The Tenant Chapter Four

Ianto stayed in the tourist office until Jack called him back into the Hub. It was well after 6pm. Walking back through the cog door, Ianto almost collided with Jack, as went to the autopsy bay.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there."

Jack smiled. "I was beginning to think you were gonna spend the night up there.

'Not a bad idea' thought Ianto.

The young Welshman forced a smile. "I lost track of time."

"Mmm. Go home, Ianto. There's nothin' happening here."

"Would you like a cup of coffee before I go?"

"Just go home." Jack walked on to the autopsy bay.

"Night, Jack."

"Goodnight, Ianto."

Ianto walked back through the cog door up to the lift. Once inside the tourist office he switched on the computer and began to type:-

Scott is turning out to be a real bully. I thought he was the perfect tenant. Yeah, tenant from hell more like. He has a temper on him like I've never seen. I feel like a human punch bag. I'm finding it hard to hide the bruises at work. My ribs and kidney's ache so much. I dread going home at night. What I wouldn't give to be asked to work all night by Jack. God help me! Why can't I fight back?

Absently Ianto pushed the 'redirect' button which meant all the notes written on this computer went to Jack's office computer, instead of save. But he didn't notice.

After turning off the computer, Ianto went out through the tourist office and out onto the boardwalk. The wind hit him as he rounded the corner to his car. Unlocking the door, he got in and started the engine.

Ianto drove home slowly. At the traffic lights, he checked his watch. Scott would already be home. He wondered what kind of mood he'd be in.

Parking the car, Ianto looked up at his flat. The lights were all off. Maybe Scott wasn't home after all.

Going into the building, Ianto took the stairs two at a time. He was going to take a shower, make some coffee, or maybe a glass of wine and read a book.

Putting the key in the lock, Ianto was surprised when the door was pulled open and a hand grabbed his jacket front.

"What the…." he began.

"I've been waiting for you for over an hour. Where the hell have you been?" Scott dragged Ianto into the lounge, throwing him on the sofa. "You didn't say you'd be late tonight. I cooked a meal for us. It's ruined!"

"I'm….I'm sorry. I lost track of time."

Scott launched himself at the young Welshman, punching him in the stomach and kidney's. Ianto tried to push him off, but Scott was fit and at least 15 pounds heavier than him.

"Please, I'm sorry. I won't be late again. Stop!"

Standing over Ianto, Scott clenched his fists. "You make me do this, do you know that?"

Ianto didn't reply.

"I'll go make us some soup. You can eat soup, can't you?"

Ianto just nodded.

"Good. Go take a shower. It'll be ready in ten minutes."

Going into his bedroom, Ianto shut the door and leaned against it. Tears ran unheeded down his face. He wiped at them with the back of his hand. He tried not to make a noise. Scared that Scott would hear him.

Getting undressed, Ianto got into the shower. The water felt good against his skin. When he got out and dried himself, he saw the welts on his back where his kidney's were and on his stomach. He was beginning to feel like a human punching bag.

"Ianto, soup's ready. Get your lazy butt out here."

Pulling on jeans and a sweat shirt, Ianto went out into the kitchen. Scott was stood by the cooker, ladling soup into bowls. Ianto sat down and watched as a bowl was placed in front of him.

"Eat up, there's plenty. I'll get some bread, shall I?"

Ianto forced a smile. "Thanks."

After eating the soup, Ianto put his bowl in the sink and stood there looking out of the window. What he wouldn't give right now for Owen or Tosh to drop by like they did when he was on suspension. He sighed.

"I'm gonna turn in for the night. What are you doing?"

"I thought I'd curl up with a good book," Ianto told him.

"Mmm," came the reply. "See you in the morning."

"Yeah."

Getting a book from the shelf in the lounge, Ianto made himself a cup of coffee and went into his bedroom. He read for an hour and then laid down. For the first time in years, he left the light on. Even after Lisa died, Ianto hadn't needed the light on.

Jack sat in his office. It was almost 1am. Switching on the computer, he scanned his messages. Then he found a file from the tourist office. Opening it, Jack read the note from Ianto. He sat forward, reading it a second time.

"Oh, Ianto."

Grabbing his coat, Jack headed for the secret lift. Running down to the SUV, Jack drove it to Ianto's flat. He parked just outside. The roads were clear. Going up the three flights to Ianto's front door, Jack took out the key that Ianto didn't know he had and unlocked the door. Going inside, he saw a door ahead of him with a light coming from under it. He carefully opened the door and went inside.

Ianto was in the fetal position, covers pulled up to his chin.

"Ianto," whispered Jack, putting his hand over Ianto's mouth.

Ianto woke with a start.

"Sshh, it's okay. It's Jack."

Without thinking, Ianto put his arms around Jack's neck, clinging to him.

Jack could feel the hot tears soak through his shirt.

"I'm gonna take you back to the Hub. You can stay with me tonight. Okay?"

Ianto nodded against his shoulder.

Ianto still had his jeans and sweatshirt on. Jack got his shoes and handed them to him. They left quietly so's not to wake Scott.

As they reached the bedroom door, Scott came out of his room.

"Where do you think you're going, Ianto?"

Jack stepped in front of the young Welshman. "He's going with me. You're not using him as a punch bag any more."

"Why you…." Scott lunged for Jack.

Jack moved aside, pushing Ianto gently out of the way. "Let's go."

Ianto held on to Jack's arm.

"It's okay," Jack said when they got outside. "You're safe."

"What we got 'ere then?" Came Owen's voice from behind them.

"Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss this for the world. I'm just in the mood to evict someone." Owen smiled, flexing his fingers.

"Don't go hurting him….what's my job," said Jack, smiling.

"Get Ianto back to the Hub. I'll follow you both back and check him over."

Jack nodded and took Ianto down to the SUV.

Owen went inside the flat. Scott was still standing by the bedroom door.

"He had no right to barge in here and take Ianto away. Who the hell is he, anyway?"

"Captain Jack Harkness. Torchwood. Ianto boss."

Scott swallowed hard. "Torchwood?"

"You've heard of us?"

"Who hasn't? And Ianto's a part of it?"

Owen nodded. "Yep."

Owen closed the front door and moved closer to Scott.

By the time Owen left, five minutes later, Scott was on the floor, face down, unconscious. Owen wrote a short note and left it by his head.

If you're not gone from here by noon tomorrow, we're coming for you.