With so much left unsaid and yet a lot made clear, Mark was home. Safe in John's arms and with his new friends, he made a vow. He would save them, all of them. He had not known this kind of feeling since he left his Master, or before he lost his first son. But there was so much more to think about now. John was in season. He could smell it on him. It made him hot and bothered. He would have to put that aside for now. There were more urgent things than mating.
"What is it Mark, are you alright?" His lover asked as Mark pulled away, scared of the friction that he was feeling. So overwhelming was his need that Mark knew if he didn't move away, he would tear John's clothes off, and take him there in front of everyone around them.
"Nothing that I can't show you later!" He smiled at his wonderful lover. The room laughed
"I guess you're okay, Mark?" James asked. "You must be if you can be in such a randy mood." James was trained in observation and right now he could tell by Mark's body language that he needed to be alone with John. "I should look you over later." Mark smiled at him and it was warm and alive, full of light. James realized that Mark was sometimes unearthly in his appearance. He would bring it up to Nick later or maybe ask Jack about it.
Jack approached Mark slowly. There was a sudden awareness in the friends. Mark seemed to think that somehow Jack was in that other place with him. Someday he would have to talk to Jack about what he saw in his dream. With all that had happened Mark knew that he would have to settle all loose ends before he could for fill his "destiny" for lack of a better term.
"Are you really okay? " Jack begged for the right answer with his sad eyes.
"Never better, remind me to tell you about it sometime." He embraced his dearest friend.
If we learn anything, it is that we are never alone. We may think we are, but there are strings that connect us to each other. Pulling and tightening, loosening and breaking but mending if we are meant to be with each other again. Mark knew this and was fast realizing that he had to make a sacrifice to fix it. His complexion paled as he went to speak his mind.
"The one who is responsible for this is called Sebastian. He was Darby's lover before me and after you, John." He looked at John, trying not to remember about the image in his head or the look on John's face. Mark realized that John never told him the whole story concerning Darby.
"He hated me because unfortunately Darby when came upon me he tossed him aside. He also wanted to have me as well. This does sound silly in the long run. But it is also the moonstone. Darby sold it to him as well as the others that worked with him. Darby was going to take the money but not give them the stone. Sebastian may think that I had something to do with Darby's change of heart. I'm sure they know that Darby is dead. If not, then they think he is here. Either way, unless they get what they want they will go on a killing spree and a lot of innocent people will die. That is a fact. I know whom Sebastian runs with. It isn't pretty. They are all killers and like Darby they take their time with it." Mark shuddered at the thought of the things he had witnessed.
"If I may ask Mark, how did you know what has been going on?" Gwen couldn't control her curiosity.
"Magic!" His laugh was insane, musical, and full of life. Everyone, despite the day they had had managed a laugh. "I connect with things. Gwen. Think of me as a communications network for thoughts. I know what all of you think, and when the thoughts are strong like fear, I can read them with more ease. Also there seems to be something on Ianto's screen." He pointed to the activity around the scene of the police murders. Ianto in all his readiness was able to tap into the police cameras and was watching the scene for clues.
"Ianto Jones is not just a pretty face!" Surprisingly Dan said that out loud. Blushing, he turned back to his screen as he began to hack through the systems that the "enemy" for lack of a better term, put into effect.
"This is something new!" John said moving away from the warm presence of Mark with regret. Something about his lover was very distracting. "You are able to hack through the VM devices?" The question was aimed in Jack's direction.
"Why John, after the last time the Hub was compromised, along with Cardiff's security systems, my wonderful partner in crime here, Mr. Jones, and later with Dan over there, were able to put in fail safes. These give the illusion to our, what do we call them; oh let's say "friends", that we are indeed helpless. Now we can see them and mislead them when we want. Pretty neat o, huh?" Jack was grinning like the cat that ate the canary.
John's chuckled as he admired his former partner's devious method. "Next, you will be telling me that you were able to recreate the designs for those camouflage vests."
Jack blinked and then widened his grin. "Oh, you do know me too well. Okay everyone, it is time for a lecture on how to stay alive." He motioned for them to gather around and pay attention. The group turned to let Jack have his say.
"Let's start with some basics. After we lost Owen and Tosh, Ianto and I did some research and compiled some data on devices that were in the archives that we could use that would not affect the time line, much. I say much because some how I think it might if said devices fell into governmental hands. My cuddly friend here," He smiled affectionately at Ianto, "seems to think differently not. Since Cardiff is on a rift in time and space, it is almost an 'anything' goes' atmosphere. We don't have the same rules that apply to every other time and place. That at least is how our colleague Mister Jones believes. Your humble and fearless leader has another opinion. But since Master Ianto makes the best coffee ever, I have to bend to his whim." He looked at Ianto who rolled his eyes at the brashness of C. J. Harkness.
"Oh so in other words he said you wouldn't get any unless you agreed with his assessment?" It was Nick who let the comment fly out of his mouth unguarded. That earned an elbow to the ribs. Nick mouthed ouch at his boyfriend, and I will get you later as well.
"Why Dr. Jones, I can see the family resemblance now. You are so like your handsome cousin." Jack stared at Nick who for all his years couldn't hold back the blush from the Captain's focused attention.
"Oh, can we move this along, please?" Gwen said out loud. "Rhys should get home and rest." Jack looked directly at Gwen.
"No one is leaving this Hub unless it is to hunt those assholes down!" The tone in Jack's voice made the whole place silent. Even the machinery seemed to take heed and listen.
"Oh dear, is now really time for the slumber party Jack?" John winked at him trying to get his friend to a better state.
Jack growled, "John, this is serious. We are going to be targeted until we give them what they want." Avoiding any look in Mark's direction, Jack turned to explain more of the plan. "We called in UNIT to try and keep the citizens in order. I'm two shakes away from declaring martial law. We have very highly trained killers running around Cardiff in search of a power supply that if used incorrectly could level this city and most of the UK. When last I looked, that isn't a good thing. So we have to think about our next move before more people are hurt." He breathed in and sighed.
No one moved. The shock was too much. What were they supposed to do?
It was Mark that cleared his throat and spoke. "Here this is what they want." The moonstone shone brightly as he held it so all could see. Feeling much like Frodo with the one ring, he finally understood what the hobbit went through and how much was riding on the right decision.
John whistled as he came closer to the moonstone. It was showing off for the whole room to see. Swirling colors, mainly shades of blue were resonating to the members of Torchwood. "May I, Mark?" John reached for the stone.
Smiling, Mark gave it to his lover. John could feel the power in the stone. He was aware that it could power a large star cruiser for a 100 years or it could allow the thoughts of an individual to be come fact. His face shone with the possibility. Mark was aware of his lover's desires but only smiled at the surfacing of the old time con man in John's face. John gave the stone back.
"I want to study that!" Dan came in for a closer look. He was glee with the possibility of such a powerful source of energy. He actually did a little dance when he returned to his station. The rest of the group shook their heads and despite the seriousness of the moment Dan's future sense maintained some hope that things might go well.
"But what do we do with it? Give it to them or use it against them?" Sally's analytical mind paid off again. Jack was suddenly smirking at a thought. He was glad he took a chance on her.
"Sally, that is an interesting idea. Does anyone remember the movie, The Sting?" The grouped looked at Jack like he had two heads. Except for Ianto who smiled knowing where Jack's train of thought was leading. "Well, it was about a con job, I think we should ask them to meet us and we give them the stone."
Mark didn't like the idea. He was all for protecting the greater good. But his Master gave him the stone and Darby used him for it. He was a little miffed that Jack would just assume that he would surrender it. "It sounds like you are just giving them the stone to me. My stone, I may add!" He became defensive, retreating from the group a little.
John was by his side and was putting a protective barrier in front of Mark and between the others. "I think you better tell us the plan, Jack." Looking into his lover's eyes, John realized that Mark was still not a hundred percent well yet.
"Mark, do you know how to use it?" It was a simple enough question Jack asked, but it was not so simple an idea.
"Yes," was the direct response that Jack received.
"Well then, we have a plan." He winked at Ianto and John. Mark glared at him not liking where this was going.
Sensing Mark's uneasiness, Jack lightened his tone. "Mark, we have the upper hand. We ask them to meet us to give them the stone and you. Then we have them."
"Oh wait, what if something goes wrong? Hasn't he been through enough, Jack?" John asked.
"We will be there, well I will. I'm not going to risk anyone else. Mark needs to be there so the plan works. All I'm asking is that you subdue them. Then I will do the rest." He nodded at his foolproof plan. At least that is how Jack Harkness saw it.
"Okay, you are right, I'll help." It was not Mark's voice that caught in the back of Jack's mind. All over again, it was Andy that was going along with Blue. Jack had a bad feeling his friend would be that way. Why did it seem like everything was repeating itself?
Jack nodded at his friend's respond. But John was furious for Jack's idea.
"Oh no, you don't, I will not allow this. He has been through enough. Please, stop this now! His life is not an option!" John walked to Mark and held him, pushing his face into Mark's neck and hair, he breathed in the smell of his lover. "No, I won't lose you. Not like this." He was sobbing.
Hugging on to him Mark said. "John, it will be okay. Let's get some rest. We can't do anything until we get some sleep. You will see it is the right thing to do. Jack, is there some place where John and I could go?"
Jack understood. They need one more time together. Just incase it was the last, which Jack hoped it wasn't. He never stopped admiring the way Mark coolly reacted to the worst of situations. He asked Ianto to show them to what they called the 'mattress room,' and old mob term used for places that the gangs would go to during wartime. With that, the two left the others to finalize the plans.
They made their bed in silence, each glancing up at the other. John was afraid to upset Mark anymore. All he wanted was to make love to him. He was feeling very sensitive and he had a feeling why. He was very fertile. In his eyes Mark gave this away that he knew about it. "Do you want me to get pregnant?" John asked.
"Yes, if you want. I want you to have something of me, just in case." Leaning in, he captured John's lips, the kiss reached to the furthest parts of his soul. He wanted so much to spend the rest of his days with John. John was already deep in lust from just a kiss.
He removed his shirt and sat on the already made bed. He studied Mark before he asked the question that bothered him. He fumbled for the right words. "You had a child with your Master, right?" Mark nodded and sadly smiled, pain seeping out of his eyes. "Show me how you made love with him. Do that for me and I will never ask another thing about your life with him." John's face was a confused mess; he was worried yet some how excited at the same time.
Mark brushed up next to John as he crawled onto the bed. The kiss was warm and full of love. "If that is what you want, yes I will." He felt the rush of blood and he began to enter John's mind.
End Part 46 TBC
