AN: Chapter 3. I want to thank my very lovely beta Taamar. She is sent from above. And she knows how to keep me sane. For the most part. Yep-yep… anyways let the drama continue….

Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood or Doctor Who.

Warning: Slash, mentions of prostitution, mentions of death, implied torture, and probably about a million more things.

Rating: MA

Spoilers: Doctor Who- The Empty Child.

The Space Ship of Hell…. Year unknown...

Ianto was unsure how long he had been in the tiny cell this time. His captors only came when he was needed. He wondered where Sabina was, if they had done the same things to her. He closed his eyes and went through his memories trying to find one to get him through the next hour or so. Most of the memories he relived in his mind involved Jack, but sometimes he would think of Jason. His guardian's intense and often brutal training was the reason Ianto was surviving this mentally, and he knew it. He would give anything to tell the man that, to wrap his arms around him and apologize for all the times he had thought Jason didn't care. It was clear now that Jason cared. So clear.

Sometimes his memories would drift to Ruby. He wondered if she grew to be an old woman. Of course, he knew one day he would find out, but he was so far in the future now that everyone he had known then was gone. Well, all the normal people. Even his princess. He turned his thoughts to a vision of her asleep sprawled out in the middle of his bed. He had laughed at the time, wondering how someone so little could take up so much space. He felt his lips curve into a small smile. It felt foreign on his face.

He looked up at the white wall and conjured a memory of Jack in his mind. His lover would smile, and Ianto would imagine his words of support and affection. In his mind it was so real that Ianto would reach out to caress the other man before remembering. He wished it was real.

The sound of the food tray being passed into the cell through a small rectangle hole pulled Ianto away from his contemplation of Jack's features. It wasn't ever anything appetizing, but that didn't matter. Though his body didn't show it, Ianto was starving. He ate the slop happily; it would be a while before his next meal came. It was always a while.

Earth Danvers, Massachusetts 1931

Salem Village Rift was the oldest active Rift on earth. The Children had records of its activity dating back to the 1500s and while, when Ianto had first heard of it, he had assumed that it was the cause of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, it wasn't. No, that had been caused by bored teen girls and ignorant adults.

To any normal human it would seem that the number of cars and people at the current residence of Adrian Lefebvre was just the man holding some sort of party, or maybe a family reunion. In reality it was an important meeting of officials from all the current Rifts. It was time to pick the new Minister.

Russell Smith had announced five years before that he would be retiring from his post as Minister. He had been in charge for well over one hundred years and he wanted to learn how to grow roses for a while. Five years notice allowed quite a lot of campaigning, and the competition had been fierce, but in the end it had come down to two candidates. Ianto… and his daughter.

Though she was only in her twenties, his little girl was fierce. She made Ianto's heart glow with pride.

Her facial expressions alone could bring a man to his knees, and her words, delivered in the voice of a child, were devastating in their precision and dry wit.

"Are you ready for this, old man?" Bethan grinned at her father.

"I think the bigger question is are you ready?" Ianto replied from his chair just outside Adrian's dining room.

"Of course I am," she grinned, then kissed him on the cheek.

"May the best man win," Ianto teased, patting his daughter on the back. He knew he was going to win, of course.

Bethan rolled her eyes.

The door to the dining area open and Adrian stood in the doorway, his face impassive. "We've reached a decision."

Bethan and Ianto walked into the room. There was a wooden booster in Bethan's spot. She scowled at Adrian, and he quickly removed it. "Apparently she still hates me," He whispered to Ianto as he pulled the chair out for him. Ianto just shrugged.

The departing Minister cleared his throat and waited for everyone to turn their attention to him. It didn't take long; he was an imposing man. Though he appeared to be only 18 he was, in actuality, over five hundred years old, and he commanded the full force of those years in his eyes. In his beautiful bright green eyes that made Ianto long for Jason.

"Bethan, you have made so much progress, so strong, so independent, and only twenty-five years under your belt. It is quite impressive. But our other option is the man who raised you to be strong and independent. We need his experience. We have chosen David as our new Minister." Russell looked at Ianto and smiled. "I'm sure you will do us proud, Mr. Carter."

"Thank you sir."

TW-TW-TW

"Hello Minister," Brody Ianto's current charge said when Ianto opened the door to his hotel room.

"And how do you know I got the job?" Ianto asked, taking in the view of Brody's lean body stretched out on the bed. He was dressed because Ianto had thus far turned down all of the twenty year old's advances, but it was clear he was dressed to impress. His brown hair was mussed alluringly.

"Oh, just a hunch. Want to celebrate?"

"You're playing with fire kid," Ianto warned, heading to the bathroom in the suite.

"It sure is a hot fire, though."

Ianto rolled his eyes at his own reflection. His eyes caught the scar on his cheek. He looked like Iden. In reality he had looked exactly like Iden for a while, but now as he stood in front of the mirror as the official Minister of the Rifts he actually felt like Iden. He pulled off his shirt so he could get ready to shower.

"I like the tattoo." Ianto heard Brody say. He turned to look as the kid asked, "Where did you get it?"

Ianto didn't want to think about the tattoo. He was turned to face Brody, but all he could see was a doctor in a white coat flanked by rhino soldiers. In his mind he could hear the machine that they had strapped him to, could smell the burning of his own skin, and could feel the pain as if it was real and not just memory.

Ianto shook his head to remove the dark thoughts. "It's not a very fun story," he said, answering his charge's question. It was best not to tell him. Chances were that Brody wouldn't have to deal with anything like that, and even if he did, knowing wasn't going to help.

"Do you want some help in the shower?"

Ianto smiled and put a hand on the back of Brody's head. "You're not shy are you?"

Brody shook his head. Ianto grinned and pushed the kid out of the bathroom.

"You'll give in," Brody called through the door. Ianto rolled his eyes again and started the water for his shower.

TW-TW-TW

"Are you angry?" Brody asked when Ianto came back into the main area of the hotel room after his shower.

"No," Ianto replied.

"When will you give in?"

Ianto sighed. "What is it you want, Brody? You want me to show you how it's done?"

"I just want to be with you," Brody replied.

"Why?"

"You're the only one that's ever cared about me."

Ianto looked at his charge with sad eyes. He understood. He knew the loneliness, the isolation, and the desperate longing. How could he not take what was being offered, and give back whatever he could? He sat next to Brody on the bed and kissed him gently.

Earth France 1936

"You can't be serious, Minister; we can't just leave the country." A very distraught Mia complained.

"I'm very serious; all European Rift Children will be going to America until the end of the war. All males will be serving in the war. All as American Volunteers. This is not negotiable."

"Why should we fight in a human war?" Max interjected. Ianto wished he could relocate the man, but he knew he couldn't, not yet. And right now Ianto's patience was stretched even thinner; Brody had left six months before and Ianto wasn't over it quite yet. Not that he ever would be, not with the words that had passed between them.

"We are human," Ianto sighed.

"We are evolved humans. You don't see them getting involved in monkey wars."

Adrian let out a small laugh at Ianto's side. Ianto looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Monkey wars?" Adrian giggled.

"Are all males to fight? Including the weakling?" Max asked.

Adrian's face went blank, and he tensed. Everyone was aware that Adrian had had a bit of a breakdown the previous year, but Ianto had been able to keep the true circumstances secret. The man had come to France to get a glimpse of his mother and it had left him unbalanced. His mental state had deteriorated until Ianto had been forced to intervene.

Ianto narrowed his eyes at Max. God he hated that man. He got up from his seat and walked over to the man who constantly tested him and bent down so he could whisper in the man's ear. "Right now I need you. But someday, when you've outlived your usefulness, I will put a bullet in your head and you will regret the way you've acted. Because sometimes my aim is a little shaky, and it might take me a few tries. I suspect it will be… painful."

The color drained from Max's face, and Ianto's eyes glinted in a feral smile.

Earth 1941 London

Ianto sat down next to Adrian at a corner table. It had taken a lot to get the two on the same squad for the war, but there was no one else Ianto would rather fight beside. They sipped their scotches in silence as they listened to the live music.

"I saw Jack," Adrian blurted.

"Oh," Ianto replied. He knew Jack was in London, he had seen him a few times. It was possible that he was stalking him a bit.

"You already knew didn't you?" Adrian accused.

"No." Ianto said, lying terribly.

The song "It Had to be You" came to an end and a man wearing a leather jacket got on stage.

"That is not of this century," Ianto whispered, nudging Adrian so he would look toward the stage.

"Time traveler," Adrian mused.

"Yeah, we should follow him."

"What, why?"

"Would you take 'because I'm the Minister and I said so'?"

"Probably not," Adrian sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Come on, it could be fun."

Adrian reluctantly nodded.

TW-TW-TW

"Go away," the man in the leather coat bellowed, looking back at the spot where Adrian and Ianto thought they were discreetly following him.

"Who are you?" Ianto asked.

"I'm The Doctor," the man replied.

"Really?" Ianto said in disbelief.

"Yes. Now I don't have time to deal with Rift Children at the moment, I'm trying to find my friend."

"Hear that, Ianto? We should leave him be."

"What's your friend's name?" Ianto asked ignoring Adrian.

"Rose."

"Oh… She's very pretty; I met her once, kind of. She was on a monitor. Seemed nice."

The Doctor stopped walking and looked back at Ianto.

"What's your name again?"

"David Carter," Adrian answered before Ianto could.

The Doctor looked toward Adrian. "And yours?"

"Alistair Williams."

"Alistair. That's a name. A good one, too." The Doctor smiled. "Okay, it was nice meeting both of you, but as I said, I don't have time."

Ianto and Adrian watched the Time Lord walk away. Ianto tried to follow but Adrian wouldn't let him. "We need to let him do whatever he came to do."

"You're a spoil sport." Ianto pouted, but he knew his friend was right. It would be too risky to follow after the Time Lord. He'd be meeting Jack soon, and Ianto knew he couldn't be there for that.

Of course, once he saw Rose Tyler hovering above the city he decided to throw caution to the wind. There was no way he could resist at least taking a look at the Chula ship he'd heard about in Jack's stories.

"Come on, it's a space ship, we have to take a look. You've never seen one."

"You said you didn't like space ships," Adrian pointed out.

"but…" Ianto pouted.

"If we get caught it's on you, you understand that."

Ianto nodded. And an hour later the two were in Jack's space ship.

"Nanogenes," Ianto squealed like an excited school girl.

"What do they do?"

"Heal."

"So, useless to us."

"Well, yeah but they are still pretty cool."

Adrian nodded. "Yes, fascinating, we have three minutes before the alarm comes back on."

"Yeah, Yeah," Ianto said opening a drawer that was under the small bunk Jack slept on. There was a photo of what must have been a young Jack with his family. Ianto decided to take it. He remembered Jack saying that this ship got blown up. Maybe when he finally got to be with Jack again he could give the man the picture.

Ianto stumbled backwards when Jack materialized in the ship. Ianto could tell by the man's eyes that this wasn't the Jack who was with the Doctor, the one who belonged in this ship, it was the immortal Jack!

"Oh, hello," Jack said as Ianto and Adrian stared at him in shock "Is this the wrong ship?"

"No," Ianto said trying to avoid the glare that was coming from his best friend. It was one that said 'I told you this was a bad idea.'

"And there it is, exactly what I was after," Jack chimed plucking the picture from Ianto's hand. "Not that it matters, but may I ask why the two of you are here?"

"How about we discuss it over coffee?" Ianto suggested.

"hmm… In a private hotel room?" Jack leered, looking down Ianto's body with open appreciation.

Ianto blushed. "If it would please you," Ianto said suggestively.

"It wouldn't please me," Adrian muttered under his breath.

TW-TW-TW

"This is nice," Jack chimed when he walked into the room that Ianto had acquired.

"I try," Ianto smiled, opening the bottle of scotch he'd ordered from room service and pouring two glasses. "Would you like a drink?"

"Yeah," Jack smiled, looking out the window. "So, are you and Alistair Time Agents?"

"No, just got stuck in the wrong era," Ianto replied, dropping his own special blend of Retcon into the glass he would give to Jack. He took both glasses and walked over to where Jack was standing. Jack took the glass and took a sip. "What about you?"

"Oh… Well, I don't think we have enough time to discuss me," Jack grinned.

"No, I'm sure there are better things we could be doing with our time," Ianto breathed moving a bit closer to Jack.

Jack swallowed the rest of his drink in one swig. "Oh, I couldn't agree more," he leered placing his now empty glass on the window sill and closing the gap between Ianto and him. Ianto set his glass down too so he could give his full attention to Jack. He wanted to cherish this stolen time with his lover even if his lover wouldn't remember it.

Jack pressed his lips gently against Ianto's, but the kiss didn't stay gentle long. Soon it was all tongue and teeth and clothing was being ripped. Ianto felt a need with in Jack, as if the man knew how important the Welshman would be to him one day.

It didn't take long before both men were moving as one on the bed. Ianto was moaning uncontrollably as Jack moved inside him. He kept his eyes open staring intently at Jack's face, not wanting to miss a moment. Finally, the two came together, with Ianto crying Jack's name.

"You're fun," Jack grinned, as the two lay side by side catching their breath.

"Thanks."

"You should come back with me, to Cardiff. You could work with the company I work for."

"Let's talk about it in the morning, you've tuckered me out," Ianto whispered, turning in the bed and wrapping an arm around Jack.

"Yeah, I am feeling rather tired," Jack yawned. That would be the small bit of sedative that Ianto put in his Retcon, a trick he had learned from Jack in the first place.

Ianto stayed until he was sure Jack wouldn't wake, and then eased himself out of the man's embrace. He kissed Jack's temple and said softly, "I'm sorry. I miss you." He took the picture from the familiar coat and then, with one glance back at Jack's sleeping form he left the room.

Earth, France 1946

Ianto found the whore house easily enough. Inside lived the young Adrian, only 14 years old and already being sold. Ianto paid the fee and steeled himself for what he was about to see. In the lavish bedroom Ianto found the boy, naked. Young Adrian looked like a child. He was thin, shivering, and covered with bruises. Ianto grabbed a robe off the chair beside the bed.

"Put this on," he told Adrian, keeping his tone calming.

"Have you come to do what the others do…" the boy asked in a shaking voice.

"No, I've come to give you hope. To let you know that it will end."

Earth, France 1951

Ianto stood across the street from the place that had housed his best friend in his first life. Adrian stood beside him trembling slightly. Ianto pretended not to notice.

"So your plan is to kill him?" he asked.

"Yes," Adrian answered. "And no one invited you to the party."

"I could command you to leave."

"Then do it."

"Adrian, killing him will mean that he won. It won't change anything."

"It will prevent him from hurting anyone else."

"Do you know the rule?"

"I'm prepared. There's no one I trust more than you to make it painless. A third life sounds great. Like you said in Mexico, remember? Third time's the charm."

Ianto felt tears coming to his eyes. While he knew he could never relocate Adrian, no matter that it was the penalty for a Rift Child committing murder, the fact that his friend was ready for that was painful.

"You said you wouldn't leave me."

Adrian looked over at his friend. "That man is responsible for all the shit in my life. He deserves to die. He deserves to suffer."

The door to the home opened and a priest walked out. "That's the one who killed me," Adrian said.

"And you're letting him walk free?"

"Yes, he released me from my hell."

Ianto nodded and watched as the priest walked away and out of sight. Adrian started across the street. Ianto followed. "If you're going to do it I'm coming with you."

"Suit yourself."

Adrian opened the door and walked into the home. He ignored the butler who seemed beyond shocked to see him and went straight up the stairs. Straight to the room where the Master of the home lived. He kicked the door open.

"Adrian, why aren't you in your room!" the man inside yelled in French.

"I am in my room, Master," Adrian replied then calmly pulled a gun from his pocket. "I am dead in my room. The priest strangled me."

"You're talking crazy. Put the gun down, my love, we can discuss this," The man tried.

"You never loved me!" Adrian yelled.

This was new, Ianto thought.

"Of course I do, my love. You make me happy, you are my prized possession."

Ianto pulled out his own gun and cocked it. No one called his friend a possession.

"I've not been able to let anyone really love me. Because every time I try I see you. Haunting my dreams!" Adrian looked at Ianto and lowered his own gun. "You're right, he's not worth it." he turned to leave the room Ianto followed behind him.

TW-TW-TW

Ianto sat on the bed in Adrian's hotel room and watched the man pack his clothes.

"Did you think that you loved him?" Ianto asked.

"No," Adrian replied.

"Oh."

"I know I loved him," Adrian continued and then he threw the shirt he was holding on the ground and placed his hands over his face. Sobs began to shake through his body. Ianto got off the bed and pulled Adrian into his arms. "He's ruined me."

"No," Ianto cooed. "You're worth a hundred of him. A thousand."

Adrian adjusted his position in Ianto's arms and put his arms around Ianto's waist. He looked up into Ianto's eyes.

"You think so?"

"Yeah," Ianto smiled.

Adrian leaned forward to close the space between their lips. Ianto pulled him closer, running his fingers up the Frenchman's spine and relishing the shiver that coursed through him. Adrian's lips parted slightly in invitation and Ianto darted his tongue over them. The kiss deepened. Adrian's hands slid up under Ianto's shirt, brushing lightly across his nipples. Ianto gasped and drew back to look into the other man's eyes. And when their gazes met the both realized-

"Oh…shit, I'm so sorry…" Adrian exclaimed, pushing away.

"It's okay, don't…" Ianto stammered.

They stared at each other in awkward horror until, suddenly, the tension broke and they started giggling. Giggles progressed to full out laughter, and they fell onto the bed together.

"You're a great kisser," Adrian commented.

"Thanks," Ianto replied. "It was… quite a kiss."

"Oh… this is going to be awkward for a while. I don't have, you know… those feeling for you," Adrian explained.

"Yeah, of course, I know," Ianto nodded. "It's fine. Just… let's not talk about it, yeah?"

"Good," Adrian yawn, turning in the bed and grabbing Ianto's hand. "Thanks for coming today. I couldn't have not done it without you."

"What are best mates for?" Ianto replied, squeezing Adrian's hand gently.

The Space Ship of Hell… Year unknown…

Ianto heard his door open and he scurried to the farthest corner of the cell as if there was some sort of safety there.

"Ianto," Sabina said looking in, "We've really been rescued this time."

Ianto took in his friends face and wanted to weep with happiness. She was heavily pregnant but she looked well. He rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Iden?" came a familiar Australian accent. Ianto's head whipped around, startled. There stood the last person he had expected to see. Aria.