Fic - Lazarus 20/? [Torchwood]
Title: Lazarus (Chapter 19)
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating: PG-13 (mostly swearing)
Pairing/Characters: Ianto; Jack; Gwen; Martha; Mickey; Rhys; Alonso; Sarah Jane Smith; OCs (Jack/Ianto and there probably will be mentions of Gwen/Rhys)
Genre: General so far, but maybe romance eventually? It is after all a Janto fic
Summary: Nine months later and Ianto wakes up from death.
Warning: None
Spoiler: Mentions of Children of Earth, but nothing especific, except Ianto's death, but I don't consider it a fix it fic; at least not yet.
Disclaimer: Sadly, they are not mine. I'd never kill Ianto and ruin the best cannon shipper ever!
Notes: Huge thanks to specialj67 for being my beta. Jackie, you rock!
Chapter 19
Ianto was in agony; every cell in his body screamed out in pain. Could still feel the ghost touch of Sanders’ scalpel slicing into his flesh. He hadn’t felt so much pain since the whole Brecon Beacons incident, after they finished tenderizing him. But then, after everything was done and he returned to the safety of his flat, he was able to curl into himself and succumb, at least a little, to the near overwhelming despair of it with Jack holding him close and whispering soothing no senses in his ear. It was the first time they shared a bed, the first time Ianto felt more than a shadow after Canary Wharf.
Now, he couldn't afford that luxury. There was no Jack, he was gone; no soft bed, only a cold metal table still wet from his blood; no foetal position for comfort, he was still strapped to the table. The only thing Ianto could still do was cry, letting the tears burn his cheeks with his pain, his fear, his anger, his shame. God, he wished he was still dead.
“Is there…” a voice stammered carefully, “I mean… d-do you want something?” Ianto realized it was Dr. Sanders.
“Yeah.” He breathed out shakily. “Let me go, I’m not in the mood for playing another round of Operation.” Ethan forced a chuckle.
“Besides that?” he asked, and Ianto could make out a touch of regret in his voice.
“I’m cold. Is there a blanket or something you can get me?” Ianto asked quietly, struggling against the weakness in his body that made speaking so difficult.
“Sure.” He heard Ethan moving around, a door opened and shut before he reappeared by the table’s side, holding a grey wool blanket. He covered Ianto carefully. “Better?”
“Not really, but thank you.” He struggled to smile, but it was hard when everything hurt.
“I’m really sorry,” the doctor whispered.
“For bringing me back to life or hunting me down and treating me like a med student's cadaver?” Ianto saw the doctor wince and sighed. “How did you get into this?”
How does anyone?
“My little sister, she died of leukemia. Fought it every step of the way, but...it took a few years before we had to face the inevitable. It nearly tore my family apart. Afterwards, I wanted to do something--anything--so no one had to feel what we felt, go through that kind of drawn-out, painful goodbye. I was working in R&D at a private medical lab in Birmingham when I met him. The General came and he gave me an opportunity, told me he was recruiting talent for a top-secret project in London and wanted me to be part of the medical team. Said we would be working with technology far and above anything else available, developing cures for things no one thought possible, like AIDS. But it was for his own purposes. By the time I realized…”
The road to hell and all that.
“It was too late. You were in too deep,” Ianto completed after Ethan trailed off. He could relate to that because of Lisa. He agonized for months in secret, Lisa was less and less herself and it was up to him to keep fighting for the both of them. Deep down, he had known that thing he hid in the basements wasn’t his girlfriend anymore, but he just couldn’t turn away. He had to see everything to the end; she was the first person he ever loved like that, that all-consuming all-encompassing Love and he couldn't let that die without fighting with everything he had. Lisa deserved that. He was lucky Jack forgave him at all.
“I have to go. Analyze the…” Ethan paused, looking a little green.
“Analyze my organs?” Ianto offered and the doctor just nodded quickly. “Have fun.”
Without another word, the other man hurried out of the morgue, the snick of the door closing behind him as he left Ianto alone on the hard metal table. He counted the seconds between each tick of the minute hand on the wall clock off to his right while the blood dried on his torso, making the blanket stick to his skin.
---
After Jack had left her alone in the kitchen, Mackenzie stayed there, thinking. Now that she contacted the Captain and they were mobilizing to rescue Martha, Mickey and Ianto, she felt suddenly useless. These people obviously have experience in all this; they knew what they were doing and they did not need her help. But yet, the young doctor was unable to leave. Mackenzie NEEDED to see that strange trio that hijacked her car well and sound, before she could consider going back to her normal life. And she just COULDN’T wait around, doing nothing either. She HAD to help. Mackenzie stayed in that musing state until she heard the shout of ‘war council’ in Jack’s distinctive American accent coming from the stairs. She moved out of the kitchen just in time to catch sign of Gwen hurrying up, taking two steps at time. Without a second thought, Mackenzie followed her.
Gwen entered an ample room, the attic, where the rest of the group was gathered (minus Rhys, who just got Carys to sleep and wanted to make sure she stayed that way for awhile), but Mackenzie paused at the doorway, at first completely mesmerized the huge computer screen that covered most of the wall at her left and, after the awe wore off, because she wasn’t sure she would be welcomed in this.
“In or out doc,” said Jack not even turning to look at her. “Better choose now.”
Without further hesitation, Mackenzie stepped into the room and took a seat besides Alonso. The young man glanced at her quickly, offering an encouraging smile. Mackenzie smiled back.
“Go ahead, Sarah Jane,” Jack instructed and the older woman nodded, starting to explain about McLeod Enterprises.
Mackenzie tuned out most of that, having heard all before, instead she studied her companions. It was obvious by the way Gwen and Jack acted around each other that the two have been working together for a long time. Jack was definitely the boss, but Gwen had confidence enough to both question him in front of everyone and assume leadership whenever he was unable. Mackenzie guessed she was mostly likely Jack’s second-in-command. Sarah Jane wasn’t part of the team; the way Jack didn’t order her around, but instead politely asked for everything told Mackenzie that much. The older woman was someone Jack seemed to respect very much. Rhys was also an outsider, who didn’t really have an active function in all this. Mackenzie guessed he was only there to stay close to Gwen and make sure his family was safe. Alonso was the really tricky one; he was quiet and unwilling to volunteer any information, but the doctor felt like he knew much more than he let on. The young man followed Jack like a very faithful soldier followed a leader and she wasn’t sure yet if that was good or bad.
“There’s no way that kid is running this whole thing.” Jack spoke suddenly, pulling the attention to him.
“I agree,” Gwen said thoughtfully. “He just doesn’t seem like the type.”
“Someone else is pulling the strings, and I want to know who it is,” Jack stated, voice gravelly and dangerous. “Someone important enough, with enough power to get Emma Waters inside UNIT without raising suspicious; someone with enough money to set up this research facility right under everyone’s nose.”
“A facility capable of creating this 24th chromosome,” Sarah Jane added, but Jack shook his head.
“No. There’s not enough technology on this entire planet in this century for that.”
“So what you’re saying is that someone stumbled into something mankind isn’t ready for yet?” Alonso prompted, voice laced with disbelief.
“Not only that,” Jack smirked a little. “They were lucky enough to find someone who had DNA compatible with the gene.”
“That’s as likely as someone winning the lottery twice in two days.” Sarah Jane’s forehead was wrinkled in suspicion.
“Exactly.” Again, Jack smirked. Mackenzie glanced around, lost in the flow of the conversation. Her only consolation was that Gwen didn’t seem to be following the others' train of thought either.
“Someone knew where to look for the gene and on whom to test it,” Alonso said slowly.
“Someone from the future,” Sarah Jane concluded with a grimace.
“Yes.” Jack nodded in agreement. “Someone from the future, probably out to make some quick money, came to the 21st century with alien technology capable of synthesizing the “Superman Gene” so he could sell it.”
“And the market would be very lucrative,” Mackenzie contributed in a sigh. “Every idiot with enough money and neuroses would want to be Immortal.”
“Except only 0.8% of the world population has the kind of DNA to support the extra chromosome,” Jack continued. “But no one knows that. All he has to do is show how Ianto doesn’t die and he'll have more money than he can blow in five lifetimes. He’s a con man--a very good one.” He paused, as if suddenly realizing something. “I know who’s behind this.” His voice turned so hard and angry that Mackenzie actually flinched. “We need to get inside McLeod Enterprises now and get them out. We need Waters.”
“It’s not like we can just pop over and ask her to come with us,” Gwen reasoned, but it was noticeable she was dying to ask who Jack though was behind all this.
“Not us. She knows our faces.” He smirked. “But she doesn’t know Alonso’s.” Jack turned to the mentioned man. “You said you wanted to help. Are you up for it?”
The smirk Alonso send Jack’s way could only be described as leering. “Sure. I even know what line to use.”
xxx
Chapter 20
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating: PG-13 (mostly swearing)
Pairing/Characters: Ianto; Jack; Gwen; Martha; Mickey; Rhys; Alonso; Sarah Jane Smith; OCs (Jack/Ianto and there probably will be mentions of Gwen/Rhys)
Genre: General so far, but maybe romance eventually? It is after all a Janto fic
Summary: Nine months later and Ianto wakes up from death.
Warning: None
Spoiler: Mentions of Children of Earth, but nothing especific, except Ianto's death, but I don't consider it a fix it fic; at least not yet.
Disclaimer: Sadly, they are not mine. I'd never kill Ianto and ruin the best cannon shipper ever!
Notes: Huge thanks to specialj67 for being my beta. Jackie, you rock!
Chapter 19
Ianto was in agony; every cell in his body screamed out in pain. Could still feel the ghost touch of Sanders’ scalpel slicing into his flesh. He hadn’t felt so much pain since the whole Brecon Beacons incident, after they finished tenderizing him. But then, after everything was done and he returned to the safety of his flat, he was able to curl into himself and succumb, at least a little, to the near overwhelming despair of it with Jack holding him close and whispering soothing no senses in his ear. It was the first time they shared a bed, the first time Ianto felt more than a shadow after Canary Wharf.
Now, he couldn't afford that luxury. There was no Jack, he was gone; no soft bed, only a cold metal table still wet from his blood; no foetal position for comfort, he was still strapped to the table. The only thing Ianto could still do was cry, letting the tears burn his cheeks with his pain, his fear, his anger, his shame. God, he wished he was still dead.
“Is there…” a voice stammered carefully, “I mean… d-do you want something?” Ianto realized it was Dr. Sanders.
“Yeah.” He breathed out shakily. “Let me go, I’m not in the mood for playing another round of Operation.” Ethan forced a chuckle.
“Besides that?” he asked, and Ianto could make out a touch of regret in his voice.
“I’m cold. Is there a blanket or something you can get me?” Ianto asked quietly, struggling against the weakness in his body that made speaking so difficult.
“Sure.” He heard Ethan moving around, a door opened and shut before he reappeared by the table’s side, holding a grey wool blanket. He covered Ianto carefully. “Better?”
“Not really, but thank you.” He struggled to smile, but it was hard when everything hurt.
“I’m really sorry,” the doctor whispered.
“For bringing me back to life or hunting me down and treating me like a med student's cadaver?” Ianto saw the doctor wince and sighed. “How did you get into this?”
How does anyone?
“My little sister, she died of leukemia. Fought it every step of the way, but...it took a few years before we had to face the inevitable. It nearly tore my family apart. Afterwards, I wanted to do something--anything--so no one had to feel what we felt, go through that kind of drawn-out, painful goodbye. I was working in R&D at a private medical lab in Birmingham when I met him. The General came and he gave me an opportunity, told me he was recruiting talent for a top-secret project in London and wanted me to be part of the medical team. Said we would be working with technology far and above anything else available, developing cures for things no one thought possible, like AIDS. But it was for his own purposes. By the time I realized…”
The road to hell and all that.
“It was too late. You were in too deep,” Ianto completed after Ethan trailed off. He could relate to that because of Lisa. He agonized for months in secret, Lisa was less and less herself and it was up to him to keep fighting for the both of them. Deep down, he had known that thing he hid in the basements wasn’t his girlfriend anymore, but he just couldn’t turn away. He had to see everything to the end; she was the first person he ever loved like that, that all-consuming all-encompassing Love and he couldn't let that die without fighting with everything he had. Lisa deserved that. He was lucky Jack forgave him at all.
“I have to go. Analyze the…” Ethan paused, looking a little green.
“Analyze my organs?” Ianto offered and the doctor just nodded quickly. “Have fun.”
Without another word, the other man hurried out of the morgue, the snick of the door closing behind him as he left Ianto alone on the hard metal table. He counted the seconds between each tick of the minute hand on the wall clock off to his right while the blood dried on his torso, making the blanket stick to his skin.
---
After Jack had left her alone in the kitchen, Mackenzie stayed there, thinking. Now that she contacted the Captain and they were mobilizing to rescue Martha, Mickey and Ianto, she felt suddenly useless. These people obviously have experience in all this; they knew what they were doing and they did not need her help. But yet, the young doctor was unable to leave. Mackenzie NEEDED to see that strange trio that hijacked her car well and sound, before she could consider going back to her normal life. And she just COULDN’T wait around, doing nothing either. She HAD to help. Mackenzie stayed in that musing state until she heard the shout of ‘war council’ in Jack’s distinctive American accent coming from the stairs. She moved out of the kitchen just in time to catch sign of Gwen hurrying up, taking two steps at time. Without a second thought, Mackenzie followed her.
Gwen entered an ample room, the attic, where the rest of the group was gathered (minus Rhys, who just got Carys to sleep and wanted to make sure she stayed that way for awhile), but Mackenzie paused at the doorway, at first completely mesmerized the huge computer screen that covered most of the wall at her left and, after the awe wore off, because she wasn’t sure she would be welcomed in this.
“In or out doc,” said Jack not even turning to look at her. “Better choose now.”
Without further hesitation, Mackenzie stepped into the room and took a seat besides Alonso. The young man glanced at her quickly, offering an encouraging smile. Mackenzie smiled back.
“Go ahead, Sarah Jane,” Jack instructed and the older woman nodded, starting to explain about McLeod Enterprises.
Mackenzie tuned out most of that, having heard all before, instead she studied her companions. It was obvious by the way Gwen and Jack acted around each other that the two have been working together for a long time. Jack was definitely the boss, but Gwen had confidence enough to both question him in front of everyone and assume leadership whenever he was unable. Mackenzie guessed she was mostly likely Jack’s second-in-command. Sarah Jane wasn’t part of the team; the way Jack didn’t order her around, but instead politely asked for everything told Mackenzie that much. The older woman was someone Jack seemed to respect very much. Rhys was also an outsider, who didn’t really have an active function in all this. Mackenzie guessed he was only there to stay close to Gwen and make sure his family was safe. Alonso was the really tricky one; he was quiet and unwilling to volunteer any information, but the doctor felt like he knew much more than he let on. The young man followed Jack like a very faithful soldier followed a leader and she wasn’t sure yet if that was good or bad.
“There’s no way that kid is running this whole thing.” Jack spoke suddenly, pulling the attention to him.
“I agree,” Gwen said thoughtfully. “He just doesn’t seem like the type.”
“Someone else is pulling the strings, and I want to know who it is,” Jack stated, voice gravelly and dangerous. “Someone important enough, with enough power to get Emma Waters inside UNIT without raising suspicious; someone with enough money to set up this research facility right under everyone’s nose.”
“A facility capable of creating this 24th chromosome,” Sarah Jane added, but Jack shook his head.
“No. There’s not enough technology on this entire planet in this century for that.”
“So what you’re saying is that someone stumbled into something mankind isn’t ready for yet?” Alonso prompted, voice laced with disbelief.
“Not only that,” Jack smirked a little. “They were lucky enough to find someone who had DNA compatible with the gene.”
“That’s as likely as someone winning the lottery twice in two days.” Sarah Jane’s forehead was wrinkled in suspicion.
“Exactly.” Again, Jack smirked. Mackenzie glanced around, lost in the flow of the conversation. Her only consolation was that Gwen didn’t seem to be following the others' train of thought either.
“Someone knew where to look for the gene and on whom to test it,” Alonso said slowly.
“Someone from the future,” Sarah Jane concluded with a grimace.
“Yes.” Jack nodded in agreement. “Someone from the future, probably out to make some quick money, came to the 21st century with alien technology capable of synthesizing the “Superman Gene” so he could sell it.”
“And the market would be very lucrative,” Mackenzie contributed in a sigh. “Every idiot with enough money and neuroses would want to be Immortal.”
“Except only 0.8% of the world population has the kind of DNA to support the extra chromosome,” Jack continued. “But no one knows that. All he has to do is show how Ianto doesn’t die and he'll have more money than he can blow in five lifetimes. He’s a con man--a very good one.” He paused, as if suddenly realizing something. “I know who’s behind this.” His voice turned so hard and angry that Mackenzie actually flinched. “We need to get inside McLeod Enterprises now and get them out. We need Waters.”
“It’s not like we can just pop over and ask her to come with us,” Gwen reasoned, but it was noticeable she was dying to ask who Jack though was behind all this.
“Not us. She knows our faces.” He smirked. “But she doesn’t know Alonso’s.” Jack turned to the mentioned man. “You said you wanted to help. Are you up for it?”
The smirk Alonso send Jack’s way could only be described as leering. “Sure. I even know what line to use.”
xxx
Chapter 20