And the winner is (drum roll please) choice A with 12 votes. Choice B got 2 and choice C got 5. And a couple of you were somewhat undecided. Now, as I like the 'turning at least one of them into a little kid' idea (I remember that one episode of Star Trek: TNG) it may just appear later on in the story. That being said I do hope you enjoy this, no matter what your choice was. Those of you that actually gave me reasons, you all had good points, thank-you.

Main reason I decided on A: If it were an actual episode they wouldn't have to get different actors.

Oh and let me know if this chapter is confusing, body switching was harder than I thought… but still fun.

Chapter genre: humour, supernatural/Sci-Fi, and a mention of angst

Chapter rating: T

Chapter title: Each Other's Shoes part 1


When they woke up, they knew right away that something wasn't right.

They stared at each other for several moments before voicing as one "What the hell?" They then scrambled to their feet and cautiously approached each other. It was quite apparent they were not in their proper bodies. Ianto was a little disturbed to note that he could stand to gain a few pounds and Jack came to the conclusion that he hadn't been working out enough.

"Jack," Ianto covered his (Jack's?) mouth at the sound of the voice that came out. Is that how Jack heard himself? Weird. Ianto swallowed and finished what he was going to say "how did this happen?"

Jack raised Ianto's eyebrows at the sound of his voice. Is that what other people heard when he spoke? Maybe he would be sexier with a Scottish accent. "I have no idea" Hmm, Ianto's voice sounded a lot deeper than what actually came out of his mouth. Weird. Jack then saw the strange object on the floor and pointed at it "but I'm guessing that might have something to do with it."

Ianto looked at it, vision a lot better with Jack's eyes "Where'd it come from?" It appeared to be a simple wooden box covered with a mixture of Greek, Ogham and Futhark letters.

"You're the Archivist" Jack bent down for a closer look, either Ianto needed glasses or human eyesight was immensely better by the 51st century. Shit, they'd better find a way to reverse this before they got into a situation where Jack that is Ianto in Jack's body might be killed, because Jack was fairly certain that the immortality was attached to his body. And he wasn't too keen on anyone else finding out his secret.

"Well, I've never seen it before" Ianto replied indignantly "It certainly doesn't look alien though does it? That's human script"

"You never know with aliens. Here, maybe if we both touch it, it'll switch us back."

"Except that we didn't touch it to get like this. It just fell to the floor."

"Good point" Jack picked it up, it was lighter than it looked and it was the smoothest wood he'd ever felt. He dropped it back to the floor. Nothing happened. "Well, I guess we'll have to translate what it says."

Ianto picked up the object this time "It'll take awhile; it's got three different languages on it and I don't think Tosh's program has Ogham or Futhark on it. Speaking of Tosh, should we call the others?"

Jack had a sudden thought "Do you really want to tell them? We'd have to explain how it happened."

Ianto sighed, Owen would have too much fun with this "No, I suppose not. Should we just handle this ourselves then, sir?"

"Please do not call me sir with my voice. And I think we can figure it out, if we can't fix it in a couple of days then we'll tell the others." Besides, I want to see how the others treat you.

"But s-Jack, that means we'll have to act like each other to keep it secret."

"Exactly. I think you can handle my job."

"I know I can, sir but can you handle mine?"

Ianto seemed awfully sure of himself "Of course, you'll just have to teach me how to work that coffee machine before the others get here in the morning."

It was an hour before Ianto would usually arrive and therefore an hour and a half before the others started showing up. Jack and Ianto were in the Jack's office.

"No, Ianto the watch goes on the right wrist"

"Whatever for? You're not left handed."

"You know, I never understood that whole thing. But, no I'm not left handed but I wear my wrist strap on my left because I'm right handed."

"Oh all right" Ianto put the watch on the right wrist and then saw in horror how Jack put on his tie "when was the last time you wore a tie?" he then proceeded to fix it.

"You know, I don't really remember. Good thing, you had a spare suit here though."

"Indeed sir, I do like to be prepared" he finished with the tie "there we are sir."

"I told you to stop calling me that. Doesn't it feel weird or something?"

"Of course it does but like I said, it's a hard habit to break."

"Just remember to call me Ianto in front of everyone else."

"I know and you'll have to call me sir."

"I know, God, that's gonna be weird. Now, time to teach me your coffee magic."

"I'm not going to give away all my secrets Jack."

"What's this button do?

Ianto grabbed his wrist before could touch the red button "Jesus, Jack you have the attention span of a four year old. Now, please pay attention" Ianto released Jack hoping that he hadn't grabbed him too hard. He was about to continue his coffee lecture when the timer on his own watch went off. Shit.

"What's that for?" Jack asked looking at the watch questionly.

Ianto sighed and reached into a cupboard for the pill box he kept here. He debated telling Jack but as he wanted his body to stay healthy he couldn't get out of it. He put two pills in Jack's (his) hand. "Take these. You won't be able to eat for an hour I'm afraid."

Jack looked at him with concern "What are these for?"

"I'm hyperthyroid and I will admit only now that I'm bipolar."

"Why didn't I know about this? It should have been in your file."

"My Torchwood file, Jack?"

"Yeah. Torchwood One wouldn't have hired you if they knew you were bipolar."

"You're right they wouldn't have. They didn't know… about the bipolar anyway." TW1 did know about the hyperthyroid.

"Why haven't you said anything to us?"

"I didn't want anyone knowing."

"Too bad, because from now on you'll have regular check ups from Owen."

"Is that an order sir?"

"Damn right, it's an order."

"So, you're not going to fire me?"

"Why would I?"

"For keeping another secret from you and the fact that I could go manic at any second."

"We'll talk about that secret thing later and as for you going manic, you've been fine so far, as long as you keep taking your medicine…" Jack looked at the pills in his hand "no eating for an hour huh?"

"Nope" Ianto handed him a glass of water.

Jack made a face but took the pills. He hadn't even heard of thyroid disease in his own time and bipolar had been gone for about five hundred years.

If Ianto was being honest he might as well be honest about one more thing "By the way, I request that you be very careful with my body sir."

"You know I will. Any particular reason, other than the obvious?"

Ianto sighed "I had leukaemia when I was seven. I panic every time I bruise."

"Oh" Jack wasn't sure what to say to that because that was another disease that had been eradicated by his century "That wasn't in your file either."

"It should be. Perhaps you forgot."

"I guess I must have. So, did it go into remission or…?"

"My brother Gavin was a match for a bone marrow transplant."

"You have a brother?"

"Six of them and three sisters, all older. Now, shall we continue with the lesson?"

Jack nodded, sincerely not liking the sound of his 'time to change the subject' voice. Clearly, Ianto wasn't too keen on his past. But wow, nine older brothers and sisters— Jack often didn't like to be reminded but he knew of Ianto's family. He had known Ianto's mother (not as well as he would have liked) and grandfather…

"Now, remember, Owen takes his with two sugars, Tosh with cream and two evenly measured tablespoons of chocolate sauce, and since it's Thursday Gwen will have hers with milk and honey for some bizarre reason and I'll have what you're having. Got all that?"

"Could you write it down, please?"

"Certainly" he did so and handed the paper to Jack "Don't forget to go open up the tourist office after you serve the coffee."

"Right" Jack put a hand on his shoulder "we still have a few minutes" he looked at Ianto suggestively, quite interested in the possibilities.

Ianto removed his hand as if it were a spider, not that Jack had seen how Ianto is with a spider "Jack Harkness, you are a freak of nature. I'll be in your office catching up on your paper work" with that he headed back to the office.

Jack would have called after him 'You're no fun' but Tosh arrived just then.


Okay, a few things: Originally I was going to have Ianto be an only child with two half-siblings but I'm rather fond of the idea of him coming from a large family, it makes his angst more fun to write. And I thought giving him some illnesses would also add to the drama. There'll be a whole back story to Ianto and why he didn't stay with his family after his father died later on. Hint: it involves a disagreement with his eldest brother.

Thank-you so much to everyone who voted and reviewed the last chapter. I just love reviews, they make me so happy. Remember a happy Janto shipper is a productive Janto shipper. So please review, they'll help me get the next up that much quicker.

BTW, who thinks Ianto should find out about Jack's immortality?

Oh and for future reference, Ianto's illnesses will play an important part after Jack disappears with the Doctor. Hint: It involves snapping at Gwen. Be prepared.

TTFN