Doomsday: Post Apocalypse
a Torchwood story
by RoadrunnerGER
Dislaimer: Oh, really! They're the BBC's.
Summary: Ianto comes to Cardiff for a week to help with the archives, but is it as simple as that? Jack/OC, Jack?Ianto
A/N: Sorry for another delay. Seeing everything that went on lately it's a surprise I can post this chapter already! LOL Thanks, Village-Mystic, I'm glad it worked. :) Special thanks to mandassina! Enjoy!
Chapter 8 – First morning meeting
Monday morning found Ianto Jones nervously straightening his tie for the umpteenth time. He did not even know why he was anxious as he had worked with the team already, but he could not shake off his tension.
It feels like a new job because everything is new. The office. The colleagues. The boss.
At the latter Ianto's thoughts stumbled. When they went to help with the cleanup at the Hub on Friday it had felt like comrades getting together to work on their club house, not like co-workers restoring the base of a secret organization. Jack had bantered with them and threw in the occasional tease or witticism. They had worked on the same level then, but Ianto felt that that was not appropriate. At Torchwood One they had been in a state of emergency and on Friday night they had still been confronted with exceptional circumstances. Now this was a regular workday and Ianto did not intend to jeopardize anything by acting unprofessional.
Despite his anxiety Ianto was looking forward to his new task.
Stage fright is part of it, the Welshman told himself. That's perfectly normal!
He already had things to report. One of his achievements he would not mention, though. His gaze drifted to the big cage in the corner of his bedsit. It had given him trouble on the train even though he had used a luggage cart. The noises coming from inside the covered cage had attracted attention and he could not allow anyone to see his treasure. Aside from that he also had brought another suitcase and his laptop in its bag. In the end he had had to take a taxi from the station to the bay to transport it all.
"Sorry, kids, but you'll have to stay here until I find a better place for you," Ianto purred as he bent down to the cage. "Do you need something? More food?" He smirked at the antics of the bustling little creatures. Right now he counted only twelve, but there had to be fifteen. The other three probably sat in the nest that they had built on their way to Cardiff and now filled one corner of the cage.
Actually Ianto thought that there should have been more as he vividly recalled how they had swarmed Jack, but UNIT only caught fifteen of them. Maybe the others were still hiding in the pipes and shafts of the Secure Archives. Ianto hoped that they found a way to survive and would not be killed when UNIT was finished with the Archives and sealed them off.
Pushing a couple of salad leaves through the bars Ianto said, "Bye, kids. I'll be back at lunchtime."
A last time he smiled at the spidermice, as he decided to call them, before he took his coat and went to work. The walk was good to catch some fresh air before he spent most of his day under ground. Ianto enjoyed the salty touch and the breeze coming in from the bay. He went down the stairs to the boardwalk where he stopped for a moment to take in the view.
"Morning, Ianto."
Turning around he discovered Toshiko strolling down the boardwalk toward him. "Good morning."
The computer expert eyed him curiously and appreciatively. A smile grazed her features.
"You're looking good," she stated as she reached for the panel beside the door. "The tie's swish."
Ianto smiled somewhat sheepishly.
As he followed her inside Toshiko carefully asked, "How do you feel?"
"A little nervous, actually," Ianto admitted and shrugged at her obvious surprise. "First day in a new job."
"You're hardly new, Ianto."
"I'm new here," he said. "And this is my first regular workday."
"Well, if you put it like that…"
Toshiko opened the secret passageway and they rode down with the elevator.
"Did Jack already give you a tour of the Hub?" Toshiko asked.
"Well, I've seen a lot of it, but no, he didn't take me on a tour."
"Guess he'll do it after our morning meeting then," Toshiko stated as they went up to the gantry.
"When is the morning meeting?" Ianto queried, expecting to be told a concrete time.
"Well, that depends," Toshiko shrugged. "We'll meet as soon as everyone's in."
"Okay…"
Somewhat awkwardly Ianto stood beside her workstation as she sat down. He did not know what to do with himself as long as he could not work on his assignment. Looking around he took in the good work the others did during the weekend. All of the workstations were set up again and the windows of Jack's office had been replaced. His gaze drifted up to the ceiling. The hole beside the invisible lift was gone as well.
An appreciative whistle turned his attention back to Jack's office where the captain just stepped through the door. Unashamedly Jack ogled the Welshman.
"I love that suit," the captain praised. His hands pushed into his trouser pockets he approached Ianto and took in the details. "And I love that tie. Red definitely is your colour."
"Th-thank you, sir," Ianto muttered even though he was uncertain about how to take the compliments.
"Still, we don't have such a strict dress code here," Jack shrugged. Then he offered Ianto a lecherous grin. "Though, you can dress up like this whenever you like."
"I didn't wear this suit for you, sir," Ianto remarked wryly.
"I know," Jack smirked and quirked one eyebrow at him. "I can still enjoy the view."
Ianto rolled his eyes. The captain really could not help himself.
"Ianto, I'd like to show you the Hub before the others come in," Jack said.
"Fine," the Welshman agreed.
First Jack explained the most important features in the main Hub to Ianto before they had a quick look at the armoury. When they entered the first tunnel Ianto took care to stay slightly behind Jack as he did not want to encourage him. Given the stories Owen had told him he suspected that Jack especially favoured the darker parts of the maze like vaults.
"And these are the archives," Jack declared as he opened the door with a flourish, stepping in and making room for Ianto.
The Welshman just had a glance at the shelves and the boxes piled beside the desk and computer near the entrance and had to withstand the urge to walk backwards out of the room.
"Ianto, I'm sorry."
Irritated, Ianto shook his rigour off and returned his attention to Jack. "What do you mean?"
"If I was being too forward," Jack told him a bit sheepishly. "I don't want to pretend not to be interested in you as I am. I'm sorry if I overstepped some boundaries, though."
"You didn't," Ianto assured him.
"Sure? I know I'm quite forward. I… don't want to push too much seeing, well, that… after Canary Wharf."
Ianto had to admit that he was stunned. Not by Jack's obvious sympathy, he knew the captain was capable of deep compassion, but by him apologizing for his boldness. That certainly was an unusual feat for him and Ianto could understand why he led him down to the archives to do it. He wanted to offer him reassurance without encouraging him.
Choosing a stern tone he finally said, "If you did something objectionable I would have objected. You'll know when you're being too forward."
Jack released a breath of relief but he recovered quickly and beamed at Ianto with refreshed enthusiasm.
"Some flirting would be all right then?" he prodded. "I won't be able to help myself."
"I'm grown," Ianto huffed. "I can take a little flirting. You will know when you overdo it."
"Fine," Jack agreed and in order to test what would happen he casually added, "Unless there's anything else I could offer for comfort..."
It was all Ianto could do not to gape at the captain. Still his eyes grew wide and he drew in a long calming breath. The enticing scene that filled his imagination appealed to him even though he knew that it was wrong.
"No…" Ianto trailed off disapprovingly, "but thank you for offering yourself so altruistically."
Marvelling at Ianto's voice, which became even deeper now, Jack inwardly rejoiced at his witticism.
"Myself?" he queried. "I was thinking some hot chocolate and a massage..."
At that Ianto snorted with suppressed amusement.
"I think I can imagine what kind of massage you have in mind."
Now Jack pouted, "I'm not that bad!"
"So Owen's just telling tall tales?" Ianto challenged.
"Well, that depends..." Jack smirked and crossed his arms over his chest.
Amused Ianto shook his head. "Anyway... thanks for the offer."
"You're welcome," the captain smirked and clapped his hands together. "I see we have a deal! Well, then, the others should be in by now. Let's get to the meeting."
xXx
The team gathered in the boardroom up on the gallery. When Jack and Ianto came in the others were already there, sipping on Starbucks coffee that Suzie brought with her. Jack sat down at the head of the table while Ianto slid into the chair beside Owen. The medic shoved another cup of coffee to him.
"Thanks," Ianto murmured.
"All right…" Jack started, folding his hands on the tabletop. "First of all, I'm glad that you're all in one piece. This was one hell of a fight. We came through it relatively unscathed and that's not a matter of course. Now, is everything all right at home as well? Your families? Your flats?" Looking around he saw the others nod. "Good. Thank you for your extraordinary work. Even the Hub's all cleaned up and operational. Good work."
Nobody felt compelled to reply in any way. They just waited for Jack to continue.
"Second I want to officially welcome Ianto in Cardiff. I expect you to support him," he shot a glance at Owen, "all of you."
"Sure," Owen grunted. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You know why."
"Funny," Owen huffed. "Now, Jack, what about those predators? I'd love to have one for autopsy. You also said we had one of those pepperpot creatures… what are they called again… in our archives?"
"They're called Daleks," Jack sternly said. "And no, we don't have one and you won't get one."
"What about the predators?" Owen prodded.
"No. UNIT will keep those."
"Why? They're Torchwood property and it would be really interesting to study them."
"Now they're UNIT's property," Jack coldly told him. "You can study the reports about them later."
"But why do they get them? I want…"
"I know," Jack cut him short. "But you won't get what you want this time."
"Why?"
"We'll talk about that later, Owen," Jack snarled. "Now, I invited Ydris to come in later as he and Ianto wanted to arrange the transport of our Tasmanian tigers. He made a few calls this weekend. You'll figure out how to get them safely to Australia, right, Ianto?"
"Yes, sir."
"Jack," the captain corrected him.
Ianto scowled. It was hard to break with habits. The broad grin on Jack's face and the obvious amusement of his colleagues irritated him.
Trying to assure him Jack said, "We're really not that formal here, kid."
At that Ianto's scowl even darkened. "Well, then you'll have to get used to it for the course of the next week."
Jack's eyebrows shot up. He and everyone else stared at Ianto as if he had grown a second head. Then they laughed goodheartedly.
"Tosh," Jack turned to his IT expert. "Bring me up to date about the status of the computer system."
"All stations are set back up and operational," Toshiko reported lightly as Jack already knew the gist of it. She knew that he just asked to fill everyone else in as well. "The system is restored and I included the new software that Ianto will need for the archives."
"Good," Jack said even though he still was not happy about using part of One's software. Noticing that Suzie chewed on her bottom lip he addressed her, "Suzie, do you have something to contribute?"
Slowly lifting her head she focused on Jack. "I'd just like to know if you plan to bring Ydris in for more than just arranging the tigers' transport."
A mischievous smirk cracked Jack's features as he thought about all the possibilities. Knowing that Suzie meant the purely work related jobs he replied, "I don't intend to hire him."
That seemed to satisfy his second in command who nodded and returned her attention to some notes she took.
"Anything else?" Jack prodded.
"No," she shook her head. "We already talked about it."
Following her furtive glance to Ianto, Jack realized that she meant his spontaneous decision to transfer the Welshman for a temporary assignment to Cardiff. She had expected him to tell her about it before he asked Ianto to help with incorporating the artefacts they collected at Torchwood One. Jack understood that it would have been the nice thing to speak with Suzie beforehand, but being the boss he did not actually see the necessity.
"All right, kids," he declared. "Now that everything's up and running you'll do what you always do and keep an eye on the Rift. I have to go to London in order to meet with Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. There are some things we need to take care of."
"Sir, Major Billingham is responsible for the arrangements concerning the deceased," Ianto threw in. "Sergeant Kastner is in charge of the survivors who are in UNIT's custody. I've already emailed you their contact information."
Stunned Jack stared at the Welshman and a broad grin slowly drew up the corners of his mouth. "When did you get in touch with UNIT?"
"When I was in London, sir," Ianto told him. "I was at Canary Wharf and talked with Colonel Mace and Sergeant Kastner personally."
"You went back there?" Owen queried incredulously. "Why?"
"Lisa."
The simple statement as well as his determined expression quickly shut Owen up.
"Well, sir, I first went there as Lisa's fiancé, but as I figured that I'm acting in your interest I introduced myself to Sergeant Kastner as your interim director of personnel."
Jack just beamed at him. "Great. Ianto, you're brilliant. Did you already agree on anything?"
"No, sir. Sergeant Kastner only had a minute when I was there, so I told him that you'll contact him."
"Okay. Will do." Jack smiled proudly. "Anything else?"
"Well, I asked Colonel Mace what UNIT will do with the surviving creatures like the Blowfish."
"And…?" Jack asked, sounding slightly suspicious now. At once he had to think of the loathed spidery mouse things that Ianto seemed to fancy.
"He assured me that they will be taken good care of," Ianto explained. "Whatever that means in UNIT English."
Jack could not help but chuckle. Obviously Ianto shared his opinion about UNIT. They were necessary and certainly good for some things, but they also were a pain in the ass.
"Do you have any more surprises?" he smirked.
"No, sir."
"Can't you just call me Jack?" the captain queried with amusement lacing his voice. "You make me feel like I'm one of those old, stiff, frigid officers who have nothing better to do than ordering their subordinates around."
"Stiff, I'll believe," Owen snorted rudely. "Probably more often than any man has a right to be, but you and frigid don't even belong in the same sentence."
"What's the matter, Owen?" Suzie teased. "Jealous?"
"Of what?" Owen asked. "It's not like we're competing. He doesn't go for the same type I do."
"Oh, I think blonde and stupid would make Jack just as happy as any…"
"Anything else?" Jack asked sharply over the inappropriate byplay.
At first Suzie thought he was finishing her statement and turned to respond. Then she realized her boss was wrapping up the meeting and joined the others in shaking her head in a negative reply.
"All right, we're finished then," Jack declared. "Owen, a word in private."
As the others filed out of the conference room Owen eyed Jack curiously, drumming his fingers onto the tabletop.
"You asked me about the predators for autopsy and I declined your request," Jack told him without any detour.
"Right," Owen huffed. "Will you tell me the reason now?"
"What did you do during the weekend?" Jack demanded.
"What?"
"That's an easy enough question, Owen," Jack shook his head. "What did you do?"
"Slept in on Saturday. Watched TV. Played video games. Went out in the evening…" He trailed off and a smirk grew as he remembered, "Got laid."
"And on Sunday?"
"Slept in. Got laid. Slept some more. Played video games."
Thoughtfully Jack nodded.
"Would you say that you're well rested?" Jack queried. Seeing the doctor's confused expression he went on, "Because that's why I gave everyone the weekend off. To rest. Are you rested now, Dr. Harper?"
"I'm fit, Jack," Owen shrugged. "What are you getting at?"
"I don't like seeing you use drugs when you're out in the field, Owen. That's why I denied you the autopsies. To give you time to think about it."
"We were in a state of emergency!" Owen frayed. "It's not like I'm using constantly."
"I'd prefer you not using at all," the captain stated sternly. "Give me the pills."
"I don't know why you're upset," the medic grunted. "We know that they have no late effects. They're reliable. They're not dangerous."
Sadly Jack listened to Owen defending himself.
"Owen, you're a doctor. You know what you're doing to yourself when you use those meds. You're fooling your body, pretending that it's fresh and full of energy and when the effect wears off your whole system crashes. So I ask you again, Owen, what did you do this weekend?"
Biting his bottom lip Owen squirmed in his seat uncomfortably.
"Owen."
"Actually, I wanted to distract Ianto," he finally said. "But he kicked me out so I went home… where I fell asleep watching TV. I woke up Sunday morning."
"What about last night?" Jack prodded.
"I wasn't up to much, really," Owen shrugged. "Played video games, went to bed early."
"Good," Jack nodded. "Now give me the pills."
"I don't have them on me," Owen growled. "They're in the med bay."
"Well, that's right on my way," Jack stated, pushing himself up from his chair. "Let's go."
xXx
Jack had hardly left the Hub when Owen snickered, "All right, ladies, who's holding the bet that Ianto will stay longer than a week?"
"I don't bet," Toshiko declared.
"We all know Jack," Suzie shrugged. "He already gave Ianto a second assignment, one that won't be concluded within a week. We sure would lose the bet."
"Fine," Owen agreed. "We'll bet on the number of days then."
"No, thanks," Suzie shook her head and returned to the artefact she was working on.
"Tosh?"
The computer expert just rolled her eyes at the medic.
"Okay, then don't," Owen grumbled. "Where is he anyway?"
"Ianto went down to the archives," Toshiko told him. "To work. You know what that is, right?"
"I don't have any autopsy to conduct right now, as I didn't get one of those predators."
"Well, you could always help Ianto," Toshiko suggested with a sweet smile.
Glowering at her Owen turned to go to the archives. There he found Ianto at the desk, the computer running already.
"Here you are," Owen cheered. "I'd like to show you something."
"I was just about to get a general idea of your… archives," Ianto replied. "You took quite a lot from One, so it will take a while to get it all sorted."
"That can wait," Owen stated. "Come."
"What do you want to show me?"
"Wait and see…" Smirking he took Ianto by the arm and pulled him up. "Now come."
With a resigned sigh Ianto followed the medic back to the main Hub and up the stairs. High on the gallery Owen showed him to their kitchenette.
"So, there it is," Owen theatrically told him, "our coffee maker. The machine from hell that hates everyone and never produces anything but washing water."
Curiously Ianto took in the sight of the big silvery machine. It looked familiar and when he had a closer look he realized that it was a professional machine that would make any café or pastry shop proud. This one was not the same type as the one at the coffee shop where he had worked before Torchwood but it was not that different. Actually he wondered if he had not seen it at Starbucks before.
"And you dragged me here why…?" Ianto queried.
"Well, you said you're good at making coffee," Owen shrugged. "You claimed it couldn't be that bad. Prove it."
"You want me to make coffee?" Ianto chuckled.
"Yep."
"Well, I need to have a look at the machine first," the Welshman told him matter of factly, "See if it works properly and what might be the reason that you can't get coffee out of it."
"If you think that helps," Owen retorted.
"Why shouldn't it?"
"Because I've told you… this machine hates everyone," the medic insisted.
"We reap what we sow," Ianto shrugged.
"All right, former barista," Owen teased. "You think you can do it better…" he gestured invitingly at the machine, "Be my guest. I'm looking forward to tasting the result."
Recognizing the serious scepticism in the medic's words Ianto grimaced at him and shooed him away. When Owen had reached the gantry again Ianto turned to the coffee machine. He did not need long to determine a possible reason for the others' lack of success. Searching the cupboards he realized that he would not find what he was looking for and decided to get what he needed when he went to feed his spidermice during lunch break. Determined he went back to the archives to get some work done until then.
tbc…