Chapter Twenty-three
OK, I'm going away to Cheshire today for the weekend, so I doubt that I'll be able to update until Monday or Tuesday next week... sorry, guys. I really appreciate all the reviews – it's fantastic to know that you're all enjoying my work! Keep them coming, please!
DID YOU SEE THE TORCHWOOD TRAILER LAST NIGHT?!?! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!
Disclaimer: [insert witty/clever comment here] In other words, I don't own Torchwood.
"Ianto?" Jack asked nervously, fiddling with the edge of the duvet laid across their laps as they sat on Ianto's couch, watching repeats on a Sunday afternoon.
"Hmm?" Ianto asked absently, fascinated by the action on the TV screen.
Jack hesitated, unsure how to word what he was about to say. "I... I've got something important to tell you."
Ianto nodded, picking up the remote and switching off the TV. "I'm listening."
"Maybe I should have told you before, but I..." Jack swallowed, suddenly worried about how Ianto would take this news.
Ianto smiled encouragingly, taking Jack's hand and entwining their fingers. "Whatever it is, I'll listen," he reassured him.
"The thing is, I can get pregnant," Jack said, finding it hard to meet Ianto's shocked blue eyes.
"Sorry?"
Jack was relieved that Ianto didn't let go of his hand. "I can... well... y'know... get pregnant. Carry a baby. That sort of thing."
Ianto blinked, and was silent for a long moment.
Jack swallowed, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. "Ianto?"
Ianto was twisting his fingers in his lap, clearly struggling to take it in.
"I'm sorry, I should have told you before..." Jack said. "It just never occurred to me."
Ianto nodded, a sharp, uncoordinated movement. "Right."
Jack felt something constrict inside his chest, his heart skittering like a nervous lamb.
The Welshman opened his mouth, then closed it again. He shook his head, letting out a slow whistle. "Wow."
"You're OK with it?"
"You mean, apart from the fact that I'm now completely freaked out, yeah. I guess I am." Ianto smiled at Jack. "There's no need to look so scared."
Jack managed a weak smile.
"Just a couple of questions," Ianto said. "To start with the obvious, how is it possible?"
Jack shrugged. "51st century. Humans have changed quite a bit by then."
"OK..." Ianto said slowly, digesting this information. "So why are you telling me this now?" His eyes widened. "Oh God – you aren't, are you?"
Jack grinned. "Nah."
Ianto heaved a huge sigh of relief and wriggled around until he was leaning with his back to Jack's chest. "That's good."
Jack swallowed. "What... what would you do if I was?"
Ianto shrugged. "We'd manage." He twisted to give Jack a fleeting kiss. "I wouldn't leave you, if that's what you're thinking."
Jack smiled and rested his chin on the younger man's head. "Thanks."
"For what?"
"For everything."
-T-
Jack poked his head out the TARDIS door, wary of what he might find.
The long room in front of him was pierced at regular intervals by swarms of dust-motes floating in shafts of sunlight. The room felt musty and old, like inside an antiques shop, and the polished wooden floor squeaked softly as Jack walked along it.
Wondering why the TARDIS had brought him here, Jack parted the curtain at the end of the hall and gazed in awe at the massive jar in front of him.
It was like nothing he had ever seen before, with a gnarled huge head behind the glass.
Jack breathed a sigh of awe, not noticing that he had crossed the floor to press his hand up against the glass until he felt the cool, smooth surface beneath his fingertips.
Jack.
Jack reeled back from the whisper in his mind, hand instantly going to the empty gun-holder at his hip.
It's alright. I'm in the jar.
"What?" Jack gasped.
I'm the Face of Boe.
Jack frowned. "But—"
Old name, isn't it, Jack Harkness?
"How do you know who I am?" Jack asked sharply.
I know everything. I know why you're here.
"So can you help me?" Jack didn't know why, but he already trusted the Face of Boe.
That I can. If you want to bring Ianto back to you, then you'll have a sacrifice to make.
"What sort of sacrifice?"
That I can't tell you.
"Well, that helps. What can you tell me?"
Ianto's soul still exists in the Psychic Realm. You must go there and persuade him to come back – for he must come back willingly. If you fail, then Mr Jones is lost to you forever.
"That's it?"
Pretty much. The TARDIS will help you – for you and Mr Jones have history to re-write.
Jack frowned. "Isn't that against the rules?"
Provided the rest of the world know, then no.
"What sort of history?" he asked, suddenly worried.
The Face seemed amused. That is something you must work out for yourself, captain.
Jack's hand slipped from the glass tank. "How do you know all this?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at the wrinkled giant head.
Like I said, I know everything.
Jack's confusion deepened, but he tried to mask it behind a blinding grin. "Right, then. I'd better get back."
Travel safely, captain. Goodbye.
"Goodbye." Jack turned with a smile and started back towards the navy curtain.
He paused, hand on the heavy material. "And... thanks."
It was my pleasure.
There we go. I don't think many of you were expecting that! The plot can go in either of two directions now – I haven't decided which. It won't change much of the story, just a lot of where a (potential) sequel might go.
Reviews are huggled and loved very muchly – so please leave me one! I'd love to have 200 reviews soon, and I'll be writing an extra-long chapter/an extra one-shot if or when we get there! :D