Fic: Never Say Never - Chapter 15
Series Rating: PG-NC17
Characters/Pairings: Jack; Ianto; Doctor (10); OC's; Gwen; Martha; Mickey - Jack/Ianto
Spoilers: Anything from Torchwood S1 & S2 and Doctor Who through S4 is fair game.
Length: 26 chapters, Prologue/Epilogue and various Interludes, it grew again!
Warnings: Slash; Mpreg; Angst; Violence; Mention of past miscarriage; Crossover with Dr. Who
Summary: Another visit to the healers....
A/N - Thank you everyone that's been reading and commenting. I'm glad you all like this! And a huge thank you to my wonderful beta
christine_twfan . I'd never have gotten this far with out her help & encouragement!
Previous chapters here
“Doctor, is something wrong?” Jack asked.
“What? Oh, no. Well,” the Doctor hesitated. “It’s just that Ianto seems to be showing more than he should for being three months pregnant. I think.”
“Jack?” Ianto looked worriedly at his partner.
“I don’t know, Ianto,” Jack replied. “I remember thinking that I got big fairly quickly, but it’s been so long. Maybe men just show sooner than women do?” He pulled Ianto close and ran his hand gently over Ianto’s belly. “We can ask Healer Nestad about it tomorrow, okay?”
Deciding not to worry about it until they talked to the healer the next day, Ianto sat back down to see what else Martha had sent.
“What did Gwen say?” Ianto asked, smirking.
Jack playfully glared at his partner. “Brat.”
Ianto stuck his tongue out at Jack. “Wimp. I took the worst of it, you know. She was already over most of the shock when I handed you the mobile.”
“She just told me that I’d better take good care of you or I would answer to her,” Jack replied. He slanted a quizzical look towards Ianto. “What is it about you that makes everyone so protective?”
“My blinding good looks and cute arse,” Ianto said straight faced. “They all want me. You’re just jealous.”
Jack laughed uproariously. “Oh, I love you, Ianto Jones. What’s in the bag?”
“I know you do - I’m irresistible,” Ianto replied. “Martha sent us a care package. Look, there’s real coffee, a grinder, a cafetiere…I may have to marry her, Jack.”
“Not if I get to her first,” Jack exclaimed. He sent a pleading look Ianto’s way. “Yan, coffee? Please?”
Ianto rolled his eyes at Jack’s antics, but got up from the couch. He turned around and pointed a finger at his lover. “If you ever call me ‘Yan’ again, Jack Harkness, you will be on Tesco’s brand decaf for as long as I live,” he shuddered. “I hate that nickname. Doctor, coffee or tea?”
“Tea, please,” the Doctor replied, laughing at the look of terror on Jack’s face. To be honest, the Time Lord had missed his two Companions. Ianto’s dry wit and quiet intelligence were the perfect compliment to Jack’s more flamboyant style. The affection and respect between the two was obvious, and the Doctor felt like part of a family again when he was around them.
“Ianto,” Jack called. “What’s in the present?”
Carrying the cups out on a tray, Ianto gave the Doctor his tea before settling down next to Jack. “How would I know, Jack? It’s not open yet,” he reasonably pointed out.
“Can we open it now?”
“Honestly, you’re worse than a little kid,” Ianto said laughing. “Yes, open it. Let’s see what Martha sent.”
Jack tore into the wrapping and opened the box. Inside was a white layette set with the red Welsh dragon embroidered on the items. Ianto picked up the shoes and held them in his hand.
“They’re so small,” he murmured, blue eyes shining softly.
Jack smiled at the wonder in Ianto’s face and leaned over to kiss him, placing his hand on Ianto’s abdomen. They sprang apart when they both felt a fluttery movement beneath Jack’s hand.
“Jack! Did you feel…?” Ianto’s eyes were wide.
“Yes, I did. That shouldn’t be happening this early,” Jack replied. “Doctor, what is going on here?”
They discussed the situation late into the night. Ianto fell asleep on the couch, head in Jack’s lap. Jack and the Doctor came up with many theories, but until they could talk to Healer Nestad, they really had no idea what was happening.
“Your friend was correct, Captain Harkness, Mr. Jones,” Healer Nestad stated. “The fetal growth rate has accelerated. Chronologically, Mr. Jones is three months pregnant, but developmentally, the fetus is closer to five months.”
“But what is causing it?” Ianto asked.
“I don’t know yet, Mr. Jones,” Healer Nestad replied. “But I intend to find out,” she said grimly. “I’ll need blood samples from each of you to start testing.”
“Will the accelerated growth cause any risks for Ianto?” Jack asked, tightening his grasp on Ianto’s hand.
“There is the probability that Mr. Jones will experience muscle pain and cramping due to the accelerated growth. Your body won’t have time to adjust to the growth like it normally would. Mr. Jones, we’ll need to adjust your diet to accommodate the added demand for nutrients. A normal pregnancy causes stress on your heart and circulatory system. The accelerated rate of growth could place additional stresses on your system. Fortunately, you’re young and in good health, but we’ll watch your blood pressure and heart rhythms closely.”
Both Ianto and Jack were silent, taking in all of the information. Ianto leaned back and rested his head on Jack’s shoulder. He could feel the tenseness in his partner’s body and knew Jack was worried, not only about the baby, but also for Ianto.
“Gentlemen, I know you’re both concerned. I want to reassure you that, other than the accelerated growth, your baby is perfectly healthy. In fact, if you would like, I could tell you the baby’s gender?”
They looked at each other questioningly. Jack could see the curiosity to know in Ianto’s eyes, but there was also a strong desire to be surprised. Ianto could see the same feelings in Jack’s eyes, and they made their decision. Ianto turned to Healer Nestad.
“No, we don’t want to know. Thank you for giving us the choice.”
They left the hospital complex after giving their blood samples and walked slowly home, discussing the possibilities.
“Do you think my immortality could have any effect on the accelerated growth?” Jack asked.
“I don’t know, but if it did, why didn’t the baby start growing faster while you were pregnant?” Ianto pointed out.
As they walked, neither man noticed the green-haired, grey-skinned figure shadowing them with hatred in its eyes.
Chapter 16