Sneaks quietly in, takes a look around... Hi everyone! :) Yes, it's me again and I'm still alive! No update in 2 weeks! I can't believe how time flies! Finally a bit of summer has reached Germany, so I spent quite a few days with friends having a BBQ and whatsoever I did I can't even remember haha... Anyhow, I admit I wasn't online pretty much within the last days, but the long and the short of it, here is chapter 11. I try to post more frequently from now on!

Thx to all my readers and followers and for the lovely reviews I received! I will take every suggestion and praise and criticism grateful to heart! So many exclamation marks... had too much sugar... :)

Anyhow, I hope some of you are still around to read this, and I hope I didn't disappoint you!

Chapter 11

Seconds, feeling like hours to Jack, passed – in his head the missing pieces of the jigsaw were falling into place, as he looked down at the dead Shormasi, his last words in thoughts. Why hadn't be thought of this before? The Czarina, the Shormasi – their folks were so alike in their demeanour and their plans! It had only been a matter of time until they would have joined forces… In all the chaos around him, Jack was deeply absorbed in thought. He ignored the stinging, stinking smell of burnt flesh, and the acrid smoke burning in his eyes, the loud calling voices of his soldiers…

Eventually he was startled out of his rigidity, when he heard Ianto calling "Jack… Jack you need to see this!" Slowly he got up – he had the feeling that his legs would no longer want to lead him – he didn't want to see anymore of the dastardly plans of the aliens, didn't want to experience more misery… With cautious steps he entered the great hall, whereupon he noticed that the entire troop had already come in. Ianto stood in the middle of the room and looked in horror at the carnage: everywhere on the ground lay dead and wounded people, their blood covered the stone surface in puddles. Whimpering could be heard from the survivors: from those that lay injured before them and from those who sat huddled and frightened in the darkest corners, panicked and shocked with fear.

Immediately several soldiers rushed to the wounded and inspected their injuries, they helped where they could and as fast as they could. Jack felt dizzy before his eyes, but he knew he had to pull himself together – his orders were expected. So much death, so much destruction… As if he had a headache, he clutched his forehead and finally spoke with a calm, stable voice: "Bring them all out as quickly as possible, bring the wounded only to the Delta ship, where we have enough means to care for them. Hurry, we want to leave in an hour!"

The soldiers in the room started to move and began to carry the injured outside. Like intimidated deer the freed human slaves followed the soldiers, indifferent to their fate by now – everything was better than staying in the slave institution and dying miserably, so they followed these unknown, well-equipped units.

Ianto walked from one corner of the room to the other, comforting and encouraging the slaves that hadn't dared to follow Ašira's soldiers yet. Suddenly he saw a stocky figure in a corner – it had its face hidden on his knees and seemed to no longer participate in the happenings. He recognized the gray-white, shoulder-length hair only too well. Quickly he ran to the man and knelt before him.

"Isri", he heard himself cry out joyfully, "Isri! It's me!"

The old man abruptly lifted his head, the desperate look in his eyes gave way to a bright shimmer, and such a cheerful, wide grin came to his face that Ianto had to give a laugh happily. The old man grabbed him and hugged Ianto tightly.

"Ah, brilliant! Well done, my lad! Brilliant!", he heard him exclaim, and Ianto had to laugh and cry at the same time, as well as he heard Isri sob and laugh. At least he had been able to save him alive, Ianto thought.

Finally they separated from each other and Ianto told Isri to follow the other soldiers to the spaceships. The old man patted his shoulder with a big smile and passed Ašira, staring at him amazed. So this was the deity of whom the people had spoken for centuries…

Ianto turned to Jack and smiled at him moved, tears running down his cheeks, and Jack realized what this rescue mission meant to him. His smiled gently back and was pleased to have met Ianto's wish.

Suddenly they heard a scratching in a corner, and from the dark shadow rose a male figure. Startled Ianto turned around and he saw a glitter glowing in brown eyes, as they beheld him furiously. Footsteps approached and the person stepped into the light; Ianto's breath faltered, his heart began to stumble in his chest: Kotar. The overseer held his bleeding rib and walked with a stoop. Vigilantly and excited Jack watched how the two men looked at each other intensively. Kotar looked like a wildcat which bend down in order to jump and attack. It took two seconds, then Jack understood who he was looking at.

"Ianto, get out of the way and I will put an end to him."

Unbridled anger arose in Jack as he could see the man's face who had inflicted so much damage on Ianto. Because of whom he had to collect the shards of Ianto's broken soul. He pulled out his gun and loaded it, but Ianto didn't move an inch.

"No, Jack. Freedom also belongs to him. He also just bowed to the command", Ianto heard himself talk as if in a dream. It cost him so much overcoming to face Kotar and to show strength. He didn't even grudge him death, not even after all that he had done to him. Deep inside Ianto was convinced that Kotar had only acted like that because he had been forced too.

Suddenly Kotar laughed coldly and amused. A shiver ran down Ianto's back, his hair stood on end. An eerie glint shone in Kotar's dark eyes. He came dangerously close to Ianto, too close to Jack's liking. He held his gun fixed in his hands, already aiming at the slave overseer.

"Do you really believe that, you simple-minded fool?", Kotar whispered hatefully.

"The Empress is my mistress! I serve her, I obey her. I stand behind what I did. For her I would go through the fire, kill who she wants me to! I do not regret what I did. Why should I? Just look at you, you…"

Before Kotar could finish his sentence, at once the roaring rattle of Jack's gun resounded, and several bullets hit Kotar's upper body. Shaken by the shots his body fell to the cold stony ground with a loud crash. Shocked Ianto turned to Jack, but he only saw his angry, serious face. In the end revenge had captured his mind and made him act. Kotar had earned it, had deserved it.

Ianto watched Kotar die. His blood mingled with those of the dead and injured slaves. With a smile he looked up at Ianto and wheezed his last words before he finally closed his eyes.

"I underestimated you ..."

...

Hand in hand Jack and Ianto were standing on the desert floor, with serious faces they were watching the spectacle in front of them. The wind was blowing black soot and the spicy smell of fire against them. Behind them the majority of the soldiers and freed slaves were standing. They all were silent as they watched the slave institution burning in several meters high flames. Ašira had given the command to set everything alight, thus leaving as little evidence as possible. The dead Shormasi now burned with the dead people they had been unable to save. A cremation for both races…

The first load-bearing walls of the building collapsed in the flames, a loud roar filled the air. Dispersed dust mixed with the sand and the smoke of the flames. Ianto could feel hot tears in his eyes. On the on hand he was proud and happy to have saved at least a few people and to have taken revenge on the facility; on the other hand he was upset and angry that so many had had to die… His action felt incomplete, as if he had forsaken the now dead. Jack's thumb stroked the back of his hand reassuringly, he looked at Ianto with a knowing, thoughtful gaze; he seemed to look right in his soul, realizing immediately what was bothering him. His gentle gesture quieted Ianto's insides a bit.

"Come, today we can't accomplish much more", he said quietly and let go of Ianto's hand.

He turned around to the humans and his soldiers and forced a smile.

"Let's return to Thalassa! Into the ships, all on board!"

…

Hours passed while the fleet was flying through the black, infinite universe, to come back to its home planet. All the freed people were divided into the almost empty space ships, but to Ianto's pain and regret only 2 of the large 5 vessels were filled with people. The empty seats were now only occupied with the ghosts of the dead.

In the control room of the mother ship the soldiers talked very lively, there was a general loud acoustic level, but Ianto and Jack sat silently side by side, each lost in his gloomy thoughts. Isri sat next to Ianto; with wide eyes he observed the galaxy flashing past, with its fine mists, the twinkling bright stars, and the giant planets in the distance. Enthusiastic and curios like a child the old man could not get enough of the spectacle.

He had gotten to know Ianto well enough to know it was better to let him dwell on his thoughts. It had been enough that he had been allowed to see him once again, and that Ianto had freed him on top of that. Many stories Isri had heard about their liberator Ašira, sitting so close beside him. Wonder and awe paralysed the old man's tongue, but at last Ianto turned to him and began to converse with him mirthfully.

What ever dark thoughts had plagued him, he managed to get rid of them at least for the moment, and he talked with Isri about their experiences of the last few weeks at length. A smile lay on Ianto's lips when he realized how good it did him to be able to speak with Isri again. Meanwhile Jack was busy giving instructions to his generals and soldiers, planning how to accommodate the freedmen on Thalassa.

…

When they arrived hours later on Thalassa, it was already evening time. The first candles and torches shone through the dusk when the fleet landed on the wide stone terrace. The palace guards came towards the newcomers, and a human chain of silent, astonished people followed the soldiers and Ašira into the pompous yet simple castle. Behind them the injured were transported on stretchers with quiet, gentle steps. It appeared to Ianto partly as a victory march, partly as a church parade for a funeral.

They gathered in Ašira's throne room, Jack was standing before his throne, with Ianto standing a few feet away from him in an appropriate distance. With a serious look Jack eyed the tattered, yet much happier looking figures in front of him. Their clothes were torn, their bodies soiled and skinny, but a rekindled flame was shining brightly in their clear eyes.

"Go now, and find peace and strength", said Ašira, and Ianto considered him in surprise, as his voice suddenly sounded so full and strong; he held his arms spread, a welcoming gesture. The wide sleeves of his robe fell down to his sides. He reminded Ianto of a clergyman, a priest who promised his church parish protection and peace.

"For the next few days you can live here in the palace and strengthen yourself, we will then assign you to the outer houses and you will be integrated into the life on Thalassa. I expect fealty of you and that you respect my laws. Apart from that you are free men henceforth; strip off the word slave and be welcomed in your new home!"

Consenting, joyful murmur filled the room, and many smiled and looked at each other with sparkling eyes. Then the people bowed several times to Ašira and expressed their thanks to Jack, who finally also bowed to them, which made the mass become silent. They followed the guards still whispering and talking as they were being led out of the hall. Thoughtfully Jack and Ianto watched them, and the throne room became empty and quiet again.

Tired and exhausted Jack sat down on his throne and bedded his heavy head on his palm, closing his eyes. Ianto watched him, biting his lower lip; he also felt drained and harassed from the long day. But at the same time he felt restless; there was a struggle within him that wanted to be fought. He felt sympathy for Jack, but he couldn't help clothing his thought in words.

"It won't be enough, Jack", he finally said. He heard his heart beat loudly in his body; his fingertips tingled with nervousness, as he counted the seconds of silence. His breath appeared strangely loud and faltering to him. A sad smile crept on Jack's lips. Without opening his heavy eyelids, he replied Ianto in a low, broken voice.

"I know."
…

Exhausted Ianto fell into Jack's soft canopy bed. A quick bath had been all he had been enabled to do. Half-dressed he remained as if he was dead, lying on his stomach upon the heavenly smelling bed, his arms stretched out to each side.

With a gentle smile Jack sat down beside him and the mattress sank in a little bit. Ianto felt caressing fingertips on his bare back, whose delicate touches made his flesh crawl. He sighed with pleasure and closed his eyes.

How gladly he would have liked to fall asleep now... But again and again he was plagued by thoughts and worries. He suddenly felt Jack's lips giving his forehead a little kiss.

"Come, I'll tuck you in and then you sleep a bit. I'm dog-tired too...", Jack suggested, his face so close to Ianto's that he could feel his warmth, that he could smell his unique scent. Ianto felt safe in Jack's vicinity, even if the scenarios of today incessantly haunted his mind.

He barely felt how the mattress lifted slightly, then he heard Jack blow out the many candles in the chamber. Before he knew it and before he could realise how it happened, Ianto was sleeping soundly. The smell of smoke and burnt candle wick pursued him in his troubled dreams that were all about fire, death and suffering.

...

In the chilly hour before dawn Ianto suddenly awoke – he knew he had had a bad dream, but he could not remember what his dream had been about. All he could remember were Kotar's glassy eyes staring at him, dull and lifeless. Ianto took a deep breath to reduce the sense of panic in his chest. Kotar was history, his tormentor was no longer among them. Slowly he calmed down and took a look around in the room.

Jack's chambers were lit by a grey, murky light that hinted the coming sunrise, which was still a long way off. Ianto turned his head sideways to look out of the great windows, as his eyes met Jack's, who beheld him interested and quite awake. Jack lay on his side and greeted him with a small, mischievous smile. How long had he been lying like this, observing Ianto?

A wave of longing suddenly gripped Ianto as he got lost in Jack's deep blue eyes. How much he owed to him... He knew he would have never been able to murder Kotar, and he would have always had to live with a touch of paranoia and panic, just because he was an absolute idealist. Jack had done him a favour by soaking his own hands in blood. Ianto felt strangely relieved and finally reborn. After what felt like eternities he finally sensed hope again; maybe he was able to have a new, real life in this age – and actually the opportunity to be whole and happy again.

While all these confused thoughts flitted through his mind, he turned on his side and put a hand gently upon Jack's night chilled cheek. He moved closer to his face, driven by a burning desire and withdrawal. His lips were so close to Jack's, he could feel his every faltering breaths on his mouth. How heavenly and intoxicating he smelled... He looked deep into Jack's eyes, withstanding his questioning gaze for long. The deeply moved, vulnerable look appearing in Jack's eyes was enough to show Ianto what took place inside his lover.

Yearningly Ianto shut his eyelids half and closed the gap between their mouths; he passionately and extensively kissed Jack so that a hot tingling sensation shot through his abdomen, the blush rose vehemently in his cheeks. He could and would not restrain his desire any longer. Even if it could possibly hurt him, even if he wasn't absolutely ready for it... He knew that he wanted Jack – this was an irreversible fact. And how Jack's lips trembled against his, how his shaky fingers touched Ianto's face and pulled him closer... It was as if they were pieces of a puzzle, as if their parts formed an overall structure together.

Breathless they broke apart, letting their foreheads rest against the other's for a moment. Jack's hand wandered to Ianto's hips, his strong arm pulled Ianto's body directly against his.

"What is it with you?", Jack whispered in the husky voice he always had in the morning. He had to smile when he saw and heard Ianto's smile in the semi-darkness. Ianto's hand slid down Jack's side demandingly, coming to rest upon Jack's hipbone. His fingernails dug a bit into the soft skin, making Jack moan softly. Just to hear the gentle angelic sound sent an almost painful, intense throbbing into Ianto's crotch. Impatiently he pressed his groin against Jack's. The friction made him almost mad, he had to bite his lower lip to stifle an uncontrolled moan. Peace of mind – what he wanted now, but what his body denied him... How long had it been since he and Jack had been so close? Ianto tried to count the millennia in his head, and just the thought of it made him dizzy.

"I'm myself again...", he whispered and pressed a quick kiss to Jack's lips.

"No one will oppress me again... I am no longer a slave..."

His hand stroked along Jack's muscular, well-formed butt, grabbing it playfully. In Jack's eyes appeared the charming, wicked lustful look that Ianto had seen so often. From his eyes radiated a certain coolish superiority, even if it was Ianto taking Jack. Nonetheless, there were never losers in their love plays, only winners on both sides.

TBC