Chapter 13

'I, therefore, declare that Jack Harkness is the duly elected representative for Edinburgh South West,' the returning officer concluded.

Ianto stood off to one side, waiting while Jack gave his acceptance speech. The campaign had been brilliant; most people admitted that Jack was a natural. Ianto felt so proud of the man he loved.

'Congratulations, Jack; you did it,' Ianto said, after the other man had received back slaps and handshakes from the other party officials in the room. 'You're the new MP for Edinburgh South West. I've had a text message from Nick to say that he's thrilled by the victory, against the odds as well.'

'Your work got me this victory, Alex; I couldn't have done this without you.' Ianto felt Jack's strong arms around him for the first time in nearly four years. There was that familiar scent and Ianto had to work hard to resist burying his face into Jack's neck and breathing him in.

'Come on, let's celebrate, you and I. We'll soon be too busy for real life.'

Jack's maiden speech came around all too soon. Ianto had spent hours with him going through it. Its theme was a business one; he spoke about job creation and liberal values. Ianto watched from the public gallery and then waited on the terrace overlooking the Thames. He watched as Jack made his way through to the table. He was clapped on the back several times and Ianto felt almost overwhelmed with pride. This was Smithy, his quiet, unassuming lover who was now striding through the corridors of power as if he owned them.

'I'm sorry I'm late,' Jack said as he sat down. 'Did you see me?' It was really important to Jack that he had. He trusted Alex to tell him the truth but wanted praise all the same.

'Of course I did, Jack. I wouldn't have missed it for the world,' Ianto said.

'I couldn't have done any of this without you behind me. You know that, don't you?'

'Don't mention it, Sir, and be careful or you'll be singing 'Wind beneath my Wings' at me.' Jack laughed and then realised there was that niggling memory again. 'What was it about that song?' But he couldn't remember.

'Well, in a sense you are,' he said, putting his hand on Ianto's arm. The Welshman felt himself blush and he put his head down to drink his coffee. When he looked up, the other man was gazing at him.

'You're staring at me, Jack,' he said. He thought that Jack would be able to see his true feelings as his eyes were burrowing into his very soul.

'Am I? It's just that I was thinking that you should wear red more often; it suits you.'

'You were staring so intently,' Ianto continued.

'Was I? I just had a sense of thinking that before. Perhaps I've just never noticed with you flitting in and out of the office. We've spent so much time together recently.'

'Did you have the feeling that you'd known me before?' Ianto asked.

'For a moment, yes. As a matter of fact I felt it quite strongly the first time I saw you in Williams' office.'

'You didn't say anything at the time,' Ianto said. 'Maybe that was why you decided to employ me.'

'Possibly. Look Alex, I'd like you to stay on and work with me. I'll fully understand if you don't want to. It would mean you being with me all the time. I have a house in London; there would be room for you there if you wanted.'

'Wouldn't that be rather unusual, Jack? It could cause gossip.'

'Alex, I really don't care what people think. The question is, what do you think? That's all that really matters to me,' Jack said emphatically.

'No, it doesn't worry me in the slightest, Sir. You and I make a good team and I don't have any other family. It also makes sense financially, as long as we're careful how we work out the expenses.' Ianto tried hard to contain his excitement. Jack had looked at him. He'd worn a red shirt at their partnership ceremony as Smithy had always loved the colour. They'd had red roses in their lapels as well. And now he'd be living with him, in the same house and be with him for 24 hours a day.

That night Ianto phoned Owen. 'He wants me to move in with him.'

'What!' Owen said.

'No, not like that. He said if I was going to assist him it would be easier if I was there with him all the time. Jack isn't worried about what people think and we know that he's had affairs with men and women. Even when the press tried to make something of it during the campaign, he still won. Owen, this could be it; Jack could fall in love with me all over again. I think he's a little bit there already. You should see the way that he looks at me sometimes.'

'Ianto, you need to be careful. I see you're calling him Jack now. Don't expect anything. He may not see you like that, although as he fancied you once, I imagine a little getting caught in a small towel coming out of the shower might help to remind him, or make him more interested in your charms.'

Ianto laughed. 'Yes, I suppose I could try the bleeding obvious; that would be what you'd do.'

'Ianto, my lovely wife is about to give birth, I don't need to shake my arse like you do. Look, to be serious, you do love him, don't you? You love Jack Harkness, businessman, MP, and not just the Smithy you remember. I can hear how you feel in your voice.'

'Am I that obvious?' Ianto asked. 'I loved Smithy's quietness and gentleness, but I love Jack's dynamism and determination. It's hopeless, isn't it?'

'Hmmm, I just hope that you can cope with living in the same house and not letting those feelings show too much. Let him make the running if there's any running to be made. Look, I have to go. Ring me when you're settled.'

The next few months went by in a blur of activity. Jack and Ianto worked constantly side by side. There was some gossip, but Jack was so extraordinarily charming that no one cared. Old ladies adored him; mothers practically held up their babies for him to kiss and even the workers were prepared to sit and listen to him. He fast gained the reputation of being the man to call when there was any sort of dispute to resolve.

'This evening has been a triumph, Alex,' Jack said. 'And all because of you. Even Gordon danced and it was so nice to have all the Scottish MPs here at Torchwood. I don't know how you persuaded them, especially as there's bound to be an election soon.' McCrimmon came in with two brandies as they sat in Jack's study.

'That will be all, Jamie, and thank you for all your hard work. Could you please thank all the staff for their efforts? The evening has been a great success.'

'Thank you, Sir. It's been nice to have the house alive with people again. I'll be off to my bed then.'

Ianto gazed at Jack. He looked amazing in his kilt and the full outfit. He'd watched the older man dance with all the women, longing to feel his arms around him and to dance as they had at their partnership ceremony. Ianto loosened his tie and fiddled at his wrists.

'D'you want a hand with those?' Jack asked.

'Yes please.' Jack got up as Ianto held out his hands. 'I'm glad you liked them.'

'They're perfect little dragons,' Ianto said, enjoying the intimacy of the moment as Jack undid the shirt sleeves and handed him the cufflinks.

'I couldn't have done any of this without you. Goodness, how many times have I said that over the last few months, so many times? It doesn't matter really because it will never be enough. You know you look really handsome in that suit; very James Bond.'

Ianto met his eye. 'I hoped you'd notice,' he said very quietly.

'Alex, you are okay with being here with me, aren't you? I sometimes feel like I've stopped you having a life of your own,' Jack said.

'What? Feeling guilty, Jack. That's not like you. Anyone would think you wanted rid of me.' Alarm suddenly hit him. 'You don't, do you?'

'No, Ianto. I honestly don't know how I'd manage without you now.'

'Good, because I love my job. You've no idea how many people tell me that they envy the time we spend together; men and women who'd do anything to be with you.' Ianto realised things were beginning to get out of hand. He swallowed his brandy.

'Jack, I'm tired and it is after two in the morning. I'm going to go to bed now.'

'Yes, alright, we've got that meeting at 10, haven't we? Goodnight, Alex. Sleep well.'

In his room Ianto sat and stared at the mirror. He put the cufflinks into their box. They were beautiful but … He took out the stopwatch that Jack, or rather Smithy, had bought him and traced his finger over the dragon etched into the cover. Inside their initials I and J were intertwined. It was ironic really that John Smith was Jack Harkness so the initials still applied. Ianto was sure that Jack liked him but he was being such a gentleman. Jack probably assumed that Ianto was straight because he knew that Ianto had been married. Perhaps Ianto needed to let him know that it had been a civil partnership.

'Oh Smithy, I miss you so much,' he said and then turned as he heard the bedroom door open.

'Alex, is everything alright? You seemed a little subdued downstairs,' Jack began.

'No, Jack; but it's nothing really. It's just …'

'I wish you would tell me,' Jack said.

'Do you?' Ianto asked. The stopwatch was dangling through his fingers.

'That's an interesting piece,' Jack said.

'Yes, it was a present.'

'From your wife?'

'Ianto looked up and met Jack's eyes. 'No, from my husband; he had the dragon etched into it for me.' Ianto noted the surprise and then understanding cross Jack's face.

'You shouldn't live in the past, Alex. You need to find someone else, someone who'll love you.' Ianto could hear his breathing speed up. He needed to control it; he needed to control the desire he felt to fling himself into Jack's arms and beg him to make love with him.

'And what about you, Jack? You seem to have lost your ability to love since Gwen, or did you leave it behind in your other life, the one you can't remember?'

'I haven't given up, Alex, well, not completely,' Jack almost whispered.

Now Ianto took a risk and put his hand on Jack's arm. 'Do you feel that there is really someone and that someday you'll find her?'

'Or him!' Jack said looking Ianto straight in the eyes. 'But there's no point in torturing myself.' Ianto's hand remained on the other man's arm.

'But don't you worry that the years are passing and that you might never find love like that again. You may have come so near that person and not even known it, brushed past them in the street. You might even have met this person and never known. Jack, it could even be me!'

'Oh Alex, we both know that couldn't be the case,' Jack said. Ianto got up and turned his back on the other man. He didn't want him to see; he was overwhelmed by how he was feeling and tears were filling his eyes. 'I'm sorry, I'm talking nonsense, I know. It's the early hours of the morning and I'm tired,' he said. 'Maybe I need a holiday. It's been pretty full on over the last few months. Do you know that I've never been out of Britain?'

'This session will be over soon. We could go somewhere then,' Jack said.

'No, it's alright, Sir. I could go with friends. It's been ages since I've seen Owen and Tosh. I knew them back in Wales; she's had the baby now and it would be nice to meet the little one.'

'Alex, I think you're trying to get away from me.' Jack flashed his most charming smile. He realised that he didn't want Alex to go.

'It's not that, Jack. I'm just tired. It's hard keeping up with you sometimes, you know,' he explained.

'Well, if that's what you want. We'll discuss it in the morning. Goodnight, Alex.'

'Goodnight, Jack.' Ianto watched him leave and the tears flowed down his cheeks once more.