But wait a minute, how did we get so high?

"Mind if I sit here?"

"It's a free country," Ianto answered, not looking away from his glass. He sighed and finished his drink, lost in his thoughts. He sometimes wondered what he was doing with his life. He didn't want anything, he had already lost almost everything, and he just spent his days smoking or drinking. As he thought about this, he took a cigarette from his pack and lit it up. On his darkest days, he did drugs, but he'd rather not think about it when he could avoid those thoughts. He had always known life wasn't easy, he just hadn't imagined it would be that hard. He really was lost. He could afford to be jobless, but he didn't know if he could live with this. He was always alone at the end of the day, and it was sometimes too much to bear. He was afraid of ending up alone, but he didn't want to let anyone in his life anymore. He had already done that, over and over. He had made friends at school, at University, at work. He had flirted with girls, some rare boys, he had made out, he had shagged around just because it had been fun and he had been young, and then he had fallen in love and for a moment he had thought he wouldn't have to start over.

He didn't even know if he was able to love anymore. Or even appreciate people in a friendly way. He liked Clydwyn, but the man was his dealer. He liked Annie but she was barely an acquaintance. Maybe Kevin, the barman, was the closest thing he had from a friend, but it didn't feel like friendship. He had no one he wanted to hang out with, just people he occasionally liked to talk with when he was in a good mood.

He sighed again. No, he really didn't have any friend. Certainly not the people he threw sometimes parties with but who were mostly alcoholics or drug addicts with whom he was only when he wanted to get pissed with other people around. And he mostly was doing it alone.

And time was both ticking by too fast and too slowly. Sometimes he felt like it had been years, when he had only moved in Cardiff since a few months. Other times it felt like days because every day seemed to repeat itself and he had trouble knowing for how long he had been there.

He was lost, and he refused to seek for help even though he needed to.

"Can I buy you something?" Ianto turned to the man who has asked to sit next to him, and took his time to look at him. He seemed tall, or the long coat gave the impression, he looked like he was in the wrong century, which wouldn't even surprise Ianto, he thought with a smile. He was pretty gorgeous, blue eyes that told he knew exactly what people thought when they saw him, a confident smile with maybe too many teeth, not that Ianto minded, and dark hair that first looked like the man never spent time in front of the mirror but probably was actually a lot of work.

"Yeah," Ianto eventually said. He could use some company – especially this kind of company – instead of going home alone and have a good trip that would end up with feeling like shit and smoking half the night to pass out in the morning.

The man motioned to Kevin, who filled Ianto's glass, then commanded water for himself. The barman looked at him curiously but shrugged and gave him his order. He stared at Ianto for a while, but the young man ignored him and half turned to the stranger.

"Water?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm not complicated to satisfy," the man answered with a grin, that he also knew to be an advantage on him.

"Good to know," Ianto answered, sipping his beer.

"Captain Jack Harkness," the unknown guy said and Ianto rolled his eyes. Oh great, he thought. Just what he needed, someone related to Torchwood reminding him of how fucked up his life was. And he thought he had just met someone he could spend a nice night with, but no, it was fucking Torchwood coming back to haunt him even in his local pub. "And you are?"

"Busy," Ianto dryly answered, facing the counter again.

"Come on, Ianto..."

The young man chuckled because that Harkness wasn't even trying to be discreet in his approach. He shook his head as he sipped at his drink. Maybe if he ignored him, he would leave. Or disappear, one could always dream.

"I can help you," he said, which upset Ianto even more.

"I don't need help," he replied, putting his second finished cigarette in the ashtray.

"Okay... do you sleep at night?"

"What?" Ianto asked, unable to ignore this personal question. What was he trying to accomplish? Appease his conscience by helping Torchwood One survivors when a year earlier he had done nothing for them?

"Can you sleep at night?" Jack insisted.

"That's none of your goddamn business," he snapped back.

"I could help you with that."

"I don't want to... Wait. Are you fucking trying to get into my pants?!"

"Weeell, it-"

"Go fuck yourself," Ianto interrupted him.

"I'd rather have you for that," Jack shrugged and Ianto felt his anger building up.

"I'm not interested," he said, hoping it would be enough.

The Torchwood leader smiled and leaned over to whisper into Ianto's ears, "You can't sleep. You just stare at your ceiling and think until your body let go, don't you? I can help you with that."

Ianto turned, carefully moving back so he wouldn't kiss or bump into Jack while doing so, and frowned. "That is the most insane pick-up line I've ever heard."

"Promising, isn't it?"

"That's disgusting."

"But you want it," Jack winked at him and turned without further ado, his coat swirling behind him. Ianto set money on the counter, next to Jack's, and stood. He almost ran out of the pub and followed the long coat.

"Wait!" He yelled after him, and Jack turned with a smile, as if he knew already what Ianto was going to say and would like it.

"Yes?"

"You're just gonna leave like this?"

"I'm not here to force y-" Ianto shut him up by kissing him and Jack gasped but responded anyway.

The young man cursed mentally because he hadn't meant to do this, but he had been staring at his lips half of their conversation and he wanted to believe his words. He wanted to believe he could sleep well for once, because he missed normal nights. And he missed good sex and was pretty sure that Jack was a good one, if he believed in Torchwood London's gossips about him. Not that he wanted to think about Torchwood One right then.

"Eager," Jack laughed when they parted and he noticed Ianto's hands pulling at his shirt to run his hands under. "You think you can behave until we're at my place?"

"Mmh... I shouldn't follow strangers making promises..."

"I swear my candies are very good," Jack answered and winked at Ianto who laughed and kissed him again before taking a step back.

"Lead the way," he said as Jack whimpered at the loss of contact, which made Ianto proud even if he didn't show it.

Ianto followed Jack to his car and hid a smile at the way the man was driving – fast, impatient – but then looked through the window, wondering what he was getting into. He didn't know what Jack wanted, and it occurred to him that maybe he wanted to kill Torchwood One's survivors, but he suppressed the idea quickly, it was stupid. He hadn't referred to Canary Wharf, which was weird, and Ianto didn't understand what was the point. Maybe he just wanted a quick shag. But then why him? Unless he loved his job so much he wanted someone who understood it, Ianto didn't see why he would choose him as his one night stand. Maybe he didn't even know he had worked for Torchwood London... But then, how would he know his name?

He stopped thinking when he felt a hand on his thigh, and turned to Jack as if he had forgotten about his presence.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry," Ianto smiled reassuringly. He got out of the car and took a deep breath. What the hell was wrong with him? Couldn't he just try to enjoy a nice evening? Maybe Jack could really help him.

When Jack asked him if he wanted to drink anything, he politely refused and glanced at the flat around him. It was very neat. Too neat. As Jack came back in the living room, he had gotten rid of his coat. A shame, Ianto liked it.

"You're not a lot in this place, are you?" he asked, because it really didn't look like anyone was living here.

"Not really. I don't sleep a lot, and when I do, I often just doze off at work. It's not as bad as it sounds, it has a bed or a sofa, that's comfortable enough to sleep," Jack smiled. "But we're not here to talk about work, are we?" he asked, suddenly tugging Ianto's shirt to bring their bodies closer.

"Who knows, maybe I'm just here to investigate on your way of working and living... I may have to ask some questions," Ianto said with all the serious he could gather.

"Whatever pleases you, Sir," Jack whispered between two kisses in his neck.

"Maybe I should see if this place is in order..."

"Oh and where would you want to start?" Jack pulled Ianto's t-shirt off as he talked.

"What's behind that door?" Ianto asked, not sure he could keep a straight face for more than a few more minutes.

"Shall we see?" Jack chuckled and dragged Ianto by his belt into the bedroom – he had hoped it was it. The young man eventually forgot about what he was trying to do because Jack was too much of a distraction, and kissed him hard as he was fumbling with his belt.

Jack hadn't lied. Ianto fell asleep from exhaustion and slept more than he had in the past year. The sex had been great too, which was even better. He wasn't sure he had felt that much pleasure in a long time, if ever. Not that he would admit it, but still.

As he woke up with the first rays of sun, he yawned and rubbed his eyes. He froze when he felt someone kissing his shoulder, but then relaxed when he remembered the day before – at least for once he remembered. Jack nibbled his ear when Ianto didn't open his eyes, and he eventually laughed because his breath was tickling his neck, and rolled on his back so the man would stop annoying him. He opened his eyes and was rewarded with the sight of a naked really handsome man, which was unusual but not too bad for the eye.

"I should have closed the curtains maybe..."

"It's okay," Ianto said, putting a reassuring hand on his arm, then groped his biceps because it felt nice. "Did I wake you up?"

"Nope," Jack said, then laughed. "You need help with that?" he asked, looking at Ianto's hand.

The young man blushed and stopped the groping, not having really realised what he was doing. He ran his finger down Jack's chest with an innocent smile as Jack gasped and took his hand so he would stop. "You shouldn't do this."

"Or what?"

Jack kissed him as an answer and guided his hand further down, Ianto laughing under his lips.

"You mind if I smoke?" Ianto asked once they were done, and Jack shook his head, still panting. He took his trousers and found his pack and lighter in a pocket, sitting back against the wall. Jack eventually moved, and half lied on Ianto, fumbling in the night stand. "Already up for another round?" Ianto joked.

"You wish," Jack replied, and took an ashtray out of a drawer, setting it next to Ianto who thanked him.

"You want one?" Ianto asked once the other man lied back on the bed. He shook his head then actually cuddled with Ianto who opened wide eyes, surprised. "I didn't take you for the hug-after-sex kind of guy."

"I'm full of surprises," Jack mumbled against his skin and Ianto laughed. It really was a weird day. "Oh, by the way," he said after a while, straightening up. He stood then fumbled through his wardrobe, and Ianto enjoyed the view in front of him. Then Jack turned and tossed him a t-shirt at his face, laughing. "I washed it," he answered, misinterpreting the puzzled look in Ianto's face.

Ianto looked at the shirt he knew from somewhere then remembered it was his own.

"And as much as I loved my shirt, I don't mind if you keep it," Jack shrugged, as realisation dawned on Ianto. Jack was the man from the hotel room. Jack was the mysterious shag he couldn't remember. Oh. Fuck. That explained why Jack knew his name but hadn't mentioned Canary Wharf or Torchwood, not even once. So he probably had no idea of who he actually was. This was a big misunderstanding. And it made a lot more sense than Jack tracking down Canary Wharf's survivors to help them somehow.

"Please don't set my place on fire," Jack said after a while and Ianto squeezed his unfinished cigarette on the ashtray instead of letting it fall on the bed.

He looked at Jack, not knowing what to do. "Jones," he eventually whispered.

"What?"

"That's my name. Ianto Jones."

"Well, nice to meet you, Ianto Jones. You didn't remember, right?" Ianto shook his head and Jack smiled. "I'm sad you forgot a night like this one, I sure didn't. But you were pretty high, I hadn't much hope. I thought you had stolen me first, but it was the only thing missing and your t-shirt was under the bed so I assumed you just took what you found." Ianto nodded, still not really knowing what he should do or say. "Don't make this face, it was great! And I really don't mind."

Ianto let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding, somehow relieved by the fact that Jack didn't mind.

"I should probably go," he still said, not feeling really at ease. Jack looked at the hour and sighed.

"Yeah, me too. Don't you want to take a shower first?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea..."

"No, I didn't mean... Oh Ianto," Jack laughed. "I mean, you kind of smell like sex."

"... Oh. If you don't mind..."

Jack nodded and Ianto quickly got up, taking the clean t-shirt and his stuff with him. He came back to the bedroom to ask for a towel then quickly showered, dried as fast as possible, ignoring his damp hair, and dressed. When he went back to the bedroom, Jack had already made the bed an opened his window. He was wearing joggers, and smiled at Ianto.

"You want to eat anything?"

"No, I'm fine... Thanks," Ianto said, wanting to get out of this place as soon as possible.

"Right. I should shower, I'll be late otherwise."

"I'll just go then."

Jack nodded and accompanied Ianto back at the door. When he took his keys and got out with him, Ianto frowned.

"You can't go out without the keys," Jack explained as he started to walk down the stairs, Ianto following him, stupidly holding just a dirty t-shirt.

"That's weird."

"They want to feel safe here. It's mostly old people, without a lot of family or friends."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"The neighbourhood can be great! And mostly quiet."

"I can understand that," Ianto nodded. "But still, you're bare feet. And chest."

"It wouldn't be the first time," Jack winked as he opened the door. "Voilà! You're free to go."

"Thanks," Ianto said. He stared at the wall behind Jack for a while, wondering if he should add something, but chose not to, and left with a last forced smile. This was awkward.

(Title from the song Take Me For A Ride by PV Nova & Clara Doxal [Holy Oysters cover])

Things are getting fast here! Maybe too fast, but I hope it's okay. I've started the 8th chapter today, and I'm still trying to figure out some ideas I don't know how to include yet. I'm just warning again but this is really different from the Torchwood canon we have with the show, and I have taken the liberty to take some of the episodes ideas, but not in the same order as Torchwood did. Oh and if anyone wonders, I have no idea how many chapters I'll write, I'm just going as I write! If I ever get tired, I'll just cut the story short and write the end sooner! (And yes, I'm here saying that I promise I won't let this fic unfinished, I hate when it happens for me as a reader!)

Every reviews are still highly appreciated, thank you for the ones on the previous chapters! Ans as always, if you have any suggestions/want to read something, I'd be glad to do my best! (Last thing: I will probably post tomorrow again, because I will not be home from the 6th to the 11th, and I don't know if I'll be able to post)