2
Jack sat in mute shock as he watched Ianto move around the apartment talking softly to himself. It sounded strange, like some one-sided conversation going on and the little black cat sitting on the counter seemed unimpressed by it all. A soft chirp of meow now and then like it was answering. Bizarre.
"Right. Jack is it?" Ianto sat and looked at him as he placed the cup of coffee in front of him "So… this is awkward."
Jack took a sip and found it to be perfect. I mean… seriously. Perfect. Mocha. Hot, almost chocolaty caffeinated goodness and sweet… he put three sugars "Ah. My ex-wife… an arranged marriage and… she left me for someone else, big hullabaloo and now she's in the gutter. A drunk with an order not to come near me or my daughter. Came over to my apartment and convinced the babysitter to let her in, then went a little mad. I got the phone call and came looking for Amice… my daughter… but I didn't know what the hell was going on."
"Well, my dog found her fist. Cowering on the floor crying. I didn't mean to overstep but... well. Seems there is a reason in things, eh?" Ianto huffed "My own arranged marriage didn't even happen in the end. She found my lifestyle too… crazy."
"Crazy?"
"Yeah. My mere existence is Borderline Crazy I think" Ianto smiled as he sat back and tried to relax with his one and only soul mate in the same room.
"You felt it too" Jack said mater of factly, like he was thinking the same thing.
"Yeah. I did."
They sat a little longer and then the little black cat jumped onto the coffee table. Jack moved his feet for her to take the spot. Ianto said softly "Janet, your butt does not go on the table, remember?"
The little head swiveled to stare at him and Ianto looked at the cat then said "Coffee table… table?"
Jack watched the cat blink, then get down and stalk off. Like she was insulted or something.
"Right. So… cards on the table. I am Wiccan" Ianto said calmly. Jack blinked then gave a weird snorting noise in his throat. Ianto continued like he had not heard it "I was raised Pagan, my Grandy taught me the old ways and I am a male witch. Janet is a familiar and the dog it just a wench. I do not do things… normal. Like I said, people think I am a bit nuts. I do my best to hide it and act appropriately in front of others but in the safety of my own home I don't care to hide my crazy."
"My mother is deeply religious, dragged me to everything and I hated it. My grandfather's cancer and slow agonizing death showed m that there is no such thing as god… not the one she prays to and I stopped believing in much of anything." Jack replied.
"Yet you were polite enough to move your feet when she asked." Ianto pointed out "You heard her."
"No.. I just felt… wait. You hear her?"
"I am a witch. Not all animals speak, and when they do not all are understandable. Janet here though… is clear as day. To you, it would be like a feeling or suggestive thought" Ianto flapped a hand.
"But you can… act normal"
Ianto grinned at him "So… that is enough of me today. You. Captain who is not a captain. Well now. We are in a pickle. That handshake was electric for both of us and we need to decide if we are going to act on it or step back."
"I need to talk it over with my superiors. After all… it's not like it used to be. Soul mates are not given the same amount of traction these days" Jack shrugged. "So rare that some do not believe they exist."
"So… you are not interested?" Ianto rose in such a fluid motion that Jack was slightly startled by it. Then he felt it. Anger. Pure, unadulterated anger. He had said something… done something and was now being ejected forcefully without a single word said.
Jack found himself standing outside the apartment with the door swinging shut and the last thing he saw was a little back cat's tail flicking around the door as it closed.
Cheeky.
.
.
"So what are you going to do?" Owen asked as he watched Jack pacing the office. "Gonna report it? Or ignore it? After all… was it strong?"
"I don't know. It was there. Definite, like… like … an eclectic shock but…"
"Nice" Owen finished for him "The first time I touched Toshiko… I knew. Don't get me wrong Katie was a good choice for me and we were happy but… some go their entire lives without finding a soul mate. Christ almighty… you did. Same sex is unusual but not unheard of. One of you a woman in a previous life or something? The bond created lives ago and the vessels do not denote the souls within. But the Witch thing… that is… weird."
"Not really" Jack blurted as he felt the need to defend him "Ianto is just… quirky. A little… alternative. I like it. He is nor boring, I will give you that. Tall, like me and handsome. His suit was… and… his hands look delicate but strong. Calluses… I don't even know what he does for a job."
"Can you hear yourself? Gushing" Owen grinned "I wanna meet him now. Someone who finally caught your eye. I want to see John's face."
"Oh god. He will have a field day if he finds out my soul mate is a witch." Jack groaned as he grimaced and rubbed his face.
"So… you are not gonna walk away then?"
"Walk away? Owen… you know me." Jack snorted.
Owen sat back with glee.
Bring on the Crazy!
About time.