36
Ianto had wearily returned to the hub.
Tosh was overjoyed, shown by a soft pat on his arm that he smiled softly at her for.
Gwen was still smarting over Flat Holm and merely nodded.
Owen yelled and ranted at him for the caffeine deficiency he had inflicted on them all. Who knew he would even have a chart to key up as he showed Ianto the level of torture he had forced the team to endure.
Ianto had tried not to laugh, but a ramped up little bantam Owen was so cute.
"Sorry Owen" Ianto finally sighed, "I just needed a time out."
"You're back now though!" Owen said and Ianto saw a flash of nervousness. "It was a whole week ya know!"
"Yes Owen" Ianto smiled, "I'm back. Not sure, I may leave again if my archives are too bad."
Owen quickly found something else to do and everyone tittered as they dispersed as well.
Jack was waiting for his cup of coffee and made orgasmic noises as he took the first sip.
Ianto folded delicately into the opposite chair and sipped his own cup.
"So, Flat Holm eh?" Jack finally said, "Would never have thought to look for you there."
"When the Toclafane came, I was there. We sat out the Year in a bubble" Ianto said like he was discussing the weather, "They all know me. The real me."
Jack blinked and set down the cup.
"I waited for you" Ianto tried to keep the accusation from his voice, "I waited for a sign that it would be ok."
"I came back" Jack said softly.
"So did I!" Ianto said pointedly.
Jack leaned back and stared at the young man, sipping what smelt like peppermint tea.
"Every time we have a confrontation, it ends with one of us in the doghouse." Jack pouted, "And it seems to have my name over the door."
Ianto recognised the olive branch offered, and accepted graciously.
"Well, you can't expect me to get into the doghouse in this suit, Sir!" Ianto raised an eyebrow.
"Well, if you were getting on your knees …." Jack left it hanging and was rewarded with a thin smile.
Almost.
"Those children were cheating you know" Jack tried again.
"Well you would know" Ianto snapped, then sighed and softened it, "You cheat. You always cheat."
Jack smiled as he looked at Ianto and was pleased to see him relaxing into the chair.
"I know Gwen is important …"
"No" Jack shot forward, his elbows hitting the desk, "I was not being clear last time we spoke. I was angry, stupid and my brain-fart filter was not on."
Ianto waited.
"Gwen is like … like, oh god. Don't you ever repeat this" Jack warned.
Ianto raised an eyebrow.
"Gwen if like a childhood pet. Always a soft thought when handling a cute little animal." Jack finally shrugged and Ianto snorted with amusement.
"Promise!" Jack demanded, "Promise you won't repeat that!"
"A kitty cat or is she more of a bloodhound?" Ianto asked, "Oh god. A hushpuppy with those eyes."
"Ianto!" Jack warned and Ianto finally laughed.
"Trust you to get that out of me" Jack muttered.
Ianto reached for his hand, "I know what I would like to get into you."
"Oh?" Jack looked into his eyes, then the lightbulb went off, "Yeah?"
"Please don't do it again" Ianto asked as he pulled Jack to his feet, "Please remember me."
"Remember you?" Jack huffed, "I could never forget the way you wear a suit Mr Jones."
"Don't hurt me again" Ianto added as he headed for the hatch.
"I'm sorry." Jack sighed as he meekly followed, "I never mean to trample on your poor heart."
I know you don't, it just seems to be a knack you've developed," Ianto said as his head disappeared down the ladder to the sleeping quarters and the next part was muffled but Jack caught it "But there you are. Timelord. Got a spare."
Jack had to sit, no chair was nearby so he folded onto the floor and gasped as the paradox slammed shut. New memories assaulted him, his mind expanding to accept both realities and the memory of a suited John Jones smiling from the Tardis door broke his heart.
Ianto/John. How did he miss that?
How could anyone risk losing that?
Gods, what a fool am I.