A/N: Thanks again to all who have reviewed, favorited, and alerted this story! My computers been fixed, so hopefully I'll get back on track with this uploading schedule too!
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Torchwood. This is unbeta'd so any and all mistakes are mine. Some spoilers for S2E4 'Meat.'
The pilot of the Slanerian ship gritted her teeth as she entered the storm. The ship rocked and groaned under the assault of the storms winds that caused the small battle ship to swerve unsteadily beside the others in her fleet. She gasped as a particularly big flash of lightning blinded her, as well as causing her team behind her to gasp. As she blinked away the circles of light, she suddenly realized that her fellow battle ships were no longer to be seen. Although, that wasn't nearly as important as the fact that they were doing a direct nose dive towards the ground.
She whipped her head around, checking to make sure there Crep'vl had made it through with them as she pulled up on the controls, swearing heavily in her native language. Above the warning sirens, she could hear the other two shouting to each other, and knew they were contemplating ejecting. The pilot knew this would be a bad idea; they would lose the Crep'vl and potentially the scent of the Tupani; she refused to disappoint their leader.
She continued to pull up on the controls, her blue arms quivering with force of yanking up. The ground was getting closer and closer, the pilot already ready to die for her cause. Then, suddenly, the ship cooperated. She dove up towards the sky, her heart thudding in her chest. She heard the other two sigh heavily behind her.
No knowing if they were out of trouble, she quickly cloaked her ship before coasting down towards an area covered with vegetation. She wasn't sure what planet they were on, and the ship was barely holding it together. As she landed the ship jerkily, she knew they would have to explore to see what they were facing. They they would let the Crep'vl lose in hopes that perhaps the Tupani were here.
She leaned back in her chair as the ship came to a complete stop. She turned around in her seat, throwing a blue elbow over the chair.
"Looks like we made it through alone. You know what we have to do; find the Tupani and the Globe, if we are where we think they are. Before we send out the Crep'vl, though, we need to investigate. Then, and only then, can we go hunting," she said, her teeth baring in a primal grin at the thought of a good chase for whatever may be on this planet. The other two answered with grins just as sinister and hungry.
"Come on, let's go scout out the planet."
Ianto couldn't pinpoint what exactly he was feeling. He could feel the burn of a mixture of humiliation and anger as well as a gut wrenching ache of grief and overwhelming exhaustion. He couldn't believe Jack had said that directly in front of him. It was one thing to completely ignore him, but having Jack practically confess his love to Gwen right in front of him was low, even for Jack.
Ianto was beginning to see how much Jack didn't want him in that loving, caring way. Sure there was lust, and he love him like he loved Tosh and Owen, but he was not in love with him. Which, honestly, he wasn't really expecting. He was okay dealing with the situation as he previously did: taking what little affection Jack did show him and dwelling on it until he had fooled himself into believe that perhaps Jack was developing those kinds of feelings for him. Owen had always been right. He was only a 'part-time shag' to Jack; Jack didn't need him, not like he needed Gwen. Ianto understood that, he did, and sure, he would hate to let Jack go because he had fallen for his captain, but he only wanted Jack to be happy.
He pulled his coat around him tighter, bitterness already pooling in his stomach. He wanted to like Gwen, he really did, but he couldn't help but hate they way she got away with everything. He was jealous the way she attracted Jack in ways he couldn't, and disliked her self-righteous attitude. He couldn't believe she had dared to tell them they had no idea what it was like out there; she had not right. They had lost people they had loved to his job; they knew what love was. They also knew the pain that came with love in ways Gwen couldn't begin to imagine. Then there she was, destroying a a perfectly good relationship with a man who love her for another man who would never provide for her in the same way.
Yes, Ianto was jealous and bitter. Jealousy was a new thing to him; he prided himself on his calm acceptance of Jack's nature, but something in the way Jack perked up around Gwen seemed to rile something up inside him that he was ashamed of.
He side twinged angrily as he caught his foot in a crack in the sidewalk and stumbled. He had opted to just get home instead of linger and allow Owen to check him out. The man was already in a bad mood after having to put down the giant space whale and didn't want to be subjected to Owen's barb because he was tired as well. He also didn't want to think about why Jack was stalking Gwen and Rhys on the CCTV; it was only another stinging reminder.
Most of all, though, Ianto just wanted to get home to see Tangerine. He wanted to take a hot shower and curl up with his and read while he drank coffee. He wanted to pretend today had never happened and move on with his life. So what if Jack didn't want him around. So what if Gwen Cooper walked around Torchwood like she was still the leader. None of that matter when he was at home. He would take the days one at a time and forget about them. He could do that. He's done it before.
If he repeated it to himself enough times, he was hoping it would come true.
He climbed the steps up to his flat wearily, his emotional and physical state making his feet feel like lead. He was thinking about skipping the shower, but after looking down at his ruined suit, stinking suit, he decided it was probably for the best.
He sighed as he approached his flat, taking his key out and fitting it in the lock. He let himself inside and shut the door gently behind him. He was just kicking off his shoes when he heard a noise. He froze, wondering if it was just the cat. Straining his ears, he waited for Tangerine to come prancing down the hallway like he did when he broke something, but the orange cat never came.
There was a slamming that came from his bedroom and Ianto's eyes narrowed, his eyebrows furrowing as he slowly pulled out his gun. That sounded to much like a drawer slamming for it to be the cat. He crept down the main hallway and into the living room, his gun pointed in front of him. He looked left and right, before hearing another noise come from the bedroom. Into crept down the hallway carefully, eyeing the door to his bedroom wearily. It was cracked open a fraction and there was light spilling out from the room. Ianto paused; he always shut off his lights when he left the house. His eyes hardened, knowing now for sure someone had broke in.
AS he got closer, he could now hear someone shuffling around in his bedroom, possibly going through his things. The though alone made him bristle with irritation; he really didn't need this right now. He paused outside the door, the gun still aimed firmly in front of him. He took two calming breaths, before kicking the door open and rushing inside. What he saw stunned him for a moment.
There, in the middle of the room, was a man. Only, not really a man... no Ianto was fairly sure this was an alien. Of course it was; there was a long slender tail protruding form the back of the trousers the alien was wearing. Upon further inspection, Ianto realized those were his trousers... his suit trousers. And his suit jacket. And was that his...
The alien turned around, completely unfazed by the gun in his face. "Dammit! How do you tie this stupid thing," the orange-haired alien grumbled,his fingers pulling at a purple tie. He looked up at the confused Ianto, his face full of frustration. "You make it look so easy! Jeez!" the man huffed, and Ianto was speechless for a moment.
The man's eyes were bright green and his pupils were slit and a yellowish color. There was a liberal amount of orange fur on the backs of his hands and his nails were sharp and pointed, his fingers slender and long. He was very much humanoid, but looked part animal as well. Ianto was shaken out of his dazed state when the alien took a step forward.
"Do you think you could-"
"Don't come any closer."
When Ianto had found his voice, he was surprised it was as firm as it was. he really was quite tied and didn't want to deal with this right now. The ginger alien paused, his hands still on the tie. He looked as if he was going to take another step, so Into put his thumb up and cocked the gun.
"I mean it," Ianto said, and finally the alien's hands shot into the air.
"You're right; purple definitely doesn't match this orange, but it's nothing to shoo me over," he said, his tail flickering with amusement. Ianto didn't smile, nor was he distracted by the flickering appendage.
"Who are you, how did you get in here?" Ianto asked, adjusting his hands on the gun. He really hoped this alien wasn't one of the 'I'm going to conquer the universe' type. The alien looked a little offended.
"You mean you don't recognize me? Come on, Ianto, take a good look, who do I remind you of?" the alien asked, his hands till in the air. Ianto suddenly stiffened, but didn't allow any surprise to cross his features at the use of his name.
"How do you know my name?" he asked, his palms starting to sweat. He really wasn't fit to deal with this right now. he knew he should've called someone, even if he didn't want to see anyone from Torchwood at least till tomorrow at eight. The alien rolled his eyes.
"I've been living with you for the past three months, of course I know your name!" the alien said, his hands flexing in the air. Ianto's brows furrowed, before he shook his head, growing angry.
"I'm being serious."
"So am I!" the alien said indignantly, before he sighed. "I suppose I have to spell it out for you, hmm?"
"Let's see, who have you recently let into your home for free. Who have you cuddled up to every night for the past three months? Who have you told all your little secrets too?" the alien asked, already relaxing as he saw Ianto lower the gun a fraction.
Ianto couldn't believe what the alien was saying. He didn't answer for a moment. This was crazy...
"Are... are you implying that you're my cat?" the Welshman asked with disbelief. The alien grinned, revealing a set of sharp canines as he tapped the side of his nose.
"Got it in one! See, I knew you were a bright one!"
Ianto's head spun, before he quickly re-aimed the gun. "That's impossible, stop lying to me."
The alien groaned in frustration. "Why are you so damn stubborn." He rolled his eyes. "Do you want me to prove it to ya?" the alien asked, his hands coming down to rest on his hips. Ianto's eyes narrowed, before he nodded. The alien sighed.
"Okay, fine, I figured it would come to this anyways. Let me tell you something that only your Tangerine would know," the alien offered. Ianto shifted uncomfortably. he did share a lot with Tangerine... most of it he would never tell another soul... He nodded again.
The alien eyed Ianto carefully, before stepping closer until his chest hit the gun. He looked at the Welshman very seriously, before he whispered softly, "I know that one of the nights after Lisa died, when you found yourself stumbling into the captain's bed as usual, you were going to kill him." Ianto's grip on the gun tightened progressively and his hands were beginning to shake. "Well, now you know that wouldn't have done any good, but before, you were ready to end him. You had the gun out and everything. The chamber filled. You even pulled the hammer back. But something stopped you," the alien said quietly, his eyes quietly inspecting Ianto's bright blue ones.
Ianto didn't feel any pressure on his mind; the shields Torchwood One demanded everyone learned how to put up were still in place. This alien actually knew. He swallowed hard as the ginger alien continued.
"I know how close you are to ending your employment at Torchwood, but I also know you never could because you want to help people. You didn't kill Jack because that isn't you. You wouldn't kill him now even though you know he'd pop right back up. You wouldn't dare because that's who you are, Ianto. You help people. And right now, I need your help. I need you to trust me," he said seriously. Ianto stared at him, his heart thudding. Something pricking in the backs of his eyes and he felt helpless. He bit his lip, before his hand fell limply to his side.
"God... is that... are you really Tangerine?" Ianto asked, trying to keep the tremor out of his voice. The alien suddenly lit up, his seriousness gone in a blink of an eye.
"It's Jason now," the alien said, visibly relieved Ianto believed him. Ianto arched an eyebrow at his name. The alien seemed to understand for he snorted.
"Jason, I know, right? The Globe was adamant that's what it be though," he said with a sigh, rolling his eyes to the ceiling. Ianto blinked at Jason, before he staggered, having to sit down.
"This is too much," he said, gripping his hair. He just wanted to shower and sleep. That's all he had wanted after today; was that too much to ask?
It was at this moment Jason realized there was something going on with the Welshman that had nothing to do with current situation. He could see it in the way Ianto favored one side and the lines that were beginning to develop in his young face were more pronounced. He knelt down in front of the Welshman, his head cocked curiously.
"Are you okay? Did something happen today?" he asked softly, watching Ianto take in a shaky breath. he shook his head firmly, pulling himself together and looking down at Jason, his face set and grim. He was slightly unnerved by Jason's closeness, before he remembered that he had been his cat and has been in his lap 24/7 for a long time. Was now really the time to be uncomfortable? He sighed, pushing the feeling away.
"Doesn't matter. What exactly do you need my help with?" Jason could feel the unspoken signal to back off, and so he pushed Ianto's troubled gaze to the back of his mind and began to focus on the rest of their plan.
Jason grinned, and Ianto was suddenly very uneasy.
A/N: I know this is kind of a short one, and the ending was abrupt, but more will come soon! This is going to start to get a little AU from here on out. I appreciate any and all feedback on how I'm doing so far. Thanks for reading!