Ianto and Cerys talk about everything and everyone. What secrets will they share?

We'll take the High Road – part 2

'So radio or CD?' Ianto asked. They were about the same age Ianto thought so he hoped they'd share the same taste in music. Perhaps Cerys was a bit older; Ianto didn't like to ask her age and he hadn't had time to look at her records.

'Radio 2 will do for me unless you hate it. I'll listen to anything as long as it has a tune; I can't stand rap or hiphop!'

'I think I can just about cope with Radio 2. At least I won't have to listen to Glen Miller's greatest hits; Jack loves his big band stuff.'

'He's an interesting man in more ways than the obvious. I can understand anyone falling for his charms. How did you two get together?'

Ianto was negotiating his way out of Cardiff towards the M4 at that moment. 'Hmm,' he thought. 'I'm supposed to be finding out about her not the other way around!'

'It's a bit of a long story, Cerys and to begin with neither of us came out of it well. I had a girlfriend, Lisa who worked with me at Torchwood London. When the Cybermen came she was caught and half converted. I persuaded Jack to take me on in Cardiff and managed to hide her in the basement for quite a while. I thought I could find a way to bring her back; I was wrong. The team found out about her and …' Ianto hesitated for a moment.

'It's alright Ianto, you don't need to tell me everything,' Cerys explained.

'No it's okay. They killed her; she was out of control and I couldn't save her. I thought that was it; I thought I was dead or that I'd be retconned back to childhood almost, but Jack let me back. He was kind to me and things changed between us. I guess there had always been an attraction. I'd never really considered that I might fancy men before. I wasn't exactly adverse to it but there was something about Jack. He never pushed me though. I knew what he wanted but it was me who propositioned him. At first it was sex – good sex – in fact very good sex.' He saw the smile pass across Cerys' lips.

'I know, but then after Tosh and Owen died things changed. He needed me and I realised that I loved him. Believe me no one was more surprised than me. Then the 456 came and I died, at their hands, in Jack's arms. The Doctor saved me and finally, Jack admitted we had something. It's hard for him being immortal; if he allows himself to love someone, he knows that he is going to have to watch them die.'

'I can see that. I can also see how you are with each other and believe me I know a few people who'd pay for tickets. Hell,' she said catching his eye. 'I probably would as well!' Ianto tried to ignore the comment and indicated his intention to get on to the M4. The traffic was moving well, which wasn't always the case at this time of the morning. He deliberately didn't respond to her previous comment and there was no way that he was going to tell Jack.

'So Cerys, you said you'd been married once,' he asked hoping to steer the conversation away from him and Jack.

'Yep, I was married for all of six months. I got caught up in the romance of the thing. Patrick was my best friend. Somehow we thought it would be a good idea to get married. Our parents wanted it and it made sense but, and I know you're not going to believe this, we didn't have sex before the wedding, well not properly.'

'Hmm, you don't have to tell me every detail,' Ianto stressed.

'Oh it's alright. I'm over it now and Patrick is much happier with his current partner; we're still friends as well. The problem was that he'd been lying to himself, and to me.'

Ianto suddenly realised what she was getting at as he indicated left to go on the roads up through the Welsh borders.

'Ah, I see; he needed a beard and you weren't prepared to do that. I thought that only happened if you were in show business!'

'No, it happens if you're from a religious family as well. Did you love Lisa or were you always gay?' Cerys asked pointedly.

'Wow, don't hold back from the difficult questions, Cerys. I loved Lisa; I risked everything to save her and, by the way, I'm not gay. I'm not sure what label I'd put on it. Jack says it's ridiculous how we label everything and everybody. Jack doesn't do labels, at all at least as far as relationships are concerned. Let's just say that he's had a colourful past. So, since Patrick, has there been anyone else that mattered?'

'Now who's asking the personal questions? I'd never have guessed you were a gossip, Ianto,' Cerys teased.

'Just curious; I think Cy is rather taken with you!'

'I'd need stilts. He's at least a foot taller than me. Let's just say it's going to have to be someone special to get my interest. What's this Archie like then? I don't suppose there's any chance that he's medium sized, handsome and looks good in a kilt?'

'Well, its funny you should say that,' Ianto explained. 'He's about 5ft 8ins and he often wears a kilt. He's also on the wrong side of 60. He's training up his assistant to take over from him.'

'Any chance he fits my requirements?' Cerys asked.

Ianto slowed for the lights at Monmouth. He looked around before answering, caught up in his surroundings. 'It's lovely here. The river Wye is really beautiful. Some of my ancestors were boatmen around here when the only way across to England was by boat. Have you seen anything of Wales since you've been here?'

'Not much,' Cerys confirmed. 'And his assistant; you were going to tell me.'

'Ah, well, SHE might meet your criteria depending on how broadminded you are,' Ianto smirked pulling away again.

'To be honest I've never really thought about it. Is it compulsory to be flexible if you work for Torchwood?'

Ianto gave her a quick smile. 'No, but in my experience it helps!'

'Hmm, don't think you're going to get CCTV footage of me and Johnson any time soon but,' she added mischievously, 'if you and Jack make me an offer you never know!'

As they swerved slightly, Cerys continued, satisfaction at having perturbed Ianto showing in her tone. 'Do keep your eye on the road. I expect that the M5 will be a lot busier than this. Let me know when you want me to take over.'

Ianto decided it was best to stay away from personal stuff. 'This programme you've created, what does it do and how do you think it will help us?' he asked.

Cerys spent some time going through the details of the programme she'd invented. They slowed down on the M5, sometimes moving in fits and starts, meaning that Ianto had to concentrate more. The traffic crawled along as they reached the M5/M6 junction.

'Have you seen much of Britain,' Cerys asked. 'I would imagine that Torchwood keeps you too busy for holidays!' I must admit this is my first time in England, except for going to London. I know, it's mad and I've been all over the world but I've only really seen some of the countryside in Ireland and Wales. There's more greenery here than I expected there to be.'

'I can't remember the last time I had a holiday. Jack wants us to get some time alone and go somewhere. It would be so much easier if you didn't have to travel to get to places. It could be like Star Trek and you could just be transported. No more road trips and no more need for any forms of transport. We could save the planet overnight. Jack used to be able to travel through time using his wrist strap. He was a member of something called the Time Agency. Gwen found the strap after the Hub was blown up. I'm sure that Jack would love to travel again, but the Doctor stopped the wrist strap doing that.'

'What's he like this Doctor?' Cerys asked. 'I've picked up a few bits on line of course and seen some pictures. He changes doesn't he and travels in a blue police box? You've met him haven't you?'

'Bloody idiot,' Ianto shouted as someone cut in front of him. 'What is it with Audi drivers; they think they own the bloody roads. I hope it's not going to be like this for long.'

'The Doctor?' Cerys continued.

'Where do I begin? I've only met the new one; he's the eleventh regeneration. He's young but old at the same time. He's a bit mad and all over the place. His thoughts skip around at 100mph. it's hard just keeping up with him. He saved me by taking me to the future after I'd breathed in the virus sent by the 456. Then he brought me back to Jack. Without him I'd be dead.'

'Odd that he was there at the right time,' Cerys said. 'But lucky he was!'

Ianto was silent for a bit as if he was thinking.

'I'm going to close my eyes for a while,' Cerys said. 'Find somewhere for lunch, will you; Charnock Richard or Lancaster services seem the most likely.

'Yeah, okay,' Ianto replied. The idea of it being lucky that the Doctor happened to be there tried to nibble at his thoughts; he wasn't sure why but it made him uneasy. He pushed those thoughts away and started to hum quietly to the radio as the miles passed by.