14
Ianto and Jack had an idyllic few days, and then it was a week. Time seemed not to matter, the place was like another planet. Jack said so. And he should know, right?
It was mid afternoon and they were walking up the pathway from the creek with the dog racing ahead when she gave a soft chuff and stopped in the middle of the path, blocking them.
"Janet, come on. What are you doing" Jack laughed, pulling on her collar, "come on."
Ianto knew.
He swung to face Jack, his hands reaching out to push the leash at him "Go. Clip it on and drag her… do not come near the cottage, do not let her back there."
Jack looked at him like he was speaking a foreign language "Huh?"
"Take the dog, keep walking the trail along to the waterhole." Ianto said calmly as he started to walk away from him and Jack looked at the dog who was still blocking the path for him.
"Ianto?"
"Don't come back. I will come for you… whatever happens. Do NOT come back" came the faint reply and then he was gone and Jack was left totally confused.
Jack looked at the dog and decided to do as he was bid, after all if there was anyone he could trust to have his back it was Ianto and whatever had spooked him… he would tell him later.
.
.
Ianto approached the cottage and tried to look like he didn't know anyone was there, stepping back with surprise as a man stepped for the garage "Jesus. Matt?"
"Hey Ianto, god it's great to see you" Matt grinned widely, and then turned to call out "See? I told you he was here."
Ianto watched the two agents step from the house and he felt his heart drop. His brain started to go over the state of the place, the dishes in the sink and clothing… was it obvious two people were there… or could he pass it all off as just his mess… did Jack leave any trace they had found?
"Agent Ianto Jones?"
"Hello Agent Maloney. I've not seen you since the seminar two years back" Ianto said calmly, smiling like he was glad to see the people he knew were looking for Jack.
"Well, after T1 fell… it's been a shit show. I'm Torchwood 3 now, Cardiff." Matt said happily, still not aware of the shitstorm he had created.
"Yeah… I still can't believe it, but the Terrorist tag seems to have stuck" Ianto headed towards the back door "Coffee?"
They all entered and settled as Ianto shoved the dishes about "sorry about the mess. I am slumming it and trying to enjoy the moment, ya know? I've not washed for days."
"So… you never did any field work?" Maloney asked.
"Archives, all the way. Pushing paper. Why I got out. I had half a day because of those bloody Ghost Shifts she wanted everyone to witness and I… well… was freaked the fuck out by those things" Ianto shuddered, not lying about that part "so, I went on a fag break and didn't go back."
"You smoke?" an agent asked.
"No, that's the code for taking a half day" Matt answered.
Ianto laughed hollowly, "I would tell you to ask one of my co-workers but…I think I am the only one left from the Archives Division."
"Yes… there are not many left at all. In fact, you were listing in the dead and missing" Matt joined in "But I knew you… always a survivor, even when we were kids."
"And now I just want to live the rest of my life quiet, away from the bullshit and potential death" Ianto smiled.
"Well, we need you to come on for a debrief" Maloney said with a sniff.
"No."
"Excuse me?"
"No. I am not going anywhere hear a base where you can electric shock therapy me back to infancy. You all know what I know is too important to get rid of, I am a walking thesaurus for Fucksake. I know my edidic memory not only pleased Her Nibs but it was the talk of the office. All that is left of those archives is now up here, in me head. The only other option is to put me on ice. So… no. I am not a threat, I am never going to tell anyone anything and who would believe me anyway. I've never seen a bloody alien other than that weevil they released in the Tower that time for a prank." Ianto folded his arms. "why we had to have the stupid seminar on them."
"Well, it's not that easy" Maloney said as he leaned back "You know the contract states…"
"I know it word for word and there is a clause for Death Allowance. Since I was declared dead, narrowly escaped death and proved myself as an agent, I can choose retirement with full honor and full memory intact." Ianto replied "Subsection 26, clause F."
Silence.
Then the one that had not spoken, stood behind Ianto the entire time struck, the needle going in even as Matt yelled with alarm and reached out to try and stop it.
By the time Ianto had been laid to the floor, an argument between the three men was well underway with Matt already on his phone calling ahead to tell someone that they had breached the protocols and send the recording of the conservation.
The gunshot was loud and Matt fell to the floor, the hole in his forehead smoking from the pulse gun as the silent man holstered his weapon and reached down to pluck up the unconscious Ianto.
"Come on, the fucking phone data went through, they have the recording" Maloney said angrily "Let's just get him on ice and then deal with the fall out."
.
.
Down at the waterhole Jack watched the dog splashing and waited for Ianto to come tell him it was safe.
He hoped it was not going to be too much longer, this girl will needed a bath after this.