Chapter 2.
Ianto hadn't really got a chance to see the Prince as he was preoccupied with serving the coffees and placing the plate of chocolate biscuits in the centre of the table. Jack had grabbed two mugs for their visitors and was reaching out for his own when groans of pleasure broke out all around the room.
"You see?" enthused the Doctor, grinning wildly at the beautiful man beside him, "I told you the best coffee in the Universe was here on Earth!"
Prince Varnia smiled at the Doctor nodding his head, then he turned to Ianto and spoke to him. "Ianto Jones, this is indeed a wonderful beverage you have made. It is as nectar for the gods!"
Then it's quite appropriate for you, Jack mused, taking pride in his lover's achievement. The King of Coffee brews for the Prince of Beauty. Jack smirked.
Ianto had just taken a seat at the far end of the table, his own coffee in his hand, when he looked up for the first time at the young Prince. And his heart nearly stopped. His mouth hung open and he was speechless as he stared into the face of the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his life … well, apart from Jack. Even then, this being outshone his Captain.
Then Prince Varnia gave Ianto a glorious smile that no-one in the room had ever seen the like of before. It radiated out from him like a rising sun. And his amber eyes glowed as he gazed intently into the grey-blue eyes of the young man gaping at him.
"Th-thank you," he stuttered nervously, surprised that any sound had come out of his mouth. Surely he's just stepped down from Heaven. I've got a god smiling at me. Oh shit! I'm staring at him like an idiot. And Ianto ducked his head as heat crept slowly up his face and darkly coloured his cheeks.
Prince Varnia felt his heart leap as he watched Ianto's pale cheeks deepen into rose. And his eyes now reflected all that he felt as he gazed at Ianto. The Oracle was right. Here I have found my soul mate. And already my whole being trembles in anticipation. My heart awakens to love. I will make him mine and he will come home with me … come home to me.
Gwen gasped as she saw the look on Prince Varnia's face. Well he didn't bloody well smile at me like that … didn't look at me like that … oh no! Poor Jack!
Owen scowled. What the hell? How come tea boy gets all the gorgeous ones giving him the eye? What about me? Why am I always overlooked? Then he smirked. Oh dear, oh dear Jacko! Alien Prince is after your lover. This will be fun!
Toshiko trembled. Not Ianto, no, not Ianto! You can't have him. He loves Jack! He belongs to Jack! You can't take Ianto away. Jack needs him. We need him. I need him … he's my best friend!
The Doctor frowned and glanced worriedly at Jack. His friend's countenance reflected the fear he himself felt. Prince Varnia wanted Ianto. That was blatantly obvious. And by the looks of the young man at the other end of the table, it might not take much for him to be swayed by the Prince. No. No, no, no, no!
Jack's body stiffened as he saw the look on the young Prince's face. His fists clenched as realisation washed over him. His heart tightened as he watched his young lover fight his attraction to the Prince. Then anger swelled up inside and he turned towards the man on his right.
Prince Varnia felt everyone's response at his reaction to Ianto, he had unwittingly given himself away. But all he cared about now was the brief flame he had seen in Ianto's gaze … the wonder on his face … he would fan that flame into life.
Then his joyful revelry was interrupted as he felt the Captain's tension beside him. He turned to the man on his left. Their eyes locked immediately and an understanding passed between them. In that moment, Prince Varnia knew that Captain Jack was Ianto's lover. And Jack knew that the Prince wanted Ianto. The battle line was drawn between them … and neither man intended to lose.
The Doctor groaned inwardly. How do I get myself into these damn situations. And always centred on Captain Jack! He forced a stern look on his face and spoke into the deafening silence, "Weell … I think, Prince Varnia, we need to have a chat. Now. In the Tardis." His tone brooked no argument and Prince Varnia looked questioningly at the Time Lord. The Doctor jumped to his feet and hauling the young man up out of his chair, turned to Jack and pointedly jerked his head in Ianto's direction.
Ianto looked up at that moment and joined his team mates in staring in surprise at the back of the two men as they strode purposefully out of the room. Gwen, Tosh and Owen decided they needed to leave also. Immediately.
Ianto was confused as he looked into the stormy eyes of his lover as he stalked towards him. He quickly stood up and wondered briefly what he had done to earn such a stony glare from his lover. "Jack?"
Anger, jealousy, hurt and bewilderment swirled around in Jack's eyes as he braced himself, willing himself not to yell at Ianto.
Jack halted before Ianto, barely restraining the conflicting emotions flashing across his eyes. His lover's eyes reflected confusion and fear. Jack forced himself to relax the tension in his body as he realised how nervous his lover was.
"Ianto, I … I'm sorry. It's just that … that …", but Jack couldn't continue. His thoughts were all over the place coloured by the fear that Ianto, his Ianto, might actually be attracted to the Prince.
"Jack", Ianto sighed, visibly relaxing as he recognised the conflict in his Captain's eyes and guessed the reason behind it. Jack was afraid. Afraid of the Prince.
"Jack, I love you, I love you! And no-one will ever be able to change that. You are everything to me; my life, my love, my home." His gentle smile and beautiful blue eyes reflected all of his heart to Jack. And he opened his arms wide to his beautiful Captain.
Jack didn't hesitate. He walked into Ianto's arms and let himself be held by the man he loved. Let his head rest below Ianto's chin. Let himself be reassured in Ianto's strong arms. "Ianto", he whispered. How can I blame Ianto for reacting to the Prince. Hell, I reacted the same … we all reacted to that bloody vision of perfection! I can't lose you, Ianto, I just can't lose you!
Jack felt Ianto's warm fingers gently move under his chin and lift his head. Shining blue eyes held the immortal's gaze and he let himself be lost in Ianto's love, let that love melt all his doubts and fears away.
Reluctantly, Jack eased himself out of Ianto's arms and smiling into his lover's eyes he said, "I love you Ianto and I don't want to lose you. I trust you. But I don't trust Prince Varnia. Please Ianto, please, don't be alone with him. Don't let him touch you."
Ianto frowned slightly and replied, "Why would I want to? Why would I let him? I have you." And he moved towards Jack placing the lightest and sweetest of kisses on his lips. Jack melted again into his lover's embrace. They stayed like that for precious moments.
Then Jack moved back and gazing confidently into his lover's eyes he said, "I need to speak with you in my office. Explain why I'm concerned about the Prince. I've been to his planet and I know some of their customs. Especially the custom regarding soul mates. Let's go now while the Doctor is talking to the Prince. He can't force you, Ianto. But I believe, no … I know that Prince Varnia believes that he's found his soul mate. You, Ianto Jones."
Ianto frowned and confusion was in his voice, "But Jack, how can he know that? It's not possible. He's only just met me."
Taking Ianto's hand and leading him out of the Boardroom, Jack replied, "I'll explain it to you in my office. Their customs are very different, Ianto, very different indeed!"
The two men walked out of the Boardroom, hand in hand, past Owen, Gwen and Tosh who all looked at them anxiously. Then visibly relaxed as it was obvious that nothing had changed between them. Jack and Ianto were still together.
Watching them head up into Jack's office and waiting til the door was closed behind them, Owen commented to his team mates. "Well, looks like they're all sorted. But what about the Prince? From the look on his face in the Boardroom, I don't think he's gonna give up. He wants the bloody tea boy!"
Gwen scoffed loudly, "Well, he won't be getting him any time soon. He's up against Jack bloody Harkness! And he won't win. We know that."
Tosh nodded in agreement, but couldn't help the niggling doubt in her mind as she glanced first at the Tardis and then up at Jack's office. Ianto loves Jack and Jack loves him. But that Prince ... that Prince. I don't trust him. I just don't trust him.
Jack moved to his chair and pulled Ianto down on his lap as he took his seat. Both men were relaxed now. Ianto was confident of his Captain, confident in Jack's ability to deal with the situation. As his arms wound tightly around Ianto, he looked up into his face and smiled, "Don't worry, Ianto. I'll sort this out. I always do."
"I know, Jack. Now you need to explain to me what you know. I think I'm going to need to know how best to deal with Prince Varnia … in case I find myself in an awkward situation."
"I'm not going to let that happen!" Jack stated forcefully. "I'm not going to let him anywhere near you. I'm afraid of what he'll try and do. I was struggling to remember before the meeting, but when he looked into my eyes, Ianto, his gaze challenged me … and well, it all came flooding back to me."
"Challenged?" queried Ianto, his forehead creasing in confusion. "Did I miss something?"
"You had your head down Ianto, blushing prettily as you do! No wonder he couldn't keep his eyes off you. You're bloody gorgeous!."
Ianto playfully slapped Jack's arm, muttering, "I do not blush prettily Jack!" and earned himself an indignant look from Jack that clearly argued the point.
Then Jack's face turned serious and his tone matched it as he carefully explained to Ianto what happens when a Tallexian searches and then finds their soul mate. Ianto interrupted a couple of times for clarification and at the end of it, his face had creased into a deep frown. Jack explained how his involvement with Yolaria had led her to explaining many of their customs to him.
At the end of Jack's explanation, Ianto turned to his lover and said, "Ok, Jack. Let me get this straight. When a Tallexian's time comes to search for their soul mate, they seek out the Oracle. When they hear the words of the Oracle concerning their soul mate, and their destiny, it triggers 'something' inside them that causes a chemical reaction. And they … they seek out … travel to wherever they need to go to find their soul mate?" Jack nodded.
"And then … and then when they find their soul mate, they 'know' this immediately?" Jack nodded again.
"So if their soul mate doesn't realise this when they find them, the Tallexian attempts a 'bonding' to show them that they've been chosen. If the person in question is open to it. And once that bonding takes place, the other person will be 'infused' … is that what you said Jack?" Ianto queried thoughtfully.
Jack answered him, "Yes, 'infused' is the closest explanation to what happens during the bonding. Similar to how hot water infuses tea leaves, thus creating the drink." Jack chuckled as Ianto's eyebrows shot up to his hairline, "Yes, yes … poor example, I know."
"Soooo, they are now both infused with this love thing and can't resist each other any longer. And they both ride off into the sunset, Jack and live happily ever after!" chuckled Ianto.
"Theoretically, yes, Ianto." replied Jack drawing the young man closer into his arms. "When Prince Varnia and I looked at each other, Ianto, or glared at each other to be more precise, I felt … I saw his love for you. It was so strong. And I know he felt mine. He wants you, Ianto. Very much. And he'll pull out all the stops to get you."
Ianto stared long into his lover's fearful eyes, then gently placed a hand on each side of his face. "Then he'll be wasting his time, won't he? Because my heart's already full of your love, cariad. And no 'mind-probing' alien, or whatever the hell they call it, is going to change that. I'm yours, Jack."
Then he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on Jack's lips. And as he deepened it, he poured every part of his love for Jack that he possessed, into that kiss. Jack responded in kind, pouring all his passion and love, hopes and dreams into that moment. Then Jack helped Ianto to his feet and hand in hand, they walked out of Jack's office and down to their waiting team and the Tardis with it's doors still closed.
Jack never ever thought he'd wish that the Tardis would just disappear – right now. Today was that day. Gathering around Gwen and Tosh's work stations, Jack proceeded to explain to the rest of their team what he knew of Tallexian customs, and how he proposed to counter the Prince's likely attempts to seduce Ianto. He would need all their co-operation. And after he had finished, Jack knew he had them all on board.
Even his lover acknowledged that he would need help in this matter and the team responded by bouncing around ideas. They had formulated a rough plan and although Ianto didn't like it very much, he agreed to it in principle. Jack wanted to 'hide' Ianto away from the Hub. Far, far away, in fact. He couldn't involve the Doctor even though he wanted to. Jack couldn't cause trouble for his friend. So he would need outside help. From his former lover, John Hart.
Jack reached down to his wrist, flipped open the leather cover and pushed several buttons. Lights flashed and blinked on his vortex manipulator as the signal went out.
Then Jack and his team were all startled as the door of the Tardis suddenly opened, and Prince Varnia and the Doctor stepped out and proceeded to walk over to them.