Title: The Chronicles of an Affair
Author: enchanted nightingale
Beta Reader: pussycatadamah
Disclaimer:The characters do not belong to me. I only use them in my plot for fun.
Timeline: Before Ianto works for Torchwood One in London. I'm not sure about a timeline for Doctor Who, probably mid season 2?
Summary: The Doctor takes Rose home and decides to pop out for a bit. Enter Ianto Jones, the Doctor's companion for one hell of a trip that will change his life.
Pairs: Ianto Jones/10th Doctor (friendship), Ianto Jones/ Jack Harkness (later on)
Chapter 3
…Barcelona, the Planet, 35th Century AD …
Ianto was staring. Next to him the Doctor had to give him a jab to the ribs to start him out of it.
"Don't stare," the Doctor berated the human.
"I'm sorry, it's just… the dogs have no noses," Ianto squinted at a poodle that walked by.
The Doctor giggled. "Amazing, isn't it? That's Barcelona for you!"
"I still cannot believe that they named a planet after a city," Ianto shook his head. "Does this mean that the dogs have no sense of smell?"
The Time Lord frowned. "I had not thought of that!"
Ianto rolled his eyes. "Well, as long as they play 'fetch'…"
"Let's try that!"
… The Portuguese Inquisition, 1578 AD …
They were running again. And it was not an easy thing to do. The cobbled stone street was slippery with snow and grime.
"That way! They went that way!" the guards were yelling.
The two companions picked up their pace.
"Quick! In here!" was all the notice they had.
It was a split second decision. They entered the house. The door closed behind them and they came face to face with a large family.
"Hello," the Doctor waved at them.
The children shrank away.
"Stop smiling," Ianto told the Doctor. "All those teeth."
"Right," the alien replied. "You know, I still cannot believe you managed to convince me to tour Europe during the Inquisition."
"I said Asia! Not Europe!" Ianto told him.
"Oh! My bad. Still, real witchcraft!"
"Really?" Ianto asked. "I thought you said magic was impossible, that it's really all science."
"It is," the Doctor confirmed. "I bet there's an alien stirring up trouble again."
"I know what that means," Ianto sighed.
"Aren't you glad I made you wear trainers?"
Ianto was too tired to glare.
"So!" The Doctor asked the people. "I'm grateful for your help, even though the Inquisition is after us. Lots of bravery. But I cannot help but wonder… Why? Unless you are also wanted by them. So, what is it you did? Witchcraft? Bigamy? Refused to be converted? What?"
"Will you shut up?" Ianto asked the Doctor. "My head is killing me."
The alien frowned. He saw Ianto reach up to hold his hand and the palm coming away bloody.
"Oh, dear," the Doctor muttered. "That's not good at all," he said worriedly.
… TARDIS…
The Doctor hated having his Companions hurt. Ianto with his sarcasm and teasing comments and Welsh accent was a lot of fun. Seeing the youth bedridden made the Doctor feel guilty.
"It's just a concussion," the young human had assured him. "I've gotten one before."
Still the Time Lord worried. And he continued worrying even after Ianto was on his feet, healthy again and ready for more.
…The Banana Groves in Villengard, 51st century AD…
"Really?"
"Really."
"I'm sorry, but it's difficult to believe," Ianto told the Doctor.
"You really like opposing me, don't you?"
Ianto shrugged. "It makes a vein pop on your forehead."
The Time Lord glared at Ianto but the human shrugged it off. They both knew they were using teasing comments to rile each other up. Ianto would mock the Doctor, the Doctor would respond and the fun would begin.
"I cannot believe you blew up a reactor. People could have died."
"I had the factory evacuated!" the Doctor defended himself.
"I believe that. But how come a banana grove grew here? And for that matter, how come bananas exist in other planets?"
"You didn't think Earth is the only place in the universe that has bananas, did you?"
Ianto shrugged. He knew it was a silly thing to think so he let this go. "So, do they taste any good?"
The Doctor's eyes lit up. "Boy do they?" he said. "Come on!"
Ianto ran after him.
…The Library of Carsus…
The planet of Carsus was hot and humid. The solar system it belonged to was much smaller than the solar system Ianto's Earth was part of. It has five planets, Minerva, Schyllus, Tessus, Lakertya, Molinda, and two more, lifeless outer gas planets named Hollus and Garrett. What really made Ianto love this place was pentagonal Library of Carsus.
"It's beautiful," Ianto commented.
"Yes," the Doctor agreed, a sad look on his face.
"Have you been here before?" his companion asked.
"Hm, a lifetime ago. I had a friend here once. Professor Rummas. Great man."
"Human?"
"No, Time Lord."
Ianto wisely did not mention that the Doctor was a Time Lord as well. He had learned by now that the Doctor was the last of his kind. The particulars were not known to Ianto yet, but the youth knew the reason had to be really bad, so he left his friend alone, no pestering or asking questions.
"What kind of guy was he?" Ianto asked instead.
The Doctor smiled and started telling a story involving Rummas, one of the moons of Korpal, a party and plenty of alcohol.
They stayed in the Library for a while. The Doctor remembering the past while Ianto explored one of the best libraries in the universe.
…TARDIS...
They were laying low for a while. Ianto had caught a cold of all things and had a light fever. The Doctor had decided his adventures could wait and was keeping him company. The young human had asked the Doctor if he was the first companion he had. It was how the Doctor told Ianto about Rose. Then he recalled all the others. It was how the TARDIS had provided the two males with a photo album. The Doctor sat next to Ianto, looking at pictures. His past incarnations were in them as were all his companions.
Amy and Tony Baker.
Ben Jackson and Polly Wright.
Serena.
Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart.
Dear old Marmaduke.
Liz Shaw.
Sarah Jane Smith. That wonderful journalist with a sharp mind and a taste of adventure, much like Rose.
Romana, in a couple of her incarnations.
K9.
Nyssa of Traken.
Thomas Brewster
Tegan Jovanka.
Adric.
Melanie Bush.
Peri Brown.
Roz Forrester.
Kroton, the only Cyberman the Doctor did not outright kill.
Grace Holloway.
Samson and Gemma Griffin.
And there were many more. Dear friends. Sad moments. Happy times. Bitter memories. Regrets. Love and Friendship.
"And this is Rose, Rose Tyler," The Doctor told Ianto. She travelled with me through my ninth incarnation. We had company at some point. There was Adam, nice lad, not too bright I'm afraid. He did a stupid thing. And of course, Jack. Oh! I never knew I had a picture with Jackie and Mickey. This is Rose's mother and Mickey… boyfriend, of a sort."
Ianto smiled at the dislike and fondness that were on the Doctor's face when he mentioned the last two.
"Jackie hates me. Mickey too," the Doctor said. "They think I put Rose in danger."
"After meeting you, Doctor," Ianto told the alien. "I would follow you to the end of the world. And I bet Rose would too."
The Doctor smiled.
…Kill Devil Hills, North Caroline 1901 AD…
Ianto was positively jumping with excitement. Next to him The Doctor was not any better.
"I cannot believe Wilbur," Ianto commented.
"I know!" the Doctor replied. "They are way ahead of schedule."
"It better not crash," the human sighed. "Still, the Wright Brothers never thought I'd meet them."
"That's what you do with a time machine Ianto, meet people."
"I thought one saved the world."
The Doctor smiled and bounced on the balls of his feet. "That too, that too."
… The Crinoth Rock Sea Belt…
The space ship they were riding on was a merchant ship that had been hit by the space debris. The Doctor had stayed to help the captain and the crew.
"The least I can do," he had told them.
Ianto, unable to help, had just sat by and watched the beautiful sight of the debris circling the sun.
Later, after the ship was fixed and Doctor and Ianto were back on the TARDIS, the human had asked the Time Lord about it.
"I was much younger then," the Doctor commented. He had been on his fourth incarnation then, travelling along with one of his kind, a Time Lady, Romanadvoratrelundar, Romana for short.
"How old are you?" Ianto asked then.
"Sometimes, I feel like I'm ancient. Others… like a little child."
"Today then…"
"Ancient," the Time Lord replied.
…TARDIS...
"I haven't been in the kitchen in ages," the Doctor admitted.
"I can tell," Ianto told him. He opened another cupboard. "Found them!" he exclaimed and pulled two cups out. "Rinse them please?"
The Doctor complied. "I'm still not sure. I like tea."
Ianto gave him a small smile. The coffee was soon ready and he poured two cups. He liked his with one sugar and he knew the Doctor had a sweet tooth so he added three sugars for him and banana syrup. The Time Lord tasted it reluctantly. After that he had Ianto make him a second cup.
…Jewel of Staa Crafell, 27th century AD…
"It's beautiful," Ianto breathed.
The Doctor smiled.
They were standing in the TARDIS. The door was open and they were looking at the view of the space outside.
"Are we going there?" Ianto asked.
The Doctor thought back on the Sycorax and their Armada invading the Earth not long ago and the way he had defeated their champion and ordered them not to approach his favourite planet.
"I'd rather not," the Doctor told him.
"What did you do Doctor?"
"Protected the Earth, made an enemy, the usual."
"Onwards then?" Ianto asked.
"Onwards!" the Doctor called out.
…Cotter Palluni's World, 32nd century AD…
"Lightning Skies," the Time Lord sighed at the sight.
They were standing under a dome. The sky was alight.
"I never even imagined something like this existed," Ianto whispered. "The universe is really beautiful."
The doctor smiled.
Right then a scream was heard.
The two men looked at each other.
"The Professor is dead!" followed soon after.
"I thought we were in lockdown," Ianto said to the Doctor.
"We are until the electrical storm passes," the Time Lord agreed. "Let's go see, shall we?"
"I feel like Watson," Ianto said as he followed after the Doctor.
"Funny you should say that," the alien with the two hearts said, a small smile on his face.
"What?" Ianto leaned closer.
"Let's figure this mess out and you will find out my curious Mister Jones," the Doctor promised.
…London, Earth, 1900 AD…
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Oh, yes!"
Ianto let a whoop of joy and hugged the doctor. "You are the best!"
"I know!" the Time Lord replied. "Now will you ring the bell?"
"Wait! What time is it?"
"Ten in the morning."
"Not that! I meant year."
"Hm, the century just turned so… 1900," the Doctor replied.
"He hasn't written 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' yet," Ianto smiled. "The last thing he wrote was Sherlock and Moriarty falling to their deaths at Reichenbach Falls."
"You really are a nerd," the Doctor commented.
"Should I mention your obsession with Banana's?"
"I'm not obsessed!"
Ianto snorted. "Right."
"Will you please ring the bell?" the Doctor asked.
"Just, let me gather myself. How do I look?"
"Your suit is great, relax."
"Thank you," Ianto told him. He raised a hand to knock but backed down again. "You know. There's still an outcry from him deciding to stop writing Holmes' adventures. I still wonder why he started writing again if he made his mind."
"Will you please knock on the door?"
Ianto sighed and knocked twice. Ten minutes later they were allowed to meet with Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle.
… Meta Sigma Folio, 73rd century AD…
"Oil on water you said," Ianto yelled.
"I'm sorry!"
"Bursts of star fire you said."
"Ianto!"
"You never mentioned giant fire breathing lizards."
"They're dragons actually," the Doctor replied.
"And we're food!"
"Just run!"
"I am!" Ianto yelled.
The two men, along with Syndra, from the dragon reservation were running as fast as their feet could carry them through the thick foliage, trying to escape with their lives.
… Knossos, 1690 BC…
"I feel odd, like I'm too dressed up," Ianto told the Doctor.
The Time Lord eyed the Minoans. "I've met cultures that were completely nude. This is nothing."
"You know, I've never been to modern Crete in Greece. I wanted to after college but … never mind. This is a fantastic opportunity. The palace is standing. The volcano has not destroyed everything yet. We get to see the labyrinth, right?"
"What myth was it again?" the Doctor asked.
"The Minotaur."
"Was it half man half bird?"
"No, half man half bull. The head being the part bull."
"Oh! It reminds me of this race, the Uxtolags…"
"Wait! You don't think that the Minotaur is in fact an alien, do you?" Ianto asked the Doctor.
"One way to find out."
Ianto sighed. "I knew you would say that."
…TARDIS...
"Ianto?"
"Hm?"
"Still reading that book on the Shadow Proclamation's rules?"
"It's interesting," Ianto replied turning another page.
The Doctor nodded absently. The human had eidetic memory already and he could ready pretty fast. Whenever they were not running and saving people Ianto was reading. Nothing too incriminating about the future either, that was why the Doctor was not stopping him.
Ianto looked up from his book.
"You want something," he eyed the Time Lord curiously.
"Ah! You see I kind of miss your coffee."
The twenty two year old smiled. "I'll get right on it."
The Doctor grinned. "Don't forget the syrup."
"Like you would ever let me."
…Geornean Market Place, Orion's Belt, 49th century AD …
"A market place?" Ianto grinned.
"I figure you might find something not so blatantly alien from here. You have yet to buy any souvenirs or asked me to make your cell phone capable of dialling elsewhere in time and space."
"No one to call," the twenty two year old replied.
The Doctor lost his smile for a split second. "Well, this one is on me. Now come on! That stall has sonic gadgets. I forbid you to buy a gun by the way."
"I don't want or need one," Ianto replied.
They started browsing stall again when Ianto found 'it'.
"Good eye," the Doctor approved.
"What is it?" Ianto asked.
"A sonic key."
Ianto held the seemingly normal key. It was made of metal but the metal pulsed with a blue electrical light every now and then.
"It opens doors, locks them again, breaks codes on computers and makes light for the holder. Not good as my sonic screwdriver but it will do for you."
Ianto accepted the gift with a smile.
… Jurassic Park, California, Earth, 23rd century AD…
"That… Why am I surprised?"
"I really can't answer that," the Doctor replied.
"They really made dinosaurs out of old genetic material?" Ianto sighed. "That's crazy. And stupid. The movie was enough."
The Doctor shrugged. "All races try playing gods at some point. eugenics. Immortality. Eternal youth. Giving life to prehistoric creatures is hardly on top five."
"You want to visit the park," Ianto told him.
"Oh, can we? Last time I saw a dinosaur it was ages ago. During the Triassic period and then during Jurassic once. Not much fun, dinosaurs, especially when they hunt."
"I guess we can go. They better have Pterodactyls," Ianto muttered.
"I always liked the Stegosaurus," the Doctor commented.
… KL-8X9 Space Station, 53rd century AD…
"Ah! The artificial air of space stations. Got to love this!" the Doctor stretched as they exited the TARDIS.
"Why are we here again?" the twenty two year old man inquired as he took in his surroundings. He wore jeans this time and a pair of trainers just like the Doctor. He felt giddy, like he knew something big was about to happen. "Weren't you aiming for Suleiman's court?"
The Doctor looked troubled. "I was but the TARDIS brought us here. That's way off. Centuries off."
"Something big is about to happen then," Ianto realized.
The Doctor checked with his watch. "Oh!"
"Is that a good 'oh' or a bad one?" the youth demanded.
"Let's find a window," the Time Lord told him.
Ianto jogged after him.
"What planet is that?" he asked after he caught up with the alien.
"Earth."
Ianto blinked. "That fog, you can hardly see the planet!"
"That wasn't supposed to happen."
"What exactly?" Ianto asked.
"The sun is expanding," the Doctor explained. "That's early. Much too early."
"Okay, then how do we stop the sun from expanding?" Ianto asked.
The Doctor turned to his companion. "You don't think that's impossible?"
"The only impossible thing in this universe is you Doctor. And I mean that in every good way possible."
The Time Lord smiled.
… Egypt, New Kingdom, 1425 BC…
The Doctor and Ianto was watching, partly horrified, partly interested as Pharaoh Tuthmosis III was being readied for his burial, or more accurately, the man's mummified body.
The priests of Amun Ra were all around them. Ianto kept an eye on the ceremony. Their party was soon going to begin the trek from the Temple in Karnak they were in towards the nearest pyramid.
"Hello," the Doctor muttered as he took in a wall of hieroglyphics.
"What?" Ianto asked with a bit of dread.
"That right here is Haitian."
"Is that supposed to mean anything to me?"
"Explorers of space. I never knew they had reached earth, not before now," the Time Lord admitted.
"Good explorers or bad explorers?"
"Well, they had the bodies of humans and heads of animals, usually amphibians, like toads…"
"Or crocodiles?"
"Yes, but some of them were bird like."
Ianto pointed at a picture of Amun Ra.
"Oh," the Doctor said. "That's not good."
"I was afraid you would say that."
…TARDIS...
"I need a vacation," Ianto declared after he collapsed against the TARDIS' closed door alongside with the Doctor. "First I'm running away from hungry dinosaurs then from a strange fire creature that nearly fried your brain. Now, we had Attila at our heels. And before all then we had that Minotaur…"
"He was an Uxtolag," the Doctor corrected.
"Him," Ianto agreed. "Trying to eat us. Then those dragons escaping the reservation, the Judoon going on strike before that…"
"Wasn't really a strike just…"
Ianto sighed. "My point is that we nearly died today. Again."
"You were fast. What about me? That sword nearly got my head," the Doctor complained. "Ruined my haircut!"
"That's the last thing you should be worrying about," Ianto told him.
"Alright. You need a slow planet, not much drama. I think I've got just the place. How does GAIA XIV sound?"
"Like an RPG game," the Doctor's companion quipped.
"It's a solar system. The jewel of it is a planet called Idryll IV. With a race that is monastic, none aggressive and telepathic."
"Sounds interesting," Ianto agreed.
"I'll set the course then," the Time Lord told him. "But first, a pick me up?"
"Fine, after my feet are done killing me I will start a new coffee pot."
"Bless you!"
End of chapter
Links to some of the places, things and people named in this chapter. Generally, write the first part up to 'wiki' and then '/' and the name you want to search for.
Planets and Places:
Villengard: h t t p : / / t a r d is . w ik ia . c o m / w ik i/ Vi l l e n g a r d
Carsus: h t t p : / / t a r d is . w ik ia .c o m / w ik i/ C a r s u s
Crinoth: h t t p : / / t a r d is . w ik ia . c o m / w ik i/ C r in o t h
People and Aliens:
Sycorax: h t t p : / / t a r d is .w ik ia . c o m / w ik i/ S y c o r a x
Romana: h t t p : / / t a r d is .w ik ia . c o m / wi ki / R o m a n a _ II
Also:
Minotaur: h t t p : / / e n . w ik ip ed ia .o r g / w ik i/ M in o t a u r
I made quite a few places and people up, so if you do not recognize something, it's mine.
Also do not forget to take the spaces out of the addresses
