AUTHOR'S NOTE: I really apologize for the wait. I had a really traumatic day yesterday. I had to face a much older cousin in court yesterday in front of our family. He did something horrendous to me as a child, I had to testify and give my victim impact statement. All the details I'll give. But, I just wanted to say that yesterday I went to re-read the comments and feedback you all have given me...They really helped me get through it. Seeing that somewhere people did support me, even if it was just my writing. After my entire family turned on me yesterday, you all got me through. So I want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much. I hope you enjoy.
Steven screamed for Jack as the front door burst open. A tall, thin man stepped into the room, looking around with disgust. Jack, clad in only a towel, came running into the room, but stopped dead when he saw the visitor.
"You must be Captain Jack Harkness." The man said, strolling over toward him. "I'm The Master."
"I know." He snarled. "I met our world's version of you a while back."
"Ah, right. I heard that there was another me wandering about." As he neared, Jack jumped in front of Ianto and Steven, his face going white when he saw the blood pouring from his lover's shoulder.
"What the hell did you do?!" He roared, charging toward the Master.
"Oh. Nothing really." He said, and sidestepped, allowing a larger man to enter the room and grab Jack, putting him in a police hold. "Just my own little insurance policy. See, if he's hurt, he can't run away. I mean look at him."
Ianto was pale and squinting, as if he was having trouble focusing on the people in front of him. He had grabbed Steven and was holding him protectively against his side. The boy was staring at the man holding Jack, eyes wide with fear.
"He needs help!" Jack yelled.
"Oh, I'll help." The Master grinned and nodded to the man holding the Immortal's arms. The man brought his fist down hard on Jack's temple and his vision went black.
Jack came to about an hour later to find himself laying on the floor in the living room. He sat up quickly, but was hit with a wave of nausea.
'Concussion.' He thought. 'Steven! Ianto!'
He looked around, but the apartment was empty. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the burner that the Doctor had gotten the night before.
"Jack?" He answered.
"They're gone!" He screamed into the phone. "He took Ianto and Steven and left me here. He knocked me out and took them! Where are you, Doctor? You swore you'd find them before he found us and now they're gone!"
"I'm so sorry, Jack." The Doctor said quietly.
"You're sorry? They're going to die and it's all your fault!"
"We're going to find them, Harkness. Gwen and I are coming. Give us twenty minutes." The Time Lord ended the call and Jack stared down at his phone blankly.
He shakily rose and went to the bathroom to look at the damage. His temple had been delivered a hard blow, and his left eye was swollen, but no permanent damage. He ran cold water over his wrists in a pathetic attempt to calm himself down. When that didn't work, he angrily returned to the living room to pace while he waited for the Doctor.
Twenty two minutes later, the door opened, and the Doctor and Gwen scurried in. Gwen hurried over to Jack and pulled him into a warm hug.
"I'm so sorry, Jack." She whispered.
He said nothing, but gently moved her away so he could face the Doctor. Before he could speak, Jack's fist had found it's way to the Time Lord's face, knocking him to the ground.
"Jack!" Gwen hissed. "That's not helping matters!" She helped the injured man to his feet.
"No, Gwen. I deserved it. It's all right." He pulled off his tie and used it to staunch the blood flowing from his nose. "Now, I've managed to get the license plate number for the Master's car. I know it's insanely human, but it's all I've got. Tosh has traced it to a location for me. It's a start."
Ianto and Steven had placed in a car before a chloroform soaked rag had been placed over each of their mouths.
When they woke up, they were in a small, windowless room. Both were shackled to the wall by one ankle.
"Uncle Ianto?" The boy asked nervously. "What are we going to do?"
The man sighed, feeling the crude bandage that had been placed on his shoulder was stiff with dried blood. "Well, first, anytime we are in front of the Master or anyone else, call me Agent Jones. Calling me anything familiar will show weakness on your part. Understood?"
"Okay, Agent Jones."
"Good. Next, if they threaten to do anything to you, I'm going to pull the attention to myself by any means necessary. You WILL NOT do anything to stop me."
"Yes, Sir."
"You will not speak to anyone unless there is absolutely no other option."
"Yes, Sir."
"I know it seems like I am being harsh, but I'm telling you what you need to survive."
"I know. I'm listening."
"Alright. Good. Above all else, there are two very important things you need to know. One, never ever speak of your uncle, the Doctor, or Torchwood in front of anyone. Two, your Uncle isn't who you've been told he is. He's actually your grandfather."
"What? How?"
"Steven, I hear someone coming. I don't have time to explain it all. But I will. I promise. Just know that we love you very much and we are going to get out of this alive. Remember what I told you."
The door opened and the Master, dressed in a jet black suit, came in. He gave a wide smile. "So, how are my two guests doing?"
No response.
"Oh, now don't be like that. I'm lonely. I just want to have a little chat."
Still no response.
"Fine, if that's how you'll act, I'll have to teach you that silence is not acceptable." He moved over to where Ianto was sitting and crouched down next to him. "Last chance to say something. Tell me about the Doctor and your precious loverboy."
Ianto spat in the man's face defiantly.
"Now, see, that wasn't nice." The Master said, wiping his face. "I think you need to learn a lesson."
With that, he pulled Ianto's shirt open and the buttons scattered across the floor. Across the room, he saw Steven pulling at his chain, trying to get to him. He gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head and the boy stilled. The Master ripped the bandage off his still fresh wound. He winced but stayed silent.
"Look at that. Bet that hurts." He dug his thumb into the bullet hole, rotating it slowly.
Ianto grunted and inwardly screamed.
The Master pulled his hand back, disappointed. "Well, I suppose that's something. Oh, well. There's always next time." He wiped the blood off on the man's shirt.
He turned to face the shaken boy. "Let that show you, child. I do not tolerate being ignored." As he walked toward the door, he called over his shoulder. "I'll be back in the morning. It's when the real fun begins." The door slammed shut, leaving the two alone.
"Uncle Ianto?" Steven called cautiously.
"I'm alright." Ianto called back. He replaced the bandage as best he could. "All this Torchwood training isn't going to count for shit, though. None of us were prepared for the Master."
"What do we do, then?"
Ianto thought for a moment. "I have an idea. The Doctor told me how Jack managed to deal with the Master. Maybe it will work for us."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Reviews get updates, Loves. Thank you all so much, again.
Also, next chapter will involve Jack singing. Not in a fluffy way. If you didn't know that John Barrowman was an amazing, successful singer, I suggest going to YouTube immediately.
