Hello! I am so thrilled to see the positive attitude my initial changes to Torchwood has garnered! I honestly expected some people to really dislike the fact that I was changing Torchwood into something it never was in the show, and can happily say that the positive feedback has left me smiling. I won't be changing a lot very fast, but there will be plenty of changes to come!
I am particularly fond of this chapter. The idea for it came to me quite suddenly, and I had to write it. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
There shouldn't be any major spoilers in this chapter.
Disclaimer: The BBC holds ownership.
Chapter Ten, A Season of Doctors
Ianto took a deep breath before he entered the tourist shop. Tosh smiled at him before she locked the door behind him. "Are you ready for this?" she asked quietly as she led him down into the Hub.
"I need to get this done, sooner rather than later." This was one meeting he wasn't looking forward to.
"I'll show you around once we sort out business."
"That would be for the best." Ianto let out a sigh before he offered Tosh a smile. "I've spent some time working out some plans, and although I don't want to change too much without Jack here to give his input… some of the changes should occur sooner rather than later. I'll fill you in along with everyone else."
He twitched as a door rolled open, but otherwise quietly followed Tosh inside. Gwen was staring at them from the open door to what Ianto guessed was the conference room. Judging from the look on her face, she wasn't happy about the situation that they all faced. If Ianto had any choice in the matter, he probably wouldn't be here, either. (Even if he did technically have a choice, it was one he didn't want to take given how he was sure Jack would react.)
Once they were all inside, and Ianto had handed out the cups of coffee he had thought to bring with him, he looked around the table. Gwen was still scowling, Owen was glaring at his cup like it had all of the answers, and Tosh gave him an encouraging smile. Ianto took a deep breath.
"I know this is unexpected. I certainly wasn't planning on anything like this to happen!" Ianto offered a sincere smile as everyone focused on him. "Unfortunately, none of us have a choice in the matter. Until Jack comes back, I have been named the acting Director."
"What makes you think Jack will even come back?" Gwen demanded hotly.
Ianto let his eyebrows raise. "I trust that he'll be back, Gwen. Jack wouldn't leave unless he had to, and I'm sure that he will be back once he's taken care of everything he needs to." He wasn't going to make her jealous by telling her that Jack had promised to come back. If anyone were to get jealous over that fact, it would unfortunately be Gwen. "For now, we'll just have to figure out how to work together efficiently and keep Torchwood running."
"How much of all this did you know before Jack disappeared?" Owen demanded, leaning forward with an intent look on his face.
"I know the generalities," Ianto replied. "He was vague with details, but I can't blame him for that. He chose to trust me after I revealed that I'd suspected alien life months before I met him, which I didn't do until I saw a Weevil for the first time." He was not going to mention Jack's immortality. He was guessing that the team now knew the truth, but it still wasn't his secret to reveal. "Until he and I became friends, all Jack had was Torchwood." He looked at Gwen, who was the one most likely to protest. "He needed someone outside all of this to talk to."
"What makes Jack so special that he can tell people about Torchwood and the rest of us can't!" Gwen shouted.
"Jack has been changing Torchwood since he took over Torchwood Three in early 2000," Ianto said instead of answering her directly. He was determined to not let her get to him. "He has improved Torchwood greatly from the way it was originally run, but it takes a great deal to move Torchwood into the 21st century. The Queen has given me permission to continue bringing Torchwood into the 21st century."
"And what does that mean precisely?" Owen asked, frowning.
Ianto took out a folder out of the briefcase he had brought with him and handed out three packets of paper. "This is the new charter to Torchwood." He offered them a smile. "Until now, Torchwood Three has been operating under Jack's rule rather than the charter. Of course, he was entirely justified, as it was highly outdated and rather xenophobic. This was my primary reason for contacting the Queen - to ensure Torchwood didn't change from what Jack had worked to make it into."
"There are other changes that aren't outlined in the charter that I'm planning on enacting. I have been given permission to let the heads of the local emergency services know the truth of what Torchwood does, and to arrange a way for them to contact us should they believe they have discovered a situation that would be best handled by Torchwood. This should, hopefully, make your jobs easier."
"I still can't believe you can know about Torchwood and Rhys can't." Gwen looked surly, even as she skimmed the packet Ianto had handed out.
"I am open to starting a system that allows everyone who works for Torchwood one or two people outside the system know about what we do, provided that they sign a nondisclosure agreement that is kept on file alongside the person they are associated with," Ianto told her, trying hard not to roll his eyes. "It's a work in progress, but you'll have to keep in mind that part of the proviso would include being sure that whoever is told can handle it."
Gwen's eyes went wide as she took in this information. She looked up to stare at Ianto, looking as if she wasn't quite sure to believe him.
"Damn, Teaboy, you sure know how to throw changes at us. Think you'll be joining us in the field?"
"I prefer not to, Owen. Once this meeting is over, I plan on focusing on finding someone who can be helpful out on the field. My goal will be focused here and just keeping Torchwood running, as well as smoothing over some of the transitions that are going into effect. I'm going to trust the three of you with field work and helping me learn the best ways to keep Torchwood running." It was the closest he could come to admitting he might be in over his head. "Any questions?"
"When should I expect you for your employee physical?" Owen smirked at Ianto's surprised expression. "What? Were you expecting me to protest or something? Make a list of complaints? Sure, I was mad that you somehow got to be acting Director, but better you than me, mate. So about that physical?"
Ianto resisted sighing. "Let's aim for three this afternoon. Until then, let me see what I can come up with in terms of finding a new employee. Any other questions?"
"Do you really think you would let me tell Rhys?" Gwen's hopeful expression was surprisingly reassuring.
"Don't expect me to say 'yes' right away," Ianto warned her, "but I think it's something that can be doable. I've got to think on it, all right?"
"Okay," she agreed. "I'll still be field commander, right?"
"Unless Tosh or Owen has any objections, I don't see why you shouldn't be."
"Then I'm all set. Tosh?"
"I don't think I have any questions, Ianto." The quiet woman offered Ianto a smile that made him feel a little more at ease.
"Then this meeting is adjourned. Just start doing your usual routines, everyone."
X X X - TORCHWOOD - X X X
Ianto handed over a travel mug he had just filled to a young woman, who thanked him and left. It had been two weeks since he had been made acting director of Torchwood, and he still wasn't sure he liked his newfound position. He missed interacting with people, he mused, when he went down into the underground base. He might have three coworkers in Torchwood, but he spent the majority of his time either fighting his way through the backlog of paperwork that they had been neglecting or organizing the archives that had been treated in the 'if there's space, that's where it goes' sort of way.
He looked up as the door opened, and in walked two people. One was an elderly man with curly hair and an interesting wardrobe. It was extremely old-fashioned, with an almost Victorian look to it. The young woman was wearing a style of clothing that he thought might have been fashionable in the 1970s or 1980s. The two contrasted each other rather well, but made Ianto extremely curious.
"How can I help you?" he asked politely.
"Tea, my boy," the man said. "I've heard that this is the best place for tea - or coffee, I suppose - in the universe." Ianto blinked. Only Jack had referred to 'the universe' before, in place of 'the world,' and it stood to reason that this man was someone who was unusual in terms of the average layman. And the odd dress sense also helped this along. "And put it in a mug, rather than one of those pesky cardboard cups. We'll drink them here, won't we, Jo?"
The young woman nodded vigorously. "Of course, Doctor! It's less taxing on the environment, for starters!" she proclaimed, the second bit a hair louder than was strictly necessary. And suddenly Ianto knew exactly who the man was.
"Quite right, my dear," the Doctor chuckled. Ianto had to wonder at this bizarre twist of fate that brought the Doctor into his shop - after Jack had left with him. But something told Ianto that this Doctor hadn't met Jack yet, so he had to tread carefully. "Oh, yes," he said suddenly as Ianto went about making the two requested teas. "I was told to make sure that the owner, someone called Ianto Jones, made whatever I asked for." He smiled. "He apparently is brilliant at making any hot beverages. Could you fetch him for us?"
Ianto tucked away a smile. "I see my reputation precedes me," he remarked dryly. "I am Ianto Jones. It's a pleasure to meet you…?" The tail end of that sentence he deliberately made into a question, although he was willing to bet that it was the Time Lord Doctor that he had learned so much about, mostly on his own.
"Oh! Well, that's a happy coincidence," the man said cheerfully. "I'm the Doctor, and this is my assistant, Jo Jones." That cinched it for Ianto, since he called himself just the Doctor - and nothing else.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Doctor," Ianto said politely. "And you, Miss Jones."
"Please, just call me Jo," the young woman insisted. "You won't mind if I call you Ianto, would you?"
"That's fine," he assured her. "If you don't mind my asking, how far did you come to get a cup of tea from my shop?"
The two of them looked at each other and shared a private smile that Ianto guessed meant that they had definitely traveled through time. It was rather fun to guess more than they might suspect he could. "We traveled quite a ways to come visit your shop, Ianto," Jo answered mischievously.
"Well, I'm honored, then," he said honestly. He put the two finished cups of tea on the partition before he walked around it. "I hope it is worth the distance that you had to travel," he added as he passed the two cups over.
As he rang them up, he had to reign in his curiosity. He wanted to ask them questions, but he also didn't want to appear as if he knew anything. If the Doctor ever showed up again, he doubted he'd be able to curb his curiosity or tongue. He didn't want to put any pressure on the Time Lord, as he fully expected the Doctor to be.
"Mmm!" Jo moaned appreciatively as she took a careful sip of her tea. "This is absolutely delicious!" she told Ianto enthusiastically.
Ianto smiled. "I'm glad you approve, Jo," he said honestly. He smirked. "It was amazing how little time it took to correct the poor reputation that this building, previously under the name 'Timmy's Café,' had prior to being in my ownership."
"With tea like this, I'm not surprise at that!" Jo responded cheerfully.
"You have improved this place, then, in more than one way, Ianto," the Doctor remarked after taking a healthy sip of his tea. "This is absolutely the best cup of tea in the universe. Not even Lethacor Four has tea this good."
"Thank you," Ianto replied gravely, even as he filed 'Lethacor Four' down as something to either check in the archives or ask Jack about once he got back. It was more likely Jack would know than their archives, but it was still something he could do to occupy his time.
"Come on, Jo, let us go sit down and enjoy our wonderful tea," the Doctor told her as he gently herded her out of the way for the next customer. Ianto watched them with bemusement for a moment more before he turned his attention entirely to the person who had come in after the Time Lord.
He was unsurprised, a short while later, to discover that they were both gone. Still, the experience left him with an unexpected boost of pride. His tea was good enough that famous Time Lord himself came to drink his tea. And he had compared it to a foreign place's tea and put it as better than theirs. It was a cheering experience, if he wanted to confess that quietly.
X X X - TORCHWOOD - X X X
"I heard that there was a new leader to Torchwood. Now I see that the rumors are true," Chief of Police Craig Powles stated, his voice almost a sneer. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Director Jones?"
Ianto swallowed a sigh. "I'm here to try to make both of our jobs easier, Chief Powles," he said simply. "I have been watching your police and Captain Harkness' Torchwood grow increasingly agitated with each other over jurisdiction."
"If you bloody…" Chief Powles censored himself quickly. "If Torchwood wouldn't just take over some of our cases without any explanation, or even if they tried to help us, we wouldn't be so angry with you and your team."
Ianto smiled. "This is precisely what I am hoping to improve, Chief," he explained. Chief Powles looked surprised at that. "You need to understand that Torchwood operates very secretly for several reasons, which is why, up until now, the local police department has been deliberately left out of the loop. After my observations, however, I think a little mutual cooperation might be beneficial towards protecting the general population."
"Humph. You've got better sense than Harkness," Chief Powles remarked dryly. "Although aren't you the owner of Ambrosia? What happened there?"
"Her Majesty decided that my skills and ideas could be better put to use directing Torchwood during Captain Harkness' sabbatical," Ianto answered, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "I do still work at Ambrosia as time permits. What I am doing with Torchwood is just as important to me." It was amazing how quickly that had become true. "But if we are to work well together, Chief, I'm afraid that I can only permit you, and a liaison officer who we can both agree on, to know what exactly Torchwood does, and why we must take cases over."
"How kind of you," Chief Powles snapped.
"You'll also have to sign a form, showing that you understand that there will be consequences should you or your liaison officer break that code of silence," Ianto explained, deliberately ignoring how upset Powles was. "I am sorry," he added as sincerely as he could manage. "But this is the best compromise I can manage. I just want to make it so that your police officers won't get into a position where they could get killed because they don't know what they are dealing with when the Torchwood team can handle the same problem and have less risk."
Chief Powles was silent for several long minutes before he let out a sigh and stared hard at Ianto. "I get the feeling you are serious here, Director Jones. I'm not sure whether I should be glad that you are doing this, particularly for the selfless reason you just gave me, or upset that you won't let me warn everyone on my staff about the dangers that you are hinting at," he remarked dryly. "So if I agree to this, you will tell me and one other person, who will act as a liaison officer between our teams, what is really going on. Do you think this will help both sides?"
"I'm not sure that this will help us both equally," Ianto answered honestly, "but I'm convinced it will help us both." Chief Powles sighed again. "Otherwise, yes, that is exactly what I have proposed, and would like you to agree to."
"You people are really infuriating, you know that?" Chief Powles asked wearily.
Ianto smiled sadly. "I'm sorry that you feel that way, Chief Powles. If you'd prefer, we can just pretend this conversation never happened." He made to stand up.
"No!" Chief Powles cried, and then seemed to realize that he'd been caught. Ianto figured that as much as he hated how annoying Torchwood was, he wouldn't deny that it was useful to be able to deal directly with the mysterious organization. "Fine," he muttered under his breath. "As much as I hate to agree to anything that your Torchwood wants, I think you may be right as to thinking that this would be beneficial. Just tell me this - what are the consequences if we accidentally blurt anything we're not supposed to out?"
Ianto sighed himself at that point. He really hated this particular detail, but it was one that was necessary. "You will forget a certain period of time, which will include everything that involves Torchwood. I will explain how we can do this once you have signed the agreement," he added quickly. He smiled ruefully. "I'm afraid that this is a policy that I can't do much to change."
"So I would forget everything… even this conversation?" Chief Powles asked. He was visibly disturbed by this revelation.
"Yes," Ianto confirmed. "But so long as you keep your mouth shut, I do not think we will have a problem," he added as reassuringly as he could.
Chief Powles sat for another long few minutes before he sighed. "All right," he said with resignation. "Give me the paperwork and I'll sign it. I'm thinking the sooner we deal with this, the better. How will you want to handle picking a liaison officer?"
"I would like you to pick the people you consider best suited for the position, and I will go over the choices to narrow it down. After that, I think a joint interview would suffice if there are multiple candidates left at that point," Ianto replied honestly as he pulled out a form. "Does that work to your satisfaction?"
Chief Powles smiled at that. "It does," he confirmed. "I'm glad to see that you are giving me the lead here, Director Jones. After all, you are requesting a member from my staff to fill this position." They both fell silent as Powles read through the form. He frowned a few times, but otherwise read it without much of a reaction. Finally, at the end, he signed it.
Ianto took it back and put it in the briefcase he had decided he needed for the outing. "Well," he said carefully, "I suppose it is now time to let you in on Torchwood's biggest secret." He smiled faintly. "I hope you are ready for this, Chief."
X X X - TORCHWOOD - X X X
"We're through, Ianto Jones!" Nerys shouted at him only one day after Chief Powles got a full explanation of what Torchwood really did. Ianto stood with his face as impassive as he could make it, even as he hurt inside from her harsh words. "You've been getting more and more distant with me! And now you have two jobs? What am I supposed to think!"
"I'm sorry," he said as sincerely as he could. "I am doing my best here."
"You never make time for me anymore! It's always work! You're either here or there, and I never see you anymore! And what's worse - I don't think you love me! Why are we still together, Ianto? Do you even care?"
"Of course I do!" Ianto objected instantly. "Of course I care! I thought you understood that this was just -"
"Don't say it, Ianto," Nerys interrupted angrily. "I know what you said, and now I'm starting to think it was a convenient lie! I don't care anymore! I'm sick of you! I wish I had never asked you out!"
She spun around and started to take off. She stopped dead and looked back at him, glaring icy daggers at him. "I'll come around for my things, Ianto Jones, after work. Then you won't ever see me again!"
Ianto took a deep breath as the door practically slammed shut behind her. "That went well," he murmured sarcastically to Kyle. His emotions were in turmoil, but as always when faced with this sort of thing in public, he ignored them for dealing with later, in private. "How may we help you?" he said to the two unfortunate customers who had witnessed the breakup.
It was then he was getting a good look at them that he was reminded of the Doctor and Jo Jones. The young woman, with brown hair and bright eyes, was wearing a style of clothing that looked to be a few decades out of place. The man, with a fedora and a ridiculously long scarf, just had an air about him that reminded him strongly of the one and only time he had met the Doctor. But it was definitely the ridiculously long scarf that had Ianto suspecting that he was the Doctor.
"Oh, I think a good cup of tea would be marvelous," the man said with a huge grin. "What do you say, Sarah Jane?"
She rolled her eyes, but nodded. "Absolutely," she agreed. "Sorry, about your girlfriend," she added sincerely.
Ianto bit back a sigh. "Thank you," he said instead. "I suppose I deserve it in some way, in trying to do two completely different jobs at the same time, but I just want to help a friend out so that when he comes home, everything will still be running smoothly for him." If there was one thing he had a bad feeling about, it was telling the Doctor Jack's name unless he knew the Doctor he was talking to had already met the immortal man.
"No one deserves to be dumped in public," Sarah Jane argued stubbornly. "It's just plain rude!"
Ianto couldn't help the small smile that spread across his face. "I agree completely," he said sincerely. He glanced that the man again. "Would you mind if I asked what happened to Jo?" he asked carefully. It was the best way he could think of to subtly ask if the stranger was the Doctor.
The man grinned again. "Oh, Ianto Jones, aren't you clever!" he enthused. "She's fine - went off and got herself married to a brilliant young man. Say, would you mind sitting with us for a cup?"
"I can spare you for a few minutes, Ianto," Kyle piped up instantly.
Ianto worked for a moment not to laugh, but nodded. "All right," he agreed, making a quick cup of coffee for himself. The three of them sat at a table in the corner of the room. "I'm glad to hear Jo is happily married," he told the Doctor sincerely before he took a sip of his coffee.
"Yes, me too," the Doctor remarked with a grin. "But tell me, Ianto, how did you know it was me?" He glanced at Sarah Jane. "Jo traveled with me before you, Sarah Jane." Understanding lit her eyes, and she turned to face Ianto with the same curiosity that the Doctor was displaying.
Here Ianto knew he had to be careful. "A friend of mine traveled with you," he answered honestly. "I'm not sure where he fits into your timeline, Doctor, so I'd rather not mention him by name if I can help it. But he's the one who mentioned that you… can change faces."
"And how did he find out?" the Doctor inquired, frowning a bit.
"I never thought to ask him that, to be honest," Ianto replied. "I could ask, the next time I see him," he offered. "Although I suspect that there is no guarantee."
"He's the one who isn't here that you're doing his job for him, right?" Sarah Jane asked, staring intently at him.
"Yes," Ianto confirmed. He wanted to say that he thought Jack left with the Doctor, but something warned him not to say that. "He hasn't had a good break for a while now, and seriously needed the time off," he said instead.
"That's very kind of you to give him time off," Sarah Jane remarked, giving him an approving smile.
"Yes, it is," the Doctor agreed. He was smiling. He took another sip of his tea and sighed in pleasure. "This is better than Galapa Three's tea!"
"What happened to Lethacor Four?" Ianto asked, completely amused.
"Lethacor Four has great tea, but I've discovered Galapa Three can make even better tea than they do… and now I know that your tea is best yet!" the Doctor explained, although he was grinning. "I might just have to keep coming back! Although if I do… we should be more careful about how you interact with me," he added, a little more seriously. He paused in thought. "I'll tell you a number, and that'll correspond to which face I'm on. The first time you and I met, I was on my third." He smiled. "This is my fourth. That should help you to gage what to say to me. It would be nice if the friend of yours knew which of my regenerations he had met, but I suppose that is hoping for too much."
"Probably," Ianto agreed amicably. Knowing which regeneration he was looking at would help. "I'm guessing this is to help me not say the wrong thing if we meet 'out of order,' so to speak."
The Doctor chuckled. "You really are a clever one, aren't you? Maybe when we have less of a chance of causing a paradox, I'll take you on a trip. I'd like to see how you react to traveling in my ship!"
"Speaking of, we should probably be off, Doctor," Sarah Jane remarked, a touch regretfully. "It was truly lovely tea, Mr. Jones."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, ma'am," he replied, silently cursing not getting her full name to appropriately address her.
"It's not 'ma'am,'" she retorted. "It's Sarah Jane. I'm Sarah Jane Smith."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sarah Jane Smith," Ianto said honestly. "I wish you a safe journey, wherever and whenever you go."
Her eyes twinkled. "I really do like you, Mr. Jones."
"Ianto, please, Miss Smith."
"If I can dispense with the 'Mr. Jones,' you can definitely dispense with the 'Miss Smith' nonsense!" she replied.
"Of course - Sarah Jane," Ianto said, addressing her as she obviously preferred.
"Come along, Sarah Jane," the Doctor said, a touch impatiently. "If we're going to leave, I prefer not to let the farewells drag on!"
"All right, Doctor." The young woman rolled her eyes. "Best wishes to you, Ianto," she added before she followed the enigmatic Time Lord out of Ambrosia.
"And to you," Ianto called after her. She smiled and waved at him through the glass, showing that she had heard him before the door had shut behind her.
And, despite the odd looks he was getting, Ianto went back to work without hesitation. He just had to get through the day, and then he could deal with his emotions that evening. He'd have to get Nerys' things together, maybe before she got there, to make the break up a little easier.
He shut his eyes. He hadn't pictured breaking up with Nerys, and it was still a surprise for him. He hadn't thought he had been that bad in 'neglecting' her. Yes, he had had less time to schedule dates in, but he couldn't help that. Nor could he help the fact that a much smaller number of them than he had feared had been interrupted by Torchwood.
In the end, he reflected sadly, he just hadn't measured up to Nerys' idea of the perfect man. He would just have to get over it. He wasn't sure if he could handle her coming back to Ambrosia. At least not right away. He needed time.
A wry smile found its way onto his face. Maybe the Time Lord himself could provide an amble distraction from his hard times. He had rather beautifully done so today.
X X X - TORCHWOOD - X X X
Nerys glared at Ianto even as she accepted the box of her things. "You know, I really thought I'd finally gotten lucky," she told him bitterly. "I thought I had found a great, smart, funny guy… but you know what? You don't really care about me, do you?"
Ianto stared at her, gob smacked. "Of course I do, Nerys! Is that what this is really about?" he wanted to know.
"No," she said bitterly. "I thought, when you first said that you didn't want to stop flirting with that bloody Jack Harkness that it was just because it was a part of your odd friendship. But that's not it, is it?"
"Nerys," Ianto started to protest, only to be cut off.
"I'm sure that's how it started, Ianto, but I'm not blind!" she spat. "Even if you didn't mean to - you've fallen in love with him! I know you two talk about things that you aren't willing to talk to me about! Some of them are his secrets, but you're closer to him than you are to me! And I'm supposed to… I was supposed to be your girlfriend! You should be able to tell me anything!"
"Nerys," Ianto tried to say, feeling caught between panic, guilt, and something else he couldn't identify.
"And then you go and take over his job while he's away!" Nerys yelled, overriding his attempt to say something. "You care more about him and what he needs than me! I know you care about me, Ianto, but I'm tired of feeling like I take second place in your heart!" She was running out of steam. "So I'm quitting this relationship before I end up with a broken heart - or worse! I don't care what you do next - date him, find someone else, it doesn't matter." She took a deep breath as Ianto stared at her. "I'm done, Ianto. I'm done with this." She turned and headed out the door.
Ianto stood at his front door for a long moment before he shut it. He had nothing to say to her to make her feel better. Ianto knew he cared about her, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that, even before they broke up, he had been able to imagine his life without her.
He still couldn't picture his life without Jack. It wasn't just Jack who trusted Ianto with his secrets. Ianto trusted Jack with things he hadn't felt comfortable telling anyone else. He had just thought that they were really good friends, but now he had to wonder… did he love Jack?
X X X - TORCHWOOD - X X X
It's three weeks later that Ianto saw the Fourth Doctor again. Oddly, it isn't the next time he saw the Doctor again, since he saw the Fifth Doctor a week after the last time he had seen the Doctor and Sarah Jane. Armed with this knowledge, he greeted the Doctor and his new traveling companion with a smile. "Doctor," he said to his best, and probably only, alien repeat customer, "it's good to see you again. Tea for you and your companion?"
"Yes. Romana, this is Ianto Jones, a brilliant young human who makes the best tea I have ever had," the Doctor declared. This statement baffled Ianto for a minute, since he would have thought that Romana would have assumed he was human. Then he realized that this meant that Romana wasn't human. "He knows someone I'll meet in my future, but in his past."
"I should hope you haven't told the Doctor anything unless your friend knows he knew before he met him," she told him, almost reproachfully. "Otherwise you'll risk creating a paradox, and that wouldn't be a good thing."
"No, I haven't, for precisely that reason, ma'am," Ianto responded politely, but quickly. "My friend warned me to say as little as possible." He smiled faintly. "I would hate to cause a paradox to happen."
"I told you he was brilliant," the Doctor said smugly. "Keep your mouth shut and no one will ever bother you, Ianto."
"I'll… keep that in mind, Doctor," Ianto said, hesitating for a split second. He didn't know who would bother him if he didn't keep his mouth shut, but he decided to not risk saying that either.
Romana gave him an impressed look. "Now that is definitely the correct attitude," she told him with approval. "Not only are you telling us nothing that might cause a paradox, you aren't asking questions that we could use to deduce information that might cause a paradox."
Ianto smiled as he handed the two cups of hot tea. "It is how I learn a great deal when people think they are being clever in only asking questions. People tend to not realize that they are letting what they know out through their questions. I try to be very careful when I say anything… or ask any questions."
"You must keep more secrets than you like to let on, then," the Doctor noted, before grinning. "You want us to know that so you know you're good at keeping your mouth shut. Well done."
"I try," Ianto said modestly. He watched the two go over to sit down, and had to smile to himself. It was amazing how easy it was to talk to the Doctor and his companions, no matter who they were.
X X X - TORCHWOOD - X X X
It was hard just living from day to day. Since he rarely slept, it actually might be more accurate to say that it was hard just living from trip to trip. The things that were new and exciting were weary and exhausting. But he wasn't going to give up or stop what he was doing. If anything, it was important to him.
But this little trip was special to him. He landed his TARDIS as gently as he could, wishing again that things could have been different. War changed him, he mused sadly as he headed out and down the street. He was more wearied by the universe than he had been before, and wasn't finding things as exciting as he once had.
The Doctor pushed the door to Ambrosia open and walked in. He felt a ghost of a smile appear on his face at the sight of the young shop owner. Ianto Jones looked up at him and the polite smile that would appear on his face was there. Ianto, the Doctor found, was very good at being exceedingly polite with everyone. It was only with people he was marginally comfortable with that he actually smiled more genuinely.
"How can we help you?" the young man running the cash register inquired.
"I could use a good cup of tea," the Doctor told him honestly. He wondered how long it would take Ianto to figure out it was him. It had become an amusement to him to test Ianto by not telling him that it was him, although occasionally his companions let the proverbial cat out of the bag. Mel had done that, actually. "For here," he added, since he didn't particularly want to head out right way.
A more genuine smile appeared on Ianto's face at that. "Would I be correct in guessing that you are the Doctor?" the young man asked idly as he set about making the requested tea.
"Now how did you know that?" the Doctor asked, amused for what felt like the first time in years. It might even be accurate, considering how long the Time War had gone on. He had lost track, to be honest.
Ianto chuckled as the cashier stared between the two, looking completely baffled. "The friend of mine who traveled with you described you looking like that," he admitted with a grin. "I couldn't place an accurate guess, mind, but I would say that it won't be long before you meet him in your own timeline."
"I swear, boss, sometimes you say the damned strangest things," the young man said flatly.
"Kevin, I'm sorry for that," Ianto told him honestly. "But sometimes I can't help my conversations sounding… unusual," he finished delicately. Ianto looked at the Doctor. "I'm rather surprised you don't have a companion with you."
The Doctor smiled thinly. "I'd take you along if you'd like," he offered instead of explaining why he didn't have anyone with him now. It would hurt too much.
"I'm afraid I have too many obligations here to feel comfortable just taking off," Ianto told him softly. "But I do appreciate the offer." He smiled. "I might take you up on that offer, but not before… my friend gets back."
The Doctor chuckled. "I'm beginning to think you might be in love with this friend of yours, Ianto," he remarked cheerfully. It was an observation he had made over the past several trips to this little shop, although he was fairly sure that some of those trips took place after this conversation. Maybe this conversation loosened him up in order to be able to talk about it easily.
Ianto flushed, but smiled slightly. "I've been wondering the same thing, Doctor," he replied quietly. "I think… I think I might love him."
The Doctor couldn't help the smile that lit up his face. "Good for you!" he said honestly. "It'll make his return that much better, won't it?"
"Absolutely," Ianto agreed with a grin. "And even if I'm not in love with him - I still consider him my best friend. I miss him."
He could understand that. His hearts hurt for missing the rest of his people, locked forever inside the time lock he had put in place. He took the cup and retreated to a seat in the far corner. It seemed to be the one he liked sitting in. First he came here with Jo. Following her was Sarah Jane, when he had learned that Ianto knew a future companion of his. Then he had brought her back here, with the Brigadier and Harry Sullivan. He smiled at those memories. The Brigadier had been astonished that a young Welshman could make such amazing tea, and told him so.
That was when Ianto had hinted that he had met Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart before by saying that he had learned how to make tea exactly right for him. The Brigadier had been adorably confused, and wanted to know how he might meet Ianto in the future. Ianto had just smiled and said, 'All in good time, Brigadier.'
Peri had liked Ianto as well. The Doctor's hearts clutched at thoughts of his poor Peri. At least Mel had fared better, and liked Ianto just as much. Actually, he couldn't think of a single one of the companions he had brought here who hadn't liked Ianto. He didn't think Leela would have liked Ianto, but he had never thought to bring her here.
He looked up as Ianto appeared with two fresh mugs. "You looked like you could use a refill, Doctor," the young man explained as he handed him a fresh mug of tea. "Would I be wrong in guessing that something… terribly wrong has happened?" he asked quietly as he settled himself in a chair across from the Doctor.
The Doctor stared at Ianto as he suddenly put together a piece of the puzzle he had always wondered. "You know about the Time War," he said softly. His voice held just a hint of accusation, but he wouldn't blame Ianto. After all, he himself had warned him to keep quiet about what he knew. His voice was also quiet enough that Ianto had to lean forward to catch it.
Ianto grimaced, but nodded a hair. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "If I had known it was okay to warn you before… but it wasn't." The regret in the young man's voice was palpable, and did help the Doctor a little. It meant that if he could have helped him change the fate of his people, the young human would have done it.
"No," the Doctor agreed wearily and with great resignation, "no it wasn't okay. I might not have believed you, either. And you still can't mention this to me. I think I'll be coming in a few more times - as a younger me. This is my ninth face."
Ianto's lips quirked into a smile. "That's good to know," he remarked dryly. "The last time I saw you was when you traveled here with Romana."
The Doctor winced. He wasn't sure what happened to Romana, but it was likely she was dead in the Time War along with everyone else. "Then you'll definitely be seeing me again," he said in an attempt to distract himself. "You tell me when I arrive with a young woman who goes by the name Ace that you have been seeing me out of order."
Ianto nodded, although there was a sad understanding in his eyes. Again, the Doctor was struck by the desire to take Ianto to explore the universe. The young man was obviously clever enough to realize that Romana wasn't a human, but a Time Lady in her own right. "I'm looking forward to it, Doctor," Ianto replied with an easy smile. "Oh. You might like to know that Jo showed up a few days ago." He grinned at the Doctor's surprised face. "She had one of her grandchildren with her, and said that she wanted to share something from her adventures with you with him."
The Doctor smiled genuinely at that. Somehow, it made the pain in his hearts ease a little to know that his old companions were out there, living their lives as best they could. "Good for her," he said cheerfully. "It's nice to know that Jo is doing well. No sign of Sarah Jane?"
"No," Ianto responded with a light chuckle. "Although I wouldn't be surprised if she showed up. Any other friends I should be forewarned about, Doctor?"
He laughed then. "And spoil the surprise? Never!"
Ianto chuckled again. "I had a feeling you might say that, Doctor. I'd imagine our own futures must be hard to know for sure, even with a time machine," he remarked quietly, and a tad carefully. It was as though he didn't want to step over a line he shouldn't, but wanted to make that remark.
"It's at least more fun when we don't," the Doctor responded. It hurt to know the ending before he actually came upon it. It was rare, but it happened occasionally and was something he desperately wanted to avoid.
"I suppose," Ianto agreed with a smile. "Well," he said regretfully, looking at his now empty cup of coffee, "I better get back to work."
"Could you spare a few minutes? I'd like to show you my TARDIS," the Doctor explained as Ianto looked at him. "We won't go anywhere - I just thought you might like to see her," he promised, guessing that the young man would object to actually leaving given everything that he had said.
Ianto smiled faintly. "I think I'd like that. Just give me a moment," he replied before he took the mugs up to the counter and spoke quietly to the young cashier. The young man, Kevin, scowled for a moment before he sighed and nodded.
Ianto turned around and met the Doctor at the door. "I take it he wasn't thrilled with the prospect of you leaving the store, then?" the Doctor asked, amused.
Ianto smiled at that. "Well, I'm the manager today, so I really can't be long. Kyle - my full time manager - needed the day off," he explained. "But I think Kevin can run the store just fine for a few minutes. We're at the slow point in the day anyway."
"Then we won't be long," the Doctor remarked as he opened the doors to his beloved TARDIS. He watched with a rare smile as Ianto stepped inside, the young Welshman's eyes lighting up as he took in the marvelous sight.
"She's beautiful," he breathed. Ianto, to the Doctor's surprise, shut his eyes. "I can hear her," he remarked in wonder as he opened his eyes again to look at the Doctor.
The Doctor was a little surprised at that. Although no words were ever sent back to him, he could communicate with his ship. The impression he got, after he checked with her, was that the Welshman was empathic enough that it wasn't actually that surprising to discover he could hear her. "I think she likes you, Ianto," he said instead of revealing this discovery. "Are you sure we can't persuade you to come along?"
He knew the answer even before Ianto shook his head. "I'm sorry, Doctor, but… I can't just leave." He gave him a rueful smile. "I'd love to, really, but… I think I'd rather wait until my friend gets home to travel with you." His smile turned hopeful. "It might be fun to travel with both of you."
"If you both are willing, I don't see a problem with that," the Doctor replied, a hint of hope bubbling up in his chest. Ianto was essentially giving it to him, simply by letting him know that he would be getting a new companion sometime soon. Even more, he was suggesting that he might join him with what had to be a former companion by Ianto's point in time for some more adventures. "Well, I suppose now that you've seen her, you'll have to go back."
Ianto smiled, obviously able to pick up on his mood. "I have a good feeling we'll meet again, Doctor - after this point for you, I mean," he said softly. "Don't give up, because you'll definitely make new friends in the time to come, loyal ones."
"Like you?" the Doctor asked, grinning as Ianto flushed.
"I definitely consider you a friend, Doctor," he answered. "And our mutual friend does, too, even if you haven't met him yet!" He smiled, lighting up as he clearly thought of this mysterious friend, who's only clue to his identity that the Doctor had was that the friend was a man. "I know it's hard right now, Doctor, but it'll get better, and you'll have fun with people you care about once again."
"And when that friend of yours gets back, tell him how much you love him," the Doctor suggested, grinning as Ianto flushed.
"I'm not sure telling him that right away is a good idea, Doctor," Ianto remarked dryly. "I think we need to start dating first, at the very least." He gave a softer, almost sad smile. "I'd love to spend the rest of my life with him…"
The Doctor sensed there was something saddening about that statement, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what could sadden him. "I hope things work out for you, Ianto, and that you do get to spend the rest of both of your lives together," he told him honestly, since it was the only thing he could think of. "If you both love each other, then you deserve that at the very least."
Ianto smiled, and the Doctor got the impression that he was hiding his feelings from him. "Thank you, Doctor. I hope we get that chance," he said softly. "Well, I better head back. Thank you for showing me your wonderful TARDIS," he added as he looked around again, his emotions showing again. The joy was obvious, as was his admiration. "I hope you have an amazing journey."
"With this mysterious friend of yours to look forward to? I would imagine!" the Doctor replied, feeling cheered by the thought. "Take care, Ianto Jones."
"And you, Doctor," he returned before he stepped out of the doors and walked back towards Ambrosia.
The Doctor stared after him for a long time, contemplating his future. Thanks to Ianto Jones, he knew that it wouldn't be all bleak and sad. He would make new friends - he just had to get back out there.
Notes:
And so ends the Ianto/Nerys relationship. I'm sure everyone has been hotly anticipating it, and while it's not nice for Ianto to have been dumped, my reasoning is that Ianto is so busy he's not thinking about relationships. Nerys breaking up with him gave him the push in the direction he needed to be thinking, and to be honest, had she not done so, he might have come to the same conclusion and broken up with her, but only after a long time had passed. (Jack might have even been home before that.)
Please review. You're comments and thoughts are lovely, and are a joy to read.
~Star~