PF Chapter 2

Anger flared in Ianto's eyes as he walked within inches of Jack. "You went behind my back?"

"Would you have given me permission?"

Ianto just stared.

"Didn't think so."

"How long have you known, Jack?"

"A couple of weeks."

"Weeks?" Ianto was horrified. "You had no right, Jack. Just because we're…."

"Lovers?" finished Jack.

Ianto stormed out of the office, slamming the door.

Gwen looked up, watching as he descended the stairs and headed for the sliding door.

"Ianto!" Jack called after him. "Wait!"

Ianto wasn't listening.

Gwen brought up the CCTV cameras dotted around the Bay. "He's headed for his car."

"What did you say to 'im, Jack?" asked Owen.

"I've found his father."

"He's dead, Jack," said Gwen.

Jack shook his head. "No, he's alive."

"And you went and found 'im. Nice one, Jack." Owen walked to stand by Gwen and look at the monitors. "Where's 'e off to, I wonder?"

"If I had to guess, I'd say his flat." Jack said, putting on his greatcoat.

"Let 'im be. Haven't you upset 'im enough for one day?"

Jack ignored Owen and headed for the secret lift.

Once up beside the Water Tower, Jack headed for the Red Dragon car park. He had a car parked there and was going to use it to follow Ianto. It had a tracking devise and Ianto's car was fitted with a monitoring chip.

Manoeuvring the car out into traffic, Jack turned the tracker on. Ianto was headed towards Cardiff town centre and maybe his flat.

Keeping a safe distance, Jack regretted making his lover so angry. How could he possibly have thought Ianto would want to know where his father was. Ianto saying that he was dead was a clue that he didn't want anything to do with him. But still Jack had persisted.

Big mistake, Jack

Turning his attention back to the road ahead, Jack pulled into St Mary Street and then Westgate Street.

He's going to his flat

Ianto parked his car, locked it and went into the nearest bar. Great thought Jack He's gonna get smashed

Parking his car, Jack sat and waited for Ianto to come out of the bar. Two hours later, Ianto almost fell out.

"And don't come back!"

Ianto made an obscene gesture with his finger, before staggering towards a side road that lead to the back entrance to the flats he lived in.

Jack got out of his car and followed him.

Ianto was just turning the key in the door as Jack walked up behind him.

Ianto smiled.

That'll be the drink Jack thought

"Come to baby sit me? I don't need you, Jack. I am quite capable…."

The door opened and Ianto almost fell through into the hallway. Jack caught his arm, steadying him. Ianto pulled away.

"What do you want, Jack? Sex is out of the question."

Jack smiled. Cute, Ianto. Very cute "What happened at the bar?"

"You were there? Course you were." Ianto walked into the living room, chucked his keys on the coffee table and sat down on the sofa. "Difference of opinion."

"Right."

"Mmm. Rugby," Ianto laughed. "I think."

A tear appeared in his eye. "Why, Jack? I put my past behind me. Why?"

Jack sat beside Ianto. "I'm sorry. I thought….I don't know what I thought." He rubbed his lovers back. "I thought you would be pleased."

"No. Rhiannon will be pleased and she'll hate me for telling her he was dead." Ianto began to cry softly.

Jack took him into his arms, stroking his face. Kissing his hair. "I am so sorry, Cariad. I had no idea."

"Nobody ever….truly loved me….until you."

Sshh. It's okay. I'm sorry."

Jack let Ianto cry until he was all cried out.

"Come back to the Hub with me. Let's forget about your father."

Ianto shook his head. "I can't," he lowered his head against Jack's shoulder. "Where is he?"

Jack hesitated for a moment. "Penarth."

"He didn't run far then." Ianto explained. "After the crash, he was different. He hated everyone, except Rhiannon. Mam, me, we were just there for him to snipe at. Finally he just up and left just before Rhiannon got pregnant. Man and I told her he died in a house fire in a different part of Newport. There was a body found. It was unrecognisable, but we knew it wasn't Tad."

"You don't have to follow up on this. I can just throw the address away."

"A part of me wants to know why he left. What did we do to make him leave." Ianto sat up, looking at Jack. "But most of me hates him."

Jack sighed.

"I was just sixteen when he left. Everything I did after that was for Mam. I wanted to show her that I wasn't my father's son." Ianto leaned his head back against the sofa. "I studied hard to make her proud of me I was recruited by Torchwood. Then you…." Their eyes met and held for a long moment. "Take me to him, Jack," was all Ianto said, before standing up and heading, albeit a little unsteady, towards the front door.

"No. Not in your state. Take a shower. Get something to eat. We'll go tomorrow."

Ianto nodded, knowing it was useless to argue.

Over the next hour or so, Jack sat in the living room while Ianto showered, moving to the kitchen while Ianto had something to eat. Jack declined any food but accepted the offer of coffee.

"I'm sorry I shouted at you back at the Hub. It was a shock, that's all."

"No apology necessary. I should've told you right from the start."

They both drank their coffee.

"Could you maybe, stay here tonight?" asked Ianto.

Jack smiled. "I'd like that," he said, reaching across the hable and taking hold of Ianto's hand. Their fingers entwined.