12. Still Thirteen Deaths In
He wasn't sad to have missed the cannibals, or the Mara and was decidedly relieved to find Tosh hadn't yet made a fool of herself with Mary.
He had debated what to do and finally confronted her, telling her about Mary.
Jack found him playing with the pendant in his office.
"We need to put this into the secure archives" Ianto said as he handed it to Jack.
"Arcadian? Where did you get this?" Jack asked as he carefully placed it into a containment box.
"A past problem that will stay there" Ianto said, placing a hand on his arm, "Please let it go."
"Does this change things?" Jack asked, suddenly grabbing Ianto.
"No, no. This was originally sorted this quickly" Ianto smiled, leaning in to kiss him.
"We only have tonight" Jack whispered and Ianto hummed happily, letting Jack lead him to the sofa.
They made love with quick hands and slow kisses, Jack once again letting himself be led by this enigma.
As Ianto settled for the long sleep, he caught Jack's hand.
"I'll see you later"
Jack smiled softly and squeezed, then let him go.
.
.
.
.
Ianto woke and listened to the hub coming to life.
Where was everyone?
Ianto sat up and frowned as he looked over at the computer screen and read the date.
Three months?
Ianto was up and stumbling around as he tried to work out what had happened and Tosh was the first to check the alarms.
"Oh my god, Ianto!" she rushed forward and engulfed him in a hug.
"Tosh? Where's Jack? Why so long?" Ianto demanded.
"We have some rift refugees and things …."
Ianto was running, even as he knew he was going to fail. As Jack had failed.
Still the question remained, why three months?
.
.
.
Ianto pulled Jack from the car and turned it off as he waited for Jack to come back.
Jack sat up with a huff and Ianto glared at him from the grass.
"Ianto?"
"Three months. Where the fuck were you?"
"We had a problem with Suzie and …."
"Christ. You thought she and I were in cahoots? Really?"
"I don't know but the team … I mean …"
"Gwen!" Ianto growled, "You've been listening to her. Oh my god. Leaving you with her … she's gotten under your skin."
Ianto rose and tried to calm himself as the realisation of her deceit hurt like a bitch.
"And Owen?" Ianto swung to glare at him. "After the cannibals, he and Gwen were shagging. He took her home and they started an affair."
Ianto slumped as he watched Jack's face change to one of anger. Jealousy?
Fuck.
Not just Owen.
Ianto nodded and took a deep breath as he learned she had undermined him in every way while he was out of the picture.
Jack was talking to him, apologising but so what?
Ianto turned back and had the satisfaction of seeing his face change from contrite to horror as Ianto stepped backwards, into the path of the oncoming truck.
Better luck next time…
and Gwen?
I have your number, bitch!