A/N: From this point on my chapters will be titled according to the episodes they are representing. Keep in mind throughout the canon, I am changing things to fit this particular story... so various events will be different along the way. One big difference to note initially: Events are NOT told from Gwen's POV. This story still remains a Janto centered story. This one will be told in two parts. I hope you enjoy it. Comments are always most welcome. Thank you! :)

Everything Changes: Part One

Jack, Owen, Suzie and Tosh surrounded the body of the third murder victim; the glove on Suzie's hand all in the hopes of getting some answers this time. The last subject had spent the larger portion of the allotted two minutes screaming for help when mistakenly told of the injuries they had sustained. Afterwards, Jack had cautioned them not to do that again. The tests were ineffective if the victims were mired in terror the entire time. He hoped for more in one of these experiments. A glimmer that the glove could do more than give them a mere two minutes.

Just as Suzie was preparing to make contact, Jack heard Ianto summoning him through the com. He knew to only do that in such a moment if it were important. Knowing Ianto Jones and his adherence to protocol and detail, Jack didn't doubt the importance.

"Talk to me, Ianto," Jack clipped out, his eyes unwavering from the glove slipping under the victim's head.

"You have a watcher. A cop. She was watching from the street, but once the scene was cleared she ran up to the top of the building directly behind you. I have her on the CCTV. She's watching you now," Ianto relayed without delay.

"Good work, Ianto." Jack glanced nonchalantly over his shoulder, smirking when the form quickly ducked out of sight... but not quick enough. "Better put on some coffee. Looks like it'll be a long night."

Ianto smiled. "Already done, Sir."

"Of course it is." Jack laughed.

Owen glared. "Are we going to get on with this, Jack... or are you going to chat up Tea Boy all night? We're getting soaked out here. Fuck."

"Okay. Let's get moving before we have more uninvited guests," Jack snapped.

It only took moments from the contact that the head of the dead man jerked upwards, his eyes darting around frantically... trying to assimilate his location and precisely what was happening to him, all to no avail. Suzie maintained control of the victim while Tosh asked the questions. Tosh was the most gentle of the team, the one that would be the most likely to establish trust. However, her approach quickly failed as they had with the other two victims. Shortly after the man came back to life, Tosh relayed to him the facts of his death. Now, a minute had elapsed. Once it was established that the victim, John Tucker hadn't identified his murderer, they came to a loss as how to use the remaining seconds.

Jack moved in closer, seeking his own answers to a question that he knew he would never have answered in any other way. The man's face was stark with terror as the implications of the question sunk in. Jack had asked him what did he see when he had died. Tucker's answer had been very simple. "I saw nothing. Oh my God. There's nothing." Then it was over. The victim returned to his state of death, and the experiment was over, learning nothing more than they had on the other two attempts.

Stepping back, Jack shook his head, uncertain if they were handling this the right way... or if there even was a right way. He swiveled around to look up at the figure watching their every move. Deliberately, he shouted out, "What do you think?"

He smiled when the figure scampered back, body shape and language signifying to him to be that of a woman. He looked back to the team. "Let's get this cleaned up and back to the hub."

An hour later they were back at the hub, things evolving back to a state of normalcy. At least as much as was possible. Jack had given instructions to the rest of the team on the way back... now he just had to brief Ianto. Jack didn't doubt the next couple of days were about to be busy. The rift was buzzing with potential activity... the murders were gaining notice that Torchwood had taken an interest... and now, that woman. Jack didn't have a doubt they would be seeing her again, and when they did – he would be called upon to deal with her.

Taking quick strides up the steps to his office, Jack surveyed everyone was on the tasks he had instructed them to do. He caught Ianto following him out of the corner of his eye, noting he was right on cue – coffee in hand. He needed that tonight, and a lot of it. He was never more glad he had brought Ianto Jones on board than in times like this. He looked at him over his shoulder once they had reached the landing, before he said, "Come on in. Close the door."

"Your coffee, Sir." Ianto took a seat across from Jack's desk, as he watched Jack hanging up his coat and moving his body in a long stretch before taking his seat behind the desk.

"Thank you. I can't tell you how much I needed it," Jack told him, taking a long sip of the hot and addictive brew. "I'm going to need you close by for the next couple of days, Ianto. I want the Tourist Office watched at all times, and I might need you for some other projects."

Ianto nodded. He had no problem with staying close to the hub. Lisa was in residence now... and, he wanted to do all he could for Jack for however much longer he was a welcome member of Torchwood Three. "Of course, Sir. Anything you need."

Jack playfully smirked halfheartedly. "If only you'd said that a few hours ago."

"I believe you were working around any lack of that quite nicely..." Ianto drawled, his lips turning up into a smirk, oblivious to how sexy he looked to the Captain when portraying that expression.

"We could always go down to my bunker. I think we have time to pick up where we left off," Jack growled, pushing his paperwork aside for the moment.

Ianto gave a reprimanding click of his tongue. "How remiss of you, Sir. Work to do, right?"

"Nothing that can't wait until morning." Jack sighed, as he regretfully agreed. "However, it's true. Tonight isn't the best of times.. not any longer. I need you well rested for tomorrow. I want you to go home and get a change of clothes, actually two of them... and return back. I will set you up in a room... I'm afraid my bunker would be too tempting."

"Is this all to do with the policewoman watching you tonight?" Ianto asked, as he stood to follow his Captain's instructions.

Jack shrugged. "In part, although I know she would only find her way inside if I allowed it. I have this sense of things sometimes, Ianto. Many events are going to happen soon... ones that will change our lives. I don't take those feelings for granted. We will be ready for them."

"Of course, Sir. I'll just go pack up for the next few nights, and I'll return. I know whatever needs done you will make sure Torchwood is always protected," Ianto told him, never having meant anything more.

Jack smiled. "Thank you, Ianto. You are the newest member of the team, but probably the one I rely on the most."

Ianto felt the guilt overwhelming him again, biting his tongue to force himself not to divulge his secrets to the Captain; at the very least not to tell him he wasn't worthy of his accolades. He bowed his head, and moved towards the door. "I won't be long, Sir."

Jack settled Ianto into a small room that had all the necessities he would need. Safe rooms that could be used to close off from the outside world. As much as Jack would have enjoyed introducing Ianto to his bunker, he knew now was not the time. As much as he wanted the young Welshman; he didn't want a hurried coupling – at least not the first time. He wanted to savor every exquisite moment of them coming together. Jack vowed as soon as everything was calm again; as calm as it could ever be within the walls of Torchwood... he would be proceeding to pick up exactly where they left off.

"You should be comfortable here, Ianto. I'm going to leave you to get some rest... and I plan to do the same." Jack looked deeply into Ianto's eyes, seeing sadness and concern within them. "We still have much to talk about yet, Ianto Jones. When things are more settled we will do that."

Ianto nodded, and made a gesture he would have never expected in himself. He closed the slight difference, placing his lips against the Captain's more than surprised ones. He kissed him softly for a long moment, pulling back to sigh deeply as he looked at the man that had come so close to becoming his lover earlier this night; however, beyond that... a man he thought he could call friend. At least until the moment this part of his world blew up in his face. "Good night, Sir. I know you will set everything right."

Jack reached up, stroking Ianto's face softly, marveling at the tenderness in his archivist; knowing no matter what happened from this day forward... he would never regret bringing him into his fold.

TBC