
"Don't bother, he won't hear you."
"What have you done to him?" Jack demanded and started shaking the lighter Captain.
"Only if you kiss me first." Hart smirked and made his first attempt to wiggle, somehow managing to lower his face to his former partner's. However, their lips never made contact, as Dr. Harper's hand shot out and covered Hart's face, keeping it away from Jack.
"Thanks."
"Not doing it for you, mate." He grimaced.
"Jack!" Tosh called out from the bedroom. In a heartbeat, both men let go of Hart, running towards the bedroom. "He's asleep and I can wake him up." She looked up at them, distress present in her eyes. They were both all over the young archivist in a second.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't wake up for a week." Hart's lazy drawl came from the doorway, halting the three team-mates in their efforts to bring their young colleague back to consciousness.
"And why wouldn't you?" Owen demanded, left hand already holding a tranquilizer-filled syringe, ready to be thrown at Hart's face.
"Because the idiot took a whole dose of Angel Dust." he explained and Jack groaned loudly.
"I'm going to kill you, John." He let go of the Welshman's hands, got up from the bed and turned around menacingly. "And how exactly did Ianto get Angel Dust?"
"Look, I just need your help with this one thing and I'll be out of your hair."
"Explain yourself, John, and be grateful that I don't shoot before asking questions."
"Fine!" the blonde conman sighed and sat himself next to Ianto's feet, while Tosh and Owen resumed their examination. "I've been here for some days now and, judging by the fact that you've already found me, I'd have to guess that there's been a Rift spike."
"You camouflaged your signal."
"Among other things… which included finding out Mr. Jones' nest. I asked around and found out he was away, but about to return… It's just that he came too early. I didn't have the time I needed to setup the décor to this meeting I have tomorrow."
"You mean, scam."
"Whatever you wish to call it. I was going to kidnap your Mr. Jones and use him to make an arrangement with you… of course, I was going to use Miss Wonderful Eyes at first, but I couldn't find her and I figured that you might come, even if it was your just your gofer…"
"Dammit, why does everyone think that about me, Ianto and Gwen?" Jack growled in annoyance.
"Because that's the impression you generally leave… well, you used to… anyway…" Owen shot back at him.
"Not your gofer then…" John concluded, turning around and staring at the body beside him with surprised eyes. "Now that you mention it… not bad at all…" he ran weighting eyes around Ianto's body, failing to notice the rough hit coming towards the back of his head. "Ow!"
"Keep talking!"
"Fine… I needed your protection for a couple of days… while I'm closing this transaction. Long story short, I wanted to knock him out, but he saw me coming, put up a fight, then drugged himself into oblivion when he realised he was caught."
"Right… Owen?" Jack turned towards the medic.
"Deeply asleep, but stable. We should probably get him to the Hub. I'd like to run some more tests."
"See?"
"Me? Sure! You? Arguable." He announced and proceeded with punching the living days out of his former partner, under the almost shocked stares of his subordinates.
"Hey guys, what did I miss?" A three-month pregnant and not-yet-showing Miss Cooper, future Mrs. Williams, walked into the Hub approximately five hours after the whole debacle, regarding the former Time Agents and their sleeping archivists, had ended with Ianto being deposited on the autopsy table and John Hart getting thrown back through the Rift, to some random place and time.
"Ianto came back early and John Hart made an appearance. We were on the edge of panic for a while there, but it came out alright." Tosh explained straight-faced, not even bothering to look away from her report. "They're in the Autopsy Bay." The Welshwoman nodded and walked hurriedly towards the said place.
"What happened?" she asked from the high railing, staring down at Ianto's unconscious body placed on the cold table.
"Sleeping Beauty here decided to get the reins of fate in his own hands and get us rid of the evil sorcerer on his own." Owen answered with a smirk, not minding the glare coming from Jack's blue eyes. "Unfortunately, as the fairy godmother wasn't around, he got himself pinched with the magic needle and fell into a deep sleep. The problem is that Prince Charming's kisses won't be enough to wake this one up for a while, so we'll have to accommodate him for the time being."
"But he'll be alright..."
"In a couple of days… sure." He answered and turned to Jack again. "Remember, no snogging the unconscious man." He warned jokingly, but failed to miss a heavy swat over his head. Muttering and rubbing a hand over his newest injury, the medic finally turned away and climbed the stairs. Behind him, Gwen remained still for a few moments, observing Jack's hands as they gently made their way around Ianto's face, neck, upper body, arms and hands; mapping out his features and holding onto the slow, but steady pulse.
"So, Ianto Jones, tell us how it feels to be back in the land of the living." The next Friday evening found Jack Harkness and his beloved strolling down the Roald Dahl Plass, as they walked away from the Tourist Office, finally able to enjoy some time together… just the two of them.
On Wednesday night… or Thursday morning, practically, the archivist of Torchwood Three had finally woken up from his week-long slumber, only to slide down from the couch he had been placed on, which was much more comfortable than the hard metal autopsy table, and discover that his muscles were a tad bit too painful to be used so suddenly.
"Quite good, actually… Alive." Ianto answered, his left hand idly playing with Jack's right one. He suddenly halted, just as they passed by the water tower, and looked up at him. "Thank you."
"You don't have to say that, Yan. You know I'd do anything for you… to make sure you're alright… away from trouble." The Captain wiggled his eyebrows, earning a lovely smile from his lover. Now both his hands had come up to play with Ianto's.
"That's got to mean something: you, keeping me out of trouble. What's next? Supremacy over the coffee machine?"
"No…" he answered quietly, eyes glancing down at their joined hands. "I'd never dream of fighting you or anyone else over that. I was more like thinking of supremacy over Ianto Jones." He looked up, staring right into the young man's baby blue eyes, almost making him miss the cold little circle climbing up his fourth finger. But, as usual, the Welshman's keen senses didn't fail to miss anything.
"I didn't say yes." He warned the immortal quietly, challenging him with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I did pass the test… and with flying colours."
"You're still six months of grovelling away…" Ianto cautioned.
"I know… but I was thinking that… while I do my grovelling… you might enjoy this as test-ride…" he explained and raised the hand now holding his ring up to his lips.
"Hmm… I thought this was an arrangement for two. Where's your ring?"
"Right side pocket." Jack answered without even blinking and watched as a surprised Ianto extracted a small box from said place. "What can I say? I used to be a conman… and it's your own fault for getting for distracted during our…ummm… Archive research sessions." His grin turned into a full-scale perverted leer as a deep blush exploded in his lover's cheeks.
"Are you sure you understand what this would mean?"
"Would I truly have gone through two months of torture and a week of hell if I didn't?" he turned serious again and presented his own left hand. Ianto smiled, opened the box and pulled out the ring.
"I love you, Jack." He spoke as he placed the ring on the designated finger. Then, obviously satisfied with his work, he grinned at the immortal, gave him a heated kiss, then pulled away. "May the grovelling begin."
So, that's it with the "Hour" series. However! I would like to know how you would feel about an AU featuring tailor!Ianto.
For now though, thank you for your patience and attention. Your humble author shall wish you Happy Holidays and retired until further notice *bows as the curtains drop*