Jack and Ianto descended the lift together again into the hub, the tension from the same journey the day before ebbed away into comfortable familiarity. Neither of them knew exactly where they stood still, but there was no doubt that the love would always remain between them. As the lift arrived at the hub floor with a quiet clunk, a small crowd had gathered at the bottom to be introduced to the newcomer.
"Gonna introduce me Mr Jones?" Jack grinned, giving Ianto a soft nudge with his elbow.
"Yes Sir" Ianto smiled, and there was a satisfied glint in his eye as he saw Jack's own eyes darken at the familiar response, practically seeing the dirty thoughts coursing through the other man's mind. Ianto nodded to the man to his left, who had been in the middle of something judging by the way goggles had been haphazardly shoved back on his head to nestle into his unruly auburn hair.
"Shaun Cox, our resident tech genius, we poached him from Unit 2 years ago"
The two men nodded to each other as Ianto continued on to the woman to his right, her dark hair pulled back in a bun from her heart-shaped face. She was the medic if the lab coat was anything to go by.
"Dr Alana Jones" Ianto smiled, "trained under another Dr Jones we know and love"
Jack lit up in recognition, "How is my nightingale doing?"
"She's great, taken a step back for the kids but she's still around when we need, Mickey too"
Jack beamed at the thought of Martha, happy and healthy and still saving the world. His eyes shifted around the group to rest on the other man, a strapping guy of about 25 in a t shirt that showed off his biceps.
"Callum Maitland, field agent" Ianto introduced, "hell of a shot…. And right hook" he added wryly while the man grinned sheepishly at him, clearly remembering a recent incident,
"What?" Jack looked at him worriedly, his possessive side flaring up, before Ianto waved him away airily,
"Ah water under the bridge, don't worry"
Ianto smiled before turning to the young woman next to him, who had bounded over eagerly when she'd seen the lift heading down. Her whole life had revolved around Torchwood, Ianto and Evelyn were as much her family as her parents and brother. And Jack Harkness was a huge part of all their lives, a part she'd always hoped to have the chance to meet.
"I believe you may have met Anwen Williams before"
"As she was a baby at the time I'm not sure it counts" Jack chucked, "but its great to see you again kid, even if you don't remember"
"Oh I grew up with stories of Uncle Jack, don't you worry" Anwen smiled,
"Not sure that's a good thing" Jack grinned down at her widely. She really was the spitting image of a young Gwen. There was a little of Rhys in her kind, warm green eyes but the rest was all Gwen, pale skin and dark wavy hair over her shoulders.
"And as everyone may already be aware…" Ianto gestured towards Jack,
"Captain Jack Harkness" Jack flashed them his signature smile, "pleasure to meet you all"
"THE Captain Jack Harkness" Alana smiled, "Wow the photos really didn't do you justice" the young woman looked him up and down unashamedly,
"Hands off Alana, pretty sure he's Ianto's" Shaun nudged her playfully, giving Jack a warm smile,
"Damn right I am" Jack grinned, sneaking a glance at Ianto who rolled his eyes fondly
"anyway" Ianto muttered, "now the introductions are over and done with, shall we maybe get back to work?"
"You got it, boss" Callum nodded, "great to meet you, Jack"
The group dispersed back to their desks, still curiously glancing over at the man that they had heard so many adventurous tales about. Jack Harkness was a legend of Torchwood as it was but add into that the mystery surrounding him and their leader and it was a tantalizing drama, no doubt one that theyd be gossiping about later on.
"So, that's the team" Ianto smiled, "aside from Gwen and Evie"
"Yeah, they're up in the lounge" Anwen called out, "figured you'd want some space to chat"
"Wait the lounge?" Jack raised an eyebrow, "that's new"
"Yeah, we figured we could do with an upgrade from that ratty old sofa" Ianto smiled, "are you ready?"
Jack took a deep, steadying breath, "Let's do this"
They headed downstairs past the medical centre towards where the archives always had been. Ianto assured him they were still down in the lower levels, meticulously organised. But they instead walked into a room that was both large and cosy, with muted, warm lighting and dark hardwood flooring. there was a collection of opulent sofas and armchairs surrounding a coffee table and TV, as well as a more formal dining area with high leather seats. Jack could see the logic of the room immediately, an area where people could take time to relax and decompress, either alone or as a team, a space away from all the madness they see in this job. Gwen and Evelyn had been sat together on one of the sofas, chatting comfortably, and both rose as one when the men entered.
"How you doing, Cariad?" Ianto approached the young woman who leant in for a hug immediately. Ianto enveloped her in his arms automatically, pressing his lips to her hair in a practiced move of comfort, before stepping to her side for them both to face Jack.
Seeing the two of them stood together you couldn't deny their relation, two pairs of identically, beautifully blue eyes meeting Jack's own, full of emotion, and he couldn't help but be moved by it. His breath caught in his throat, but he swallowed down his nerves to smile at his daughter. She stepped forward a little, eager to properly meet the man she had grown up hearing about. Evelyn had had a wonderful, if unconventional, childhood, and her Tad had always been completely honest with her about where she came from. They were beyond close, Ianto was everything she could ask for in a father, and she had never once resented the decision to keep her from Jack. But that didn't mean she hadn't wished to meet him one day, to experience the wonderful man she had spent her life hearing about firsthand. And now against all odds it was happening.
"Hi Dad" she grinned a little nervously, the first time she'd addressed this mystery of a man as such.
"That'll take some getting used to" Jack chuckled, "But I love it"
"I feel like I know you already, what with all the stories these two have told me" Evelyn smiled at Ianto and Gwen, "but I'm so happy you're here"
"I'm not going anywhere kiddo" Jack said sincerely, "I have 20 years to make up for and I'm starting right now"
Evelyn beamed and rushed to hug her father for the first time, and he enveloped her in his arms while blinking back tears. Over the top of her head he met eyes with Ianto, who was having the same trouble keeping his emotions in check. Ianto smiled encouragingly at him, resisting the urge to run and hold both of them in his arms. He knew he had to give them space to build their own relationship. He watched on as Jack pulled back to cup Evie's face in his hands,
"You're so beautiful" he said, his voice heavy with emotion, and she smiled widely up at him.
"Well, I'm told I look like you"
"Ah so it must be true then" he chuckled, "I see myself, but you have so much of Ianto about you too, I still can't believe you exist to be honest"
"Well, here I am" she gestured to herself jokingly, "very much existing"
"Incredible" Jack breathed, "I have so much I want to ask you, I want to know everything!"
"Me too! I bet you've got some great stories about Tad that he won't tell me"
"I bet I do" Jack grinned as Ianto gave him a warning glare, knowing that many of his stories were rather unsuitable for his daughter's ears. Before he could respond there was a shrill alarm from above their heads, and everyone in the room automatically sprang into action.
"Rift alert" Ianto looked at Jack, "I assume you're coming?"
"Oh, you know me" Jack winked at him nostalgically, "First into the action"
They all headed back up into the main hub, ready to find out exactly what it was they'd be facing this time...