Chapter 10

It had been a week since the bombing of the Cardiff MI-5 base. The building had been cordoned off and the MI-5 agents (all of whom had survived) were set up in a hotel where they continued to work.

Except for Sean.

"Here you go."

"Thanks."

Jack smiled up at Sean as his fiancé (that was a wonderful word, wasn't it?) set a pile of reports on top of his desk.

It had taken a great deal of wheeling and dealing, lots of begging and even some favors cashed in but Jack had gained some peace of mind in regards to his younger, mortal lover. Now instead of being out in the field Sean worked as the official liaison between Torchwood and MI-5. He missed working with his colleagues but he was happy to be with Jack.

Jack reached out and caught Sean by the wrist. He pulled the smaller man onto his lap and proceeded to snog him senseless. Tongues clashed in a playful battle for dominance. It didn't last too long though.

"Jack!" Sean protested with a laugh, as he attempted to free himself. He smiled as the immortal nuzzled the hairs at the nape of his neck. "I have work to do!"

"I'm the boss here, remember? That means you hafta do as I say," Jack grinned. He encircled the slim waist with both arms and 'hmmed' his delight.

"You know, I really don't think that's how it works."

Jack pouted as Sean climbed to his feet. The pout turned into his patent-pending megawatt smile as his lover walked to the door. He so did love to watch that man walk! Was it the tautness of the twin cheeks clothed in expensive trousers? Perhaps it was the confident way he moved. Or maybe it was...

"Work now, sex me with your eyes later."

"I love it when you get bossy," Jack said.

Hand on hip, Sean turned with a teasing smirk. "From 9 to 5 you're in charge. Once the day is done-"

"You are. I like our arrangement, don't you?" came the cheeky reply.

The laugh that erupted was light and full of joy.

It had been a long while since Jack Harkness had felt so damned happy. He just hoped it wasn't fleeting.

OoOoO

Gwen looked up as Sean emerged from Jack's office. The urge to scream was dampened only by the fact that if she did then she would have to explain it to the rest of the team.

It didn't help that Owen and Tosh had all but accepted Sean. In Owen's case it was more like indifference (I don't wanna know what you're up to just don't get up to it on my desk) whereas Tosh took the position that Jack could take care of himself. Personally Gwen believed that they had changed their opinions of the man simply because his being there had put Jack in a much better mood. The last few days Jack had barely let Sean out of his sight. Gray too for that matter.

Gray. Where was that boy anyway? She frowned and looked around the Hub proper.

She completely disagreed with Jack's decision to rehabilitate his younger brother. It was not that she thought it impossible but they were busy enough with Torchwood. Gray had been tortured and vengeful for most of his life. He needed constant guidance and assurance but with the way things went it was unlikely he would get either. Jack's head was too far up Sean's-

"Gwen?"

"Oh! Ianto, sorry. You startled me."

The Archivist smiled and set her coffee cup on her desk. He followed her gaze and sighed.

"Gwen, leave it." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Sean sat at his desk with a set of file folders and a cup of (liquid plastic) coffee that he had made for himself. The way he had made himself so damned comfortable at the HUB really grated on Gwen's nerves. But there was nothing she could do. Sean Bennett was there to stay.

Didn't mean she had to like it though.

OoOoO

"Hey! What can I do you for?" Jack asked with a grin.

Tom stood with folded arms and a blanked expression.

"Guess this ain't a social call then?"

"You guessed right." Tom's dark eyes narrowed dangerously. "You stole one of my agents."

There were very few people who made Jack, the immortal Captain, nervous. Tom Quinn however did much more than that. He actually inspired real fear in Jack.

The Captain and Tom had met over twenty years ago when Jack was still a freelance agent. Back before Jack met Sean.

Tom had still been very new to MI-5 and had been searching for a terrorist with his more experienced teammates. The terrorist had been just out of Tom's reach for days when he had finally caught up to him. It was just his dumb luck that the man he'd been after turned out to be an alien. It had been even more unfortunate that Jack Harkness had been the one to fire the shot that had saved Tom's life.

It had been a rocky start to an even rockier relationship. Jack had flirted and Tom had rejected. Typical of both. Both men had hardened their hearts to the world and to emotion. Both lived to protect, one the world and the other his Queen's kingdom. They worked together when the need arose. When there was no need they avoided each other. It was not that they did not like each other; in fact they got on quite well. Instead it was that they had both seen and done things that they were not proud of. Each had given up loved ones and sacrificed their souls over and over again for their duties.

That mutual sacrifice had forged a strong bond between the two men.

They would die for each other. Too bad for Tom that he could only die for Jack once.

"So how about a drink?" Jack asked.

They stood outside the Mermaid Quay Tourist Office. It was raining. Just a light drizzle, barely enough to be felt.

"A drink?" Tom shook his head. Typical Jack.

They walked to the pub in silence. Silence was not just golden, it was essential for the two men. The more they spoke the more likely they were to come to blows.

Jack bought the first round and joined Tom at a booth in the back. He sipped his drink before looking at his companion.

"This isn't about Sean, is it?" he asked. He sipped at his beer and set it down.

"It is. Just not the fact that you stole him from MI-5." Tom picked up his draft and downed half of it in one gulp.

"Borrowed is the term I like to use." Jack licked his lips and looked away. "He's safe here. I can protect him better. If he's in the field... I won't risk losing him. Not again."

"You didn't lose him. It was of your own volition that he found his way to us."

"No, Jameson sought him out because of me."

"She sought him out because of you, yes, but he chose to join us." Tom rolled his near empty glass between his palms. "She would have gone after him regardless because it was obvious that you loved him."

"So what's got you knocking on my door, then?"

Tom raised his eyes to the Captain.

"Do you love him still?"

"Yes," came the conviction-filled reply.

"Are you willing to die for him?"

"As many times as I have to."

Tom drained his glass. He reached across the table and snatched Jack's glass from him.

"And I'm sticking around to see that you do."

"So that's it then." Jack's blue eyes darkened. "You're in love with him."

The snort he got in response made him frown. "What?"

"You think I'm in love with Sean? Oh Jack!" Tom leaned back and folded his arms with a smirk on his face. "No, sorry but I'm completely hetero. And don't get me that shit about 21st century labels. I still maintain that even in your evolved time there are many who pick a single gender, be it their own or another, and stick with it. I think it's you who started the whole 'let's all love each other and shag ourselves senseless' thing."

"Then what is it?"

"Sean has been hurt so much. So has your brother. Both need you equally."

"And you want to make certain that I won't toss Sean aside just because my little brother needs me too."

"Sean saved my life once. Only a few months into his training there was an... incident. He nearly died for me. I owe him more than you can imagine."

Jack's frown deepened as he listened. "So okay, he saved your life. Doesn't make me feel any better about how close and devoted to each other you appear to be."

"Who do you think was there for me when Ellie left? Sean knows what it's like to lose the one you love more than life itself." Tom ran a hand over his face. "For him that person is you. It's always been you. And you're luckier than me."

"How?"

"He's willing to give up everything to be with you. I couldn't do that for Ellie."

OoOoO

Two days later...

Gray stood with hands pressed against the glass of the bay window.

"Wow, we're so high up!"

Jack stood back, an arm around Sean's waist, and watched his brother. This was what he wanted. He wanted to give his brother a family and what better family was there than this? He was certain that he and Sean could be good parents to Gray.

"This is so great! Jack," Gray said enthused. "This place is huge!"

"It's a penthouse house flat," Sean replied. "We're on the seventh floor."

"Do you want to see your room?" Jack asked.

"I have my own room?"

On the colony world where they had lived as children the brothers had shared a small room. So for Gray to have a room of his very own was a big deal indeed.

"Where is it? I wanna see it!"

"Boundless energy." Sean sighed as Gray pulled him away from Jack. "God I feel old."

Jack chuckled. "You're not that old."

He followed the other two down the hall. Sean paid a lot for his flat but it was nice. The red and black living room was spacious, yet homey and comfortable. Pictures of Jack and Sean (past and present relationship) were artfully displayed in frames, on the wall and on mantle. They had joined the the posters of England. The kitchen was directly to the left of the front room; the bedrooms and their en suites to the right.

The good thing, in Jack's opinion, was that the two bathrooms were side by side. Just because his younger brother would be there was not enough to make him give up his sex life. He felt better knowing that if he and Sean were in the shower, Gray would not be scarred for life by the sight.

"Jack, have you seen my room? It's so big!"

Gray's enthusiasm was contagious. Jack hadn't been this happy since he was a boy.

OoOoO

"No."

"But Jack!"

"Gwen, I don't know what I can say to make you understand."

"How about the truth!"

"The truth? Alright."

Gwen stilled herself. She held her breath. Was he finally going to admit that he had made a mistake and that Sean was capitalizing on it?

"I love him. I am going to marry him. End of story."

"Dammit Jack."

"Gwen." Jack rubbed at his jaw tiredly. "I don't really care what you think. I am marrying Sean whether or not you approve."

She scowled and planted herself in front of him, blocking his way.

"I managed to turn a blind eye when you and Ianto started whatever it was you were doing. I could because I love Rhys too much to hurt him anymore. And I knew that you cared about Ianto as well as me. But this whole mess with Sean-"

"I don't owe you a thing, Gwen." Jack locked eyes with her. "Yes, at one time I wanted you. But that was only because you reminded me of Sean."

"What?"

"Your determination, your thirst for life, your unlimited energy. The fact that you never quit, even when I tell you to." Jack smiled. "That's what attracted me to him."

"But he hurt you!"

"Under the influence of the Probe."

"Even you said that the probe didn't generate those ideas and desires that he had."

"That's true," Jack admitted. "But the thing is, Gwen, everyone has desires and ideas that they would like to see made real. Some of those desires are obvious to us but so many aren't. Our subconscious works in ways we can't even imagine. No one can ever have every wish granted. Yes," he said. "Sean may have wanted me to be his very own Ken doll but he also wants me to be me. Can you understand that?"

She folded her arms and looked away. From the moment she had first seen Jack she had known that their destinies would be intertwined. For a time she had even entertained the idea that she and Jack would fall in love and live happily ever after. Then she had seen had much she was hurting Rhys and came to her senses. Add to that the fact that Ianto had been deeply in... something with the Captain and the choice to marry her own Welshman was made. She still saw him as her hero and all she wanted was for him to be happy.

Could he really be happy with Sean Bennett?

"Jack..." she began only to stop.

"I love him. That means that I forgive him. Just as he forgave me."

"But you didn't..."

"I left him. Nine years ago I left him. I lied, said that Alex needed me here. That I would visit. But I didn't. All I did was runaway from the best thing I ever had." Jack smiled softly. "And you know what? He forgave me for it. I ripped his heart out and he still loves me. How could I not want to marry him?"

Gwen raised her eyes and looked at him. Her hero. Up on a pedestal so high all that was left was for him to fall.

"I won't be there to see it, Jack."

She turned and walked away.

OoOoO

"You look tired," Jason said as he took Ianto's coat for him.

"Well, the Rift has been a bit busy. Weevils and Hoixes galore. Gray ran me ragged until yesterday when he moved in with Jack and Sean. Not to mention that planning the wedding of those same two would-be parents has been quite taxing."

Ianto smiled at his husband. "So yeah, a bit tired."

"Then how about neck massage?"

Two hours later the neck massage had led to a round of extremely acrobatic sex.

"Mmm."

"You sound like you enjoyed yourself," Ianto commented. He stretched languidly then cuddled against Jason's side.

"Can I help it if you're built like a sex machine?"

With a bark of laughter Ianto rolled to lay on top of the older man.

"Says the man who twisted me like I were a pretzel not half an hour ago."

He kissed Jason's smile away with his tongue. He kissed a path along the strong jaw and then to the hollow of Jason's throat.

"Keep it up and you'll keep me up."

"You won't hear me complain."

Ianto let out a gasp. Slicked fingers found their way between his legs. He clenched his buttocks, which he knew would drive Jason wild. His husband loved it when he had to work to pleasure him.

"Tease," Jason murmured. He moved to grip Ianto's thighs with both hands. Then without warning he flipped them over and dipped his head to take the head of Ianto's cock in his mouth. The resulting moan spurred him on. Jason licked along the length until he reached the base.

"Jason... Please don't make me beg."

"Oh, Lover, you already are!"

"See what you've done to me," Ianto gasped. "Not fair at all. Bloody Yank."

"Who said anything about being fair?"

OoOoO

Sean lay with his head on Jack's chest.

"You okay?"

"Course." Jack paused. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Maybe because in the last few days one of your best friends has been slowly pulling away from you. And then today she told you, in not so many words, that she didn't want you to be happy."

Jack curled an arm around the younger man. "Not that she doesn't want me to be happy. She doesn't want-"

"You to be happy with me."

"Doesn't change a thing."

"But..."

"Not. A. Thing."

Jack rolled them over and kissed Sean.

"Gwen is a romantic. She sees things in a fairytale way." Jack shrugged. "She'll get over it."

"Over what, exactly?"

"That she isn't my damsel in distress."

"Oh so now I'm a damsel? I do not think so!"

Sean lifted his hips and pressed his pelvis into Jack's.

"Want me to prove it?" he said in a husky voice.

"Do you have to ask?"

OoOoO

"Come again?"

"Ianto, I'm not old but even I have my limits."

He smiled at the giggle-like chuckle that erupted from his husband.

"So you think we shouldn't?" he asked.

Ianto sat up and rolled his shoulders. His vertebrae realigned themselves as he rose to his feet.

"I think it's a good idea. Just surprised that it came from you."

"Well I have to do something to ensure that you don't decide to leave me for the dashing Captain Harkness, now don't I?"

"He is very dashing, isn't he?"

"Not helping my ego, ya know?"

"Just stating a fact." Ianto walked to the bathroom and paused at the door. He glanced over his shoulder at the naked form on the bed, eyes roaming hungrily. "I prefer tall, dark and handsome to dashing, myself."

Jason grinned as Ianto went into the bathroom.

"It is a good idea!" he called.

"Then you handle the details and I'll handle Torchwood!"

OoooOoooOoooOoooO

TBC

What's this idea that Jason has? Hmm...

I'm going out of town for a week on Sunday. If possible I will post the next part of either this or "TW Amer" tomorrow, but I can't promise anything as I need to pack, arrange for a pet sitter and go to work (bleh!).