Title: Hitting the Ground Running
Fandom:Torchwood
Rating: Adult overall.
Pairing: Primarily Jack/Ianto, with other secondary pairings
Chapter: 11/?
Word Count: 3240
Summary: AU. Majorly AU. Ianto Jones first encountered Torchwood as a teenager trying to leave his old life behind. However, when Torchwood Three gets rather violently restructured at the start of the millennium, he's got a new assignment in Cardiff. The only thing he wasn't prepared for was his new boss.
Disclaimer: Torchwood does not belong to me. I'm merely borrowing the characters with the promise to return them when I'm done.
A/N: I'm sure some of you have guessed what's to come in this chapter, but even if you've guessed correctly, I hope it's still enjoyable for you. I'm currently writing about six chapters ahead of where I'm posting, so if I continue to work at that speed I should be able to keep a semi-regular posting schedule!
Chapter Eleven
In Which Tosh is Suspicious, More Secrets are Revealed, and An Unexpected Visitor Arrives in Cardiff
"Ianto? You here?"
"Morning, Tosh," Ianto turned from where he was cooking breakfast and smiled at her. "Coffee's on the table if you want any."
"Thanks."
"Good night?"
"Yes," she smiled at him. "Suzie and I went out for drinks and just…talked. It felt good. Normal."
"Normal's hard to come by in this business," Ianto muttered, checking to make sure the eggs weren't burning.
"I've gathered," she went to pour coffee when a large crash came from the direction of the washroom. "Oh! I didn't realize you had somebody…"
"It's just Jack," Ianto sighed. "Breaking my things again."
"Jack stays over?"
"Sometimes," Ianto shrugged, willing her not to make a big deal of it.
"Doesn't he have a house?"
"Nah, he has a bunker at the Hub. He likes to be close to the Rift in case anything dire happens," he informed her, and she nodded and thankfully dropped it.
"Toshiko! Thought I heard your melodious voice!" Jack came out a minute later, mercifully dressed but with the tips of his hair still damp.
"Good morning," Tosh said politely as Jack helped himself to coffee. "I just came to get a change of clothes. Suzie should already be at the Hub."
"Ah, she can take care of things for a while!" Jack proclaimed. "I'm hungry."
"And you'll wait until breakfast is ready," Ianto shooed him as he tried to snag a piece of bacon. "By the way, what have you broken now?"
"Nothing!" Jack looked aghast. "I dropped the shampoo. That's all."
"That had better be all, or you're paying for it," Ianto retorted, amazed at the easy banter between them even after the events of the night previous. Maybe what they had was too strong to be broken by what would normally be the proverbial elephant in the room between two people.
"Yeah, yeah," Jack slipped an arm around his waist and kissed his cheek, leaving Ianto glancing at him funny. He dropped his voice to intone, "Remember when you told me, back after we kissed for the first time, that if it was something chaste I didn't need to ask?"
Ianto finally nodded and Jack continued. "Well…can I still hold you to that? Or am I pushing it?"
"No, it's fine," Ianto shrugged. "Now shoo, or I'll serve you burnt eggs."
"You wouldn't!"
"Yes, I would. Don't worry Tosh, I'd have made you new ones," Ianto called to her.
"Thank you, Ianto," she replied from the table.
"Of course," he turned off the stove. "Now, let's eat."
000
Ianto realized later that he should have seen this coming; no secret can go unnoticed forever, no matter how justified he thought it was (and he didn't, really, because like he said, there was never any proof that Lisa had cheated). And so when she walked through the door of the Tourist Information Center that morning, he shouldn't have been so surprised.
"Lisa?"
"Ianto! This place is…a dump," she crossed her arms and grinned at him, and he was up out of his chair and over to her in a minute.
"I thought…I thought you said you were busy?"
"I felt bad," she shrugged, smoothing down her long coat (it was raining outside, but that was hardly unusual). "I know it feels like sometimes I think work is more important than us, but it isn't, Ianto," she told him honestly. "It just isn't."
"How long…"
"Just until Monday. But I want to see your place and meet the team here. If that's alright?"
"Yeah…I mean, of course it is! I can't believe you came!"
She was about to reply when the secret door opened and Jack came through. "Ianto, Suzie's complaining that…oh, hel-lo, my dear…"
"Jack, no," Ianto said quickly.
"Ah, you must be Captain Harkness! I've heard so much about you," Lisa held out her hand but Jack, in typical Jack fashion, swept her into a hug instead.
"And you must be Lisa! I thought Ianto said…"
"I know," she cut him off. "But can't a girl get a little time off to see her boyfriend?"
"Naturally. And if Ianto wants a little time off…"
"Only if it's not too much trouble, sir."
"Take it. You work too hard," Jack clapped his shoulder but his hand didn't linger like it usually did. "Lisa, want to come down and meet the Suzie and Tosh? Normally I wouldn't allow it, but since you're Torchwood…"
"Then yes, I would," she reached to take the hand he offered her and the three made their way down into the Hub proper. Lisa got along incredibly well with both Suzie and Tosh, her quick wit and generous nature allowing her to find common ground with each of them.
After a nice take-out lunch, Ianto took Lisa back to his place and told her to go on inside while he parked the car downstairs. What he didn't expect was for her to slap him across the face the instant he walked through the door, and he pressed a disbelieving hand to his cheek while she tapped her foot and glared daggers at him. "What? Li…"
"Do you think I'm stupid, Ianto? Your bedroom reeks of sex. Who is she? How could you do this to me?" Lisa fumed, and Ianto worried that more of his meager possessions were soon going to be broken.
"Lisa, you have to…"
"Just tell me! I know that what we have isn't perfect or desirable, Ianto, and I know we've never promised each other forever, but if you don't love me anymore, just tell me! Don't go behind my back!" she planted her feet firmly, continuing to stare him down.
"Well, if you...alright," Ianto sighed. "This could take a while, though. Coffee?"
"Don't try to distract me, Ianto Jones. I just want the truth," her voice softened a bit, and he nodded and walked over to the living room, expecting her to follow. She did and planted herself on the sofa while he took a nearby armchair.
"Right. Okay. My boss…well, he's been trying to get me into his bed since the day I started," Ianto began. "It's obvious he's attracted to me, and while I think it's impossible not to feel something for the man, the truth is that I'm more than a little enamored with him as well. Now, how much of that is real and how much is hero-worship I couldn't say, but I do know one thing: he's not good for me. Which is why, save for one time when we were…fighting, I've very firmly pushed away all of his advances.
"Two days ago the man he was seeing died in a Weevil attack, and when he asked me to help him get through it, well…"
"You took him up on it," Lisa stared at her knees. "God, I'm such an idiot! And you know, Ianto? You're too nice for your own good. But that's not the point, is it?"
"No," he picked a piece of invisible lint from his shirt. "No, it's not. I know what I did was wrong, and I tried to falsely justify it by pretending that you didn't need me because you were taking the weekend to work instead of be with me."
"Which I was," she said quietly. "And it was a bad decision on my part. So, you don't love him?"
"As I said, I think everybody loves him," Ianto said truthfully. "But if you mean 'love' as in do I see myself with him in twenty years? No. It wouldn't work."
"So you…"
"I love you, Lisa. And if you can find it in your heart to forgive me…if you want to keep this going…I promise it'll never happen again. I've held him off for years; I can keep doing it," Ianto promised.
"Oh, Ianto," Lisa still looked sad. "I guess now should be the time to tell you that I…"
"I know," Ianto cut her off, not needing to hear it.
"You do? Then why…" she looked confused.
"Because I didn't have any proof," Ianto shrugged. "The only way I guessed was…well, Jack seems to think it was the truth, but I know that some of what we've…done together, I sure hadn't heard of it before."
"And you didn't confront me?" she looked confused.
"I didn't want it to look like I distrusted you. And what if I had said something and been wrong? It would have killed our chances, Li," he unconsciously reached for her hand and she let him take it. "So who was he?"
"Co-worker. Right git, but he knows how to sweet-talk a woman, and I'm not going to make excuses because I've regretted it since it happened. But I couldn't do it to you, so I broke it off before it had a chance to go anywhere," she looked afraid of his reaction.
To her surprise, he merely chuckled and gave her hand a light squeeze. "So we're both idiots, then?"
"Pretty much," she admitted. "Does this mean?"
"Yeah. I guess it does."
"We're not going be distrustful of each other from now on?"
"You say you won't do it again and I'll believe you," he assured her. "If you can do the same for me, I think we'll be just fine."
"Then yes," she sighed, looking relieved.
"Good," he moved to the couch and they kissed slowly, neither wanting to break the moment. "Now, what are your plans for today?"
"I thought you could show me the sights…maybe go meet your sister and her family? And then tonight…" she raised an eyebrow and he knew exactly where she was going.
"Sounds good. I'll give Rhi a call, but she's always happy to see visitors. Plus she's wanted to meet you for years," he pointed out, getting up and walking over to the phone.
"Great," she followed him and leaned on the table, smiling as he made the call. "And you know, just for the record," she began slowly, "I'm rather proud of you for holding out as long as you did. If he was my boss and he was pursuing me…" she winked.
"I warned you."
"You did, but I failed to see how any man could be that charismatic."
"Jack defies a lot of logical explanations."
"So? How was he?"
"Oh, God, Li, don't start acting like a teenager about it," Ianto rolled his eyes, secretly amazed she was taking this so well. But then, he knew what had attracted him to her in the first place, and part of that was her forgiving nature. She wasn't a pushover, far from it, but when both of them were at fault she wasn't going to try and make his offences greater than hers.
"What? It's kind of hot, Ianto."
"It doesn't bother you that he's…"
"No," she shrugged. "Like I said, from what I saw, that man could have sexual tension with a desk. I assume you were…on top?" she asked cautiously.
"Yeah," Ianto nodded.
"Not that it matters, mind, but you can be pretty dominant in the bedroom and I think I'd have…"
"Lisa, drop it!" he laughed nervously. "And don't let Jack hear you talk like that or he'll get ideas."
"Think he'd be up for a threesome?" she asked in a low voice.
"Yes," Ianto said emphatically. "Which is why it won't happen."
"Pity," she sighed, and they were both quiet before they glanced at each other and started to laugh. "You know, Ianto? I know it isn't going to be easy with us…either of us…being completely trusting for a while. But I think it'll be worth it."
"Yeah. I know it will, Lisa," Ianto took her hands and gazed fondly at her.
"So, your sister?"
"She said anytime, so shall we?"
"We shall," she agreed, and he took her hand and led her out of the flat.
000
"And then she asked if we could have a threesome."
"What did you tell her?"
"That you'd agree, but it wasn't going to happen."
"You ruin all my fun. You've got a keeper there, Ianto."
"I'm well aware of that, sir," Ianto finished tidying up from their impromptu dinner and threw the take-away containers in the bin before perching on the boardroom table, one foot dangling above the ground.
"I'm glad you worked it out," Jack said earnestly, all hints of his earlier irreverence gone. "I think, after meeting her, that you're good for each other. I think you should make a life with her, if that's what you want. The fact that you both could admit you've done something wrong and still want to try for something? That's rare, Ianto. This girl's a special one, if you ask me."
"Alright," Ianto nodded firmly. "I trust you."
"Good, because sometimes I don't," Jack grinned at him, normal good humor back, and gave Ianto a light kiss on the lips. "Now. Where were we?"
"I was cleaning up your mess, sir. Like usual."
"Ah, right," Jack's hand lingered on his shoulder. "We're going out to a Pub Quiz tonight; you in?"
"And what exactly would I be able to help with, sir?"
"Ianto, you're a brilliant man. Literature; music? Nobody'd be able to beat you," Jack told him earnestly.
"I guess your local knowledge is lacking, is that it?" Ianto teased gently.
"Don't have to worry about that with you around, would I?" Jack instinctively reached to encircle his shoulders but stopped halfway, his hand hovering in the air between him until Ianto nodded and Jack pulled him close, tucking Ianto's head under his chin. "I miss you."
"I know," Ianto replied. "But I've made my choice, Jack."
"And I won't try to change your mind," Jack promised. "But I can't deny it."
"I know," Ianto repeated, holding Jack close to him. "As long as we both know where we stand…"
"We do," Jack assured him quickly. "But come on, we'll be late."
"Wouldn't want that," Ianto grabbed his coat and the two of them made their way out of the Hub.
000
"Suzie, I need you to see if we can use any of the space junk that just came through in Splott. Tosh, check on the Rift Monitor; see if anything else has come through or if it was just the one dump. Ianto…"
Jack stopped short, staring at Ianto incredulously. "It's not the nineteenth?"
"It is, sir."
"Happy Birthday," Jack dropped a quick kiss on his lips and drew him into a hug. "You're taking my rules seriously, are you?"
"It wouldn't do to be unprofessional at work, sir. Besides, with running the Tourist Office, I get strange looks when I'm in there wearing denims and a jumper," Ianto stated logically.
"Alright, wear the suits. You know you look incredible in them."
"I've gathered," Ianto said wryly. "Now, you were saying…?"
"Oh, right. Get ready to do some archiving. We've got a massive Rift dump over…"
"I heard."
"Right. I figure it's typical space trash, but you know what they say about one man's junk being another man's treasure, so who knows what we'll find?" he looked gleefully excited.
"As you wish, sir."
"Great. Suzie and I will go pick up what we can, sound good?"
"As you wish, sir."
"Stop that," Jack admonished him gently, his hands still on Ianto's shoulders. "And I'm taking you out tonight."
"Alright."
"Sound a little more enthusiastic," Jack gave him an appraising look.
"I look forward to it," Ianto said, deliberately dry, and Jack tugged him close again.
"Better. We need to go."
"I'm not stopping you."
"I know," Jack gave him a rather intense look that, despite his efforts, made him blush slightly before flashing him that trademark Harkness grin and heading off. "Suzie! Let's go!"
"Ianto?"
"Yes, Tosh?" Ianto said mildly, turning to meet her questioning gaze.
"Does Jack fancy you?"
"Quite," Ianto admitted.
"Have you…ever…you don't have to tell me," Tosh busied herself with her computer as Ianto sighed and sat backwards on a rolling chair, resting his elbows on the back and leaning his chin on top of his arms. "It's none of my business and I shouldn't ask."
"You have a right to be curious," Ianto assured her. "And yes, to answer your question. Once."
"But…that day! When he was in your washroom…"
"Yup."
"Oh, God, Ianto, you should have said something!" she looked horrified. "I would have left; I…"
"No, Tosh; it's fine. I'm with Lisa, remember? Jack was just…after Evan died, he was hurting so much, and Lisa was ignoring me, and I just…" he sighed. "Nothing I say is going to make it sound right, or justified, but…"
"I get it, Ianto," she walked over and lay a gentle hand on his shoulder. "And I don't blame you. The Captain is…hard to resist, I'd imagine, if he takes a liking to you."
"Well, I was sixteen and a bit when I first started here, and he's been after me since that day," Ianto told her.
"He's waited a long time, then. I didn't take him as the patient type."
"He's not. Not usually," Ianto amended. "He keeps telling me I'm special, but I'm sure it's all drivel."
"Ianto, I doubt he'd lie about something like that," Tosh attempted to reassure him. "Besides, I've seen the way he looks at you."
"Yeah. So have I," Ianto reached up to let his hand rest on top of hers. "And it scares me a little. I've grown up enough in the last little while to realize that I've been horribly unfair to Lisa all these years, and while part of me would like to blame it on Jack and his endless amounts of sex appeal, the others knows that it's a cop-out. I'm strong enough to deny him; I just choose not to."
"But you're stopping?"
"I have to, Tosh. For the sake of Lisa and I? I have to," he sighed.
"Well, if you need somebody to, y'know, give you a gentle reminder now and again, I'm available," Tosh offered, and Ianto smiled at her.
"I'd appreciate that. Jack can be…a little overwhelming at times."
"Tell me about it. Can I ask one thing, though?"
"Go ahead."
"Was it good?"
"Tosh!"
"Just wondering," she looked remarkably innocent.
"Yes. Yes, it was," Ianto decided that telling the truth was the best thing to do in this case.
"Then at least you got a good experience out of it," she reasoned, and while Ianto didn't contradict her, part of him wondered if that was entirely a positive thing.
000
Jack had, as was customary, bought him a cake and taken him to dinner. However, he didn't press, and after leaving Ianto with a rather chaste kiss on the doorstep headed back to the Hub. The next night Jack rushed off somewhere, which was odd, and Suzie disappeared as well, so he wasn't all that surprised when Tosh came to him just before he was about to leave.
"Ianto? Have any plans for tonight?" she asked innocently.
"I don't…wait, yes," Ianto realized. "It's pub night. You're welcome to join…"
"I think I'd like that," she nodded. "I don't quite know where Suzie's taken off to, so it's just…"
"Us and a friend of mine. Policeman."
"A policeman?" Tosh looked surprised.
"You'll love him," Ianto promised. "But I'm going to be late if I don't head off, so shall we?" he offered his arm and she took it with a laugh.
"Ever the gentleman, Ianto Jones. And yes, let's."