Chapter 8
Ianto blinked furiously when the white light cleared. It wasn't as bad as when they had first arrived on V'dale Sipora, but he still felt a bit dizzy. Then he realised that John was still holding him in a tight embrace and their faces were merely inches away from each other. John's head was turned to see exactly where they had landed, but he hadn't let go of the young Welshman. Ianto could feel John's warm breath on his cheeks; smell his intoxicating scent – 51st century pheromones. A wave of dizziness swept over him, a different kind of dizziness. If he just leaned in a bit closer …
John suddenly came to his senses and turned sharply towards Ianto … and saw the dreamy look on the young man's face. Shit! Not good. Better let go of him before he kisses me. Hmmm … I'm saying that like it's a bad thing … and it is! Think of Jack! Think of what he would do to you if he thinks you've fooled around with his lover! Think of … think of Ianto! What gorgeous lips you have, Ianto! Very tempting …
John quickly unwound his arms from Ianto and stepped back, forcibly holding Ianto at arm's length. Disappointment swam in Ianto's blue eyes at the abrupt disconnection and John's heart sank. Remind yourself again, Hart, why bonding with Ianto was necessary. It's harder for me, than it is for him. I'm not used to restraining myself … why would I?
Ianto's eyes glazed over and his lips slightly parted. But I want to kiss you, John! I want you to take me in your arms … hold me … touch your lips to mine. I belong to you, John. Here and now, I belong to you.
"C'mon Eye Candy. We can't go there … as much as we want to. Think of Jack!"
And Ianto did. He thought of Jack … and John. Naked in bed … with him in the middle, squashed between their hot writhing bodies …
"Oh well, Ianto, that's something we could give some more thought to when we return to Earth. Jack has always been enthusiastic about threesomes. Or foursomes … or _"
"I don't know why you're fighting this, John. You know it's going to happen. Sooner or later. Don't be fooled by my controlled behaviour … I'm really quite passionate when I make love. Beneath these suits is a body ready and willing to _"
"Enough! Jack would kill me, Ianto, you know that! He'd kill me … very painfully, very slowly … if I laid a finger on you!" John's eyes were starting to glaze over as he stared at Ianto, his body beginning to react.
Ianto smirked as he sensed the inviting tension in John's body … felt himself react in kind. "Well, John. It wasn't your finger I had in mind. More like your _"
"Whoa, Eye Candy! Calm down! You know, you've got quitea filthy mind, haven't you? And I thought I'd be the one having problems restraining myself! You're not making this very easy."
Ianto stepped towards John and in a throaty growl whispered, "Yes, I am John. I'm making it very easy for you. Find that complex and you can show me the bedroom!"
"Nope! We're not going there, Ianto. We're definitely not going there! C'mon, follow me, I'm going to introduce you to my friends." And John swiftly moved towards the doorway they had landed near, leaving a very frustrated Ianto to follow in his wake.
John kept a litany circulating in his head, trying to calm his heated body down. Jack will kill me … Jack will kill me … Jack will kill me … Jack will kill me. Unfortunately even that thought had a certain … charm to it, albeit a tad masochistic.
Ianto followed John towards a large complex of pale blue domes with windows, arches and doors, about a mile away at the bottom of the rolling plains they were on. He couldn't help but think that they toned in quite nicely against the soft, purple earth and the gentle, orange sky.
He allowed himself to actually look all around him at the surrounding landscape; the purple earth had growths of pink grass … well, it was a bit thicker than grass on Earth, more like living tubes that swayed in the gentle breeze.
The young Welshman took his time to reallylook around and realised with a shock that he was on another planet in the distant future! As they got nearer to the complex, the 'people' he assumed were humanoid milling around in the courtyard, were in fact a mix of humans, or humanoids and aliens … very obviously alien!
Ianto had seen a few aliens in his time at Torchwood, a few too many Weevils, but the ones they were approaching were very different. If it wasn't for the nonchalant way in which John was sauntering nearer to the complex, Ianto would have been tempted to turn around and run the other way … very quickly! Multiple heads … tentacles … wings … does that alien have a tail at the front or is it …?
"You might not want to stare quite so obviously, Ianto. Like humans, they can be offended … or feel threatened. Some of them have short tempers … shorter, even than mine! And no, Ianto, that isn't a tail, nor is it what you were thinking it might be. Its an antenna … well, sort of … no mouth, no ears, you see, so it picks up vibrations instead using that tubular thing."
Ianto immediately turned his gaze away. He didn't fancy being on the receiving end of that alien's antenna. It looked as though it could deliver a pretty nasty blow. At last they entered the main courtyard that was paved with bricks obviously made from the purple earth, but softened in hue to a warm lavender.
Soon they reached the courtyard where only a few aliens and humans were milling around and no-one paid any attention to them. Ianto hadn't realised how hot and sweaty he was until they reached the cooling shade of the portico. Then he realised he was quite thirsty despite how short the walk had been.
Maybe it's because of that huge, red Sun up there. It looks so damn close. Maybe the air is a bit thinner here because I'm feeling slightly breathless. Well … of course … John could be the other reason for that. Actually … he is … hope he's leading me to a bedroom. Or anywhere with a soft surface.
"Put those barriers up, Ianto, I can hear you!", John chuckled to him, "and stop teasing me! When I say 'you'll be death of me', I'm probably telling the truth. Death … by Captain Jack Harkness … slowly and painfully!"
"Do you want me to protect you, John? Save you from big, bad Jack?" smirked Ianto, a cheeky grin on his face.
John chose to ignore Ianto's taunts. He chose to ignore Ianto … ignore the fact that his own resolve to not slam the young Welshman against the nearest wall and snog him hard, was rapidly weakening.
A deep, throaty voice rang out behind them "Baby! You came back!"
John and Ianto spun around quickly; a cheeky smirk breaking out on the Captain's face and an ice-cold glare from the young Welshman.
A black-leather clad woman, presumably humanoid, with huge violet eyes set within pale blue skin and deep violet hair hung loosely around her shoulders, moved slowly towards them. Her outfit clung to every sensuous curve in her body and she movedtowards them in a challenging strut.
"V'dahna! You missed me!" John smiled as he moved forward to embrace and kiss her - passionately. Being Captain John Hart, his hands naturally began flowing over the young alien's body. Ianto nearly choked … John faltered as he felt Ianto's outrage invading his mind. He moved her rather quickly out of their embrace, causing her to pout at him.
"So V'dahna! Let me introduce you to Ianto Jones, human from the 21st century Earth!" John exclaimed nervously. The young female alien turned her violet eyes upon the Ianto, then frowned when she saw the angry look on his face.
"Is he your pet? Or another lover?" she asked the Captain, not taking her eyes off Ianto as her sizzling gaze burned slowly over his body. Ianto blushed under her blatant scrutiny.
John suppressed a laugh and replied blandly, "He's my partner, sweetie, so hands off! He's not for playing with and anyway … you know I'm not good at sharing my toys!"
A throaty laugh bellowed out from V'dahna, almost male in its timbre, "I might have to teach you to share baby, because this one is cute!"
John's demeanour darkened and he answered forcefully, "Not a chance, V'dahna! He's out of bounds! Are we clear?" V'dahna pouted again at John but recognised by his tone that this was not negotiable. She would not be able to play with the tempting morsel in front of her.
Although he squirmed uncomfortably at the conversation being conducted at his expense, Ianto still felt his heart leap as John referred to him as his partner … well … they were bonded and felt his groin tighten at John's forceful tone. If only you would act on that, John. And since you can hear me, then no! I'm not up for a threesome!
Neither am I, Eye Candy, neither am I. Fortunately V'dahna can't communicate as we do. But some of the others we're going to meet can, so best put your shields up Ianto when we're in company.
All three of them wound their way through the corridors of the interior, John and V'dahna chatting amiably to each other, Ianto trailing behind keeping a close eye on any physical contact between them.
At last they came to a room where several aliens and some humanoids were seated. Before entering the room, John pulled Ianto tightly to his side, arm wrapped possessively around his waist. He whispered to Ianto, "Play up our relationship, Ianto, some of these friends may not take 'no' for an answer."
Ianto answered nervously, "Alright … no problem with that. You will protect me, John?"
"Of course I will", he answered softly in his usual cocky manner, "I'm Captain John Hart!". He then drew Ianto into the room, greeting everyone in the room in a loud voice, punctuated with quick snogs to Ianto … not that the young Welshman was complaining and introduced him as his partner.
The humanoids and aliens whom John considered his friends, gathered around the two of them as John took a seat. V'dahna wandered over to the bar to order drinks for them all, before joining them back at the long table. Ianto kept his head down blushing because some of them were staring openly at him with hungry eyes … almost predatory. He wasn't sure whether their interest was sexual or … unbidden memories of him being 'tenderised' came to mind. John immediately reacted to Ianto's memories and turned to stare at him in horror.
I'll tell you about that incident later John.
Yes, you will! And nobody here wants to eat you, you can be assured of that! Well … maybe lick you … nibble at you … but NOT in the way you've been thinking!
Turning back to the group, John became all business and everyone felt his mood change. "Okay, private meeting for my Unit only so the rest of you can leave us. NOW!"
Ianto's eyes widened in surprise as ten members of the gathering turned and headed for the door, some scowling but not disobeying the command John had given. The four remaining, two humans and two aliens, took their seats with Ianto, V'dahna and John, reflecting the seriousness in the Captain's demeanour.
In a brisk manner, John reported to the group how he had been called to Earth by his former partner, Captain Jack Harkness, what had happened there and why he had brought Ianto back with him. He explained the reason he formed a connection with Ianto was to save him from the Prince, so they understood that Ianto was effectively, his 'bonded' partner. V'dahana glared at John, which he chose to ignore.
Then he outlined his plan to them and told each one of them their part in it. As Ianto listened to exactly what John's plan was, he gasped in horror, unwilling to believe that the Captain was serious.
"John! Even if 'dimension-hopping' is possible with your modified Vortex Manipulator, you can't … you just can't kidnap my double from an alternate reality! That's worse than the Prince wanting me as his partner!"
John rolled his eyes and looked into Ianto's stormy blue glare, "Ianto, that's not quite what I had in mind! I'm going to try and find a willing Ianto-double … one who doesn't have any emotional ties or little connection to his planet. It is possible, Ianto because I've been to alternate realities before and meet many doubles. Originally I went looking for another Jack Harkness who would love me. But every Jack-double I met either had a partner already or just wasn't interested … much like your Jack!"
Ianto reddened with embarrassment at John's last comment and a wave of compassion emanated from him and washed over John's consciousness.
John paused and offered Ianto a gentle smile. He continued, "So! I'm leaving Ianto in your care V'dahna and I expect you to treat him well … and no playing with him."
"I'm going with you, John", Ianto countered, determination shining out of his eyes, "I couldn't bear to be parted from you! Don't leave me here!"
John took Ianto's hand in his, a strong plea in his eyes, "No, Ianto. I can't risk taking you with me. You'll be safe here. My Unit will keep you safe here. The Shadow Proclamation may already be searching in space and time for me, Ianto, but they have no jurisdiction over V'dale Sipora. If they catch me while I'm hopping through alternative realities, I don't want you with me! It may end badly and I want you to be safe."
"That's what I'm afraid of, John!" Ianto protested, now visibly upset, "What if they are searching for you? What if they do catch you? What will happen to you?"
John sighed, knowing full well that the young Welshman's bond to him was growing stronger and stronger and separation at this stage, would be very hard for him. It took time for a bonding to develop deep enough within two partners, to build up trust and confidence … and to be able to endure the pain of separation.
He spoke in a gentle tone to the young Welshman, "Ianto. We're running out of time. I can't be sure whether the Shadow Proclamation will wait the 24 hours they allowed for your meeting. I changed the situation by dropping in and taking you! I should be able to return us within their timeframe. I have to do this alone, Ianto because it will be faster. I may have to hop through a number of alternate realities before I find what I'm looking for. And there are only so many time adjustments I can make. I know exactly how difficult it was for you when I hopped through time and space to bring us here. Moving between alternate realities is even worse … you wouldn't cope with it."
Ianto's brain processed this information and saw the logic in it. But his heart pounded heavily in his chest and Ianto felt himself losing control of his emotions. Tears welled in his eyes and his face was a mask of despair.
John pulled Ianto into a strong embrace, sending soothing waves of calm into his mind, while his lips gently murmured reassurances to him. Ianto was trembling in his arms and John was finding it difficult to distance himself from Ianto's distress.
Softly tucking Ianto's head under his chin and letting the young Welshman sob into his neck, John sent a meaningful glance to Reddin, another former Time Agent, seated opposite him. Reddin nodded and slipped his hand into an interior pocket of his jacket. He withdrew a vial of claret coloured liquid and removing the top, let two drops fall into Ianto's drink.
"Finish your drink, Ianto, you need to keep your fluids up in this heat. We'll discuss this later, okay?" Ianto mumbled his agreement and lifting his head, reached for the drink and drained his glass. Then he resumed his place in John's embrace.
Within a couple of minutes, John felt Ianto slump in his arms. Waving off his friends' attempts to assist him, John lifted Ianto up into his arms and stood, surprised at how light Ianto was, especially in his sleep-induced state.
Before leaving the room John turned to the members of his Unit and said, "When I get back, we'll finalise the details for my journey. I want you to ensure the defences for the planet are at their maximum when I leave. I'm taking Ianto to my room now, but he is to be transferred, before he wakes up, to our underground base. If any type of threat becomes apparent, I want you to put it into 'lock-down'. Is that clear?"
Every member of his Unit gave their verbal assurance, then turned back to face each other, discussing which tasks would be performed by each of them. Within ten minutes, John had returned to the group and he listened intently as they told him what each of them would do. He nodded in agreement, then told them he was going to leave immediately.
"Reddin, you know what to do when Ianto wakes up, don't you? He's going to be very distraught when he realises I've gone. Be gentle with him, he's feeling fragile."
They all nodded their assent. John rose from his place at the table and stood apart from them. Moving his fingers across his Vortex Manipulator, he gave them all a cheeky grin, and then disappeared in a flash of white light.