Ianto And The Real Captain Harkness Log
Who: Jack thedashinghero, Ianto notjustateaboy, Owen docisin and Captain Harkness realcaptjack
When: Couple of days ago
Where: The Hub then Ianto’s house
What: Captain Harkness having nowhere to live and Ianto putting him up
Why: ‘CAUSE!
It had gone past ten in the morning in the hub and Captain Harkness still had not arrived. Ianto worked at Tosh's old station noting which equipment needed servicing on the database as time ticked on.
Harkness wandered in, a confused frown on his face, wearing a crumpled suit and carrying a box that was pitifully half-empty.
"Jack!" Jack exclaimed, noticing his entrance. "I was getting worried. What on Earth happened?"
Ianto looked up from Tosh's station rolling to the stairs and watching. He now had to get in via the lift and the ramps were still being made.
Harkness shifted his box a little blinking. "I...umm...sorry", he coughed lamely, "I had a little bit of trouble"
The Welshman frowned, "You smell of smoke...was there a fire?"
"Here, let me take that," Jack said, taking the box and setting it down. "Are you alright?"
Harkness blinked, then nodded. "I'm fine but yes...I woke up and there was smoke. I tried to put it out, but...", he looked at his box, "That's all that's left"
Ianto frowned before testing out the ramp the workman was still working on and rolled down to look at him and the box. "We can get you some more things. "Don't worry about that."
"Jack....your apartment's ruined, isn't it? Ianto, is there anyplace he could live?" Jack asked, worried. He couldn't exactly live in the Hub. "I mean, you're the only one of us with a house that has actual rooms."
"I...thank you", said Harkness, then looked up, "Oh...I don't want to be an inconvience to anyone"
Ianto frowned softly looking at JAck> I suppose you being in the condition you're in you need all the help you can get and I'm not much use at the moment. I suppose you could stay with us if you'd like. I do have a few spare rooms." He shook his head. "It won't be an inconvenience besides I think you'd prefer it to staying in Owen's. And Gwen only has a sofa."
"See, if Ianto says it won't be an inconvenience than it won't," Jack smiled. "We'll get you all settled in and everything," he murmured, blinking as the room spun a little. "Stop that," he scolded, glaring at his stomach.
Ianto sighed, "As you can see Jack really needs to be sitting down. He looked back at the other captain. "Have you been looked at by the paramedics or should Owen have a look. Smoke inhalation can be pretty nasty."
"I..um..no they said I was alright", said Harkness, then looked at Ianto, "Are you sure? I..mean..I would be very greatful"
Ianto nodded, "The hub is really no place to stay regardless of what Jack thinks. "If you'd like I can take you over now and we can stop off and buy you some essentials. Toothbrushes and razors and the like."
"I never said it was any place to stay for anyone else," Jack pointed out. "I really wouldn't make anyone but me live here."
Harkness smiled softly, inclining his head. "Thank you very much", he said, "It's very kind of you"
Ianto shrugged, "Well you helped keep this place tidy whilst we were indisposed."
"And you did an amazing job," Jack added with a grin, sitting down. "Thank you again."
Harkness blushed and shrugged. "It was the least I could do", he said softly.
Ianto nodded right well. We can charge it all to the organisation. just tell me when you're ready to go.
Jack beamed at both of them, getting up to lift the box again before stumbling a little. "Oh hell," he managed to mutter, before collapsing.
"Jack!" He called rolling forward and trying to climb out to get to him. "Owen!"
Harkness moved quickly moving to raise his head off the floor as Owen raced up the steps of the autopsy pit. "Oh for fucks sake, does NO ONE listen to me about fucking resting?", he complained, checking on Jack.
Ianto frowned, "I he alright?"
Owen shooed Harkness away as he checked on Jack, before moving him to the recovery position. "Stupid arse is overtaxing himself. Again", he scowled, "I'm going to chop his fucking legs off is he carries on"
"Well I'd rather he kept his legs."
"So would I, so he better stop being a stupid arse and listen to his doctor", muttered Owen darkly.
Ianto sighed sitting back in his chair watching him worriedly
Owen sighed, moving around him, checking him out before sitting on the floor taking off his labcoat and putting it under Jack's head. Harkness glanced between them, shuffling a little awkwardly.
Ianto frowned before looking at him." Sit down I'll get you some coffee."
"Oh..I...are you sure?", Harkness frowned. "Oi, you're supposed to be bloody well resting to", said Owen, annoyed.
"Coffee is not going to kill me Owen." He replied before nodding and rolling to the machine.
Owen sighed. "Fucking hell, even the kids in the children's ward listened to me more than this"
"I'm sure they loved your bedside manner." He replied sorting out the machine.
"What the fucks wrong with my bedside manner?", snorted Owen, folding his arms.
He looked at him pointedly as he made the coffee.
"Wot?", asked Owen, "Kids fucking love me, they do"
"Hmm they love the cursing."
"I don't curse around kids, shit-for-brains", retorted Owen.
"It wouldn't surprise me."
Owen flipped him off, going back to tend to Jack as Harkness coughed. "Well, it's always very...umm..colourful here"
Ianto made the coffee and rolled back to him handing it to him. "Seeing as I can't make it for Jack anymore."
"Thank you", smiled Harkness, sipping it, before his eyes widened, "...He wasn't kidding when he said you were a coffee god"
Ianto smiled slightly "Thank You."
Jack groaned eyelids opening to see Owen hovering over him. "I passed out again, didn't I?"
Ianto shook his head. "Yes you did. Now stay sitting. Next time you feel faint sit down".
"Yes, you bastard, do as you're fucking told", said Owen, giving Jack a glare as Harkness savoured his coffee.
"I did sit down!" Jack protested, returning Owen's glare with a kicked puppy look. "I just made the mistake of standing back up again."
Ianto sighed. softly. "I do wish you'd look after yourself."
"Don't do it again", said Owen, not flinching at the puppy look, pointing a finger at him.
"I do, Ianto, I swear. Have you seen me hunting weevils? Nooo. And I won't, I'll just sit here and rot," Jack sulked, liking having to stay in one place even less than Ianto.
"Yes, you bloody well can", said Owen, "For nine months at least"
"It'd better be faster than nine! Was last time. ....'Course, the father wasn't all human last time either," Jack replied thoughtfully.
"Thanks for giving me that information beforehand", muttered Owen.
"Er," Jack replied, shifting awkwardly. "Sorry. I don't generally like talking about last time, but it would help, wouldn't it?"
Owen gave him a long pointed look. "You think? I'm flying fucking blind otherwise, Jack"
Ianto nodded. "We really should know what to expect Jack."
Jack sighed, drawing his knees up to his chest. It had been hard enough telling Ianto the first time. "I....last time....remember when John said we were partners in every way? Well...he meant it. He got me pregnant, in the time loop. Only it was a time loop, so...what happened there stayed there," he explained. "The pregnancy only lasted about half the time of a normal one, other than that things were pretty much like normal. Just sped up a bit, though that could've been a product of the fact that John wasn't all human either."
"Oh", Owen frowned softly as the implications set in, "....I'm sorry, Mate"
"Time...loop?", asked Harkness
Ianto frowned rolling over to him and taking his hand
Jack grasped Ianto's hand gratefully, nodding. "It's alright, it was a long time ago. And yeah...it's kind of hard to explain, Jack. It's like, you're stuck in one timeline but the rest of the world is stuck in another, and when you go back it's like yours never happened."
He moved and kissed his temple gently.
"Doesn't mean it hurts any less", replied Owen. "Oh....I'm sorry", murmured Harkness, that must have been hard"
"Yeah...it was. Didn't help that he up and left me either," Jack chuckled, though it was bitter. "'Course, it wasn't anything other than what I expected."
Ianto nuzzled him kissing his cheek before resting his head against his.
"Are you SURE I can't shoot him?", sighed Owen.
"Positive," Jack replied, smiling a little. "Besides, I think he might actually be doing that freak show some good, he's been quiet for awhile," he pointed out, nuzzling Ianto in return.
Ianto sighed, "As long as he's away from you."
"I don't bloody trust that", grumbled Owen, "Not one fucking bit"
"I don't either," Jack sighed. "It doesn't matter though. I don't want to think about him, not when...not when it could..."
Ianto nodded, Don't think of him." He replied kissing his hair.
Owen sighed. "...I'm sorry, Jack, I can't give you an answer on that before the baby's born", he said, "I'm a doctor, not a fortune teller"
"It's alright, Owen," Jack reassured him, smiling gratefully at Ianto before squeezing Owen's hand. "Hisoka said he'd try to ask it, and I could probably have Lorne find out too."
Ianto nodded his fingers stroking through Jack's hair gently. "Well I'm sure whoever's it is you'll be great with them."
"Yeah", said Owen quietly, giving Jack's hand a gentle squeeze back before letting go, uncomfortable showing that side of him around the others.
Jack nodded, sending Owen an understanding look, before glancing at Captain Harkness. "Still trying to process all this, Jack?" he asked, concerned.
IAnto smiled "Anyway someone needs to clothe the captain." He replied
"I...think I understand as best I can", Harkness smiled, before looking at Ianto, "Oh...um..yes, please...if you're alright to umm..."
Ianto looked at him. "Well I doubt you'll want Owen's fashion tips and you have helped us." He replied kissing Jack softly. "I'll see you at home" He whispered before rolling back up the ramp to the lift.
Jack smiled, kissing Ianto back and nodding. "See you at home," he murmured. "Don't worry, Jack, I trust you in Ianto's hands when it comes to fashion. Or anything else, for that matter," he reassured him.
Ianto waited for him on the step patiently.
Harkness smiled and nodded, following after Ianto. "Thank you very much for this"
Ianto shrugged and nodded. "That's alright." He murmured as the lift rose up to street level
Harkness smiled, still amazed at their little lift, glancing around as it rose.
Myfanwy squawked and flew beneath them before they reached the outside. Ianto rolled out onto the street. "I know a few good tailors if you're interested. As well as a good set of suit shops.
"Thank you", Harkness smiled, "I'm afraid I don't know much about the fashion nowadays"
Well we can get you a few more casual things if you'd like. But it is best to have you in things you're comfortable in wearing first." He replied rolling down to the Cardiff city centre.
Harkness smiled and nodded, keeping his pace to suit Ianto's wheelchair. "I would appreciate that"
Ianto nodded as they walked down for about twenty minutes before reaching a long line of tailors and suit shops Ianto pushed along before stopping at a very old fashioned one trying to push the door open to get in.
Harkness moved, holding it open for him. "Here, let me", he smiled.
Ianto frowned softly and nodded, "Thank you. "He replied softly before walking in and rolling to the tailor talking to him.
"You're welcome", he smiled, walking in after him, standing a little awkwardly.
Ianto motioned to the captain as the master tailor walked up and showed a range of suits for the other man to look at, with matching shoes. "Don't worry they're all on Torchwood's bill." Ianto replied
"Oh...thank you", smiled Harkness, picking them.
Ianto nodded "They'll tailor you some suits too." He replied as the man measured him.
Tailoring, now that was more familiar. Harkness nodded, standing, allowing the man to measure him. "You seem to know your way around these places", he smiled.
Ianto nodded. "My father was a tailor..I tend to have my suits made here." He replied.
"Oh, really?", Harkness smiled, "Did he work here?"
He smiled a little. He runs it." He replied gently.
"He does?", Harkness chuckled, "Hmm man on the inside, huh?"
He shrugged giving a smile "I suppose." He replied picking at the arm of the chair as he glanced around
Harkness glanced at him, nodding at the man in gratitude as he finished, before walking back to Ianto. "Must be nice, having family so close"
He nodded "Sometimes its important to have them there..I'm sorry you must miss yours."
Harkness' smile faded a moment. "...Yes, I do...but it's a small consolation they thought I had died, so they could move on"
He nodded "I suppose." He replied. "We'll stop off and get you some toiletries and bedding before heading home."
"Thank you", said Harkness, opening the door for him.
Ianto shrugged, "No thank you." He replied rolling onto the street and heading off along it.
"Me?", asked Harkness, falling into step beside him, "What have you got to thank me for?"
"You're making Jack rest and get well again for one."
"Well, he does need that", said Harkness modestly, "But your medic is doing more than me on that front"
"But you'll be looking after him the rest of the time." He replied with a nod.
"I'm only happy to do so", Harkness smiled, shrugging, "He's helped me so much"
He smiled softly. "Jack does that."
"Yes, though sometimes he forgets about his own safety in the process", chuckled Harkness.
"VEry true." He replied before rolling into Boots going through the aisles.
Harkness glanced around the bottles. "There are a lot of beauty products for men nowadays"
He smiled, "I suppose. Men have to look good too nowadays." He replied. Picking the objects like razors and bryllcream that the captain would know.
"Really?", Harkness frowned, "Why? We all still look the same as back in my time"
"I know but there's an image that most people aspire to. That these products attempt to deliver."
"Oh", Harkness considered this, "Times are...very strange"
He shrugged." I'm afraid so." He replied rolling forward ot pay for it all.
He followed him with a smile. "Oh well, not as bad as technology I suppose and...my I'll never get used to how expensive things are now"
He smiled. "I don't think you ever get used to that." He replied amused.
"I suppose not", Harkness smiled, "Consumer society, James...um...Jack said"
He nodded. "That is definitely true." Ianto replied apologetically rolling out.
Harkness followed him. "At least I sort of got the television working"
He smiled, "how did you find having a movie theatre in your home?"
He considered his answer for a moment. "Loud", he decided, "It made the floor vibrate"
"You can turn it lower." He replied amused
"I had no clue how", said Harkness, "I went to the set and there were no buttons on it except for the on and off switch"
"Did you have a long piece of plastic with buttons on?"
"....Yes", said Harkness, blinking, "Was that supposed to do something?"
"That would change the station and the volume." He explained
"Oh....the stick?", asked Harkness, "It isn't even attached to the television, though"
"It sends a signal...rather like radio waves."
"Oh....right", he considered and nodded, "I...think I understand. What a strange device"
He smiled, "It's known as a remote control>" he replied rolling back to his house.
"Remote control", Harkness chuckled, "Can people not just switch over on the televison set itself, it's not like that have far to walk"
They're also very lazy now." He replied
"Ah", Harkness chuckled, "Well, you're not, I haven't seen someone so dedicated to working, I would have been proud to have you in my squadron"
Ianto blinked looking at him. "Oh...thank you."
Harkness smiled softly. "You're welcome"
Ianto looked at him a moment before coughing and looking back at the street. "I can see why Jack likes you." He replied before leaning up and slipping his keys into the door.
"Oh?", Harkness smiled, ducking his head, "Why is that? I've never been able to figure it out, myself"
Ianto smiled a little. "You're very..." He let the captain in and closed the door behind them. “You're charming...and you seem like you have a good heart...You’re certainly handsome...and you command attention easily..your men must trust you very much."
Harkness blushed, a small smile crossing his face. "I...thank you", he murmured, "I'm not sure if I'm all those things....I just try to be a good captain is all"
Ianto nodded. "You seem like you would've been." He replied before shrugging softly. "It's strange he was only around you for a few hours." He replied rolling into the kitchen.
"Well, he does have an interesting way all of his own", Harkness shrugged helplessly, "I'm sure we'll be able to describe him better when they invent the right name for what he does"
"That's not what I meant...I just mean you must've blown him away in such a short space of time."
"Oh", Harkness blushed, looking down, "Oh...I don't know about that, I'm nothing special"
He shrugged. "I don't know...you were enough for Jack to fall for you at first sight...That takes something very special." He replied with a nod rolling with his stuff and showing the captain to the spare room.
.
Harkness smiled and shrugged. "It was nothing I did consciously, I promise you", he glanced around the room, "Thank you for putting me up, again, really, it's above and beyond"
not hard to see why he fell for you quite so quickly." He replied before wheeling into the kitchen with a frown putting the kettle on.
Harkness frowned softly, watching him. "I....I'm sorry"
He reached up with a frown trying to pluck the mugs off the wooden tree. "For what?"
"I know his feelings for me upset you", he said quietly, "I am very sorry"
Ianto sighed. "It's not your fault" He replied putting the coffee beans in the grinder "It's nobody's fault, its just...you must have really blown him away. For him ot be so attached to you, so quickly." He replied his eyes falling back to the grinder as he worked.
"I didn't know he was seeing someone at the time", Harkness said quietly, picking at his suit, "It was never my intention to pull him away from anyone"
He smiled a little sadness in his eyes. "Jack ...Jack can think for himself and truthfully ...I think I thought more of it than Jack did/" He replied quietly pouring in the hot water.
"Oh", he dropped his gaze, "Still...I'm sorry, I didn't know I was hurting anyone"
He shrugged softly. "Nothing to be done about it now." He replied as it brewed the smell of coffee filling the room. The Welshman looked at him and sighed. "I just wish you'd been a bit less good looking>" He murmured handing him the mug self deprecatingly.
Harkness took the mug, a blush crossing his cheeks. "I'm hardly anything compared to what he had to come home to"
Ianto looked at him confused "What?" He asked pulling out a plate and setting a load of biscuits on it before setting the on his lap and wheeling himself to the living room.
Harkness smiled softly, following him. "You hardly give yourself much credit", he said, "You're by far the more attractive out of the two of us"
Ianto looked back at him staring at him before knocking into the coffee table. He sighed setting the plate and his own mug on the table. "You don't have to be nice to me you know." He chuckled rolling back into the kitchen before reappearing with milk and sugar
Harkness blinked, sitting down. "But I want to be"
He smiled and nodded offering him a biscuit. "Well what I mean is you don't need to flatter me." He replied with a nod. I'm not going to ask you to leave." He replied before looking at the TV. "Would you like to watch something. I think I have a few Hitchcocks, some James Stewarts, James Cagney... A little new for you but not as new as what is out now. I have music as well. Blues if that suits your taste."
"I never flatter", said Harkness pointedly, then smiled, "Blues sounds wonderful, thank you"
He smiled. "You never flatter?" He asked amused rolling over to his hifi.
"No, when I'm talking about someone, I tell the truth", he replied, "Flattery gets you nowhere"
Ianto blinked as the first few chords fill the room. "But what you said earlier..."
Harkness smiled and shrugged. "Meant every word, you thought I didn't?"
"I..." his brow furrowed in confusion. "Oh..." He replied climbing out of his chair and onto the sofa settling back before taking a nice long sip of coffee.
Harkness smiled, sipping his coffee. "I...umm..didn't mean to make you uncomfortable"
"No I was just surprised that’s all." He replied the music slipping like the coffee into his veins. "Thank You...but I would not say I was the better catch out of the two of us>"
"Really?", Harkness blinked, "Whyever not?"
Ianto looked at him amused “You're a captain from his favourite era. You swept him off his feet. You’re handsome and lead men, charismatic and you're wondering why you're the better catch?"
"A little bit, yes", said Harkness blinking, "You have far more going for you than you realise, Ianto Jones"
He laughed shaking his head his hands clasping the mug, "Really?"
"Of course", said Harkness, "You're handsome and loyal and honest", he chuckled, "And you make the best damn cup of coffee on the planet"
Ianto smiled, "Mmm yes well if coffee could control the masses then I would be a powerful man."
"Oh, without a doubt", he chuckled softly, watching him.
Ianto sighed breathing in his coffee blue eyes closing blissfully. "My one weakness." He sighed. "Well that and Jack I suppose."
"I think Jack would be anyone's weakness", chuckled Harkness, smiling watching him enjoy his coffee.
He ducked his head and nodded. "I think he's got quite a list."
"Him and his fifty-first century ways", Harkness chuckled softly.
Ianto smiled softly to himself. "What did you think...when he disappeared?"
"I was a little at a loss", Harkness murmured, "I looked for him outside, but he was...well, gone"
Ianto nodded "The world was ending." He explained
"Ah", he nodded, "I guess that makes sense"
Ianto nodded softly. "And it almost didn't happen, I shot Owen to try and stop him."
"And somehow I'm not surprised your medic has something to do with this", chuckled Harkness.
He manages to be involved in everything."
"Yes he's very persistent", said Harkness, "....And a little irritating"
Ianto smiled and shrugged. "You get used to him." He defended slightly.
"Really?", asked Harkness arching a brow in disbelief.
The Welshman nodded, "He's not all bad. He can be a little angry but you learn to manage it."
"A little angry?", chuckled Harkness, "I've seen rabid animals less angry"
Ianto sighed, "He has calm moments."
Harkness chuckled. "I suppose you know him better than me"
He nodded. "He does get better." He replied
Harkness smiled, sitting back. "I only really got to know Toshiko", he murmured, his smile fading a little, "...Well...back then"
Ianto nodded softly> "I think now...you’ll have a little more freedom than you were used to."
"Freedom?", he asked, cocking his head to one side.
"Well. I imagine you would've been a little more restricted in who you could fall in love with back then." He replied
"Oh...that....yes", Harkness coughed, "My men weren't exactly happy with me after that night"
Ianto looked at him, "They still followed you though?"
"Yes", he nodded, "Moodily and with shifty glances, but they still followed me"
Ianto watched him. "I suppose it was a shock for them. Did any of them accept it?"
"Not really", Harkness shook his head, "I'd probably have been kicked out if I hadn't..."
Ianto frowned softly. "I'm sorry...I'd have thought with the war needing so many men."
"Yes, but unfortunately it was seen as something of an illness back then", sighed Harkness.
Ianto frowned, "Well its not now. You can dance and hold hands with whoever you'd like."
"That's....kind of nice", Harkness smiled, "To be so free"
There'll still be those who don't like it but they don't have a say." He replied before shrugging and a lot of people simply don't care. "I know I never did particularly."
"Well, I imagine you see it from a different perspective", chuckled Harkness.
He shrugged. "I was ...always confused I suppose. I like both and so...it's a little hard to explain. I can see why Jack doesn't like labels they frustrate you so easily."
"And get a little confusing", agreed Harkness with a nod.
Ianto nodded, "Before Jack there was someone...Lisa her name was. You'd never met anyone so beautiful before. He smiled a little. "She used to make fun of my cleaning. One bought me window cleaner with a bow on it as a present."
Harkness chuckled softly. "I understand that", he said, "My girl, she used to get me little bags of boot polish"
Ianto smiled into his coffee. "There’s nothing wrong with being tidy>"
"Not at all", he smiled, "Someone had to do the job or it will never get done"
Exactly!" He replied. "Before I got to Torchwood they didn't even keep dinosaur nets in the back of the SUV."
"But surely they knew dinosaurs were a possibility", said Harkness, "If anything comes from the Rift, surely they should be prepared for everything?"
Precisely he just had a ridiculously massive hyperdermic needle. If I wasn't there who knows how Jack would've caught it."
"....He wanted to catch a pterodactyl with a big needle?", Harkness blinked, "Something that FLIES?"
Ianto nodded, "well actually it was a pteradon but yes. luckily she knew me and I managed to tempt her with some dark chocolate."
"Chocolate?", he smiled then nodded, "AT least someone had sense, then"
She loves dark chocolate." He replied with a nod. "Yes dashing Jack may be his sense is often lacking."
"Well, he does tend to leap about willy nilly", Harkness chuckled.
Ianto chuckled. "I haven't heard "willy nilly used in a long time.'
Harknes coughed, blushing a little. "Sorry, still catching up with modern slang"
He smiled, "It's alright, better than Owen cursing a blue streak every two words."
"He does tend to do that a lot, doesn't he?", Harkness smiled.
Ianto smiled "A bit. And well have you heard of Tintin?"
"You mean the little comic book character with the white dog?", asked Harkness, smiling, "I loved that"
Ianto grinned, "so did I! Owen thought he was shagging the dog!"
Harkness huffed. "That's ridiculous, Snowy was his faithful companion"
"Exactly. " He replied with a nod, "I couldn't believe my ears when he said it. Snowy and Tintin are the closest of friends they are NOT having a bestial relationship."
"They go on adventures together, they stop the bad guys", Harkness shook his head, "That doctor has a twisted imagination"
"Precisely. He complains it s because he's never seen TinTin with a girlfriend."
"Well, TinTin was a young boy", said Harkness, "And he was too busy saving the world"
"Finally someone who listens to me" He chuckled
"No one else listened?", Harknes chuckled, smiling softly at him.
"Well Jack would generally just watch us and laugh" He murmured smiling more relaxed than he had been around the other men.
"Sounds like him", Harkness chuckled, "Lord help what they thing of other innocent children’s comics"
He shook his head "I dread to hear what he thinks about Batman and Robin."
Harkness laughed. "Oh god, let's never ask him we might never get him to shut up again"
Ianto laughed and took off his suit jacket unbuttoning the front of his waist coat before sitting back with a sigh folding his suit jacket neatly to the side. "We were facing the end of the world once and what do you think he suggests?"
"Go on", chuckled Harkness, arching a brow.
"An orgy...honestly. His words were lets all have sex. And I honestly could not think that the end of the world could get any worse"> He replied waving his hands about.
Harkness laughed. "That's insane", he said, "He really thought you'd all agree to it?"
He shrugged. "We thought we were going to die. He probably thought it was worth a shot."
"I imagine that must have been quite disturbing", he chuckled softly.
He grinned "A little, like I said you get used to him. And he's a good doctor."
"Hmm I suppose he is", Harkness smiled.
Ianto nodded smiling into his mug "He was there before I joined...they all were apart from Gwen..." He replied with a shrug
"Oh, so you were still quite new to it yourself?", he asked, then smiled, "I never would have guessed, the way you run it, it's like you've done it for many years"
Ianto laughed, "How old do I look?"
"You have a point", chuckled Harknes, blushing and ducking his head, "Sorry"
"It's alright. People never seem to know how old I am."
"Twenty six, perhaps?", tried Harkness.
He blinked "Umm not quite, I'm 24." He replied with a shrug
"Really?", Harkness' eyebrows raised, "You cat much more mature...I...umm mean that in a nice way"
He laughed well look who I get compared to." He replied amused
"Good point", Harkness chuckled, "Someone has to keep a good head there"
He smiled before shrugging. "They're not too bad. I liked Tosh."
"Toshiko", a smile crossed the Captain's lips, "Yes, she was very level headed, I like her"
He nodded, "She was one of the few people I'd talk to I suppose."
"I'm sorry, you must miss her a lot", he murmured softly, putting a hand on his shoulder.
He shrugged, "She's back...in spirit at least."
"That's true", smiled Harkness softly.
He nodded setting his cup on the coaster on the table. He settled back with a sigh "I suppose everyone dies young at Torchwood...well except Jack." He chuckled
"Yes...he did mention, much like the army, I guess", Harkness considered, "Well, when I joined the army at any rate"
Ianto nodded. "running a hand through his hair. "Yes...wasn't the same too much in London, you tended to last a bit longer there but then I never left the building there."
"Who'd have guess Cardiff was a more dangerous place to live than London", Harkness chuckled softly.
He smiled looking at him, ,"You were here right? Was it very different?"
"Well, I was only here for a little while", mused Harkness, "And they kept dropping bombs on the place"
Ianto nodded, "True." He replied "How...what happened to you?"
"You mean...how I died?", he asked quietly.
Ianto nodded, "If you don't want to tell me you don't have to."
"No, it's okay", Harkness sighed, "There were German fighters....I managed to get all my men to safety, but I...ran out of time"
Ianto looked at him. "You saved them though."
"Yes, I did", Harkness gave a small smile.
Ianto smiled sadly. "I'm sorry we can't send you home."
"It's alright", he smiled sadly, "It would confuse matters, I'm sure"
Well if you get stuck here just ask me."
"Thank you", Harkness smiled, before coughing, moving the hand that had been on Ianto's shoulder for far too long, "I..umm..appreciate that"
Ianto looked at his hand before looking down at his own. "Don't worry about it. I’ve dealt with people lost in time quite often."
"You have?", he asked, smiling hopefully at him.
Ianto nodded quietly. "Yes some take to it...some don't."
"Oh", Harkness frowned, "...What happens to those that don't?"
"They try to find their own way back...or they take their own lives."
“….Oh”, Harkness repeated, “That’s…that’s awful”
He shrugged, "We don't have the power to send them back...all we can do is help them adjust as best we can?
"I guess so", he murmured, "...It is very hard, sometimes"
He nodded, "Just if you do feel like that...talk to someone."
"I will", Harkness smiled.
He smiled and nodded, "I think Jack would break down if you died again>"
"I don't plan on dying again anytime soon", Harkness chuckled softly, "The first time was more than enough"
He smiled softly "I imagine it would be...I've done it a few times not fully but...wasn't a ot of fun.
"No, it's really not", he glanced at him, "Your organisation has a lot of people dying and coming back, doesn't it?"
"Mostly dying the coming back has only been happening recently really."
"Ah", Harkness nodded softly, "I...well, I don't see, but I'm beginning to understand a little better"
"Mostly with Jack, He's saved my life so often."
"He does seem good at that", Harkness nodded.
He nodded "He saves a lot of people."
Harkness nodded, settling back in the couch. "Must be nice to work for such a man"
"It is...he is definitely someone to respect and look up to. I suppose you're a leader very like him. "
Harkness blushed, ducking. "Except I have no men to lead", he admitted, "Bar from helping you, I've had nothing to do since coming here"
He shrugged. "Don't worry with your experience you'll be out in the field in no time.
"You think so?", Harkness smiled.
He nodded. Yes..in fact there's so many people with us now...don't worry he'll probably just give you my missions. I was mostly an archivist anyway." He replied looking away.
"Oh", Harkness frowned, "I don't want to take away your missions"
He shrugged softly. "It makes sense to." He replied
"Why?" he asked, "You're good at your job"
"You're better." He replied with a shrug.
"I wouldn’t take it if it was offered", he replied simply.
Ianto looked at him curiously." But you're bored."
"I still wouldn't take another mans job"
He smiled a little watching him. "Well I'll see what we can do"
"As long as I don't take away work from you", smiled Harkness.
"I'll work something out, you never know you could just go on mission with me." He replied almost without thinking
Harknes smiled. "I'd like that", he murmured.
Ianto nodded with a smile before nodding. "Sorry it must have been a long day for you. I'll get you something to sleep in." He replied moving to pull himself into his chair.
"Oh thank you", Harkness smiled, standing, "I umm....is it presumptuous of me to offer help? I don't want to insult you"
He pushed himself into the chair with a sigh. "No its fine I just find this frustrating."
"I'm sorry", he smiled softly, "Well, if you need help, just ask"
He nodded rolling over to the room opening the wardrobe and pulling out a pressed set of pyjama bottoms handing them to him. "Will this do?"
“Yes, thank you”, Harkness smiled, leaning over to take them from him.
He smiled. "The bathroom's through there and ell if you need anything my room is just down the hall." He replied softly.
"Thank you", Harkness nodded, stepping inside, changing clothes, folding his own neatly before walking back out again.
Ianto took them and rolled back to the living room setting them on the side to get them cleaned with Jack's shirt.
"I do appreciate all this trouble", he smiled, watching him, "You're a good man, Ianto Jones"
He smiled self deprecatingly "I don't know." He replied with a shrug and a sad smile before rolling off to the hall
He frowned, following him. "You doubt you're a good man?"
"I doubt I'm...good enough." He replied before shaking his head. "I'm sorry you don't need to e listening to this."
"No...it's alright", he smiled, "You can talk to me...I don't understand, though, you're an incredible person"
He looked at him and laughed softly "What? I'm twenty four and a glorified tea lady who's broken hearted cos he's in love with his boss. That I think is anything but."
"You've been through so much for someone your age", said Harkness, watching him, "Many men would have given up, but you have stayed strong, and have never given up. That is incredible to me"
"Give up to what. There's nothing else, Torchwood and Jack...they're the only things left in my life that give me meaning anymore."
"Many people wander through life without anything to give them meaning at all", said Harkness.
Ianto looked at him, "You had meaning though, your men...the war."
"I did", he nodded, "But the war is over now, and my men are either dead or very old now"
"Yes but people always need protecting and you seem mlike you would wear that mantle well."
Harkness smiled softly. "Yes...I suppose it's what I'm best at"
"You'll fit in quite easily." He replied. "The world always needs people like you to save it."
"The world needs people like you to save people like me and Jack from ourselves", he chuckled lightly.
He smiled a little looking at him, "Thanks." He replied amused.
"You're welcome", he smiled, watching him.
Ianto smiled back for a moment before looking away and turning the music off. "Oh dear half the girls in Cardiff had o have been falling over you." He replied putting the cd away.
Harkness blinked, a little confused. "How do you mean?"
"You're a very charming man Captain." He replied slipping the case away.
"Oh...I...umm", Harkness blushed a little, "Thank you"
He smiled and shrugged. "I can't possibly be the first person to tell you that."
"Well....actually...", Harkness coughed, rubbing the back of his neck, "Yeah"
Ianto blinked and rolled over to him "You're not serious."
Harkness smiled and shrugged. "Very serious"
"Oh..." He replied picking at the arm of his chair. "Well you are.
Harknes ducked his head, blushing. "...I....thank you"
Ianto smiled a little shaking his head. "Didn't you have a line of girls in Cardiff when you were stationed here?"
He smiled and shook his head. "I had one girl, singular"
"Oh...what was she like?"
"She was...", he smiled sadly, "She was falling for me, but I was afraid for her to do so. I didn't want her getting hurt if I died...which turns out not to have been an unwarranted fear"
"You cared about her."
"Yeah", he sighed, "But I still didn't want her getting hurt on account of me"
The Welshman nodded "How did …I know I might regret asking this but how did you and Jack..."
"End up together?", Harkness smiled and shrugged, looking down, "We talked a lot, I kind of fell very quickly for him, I asked him to dance, and then he kissed me just before vanishing into the bright light"
Ianto smiled idly, "He does dance well."
"He does", he nodded, smiling, "Very graceful for someone of his build"
He nodded his eyes distracted as his smile warmed and he looked off into the distance. "Hmmm"
Harkness smiled a little himself, before blinking. "Are you alright?"
"Hmmm?" He asked snapping out of it his cheeks flushed as he looked at him blinking. "What sorry?"
"You kind of stared off for a little while", a smile crossed his face, "I hope it was a good daydream"
He blinked worriedly, "What, did I...? Oh sorry." He replied embarrassed.
"It's quite alright", he chuckled softly, "I expect Jack has that effect on everyone"
His blush deepened as he coughed straightening his tie. "Yes well it's still..." He laughed shaking his head. "I'm sorry...Anyway umm did you want something to eat or shall I leave you to go to bed."
"Oh, I'm alright, thank you, I'm not hungry", he smiled softly, "I could sleep for a year, though"
He nodded, "I'm sorry it is kind of late." He replied softly. "Alright if there's anything you need just call me I'm only down the hall."
"Thank you", he smiled, inclining his head, "Goodnight, Ianto"
Ianto nodded softly. "Goodnight." He replied before going back to his own room.
When: Couple of days ago
Where: The Hub then Ianto’s house
What: Captain Harkness having nowhere to live and Ianto putting him up
Why: ‘CAUSE!
It had gone past ten in the morning in the hub and Captain Harkness still had not arrived. Ianto worked at Tosh's old station noting which equipment needed servicing on the database as time ticked on.
Harkness wandered in, a confused frown on his face, wearing a crumpled suit and carrying a box that was pitifully half-empty.
"Jack!" Jack exclaimed, noticing his entrance. "I was getting worried. What on Earth happened?"
Ianto looked up from Tosh's station rolling to the stairs and watching. He now had to get in via the lift and the ramps were still being made.
Harkness shifted his box a little blinking. "I...umm...sorry", he coughed lamely, "I had a little bit of trouble"
The Welshman frowned, "You smell of smoke...was there a fire?"
"Here, let me take that," Jack said, taking the box and setting it down. "Are you alright?"
Harkness blinked, then nodded. "I'm fine but yes...I woke up and there was smoke. I tried to put it out, but...", he looked at his box, "That's all that's left"
Ianto frowned before testing out the ramp the workman was still working on and rolled down to look at him and the box. "We can get you some more things. "Don't worry about that."
"Jack....your apartment's ruined, isn't it? Ianto, is there anyplace he could live?" Jack asked, worried. He couldn't exactly live in the Hub. "I mean, you're the only one of us with a house that has actual rooms."
"I...thank you", said Harkness, then looked up, "Oh...I don't want to be an inconvience to anyone"
Ianto frowned softly looking at JAck> I suppose you being in the condition you're in you need all the help you can get and I'm not much use at the moment. I suppose you could stay with us if you'd like. I do have a few spare rooms." He shook his head. "It won't be an inconvenience besides I think you'd prefer it to staying in Owen's. And Gwen only has a sofa."
"See, if Ianto says it won't be an inconvenience than it won't," Jack smiled. "We'll get you all settled in and everything," he murmured, blinking as the room spun a little. "Stop that," he scolded, glaring at his stomach.
Ianto sighed, "As you can see Jack really needs to be sitting down. He looked back at the other captain. "Have you been looked at by the paramedics or should Owen have a look. Smoke inhalation can be pretty nasty."
"I..um..no they said I was alright", said Harkness, then looked at Ianto, "Are you sure? I..mean..I would be very greatful"
Ianto nodded, "The hub is really no place to stay regardless of what Jack thinks. "If you'd like I can take you over now and we can stop off and buy you some essentials. Toothbrushes and razors and the like."
"I never said it was any place to stay for anyone else," Jack pointed out. "I really wouldn't make anyone but me live here."
Harkness smiled softly, inclining his head. "Thank you very much", he said, "It's very kind of you"
Ianto shrugged, "Well you helped keep this place tidy whilst we were indisposed."
"And you did an amazing job," Jack added with a grin, sitting down. "Thank you again."
Harkness blushed and shrugged. "It was the least I could do", he said softly.
Ianto nodded right well. We can charge it all to the organisation. just tell me when you're ready to go.
Jack beamed at both of them, getting up to lift the box again before stumbling a little. "Oh hell," he managed to mutter, before collapsing.
"Jack!" He called rolling forward and trying to climb out to get to him. "Owen!"
Harkness moved quickly moving to raise his head off the floor as Owen raced up the steps of the autopsy pit. "Oh for fucks sake, does NO ONE listen to me about fucking resting?", he complained, checking on Jack.
Ianto frowned, "I he alright?"
Owen shooed Harkness away as he checked on Jack, before moving him to the recovery position. "Stupid arse is overtaxing himself. Again", he scowled, "I'm going to chop his fucking legs off is he carries on"
"Well I'd rather he kept his legs."
"So would I, so he better stop being a stupid arse and listen to his doctor", muttered Owen darkly.
Ianto sighed sitting back in his chair watching him worriedly
Owen sighed, moving around him, checking him out before sitting on the floor taking off his labcoat and putting it under Jack's head. Harkness glanced between them, shuffling a little awkwardly.
Ianto frowned before looking at him." Sit down I'll get you some coffee."
"Oh..I...are you sure?", Harkness frowned. "Oi, you're supposed to be bloody well resting to", said Owen, annoyed.
"Coffee is not going to kill me Owen." He replied before nodding and rolling to the machine.
Owen sighed. "Fucking hell, even the kids in the children's ward listened to me more than this"
"I'm sure they loved your bedside manner." He replied sorting out the machine.
"What the fucks wrong with my bedside manner?", snorted Owen, folding his arms.
He looked at him pointedly as he made the coffee.
"Wot?", asked Owen, "Kids fucking love me, they do"
"Hmm they love the cursing."
"I don't curse around kids, shit-for-brains", retorted Owen.
"It wouldn't surprise me."
Owen flipped him off, going back to tend to Jack as Harkness coughed. "Well, it's always very...umm..colourful here"
Ianto made the coffee and rolled back to him handing it to him. "Seeing as I can't make it for Jack anymore."
"Thank you", smiled Harkness, sipping it, before his eyes widened, "...He wasn't kidding when he said you were a coffee god"
Ianto smiled slightly "Thank You."
Jack groaned eyelids opening to see Owen hovering over him. "I passed out again, didn't I?"
Ianto shook his head. "Yes you did. Now stay sitting. Next time you feel faint sit down".
"Yes, you bastard, do as you're fucking told", said Owen, giving Jack a glare as Harkness savoured his coffee.
"I did sit down!" Jack protested, returning Owen's glare with a kicked puppy look. "I just made the mistake of standing back up again."
Ianto sighed. softly. "I do wish you'd look after yourself."
"Don't do it again", said Owen, not flinching at the puppy look, pointing a finger at him.
"I do, Ianto, I swear. Have you seen me hunting weevils? Nooo. And I won't, I'll just sit here and rot," Jack sulked, liking having to stay in one place even less than Ianto.
"Yes, you bloody well can", said Owen, "For nine months at least"
"It'd better be faster than nine! Was last time. ....'Course, the father wasn't all human last time either," Jack replied thoughtfully.
"Thanks for giving me that information beforehand", muttered Owen.
"Er," Jack replied, shifting awkwardly. "Sorry. I don't generally like talking about last time, but it would help, wouldn't it?"
Owen gave him a long pointed look. "You think? I'm flying fucking blind otherwise, Jack"
Ianto nodded. "We really should know what to expect Jack."
Jack sighed, drawing his knees up to his chest. It had been hard enough telling Ianto the first time. "I....last time....remember when John said we were partners in every way? Well...he meant it. He got me pregnant, in the time loop. Only it was a time loop, so...what happened there stayed there," he explained. "The pregnancy only lasted about half the time of a normal one, other than that things were pretty much like normal. Just sped up a bit, though that could've been a product of the fact that John wasn't all human either."
"Oh", Owen frowned softly as the implications set in, "....I'm sorry, Mate"
"Time...loop?", asked Harkness
Ianto frowned rolling over to him and taking his hand
Jack grasped Ianto's hand gratefully, nodding. "It's alright, it was a long time ago. And yeah...it's kind of hard to explain, Jack. It's like, you're stuck in one timeline but the rest of the world is stuck in another, and when you go back it's like yours never happened."
He moved and kissed his temple gently.
"Doesn't mean it hurts any less", replied Owen. "Oh....I'm sorry", murmured Harkness, that must have been hard"
"Yeah...it was. Didn't help that he up and left me either," Jack chuckled, though it was bitter. "'Course, it wasn't anything other than what I expected."
Ianto nuzzled him kissing his cheek before resting his head against his.
"Are you SURE I can't shoot him?", sighed Owen.
"Positive," Jack replied, smiling a little. "Besides, I think he might actually be doing that freak show some good, he's been quiet for awhile," he pointed out, nuzzling Ianto in return.
Ianto sighed, "As long as he's away from you."
"I don't bloody trust that", grumbled Owen, "Not one fucking bit"
"I don't either," Jack sighed. "It doesn't matter though. I don't want to think about him, not when...not when it could..."
Ianto nodded, Don't think of him." He replied kissing his hair.
Owen sighed. "...I'm sorry, Jack, I can't give you an answer on that before the baby's born", he said, "I'm a doctor, not a fortune teller"
"It's alright, Owen," Jack reassured him, smiling gratefully at Ianto before squeezing Owen's hand. "Hisoka said he'd try to ask it, and I could probably have Lorne find out too."
Ianto nodded his fingers stroking through Jack's hair gently. "Well I'm sure whoever's it is you'll be great with them."
"Yeah", said Owen quietly, giving Jack's hand a gentle squeeze back before letting go, uncomfortable showing that side of him around the others.
Jack nodded, sending Owen an understanding look, before glancing at Captain Harkness. "Still trying to process all this, Jack?" he asked, concerned.
IAnto smiled "Anyway someone needs to clothe the captain." He replied
"I...think I understand as best I can", Harkness smiled, before looking at Ianto, "Oh...um..yes, please...if you're alright to umm..."
Ianto looked at him. "Well I doubt you'll want Owen's fashion tips and you have helped us." He replied kissing Jack softly. "I'll see you at home" He whispered before rolling back up the ramp to the lift.
Jack smiled, kissing Ianto back and nodding. "See you at home," he murmured. "Don't worry, Jack, I trust you in Ianto's hands when it comes to fashion. Or anything else, for that matter," he reassured him.
Ianto waited for him on the step patiently.
Harkness smiled and nodded, following after Ianto. "Thank you very much for this"
Ianto shrugged and nodded. "That's alright." He murmured as the lift rose up to street level
Harkness smiled, still amazed at their little lift, glancing around as it rose.
Myfanwy squawked and flew beneath them before they reached the outside. Ianto rolled out onto the street. "I know a few good tailors if you're interested. As well as a good set of suit shops.
"Thank you", Harkness smiled, "I'm afraid I don't know much about the fashion nowadays"
Well we can get you a few more casual things if you'd like. But it is best to have you in things you're comfortable in wearing first." He replied rolling down to the Cardiff city centre.
Harkness smiled and nodded, keeping his pace to suit Ianto's wheelchair. "I would appreciate that"
Ianto nodded as they walked down for about twenty minutes before reaching a long line of tailors and suit shops Ianto pushed along before stopping at a very old fashioned one trying to push the door open to get in.
Harkness moved, holding it open for him. "Here, let me", he smiled.
Ianto frowned softly and nodded, "Thank you. "He replied softly before walking in and rolling to the tailor talking to him.
"You're welcome", he smiled, walking in after him, standing a little awkwardly.
Ianto motioned to the captain as the master tailor walked up and showed a range of suits for the other man to look at, with matching shoes. "Don't worry they're all on Torchwood's bill." Ianto replied
"Oh...thank you", smiled Harkness, picking them.
Ianto nodded "They'll tailor you some suits too." He replied as the man measured him.
Tailoring, now that was more familiar. Harkness nodded, standing, allowing the man to measure him. "You seem to know your way around these places", he smiled.
Ianto nodded. "My father was a tailor..I tend to have my suits made here." He replied.
"Oh, really?", Harkness smiled, "Did he work here?"
He smiled a little. He runs it." He replied gently.
"He does?", Harkness chuckled, "Hmm man on the inside, huh?"
He shrugged giving a smile "I suppose." He replied picking at the arm of the chair as he glanced around
Harkness glanced at him, nodding at the man in gratitude as he finished, before walking back to Ianto. "Must be nice, having family so close"
He nodded "Sometimes its important to have them there..I'm sorry you must miss yours."
Harkness' smile faded a moment. "...Yes, I do...but it's a small consolation they thought I had died, so they could move on"
He nodded "I suppose." He replied. "We'll stop off and get you some toiletries and bedding before heading home."
"Thank you", said Harkness, opening the door for him.
Ianto shrugged, "No thank you." He replied rolling onto the street and heading off along it.
"Me?", asked Harkness, falling into step beside him, "What have you got to thank me for?"
"You're making Jack rest and get well again for one."
"Well, he does need that", said Harkness modestly, "But your medic is doing more than me on that front"
"But you'll be looking after him the rest of the time." He replied with a nod.
"I'm only happy to do so", Harkness smiled, shrugging, "He's helped me so much"
He smiled softly. "Jack does that."
"Yes, though sometimes he forgets about his own safety in the process", chuckled Harkness.
"VEry true." He replied before rolling into Boots going through the aisles.
Harkness glanced around the bottles. "There are a lot of beauty products for men nowadays"
He smiled, "I suppose. Men have to look good too nowadays." He replied. Picking the objects like razors and bryllcream that the captain would know.
"Really?", Harkness frowned, "Why? We all still look the same as back in my time"
"I know but there's an image that most people aspire to. That these products attempt to deliver."
"Oh", Harkness considered this, "Times are...very strange"
He shrugged." I'm afraid so." He replied rolling forward ot pay for it all.
He followed him with a smile. "Oh well, not as bad as technology I suppose and...my I'll never get used to how expensive things are now"
He smiled. "I don't think you ever get used to that." He replied amused.
"I suppose not", Harkness smiled, "Consumer society, James...um...Jack said"
He nodded. "That is definitely true." Ianto replied apologetically rolling out.
Harkness followed him. "At least I sort of got the television working"
He smiled, "how did you find having a movie theatre in your home?"
He considered his answer for a moment. "Loud", he decided, "It made the floor vibrate"
"You can turn it lower." He replied amused
"I had no clue how", said Harkness, "I went to the set and there were no buttons on it except for the on and off switch"
"Did you have a long piece of plastic with buttons on?"
"....Yes", said Harkness, blinking, "Was that supposed to do something?"
"That would change the station and the volume." He explained
"Oh....the stick?", asked Harkness, "It isn't even attached to the television, though"
"It sends a signal...rather like radio waves."
"Oh....right", he considered and nodded, "I...think I understand. What a strange device"
He smiled, "It's known as a remote control>" he replied rolling back to his house.
"Remote control", Harkness chuckled, "Can people not just switch over on the televison set itself, it's not like that have far to walk"
They're also very lazy now." He replied
"Ah", Harkness chuckled, "Well, you're not, I haven't seen someone so dedicated to working, I would have been proud to have you in my squadron"
Ianto blinked looking at him. "Oh...thank you."
Harkness smiled softly. "You're welcome"
Ianto looked at him a moment before coughing and looking back at the street. "I can see why Jack likes you." He replied before leaning up and slipping his keys into the door.
"Oh?", Harkness smiled, ducking his head, "Why is that? I've never been able to figure it out, myself"
Ianto smiled a little. "You're very..." He let the captain in and closed the door behind them. “You're charming...and you seem like you have a good heart...You’re certainly handsome...and you command attention easily..your men must trust you very much."
Harkness blushed, a small smile crossing his face. "I...thank you", he murmured, "I'm not sure if I'm all those things....I just try to be a good captain is all"
Ianto nodded. "You seem like you would've been." He replied before shrugging softly. "It's strange he was only around you for a few hours." He replied rolling into the kitchen.
"Well, he does have an interesting way all of his own", Harkness shrugged helplessly, "I'm sure we'll be able to describe him better when they invent the right name for what he does"
"That's not what I meant...I just mean you must've blown him away in such a short space of time."
"Oh", Harkness blushed, looking down, "Oh...I don't know about that, I'm nothing special"
He shrugged. "I don't know...you were enough for Jack to fall for you at first sight...That takes something very special." He replied with a nod rolling with his stuff and showing the captain to the spare room.
.
Harkness smiled and shrugged. "It was nothing I did consciously, I promise you", he glanced around the room, "Thank you for putting me up, again, really, it's above and beyond"
not hard to see why he fell for you quite so quickly." He replied before wheeling into the kitchen with a frown putting the kettle on.
Harkness frowned softly, watching him. "I....I'm sorry"
He reached up with a frown trying to pluck the mugs off the wooden tree. "For what?"
"I know his feelings for me upset you", he said quietly, "I am very sorry"
Ianto sighed. "It's not your fault" He replied putting the coffee beans in the grinder "It's nobody's fault, its just...you must have really blown him away. For him ot be so attached to you, so quickly." He replied his eyes falling back to the grinder as he worked.
"I didn't know he was seeing someone at the time", Harkness said quietly, picking at his suit, "It was never my intention to pull him away from anyone"
He smiled a little sadness in his eyes. "Jack ...Jack can think for himself and truthfully ...I think I thought more of it than Jack did/" He replied quietly pouring in the hot water.
"Oh", he dropped his gaze, "Still...I'm sorry, I didn't know I was hurting anyone"
He shrugged softly. "Nothing to be done about it now." He replied as it brewed the smell of coffee filling the room. The Welshman looked at him and sighed. "I just wish you'd been a bit less good looking>" He murmured handing him the mug self deprecatingly.
Harkness took the mug, a blush crossing his cheeks. "I'm hardly anything compared to what he had to come home to"
Ianto looked at him confused "What?" He asked pulling out a plate and setting a load of biscuits on it before setting the on his lap and wheeling himself to the living room.
Harkness smiled softly, following him. "You hardly give yourself much credit", he said, "You're by far the more attractive out of the two of us"
Ianto looked back at him staring at him before knocking into the coffee table. He sighed setting the plate and his own mug on the table. "You don't have to be nice to me you know." He chuckled rolling back into the kitchen before reappearing with milk and sugar
Harkness blinked, sitting down. "But I want to be"
He smiled and nodded offering him a biscuit. "Well what I mean is you don't need to flatter me." He replied with a nod. I'm not going to ask you to leave." He replied before looking at the TV. "Would you like to watch something. I think I have a few Hitchcocks, some James Stewarts, James Cagney... A little new for you but not as new as what is out now. I have music as well. Blues if that suits your taste."
"I never flatter", said Harkness pointedly, then smiled, "Blues sounds wonderful, thank you"
He smiled. "You never flatter?" He asked amused rolling over to his hifi.
"No, when I'm talking about someone, I tell the truth", he replied, "Flattery gets you nowhere"
Ianto blinked as the first few chords fill the room. "But what you said earlier..."
Harkness smiled and shrugged. "Meant every word, you thought I didn't?"
"I..." his brow furrowed in confusion. "Oh..." He replied climbing out of his chair and onto the sofa settling back before taking a nice long sip of coffee.
Harkness smiled, sipping his coffee. "I...umm..didn't mean to make you uncomfortable"
"No I was just surprised that’s all." He replied the music slipping like the coffee into his veins. "Thank You...but I would not say I was the better catch out of the two of us>"
"Really?", Harkness blinked, "Whyever not?"
Ianto looked at him amused “You're a captain from his favourite era. You swept him off his feet. You’re handsome and lead men, charismatic and you're wondering why you're the better catch?"
"A little bit, yes", said Harkness blinking, "You have far more going for you than you realise, Ianto Jones"
He laughed shaking his head his hands clasping the mug, "Really?"
"Of course", said Harkness, "You're handsome and loyal and honest", he chuckled, "And you make the best damn cup of coffee on the planet"
Ianto smiled, "Mmm yes well if coffee could control the masses then I would be a powerful man."
"Oh, without a doubt", he chuckled softly, watching him.
Ianto sighed breathing in his coffee blue eyes closing blissfully. "My one weakness." He sighed. "Well that and Jack I suppose."
"I think Jack would be anyone's weakness", chuckled Harkness, smiling watching him enjoy his coffee.
He ducked his head and nodded. "I think he's got quite a list."
"Him and his fifty-first century ways", Harkness chuckled softly.
Ianto smiled softly to himself. "What did you think...when he disappeared?"
"I was a little at a loss", Harkness murmured, "I looked for him outside, but he was...well, gone"
Ianto nodded "The world was ending." He explained
"Ah", he nodded, "I guess that makes sense"
Ianto nodded softly. "And it almost didn't happen, I shot Owen to try and stop him."
"And somehow I'm not surprised your medic has something to do with this", chuckled Harkness.
He manages to be involved in everything."
"Yes he's very persistent", said Harkness, "....And a little irritating"
Ianto smiled and shrugged. "You get used to him." He defended slightly.
"Really?", asked Harkness arching a brow in disbelief.
The Welshman nodded, "He's not all bad. He can be a little angry but you learn to manage it."
"A little angry?", chuckled Harkness, "I've seen rabid animals less angry"
Ianto sighed, "He has calm moments."
Harkness chuckled. "I suppose you know him better than me"
He nodded. "He does get better." He replied
Harkness smiled, sitting back. "I only really got to know Toshiko", he murmured, his smile fading a little, "...Well...back then"
Ianto nodded softly> "I think now...you’ll have a little more freedom than you were used to."
"Freedom?", he asked, cocking his head to one side.
"Well. I imagine you would've been a little more restricted in who you could fall in love with back then." He replied
"Oh...that....yes", Harkness coughed, "My men weren't exactly happy with me after that night"
Ianto looked at him, "They still followed you though?"
"Yes", he nodded, "Moodily and with shifty glances, but they still followed me"
Ianto watched him. "I suppose it was a shock for them. Did any of them accept it?"
"Not really", Harkness shook his head, "I'd probably have been kicked out if I hadn't..."
Ianto frowned softly. "I'm sorry...I'd have thought with the war needing so many men."
"Yes, but unfortunately it was seen as something of an illness back then", sighed Harkness.
Ianto frowned, "Well its not now. You can dance and hold hands with whoever you'd like."
"That's....kind of nice", Harkness smiled, "To be so free"
There'll still be those who don't like it but they don't have a say." He replied before shrugging and a lot of people simply don't care. "I know I never did particularly."
"Well, I imagine you see it from a different perspective", chuckled Harkness.
He shrugged. "I was ...always confused I suppose. I like both and so...it's a little hard to explain. I can see why Jack doesn't like labels they frustrate you so easily."
"And get a little confusing", agreed Harkness with a nod.
Ianto nodded, "Before Jack there was someone...Lisa her name was. You'd never met anyone so beautiful before. He smiled a little. "She used to make fun of my cleaning. One bought me window cleaner with a bow on it as a present."
Harkness chuckled softly. "I understand that", he said, "My girl, she used to get me little bags of boot polish"
Ianto smiled into his coffee. "There’s nothing wrong with being tidy>"
"Not at all", he smiled, "Someone had to do the job or it will never get done"
Exactly!" He replied. "Before I got to Torchwood they didn't even keep dinosaur nets in the back of the SUV."
"But surely they knew dinosaurs were a possibility", said Harkness, "If anything comes from the Rift, surely they should be prepared for everything?"
Precisely he just had a ridiculously massive hyperdermic needle. If I wasn't there who knows how Jack would've caught it."
"....He wanted to catch a pterodactyl with a big needle?", Harkness blinked, "Something that FLIES?"
Ianto nodded, "well actually it was a pteradon but yes. luckily she knew me and I managed to tempt her with some dark chocolate."
"Chocolate?", he smiled then nodded, "AT least someone had sense, then"
She loves dark chocolate." He replied with a nod. "Yes dashing Jack may be his sense is often lacking."
"Well, he does tend to leap about willy nilly", Harkness chuckled.
Ianto chuckled. "I haven't heard "willy nilly used in a long time.'
Harknes coughed, blushing a little. "Sorry, still catching up with modern slang"
He smiled, "It's alright, better than Owen cursing a blue streak every two words."
"He does tend to do that a lot, doesn't he?", Harkness smiled.
Ianto smiled "A bit. And well have you heard of Tintin?"
"You mean the little comic book character with the white dog?", asked Harkness, smiling, "I loved that"
Ianto grinned, "so did I! Owen thought he was shagging the dog!"
Harkness huffed. "That's ridiculous, Snowy was his faithful companion"
"Exactly. " He replied with a nod, "I couldn't believe my ears when he said it. Snowy and Tintin are the closest of friends they are NOT having a bestial relationship."
"They go on adventures together, they stop the bad guys", Harkness shook his head, "That doctor has a twisted imagination"
"Precisely. He complains it s because he's never seen TinTin with a girlfriend."
"Well, TinTin was a young boy", said Harkness, "And he was too busy saving the world"
"Finally someone who listens to me" He chuckled
"No one else listened?", Harknes chuckled, smiling softly at him.
"Well Jack would generally just watch us and laugh" He murmured smiling more relaxed than he had been around the other men.
"Sounds like him", Harkness chuckled, "Lord help what they thing of other innocent children’s comics"
He shook his head "I dread to hear what he thinks about Batman and Robin."
Harkness laughed. "Oh god, let's never ask him we might never get him to shut up again"
Ianto laughed and took off his suit jacket unbuttoning the front of his waist coat before sitting back with a sigh folding his suit jacket neatly to the side. "We were facing the end of the world once and what do you think he suggests?"
"Go on", chuckled Harkness, arching a brow.
"An orgy...honestly. His words were lets all have sex. And I honestly could not think that the end of the world could get any worse"> He replied waving his hands about.
Harkness laughed. "That's insane", he said, "He really thought you'd all agree to it?"
He shrugged. "We thought we were going to die. He probably thought it was worth a shot."
"I imagine that must have been quite disturbing", he chuckled softly.
He grinned "A little, like I said you get used to him. And he's a good doctor."
"Hmm I suppose he is", Harkness smiled.
Ianto nodded smiling into his mug "He was there before I joined...they all were apart from Gwen..." He replied with a shrug
"Oh, so you were still quite new to it yourself?", he asked, then smiled, "I never would have guessed, the way you run it, it's like you've done it for many years"
Ianto laughed, "How old do I look?"
"You have a point", chuckled Harknes, blushing and ducking his head, "Sorry"
"It's alright. People never seem to know how old I am."
"Twenty six, perhaps?", tried Harkness.
He blinked "Umm not quite, I'm 24." He replied with a shrug
"Really?", Harkness' eyebrows raised, "You cat much more mature...I...umm mean that in a nice way"
He laughed well look who I get compared to." He replied amused
"Good point", Harkness chuckled, "Someone has to keep a good head there"
He smiled before shrugging. "They're not too bad. I liked Tosh."
"Toshiko", a smile crossed the Captain's lips, "Yes, she was very level headed, I like her"
He nodded, "She was one of the few people I'd talk to I suppose."
"I'm sorry, you must miss her a lot", he murmured softly, putting a hand on his shoulder.
He shrugged, "She's back...in spirit at least."
"That's true", smiled Harkness softly.
He nodded setting his cup on the coaster on the table. He settled back with a sigh "I suppose everyone dies young at Torchwood...well except Jack." He chuckled
"Yes...he did mention, much like the army, I guess", Harkness considered, "Well, when I joined the army at any rate"
Ianto nodded. "running a hand through his hair. "Yes...wasn't the same too much in London, you tended to last a bit longer there but then I never left the building there."
"Who'd have guess Cardiff was a more dangerous place to live than London", Harkness chuckled softly.
He smiled looking at him, ,"You were here right? Was it very different?"
"Well, I was only here for a little while", mused Harkness, "And they kept dropping bombs on the place"
Ianto nodded, "True." He replied "How...what happened to you?"
"You mean...how I died?", he asked quietly.
Ianto nodded, "If you don't want to tell me you don't have to."
"No, it's okay", Harkness sighed, "There were German fighters....I managed to get all my men to safety, but I...ran out of time"
Ianto looked at him. "You saved them though."
"Yes, I did", Harkness gave a small smile.
Ianto smiled sadly. "I'm sorry we can't send you home."
"It's alright", he smiled sadly, "It would confuse matters, I'm sure"
Well if you get stuck here just ask me."
"Thank you", Harkness smiled, before coughing, moving the hand that had been on Ianto's shoulder for far too long, "I..umm..appreciate that"
Ianto looked at his hand before looking down at his own. "Don't worry about it. I’ve dealt with people lost in time quite often."
"You have?", he asked, smiling hopefully at him.
Ianto nodded quietly. "Yes some take to it...some don't."
"Oh", Harkness frowned, "...What happens to those that don't?"
"They try to find their own way back...or they take their own lives."
“….Oh”, Harkness repeated, “That’s…that’s awful”
He shrugged, "We don't have the power to send them back...all we can do is help them adjust as best we can?
"I guess so", he murmured, "...It is very hard, sometimes"
He nodded, "Just if you do feel like that...talk to someone."
"I will", Harkness smiled.
He smiled and nodded, "I think Jack would break down if you died again>"
"I don't plan on dying again anytime soon", Harkness chuckled softly, "The first time was more than enough"
He smiled softly "I imagine it would be...I've done it a few times not fully but...wasn't a ot of fun.
"No, it's really not", he glanced at him, "Your organisation has a lot of people dying and coming back, doesn't it?"
"Mostly dying the coming back has only been happening recently really."
"Ah", Harkness nodded softly, "I...well, I don't see, but I'm beginning to understand a little better"
"Mostly with Jack, He's saved my life so often."
"He does seem good at that", Harkness nodded.
He nodded "He saves a lot of people."
Harkness nodded, settling back in the couch. "Must be nice to work for such a man"
"It is...he is definitely someone to respect and look up to. I suppose you're a leader very like him. "
Harkness blushed, ducking. "Except I have no men to lead", he admitted, "Bar from helping you, I've had nothing to do since coming here"
He shrugged. "Don't worry with your experience you'll be out in the field in no time.
"You think so?", Harkness smiled.
He nodded. Yes..in fact there's so many people with us now...don't worry he'll probably just give you my missions. I was mostly an archivist anyway." He replied looking away.
"Oh", Harkness frowned, "I don't want to take away your missions"
He shrugged softly. "It makes sense to." He replied
"Why?" he asked, "You're good at your job"
"You're better." He replied with a shrug.
"I wouldn’t take it if it was offered", he replied simply.
Ianto looked at him curiously." But you're bored."
"I still wouldn't take another mans job"
He smiled a little watching him. "Well I'll see what we can do"
"As long as I don't take away work from you", smiled Harkness.
"I'll work something out, you never know you could just go on mission with me." He replied almost without thinking
Harknes smiled. "I'd like that", he murmured.
Ianto nodded with a smile before nodding. "Sorry it must have been a long day for you. I'll get you something to sleep in." He replied moving to pull himself into his chair.
"Oh thank you", Harkness smiled, standing, "I umm....is it presumptuous of me to offer help? I don't want to insult you"
He pushed himself into the chair with a sigh. "No its fine I just find this frustrating."
"I'm sorry", he smiled softly, "Well, if you need help, just ask"
He nodded rolling over to the room opening the wardrobe and pulling out a pressed set of pyjama bottoms handing them to him. "Will this do?"
“Yes, thank you”, Harkness smiled, leaning over to take them from him.
He smiled. "The bathroom's through there and ell if you need anything my room is just down the hall." He replied softly.
"Thank you", Harkness nodded, stepping inside, changing clothes, folding his own neatly before walking back out again.
Ianto took them and rolled back to the living room setting them on the side to get them cleaned with Jack's shirt.
"I do appreciate all this trouble", he smiled, watching him, "You're a good man, Ianto Jones"
He smiled self deprecatingly "I don't know." He replied with a shrug and a sad smile before rolling off to the hall
He frowned, following him. "You doubt you're a good man?"
"I doubt I'm...good enough." He replied before shaking his head. "I'm sorry you don't need to e listening to this."
"No...it's alright", he smiled, "You can talk to me...I don't understand, though, you're an incredible person"
He looked at him and laughed softly "What? I'm twenty four and a glorified tea lady who's broken hearted cos he's in love with his boss. That I think is anything but."
"You've been through so much for someone your age", said Harkness, watching him, "Many men would have given up, but you have stayed strong, and have never given up. That is incredible to me"
"Give up to what. There's nothing else, Torchwood and Jack...they're the only things left in my life that give me meaning anymore."
"Many people wander through life without anything to give them meaning at all", said Harkness.
Ianto looked at him, "You had meaning though, your men...the war."
"I did", he nodded, "But the war is over now, and my men are either dead or very old now"
"Yes but people always need protecting and you seem mlike you would wear that mantle well."
Harkness smiled softly. "Yes...I suppose it's what I'm best at"
"You'll fit in quite easily." He replied. "The world always needs people like you to save it."
"The world needs people like you to save people like me and Jack from ourselves", he chuckled lightly.
He smiled a little looking at him, "Thanks." He replied amused.
"You're welcome", he smiled, watching him.
Ianto smiled back for a moment before looking away and turning the music off. "Oh dear half the girls in Cardiff had o have been falling over you." He replied putting the cd away.
Harkness blinked, a little confused. "How do you mean?"
"You're a very charming man Captain." He replied slipping the case away.
"Oh...I...umm", Harkness blushed a little, "Thank you"
He smiled and shrugged. "I can't possibly be the first person to tell you that."
"Well....actually...", Harkness coughed, rubbing the back of his neck, "Yeah"
Ianto blinked and rolled over to him "You're not serious."
Harkness smiled and shrugged. "Very serious"
"Oh..." He replied picking at the arm of his chair. "Well you are.
Harknes ducked his head, blushing. "...I....thank you"
Ianto smiled a little shaking his head. "Didn't you have a line of girls in Cardiff when you were stationed here?"
He smiled and shook his head. "I had one girl, singular"
"Oh...what was she like?"
"She was...", he smiled sadly, "She was falling for me, but I was afraid for her to do so. I didn't want her getting hurt if I died...which turns out not to have been an unwarranted fear"
"You cared about her."
"Yeah", he sighed, "But I still didn't want her getting hurt on account of me"
The Welshman nodded "How did …I know I might regret asking this but how did you and Jack..."
"End up together?", Harkness smiled and shrugged, looking down, "We talked a lot, I kind of fell very quickly for him, I asked him to dance, and then he kissed me just before vanishing into the bright light"
Ianto smiled idly, "He does dance well."
"He does", he nodded, smiling, "Very graceful for someone of his build"
He nodded his eyes distracted as his smile warmed and he looked off into the distance. "Hmmm"
Harkness smiled a little himself, before blinking. "Are you alright?"
"Hmmm?" He asked snapping out of it his cheeks flushed as he looked at him blinking. "What sorry?"
"You kind of stared off for a little while", a smile crossed his face, "I hope it was a good daydream"
He blinked worriedly, "What, did I...? Oh sorry." He replied embarrassed.
"It's quite alright", he chuckled softly, "I expect Jack has that effect on everyone"
His blush deepened as he coughed straightening his tie. "Yes well it's still..." He laughed shaking his head. "I'm sorry...Anyway umm did you want something to eat or shall I leave you to go to bed."
"Oh, I'm alright, thank you, I'm not hungry", he smiled softly, "I could sleep for a year, though"
He nodded, "I'm sorry it is kind of late." He replied softly. "Alright if there's anything you need just call me I'm only down the hall."
"Thank you", he smiled, inclining his head, "Goodnight, Ianto"
Ianto nodded softly. "Goodnight." He replied before going back to his own room.