19.

"What are you thinking about?" Jack asked when Ianto entered the boardroom with coffee and a pensive face.

Ianto put the coffee pot down and spread out the rolls he'd bought for Owen, Jack and himself. Jack took the opportunity to watch Ianto. He looked as if he felt better. The suit fitted him perfectly, like always, and he even wore a slight smile on his lips. He'd re-built his mental barriers this morning – something that Jack welcomed and regretted. Although it meant that Ianto had recovered, it also meant that Jack lost the closeness that sharing his mental barriers brought. He'd suggested to Ianto that he should take a few days off but Ianto had a different opinion. After he'd gotten up, Ianto immediately took a shower before heading off to the bakery. Everything had seemed to be fine. And now this thoughtful expression on his face. "Archie called this morning," Ianto answered.

"I didn't hear him calling," Jack said, leaning against the boardroom table with crossed arms.

"On my mobile."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Oh yeah?"

"He thinks that I should come to Glasgow for a few weeks to train my empathic abilities."

Jack nodded thoughtfully. "He's an empath," he said slowly. "I can't offer the same expertise he can."

Ianto looked at him with raised eyebrows. "So you agree?"

"As soon as the whole crisis with Torchwood Four is over."

"Of course," Ianto said. He poured coffee. "Except for Tosh, I have spoken to you all. I'll talk to her later."

Jack nodded and took Ianto's hand after he'd set down the coffee. He pulled him closer. "I have to leave for Newport later."

"Newport?" Ianto asked, confused. "What for?"

Jack let out a breath. "I have an appointment with Harold Saxon."

"Why?"

Jack swallowed. So far, he hadn't told his team that the Prime Minister had taken a step back from them in recent months and that he didn't even know if the Queen would continue to support them. "Torchwood's in trouble. The current Prime Minister wants to cut our budget ... to zero. Harold Saxon promised to continue funding. I want to hear what exactly he's offering."

Ianto nodded in understanding. "Why not? He seems competent. He's popular. He's sure to win the election."

"And in that case, having a friend couldn't hurt. I just don't know whether we should chain ourselves to the government."

"Just listen to what he has to say and then you can decide."

Jack made a thoughtful noise. When he realized that Ianto wanted to step away, though, he pulled him closer again. He smiled and asked softly, "What do you think about the two of us taking some time off? Maybe even a whole evening."

Ianto frowned. "To do what?"

Jack wasn't sure whether he should be hurt. He himself had decided not to turn his sexual relationship with Ianto into more than a friendship with benefits. What he'd just suggested sounded like a date, though, and he could understand that Ianto was confused. On the other hand, Ianto seemed a bit too opposed to the idea of spending a whole evening with him – without interruptions. Carefully, Jack asked, "I think you should always take your time with the first time, right?"

Ianto needed a moment, but then he blushed and smiled nervously. "Yes."

"Listen, I know it's intimate, and you possibly feel that it's too intimate because we're not in a relationship."

Ianto took a deep breath, then nodded slowly. "Yes. I'm sorry."

Jack cradled his cheek in one hand. "You don't need to apologize. I just think ... I'll give you everything I can give you. A relationship might not be it, but ... I can give you intimacy." He smiled. "I'm good with intimacy. No complaints so far."

Ianto chuckled. "I don't doubt it."

Jack planted a soft kiss on his lips. "It's a big thing for you and I respect that."

Ianto stared at him for a moment, almost hesitant, then he admitted, "It's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust me."

"Why?" Jack asked.

Ianto leaned forward and whispered, "If you really have to leave, I can't be more than we are right now, Jack. I was never the type for casual." He wrapped his fingers around Jack's braces. "It would be too intimate."

Jack's thumb brushed Ianto's cheekbone. "Okay," he finally said. "If you're alright with what we have now, then so am I."

"Really?" Ianto asked.

Jack pulled him into another kiss. "Really."

Ianto looked relieved, as if he'd expected Jack to push him away. The 21st century and its sexual insecurities ...

The door to the boardroom opened and Ianto quickly stepped back from Jack. Owen didn't even seem to notice what kind of situation he'd barged into. His eyes immediately found Jack and Jack was shocked by the sadness he saw in them. "Jack," Owen said and then cleared his throat.

Jack put his hands in his pockets. "Where is Hywel?"

"I need the incinerator," Owen said quietly. "He's dead."

xxx

When Gwen finally found Owen in the room where the incinerator was, he didn't notice her coming in. Gwen swallowed and fought the urge to turn on the lights. Only the flickering light of the flames coming through the small window in the door of the incinerator lit the bare room and turned it into a creepy and sad place at the same time. Gwen had never been here before. She'd had to ask Ianto for directions, wishing the next moment to have asked someone else. She knew that Ianto had burned Lisa's body here under Jack's supervision. He had given no sign of being uncomfortable at her inquiry, but she still felt guilty.

Owen stared into the flames, completely still, his shoulders hunched. Not sure if she would be welcomed, Gwen stepped cautiously closer. "Hey," she said softly and he startled.

When he turned to her, she saw tears in his dark eyes, but he blinked them away rapidly. "I wanted to be alone."

"Ianto mentioned," Gwen said.

"So you ignore it on purpose?" He turned away, looking back into the flames.

Gwen sighed sadly and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." Her hand touched his cheek and turned his head so she could press a soft kiss on his lips. "I'm really sorry," she whispered and entwined their fingers. Then she also stared into the flames. "Why did he die?"

Owen didn't seem to want to answer for a moment, but then he changed his mind. "He was probably sick. I thought he was just the weakest and needed a little milk to get back on his feet. If I'd been more thorough, I could have helped him."

"Don't blame yourself. You did a lot for him."

Owen sighed and put his free hand on the door of the furnace. "I hope so."

She rested her head on his shoulder and waited with him.

xxx

"Got it," Ianto said and he sounded as if he couldn't believe that the solution was so simple.

Tosh looked up at him. He was standing in the door to Jack's office, holding a large, leather-bound book in his hands. His eyes, however, were focused on her and she turned her desk chair in his direction. Her eyes ached from the long work at her computer and she was glad for a short break. High above their heads, just below the ceiling of the cavernous main Hub, Myfanwy was circling around, squeaking in contentment. Tosh knew that everything was not fine – Hywel was dead and Owen was heartbroken and there was Torchwood Four to think of – but for the moment, they had caught a break. She pulled off her glasses. "What did you find?"

"D12, 10," Ianto answered. "The code the suicide victims wrote on their arms."

"They are more likely victims than real suicide victims. We can assume that they've been manipulated to commit suicide. After what happened to you, someone probably forced them to using mind control."

Ianto nodded sadly.

"What about D12, 10 then?" Tosh asked to distract him – and herself – from the memories.

He stepped closer. "Daniel - Chapter 12, verse 10: 'And I heard but did not understand and I said, 'Master, what is the End of all these things?' And he said, 'Go, Daniel, for the things are closed up and sealed until the end of time.'"

Tosh frowned. "A verse from the Bible? What is that supposed to mean?"

"It must mean something for Torchwood Four," Ianto answered, closing the Bible. He pulled up Owens chair, sat down and placed the Bible on Tosh's desk. "Tosh," he said earnestly, "I wanted to talk to you."

"If you think that you should develop your empathy, then I don't mind," she replied.

Ianto looked at her in surprise, then smiled. "Alright. Thank you."

"Just be careful, Ianto," Tosh said. She took his hand. "That's important."

He gently squeezed her fingers and nodded.

xxx

Harold Saxon looked just like in the many telly reports about him: a tall, slim, fair-haired man, who radiated competence in his tailored suit and a lot of elegance, without being arrogant. His friendly face wore a smile as he shook Jack's hand and sat down at the table of the hotel restaurant he'd wanted to meet in. At the door to the restaurant, Jack noticed Saxon's entourage – three bodyguards who were eyeing the few guests present critically and a young woman who was probably Saxon's PA – then he turned his focus back to Saxon.

Saxon ordered a glass of wine and turned his hazel eyes to Jack. "Awful weather today, don't you think?" he asked.

"No small talk," Jack answered.

Saxon laughed. "I knew I would like you."

"What can you offer us in the event of your election?"

Saxon folded his hands on the pristine white tablecloth. "Security. Influence beyond UNIT's. Let's face it, the military can't be trusted."

Jack smiled sarcastically. "Says the Minister of Defense."

Saxon nodded and replied, "So I should know."

Jack acknowledged this statement with a satisfied tilt of his head. "Okay. If you should be elected-"

"That's certain."

"If you are elected," Jack repeated, "you'll offer us security and a big budget. What do you want in return? I won't let you get involved in our affairs."

Saxon raised his hands. "I didn't ask for that. The institute remains yours. I would only sometimes ask for your help."

Jack narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What kind of help?"

"Did you know that Harriett Jones defended the Earth together with Torchwood One?"

Jack leaned back in his chair. "Against the Sycorax. I didn't approve."

"It's not about weapons."

"Then what is it about?"

Saxon was silent as the waitress set down his wine and waited until she was safely out of earshot. "The Doctor. I want him."

"We haven't got him." Jack tensed involuntarily. After being left behind by the Doctor, their friendship was certainly strained, but he still respected him. After the destruction of Torchwood One, he'd managed to take the Doctor off of the list of the enemies threatening the Earth, but he was aware that too many people still saw him that way. No matter what had happened between Jack and the Time Lord, though, it didn't change the fact the he was a hero. For that reason alone, Jack would never betray him. The fact that the Doctor maybe could explain his immortality and perhaps undo it were almost next to irrelevant compared to that.

Saxon sipped his wine. He seemed calm, as if he'd expected the answer. "Captain, I've read your file. Not the official one, of course. I know of your little ... trick and I know that you travelled with the Doctor."

"I won't hand the Doctor over to you. Even if I knew where he was," he said quietly, but firmly.

Saxon's voice remained calm as he replied, "There's no handing over involved. I'm just really interested in rekindling an old friendship." Jack furrowed his brow quizzically and Saxon smiled. "The Doctor helped the world a lot. I just want to reward him." Jack looked at Saxon for a long moment, not sure if he could trust this man. Saxon put on a happy smile. "What do you say, Captain?" he asked. "If you know where he is, please let me know?"

Jack nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll notify you. I'm not responsible for what happens after, though. I won't keep him prisoner or deceive him in any way. If I notify you, I'll tell him and it's his decision what he'll do about it."

"Understood," Saxon replied. "Of course I can also rely on regular reports on your work?"

"Actually, we only write those for the internal exchange with UNIT and the Queen," Jack answered. Saxon raised his eyebrows and Jack pursed his lips as he nodded in agreement and corrected himself. "Alright. You fund us, you want to know what you approve the money for. Got it."

"You'll remain independent," Saxon assured him. "I'd just like to know what is happening so close to the Rift."

"Fine."

Saxon stood and buttoned his jacket. "We will achieve a lot together, Captain Harkness. I'm glad Torchwood is on my side." He turned away and walked off.

Jack watched him go, having the vague suspicion that he'd just signed a contract with the devil.

xxx

Bilis Manger barely looked up from the repair of a Victorian wall clock when Janice walked into his shop. As always, the woman gave off a mixture of contempt and arrogance, a complete contradiction to her neutral expression. He wondered how she ever managed to become director. She seemed to be lacking any humanity.

She walked up to the counter and looked at an antique grandfather clock in the corner while she said, "I really hope you know what you are doing. Yesterday night, we just had to reach out and take their base and we didn't because you told us not to." Bilis looked up and Janice lifted an eyebrow challengingly. "If it turns out that you made a mistake, we'll know what to do."

Bilis sighed deeply and put down the screwdriver. "It's no use to threaten me. Without me, you have no access to my Lord and without him, you'll never reach your goal. We do it the way I say. You have no other choice. We have to wait for the right time."

"We could take the base. We're stronger than they are."

"But your resources are limited." He set the clock carefully. "No, we have to do this using mistrust and betrayal. Divide and conquer, and attack when they are weakest. Mr. Jones was only the beginning." He looked at the clock face intently as the ticking mechanism was set in motion and smiled contentedly.

Janice nodded. "Fine, I trust you. But just because you helped us to escape from the Rift."

Bilis bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. Janice turned and left. Bilis couldn't help but laugh quietly. She was full of impatience and hate. An explosive mixture. He would have to keep an eye on her to ensure that she wouldn't act rashly. Timing was everything.

The bell above his shop door rang and he looked up at the customer who entered with a polite smile. "Ah, Mr. Jones," Bilis said and got the stopwatch out of the drawer, "I was just thinking of you."

END 09/12

Sequel: The Cursed Ones
When Alex shot his colleagues at the turn of the millennium, he saw something coming – something dark and inevitable. When his visions become true and an old enemy of Torchwood One returns, Torchwood Three has to stand united even though the team is starting to fall apart. The 21st century is when everything changes – and the New Year could prove that prophesy to be true in the worst possible way.