After a year (that never existed) in captivity, subjected to various (fairly innovative, he had to give the rogue Time Lord that) forms of torture, Captain Jack Harkness had been given the offer he'd spent a hundred and fifty years pining for... and he'd turned it down.
He practically bounded along Mermaid Quay, down to the Tourist Office, through the secret passage, down the lift. He smiled broadly as the cog door rolled back revealing the Hub. It had been his home for most of the past hundred and fifty years, but this was the first time it truly felt like it. This was the first time Jack had chosen it.
He stepped inside and glanced around, looking to see if any of the team were in yet. He noticed some changes. Well, he supposed, there would have to be. When he left, it was right after the Rift Machine had all but blown the place apart. A few renovations would have been in order in the aftermath.
He finally spied Gwen and Ianto by the coffee machine and his smile widened to a grin.
"Hey, kids! Did you miss me?" he exclaimed with his customary one part charm and one part swagger.
Gwen shrugged her shoulders to Ianto's question, "Not really," she said, "And it tastes just fine to me. But, I'll definitely be in the mood for a second cup, so feel free to make more."
She was glad to see Ianto smile, no matter how small. She knew Jack's departure, or disappearance rather, was hardest on him since he carried such a torch for the guy. She didn't blame him, not one bit. Jack was gorgeous, personable, and hard to resist. Even she was guilty of having some very, very impure thoughts about him. Thoughts she knew Jack was most likely well aware of.
She took a long sip, closing her eyes as she let the taste and warmth of the coffee move through her. She was feeling better already, energy-wise. However, she still had that gaping hole in her--well, she wasn't sure if it was in her heart, but she sure as hell missed Jack.
And just as she thought it, she heard his voice echo through the room. She almost dropped her mug out of surprise, but caught it and set it on the counter. "Jack!" she shouted with widened, surprised eyes as she rushed over to give him a big hug. When she pulled back, the cheer fell from her face, being quickly replaced with narrowed eyes as she punched him in the arm, "Where the hell were you?" she demanded for all their sakes.
"Old coffee tastes as good as my freshly made coffee?"
Ianto gave Gwen a look of complete shock at those words. That would be a big fat NO. It was coffee, sure. But it was something he prided in. His coffee was legendary! Even Owen could be brought to say please for some of Ianto's coffee.
They really all were kinda off their game with....
"Jack?"
Ok. And now he was day dreaming. Ianto stared at the coffee he was about to use to make a new back of jaffa for the crew. Then at Gwen who ran out of there like the bats did from hell only in a more happier way. And then she was hugging... Jack.
Jack? Either he was having a really, really bad nightmare again. Or he'd gone nuts with want.
A frown creased Ianto's brows as he glanced over at Tosh. She too was staring open mouthed at the scene playing out, even if it was all sorts of obvious she wanted to jump up and run to Jack too. Which was all of two seconds later that she did, flinging her arms around Jack like Gwen had done.
Ianto stood frozen on his spot, watching Jack Harkness with a mix of complete anger and complete want. He really had no idea if he wanted to run away from or to Jack. So he just stood there and... watched the scene.
Jack laughed as he hugged Gwen, then gamely rubbed his arm where she'd punched him, even though the punch clearly lacked any real intent to hurt him and was absolutely nothing in comparison to what he'd been enduring at the hands of the Master.
He opened his mouth to answer Gwen, when Tosh came running over and he caught her up in his arms, lifting her off her feet for a moment, before setting her down and looking past them at Ianto. He could see the other man hadn't quite decided what he felt about all this. He knew Ianto would be the hardest to approach when he returned. Jack hadn't done right by him and had realized it.
He didn't want to draw everyone's attention to Ianto, so he looked at Gwen again.
"I was... everywhere," he said vaguely, stepping past them, a little further into the Hub.
Her lips pursed as he answered, "That's not good enough, Jack." Gwen protested, stealing a quick glance at Ianto as she followed Jack into the Hub with Tosh trailing after them.
Sure, she was more than grateful that Jack was back. Relieved and happy, even. But, also extremely brassed off and ready to do more than just lightly punch him in the arm. And she knew this was hardest on Ianto, who had a lot more invested in their boss than just working for him. Then again, so did she in many confusing ways, but this wasn't about her. It was about all of them.
"You left us," she stated, her relieved surprise fading and quickly being replaced with a touch of hurt. Gwen grabbed his arm to pull him back around in an effort to make him truly understand the pain he caused them, "You deserted us. We didn't know where you were or how to find you or if you'd ever even come back."
Though the rest of the group wouldn't openly admit it--especially Owen--she was speaking for all of them. "You at least owe us a real answer."
Honestly speaking, Owen was simply glad to be there. Alright, he was dead. Old story. The story of his life; or better said, the story of his death.
He did sense Gwen's eyes hovering upon him, and he nearly turned around to crack a smile at her - a tired, older smile, but still his smile. His unmistakable smile. But then he changed his mind, mainly because Tosh was also in the room. And he needed to deal with her presence, with certain things that have been said and done. He needed to understand... the things.
And just when he was about to say something randomly sarcastic, for sport, Jack happened. Owen was so startled that he almost left his guard down for a second; almost jump-starting toward him. He stopped in the middle of the move, however, recomposing himself, and simply hovered around them - hugging like happy hamsters - and waited.
He really, really wanted to run over to Jack. Haul the fucking bastard over to his - Gwens? - office, down the manhole and rip his clothes off. Just to make sure the guy was OK. But he was Jack so even if he wasn't OK, Ianto wouldn't see much there. Well... other then the total obvious. Nice obvious.
But not the point now. There was something in Jack's eyes. A-- sparkle that used to be there that was now missing. Maybe it was guilt? Jack may be a selfish jerk at times but he did feel guilt. And leaving his team alone for whatever reason to face reality would make him feel guilty.
Wouldn't it?
So he resisted the urge to run to Jack and do what the girls this. For one, it would get him mocked by Owen and his arse kicked by Tosh (despite the fact that Tosh was doing some hugging and glaring on her own, but apparently *women* were allowed). So he tried to not look like a tense idiotic fool as he stood there watching.
Watching Gwen take over again. Do the work Ianto and Tosh didn't want to do. And the job Owen would *gladly* do, no doubt. The doctor would never admit it, but he too had been hurt by Jack's departure.
"I shall make us some coffee to go with that story," Ianto mumbled, shuffling over to his magic coffee-maker while keeping his eyes perked for the explanation. At least this way he kept busy.
He wouldn't tell them everything (he couldn't tell them everything) but, apparently, he was going to have to tell them something.
In a way, he was glad they were insisting. At least they still cared. His initial euphoria at walking back in through that door had evaporated a little when it occurred to him that maybe they didn't want him there anymore. Maybe they didn't need him anymore. Just when he finally, truly realized that he needed them.
He watched Ianto move even further away for a moment, then looked at Gwen again. "I know," he conceded softly. He looked over at Ianto. "I'm sorry," he added before turning his eyes to meet Gwen's once more. He held her gaze, then moved past her, leaning against the wall beside his office door. He could see all four of them from there. They were all waiting.
"I found my Doctor," he told them. "I had to catch him before he disappeared again."
Gwen's pout faded slightly as he apologized. Well, good. She was glad he was sorry because, in all honesty, they were doing the best they could to get by. And they were really trying very hard not to die.
She stood, hands on her hips as he moved past her to lean against the wall. She was still waiting for an answer. They all were. "Your doctor?" she said, though she recalled the strange noise that echoed through the Hub right before Jack had disappeared. Maybe Jack didn't so much as leave, but was taken? No, that didn't seem like him at all. Plus, that reasoning didn't really fit in too well with her anger.
So, she chose to believe he deliberately left them. Stranded them. Deserted them. Her jaw clenched because she was really trying her damnedest to hold it all in. Tosh could apparently feel the wave of anger coming off her and Gwen felt the other woman touch her arm momentarily.
Her body relaxed. She was really trying to be the understanding worker, friend, whatever she was to Jack. "Why did you need a--your doctor?" She didn't think a person who can't die could get sick, but what did she know? Jack shared so little with them, everything was a mystery. And that infuriated her more than the fact he had disappeared for a few months.
"I wouldn't have thought you'd need another one, taken -- ahem -- the present people," Owen also interfered, slightly smugly, but a tad concerned as well. Did 'my doctor' meant that his Torchwood days were over? Didn't Jack want him around anymore? Was he too troublesome, too flighty, perhaps? There were a lot of questions shooting through his tortured mind, but he decided, according to his nature, that using jokes and avoiding direct references was the best tactics.
It was with clear deliberation that Ianto did *not* look at Jack. Sure he was all mature and that, but if Jack wanted to apologize? He was gonna have to do it in person and sorta mean it. Not this half-asses show of words. No way.
And the more Ianto thought about it, the angrier he got. Though he sort of deflated when 'my' Doctor was mentioned. You didn't work for Tochwood One and not know about the Doctor Jack meant. You didn't 'fool' - since it now seems that's all they had been doing, how stupid of him to think more of it - around with Jack and not know who the Doctor was.
Not that he was gonna enlighten the rest. Oh no, he wasn't going to make it that easy for Jack. Let him explain. Besides, Ianto was sorta curious as to why Jack had been running of with what Torchwood - officially - was supposed to consider enemy numero uno.
So he kept his eyes on what he was doing. Making coffee to perfection, just the way he did every day. Put it on a tray, add whatever everyone wanted, sugar, cream...shot of whiskey then go around taking everyone their drink. He was tempted to leave Jack out, but even Ianto couldn't bring himself to be that petty. And if his hands were shaking lightly as he brought his coffee around, then he doubted anyone would mention it. Not even Owen.
Owen didn't mention it, no. The main focus was Jack; it was Jack the one who needed to offer answers, to explain himself. Ianto's reactions didn't concern Owen -- he wouldn't exploit them, it wouldn't be of any help. Quietly, he took his cup of coffee, waited till a generous shot of whiskey was added within, and took a large sip, eyeing Jack and waiting for him to unwrap his story.
He practically bounded along Mermaid Quay, down to the Tourist Office, through the secret passage, down the lift. He smiled broadly as the cog door rolled back revealing the Hub. It had been his home for most of the past hundred and fifty years, but this was the first time it truly felt like it. This was the first time Jack had chosen it.
He stepped inside and glanced around, looking to see if any of the team were in yet. He noticed some changes. Well, he supposed, there would have to be. When he left, it was right after the Rift Machine had all but blown the place apart. A few renovations would have been in order in the aftermath.
He finally spied Gwen and Ianto by the coffee machine and his smile widened to a grin.
"Hey, kids! Did you miss me?" he exclaimed with his customary one part charm and one part swagger.
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She was glad to see Ianto smile, no matter how small. She knew Jack's departure, or disappearance rather, was hardest on him since he carried such a torch for the guy. She didn't blame him, not one bit. Jack was gorgeous, personable, and hard to resist. Even she was guilty of having some very, very impure thoughts about him. Thoughts she knew Jack was most likely well aware of.
She took a long sip, closing her eyes as she let the taste and warmth of the coffee move through her. She was feeling better already, energy-wise. However, she still had that gaping hole in her--well, she wasn't sure if it was in her heart, but she sure as hell missed Jack.
And just as she thought it, she heard his voice echo through the room. She almost dropped her mug out of surprise, but caught it and set it on the counter. "Jack!" she shouted with widened, surprised eyes as she rushed over to give him a big hug. When she pulled back, the cheer fell from her face, being quickly replaced with narrowed eyes as she punched him in the arm, "Where the hell were you?" she demanded for all their sakes.
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Ianto gave Gwen a look of complete shock at those words. That would be a big fat NO. It was coffee, sure. But it was something he prided in. His coffee was legendary! Even Owen could be brought to say please for some of Ianto's coffee.
They really all were kinda off their game with....
"Jack?"
Ok. And now he was day dreaming. Ianto stared at the coffee he was about to use to make a new back of jaffa for the crew. Then at Gwen who ran out of there like the bats did from hell only in a more happier way. And then she was hugging... Jack.
Jack? Either he was having a really, really bad nightmare again. Or he'd gone nuts with want.
A frown creased Ianto's brows as he glanced over at Tosh. She too was staring open mouthed at the scene playing out, even if it was all sorts of obvious she wanted to jump up and run to Jack too. Which was all of two seconds later that she did, flinging her arms around Jack like Gwen had done.
Ianto stood frozen on his spot, watching Jack Harkness with a mix of complete anger and complete want. He really had no idea if he wanted to run away from or to Jack. So he just stood there and... watched the scene.
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He opened his mouth to answer Gwen, when Tosh came running over and he caught her up in his arms, lifting her off her feet for a moment, before setting her down and looking past them at Ianto. He could see the other man hadn't quite decided what he felt about all this. He knew Ianto would be the hardest to approach when he returned. Jack hadn't done right by him and had realized it.
He didn't want to draw everyone's attention to Ianto, so he looked at Gwen again.
"I was... everywhere," he said vaguely, stepping past them, a little further into the Hub.
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Sure, she was more than grateful that Jack was back. Relieved and happy, even. But, also extremely brassed off and ready to do more than just lightly punch him in the arm. And she knew this was hardest on Ianto, who had a lot more invested in their boss than just working for him. Then again, so did she in many confusing ways, but this wasn't about her. It was about all of them.
"You left us," she stated, her relieved surprise fading and quickly being replaced with a touch of hurt. Gwen grabbed his arm to pull him back around in an effort to make him truly understand the pain he caused them, "You deserted us. We didn't know where you were or how to find you or if you'd ever even come back."
Though the rest of the group wouldn't openly admit it--especially Owen--she was speaking for all of them. "You at least owe us a real answer."
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He did sense Gwen's eyes hovering upon him, and he nearly turned around to crack a smile at her - a tired, older smile, but still his smile. His unmistakable smile. But then he changed his mind, mainly because Tosh was also in the room. And he needed to deal with her presence, with certain things that have been said and done. He needed to understand... the things.
And just when he was about to say something randomly sarcastic, for sport, Jack happened. Owen was so startled that he almost left his guard down for a second; almost jump-starting toward him. He stopped in the middle of the move, however, recomposing himself, and simply hovered around them - hugging like happy hamsters - and waited.
He knew there will be answers, in the end.
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But not the point now. There was something in Jack's eyes. A-- sparkle that used to be there that was now missing. Maybe it was guilt? Jack may be a selfish jerk at times but he did feel guilt. And leaving his team alone for whatever reason to face reality would make him feel guilty.
Wouldn't it?
So he resisted the urge to run to Jack and do what the girls this. For one, it would get him mocked by Owen and his arse kicked by Tosh (despite the fact that Tosh was doing some hugging and glaring on her own, but apparently *women* were allowed). So he tried to not look like a tense idiotic fool as he stood there watching.
Watching Gwen take over again. Do the work Ianto and Tosh didn't want to do. And the job Owen would *gladly* do, no doubt. The doctor would never admit it, but he too had been hurt by Jack's departure.
"I shall make us some coffee to go with that story," Ianto mumbled, shuffling over to his magic coffee-maker while keeping his eyes perked for the explanation. At least this way he kept busy.
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In a way, he was glad they were insisting. At least they still cared. His initial euphoria at walking back in through that door had evaporated a little when it occurred to him that maybe they didn't want him there anymore. Maybe they didn't need him anymore. Just when he finally, truly realized that he needed them.
He watched Ianto move even further away for a moment, then looked at Gwen again. "I know," he conceded softly. He looked over at Ianto. "I'm sorry," he added before turning his eyes to meet Gwen's once more. He held her gaze, then moved past her, leaning against the wall beside his office door. He could see all four of them from there. They were all waiting.
"I found my Doctor," he told them. "I had to catch him before he disappeared again."
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She stood, hands on her hips as he moved past her to lean against the wall. She was still waiting for an answer. They all were. "Your doctor?" she said, though she recalled the strange noise that echoed through the Hub right before Jack had disappeared. Maybe Jack didn't so much as leave, but was taken? No, that didn't seem like him at all. Plus, that reasoning didn't really fit in too well with her anger.
So, she chose to believe he deliberately left them. Stranded them. Deserted them. Her jaw clenched because she was really trying her damnedest to hold it all in. Tosh could apparently feel the wave of anger coming off her and Gwen felt the other woman touch her arm momentarily.
Her body relaxed. She was really trying to be the understanding worker, friend, whatever she was to Jack. "Why did you need a--your doctor?" She didn't think a person who can't die could get sick, but what did she know? Jack shared so little with them, everything was a mystery. And that infuriated her more than the fact he had disappeared for a few months.
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And the more Ianto thought about it, the angrier he got. Though he sort of deflated when 'my' Doctor was mentioned. You didn't work for Tochwood One and not know about the Doctor Jack meant. You didn't 'fool' - since it now seems that's all they had been doing, how stupid of him to think more of it - around with Jack and not know who the Doctor was.
Not that he was gonna enlighten the rest. Oh no, he wasn't going to make it that easy for Jack. Let him explain. Besides, Ianto was sorta curious as to why Jack had been running of with what Torchwood - officially - was supposed to consider enemy numero uno.
So he kept his eyes on what he was doing. Making coffee to perfection, just the way he did every day. Put it on a tray, add whatever everyone wanted, sugar, cream...shot of whiskey then go around taking everyone their drink. He was tempted to leave Jack out, but even Ianto couldn't bring himself to be that petty. And if his hands were shaking lightly as he brought his coffee around, then he doubted anyone would mention it. Not even Owen.
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