Hey gang. Many apologies but you know how things can get. We're getting close to the cure now, never you fear.
This is a little different than the summary I put with the last chapter. We don't really deal with Methos's internal struggles but you know him, he tends to keep most things to himself. There is a little part where he mentions his evil days, ah you'll see. My original chapter title didn't quite fit either so I changed it. Those muses, eh?
Chapter title: Blood is Thicker
Chapter rating: M
Good news! I know you've been waiting for it. We finally have a sex scene between just Jack and Ianto *sets off noisemakers*, it's in flashback but still…
It's your Halloween present.
I've changed the name of Ieusten or whatever it was to Iestyn. I looked and apparently Ieusten isn't a name. I was looking at Welsh names and the names Ieuan and Iestyn were right next to each other and I must have combined them in my head some how. I'll change it in the previous chapters later.
Oh and Jack goes a little weird for a bit but the man's under a lot of stress. Put yourself in his shoes.
That said, enjoy!
As there was safety in numbers they decided to spend the night at Darius' house which was just down the street. Darius didn't sleep though; he kept alert in case Ifan should come 'round. Methos doubted he would have slept anyway, there was likely too much on the Greek's mind.
As it was, Methos had trouble sleeping himself; he tossed and turned all night, thinking about what he was going to say to this Iestyn, provided he was indeed Ifan's teacher/father. When it was near sunrise Methos got up from his spot on the living room floor and went to the kitchen. He was unsurprised to find Jack already there sipping on a coffee.
He nodded at Methos "There's a whole other nine cups in the pot. Darius said he got this blend from Ianto."
Methos poured himself a cup "Where is Darius?"
"Taking a hot shower. The man's wound tighter than copper wire. I offered to give him a massage but he said something about fidelity but if this were Ancient Greece, he'd be all for it."
Methos sat at the table across from him "Sounds like he's at war with himself."
"Why did he have to keep watch all night? Shouldn't Ifan's presence wake you all?"
Methos shrugged "That's a tough one. Sometimes with so many immortals present already, you can't always sense a new arrival right away. That's why Duncan assumed you were one of us when you first met. He was with Fitz and Amanda and figured he just didn't notice your buzz."
"Buzz?"
"Watcher's nickname for when an Immortal senses another."
"When are you going to talk to this Iestyn guy?"
"His lecture is at 9:00, I imagine I'll go then. I called Joe back last night and got the information you neglected to ask for."
"Sorry, I had other things on my mind. Do you want me to go with you?"
"I think I can take care of myself, Jack. Stay with the others, besides it's enough I'll have to tell him Ifan's had a Dark Quickening, I really don't think we should explain you right away."
"Good point."
"I usually have them. If only more people would listen to me."
…
It had taken a little persuasion but Methos managed to convince the others he would be fine by himself.
"If I see him, I'll shoot him and tie him up."
He borrowed Darius' car and agreed to check in with the others when he found out if the immortal at Oxford was Iestyn or not. He flicked on the radio as he drove away and as he neared the old university, a news bulletin caught his attention: a known prostitute had been found dead in Whitechapel, in the exact same spot as Catherine Eddows and she was killed in almost the same manner.
Methos turned off the radio in disgust "Damn it." They had to find him before he killed anyone else.
He found a place to park he didn't have to pay for and walked the rest of the way to the university.
Dr Dewi Martyn was lecturing on neurology and Methos got there just as the lecture started. The presence he felt was definitely ancient. The man at the podium actually looked like he could be related to Ifan, with the greying at his temples he looked like he could actually be Ifan's father, they were that similar in appearance. Dr Martyn briefly acknowledged Methos and continued with his lecture. Methos found a seat at the back of the hall, great now he'd have to sit through a mind numbing lecture on a subject he had no real interest in.
Dr Martyn however turned out to be a rather engrossing and entertaining lecturer. And thankfully it lasted only an hour; apparently he'd do a more in depth lecture at Edinburgh next month. However as engrossing as Dr Martyn was Methos opened up the laptop he'd brought with him and went over this guy's watcher file—he'd had Joe send it to him. Apparently he was better known as Henry Morgan.
Henry Morgan
Known Aliases: Iestyn, Bryn Jones, Hector Kerry
Likely: Ifan Davies*
Born: ?
First Death: ?
First Teacher: Unknown
Original Cultural Affiliation: Unknown, most likely Cymru
Occupation: Neurologist
Roster Status: Active
Watcher: Justin Myles
*In the 1950s and early 60s this man who matched Morgan's description was the commander of a special ops group in Cardiff but we could not verify if he was in fact the Immortal known as Henry Morgan.
Yeah, this was probably the guy. Joe also said that Dewi's watcher would not be at the lecture; that was good. Wait a moment, was he the same Henry Morgan as the Welsh buccaneer? Possibly, Ifan had never sailed with him and if he had he would have told Methos that Henry Morgan was his father—if this is the same man that is. Methos put the laptop under his arm and went up to the podium as the lecture was over and people began filing out. He had to be the same man though but why did he look so much like Ifan? And wait, special ops group in Cardiff? Maybe Methos wouldn't have to explain Jack after all.
"Dr Dewi Martyn" Methos said "Sut wyt ti?" He said this in Welsh to make sure the man spoke it.
Dewi nodded and responded in Welsh "I am well thank you. And you?"
"I've had better days. My name is Methos" he held out his hand.
Dewi shook it "And what can I do for the illustrious Methos?"
"You've heard of me?"
"Who hasn't?"
"And I try so hard to be elusive; sadly I attract exhibitionist Boy Scout-like friends."
Dewi sighed "I do have students to help, Methos. Did you just come here to chat?"
"No. Do you know Ifan of Cymru?"
Dewi's eyes widened "Yes. I've not seen him in ages."
"I'm a close friend of his and if we could talk privately…"
Clearly not liking Methos's tone Dewi excused himself from students with questions and led Methos to the office he was using.
"Has he died?" Dewi asked.
"No, I wouldn't have bothered you if he had."
"I assumed he was dead all these centuries but you mentioning him…if he's not dead then what?"
"He had a Dark Quickening."
Dewi dropped the briefcase he had still been holding and sank into a chair "Great Goddess."
"He told me about you, said how much he loved and respected you. You were his father, yes?"
Dewi nodded "I prayed for a son and I found him, a new born infant and raised him." Maybe it was no coincidence that he'd found him right after wishing for a son. Maybe the Goddess actually granted his wish. Perhaps this was another clue to the origins of Immortals.
"Well he needs you now. I think you may be the only who can talk sense into him before it's too late to save him. We have to save him because I cannot bear the thought of having to kill him."
Dewi met his eyes "He's more than a friend to you isn't he?"
Methos nodded "Much more and he has a lot of friends who love him too, as well as another lover who might just love him more than I do."
Dewi stood "I'll cancel all my appointments."
"You know" Methos had to say "you actually look like you could be Ifan's father. You look like him if he were in his fifties."
Dewi smiled slightly "I know. People have always believed that I was his father."
…
The news about the murder in Whitechapel had rattled them all, Jack especially.
"Are the cops still at the crime scene?" he asked Gwen.
"They should be, yeah. Why?" she had been using her police knowledge to find out what the news reporters weren't saying.
"Well," Jack pointlessly stirred his coffee, his seventh cup of the morning, "most murderers return to the scene of the crime as part of the crowd, right?"
Owen's brows furrowed "What are you getting at, Jack?"
"You want to talk to him don't you?" Duncan said, the first one to understand what Jack was saying.
Jack nodded "Ianto's probably back there right now, watching the police work. Someone needs to talk to him and if we could have him restrained by the time Methos gets back with this Iestyn guy then it'll be so much easier."
"Jack, it's dangerous" Tosh pointed out.
"He's killed you once already" Owen said.
Jack shot him a brief glare "So have you and I've forgiven you for that."
Owen had the decently to look sheepish "Yeah, but I didn't twist a knife in your gut and then lick it like a lolly."
"I can't die, remember. And I'm the only immortal who can sneak up on him."
"He's got a point" Connor stated.
Jack stood "Look, I'll meet you back at the church later, sooner if I can't find him. I promise" he took off his coat "no one's stopping me." He handed the coat to Tosh "Look after this please, just in case."
…
Jack knew this was probably stupid and possibly suicidal—in a sense—but he had to try talking to Ianto. Murderers always returned to the scene of the crime, especially if subconsciously they wanted to get caught. And as Jack predicted Ianto was standing in the crowd of gawkers in Whitechapel—and he was still wearing Jack's coat.
Jack stepped up behind him, he hadn't been seen yet. Now, what to say to him? After all, he had to get Ianto alone before he could restrain him. Maybe he could seduce him, he was quite good at distracting him with seduction. It certainly worked back in May, two days after Jack got back from that mess with the Master. There was a nest of weevils in the park late that night and Jack had called Ianto to help.
…
They got the last weevil into a cell.
Ianto took a breath "We have got to find some way of controlling them."
"I thought that was Owen's job or has it become more of a group effort since I've been gone?"
Ianto, clearly still tired, snapped "A lot's become more of a group effort since you've been gone. We're not like you, Jack."
Jack cringed, he had felt horrible about the whole thing "I didn't mean to be gone so long."
Ianto sighed wearily and like he had after the countryside incident looked far older than his twenty-something years "I know, I'm sorry." He looked at his watch "it's after five, I'll go make some coffee." He made to leave.
Jack grabbed his arm "Oh no you don't. You are not getting out of this by making coffee. Ianto, I want to know how you feel. I overlooked your feelings once, I'm not going to do that again."
For a moment, Ianto seemed to be mulling something over but then he sighed again "I am truly happy you're home, sir."
"I told you to stop calling me that. Ianto, what went on while I was away?" to show good faith, he released his hold on Ianto's arm.
"Much of the same, really, just without you, and Harold Saxon sent us to Tibet. Don't try the yak butter, plays hell with the digestion. How exactly did he know about us before he became prime minister?"
Jack thought about what he should say and decided it should wait, talking about the Valiant would only sour his mood "I really don't know." It was the truth, he didn't know how the Master knew about Torchwood. But he knew he needed to tell Ianto something "Ianto, do you know who I meant when I said I found my doctor?"
"Yes, it was no secret in Torchwood Tower. I know who the Doctor is Jack. I think I saw him, actually during the Battle."
"Well that's who I was with and his time machine can be unpredictable, that's why I was gone for so long. I am sorry."
Ianto's shoulders relaxed "Jack, you don't have to be sorry. You were trying to find him and you took the first opportunity you had. I understand. I'm sorry for how we acted when you got back."
"Don't be, I deserved it" Jack took a step closer, it was time to change this conversation to something more pleasant. He looked at Ianto up and down, slowly. The Welshman was wearing jeans and a hoodie, he had been in too much of a rush tonight to put on a suit. Ianto was quite tantalising in jeans.
Ianto cleared his throat "I'll, I'll go make that coffee now."
Jack ran his fingers lightly down Ianto's arm "I'm not craving coffee" he'd lowered his voice to his lust pitch.
Ianto's eyes widened and he swallowed, now knowing what mood Jack was in "Jack, I…"
Jack captured his lips and kissed him deeply, putting a year's worth of emotion into it. He ran his tongue over every millimetre of Ianto's mouth.
Ianto moaned, his body responding but then he pushed back "Jack, I don't know if I can do this."
"Sure you can" Jack took Ianto's hand and placed it over his own crotch.
Ianto's face was flush and he squeezed ever so slightly before pulling his hand away "Jack, you've been gone two months and I've not been with anyone…"
"You haven't?" Jack was surprised and flattered to know that Ianto hadn't been with anyone while he was gone "I'll go easy on you" he rubbed his body gently against Ianto's.
"That's not what concerns me" while Ianto spoke, Jack kept up his feather-light ministrations down Ianto's arms and across his chest and neck "Jack, I don't know if I can keep doing this…us…oh what the hell." He found Jack's lips and Jack pushed him against the wall "God, I hate you" Ianto moaned.
"That makes two of us" Jack began to undo Ianto's belt.
"Jack, we're not having sex in front of the weevils."
"Why not? They won't care" he pulled down Ianto's jeans and underwear and got on his knees. He took Ianto's throbbing cock in his mouth.
Ianto's hands went to Jack's hair "Jaaaccckk" and then he mumbled something in Welsh.
Jack sucked harder and faster, he wanted to make Ianto come soon, needed to taste the Welshman's sweet juices, it'd been too long. When he did come, pumping the hot seed down Jack's throat, he lapped up every drop.
When he released the softened cock, Ianto pulled him to his feet and kissed him roughly "Fuck me" he murmured and hastily undid Jack's trousers. He pulled out Jack's own hard cock.
Jack grinned and licked his lips, "thought you'd never ask" he turned Ianto around and first stuck his fingers inside, rubbing against Ianto's prostate.
Ianto moaned, nearly screamed in pleasure—and he would scream before Jack was done with him—and again mumbled something in Welsh, it sounded dirty.
Once Jack felt Ianto was sufficiently prepared, he lined up his desperate cock and plunged into him.
That made Ianto scream, "Yes Jack! Yes! More!"
Jack pumped harder and deeper till Ianto's screams had become whimpers of ecstasy. Jack himself was on the verge of climax, just one more thrust.
When his vision cleared he was leaning against Ianto who was leaning against the wall for support, his legs shook.
Jack pulled out of Ianto and turned him back around to face him "Better than coffee?"
Ianto smiled "One of the few things. The weevils are staring at us."
"They must be impressed."
"They do look impressed. Can we go somewhere more comfortable now? It's my turn."
Jack rubbed their noses together "I love how you recover so quickly, faster than me some times."
Ianto shrugged "Well you know, what can I say? We Welshmen have stamina, same stuff that lets us outdrink Irishmen and Scotsmen."
"I do love that stuff. Well then, shall we?"
"Mhmm, but first, coffee I think."
Jack grinned "I can go for that."
…
Jack came out of his thoughts to find Ianto looking directly at him. "Jesus!" he took a step back.
"Yeah, I don't think he's here" Ianto took a step forward "I have been staring at you for five minutes. How could you not see me?" amusement sparkled in his eyes.
Jack cleared his throat, how had he not seen him? "I was thinking about that night."
"Which night would that be?"
"With the weevils."
"Oh well that narrows it down."
"Two days after I got back."
"Ah yes" he smiled "that was fun. What are you doing here Jack?"
"I want to talk to you, Ianto."
"Because that worked so well the last time" he rolled his eyes and began to walk away.
Jack followed "My coat looks better on me."
Ianto turned around sharply "That's not what you came to tell me" he looked around, clearly seeing if there was a trap.
"No, not really. Where's my car?"
"I gather you and Methos got out of the freezer all right" he continued walking "did someone have to rescue you or did you realise you could easily get out the door?"
Jack continued to follow him and decided not to tell him about getting out of the freezer "I died in there you know."
"Did you? That's nice." He turned into an empty alley way about a block and a half away from the commotion at the crime scene.
"The creepy radio voice was a nice touch."
"You think so? I'll have to introduce you sometime."
Jack grabbed Ianto and shoved him against the wall "Ianto, stop."
"I'm tired of that word. Do you want to see what I can do to you?"
"Ianto listen to me, please. That night, down in the vaults, you told me you weren't with anyone while I was away. Neither was I."
Ianto blinked and his eyes cleared, the man Jack knew and loved was staring back at him "Really?"
"Yes and every day I was gone, I thought of you. I was in a bad place and thinking of you kept me sane" it was the truth and now that Jack thought about it, he had thought more of Ianto than of Gwen.
"Jack, I…" but his eyes flashed and darkened, he grabbed Jack's crotch and squeezed hard "We both know it's not me you want so don't try lying."
That stung, that stung badly "Ianto, that's not true and you're not one to talk" though perhaps stinging back wasn't wise.
"You're a freak Jack, that's all you are."
Now, that just made Jack angry "Don't call me that" he pulled out a pocket knife and held it to Ianto's crotch "you wanna let me go? 'Cos yours don't grow back."
In an instant Ianto took control of the knife and threw Jack to the ground. Well that didn't go as planned.
"You think you can over power me?" Ianto—no Ifan sneered. Then he got the Look on his face.
A woman, Jack knew as fashion model, Sandra Grant stepped into the alley "Ifan, I thought that was you. What's going on?"
"Cassandra?" Ifan pocketed the knife "what are you doing here?"
That woman was the Cassandra Jack had heard about? Just how many people had Jack slept with (or had thought of sleeping with) were Immortal? She obviously sensed something was wrong because she took a step back "Ifan, what's happened to you?"
Ifan reached inside his—no, Jack's coat.
Jack scrambled to his feet "Wait, the cops are still down the street. I think they'd here the clanging."
Without another word Ifan stormed off.
Cassandra approached Jack "Jack, is that you? You haven't changed."
"Yeah, it's a long story. He's had a Dark Quickening so don't go after him."
"I thought that's what I was feeling. How did it happen?"
"So you're one of them too huh? Do I have something written on my forehead?" Jack sighed "Cassandra is it? I like it, much better than that other name."
"Jack, what happened? How do you know him?"
Jack felt himself beginning to unravel, this was too much.
Cassandra put a calming hand on him "You'll be all right" her voice was soothing "now tell me what happened."
Jack shook his head to clear it. "First of all, while not like you, I can't die. Don't ask how because I don't fully understand it either. Ifan works for me and long story short he killed some psycho cannibal called Kendal and he had a Dark Quickening. Apparently Kendal was a friend of Caspian."
Cassandra paled but said nothing.
"Yeah, I know about them. Are you friends with Ifan?"
"Yes."
"Did you know he's lovers with Methos?"
She nodded "I found out most recently. Ifan sees the good in others, just like Duncan MacLeod. I've made my peace with the fact that Methos has loved ones who do not wish to see him dead."
"Have you forgiven him yet?" when she didn't answer Jack continued "He's the leader of our quest to cure Ifan. He believes Ifan is too good to let this overtake him."
"He's right. I'll be happy to help."
Jack smiled slightly "Good, the more people who show how much they care about Ifan , the better. Come with me and I'll tell you the whole story."
…
Joe and Rhys were at the church too when Jack and Cassandra got there. Cassandra hugged Duncan, Joe and Darius and then was introduced to the others.
"So you're the witch of the Donan Woods" Connor said, "it's good to finally meet you."
"Likewise, Connor MacLeod."
"Wait a moment" Gwen said "You're Sandra Grant."
Cassandra chuckled "I was, I'm afraid one can be a model for only so long."
"So" Jack sat in a pew "Methos isn't back yet?"
"No" said Owen "But he probably had to sit through the lecture. I've been to a lecture at Oxford and they can be bloody long. Also I've remembered something, I've seen this Dr Dewi Martyn and he kind of looks like Ianto. If Ianto were thirty years older, physically anyway."
An image entered Jack's head. Wait a minute. Then the church door opened and "I know that laugh" Jack stood.
Methos and another man walked down the aisle towards everyone. The other man did indeed look like an older version of Ianto. Why hadn't Jack thought of it before?
The man saw Jack and smiled "Hello Jack, I see you haven't changed."
That did it. "You have got to be kidding me!" Jack exclaimed "Commander Davies? You're one of them too?"
…
Dewi smiled "I knew he'd react this way. Yes, Jack it's me."
"That explains why we couldn't find your body" there was a look in Jack's eyes that worried Methos but he'd address it in a moment.
"Everyone" he announced "This is Dr Dewi Martyn also know as Iestyn, Ifan's teacher/father. I know the resemblance is uncanny but we can worry about the true origins of Immortals later." Methos noticed Cassandra "What's she doing here?"
"Jack ran into her in Whitechapel and she wants to help" Duncan explained.
Methos rounded on Jack "What were you doing in Whitechapel?"
Jack took a breath "I had a feeling Ifan would be there watching the police work."
"And was he?"
"Yes. I wanted to talk to Ianto and for a moment I did but then something flashed in his eyes and he was psychotic again. I think he was going to hurt me but then Cassandra showed up. He might have killed her but I reminded him the police were only down the street."
Methos stopped himself from saying 'should have let him, it might have helped' and instead said "You shouldn't have gone by yourself."
Jack shoved him "I had to try!"
Methos took a breath "Calm down Jack."
There was a wildness in Jack's eyes as he answered "Calm down? Just how many people are immortal? First, Ianto and Duncan, the original Captain Jack Harkness" he pointed at Cassandra "I knew her quite well in the '90s and now that nutcase!" he pointed at Dewi "who by the way, I never slept with, he was too busy using me as target practise!"
Dewi laughed nervously "Not all time, he's over exaggerating."
Jack laughed rather like a lunatic "Do I have something on my forehead only immortals can see? Why do I keep attracting you people?"
Team Torchwood looked very worried and confused; clearly they'd never seen their captain like this.
Owen swallowed "What's wrong with him?"
"I'll tell you what's wrong with me" Jack laughed "the one man I've ever felt this strongly about is evil and I don't even know him! I'm in love with someone I don't know!"
"Jack" Methos grabbed his arms "I told you, the man you fell in love with is the real Ianto and I promise once he's cured he will be that man again."
Jack wrenched his arms away "My life was much less complicated when I was the only immortal I knew."
"Jack, please calm down."
"Why should I! I tried talking to him and I failed. He called me a freak" unshed tears shone in his eyes.
"He didn't mean it, Jack. That wasn't Ianto talking."
"I know how we can calm him down" Dewi pulled out a pistol.
Jack yelped and ducked behind a pew.
Methos glared at Iestyn "Put that away you idiot. He doesn't like dying and this is holy ground. Ifan is supposed to respect you and something like that will lose his respect. He loves this man." Methos pulled Jack to his feet and pulled him into the men's room.
Jack sank to the floor.
Methos got on his knees in front of him "Jack, now is not the time for you to unravel."
"But I am a freak. I shouldn't exist."
Methos sighed "That's not true Jack. If you shouldn't then you wouldn't. And maybe you are slightly freaky but in a good way. That's one thing Ianto loves about you."
Jack sniffed "Really?"
"Really. Jack, listen to me. You need to be strong for him, okay? He loves you and he needs you and when he's cured he will need you more than ever. Because he will hate himself. Jack, you cannot unravel."
"But I don't know if I can do this."
"Yes you can. Ianto told me that you are the strongest man he knows and you cannot let him see you like this. He said that not only do you roll with the punches, you get back up and grin."
"He said that?"
"He did. You have to be that man for him, the man he loves. Jack, I see something between you two that is not between me and him. Right now, he needs you more than he needs me. Show him that you love him and the next chance you get, for the love of the gods, tell him. Now, get up, wash your face and be Captain Jack Harkness. Be the man Ianto fell in love with."
After a moment, Jack wiped a sleeve across his eyes and got to his feet. He grinned "Thanks Methos, I needed that."
"No problem and don't let Dewi get to you. You're the leader of Torchwood now. And anyway, he was Henry Morgan, pirates always have a few screws loose."
"He was Henry Morgan?" Jack shook his head "that explains so much."
…
Once Jack had completely pulled himself together, they left the restroom and re-joined the others.
"I think we have time to think of a good plan to catch him" Jack said.
"How do you figure?" Owen asked "he could kill again tonight."
"I don't think so. It was what two days since he killed Henry? I think his bloodlust is satiated for now, at least when it comes to mortals. Look, the day after he killed Henry, he had the chance to kill all of us but he didn't. Why? Because I think he felt guilty. Methos has been right all along, the man we all know and love is still in there and he's fighting. Those traps he set for us, he knows us so well he knew how we'd pair off and where we'd go." Jack started pacing as he explained "He knew Gwen and Duncan wouldn't go far from the Hub. He could have killed both of them but he didn't. He said he'd be back for them but he wasn't because he knew they'd be rescued. In the museum, he left clues for Tosh and Connor. He knew Tosh would pick up that pamphlet and that Connor would check out the exhibit alone. Owen and Richie, what was the first thing that happened when you got to that old Grace Brothers?"
"We came across a trip wire" Richie answered.
"Right but it set off music. That gave you enough time to notice the smell and the sound of the faulty wiring in that other room. Ianto knew Richie would investigate. In each case, he knew the immortal wouldn't let anything happen to the mortal."
"You're right" Gwen said "he's playing games with us but the good in him isn't letting the mortals get hurt. And maybe he can fight the evil for only so long…"
"And that's why he killed that girl, he lost the fight" Tosh finished "now he's fighting it again because he feels guilty."
"Exactly" Jack snapped his fingers.
"So" said Owen "he fights this but he can't fight it completely that's why he says what he says, threatens people and plays those stupid tricks."
"And because he has so much evil inside him" said Cassandra "he is going to need the help of those he loves to win the fight."
"I didn't need that many people" Duncan observed "because I haven't killed as many evil immortals."
"See" said Methos "now you all understand. That is what I've been trying to tell you. Also Mac Jr., there wasn't time to find all your friends."
"Only Ifan can call me that."
"He loves us all" Jack said "when he finds those he loves, he sticks by them, fights for them. I saw that when he fought so hard to save Lisa. Now, he's fighting to save us from himself and we have to fight for him."
Dewi looked around at all them and smiled "This is truly wonderful. I think it will help a great deal once Ifan sees how many loyal friends he has. I regret that I lost touch with him, while I raised him to see the good in everyone and the hope in the world, he was the one who always reminded me to do that. And after I lost track of him I forgot that every once and awhile." He looked at Jack "Jack, I am sorry for how I treated you. It was wrong of me."
The sincerity in his eyes could not be missed. Jack sighed and shrugged "Don't worry about it. I saw your orders from London."
"Still…"
"Forget it…what should I call you?" after all, Jack couldn't very well call him Ifan.
"Dewi will do just fine. It is my original name after all."
"It is?" both Joe and Rhys perked up.
Methos rolled his eyes "Not important right now. But if you're good little watchers, I might tell you mine sometime."
Everyone looked at him and he smiled slyly "You'll just never know with me. Ifan and Jack may be good liars but I trump them both."
"So you were lying just now" Rhys said.
Methos shrugged "One door leads to safety and one door leads to certain death. Anyway, now that we have our loyalty to Ifan straightened out; I think it's time to play him at his own game."
"What do you mean?" Gwen asked.
"He's been scaring us. It's time to scare him."
"How would we do that?"
"He's had arachnophobia for as long as I've known him."
Owen snorted "He's afraid of spiders?"
"Deathly. Freezes at the sight of them. I cannot tell you how many I've had to kill for him. Gaia knows what he did when he was by himself."
"How will scaring him help?" Jack asked.
"It will distract him and this time I will talk to him. If I have to I will trick him into thinking I want to join his evil campaign."
"What makes you think he'll believe you?" Duncan asked.
"Yes, he told me you'd gone soft" Darius said.
"Nobody can out-evil me." Methos sighed "Cassandra can vouch for this: Kronos may have been the leader but he was hardly more than a punk, Caspian was insane and Silas didn't know the difference between right and wrong—he could have been helped. I was the evil one because for a long time I had no emotions, maybe even no soul for awhile. When I first met Ifan, I realised that I still had one somewhere" he looked at Cassandra "you made me want to use it again, that's why I let you go and Ifan helped find my soul and grab on to it."
After a moment Cassandra nodded "I forgive you, Methos."
Methos smiled "Thank you. That being said, I can still act like I'm an evil son of a bitch."
DQDQDQDQ….
Ifan went back to his hotel room and tried not to think about Jack or the blood on his hands. He curled up on his side and just laid there awhile staring into space. He felt as if he were lost in a fog and he had no idea how to find his way out.
Maybe a hot shower would help. He turned the water as hot as it would go. By the time he was numb to the heat, the bathroom was coated in steam and his skin was red and scalded. He stepped out of the shower and wiped some of the mist off the mirror.
"Why are you doing this?" he said to the reflection he hardly recognised "they're right, this isn't you."
There was a knock on the hotel room door. He wrapped a towel around his waist and went to answer it. The cute bellhop was there holding a tray with a folded up paper on it.
"Telegram for you, Mr Jones."
"A telegram?" who the hell still sent telegrams?
"Yes sir" the bellhop's eyes were lowered, he was clearly trying not to look at Ifan's nearly nakedness.
Ifan picked up the paper and unfolded it. It read: Highgate. Sunset.—M.
Great, what did he want? Ifan sighed and shut the door, thereby dismissing the bellhop. If he wanted to find out what Methos was up to, there was no time to be seducing cute bellhops. Sunset was in half an hour. Highgate was just down the street but since Methos neglected to say just where he would be…though Ifan had a pretty good idea.
…
Sure enough, when Ifan got there he found Methos leaning against the wall in Egyptian Avenue.
"Why here?" Ifan asked.
Methos's smile looked down right creepy in the dim light of dusk "If we were in Cardiff, I would have chosen Cathays."
"You were going for creepy then? You know I hate cemeteries."
"Here and I thought you were all for creepy these days. I'm surprised you came at all."
Ifan shrugged "I had nothing better to do. I take it the watchers found out where I was."
"That and Cassandra's new watcher is apparently very good. He's the one who followed you, curious as to why you didn't have a watcher around."
"I see" how had he not noticed? He always noticed. "What do you want Methos?" Ifan's hands twitched, he needed to be doing something. Maybe he should have seduced the bellhop.
Methos stepped away from the wall, thunder boomed in the distance—was there supposed to be a storm tonight? "I'm annoyed with you Ifan, you told Darius I'd gone soft. Now, now, that's not true."
"It's not?" Ifan was weary. Was this some sort of trick?
"No. I was just acting that way to throw off the others till I could get away. Ifan, I have to say, you've given a valiant effort but you are not very good at being evil."
"Is that what you think?" Ifan took an involuntary step back, something about Methos was making him uncomfortable.
Lightning flashed on the horizon, followed by more thunder "Why yes, I know how to be evil Ifan and you are horrible at it. You should get out of the business or you can let me teach you the true use of terror." He certainly sounded convincing.
Ifan swallowed "Teach me then."
Methos sighed "Lesson one" he took a small box from his coat and faster than Ifan could react he dumped whatever was inside it on Ifan's arm. It was a tarantula.
Ifan froze, Goddess how he hated spiders "G-get it off me."
"No" Methos shoved him to the ground "This is part of the lesson" he dropped another spider on him "If you cannot handle it yourself then you shouldn't be doing it."
THTHTHTHTH…
Jack watched from a vantage point on top of a nearby crypt. Methos was certainly doing a good job—Ianto looked terrified.
Methos stood over him and he looked positively menacing "I don't see why some people are so afraid of spiders, they really are helpful creatures" though Jack had to admit when Methos acted evil he was pretty sexy. And if Jack were looking at Ifan with an unbiased opinion, he'd be sexily evil too but Jack didn't want him to be evil. "Some don't taste bad either" Methos continued. He picked up the box he'd put on the ground earlier, pulled out a spider and popped it in his mouth. Did really just do that? Ewwwww, if Jack were mortal and starving he wouldn't eat a spider.
"W-what does th-this have to do with anything?" Ianto looked very ill.
Methos laughed rather maniacally "Ianto, darling if you don't like being scared yourself then you have no business scaring others." He then dumped the whole box of spiders on Ianto.
Finally Ianto stopped being frozen, he shrieked, got to his feet and then did the well-known Covered-in-Creepy-Crawlies dance. He threw off Jack's coat and once he seemed to have gotten all the spiders off (Jack couldn't tell) he glared at Methos "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Methos picked up something from the ground—it looked like the tarantula—and put it in the box from his pocket "I could ask you the same thing."
Ianto took a breath "This is a trick, you're not evil."
"Oh? And what makes you so sure?"
"I know you. I may have given you a hard time but I know at the end of the day you would never be that way again."
"Exactly my point, Ifan; I know you and you're not evil either. You missed one on your head."
Ianto whacked his own head and then ran off, without the coat, Jack noted.
Jack got down from the crypt and went over to Methos "What was the point of all that if you let him get away? There's no way he's going back to his hotel."
"Oh he'll screw up now. Watch the CCTV."
…DQDQDQDQ…
Ifan wasn't sure how long he ran for or how far. He finally stopped when he was out of breath. When he was sure there were no more spiders on his person he leaned heavily against a lamppost and worked to catch his breath.
What was that supposed to accomplish? If it was supposed to be some kind of trap, it didn't quite work as Ifan had gotten away. He felt tears in his eyes, maybe Methos was right. No of course he was right, everyone was. This wasn't who Ifan was supposed to be, he wasn't a bad person. What the hell was wrong with him? He should go back and ask for help because he couldn't do this anymore. But would his friends still want him after what he's done?
"Are you okay?"
The voice startled him, the owner was a young black woman who looked a lot like someone Ianto knew in Torchwood Tower, one of Lisa's friends who worked up top with Yvonne.
"I'm sorry" she said "I didn't mean to scare you. But are you okay? I'm a doctor."
Ifan caught his breath "No sorry, I mean I'm fine. My friends, they just played a cruel joke on me in Highgate cemetery."
"Gosh, I'm sorry. That was mean of them. Are you sure you're okay though?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. I'm sorry miss, uh, Doctor I mean but are you related to an Adeola Oshodi?"
"She was my cousin."
"You look just like her. I'm sorry for your loss."
"You knew her?"
"I worked with her sometimes in Canary Wharf. She was one of my late girlfriend's friends."
"You lost your girlfriend there too?"
"I did yeah."
"I'm sorry."
Ifan shrugged and held out his hand to her "Ianto Jones."
She smiled and shook his hand "Martha Jones."
Ifan smiled too "That name and to think the bloody Gallaghers keep trying to beat us."
"I know, right?"
"Well Doctor Jones," he caught his reflection in a shop window and something flashed inside him. His hands twitched again, he needed something "can I buy you a drink?" he thickened his accent.
She smiled more broadly "Sure, why not?"
To be continued…
*Cue dramatic music* ;)
Don't worry. She's a Doctor companion, she'll be fine. No, he's not going to show up.
Anyway, so what'd you think? The more reviews, the faster the next chapter will be up. I mean it this time.
With sugar on top? And naked hot guys? Because there will be more of that.
I'm going to try working on Gambit and Endgame now.
Happy Halloween!