Torchwood: Divergence
Book Two: Adferiad

Chapter 45

Within about fifteen minutes, Torchwood's three senior agents were back together and sitting down for a quick bite in the office, the resident Changeling now minus his besmirched tie.

"These things are so bad for us," Gwen pointed out, nonetheless enjoying the hot 'Triple Threat' bacon sandwich the nearby diner had had on special – crispy back, streaky and gammon bacons piled between slices of buttered freshly baked bread and smothered in brown sauce. "I'm sure my arteries are hardening with every bite."

"That's why they taste so good," Harkness half-smiled, happily consuming his as well. "And this combo one is amazing. Yum. I'll get you the money back for them."

Even as the words left the Captain's mouth, Ianto was handing his teammate cash from the wallet he'd pulled out of his jacket's inner pocket. He knew the older immortal would end up slipping it back in later… he always did.

"That reminds me," Jack stated with a more sober expression, wiping his hands and pulling open the shallow drawer directly in front of him. "I have a paper I'd like you to sign if you're interested in what it proposes."

He presented the document to the young Welshman across the desk, who made sure his fingers were grease free before taking it. The twenty-six-year-old scanned the tiny print of the form and blinked in surprise, looking back at his partner with a hopeful but uncertain expression.

"This would merge all of our bank accounts," Ianto breathed, locking gazes with the American. "Everything would be joint."

"Yep," Harkness confirmed, his blue eyes making it clear that he was well aware of the implications and very serious. "That okay with you?"

"If… you're sure," Ianto murmured, a touch of the lost child showing as he nodded, obviously deeply touched by the gesture and trying to stay calm.

"Positive," Jack stated evenly, handing the younger immortal the wood barrelled pen out of the desk set that had been salvaged from the rubble of the office after the explosion two years before. "I wouldn't ask otherwise. This is something I've never done before… I've never had someone in my life that I trusted with the temptation, someone I wouldn't lose in a couple of decades if not sooner. But I have both with you, Ianto… complete trust and all eternity."

Gwen simply ate her sandwich and watched the two, knowing very well the commitment Harkness was making and how important it was to the young Welshman whose death during the confrontation with the 456 had nearly destroyed the future. This was like getting married on many levels, a sign of trust and stability in a relationship that would span the ages. She could see the Archivist take a deep, steadying breath so his hand wouldn't shake as he signed and dated the document. Then he carefully returned it to his lover along with the pen, winning a warm smile as the form was carefully folded and put into a security envelope.

"I have a friend waiting for this who'll notarise it for me when I go to refuel the SUV later today, and formally file it first thing in the morning when the banks open," the Captain promised, raising a hand to forestall the protest he could see rising in his partner's eyes. "I can do that myself once in a while, Ianto. I know you're very serious about maintaining the vehicles, but I don't mind doing my part, especially when I have other errands to run and I'm the one who emptied the tanks avoiding being at the Hub the nights you were gone. So, don't worry about it, yeah? Just finish your breakfast and we'll go deal with the Weevils."

Ianto nodded, seeming a little dazed by what had just occurred and using the remaining bit of his sandwich to help him focus again. The three polished off their morning meal, the resident Guardian automatically collecting all the cups and plates as they prepared to officially start the work day. Everything went up to the kitchenette, Ianto left his field jacket on the couch and rolled up the sleeves of his pale slate grey shirt, then they gathered the assembled gear and proceeded to the Vaults. Time to sort out the Weevils.

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AN: Just a wee filler chapter to show that Jack really is taking things with Ianto seriously this round.

Yes, you'll be getting a second chapter since this one and the next are fairly short.

Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM