Chapter 6

Captain John Hart heard everything that was said in the Boardroom, just as the rest of Jack's team had. Normally a man of action, same as Jack, John found himself restraining the urge to go in guns a-blazing and pull Ianto out of the fray. Not this time. So … Prince Varnia is empathic. And bloody strong. Well, Prince 'empathic' Varnia! So am I. So am I. And Jacky boy as well. Of course … I'm stronger than him. I'll have to be because I get the feeling Prince Varnia, you can do what my people can do. Bond. Bond with Ianto through your empathic link. But only if you touch him. I've got to let Jack know about this, although possibly, he may suspect already.

Captain John realised he had to take the time to think of a suitable plan to 'rescue' Ianto, this was not something that could just be fixed by physical force. A combination would be needed. And he began to think carefully of what he could do without inviting the wrath of the Shadow Proclamation. A plan began to take shape in John's mind. He'd have to move fast because time was of the essence. He couldn't tell Jack about his plan beforehand. Jack would never agree to it. But it was the only solution he could come up with in the circumstances. And the Shadow Proclamation would have to abide by what he was about to do. Oh yes, Jacky boy! This will work. Prince Varnia will not be able to stop it because I'll spring it before you all know what's happening. He won't be able to stop me. The Shadow Proclamation will not intervene. They won't be able to stop me. You won't be able to stop me. But you are going to hate me for it. Hate me for what I'm going to do to save your boyfriend from Prince Varnia.

The mood was subdued down in the Hub with an underlying tension permeating the air. Conversation was stilted and forced as everyone tried to avoid the subject of why they were all here. A line was evident, between Torchwood Three and the Doctor and the Prince. Only Ianto tried to bridge the separation that each side seemed content to maintain. But it was taking every effort he could muster not to crack under the strain of holding it all together, holding himself apart from the 'invisible' battle.

"I'll make some coffee", he said lightly, his remedy for the current situation. Nods and words of approval met his suggestion and he moved off to the kitchen, thankful of escaping everyone for a few moments.

"I'll go help Ianto", Prince Varnia stated firmly, staring straight into Jack's cold eyes, "I want to spend a little time with him alone."

The Immortal stiffened and immediately yelled out, "No! You stay away from him. You'll have plenty of time in the meeting to interact with Ianto."

"I believe in these circumstances, I have the right to spend a little time with him alone, Jack Harkness" retorted the Prince, his own body stiffening in response to the Captain's aggressive manner, "You don't have the right or the authority to tell me what I can and cannot do!"

Jack's team reacted immediately as a low growl issued from Jack's lips and they moved to restrain him while the Doctor stepped quickly in front of the Prince.

"Shadow Proclamation, Jack! Let it go, I'll stand at the doorway, keep an eye on them", whispered Owen, his hand tightening on Jack's arm. He didn't know much about the Shadow Proclamation because Jack had never told any of them about it. But he sensed from Jack and the Doctor's apprehensive manner that the Shadow Proclamation was not to be messed with. As with Gwen and Tosh, Owen was afraid of the consequences that their Captain might bring down upon them, upon Earth, if he said or did anything to seriously 'tick off' these unknown aliens.

Jack glared down at the young medic, but acquiesced to his offer, "Make sure he doesn't touch Ianto. I don't trust him. He might try something. Don't let him kiss Ianto because the Prince is messing with his head. Getting into his mind." Into his heart. And he doesn't belong there. I won't let him trick Ianto into loving him. Ianto belongs to me … he's mine!

"And for the record, Prince Varnia", Jack stated coldly, "while you are at Torchwood Three, as the leader here, I do have the right and the authority to tell you what you can or cannot do while you're here on Earth. I am an Ambassador for Earth reporting to our highest authorities and I act within these parameters to ensure the safety of this planet in view of an alien presence. A potential alien threat. And by an agreement between our highest authority and the Shadow Proclamation, I know this authority will be respected."

Prince Varnia scowled at Jack, but nodded. He realised his emotions were starting to go awry and he needed to maintain better control. He walked with the young medic who radiated barely restrained hostility towards him, then moved to Ianto's side. And his heart faltered when Ianto turned in surprise to see him and offered a spontaneous smile of welcome, his blue eyes shining with trust.

"Please. You don't have to help me. I've got a tray here. The coffees won't be long." Ianto looked apologetic at Prince Varnia. He's a Prince! I can't let him help me make the coffees. It just isn't right!

"Ianto," the Prince said softly, "I want to spend a few moments with you. They won't let me spend time alone with you", he turned and glared pointedly at Owen who just smirked back at him, "so please, let me be here with you. And Ianto … I may be a Prince, but I must be prepared to accept the lowliest of tasks as readily as I would accept the highest. That is the way of my people."

Shock and horror flashed through Ianto's eyes as he realised the Prince had perceived his thoughts and he ducked his head down. He was still as the thought of Prince Varnia invading his mind chilled him. His Torchwood London psychic training helped him slam up the barriers. He trembled as he realised with a sickening wrench in his gut that he felt so exposed, so naked, so violated.

Prince Varnia's face fell as he realised what had happened. "Ianto! Ianto … I'm sorry. I couldn't help it, I didn't invade your mind. Your feelings were so strong, you projected them out to me. I would not try to impose myself on you, Ianto. In any way. Please believe me!"

Owen stiffened at the Prince's revelation. Jack's right. That bastard is resorting to dirty tricks with Ianto. Time to break up this sick little tête-à-tête.

"Out of the way", Owen curtly ordered the Prince as he pushed past him into the kitchen, "are you alright, Ianto? I'll help you with this." Turning to glare at the Prince he added, "I suggest Prince Varnia, you go back with the others and wait for us. I think you've done enough here."

The Prince's shoulders slumped as he felt the tension in Ianto's body, "I would never hurt you, Ianto, never force you against your will. I … I'm sorry", the Prince whispered sadly. And he turned and went back down to the others.

Ianto looked up and offered Owen a small smile, his eyes full of gratitude, "Thanks Owen." The medic just grunted at him and carried one of the two trays of coffees that Ianto had prepared.

"I'm here for you, mate. We're all here for you, mate." Owen preceded Ianto out of the kitchen and as he approached the group, aware of the cloud of animosity floating around them, he stared directly into Jack's eyes with an obvious 'we need to talk' look and proceeded to hand out the drinks.

Ianto was stiff as he handed out the coffees and everyone saw it. He couldn't hide the tension he struggled to conceal. He was upset. Very upset. And Jack wanted to know exactly why that was. The Doctor also wanted to know why that was. And he chose to act at that moment.

"Ianto! I want you to come with me. Don't be afraid, I'm not going to 'spirit' you away. I just want to talk with you. Alone. In the Tardis. Come with me!"

Ianto jumped like a startled rabbit caught in headlights. The rest of them also reacted at the Doctor's intervention, especially Prince Varnia and Jack. Jack started to argue but was cut off before a word passed his lips, "Jack! I'm not going to take him away. I'm not going to hurt him. I just want to talk to him. And stop frowning at me! I'm unbiased in this matter. Think of me as a … well … referee, if you like."

And moving swiftly without waiting for a response, the Doctor grabbed Ianto's wrist and pulled him towards the Tardis. Jack just nodded in surprise at the Time Lord's back, but his Team all glared at them. And then at Jack.

Fuck! Captain Jack Harkness! Fuck. You're just letting him drag teaboy into the Tardis? Why won't you stand up to the Doctor! No good will come of this, I know it! Owen eyes glittered menacingly at his Captain whom he suddenly perceived as weak before the Time Lord. You'll need to have the Shadow Proclamation protect you, Harkness, if anything happens to Ianto because you were too gutless to stop him being taken by your Doctor!

Gwen spoke in outrage, "Jack! You should have gone with them! Why didn't you? How do you know that Ianto will be alright? What if the Doctor _"

Jack's cold glare and icy retort cut off her words, "I trust the Doctor. I know him. He will not harm Ianto. He most definitely will not take him away with the Shadow Proclamation watching our every move. Stop fussing, Gwen, it … it's going to be ok." Jack meant what he said, but still couldn't still a niggling doubt in his mind. The Captain would later learn that he should have trusted that doubt when the Doctor's betrayal became evident.

Prince Varnia was completely bewildered and his frantic attempt to read the Doctor's intent was effectively rebuffed by the Time Lord. He wasn't going to be able to penetrate his barriers, it would seem.

Tosh glared angrily after the Time Lord, a deep dread settling in her stomach. Something was 'off' about the Doctor's action. Wrong. And Jack had just stood by and let it happen.

Owen was just as angry at what had happened. Angry at Jack. If anything happens to tea boy, Jack, because you just stood back … anyway … better tell him what happened.

The young medic grabbed at his Captain's arm and said, "Harkness! Your office. Now. Tosh, you'd better come with us. Gwen. You stay here with our guest." He allowed all the sarcastic venom he was known for to drip into that one word. Guest.

Jack nodded, ignoring Gwen's frown at being left with Prince Varnia and raced up the steps to his office followed closely by Owen and Tosh. She wanted to know what was going on. As always. But she couldn't. They'd better be quick in telling me when they get back. Or there will be hell to pay!

Prince Varnia was not surprised at this, he expected it. Owen would tell him about the exchange between himself and Ianto. And Jack would not be happy. Not happy at all. Remembering his manners, the Prince turned to Gwen and gave her a dazzling smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Gwen faltered for a moment, before recovering herself, her blush spreading quickly up her face and across her cheeks. You really are gorgeous, Prince Varnia. Bloody gorgeous indeed. Just as well my Rhys can't see me here with you. He'd freak out! Although perhaps, in a different way than how I'm bloody well freaking out standing with you. I never thought I'd say this to myself, but you … you are the most GORGEOUS being I've ever seen. Even MORE gorgeous than Jack! I don't know how Ianto can resist you the way you look at him, smile at him. If I was a bloody bloke and you were after me, well … you wouldn't see me for dust!

Flashing the man her most appealing smile and indicating with her hand that they sit down, Gwen began "So Prince Varnia … perhaps you could tell me a little bit about your home planet. Does your army or whatever you call it, provide the 'policing' for you or is there an independent body? I'm a former police woman myself before I came to Torchwood, so of course this really interests me. Oh and seeing you in that beautiful robe, is this normal attire for men? Or just the royal household? Do women wear something different?"

The Prince nodded and began to answer the pretty Welsh woman's questions. They were both involved in this animated conversation, aware that they were just filling in time before the real business of the matter in hand could continue.

Captain John Hart whistled softly as he watched the Doctor drag Ianto into the Tardis. I don't like the look of this. What are you up to, Doctor? Why the hell did Jack let you take him? He must trust you a lot. I don't. And I doubt that his team does, judging by their reactions. What are you going to talk to our pretty young Welshman about, eh Doctor? Why are you doing this?

John felt a knot form in his stomach as he pondered this sudden change of events. It made his owns plans a little bit more difficult. He would have to wait until the Doctor brought Ianto back out of the Tardis. He couldn't read the Doctor, his barriers were too strong. But he reached out with his empathic ability for the young Welshman. And realised he would have to tread very carefully. He wasn't alone in his searching …

Gwen frowned slightly as she watched the young Prince stiffen, his face and body locked in a frozen state. It only lasted a couple of seconds, then he relaxed and appeared to return to himself, an apology on his lips, "I'm sorry Gwen, I was momentarily distracted by a sudden thought. Please forgive me, you now have my undivided attention."

The young Welshman smiled her acceptance, her mind buzzing with whatever had startled the young man before her. Startled him enough to just freeze on the spot. Then she carried on with their conversation as if nothing had happened.