City of the Damned: The Morning After
Ianto Jones' Flat, Cardiff: June 7, 2011
Mira woke up groaning. Her head felt like it had been used as a punching bag by a very angry puma. She was used to waking up in unfamiliar bedrooms, but not so used to the smell of breakfast emanating from a nearby room. She smiled to herself.
"Awfully nice for a one night stand, this one," she mused out loud.
As if hearing her voice, Ianto walked in, a kind smile on his face. He handed her a cup of coffee, sweet with hazelnut cream.
"Good morning, cariad," he said softly, trying not to worsen her hangover. "Thought you might need a pick-me-up."
Mira beamed at him. No one had ever been so attractive as he was at that moment. "Oh God, you are a lifesaver."
She took a sip, her toes curling as the warm deliciousness flooded her mouth. "Mmm! I think you've ruined me," she said, a contented smile plastered on her face. "I may never drink normal coffee again."
Ianto laughed. "I get that a lot. Hang on, I need to check the eggs."
He left her alone with her coffee and her thoughts.
A few minutes later, he came back with a tray laden with all kinds of breakfast foods, including, Mira noted to her surprise, fresh-baked croissants.
She stared at him in awe. "You did all this? Well you are a rare one, aren't you?"
Ianto blushed slightly. "I just have a lot of talents is all."
Mira smiled lasciviously, stretching. "Perhaps later you could show me a few of them."
After they ate breakfast, Ianto suddenly grabbed Mira's left hand, enveloping it in his own.
"Now that you're awake," he said, staring deeply into her violet eyes, "I need to tell you something. It might come as a bit of a shock. I know it was for me when I woke up."
Mira stared at him in confusion.
What could possibly be so upsetting that. . .
He let go of her hand, and she realized in shock and more than a little horror that there was a simple gold band on her ring finger.
"Wuh. . .wuh. . . WUH?" she managed.
He grinned apologetically, flashing her his own matching band.
Mira stared at him.
"How drunk WERE we last night?"
The Star Galleon, in Orbit: Same day
John Hart opened his eyes slowly, his head throbbing. He felt like he'd been run over by a bus. He looked around groggily, seeing nothing but wooden planks and crates. As he tried to get up, he realized that he'd been handcuffed to the deck.
"Hey!" he called angrily. "Where am I? Hey!"
Susie stood behind him, out of reach of his arms, and legs. Hart was handcuffed in such a way that he couldn't turn enough to see her and was forced to talk to air.
"Morning lover," she crooned in a voice like poisoned honey. "Was it as good for you as it was for me? 'cause I gotta tell you, that was definitely one of my better experiences."
Hart could hear the amusement in her voice, but she hadn't moved from behind him. He couldn't hear any movement either, just a voice.
"I should probably remain calm if I were you mate," she continued with a sly chuckle. "My gift doesn't like stimulation too much and tends to react badly – like most women really."
In spite of her warning, Hart snarled and thrashed.
"What the fuck did you do to me, Aussie?" he cried. "I'm gonna —"
He barely suppressed a moan of pain as he felt sharp electric shocks coursing through his body. His head felt like it was going to explode.
He suddenly heard the sound of slow clapping behind him.
"Congratulations mate! You've just found out what happens when you ignore my advice!" Susie sighed wearily. "Listen carefully cause I ain't gonna say this again. My gift reacts to heightened Emotional states by short circuiting the nerve endings and causing your body to react as in pain. Oh, and it also fries your brain cells at the same time! Happy Birthday!"
Hart snarled at her. "You bitch. What did I ever do to. . . right. Bad question. Still, I thought you people were all about the high road and all that. What changed?"
"You people?" she asked, confused for a moment. "Oh right, you mean the Agency. Well, I think you pretty much answered your second question with the first one mate… you changed. At least, you blew up all the high roaders, 'cept maybe the dude from hell."
He sighed. "I'll have you know that was in self defense. The bastards you work for, they were going to cut on me. I had to look out for this sculpted frame, you know."
Susie gasped in mock horror. "Of course it was mate! You would have never killed all those guys otherwise!" She snorted in derision. :Puhlease bunny, shovel that crap in another direction will ya, it's making me nauseous!:
He rolled his eyes. "Do I really look like a mass murderer to you? Don't you realize that's what they want you to think? Did you ever stop to ask why I did what I did? Or why they want you to capture Jack as well, when he had nothing to do with this?"
He smiled as her eyes widened slightly. "You don't know, do you? What you were doing a year ago. Two years ago. You're just like the rest of them. Blind soldiers who jump when they say jump."
Susie walked around to stand in front of Hart, eyes narrowed as she searched his eyes. "What are you talking about? Last year I joined the Time Agency. before that I was doing… something else."
He smiled sadly at her, his eyes flashing with triumph. "Agent Susan Olivier. Time Academy Class of 5092. Graduated top of her class. Notorious for her wry humor, fiery personality, and long, passionate relationship with an upperclassman. Agent for, let's see. . . three years now. And you have no idea why I know you."
Susie slowly relaxed her stance, a cheeky grin making its way across her face. She reached forward and pinched his cheek, hard. "You know mate, you're pretty cute. Stupid, but cute! It's nice to know I haven't lost my touch!"
Hart bit at her fingers as they retreated. "Maybe not your touch, no, but your sanity. . . I'm not so sure about that. Now can you please untie me or at least make my damned head stop SHOCKING me?"
"Well, I guess that makes two of us then!" she crooned. "And unfortunately for you, I have no intention of doing the former, and nothing short of the antidote – or you controlling your emotions – is gonna fix the latter. Since I don't actually have the antidote on me right now…well, lets see how good you are at learning new things huh?"
He scowled at her. "I don't like taking orders, luv. Now what is it you expect me to learn?"
Susie sighed. "Well…no, you're right, you ain't gonna learn are you? Ah well." She pulled out her gun and aimed it at his head. "Let me fix the pain."
He thrashed, crying out in pain as his neurons fired at random. "Wait! Stop! Please! You crazy bitch! Ok, I'll do anything you say! Just don't kill me! Please!"
Susie rolled her eyes. "God you're such a baby aren't you? You know I can't let you live. Not if I want those around me to live as well anyway. And I can't believe a word you say so…Goodbye!"
She pulled the trigger.
Hart managed to shift himself enough to get the cuffs lose and rolled to the deck just in time. "What the hell is your problem?" he shrieked. "Stop shooting at me! I'll be good."
Susie didn't answer, just continued to fire at John as he ducked and dodged and eventually hid behind one of the crates. Suzie cursed as her gun ran out of bullets and she had to pause to reload.
Hart rushed her, pinning her to the ground. He chuckled. "That's better. I always did prefer to be on top."
He snatched her vortex manipulator and recovered his own. Then he removed his belt, using it to tie her to an iron ring on the wall. He smiled sweetly and waved at her.
"Well, it's been fun. Until next time, Aussie."
He vanished.
Susie banged her head against the wall behind her a few times, cursing multilingually. After one last hard thud she leaned against the wall breathing heavily. Then she slowly began to smile
"Wonder how long it'll take him to realize he's been chipped," she mused.
She quickly released her arms from the belt, then, whistling to herself, made her way to the storeroom for another vortex manipulator.
Torchwood Warehouse, Cardiff: Same Day
Gwen Cooper woke groggily to find a familiar face inches from her own.
"GAHHH!"
Ianto smiled warmly at her. "Sorry for startling you. It's just, you're sleeping on the gurney, and I need it."
Faith walked into the warehouse, but didn't see anyone.
"Gwen? Anybody here?"
Gwen hastily dismounted the gurney. "Sorry, Ianto. Just don't do that again, ok?"
"No problem," he chuckled, green eyes bright.
She smiled to herself. It was the cheeriest the Welshman had looked in months.
Ianto turned, hearing Faith's voice.
"We're in the med bay, Faith!" he called.
Faith walked over, smiling gently. "Good morning, Ianto, Gwen."
Ianto beamed at the girl. "And a good morning to you, Faith!"
Gwen nodded. "Morning, dear! Any leads on the mechasaurus yet?"
Faith sighed. "Not really, no."
Faith walked back to her desk, trying to see if she could find some lead on what was going on.
Ianto frowned at Gwen. "Mechasaurus? You mean, a robot dinosaur?"
Gwen smirked. "Yeah. Destroyed my flat yesterday. Sorry you missed it."
Ianto rolled his eyes. "Well, at least that explains why you're sleeping in the med bay, then. Do you want me to make you a proper bed?"
Gwen nodded, smiling warmly at him. "That would be lovely. But don't you have anything better to do?"
He smiled back kindly. "No trouble. Really. It's the least I can do."
Jack swept into the main room, looking about in exasperation. "Hello? Where is everyone? You people do realize we have a job to do, yes?"
Faith poked her head over where Gwen and Ianto were. "Um. Jack's here too, just so you know."
Her face screamed please be civil.
They looked at each other, panic on both of their faces. This faded to a synchronized confusion, asking each other and what are you so worried about? with their eyes.
Jack bounded through the door, stopping short when he saw Ianto there. "Oh. Good morning."
Ianto nodded. "Good morning, sir."
"We could have used you yesterday. We were almost killed by –"
"A robot dinosaur?" finished Ianto.
Jack looked at him in shock.
He smiled. "Gwen told me."
Faith was peeking from around the corner, hoping that a full out argument didn't break out.
Jack turned to Gwen. "Did you sleep ok? I know that Torchwood isn't the best place to catch a good night's sleep."
Gwen sighed, annoyed with his concern. "I'm fine, Jack. We should really get back to the issue at hand."
"I agree," he said, turning to Ianto, his eyes bright with emotion.
"What you said yesterday. You're right, you know. I've been a horrible leader, a selfish bastard, and overall not someone worthy of your respect. I could have done more to stop the 456. I should have done more. And the fact that I didn't just proves one thing: that I don't give a damn what you think of me. All that matters to me is that you're safe. I know you can't forgive me for what happened. But I could never forgive myself if you had died."
"Jack, I –"
Jack shook his head. "No. You don't have to say anything. It's better if you don't. I just wanted to tell you that you may not have any respect left for me. But I have nothing but respect for you. I believe in us, and I hope that someday you will again too."
Ianto coughed. "Jack, I'm married."
Everyone stared at him in shock.
"What?" exclaimed Jack. He was not expecting this.
Faith's eyes widened in shock.
Great….looks like a fight might break out after all…
"How can you be married?" asked Jack, confused.
Ianto smiled sheepishly. "Well, I was cross with you, and I had a bit to drink. . ."
"How much is a bit?"
"A lot. Enough that I woke up in bed with a beautiful girl and a matching set of wedding bands."
He lifted his hand to show Jack.
Jack sighed in relief. "Then you don't know if it's legal or not. I mean, you could get a divorce or –"
"What if I don't want to?" Ianto barked, glaring at him.
Jack stares at the Welshman in dismay.
Gwen coughed, walking over to Faith and listening with her at the doorframe. Privacy was one thing, but this was too interesting to miss. Faith looked up at Gwen and then back at the scene before them.
Jack rolled his eyes. "You can't be serious. Listen to yourself! You just met this girl in a bar, right? How on earth would that seem like a good idea?"
Ianto shook his head, adamant. "You don't understand. I've met Heather before. In London."
"London. When?"
And why does that name seem so familiar. . .?
Ianto smiled, remembering her as he had seen her then. An angel. "She saved my life the day Hart kidnapped me. Before you came. He'd poisoned me like he did to Gwen that time we met him. She brought me the antidote. Then left me there for you."
Jack stared at him in amazement. "But Ianto, what if she was conspiring with him?"
"I don't care," he replied curtly. "Besides, you can ask her yourself. She's meeting me for lunch."
Jack gulped. "Are you out of your mind? You're bringing her here?"
Ianto glared at him. "You never had a problem bringing your girlfriends here."
He glanced towards the door where Gwen was lurking. She hissed to herself.
"NOT. His. Girlfriend."
Jack clenched his fists. "That's different and you know it. Let's be honest here, Ianto. I don't exactly trust your taste in women. Last time you brought a girl here, she tried to kill us all and turn us into cybermen, remember?"
"Oh, great." mused Mira from the doorway. "Well, that explains a lot."
Faith jumped at the new voice, one she had never heard before…but it sounded so…familiar.
Ianto turned and smiled at the newcomer. "Hello, cariad. You're early."
Jack spun and looked at her, eyes wide in shock. "You married her?"
Her look mirrored his as she recognized him. "You work for him?"
Jack smirked. "I'd like to think it was a little more than that."
Mira glared at Ianto. "And he's your ex? God, how did I get roped into this? So what is it with you and Time Agents?"
Ianto stared at her. "You're a Time Agent? Makes sense, I suppose. But really?"
"This little bitch of yours cut my head off!" bellowed Jack
Ianto smacked him. "Jack, don't you dare call my wife a bitch!"
Faith ran out from the corner she'd been watching from. "Stop! Um… that was uncalled for, Jack."
She turned to Mira. "Welcome, Time Agent. Can I get you something?"
Mira smirked. "Maybe some popcorn? I think this is going to be fun to watch."
As they argued, the two men circled each other.
"It's great to see how quickly you can just move on to the next 51st century piece of ass that tumbles into view," Jack spat.
"You know," hissed Ianto in reply, "I actually believed you when you said you had respect for me. Guess I was right to stop trusting you."
"What part of she tried to kill me doesn't make sense to you?"
"But you can't die!"
"Well SHE didn't know that!"
"But you're not dead. And neither am I. Isn't that all you wanted?"
"I wanted you!" Jack bellowed, his eyes welling with tears.
Ianto stood still, sighing. "And how many times do you think I'll have to hear that before I believe you? Come off it, Jack. We both know why you came on to me. And it wasn't really about me at all. It was about you and your mighty bruised ego. So back off!"
Faith, getting tired of the fighting, stormed over to Jack and stomped on his foot as hard as she could.
"Knock it off, dad!"
Mira smiled at the young girl as she slapped Ianto across the face. "You know it's bad when the nine year old's more grown up than you are."
"But she's not really –" protested Jack
"I don't care. Now I have plans to go out for lunch with some of my husband's friends. If you don't want to come, Jack, that's up to you. But I'm buying. And there will be a lot of meat."
Gwen reappeared in the doorway. "And where are we going, then?"
Jack sighed. "Fine. I'm sorry, Ianto. I've been an ass. I promise not to shoot your wife."
Ianto rolled his eyes. "That's not much of an apology, but it's a start, and definitely progress for you, Jack."
He turned to Mira. "Let's go then, Heather."
"Sounds like fun," mused Faith.
As they left the warehouse, no one noticed the computer starting to beep. The screen flashed WARNING: RIFT UNSTABLE. But no one was there to get the warning.
