Chapter 18: Solutions and Compromises
February 5, 2015. Thursday morning. Jason's house.
Jack had never before been in such an awkward situation. He leaned back against the kitchen counter and watched as Jason made breakfast for himself, Jack and Ianto. The kids had remained at the base so that they could be close to their mother and far from Mr. Franklin. It also gave the three men a chance to talk.
And what a talk they were going to have…
After Kahl's death they had all been rather shook up. Ianto had wanted to comfort both his partners and they had both wanted to comfort him in return. The knowledge that it was only going to get worse was humbling enough to make Jack and Jason put their differences aside and work together. For now.
Both men still wanted to be the one Ianto chose. They both wanted to spend the rest of Ianto's life with him, making him happy. They both understood that Ianto would break his own heart as well as that of one man or the other when he made his choice.
Even with the traumatic events of yesterday they all three decided to have this conversation sooner instead of later. Who knew what was going to happen over the course of the next few days? Who knew who would live to see the end?
Outside it was raining. It had started right after Kahl had been shot. The downpour had continued through the night and was looking to continue for a while. In other parts of the world the weather was wreaking havoc on everything. February was a difficult time of year weather-wise for many parts of the world but in less than twelve hours there were reports of massive flash flooding and rampart fires. Emergency services in the United States alone were gearing up for what was looking to be an environmental crisis. A state of emergency had been issued in several states already, including West Virginia.
It was only going to get worse.
"It's the Rifts, isn't it?"
Jack looked up at Jason's voice. He watched as the other man cracked open a few eggs and added them to the frying pan.
"Yeah." He raised his eyes to the ceiling. Upstairs Ianto was taking a shower. He looked back at Jason.
"I suppose it's better than having multiple eras bumping into each other."
Despite the situation, Jack grinned. "Yeah, it is. When the Cardiff Rift was opened a few years ago, I got to see and subdue an actual Roman soldier. Kinda cool, actually."
Jason let out a snort and shook his head. "I would rather have a Roman soldier than this crazy weather. In Greece it's snowing. Not a light, melts-before-it-hits-the-ground snow, but a wet, slushy, can't drive anywhere snow. And it just started a few hours ago."
"So much for taking a holiday there, then."
"Yeah." Jason glanced up at the ceiling as the shower turned off. "Ianto will make us coffee when he gets down."
"Are you telling me or reassuring yourself?"
That got a bark of laughter from the Bluemont leader.
"Both."
"So he's still anal about who makes coffee, huh?"
"To compensate for his lack of culinary skills, he makes fantastic coffee. Not to mention he can be downright terrifying when anyone goes near the coffee maker."
"Too bad the coffee maker from the Cardiff base was busted during the explosion," Jack sighed. "No one but Ianto could work his magic on it. It made the most unbelievable brew ever."
Jason scooped the scrambled eggs into a bowl and handed it to Jack.
"On the table, please."
"You got it."
Jack set the bowl down and looked around the well-stocked kitchen. It was clear that Jason spent a good deal of time preparing and enjoying meals in this room. He could easily picture Ianto and Jason making dinner and doing the dishes after. He could see them folding the laundry and changing the bed clothes while they squabbled over things like taking out the trash or going to the grocer for milk. For Jack it had been a long time since he'd had a place like this-- a place that he could call home.
Ianto deserved a home. As much as Jack would have liked for home to be the Hub, he was beginning to see how well suited his lover was to domesticity. If he were to choose Jack and return to Cardiff, would he want to try to recreate this warm atmosphere or would he let yet another dream go?
"The dishes are in the cupboard behind you," Jason said suddenly. "And the silverware is in the drawer to your right."
"Three settings?"
"Unless you were planning on just watching." Jason dropped a pat of butter into the pan and watched it melt.
"Heck no! Been a while since I had a home cooked meal."
"Ianto mentioned that it was usually take-away or frozen entrees."
"Well, sometimes Gwen and Rhys have me over for dinner but yeah, usually one or the other."
"Convenience foods should be used sparingly. That's something I've struggled to get across to Ianto. Before we got together -- got back together-- his kitchen had nothing but beer, coffee, cereal, ramen noodles and frozen entrees. If he'd at least kept some fresh fruit or vegetables around it would have been a little better."
"He seems to be doing alright now."
"It wasn't easy, I can tell you that," Jason said. He tested the heat by sprinkling a drop of water into the pan. It sizzled nicely so he ladled some pancake batter into the pan and grabbed the spatula.
"He's pretty stubborn, isn't he?"
"Extremely stubborn. Insanely so, I would hazard to say," Jason agreed.
Jack grinned and looked down at the neatly set table. Three bowls, three plates and three glasses. He carefully laid out the silverware (fork, spoon, knife) and stepped back to admire his handiwork.
"You know," Jason said casually. "It's more the fact that he can't let go."
"Pardon?"
"His thoughts often turn to you, even when we're in bed."
Jack looked up and frowned. "Even when he thought I'd betrayed him?"
"He never once gave up hope that you would come back." Jason poured in more batter and watched as it bubbled. "I think, deep down, he knew that you would never have done that. But he was too unsure of what he meant to you to believe it completely."
Now Jack smiled ruefully. "Yeah, I have a bad habit of making people wonder if I actually care or not. It's something that's hurt me more times than I can count."
Jason was silent as he flipped the pancake. It was not a perfect circle, just the way he liked it. Nothing was perfect and he hated anything that tried to come across as being so.
"Last night Ianto told me how he almost slept with you that first night."
"Would you believe me if I told you that it was he who made the first move?" Jack asked. He opened up the refrigerator and took out the carton of orange juice.
"Yes, I would."
That surprised the immortal.
"Why?" Jack asked as he poured the juice into the three glasses.
"Because he waited for you for so long. How could he not take the opportunity?"
"You're taking all this pretty well," observed Jack.
"Must be the 51st century genes."
"Haha."
Jason's chuckle made Jack smile.
"Seriously, Jack…"
Jack looked up and met the dark eyes.
"He's going to choose only one of us in the end," Jason said. "But he shouldn't have to do without the other."
"No, he shouldn't," Jack agreed. He folded the flap on the carton back down and returned it to the refrigerator. There was a bowl of fruit salad on the top shelf so he took it out.
"Jason," he said after a moment of staring at the fruit. "We can't continue to fight over him. If we do, then we both risk losing him. As badly as I want him to come back with me, to make a life with me…" He hesitated and set the bowl down on the table. "I would rather he be here with you and get to live out the life he's always wanted."
"He wants children," Jason said softly. "That's something I can't give him."
"You can adopt," Jack pointed out.
"Or he could go with you and you could give him a child."
"He told you about that?"
"He shared a fair amount of information on you, yeah."
"My secrets…" Jack sighed. He had never really spoken to Ianto about that. The pain he had felt when he learned that Jason knew he was immortal had been forced to the back of his mind. Now it tried to return but he squashed it. It didn't matter anymore.
"He wasn't being malevolent. He was simply trying to get me to understand why he couldn't let you go."
Jack nodded and then turned to the drawer to search for a serving spoon for the salad.
"It's okay. I think it was because he'd betrayed me a few times before that I overreacted."
"We both overreacted that day, I think."
"I can't believe we dislocated his wrist!"
"I was so sure he was going to order Sam to shoot us!"
The two men laughed at the memory of their first fight over the man they both loved.
That was when it hit them. The same thought at the same time.
"Jack, whoever he chooses…"
"Shouldn't make him say goodbye to the other."
They smiled at each other.
"You know, Jason," Jack mused thoughtfully. "If it weren't for the fact that we both came into this situation with chips on our shoulders, I think we would have been friends."
"Who says we still can't be?"
"You would do that?"
"Yes. You?"
"Yes."
"May I ask why?"
"For Ianto." Jack took the plate of hot pancakes that was held out to him. He set it on the table next to the eggs and the fruit salad. "He loves you. How could I not want to be friends with you?"
"Then it's settled," Jason stated firmly. "No matter who he chooses, we'll both be here for Ianto forever."
"Deal."
Jack held out his hand; Jason took it. They shook and smiled at each other.
It wasn't an ideal solution but it was one that would guarantee them both a place in Ianto's life and in his heart.
"Is breakfast ready?" Ianto asked as he walked in. He was dressed in a gray suit with a white shirt and red tie. His hair was still damp from his shower. "Oh, good. I'll make some coffee."
As they watched the man they loved more than life itself fill a pot with water both Jack and Jason knew that whatever Ianto decided, it would be the right decision for them all.
And that was good enough for them.
~_~_~
Mid-morning. Torchwood Bluemont. Boardroom.
Susan stood at the head of the table in front of the large monitor on the wall.
"Captain Hart and I have gone over the schematics several times," she said as she pointed to the latest Rift readings. "The Rifts are all indeed moving to meet here at Bluemont. This town, our base, will be ground zero. If the Rifts meet then there's a good chance that Bluemont, West Virginia will be completely destroyed."
"Well that's good to know," Jack said as he leaned back.
"Any way to stop the Rifts?" Jason asked.
"The Vortex Manipulators." Susan picked up a wrist strap that lay on the table. "This is the one that Suzie used to come here. Captain Hart has shown me how to work it and I've worked with Christine to figure out a way to adapt it for our purpose."
"You're going to tap into the Time Vortex," Jack said in awe.
Miranda and Sam exchanged a worried look.
"What," Miranda asked. "Does that mean?"
Hart stood and joined Susan. He took the wrist strap from her and tossed it in the air like it was a toy.
"Quite simple, my dear," he said. "Vortex Manipulators work by bending time and space around a single thing. They then can transport that thing to a different time or place in the blink of an eye. But the lovely Susan and Christine have reconfigured the settings based on my superior knowledge." He looked about the room to see if they were all following him. "The signal has been copied and is ready to transmit to the Torchwood satellites."
"When was this decided?" Jack asked curiously.
"Yesterday," Gwen said.
"Jack, your father has designed a Time and Space Paradoxical Engine," John said.
"He what?" The expression on Jack's face could only be called horror.
"That's why he needs the Rifts to converge," Susan explained. "The energy produced will then create the Engine and keep it running forever."
"Or," Jason said calmly. "Until we stop it."
"That too."
Jack shook his head at the continued lunacy that his father was drowning in. He loved his father, there was no question about that, but he couldn't allow this to happen. Not only was Ianto in danger but the whole of creation was at stake. He looked up as Ianto took hold of his hand and smiled at his young, worried lover.
"Okay," he said, squeezing Ianto's hand. "So what do we need to do? Reality might be boring at times but I kinda like it the way it is."
Susan took the wrist strap from Hart and placed it on the table.
"Gwen has sent out a mass email to the other Torchwoods across the globe. Thankfully they all believed her and agreed to the plan. Once the signal has been sent to all the branches, we'll need to transmit it in one big wave. Then, as soon as the initial transmission is finished, Hart and I will lock the signal through the three Manipulators and the Rifts should freeze."
"Should?"
"Sorry, Jason, that's the best I can give you," Susan apologized.
Hart added, "Considering that this has never been done on such a grand scale, I'd say we have a 50% chance of this working."
"Alright," Jason said. "50% is better than zero. Bobby, set up a network with the other branches. We need to transmit at the same time to increase the signal."
"It'll take a few of hours to link up all the bases," Bobby put in. "There are over fifty all over the world."
"You have two hours. Christine, help him."
Jason looked around at his team. The Bluemont staff, his college aged daughter, a Welsh woman, a 51st century Time Agent, a former traitor and an Immortal. Not an orthodox group but if the world was about to end he couldn't think of any other team he'd preferred to face it with.
"Okay, the world has accepted that aliens exist. The Battle of Canary Wharf, the Daleks trying to subjugate our species, the events of five years ago with the 456 and that mess with Harold Saxon have made humans realize that there's more out there than they once thought. However, the greatest danger isn't alien. It's human. A man ripped apart by grief wants to destroy our planet and the planet is dying as a result." He paused and reached for his cup of coffee but didn't drink it. "I've studied Rifts a lot since joining Torchwood. The Rifts are trying to purge our planet of what they see as negative energy. That's why the weather is so nuts right now. It's only going to get worse. Already there are reports of people getting hurt, even dying. Flooding, fires, earth quakes… Flights all over have been grounded. People are stranded at the plane and train stations the world over. It's only just begun. There's also no way of knowing if it will end when the Rifts are frozen or if we succeed in stopping Mr. Franklin. The damage may be so great that the Earth will not recover in our lifetimes. If anyone wants to leave and go back home to be with their loved ones during this, I won't stop you." He gazed at each member of his staff, handpicked by him, and tried to gauge their feelings. "No one will think badly of you if you should decide to leave. Least of all me."
There was complete and utter silence in the room. No one made a sound as they all looked at each other.
"I think," Jenny said slowly. "That I can speak for everyone when I say that our place is here."
"Yeah," Sam said. "Like you said, we don't know what's gonna happen. We can do our best if we're together. If we leave, then it's like we're inviting the destruction."
"I'm with them," Suzie said. She placed a hand on her stomach and smiled. "I may not have much to live for, but I do have something to fight for. If I should die without ever seeing my baby then at least I'll die knowing that I did my best."
The rest of them voiced similar sentiments. It was rather humbling for the proud man to see the devotion in his team's eyes and the determination on their faces. He had done well when he picked them.
"Okay, I know several of you have family out of state. Contact them and do your best to reassure them. That goes for all of you." Jason stood and switched off the monitor. "We have plenty of supplies here at the base but I'm giving everyone one hour to go home and get anything you think you might need. Because of the danger I want you to go in groups. Bobby, have someone get you whatever you need. We need to get the network set up. We'll meet back here in one hour. Go."
The room emptied quickly. While the Bluemont staff hurried out the door to go home, Gwen took out her phone and called Rhys. Bobby and Christine got to work on the network and Hart took the three Manipulators over to a desk to finish his configurations. Suzie, having no family or home to go to, walked into the kitchen to occupy herself with food.
That left Jack, Ianto and Jason in the boardroom.
"That was fast," Jack quipped.
"Perhaps you should call her," Ianto said.
"Who?"
"Your daughter."
"I haven't spoken to her in over five years."
"And you may not even now but you could try."
Jack stood and pulled Ianto into his arms. He kissed the other man and held him close. When he pulled away he pressed his forehead to his lover's.
"Can I borrow your phone? Every time I call her from mine, she ignores it."
Ianto smiled and took his phone from his pocket. "I have a phone call of my own to make."
"Me too," Jason said. He then reached over and pulled Ianto's head around and kissed his lips. "Don't forget you two. One hour."
"One hour."
~_~_~
"So do you think you'll be home soon?"
"No, Rhys," Gwen sighed. "Believe me I wish I were there now. How's Edward?"
"Fine. He misses you. But then, so do I."
"I want you to do me something, yeah?"
"Name it lovely."
"I want you and Edward to go to the Hub. Lois knows what's going on so she'll be expecting you. Make sure the cupboards are stocked as it might be a while before you can get to the store."
"Sure thing. I'll just toss a few things in a suitcase. Want me to call your parents for you?"
"Please." She licked her lips. How many times had she thought she'd never see her husband again? "I love you."
"I know. I love you too. Be careful."
"You too." Her breath hitched a little. "Give my big boy a kiss for me."
"I will."
"Bye."
She flipped her phone shut and pressed it to her mouth.
I'll be home soon. I promise.
~_~_~
Jack sat on the steps that led down into the alien containment room. Just yesterday he had been down here and Ianto and he had snuck off to be together. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
He had the number memorized. Every week, sometimes twice a week, he would dial the number and listen to the voicemail greeting. Each time he would leave a message until the time ran out.
He was always out of time.
His fingers punched the correct sequence of buttons and he waited.
Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.
"Hello?"
"It's me. Don't hang up… You don't have to talk to me just… Just listen."
He could hear her breathing on the other end.
"I love you. I know you think of me as a murderer, a monster and you're right. Steven wasn't the first person I've sacrificed for the world. I doubt he'll be the last." He blinked back the tears that pooled in his eyes. "But I loved him so much. Like I love you. You hate me and that's alright. You should hate me. I killed your son. And I got the most wonderful person killed because he loved me."
For a moment it almost seemed that she as going to speak but then changed her mind.
"The world is falling apart and I can't be there to protect you. Once again I failed you as a father. Hell, I couldn't even be your friend. You were right to not let me in and I'm sorry that I always let you down. Even if the world does end this time, it can end knowing that I'll be forced to carry on alone. I hope it doesn't come to that. I'm crossing my fingers that we can stop this and save the world. I'm even hoping that Ianto, my beautiful Welshman, picks me to spend his life with."
Jack lowered the phone for a moment as a surge of emotion threatened to overwhelm him. He wiped at the wetness on his face and sniffled a little.
"No matter what happens, I wanted you to know that I love you. From the moment I found out I was going to be a father I loved you. I couldn't be prouder of you if I tried." He stopped for breath and closed his eyes. "Take care of yourself Alice. I can't protect you right now so please be careful. I love you."
He was about to push the 'end' button when he heard four words that made the tightness in his chest a little less painful.
"I love you too."
~_~_~
"Davies residence."
Ianto heard the soft voice of his niece. The last time he'd seen Mica he had tried to get Rhiannon to let him take her.
"Mica, is your mother home?"
"Yes. May I ask who's calling?"
He closed his eyes. "Tell her it's an old friend."
"Okay."
He heard her put the phone down and trot off to get her mother. He tried to steady his breathing as he waited. There was no way of predicting how his sister would react.
"Hello?"
"Rhiannon. It's me."
Her voice was a hushed whisper. "Ianto?"
"Yeah. Look, I can't explain but basically I didn't really die."
"And you just now thought to call me?"
"It's a long story that I'll tell you one day. Right now, I just wanted to hear your voice."
"What's wrong?"
Even across the ocean she could sense something wasn't right.
"The world may truly be ending. What happened five years ago with the children was barely the beginning. It was only a taster for what was to come."
"You mean this weird weather is because of… aliens?"
"The worst people imaginable are human, I'm afraid. A man, a madman, is trying to change reality. But don't worry, we're working on it."
"Jack… he's with you? He came to the service. I was so angry because I blamed him."
"He's here, yes."
"Then keep close to him. I want to see you when this is all over."
"I can't make any promises, but I'll do my best to come for a visit."
He wondered what she would think when she learned about the romantic predicament he was in.
"Rhi, I've got to go. We have a lot to do if we're to save the world. Can you do something for me?"
"What?"
"Two things. First keep the family close. Stay indoors as much as possible. If you have to, go to Mum's old house on the hill. The second thing-- don't tell anyone I'm alive. When all this is over and I come home, then we'll deal with it. Okay?"
"Sure. Ianto? Take care of yourself." She fell silent. "He loves you, you know. Jack, I mean."
Ianto smiled. His lips still tingled from both kisses.
"I know. Gotta go. Got a world to save."
He hung up the phone and leaned back onto his desk.
"Okay, Mr. Franklin. Take your best shot. But I should warn you," he muttered to the empty office. "I will kill to protect both of them. You can count on that."
~_~_~
Jason closed his phone and sighed. His family was thrilled that the kids and Kate had been found but wanted to know what the hell was happening. It had taken his father asserting authority to get them all to shut up long enough for Jason to assure them that everything would be fine. Richard wanted to drive to Bluemont but he'd put his foot down and told his son to stay put.
"You okay?"
He reached out and pulled Ianto to stand between his legs. He pressed his face into his fiancé's neck and sighed again.
"I may be half Greek but I still get exhausted when dealing with the family."
"Heehe. I could see that back at Christmas."
"Brat."
"And you love it."
"I do."
"I spoke to my sister."
"Was that a good idea? Shouldn't you have waited 'til you can do it in person?"
"Doesn't matter. After all, I may never get that chance."
"Don't you dare say that," Jason snapped. "Don't you dare even think it."
"It's unrealistic otherwise."
"Then be unrealistic. I'm not going to lose you to that madman."
Ianto huffed and leaned into the solid body.
"I love you," he said softly.
"Me too."
~_~_~
They were ready. All the Torchwoods were linked together through the satellite network. The Bluemont staff was all-eager with anticipation and trepidation at what they were about to do.
All that they needed was for Jason to give the order.
"Let's do it," he said.
Bobby sent the signal to the bases. At Hart's nod the countdown began.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
All over the world a button on a computer in a secret base known as Torchwood was being pushed.
All over the world a signal was transmitted to the Rifts via the satellites.
All over the world every single Torchwood operative held their breath as they watched on a screen as the signal manipulated the Time Vortex.
Susan risked a glance at her computer.
"It's working! Look!"
She pointed excitedly at the energy readings. They weren't going down but they weren't going up.
"It is working…" Jack grinned. "It's actually working!"
"Time has officially frozen within the Rifts," Hart said. He grinned at Susan, who laughed and hugged him.
"So nothing can get in or out?" Shelly asked.
"That's right! It's not a permanent solution," Hart said. "But at least it gives us more time."
"Then let's not waste it," Jason said. "Okay people, let's see what else we can do."
TBC.
NOTES!! A chapter that ended on a high note! Wow!!
Imagine how pissed Mr. F will be when he finds out the Rift expansion has stopped.
I hope that this chapter made sense, as I was a little worried that I may not have explained it right. My friend (bless him!) understood what was going on but he could just be weird like me or a total geek. If anyone got confused on what they did to freeze the Rifts, let me know. I suppose you could say that they placed a Time Lock (like the one Toshiko designed) over the Rifts.
The end is drawing near. I can't believe there's only a little bit more to go. Ianto still has to make his choice and hopefully most of your all's questions will be answered by the end.
The final chapter is written and the first chapter of the sequel is in the first draft. I will say this later too but THANK YOU ALL for being here with me. "Torchwood America" would be nothing without all of you!