Title: Episode One Renewable Resource
Author: SoLeo
Pairing: Jack/Ianto duh.
Spoilers: Just for COE that I can think of.
Notes: Set one week after Day 5. If you haven't read my COE:Amendum you will be lost. But you have read it…. Right? Lots of Ianto in this chapter. Now with beta! Thanks to the lovely sheerpoetry for helping me out.
--__--__--__--
Chapter Two
Ianto was double-checking the work Gwen had done this morning. He walked slowly along a row of items, crouching down for a closer look every so often. He ignored the frequent quick glances Jack threw at him. Jack had been keeping him in sight as much as possible all week and Ianto was getting tired of it. Jack was being so over-protective that it was stifling - he was doing twice the work because Jack wouldn't let him stay behind and get his job done when they got any sort of sighting.
Gwen was getting on his nerves as well. She kept complaining about cabin fever. She didn't want special treatment just because she was pregnant, especially because she wasn't even showing yet. She blamed him for being left behind when it was all Jack's doing.
He had been staring at one object for five minutes when he noticed Lois walk up to him, coffee cup in hand. "The captain, um Jack, said I had to get your approval to use the machine." She smiled shyly. "You see, I've got a bit of experience making coffees so I thought I'd just brew you a cup." She held it out to him expectantly.
He didn't want to appear rude, but no one that had worked for Torchwood Three in the last decade had made a decent cup of coffee. He accepted the cup and then a hesitant sip of the dark liquid. Almost involuntarily, he closed his eyes and savored the delicious mixture. It wasn't as good as his, but it was close—too close.
"It's just fine Lois." She beamed at him as if he'd said it was the best thing he'd ever tasted. He turned and saw Jack watching the exchange, a large smile plastered on his face as well.
Quite suddenly, Ianto felt very replaceable. He knew it was irrational since he had gained experience and skills in his years at Torchwood and Lois was just starting out, but for a split second, he was very angry at Jack, Lois, and the world, really. The cup he had been holding delicately in his hand shattered as he squeezed more firmly than he meant to and the hot liquid spilled on his hand and the floor.
Lois took a step back shocked, while Jack jumped up and rushed toward them. Ianto ignored the burning sensation as it quickly faded.
"I'm sorry. I think I just need a moment." He escaped out the door as Gwen was making her way back in.
"What was that all about?" He heard her say as the door shut behind him.
The grey sky had finally decided to shower the masses and he was getting wet in the light drizzle. He could have turned back to get his coat, but he couldn't face them right now. He turned away from the bay and the Roath Dock. After five minutes, he had barely reached a busy street when he heard footsteps behind him.
"Jack, if that's you, I swear to God I will shoot you just to have a few moments to myself." The footsteps got closer and Ianto turned around, expecting Jack to be there, possibly holding his coat with a sheepish smile. Instead, he came face to face with a vagrant. The other man's cloths were ragged and dirty. Ianto couldn't tell his age, but he still seemed young.
"I'm so glad my name's not Jack," he said cheerfully.
"Sorry, I thought you were someone else."
"So I gathered. No harm done." The other man raised his hands up to his chest, almost as if trying to calm a terrified animal. It took Ianto a moment to realize the man was surrendering as if he would really pull out a gun at any moment. He couldn't help himself and broke into a laugh.
"Put your hands down. I'm not going to hurt you," he finally got out.
"Well, no offence to you, but I've been beat up by nicer dressed people for less than sneaking up on them."
"No really. I'm sorry. Did you need something?" He reached for his wallet, the man finally lowering his hands as he brought it out.
"A fiver would be nice, if you could spare one. I need to get a decent shave. I'm turning my life around, but no one is taking me seriously with all this stubble." Improving his appearance it would take a lot more than just a shave for people to believe the man before him was anything more than a bum. They shared a smile and Ianto handed over a ten.
"Thank you." He pocketed the money and then turned to say, "David."
"Excuse me?"
"My name. It's David."
"Well David, good luck to you."
"Thank you again. I'm headed over to Shelter Cymru, they've got a great outreach program. Someday I hope to repay your kindness." They shared another smile and parted ways. Ianto watched him go, heedless of the rain that continued to fall. From his internal map, he knew the man would have to walk all the way across town to reach that shelter. He wished he could have offered him an umbrella or something.
"Did you make a new friend?" Ianto sighed and dropped his smile while turning to face Jack. "You left in quite a huff. Are you okay?" He motioned to his hand, and then tried to reach for it, but Ianto pulled away.
"Yeah. I'm okay, not a scratch on me. You can lighten, up you know." Ianto continued at his confused look. "I'm here, I'm real. I'm not going to disappear if you don't keep me in sight."
Jack sighed as well. "I know, but I… I can't lose you again." This time when he reached for his hand, Ianto let him have it. Jack brought it up to his lips and kissed each digit, also doing a quick inspection for injury. "Just give me a little more time to get over this. It was really traumatic, ya know," he added.
As if he could really say 'no' to Jack. Before he could reply, Jack's earpiece chirped to life. Ianto could barely make out Gwen's voice. "Okay. Ianto and I will head out. Finish going over those artifacts while we're gone."
"Did that Weevil turn back up?" Ianto would be getting another earful from Gwen when they got back as she was being left behind again.
"No," Jack held out the sound. "Something strange turned up in an autopsy, probably another alien hitchhiker, and not the good kind. Let's go get the car." He turned and started back, knowing that Ianto would be right behind him.
--__--__--__--
Raoul was up to his elbows in the belly of one Mr. Gardner. The man was huge, and he would have put down the death to complications from diabetes if not for the obvious claw marks along the man's torso and arms. He could only ponder where the man could have been camping to meet up with something that would leave such marks. He needed to get this out of the way, as he had three more bodies with similar wounds to take care of.
"Maybe the police should put out a warning to stay clear of this camp area. I've seen far too many animal injuries recently." This is why he preferred staying home, no strange animals would be attacking him in the middle of Cardiff.
He pulled the stomach free with a squelching sound and put in on the scale. He was about to continue when the door opened and a man entered wearing a long wool coat. It looked too hot, but the man didn't seem to notice. Trailing behind him was a young man in a smart suit.
"You can't just burst in here. I'm working." He tried to shoo the two men out, with no success.
"Where's the body of Ryan Douglas? We're here to confirm your findings." The fellow in the long coat spoke with such confidence that Raoul didn't think to doubt him.
Since they didn't seem to be leaving any time soon he took off his gloves and moved away from Mr. Gardner. "Fine, follow me."
--__--__--__--
A/N: So, good so far?
