Chapter 2:

Jack had been watching the unconscious man in the cells on the CCTV for an hour now and it had given him a chance to study him properly.

Dark hair framed his face perfectly and Jack could only imagine how delectable it would look ruffled and sleep mussed. Attempting to wrench his thoughts back on track he let his eyes wander analytically down the black tshirt and dark jeans that the man was wearing. Appropriate wear for the 21st century and Tosh's scans had shown no weapons. If he was a time agent he would have to be a very unorthodox one and this scared the Captain even more. He had no idea who this man was even though he seemed to know all about him and Torchwood. He looked young, no more than twenty something but Jack of all people knew that looks can be decieving.

They had removed the wrist strap and upon first glance it looked exactly the same as Jack with the same dimensions and made of the same material but closer examination showed that it was much older, worn and stained in some places. Whoever he was, he seemed like trouble, and trouble seemed to be waking up.

Moving out of his office and down the stairs he let the others know he was heading down to the cells and asked them to call Gwen.

"Our resident Miss Bleeding Heart is not going to be happy that you've got a guy locked up in the cells" Owen commented. " Or that you cut her day off short for that matter."

" I need all of you in here until we know exactly who or what we're dealing with" Jack replied. " He could be dangerous"

"He's cute." Tosh put in then blushed and ducked her head at Owen's sharp look.

"Is he?" Jack said, trying to sound casual.

"Come on Harkness, don't try and pretend like you haven't noticed" scoffed Owen.

"Yes, well maybe once we verify he's not a homicidal alien trying to take over the world." Jack retorted before striding towards the basement.

"Not like you to wait." the medic shouted after him before turning to the autopsy table and his work.

The dull ache in the back of his head amplified as Ianto returned to consciousness and he slowly became aware of of his surroundings. He had been dumped on the floor in one of the cells, directly opposite the snarling weevil Janet. At least he still had his clothes, though upon a quick inventory he found his vortex manipulator missing. The sound of heavy footsteps coming closer caused him to look up directly into Jack's face but the normally friendly eyes were cold and questioning. The normally reassuring surroundings were a lot more intimidating when you were the one behind the glass Ianto thought and began to feel uncharacteristically uncomfortable.

"Jack, what are you doing, why am I in here?"

"First things first, You're in Torchwood." the Captain said, determind not to let the young man get to him

" Jack! I know bloody well I'm in Torchwood!" Ianto shouted, incredulous. " What am I doing in the cell?"

" We seem to be on an unequal footing here."

"What?"

" You seem to know who I am-"Jack began but was shortly cut off;

" Of course I know who you are!"

"-and all about Torchwood, but you see, contrary to popular belief, I do NOT know you" he continued as Ianto began to look steadily more lost.

"Oh my god. You really don't know me do you? You-you don't know"

The look on Ianto's face was heart breaking and Jack couldn't help but feel guilty for putting it there though for all he knew the man was lying and they had really never met. HIs mind couldn't help but wonder if he was part of his past, someone who he had known in the two years the time agency had stolen from him.

"Look, I'm sorry if we do know eachotheror, if I've forgotten you or something but I really need some answers." Jack tried but was barely looked at as the man in the cell began to speak again.

"No, you haven't forgotten me." He quirked a small, sad, smile " As if you could. You haven't met me yet. I could tell if I looked but I didn't want too. You look... so young. Younger than I've ever seen you before"

"I'm not young."

"Don't you think I know that? I know you Jack, you just don't know me yet."

This disturbed Jack more than he let on. Just how much had he told (or how much would he tell) him? But he was getting ahead of himself. This might be just an elaborate ploy on the part of the time agency or some other of the long list of enemies he had made over the many years. Somehow his prisoner picked up on his doubt.

"I know you don't brlieve me but I can prove it to you I swear."

"How?" asked Jack, unsure now of what exactly he was getting into. The other man was the one in the cell, unarmed but right now he seemed to be the one in control of the situation. Despite himself he leaned in closer until they were only separated by the cell wall and then he gasped as Ianto whispered a single word into his ear, one that brought back in a sudden rush of emotion, memories of a glowing beach, a family and happiness then in the same second the shouts of battle, a hand slipping from his, his father's dying breath. He heard his true name for the first time in centuries.

"How do you know that? I've never told anyone that, There's only one time when I could tell anyone that"

All he got from the other side of the glass was a weary nod before they both tried to carry on as if nothing had happened

" Sorry, I keep on forgetting you don't even know my name yet. It's Jones, Ianto Jones. Shouldn't you let the rest of them I'm not going to attempt to kill you all?

"Um, yeah, I'll just go and do that" The Captain murmmered before rushing upstairs, glad of a chance to clear his thoughts away from the intriguing Welshman. And he was Welsh, a fact Jack hadn't picked up in the first few lines of conversation they had shared but now was obvious. Ianto. He liked it.

"Dammit!" now was not the time to be developing feelings for a mysterious welshman who knew far too much for comfort. A mysterious attractive welshman who knew too much his brain ammended. This was going to be difficult.