Harkness and Jones Chapter 10: Separate, a torchwood fanfic

Jack didn't want to have to leave, he quietly watched Ianto sleep and traced a finger down his cheek, drifting it over his parted lips. Not for the first time he found himself vaguely wishing his life was more normal. Or perhaps if Ianto's life was more normal, he could have stayed living with Jack and working with him. The door creaked open slightly and Jack stopped his lazy musing, raising himself up on an elbow.

'Leave it,' Ianto said absently, placing a hand on Jack's bicep. 'It's just Lulu.'

'Why do you have a rabbit?' Jack turned to look at the man lying beside him.

'Why don't you have a rabbit?' Sitting up, Ianto turned and bent over the edge of the bed. Jack admired the view as muscles moved fluidly under his pale skin, contemplating pulling the sheet further down. 'Don't even think about it,' Ianto warned, straightening with a smirk and Lulu clutched in his arms. 'She always comes in in the mornings,' he explained, hugging the small rabbit, one hand gently stroking her head. 'Don't you like rabbits?'

Jack found that hard to respond to, watching Ianto lovingly pet his rabbit. 'I've had bad experiences,' he said diplomatically.

Ianto quirked an eyebrow, glancing obviously at the small furry rabbit in his arms.

'It was 6ft big, ok!' Jack said defensively, 'Big, mean. Big fangs,' he eyed Lulu distrustfully.

'Here,' Ianto commanded, holding out Lulu. Jack recoiled. 'Just give her a hug. Rabbits are lovely, trust me.'

Lulu was deposited in Jack's cringing arms. The rabbit sat there placidly while Jack froze, his eyes rolling widely towards where Ianto sat with a content expression on his face. Carefully moving his head, Jack glanced at the small bundle of fur tickling his bare chest. 'I don't think she likes me,' Jack said carefully, not moving a muscle. The bed bounced as Ianto moved next to Jack, slipping behind him and wrapping his arms around Jack's shoulders, hands covering his to pat Lulu.

'She's fine, she likes you.' Ianto said firmly, his arms warm and comforting around Jack. 'Relax.'

Jack tentatively petted Lulu's back. 'Don't you dare tell anyone.'

Ianto's chuckle vibrated against his back, his chin digging lightly into Jack's shoulder as he looked over.

'We do beautiful work,' Jack whispered as they both looked down at the rabbit. He laughed as Ianto slapped his arm playfully, feeling his answering laugh and the grin in quick kiss on his neck. 'She has your eyes,' Jack continued in a hushed voice, laughing warmly and ducking as Ianto aimed at his head.

'Shut up,' Ianto ordered, 'give me my rabbit back.'

'Do you have a cat too? I saw some pictures.'

'That was my boy,' Ianto placed Lulu on the bed beside him, 'he died two years ago.'

'I'm sorry,' Jack said sincerely. 'I didn't think you would be an animal person.'

Ianto held Jack silently against his chest, resting his head against the headboard as Jack leaned his cheek comfortably on his smooth skin. 'I like this.'

Jack felt the hum under his cheek as Ianto spoke, he closed his eyes and looped his fingers through those draped over his stomach. 'Me too. You missed it last time.'

'Business,' Ianto replied wryly.

'You did a runner,' Jack was too relaxed to be accusing.

'Don't pretend you haven't before. I was trying to avoid complications, Jack.'

Jack turned his head to kiss the warm skin of Ianto's chest. 'Well avoided.'

'You're not making this any easier.'

'Enjoying it while I can,' moving one hand, Jack reached down and squeezed Ianto's thigh. The body behind him wriggled and an uncharacteristic giggle escaped Ianto.

'Tickles.' Was the explanation.

Jack couldn't help but laugh. 'When I think that I've finally figured you out you always surprise me.'

'It's not easy, Jack. I can like you now, but I can't when I pull out the files on Torchwood.'

'We'll do this again, I promise.'

Jack was ready to throttle Ianto and his calm, unreadable expression. Some small part of him felt admiration for Ianto and pity for anyone who came against him, however that was firmly put aside with the realisation that it was him who was currently against Ianto. Receiving polite refusals, seemingly reasonable compromises, courteous requests that were in fact flat demands and very limited information about Torchwood Four.

'Look,' Jack finally laid his hands on the table, 'you know everything about Torchwood Three, and that is making me very nervous in view of the fact you're telling essentially nothing about Four. I need to know more details. Specific ones. Do you deal with Rift flares? How far out do you operate? Exactly how large is Four? You have to tell me.'

They both stared flatly at each other, neither willing to break first, then Ianto dismissed Jack with a flick of his eyes and glanced down at the laptop. 'We don't have the technology to properly classify Rift energy. What comes through and ends up around London we can recognise and deal with, but we lack the scale of technology that Tosh has.'

'Alright, we've had a handle on that side of it for years now what with the Rift being in Cardiff. If it's in Wales we'll look after it, if it's big and it's in London then that's also our department,' Jack scribbled on the paper. 'If it's just your usual Rift debris, weevils etc,' he waved a vague hand, 'then you sort it out, but if it's something more or any hint of a pattern then contact us. Actually,' he tapped the pen thoughtfully against his mouth, 'we need some sort of shared Rift related log. You add anything that comes up in your area and we'll add ours, Tosh can deal with that. Do you want Tosh to help teach it to any of your staff?'

'Not initially. What about our responses to alien activity in our area? None of my staff are properly trained for that.'

'Train them,' Jack said bluntly, 'you know how to handle a gun. Very well.' Jack saw the briefest sparkle in Ianto's eyes, he gave a small flirtatious grin then they both carried on. 'Start out small and if you think it's important contact us. Everyone will learn eventually.'

'I've got 23 people in Four, how many would you recommend training?'

Jack raised an eyebrow, 'Twenty-three? Train them all in basic, some will be better and then focus more on them. It's important that everyone learns though.'

Ianto continued with his notes. 'I feel like we're drawing up an important world changing document. Although it perhaps is, isn't it?'

'The Janto Accords,' Jack let himself relax back into the chair, rubbing his neck. 'Jack, Ianto,' he explained with the start of a grin, 'Janto.'

Ianto wrote something with a flourish and slid it across the table, Jack glanced down at the pages of notes, 'The Janto Accords' in Ianto's neat writing across the top and smiled.

'I would like to send Marie across to Three sometime soon to learn about your programs and tech.'

'Then I'll send Tosh over to you for the same. I think,' Jack paused minutely, 'some programs should remain solely with either Four or Three.'

'Agreed. About the weapons you have-'

'Nothing on them yet,' Jack said firmly, he groaned internally as Ianto's jaw clenched minutely.

'I know what some of those are capable of-' Ianto started.

'Good. Then we don't need to go over them.'

'You have some of the world's most powerful weapons in the hands of four people!'

'Now you're starting to sound like part of the government.'

'Why?' Ianto's voice intensified, 'because I have a sense of safety?'

Jack started with a frustrated growl, 'Because you're assuming that the more people that know the safer it makes it!'

'Oh right,' Ianto said sarcastically, 'knowing Owen is one of these select few makes me feel so much better.'

'Meaning?' Jack demanded, feet flat on the floor. 'I suppose you feel you have more suitable people?'

'More people, yes!' Ianto's voice rose, his eyes a cold blue. 'There's a crisis and our defence is entirely in your hands.'

'Now you're just being dramatic,' Jack said dismissively.

'Realistic!' Ianto half shouted. They both stared at each other; Ianto took a calming breath and paced slowly in front of the bench. 'Canary Wharf.'

'Don't,' Jack's voice was dangerously quiet, 'mention that.'

Ianto's voice matched Jack's. 'Do you see my point?'

'Canary Wharf was different. So was Torchwood One.'

'Controlled by one person,' Ianto countered, knuckles white on the table.

'Are you suggesting I'm like Yvonne Hartman?' Jack demanded angrily, catching Ianto's arm as he passed.

The sleeve was pulled sharply out of Jack's grasp. 'She thought she was doing what was right.'

'Frankly I don't trust you,' Jack snarled. There was a cold silence following his words, then the tap of Ianto's shoes on the floor as he walked away.

'I'm making a coffee,' Ianto's chilly voice came back. Jack gripped his hair and tugged in frustration, running his hands down to leave his hair in distracted spikes. Owen had long since disappeared. Bracing his arms against the table edge, Jack bent his head down and took a deep breath.

'Ianto,' he called, 'this isn't going to work.'

'Yes,' Ianto appeared around the corner, coffee mug in one hand and wearing an icy expression, 'it is. I have not worked on this for a year for it not to work, Jack.'

'Alright!' Jack held his hands out to stop Ianto, lowering them with a frustrated sigh. Ianto disappeared back into the kitchen with a curt nod.

Jack downed the last of the orange juice and set the glass down with a clink on the bench, staring tiredly at the tiles. The briefest squeak made him look up, Ianto stood awkwardly in the doorway, tracksuit and tshirt hanging loose on him. 'Thought you were asleep,' Jack broke the silence eventually, turning away to move his glass. The pad of bare feet across the tiles and a tentative hand on his arm turned him around, Ianto's apologetic eyes fixed on him. The light hand slid off his arm and Ianto stood uncomfortably before him, Jack sighed and shifted to pull Ianto into him.

'Sorry,' Ianto murmured, shuffling his cold feet between Jack's to press closer.

'Don't be,' Jack pressed a kiss into his dark hair and held him tightly. They stood silently locked together for some time.

'I'm going back to Cardiff today,' Jack announced quietly, watching Ianto spread jam over his toast with neat precision.

'That's probably best,' Ianto replied, keeping his eyes on his breakfast. 'We've got something to work with for now, the rest can wait for,' there was an almost imperceptible pause, 'later.'

When we're both convinced neither is going to hold a gun to the other's head, Jack filled in the blanks silently. Ianto bit into his toast with a crackle and shot Jack a glance that clearly said he knew what he was thinking. 'Owen's still sleeping,' Jack offered, breaking the silence. 'And I'm going to need the SUV back.'

'I'll get it for you.'

Jack deliberately left out any mention of the second tracker. 'Thanks.' He made to push back from the table, 'I'll go wake Owen up.'

'Jack.' Ianto caught his wrist, 'ten more minutes?

Jack smiled and captured Ianto's hand before it pulled away, sitting back down and selecting another piece of toast. 'You know,' his voice lightened, 'you snore.'

Ianto looked up sharply. 'I do not.'

'It's sweet,' Jack said with a grin, cramming toast into his mouth.

'Well for the record then, you hiss,' a pale arm reached across and neatly swiped Jack's toast, 'you curled up on my shoulder last night and hissed.'

'That's my toast!' Jack caught the end as it disappeared into Ianto's mouth and attempted to tug it free. 'And how exactly do I hiss?' Ianto wrinkled his small nose and demonstrated, producing a soft whining hiss. Jack shrugged, 'Part of my charm.' He started in surprise as Ianto leaned across, finding himself on the receiving end of a rather fierce kiss. Hands wound tightly through his hair, clutching Jack firmly until Ianto drew back an inch. 'Hey,' Jack said gently, sliding his palms up Ianto's arms to cradle his face tenderly. Ianto let himself relax fully into Jack, bowing his head to touch their foreheads and closing his eyes.

'Jack-'

'Morning,' Owen stumbled into the kitchen, 'is that toast?'

TWTWTWTWTWTW

Ianto,

1. That rogue weevil from two nights ago was well inside your area. Explanations as to why I had to drive down and collect it?

2. What the hell was with the reports of a purple skull floating through London?

3. The numbers of weevils migrating to London has increased, anything to do with you?

4. Tosh apologises for the Rift Log being down last night. Owen should be apologising but he's being an arse. Owen pulled the wrong plug out by mistake. Maybe we need a few more backups?

Jack

TWTW

'Guess what's roaming the streets, causing havoc?' Jack strode into the main area of the Hub.

'Owen?' Tosh offered drily.

'Present and accounted for,' Owen lobbed at pencil at her.

'It would be three weevils. Big, ugly weevils.' Gwen groaned and slumped down on the couch, hiding her head with reports. 'Which,' Jack continued, 'we don't have to deal with. Torchwood Four's area.'

Torchwood Three cheered.

Cpt Jack Harkness,

Oliver was on duty that night, I'll look into it. As to the weevils migrating, I have no idea. We're certainly not setting up any sort of weevil farm, send over the information on it.

The purple skull you are referring to would be the one attached to a rather drunk student. He dressed in black and ran around with a neon skull on the top of his head. And they say aliens are the ones we have to look out for.

We've been getting reports of a 'haunted' bookstore, it's on the edges of our area. Would you like to deal with it or should we?

More backups, definitely.

Ianto Jones

TWTW

'Do you miss him?' Gwen asked curiously, glancing across the conference table at Jack.

'Ianto? Yes,' Jack made a last mark on the page and set it down, 'yes I miss him. I lived with him, you know that don't you?' Gwen nodded. 'He was a good friend.'

'Bit more than a good friend?' Gwen hedged, mouth creeping into a smile.

Jack glanced up at her with a matching smile. 'Perhaps,' he broke into a full smile with that. 'It's hard to see him, work gets in the way. Very much in the way.'

'But do you still see him?'

'Sometimes. Not often. It's hard to switch off boss of Three, boss of Four. I saw him two months ago.'

'Jack,' Gwen set her papers down with a thump, 'that was when we all met Four.'

Jack shrugged.

Jack,

That body Owen wanted is here. We'll send it down tomorrow. Could you give the scanner to Mark then? He'll be the one dropping it off.

I was wondering if you're free next Friday?

Ianto,

Friday sounds good. Anything in mind?

J x

Jack closed his laptop and slid it under the coffee table, walking into the kitchen with a smile.

TWTW

'Tosh?' Jack whispered, shuffling awkwardly, 'what's the time?'

Tosh pressed herself against the wall as Jack fidgeted, eventually slapping him. 'Keep still. I don't know.'

'Sorry, just trying to reach my watch,' Jack stood still in the dark alcove, peering out down the alley. Tosh groaned as Jack's phone rang loudly. A frantic search for it ensued, Tosh glancing quickly to check no one was coming as Jack flipped it open.

'Jack, it's me.'

'Ianto, look I'm really sorry but I'm going to have to-'

'Don't worry,' Ianto cut him off, the sound of hurried footsteps coming through on the phone, he gave a terse chuckle, 'I was ringing for the same reason. I've got something big and antisocial down here.'

Jack laughed quietly, wincing as Tosh hit him. 'Same. I've gotta go, Tosh is hitting me. Guess I'll see you some other time.'

'Have fun with your aliens. I'll see you soon, Jack.'

'You too.'

Jack snapped the phone shut with a soft curse. Tosh patted his arm comfortingly before they both bolted after something furry and snarling.

TWTW

Ianto,

Tosh is sending back the CCTV records again, she's done some sort of editing that will mean something to Marie. Couldn't help noticing your cameo appearance, officially I'll compliment you on your quick move with the stun gun. Unofficially, you looked sexy.

Jack

Thank you. Sexy is after all what I aim for when catching slime coated lizards.

I'll be away for some time soon, you'll have to stop sexually harassing me over email.

You'll be away for Christmas?'

Unfortunately, yes. I would have very much liked to have seen you over Christmas.

I've never said before, but I am sorry I left when I did. I enjoyed staying with you, Jack.

Yours,
Ianto

TWTWTW

Jack staggered through his apartment door, swaying unsteadily before meandering towards the nearest stable object. The streamers Owen had draped around him dangled across his shoulders, something told him everyone had found them hilarious at some point but the reason was currently escaping him. A bunch of roses on the bench made him smile. He stared aimlessly at them for several minutes before his eyes widened and he made his unsteady way towards them. There was a card. That puzzled him. He lost concentration for a moment then placidly opened the card.

Merry Christmas, Jack.

It's been an interesting year, hope you don't think too badly of me.

Ianto x

Jack gave a quavering sigh, eyes sad as he gazed at the roses. He looked across the empty room, his mind hazily supplying images of Ianto lounging on the couch, cleaning, laughing at him, reading, smiling. He turned back to the small bunch of roses and smiled fondly, then passed out on the kitchen floor.

Boxing Day found Jack cocooned in his blanket on the couch, Love Actually playing on the tv. He knew he'd stooped low, but the roses in the vase carefully placed on the coffee table made him felt he had some right. It'd be over tomorrow and he'd go on as usual.

Baby Can I Hold You Tonight fitted pretty well for this. The Boyzone version, because what would life be without boy bands and really...boybandy...dancing? :)

I know I felt like I was writing a rom-com, weevils included, in this chapter. But I promise I'm working to a plan.

Hope it's going alright?