Ten
Taking a cautious sip, Ianto looked into the mug he was holding.
"That bad, huh?" Jack took a mug from the retrieval slot.
"Needs work," Ianto said with a grimace as Jack now took a sip.
Jack smacked his lips trying to confirm the flavour. "Well that tastes almost exactly as coffee should without being actually tasting of coffee. More of a non-coffee like coffee."
Ianto took another sip. "I think it's strange but drinkable and I am not even going to ask how she made this."
"You-Know-Who was a tea drinker," Jack said cautiously, because any mention of the Doctor or the Master caused a perceptible darkening starting in the corners of the room which made it clear their names was never to be spoken out loud again.
"Explains this then," Ianto agreed holding up his mug.
"If we can get her a sample of coffee then I'm sure she will be willing to add it to her repertoire."
"Ah the possibilities," Ianto added as the double doors leading out into the TARDIS opened.
"Please follow me, you are required," K9 instructed.
"Where are we needed?" Jack asked, looked into his mug, and then placed the mug back into the retrieval slot.
"Console room," came the reply.
Entering they saw Sean was studying one of the many gadgets that were displayed on various shelfs around the room.
"We've been summoned," Jack said as Sean came to join them.
Approaching the console one of the many screens began to fill with words.
Jack smiled and looked at Ianto. "Are we being asked to leave?" he said as he read the flowery language.
"Affirmative," K9 told them.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Ianto pointed out. "Leaving Sean here on his own, I mean look at this place. What if he needs help to figure things out?"
"I can figure things out on my own, Tad," Sean added looking a little crestfallen.
Ianto placed his arm around him. "It's not that I don't trust you or the TARDIS. What if you need help?" Ianto added quickly seeing the hurt on Sean's face.
"It is necessary to complete the transformative stage. The TARDIS needs his unbundled energy to complete the bonding," K9 spoke up.
Ianto smothered a smile and looked at Jack. "I think what the TARDIS is trying to say is this is a newborn relationship and a boy and his TARDIS need to be alone with each other."
"Affirmative. You have bundled energy and it is interfering with the final configuration."
"I see," Jack said. "I understand if it's absolutely essential we will leave, but before we go we need to discuss the fact that Sean is only fourteen years old. It's not that we don't trust Sean, but you are incredibly powerful."
Ianto jumped in. "It's not that we don't trust you either, how could we not trust you after everything that's happened…"
The screen began to fill with screes and screes of information and behind them one of the many gadgets began to print off the information into a hard copy form.
Scanning over the copy, which to Jack and Ianto looked like a substantial legal document complete with places for signatures. One word immediately struck them.
"Guardians...Jack and I…are guardians until he comes of age," Ianto reflected his understanding out loud.
"Awesome," Sean added thinking he only had four years before he could go anywhere he wanted.
Flipping the pages Jack laughed then pointed out the clause he has just read.
"Well, that puts a different slant on things," Ianto said.
"Can I see?" Ianto handed the document over to Sean and pointed out the clause. "That's not fair. I'll be ancient," Sean burst out, pouted then crossed his arms as his excitement faded.
"Thirty years is not ancient," Ianto corrected him then looked around as something came to him. Sean is correct; thirty is almost middle age for human being. "Is there something you're not telling us?" Ianto said to the room in general.
"Think about it, Ianto. He has the same energy passing through him as the third source," Jack pointed out when the TARDIS remained silent.
Ianto spluttered as the implications came to him. "What Tad?" Sean suddenly became concerned.
"Are you telling me that Sean is and I am and you're…I need to sit down again," Ianto said as he held onto the console for support.
"Sean, there is no easy way to say this. But it's something else you need to know," Jack started to speak.
Sean looked stunned. What else was there? His Dad was his mum. He had had a half-sister. Apparently his Tad couldn't die. Well he could but he came back to life. What more could there be?
"Sean it's a long story but something happened when I was travelling with…" Jack indicated with his head. "To cut a long story short I died and another travelling companion used the TARDIS heart energy to bring me back to life. It means I can't die."
Sean looked between his Dads.
"And yesterday, well it looks like Tad can't die either because Ianto and I have this bonded link and the same energy is going through you."
Jack and Ianto watched the effect of the words on Sean.
"I'm confused," Sean said after a few moments.
"The Time Lords were very long lived. They each lived for thousands of years. If I understand what's happened and the wording of this document it means that we are inheritors of that legacy. When I say we I mean all three of us. You are the direct inheritor and your Dad and I are here to make sure that happens. We keep the inheritance until such time as you can take it on your own shoulders; it means all three of us need extended lives, because time is eternal." The feeling in the room lifted in a way none of them could explain as Ianto spoke out.
"I'm not sure I want this. Part of me thinks it's great, but what about the future? It means I might be on my own because everyone else will grow up and I will be fourteen forever."
"Negative, Master," K9 interrupted and all three looked in the dog's direction. "You will continue until you come of age. Then remain. Currently you are unbundled. You will become bundled in time." Sean looked at K9 as if he was mad.
"So are you saying that what happened to Ianto and I will happen for Sean," Jack checked out.
"Affirmative."
"And will any of his children have the same energy running though them?" Ianto asked taking the idea to the next logical step.
"It is predicted that as each generation is completed the need for extreme longevity will diminish."
"That you will need to explain," Jack said.
"The explanation will become clear over time," K9 went and stood before Sean.
"It's bewildering; there are so many implications," Ianto pointed out.
"There is time enough," K9 said. "Right now the configuration is requiring completion and you will need this. All has been prepared." A slot opened on the console and Sean took out what looked like two card holders.
"I know what this is," Jack said as he examined his and handed the other to Ianto. "It's psychic paper."
"Psychic what?" Ianto said pulling out the blank paper from its holder.
"Not sure how it works but if you show it to someone they see what they expect or information about that person they need to know. For example an entry pass or proof of whom you are."
"Like a fake ID," Sean spoke up trying not to smile
"This is one conversation we are not having." Ianto raised his eyebrows at Sean.
"What does mine say?" Jack showed his to Ianto who promptly burst out laughing.
"It says 'Captain Jack Harkness, intergalactic stud muffin' and underneath it states in bold "I am not fat." Jack looked at it now blank.
"And mine?" Ianto held up the paper in his palm expectantly.
"It has not been seven months," Jack burst out indignantly.
Ianto looked at the now blank paper wondering what the hell it said. Jack leaned into to him and whispered in his ear.
"It bloody well has," Ianto told him seriously
"We shower," Jack pointed out.
"And when was the last time we did that? Every morning, I doing my parent routine or you're called out because you've been asked to liaise between UNIT and some undersecretary who's having hysterics over some alien incursion and needs your immediate personal attention."
"We'll take a break, go somewhere warm with a view and not leave the bedroom," Jack offered.
"Won't work Jack. Look what happened last time we tried to have time to ourselves. Just as we are about to board the bloody plane Torchwood Four turns up. And instead of five days in Spain with sun, sand, sangrias and you, I have to put up with watching several DVD series back to back while you go gallivanting about having some grand adventure." He looked at Jack's stunned face. "And when you got back you were too knackered to do anything but sleep for two days."
Jack took Ianto's hand and kissed it. "I promise we will make time…" Jack pulled Ianto in and they kissed.
"Dad, Tad!" They looked and saw Sean squirming, trying to cover his eyes. "Do you have to do that here?"
They pulled back and Ianto groaned. "So we have psychic paper and a request to leave. Alright, on the understanding this TARDIS does not move, and when I mean move I mean in time and or space from this very location." Ianto grabbed Jack's hand.
"So why do we need these?" Jack looked at the paper in his hand and the door of the TARDIS swung open.
Hooking the door shut with his foot and ignoring the regal splendour of the room Ianto pulled Jack into a frantic kiss.
"Lube?" Ianto said as they pulled apart for breath.
"Bugger," Jack said and started to search through the Hotel information on the small table by the tall windows that led onto a balcony.
He put his head out the door and took a look at the wide expanse of beach and ocean. "Very nice," he stated then picked up a large pamphlet holder and started to pull them out one at a time and discarded each in turn.
"English...why are there none in English?" he growled.
"That's because this is Argos Five," Ianto started to explain as Jack tossed out another pamphlet. "I'm going to call room service; all hotels have a pharmacy for this sort of thing."
"No I'll go," Jack grumbled stuffing his shirt back into his pants and zipping himself up.
Ianto threw himself onto the bed in frustration with a furious roar as the door slammed shut.
With a primal growl they both collapsed onto the bed in a heap of limbs.
"Who said you could move?" Ianto said after a few moments passed and Jack leaned over to grab some wipes.
Smiling Jack began to gently clean them up. "Feeling better?" Jack asked as he threw the wipes towards a rubbish bin.
"Getting there," Ianto said as he settled his head on Jack's chest. A few moments passed and they just held each other.
"I'm sorry you felt so neglected." Jack took Ianto's hand and kissed the palm.
"It's not your fault. We've both been so busy, with the expansion of my business, you acting as alien liaison to the government, Sean. I should have tied you down like of old."
"We have been busy," Jack agreed.
"You know, in terms of oddness the last few days have been very odd. There is so much to come to terms with. If I understand correctly the energy in us is inheritable and that each of our descendants in turn will have the same energy."
Jack nodded. "I have this feeling that there is a bigger picture that is being revealed."
Ianto nodded as he felt his eyes getting heavier.
"Sleepy already?" Jack teased.
"It's a long time since I came twice in under an hour I need to recharge," Ianto admitted honestly.
"Did I wear you out?" Jack smiled.
"No I'm gearing up to make you scream out my name in seven languages," Ianto pointed out.
"Only seven?"
"How many languages do you know then?"
"Let me see..." Jack pretended to count. He was about to answer when he saw Ianto had fallen asleep. He placed an arm around him, kissed his forehead and followed.
Waking with a start Ianto looked deep into Jack's eyes which were blazing with need. He was filled with an agonising desire to bury himself inside Jack. Their lips crashed together with a hunger neither had felt for a very long time. It was all-consuming as the bond between them thrummed. In a blur Ianto found himself lined up with Jack on all fours, Jack whimpering beneath him. He paused when he recalled the last time they had felt this overwhelming desire
"Jack, we have to stop," he said as he fought the urge to drive balls deep into Jack.
"Fuck me Ianto."
"We need condoms," Ianto almost sobbed as Jack growled.
"NO, No I need really feel you inside me now!" Jack commanded.
Ianto pulled away then headed for the bathroom, his cock was so hard it was painful to walk.
"Jack, when you bought the supplies did you see if there was any…" Jack grabbed him around the waist and he found himself dragged back to the bed. In seconds he was on his back, Jack astride his lap, holding both his wrists.
"Do I have to tie you down?" Jack hissed as Ianto twisted, trying to keep his other hand out of reach.
"Jack, feel the energy?"
"Don't you every shut up?" All talk ended as Ianto found himself lost in Jack's kiss.
"We have to stop," Ianto said breathlessly once they broke apart and found that Jack had managed to tie one of his hands down.
"One hand to go and then I am going to ride you," Jack said with glee, his eyes flashing. "I want you so deep in my arse I want to feel you in the back of my throat."
"The last time we felt like this was when you got back from universe hopping we ended up with Sean," Ianto managed to say.
"Sean," Jack stopped.
"Sean," Ianto repeated and Jack looked shaken.
"I remember the best three days of sex in my entire existence," Jack said wistfully.
"We need condoms," Ianto saw he had finally gotten Jack to listen. Leaping off Ianto Jack raced into the bathroom.
"No, No, NO!" Ianto heard crashing. Ianto finally pulled the knot on his tie free and joined him.
Ianto took hold of Jack's shoulders. "Think, Jack...did the pharmacy sell anything like condoms?"
"NO! They had everything else but nothing for humans."
"Lube..." Ianto interjected
"Is a universal requirement," Jack said putting all the stress on the 't'.
"Bugger," Ianto said through his teeth. "Now what do we do and ahhhhhhhhh stop filling my mind with images!"
"Sorry, all I can think of is you fucking me through the mattress."
"Okay we need to think," Ianto said taking a deep breath and saw one of the discarded pamphlets of the floor.
"What does one do on Argos Five when one needs distraction?" Ianto tried to keep the tremble out of his voice.
"Clothes...we need clothes," Jack said suddenly and Ianto nodded eagerly. "But nowhere with booths."
"Agreed," Ianto said pulling on his pants. "Places where there are lots of people around," Ianto clicked his fingers. "Restaurant, on our way up here I saw a really good restaurant and they have a swimming pool outside with a bar."
"No drinking; lowers the inhibitions," Jack pointed out.
"Okay okay, no drinking, don't go anywhere there are booths, make sure there lots of people around us at all times. Keep busy, don't throw you against a wall and fuck your brains out...got it," Ianto said his heart thumping in his chest.
"Remind me how long the compulsion lasted the first time?" Jack asked as they headed for the door.
"I don't recall we gave in," Ianto said an ache in his voice.
"We could give in," Jack pointed out hopefully.
"We have a son who has just taken over the TARDIS. We need to keep our time free to help him settle in and any other issues that might arise, let alone our lives back in reality."
"Shopping," Jack took a deep breath and opened the door.