(no subject)
Series: Enduring the Test of Time
Title: Forgive and Forget
Author: McRaider
Summary: When Rose and Ianto get caught on the sanctuary of a sacred ground, their threatened to be punished, however Jack steps in and sacrifices himself, however the sacrifice may cost them all a great deal of pain in the long run.
Author’s Note: It’s clichéd, I know, but ultimately out of every fan fiction I’ve ever read, this is one of my absolute favorite plot lines EVER! So I chose to do it in my own creative way. If it resembles your fic, I apologize however it was not intended as such in any way shape or form. Also the necklace, and they scenes surrounding it and the myth are not mine, rather they belong to gracie_musica and her wonderful series which starts with Salt & Pepper, seriously read it sometime, it’s beautiful!
Rated: PG-13
Thanks: My Betas :) you are all amazing!
Dedication: To my Professor for knowing me so well :-)
Previous Story: Enduring
Previous Chapters here
Chapter Seventeen
Jack and Ianto were the two remaining companions left once Margaret and the Doctor had left for their “dinner”. Jack could tell that Ianto felt mildly troubled by the decision and things Margaret had said. Ianto was seated quietly in the chair, looking anywhere but at Jack.
Jack sighed before he moved around the table and took a seat beside Ianto. Reaching out he gently rubbed Ianto’s leg slowly. “Sometimes what’s right, or wrong, isn’t always morally right.”
“Is that how you justify murder? Because that’s what we’ll be doing to her if we take her back to her planet. Don’t get me wrong, Jack. It’s not that I condone what she’s done, she deserves to go on trial, but killing her is no better than her killing all those people from UNIT.”
“Perhaps, but we’re not the ones making that decision, not taking her back to be judged, is as wrong as letting terrorists or murders continue their rein of torture and pain. Sometimes someone has to pay for the bad things they’ve done.”
“What about you Jack? How many people have you killed? How many have you condemned to the same fate you’re talking about? What makes you any different than her?”
Jack felt his heart pound at those words. “I-“
“You don’t even remember two years of your life, we found you Jack! We found you trying to catch us in a con and you nearly killed everyone. What makes you any different?!” It was a demand, and Jack felt as if his entire world was suddenly caving in around him.
Jack just shook his head before he walked away, he stopped, just before disappear into the Tardis he turned and looked at Ianto. “The difference is I’d never intentionally hurt anyone now that I’ve been hurt. If I ever did something as horrible as murdering someone and I don’t remember them why should I continue to suffer for transgressions I don’t own anymore?” Without another word, Jack left Ianto to his thoughts.
Ianto rubbed his eyes as he realized what he’d just said. He’d basically just called Jack a killer. He truly wasn’t prepared to embark on a relationship with anyone, much less a man with insecurities like Jack. To be fair, Ianto wasn’t much better off, with his own country sized insecurities.
“Great way to start a relationship, Ianto.” Ianto mumbled to himself as he headed off down the hallway to find his almost lover.
Ianto found Jack in the kitchen, the man stood quietly over the fridge he just stood there, not actually getting any food, just holding the door open. Ianto moved forward to grip Jack’s hand. Immediately the older man stepped away, like an animal who’d been hurt. Ianto imagined that analogy wasn’t far off. He’d hurt Jack, he didn’t honestly expect him to welcome an apology.
“Jack, I’m sorry.”
“Its fine,” Jack murmured his reply as he grabbed a jar of peanut butter and moved to get a spoon.
“No it’s not-“
“You don’t think I know what I was? I’m a monster okay. I don’t know why I expected you to understand or care.” He pulled the drawer open and took out a spoon. Ianto watched Jack take a couple bites from the jar-he tried not to grimace at the thought of all the germs Jack was placing back in the jar after each spoonful. That was an argument for another day.
“Of course I care you moron!” Ianto snapped, sighing he lowered his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose slowly. “Yes Jack, of course I care about it. Don’t let me or anyone else ever call you a monster. You’ve proven yourself, okay. I trust you, hell I’ve never respected anyone more than I respect you and the way you are.” Ianto moved a step closer and grabbed the peanut butter jar from his lover. “Jack, you made mistakes, and you’re right, what you’ve done in the past doesn’t matter now. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I do trust you.” Reaching out he took his lovers hands in his and smiled. “Look, I’m still pretty new at this relationship thing, it’s the first time I’ve cared about anyone more than my job. I think it’s fair to say that both of us have a lot to learn. You’re a good man, Jack Harkness, a very good man. That’s the man I care about. Not the old Jack, he’s a part of you, but he hasn’t been for a long time. This man sitting in front of me is the man that I care about. He’s the one who matters.”
Jack looked up at Ianto, his eyes not quite sure if he should trust the words, Ianto was saying. Leaning forward, Ianto pressed a gentle kiss against Jack’s forehead. The two men paused, Ianto taking a moment to close his eyes and breathe in the scent that was Captain Jack. While Jack simply cherished the closeness of the man he loved.
“If it’s any consolation I hate killing, I really do. I don’t get some sick pleasure out of it, and I try to keep it at a kill or be killed decision. That’s what Time agents do, Ianto, we were trained killers who were forced to risk our lives to save everyone. I didn’t know when I joined that I was going to become a trained killer; I thought I’d be doing good.”
“You were Jack; just keep believing that, because that’s what mattered. You’re saving people now. Come on, let’s go get the pandimensional surf board hooked up.” Ianto started to pull his lover away.
Grinning, Jack pulled him back however, pulling Ianto right into his arms. He wrapped his arms around his lover, holding him close. Then he leaned in for a kiss. Ianto immediately deepened the kiss, running his tongue over that spot on the top of Jack’s mouth that made the man moan.
When the two men pulled apart they were struggling to get their breathing under control. Jack took a shaking breath, his arousal obvious as he pressed himself against Ianto’s equally aroused body. “Think it can wait?” Jack questioned.
Ianto grinned and nodded his reply, “We’ve got a little while, come on then.”