Two

Approaching the Hub Ianto steeled himself, repeating a phrase that had stood him good stead over the past months that he COULD handle this. He could handle anything. A small voice whispered except…swallowing he stopped and closed his eyes for a moment. Then taking a breath, straightened his uniform. The double doors, sensing his presence, opened and he stepped inside.

Ianto scanned the room and he felt a wave of anxiety as he saw Harkness. His heart pounding he turned his back on him. He looked around to find something to distract himself. Hiding behind a glass always worked so he approached the buffet section to get a drink. His hand shaking slightly he ordered a tall beer and headed towards the nearest corner. His back to the wall and feeling a lot safer he took a longer look around. Like all Hubs the surround window exposed space for all to see. The scene was magnificent; the stars seemingly streaked by in long colourful strands. It was a beautiful sight he resolved never to take for granted again.

Moments passed in wonder when someone entering the room interrupted his reverie and he returned to reality with a thud. Everyone was looking in his direction and he felt his stomach fill with rats and for a second he was back on the Diligence. He blinked and looked again; no, he had imagined it. Half the people had their backs turned away so unless they had eyes in the back of their heads it was impossible for everyone to stare at him. He gulped feeling slightly manic as he reminded himself this was different ship, time and place.

Again he felt exposed and for a moment the room swirled and felt apprehension rise as the room seemed to close in around him. Closing his eyes he calmed himself. Opening them he found a man before him dressed in red jacket with gold embellishments, high boots and tight trousers. It was theatrical to say the least but close enough to a Space command dress uniform - if you removed the boots - to be considered one. Ianto decided it was more an attempt to turn the uniform into a statement beyond its practical purpose.

Before he could even begin to contemplate what that purpose might be the man held out his hand. 'Hello, I'm John Hart, Chief Engineer.'

'Ianto Jones, Associate Specialist in Mapping and Sensor Calibration.' Ianto took the offered hand, shaking it. Ianto tried to pull his hand away but John held the hand as if reluctant to let go. A second passed and his hand was released.

'You and I are going to be working very closely together.' John pursed his lips and took several moments hungrily looking Ianto up and down. Mostly down Ianto noted.

'We certainly will,' Ianto agreed, not sure how to take the man's raw interest.

'How many students do you have?' John brought his attention back to Ianto's face.

'Twenty. One is a dissertation student, Steven Carter. Three are here completing their qualifications for setting up the arrays for mapping. Another, Eugene Jones, came up with an incredible idea, and his project will run across the entire sixteen weeks. Eugene and I will be working with Tech Specialist Toshiko Sato on the transfiguration project,' Ianto replied happy to discuss anything that might divert the man's attention from himself.

John's face lit up. He had been to several briefings and was excited to see if the idea was going to work. If it did it would revolutionise how objects were transported. 'I've seen the power requirements.' John leaned in a little too closely. Ianto tried to step back but realised his back was to the wall.

'Do you have any students?' Ianto asked then corrected himself, unsettled by finding himself trapped. 'Of course you do this is a training vessel. I meant how many?'

'Twenty-four. They started a bit sooner than yours. They've been tuning up the engines for four days. I need to get my engines all oiled up and at their maximum efficiency. I like my engines tuned up and raring to go if you know what I mean.'

Ianto struggled to reply and he glanced around, seeing if there was any way to escape. Just as he tried to move John placed his hand on the wall, hemming him in.

'Who's got the title at the moment for most efficient ship's core in the fleet?' They both heard a gruff voice and turned to see Owen Harper walking up behind John. Ianto felt a wave of relief as John moved aside to allow Owen to stand beside him.

'Johnson. Not sure how she does it but she managed to get her engines running at 98.565 percent efficiency,' John replied taking a sip from his drink.

'She's Chief Engineer on the Tolerance,' Owen explained to Ianto.

'She comes with a bit of a reputation and not just for engine efficiency,' John added raising his eyebrows up and down.

'Well you would know all about that,' Owen told John.

'I may have made it past her defensive shields and exposed her open core but she never told me her first name or how her strong sensitive fingers stroked those engines of hers to provide such raw animal power.'

Ianto stared at John not sure if he had heard anyone describe a chief engineer in such terms. In truth this was the most innuendo laden conversation in his entire life.

'Ouch,' Owen said. 'I guess she's one person you didn't get to add to the notches on your bed post.'

'Oh we fucked,' John said matter-of-factly.

Ianto choked on his drink.

'She can come and tune up my engine anytime she likes.' John gave Ianto a nudge causing Ianto to spill some drink over his hand.

'Has he propositioned you yet?' Owen asked Ianto bluntly, who was flicking the spilt liquid off his hand.

'You interrupted,' John responded towards Owen. 'I was about to ask him if he had heard I had huge power reserves and would he like to take them out for a test run.' John looked at Ianto directly. 'They and I can really go long distance.'

'You've had eleven minutes. If I recall correctly it took exactly eleven minutes to seduce the last associate calibration specialist.' Owen handed Ianto a napkin to dry his hand.

'You seduced Sandra Zhang!' Ianto burst out as a picture the tall, elegant, prim and rather prissy senior associate came into his mind.

John smiled dreamily in remembrance. 'Oh yeah she can calibrate my sensors anytime she likes.'

Tosh now joined them, drink in hand. 'Be careful, Ianto. It looks like you might end up in his trophy cabinet.'

'For the record I don't have a trophy cabinet.' John took a long sip from his drink, keeping his eyes firmly on Ianto.

'But you do keep trophies,' Tosh told him.

'The best ones are here in my heart,' John said.

'Heart…is that what you are calling it?' Owen interjected.

John looked Ianto up and down with even more open appreciation. 'I can see my disappointment over renewing my exploration of all things Sandra can be put aside because you look like candy waiting to be unwrapped.'

Ianto wasn't sure if this man was to be taken seriously. The man's raw sexuality filled the room like a fog. His pun laden speech was suggesting he was being flippant. However the hungry look on John's face made it very clear that he was on the menu.

Tosh nudged Ianto. 'You are now subject to John's life goal.'

'Life's goal?' Ianto repeated, worried he knew where this was going and praying it wasn't.

'So many tasty treats so little time.' John winked at Ianto.

'Do I have to worry about my students?' Ianto looked concerned.

John's face grimaced in disgust. 'Do I look like a cradle robber? As delectable as new cheese might be, I like my cheese fully mature. Bodies are like red wine; they need to mature.'

'Does he always speak in metaphor?' Ianto asked Owen.

'Mostly but he can also be direct about what and who he wants,' Owen replied.

'You're a dish that has just been added to John's menu so you had better watch out,' Tosh teased Ianto, confirming his worst fears.

'I assure you this will be a menu-free mission,' Ianto stuttered.

'You don't think I've heard that before?' John threw him an air kiss.

Across the room Jack observed the exchange. He had arrived with Martha for support and had begun to intermingle with the guests, introducing himself and welcoming them aboard.

His breath had caught in his throat when Ianto had entered the Hub. Ianto's stiff gait caught his attention and jolted him. So even now he carried Jack's legacy with him.

'You okay?' Martha joined him.

'I'm here. And Ianto is in the same room.'

'Looks like John's already eyeing him up,' Martha added.

Jack let out a long breath.

'Remember, Jack; treat him like he's a member of the crew. Go welcome him on board just like you would anyone else.'

'Okay.' Jack braced himself.

Martha went across to join Captain Boston, who was introducing himself to the associate science officers.

'I saw and I'm on full rescue alert,' he told her.

'You look like a challenge to me,' John reiterated.

'I am not a challenge…' Ianto warned.

'Are you sexually harassing our visitors already?' Ianto snapped his head sharply towards the voice.

'Jackie boy, wondering when you were going to turn up,' John said as Jack joined the group.

'Commander Jack Harkness, First officer. Welcome aboard.' Jack held out his hand towards Ianto.

Ianto glared at him, his heart beating wildly.

Jack took back his hand. 'I hope everyone is making you feel welcome.'

Ianto found himself unable to move.

'John's already propositioned him.' Tosh placed her hand on Ianto's arm for support. She and Owen were in agreement; the one thing Ianto needed was to be seen and treated like any other crew member regardless of the potential of the situation leading to the biggest possible cluster-fuck meltdown in history. Normalising the situation was all they could do given Ianto's choice of running away to space so to speak.

'That's not the kind of welcome I was imagining.' Jack tried to make his voice light.

'That's John's way of saying welcome on board,' Owen said trying to keep the conversation going seeing how understandably awkward it had become.

'Always room for one more,' John said not sure why the heat in the room seemed to have dived towards zero.

'Good to have you aboard. I know how lucky we are to have you join us.'

'Do you?' Ianto found his voice.

'Yes, we are very lucky to have someone of your calibre, expertise and ex- ex-perience.' Jack stuttered under Ianto's fierce stare.

'Captain Boston.' Ianto found a large square hand engulf his and shake it.

John pulled Owen aside as Jack moved to the next group of associate specialists. 'Do Jack and my new challenge have a history? And more importantly do I have competition?'

'Firstly I don't think you have a chance with Ianto,' Owen told him.

John looked undaunted. 'Some of my most pleasurable wins have been by the hard to get.'

'Let's be honest…most of them could more truthfully be considered desperate,' Owen pointed out.

'You wound me,' John laid his hand on his chest and narrowed his eyes at Jack then returned his gaze towards Ianto.

'Something's up between those two because the room temperature went frigid and I sense unfinished business.'

Owen pulled John further aside by his elbow. 'I'd say, the last time Ianto met Jack was when he was John Jones and Jack Harkness was his commanding officer on the Diligence.'

John's eyes flew open. 'He's that John Jones, of the Jones family empire, Diligence Jones who Jack…'

'Keep your voice down,' Tosh warned him as she joined Owen and John.

Owen leaned towards John. 'There are two things Ianto hates. Firstly he hates people knowing his family connections because it means they act differently around him. And as you can imagine he despises Jack Harkness.'

John took a long sip from his drink and looked towards Ianto, licking his lips. 'So you think I have a chance?'

'Getting into his trousers? No,' Owen told him outright.

John raised his eyebrows. 'What you're saying is I have a chance?'

Owen shook his head in disbelief at John's self-assurance.

John pointed his glass at Owen. 'You said he hated being treated differently. He says he's not on the menu, but he looks like a forty-four course banquet to me.' John took a deep sniff in Ianto's direction, savouring the air around him, 'and I sense it's been a long time since he was at the table if you get my drift. And he would add one hell of a memento to my collection.'

"Let him try, I'm interested to see just how many ways Ianto can shoot you down,' Tosh said then drained her glass.

'You're on,' Owen said.

'You wanted to see me?' Ianto popped his head into Owen's office early the next day.

'Yes I did. And don't give me that look.' Owen interpreted the long suffering look on John's face which always appeared when people started to make a fuss about this health. 'Did you read your orientation information? It was in the blue folder.'

Truth was he was so tired from his race to get to the ship, and then having to be in the same room with Jack Harkness, he hadn't had the energy to open the cover let alone read it.

Owen indicated they move to a private examination area. 'I'll take your silence as a no so I'll fill you in. Within 24 hours of arrival each crew member has to visit the sick bay for an examination. It's now mandatory to have medical crystals imbedded.' Ianto took off his Deep Space Command Insignia ring from his thumb and handed it to Owen who handed it back without examining it.

'That one is out of date so I've prepared a new one for you. The new one has your medical data and your ID. You will need to shed the sleeve on your right arm and expose your right arm pit,' Owen directed.

Ianto divested himself of his sleeve and exposed his under arm. 'When did this come about?' Ianto asked curious, he and watched Owen pick up a gun-like object.

'About four and half years ago new regulations came into effect. All ID and medical data pertinent to that officer must be embedded on their person. As undignified as this appears, the area of your under arm is one of the best protected areas on your body.' There was a sharp snap and Ianto felt a sting.

Ianto rubbed the spot and the sting faded to nothing within seconds. Owen now picked up a substantial scanner and waved it over the spot. Ianto watched as information flowed down the screen to his right.

'The next step is the medical officer, in this case me, must confirm the crew member presenting themselves is the same person as their medical profile.'

Owen took several moments to double check the information then pressed his confirmation.

'Now strip,' Owen ordered just as Ianto was about to put his arm back into his sleeve.

'Is that absolutely necessary?' Ianto asked.

'You missed the pre-mission check so I need to give you the once over.'

'I'm fine,' Ianto argued.

'Look I'm not looking for an excuse to get you off the ship. But considering your injuries and the manner with which you joined the crew I thought we should get this over now.'

'Everything?' Ianto checked.

Owen nodded and handed him a patient coverall.

'They've done a beautiful job on your back, Ianto. But from the way you are walking it would suggest you've been left with a lot of stiffness,' Owen said as he finished his examination.

'Yesterday made me realise just how unfit I am,' Ianto admitted.

'You've packed on a few extra pounds,' Owen pointed out. 'Which is not surprising; your life is mostly sedentary. 'The pelvic injury combined with the back injury is a double whammy that means you are not as flexible as you should be. I expect you are not telling me how sore and tired you are.'

Ianto nodded meekly in agreement to Owen's assessment.

'I recommend a good exercise routine and cut down on the snacks between meals and start eating a more regular diet. Your bloods are good but you are anaemic.' Owen held up a long pen-like instrument. 'This is slow release iron.' Ianto heard a hiss on the side of his arm.

"I've taken up squash again,' Ianto told him.

'Don't overdo it.'

Owen saw the look on Ianto's face begin to form. 'I'm not your Dad. On that note how are you holding up?'

'I found this outside my room this morning.' Ianto held out a pair of heart-shaped notes made from fluorescent pink paper so bright it pained their eyes.

Owen took it and smiled. 'John is part Aurelian.' Ianto creased his forehead as he tried to recall the race. "It means he has an accelerated sex drive and can produce pheromones that can clear a room or cause an orgy depending on circumstances.'

'Do I need to be concerned about my students?' he asked the same question from the night before.

'John is strictly adults only. He has this list and is on a life mission. If he includes the lower orders so to speak he will never achieve his goal.'

'Goal?'

'To have sex with every unattached Space Command Officer and anyone else who takes his fancy,' Owen told him. 'To enable that goal it's rumoured he has a Samurai sword and a disco ball in his quarters.'

Ianto couldn't believe his ears. 'A Samurai sword and a disco ball!'

'Along with a round bed and a mirror on the ceiling, not that I would know,' Owen hastily added. He handed Ianto back the notes. 'This is just the start. I don't have to worry do I?' Owen said, thinking about his bet with Tosh.

"Owen, there is not enough liquor in the entire universe.'

'Just so you know the harder you resist the more persistent he will become.'

Ianto groaned at Owen's pronouncement.

Owen turned and picked up a pile of papers and handed them to Ianto. 'Talking about persistence you tell your dad. I am not going to spy on you or be sending him hourly, daily or weekly reports on your progress. He sent me those to fill in because I wouldn't take his calls. You can also tell him I don't care if he is the chairman of the over-sight committee for the whole bloody space command stomping his feet won't work with me.'

"Sorry.'

'Never mind sorry! For star's sake give him a call. He's worried about you.'

Returning to his quarters, Ianto felt his stomach rumble. Maybe best next thing would be breakfast before he met his students. He was hungry but the thought of running into Jack Harkness was enough spoil his appetite.

He looked at the replicator. No, that was just avoiding the reality of his situation. He had put himself here so he had better start to deal with this.

What he needed was something to keep his attention, something to hide behind. His eyes fell on the blue gold embossed folder on the table and picked it up. 'Perfect,' he thought to himself.

Just as he was about to head to the door, it chimed. Recalling Owen's words about John he braced himself.

'Captain,' Ianto burst out as he opened the door.

'I'm here on an unofficial visit because I just wanted to see how you were settling in,' Ira admitted.

'I was about to head off for breakfast. I thought I had better read the orientation manual.' Ianto held out the folder.

'Everything you need to know about the ship, all the social activities and advocates are included. Commander Harkness and I both felt the novelty of it being in a real paper folder would encourage the students to actually read it.'

Captain Boston saw Ianto react at the mention of his first officer.

'I'm going to be honest with you. I wanted to see you before the voyage really got going. Stepping back into an active role and being here with Commander Harkness will not be an easy task.'

'I can cope.'

'Cope is an interesting word. It says so much and yet so little,' Captain Boston said. 'Coping suggests you are not good but not falling apart. I know I cannot appreciate just how difficult it is for you being here on board with Commander Harkness. He is more than just a crew member he is the first officer.

'I wanted to share something that might help, it has certainly helped me. Often in our working lives we have to work with people we loath and despise. Or we have lost our faith in them and/or respect. Given the choice we would rather eat 'Chogan Acid Beetles' than to be in the same room, let alone take orders from them. I have found the only way forward is to respect the role rather than the person.' Ira smiled.

Ianto took several moments as he mulled over the Captain's words. 'That's very helpful, thank you sir. '

'I also know that on your last posting the Captain refused to see you which put you into a very difficult position. I wanted to let you know that my door is always open. Don't hesitate to put me to good use.'

'Thank Sir.'

'On that note I think breakfast is in order,' Ira suggested and they both headed out the door. 'And if John Hart gives you a hard time just knee him in the groin that usually works.'

'Sir.' Ianto said startled.

'It seems to be an all-purpose Aurelian off-switch. Trust me, it works every time because hurting an Aurelian in such a manner suggests you mean what you say.'

'Yes Sir, I'll keep that in mind,' Ianto said as they reached the lift.