SHINE

Chapter 20

And It May Feel Good And You Might Want To Smile

Ianto was sat on a bench his eyes closed against the sombre tide of the weather. Jack stood for a moment looking down at his unruffled appearance, his face seemingly younger in its serenity.

"Looks like they've gone without you again." Ianto's lips curled softly with the comment, his eyes remaining closed

Jack looked over his shoulder; the blue police box had, in fact, vanished. He placed a foot on the bench and let his gaze settle on the hammered pewter of the water, watching it lurch and fall with the wind. "This time I left by choice." His voice was stiff against the flurry of the buffeting breeze.

"So you're here to stay?" Ianto opened his eyes, encompassing the older man in their broody stare.

Jack pulled the collar up on his coat. "Yeah, looks like it."

Ianto turned his attention inward, pulling his gaze away from the Captain. "Tosh and Gwen will be pleased."

Jack lent an elbow on his knee. "And Owen?"

A smile strained at the young man's lips. "Relieved," he said finally.

The American nodded. "Mind if I sit?" He asked.

Ianto shrugged. Jack took it as consent and sat down, splaying his coat on either side. He folded his fingers together as if in prayer. "And what about you?" He posed gently.

The Welshman shifted a bit on the bench. "Are you here to stay this time or will you be taking another impromptu sabbatical?" The indifference in his voice had gone, its tone warming the air with its annoyance.

Jack smiled. "I'm not going to lie to you Ianto, I can't say how long I'll be staying. I'm a man out of my time but somehow you knew that, didn't you?"

The young man turned to him, a gust of wind stinging his eyes. "It was a really shitty thing to do Jack, to leave without saying goodbye, without leaving a note."

"It was all kinda last minute…." He tried a smile.

The young man was not swayed. "That doesn't excuse…"

"I'm sorry." Jack held that familiar gaze, his voice sincere, pulling the stitches on Ianto's heart.

The Welshman's gaze fell to the silver glint of the puddles. "It's not just me, Jack, it's the whole team you need to apologize to."

"And I've started with you, Ianto." Jack inhaled. "So, am I forgiven?"

The Captain watched him deliberate, the haze of his emotions etched on his face. "You don't need my forgiveness," the young man whispered finally.

"Yes I do." He could feel Jack reaching across to him, even though the older man was motionless. "Ianto…"

The young man stood up and moved a few feet away, Jack settled back on the bench, crossing his leg over his knee. Ianto looked out over the bay, aware of the other man's scrutiny. Jack put his hand over his heart. "Next time I'll leave a note, I promise," he declared with sincerity

Ianto looked down at him and sighed, wincing against the pain. "You're a shit, Jack, you know?"

The Captain smiled and patted the space beside him. "Yeah, so I've been told numerous times."

Ianto sat down, placing his arm against his rib. He gave the American a sideways glance as he tried to make himself comfortable, again, on the wooden slats.

Jack smiled, his posture relaxed as a party of school children passed them, their small feet eagerly displacing many of the puddles much to their harassed teacher's chagrin. Jack gave them an encouraging grin only to incur the same teacher's wrath as she ushered her charges quickly on with a brusque Scottish burr.

Jack waited until the tiny convoy had snaked its way out of earshot. He lent forward resting his elbows on his knees. He fixed his gaze on the stone of the ground. "The letter, it was from Rose." It wasn't a question, more stating a fact.

If the young man was caught off he didn't show it. "Yes," he replied, closing his eyes again as if to suppress himself. "It came through the rift."

Jack turned his head, watching the Welshman intently. "At Canary Wharf?"

Ianto remained like a pale effigy. "No here," he replied.

The American's eyes narrowed, digesting the information. "Here, then how come I've never seen it before?" His voice remained soft.

"Because Torchwood never knew of its existence." Ianto looked at him. "I brought it with me when I came through the rift." He let the words fall as easily as the rain.

Jack closed his eyes on the disclosure and nodded. "You crossed over from a parallel Earth," he said in comprehension.

"Yes," Ianto stated calmly.

Jack smiled with admiration. "And you managed to smuggle the letter through all the security checks?"

"It was before you're time, sir, the checks were more lax back then." Ianto glanced at him.

"Before my time," Jack pondered. He laughed. "Were they sloppy or did you use that Welsh charm of yours?"

This time Ianto smiled. "I don't know what you mean, sir."

Jack lent forward again. "Oh, I think you do."

The Captain turned his head, considering the other man. "There's more isn't there?"

Ianto held his gaze. "There always is," he remarked, evasively.

Jack laughed. "Ianto Jones man of mystery," he reflected against the wet concrete.

"I think you're confusing me with Austin Powers, sir," Ianto responded.

The Captain sighed, his gaze falling back to his hands. Ianto swallowed, watching the other man muse on folded knuckles. "Jack, if you really want to know the truth you can just ask me."

The American looked up and grinned. He placed a finger to Ianto's mouth. "God, I love the way you purse your lips around my name."

The young man went to respond but Jack kept his finger against his mouth. "It was enough that you were going to tell me Ianto," he said softly, quickly assessing there was no real threat in the young man's revelation. "Besides, I love a good pulp mystery." His grin fell to one side. "I find it alluring." His eyes shone with a wayward charm.

"Are you comparing me to a Sexton Blake novel, sir?" Ianto parried the other man's gaze.

Jack chuckled. "Sexton Blake? Nah, you're more of a Theodore Marley Brooks," he mused.

"Ham to your Doc Savage…?" Ianto eyebrows rose.

"Hey, don't knock the comparison; he was often ranked as one of New York's finest dressed men." Jack's eyes trailed the young man's attire.

"Doc Savage, a hero of yours? I always figured you for more of a Biggles man." Ianto looked to the sky as the sun sliced through the outlining clouds.

"Nah, Biggles was just a little too British for my taste, chum." Jack loosened the buttons of his coat.

Ianto grinned. "So, Doc Savage, man of bronze, kind of appropriate, sir."

Jack gave a warm snort. "Yeah."

Ianto considered this for a while. "Well, I guess that would make Owen, Monk," he furnished with a sly smile.

Jack looked at him and laughed out loud. "Yeah, I guess it would."

The Captain stood up, yanking at his braces. "How about a cup of coffee?" He turned his head to the younger man. "If you feel up to it?"

Ianto cocked an eyebrow at him. "Back at the Hub?"

Jack shook his head. "Just you and me, you can apprise me of what's been happening since my absence."

Ianto stood. "Your treat?" He asked with misgiving.

Jack pulled out the linings of both trouser pockets. "I hope you're not going to do an elephant impression in public again, sir. You might get arrested this time."

"Hey, if it'll get me a cup of coffee…" The American shrugged.

"So, you've no money?" Ianto scolded.

"Didn't need any on my travels…" Jack gave him a pleading look.

Ianto rooted in his pockets. "Well, I've got one pound, eighty three," he informed the other man pushing the coins in his palm with his thumb. "I believe that won't get us through the door at most coffee establishments."

Ianto's eyes strayed to a well used billboard. "Although, the Methodist is having a coffee morning. I believe I can stretch to two cups of powdered, store brand coffee and a couple of home-made cakes."

Jack crossed his hands over his chest. "Ianto Jones you're a genius, did I ever tell you that?"

A grin tugged at the young man's lips. "A few times, sir," he answered.

Jack matched his smile, his eyebrows lifting. "Oh, yeah," he said in recollection.

"Perhaps next time you could show your appreciation in my pay scale." The Welshman man picked up the suit that was draped over the arm of the bench.

"If it'll keep you in suits, I may consider it." Jack held out a hand. "And before you say it, I've never paid for anyone to remove their suit either."

Ianto fixed him a look. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, sir."

Jack clicked his tongue and shook his head. "I've missed Cardiff," he whispered under his breath.

They started to move towards the side-street, indicted by the makeshift arrow on the billboard, when Jack turned back to the bench. He jumped onto the slates and stood determined against the City. He placed his hand on his heart, his heavy coat billowing like a sail on the whim of the wind.

"Let me strive every moment of my life to make myself better and better, to the best of my ability, that all may profit by it. Let me think of the right and lend all my assistance to those who need it, with no regard for anything but justice. Let me take what comes with a smile, without loss of courage. Let me be considerate of my country, of my fellow citizens and my associates in everything I say and do. Let me do right to all, and wrong no man."

The blustering breeze curled around his oath taking both it and the clouds to the depths of the horizon.

Ianto looked up at the other man as Jack inhaled deeply. "Very nice, sir, more Doc Savage?"

"His pledge to the world, I thought it just seemed appropriate."

"Well, the alien hordes must be trembling in their boots sir, or what ever footwear alien hordes sport, probably trainers if the Doctor's anything to go by."

Jack looked down with a smile. "I just wanted to let the City know I'm back."

Ianto smiled back. "Oh, I think it does, sir, look the sun's out."

Jack looked up to the heavens and laughed.