Title: When One Door Closes Another Opens

Author: Wereleopard58

Rating: FRAO

Pairing: Ianto/Clark, Lex/Tosh, Jack/Gwen (not intentional)

Spoilers: All of Torchwood and Smallville

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Torchwood or Smallville.

Summary : Ianto's heart is broken but being the man he is he continues working

Feedback. Would appreciate it but just hope you enjoy the story

N/B Clark is 23 and Ianto is 27. Clark stayed at the farm longer and never went straight to college.

Chapter Two

Lex stared at the man from Torchwood they were almost the same age but worlds apart. What was it about him that Clark latched onto.

Years ago Lex would have loved it to be him, he had the hugest crush on his best friend. It had turned to love, a best friend love. They had both missed the boat of being together it had sailed long ago.

"So Ianto if you are going to take Clark with you tell me a little about yourself?" Lex asked smoothly.

Clark glared at him. "You don't have to answer Ianto." He said softly.

Ianto smiled. "That's ok what would you like to know?"

"Well you work at Torchwood what about your personal life. Won't someone mind you coming back with Clark and him living with you?"

Ianto's smile faded. "Well apart from work I don't really have a personally life. I go out with my best friend Tosh and just before I came here I split up with my other half."

"Ianto I'm sorry." Clark reached out and took of his hand. "What happened if you don't mind me asking, you don't have to answer."

"Well it's best you know because you are going to feel the tension. I was seeing my boss Jack, he always had a thing for Gwen." Ianto looked at Clark. "She works with us as well, it was our anniversary and I had to help out Tosh. Jack and Gwen decided not to help and went out for a drink. When I got back to my flat there they were in my bed."

Clark squeezed his hand again.

"I'm sorry to hear that Ianto." Lex said quietly.

"Hopefully Tosh has got rid of the bed and brought me a new one. I couldn't sleep in it again. Lucky enough I have a spare room for you they are both the same size." Ianto laughed.

"Well how about we move your stuff into the spare room and I'll have yours that way you don't have to worry about remembering."

"That's a good idea, thank you Clark. You're 23 why are you at college?" Ianto asked.

"I didn't go straight to college I stayed and helped with the farm. Mom and Dad would never have managed without me. With Lex's help and his contacts they send a lot of produce at ridiculous prices to Metropolis. So they could hire some more hands. Things are going really well."

"How are they going to react to you leaving and going to another country?"

"Once I explain they will be fine, they knew it was going to happen one day." Clark laughed.

"What was going to happen?" Ianto knew he was missing something and it was definitely an important something.

Lex and Clark looked at each other.

"We're just coming up to Kent Farms sir." A voice said.

"Clark you explain to Ianto he deserves to know and I'll go in and explain to your parents ok?"

Clark nodded and they both waited until Lex smoothly left the limo.

"Clark, explain what?" Ianto asked as he turned to look at the other man.

"Ok you have to understand this makes no difference to you and who ever you end up with, ok?"

"Ok, so carry on."

"My AI told me that one day I will meet my mate and I will have to be with them whether it is friendship or more." Clark said quickly.

"And I'm your mate?" Ianto questioned.

"Yes you are." Clark said softly.

"I thought I felt something but I put that down to you being gorgeous." Ianto said with a grin.

Clark looked through his lashes and blushed. "Thank you." He mumbled.

"So what does this mean for you?"

"I need to be near you, not all the time obviously cause that would be very inconvenient. I will be ummmm over protective it's instinct so I should apologise for that in advance."

"I think we'll manage." Ianto sighed it was nice to have someone that wanted to take care of him, that would be able to do that.

The door opened and Lex poked his head in. "Everything ok." He watched the two men nod and noticed their still clasped hands. "Your parents would like to meet the young man that is stealing away their son." Lex laughed.

Ianto looked down at their hands, and let go of Clark's. "Sorry, Clark I'm not ready for any kind of relationship. So could we start with trying to be friends?""I'd like that Ianto, I'd like that a lot."

"That sounds like the start of a beautiful friendship." Lex whispered wiping a pretend tear from his eye.

XXXXX

Tosh put down the phone and shook her head. She couldn't wait to tell Jack this. Ianto had tried to call Jack but there was no answer.

She hadn't spoken to him or Gwen much since Ianto had been gone. She loved Jack he had saved her bit the two of them had broken Ianto's heart and she was finding that very hard to forgive.

Looking up she saw the two of them walking down from Jack's office. Jack had his mobile in his hand glaring at it.

"Tosh I can't get hold of Ianto he tried to call me?" Jack said.

Tosh hid her smile. "He's turned it off for the flight home."

"Oh so do you know why he wanted to talk to me?" Jack's voice held a little hope.

"Actually I do it's about Clark Kent." Tosh replied.

Tosh felt for him as the hope died in his eyes. "Did everything go ok with it?"

"Yes, actually it went so well Ianto's is bringing him over to live with him." Tosh said a sweet smile.

Jack and Gwen's jaws dropped as they both looked at her.

"HE'S WHAT!!!!!!" Jack shouted.

TBC