Chapter 35
Jack held his body in a state of high tension as he glowered over Tosh and Owen's head, humiliation colouring his face as he carefully watched Rhiannon as she read Gwen's email. Just like her brother, Rhiannon had clamped an impassive mask over her features, the only giveaway to how she felt being a slight twitch in her right eye.
Softly, quietly Jack backed away from the three, seeing how utterly absorbed they were in reading the email. It was macabre. Jack thought bitterly they reminded him of three ghouls salivating over a ghastly feast. His mind was dark and roiling with anger, bitterness, embarrassment and … a feeling of hopelessness … having lost control of everything.
He muttered softly that he needed to do something in his office, waited til Tosh nodded her head curtly in acknowledgement, then moved quickly away and up the stairs to his office. He cast a quick glance down the manhole to see his lover still fast asleep, snoring softly into the pillow. Jack smiled.
Turning towards his desk, he sat down quickly and accessed the website for the hotel Martha would be staying in. He changed the booking for Martha for the next day, then waited for the confirmation email, making a mental note to pay the deposit when he had a chance later in the evening. He could use a change of scene from the Hub.
Breathing a soft sigh of relief, Jack then opened the bottom drawer of his desk and drew out a small, locked tin and opened it. Rummaging through its contents carefully, his hand located a self-sealed envelope which he lifted it out and opened, smiling at the six white tablets contained there. He flipped two of the small tablets into a clean tissue, then placed it carefully in his shirt pocket, flattening the small package so it wasn't visible.
Glancing to the clock on his computer, Jack grinned, realising Ianto would probably be out for at least another hour or so. He quietly left his office, then stepped softly and quickly down the stairs.
By the time he had resumed his position behind Toshiko, flanked by Rhiannon on his left and Owen on his right, Jack saw that they were all now ready to read Gwen's email to Ianto. The expression on Rhiannon's face had not changed. She then straightened where she stood next to Jack and turning towards him, offered a sympathetic look. Not knowing how to respond to her seeming change in attitude towards him, Jack offered back his signature smile. Her cheeks coloured slightly.
Clasping his hands together in a business-like manner, Plan A for dealing with Rhiannon uppermost in his mind, Jack announced, "I'll make us all another pot of tea, because I know we could all use it. So now, Rhiannon, you have an insight into what we're up against with Gwen. She seems quite prepared to carry her obsession with me through to the point where she appears to have no qualms about ending her new marriage."
Owen added in a disgusted voice, "Not to mention, her intent on destroying Ianto in the process … collateral damage, so to speak."
Jack glared at Owen, annoyed that his colleague had just implied that he cared more about Gwen's marriage breaking up, than he did about the serious harm inflicted on Ianto. Owen just returned Jack's glare, daring him to deny his statement.
Intent on her own roiling thoughts, Rhiannon missed the silent interplay between Jack and Owen. Toshiko did not. Rhiannon spoke in a careful, measured voice. "Thanks, Jack, but no. I'll pass on the tea. I have enough information now for me to act upon. I'll wait a bit longer for Ianto to wake up, then I'll leave. Things to do, Jack!"
Jack stiffened. Rhiannon's rejection of his offer of tea now threatened Plan A. He put on his most persuasive voice and winning smile and countered, "Come on, Rhiannon! I know I could use a good strong cup of tea after all this. And I know where Ianto hides the special biscuits!"
Rhiannon returned Jack's smile with a warm one of her own, but shook her head. "No, Jack. Thanks for the offer but I'm not thirsty and after reading those emails, I've certainly lost my appetite. But I appreciate your concern. And … and I think I understand a bit better now how you feel about my brother. I'm sorry if I've been hasty in my judgement of you. I guess I'm just worried about Ianto."
Jack smiled in genuine appreciation of her comment. It did much to soothe his hurt at her earlier comments. But it wasn't going to stop him putting Plan B into action against Rhiannon. Desperate measures were needed. He couldn't afford to have her leave like an unplugged grenade ready to explode into action that he wouldn't be able to control. He just needed to get rid of Owen and Toshiko. And quickly, before Ianto woke up.
He stamped down the guilt he felt at what he was going to do, but necessity over-ruled his feelings. He had to stop Rhiannon. Changing into boss mode Jack turned to Toshiko, "Tosh! I need you to go to the hotel Martha will be staying at and pay the deposit they need. Take the SUV. Owen, you could accompany her and grab something for all us from the bakery. I know I could pay it online, but I want you to check over the accommodation for me. Besides, I want some time alone with Rhiannon to discuss how best we can work together."
Owen nodded in agreement, glad for an excuse to escape the Hub for a short while. Toshiko nodded, but her mind was not at ease. Something was off … not right. Jack's about-face did not sit well with her. She was suspicious and not easily fooled by his ready grin. Toshiko knew Jack … and he was up to something.
Beaming back at Jack, Toshiko nodded to Rhiannon and grabbing her coat, proceeded to walk arm-in-arm with Owen towards the cog door, conscious of the fact that Jack's eyes followed the pair of them all the way out of the Hub. Owen began talking about how Rhiannon was more than a match for either Jack or Gwen and he could hardly wait to see what she had in mind.
Toshiko just murmured her agreement, but her mind was back in the Hub, trying to work out exactly what was off about Jack. The fact that he had changed from an angry and disgruntled boss to an amenable and accepting Captain, did not sit well with Toshiko. He was up to something and she didn't like it. Not sure whether to explain to Owen her fear, worried that he might react negatively when she was basing it on just not feeling right about Jack's behaviour, Toshiko waited until they were in the underground car park heading for the SUV, before she stopped abruptly.
"Owen!" Toshiko exclaimed, looking at him in alarm, "I've left my purse behind and you didn't get the Torchwood credit card from Jack to pay the hotel! I'll go back and collect them, you wait here!"
Owen started swearing and complaining that everything was so mixed up at the moment, they couldn't even focus on small matters, just shook his head angrily and muttered, "May as well come back with you, love. We could offer Rhiannon a lift home while we're at it."
"Jack wanted to talk to her and I imagine she has her own car parked in the city", Toshiko replied, secretly glad that Owen was returning with her. They re-entered the Tourist Centre then headed for the cog door. The scene before them as the cog door rolled open, froze them on the spot in shock.
Jack had his Webley trained on a frightened, shaking Rhiannon who was pale with fear. Toshiko and Owen stepped forward, about to intervene, when an angry voice rang out loudly through the Hub. All eyes, except Jack's, turned towards where the sound was coming from.
"Jack? JACK? What the hell are you doing to my sister?" Outlined in Jack's doorway, stood a red-faced, angry Ianto, arms gripping the railing tightly and glaring down at the scene below him. Rhiannon looked up at him with terrified eyes and cried out hoarsely, "Ianto! Stay where you are. Don't come down here … don't come near him!"
Ianto roared his outrage and started leaping down the stairs, two at a time but halfway down, he stumbled over the pyjama pants he had borrowed from Jack and found himself tumbling down the rest of the stairs before landing with a loud whack as his head hit the ground. His body went slack and his head rolled to the side.
As Ianto started his descent, Jack cursed under his breath and quickly holstered his gun, walking quickly to overtake Rhiannon, who ended up getting in his way. When Ianto began tumbling down the stairs, he tried to get past Ianto's sister, but didn't make it. Rhiannon moved to stop her brother, but wasn't fast enough to catch him when he fell. Owen had shot to his feet and scrabbling past Jack and Rhiannon to reach Ianto lying still on the ground yelled out "Leave him! Don't move him! Just get out of the way … both of you!"
Tears sprang to Toshiko's eyes as she rushed after Owen, thankful they had both returned to the Hub. The shock of the scene they had encountered on the Hub floor between Jack and Rhiannon, was cast aside in her fear for Ianto.
Owen went to his knees and carefully examined Ianto, Jack standing with his hands on his hip, guilt and worry across his face. Rhiannon had started sobbing, reaction setting in from the two awful shocks she had received in the space of five minutes; turning to hear Jack's voice order her down to the cells, a large gun trained on her; then Ianto running and falling down the stairs … ending up still and bleeding at her feet.
Owen barked to Jack, "Help me carry him to the autopsy bay, Jack! You grab his feet, I'll take his shoulders." Jack quickly complied, trying to catch Owen's eye. The young medic was too focused on carefully moving Ianto down to his bay, as quickly as possible. His initial check of Ianto confirmed that his limbs and spine were intact and despite the hefty blow he had received when he hit the floor, Ianto was probably slightly concussed and would have a large bump on the side of his head.
Ianto began to come around, with a loud groan while they were moving down the stairs. By the time they had lowered him gently to the table, his blue eyes had flickered open, a little blarey, but focused. "Shit!" he gasped, staring up into Owen's face, blinking furiously as the medic shone a light into his eyes. Relief swept through the young medic as Ianto's eyes were focused on him.
"That's it, Ianto, stay with me now" Owen said firmly, "Nap time's over and I don't want you wandering off to Noddyland again. You need to stay awake for me."
"Is he going to be alright, Owen?" Jack asked in a scared voice. Standing behind him was Rhiannon, gazing at her brother through tears still falling down her face. Toshiko had grabbed Rhiannon around her waist, steadying her against the shakes that had overcome the young Welshwoman.
Before Owen could answer, Ianto's head turned sharply towards Jack's voice and anger blazed in his stormy blue eyes as he stared at his boss. "What the fuck do you think you were doing, Jack? Why is my sister here at Torchwood and why did you have her at gunpoint?"
"Ianto! Just calm down! We'll deal with Jack soon enough, but for now, I need you to stay calm!" Owen interjected, not wanting Ianto to pass out again as his blood pressure was low and he needed him in a calm state, awake and lucid to check whether he had a concussion.
Jack leaned forward, his face reflecting his misery and answered, "I'm sorry, Ianto … I'm really sorry. I panicked, but I wasn't going to hurt Rhiannon. I just wanted to stop her. I'd never have hurt her."
Owen turned his face to Jack and snapped, "Get out of here, Harkness! Leave me to deal with my patient. Tosh! Take Rhiannon up to the Boardroom and make sure Jack doesn't come anywhere near you! Shoot him if you have to!"
Jack raised his hands in surrender, shaking his head while gazing steadily at his lover. "There won't be any need for that. I was way out of line … I know that now. I'm not going to do anything. I promise you, Ianto!" Then he stepped aside to allow Toshiko and Rhiannon to leave the autopsy bay ahead of him. His shoulders slumped as he realised the consequences of his stupid actions.
Ianto suddenly groaned, as a throbbing started up in his head, radiating out in painful waves. Despite his need to know what was going on, his injury suddenly claimed all his attention. He screwed his eyes up and clenched his jaw.
Owen spoke in a soothing tone. "I'll give you something for the pain soon, Ianto, just as soon as I confirm you're not suffering with concussion. Don't make any sudden moves, especially not to sit up because your blood pressure is low. Don't worry about Rhiannon, Toshiko will take good care of her."
He then turned sharply to glare at Jack again. "I told you to get out, Harkness! Your presence here is upsetting my patient, so just leave!" Owen turned back to Ianto, wiping his sweating forehead with a cloth and proceeded to set up the monitor to check his vitals.
Jack turned and moved up the stairs into the Hub, then seeing the blood patch at the foot of the stairs, proceeded to the kitchen to get a wet cloth. Toshiko was glaring down at Jack from the Boardroom window, her arm around Rhiannon's shaking shoulders as the traumatised Welshwoman sobbed into her hands.
Jack cleaned up the blood stain, disposed of the cloth, then climbed up into his office. He shut the door behind him and sat at his desk, propped his arms up to support his head in his hands. Remorse swept through Jack like a tidal wave. He had reacted like a Time Agent when confronted with a situation he had lost control of. Jack shuddered when he realised the gravity of his situation.
Unable to fully comprehend yet what had just happened, the leader of Torchwood sat contemplating with dread, the dark side that still lurked deep within, ready to surface when someone pushed the wrong buttons. He had never intended to harm Rhiannon … only meant to scare her down into the cells, then force her to take Retcon. But that was wrong and Jack realised that now, however, at the time it seemed the right thing to do … protect Torchwood … protect himself.
Why did I do that to Rhiannon? Why did I think that was the right thing to do? Ianto could have been seriously injured and it would have been all my fault! What's happening to me? I feel like I'm losing my mind. This whole situation has spiralled out of control and I don't know what to do anymore … every word I say, every action I take is coming out wrong!
The phone rang loudly in his ears, startling Jack out of his dark reverie. Jack hesitated a moment, then reached out and picked up the receiver. "Captain Jack Harkness here."
"Jack, it's me. I've cleared it with UNIT to come tomorrow morning. Tom is driving me to Cardiff and I guess we'll head straight for Torchwood. I assume you've changed my hotel reservation? It's the usual one, isn't it? Tom has to get back to London in the afternoon before his shift starts. I'll be renting a car for the duration of my stay in Cardiff."
Relief flowed through Jack as he smiled. "Yeah it's the usual hotel. Looks like you've covered everything with your cool efficiency. Knew I could count on you. Text me before you actually arrive because I'll take you to the hotel first and get you settled in before bringing you to Torchwood."
"Sure, that's fine. I spoke to Dr Matlock and he'll be meeting with me tomorrow afternoon at his rooms at 3.00 p.m. By then, I'll have seen Ianto and be able to give Aaron an assessment. He's booked an appointment for Ianto the next day at 10.00 a.m. so I'll pick him up."
"Thanks for sorting that out. Yan should be fine by then. He had a little accident in the Hub today. Slipped down some stairs and bumped his head. But he's fine, probably have a lump on the side of his head."
"Damn! You two have enough on your plate without accidents on top of it. Glad that he's going to be okay. Has Owen managed to stabilise him? His mental state, I mean? Has Ianto needed sedation?"
"Yeah, you're right, feels like one thing after another! And yes, Owen sedated him and he's been resting awhile. Think he was a bit groggy when he came down the stairs."
"Sounds like he tried to get up before he should have. I know he's in good hands with Owen. And how are you holding up, Jack? Looking after yourself?"
"Trying to, Martha, but the stress of this situation has started telling on us all. I want to have a conference with you and my team, before you head off to see Dr Matlock. There's a few things we need to discuss … a few things you need to know. But it can wait until tomorrow, Martha, so don't worry about it tonight."
"Okay, Jack, that's fine. I expected that anyway. Tom and I will probably arrive around 10.00 a.m. tomorrow so I'll text you when we reach Cardiff and you can meet us at the Hotel. Will Ianto be with you?"
"Umm … no. He'll wait here at the Hub with Owen and Tosh. I assume Tom will be leaving shortly after dropping you off so you can return with me in the SUV. Maybe we'll pick up lunch for us all?"
"Sounds like a plan, Jack and yeah, Tom's just being a sweetheart insisting that he brings me here, then he has to return pretty much straight away. Well if that's everything, Jack, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Martha … just one more thing. Do you think Dr Matlock would mind if I joined you in meeting him tomorrow? I'd really like to meet the man whose going to be seeing Ianto … especially before I bring him for his first appointment."
Martha's soft chuckle sounded down the line. "Already ahead of you, Jack! I knew you'd want to so I mentioned it to Dr Matlock and he's fine with that. So … take care of yourself as well as Ianto and I'll see you all tomorrow! Bye Jack!"
"Bye Martha and I look forward to seeing you … and meeting your gorgeous fiancé!" Jack heard Martha's laughter as he replaced the receiver. He frowned as he realised he would have a lot of explaining to do to Martha Jones … a lot of explaining! But first, he needed to deal with the situation here in the Hub … damage control. If his team would let him.
Jack got up and opening his door, headed down the stairs and over to the railings above the autopsy bay. Looking down on Owen making notes with Ianto staring up at him, Jack sighed and carefully made his way down the stairs.
Both men looked up as he came down … both men were glaring at him. He raised his hands in apology and said, "I'm sorry, Ianto … Owen. I know I've got a lot of explaining to do. But I want you to get better first, Ianto before I explain everything to you. I'll just say this. I was wrong the way I treated your sister, Yan and I'm going to apologise to her soon. I panicked because I felt the situation getting out of control. But I was never going to harm Rhiannon. It was a stupid attempt on my part to get your sister to take Retcon so she'd forget she was ever here, because I couldn't persuade her to accept tea which I had planned to put it in. But I shouldn't have done that, I know that now. I'll explain when you're more up to it, Yan, why your sister was here at Torchwood. Okay?"
Ianto's glare never wavered, but he nodded in acceptance of Jack's promise. His headache wasn't quite so painful, but it was still distracting enough for him to want to rest, rather than attempt any kind of dialogue. But he wasn't about to let the incident pass. He wanted to know what happened … eventually. For now, he trusted Toshiko to protect his sister.
Owen just glared hard at the Captain, then turned away. He had to focus on Ianto for the time being. Later – he would deal with Jack.
Jack wanted to take his young lover, his fiancé, into his arms and hold him close. But he knew that Ianto wouldn't accept that from him. Not now … not yet. Nodding briefly to both of them, he turned and trotted back up to the Hub, crossing it with long strides before climbing the stairs to the Boardroom. He sighed.
Toshiko was immediately alert as soon as Jack entered the Boardroom, her hand moving swiftly to her holster before drawing her weapon. Jack raised his hands in surrender, remorse clearly etched on his features. Toshiko tightened her grip on the weeping Welshwoman who was oblivious to Jack's entrance and did not put her weapon away.
Toshiko then leaned to whisper in Rhiannon's ear. "You're safe with me, Rhiannon, don't be afraid. Jack's here to apologise. And explain to us the reason for his appalling behaviour."
Rhiannon's head jolted up and her eyes widened in fright at the sight of Jack.
"Please, Rhiannon. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise! I've come to apologise and explain to you what happened down there. But first I'd like to say, how sorry I am. I was way out of line and that should never have happened. May I sit opposite you and explain my actions? I'm not going to justify what I did because it was just wrong. Are you willing to listen to me?"
Rhiannon looked quickly into Toshiko's eyes. The Japanese woman nodded her head, so Rhiannon turned back to Jack and said in a shaky voice, "Yeah. You scared me so much, Jack!"
Jack took his seat, his shame and regret for his actions over-riding the humiliation he would feel in explaining everything to Rhiannon. He was about to begin when his mobile began ringing in his pocket. He grabbed it out to turn it off, when Toshiko shot out of her seat and extended her hand. Focused on his explanation to Rhiannon, Jack handed over his phone without looking at the number on the screen.
Toshiko looked down at the phone, recognised the number, then motioned to Jack to begin talking to Rhiannon. She moved to the doorway, her gentle smile reassuring Rhiannon that she was safe with Jack … that she would be keeping both of them in sight and her gun was still aimed at Jack's head.
Toshiko waited until Jack began talking quietly to Rhiannon, before answering the call. She was looking forward to this conversation.
A strident voice rang out. "Jack! Oh, Jack! Thank god I've got hold of you! Oh, Jack! I know how horrible you must be feeling after what Ianto did and _"
Toshiko smiled as she answered softly, intending to conduct the whole conversation in a quiet tone, "It's Tosh here, Gwen, answering Jack's phone because he's tied up in an urgent meeting and he doesn't want to be disturbed!"
"Tosh? What are you doing with Jack's phone? And my call to Jack is far more urgent than any meeting he's in. Get him to the phone!"
"No, Gwen, I won't! Are you deaf or just plain ignorant? I told you Jack doesn't want to be disturbed because he's in an important meeting that is urgent! With Ianto's sister, Rhiannon! After she told us about the phone call she received from you and everything that was discussed, Jack was furious! Furious at you because you went behind his back and disobeyed his direct order to you to keep your nose out of Torchwood while on honeymoon with your husband!"
Gwen roared down the phone, "HOW DARE YOU! How dare you speak to me like this! I'm second-in-command and even when I'm away, Jack will talk to me! Now I order you to get Jack to the phone! I've got urgent business for his ears only. Nothing to do with you, Tosh!"
Toshiko's gentle laugh echoed in Gwen's ear. "Poor deluded Gwen! The way you've been behaving? The way Jack's been ranting and raving about you? I doubt you'll find you have a job here when you return to Cardiff. How stupid of you to think you could outwit a genius like me! Your email to Jack and his enthralling reply back to you? Made such interesting reading, Gwen! Have you deleted it off your laptop so Rhys won't see it? Never mind, I have a permanent record which will appear online very soon! Maybe Rhys won't catch it online because I'll bet you'll keep him away from your laptop. But just think, Gwen, how many other people will read it and pass it on … to your parents … to Rhys' parents. And what will your former colleagues in the Force think? Maybe they won't be surprised much because Rhiannon was most forthcoming in details about your, umm, past liaisons with certain colleagues … especially one whom Torchwood deals with quite a lot!"
A sob escaped Gwen's lips as she whimpered, "You wouldn't dare? You wouldn't dare? That would destroy so many people, Toshiko Sato! I can't believe you're trying to blackmail me. Besides, I'm calling your bluff. I know you Tosh and I know you would never do anything like that. You'd never willingly destroy people's lives like that! You wouldn't!"
Toshiko spoke warmly. "You're absolutely right, Gwen. I'm the genius who can manipulate programs, hack any programs, create programs that even the most brilliant programmers around could only dream of! But I would never act on what I just told you … that isn't me, is it? However … I have three colleagues here in the Hub who are angry enough … and ruthless enough … to do what I couldn't do. And Jack was very disgusted when he heard what you had been up to in the Force … or should I say, who you had been up to, in the Force! Disgusted as much as the rest of us. No! Probably more so, because now he realises how little he means to you. Jack is just another in your long list of infidelities! Heart of Torchwood, Gwen? More like Harlot of Torchwood … or that's how Jack views you now. Tainted goods. Dirty. Too bad for you that your past caught up with you. And to think you made it all possible by your phone call to Rhiannon!"
Loud sobs echoed down the line, like music in Toshiko's ears. "Noooooo! Oh no! Please tell me it isn't true, Tosh? Please! Erase it, Tosh! Please! Erase it all for me! I'll do anything for you, Tosh, just don't let it go online. It would destroy me … destroy Rhys … our families, our friends! Please stop it, Tosh, I'm begging you!"
Toshiko's voice remained low, but hardened. "Now you listen to me, Gwen Cooper-Williams! You will cease your campaign of harassment of Jack and Ianto! Right now! Understand that your disgusting attempts to divide Ianto and Jack, have only succeeded in driving them closer together! All I need do is release those emails I have stored safely away, to whomever I choose. And they will post them online for the whole world to see! And don't think this promise holds only while you're away on honeymoon. It will always be hanging over you like an executioner's blade, ready to come swiftly down on your head! And be warned! All Jack's phone calls … landline … mobile and his email account, is now being monitored by me! So, Mrs Cooper-Williams, are you willing to stop your sickening pursuit of Jack? Or will you risk everyone finding out exactly what kind of a woman you are?"
There was silence for a few moments, interspersed by sobs. Then a meek voice said, "Alright Tosh. You win. I'll back off. I won't do anything more. I promise! I can't risk those emails going online. But you need to understand something, Tosh. You've broken my heart … you've broken my trust and you've broken our friendship!"
Toshiko stifled her laughter at Gwen's statement and flippantly replied, "Oh well, guess I can live with that! Oh … and just so you know, someone outside of Torchwood has access to those emails and will be only too happy to post them, if they don't receive regular calls from me, telling them not to act. And another thing … Martha Jones will be informed of everything that's happened here, be shown everything when she arrives at Torchwood tomorrow. I'll bet she'll be only too happy to pass along this sordid little tale to the Doctor when she sees him next! Your infamy now has the potential to extend beyond the stars!"
Gwen just wailed down the phone, then hung up. Toshiko clicked off the phone, then stood a few moments pondering her conversation with Gwen. Perhaps I was a bit more harsh than I meant to be. Perhaps I went too far. Hmmm. Perhaps, in the circumstances, I had no choice but to come down hard on Gwen. I don't know. I don't feel good about it. I feel a bit 'dirty' now. Bloody Torchwood!
Toshiko sighed softly to herself, remorse and regret biting at her heart. Then she turned back to Jack and Rhiannon and took her seat. She was relieved to see Rhiannon more at ease than she had been. Jack had obviously used his considerable gifts in winning Ianto's sister back to his side. Toshiko smiled. Jack's strategy was never going to work on Ianto or Owen … or herself! He would have to work damn hard to explain himself without his 'bag of tricks' … Team Torchwood was immune to them. Oh yes, Jack had a lot of explaining to do to his team!