Title : The Wanderer - Chapter 5 : ... to the end.
Summary: At the far end of the universe, Jack has an interesting encounter with a too perfect woman and finds unexpected help to keep his promise. (Spoilers for Children of Earth)
Rating: All Ages
Categories: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto Jones, Jack Harkness, Original Character.
Genres: General, Introspection
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes : This chapter should have been the last, but it appeared that the epilogue was longer than planned and needed to be posted separately. So, don't give up hope : the real last chapter is coming. Thanks to my wonderful beta reader, welsh_scotsman for being so patient and encouraging and to the lovely readers who reviewed and favorited this fic.
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July 4th 2009
Cardiff's streets were full of animation. They were resounding with the murmur of the carefree passers by strolling around, unaware of the threat hanging over them. They ignored that two days later they would have to face an invasion that would endanger their children's lives and the balance of their world.
Sitting on the steps of the Roald Dahl Plass, Glinn was watching their incessant comings and goings, feeling their emotions flooding her like a torrent. She wondered what would happen if she tried to warn them about the 456, if she told them what she knew and what was about to happen to them. She shook her head derisively. They would most probably think she was out of her mind and try to shut her away. Humans could be so gullible and so sceptical, sometimes.
No one noticed her. She had left her preppie smart attire for more casual clothes and was now wearing jeans and a bright pink t-shirt. Her blonde hair were fastened into a ponytail that made her look younger. Now, she was just a pretty girl amongst the crowd.
She was surrounded by people, yet she had never been so alone. For the first time in her life, she was on her own and her mind was empty. The Elders' voices had gone. They seemed to have given up on the idea of reasoning with her and had decided to dismiss her. Tough, she still felt the connection with their memory, it was tenuous and she was convinced that it would break soon.
She knew she should have been totally distressed and should have tried to get in touch with them by any means possible, in order to make amends. But she felt surprisingly quiet and detached. They were her only family and she couldn't help being sad that they didn't understand her. However, she was determinated not to let herself be distracted. The damage was done and she would deal with it later. If something could be saved, so much the better. If it couldn't, well... at least, she would have the satisfaction of knowing she had made the right choice.
She stood up and started to walk towards a less busy street outside the docks. As she came near to the small pub she was looking for, she stopped and took a deep breath, her mind from now on entirely focused on her task. It was time for her to meet the famous Ianto Jones.
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Jack was late, as usual. And he would certainly have a good excuse, as usual. No doubt, the world was ending. It was always the end of the world.
Ianto sighed, took another sip of his beer and glanced absently at the last rugby match of the season broadcasted again on the plasma screen above the bar. A bunch of regulars gathered around the screen let out an annoyed sigh when the leader of the local team let slip the ball.
It was a saturday evening. The pub was filling up gradually and soon, it would be impossible to put a foot before another. It was the reason why he had come early and had settled down in a recess in the background. As much as possible, he wanted peace.
He leant back on his seat with another aggravated sigh. He had hoped to make the most of the quietness of the early evening for tackling the topic with Jack. This situation couldn't last. This time, Jack wouldn't escape as easily : no matter his answer, Ianto needed to know where their relationship was going.
He checked his watch. Ten minutes more, then he would have to call the restaurant and bring fowards the reservation.
"Excuse me..."
He startled and looked at the young woman standing in front of him, a glass of orange juice in her hand. He must be tired, because he hadn't heard her coming up.
She smiled at him sheepishly, fiddling with the seam of her customized jeans, obviously uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but...''. She glanced over her shoulder."Don't misunderstand me, I...I'm not used to approach strangers in bars."
He shook his head.
"You don't bother me. Can I help you?"
"Well, actually, I'm waiting for my sister. She had arranged to meet me here but... I've already been come onto twice at the bar," she said glancing at a group of drinkers near the entrance. "So... I wondered, if... well, as you are alone,... if... if... I could sit with you whilst I'm waiting for her."
He stared at her sceptically, but on the other hand, she was attractive, with something childish with her pink t-shirt and her ponytail. It wasn't surprising that some were too foward.
He opened his mouth but hesitated. He could all too well picture Jack coming and finding him sitting down with a nice blonde girl. That was all he needed : for Jack to flirt with her. It would take the biscuit.
"Actually, I'm waiting for someone and..."
She lifted her hand immediately.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't want to place you in an awkward position."
She made as if to go back to the bar, but he stood up and grabbed her arm.
"Please, sit down. You don't bother me."
Too bad for Jack! He should have been on time. And for once, it would be his turn to experience the stab of jealousy.
She hesitated one second then put her glass on the table. He held out his hand and introduced himself.
"Jones. Ianto Jones."
"Grace Philips."
She slide a hand, surprisingly soft and warm, into Ianto's one and shook it firmly. Ianto felt instantly dizzy and sat down again, faster than he had intended to. He couldn't manage to remember when he had taken his last meal and assumed his dizziness was due to the influence of the beer.
Glinn settled into the boot with him.
"My sister should be here any time now. She must be in a traffic jam. Thank you, really. Gentlemen are rare these days."
"What makes you think I'm a gentleman?" asked Ianto mischieviously.
She bit her lower lip and seemed to think about it for a moment.
"Well, I don't know," she said finally. "Let's just say that you look like a kind man."
Ianto chuckled and shook his head.
"You have no idea."
"Excuse me?"
She looked puzzled.
"Don't worry," added Ianto more seriously. "I'm joking."
They glanced at each other, slightly embarrassed. She pointed at the screen above the bar.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes. As a self respecting Welshman, I suppose."
"My brother plays in an amateur team. And you?"
"When I was younger. Now, I prefer to watch it on TV. It's less messy."
"Your girlfriend must be grateful."
He burst out laughing.
"Jack won't even do my washing. It's rather the opposite. I'm not even sure that he knows how to use a washing machine."
"Oups... I'm sorry," she said with a sheepish smile.
"No harm done."
"So, is it Jack you're waiting for?"
"Yep," he answered, taking a sip of his beer and checking the pub's entrance once again. He looked at his watch and winked at her. "He's only twenty seven minutes late. Still on the average."
"I know what you mean. My sister does the same. I think that she'd find a way to be late at her burial. The worst thing is that she doesn't do it deliberately."
"Neither does Jack. I think they can't help doing it. They must be allergic to punctuality."
They shared a knowing look and sniggered like two teenagers.
The ice was broken and for a while, they talked meaninglessly. About the explosion in property prices. About the last films they had seen. About the last books they had read. It was lighthearted, of no consequence. So different from his life at Torchwood, from his life with Jack.
He closed his eyes and tried to dispel the vague discomfort he felt.
"Are you ok?"
Ianto felt her hand on his arm and opened his eyes.
"It's nothing. Let's just say, these times, my life is a bit... complicated."
She raised an eyebrow.
"With your friend?"
Ianto sighed and stoked his hair.
"Yes... and no. It's just..."
"Complicated?"
He sent her a grateful smile.
"Yes, indeed."
Her mobile vibrated on the table. She took it and tapped away on the keys.
"It's my sister. She's waiting for me outside. I have to go. Thanks again for your help. I had a good time with you. I hope we'll see each other again."
"I hope so. Who knows? It's a small world."
With no warning, she planted a quick kiss onto his cheek and he blushed instantly.
She stood up and smiled at him. He returned it sheepishly and watched her clearing herself a path through the crowd that had invaded the pub and heading to the exit whilst she was rummaging in her hand bag.
At the same time, he saw Jack standing at the pub's entrance, staring at him with a sly smile. Ianto froze and wondered how long he had been here.
As Glinn walked past Jack without paying attention to him, the immortal took the opportunity to look over her from head to toe. Then, he moved forward Ianto. He slid himself into the booth beside him and patted his knee, pulling a face appreciatively.
"Well, well... I see you didn't waste your time, " he said, waving his eyebrows suggestively.
Ianto decided not to allow himself to be destabilised by Jack's innuendo and instead played him at his own game.
"I had to find a plan B for tonight, in case you decided to stand me up," he teased him.
Jack pretended to take offence at his remark.
"I'm wounded. You could have at least introduced me."
"Whatever next ?" chuckled Ianto. "I'm not an idiot : she could have suited your taste. However, she had another meeting."
Jack shrugged.
"By the way, sorry for being late. Three Weevils causing havoc at the shopping centre. I assume you've informed the restaurant."
Ianto smacked his forehead and leant back, muttering welsh swearwords. Jack bursted out laughing.
"Wow, this girl must have been something to make you forget your duty. You really should have introduced her to me."
Staring into space, Ianto didn't answer.
"Hey, Ianto. What's wrong? I was only joking," teased Jack, nudging him playfully.
Ianto shook his head with confusion.
"It's weird."
"What?" asked Jack, this time with concern .
"Well... Believe it or not, but I can hardly remember her face."
Jack raised an eyebrow, ready to tease him, when he realised that he couldn't either. He looked around, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. All around them, people were drinking and joking joyfully. Though, he didn't notice anything unusual, he promised himself to stay on his guard for the next days.
If something was coming, he had to be ready.
To be continued...