Cardiff
Three weeks later
"I like this one."
Ianto couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Jack's declaration. It was the fourth house they'd looked at just on that day alone. He'd lost count altogether of the total number of houses, flats and apartments that had been looked at and summarily rejected by Jack, and he wasn't entirely sure what was so special or different about this one that warranted Jack's immediate approval.
"Any particular reason why?"
To the bemusement of both Ianto and the more than slightly harried realtor, Jack grabbed Ianto's hand and hauled him into the centre of the living room.
"There!"
Ianto looked up in the direction Jack was pointing in, but drew a blank. All he saw was the skylight, and the Cardiff-typical cloud-covered sky beyond.
"What, Jack? What am I looking at?"
"Up there!" Jack said, with just a hint of frustration in his voice now. "It's the sky!"
If Ianto hadn't known any better, he would have thought Jack had regressed again. As it was, he had to take a calming breath before trying again.
"It's a skylight, Jack. It's hardly something to base the purchase of a house on."
"Yan, I can see the sky!" Jack persisted. "At night, I'll be able to see the stars."
And suddenly, Ianto understood. Jack had been chosen to stay on Earth, but his heart remained in the stars. The skylight was special to him in that it allowed him to continue to feel connected to the universe.
He looked around wryly. The house only had two bedrooms, one bathroom, an inadequately sized kitchen that was definitely going to need renovating, and it was right on the border of a questionable part of town. Then, he looked at Jack's hopeful gaze, and any resolve he still had melted. The house might not be ideal, but with some effort it could be a home. And really, how many homes were perfect anyway?"
"I think we'll take this one," he told the agent, and couldn't help but laugh at Jack's delighted whoop.
Yes, it was definitely the right choice.
"How long before we can move in again?" Jack asked as they lay sated in their bed in the TARDIS that night. Ianto rolled his eyes. It was not the first, or even the second, third or fourth time that Jack had asked that very question.
"For the seventh time, Jack, settlement will take place in thirty days. We can move in after that, which is just as well, because we have no furniture yet."
Jack's face lit up at that prospect.
"We can go shopping together! We can go to all the furniture shops, and try out all of the beds…"
Ianto shot Jack a warning look.
"I hope you don't mean that literally."
"Spoilsport," Jack huffed.
"Goose," Ianto shot back affectionately. "As long as it only involves lying on the beds to see how they feel, then yes. We can try them out. But if you mean what I think you mean…"
"Relax, Ianto. I do have a sense of propriety. I even use it sometimes, too."
Ianto snorted, remembering with amusement and affection Jack marching proud and naked to his bath, one day not so long ago within the confines of Torchwood One.
"That remains to be seen, doesn't it?"
Jack pouted, but the sparkle in his eyes suggested he wasn't as insulted as he made out to be.
"We'll get everything we need and want," Jack said finally as he snuggled in against Ianto. "And it's going to be great. You'll see. We're going to have a home. You and me, together."
Ianto kissed Jack affectionately on the top of his head.
"I know, cariad. I know."
"Are you ready for this?"
Jack's jaw clenched, and Ianto knew instantly that it was the wrong thing to ask. He didn't try to apologise or take it back, though, knowing that doing so would only aggravate Jack even more.
"Honestly?" Jack growled. "No, I'm not, but I don't exactly have a choice here. Damn it, Yan, this tie is choking me! Why do I have to wear it? You said after the Queen that you'd never make me wear one again! And this jacket…"
Ianto stared at Jack critically. He had to concede, Jack looked painfully uncomfortable in the suit jacket and tie, and if he was completely honest with himself, it really didn't look right. The tie looked just plain wrong against the shirt and braces Jack had chosen, and Ianto had to admit it was offending his sensibilities.
"We could give you a bowtie instead," Ianto suggested with a wry grin that quickly faded when Jack glared at him.
"Not funny, Yan. Look, I'm sorry. I'm taking it off. The jacket, too. They just don't feel right, and I don't want to walk into that meeting feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious because of what I'm wearing. I'll be self-conscious enough as it is."
"I understand," Ianto assured him. He did, too. Comfort aided confidence, and if Jack was fidgeting with his clothing, then it would give everyone an immediate advantage over him. "Just please, promise me you're not going to wear that leather jacket?"
Jack's laughter echoed as he disappeared in amongst the multitude of clothing racks that filled the TARDIS' wardrobe room.
"Oh, ye of little faith…"
Ianto grinned to himself, and didn't bother to dispute that. The truth was, he had a tremendous amount of faith in Jack, and it got stronger every day. Oh, he knew there would be fights and difficult times. It didn't help that Jack had retained some less than attractive facets of his childish persona, and had a tendency to sulk fiercely if he didn't get what he wanted.
Ianto loved him, though, and he was no longer afraid to admit it to Jack, himself or anyone else, for that matter.
Jack's own love and devotion was unwavering, and Ianto occasionally felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of it. He wondered briefly whether it might diminish over time, but then he'd catch Jack out staring at him with an expression that could only be described as pure love, and he knew in his heart that he had Jack's love forever.
It was a comforting thought.
"Well? What do you think?"
Ianto blinked in surprise, realising that Jack had re-emerged without him realising it. A moment later, his breath caught as he took in Jack's appearance. He looked like he'd stepped out of the history books themselves. Gone was the tie and jacket. Now, Jack stood before him in authentic 1940's clothing, complete with a waistcoat, fob watch and chain, and the look was capped off by a military greatcoat that looked just right on him.
It was an ensemble that Ianto would never have chosen himself, but one that Jack looked perfect in.
"Is it okay?" Jack asked anxiously when Ianto didn't speak. "I'll change if it isn't. It's just, it feels right…"
"Don't," Ianto burst out abruptly. "Don't change. You look perfect, Jack. Absolutely perfect."
Hope lit up Jack's face.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Trust me, cariad. It's perfect."
Jack turned to a nearby mirror to check his reflection.
"I just don't want to walk in there and have to put up with them laughing at me."
"If you walk in there standing tall with your head held high, I promise they won't laugh at you."
"Yeah," Jack retorted. "With any luck, they'll be too busy choking."
Ianto smirked in response as Rose entered, eyeing them both appreciatively.
"Looking as gorgeous as ever. Mm, and that suit really shows off your bum," she told Ianto with a wicked grin, causing him to blush fiercely. When she turned to Jack, though, her smile faded to something more melancholy. "Now there's the Jack Harkness I remember."
Jack's own smile matched hers as he put an arm around Ianto's waist in a visible declaration of their partnership.
"Only to look at, Rosie. I'll never be the same as I used to be."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing, is it?" she asked. Despite her best efforts, her voice trembled and tears blurred her eyes. Leaving Ianto's side, Jack gathered her into his arms and hugged her close.
"It's okay. It really is. You made me a better person, Rose. Don't ever be sorry for that. And if you hadn't done what you did, I would've died on that satellite, and I never would've met Ianto. I'll always be grateful for that."
He cupped her cheek tenderly and tilted her head up to kiss her softly on the lips.
"I meant what I said. You're worth fighting for."
"Do you really have to go?" she asked. "You could stay in the TARDIS. You and Ianto both!"
"Yeah, we could," Jack conceded, "but could and should are two different things. You know that. Besides, this is kind of my way of having revenge. They all wanted to lock me up, Torchwood and UNIT. Now, not only do they have to leave me alone, but I'm in a position where I can order them around, if I want."
"Just as long as you don't let that go to your head, Captain," the Doctor said in a gentle warning tone as he joined them. Jack regarded the Doctor with a serious gaze.
"I won't, Doctor. You're giving me a big responsibility. I won't let you down, I promise."
The Doctor looked briefly taken aback. Then he sighed and drew Jack into a fierce hug.
"My Jack, you don't have anything to prove to me. You've already proven yourself so many times over. I trust you, Jack. I know you'll do the right thing, and I am already so very proud of you."
At the Doctor's words, the tension fell away from Jack's face, and he returned the hug with enthusiasm.
"I love you, Doctor."
The Doctor looked momentarily lost for words, much to the amusement of Ianto and Rose. Then, he relaxed as it sank in that Jack's declaration was not exactly in the same league as his declaration of love for Ianto. Rather, it was more on a par with his affection for Rose and Gage. Smiling, the Doctor kissed Jack tenderly on the forehead.
"I love you, too, Jack. I always will."
UNIT Headquarters
London
"This is bloody ridiculous," General Fischer snarled, and not for the first time. "Torchwood should have been decommissioned after the Canary Wharf disaster. It's ludicrous that we have to continue to pander to it. Her Majesty had no business giving control of it to someone else!"
"Watch your mouth, Fischer," the Brigadier warned him coldly. "Men have been tried for treason for saying less than that."
Fischer just glared at him.
"Torchwood should be shut down, and we should be focusing our efforts on tracking the Doctor and securing the creature that he took from the ruins of Canary Wharf."
"That creature was a man, Fischer," the Brigadier snapped. "A man who was so badly abused by Torchwood that he couldn't even remember his own identity."
General Mogambi snorted derisively.
"It can hardly be called a man, Brigadier. No man is capable of what it can do."
"It's unnatural and needs to be contained," Fischer stated categorically.
"And now you sound like Torchwood," the Brigadier said flatly. Fischer, however, was unapologetic.
"Well, you have to admit that some of their ideas were right. Still, I suppose we're just going to have to work with this new chap… at least until we manage to get him under the thumb, if you know what I mean."
A smattering of laughter swept over the group, but most of the Chiefs merely looked disdainful at Fischer's words. The Brigadier chuckled, albeit for markedly different reasons. The doors opened finally, and a deathly silence fell as four men walked into the room. Jack stood at the forefront, with Ianto on his immediate right. The Doctor stood to Jack's left, and on his other side was the Prime Minister. From the looks on the faces of the UNIT Chiefs, it was painfully obvious that they all knew who Jack was. Predictably, Fischer was the first to voice his disbelief.
"What is this? What's going on?"
"I am guessing that the good Doctor has finally come to his senses," Mogambi said, "and agreed to hand over the Torchwood freak to UNIT."
The Doctor and Ianto both glowered with fury at that, whilst Jack remained admirably passive. The Prime Minister, however, was more than happy to elaborate for them.
"Then you'd be guessing wrong, General Mogambi. Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce Captain Jack Harkness, Her Majesty's personal appointment as the new Director of Torchwood."
For the most part, there was stunned silence. Then, Fischer and his few supporters began to protest loudly and angrily. Through it all, Jack, Ianto and the Doctor uttered not a sound. Gradually, though, a new sound became audible – the distinct sound of delighted laughter.
Silence fell over the room as everyone's attention turned to the Brigadier. The normally staid and somewhat humourless man was roaring with laughter.
"You should all see your face!" he laughed. "Every one of you, and especially you, Fischer! So damned full of yourself and your own importance, you've always looked down on anyone who didn't fit neatly into your compartmentalised opinion of what constitutes being human, and now… Oh, this is just too good!"
Fischer stood up and advanced on the newcomers, glaring as though he could frighten them off by intimidation.
"This is outrageous, Prime Minister. You can't seriously expect us to accept this! Even if we were to accept that Torchwood will continue to function, how can Her Majesty possibly place this… this freak in charge?"
"Use that word again, or any like it, and I won't even attempt to stop either the Doctor or Mr Jones from responding on Captain Harkness's behalf," the Prime Minister warned Fischer. "And believe me, it will be more than just a verbal response. Now, I don't care whether you like it or not. Neither does her Majesty. This decision is irrefutable, and the Queen is the only one who can reverse it. Captain Harkness is taking control of Torchwood, and he and Mr Jones will be accorded the respect due to them. Anyone who can't accept it can leave, right now."
The Prime Minister's tone brooked no argument, and he glared a challenge at the men and women in the room. When the ultimatum was met with silence, Jack finally spoke in a tone that was subdued, but nevertheless exuded authority.
"You all know who I am. You know I spent the last hundred years as Torchwood's pet freak, to quote General Mogambi. Some of you may even have seen me at some point when I was still their prisoner, and I don't doubt you might have some trouble dissociating me from the monster that Torchwood liked to show off and experiment on. I'm a free man now, and I daresay I'm more qualified than any of you to run Torchwood. This is not about egos, though, and I'd rather not put you all off-side before I even start, because I'm sure there'll be times in the near future when we'll need to work together. The bottom line is, Cardiff has a dangerous rift that needs to be monitored, and I agreed to do it. You don't have to like it, but you'd better damn well accept it."
Again, silence reigned. Then, the UNIT Chief from the United States stood and approached Jack with his hand outstretched.
"I'm General Anderson, Captain Harkness. I'm sure I speak for my colleagues here when I say I'm glad you were rescued from Torchwood, and that I'll be looking forward to any opportunities there may be in the future to work together. You have the support of UNIT America, Captain. You and Mr Jones both."
"Anderson…" Fischer snarled angrily at the perceived break in ranks. It was too late, though, and Anderson's response had opened the floodgates. One by one, the UNIT Chiefs left their seats and came forward to greet and welcome Jack, until only Fischer and Mogambi were left.
"Swallow your pride, lads," the Brigadier said with a wry smile. "Unless you're worried you might choke on it…?"
The two men looked at each other, and then finally Mogambi came forward and shook hands with Jack.
"I apologise," Mogambi told him, looking for all the world like he was about to choke on his own words. "What I said before was unacceptable."
"Apology accepted," Jack replied simply and sincerely. Then all eyes turned to Fischer, whose face had turned an unattractive shade of puce.
"I can't accept this," Fischer said with his gaze fixed firmly on the Prime Minister. "This is beyond ridiculous. It's utterly farcical! Torchwood's mandate gives it priority over UNIT in the United Kingdom, and you're putting this, this aberration in charge? It's insane!"
"You either accept this," the Prime Minister warned him, "or you'll be transferred elsewhere, and be made to resign your post as UNIT Chief for the United Kingdom."
"You have no authority to force a choice like that on me," Fischer spat. "Not even the Queen does."
"No, but we do," Anderson cut in. "And right at this moment, if it went to a vote, I suspect that it would not go in your favour."
Fischer looked around the room at his colleagues, and whilst he saw sympathy in the eyes of some, for the most part it was indifference or worse. He had no choice, he realised in dismay.
"Right, then," Anderson said when Fischer visibly capitulated. "Perhaps we can all sit down now, and get on with the business of discussing the defence and safety of this planet, like the supposedly civilised people that we are. Captain Harkness and Mr Jones? Welcome to the table, gentlemen."
Jack nodded politely in response, and only Ianto and the Doctor saw the subtle release of tension from his body.
"Thankyou, General Anderson."
Jack took a seat at the table, immensely grateful for Ianto's calming presence beside him. The talking began again almost immediately, and for a while Jack found himself thoroughly caught up in the business being discussed. When, some time later, he thought to look up again, he wasn't entirely surprised to find that the Doctor was gone.
The Time Lord was waiting patiently for them when they returned to the TARDIS that evening, leaning oh-so-casually against the wall of the ancient ship. He could see the relief in Jack's eyes clearly, and knew the immortal had harboured a quiet fear that perhaps the Time Lord had simply gone and left them both behind. It was a fear that he appeared to have kept carefully to himself, the Doctor guessed as he observed Ianto's nonchalant posture.
"I take it the conference went well?"
Jack snorted.
"Most of them are pompous jerks. Although, I think I could work with Anderson. Mogambi, too. Once he had the balls to admit he was wrong, he turned out to be a pretty decent guy."
"Fischer might try to cause us trouble," Ianto mused. "He has a couple of sympathisers in amongst that lot, too. It wouldn't be anything overt, though. He wouldn't dare."
"I have complete faith that you can handle anything he might try," the Doctor said confidently.
"Together," Jack added. "As long as we're together, nothing can stop us. Right, Yan?"
It was Ianto's turn to chuckle, then.
"That sounds like a bad Eighties' ballad. However, it is true, nevertheless."
"And you both know that you only need to call," the Doctor reminded them. "I promise I won't let you down again."
"We know," Jack assured him. "I can't say I'm not nervous about this, but this time it's my choice to be left behind. That's really important to me."
"You have control over your own life again, Jack," the Doctor told him. "You can make your own choices again, for better or worse. That also means you also have responsibilities to the people around you who might be affected by those decisions. I'm trusting you not to forget that."
"I won't," Jack promised him. "Doctor, you're not going to forget about me again, are you?"
Instead of the annoyance that Jack was obviously expecting, the Doctor smiled warmly, and took Jack's hand in his own.
"Come with me, Jack. I have a special gift for you. I was going to wait until your last day on the TARDIS, but I think you need it now. Ianto, you come too, please."
The Doctor led them through a maze of corridors to a warmly lit room that had just one single item in it. Sitting on a square pedestal, bathed in a warm glow, was an unearthly looking piece of coral. It meant nothing to Ianto, but Jack gasped softly at the sight of it.
"Is that what I think it is?"
The Doctor smiled.
"Yes, it is. A gift from the old girl especially for you, Jack."
"Excuse the luddite," Ianto piped up, "but what is it?"
"It's a piece of the TARDIS," the Doctor explained. "A living piece of the old girl. Her gift to Jack, so that he always knows how much we love him. More than that, though, if it's taken care of properly, this little piece of coral has the potential to grow into a TARDIS in its own right. It might take hundreds, maybe even thousands of years, but…"
There was a fleeting look of pain in Jack's eyes.
"Hey, it's not like I haven't got the time, right?"
"I'm sorry," the Doctor apologised, pointedly avoiding meeting the glare that he knew Ianto was directing at him right then. "I didn't mean it in that way." He shook his head with a frustrated sigh. "Rude, and not ginger… Anyway, the coral is sentient, Jack. As it grows, and becomes more aware, it'll bond with you. When it eventually grows into a TARDIS, it'll be your TARDIS. Do you understand what we're giving you, Jack?"
Tears burned in Jack's eyes.
"Companionship. No matter what, I'll never be alone again."
Ianto stared at the Doctor in astonishment, and the Time Lord did meet his gaze then with a rueful smile.
"Acceptable, Mr Jones?"
Ianto's lips curled upwards in a small, but warm smile.
"Yes, Doctor. Very acceptable."
They moved out of the TARDIS and into their own home two linear weeks later. Shopping for furniture hadn't been the disaster that Ianto had anticipated. Aside from certain embarrassing questions that Jack had asked when they were looking for a suitable mattress, and an unmentionable incident in a mirror store, it had been a relatively pain-free exercise.
They weren't done yet, but they had enough of the basics to be comfortable when the day came to move in. Or, as Jack had so eloquently put it, they had enough shag opportunities until they could acquire more furniture. Ianto honestly hadn't known whether to laugh or groan.
The Doctor and Rose had seen them in and gotten the grand tour; most of which had been led by Ianto, except for the bedroom and the skylight. Those two things Jack had pointed out with extreme enthusiasm.
From there, they trekked to the Hub, and the Doctor gave his approval to the work that Jack and Ianto had done there to clean the place up and ready it for use once more. He hadn't been especially thrilled to see the cells still functioned, but Jack promised to contact him promptly, should they ever be required to hold any potentially dangerous, displaced aliens.
It had been bitter-sweet when the Doctor and Rose finally took their leave and headed off once more, this time minus two companions. Jack wept, and for once Ianto couldn't fault him for it. He felt much like crying himself.
"I'll come by every so often," the Doctor promised as he hugged first Jack, and then Ianto. "Just to see how you're both doing, and maybe for a cup of tea. You both have means to contact me, if you need to. It's going to be fine. You're both going to be fine." He returned his attention to Jack, and smiled affectionately. "Now, Jack, there's no need for tears. It's not the end of anything."
Jack rubbed self-consciously at his eyes.
"I know. It's just hard to believe we've gotten to this point. I still think I would have been better off as a coward, but I'm glad I met you."
"Jack," the Doctor said, reaching up and drawing Jack in close for another embrace, "my dear Jack. You were never a coward. Misguided, perhaps, but never a coward. Trust me now when I tell you that you're going to be fine."
"I do trust you," Jack whispered. "Always have, always will."
A brilliant grin broke out across the Doctor's face, and he gently withdrew from his companion's embrace.
"And on that note, I think it's time we were off, Rose."
"Where are you headed?" Ianto wondered as Jack moved back to his side and took his hand, seeking out support that Ianto willingly gave. "Back into the vortex?"
"Actually," the Doctor said in an entirely too casual tone, "I think we'll head back to Arthemix Five. I have a slavery ring to put a stop to."
His expression was pleasant enough at a glance, but there was steel in his eyes as he spoke, and in that moment Ianto was never so glad that the Doctor counted him as a friend. The Doctor went on in a deceptively cheerful voice.
"After that, we'll be paying a visit to London. Been picking up some odd readings from a hospital. I'm sure it's nothing, but…"
Jack chuckled.
"With you, Doctor, it's never nothing. We'll keep our ears open for stories of hospitals teleporting to Mars."
The Doctor looked disdainful.
"Honestly, Jack. No need to be ridiculous."
"C'mon," Rose groaned. "Let's get a move on. These two bozos probably wanna go christen their new bed."
A blinding grin lit up Jack's face.
"And the couch in the living room, and the shower, and the bath, and the kitchen bench…"
His enthusiastic list was cut short by Ianto's elbow in his side.
"Some things should be kept private, cariad," he said in a warning tone.
"What?" Jack protested. "They know we're fu… mph!"
"I think that's our cue to be leaving," the Doctor said with a smirk as Ianto clamped a hand firmly over Jack's mouth. With a final farewell to them both, the Doctor and Rose headed back into the TARDIS and a minute later the time ship disappeared from sight. Then, and only then, did Ianto remove his hand from Jack's mouth.
"Well, Jack, are you ready to go home?"
The good-natured leer faded, and Jack nodded eagerly.
"Yeah, I am."
Late that night, Ianto stirred and awoke to an empty bed. He lay still for a long moment, reminding himself firmly that everything was fine. They were in their own home and there was nothing to harm them. It didn't explain Jack's absence, though. Equally concerned and curious, Ianto slid out of bed and went looking for his wayward lover.
He didn't have to go far. Jack was in the living room, sprawled out on the floor directly underneath the skylight. He appeared to be asleep, with his precious blanket tucked underneath his head as makeshift pillow. Ianto smiled with affection at the sight. Right at that moment, Jack looked more at peace than Ianto had ever seen him.
He continued to watch Jack for the next few minutes, simply enjoying the sight of his lover resting easy, when Jack's voice spoke sleepily, breaking the quiet atmosphere.
"You gonna stand there staring all night, or are you gonna come down here and join me?"
Ianto resisted the urge to make a rude comment, and instead eased himself down onto the floor beside Jack. The immortal shifted and slipped his arms around Ianto's body.
"You're nice and warm," Jack mumbled contentedly. Ianto smothered his laughter against Jack's shoulder.
"Is that all I am to you? Your own personal heat pillow?"
"Much more," Jack murmured. Ianto uttered soft sigh.
"Why aren't you still in bed, where it's warm?"
Jack pointed up.
"Look. Really look. What do you see?"
Ianto frowned a little, but did as he was asked. At first, he simply saw the night sky, peppered with stars. He looked harder, and saw that some stars glittered, whilst others appeared to be a solid light.
"There are planets up there," he said finally. "Other galaxies… Whole other civilisations."
Jack smiled, and hugged Ianto close.
"Some of those planets will be home to human colonies in the future."
"Like where you were born? What was it like, Jack?"
"We were near a beach," Jack said quietly. "It wasn't tropical, or anything. A lot of the time it was cold there, and the winds could be fierce. We all had to have these geeky looking goggles to protect us from sand blindness. It was good, though. I had a family that loved me, and I loved them… At least, until the monsters came."
"I'm sorry," Ianto murmured regretfully. "I shouldn't have asked."
"No, I'm glad you did," Jack told him. "I need to try and remember the happy things as well as the bad. I don't want to remember only the terrible thing that happened."
Ianto shifted and rested his head comfortably on Jack's chest.
"Talk to me, then, love. Tell me about the happy things that you remember."
And so, lying comfortably together on the newly carpeted floor beneath the skylight, Jack talked long into the early hours of the morning.
Fin.