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 Nine - The Heist

"She's going to know that I know." Ianto murmured as they sat in the car outside the hub.

"She doesn't know anything. Get in there, you're going to be late."

"That's your fault." Ianto glared at the captain.

"And you loved every second." Jack chuckled, "Get inside."

"Okay. Wish me luck." Ianto breathed shakily as he left the car.

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

Ianto's steps were slow as he moved towards the cog door. It seemed so eerie to feel so unsafe in a place he had come to know as home. The cog door rolled open and he was sure his heart had stopped before he finally moved into the room.

"Where were you last night?" He heard Jack's voice and held back the urge to hold her against the wall, make her suffer.

"Didn't you get my note?"

"Yeah but I thought you'd be coming back in some time last night."

"Sorry, I lost track of time."

Jack's face pouted at him and he turned away, heading towards the firing range.

"Where are you going?"

"Routine clean!" Ianto called out, "I'll only be a minute."

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

Jack leaned his head against the head rest, looking up at the roof of the car and ran a hand through his hair. Six more minutes before he'd rush in and help Ianto. Why did he have to promise to wait? It was so hard to wait when he knew that each passing second could be leading to her hurting him, hurting his Ianto.

He looked at the clock, watching the hands turn. He groaned as they seemed to only get slower and looked towards the tourist office. Gwen had taken the day off in stride thankfully. Jack didn't want to explain things to her, he just wanted things to go back to normal. Playing with the air conditioning, he noticed something in the fans. Ianto never used them, he said he hated the wind hitting his face. He looked closer and rushed out of the car, he didn't care how early he was for Ianto, he had to get him out of there fast.

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

Ianto grabbed a gun and jumped when the imposter Jack grabbed hold of his arm.

"Jack?"

"Put the gun down Ianto."

"What are you doing?" Ianto's voice was as masked as he could manage, the worry so hard to contain.

"I promised you a free lesson, didn't I?" Jack's face softened into a smile.

"Uh, no you didn't."

"Well I should've."

"I'm just cleaning up. We can do that later." Ianto smiled, trying to convince him...her.

"But when was the last time we had a lesson? Besides," He said, picking up the gun and suddenly hitting Ianto's head with it, knocking him out, "It'll be so much fun."

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

Jack moved slowly into the hub, trying to find the Welshman. He was filled with apprehension, with fear for the younger man. He wanted to take it back, all of it. If he'd never have met her, Ianto's wouldn't be in any danger.

"Jack." He turned when he heard his own voice.

"You bugged his car?"

"I'll admit, he's smarter than I thought he'd be."

"Where is he?"

"In the other room. I'm glad you're here. I wouldn't want you to miss Ianto's big finale." She grinned.

"What did you do to him?" Jack's anger was obvious as he asked her the question through gritted teeth.

"Same thing I'm going to do to you, except he'll be getting a hell of a lot worse."

"Don't hurt him. I'm here, you can kill me a million times over, just don't hurt him."

"Tempting." She nodded, "But I know this will be more painful for you."

"He has nothing to do with you!"

"He's one of the biggest reasons I'm doing this!" She yelled.

"Why? You don't even know him!"

"He has you! You're not going to leave him, that much is obvious. He...loves you and I can see it in your eyes, you love him too. Do you think about me at all? Didn't I mean anything to you?"

"You meant something, of course you did." Jack reassured, taking a hesitant step forward.

"But you moved on?"

"Yes and you should too."

"It's not that easy. You don't know the affect you have on people."

"I don't have an affect on people."

Teyla chuckled, "Lets get Ianto to tell you if you don't believe me. Come on."

Jack stared at her, trying to read her and only seeing a smile as she gestured for the meeting room.

"Just let him go."

"Give me one good reason why." She challenged.

"Because if you don't, I will kill you with my bare hands."

She walked towards the captain slowly before hitting him just as she did Ianto, knocking him out, "Not good enough."

Really short, sorry. Next chapter will be LONG though.

Cheers,
Gabz
xx