Thanks as always to my fantastic beta riftintime.

Chapter 13

Over the next couple of weeks, Ianto got his flat unpacked, and everything put away. The only things left were Lisa's belongings. He had taken out a couple of pictures that he wanted to keep, but otherwise everything remained boxed up. He knew he would have to get them picked up for donation, but he kept putting it off. Jack came to visit almost every evening. He only missed an evening if the Rift was active, in which case, he would call Ianto to check in. He would usually bring dinner, and Jack would tell him what was going on at the Hub. He never stayed the night again, and they never talked about what happened.

Jack had not flirted with Ianto at all. He missed their banter, and Jack not flirting with him was disconcerting. He'll probably never touch me again, thought Ianto, and he didn't know if he was relieved or disappointed. He didn't know what he felt about Jack. He knew that the reprieve Jack had given him couldn't last much longer. He had a feeling that Jack was giving him some time before he confronted him with everything that had happened, and Ianto was dreading it.

Owen, Tosh, and Gwen had each come at different times to check on him as well. Owen insisted on giving him a thorough medical exam, Tosh had brought a movie, and Gwen had been overenthusiastic about how much they missed him. He was touched by their visits, though he rolled his eyes a good deal when both Owen and Gwen were there. Tosh had been Tosh, and he appreciated her quiet presence.

He woke one morning towards the end of his third week of suspension and decided it was time to get rid of Lisa's things. Seeing them in his flat every day only intensified the pain. Perhaps it would be more bearable if he didn't have to look at her things every day. He arranged for the local charity shop to pick up the boxes. When the last box was removed from his flat that evening, he sunk to the floor and cried. Then he remembered that Jack was probably coming by soon, so he picked himself up, showered and dressed himself in jeans and a tee shirt. He sat down on his sofa and waited for Jack.

Jack strode into Ianto's flat with his usual flurry. It always amazed Ianto how Jack's presence seemed to fill the whole room, while he skulked in the shadows. "Curry tonight, Ianto. Let's eat," Jack called from the kitchen.

After the meal was consumed, Jack went to Ianto's cabinet, took out the bottle of scotch and two glasses, went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Ianto's stomach clenched. This is it. This is what I've been dreading. Confrontation. Ianto took a deep breath and walked into the living room, as though he were a condemned man walking to the gallows.

Jack poured them both a glass of scotch, as Ianto sat on the sofa on the opposite end from Jack. Ianto took the glass Jack offered and knocked back the scotch in one swallow. He then held out his glass for Jack to refill. Jack snorted and shook his head, but he refilled Ianto's glass. "I guess you know what's coming, Ianto. I need to know the truth about everything before you and I can work together again."

Ianto sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "I've been dreading this conversation, Sir."

"You're dreading telling me the truth?" Ianto felt Jack's heckles rising.

"Yes," Ianto whispered.

"Why? Is it that bad?" Jack sounded nervous.

Ianto was silent for a long moment. He then opened his eyes and looked at Jack. "I haven't spoken to anyone about what happened at Canary Wharf. I don't know if I can."

"You can, Ianto. You might find it helps."

"And you…" How am I going to talk about having sex with him so he wouldn't find Lisa? How am I going to explain how confusing it was…? "I'm afraid of what you're going to think of me, Jack."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "I didn't know you cared what I think of you, Ianto."

"I suppose I deserved that."

"It wasn't meant sarcastically. I really have no idea what you think, Ianto. You are a complete mystery to me. You played the perfect butler, but you outsmarted every one of us. You're obviously a lot smarter than you've let on, and you're obviously hiding much more about yourself than a Cyberman in my basement. I need to know the truth about you, Ianto. I let you put on your professional façade over the last few weeks, because you asked me to. I understood that it was what you needed to do to get through this, but I noticed that you finally had Lisa's things removed today. I've given you enough time. You need to tell me everything now. I have to know who you are, because I'm not sure anymore. I want you on my team, but before that can happen, you need to come clean."

Ianto just nodded and held his glass out again for Jack to refill. "Liquid courage?" Jack smirked. "Why don't I start by asking the questions I need the answers to, and we can go from there." Ianto was relieved, and Jack noticed. "Okay, let's start at the beginning. Were you really a Junior Researcher at Torchwood One?"

"No."

Jack felt bile rising in his throat.