The Tenant Chapter 7

Jack parked the SUV outside the Newport Police Station. Owen sat beside him. He'd insisted on coming along. Knowing Jack as he did, he wanted to make sure that the fur didn't fly.

Going inside, Jack stood by the counter, waiting to be seem. Own stood by the front window, looking out.

The Duty Sergeant came to the counter. It was Scott.

"Well, well. Who do we have here, Owen?"

Owen turned at the mention of his name. "Bloody hell! A sergeant?"

Scott looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was watching them. "I moved out, what more do you want?"

Jack leaned across the counter. "For this to not happen to anyone else."

"I've learnt my lesson," Pearce looked at Owen.

"Yeah, but I don't believe you're gonna stop. You like hurting people," said Owen, turning around.

"As a matter of interest. Why did you choose Ianto, or was it just the ad you went after?" asked Jack.

"I….the ad."

"He's lying, Jack."

In one move, Jack pulled Pearce over the counter and stood him before him. "I think he's lying, too."

"Okay, okay. I'm on St Mary Street most weekends. I've seen him around. I….I've been watching him. Saw the ad…."

"Ulterior motives?"

"He just seemed like….an easy target."

"Right." Owen pushed a finger into his chest. "One you could push around. One who was too ashamed to say anything. Right?"

Pearce nodded.

"We have a friend in the police force. Works in Cardiff. He's going to keep an eye on you from now on," Jack lied. "If you step one foot out of line, I'll make sure you go away for a very long time. Got it?"

Pearce nodded again.

"I can't hear you."

"Yes. Got it."

"Good. Don't make us come back and hurt you," added Owen.

Jack and Owen walked to the door.

"You better have something good to tell your friends." Jack pointed to the room behind them. Officers were watching them. "Wonder if they heard what you've been up to."

Pearce looked at the officers. They didn't look too pleased.

"See ya," said Owen, smiling.

As they entered the Hub, they could smell fresh coffee. Ianto was stood by Tosh's workstation. They seemed to be having a heated conversation.

"….but don't you think that was my business?" said Ianto.

"We're your friends."

"I don't have to tell you everything, Tosh."

"I gathered that."

Ianto sighed. "I need to make Jack and Owen coffee. Excuse me."

Jack looked at Tosh, who looked away.

Going to the kitchen, Jack confronted Ianto.

"What was all that about?"

Ianto looked at Tosh. "Tosh thinks I should have told someone about Scott. I know that already. I just…."

Jack rubbed his arm. "I know. It's difficult. You're a bit like me in that respect. Keep your feelings to yourself."

"But not when it comes to you."

"No." Jack smiled. "That's because we trust each other with our feelings. We both need to do that with others."

Ianto nodded. "Guess I should apologise to Tosh."

"Maybe later." Jack pointed to the chair opposite him. "Sit."

Ianto sat down, reluctantly.

"Pearce picked you because he knew he could knock you around. He didn't need to use his status as a police officer."

Ianto looked at his hands and began to wring them. "An easy target, you mean?"

"He boxes for the force, Ianto."

"And I'm just a dumb Welsh boy from the valley."

Jack closed his eyes and sighed. "You're nothing of the kind. You've lost weight since….since Lisa. You were tired, not sleeping well. The debts must have be playing on your mind."

Ianto nodded.

"We told Pearce we had an officer in Cardiff keeping an eye on him. A lie, of course. If he steps out of line, he's all mine." Jack grinned.

Ianto sighed. "I need to stand on my own two feet." He went to stand up.

"I love you," Jack blurted out.

Ianto half stood, looked at Jack and then sat down again. "You love me?"

"I love you."

"Since when?"

"Does it matter? I love you. I want to be with you."

Ianto half smiled. "Really?"

"Yes."

"So, what happens next?"

"We could go out for dinner tonight. A movie. Drinks. See where it leads us." Jack smiled.

"Like a date, you mean?"

"Exactly. A Date."

"Okay. Pick me up at 7pm." Getting up, Ianto moved towards the door. "I'm going to talk with Tosh. I owe her an explanation."

Jack winked.