A/N: Here, some hinting into the future and the past. My future Torchwood is just leaking into this story.
Beta-ed: TattoedLibrarian (this was super fast:)
No spoilers (except maybe for end of the CoE)
Ianto was mesmerised by the story that placed younger Jack among Greek heroes, but was saddened when Jack's face changed into absent sorrow as he pressed on with memories he wasn't willing to share. Ianto had no desire to pry into those. He had enough painful memories to know how they can grab a hold of you. Things around you become hollow and unreal as your past haunts you. Ianto treaded carefully through his daily routine from preventing himself from falling into those. He had learned how to cling to good things, to comfort. It seemed Jack was more used to standing on the windward, like he stands on the top of buildings, letting himself being struck by emotions and loss as the wind waves his coat around him.
Resisting the urge to caress Jack's face and kiss his way into his memories, Ianto spoke up with his offended banter.
"I'm sitting here in vain" he said throwing away his caution and previous desire to make it with clothes on to some more private place.
He was awarded for that with a broad smile, he collected those for later usage, and was claimed with utter surety. He liked that surety, it made him feel he could do anything, shame was not an option with that kind of intensity but then he got his call to reality as someone knocked on the window. He instinctively pulled away from Jack's lap but Jack held him firmly pressing their groin together.
"I'm not interested in old ladies with high morals, she can go elsewhere to watch game shows" he murmured still focused on Ianto's lips.
Ianto dared to glance through the window. There was no old lady by the window but a lanky, tall guy smiling broadly at them. He waved catching Ianto's gaze.
"I'm afraid it's not an old lady" he said pressing his lips regretting his boldness.
Jack sighed and lowered the window still holding Ianto in his place.
"Can I help you?" he asked irritated. "'Cause I don't think my partner here is into threesome. It's been offered by hotter than you but he declined with a gun threat. So say your business and be off on your way" Ianto stifled a bit from being called a partner but he reassured himself Jack was just thinking of work partner, nothing more.
"Jack, you old charmer" the man laughed. "You get them younger and younger, what is this, a teen?"
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Jack's grip loosened and went to his gun. Ianto was prepared to jump either way.
"Not with this face, you don't" the man laughed. "I had to steal another face, mine got too recognizable around the galaxy. I've heard from your previous partner, although I'm lost to fact that you all are calling yourselves Captains, shouldn't you create your own agency first? Anyway he said with his whining voice you've being hanging around here. I thought I could give you a ride to some place more interesting than this. Maybe you can shag the kid and we'll be off."
"Another one" Ianto rolled his eyes and got back to his seat.
"Captain?" Jack said weakly. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I said, I've came to collect you" he deadpanned staring at Jack intensely and Ianto started to fear. He expected for Jack to disappear at some point, but not to be taken in the middle of quite a pleasant moment. He felt deprived.
"But there is no Time Agency anymore… except if you're from an earlier time than Hart… but anyway" Jack shook his head "I left, I don't owe you anything."
"Yes you do" the Captain leaned in staring at Jack. "You stole that wrist strap and caused a commotion big enough that we wounded when the vultures came."
"Really?" Jack became angry and got out of SUV forcing the Captain to back away. "You're going to blame me for the Agency's down fall? Not all those rogue agents that got sick of the God complex?"
"No, not you, but the Doctor yes, he meddled too much. I'm almost glad that River killed him off, although that did ruin our Agency, without her at the helm we were easy prey for those outraged by her doing."
"River? Commander River Song killed the Doctor?" Jack sounded desperate. Ianto got out of SUV lingering in front not sure how to help.
"That was her plan all along, she dragged us all around just to find him. That's why she disappeared on us, she turned into a child just to gain his trust, and obviously she did" the Captain sighed.
"No" Jack crossed his arms across his chest "I don't believe that for a second. He just changed his face and fooled you."
"Then why is she in prison?" the Captain smiled sadly. "She would never let herself being captured without blame."
"She wouldn't feel the blame" Jack murmured. "But the Doctor does that to you, he provokes guilt to rise up and makes you to do the right thing. She's probably sitting there for the things she's done before she met him hoping to meet him again. Why have you come? Surely not to offer insights of the Doctor with me."
"I came for you" the Captain frowned. "To take you away, we can start over, one wrist strap at a time, without rogues or River Song's crazy reputation."
"No" Jack took one step back.
"What?" the Captain was bewildered. "Hart said you were crazy now, but I didn't believe that it was this bad. I can fix your wrist strap, we can go anywhere."
"No, I'm walking my way through history this time. Even if the Doctor is dead for you, I'll surely meet him many times before that. No, drilling holes in history just to impose my view on things isn't something I would repeat" Jack lifted his chin. "Besides I'm good here."
The Captain looked at Ianto.
"Not for long" he said with disdain.
"That doesn't concern you" Jack warned him off. "If you're so confident, go into the future and fetch me there, I'm good here."
"Maybe I'll do just that" he said "you're too horny to think right now. I should just wait to see you in action, but I thought you grew tired of conquests, but you're obviously still too young to think with your head. I do need your assistance, but it's hard to find you. I watch time, that is still my duty, but you're hard to find, it's like you're invisible. If I hadn't run into Hart, I would still think you died somewhere drunk in a ditch stabbed by your angry lover. I'd keep sharp objects at hand boy" he addressed Ianto "they are handy when he reveals his ugly side."
"Don't meddle into this" Jack warned him off. "If it's really important, send me your contact and I'll signal you when I'm done here."
"Don't die on me first" the Captain frowned dissatisfied.
"Oh, don't worry, death and I have an agreement. I'll help if I decide that you deserve help" he said determinedly. "But this timeline, leave it alone."
"Ok, have it your way, let your feet get sore from walking through time. Call me" he sent out his coordinates and after that he was gone buzzing out of their time.
"And that's why pavement buzzed, this idiot probably came in and out trying to find the exact spot to find me. Idiot, he would look so much better if he wasn't tired of jumping up and down through time" Jack sounded irritated. "I'm amazed he's still upright how much he despises walking."
"So you'll be leaving soon" Ianto said carefully.
Jack looked at him surprised and smiled widely.
"Ianto Jones" he said his name with glee "I don't tell you often enough how beautiful you are. Truly beautiful. I've travelled far but you're without comparison."
"Don't make me carry something sharp with me around" Ianto smirked. "What are you hiding?"
"Nothing" said Jack rising his hands in surrender "at least nothing that would hurt you. I just love to see your face, especially after an ugly one like the Captain's."
"He's not that ugly" Ianto frowned.
"But he is," Jack sighed. "But let's drop it, I'll probably just forget about him for a century or so, it will be only seconds to him anyway. I'll remember when I'm bored" or I'm dead, thought Ianto darkly. "Now let's go back to more pressing matters. You had something sharp enough for me."
I was truly surprised by this one (the spoiler for the CoE is the option where Jack went when he was beemed up, and it's a platform for my sequel story, if i get to it). And even River came in knocking (always considering a story of her story line outside Doctor Who), maybe just to celebrate her return for Christmas (although I'm convinced she'll bring us only tears.)
Do review, throw tomatoes at me :) (give me the hook or the ovation)