Fic: A Song as Old as Time. (16/16) Complete.
Title: A Song as Old as Time (16 of 16) Complete.
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto, original alien characters.
Word count: this part 3800 of total 38,750.
Rating: PG13
Warnings/Contains: Temporary Jack death. Alien original character death. Empath!Ianto.
Notes: This is set during the first series between Countrycide, and They Keep Killing Suzie. Ianto living in the Radyr area of Cardiff comes from the tie in novel Another Life by Peter Anghelides.
This story has been a long time in the making. I started writing and posting it back in 2007 before the second series aired, it was put on hold for a long time from 2009 until 2012. So apologies to anyone who has been reading this from the start for taking so very long to get to the end of this.
Summary: A chance visit to a bar and the unexpected arrival of an old acquaintance raises a lot questions for Jack and creates a dangerous situation for Ianto.
part one part two part three part four part five part six part seven part eight
part nine part ten part eleven part twelve part thirteen part fourteen part fifteen
A PDF version is available here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0By1ipi-pyHy5NDdYSjJ5dkxpc2s
“Hey you made it,” Jubel says cheerfully, setting the controls to auto now that the ship has broken orbit, and Jack and Ianto have got to their feet. “You took your time.”
“You left without us,” Jack points out. He'd like to yell at Jubel, to tell him in no uncertain terms just how pissed off he is over it, but with Sibel looking curiously at him from round the side of one of the flight chairs he really doesn't feel that he can.
“I waited for a bit,” Jubel says defensively. “I thought you weren't coming. Any way, it's not like you were stuck.” He points to Jack's vortex manipulator. “That's thing's still the fanciest teleport I've ever seen.”
Jack knows there's no way Jubel could know that it hasn't worked in more than a century, he'd made a point of not mentioning it when he'd run into him in the bar, but he still doesn't feel like letting him off that easily. “You only waited this long because you didn't have a choice. Nobody could leave because...” He stops, the botched take off that had caused all the problems at the spaceport suddenly making sense. "That was you, wasn't it?”
“Would it help if I said I did it on purpose?”
“There's no way you gridlocked the main spaceport on Aphelion just so you could wait for us,” Jack says. He knows what Jubel's ability with technology is like. He'd panicked and tried to run, and screwed up in the process.
“Well okay, it was an accident, but it all worked out.” He looks at Jack hopefully. “So we're good, right?”
Jack sighs. But he can't pretend that being left behind did hurt, hasn't opened up old wounds hat really haven't ever properly healed. He just has to hope when the Doctor eventually returns for him that he's got a better reason than 'oh sorry, but hey it worked out okay so it doesn't matter'. There's nothing to be gained by turning it into an argument as they are still completely reliant on Jubel taking them back to Earth.
“I'm hungry,” Sibel announces, moving out from behind one of the flight chairs. She tugs at Jubel sleeve. “You said when you weren't flying you'd make food, and you're not flying now.”
"If you and Jack want to talk, I'm sure I could make something," Ianto says to Jubel. “If you don't mind.”
"You make some more of that coffee you did on the way here, you can make as much mess in the kitchen as you like.” Jubel takes Sibel's hand, then looks at Jack. “So we're good?”
“You get us back to Cardiff in one piece and we are.”
Jubel smiles like alls forgiven and says, “Of course, you can put lay in the route if you want, the auto on this old girl'll get us. Reckon it flies better than I do.”
Jack just manages to catch himself before he says 'that wouldn't be hard.' This close the to major flight paths into Aphelion, Jack decides it's too risky for them to leave the controls completely unattended, even if Jubel seems unconcerned by it.
Telling Jubel that though, he knows, won't go down too well, and he says, “How about I fly for a while afterwards? got to keep in practice.”
“Sure, just mind you don't put the pilot seat right back though, the hinge has gone.”
“Daddy.” Sibel tugs at his sleeve again.
“Go on,” Jack says. “I can manage here.”
Once Ianto, Jubel and Sibel have gone to the ships small kitchen, Jack sits down in the pilots seat.
Plotting in the course for Earth is easy, and after making sure they're not flying too close to anything else, Jack decides running a check of the systems is in order. He's flown too many ships over the years, and had too many nasty surprises not to.
Error lights and codes flash here. There are no major faults, he's pleased to note, although they could all do with fixing eventually. He's just finished leaving an automated reminder for Jubel about all of them when Ianto returns.
“I thought you could do with one,” Ianto says handing him a mug, and then sitting down in the other chair.
“What's Jubel up to?” Jack asks, gratefully accepting the mug.
“Sibel's got him playing a 3d hologram drawing game. I think she was winning.”
Jack laughs fondly. “I had one of those when...” He stops, a wistful, melancholy expression on his face. “It was a long time ago.”
Ianto murmurs something that might be agreement, and leans back in his seat.
Turning his attention back to the controls, Jack finds he's relieved that Ianto hadn't thought to question how he'd had such a toy as a child. His past, but especially his childhood are things that are still too hard to think about in detail, without it hurting, without recalling how it all ended.
“We should be back in Cardiff in a few hours,” he says, needing to change the subject. He looks at his watch, and then realises that with all the travelling they've done the five seventeen shown on the dial has as much chance of being evening as morning. “What do you want to tell the team about where we've been? They're going to have questions, so we'd better get our stories straight.”
When Ianto doesn't answer Jack looks round.
Curled onto his side, or as much as the chair will allow him to, his coffee abandoned, Ianto is fast asleep. The lingering exhaustion caused by the psychic shock finally over taking him.
Jack shakes his head, wishing that sleep could come as easily to himself. It would make the journey back to Earth pass faster. But despite the fact that it's been more than two days since he last slept he finds himself unable to rest, thoughts chasing around his head.
He could lose his heart to him so in a way he's not dared to in years. Not since Estelle. Sweet, beautiful Estelle, who'd seen the best in everybody and who he'd ran from, scared of what he couldn't give her and that the love they'd shared would turn first to resentment and finally to hate as came to realise just how unnatural he was.
He'd thought he was protecting her. Only he hadn't, not really, because of him she'd chosen a life alone until she'd finally been killed by the sort of creatures that he was suppose to protect people from.
But Ianto already has most of the facts, knows the lives they lead, the dangers they face, and has more reason to hate him than perhaps anybody else. Yet he doesn't. He cares about him, was concerned when he thought he was hurt, he tried to reassure and comfort him when he had been the one in need.
The only thing he knows for certain is that things between them can't return to exactly how they were before when they get back. Too much has changed, the attraction between them becoming far more than innuendo and flirtation.
Now that they are out of the main shipping routes, Jack switches the ship back to autopilot, and leaves the room, knowing that Ianto can do without him sitting next to him and worrying.
“I'm going to start the thruster repairs,” Jack calls out to Jubel, who's still in the kitchen with Sibel.
“Oh right, you want a hand?”
“I'm good,” Jack says, finding that the opportunity for some time alone is something he actually wants.
“Give me a shout it anything blows up.”
“I will.” Jack smiles, as he hears Sibel say, “Now draw a smiley face. No, daddy, with the blue one.”
Then, picking up a tool kit, he sets to work. The power relays for the in atmosphere thrusters are in almost as bad a state as the systems Jack had repaired before they left Cardiff.
It's good having something that needs all his concentration, something that has definite rights and wrongs and which, when completed, shouldn't feel like a hollow victory.
His shoulders soon ache from working the confined space and loose wires spark and sting his fingers, but he has a smile on his face when he finally wriggles back out of the narrow access port, the repairs complete.
After clipping the access hatch back into place, Jack sits down, his back against the wall. Sleep which had seemed so elusive before threatens. Telling himself he'll go back and check on Ianto and auto pilot in a few minutes, he closes his eyes.
* * *
Jack wakes to the sound of footsteps stopping beside him.
Opening his eyes, he sees Ianto standing next to him, a slightly concerned look on his face.
“How long have I been asleep?” Jack asks, blinking and rubbing a hand across his eyes.
“Most of the day,” Ianto says crouching down next to him.
“Oh.” Jack looks down at the blanket that's been draped over him. “Thanks.”
“Not me, Jubel must have done it. I've not been awake that long myself.” Ianto says, although he still looks like he could do with quite a few more hours rest. “If I had I would have suggested you tried to sleep somewhere a little more comfortable.”
“I've slept in worse places,” Jack says getting to his feet. “I suppose we'd better go and see what he's up to.”
“We'll be over Cardiff in the next hour,” Jubel says, as they walk back onto the bridge.“Where do you want to get dropped off?”
It's tempting to ask to be dropped as close to the Hub as possible, but that would alert Owen, Tosh and Gwen to the ship. At which point the best case scenario would be them finding out they had been aboard, complete with all the awkward questions that would follow. The worst that they would decide it was some kind of threat and bring the ship down or contact UNIT to do it.
Ianto seems to be thinking along the same lines, and says, “The edge of Cardiff is probably the safest option. There are a number of fields and a golf course in Radyr, so dependent on what time of day we arrive you could probably land there without being too noticeable.”
“You'll have to show me where that is,” Jubel says, switching the controls back to manual now that they are starting their final approach.
“I know where it is. I don't suppose you want to let me bring her in?” Jack says, moving closer to the controls.
“You still don't trust me,” Jubel says, sounding hurt.
“Of course I do,” Jack says. He'd like to add 'I absolutely trust that you won't mean to land the ship nose first into a tree but it'll happen anyway' but somehow he doubts that's likely to persuade him to hand over the controls to him until they are safely on the ground, so instead he says, “I just thought you might let me do it for old time sake.”
Jubel doesn't look entirely convinced, but gets out of the pilot seat, saying, “She's all yours.”
It's not long before they are dipping down through the cloud cover above Wales, the city lights of the Cardiff growing closer and brighter as they descend.
Jack drops the ship quickly through the elevations that will show on most radar displays, skimming just above the tree line, until he finally lands the ship in an area of rough just past the ninth hole on the Radyr golf course.
There's no time for long goodbyes, just in case their present has been detected, so as soon as the landing checks are complete they make their way to the door.
Jubel and Sibel walk with them to the top of the exit ramp.
“I've not always been the best friend,” Jubel says pulling Jack into a tight and rather awkward hug. “I want you to know I owe you one. If can ever help, just give me a call.”
“I might just hold you to that.” Jack smiles, and untangles himself from Jubel, knowing that it's very unlikely that he ever will.
“Whatever you're doing down there on Earth, keep safe and look after yourself.” He looks over at Ianto. “And look after him too. I've seen what you do for him, and you know he'd do the same for you. I know what you're like for pretty faces and how fast you get bored, but somebody like that don't come along every day, so don't screw it up, or you might find you're regretting it for a long time after.”
“I will, and believe me, I know.” Seeing that Ianto looks a little uncomfortable at being talked about like this Jack changes the subject.
“Where will you go now?” Jack asks, realising that this could be the last time he sees Jubel, unless his own circumstance change in the near future and he has the freedom to travel time and the stars once more.
“I'm going to head out to the Bleen corridor worlds, there's plenty of short hop courier jobs to be had while the terraforming is going on. Won't make a fortune, but it'll be enough to see us right.”
Jubel smiles, and picks up Sibel. “Time I tried earning an honest living, at least for a while. Any way, Sibel needs more of a life than I can give her aboard this old crate. She needs friends, school, the chance to run around outside.”
“I hope it works out for you, I really do,” Jack says and then walks down the ramp, letting Ianto make his goodbyes.
Sibel is still smiling and waving enthusiastically, once Ianto has joined him outside the ship, and the ramp pulls back.
Standing together at the edge of the thin strip of woodland they watch Jubel's ship until it's just another speck of light in the night sky.
“What time is it?” Ianto asks, once the ship is out of sight.
“Nearly midnight.” Interplanetary jet lag is something he's definitely not missing while living life on the slow path.
Ianto yawns, and digs his hands into his pockets. “At least it not a long walk.”
The night is cool and clear as they walk into Radyr, the residential streets quiet apart from the occasional car or taxi that passes them.
It seems strange walking Ianto to his door. The last time he'd been there was after Brynblaidd when he'd driven Ianto home, and had been politely refused when he'd offered to come in.
It's quite a walk back to the Hub, and Jack suspects the last train for the nearby station has long since left for the night.
“You could come in for some coffee, if you like,” Ianto says, once he's opened the door and Jack has made no move to go inside.
Jack grins. “Is that for actual coffee or...”
“Actual coffee,” Ianto interrupts, although there's a hint of amusement in his voice. “We need to talk.”
“I know,” Jack says, following him into the house, trying not to think too hard about what the topic of conversation will be.
Bypassing the living room, Ianto heads straight for the kitchen, and soon the kettle is filled and switched on.
Jack doesn't interrupt, letting him run through what is obviously a familiar routine. Having something normal, something that grounds him back into ordinary life, something safe, is of more value than anything he can say right now.
Ianto pours coffee beans into a grinder, and rich, heady scent of freshly ground fills the small kitchen. Transferring the grounds to a cafetiere and adding hot water, Ianto says, “It'll need a couple of minutes, so if you'll excuse me.”
“Sure, I'll wait here.”
While Ianto is gone, Jack looks around the kitchen. It's clean and tidy, yet definitely lived in. A few dates are circled on a calender hung on a cupboard door, although what they're marking he has no idea. While on the dresser in the corner there pictures vie for space with the plates. They're family photographs, Jack suspects, there's definitely a likeness between the people in them and Ianto. He's never heard him speak about any of them, but then again he's never given Ianto the opportunity to or shown any sign that he might be interested in listening to him if he did.
Ianto returns a couple of minutes later dressed in faded jeans and baggy hooded top that looks like its seen better days. Out of his suit like this, Jack thinks, he looks even younger than he usually does.
“So what do you want to talk about?” Jack asks, suddenly feeling far more nervous than he thinks he's got any right to be.
“Torchwood. My place on the team,” Ianto says, pouring their drinks. Then picking up his mug he walking through to the living room.
“You're still on the team, nothing that's happened changes that,” Jack says, following him, uncertainty at where this is going growing. “Unless you want to leave.”
“I think we both know that's just about unheard of,” Ianto says, sitting down on the sofa. “And no, that's not what I want to ask.
“If it's acceptable I'd rather not tell the rest of the team about this just yet. I really don't think they'll understand.”
The longer it's kept a secret through, Jack knows, the harder it becomes to talk about it. But perhaps Ianto is right and now is too soon. So he says, “Alright, if it's what you want. ”
“It is,” Ianto says with a relieved smile. “And thank you.”
“Are you going to be alright coming back to work tomorrow?” Jack asks, seeing how tired Ianto still looks, an extra day off would be easy enough to account for without arousing the teams suspicions.
“Today,” Ianto says, looking at the clock. “Work starts in just over seven hours time.”
“That's not an answer.”
“I know.” He sighs and leans back on the sofa.
“You told me that small groups of people are worse than crowds for you, how do you normally deal with it?”
“I try to get time away from everybody before it gets too much. I just go and work in the tourist office or the archives. It's got me through the day more than once.” He puts his mug down. “I've not had any time to myself in the past three days, and that on top of everything else really hasn't helped.”
“Do you want me to go?” Jack asks, wondering if he's hinting that he's had enough of his company.
“Right now?” Ianto shakes his head. “No, I don't think that would be the best idea, not yet.”
It's the first real hint of insecurity in his own ability to tough out alone against everything that life throws at him.
Wanting to turn the conversation back towards something more positive Jack says, “We can start working through some of the telepath blocking exercises tomorrow, if you feel up to it. Try and find out which ones we can adapt.”
“That's probably a good idea.”
There's almost no enthusiasm in Ianto's voice, and Jack moves closer to him. “What's wrong?”
“What if I can't do it?” Ianto says, eyes downcast. “What then?”
It's not something that Jack really even wants to consider, and he says, “Then you'll just have to work in the Hub until you can.”
“You really think it's that simple?” he says, fear making it come our bitter.
“I'm not giving up on you.”
“You really mean that.” Ianto's eyes widen, surprise and wonder in his voice.
“You'd better believe it.”
They've moved closer the whole conversation and until now there almost no distance between them and Jack can feel Ianto's breath warm against his skin. For a moment he's sure that something will interrupt them as it has every time they've been this close before.
Nervous, eager, Ianto runs his tongue along his lips, eyes locked with Jack's.
“I don't bite.” Jack smiles at him, hoping that he'll make the first move. “Well, not unless you want me to.”
Ianto laughs, any lingering traces of tension broken, and he leans forward.
His are lips soft and warm and there's the faint scratch of stubble as they kiss, and Jack slides his hand against the back of his neck, fingers sliding into his hair. It's as natural as breathing, and if the way Ianto is relaxing into it, eyes half closed, he's not having any problems with either, Jack thinks happily.
Slow and sure, he lets Ianto set the pace, happy to let him take all the time he needs to explore. Slow eventually become an almost complete stop, and Jack realises that Ianto eyes have drifted closed and he's almost half asleep against him.
Reluctantly, he pulls back from the kiss. Because despite Ianto's initial enthusiasm it's obvious that he's still exhausted from everything that has happened, the need for more sleep is fast winning out over both desire and the effects of caffeine.
“I should go, let you get some sleep,” Jack says, getting up to go. “I can call a cab.”
“Don't.” Ianto catches hold of his hand. His eyes weary when he opens them, but certain of what he's asking is still clear. “Stay.”
Jack looks down at their linked hands. This more than the kiss, even if nothing more happens between them tonight, is where everything changes. There are so many reasons why he should just walk away, to protect Ianto, to protect himself, to spare them both the pain and loss he's come to expect from letting anybody into his heart.
Yet he can't, because it feels more right than anything has for a very long time. He's been lost and lonely for far too many years, everything piling up until it feels like he's drowning in the uncertainty of it all. So he simply says. “Yes.”
This is the start of something between them, something new, and Jack has no idea where it will take them, but with Ianto there beside him he thinks that maybe everything might just turn out okay in the end.
The End.
For now at least at any rate. I might end up revisiting this 'verse at some point in the future though, but it's not likely to be particularly soon as there's a couple of other 'verses that need me to write their sequels first :) (Namely the virtual series that follows on from Secrets and Hope, and the sequel to Things Lost and Found Along the Way.)
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto, original alien characters.
Word count: this part 3800 of total 38,750.
Rating: PG13
Warnings/Contains: Temporary Jack death. Alien original character death. Empath!Ianto.
Notes: This is set during the first series between Countrycide, and They Keep Killing Suzie. Ianto living in the Radyr area of Cardiff comes from the tie in novel Another Life by Peter Anghelides.
This story has been a long time in the making. I started writing and posting it back in 2007 before the second series aired, it was put on hold for a long time from 2009 until 2012. So apologies to anyone who has been reading this from the start for taking so very long to get to the end of this.
Summary: A chance visit to a bar and the unexpected arrival of an old acquaintance raises a lot questions for Jack and creates a dangerous situation for Ianto.
part one part two part three part four part five part six part seven part eight
part nine part ten part eleven part twelve part thirteen part fourteen part fifteen
A PDF version is available here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0By1ipi-pyHy5NDdYSjJ5dkxpc2s
“Hey you made it,” Jubel says cheerfully, setting the controls to auto now that the ship has broken orbit, and Jack and Ianto have got to their feet. “You took your time.”
“You left without us,” Jack points out. He'd like to yell at Jubel, to tell him in no uncertain terms just how pissed off he is over it, but with Sibel looking curiously at him from round the side of one of the flight chairs he really doesn't feel that he can.
“I waited for a bit,” Jubel says defensively. “I thought you weren't coming. Any way, it's not like you were stuck.” He points to Jack's vortex manipulator. “That's thing's still the fanciest teleport I've ever seen.”
Jack knows there's no way Jubel could know that it hasn't worked in more than a century, he'd made a point of not mentioning it when he'd run into him in the bar, but he still doesn't feel like letting him off that easily. “You only waited this long because you didn't have a choice. Nobody could leave because...” He stops, the botched take off that had caused all the problems at the spaceport suddenly making sense. "That was you, wasn't it?”
“Would it help if I said I did it on purpose?”
“There's no way you gridlocked the main spaceport on Aphelion just so you could wait for us,” Jack says. He knows what Jubel's ability with technology is like. He'd panicked and tried to run, and screwed up in the process.
“Well okay, it was an accident, but it all worked out.” He looks at Jack hopefully. “So we're good, right?”
Jack sighs. But he can't pretend that being left behind did hurt, hasn't opened up old wounds hat really haven't ever properly healed. He just has to hope when the Doctor eventually returns for him that he's got a better reason than 'oh sorry, but hey it worked out okay so it doesn't matter'. There's nothing to be gained by turning it into an argument as they are still completely reliant on Jubel taking them back to Earth.
“I'm hungry,” Sibel announces, moving out from behind one of the flight chairs. She tugs at Jubel sleeve. “You said when you weren't flying you'd make food, and you're not flying now.”
"If you and Jack want to talk, I'm sure I could make something," Ianto says to Jubel. “If you don't mind.”
"You make some more of that coffee you did on the way here, you can make as much mess in the kitchen as you like.” Jubel takes Sibel's hand, then looks at Jack. “So we're good?”
“You get us back to Cardiff in one piece and we are.”
Jubel smiles like alls forgiven and says, “Of course, you can put lay in the route if you want, the auto on this old girl'll get us. Reckon it flies better than I do.”
Jack just manages to catch himself before he says 'that wouldn't be hard.' This close the to major flight paths into Aphelion, Jack decides it's too risky for them to leave the controls completely unattended, even if Jubel seems unconcerned by it.
Telling Jubel that though, he knows, won't go down too well, and he says, “How about I fly for a while afterwards? got to keep in practice.”
“Sure, just mind you don't put the pilot seat right back though, the hinge has gone.”
“Daddy.” Sibel tugs at his sleeve again.
“Go on,” Jack says. “I can manage here.”
Once Ianto, Jubel and Sibel have gone to the ships small kitchen, Jack sits down in the pilots seat.
Plotting in the course for Earth is easy, and after making sure they're not flying too close to anything else, Jack decides running a check of the systems is in order. He's flown too many ships over the years, and had too many nasty surprises not to.
Error lights and codes flash here. There are no major faults, he's pleased to note, although they could all do with fixing eventually. He's just finished leaving an automated reminder for Jubel about all of them when Ianto returns.
“I thought you could do with one,” Ianto says handing him a mug, and then sitting down in the other chair.
“What's Jubel up to?” Jack asks, gratefully accepting the mug.
“Sibel's got him playing a 3d hologram drawing game. I think she was winning.”
Jack laughs fondly. “I had one of those when...” He stops, a wistful, melancholy expression on his face. “It was a long time ago.”
Ianto murmurs something that might be agreement, and leans back in his seat.
Turning his attention back to the controls, Jack finds he's relieved that Ianto hadn't thought to question how he'd had such a toy as a child. His past, but especially his childhood are things that are still too hard to think about in detail, without it hurting, without recalling how it all ended.
“We should be back in Cardiff in a few hours,” he says, needing to change the subject. He looks at his watch, and then realises that with all the travelling they've done the five seventeen shown on the dial has as much chance of being evening as morning. “What do you want to tell the team about where we've been? They're going to have questions, so we'd better get our stories straight.”
When Ianto doesn't answer Jack looks round.
Curled onto his side, or as much as the chair will allow him to, his coffee abandoned, Ianto is fast asleep. The lingering exhaustion caused by the psychic shock finally over taking him.
Jack shakes his head, wishing that sleep could come as easily to himself. It would make the journey back to Earth pass faster. But despite the fact that it's been more than two days since he last slept he finds himself unable to rest, thoughts chasing around his head.
He could lose his heart to him so in a way he's not dared to in years. Not since Estelle. Sweet, beautiful Estelle, who'd seen the best in everybody and who he'd ran from, scared of what he couldn't give her and that the love they'd shared would turn first to resentment and finally to hate as came to realise just how unnatural he was.
He'd thought he was protecting her. Only he hadn't, not really, because of him she'd chosen a life alone until she'd finally been killed by the sort of creatures that he was suppose to protect people from.
But Ianto already has most of the facts, knows the lives they lead, the dangers they face, and has more reason to hate him than perhaps anybody else. Yet he doesn't. He cares about him, was concerned when he thought he was hurt, he tried to reassure and comfort him when he had been the one in need.
The only thing he knows for certain is that things between them can't return to exactly how they were before when they get back. Too much has changed, the attraction between them becoming far more than innuendo and flirtation.
Now that they are out of the main shipping routes, Jack switches the ship back to autopilot, and leaves the room, knowing that Ianto can do without him sitting next to him and worrying.
“I'm going to start the thruster repairs,” Jack calls out to Jubel, who's still in the kitchen with Sibel.
“Oh right, you want a hand?”
“I'm good,” Jack says, finding that the opportunity for some time alone is something he actually wants.
“Give me a shout it anything blows up.”
“I will.” Jack smiles, as he hears Sibel say, “Now draw a smiley face. No, daddy, with the blue one.”
Then, picking up a tool kit, he sets to work. The power relays for the in atmosphere thrusters are in almost as bad a state as the systems Jack had repaired before they left Cardiff.
It's good having something that needs all his concentration, something that has definite rights and wrongs and which, when completed, shouldn't feel like a hollow victory.
His shoulders soon ache from working the confined space and loose wires spark and sting his fingers, but he has a smile on his face when he finally wriggles back out of the narrow access port, the repairs complete.
After clipping the access hatch back into place, Jack sits down, his back against the wall. Sleep which had seemed so elusive before threatens. Telling himself he'll go back and check on Ianto and auto pilot in a few minutes, he closes his eyes.
* * *
Jack wakes to the sound of footsteps stopping beside him.
Opening his eyes, he sees Ianto standing next to him, a slightly concerned look on his face.
“How long have I been asleep?” Jack asks, blinking and rubbing a hand across his eyes.
“Most of the day,” Ianto says crouching down next to him.
“Oh.” Jack looks down at the blanket that's been draped over him. “Thanks.”
“Not me, Jubel must have done it. I've not been awake that long myself.” Ianto says, although he still looks like he could do with quite a few more hours rest. “If I had I would have suggested you tried to sleep somewhere a little more comfortable.”
“I've slept in worse places,” Jack says getting to his feet. “I suppose we'd better go and see what he's up to.”
“We'll be over Cardiff in the next hour,” Jubel says, as they walk back onto the bridge.“Where do you want to get dropped off?”
It's tempting to ask to be dropped as close to the Hub as possible, but that would alert Owen, Tosh and Gwen to the ship. At which point the best case scenario would be them finding out they had been aboard, complete with all the awkward questions that would follow. The worst that they would decide it was some kind of threat and bring the ship down or contact UNIT to do it.
Ianto seems to be thinking along the same lines, and says, “The edge of Cardiff is probably the safest option. There are a number of fields and a golf course in Radyr, so dependent on what time of day we arrive you could probably land there without being too noticeable.”
“You'll have to show me where that is,” Jubel says, switching the controls back to manual now that they are starting their final approach.
“I know where it is. I don't suppose you want to let me bring her in?” Jack says, moving closer to the controls.
“You still don't trust me,” Jubel says, sounding hurt.
“Of course I do,” Jack says. He'd like to add 'I absolutely trust that you won't mean to land the ship nose first into a tree but it'll happen anyway' but somehow he doubts that's likely to persuade him to hand over the controls to him until they are safely on the ground, so instead he says, “I just thought you might let me do it for old time sake.”
Jubel doesn't look entirely convinced, but gets out of the pilot seat, saying, “She's all yours.”
It's not long before they are dipping down through the cloud cover above Wales, the city lights of the Cardiff growing closer and brighter as they descend.
Jack drops the ship quickly through the elevations that will show on most radar displays, skimming just above the tree line, until he finally lands the ship in an area of rough just past the ninth hole on the Radyr golf course.
There's no time for long goodbyes, just in case their present has been detected, so as soon as the landing checks are complete they make their way to the door.
Jubel and Sibel walk with them to the top of the exit ramp.
“I've not always been the best friend,” Jubel says pulling Jack into a tight and rather awkward hug. “I want you to know I owe you one. If can ever help, just give me a call.”
“I might just hold you to that.” Jack smiles, and untangles himself from Jubel, knowing that it's very unlikely that he ever will.
“Whatever you're doing down there on Earth, keep safe and look after yourself.” He looks over at Ianto. “And look after him too. I've seen what you do for him, and you know he'd do the same for you. I know what you're like for pretty faces and how fast you get bored, but somebody like that don't come along every day, so don't screw it up, or you might find you're regretting it for a long time after.”
“I will, and believe me, I know.” Seeing that Ianto looks a little uncomfortable at being talked about like this Jack changes the subject.
“Where will you go now?” Jack asks, realising that this could be the last time he sees Jubel, unless his own circumstance change in the near future and he has the freedom to travel time and the stars once more.
“I'm going to head out to the Bleen corridor worlds, there's plenty of short hop courier jobs to be had while the terraforming is going on. Won't make a fortune, but it'll be enough to see us right.”
Jubel smiles, and picks up Sibel. “Time I tried earning an honest living, at least for a while. Any way, Sibel needs more of a life than I can give her aboard this old crate. She needs friends, school, the chance to run around outside.”
“I hope it works out for you, I really do,” Jack says and then walks down the ramp, letting Ianto make his goodbyes.
Sibel is still smiling and waving enthusiastically, once Ianto has joined him outside the ship, and the ramp pulls back.
Standing together at the edge of the thin strip of woodland they watch Jubel's ship until it's just another speck of light in the night sky.
“What time is it?” Ianto asks, once the ship is out of sight.
“Nearly midnight.” Interplanetary jet lag is something he's definitely not missing while living life on the slow path.
Ianto yawns, and digs his hands into his pockets. “At least it not a long walk.”
The night is cool and clear as they walk into Radyr, the residential streets quiet apart from the occasional car or taxi that passes them.
It seems strange walking Ianto to his door. The last time he'd been there was after Brynblaidd when he'd driven Ianto home, and had been politely refused when he'd offered to come in.
It's quite a walk back to the Hub, and Jack suspects the last train for the nearby station has long since left for the night.
“You could come in for some coffee, if you like,” Ianto says, once he's opened the door and Jack has made no move to go inside.
Jack grins. “Is that for actual coffee or...”
“Actual coffee,” Ianto interrupts, although there's a hint of amusement in his voice. “We need to talk.”
“I know,” Jack says, following him into the house, trying not to think too hard about what the topic of conversation will be.
Bypassing the living room, Ianto heads straight for the kitchen, and soon the kettle is filled and switched on.
Jack doesn't interrupt, letting him run through what is obviously a familiar routine. Having something normal, something that grounds him back into ordinary life, something safe, is of more value than anything he can say right now.
Ianto pours coffee beans into a grinder, and rich, heady scent of freshly ground fills the small kitchen. Transferring the grounds to a cafetiere and adding hot water, Ianto says, “It'll need a couple of minutes, so if you'll excuse me.”
“Sure, I'll wait here.”
While Ianto is gone, Jack looks around the kitchen. It's clean and tidy, yet definitely lived in. A few dates are circled on a calender hung on a cupboard door, although what they're marking he has no idea. While on the dresser in the corner there pictures vie for space with the plates. They're family photographs, Jack suspects, there's definitely a likeness between the people in them and Ianto. He's never heard him speak about any of them, but then again he's never given Ianto the opportunity to or shown any sign that he might be interested in listening to him if he did.
Ianto returns a couple of minutes later dressed in faded jeans and baggy hooded top that looks like its seen better days. Out of his suit like this, Jack thinks, he looks even younger than he usually does.
“So what do you want to talk about?” Jack asks, suddenly feeling far more nervous than he thinks he's got any right to be.
“Torchwood. My place on the team,” Ianto says, pouring their drinks. Then picking up his mug he walking through to the living room.
“You're still on the team, nothing that's happened changes that,” Jack says, following him, uncertainty at where this is going growing. “Unless you want to leave.”
“I think we both know that's just about unheard of,” Ianto says, sitting down on the sofa. “And no, that's not what I want to ask.
“If it's acceptable I'd rather not tell the rest of the team about this just yet. I really don't think they'll understand.”
The longer it's kept a secret through, Jack knows, the harder it becomes to talk about it. But perhaps Ianto is right and now is too soon. So he says, “Alright, if it's what you want. ”
“It is,” Ianto says with a relieved smile. “And thank you.”
“Are you going to be alright coming back to work tomorrow?” Jack asks, seeing how tired Ianto still looks, an extra day off would be easy enough to account for without arousing the teams suspicions.
“Today,” Ianto says, looking at the clock. “Work starts in just over seven hours time.”
“That's not an answer.”
“I know.” He sighs and leans back on the sofa.
“You told me that small groups of people are worse than crowds for you, how do you normally deal with it?”
“I try to get time away from everybody before it gets too much. I just go and work in the tourist office or the archives. It's got me through the day more than once.” He puts his mug down. “I've not had any time to myself in the past three days, and that on top of everything else really hasn't helped.”
“Do you want me to go?” Jack asks, wondering if he's hinting that he's had enough of his company.
“Right now?” Ianto shakes his head. “No, I don't think that would be the best idea, not yet.”
It's the first real hint of insecurity in his own ability to tough out alone against everything that life throws at him.
Wanting to turn the conversation back towards something more positive Jack says, “We can start working through some of the telepath blocking exercises tomorrow, if you feel up to it. Try and find out which ones we can adapt.”
“That's probably a good idea.”
There's almost no enthusiasm in Ianto's voice, and Jack moves closer to him. “What's wrong?”
“What if I can't do it?” Ianto says, eyes downcast. “What then?”
It's not something that Jack really even wants to consider, and he says, “Then you'll just have to work in the Hub until you can.”
“You really think it's that simple?” he says, fear making it come our bitter.
“I'm not giving up on you.”
“You really mean that.” Ianto's eyes widen, surprise and wonder in his voice.
“You'd better believe it.”
They've moved closer the whole conversation and until now there almost no distance between them and Jack can feel Ianto's breath warm against his skin. For a moment he's sure that something will interrupt them as it has every time they've been this close before.
Nervous, eager, Ianto runs his tongue along his lips, eyes locked with Jack's.
“I don't bite.” Jack smiles at him, hoping that he'll make the first move. “Well, not unless you want me to.”
Ianto laughs, any lingering traces of tension broken, and he leans forward.
His are lips soft and warm and there's the faint scratch of stubble as they kiss, and Jack slides his hand against the back of his neck, fingers sliding into his hair. It's as natural as breathing, and if the way Ianto is relaxing into it, eyes half closed, he's not having any problems with either, Jack thinks happily.
Slow and sure, he lets Ianto set the pace, happy to let him take all the time he needs to explore. Slow eventually become an almost complete stop, and Jack realises that Ianto eyes have drifted closed and he's almost half asleep against him.
Reluctantly, he pulls back from the kiss. Because despite Ianto's initial enthusiasm it's obvious that he's still exhausted from everything that has happened, the need for more sleep is fast winning out over both desire and the effects of caffeine.
“I should go, let you get some sleep,” Jack says, getting up to go. “I can call a cab.”
“Don't.” Ianto catches hold of his hand. His eyes weary when he opens them, but certain of what he's asking is still clear. “Stay.”
Jack looks down at their linked hands. This more than the kiss, even if nothing more happens between them tonight, is where everything changes. There are so many reasons why he should just walk away, to protect Ianto, to protect himself, to spare them both the pain and loss he's come to expect from letting anybody into his heart.
Yet he can't, because it feels more right than anything has for a very long time. He's been lost and lonely for far too many years, everything piling up until it feels like he's drowning in the uncertainty of it all. So he simply says. “Yes.”
This is the start of something between them, something new, and Jack has no idea where it will take them, but with Ianto there beside him he thinks that maybe everything might just turn out okay in the end.
The End.
For now at least at any rate. I might end up revisiting this 'verse at some point in the future though, but it's not likely to be particularly soon as there's a couple of other 'verses that need me to write their sequels first :) (Namely the virtual series that follows on from Secrets and Hope, and the sequel to Things Lost and Found Along the Way.)