(Originally posted 21/04/14)
A/N I have been made aware of an online petition to resurrect Torchwood and hopefully get another series made for TV. If anyone would like to support this idea, please follow the link below.
/en-GB/petitions/danny-cohen-make-another-torchwood-series.
Thank you.
-OOO-
CHAPTER 17 PART 2:
Ianto couldn't wipe the grin off his face and believe you me he had tried. This grin had planning permission; it had embedded itself into his flesh and was going nowhere.
This was his happy face.
Things were going well with Jack.
Extremely well.
So well in fact he could…well, grin for an inanely long period of time it would seem.
All of his internal organs felt warm and fuzzy.
This was his happy place.
As he mounted the stairs that led to his workplace, Ianto attempted to skip. He really ought to have pre-warned his lower limbs, as this was a manoeuvre he hadn't practised since childhood. Several attributes had gone missing since his playground glory days; such as timing, co-ordination and grace. As his left foot wrapped itself around his right calf, Ianto knew something was amiss. The ground was rushing up to meet him at an alarming rate. He put his hands out to grasp at salvation and just about managed to connect with, the extremely wet revolving doors. As Ianto slid down their squeakily smooth surface, in a none too elegant fashion, he was at least comforted by the thought that no-one had seen him.
"Need a hand Yan?
"Here let me help you."
Rats.
Ianto found himself being hoisted aloft by two big burly men.
Jack Harkness and Rhys Williams. Together.
Oh joy.
"Quite a tumble you took there fella."
Ianto gave Rhys a hard look, trying to scan for the scorn and sarcasm, he felt sure was being offered along side the helping hand. His could detect nothing.
"Hey sleepy head, did you leave without your morning coffee fix?" Jack was generous too. Smiling openly, he dusted Ianto down, paying particular attention to his shoulders, arms and his handsomely broad waist-coat covered chest. He let loose a small murmur of appreciation and a subtle wink.
Ianto flushed. "Silly me, I miscalculated how many steps there were." Glancing sideways fleetingly he added. "I didn't expect to see you here this early, with Rhys." The last two words were spoken directly to Jack's pupils; the tone suggested a question was being asked.
Not being slow on the uptake, Rhys Williams took that as his cue to leave.
"I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm expecting an important conference call. I'll catch up with you later Jack." He turned to the fallen soldier too. "Ianto." He nodded his greeting goodbye and left.
Ianto gave him his second hard stare of the day.
When out of earshot Jack Harkness pulled his beau towards himself and gave his cheek a childish pinch.
"I love it when you're jealous."
"I am not jealous." Ianto huffed.
"Liar, liar. Is that burning I smell?" Jack teased whilst he planted an array of mini kisses around Ianto's stubborn lips. The Welshman tried hard not to let a secret smile break through his petulant scowl, but it was of no use.
"I just don't get it, he's always there. He gets where water wouldn't."
"We're just friends Yan, mates. I knew his dad and grand-dad "and great-grand-dad and his dad too.
"We hang out, that's all."
"Swear?" Ianto hated the fact he needed reassurance.
"I swear babe."
The Welshman finally accepted a full-blown hug from his American friend.
"Now let's get you inside." Jack directed, "I need to check to see if you have any bruises anywhere interesting."
Ianto Jones merely rolled his eyes; but he didn't protest or pull away.
-OOO-
Gwen Cooper had previously been a Detective. Before the lure of science had become too strong to ignore, she had been a vigilant, pragmatic, former human being. Finding clues and acting upon evidence however flimsy or strong, had been her raison d'etre. She had been good at her job too; she was always the one they brought in for the kill - when they needed cases brought to a close quickly.
Lately however she thought her skills were slipping. Her latest project wasn't going according to plan.
The mouse was getting away from the cat.
She wasn't happy.
Take today as a case in point. Today she had arrived at the scene of anticipated activity early. She had lapped the perimeter twice and blocked off all obvious escape routes. There was now only one way in and one way out. Both of which could be reached by her, in double-quick time, even in heels.
According to her meticulous timetable, her person of interest should be making an appearance, right about now. Gwen checked to her left and then her right - nothing.
She considered the outside variables; lateness due to sheer weight of traffic, sickness, holidays, death.
Having re-set all the traffic lights within a five mile radius, Gwen knew a road block was the least of her worries. She could always check with the company doctor concerning a sudden illness.
Holidays didn't bear thinking about.
Death ditto.
Whilst running through her check-list in her head, Gwen finally spied her prey…um suspect.
The lift seemed to be the destination of choice.
She set off.
So far she had remained incognito; good, she found that surprise was always her greatest ally.
The ex-detect realised that she would have to quicken her pace, if she was to achieve her goal.
Watching the lift doors start to close, the previous-PC broke into a sprint. She stopped the lift from moving with some surprisingly swift stiletto action. Gwen squeezed herself into the cell-like surroundings. She hadn't even broken into a sweat.
She had ridden this horse before. It was called Gift.
Presenting her mega-watt smile to the tiny space's other occupant; Gwen turned slightly to her left and offered her dipped wrist.
"I don't believe we've been formerly introduced. I'm Gwen Cooper."
"Rhys. Rhys Williams. Pleased to meet you."
The doors slid shut.
-OOO-
Toshiko Sato was in the staff galley, making herself a cup of coffee. It was her third of the day and said day hadn't even reached its ninth hour. She seemed to be relying on regular caffeine injections more and more these days. Especially since…..
"Hi, you're in early, bird." Ianto Jones ex-double-dutch champion limped towards the sink, seeking a cool cloth for his bruised shin.
"I wanted to talk to your worm-like features. Hey are you ok? You look hurt." Concern took part in Tosh's expression.
"It's nothing, only my ego is bent out of shape permanently. The rest of my bag of bones will mend, I'm sure."
"What happened?"
"I tried to enter the Skipolympics, but I didn't have a ticket."
"Oh I see. You'd forgotten that you're three score years and ten." Tosh chuckled, relaxed now.
"Oi - less of the cheek you. I'm one score year and five."
"You're still breaking the junior age-barrier though."
"I know, I crashed right into it. It still stings."
"Aww diddums, would you like me to kiss it better?" An offer was made.
Ianto pulled a face. "Er no you're alright. I could do with one of those though." The Welshman pointed towards his colleague's Finding Nemo cup.
"Actually I was hoping that you would make me one instead, now that you're here."
"I'm injured." The patient wailed.
"I know; but you do it so well Tow. Please?" Tosh attempted to flutter her eyes, (it was a good job no children or horses were in the room) "Pretty please?"
Ianto rolled his eyes and tutted. "Remind me again why I love you?" he grumbled.
"You have to, it's the law."
"Mmmm." Ianto wasn't convinced, but he moved towards the kettle regardless; making a brew always soothed his ills.
Once the Welshman had worked his alchemy and had transfigured the mundane into the divine, the pair took their seats side by side. Wafting away the delicious cloud that rose majestically towards the smoke alarm, Tosh approached her topic of the day gingerly.
"I haven't seen you for a while Tow, how are things with you?"
"They're good, great even."
"Still seeing Captain Jack?"
Ianto turned his head sharply, "of course I am. Why would you ask that?"
Tosh exhaled slightly. "Oh I don't know, I just thought perhaps you'd find him a bit …overwhelming?" She tried to look her friend directly in the eye, to catch all of his reaction to this suggestion.
To his credit Ianto gave it more thought than she thought he might.
"No, we're good. We've settled down now. I think I was more afraid of the idea of him, rather than him in actual fact. He relaxes me." Ianto tried to hide a blush. "He comforts me. I …I trust him." The Welshman had said these words with such sincerity that it almost broke Tosh's heart to continue.
"That's great Tow, it is, but how much do you really know about him? You've given him chapter and verse, about yourself but has he returned the favour? Has he opened up to you at all? Do you know where he's from? Have you met his family? Do you even know if he has any pets?"
"Whoa there, that's quite a list, tiny t." Ianto looked more than a little shocked. "You're right I have shown him my family tree while I'm not quite sure which forest he's from; but I feel he will let me in at some point. I know he will. It's just that these things take time, that's all." Ianto noticed that his pint-sized protector was looking at him with a rare hint of trepidation in her eyes.
"Take care" she whispered. The message only made half its intended journey; unwanted it turned around and returned to her lips.
Ianto pulled Tosh close, lovingly shielding her fears.
"Don't fret pet. Everything will be fine. It is fine." Gently laying a soft kiss on her forehead, Ianto soothingly brought this conversation to an end.
-OOO-
Ianto Jones returned to his desk wired but rattled. Something about his friend's manner had unsettled him. It was unlike Tosh to look for faults in others. She was the proverbial fence that everyone else usually sat on.
She was Swiss.
Even so, if something was un-nerving her universal good will to all mankind, then maybe Ianto should tread more carefully.
Maybe.
As lunchtime approached Ianto made his apologies and dashed towards Captain Jack's den. He needed clarification.
Reassurance.
Again.
Hearty laughter greeted his ears, as he left the lift in the near basement. As he neared Jack's open door, Ianto couldn't help but eavesdrop on the voices within.
"It'll be good to get away."
"Yes but it's a shame it has to be under these circumstances."
"Don't forget to pack your toothbrush; we don't want a repeat of what happened last time." More laughter ensued.
"Are you saying I can't improvise well?"
"No Jack, I'm saying you can't improvise at all." Repeat laughter rang out.
Ianto Jones felt his presence was needed.
"Hi Jack…..Rhys again hello."
"Yan." Jack's face lit up.
"Hi." Rhys kept it short.
"Planning a trip Jack?" Ianto aimed his gun immediately.
"Er um ok, I'll get the itinerary to you shortly Jack." Anticipating a "couply" moment straight ahead Rhys Williams made a timely exit.
He shut the door.
"What are you doing this weekend hun?" The brightness in Ianto's voice was false.
Jack Harkness started to sense the bear traps around him.
"Rhys and I have got a funeral to go to. It's in Paris so I thought I'd stay with my old friend the Doctor in the 16th arrondissement. We'll go, overnight and travel back on Sunday."
"Rhys and you?"
"Yes. You know we're just friends Yan."
"So when were you going to tell me this?"
"I'm telling you now."
"So when were you going to invite me too?"
"An invite? You want to go a funeral?"
"Rhys is going."
"This is the funeral of a mutual work colleague; he's been a friend of the family for years."
"So he's closer to you than me?" Ianto's bottom lip began to tremble.
"No of course not Yan. He's just known that's all"
"It still would've been nice to have been asked."
"Why? Wakes aren't gallery openings you know."
"I'm not interested in vol au vents. I'd go for you."
"Me?"
"Yes, to support you at this time."
"There's no need. I'm alright. I wouldn't be much fun anyway, so it's best you stay away. When I get back I'll be my usual happy, entertaining, jovial self. We can meet then."
Ianto was exasperated beyond belief.
"I don't want entertainment. I just want to be by your side; you know in sickness and in health, for better or for worse."
Ianto seemed unperturbed that he was unconsciously pushing for an increased level of commitment.
"For better or for worse, did you just quote wedding vows at me?"
"I was illustrating a point."
"With solemn vows?"
"They seemed apt and you're side-stepping the issue here."
"Look I'm fine, it's fine, I will be fine. I'll go and pay my respects, but I promise I will call you the minute I get back. How's that?"
"Unsatisfactory - but it will have to do I suppose. Next time you're not to pull a stunt like this, d'you hear? We're supposed to be a couple."
"Yes I hear you wifey - loud and clear."
-OOO-
Ianto Jones couldn't concentrate all afternoon. His head buzzed with more than the dregs of his frequent caffeine shots. He felt light headed and a little cross-eyed. He couldn't look his best friend in the eye.
He hated to think that she may have been right about his beau all along.
He hated to think that he may have mis-judged his own feelings too.
Maybe he didn't have a handle on himself yet?
Maybe he still needed psychological guidance and therapy?
Maybe he should call Owen Harper?
What time was it?
Not speaking to his fav friend, meant that he was left with only his new fav friend to talk to.
Gwen Cooper.
Over the last few weeks Ianto had got used to the pitch of her voice, but today it was deadly. Today he felt as though his ears were being assaulted by pitchforks. Pitchforks tipped with envy.
Apparently Gwen was planning to visit Paris this weekend. An unspecified friend had business there and she was hoping to accidentally bump into him. The chance that this accident might occur, was greatly enhanced by the fact she would be booking herself into the same hotel as him.
"You make your own luck." She informed Ianto with a cheery smile.
The Welshman had had enough. He made his way back to Jack's den. He didn't want to resort to subterfuge to see his boyfriend; he wanted to be visible in plain sight.
He wanted to be with him.
Ianto approached Jack's door more slowly this time, he was frightened of interrupting something.
Again.
This time Ianto swore he heard raised voices, arguing about a lost passport; but when he burst into the room, Jack was standing in the middle of it alone.
To the untrained eye, it looked like he had been interrupted mid-conversation. Scrap that, mid-row; but somehow his opponent had been magically erased from the picture.
Ianto smelt the remnants of a flame (it was as familiar to him as perfume), as though someone had just snuffed out a candle.
He thought he spotted a swirl of smoke.
Ianto may not have been able to put much trust in his eyesight today, but he absolutely trusted his hearing. He looked at Jack suspiciously and frowned. The subsequent lines on his forehead added years to his frame. He cleared his throat.
"Who's John Hart sir?"
-OOO-
Comments are always appreciated