The Unexplained Chapter 7

TWTWTW

Jack turned slowly, piercing John with a look that would cut stone. "You don't wanna do anything we both know, you won't live to regret. Now, where is Ianto?"

"You need me, Jack. You'll never find Eye Candy in time."

"Ianto Jones is his name."

"Touchy!"

Jack balled his fists.

"What are you gonna do, Jackie Boy, beat it out of me?"

"If I have to, yes, that's exactly what I'll do!"

"Jack….let's not let our emotions cloud our judgment. He's fine….for now."

"Why are you doing this? You know I don't love you. Could never love you again."

"You won't even try, will you?"

Jack closed his eyes for a second, opened them and looked directly at John. "I haven't loved you for a very long time. I have loved others since you. I love Ianto now."

"He's just a kid, Jack. He doesn't know you like I do. Know your wants and needs like I do."

Jack laughed. "Come on, get real. You were a crap lover and you know it. It was all 'me, me, me' with you. You never gave a damn about what I wanted. What I needed."

"That's not true. I loved you….still love you."

"Get over it, John and move on. How many times do I have to tell you. I have!"

John's face looked like it was carved in stone. No emotion, nothing.

"I idolized you. I loved you more than anyone I have ever loved. What do I get in return? Rejection!"

Jack rolled is eyes. "You drama queen!"

John laughed. "Well, look who's having the last laugh. I have Eye Candy neatly stashed away. You, have nothing. Nothing!"

Taking a step forward, Jack grabbed John by the throat, forcing him back against the rocks. "If you have hurt one hair on his head, I will make your life a living hell! If he dies I will kill you with my bare hands!"

"Oh, that you loved me with such passion." John pushed Jack's hands away. "I'll take you to him….but you have to do one thing for me, first."

Jack frowned. "And that is?"

"Stay here with me for one night….like it used to be. Tomorrow, I'll take you to Eye-Ianto. Do we have a deal?"

Jack sighed, turning his head away from the man in front of him. "Do I have a choice?"

John laughed, shaking his head. "Not if you want to take him home alive, no."

Jack sighed. "Why are you doing this? You know you have no hope in hell of ever gettin' me back!"

"We'll see, Jackie Boy. We'll see."

TWTWTW

Ianto sat against the old tree trying to make sense of it all. Had he really been abandoned here to die? Or would Jack be able to find him? Tears of frustration seeped from Ianto's eyes and he brushed them away angrily. Standing up, he looked around for a second time, to see if this was the best spot to take shelter. He looked into the strange sky, with its clouds of yellow and sky of mauve. He shook his head. Turning in a full circle, he surveyed the landscape. Bushes and shrubs mostly, over to his left and behind him. Trees with a slight overhand in front and to the right. Moving slowly, Ianto headed for the inadequate shade of a large old tree about 50 yards ahead of him. Once there, he began collecting stones, to make a makeshift shelter. Two hours later, or so it said by his watch, the shelter was almost complete, just the roof left to do. As he worked, the Welshman felt the air getting hotter. Sweat poured down his chest, pooling at the top of his ribcage, running down his neck and under his arms. Taking off his jacket and waistcoat, Ianto placed them on the floor of the shelter. He'd sit on them 'Better than this stony ground' he thought. Tugging at his tie, Ianto found a long, straightish branch, tying the red silk tie to it, he pushed one end into the ground and let the tie dangle from the other end. 'Let's hope, if Jack gets here, he can see it' Ianto smiled despite his situation. 'Jack loves me in this tie' Then he set about finding large enough foliage to make a roof for his 'dwelling'

TWTWTW

Jack stepped back, allowing John Hart to move away from the wall of rock. His eyes narrowed as he weighed up the consequences of his next decision. John watched his facial expressions with growing interest.

"Well, what's it going to be? Me for the night, or Ianto dead?"

Jack closed his eye, picturing Ianto's face. His heart broke in that instance.