Title: Stranger In My Arms

Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Captain Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Gwen Cooper-Williams, OC

Warnings: Probably angsty

Summary: "In those first moments he looked completely different. His eyes a different colour, his hair a different shade and somehow, Ianto thought if he spoke, the voice wouldn't be the older mans..."

Author Notes: This came to me while writing a line of the story 'Three Days In Your Shoes' I'd really love to know what you think.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Torchwood 'cause then I'd be all like "Hey, back off, Ianto belongs to me!" but I don't.

Chapter Seven - Hero

Ianto had been driving for hours and it had long since gone dark. He glanced at the clock in his car and sighed. Six o'clock, it got dark fast wherever it was he had ended up. He stopped the car outside an abondoned warehouse. Why did they always pick warehouses?

Getting out of the car gun in hand, he headed for the big building, wishing he knew what type of area he was looking for. The entrance to the warehouse was locked and he didn't have time to pick it. He pulled out the gun from Jack's office and stared at it for a moment.

He hadn't looked at it properly when picked it up and it was only now that he noticed it had settings. He didn't have time to figure out what did what, he simply pointed the gun at the lock and pulled the trigger. His eyes widened when the lock and part of the door disappeared and he grinned.

"You're amazing Jack." He chuckled, opening the door.

He walked through the dark hallways, walking by room after room. There were so many rooms to choose from, he noted that some were unlocked so disregarded them. Slowly moving through the warehouse, he finally came across a room with a concrete door, firmly locked. This seemed right somehow. Jack would be so hard to keep locked up.

He looked down at the gun in his hands and tried adjusting the settings, tried to make it stronger. Pointing it at the door, he hesitantly pulled the trigger, closing his eyes as he did. When he finally looked up, the door was gone, leaving the concealed room in front of him.

The first thing he noticed was the sheer brightness of the room, the white almost blinding. He stepped in reluctantly and looked at the screens in front of him. The hub, all parts of the hub were on display. He found Jack on the screen, asleep at his desk. She was getting good at his role. He smiled briefly when he couldn't find Gwen, she must've taken his advice to stay home.

He saw the phone on the floor and turned around when he heard shuffling. Jack's coat was lying uselessly on the floor and it was obvious that his captain was underneath it. He knelt down next to him and gently put a hand to the coat. He jumped when the coat suddenly moved and he felt a hand grip his arm.

"Jack! It's me."

"I...Ianto?" Jack pulled the coat from his face.

"It's me, I'm going to get you out of here."

"Did she hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine. Are you okay?"

"I am now." Jack said, pulling Ianto into a bone crushing hug, "Wait, what if she has alarms?"

"I took care of them on the way over here. Tosh taught me a few things." Ianto smirked.

"...I didn't think you were coming." Jack said quietly.

"Hey, I was coming." Ianto reassured, "It was just further away than I'd expected."

"Where can we go where she can't find us?"

"How long has she been watching?"

"Weeks."

Ianto paused in thought before answering, "We haven't been to my place in weeks, it should be safe."

Jack nodded, slowly getting up. Ianto picked up the phone on the other side of the room and passed it to Jack, earning a confused frown.

"Don't arouse suspicion. If she calls, answer and play dumb. Oh and your gun is amazing." Ianto smirked.

Jack grinned when Ianto handed him the big weapon, "My sonic gun! How did you know you'd need it?"

"I didn't but I didn't have time to look at which gun I was picking up."

"The luck of the Welsh." Jack chuckled.

"God I'm glad to have you back. Long car ride ahead, you can get some sleep. Tomorrow, I want some answers."

Jack nodded, "Sounds fair."

- - - - - - - - - X x X - - - - - - - - -

Ianto smiled when he turned to see Jack sleeping deeply. He dreaded the thought of what the man had been through, what he had been forced through. Why hadn't Jack told him something was going on? He could've gotten to the captain sooner. It was stupid that he was always trying to protect him. All Ianto really wanted was to know Jack was safe. He'd have to talk to the older man about that some time soon.

- - - - - - - - - X x X - - - - - - - - -

"Jack?" Ianto pushed him gently to wake him up.

"Hmm?"

"We're here."

"What time is it?"

"Late. Come on, time for bed." Ianto said, pushing Jack towards his door.

"Ianto?" Jack murmured when they were both out of the car.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"You would have done the same for me." Ianto smiled.

"Yeah but you shouldn't have to do this for me."

"Jack, I work for Torchwood. This sort of thing isn't exactly new." Ianto pointed out, "Go, sleep. I'll be up in a minute, just want to set up some traps to let us know if anyone's coming."

"Hurry up. I miss having you to hang on to when I sleep." Jack smirked but Ianto could tell he was being sincere.

"Ten minutes, you can time me." Ianto said, tossing his stop watch to the older man.

"Ten minutes." Jack agreed, pressing the button on the top.

And It's Back hehehe

Cheers,
Gabz
xx