Eternity Chapter 3

TWTWTW

When Ianto woke in the morning, he went into the bathroom to relieve himself and then stripped off and took a hot shower. He was hoping that it was all a dream. He'd wake up and have a laugh about it all. That there was no vampire, but he knew different.

Putting on a robe that was on the back of the bathroom door, Ianto walked to the main door. Opening it, he looked outside. There was a carrier bag with clothes inside it. Taking the bag to the bed, Ianto emptied it out.

Trousers. Shirt. Tie. Jacket. Socks and underwear. All in his size. All in colours he would have chosen himself. It was uncanny how Jack knew everything about him.

Or was it. He had been watching him for three weeks. Had he been inside his flat while he was out? Is that how he knew about the clothes?

Putting the clothes on, Ianto sat on the bed and waited.

Jack walked around the floor of the Hub, checking the Rift monitor. It was all quiet. He checked his watch. 6.25am.

Moving to the stairwell, Jack descended to the cells two stories below, checking on Janet. She was sound asleep. Despite himself, Jack smiled. Leaving the cells area, Jack made his way back up to the guest quarters and Ianto Jones.

Knocking on the door, Jack slowly opened it and went inside.

"Good, you're up." He looked at the clothes. "I'm glad they fit."

"Perfectly," replied Ianto, leaving it at that.

Stepping aside, Jack said, "Shall we?"

Ianto got off the bed and went through the door.

"Round to your right and up the stairs."

Ianto did as he was told and walked into the main Hub. His eyes were like saucers as he looked around.

Myfanwy came down to investigate the stranger, squawking at him.

"Is that…."

"A pterodactyl, yes."

"Wow!"

Jack sat down at one of the workstations. "Cardiff was built over a Rift in time and space. Torchwood, that's us, was formed by Queen Victoria in 1879." Jack turned on the monitor. "We keep the skies safe from aliens. Collect artefacts and stray aliens that manage to get through. Send back those that don't."

"The Weevil," said Ianto.

Jack nodded. "Bad breath, bad dress sense, sharp teeth and an attitude problem."

"And the people who work with you?"

"Will start arriving at about 8 - 8.30am. You'll meet them."

Ianto took a deep breath. "So, everything you've told me is true?"

"Yes." Jack stood up. "And you can be a part of all this."

"If I give myself to you."

"Maybe even if you didn't…." Jack let the sentence trail off.

Ianto frowned.

"Take a look around, but please, don't touch anything." Jack stood, ramming his hands deep into his trouser pockets. "We have an autopsy room. Kitchen area. Boardroom. The cells you've seen first hand. A well equipped armoury. Firing range. Garage."

Ianto walked over to the railing, looking down into the autopsy room. "Are we still in Cardiff?"

"Yes."

"Did you say you had a kitchen? I'm a bit peckish and I could do with a cup of coffee."

"Right this way."

Jack walked Ianto over to the coffee machine.

"The fridge is quite well stocked. We have a coffee machine, but we make rubbish coffee."

Ianto almost smiled. "May I?"

Jack moved aside. "Please do."

Ianto inspected the coffee beans and, putting two different beans in the grinded, switched it on. Once the coffee was ground, Ianto put the grounds into the coffee filter and filling a jug with cold water, poured it into the top of the machine. He turned it on and looked for cups.

The coffee machine started to gurgle and hiss, as the amber nectar dripped into small cups below the nozzles.

"You make it look so easy."

"Had experience. I am also a PA. Making the coffee is in my job description."

"A man of many talents."

Ianto blushed, making Jack smile.

Opening the fridge, Ianto looked inside. He took out milk, a yoghurt and some fruit.

"We can either go up to my office or sit on the old couch."

"The couch is fine," replied the young Welshman.

Jack just nodded.

"W-what made you choose me?"

"I didn't. My heart did."

"Haven't you got lots of female vampire….girlfriends?"

"Nope."

"None?"

"No."

"Do you go out every night and kill someone for their blood?"

Jack laughed at Ianto's naivety. "No. I haven't killed anyone for 600 years." He carried to fruit and yoghurt over to the couch while Ianto carried to cups of steaming coffee.

"The members of my team give me their blood. Once a month. One pint, that's all I take."

"They give you their blood?"

"I saved each of them from certain death. They felt they owed me. I asked them to join Torchwood, that would be their payment to me."

"And this….relationship works?"

"Very well."

"Then why do you need me?"

Jack tutted. "I've been alone for over 600 years. I'm tired of being on my own. I thought to seek a mate….a female. But I saw you and my heart was captured by you."

Ianto closed his eyes for a second. "But if you're not….and I'm not….How can it possibly work?"

"The heart is a complex organ, with a mind of it's own. It's true what they say. We can't help who we fall in love with. I fell in love with you."

"But I…."

"Give it a week."

Ianto nodded, sipping his coffee. "Then you'll let me go?"

"Yes."

Jack's heart sank. Had he already lost the love of his life without even fighting for him? Was Ianto just going to work the week and then leave regardless? It saddened Jack.

"Have-have you ever been inside my flat? Only, the clothes, they fit perfectly."

Jack waited a few minutes before answering. "Yes, a couple, actually. You were in bed the first time. I just stood watching you sleep. The second time, you were at work. I followed you there and then went back to your flat." Jack saw the shock, or was it fear on Ianto's face.

"I would never hurt you. I….just wanted to see you."

"Did you know I was straight?"

"Yes, I figured that out. Saw you chatting with some girls at the bar a few nights ago." Jack looked away. "You were slightly drunk and you were driving."

Ianto recalled the night. "She turned me down. They always do. I….I don't have the knack for picking up the fairer sex."

Jack laughed. "You just attract vampires of the same sex."

Ianto had to smile. "Yes."

"Go into this with an open mind, Ianto. That's all I ask. Don't write me off. I have a lot to offer you."

Ianto shook his head. "I can't. I'm sorry."

Jack stood and walked up to his office, leaving Ianto sitting alone on the battered old couch.

He was still sat there when Gwen arrived an hour later. She walked through the cog door and just smiled at him as she walked to her workstation.

Jack stepped out of his office and greeted her.

"Morning, Jack."

"Gwen."

"He looks fresh as a daisy."

"Ianto Jones, Gwen Cooper. Ex-police officer."

Ianto smiled.

Next to arrive was Tosh.

"Jack," the Japanese woman nodded to him.

"Toshiko Sato, Ianto Jones. Tosh runs all out software. She's our Oracle."

"Morning, Ianto."

"Morning."

"Ianto knows how to use the coffee machine."

"Magic," said Gwen, smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Owen Harper arrived twenty minutes later amid a lot of swearing.

"Think I could find a bloody parking space? No. I had to park in the car park across the road. Bloody tourists. Nicking my space."

"I didn't see your name on any spaces out there, Owen," said Gwen.

"Ha bloody ha," he replied.

Then he turned to face Ianto.

"His is him, I take it?"

"Ianto Jones, Owen Harper."

"That's Doctor Owen Harper, if you please."

"Well, the gang's all here," said Jack. "Let's get to work. Ianto, follow me."