8
Martha listened to her cousin and then glanced over at her father Clive, who had listened from across the room in his armchair. Most people underestimated this man who looked like a normal nice old man but in fact the man was an ex-Hoodlum enforcer with ties to some bad people. And he may not have flown in a blue box… but he did throttle the pilot a little for taking Ianto in the first place. Oh yes… Clive Jones was a good man.
There was one in the kitchen" Francine said as she placed down a plate of freshly cut cake "Scared the bejesus out of me."
"They felt wrong. Bad" Ianto said as he reached for a slice and hummed appreciatively.
"And they are coming from your work. Bloody Torchwood" Francine huffed as she reached out to absently stroke the hair across Ianto's forehead, much as she had when he was a little boy at this exact same table.
After his parents were gone and his grandfather took him in, a lot of time was spent here. He would come home after school with the girls and settle here, Adeola off to her home across the back yard when her mama called and Ianto when his grandfather called for him after the tailor shop was closed for the night.
How he met Lisa. She was a friend of Adeola's and introduced them. Something she had apologized for even though he does not blame her. It did seem to work for a while there… but Lisa is too ambitious. And jealous of Adeola now as she has a top spot already. Eventually their friendship started dying, so stronger became the relationship between Lisa and Ianto. He knew that. They all did.
"So what are you going to do?" Francine asked as she placed a smaller pate with a couple of slices on her husband's chair side table and he grunted his approval.
"Honestly? We have to get Jack out of there before she decides to kill him" Ianto said, then added "Or me."
Clive turned his head to stare at him and then finally speak "Would she dare?"
"Uncle, people die in the tower all the time. All the time" Ianto said softly. "He's an ex-companion… I have to help him."
"Hmmm. Why I never approved of you kids there" he replied "but the money drew you like flies to shit."
"Lovely Dad, thanks" Martha screwed her nose up as Ianto laughed and settled back.
"Well… I take it you have plan Toto" Clive said as he leaned forward to listen.
Yeah.
He did.
.
.
Three shifts later and Ianto had the system sorted, knew where everyone and everything was and was ready when Adeola whispered softly in passing "It's on."
Ianto continued to pass her in the corridor like she hadn't spoken and she did not glance back, swinging her legs so her heels continued their clip clop towards the file room.
Ianto entered his room "Jack, we are a green for go."
Jack rose from the ledge and reached out for his jacket, shucking it on and then stopping as he watched Ianto pull out a bag from under the desk. Ianto then upturned it on the desk and Jack gaped as he saw his Great Coat folded neatly, exiting his cell to snatch it up and then freeze at what was still on the desktop.
"I know. Took me a hell of a lot of Brains and dirty dancing to get out of Frickman where that was. I almost got my fingers cut off by the safety mechanism. God, so much hype over a wristband" Ianto said, turning to look at the clock on the wall "Come on Jack, almost time."
Jack snatched up his vortex Manipulator and paced his hands together in silent prayers of thanks to the Gods before he turned to look at Ianto. He admired the young man's resolve, moxie and above all… that arse as he leaned over the desk to open a drawer from the other side and remove the weapons that... oh. Webley my love, there you are.
"Don't shoot me" Ianto muttered, sliding the Webley at Jack and then checking his own sidearm and he turned to stay something when the shift started early.
They both stood with eyes wide open with shock as the entire building seemed to shudder. This was not like the last couple she had tried.
"What…. What the actual fuck…" Ianto reached for the phone "Adie what… what? When. Get out. I don't care if he is there… he is not my problem right now, this man can take care of himself … NO… rise from your chair and walk to the stairs, do not use the elevators… start walking away from the room. NOW!"
Jack saw the fear in Ianto's face and then turned to watch the thing in the corner of the room as it started to solidify. With horror he suddenly knew what it was even if it was not fully aspirated and Ianto yelped as he was seized in a death grip and yanked under the big old desk but Jack who then curled himself around him and placed a hand over his mouth.
Ianto looked at him with trust and slight annoyance at the manhandling, then they both froze ad a metallic clunk sounded in the room. They both moved to their hands and knees to peer under the desk, the small three finger height of the feet that showed metal feet. Two metal feet moving for the door.
Ianto felt tendrils of fear enveloping his balls as Jack gripped him tightly and hissed "Cybermen. Don't move."
Ianto didn't know what was more startling for him.
The fact they seemed to be being invaded by some sort of metal robotic cyber things…. Or the fact Jack spoke out loud.
With an American accent?