Chapter 12
Ianto woke on the sofa of Gwen and Rhys' flat. It was early and still dark out. He could stay here and get a lift in with Gwen or he could call a taxi and get back to his own house, get a change of clothes.
What to wear for being recruited by a psychotic, blonde ex-Torchwood teaboy?
He liked suits by the looks of things, but Ianto wasn't keen on encouraging him in that way. Fuck. What should he wear? Casual? Jeans? He squeezed the outer edge of his ear hard reactivating the communication device.
"Jack?"
After a while he heard a quiet chuckle.
"Hello there – I hope you didn't switch this thing off so I couldn't hear you indulging in a threesome with Gwen and Rhys!"
"Yep, you've got me – I knew you'd be upset that we hadn't invited you to join in."
"Oh yeah … except for the fact that I'm not sharing you with anyone."
"Jack – what do you think I should wear?"
"I don't believe you're asking me that…"
"Suit?"
"Yeah, maybe – but not one of my favourites. Wear the dark grey one."
"Shirt?"
"Yes – you'll get cold without one"
"Very funny – colour?"
"Changed my mind – I don't want you attracting that creep's attention too much. Jeans, the loose ones and a sweater. Baggy as well, nothing too figure hugging."
"OK – that's helpful."
"You're not being interviewed, Ianto, they've made it clear they already want you."
"I'm going back to my place now – then I'll get a taxi in."
"I'll make my exit and then sneak back in – I'll see you soon."
Gwen and Rhys woke to find themselves alone. The blankets were neatly folded on the sofa, along with the clothes they'd lent Ianto. The dirty dishes that had been left piled up in the kitchen sink had been washed, dried and stacked on the counter. Ianto had even collected up all the empty beer bottles, rinsed them out and put them in the recycling box.
"Do you think he'll be alright, love?"
Rhys wrapped his arms about Gwen from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head. He could see from the way she was looking around the flat wistfully, that she wished their guest was still with them. So did Rhys, he had enjoyed his company and was worried about what he was getting himself into. He'd asked Gwen that night in bed why it couldn't be Captain bloody Harkness that did the dangerous stuff, he seemed better equipped for the James Bond missions. Gwen had got that dreamy look in her eyes, the one which she got when thinking of her boss, and then told him that Jack didn't do subtle and that Ianto was the best choice for the job. Rhys hadn't been convinced by that argument and couldn't help but harbour a grudge against Jack for sending his team into danger and expecting them to willingly risk their lives. He'd seen it in the warehouse where that big whale creature was being kept, he'd been shot himself and Ianto had nearly got killed and all Jack did was shout at him to get up and keep going. Rhys knew he'd stand up to Jack if he ever put Gwen in unnecessary danger and now he was beginning to feel the need to step in on Ianto's behalf. It seemed that anyone that loved the bloody man lost all sense of self preservation.
"What was that, sweetheart?"
"I was going to fix him breakfast this morning. Seems dangerous you know. Going undercover on his own and all … he will be OK won't he?"
"I hope so, Rhys, for Jack's sake as much as his. It will destroy him if this goes badly."
By the time Rhys and Gwen had got up, Ianto had managed to return to his house, take a quick shower and then change into casual clothes. He decided to take a taxi back into town, he didn't want to waste time. He was certain that even if he was being watched, they wouldn't make a move until later, after he'd stopped off at Torchwood.
Ianto walked through the apparently empty Hub. He thought perhaps Jack hadn't got back yet, so he wandered around, touching the surface of each desk, idly running his finger tips over the keyboards of the computers, Tosh's first then Gwen's. He walked slowly up the stairs to the kitchenette area and took one last longing look at the coffee machine that Jack swore was alien. He was pouring a handful of coffee beans from one hand to the other when Jack appeared in the doorway.
"One more for the road?"
"Why not? I could do with a coffee."
"That doesn't surprise me, considering how much alcohol you put away yesterday."
"Are you nagging me?"
"Well, I was genuinely worried you'd end up in bed with Gwen and Rhys-"
"Jack!"
"Come here."
Jack wrapped his arms around Ianto possessively. Ianto knew what Jack was doing, reassuring himself that he was still in one piece and he didn't stop him.
"Let's get this over with – the power cell, where is it?"
"You don't have to leave straight away."
"What's the point in hanging around?"
Jack shook his head, knowing what Ianto was saying.
"A few more minutes?"
"If I delay this, Jack I won't be able to do it."
"Stay a while – please? How about that coffee?"
"Captain Jack Harkness – begging?"
"Make the most of it."
"OK. Let's go through the plan one more time. I take the … the power cell. Then I walk around town until the creepy blonde guy hits on me again and then I let them take me back to their secret base. Then I find out what they're up to, shout for help and you'll come dashing to my rescue."
Ianto ground the coffee beans and scooped up enough of the dark, aromatic powder to make two cups of industrial strength coffee. He was hoping that repeating the plan whilst carrying out an everyday, routine procedure would make it seem more feasible.
"Yeah – it'll be a breeze…"
"Who are you trying to fool, Jack? You or me?" Ianto turned to face Jack, the room silent apart from the gurgle of hot water percolating through the coffee. The expression on Ianto's face was solemn, he knew that the risk factor had increased exponentially since Jack had first formulated the idea of Ianto going undercover.
"OK – it's not sounding quite so straightforward now. But the main thing is that we find out where they are, get you the fuck out of there and then deal with those bastards."
Ianto poured two cups of coffee and added a heaped teaspoon of sugar to his own before sipping it slowly. It crossed Jack's mind that he was drinking the coffee as a condemned man would – as if it was his last. Jack squeezed his eyes tightly shut, desperately trying to expel that image.
"Do you think he was telling the truth – when he said he'd been watching me?" Ianto was frowning and Jack sighed, he'd been wondering how long it would be before Ianto wanted to discuss what Morgan had said.
"He didn't say anything that he couldn't have easily found out from the official files."
"What if he – what if they know about Lisa… what I did… what then, Jack?"
Jack looked down at his feet, the same thoughts coming to mind that he'd discussed with Owen the previous evening. If they had found out about Lisa and how Ianto had kept a partially converted human alive, months after the events of Canary Wharf, then there was no way of telling what they might expect him to do.
"I'll do everything in my power to get you out of there – do you trust me to do that?"
"Not an answer to my question – but yes, Jack, I trust you."
Ianto put his cup down and placing his hands on Jack's shoulders, leaned in for a slow, gentle kiss, relishing the unique taste of his lover mingled with hot, strong coffee. Jack placed his hand upon Ianto's hips and drew him closer.
"If there was any other way to do this –" Jack's voice was hoarse as he admitted his own fears out loud.
"Don't you dare do this to me-" Ianto shook his head as he grabbed hold of Jack hugging him hard to his chest as if never wanting to let go.
"Ianto – if anything happens to you I'll never forgive myself."
"Yes you fucking will," growled Ianto fiercely, tucking his head against Jack's shoulder. "You will, because it's what you have to do – it's your job."
