Chapter 1
The Rift had been quiet for about a week now and boredom hung like a miasma over the Hub, stretching the minutes into hours as the team whiled away the time. Even the weevil sightings were on the downturn. It was one of those rare times when the paperwork from all the team had been brought up to date and completed correctly.
Jack tried to keep morale up with a few team building activities, in the Hub or offsite. However, they all knew it was just a way to fill up the empty hours. Only Toshika and Ianto found more than enough things to do at the Hub; Tosh experimenting with various computer programs and Ianto continuing his seemingly endless task of putting the Archives into order.
Of course, there were plenty of opportunities down in the Archives for Jack to 'work out' his own boredom on a gorgeous and quite willing young archivist. Jack also gave them all a turn at having a day off, alternating with late starts and early finishes … and of course, making sure than Ianto joined him out of hours.
On this particular day, the team were all seated in the Boardroom going over plans for their upcoming Harvest party, or as Jack liked to call it, 'the Torchwood Hoe Down', when the room began to shake and a familiar, high pitched sound could be heard in the Hub. They all knew that sound and chairs were hastily emptied as bodies jostled out the door and into the main Hub. The Tardis … the Doctor.
Naturally Jack was the first person to be standing outside the Tardis door waiting to greet their intrepid visitor, a huge smile plastered over his face and his eyes glittering with anticipation. His team waited just as eagerly behind their leader.
The door of the Tardis flew open and out stepped the Time Lord, brown pinstriped suit, full length brown trench coat, hair spiked haphazardly on his head and a grin wider than Captain Jack's. The two men embraced enthusiastically and then the Doctor turned to Jack's team, saying "Hi ya there, did you miss me?"
Everyone laughed at the Doctor's cheeky remark, well, except Jack, and surged forward waiting their turn to greet the intrepid time traveller. The Doctor turned to Jack, a serious expression on his face. "I've brought a special visitor with me, Jack. He's from Tallex in the Sparisius Galaxy, his name is Varnia and he is the Crown Prince, therefore the heir to the Tallexian Empire."
Jack's eyebrows shot up to his hairline while his team looked on puzzled, "And to what do we owe the pleasure of his company, then Doctor? I thought you came to visit us, but you haven't, have you?"
"No, Jack, not specifically. Although I'm hoping you and your time might be able to help us. High King Grogan, Varnia's father, has entrusted him into my care to help him. You told me once you had visited Tallex when you were a Time Agent. You were involved with a Tallexian female, if I remember correctly?"
Jack nodded, a frown creasing his forehead and a sense of foreboding forming in his stomach. Yet the memory of Yolaria sprang to mind and his face softened in remembrance. There was just something about his time on Tallex that he knew had forgotten. Something important.
Ianto rolled his eyes up to the ceiling upon hearing of yet another of Jack's former lovers, Gwen and Tosh smirked and Owen asked in his usual snide tone, "What have you done now, Jack? Left behind a living reminder? A sprog or two, perhaps?"
"Anyway", continued the Doctor, "I just happened to be visiting when I was summoned to the Royal Court. I'm known there because during my fifth reincarnation I just happened to be visiting when a rebel force from the outlying planets delivered an ultimatum to the then High King Sorus. Hand over control of the Tallexian Empire or face annihilation!"
"So of course, I stepped in and stopped a war that would have destroyed them all… through a significant marriage between Princess Farria and Chancellor Gallian. The High Chancellor's son from the planet Falorex. That's why I'm remembered throughout the Tallexian System rather fondly, Jack; monuments, plaques, that sort of thing. Even a public holiday!"
"Ok, back to the present, Doctor" Jack smiled at his friend, recognising the Time Lord was going off on a tangent, as he often did in conversation.
"Right, well, the King asked me to accompany his entourage to one of their important rituals, the Oraxia Connection! You remember their Oracles, Jack? Prince Varnia had to go through his initiation, passage into manhood, and find out who his soul mate was. And where to find them."
"We arrived at the Mount of Sarren and the Principle Oracle spoke. She told the King that Varnia's destiny was at hand and the soul mate marked out for him was many light years away from Tallex. In this galaxy, this solar system. Here, Jack. On Earth. The Oracle did not reveal the identity of this person, but she said that Varnia would know the moment he met his one true love. He would know that person when he laid eyes on them. Then he has to initiate the connection and a bond will be formed. And Varnia was to bring this person back with him and consummate their union. Therefore the King charged me with the task of helping Varnia find that person. That's why we are here."
Jack's sense of unease grew and looking steadily into the eyes of his ancient friend he said, "And what if Varnia's soul mate is already with another? In a relationship? What if the chosen one doesn't want to form the bond?"
The Doctor sighed and answered, "I've already discussed that point with Grogan and Varnia. Both agreed that if the person they met did not want to accompany Varnia, the matter would not be pursued. They gave me their solemn promise, Jack. Grogan just asked that if Varnia had the other person's permission, he be allowed the opportunity to 'woo' them. If not, Varnia will withdraw and I will take him home."
Jack could see no problem with that, but still could not rid himself of the gnawing unease inside. At that moment, Ianto spoke, "Jack. I'll go prepare refreshments for our guests. Doctor, what does Prince Varnia drink?"
The Doctor turned to Ianto and laughed saying, "I've already told him about your wonderful coffee and we have a bet on because I told him it was the best in the whole Universe! So don't let me down, Mr Jones!"
Ianto grinned at the Time Lord and answered, "Well … in that case it had better be the good coffee! And the good chocolate biscuits!"
"You been holding out on us, tea boy", Owen quipped to his mate, "might have to think up some creative consequences for you."
Ianto just rolled his eyes and headed to the kitchen and said one word "Decaf". Owen zipped his mouth immediately.
Ianto felt pleasure warming in his stomach as he entered the kitchen. Sooo … the Doctor has told the Prince about my coffee? Well, I think it's time to test that new special blend I was going to introduce to the team at our Hoe Down. Glad I got cream today. Just add a sprinkling of fine hazelnuts, a hint of cinnamon and some cream. I'm sure the Prince will be impressed.
Jack yelled out, "Ianto, we'll all head up to the Boardroom for refreshments." Then he looked expectantly at his friend and said, "So Doctor. Are we going to meet this Tallexian Prince anytime in this century? "
The Doctor grinned from ear to ear and replied, "Of course, I'll just let him out." Then he clapped his hands twice and the door of the Tardis opened. Out of the time machine stepped the most beautiful, the most wondrous being that Jack had ever laid eyes on. And Jack had seen soooo many!
"Wow", he gasped, barely able to breathe the way his heart had begun thumping in his chest. He remembered how incredibly beautiful all Tallexians were, even when they aged. Remembered the striking beauty of Yolaria. But none of them compared to the wondrous beauty of the person before him. And the rest of his team were just as awestruck as Jack, judging by their wide eyed and slack jawed gaze.
The young man looked like a god, tall and with a face to put Adonis to eternal shame. His skin was softly tanned, yet glowed with a golden light. Piercing eyes, deep topaz, stared out at them all. His face was a sculpture of perfection and a shy smile formed on his lips. It could have melted an iceberg.
Elegant long and bejewelled fingers peeped out from the cuffs of his full-length emerald green robe that shaped itself around his body. A golden dragon, fierce in its expression, blazed forth from the centre of the robe, tailored to accentuate the young Prince's perfect body. Slim, but very muscular, he carried himself with quiet confidence and grace.
Jack knew that his own handsome features paled into insignificance in comparison with the Prince's unearthly beauty. And a small pang of envy nipped him as he wondered who could possibly be good enough, here on earth, for this wondrous alien Prince.
Shaking his head slightly, Jack moved forward extending his hand, "Welcome to Earth, Prince Varnia. I'm Captain Jack Harkness and it's a pleasure to meet you." Oh, yes, a pleasure indeed! Too bad I'm not your chosen one! Wait. I'm with Ianto. Shit. He glanced guiltily towards the kitchen.
The young Prince smiled gently and Jack could barely suppress a tremor of excitement as their hands met in a firm handshake. Wow – again! Firm, but silky soft fingers that I could imagine stroking down _ Shit! Stop it!
Turning back to his team who were doing wonderful impressions of goldfish, eyes bulging and mouths gaping wide, Jack said, "And this is my team. Gwen Cooper, Doctor Owen Harper and Toshiko Sato. And bringing his wondrous coffee to us soon is the last team member, Ianto Jones."
The Prince visibly started at the mention of Ianto's name, then covered it with a gentle smile. Jack stared thoughtfully at him while the Doctor prattled on about Torchwood Three and the Captain's team. Prince Varnia spoke to each of them and even his voice, almost musical, was beautiful to hear.
Gwen gushed at the unearthly stranger. Well, Gwen was just being Gwen. Tosh had turned an interesting shade of pink, much like Ianto's gentle blush, Jack thought fondly. And Owen, well, his face was just fixed in a guppy impression. Wonder if he fancies him, Jack thought, a small grin appearing on his face.
Jack extended his arm and his biggest smile to his guests, "Please follow me everyone, up to the Boardroom. Not exactly the Ritz, Doctor, but much more comfortable than down here." And they all wound their way to the Boardroom, Jack giving a running commentary to the Prince about how he and his team spent their time saving the world.
They had all settled in their seats with Jack on one side of the Prince at the top of the table and the Doctor on the other, much to Gwen's annoyance. It didn't, however, stop her from flirting outrageously with their gorgeous visitor whenever she got the chance.
Tosh just allowed herself sneaky little glances at him, then ducked her head if it looked as though he would return her gaze. The Prince noticed and felt a warming towards the shy, young woman down at the end of the table.
Owen was being unusually smarmy, chipping in with caustic witticisms as a counterpoint to Jack's blatant, flirtatious remarks. The Doctor just rolled his eyes at their behaviour.
Jack was really excited having his friend and the gorgeous Prince as guests and wondered if he and his team would be helping the Prince find his soul mate. But something nagged in his memory about that, not quite to the forefront, just hiding out of reach.
He had visited Tallex a long time ago when he was a Time Agent, though it was a social visit at the time because he was involved briefly with a beautiful Tallexian girl named Yolaria. He remembered Yolaria telling him something about Tallexians 'finding their soul mates'. Usually it was within their own galaxy, more often than not, amongst their own people. Yolaria had made a point of telling Jack that he was definitely not her soul mate and while it suited Jack at the time, he was also a bit disappointed. She was very beautiful as were most Tallexians and a wonderful lover.
But there was that nagging memory Jack couldn't quite catch hold of. Something Yolaria had told him about what happens when a Tallexian's soul mate is an alien. Something about when they recognise their soul mate, they fall instantly in love and then … and then … they do something …'
Why am I nervous? Why is it suddenly important for me to remember what Yolaria told me? And why would the Oracle send the Crown Prince to find his soul mate to a tiny planet in the backwaters of the Universe? Now this is really intriguing.
Just then the bustle of a tea tray and soft footsteps broke Jack out of his revelry. "Let me help you" he grinned at his young lover who returned his gaze with a soft smile, that smile that only Jack received from him as he moved quickly to share his burden.
All eyes were on Ianto's tray as the most wonderful aroma of special coffee filled the Hub. Jack smiled at Ianto knowing the young man had pulled out all stops and brewed a very special blend. All eyes were on the tray and sighs of anticipation were made as the delicious aroma filled the room.
So everyone, including Jack and the Doctor, missed the Prince's involuntary gasp as he laid eyes on Ianto. Missed the tremor ripple through Varnia's body. Missed the intense gaze upon Ianto … a look of recognition, a look of desire. Realising no-one had caught his reaction, Varnia carefully schooled his features into a neutral expression. He could not afford anyone to notice that he had just found his soul mate. Ianto Jones.