AN: Yet more delays in writing this – I continue to apologise. I am on holiday from Friday for 12 days so I hope to get plenty done which will be uploaded when I return.
In other news, I am twelve weeks pregnant and hideously excited. If I go AWOL randomly, blame it on that. Baby is due in October, so expect all writing to halt dramatically then, though I hope it won't be a permanent end.
Please review x
The wind was light but the rain heavy on top of the Millennium Centre roof as Jack stood there, one hand pushed deep inside his greatcoat pocket, the other holding a black umbrella above his head. If the wind picked up any he'd have to put it down, but for now it was safe enough. He'd been brooding up there for a few hours when he heard the hatch behind him creak open. There was no need for him to turn around – only one person would know he was up here, and would ever seek him out.
"Well at least you remembered your umbrella for a change." Ianto's lilting Welsh voice sounded.
Jack smiled. "I recall someone admonishing me rather severely last time I dripped water through the Hub."
Ianto stepped out onto the rooftop, his own umbrella aloft and a coffee mug in his free hand. "The amount of water you brought through can not be classed as dripped. I seriously considered flippers." He replied as he stood beside his Captain. "I thought you might need this. You've been out here for ages. You must be cold." He added, handing Jack the steaming mug.
"Thank you Ianto." Jack said as he took the mug and drank from it gratefully.
"I'm sorry about earlier. In your office. I didn't mean to snap at you, I just… I wanted the engagement to be a secret for a while. Just something between Owen and myself instead of being up for debate and discussion like every other part of our relationship so far." Ianto explained.
"And how is Gwen taking the news?" Asked Jack with the hint of a smirk on his lips.
Ianto chuckled softly. "Oh you know Gwen. I don't think she's enjoying the fact she isn't getting anything in response to her persistent questions."
"She just cares Ianto." Jack pointed out.
Ianto nodded. "I know. I just wish she could care quietly." He said. "So are we okay?" He asked, glancing sideways at Jack.
"We're fine. We always are." Jack replied.
"So why are you out here? In the rain?" Ianto asked.
"I'm just… I guess I'm letting go." Jack turned to look at Ianto. "I'm letting you go." He said. "Don't get me wrong I am so happy for you, because he makes you happy. I guess a part of me always wondered if you'd come back to me one day, and I guess this means you won't, and that makes me a little sad. But you're happy, and that's all that matters to me right now. I wish you all the luck in the world Ianto, and I hope you and Owen have a wonderful life together. Truly." He explained.
"Jack…" Ianto began.
"Let's not okay? Let's not do this again. There is nothing left that either of us needs to say. I'm fine I promise." Jack interrupted.
Ianto nodded. "The rift alert is expected within the hour." He said.
"I'll finish this, and be back down." Jack replied.
"Okay." Ianto said simply before walking back to the hatch and pulling it open. As he moved to step down he looked back at Jack who was now stood with his back to him. "I will always miss you Jack. Forever." He said before closing his umbrella and disappearing down through the hatch, closing it behind him.
Jack sighed. "I miss you too." He said softly before downing the last remnants of his coffee. Placing the empty mug into his greatcoat pocket Jack lowered his umbrella and closed it. Turning around he strode over to the hatch and climbed through it, depositing the umbrella at the bottom of the ladder for future use. Ambling slowly through the corridors of the Millennium Centre Jack soon emerged onto the Plass and made his way across to the invisible lift. Hitting the button on his wrist strap he took a deep breath as the lift lowered him gracefully down into the Hub, depositing him beside the water tower.
"What have you got for me Tosh?" He asked as he stepped off the paving stone and made his way across to the technician, depositing his empty mug on her desk.
"The opening in Roath is due in approximately 15 minutes on Cottrell Road." Tosh explained.
Jack nodded. "Gwen and Ianto you're with me." He called out. "Tosh I need you to co-ordinate from here. Owen carry on with your autopsy." Gwen and Ianto pulled on coats as they jogged towards the cog door with Jack in close pursuit.
"Be careful." Owen called after them as they disappeared out of sight and he made his way over to Tosh's workstation. "How big?" He asked.
"Nothing they can't handle." Tosh replied. "He'll be fine." She added with a small smile.
Owen grinned. "Thanks for your help this morning. I know Ianto was keen to keep things quiet for a little while, so I'm sure he appreciates it not being debated all morning."
"It's none of our business. Nothing that you two do is, despite what other people might think." Tosh pointed out.
"You mean Gwen?" Owen suggested.
"I mean Gwen." Tosh giggled. "For what it's worth I'm really happy for you both. You both deserve to be happy, and I'm glad you're getting that with each other. I'm a little surprised you're engaged so soon, but in Torchwood normal rules don't apply. Just take care of him yeah?" She said softly.
"For the rest of my life." Owen nodded as an icon flashed on Tosh' screen.
"Okay that's the SUV, and from the looks of it Jack is driving." She said as the icon moved quickly across the map. "You have plenty of time Jack – try not to get any tickets." She said as she tapped into her comms unit.
"Would I?" Jack's grinning voice sounded.
"152." Ianto said calmly.
"152 what?" Tosh asked.
"Tickets in the past three years. Averaging one a week sir. You might want to slow down." Ianto suggested.
Owen and Tosh burst into laughter. "Jack that's phenomenal." Owen said.
"I try my best." Jack smirked. "Okay Tosh we're pulling – rather swiftly – onto Cottrell Road. Any clues as to what it is we're looking for?" He asked as he pulled into a parking space.
"The spike is due in twenty seconds. There's no indicators as to physical size or threat level, but from the spike its creating you shouldn't miss it." Tosh explained.
"Er Jack would that bright orange glow be anything to do with it?" Gwen piped up.
"Oh no – not again." Ianto sighed.
"What? What is it?" Owen asked.
"Not what, who. Who is it." Ianto corrected.
"Who?" Owen echoed. "Oh god not him again." He added after a beat.
"The one and only." Jack said. "Sit tight kids – I don't think he'll put up much resistance." He added before closing his comms and climbing out of the SUV. "Seriously – what do you want now?" He asked as he strode towards the figure.
"I just fancied a visit." John smiled.
"What do you want?" Jack repeated.
"I need a place to stay for a few days. A week at the most." John said.
"What have you done, and who is after you?" Jack asked.
"Can we do this back at the cute base of yours? I mean the street – really?" John asked.
"What and who?" Jack asked again.
John sighed. "I borrowed a few artefacts from a friend on Pitanium Seven, and he apparently wants them back."
"And?" Jack prompted.
"And I don't have them." John said.
"Because?" Jack asked.
"I sold them." John bowed his head like a naughty child.
"To pay for?" Jack asked.
"God you're good at this." John grinned briefly before returning to his naughty child pose. "To pay a debt to a man on Gortenza."
"And this debt was for what – Drugs? Alcohol? Sex?" Jack asked.
"Pretty much." John nodded.
Jack shook his head despairingly. "Get in the SUV. Don't touch anything, or anyone." He ordered.
"Thanks Jack." John said scurrying keenly to the SUV and jumping into the back. "Hey guys – did you miss me?"
"No." Gwen and Ianto replied together.
"Tough crowd." John sulked as Jack climbed back in and they made their way back to the Hub.