Chapter 7
Jack's eyes moved to the speedometer, one that he didn't believe to be elevating to the level that this pursuit necessitated. He looked down at his wristband, seeing that the weevil was moving farther away, when finally he snapped. "Ianto! Pick up the speed! We need to get there before anyone either sees it or it moves back underground."
"Yes, Sir. Sorry," Ianto mumbled, applying more pressure to the gas... his heart racing as he felt it accelerate beneath him.
Moving closer, as he continued to monitor the weevil's activity, Jack whispered close to Ianto's ear, "It's fine that you are looking for a prolonged first outing with me... but, I'd much prefer to spend the bulk of it with the weevil out of the way."
Ianto swallowed as that scent drifted into his nostrils again... the one that shook his equilibrium to the breaking point, and totally shattered his senses. "Uh no. Quick would be fine with me."
Jack chuckled lustfully. "Quick? No, I don't envision that with you, Ianto Jones. You are the model of thorough... in all things."
Knowing that this was rapidly spiraling out of his control – if it had ever been in his control in the first place, Ianto slammed his foot onto the gas, slamming Jack forward, then back into his position in the seat in one sudden movement. Ianto glanced at him briefly, with a smug expression on his face. "How's that for quick and thorough, Sir?"
Watching as Ianto skillfully moved in and out of the busy streets of Cardiff, Jack flashed the standard Harkness smile – the one that had brought many a man to his knees. He reached out and patted Ianto on the leg, before he answered, "Let's catch this weevil... and then, we can discuss it."
"As you wish, Sir..." Ianto answered, resigned to yet another long night with his determined Captain.
They travelled at elevated speeds for several minutes, Ianto turning according to the monitor when Jack shouted out, "Stop, now! Park the SUV, we will move the rest of the way on foot."
Ianto pulled in front of a bakery that was now closed for the night, setting the alarm and joining Jack on the pavement. He followed Jack's lead as he led to a park, one that thankfully seemed to have very few inhabitants now that darkness had fallen. "It's close, Sir. I can smell something."
"Shhh. Very close," Jack hissed, his Webley drawn and prepared to fight against any threat that appeared to threaten them. In what happened quicker than the mind could process, a burly arm flew out from behind the tree... striking blindly out at Ianto's back, hurling him swiftly to the ground with a resounding groan. Jack's lips curled into a snarl as he shot in the air alarming the attacking weevil, before pocketing his Webley, to pull out his stunner... lining it up quickly with the offensive creature's side; watching as the alien began to fall. "Ianto, stay there," Jack commanded, as he placed the bag over the weevil's head.
Moaning and remaining completely still, Ianto answered, "Not a problem, Sir."
Jack rolled the weevil onto it's front, ignoring the grunts of discomfort eliciting from it as he tied it's hands, arms, an legs. He moved to sling it over his shoulder, knowing that Ianto wasn't in the condition to assist him. Glancing briefly at his archivist, Jack ascertained Ianto had merely been winded more than anything else, before he moved quickly to the SUV, throwing the weevil into the back. Securing the back, Jack ran quickly over to Ianto, hunching down beside him intent on checking for any serious injury.
"Ianto, how do you feel?" Jack asked, his normal flirtatious manner completely gone, in wake of concern.
"Sore, but I'm fine, Sir. Just give me a minute," Ianto said, wincing as he tried to move.
Jack nodded. "Don't try to move. At least not yet. I'll call Owen and have him meet us at the hub."
"No. Please don't do that. I'll be fine in just a minute," Ianto protested, not wanting to be the one that called Owen back in on a Friday night. Owen treated him with more coldness than any of the other members of the team. He wasn't sure why, he only knew that at this point in time – the Torchwood medic didn't care for him at all.
"Ianto, don't be ridiculous. I get that you and Owen don't always hit it off so well... however, that doesn't matter now. This is his job... and I want to make sure you are fine," Jack told him, his mouth set in a firm line... one that told Ianto he wouldn't back down easily.
Finding his bearings, Ianto slowly sat up... determined to sway him – one way or another. Reaching out, he placed his hand on Jack's arm, his eyes lifting to lock with the probing ones of the Captain, before he said, "Please, I don't want to drag this out into some long medical exam. I'll be fine. Isn't there another way?"
Relieved upon seeing Ianto sitting up on his own, Jack considered him carefully, before he made the offer he was certain the normally resistant Welshman would refuse. "One way or another, Mr. Jones, you will be examined. It will either be by Owen's hand... or by my own. Which will it be?"
"This really isn't necessary," Ianto grumbled, staggering to his feet.
"My decision is final... and non-negotiable, Mr. Jones. Now which is it to be?" Jack asked, speaking in a firm, resounding tone... one that told the younger man the discussion was indeed over.
"Fine," Ianto answered in a long sigh. "I don't want to interrupt Dr. Harper's evening over this – so, I guess it will be you."
Jack smiled, looking away before Ianto deciphered the satisfied gleam in his eyes. "Let's go, then."
Ianto groaned as he walked gingerly towards the SUV, this time taking a seat in the passenger side. As Jack pulled out into traffic, his eyes drifted briefly to the grip the Captain held on the steering wheel... those large hands that would soon be examining him. Leaning his head back against the seat, averting his gaze to look out the window... Ianto wondered how he would ever survive this night.
Thankfully, the ride back to the hub was quiet and uneventful. Upon their arrival, Jack proceeded to pull the weevil from the back, looking over his shoulder momentarily to gauge Ianto's strength of movement. "Wait for me in the medical bay. I'm going to secure our guest in it's new home... then, I will join you."
Ianto attempted one last feeble protest. "Sir, I know you have things to do. This really isn't necessary."
Heaving the unresponsive weevil over his shoulder, Jack firmly told him, "This is not up for discussion, Ianto. I won't be long. I need you to remove your jacket and your shirt. As long as no bones are broken, this should be essentially painless and quick."
"Yes, Sir..." Ianto mumbled, making his way inside and off towards the medical bay.
Jack was true to his word. Ianto had barely removed his jacket, tie, and shirt; of course, folding them neatly over a nearby chair... before Jack was moving quickly down the stairs. He went directly to the cabinet that held the intricate device he would use to examine Ianto, not pausing to look at the bare chested Welshman. Turning to face him, he held the small unit in his hand, that was in actuality a state of the art x-ray machine that produced immediate readings – a device that Jack knew wouldn't be invented for some time to come. He couldn't restrain the small gasp from escaping upon seeing the revealing burns that marred what would be a perfect torso. In truth, the scars didn't mar it – not in Jack's eyes. They only enhanced Ianto's strength and character.
He had never wanted him more. He walked around the table, poising the scanner over Ianto's spine, knowing this was where Ianto had sustained his injuries. When the scanner gave the indication that the test was complete, Jack surveyed it in satisfaction... pleased with the results. Now that he knew Ianto was fine, Jack couldn't help but to admire the exquisite lines of Ianto's back. He had almost been afraid the reality of what was beneath the suit would be a disappointment... now to find that to be anything but the case. Ianto's body was spectacular... and, he wanted him so badly.
Clearing his throat nervously, feeling the heat of Jack's gaze upon him, Ianto looked over his shoulder to ask, "Well, am I going to survive, Sir?"
"Hmmm, yes... I think so, Ianto." Jack chuckled at Ianto's look of confusion, before he continued, "No broken bones. Only some lacerations, and bruising. I will apply some ointment that will heal them more quickly."
"Thank you, Sir." Ianto fixed a mocking glare on Jack, before he said, "I told you I was fine."
"Indeed you did," Jack replied, moving to the cabinet to retrieve the ointment that would have Ianto healed by morning. "This will be a little cold, Ianto. But, it will fix you up," Jack warned him.
Ianto nodded, yet still flinched when the cold gel was applied to his back. He bit his lip in order not to moan as Jack moved in closer behind him, his hands moving up and down his back, rubbing the healing ointment in slowly, his breath brushing across his bare neck. His neck rolled forward as Jack continued the treatment much longer than he knew to be necessary... yet, unable to put a stop to the exquisite torture. When Jack's hands began to artfully massage his shoulders, Ianto couldn't hold back the groan that elicited deep from within. Forcing himself to regain his composure, Ianto mumbled, "Uhmm, I think that's enough, Sir."
Jack chuckled from behind him, hot breath moving closer to the shell of his ear, he whispered throatily, "No such thing as enough, Ianto Jones."
"Be that as it may. I think I should just go get some sleep," Ianto answered, both of them knowing sleep was the furthest thing from either of their minds right now.
With infinite regret, Jack pulled his hands free... moving around the table towards the sink to wash the clinging gel from his hands, wiping them dry on a towel before turning to find Ianto reaching for his shirt. Ianto had just slipped his arms into the sleeves, when Jack asked him, "The burns, Ianto. I am assuming from Canary Wharf?"
Keeping his eyes downcast, knowing the small marks had to be offensive to a man of the Captain's obvious perfections, Ianto murmured, "Yes, battle scars. I know they are disgusting."
Jack frowned as he stepped closer, grabbing at Ianto's hands as he moved to button his shirt... and hide what he found to be ugly from his gaze. "Ianto, look at me." Waiting for Ianto to timidly raise his eyes, Jack told him in a fervent voice, "I see beauty when I look at you, Ianto Jones. Inside and out. So many things make you beautiful, strong... and yes – sexy as well."
"You can look at these scars and find me beautiful... sexy? I find that hard to believe, Sir," Ianto told him, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Well, how about you believe this, then," Jack growled, this time letting his pheromones escape... wanting the self conscious Welshman to feel the full effect of his desire for him, in addition to his appreciation of all that the young man had to offer. Not giving Ianto pause for thought, Jack lowered his head to open his mouth over the small welts just below his left nipple, his tongue tracing a path downward until it almost reached the waistband of his slacks... moving over and up to lick at the flesh that Ianto feared to be so offensive. "Does that feel like disgust, Ianto?" Jack asked in a low gravelly voice.
Ianto's breathing became erratic as the addictive scent permeated his senses... the deliberate lashing of Jack's tongue making his legs weak, and his body hungry for so much more. Unable to manage a coherent response, Ianto's breath escaped in shallow pants as he could barely comprehend Jack's lusty chuckle as his lips moved up to latch upon a nipple, his mouth pulling it into his mouth – his tongue circling it... over and over in succession. Clenching his hands into fists at his sides, Ianto forced himself to find the will to pull back... knowing he had to call an end to this now. Remembering why he couldn't do this, Ianto finally found the will to push Jack away, shakily moving to finish dressing.
Jack watched him with brooding, hungry eyes... knowing Ianto wasn't ready yet, but determined the time would come when he would be. With a sound of infinite regret, Jack told him, "I think that's enough for tonight. I'll see you home."
Nodding, Ianto preceded Jack out of the hub... thankful that Jack hadn't pushed for more, realizing each and every day the time was nearing when he wouldn't be able to stop. As they drove down the streets of Cardiff, en route to his home, Ianto made a clear realization; the day was soon arriving that he wouldn't be able to resist the Captain – and now he doubted himself and what it all meant. Initially, it had been to distract Jack from his plans; but, now he was constantly torn between his love and devotion to Lisa with his loyalty and desire for Jack.
After Lisa's restoration became complete, he would no longer be welcome at Torchwood. Ianto wasn't certain that losing Jack was an eventuality he wanted to happen – now or ever. And, that frightened him more than anything.
TBC
