Oizys, Chapter 3
Title: Oizys
Author: Estella Greeneaf
Rating: Eventual M
Pairing: Chandler/Kent, Jack/Ianto
Chapter Warning: None
Disclaimer: Not my property.
Inspiration: Gasara’s comment on last episode of S3 and Torchwood Audiobooks Another Life and Sin Eaters
***
Chapter 3: Leap of Faith
Jack watched the SUV disappear around a corner and turned towards the young police officer by his side. He knew Ianto was going to be very annoyed with him for what he’s about to do; but he just *had* to. This case might have been Ianto’s project, and Jack might have agreed to play along and be the supportive lover, rather than the Torchwood boss this time; but he couldn’t ignore what he’s seen through the special surveillance contacts of the courier’s eyes the day before, a look so weary and forlorn that it had no business on a face so wide-eyed and young. While Jack wasn’t a sentimental man by *any* standard, as his team could attest, he knew hopeless unrequited love better than any. He would not be the one to keep Kent ignorant on the sidelines when the man’s raison d’être was in danger. He would give the DC a choice and improvise from there.
With one of his blinding grins, Jack asked, “Shall we get started?”
“Of course, sir,” was the stiff reply as the young DC followed him into the warehouse. Jack watched as his companion took in the sparse furnishing. There was a three-person couch and coffee table in the center of the large space; behind these, was a long bench laden with computing equipment. The young man’s gaze lingered for a moment on the entrance to the walled-off corner at the back of the warehouse, no doubt wondering at the secrets the area held, before focusing on what to the untrained and non- technologically enlightened eye would seem a pile of random metal parts on a workbench against the back wall. “And what are we supposed to be doing exactly, sir?”
“Well, you can help yourself to the fake case and whatever other creature comforts Ianto had laid out,” Jack replied gesturing to the couch and coffee table on which a stack of files sat with two mugs of coffee and pastries, “while I do some real work,” he added, pointing to the work bench where he’s been trying to build a Psi disruptor for when they managed to track down their alien.
Jack paused to stare straight into the DC’s puzzled eyes. Expression serious, gaze that of an ancient being who had seen the wonders and horrors of the universe, the captain continued, “Or you can risk all that you are and help me, knowing that at the end, even if the best should happen, you won’t remember any of it.”
“I hate to be disrespectful, sir, but do you realize how crazy you sound?” Kent replied with an awkward smile as he shifted on his feet with obvious unease.
Jack didn’t blame the DC for thinking he’s crazy. He had every intention of convincing his new companion otherwise thoroughly, if the young man should choose to assist him, but not yet. For now, he would rely only on his guile and power of persuasion, which were, in his own estimation, rather considerable. “I prefer eccentric, to be honest. Look, this is supposed to be Ianto’s show, and we are not supposed to be having this conversation. But I think your perspective could be helpful; so I’m giving you the choice.”
As an ex-con man, Jack had to be good at reading people; and he knew the slight furrow on the young man’s brow was a good sign. This wasn’t the look of a subordinate trying not to antagonize an unreasonable superior. Despite the seeming madness of his proposal, despite the healthy amount of skepticism his companion must still be feeling, he had the man’s full attention. It’s time for to drop the bombshell. “All you need to know is that your team, the one at Whitechapel, is in a bad situation, the kind that Torchwood specializes in. We will take care of it, quietly, of course, but for that to happen, we need to be on the inside. That’s why you are here, so your team will be one short and Ianto can transfer in…”
Silence descended as Jack as forced to stop in order to dodge the fist flying at his face. To prevent further interruptions, the captain took the opportunity to grab Kent’s arm as the punch flew past and missed, and spun behind his companion, effectively twisting and pinning the DC’s arm behind his back.
“You bastard!”
The ex-time agent was tempted to make a flippant response; but he supposed he deserved the insult and then some. He’d probably do much worse if he were in Kent’s shoes, if someone or thing were to try to get between him and the Doctor in the Time Lord’s hour of need. So instead, Jack tightened the grip on the DC’s arm for emphasis and demanded, “I don’t have time for your tantrums. I will only ask this once. Will you work with me, by my rules, on my terms, without knowing you can trust me? Or do you prefer to forget this conversation and go back to being blissfully ignorant? Make your choice!”
Jack knew the DC’s answer before the man spoke. It’s written in how quickly the young man’s body stilled, the way his head dropped ever so slightly, the soft shaky sigh that escaped grimacing lips. Then again, the time-agent-turned-conman-turned-Torchwood 3 leader had known all along, before he began this whole exercise - when it comes to those one truly loved, no leap of faith is too far.
Author: Estella Greeneaf
Rating: Eventual M
Pairing: Chandler/Kent, Jack/Ianto
Chapter Warning: None
Disclaimer: Not my property.
Inspiration: Gasara’s comment on last episode of S3 and Torchwood Audiobooks Another Life and Sin Eaters
***
Chapter 3: Leap of Faith
Jack watched the SUV disappear around a corner and turned towards the young police officer by his side. He knew Ianto was going to be very annoyed with him for what he’s about to do; but he just *had* to. This case might have been Ianto’s project, and Jack might have agreed to play along and be the supportive lover, rather than the Torchwood boss this time; but he couldn’t ignore what he’s seen through the special surveillance contacts of the courier’s eyes the day before, a look so weary and forlorn that it had no business on a face so wide-eyed and young. While Jack wasn’t a sentimental man by *any* standard, as his team could attest, he knew hopeless unrequited love better than any. He would not be the one to keep Kent ignorant on the sidelines when the man’s raison d’être was in danger. He would give the DC a choice and improvise from there.
With one of his blinding grins, Jack asked, “Shall we get started?”
“Of course, sir,” was the stiff reply as the young DC followed him into the warehouse. Jack watched as his companion took in the sparse furnishing. There was a three-person couch and coffee table in the center of the large space; behind these, was a long bench laden with computing equipment. The young man’s gaze lingered for a moment on the entrance to the walled-off corner at the back of the warehouse, no doubt wondering at the secrets the area held, before focusing on what to the untrained and non- technologically enlightened eye would seem a pile of random metal parts on a workbench against the back wall. “And what are we supposed to be doing exactly, sir?”
“Well, you can help yourself to the fake case and whatever other creature comforts Ianto had laid out,” Jack replied gesturing to the couch and coffee table on which a stack of files sat with two mugs of coffee and pastries, “while I do some real work,” he added, pointing to the work bench where he’s been trying to build a Psi disruptor for when they managed to track down their alien.
Jack paused to stare straight into the DC’s puzzled eyes. Expression serious, gaze that of an ancient being who had seen the wonders and horrors of the universe, the captain continued, “Or you can risk all that you are and help me, knowing that at the end, even if the best should happen, you won’t remember any of it.”
“I hate to be disrespectful, sir, but do you realize how crazy you sound?” Kent replied with an awkward smile as he shifted on his feet with obvious unease.
Jack didn’t blame the DC for thinking he’s crazy. He had every intention of convincing his new companion otherwise thoroughly, if the young man should choose to assist him, but not yet. For now, he would rely only on his guile and power of persuasion, which were, in his own estimation, rather considerable. “I prefer eccentric, to be honest. Look, this is supposed to be Ianto’s show, and we are not supposed to be having this conversation. But I think your perspective could be helpful; so I’m giving you the choice.”
As an ex-con man, Jack had to be good at reading people; and he knew the slight furrow on the young man’s brow was a good sign. This wasn’t the look of a subordinate trying not to antagonize an unreasonable superior. Despite the seeming madness of his proposal, despite the healthy amount of skepticism his companion must still be feeling, he had the man’s full attention. It’s time for to drop the bombshell. “All you need to know is that your team, the one at Whitechapel, is in a bad situation, the kind that Torchwood specializes in. We will take care of it, quietly, of course, but for that to happen, we need to be on the inside. That’s why you are here, so your team will be one short and Ianto can transfer in…”
Silence descended as Jack as forced to stop in order to dodge the fist flying at his face. To prevent further interruptions, the captain took the opportunity to grab Kent’s arm as the punch flew past and missed, and spun behind his companion, effectively twisting and pinning the DC’s arm behind his back.
“You bastard!”
The ex-time agent was tempted to make a flippant response; but he supposed he deserved the insult and then some. He’d probably do much worse if he were in Kent’s shoes, if someone or thing were to try to get between him and the Doctor in the Time Lord’s hour of need. So instead, Jack tightened the grip on the DC’s arm for emphasis and demanded, “I don’t have time for your tantrums. I will only ask this once. Will you work with me, by my rules, on my terms, without knowing you can trust me? Or do you prefer to forget this conversation and go back to being blissfully ignorant? Make your choice!”
Jack knew the DC’s answer before the man spoke. It’s written in how quickly the young man’s body stilled, the way his head dropped ever so slightly, the soft shaky sigh that escaped grimacing lips. Then again, the time-agent-turned-conman-turned-Torchwood 3 leader had known all along, before he began this whole exercise - when it comes to those one truly loved, no leap of faith is too far.