A Song as old as time - part 7
Title: A Song as old as time (7 of 12/13)
FanFic_50 Prompt: Hurt
Rating: This part PG, over all pg13.
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.
Notes: This is set during the first series after 1x06 Countrycide, but before 1x08 They Keep Killing
part one part two part three part four part five part six
Ianto looks up from his inspection of the first aid kit as Jack walks over. “Any ideas?” He holds up a small tube, covered with alien writing. “I mean this could be antiseptic or it could be super glue, and I’d rather not find out the hard way.”
“It’s insect repellent.” Letting his fingers linger on Ianto’s hand just a moment longer than necessary as he takes the tube from him, Jack places it back in the box.
Jack hesitates as he picks up the correct tube from the first aid kit. There is so much that he wants to say to him, that he needs to tell him, but he has no idea of where to start. Should he begin by asking Ianto if he’s all right? Or would that just sound stupid? How could Ianto be okay after being drugged, kidnapped and hurt? Maybe starting with an apology would be better, but if he does start with an apology what should he apologise for first? There’s so much to choose from.
Ianto holds out his hand expectantly, waiting for Jack to hand him the antiseptic and leave him to get on with it.
“Let me.” It saddens Jack that Ianto thinks that he cares so little for his well being. He squeezes some of the gel out onto his fingers, deciding to let actions speak louder than words.
Ianto looks like he might refuse for a moment, then wincing slightly as the material has stuck to the cut, he pushes the neck of his tee shirt down just far enough for Jack to see.
The cut is shallow, little more than a nasty scratch and it has already stopped bleeding as Jack starts to apply the gel that he knows will help it heal quickly and scar free. He’s trying to be as gentle as he can, but his coordination is still a little shot from the events of earlier that evening and Ianto gives a small hiss of pain as Jack smoothes on the gel with a little more force than he intended.
“Sorry. You okay?” The last thing that Jack wants to do is cause Ianto any more pain.
Ianto nods wearily and pulls the neck of his tee shirt back up to cover the cut as soon as Jack has finished. “I’ve had worse.”
“That’s not the point.” Jack says gently. He remembers Ianto moving stiffly around the Hub in the days following the incident at Brynblaidd, refusing any help, and but especially his. The sight of Ianto, who had sometimes almost been in tears from the pain, yet still desperately trying to hide it and get on with his job isn't something he ever wants to witness again.
“I’m all right, sir, really.” He smiles, although there is no pretense that the smile and the lightness of his tone it is anything other than forced. “Although the knowledge that somewhere they make suits that hideous as his may have caused untold mental damage.”
Jack is still trying to think of some witty retort that will hopefully get Ianto talking, rather than joking and pretending that he’s fine with everything that has happened tonight, when there’s a rumbling sound and the ship shudders violently.
Off balance, Jack is thrown against Ianto, who wraps his arms around him, holding him close.
“What’s happening?” Ianto sounds fearful, his grip on Jack tightening as the ship shakes again.
“The engines are powering up.” Jack looks round to where Jubel is sitting at the controls.
Ianto releases his grip on Jack and steps back, allowing Jack to storm over to Jubel, his expression furious. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m starting her up, we’re going to have to leave right now if we want to make Aphelion by tomorrow.” Jubel continues powering up the engines, the operating lights on the control console flashing briefly before becoming a steady green glow.
“No, you’re not. Ianto is going home before we go anywhere. I am not dragging him into this.”
Ianto catches hold of Jack’s arm. “I’ve already been dragged into this.” He turns to Jubel. “Do we definitely need to leave right now to get there on time?”
“Yes.”
“Really?” Jack sounds sceptical, “Because I think we could make up an hour or so easily enough. That would be enough time for me to take Ianto home, make sure he’s safe.”
“I’ll be running her flat out to get there on time as it is, Jack. Please, I’m not trying to trick you. You know what the top speed on these things are, you know I’m not lying.” Jubel looks afraid that Jack might stop him, but continues with the pre take off checks anyway.
Jack runs a hand through his hair. He still thinks that a ship like this should be able to get there in less time than Jubel is suggesting. However that’s based on the ship being in good condition, but this ship isn’t in anything like good condition, so Jubel is probably correct. It doesn’t make him feel any better about further involving Ianto in the whole situation.
Jack feels Ianto’s hand on his arm again. “I know you don’t want me with you, sir, but what if the delay caused by taking me home cost Jubel his daughter? I don’t want that on my conscience.”
“Are you sure?” Jack has to stop himself from telling Ianto that the only reason he doesn’t want Ianto to come with them is because he’s scared that Ianto could get hurt. Jack knows that Ianto would take offence at the idea that he was trying to protect him, considering the same as being told that he couldn’t look after himself, something that Jack knows couldn’t be further from the truth.
Ianto hesitates, biting his lip for a moment before replying. “I would be lying if I said that the idea of going into space isn’t little bit terrifying, but this may be the only chance I ever get to do something like this. So, yes, I’m sure.”
“Alright.” Jack tries not to let all the misgivings he has about this whole situation show in his expression. “You can come with us.”
The noise of the engines has continued to grow louder as the ship powers up for take off and Ianto gives Jack a concerned look. “Is it supposed to be this loud?”
“She always sounds like this, it’s nothing to worry about,” Jubel says as he flicks a couple more switches and the ship starts to shake even more. “She’ll be fine once she breaks atmosphere, but until then you might want to hang onto something, it can get a bit bumpy.”
Jack indicates the only spare chair with a nod of his head. “Go on, sit down.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine, I’ve done this more times than you’ve made coffee.”
Ianto gives Jack a slightly puzzled look as he sits down, but doesn’t question what he means.
Standing behind Ianto, Jack holds onto the rail that runs at the back of the chairs. He can see Ianto gripping the arm of his seat tighter as the ship finally becomes airborne, his expression equal parts wonder at the view of Cardiff spread out beneath them and fear that in a few minutes he will be leaving the Earth behind.
The noise of the engines fades as they gain altitude and the effects of gravity on the ship lessen.
Letting go of the rail, Jack leans forward and put a hand on Ianto’s shoulder. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
The ship chooses that moment to give one last violent lurch and Jack is thrown first forwards, colliding painfully with the rail, and then back as he loses his footing and ends up lying on the floor
Winded, Jack lays there trying to summon the energy to get up. Cold, sore and tired, he wonders if Jubel would mind if he just went to sleep on the floor for a while.
“You okay back there?” Jubel calls out, without looking back.
“Yeah.”
“Not so bad? I think you may have spoken to soon.” Ianto sounds slightly amused as he gets up from his seat and holds out a hand to Jack.
Accepting Ianto’s help Jack stands. The rapid transition from horizontal to vertical is dizzying and he sways slightly on his feet until Ianto steadies him, wrapping an arm around his waist.
“Are you alright?” Ianto sounds concerned.
“Yeah, just tired, it’s been a long day.” He doesn’t want to lean on Ianto, it hardly seems fair, but telling him he doesn’t want any help not only sounds ungrateful, something which isn't remotely true, it’s also inadvisable, as if he does let go of him Jack’s not entirely sure that he’s going to manage to stay on his feet.
Jack knows that there is nothing wrong with him that a couple of hours rest won’t cure. Just one of the fringe benefits of immortality, he thinks a little giddily. Today is one of the days where he's been glad of it, because he hates to think of how the situation would have panned out had he wasn’t, of what would have happened to Ianto if he hadn’t been there.
“If you’re tired there’s a cabin in the back that you can use. It’s a bit small, but there a bed and somewhere you can get washed up.” Jubel starts inputting the coordinated for Aphelion. “If you want something to eat there’s probably something in the galley.”
“Thanks.” Jack watches Jubel long enough to be sure that the coordinates are correct before letting Ianto help him to the cabin.
Part eight
FanFic_50 Prompt: Hurt
Rating: This part PG, over all pg13.
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.
Notes: This is set during the first series after 1x06 Countrycide, but before 1x08 They Keep Killing
part one part two part three part four part five part six
Ianto looks up from his inspection of the first aid kit as Jack walks over. “Any ideas?” He holds up a small tube, covered with alien writing. “I mean this could be antiseptic or it could be super glue, and I’d rather not find out the hard way.”
“It’s insect repellent.” Letting his fingers linger on Ianto’s hand just a moment longer than necessary as he takes the tube from him, Jack places it back in the box.
Jack hesitates as he picks up the correct tube from the first aid kit. There is so much that he wants to say to him, that he needs to tell him, but he has no idea of where to start. Should he begin by asking Ianto if he’s all right? Or would that just sound stupid? How could Ianto be okay after being drugged, kidnapped and hurt? Maybe starting with an apology would be better, but if he does start with an apology what should he apologise for first? There’s so much to choose from.
Ianto holds out his hand expectantly, waiting for Jack to hand him the antiseptic and leave him to get on with it.
“Let me.” It saddens Jack that Ianto thinks that he cares so little for his well being. He squeezes some of the gel out onto his fingers, deciding to let actions speak louder than words.
Ianto looks like he might refuse for a moment, then wincing slightly as the material has stuck to the cut, he pushes the neck of his tee shirt down just far enough for Jack to see.
The cut is shallow, little more than a nasty scratch and it has already stopped bleeding as Jack starts to apply the gel that he knows will help it heal quickly and scar free. He’s trying to be as gentle as he can, but his coordination is still a little shot from the events of earlier that evening and Ianto gives a small hiss of pain as Jack smoothes on the gel with a little more force than he intended.
“Sorry. You okay?” The last thing that Jack wants to do is cause Ianto any more pain.
Ianto nods wearily and pulls the neck of his tee shirt back up to cover the cut as soon as Jack has finished. “I’ve had worse.”
“That’s not the point.” Jack says gently. He remembers Ianto moving stiffly around the Hub in the days following the incident at Brynblaidd, refusing any help, and but especially his. The sight of Ianto, who had sometimes almost been in tears from the pain, yet still desperately trying to hide it and get on with his job isn't something he ever wants to witness again.
“I’m all right, sir, really.” He smiles, although there is no pretense that the smile and the lightness of his tone it is anything other than forced. “Although the knowledge that somewhere they make suits that hideous as his may have caused untold mental damage.”
Jack is still trying to think of some witty retort that will hopefully get Ianto talking, rather than joking and pretending that he’s fine with everything that has happened tonight, when there’s a rumbling sound and the ship shudders violently.
Off balance, Jack is thrown against Ianto, who wraps his arms around him, holding him close.
“What’s happening?” Ianto sounds fearful, his grip on Jack tightening as the ship shakes again.
“The engines are powering up.” Jack looks round to where Jubel is sitting at the controls.
Ianto releases his grip on Jack and steps back, allowing Jack to storm over to Jubel, his expression furious. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m starting her up, we’re going to have to leave right now if we want to make Aphelion by tomorrow.” Jubel continues powering up the engines, the operating lights on the control console flashing briefly before becoming a steady green glow.
“No, you’re not. Ianto is going home before we go anywhere. I am not dragging him into this.”
Ianto catches hold of Jack’s arm. “I’ve already been dragged into this.” He turns to Jubel. “Do we definitely need to leave right now to get there on time?”
“Yes.”
“Really?” Jack sounds sceptical, “Because I think we could make up an hour or so easily enough. That would be enough time for me to take Ianto home, make sure he’s safe.”
“I’ll be running her flat out to get there on time as it is, Jack. Please, I’m not trying to trick you. You know what the top speed on these things are, you know I’m not lying.” Jubel looks afraid that Jack might stop him, but continues with the pre take off checks anyway.
Jack runs a hand through his hair. He still thinks that a ship like this should be able to get there in less time than Jubel is suggesting. However that’s based on the ship being in good condition, but this ship isn’t in anything like good condition, so Jubel is probably correct. It doesn’t make him feel any better about further involving Ianto in the whole situation.
Jack feels Ianto’s hand on his arm again. “I know you don’t want me with you, sir, but what if the delay caused by taking me home cost Jubel his daughter? I don’t want that on my conscience.”
“Are you sure?” Jack has to stop himself from telling Ianto that the only reason he doesn’t want Ianto to come with them is because he’s scared that Ianto could get hurt. Jack knows that Ianto would take offence at the idea that he was trying to protect him, considering the same as being told that he couldn’t look after himself, something that Jack knows couldn’t be further from the truth.
Ianto hesitates, biting his lip for a moment before replying. “I would be lying if I said that the idea of going into space isn’t little bit terrifying, but this may be the only chance I ever get to do something like this. So, yes, I’m sure.”
“Alright.” Jack tries not to let all the misgivings he has about this whole situation show in his expression. “You can come with us.”
The noise of the engines has continued to grow louder as the ship powers up for take off and Ianto gives Jack a concerned look. “Is it supposed to be this loud?”
“She always sounds like this, it’s nothing to worry about,” Jubel says as he flicks a couple more switches and the ship starts to shake even more. “She’ll be fine once she breaks atmosphere, but until then you might want to hang onto something, it can get a bit bumpy.”
Jack indicates the only spare chair with a nod of his head. “Go on, sit down.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine, I’ve done this more times than you’ve made coffee.”
Ianto gives Jack a slightly puzzled look as he sits down, but doesn’t question what he means.
Standing behind Ianto, Jack holds onto the rail that runs at the back of the chairs. He can see Ianto gripping the arm of his seat tighter as the ship finally becomes airborne, his expression equal parts wonder at the view of Cardiff spread out beneath them and fear that in a few minutes he will be leaving the Earth behind.
The noise of the engines fades as they gain altitude and the effects of gravity on the ship lessen.
Letting go of the rail, Jack leans forward and put a hand on Ianto’s shoulder. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
The ship chooses that moment to give one last violent lurch and Jack is thrown first forwards, colliding painfully with the rail, and then back as he loses his footing and ends up lying on the floor
Winded, Jack lays there trying to summon the energy to get up. Cold, sore and tired, he wonders if Jubel would mind if he just went to sleep on the floor for a while.
“You okay back there?” Jubel calls out, without looking back.
“Yeah.”
“Not so bad? I think you may have spoken to soon.” Ianto sounds slightly amused as he gets up from his seat and holds out a hand to Jack.
Accepting Ianto’s help Jack stands. The rapid transition from horizontal to vertical is dizzying and he sways slightly on his feet until Ianto steadies him, wrapping an arm around his waist.
“Are you alright?” Ianto sounds concerned.
“Yeah, just tired, it’s been a long day.” He doesn’t want to lean on Ianto, it hardly seems fair, but telling him he doesn’t want any help not only sounds ungrateful, something which isn't remotely true, it’s also inadvisable, as if he does let go of him Jack’s not entirely sure that he’s going to manage to stay on his feet.
Jack knows that there is nothing wrong with him that a couple of hours rest won’t cure. Just one of the fringe benefits of immortality, he thinks a little giddily. Today is one of the days where he's been glad of it, because he hates to think of how the situation would have panned out had he wasn’t, of what would have happened to Ianto if he hadn’t been there.
“If you’re tired there’s a cabin in the back that you can use. It’s a bit small, but there a bed and somewhere you can get washed up.” Jubel starts inputting the coordinated for Aphelion. “If you want something to eat there’s probably something in the galley.”
“Thanks.” Jack watches Jubel long enough to be sure that the coordinates are correct before letting Ianto help him to the cabin.
Part eight