14 May 2011 – 8:20pm
Jack still had his head buried in his paperwork when Ianto softly tapped on the doorframe. Jack looked up, smiling. It was hard to believe it had been so long since he'd had Ianto's presence in the Hub. It felt so…natural. Especially after he'd sent everyone else home and it was just the two of them. Jack, working on finishing up his deskwork, and Ianto, cleaning up about the Hub.
"I was going to head back to the hotel," Ianto told him, smiling back. "If there's nothing else you needed, sir?"
Jack smirked. Just like the good old days. "I think everything's good for the night," he responded, dropping his pen and stretching. "Thank you for ordering in dinner, earlier. And for cleaning up after this messy lot."
"My pleasure," Ianto replied, slipping inside the room and hovering near the edge of the desk. "Jack? Can I ask you something?"
"Anything, Ianto."
"Do you think we could…" he started, pausing with worry on his face.
"Could what, Ianto?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ianto's eyes met his and he winced slightly. "I was thinking that maybe…we could go see Rhiannon and the kids?"
"I see," Jack acknowledged, folding his fingers together. "Do you think they could handle it? The shock?"
"I don't know," Ianto admitted, frowning. "I mean, either I'm not really dead or I'm not really their family. Either way it's a cruel fate."
"It's completely up to you, Ianto," Jack said, watching the man's face fall a bit. "If you want to tell them the truth, or tell them you're our Ianto…well…I'll go along with it."
"It might be easier if they did think I was theirs," Ianto said, beginning to pace. "But at the same time, I think there are enough secrets already. I'd like to tell them the truth."
"Build a new relationship, then?" Jack asked.
"If they believe me, yes."
Jack nodded. He knew that either way it would be a tough sell with Ianto's family. His sister was a strong woman, but a good woman. The whole family deserved another shot at being just that…a family.
"We need to change the records to reflect you're back among the living," Jack advised, catching Ianto's eyes. He still appeared worried. "Unless you plan to change your name?"
"I'd rather not," Ianto replied, stopping his pacing to face Jack. "Do you want me to?"
"No."
"Good," Ianto smiled.
"We'll take care of everything this upcoming week, including getting you a place of your own."
"I'd like to look into the coffee shops around here," said Ianto, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Might be nice to work at a café again. Like back at university."
Jack tried to conceal his disappointment. He'd really hoped today had made Ianto change his mind about coming back to work at the Hub. Even if it were strictly in the archives. Plus, the idea of him living in Splott put Jack on edge.
"You really don't approve, do you?" Ianto asked him, point blank.
"It's not that I don't approve of your career ambitions," Jack began, sighing. "I'd just hoped… Nevermind."
"No, Jack. Tell me. Please?"
Licking his lips, Jack gathered his thoughts. "I've missed you. I suppose I was hoping you'd really consider coming back to Torchwood."
Ianto swallowed. "And I've missed you," he replied. He moved around to Jack's side of the desk and perched on the edge. "Working here won't change the fact that we've each been without each other for quite some time."
"True," Jack stated, rubbing his eyes. "But it would mean I didn't have to let you out of my sight."
Ianto chuckled, folding his arms. "Feeling possessive, are we?"
"So what if I am?" Jack challenged, meeting Ianto's eyes and not looking away. "In both realities I caused our…separation."
"You honestly think that?"
"Yes, I do."
"Jack," Ianto said softly, dragging out his name on a breath. He reached for Jack's hand and held it firmly. "If it weren't for you…the alternate you…I'd be dead."
"And if it weren't for me, the alternate you would still be alive," Jack countered, eyes clouding with self-hatred. He took his hand back, pushing back from the desk. "You know what? You're right, Ianto. You should take a job at a café. You'd be much better off."
He stood quickly, moving to reach for his coat. But Ianto was faster, grabbing his arm and yanking him forward. Jack stumbled, finding himself between Ianto's legs, the younger man's hand moving around to the back of Jack's neck. And then he was pulled closer, Ianto's lips connecting with his, hard.
He stood still, momentarily shocked out of his element, but Ianto's mouth was so warm, and inviting, and he had one hand in Jack's hair, the other now gripping the front of his shirt firmly. Jack gasped a breath against Ianto's lips and then moved both hands to cup his face, opening his mouth and allowing Ianto's tongue to tangle with his own.
Jack moaned, shifting still closer, lowering a hand to Ianto's hip and tugging it upward. Their bodies slotted together perfectly, and Jack felt Ianto's answering groan as they ground their groins against one another.
Jack could feel his arousal growing, the heat of Ianto against him an all-consuming force. And Ianto was hardening quickly as well, their movements spurring on the fire they'd been forced to live without for too long.
"We…should move…downstairs," Ianto mumbled against Jack's lips, between kisses. His voice was rough with need. "Or to…my…hotel."
Suddenly something clicked in the back of Jack's mind and he growled, yanking his mouth away from Ianto's. The younger man's eyes were wide, with fear or surprise, Jack wasn't sure which. Possibly both. But Jack needed to get distance between them. He pulled away, escaping Ianto's grasp.
"I…we…can't do this," he managed, shaking his head. "You shouldn't be here." He moved to the side of the desk furthest from Ianto. Furthest from temptation.
"Jack, please…" Ianto pleaded, pushing himself away from the desk and taking a step toward the other man. Jack's hand went up, halting his progress. "Jack, look…there's nothing wrong with this."
"You're wrong," Jack replied, hanging his head. "You're not my Ianto."
"And you're not my Jack," Ianto snapped, eyes suddenly flashing. "But they're dead, Jack! Both of them! They're dead and gone!"
"NO!" Jack cried out, pointing a finger toward the floor. "MY Ianto is down there! Dead and frozen, in a drawer! This is HIS home! He's still here!"
Ianto's entire face fell, and Jack could see moisture welling up in his eyes. He turned his face and Jack saw the tremor run through him, telling him Ianto was losing the battle against tears.
"Then you're right," he said softly, voice thick with emotion. "I shouldn't be here."
Ianto reached toward the coat he'd been wearing earlier but then hesitated, snatching his hand away at the last moment. Jack flinched, realizing the impact of the movement. Ianto turned from the coat rack and wiped his face quickly before striding purposely out of the office and down into the main Hub.
Jack followed him, coming to a stop at the railing and watching as Ianto headed for the cog door. "Ianto?" he called out, his own voice choked with tears he didn't realize he was shedding.
Ianto held up his hand as if to ward off anymore words, and turned a tear-stained face up to look at Jack. "Thank you for letting me get a taste of what home felt like," he said, lower lip trembling. "It was…good while it lasted, yeah?"
And with that the door finished rolling open, Ianto disappearing into the hallway before Jack could say another word.
TBC…