More shocks for Ianto – just a little chapter

Chapter 13

It seemed oddly ordinary to ring for a taxi to get himself back to the Doctor. John wanted to take him back to Cardiff but Jack didn't want to talk now so Hart had dropped him just past the gate before he returned to where he was staying. The taxi dropped Jack back at his hotel and he used his own car to get to the warehouse. The TARDIS was open and Jack could hear the Time Lord and Donna talking inside. He hurried in flinging back the door.

'Doc, we've got a problem. This Romanski has a Cyberman in his collection!' Jack stood waiting to see how the Doctor would react to his news.

'What! What!' the Doctor cried. 'How could he have?'

'What's a Cyberman?' Donna asked.

'He says it was scavenged from Torchwood 1. It isn't operational at the moment but he's got this Dr Tanizaki working on it and he says he's not far off getting it functioning.'

'Right,' said the Doctor, trying to take in the information. 'This changes all our plans. We've got to get in there and destroy it. Even one Cyberman would have ambitions to convert the world. I'll need some time to deal with Romanski's defences. D'you think your friend Hart will help us. I should be able to get things ready for tomorrow night.' As he spoke the Doctor walked around pressing buttons and looking at screens. Donna just looked on and listened, totally bemused.

'We could also so with some police liaison. We may have to come clean about what we intend to do but I really don't want UNIT involved. They'll take anything they can find and I want to dispose of the dangerous stuff. You, me and this Hart can go in and then perhaps the police can be used to tidy up after us. Damn! How did this happen? I thought all of them had gone into the Void.' The Doctor looked so stricken that both Jack and Donna reached towards the man and hugged him.

'I'll see what I can do, Doc. I'll meet Hart tonight. We can get in contact with Andy Davidson from the police. I think it might help if you were there as well.'

At that moment Andy was on the phone half-heartedly attempting to put off John Hart, who was trying to get him to meet up at his hotel. Andy was very tempted.

'Just a minute, gorgeous. I've another call,' Hart said. 'Jack, what is it?' Jack explained quickly.

'Don't worry, Jack. I'll get him there and you can come and tell him the truth. If he knows we're not the bad guys perhaps I'll get to fuck him again you never know!'

He didn't see Jack roll his eyes as he switched lines again. Hart continued to talk to Andy. 'Look, Andy I know who you are and I guess you have some suspicions about me. Let's just say I'm working undercover and I know you're the liaison for Torchwood. Perhaps we could help each other; we're actually on the same side. And Andy, it was fantastic the other night!'

Andy hesitated but Hart knew things and he needed to find out more about what was going on.

'Look, John, I'm not saying that I believe you but we need to meet up. I'll see you at your hotel in the bar at 7 alright?'

'Sounds good to me but keep it from your friend, Ianto Jones will you? This is on a need to know basis and it's serious, Andy. When I say the world is at stake I mean it!'

'I'll see you later,' Andy said as he rang off. He looked across the office at Ianto who was dealing with another case that had just come in; a shopkeeper had been held up at gunpoint and Ianto was allocating a couple of DCs to liaise with the uniforms. When he'd finished Ianto came over to him.

'Fancy a beer round mine tonight?' he asked.

'Sorry I can't manage tonight, I'm busy,' Andy replied shuffling the papers on his desk.

Ianto looked at him. Andy was being cagey again. 'Is this one of you secrets, Andy? I saw you coming out of the Chief Super's office. Now why should a lowly DC be talking to Swanson? Andy, are you doing some work on the side? Is this anything to do with Harkness? I need to know, Andy. There's more going on here than I understand isn't there?'

'Look, Ianto I can't say anything. Just saying that is more than I should. I will say that you're not the only one watching Harkness and I'm not sure that he's entirely the bad guy that you think he is.' Ianto looked at him.

'Really, but he cons people. He claims to have alien stuff and that's a lie isn't it?' Andy shrugged his shoulders. 'Isn't it?' Ianto asked.

'Ianto, I know you're technically my superior but as your friend I'm telling you to leave it just for now until I know more. If I can tell you anything I will. Now, I'm signing out a little early. I'll see you tomorrow. We're on mornings so bright and early at 6am, yeah!'

'Okay,' Ianto said, but there was no way he was going to leave it there. He had feelings for Harkness he couldn't explain and Andy knew something. He was sure he could tail him without being seen.

Hart's hotel was across the city from Andy's house. He dressed appropriately for a 5* hotel in a suit and tie. He'd also dressed to impress. The memory of his night with John Hart and what they'd done for each other was the one clear memory he had of that evening. Andy hadn't been fucked that expertly for well, well forever. If Hart turned out to be on the level then perhaps he'd get more out of this than a one time quickie. Even if Hart was the love 'em and leave them type it would be worth it.

He heard the taxi sound his horn and went out slamming the door behind him. Down the street Ianto pulled out. Thankfully he drove the type of car that was ten a penny on the streets of Cardiff. He also wore a cap and scarf to obscure his face. Just over twenty minutes later the taxi pulled up at the hotel. Ianto watched as Andy went in and then pulled his car to the side. He needed to get in there to see who Andy was meeting. There must be a side entrance. He walked around and found an open door. It turned out to be the kitchens. He got out his warrant card and flashed it at one of the chefs. The manager was brought in.

'I need to see the bar area without being seen,' Ianto explained.

'Alright, detective sergeant, follow me. The manager took him to a small room with an array of TV screens. 'All our public areas are covered by CCTV, Sgt Jones.' He spoke to the uniformed man in front of the screens. 'Phil, get all the bar cameras for me will you?' Ianto watched open mouthed at the sight he saw. There was his best friend Andy sat at a table. Sat with him were John Hart, the mystery man from the café and Captain Jack Harkness. Ianto let out the breath he'd been holding. 'What the hell was going on here?' he wondered. 'Was anyone who he thought they were?'