Revelations
Title: Revelations
Author: stevwil
Rating: R
Disclaimer: They're not mine. I'm just playing with them.
Characters: Jack/Ianto, Owen, Gwen, Tosh
Summary: Ianto explains to Jack what has happened to him and everyone else explains to Gwen that she's not nearly as subtle as she thinks she is.
Jack woke unhurriedly. He was wrapped in Ianto's arms and the sensation of bare flesh on bare flesh left him feeling warm and contented. They were both naked, tangled in a sheet on his bunk in the depths of the Hub. He turned his head and slowly blinked his eyes open. His face was buried in Ianto's shoulder, his arm thrown across the Welshman's stomach. Jack rolled a little, trying not to disturb his lover as his hand glided across his chest, tickling the fine, dark hairs before tracing a circle around a pink nipple with the tip of a single finger.
He drank in the sight of the long, lean form before turning his head and kissing him on the chest. Physically, he was unchanged; the same dark hair, the same pale skin, the same alluring lips. His trip through the rift hadn't left a mark on him but something was different. There was a depth that hadn't been there a week ago. Ianto had always had facade of reserve and propriety but underneath that there was passion and the fire of youth. The passion was there but now it was tempered by a stillness that came with age and experience.
After their reunion in the alley the previous night, it had been all business. They had collected the bodies of all five weevils and loaded them in the SUV. They then brought them back to Hub to be incinerated. As they worked they snatched a quick touch here and a caress there, talking of small things.
“Ianto,” Jack said as the carried the last weevil to the incinerator, “what happened to you?”
Ianto sighed, “A lot. Can we talk about it later...I just want to be here with you for a while.”
Jack gave him a long look after they heaved the body into the incinerator. “Fair enough but I have questions.”
Ianto gave him a tired smile, “And I have answers, my love.”
He grabbed Ianto and pulled him to him, hugging him fiercely. He whispered in his ear,“I never thought I'd see you again.”
Ianto hugged him back and said softly, “I thought that too for a while.” They held each other for a moment before Ianto chuckled and a let go. “You do realize we're groping each other next to a filthy incinerator stinking of weevil, don't you?”
Jack nodded and grinned at him. “It must be true love.”
Ianto grinned back, a real smile this time full of life and energy, “It must be.” He wrinkled his nose delicately. “Let's finish this and get cleaned up.”
One thing led to another. They showered together and then fell into bed. Sleep claimed them much later after each had explored the other's body, each reassuring themselves that the other was really there.
“It's okay,” Ianto said bringing Jack back to the present. “I'm awake.” He tilted his head, kissing Jack's hair.”
“How long?” Jack asked, tilting his head up and snatching a quick kiss.
“For awhile.”
“Were you watching me?” Jack smiled.
“I was holding you. It's something I've missed.”
Jack wriggled in Ianto's arms, rolling onto his chest so he could look him in the eye. There was a weariness that hadn't been there a week ago. Ianto's eyes had always been too old for someone so young. He'd seen too much in his short life but now there was a depth that hadn't been there previously.
“What happened to you?” he asked quietly.
Ianto met his gaze and didn't answer for a long moment. His fingers played through Jack's tousled hair and he finally said, “Too much. I don't understand parts of it myself and I lived it.”
Jack licked his lips and smiled, “How about the scary, shadow thing? And the beating the weevil to death?” Jack's tone was tinged with mirth. “Oh, and why did you leave me chained in the tunnels under the city? How about that one?”
Jack felt Ianto's laugh as much as he heard it. It was the first time Ianto had truly laughed since he'd revealed himself to Jack the evening before and it was wonderful.
“I left you chained because the other me had to find you and free you. I remembered it happening so it had to happen that way. And it was kind of hot. It gave me ideas.”
Jack laughed. “I kind of like the sound of that. What about the rest of it?”
“My... experiences have given me a few... advantages,” Ianto said, groping for words. “Mostly parlor tricks but useful parlor tricks. I'm a little stronger than I used to be and I can call shadows.”
“Parlor tricks? What I saw looked like more than parlor tricks,” Jack said in a serious voice.
“Let me start at the beginning. I hope it'll make more sense that way. When did you revive in the warehouse?” Ianto asked. “I heard you shouting as I was pulled into the Rift.”
“I heard Hart shouting that you'd shot him. I struggled to my feet and tried to find you,” Jack's voice dropped to whisper, “but I was too late.”
“After he had killed me, he'd planned on taking you. He said he'd strangle the life from you as he had you and you'd know that when you came back that he'd do it again and again,” Ianto said flatly. “He taunted me with it, said you'd be the perfect lover. He said the first time he took you that it'd be on my body.”
“Oh.” Jack shuddered at the thought, remembering his time as a captive of the Master.
“That was something I could not, would not, abide,” Ianto said taking Jack's face in his hands, cobalt blue eyes blazing. “I would do this all over again to keep that from happening.”
Jack licked his lips and nodded, looking into his eyes and knowing the words to be true.
“I didn't shoot him once. I shot him three times. After the second shot he said he'd go back and smother me in my crib, that you wouldn't even know my name. He was trying to do that when I shot vortex manipulator and we were drawn into the Rift.”
“I should have killed him the first time he came to Cardiff,” Jack said, regret evident in his voice.
“Everything happens for a reason, Jack. Let's get up. We're both going to have a stiff neck if we keep this up,” Ianto said wriggling out from under his Captain. “What time is it?”
Jack twisted and check the time. “Just after 5. I doubt we see the others before 8 or 9.”
“Good. We've got time. Would you like some coffee?” Ianto asked. Untangling himself from the sheet, he stood and stretched, purposefully displaying his long, lean form for his lover. Jack's breath caught and Ianto smirked. “Like that, do you?”
Jack grabbed for him but he stepped away.
“Not now. Coffee or not?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Fine. Be that way,” Jack pouted. “Coffee would wonderful.”
Ianto grabbed a robe, casually pulling it on and he walked to the ladder. “You coming?”
Jack leered at him, “Not yet.” Ianto rolled his eyes and Jack added, “Yes.” He stood, deliberately did not grab a robe and followed Ianto up the ladder and to the small kitchen.
“Everything where it I left it?” Ianto asked opening cabinet doors.
“I wouldn't let anyone touch anything. I was... adamant about that.” Jack laughed, “Gwen offered to box up your apartment yesterday.”
Ianto snorted, “She is a bit obvious at times.”
“I disabused her of the notion rather quickly.”
“Poor Gwen. Never content with what she has,” Ianto said as he started the coffee brewing. He sat down at the small table smiled at his lover. “Have a seat. Lap or chair, your choice.”
Jack practically sprang into his lap, wrapping his arms around his neck and kissing him thoroughly.
“Excellent choice,” Ianto said after he'd caught his breath.
“Am I that predictable?”
“Never.” He gave Jack a quick peck on the tip of his nose and wrapped his arms around his waste getting comfortable. “Now, where were we?”
“You'd just shot that son-of-a-bitch.”
“That's it. We were pulled into the Rift. When my awareness returned, I was in total darkness. I didn't know where I was or if I was even still alive but my anger at Hart was unabated. I was filled with a burning rage that threatened to consume me,” he shuddered, holding tight to Jack. “There were... things moving in the darkness. I could feel them brushing against me. They wanted me afraid. They wanted to consume me. I think they feed on terror. I gave them rage and anger instead.”
“Oh, Ianto,” Jack said pulling his arms tighter around him.
“It's okay, I think the rage protected me from them,” the Welshman said, burying his face in Jack's shoulder before continuing, “It happened a long time ago.”
“How long ago?” Jack asked, stroking his dark hair.
“I'll get to that.”
Jack nodded and Ianto continued, “I could hear Hart whimpering somewhere. I don't know how long it went on, it could have been hours or days. I just don't know. The things were battering at me, growing more and more frantic and Hart never shut up. He started out mad and it got worse.”
Jack nodded saying again, “I should have killed him.”
Ianto continued, “I think whatever was there finished him. He sounded... broken. Anyway, the things wanted me and I wanted to get back to you and Cardiff and Hart wouldn't shut up and I couldn't think. I went a little mad myself.” Ianto's voice was barely audible. “I broke, a little anyway. I wanted out and I panicked, reached out and touched... something in the darkness and tore at it with both my hands and my mind. A crack in the Rift opened. I saw a flash of Hart. I grabbed him and tried to haul us through it-”
Jack sat up straight and twisted, looking at Ianto. “You brought him with you?”
Ianto shook his head. “He panicked and jerked free as I was coming through the crack. I don't know what happened to him.”
“Why did you try and bring him with you?” Jack asked, watching his lover carefully.
Ianto smiled a hard smile that didn't reach his eyes. “I could tell you it was because no one should be left in that place or that it was just a reflex but I'd be lying. I wanted him dead by my hand. If I ever see him again, he will be dead by my hand.”
Jack nodded and said, “There's obviously some time travel involved here. How long did you avoid yourself?”
Jack could see the pain in his eyes as he answered, “It was 1961 when I came out of the Rift.”
“1961!?!” Jack nearly shouted raising up off of his lover. “But how?” he asked running his fingers over Ianto's unlined face and firm body.
Ianto smiled again, this time the cobalt blue eyes twinkled. “I look pretty good for being nearly 80, don't I?”
Jack's mouth opened and closed without any sound coming out.
“Close your mouth and set down Jack.” He pulled a chair up across from Ianto and sat.
“What? How?” Jack sputtered.
“I woke up in Cardiff but it wasn't quite right. I found a newspaper dated 1961 and that shredded what little bit of sanity I had left. I lost it. I could still feel the darkness but now it was coming from me. It was like I was the crack in the Rift and I couldn't close it.” Ianto whetted his lips with the tip of his tongue before continuing. “That's when I encountered the Torchwood agents. Thankfully, I didn't do any permanent harm to them. I fled the city and slowly regained control of myself.”
“You're a crack in the Rift?” Jack asked, his tone serious again.
“The rift is part of me now. It's always there in the back of my mind. I can always feel it.” The smile was tired again. “I'll never need one of Tosh's hand scanners again.”
“I've never heard of anything like that even when I was with the Time Agency.”
“I think of it as being a window,” Ianto explained. “Even with the drapes closed a little bit of light or darkness in this case, seeps in around the edges. I think that's what sustains me. It keeps me from aging and makes me a little stronger and faster than I used to be. Does that make sense?”
“Sort of. Keep going,” Jack nodded thoughtfully.
“When I call the darkness and distort my voice it's like I've opened the drapes and more of it is coming through the glass. Some of the terror I felt when I was in there bleeds through also.”
Jack nodded, “Okay. That makes sense too.”
“I think the window can be opened as well but I've never tried. If I draw on it too much it feels like I'm losing myself. I think whatever is on the other side is waiting on me to open it wide enough so that they can reach through and drag me back in.” Ianto shuddered and Jack reached out and grasped his hand.
“I won't let that happen,” Jack said fiercely. “I'll never lose you again, not to anything.”
“I love you too,” Ianto said before falling silent, both men embarrassed by the depths of their emotions. Ianto cleared his throat and said, “Coffee's finished.”
Jack followed him to the coffee maker, staying at his side. He wrapped his arms around Ianto's waist and pressed his chest against his back, resting his chin on the Welshman's shoulder as he poured the coffee.
The corner's of Ianto's mouth twitched as wriggled around to face his Captain. “I'm not going to disappear.”
“I'm just making sure,” Jack said, kissing him softly.
“Drink your coffee while I finish. I promise I won't leave you.”
Jack let go of Ianto and leaned against the counter, sipping his coffee, watching the younger man.
Ianto shook his head at his still naked lover, looking him over head to toe. “I'd really rather you not burn any of the good parts.”
Jack smirked and took another sip and said, “I'll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Anyway, I wandered for a year or so and finally decided to leave England altogether. I needed peace and privacy and I couldn't get that here, dodging Torchwood agents left and right.”
Jack nodded, still sipping his coffee.
“First I went to Paris. That didn't work out. Too many people. I ended up traveling to the United States. I spent 10 years in a small town in Michigan mastering my new abilities and testing their limits.” He laughed. “I was Ianto Harkness for a while.”
“Harkness?” Jack's smile was soft, intended only for Ianto.
“I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. I wanted something to hold onto.”
“Ianto,” Jack said, his voice soft and distressed.
“It's okay. That was nearly 50 years ago for me.” He reached out and grasped Jack's arm. “Once I realized I wasn't aging, I started to put things together. If I was the mysterious Dark Man you'd met then I would see you again. It would just be a while.”
A slow smile crept onto Jack's face. “So you're immortal?”
“I don't appear to be aging,” Ianto clarified. “You're the only person I've ever met that get's killed on a regular basis, which I find seriously disturbing I might add. No one has even come close to killing me so I don't know about actually being immortal.”
“No one will if I have anything to say about it.”
“I've picked up a few skills over the years. I'm not all that easy to kill these days.”
“So you could be around... forever?” Jack asked tentatively.
“I'll be around for as long as you'll have me.” Ianto took the coffee mug from Jack's hands setting it aside. Grasping Jack's hands in his own, he asked somberly, “You will have me, won't you?”
Jack licked his lips and smiled a soft, intimate smile meant for Ianto alone. “Yes, Ianto Jones. I'll have you for as long as you'll have me.”
Ianto pulled him to him. Their lips touched and parted, tongues met. The kiss was slow and intimate, more about love than sex as they explored each others mouths, reveling in their closeness. Ianto had his arms around Jack's neck and Jack had his around Ianto's waist. They pulled apart slowly, breathing heavily, still in each other's arms with their foreheads touching.
“Did we just get engaged?” Jack asked, soft smile still in place.
“I honestly don't know?” Ianto said, one of the few times Jack had ever heard him sound genuinely perplexed.
“For now let's call it a promise. You okay with that?” Jack asked, surprised but pleased by this turn of events.
“I am. I love you, Jack.”
“I love you, too. Don't ever go away again, okay?.”
“I won't. Will you promise the same?”
“I promise not to leave you, Ianto Jones.”
Ianto stepped back, reluctantly releasing his Captain. The smile on his face was mirrored by a similar smile on Jack's. Both men were obviously pleased with where the conversation had led but needed time to process the implications. Jack still rested his right hand intimately on Ianto's waist and Ianto's eyes blue eyes shone with love.
“So what did you do for all those years?”
“A little bit of everything. I learned to fence. I learned to fight. I smuggled medicals supplies. I worked on a couple of off-Broadway plays. There was a rather memorable stint as a tour guide in New Orleans,” Ianto smiled at this.
“You were a tour guide in New Orleans?”
“Yep. Being able to do what I do has it's advantages on a haunted tour.” Ianto's reply was droll but his eyes twinkled.
“I love New Orleans.”
“I know. It's your sort of town.”
Jack hesitated. “So was there anyone?” He added quickly, “I wouldn't blame you. 50 years is a long time.”
Ianto gave him a slow, knowing smile. “Well, there was this one guy I met a few times. He was something special. I seduced him a couple of times and even let him think he was seducing me once.” Jack's face grew more and more somber as Ianto continued to speak. “He was rather dashing. Wore this really great vintage RAF coat...”
“What?!” Jack burst out, mouth opening and closing but only managing to articulate the one word.
Ianto burst into laughter, bending at the waist. “You...should see the look on your face!”
“Ianto. I'm serious. What did you - stop laughing! What did you do? Did you retcon me?” Jack stood, hands on hips, trying to look outraged. Unfortunately for Jack, the effect was spoiled by being totally naked and slightly aroused. Ianto laughed even harder.
Ianto strove to bring his laughter under control. He didn't want to anger Jack but the sight of him standing there, hands on hips, manhood bobbing back and forth as he demanded answers really was a bit much to take.
“The first time was an accident. I was feeling homesick, even if Cardiff wouldn't really be home for another 20 years so I came back. I identified the Torchwood team and stayed clear of them. You were doing some freelance work so I checked in on you a couple of times. I was feeling sorry for myself and was drinking in a pub when you slid onto the stool next to me and started chatting.” Ianto grinned at the memory. “I nearly fell out of my chair. Once I got over the initial shock I let you pick me up. We had a marvelous night and I drugged your drink and left you sleeping like a baby.”
“Where did you get the retcon?” Jack asked thoughtfully.
“Had a bottle with me to use on Hart. I didn't want to him to remember us or the Hub.”
“Why did you use it on me?”
“I didn't want to change anything so you couldn't remember me.”
“And the other times? You seduced me?” Jack's soft smile grew salacious.
Ianto raised an eyebrow. “What? I didn't say it was difficult.”
Jack burst out laughing. “I wish I could remember those times.”
“Oh? Maybe I'll remind you one day.” Ianto waggled his eyebrows up and down and leered at his Captain. “Now, my love, if I remember correctly I promised you a surprise if you were good on that day so long ago. You were good, weren't you?”
Jack licked his lips and nodded. “I was very good.”
“That's what I thought,” Ianto said letting his robe slide to the floor. “Come here,” he ordered and pulled Jack to him. “Now.”
* * * *
“What are you having?” Tosh asked Owen as he rushed into the coffee shop, running late as usual. She and Gwen had been in line 5 minutes and the barista was about to take their order.
“Get me the hazelnut. Black. Thanks love. I'll grab us a spot.” Owen slid into a seat at an empty table just ahead of two men in cheap suits.
“Hey!” The taller of the two protested.
“Piss off,” Owen said not budging. “And if you can't do better than that with a suit just go kill yourself.”
“Sorry gentlemen,” Gwen said as she and Tosh walked up to the table carrying a tray with their drinks. “Dr. Harper is a little cranky before he has his morning coffee.”
“He is right about the suits,” Tosh murmured as the men grumbled and left.
“Tosh!”
“Tea boy knew how to wear a suit. Those two looked like fools playing dress up,” Owen said sipping his coffee.
At the mention of Ianto they grew quiet and sat sipping their coffee, eyeing each other without saying anything. No one wanted to be the first to start the conversation. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Gwen cleared her throat.
“What are we going to do about Jack?” she asked in a neutral tone.
Tosh said, “If yesterday is any indication, we let him come to terms with Ianto's loss on his own.”
Owen nodded in agreement.
“There's got to be something we can do,” Gwen continued doggedly.
Owen sighed, “Honey, let him grieve. He's not interested in what you've got to offer.”
“What do you mean?!” Gwen was outraged.
“What he means is that flinging yourself at Jack in the subtle way you have isn't helping matters,” Tosh snapped, having had enough of Gwen already. Today was going to be a long day.
“I don't know what you're - !” Gwen sputtered to a stop at the identical looks of contempt she received from both Tosh and Owen.
“Gwen. Sweetheart. None of us are mental. Just let it go and whatever you do, don't offer to clean out Ianto's apartment again. If Jack doesn't bloody shoot you, I will.”
Tosh's lips turned up in a sad smile and she curled the fingers of her right hand into the shape of a gun and pointed it at Gwen. “Bang.”
Gwen jerked and looked hurt. “You too, Tosh?”
Tosh nodded. “I loved Ianto too and I owe Jack more than I can ever repay.”
“Bloody Ianto Jones,” Gwen muttered under her breath.
Owen gave her a hard look. “I think we've said all the needs to be said on this for now. We've all got to work together so let's pretend this never happened and get back to it.”
Tosh nodded and watched Gwen over her coffee cup.
“Fine. We'll carry on like Torchwood is a team of three now,” Gwen said sourly.
“Jack will be there if we need him. It looks like the Rift will be relatively quiet for a couple of more days so other than weevils we shouldn't have much to do,” Tosh said, ignoring Gwen's tone. Maybe she should just go ahead and shoot her in Ianto's memory.
“Good. Now that we've settled all of that, I'm going to get a coffee to go and head to the Hub. You two want anything? Owen asked.
He bought four coffees to go and they made their way to the Tourist Office. Tosh let them in and she looked around, noting that it was a little dusty and a few of the brochures needed restocked. Ianto would not be pleased. She made a mental note to tidy it that evening before going home. They walked through the tunnels leading to the primary entrance to the Hub.
The door rolled slowly open and all three entered, lead by Owen. Gwen bumped into him as he was stopped short by what he saw.
Jack was leaning back in Ianto's chair with his feet casually propped up on the desk. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air and a mug rested on his stomach, both his hands curled around it. His clothes were clean and freshly pressed, his dark hair was damp from a recent shower and he wore a sleepy-eyed look of satisfaction on his face. He raised the mug, waving it at them in a lazy salute and took a sip.
Owen looked at Jack, then around the Hub and then back at Jack.
“What is it?” Gwen asked
Tosh peered at Jack, a slow smile forming.
“Where is he?” Owen asked, gaze flicking around the Hub once more.
“Hmmm?” Jack said grinning at the acerbic medic.
“Don't fuck with me, Jack. Where. Is. He?” Owen walked towards the small kitchen, coming to a dead stop at Jack's next words.
“I wouldn't go in there if I were you. Haven't had a chance to clean up yet,” he said smugly.
“Dammit,” Gwen muttered under her breath. She quickly turned away from Tosh's slitty-eyed stare.
Owen started towards Jack's office.
“You might want to stay out of there as well.”
“God Dammit Jack!”
“Don't even think about going down to my quarters,” Jack smirked.
“You're a prick,” Owen said. He turned away from his boss and bellowed, “IANTO!”
A moment later Ianto strode out of Jack's office, shirt unbuttoned at the neck and tie in hand. “What?,” he asked and then looked at Jack, noting his smirk. “Oh, he's been playing again.”
Both Owen and Tosh rushed to him, flinging their arms around him. Ianto put an arm awkwardly around each of them, touched and surprised by Owen's display of affection in particular. “Hi guys.”
“You're okay!” Tosh cried squeezing him hard.
Owen said nothing but patted him on the back.
“I am,” he answered and turned his attention to Gwen who stood a few feet away. He tipped his chin to her over Tosh's shoulder. “Gwen.”
“Ianto,” she said pausing before continuing awkwardly, “I'm glad you're okay.”
“Thank you. I'm glad to be back.”
Owen stepped back, letting go of Ianto. “What happened to you, mate?”
“Not now Owen,” Jack interrupted. “He's just returned. Give him a little room to breathe.”
“I am fine,” Ianto added.
“He's more than fine. I can vouch for that,” Jack said helpfully.
Ianto rolled his eyes. “I'll tell you what I can later. For now I'm just glad to be back.”
Owen peered at Ianto like he wanted to say something else but let it go. Tosh gave him a questioning look and they both ignored Gwen's suspicious stare.
Ianto noted the look on Gwen's face and did a mental eye roll. He let go of Tosh and said, “Jack, I'm going to clean up the kitchen. Why don't you start on your office and I'll join you shortly.”
“Yes sir.” Jack stood, smiled at his lover giving him a jaunty salute and started towards his office. He called over his shoulder, “Team meeting in the conference room at 10:30.”
After Jack was gone Gwen asked sourly, “Since when do you get to give him orders?”
Owen shook his head in disbelief and turned away from his teammate, heading for the medical bay.
Ianto's pleasant smile fooled no one. “Since I put that look on his face. If you think you can do better you're welcome to try but I'd advise against it,” Ianto's features darkened and took on a slightly sinister cast, “ You might just piss me off.”
Tosh snorted, turning away as Ianto marched to the kitchen, leaving a sputtering Gwen in his wake.
A/N: I had a few goals when I started writing these stories. Being a fan of both adventure stories and smut I wanted to end up with a Ianto that was not only immortal (immortalish anyway) but one that was a little more Jack's equal in both life experience and knowledge. I wanted a Ianto that didn't end up fulfilling the role of the 'damsel in distress' on a regular basis. At this point, I think that's what I've given myself.
He's got 50 years of unknown history including at least three encounters with Jack (Can you say “The Secret History of Ianto Jones Part 1?”). He's not quite human anymore but I've tried to limit his abilities to things that could mostly be replicated with technology (smoke bombs and a perception filter, going to the gym, using one of Tosh's hand scanners). I will admit that the distorted voice and causing fear is a little out there but I thought both of them were kind of cool so I tossed them in there.
The Dark Man is an amalgam of several things I've seen and read including the old Shadow pulps and James Robinson's The Shade comic book. The idea to tie it into TW came from Suzie talking about things being in the dark calling Jack's name when she was dead. I combined all of that with several one shot stories I wanted to write and this is where I ended up.
Thanks for all of your comments and encouragement. I hope you've enjoyed reading these as much as I've enjoyed writing them. This is just the beginning.