Title: Hitting the Ground Running

Fandom: Torchwood

Rating: Adult

Pairing: Primarily Jack/Ianto, with other secondary pairings mentioned

Chapter: 28/?

Word Count: 3192

Summary: AU. Majorly AU. Ianto Jones first encountered Torchwood as a teenager trying to leave his old life behind. However, when Torchwood Three gets rather violently restructured at the start of the millennium, he's got a new assignment in Cardiff. The only thing he wasn't prepared for was his new boss.

Disclaimer: …You really think it's mine? Much as I might wish it was, it isn't. I will go on the record and say that, unlike the show's creative team, I firmly believe in happy endings.

Notes: The conversation chapter you all knew was coming. Thanks again for all of the reviews/comments/recs and everything else; you guys are amazing :D

Chapter Twenty-Eight

In Which There Are Conversations, Revelations, and Reservations

"Well, for short notice, I'd say they did pretty good," Jack commented, throwing his coat on the massive bed as Ianto groaned and picked it up, inspecting it closely.

"It's not even too battered, but I daresay it could use a cleaning."

"You're probably right. It's been a long time," Jack admitted.

"How long, if I can ask?"

"Little over a year."

"Oh," Ianto went to hang the coat up, stalling for time. He had guessed that it had been longer for Jack than it had been for the rest of them, but a year?

"How about we get started on that…massage you promised me, and then I'll talk?"

"Sounds good, sir. Would you like me to order up some…I guess it's the middle of the night again, but would you like anything?"

"Yeah," Jack gave him a tired smile. "I'm gonna grab a shower first."

"Right. I'll head down and see if I can strike a bargain with the desk clerk," Ianto self-consciously straightened his jacket. "How do I look?"

"Perfect. Like always," Jack gave him a quick kiss before heading to the washroom.

000

Ianto slipped back into the room with a plate of sandwiches before glancing around the room, putting them on the table and knocking on the bathroom door. "Jack?"

"Ianto! Come in here!"

Ianto pushed the door open and smiled. "Thought you were taking a shower."

"There's a soaker tub!" Jack shrugged, as if that explained everything. "Now get in."

"Sir."

"Well, come on," Jack looked at him pleadingly and Ianto couldn't help but comply, stripping out of his clothing and folding it neatly to place on the vanity as Jack snorted at him.

Ianto pointedly ignored him before slipping into the tub, glancing at the bottles sitting on the edge and not entirely surprised to see one of massage oil. "Shove forward," Ianto told Jack, who moved and let Ianto slide in to sit behind him. "So? Relaxed enough?"

"More than I have been in a year," Jack sighed happily as Ianto broke the seal on the oil and poured a generous amount onto his hands before starting to rub Jack's shoulders.

"You're absurdly tight. What've you been doing all year?" Ianto asked conversationally, not really thinking about the words.

"Oh, I highly doubt that hanging by my wrists almost every day is going to help me loosen up," Jack replied darkly, and Ianto paused for a second before sighing and continuing the massage.

"I see. Care to elaborate?"

"Better now than later, I guess," Jack looked thoughtful. "You know Saxon?"

"Of course."

"He was a Time Lord."

"What, like the Doctor?"

"If the Doctor had lost his mind," Jack muttered bitterly. "We found him…the world was under attack by aliens and we couldn't stop it…so many people, Ianto; so many of them died, and…"

"Hey," Ianto said gently. "That's done though, right? The world was never invaded…"

"Not that you remember."

"Hang on, so what happened tonight when John went back through the Rift…that happened before?"

"Exactly. Except it took the world back a few months instead of a few hours."

"So, you were a prisoner?" Ianto clarified, really not wanting to hear the answer.

"Yes. And…" Jack heaved a giant sigh. "He…found out."

Ianto tried to figure out what that meant, and the only thing he could come up with was too horrible to comprehend. "You mean…"

"Yeah. Every day."

"God, Jack…"

"It's…"

"Don't you dare say it's okay," Ianto slid his arms around Jack's middle and kissed the side of his neck. "Don't even think it."

"Okay. It…it wasn't okay. Isn't okay. Not even close," Jack admitted. "But it could have been worse."

"How on Earth…."

"He…he said he was going to find you…and the others, he found out about you and I somehow and…"

Ianto didn't say anything, but he held onto Jack more tightly. "He didn't, Jack. He didn't find us."

"He should have. He…he never got the location of the Hub out of me, but he said he sent a….a message for you to go check out a disturbance in the Himalayas. He was going to capture you all there and…and kill the others. But he was going to bring you onto the Valiant and…" he closed his eyes, obviously fighting back tears, and Ianto wasn't quite sure how to comfort him.

"He didn't," Ianto repeated. "We got the missive from London, true, but decided as a group that it was more important to stay here and look after the Rift, because there were too few of us to split up for something like that. Plus…why on Earth would the Prime Minister of Britain send us to the Himalayas?"

"You outsmarted him," Jack gave Ianto a small smile. "If he'd have…if he'd have tortured you…killed you in front of me? It would have driven me mad," Jack finished in a whisper.

"It didn't happen. None of it. It's over, Jack; you're safe," Ianto promised him. "But I need to ask you…and I…I don't want to know, but I have to…did he ever…"

Jack seemed to know what he was asking and vehemently shook his head. "No. Never. He barely touched me; said I was wrong. A freak," Jack laughed bitterly. "Of course, the Doctor said that, too, but he didn't try to kill me afterward."

"Thank God," Ianto held him tightly. "If he'd have…violated you like that…"

"But he didn't. He didn't, Ianto. He's not taking that away from us," Jack turned in his arms and kissed him heatedly, Ianto tasting the desperation in it. "I need you to keep me sane," Jack admitted.

"I'm here, Jack. I'll always be here," Ianto promised. "I'm not leaving. And I don't care what they told you. You're not wrong, and you're not a freak. You're a beautiful, strong, incredible man and I'm so lucky that you've chosen to have me by your side," he said vehemently.

Jack gave him a slow smile before ducking his head. "You're the one who's incredible, Ianto Jones," he said quietly, pulling back slightly. "Want to get out? You get any food?"

"Sandwiches. All I could scrounge up, I'm afraid," Ianto replied, knowing instinctively that, at least for tonight, the serious conversation was over. It was a lot to cope with, but he couldn't even imagine how Jack was doing it.

"Sounds great," Jack admitted, getting out of the tub and grabbing a towel to dry himself off before walking out, still seemingly unconcerned about his nakedness.

Ianto quickly, followed, taking a little time to wrap a towel around his waist before he followed Jack into the suite. Jack was already chowing down on the sandwiches, although since Ianto figured he probably hadn't eaten properly in a long time he couldn't fault him for his poor table manners.

"These are really good," Jack mumbled, predictably with his mouth full. "Want one?"

"Are you sure? You look like you could eat the whole plate by yourself," Ianto teased, but he took one regardless as Jack passed the plate over before flopping back on the bed.

"Join me?" he asked, feebly waving a hand in the air as Ianto laughed and arranged the pillows so he could sit against the headboard and eat. Jack turned onto his side, propping himself up once he realized he couldn't eat laying down.

"Jack, you're getting crumbs on my towel," Ianto mock-glared at him.

"Good thing it's removable, then," Jack retorted.

"No," Ianto slapped his hand away. "Not until you've finished eating."

"Spoilsport."

"I see you're still entirely comfortable in your own skin," Ianto muttered.

"And why not? I'm stuck with it, after all," Jack gave him a coy look.

"Jack," Ianto sighed, finishing his sandwich. "How are you? Really?"

"A little broken," Jack admitted honestly. "A little broken and more confused than ever, but the one thing I kept hold of on that God-forsaken ship was getting home to you. I know you don't believe me when I tell you these things, but I really do need you, Ianto."

"I'm beginning to realize that," Ianto admitted. "You know, even though everybody told me so, I still doubted you'd come back. I mean, you had the wonder of the universe at your fingertips, and you come back to boring old rainy Cardiff. I just…couldn't see why.'

"Because you're my family," Jack admitted. "I have none of my own, anymore, but you and Owen and Tosh and Gwen..." he paused and shrugged. "I couldn't leave you. Any of you."

"And I'm glad," Ianto admitted. "But you haven't really answered my question."

"I'm going to have nightmares for a long time," Jack said quietly, closing his eyes. "Stay with me?"

"Every night, for as long as you need me," Ianto promised.

Jack nodded before reaching for the plate and grabbing another sandwich. "Are we done with the serious stuff?"

"Hope so."

"Good," Jack finished the food in about three bites and looked mournfully at the last one on the plate.

"Eat it."

"You sure?"

"Yes, Jack."

"Thanks," Jack wolfed down the sandwich and put the plate beside the bed before shimmying under the covers and sighing in contentment. "Been a long time since I had a comfy bed, too. I mean, it was fine on the TARDIS on the way back here, but I didn't have anybody to share it with."

"You always used to say me being there kept the nightmares away," Ianto reminded him, dropping the towel and joining his boss in the bed.

"Let's see if it still works, alright?" Jack pulled him close and kissed him, wrapping his arms around the younger man.

Ianto nodded his agreement, settling in for what he was sure would be a long night.

000

In all honesty, his presence obviously was having some effect because Jack never woke up once. There were a few times where it seemed he was slipping into a nightmare but Ianto simply held him tighter and whispered meaningless things in his ear until he calmed down.

Around four in the morning he finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep, and when he woke up again it was light outside and Jack was gone. He got up and went to the washroom, splashing water on his face to wake himself up properly as he heard the door to the suite open. "Jack?"

"Yeah," Jack slipped in carrying a tray. "Brought breakfast," he added, and Ianto smiled.

"Great."

"Sleep okay?" Jack asked quietly, and Ianto nodded.

"Yeah. I was a little nervous about falling asleep, but you were fine," he replied honestly.

"Told you. It's you," Jack grinned at him, some of the shadows that had been weighing on him since his return lifting from his face. "Now, let's eat up. I feel bad for hogging the sandwiches last night."

"Don't," Ianto assured him as his stomach rumbled ominously. "Although, I am rather hungry."

"Then eat up. I got…well, some of everything, I think. There's eggs and bacon and sausage and toast and…pancakes, I think…and coffee?" he added with a pleading smile.

"Perfect," Ianto laughed, taking the coffee gratefully and testing it. "Hmm, and it's actually passable."

"Still doesn't hold a candle to yours, I'll wager," Jack stole the cup and took a sip. "Nope. But you're right; it isn't bad."

"Well, when we get back to the Hub I'll make you some proper coffee," Ianto assured him, snatching the cup back.

"You got a new machine?"

"I took it out of the budget for Owen's mini-fridge," Ianto smirked.

"Does Owen know about this?"

"Owen never knew he was getting a mini-fridge in the first place."

"Fair point," Jack carried the tray over to the table and set it down. "So I thought we could actually eat here for once?"

"You're the one who insisted on using my lap as a plate," Ianto muttered, slouching over to the table and taking a seat.

"Hey," Jack slid next to him and tilted his head up for a kiss, and Ianto gladly obliged him. "Morning," he said softly.

"Good morning," Ianto replied with a fond smile. "What's the plan for today?"

"Anything we want. I'm giving everybody free reign to enjoy everything the hotel has to offer, since you so graciously booked us in for two nights. And then I was thinking dinner for all of us?"

"Would you like me to make a reservation, sir?"

"That would be great, Ianto," Jack squeezed his shoulder before going to sit at the other side of the table and sitting down.

"Jack?" Ianto asked cautiously, wondering if now was the best time to revert to their serious conversation from the night before even as he speared some pancakes with his fork and lifted them over to his plate.

"Yes?"

"Who's Gray?"

Jack looked at him evenly for a moment, a flash of sorrow passing through his bright eyes before he shrugged and leaned back, crossing his ankles under the table. "Who do you think he is?"

"Your brother," Ianto said immediately. Jack had spoken on-and-off of his little brother but had never given a name to him, and it was the first thing he thought of.

"You'd be right," Jack nodded. "I…haven't seen him since he was young. The place I lived was invaded and while we were running, I let go of his hand," Jack was obviously fighting back strong emotions as he stared at the wood grain in the tabletop, and Ianto immediately regretted asking.

"Jack, I'm…"

"I know John'll be back, so I'm not worried about that. But I just…what if he still hates me, Ianto? I still hate myself!" Jack exclaimed. "My father was killed in that invasion, and my mother…she was more concerned that I'd lost Gray than she was happy that I was alive!" he slammed a hand down fiercely on the table and Ianto twitched.

"Jack…"

"Sorry. I'm sorry; it was over a hundred and fifty years ago and it still kills me," Jack closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face with a groan. "But it hasn't been nearly as long for Gray. So that's why…I want to know, but…I'm just happy he's alive. I'd always thought so because we'd never found a body, but…I can't face him yet, Ianto; not when I'm so broken myself."

"Jack," Ianto got up and moved over to him, bending down to loop his arms around Jack's shoulders as he let his chin rest on the other man's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"No, you deserve to know. Just…can we lay off the heavy conversation for a couple of days?" he laughed weakly.

"Of course," Ianto kissed his cheek.

"Good. Now, let's eat."

000

"So how's he holding up?"

Ianto glared at Tosh and Owen who had cornered him in a nearby coffee shop, the two of them grinning like children that they'd managed to catch him off-guard. "Fine, if you must know. He's obviously going to take some time getting back to normal, but I have no doubt he'll manage it."

"And he has you to help him," Tosh added, patting Ianto's arm.

"I'd like to think so, at any rate."

"We all know he came back for you, mate," Owen shrugged.

"He told me he came back for all of us. We're his family, Owen; we're all he's got," Ianto reminded the doctor, who seemed to ponder his words for a few moments before shrugging them off and snagging Ianto's coffee.

"What is it with people stealing my coffee today?" Ianto swiped it back after Owen had some and glared at him. "First Jack and now you."

"Owen, we are in a coffee shop," Tosh reminded him gently.

"Ah, I do it just to rile tea-boy up," Owen ruffled Ianto's hair affectionately and Ianto growled at him. "Speaking of the good Captain, where's he at?"

"Checking the Hub, just in case. I think he missed Myfanwy and Janet," Ianto said seriously and Owen nearly choked on his own saliva.

Tosh pounded his back until he came up gasping for air, muttering, "Oh, yes, I'm sure he missed the bloodthirsty Weevil."

"Hey, she's practically family, too," Ianto started to walk out of the coffee shop and the others followed him.

"Right," Owen sighed. "Just because I'm trying to better understand her doesn't mean she's my adopted sister or anything."

"I was thinking more third-cousin-thrice-removed," Ianto retorted. "She's got your eyes."

"Oi, you," Owen nudged him as Tosh tried to stifle a rather out of character giggle attack. "Toshiko! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"Sorry, Owen," Tosh quickly got herself under control and took the doctor's hand as they walked. "You have to admit it's funny."

"Bloody hilarious," Owen muttered under his breath. "So are we headed back to the hotel or are we meeting Jack at the Hub?"

"Hotel," Ianto decided after a moment. "I've made us dinner reservations for 5:30, so don't be late."

"Cripes, you really do think of everything, don't you?" Owen swiped Ianto's coffee again to take another sip.

"Jack's idea, actually. Get us back on-track as a team, I presume," Ianto reasoned, irritably taking the coffee away from Owen again. "And sometimes I question your sanity, Owen Harper: you walk into a coffee shop and instead of actually buying something you're content to share mine…which, by the way, I did not say you could do."

"That's what I said," Tosh reminded them.

"Oi, injured man, here," Owen gestured to his side and Ianto sighed.

"Poor thing," Ianto put a comforting arm around Owen's shoulders, feeling a little bad because with all of his worrying over Jack he'd neglected to see how Owen was holding up. "Are you okay?"

"I've been pretty drugged up since it happened," he admitted. "But it was only a surface graze; it'll be fine. He wasn't trying to kill me."

"And we're grateful," Tosh assured him, sliding her hand into his and smiling at him.

"Oi, too mushy, the pair of you," Owen grumbled as Tosh took the hint and changed the subject.

"Does Jack really think it's prudent for all of us to be away from the Hub for a day?"

"After what happened last night? Between hopped-up blowfishes and murderous Time Agents, I think the Rift owes us a day or two off," Owen jammed his hands into his pockets as they entered the hotel lobby, digging around for the key-card to his and Tosh's room only to discover she already had hers out.

"Want to come over, Ianto? At least until Jack gets back?"

"Sure," Ianto followed Tosh into their suite as Owen dumped his jacket on the bed and flopped back on it, idly reaching for the remote and flicking the television on as Tosh looked out the window.

"Ianto?"

"Yes?"

"Jack's here."

"Good," Ianto moved toward the door. "I'll go down to meet him and we'll see the two of you in the lobby at 5:25," he intoned, causing Owen to roll his eyes and mutter something about 'bossy tea-boys' as Tosh nodded in agreement.

"We'll be there," she assured him, and he smiled at her and headed out of the room.