Another Life by a_silver_story | Part 15
Title: Another Life
Chapter: 15 | ??
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones
Author: a_silver_story
Genre Alternate Universe, Romance
Rating: NC-17 just to be safe.
Warnings: A bit of angst, and some tentacles and d/c in the future.
Disclaimer: If I owned anything in this, I'd be a rich rich rich bitch. However, I am not a rich rich rich bitch so you may all, therefore, assume I own nothing. Which I don't. It all belongs RTD and the BBC, in case any of you didn't know.
Summary: Ianto finds himself heartbroken and alone, but eventually learns that no matter what point in Captain Jack Harkness' life he finds himself, they will always fall in love.
Torchwood Index/Masterlist
First Part
Another Life
Another Life XV
It had drained nearly thirty years of the Doctor's life to keep Ianto on the brink of death and hold him there, and Jack couldn't even begin to voice his gratitude. He clutched Ianto's hand as he lay on the gurney, resting his head on his chest to listen for a heartbeat.
"Jack - step back a bit," the Doctor's voice called. "Let him breathe."
Jack waited for a couple more thuds before doing as he was told. He was eventually forced to let go of the hand for a few minutes, too, as the nurses moved Ianto from the gurney to the hospital bed he'd previously occupied. They worked quickly, setting the machines to do their work and monitor him in his unconscious state, before bustling out to check on him remotely and leave Jack and the Doctor to watch over him as he slept.
"Doctor ... I ...."
"Don't mention it," the Doctor told him, expression serious.
"I don't know what I'd have done ... I mean ... if you hadn't been so close ...."
"I know, I know."
Jack bit his lip, watching the air as it filled Ianto's lungs and made his chest rise a little, before being pushed out and letting it fall. "What do you think he'd been doing?" he asked. "Why's he covered in soil? Where's his tie?"
"I have honestly no idea," sighed the Doctor. "He'll tell us when he wakes up. I'm sure."
"When will he wake up?"
The Doctor shrugged. "When the sedatives from surgery wear off? A couple of hours?"
There was a knock on the doorframe. "Excuse me? Mr. Jones needs his bed bath," a nurse informed them politely.
"I'll do it," Jack said firmly, getting to his feet.
"Let him do it," the Doctor sighed. "It'll be best all 'round. Trust me."
"Are you a Doctor?"
"I'm The Doctor," he smiled, before turning back to Jack and listening to her heels click away down the corridor. "Now - I'm going to hop back to the TARDIS and see if I can have a quick shufti through recent CCTV."
"The CCTV shuts down as he crawls up the stairs. We all saw it," Jack muttered darkly.
"Because it shuts down, we know this was a preconceived attack. So someone knew what he'd been doing and ... well. Didn't like it? I can search through your funny little systems a lot faster than those detectives upstairs can," the Doctor sniffed.
He gave Jack a tight hug before leaving him to undress Ianto and bathe him.
The Captain was careful, first washing the blood off his own hands before folding each of Ianto's garments almost obsessively, treating each of his limbs like they were made of glass. The heart monitor beeped reassuringly beside the bed as he began sponging down Ianto's face, ears and neck, washing away the soil and grime and revealing the soft, pale skin underneath. He moved onto his torso next, clammy with cold sweat and a neat, red line just below his heart where the blade had pierced through. Jack stared at it a moment, remembering the horror and the panic, finding Ianto lying there, sprawled out in his own blood.
If it hadn't been for the Doctor, he wouldn't be alive now.
Carefully, Jack washed the rest of him, caressing each inch of skin as it was cleaned before slipping on the pyjama bottoms the nurse had left with the bathing things. Finally, he tucked him back in and slumped back into the chair by the bed. He put his head in his hands, blocking out everything except the sound of Ianto's gentle breathing and the heart monitor beeping steadily.
He remained like that for an hour, unmoving, waiting patiently until the nurse returned to take the bathing things and change the IV. There was more colour in Ianto's cheeks now, thanks to the emergency blood transfusion, and the surgeons had assured him the wound was sharp and clean - nothing a laser hadn't been able to close up. They were baffled how Ianto could possibly still be alive, but both Jack and the Doctor kept quiet.
Thundering footsteps distracted Jack as they ran down the hallway, and a moment later Rhys appeared in the doorway, an hysterical Giacomo wearing pyjamas in his arms. Little Jack screamed louder when he saw Ianto, squirming and wriggling out of Rhys' grip and only just being stopped flinging himself onto the bed by the Captain reaching out to grab him.
"Just his hand," Jack told him softly. "Hold his hand - you don't want him to hurt worse."
Giacomo wailed incoherently, squeezing Ianto's fingers as he stood by the bed, refusing to let Rhys or Jack touch him.
"What happened?" asked Rhys.
"Stabbed from behind," Jack informed him quietly. "The CCTV cuts out, so we don't know who did it just yet. The Doctor reckons that it was a preconceived attack since they were prepared so ... We just have to hope Ianto saw them. Otherwise it'll be a full-scale investigation, and they can't find anything odd on the forensics yet."
Rhys sank down to the floor. "They'll catch them, won't they?"
"They better hope so ... 'cause if I catch them first ...."
"You have to kill them."
Jack and Rhys turned their gaze sharply to Giacomo.
"You have to kill them," the little boy repeated, his teeth gritted through his tears. "They deserve to die."
Rhys cleared his throat. "That's not our decision to make, Jack."
"They tried to make it for Ianto!" he snapped, turning around and glaring at Rhys, daring him to argue with his reasoning.
"Giacomo!" Jack called sharply. "Don't talk to Rhys like that. You're a baby. He's an adult."
Giacomo burst into tears again, reaching up to Jack and locking his arms around his neck, allowing himself to be pulled into his lap and burying his head in his neck. Rhys gave him a very pointed look.
"Oh ... and ... you can't talk about killing people, either."
"I-I ju-just wuh-want Yan-Ianto back!"
"Killing other people doesn't bring the ones we love back," Jack sighed. "But at least Ianto will wake up soon. He's only sleeping - you can hear his heart monitor beeping, and you can see his chest rise and fall as he breathes. See?"
Little Jack sniffed, turning to watch Ianto's chest moving up and down. "Can we wake him up now?"
"No, not yet. The doctors gave him medicine to make him sleep while his body heals up again. They used a laser on him, Jack. Isn't that cool?"
Rhys gave a hollow laugh, his face still pale and drawn. Jack narrowed his eyes at him.
"What colour was the laser?" asked Giacomo.
"Green."
"What do green lasers do?"
"They fasten you back up when you've been badly hurt."
They were distracted as Ianto moaned softly, and Rhys was on his feet, leaning over him with Jack and Giacomo. Giacomo scrambled to climb up onto the bed, and before Jack or Rhys realised what he was doing, began pulling at Ianto's chest hair.
"Ow ..." Ianto whimpered, drug-addled.
"Stop that!" Rhys chastised, taking hold hold of his wrists and standing behind him, cuddling him a little. The three watched, tense, waiting to see if Ianto would wake.
Impatient, Giacomo brought his ice-cold feet up and pressed them to Ianto's collar bone.
His eyes flew open and he yelped, shoving the cold extremities off him and cursing as cleanly as he could, if not weak and hoarsely. His eyes travelled around the room, and he groaned loudly. "That bitch with the notepad hasn't impounded me again, hasn't she?"
Giacomo was squealing and clapping, pulling the covers to climb underneath.
"Woahh ... easy ... ow!" Ianto hissed, his hand flying to the wound on his chest. He stared at it a second, and the room seemed to freeze as everything came back to him. Giacomo secured arms around his waist as he sat up stiffly, and Ianto held him tight, stroking his hair and resting his chin on his head.
He raised his eyes to the Captain and Rhys.
The Captain swallowed. "Who was it?" he asked, his eyes big and pleading, though there was anger hidden there as well.
Ianto bit his lip, sniffing as the backs of his eyes prickled. "I thought I'd never see you again ...." he breathed. "The worst thing was ... was ... I was okay with it. If I'd have gone then ... I thought I was going to ... but ... there was so much blood. It was all around-"
Giacomo let out a whimper, and Ianto seemed to remember where he was, and he squeezed him tighter, sitting cross-legged so that Little Jack could snuggle closer. "Safe now," Giacomo told him firmly. "You're safe now. I've got you."
Ianto cuddled him tighter still, tears tracking down his cheeks as Rhys and the Captain moved to sit either side of him. Jack's arm wound tightly around his shoulders, and Ianto leaned into the embrace as Rhys disentangled Giacomo from his arms. The Captain kissed him, gently, and Ianto kissed back, scarcely believing he was alive. He could tell from the kiss that Jack was just as shocked and relieved.
The Captain pulled away. "Who was it?"
Ianto snaked arms around his middle, holding himself close. He swallowed, took a deep breath and looked Jack in the eye and said:
"I was attacked from behind. I didn't see them."
~*~*~*~
"So ... let's go through it again. After the tunnels," began the Inspector. "you ran up the stairs. You get to the top, stop to catch your breath, hear a noise on the stairs, turn around and the attacker came up behind you. You remember hearing footsteps moving away, but were in too much shock to determine what type of shoe, how heavy-footed or what direction they may have retreated in?"
Ianto nodded. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "That's all I can remember."
The Inspector sighed, and turned to Jack. "You say the stairs are the only entrance and exit to that upper corridor?"
"Yep," he sighed.
"Then, Captain Jack Harkness, I shall have to arrest you on suspicion of the attempted murder of Mr. Ianto Jone-"
"No!" Ianto said, standing up and cutting him off. "It can't have been Jack! I'd have smelt if it was him. I remember, when he came ... and I was lying there ... I could smell him then ...."
"'Smelling him' isn't enough for us to go off. He was the only person on that corridor."
"Not necessarily," the Doctor cut in. "Teleportation devices? Have you thought to check for teleportation signatures in the immediate vicinity?"
The Inspector shuffled. "We're doing that, aren't we Gibbs?" he asked his constable. The Constable nodded, thinking he was being discreet by instantly pulling out a palm computer and sending a quick message.
Ianto rolled his eyes. "It wasn't Jack," he repeated. "Why would I protect him if it was?"
"Nevertheless, he is now our prime suspect, should nothing come up on the teleportation scans."
Ianto moved slightly, standing in between the Inspector and the Captain.
The Constable's palm beeped, and he tapped a few things. "Sir? There's no teleportation signatures - but there is an odd residual energy associated with time travel lingering in one of the office rooms. Forensics are running it through all known types now, and -" The handheld beeped again. "- we have a result. A Vortex Manipulator. We can even tell who it-"
"John Hart!" barked Jack. "If it belonged to John Hart ...."
"That doesn't match the name registered, but -"
"Time Agents change their names all the time. Let me se - JOHN HART!" he practically yelled at the LCD screen. "I'm going to find him ... and when I do ...."
"Jack!" Ianto snapped. "Wait! Don't do anything ... stupid."
"He stabbed you!"
"You're jumping to conclusions! He comes to visit you every now and then, you said!"
Jack narrowed his eyes, then relaxed a little. "Usually about this time of year, if he does," he admitted. "But ... helluva coincidence. And why hasn't he made his presence known?"
"We've found him!" the Constable declared. "Should I have him brought to this room for identification?"
The Inspector nodded, and fifteen very tense minutes later the sound of a very disgruntled John Hart being dragged down a corridor and shoved onwards met their ears.
"Heyyyyy Eye-Candy!" he grinned, seeing Ianto. He looked only a little older than when Ianto had last seen him. "He found you. Good ... good ...."
Jack raised an eyebrow at 'Eye-Candy', but said nothing of it. "Why the hell are you here, Hart?" he glared.
"I was just visiting, seeing the sights. As usual."
"And?"
The Inspector cleared his throat. "I'd appreciate it if we could take Mr. Hart to an interview room -"
"Captain," Hart insisted. "Captain John Hart. And what do you need to interview me for? Hotties Weekly? Bikini Cops? ... Captain Jack's Back Log?"
"For the attempted murder of Mr. Ianto Jones. Your Vortex Manipulator signature was uncomfortably close to the time and place he was found."
Hart blinked. "Forensics?" he asked. "Did you find my DNA at the scene?"
Ianto sighed. "They didn't find anyone's DNA at the scene. Well - they found mine, Jack's, Giacomo's, the Doctor's, a bit of Rhys - no one unusual. No one with a motive. And I was attacked from behind: I didn't see or hear anyone."
"I don't know half those names," shrugged Hart. "So you have no solid evidence other than a Vortex signature that wasn't actually at the scene of the crime?"
The Inspector growled. "I want a full search of the records of this School for a creature that might possibly be able to travel somewhere, touch something or move something without leaving DNA or a print! And I want this man -" He indicated Hart. "- arrested for questioning regardless."
Hart glared at them. "But I have this super-awesome tentacle alien waiting for me on floor-"
"I don't care!" hissed the Inspector as two officers began to cuff Hart. "Take him away!" he commanded them, following them out and leaving Jack and Ianto alone, sat together.
Jack checked his watch. "I put out the news that you're not dead," he said. "If we're quick, we can still make it for the registrar."
"Last night I was stabbed, suffered severe trauma and blood loss and now have to cope with possibly never finding out who did it - are you sure I have the energy to get married today?"
"Oh ... of course," Jack breathed, and Ianto squeezed his hand.
"Can you get the registrar to come down here? I'm not too keen on the idea of climbing those stairs in my weakened state."
Jack gave a small laugh. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Ianto smiled. "I'm sure Rhys and Giacomo will come down if I ring them. And Mr. Turnbull could bring our suits."
Jack was getting to his feet. "I'll ring Turnbull. You ring Rhys."
"Right," smiled Ianto, getting up to find a phone as Jack pulled out his mobile. There was one in the hall, and he scanned in his thumbprint to access it. "Rhys?"
"Ianto!" squeaked Giacomo in reply. "Daddy!"
"Jack, hiya, love. Is Rhys there? I need to talk to him and it's very important."
"One minute,"
There was a clunk as Little Jack put the phone on something solid, and he could hear muffled voices as Giacomo told Rhys to go to the phone. Eventually, there was a scraping as the receiver we lifted, and Rhys answered.
"Ianto? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah - erm ... Jack and I have decided to go ahead with the ceremony regardless. He's getting the registrar to come down now if he can, so ...."
"I'll get 'Lil Jack in his suit," Rhys assured him. "We'll be down ASAP."
"Thanks - I'll see you soon."
"See you soon."
"Byeeee."
"Byeeee ..."
They both put the receivers down, and Ianto sighed. He raised his head, his stomach suddenly tight. He and Jack were going to be married - and in a matter of minutes. He turned, just about seeing Jack pacing in the hospital room as he chatted on the phone, and suddenly felt the strongest case of Cold Feet he'd ever experienced. The urge to bolt for the exit was overwhelming.
"Mr. Jones!" barked an irritated voice, and Ianto turned to see the Inspector hurrying towards him. "What are you wandering around for? You should be in your room until we can determine whether or not the threat has passed ...."
"I'll be fine, I'm sure," sighed Ianto, allowing himself to be guided back into the room with Jack, sitting back on his bed. Jack watched the Inspector leave with a raised eyebrow, the Inspector ignoring him other than barking an order for him to make sure Ianto went nowhere without a chaperone.
"Mr. Turnbull will be here shortly, and our registrar - I think his name is George? - is coming down, too. He congratulates you on your 'alive' status, by the way. The Doctor's still in his TARDIS, but he's hurrying along."
Ianto yawned. "Good ... good. I think the drugs are wearing off," he complained, poking the exit wound and wincing.
"I'll get a nurse to give you more pain killers."
"Thanks," Ianto smiled, and sat back while he waited for someone to arrive. Jack grinned at him as he turned to leave, making his way to the nurses' station. He winked at the nurses and they giggled, and he felt a great deal of self-satisfaction as they practically fought their way towards him.
"Good morning, Captain," smiled an older one. "What might I do for you today?"
"I need you to find Mr. Jones' medical practitioner. His painkillers are wearing off, and he's feeling a great amount of discomfort," he explained, trying his best not to sound flirtatious.
"Of course, sir," grinned the nurse. "If you could return to the room to wait, and a doctor shall be with you shortly ...."
Jack couldn't help it. He gave her the Harkness Smile and watched her melt a little. Gawd it was good to be Captain Jack Harkness sometimes.
Satisfied Ianto was getting some attention, he made his way back to the room, pausing when he heard raised voices floating out from the doorway. One of them was Ianto - the other was unmistakably the Doctor.
"... no, I won't!" hissed Ianto. "I won't and you can't make me!"
"For the sake of all that is living and good, Ianto! You're making a huge mistake!"
"I've told you," Ianto replied curtly. "I am having my partnership with Jack; we're moving in together. We're bringing up Giacomo together."
"You have to tell him, Ianto!" the Doctor begged. "Before it's too late! You know it will never work!"
Jack folded his arms in the doorway. "What will never work?" he asked, flicking his eyes between them.
The Doctor cleared his throat, and Ianto gave him a very pointed look. "Nothing," the Doctor said. "Just ... chatting."
"About?"
Ianto coughed a little. "Just ... a small disagreement."
"Didn't sound small."
"Well, it is small," scowled the Doctor. "For the time being."
"Did you find a nurse?" Ianto asked, changing the subject and sitting down on the bed. The Doctor folded his arms, going to stare out of the window.
"I did," replied Jack, still staring at the Doctor and trying to read him. He shook himself, bringing himself back to the conversation at hand. "A doctor will be with us shortly to drug you up nicely before the ceremony," he joked.
Ianto smiled at the joke, but the Doctor made a non-committal grunt.
All at once, there was a bustle of activity, and a puddle of blue goo with two boxes on top of it slid into the room. Ianto stared as the goo rose and re-formed into the shape of Mr. Turnbull holding the boxes out to them with a proud smile.
Jack took them, opening the tope one and making impressed sounds.
Mr. Turnbull regarded Ianto gravely. "I heard you ... you'd been killed. I was so relieved you ...."
"Me too," smiled Ianto, and Mr. Turnbull gave a small laugh. "Do you have half an hour to spare? Do you want to stay for the ceremony?"
"Oh! That would be ... that would be lovely!" grinned Mr. Turnbull.
Jack put his arm around Ianto's shoulders. "We'd love to have you," he said with a smile.
Ianto yawned as Jack laid out their suits, and they both went into the en suite to get changed. Jack pulled his suit on quickly, Ianto helping him with the cufflinks and tie, but Ianto took more time, savouring the first and last time he would wear these clothes, and the symbolism they held. Before he had fastened up his shirt, Jack had insisted on kissing the red line left from the stab wound.
Dressed, they faced each other, Ianto in a purple toned with silver shirt, and Jack in blue. Their suits were black: Ianto's pinstriped, Jack's not.
Ianto took a deep breath, and put his head in his hands. "I'm tired," he sighed. "Where's my doctor?"
Jack smiled. "We'll wait until he comes and jabs you, then we'll get on with things - if Rhys and Little Jack are here, of course."
"And the registrar. Possibly called 'George'," Ianto reminded him. Jack laughed and nodded, and Ianto groaned. "I don't even know my own registrar's name!" he wailed as he rested his forehead on Jack's shoulder.
"It's George. I'm sure it's George."
"Mmmff," agreed Ianto.
"Ready to go out there?" asked Jack, gripping his shoulder.
"No, but you're going to drag me out anyway," grumbled Ianto, though he couldn't help but smile.
"Ladies' first," Jack indicated, holding the door open for him. Ianto glared, but put his smile back on as he went back into the bedroom.
"Daddy!" grinned Giacomo, then held his arms up to Jack, knowing Ianto couldn't carry him. "Pick me up, Dad!"
He was wearing his own little suit, fobwatch chain and all. Rhys was wearing dress trousers and a slightly unbuttoned shirt, and the Doctor was still rigid by the window. The registrar - definitely George - was chatting to Mr. Turnbull, and the doctor in his white coat was waiting by the bed to give Ianto his medication.
Five minutes later, Ianto was feeling a little numb, if not ecstatic, if not incredibly nervous, if not terrified.
He nearly laughed to himself when he realised that he'd spent his 'last night as a boy' crawling around underground, got himself stabbed and woken up from a drug-addled coma. Not bad, he decided.
Jack was putting Giacomo down, and he settled on the bed beside Rhys to watch as the registrar - who was actually 'Georgina' - called them to quiet.
She began the ceremony, and Ianto repeated after her as he was supposed to and listened as Jack spoke and repeated her, too. Ianto was a little out of sorts, and everything was happening too fast and seemed blurry as he tried to think back on it. He couldn't help grinning his way through though, and could see Jack doing the same, until -
"Stop the wedding!"
Ianto groaned. John fucking Hart.
"I wanna get a good seat!" he shrugged, appearing in the doorway. "Honestly, Jack. Can't believe you were getting married without me. Again. Watch it, Eye-Candy, coming through ...."
Hart pushed by him, and settled on the bed beside Giacomo and Rhys. Giacomo stared at up at him, and Ianto flinched when he saw the beginnings of a smidgen of hero-worship possibly developing. "You're pretty, even if you are old," Giacomo told him, and Jack and Ianto sniggered so hard, they nearly gave themselves sore throats.
John glared at him, then blinked a little. "Heyyyy - Jack, is this one yours? How old does he have to be before I can corrupt him?"
"Touch him and you'll be sorry," glared Ianto.
"Woahh, easy there, Eye-Candy. Just joking ... and who is this?" he asked with a leer in the Doctor's direction.
"I'm the Doctor," replied the Doctor with a side-smile.
"Hmm - I think I'm due a check-up. Think you might be able to fit me in?"
"Well, if you're not busy after the ceremony I'm sure I could silp-"
"Ah-HEM."
"Sorry," muttered the Doctor. "Carry on with the ... ceremony. Thing."
Georgina continued for a bit, in several languages, then asked for the rings. Giacomo hopped off the bed while Rhys blew his nose, offering the two gold bands up sheepishly.
Five minutes later, it was all over, and Ianto's left hand felt strangely heavy as he smiled for a few photographs. They pored over them for a few minutes while Jack decided which one to put in the newsletter, and Rhys cried all over them while he blew his nose again.
The nurses brought them champagne and let them go through to one of the group therapy rooms to celebrate - on the promise Ianto wouldn't touch a drop - and they all relaxed. Till came down, disappointed to have missed the ceremony itself, but much happier once she'd had some champagne and nibbles. They sat in a circle on the floor, Giacomo and Ianto watching in fascination as Jack and the rest of their guests got steadily more pissed and the circle games they were suggesting got more and more lewd.
Eventually, Rhys and Till migrated to one corner of the room, making out sloppily on a chintzy chair while the Doctor and John got similarly acquainted at the opposite side. Mr. Turnbull had turned the colour of the champagne he was drinking, and was finding it very hard to remain in a solid shape, while Jack sat pretty much on Ianto so that he didn't fall over.
"Now!" Jack clapped his hands, making everyone jump. Rhys and Till sprang apart, but the Doctor had greater difficulty getting John's lips away from his neck as a hand wound his tie in and pulled him closer. "Gifts!" Jack grinned.
Ianto felt his face fall. "Oh ... um ...."
"You're excused from gift-giving," smiled Jack. "I think we all agree it's exemplary circumstances, and you're unprepared. Just give it me tomorrow."
Ianto nodded, wondering what the hell he'd be able to get between now and tomorrow.
"My gift for Ianto," Jack declared. "Is this."
He pulled out what looked like an ornate gold tie-pin with a diamond set in it.
"Oh ... Jack ... that's ... lovely ...." Ianto forced himself to grin. He didn't wear tie-pins, but it looked like he was about to start.
"It's not just decorative!" grinned Jack. "You just pin it onto your tie and it creates a teeny tiny forcefield around all the synthetic fibres covering your body - i.e. you clothes - and it keeps them clean and pristine, like you've just put them on! And it's crease resistant."
Ianto stared at what might possibly be the best gift he'd ever received in his life. Instantly, he securely fastened it just below the knot of his tie, and grinned when he saw it change colour to match what he was wearing. The creases that weren't purposefully pressed into his sleeves disappeared, as did the crinkles in his trousers and the bottom of his waistcoat. "You should have kept it for yourself," he joked, looking at Jack's already 'more relaxed' appearance.
"My gift!" chirped Giacomo. "My gift now!"
"Go on," smiled Ianto.
"For my Dad and my Daddy:" he announced, taking a folded piece of paper out of his little suit pocket. "Look! I drawed it for you to share."
"It's drew, Giacomo," Jack corrected.
"I drew it for you to share!" grinned Little Jack, holding it out to them.
"Is that ... erm ... you and me?" Ianto asked, pointing at a big black blob and a small black blob. "And the orange and black blob ... that's the Captain?"
Giacomo nodded enthusiastically.
"The yellow and brown one is ... Till? Ohh I can see her hair! And ... and that's Rhys stood with her?"
"Yeah!" grinned Little Jack. "See! You and me and Dad, and Till and Rhys - and that's the dog."
"The dog?"
"Dad said we could get a dog!"
"Did he?" asked Ianto, turning to Jack unimpressed. Jack looked very innocently elsewhere. Ianto sighed. "We'll frame this and put it above the mantelpiece so everyone can see it."
"Especially when Rhys comes to visit?"
"When everyone comes to visit, sweetheart," Ianto assured him, Jack silent by his side.
"My turn, is it?" asked Rhys, moving things along. He gave Ianto a package and Jack a package. "Er ... probably best if Jack doesn't open his with the kid around, yeah?"
Jack and Ianto shared a smirk, wondering what Rhys had got them. It was already turning Rhys' ears pink.
Captain John shuffled forward, his hand actually tangled in the Doctor's tie this time. The Doctor was intoxicated, trying to use his sonic screwdriver to sort out the mess. Eventually, all he managed to do was cause the tie to rip and John's hand to fall more than a little suggestively into his lap.
"They told me you guys were gettin' hitched, so I gotcha summink," he slurred, handing them a business card. "Just ... go when the feeling takes ya ...." he shrugged, and returned to letting his limbs fall onto the Doctor's thighs as suggestively as he liked. Giacomo was too busy drawing in the corner to be corrupted, Ianto assessed.
"My turn?" asked the Doctor. "One minute, John!" he sighed, exasperated and disentangling himself from Captain Hart. "This is a gift for you both, but only Jack will see. Ianto - you've already experienced it."
Ianto frowned, and Jack looked just as puzzled. The Doctor raised his hands, pressing his fingers to certain parts of Jack's face and temples, and closed his eyes.
~*~
"Jones. Ianto Jones."
"Pleased to meet you, Jones Ianto Jones ...."
And he was.
It took Jack nearly a minute to realise that this was his own memory, buried deep, deep and deeper than it could be possibly ever brought up - by anyone other than a Timelord. He watched the scene play out - the forest at night, the alien attacker, that jacket and that studded belt - and fook, that was one helluvan awesome coat the Captain had on.
Everything swam yellow and gold, and eventually a picture began to reform.
A huge cavern; that looked like it was in the sewers; and technology all around, a huge silver tower and two desks. A Japanese woman was working behind one, a skinny dark-haired man behind the other. Jack blinked as he saw Ianto walking past with a tray filled with mugs, going straight into an office just out of Jack's line of sight. He hurried up to follow him and saw himself, much, much, much, much younger - before he was who he was now, before he was the Face of Boe ... before he was truly ancient - sat behind a desk, pretending to examine something that looked completely out of place for the strange office.
"Ah! Ianto!" he was saying. "Just who I wanted to see!" he grinned, getting up out of his chair and rounding the desk as Ianto set down a stripy mug.
"Good morning, sir. I brought your usual - black, no sugar."
"Naw. I'm sweet enough," beamed the Captain.
"Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"Hmm. There is one thing ...." pondered the Then Jack.
"Yes, sir?"
"Put that tray down a moment, could you?"
Ianto obeyed, and was halfway through turning to face Jack again when he found his personal space being invaded, his mouth plundered as he was pinned between the Captain and the desk. Beyond an initial, quite startled sound, he let himself melt into it, his arms snaking around the Captain tentatively and holding him tight.
Finally they broke apart, and the Then Jack stepped back. "Hmm. I think that was all," he grinned cheekily.
Ianto didn't even look that ruffled. "Very good, sir. If you need me to help you with that again, or perhaps even develop further, do give me a shout," he replied politely and professionally. "In the mean time - perhaps you might get some paperwork done?"
Then Jack mock-gasped. "Never!"
"I thought not," smiled Ianto, picking up his tray. "Good morning, sir!" he called back as he headed to the desk the skinny man was typing at and setting down a mug to a grateful 'Cheers!' as the memory swirled yellow and gold again.
He was in a bedroom this time, and he and Ianto were lying on the bed, naked under the covers and laughing.
"Honestly, you're such a liar!" Ianto was saying through his laughter.
"Am not!" whined the Captain, sticking his tongue out.
"There's no such thing as Father Christmas, and you have not met him!"
"Have too!"
"Not!"
"Too! And you were on the Nice List - I checked."
"I was?"
"Yeah ..."
"... and what are you going to do about that?" Ianto asked with a sly grin as Jack pulled him in close.
"I'm going to report back to him, and tell him what a bad, bad, bad man you are ...."
"Does this mean I don't get the remote control vibrating anal beads I asked for?" Ianto pouted. "Jack? Jack? Jack?" He turned to look at Jack, and tutted and sighed. He'd fallen asleep.
The yellow glowed and swirled, and he was in the same room again. It was summer - he could tell from the warm glow that permeated the curtains - and Ianto was asleep while Jack watched over him. Jack watched the memory for a while, wishing he could reach out and touch, before the yellow insisted on glowing and whisking him away.
The next memory felt different, and he could instantly see it. Ianto was sat on his own on the couch in that cavern, the word 'Torchwood' written above his head on the tiles. He vaguely remembered Ianto mentioning that word a few times ....
He stopped thinking when he saw that Ianto was crying, and tried to reach out and touch him, finding hid hand sliding through his shoulder. There were footsteps from the office, and Then Jack appeared, looking concerned. "Ianto?"
Ianto jumped, startled, and touched his face as if he only just realising he was crying. "Oh! Jack! ... I ... it's nothing ... I ... I just ...."
Then Jack wandered over, sitting next to him and putting an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in for a hug. "It's alright. Just let it all out," he murmured, kissing Ianto's head. "It doesn't matter that it's been two years. You're allowed to miss her, Ianto ...."
"That's not it ..." sniffed Ianto. "I'm ... I'm upset because ..." He choked back a few more sobs. "It's because I ... I can't forgive myself for ... for what I ... for betraying you!"
Then Jack curled a finger under his chin and lifted his head until their eyes met. "I forgive you, though. I forgave you all that time ago, and every day since."
Ianto sniffed.
"I understand, Ianto," Jack smiled, and he leant forward and they kissed, slowly, and Jack caressed Ianto's neck and face before moving his lips down to Ianto's jawline and just above his collar. "Make love to me, Ianto ...." he'd murmured.
The colours swirled again.
~*~
Landing back in the present was like a smack on the head.
"We're too drunk ...." complained the Doctor. "I'll show you more when I'm not hungover ...."
Ianto was watching them. "More what?"
"Well, the brain never forgets anything - well, Jack's has, but a lot of stuff is still there. I was showing him you, in Cardiff," beamed the Doctor dopily, swaying on the spot now that his Serious Sober Time was up and John was begging for more attention. He soon got it, and Jack pulled himself closer to Ianto.
"You," he decreed. "Have to call me 'sir' more often."
"I call you 'sir' in public."
"I want you to call me 'sir' in bed?"
"Why?" asked Giacomo, and Jack giggled as Ianto looked vaguely horrified.
"Erm ... doesn't matter. Grown up stuff, love. Let me see what you've been drawing ...."
"That's Rhys, and that's Till and that's the Doctor and that's Captain Hart ...."
Ianto narrowed his eyes at the drawing. "It just looks like two bloh - are they kissing?" he asked.
Giacomo nodded. "With tongues!"
"Right - you and I are off to bed!" he decided, standing up and scooping Giacomo up with him. He hissed as pain shot through his shoulder and chest, and set him down slowly. "My wound ...." he explained distantly, then held out his hand. "C'mon."
"Hey!" Jack complained, getting up. "It's ... it's our wedding night ...."
"I'm tired, Jack," sighed Ianto.
"I'll ... I'll put you both to bed. My house?" he offered.
Ianto yawned and shook his head. "I have to stay here tonight."
"I could ask a nurse to set up another bed in your room and that'll make enough room for the three of us."
Ianto nodded. "Okay," he smiled. "I'll get myself and Giacomo ready while you do that."
They parted ways in the corridor and Ianto lead Little Jack by the hand to the hospital room. Ianto shuddered as he entered it. He was starting to hate this room. "C'mon, let's brush your teeth," he sighed, guiding Jack into the en suite and getting a disposable toothbrush from the little basket.
He went through the routine, getting his teeth brushed and Ianto's pyjama top on, and Giacomo sat patiently on the countertop while Ianto got changed himself. While Ianto brushed his own teeth, Giacomo started asking questions.
"Daddy?"
"Mmf?"
"Why do adults kiss and kids not?"
Ianto spat his toothpaste into the sink. "Erm ... because they do. Because they like each other."
"But kids don't kiss like that, even if they like each other?"
"I ... erm ... no. Because you're not old enough."
"Why aren't I old enough?"
"You're too young to understand about it, love. Wait a couple more years, okay?"
"Abbie says it's to do with sex."
Ianto spat his water into the sink. "Did she?" he asked weakly.
"She says that's how babies are made. Is it?"
"Erm ... ah ... sometimes?"
"How come sometimes?"
"Eh ... uh ... because ... erm ... it doesn't always ... erm ... work? Let's not talk about this now, shall we? I think it's time we went to bed."
"Mm. Okay," yawned Giacomo, and Ianto carefully lifted him down. They waited while the orderlies set up a temporary bed and pushed it together with the one already there, and climbed in to wait for Jack. He eventually staggered in as they were making shadow puppets on the wall, and drunkenly undressed himself and crawled into bed. He spooned into Ianto's back as Giacomo snuggled into Ianto's front, and he leant over to kiss them both on the head, lacking a little in coordination.
"Nah night," he mumbled. "Love you both, very, very muhhhh ...."
He passed out, and Ianto and Giacomo laughed a little at his timing. Ianto silently prayed Giacomo wouldn't ask anymore awkward questions, and found it a blessed relief when he felt the little boy's chest rising and falling. He felt his eyes close, disturbed only when he heard a slight kerfuffle outside, cracking an eye open to find John and the Doctor lip-locked in the corridor, John pinned to the wall by an apparently very horny and well-endowed Timelord.
He was vaguely aware later on of Rhys and Till coming to check on them, feeling lips pressed to his temple that he assumed was actually Rhys rather than Till. He could hear them muttering about finding a container to put the passed-out and puddled Mr. Turnbull in before they left the room, and finally Ianto slipped into a peaceful, dreamless and blissful sleep.
Not what he had really imagined for his wedding night, if he was honest, but perfect nonetheless.
RTD? Who's RTD? XD
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Chapter: 15 | ??
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones
Author: a_silver_story
Genre Alternate Universe, Romance
Rating: NC-17 just to be safe.
Warnings: A bit of angst, and some tentacles and d/c in the future.
Disclaimer: If I owned anything in this, I'd be a rich rich rich bitch. However, I am not a rich rich rich bitch so you may all, therefore, assume I own nothing. Which I don't. It all belongs RTD and the BBC, in case any of you didn't know.
Summary: Ianto finds himself heartbroken and alone, but eventually learns that no matter what point in Captain Jack Harkness' life he finds himself, they will always fall in love.
Torchwood Index/Masterlist
First Part
Another Life
Another Life XV
It had drained nearly thirty years of the Doctor's life to keep Ianto on the brink of death and hold him there, and Jack couldn't even begin to voice his gratitude. He clutched Ianto's hand as he lay on the gurney, resting his head on his chest to listen for a heartbeat.
"Jack - step back a bit," the Doctor's voice called. "Let him breathe."
Jack waited for a couple more thuds before doing as he was told. He was eventually forced to let go of the hand for a few minutes, too, as the nurses moved Ianto from the gurney to the hospital bed he'd previously occupied. They worked quickly, setting the machines to do their work and monitor him in his unconscious state, before bustling out to check on him remotely and leave Jack and the Doctor to watch over him as he slept.
"Doctor ... I ...."
"Don't mention it," the Doctor told him, expression serious.
"I don't know what I'd have done ... I mean ... if you hadn't been so close ...."
"I know, I know."
Jack bit his lip, watching the air as it filled Ianto's lungs and made his chest rise a little, before being pushed out and letting it fall. "What do you think he'd been doing?" he asked. "Why's he covered in soil? Where's his tie?"
"I have honestly no idea," sighed the Doctor. "He'll tell us when he wakes up. I'm sure."
"When will he wake up?"
The Doctor shrugged. "When the sedatives from surgery wear off? A couple of hours?"
There was a knock on the doorframe. "Excuse me? Mr. Jones needs his bed bath," a nurse informed them politely.
"I'll do it," Jack said firmly, getting to his feet.
"Let him do it," the Doctor sighed. "It'll be best all 'round. Trust me."
"Are you a Doctor?"
"I'm The Doctor," he smiled, before turning back to Jack and listening to her heels click away down the corridor. "Now - I'm going to hop back to the TARDIS and see if I can have a quick shufti through recent CCTV."
"The CCTV shuts down as he crawls up the stairs. We all saw it," Jack muttered darkly.
"Because it shuts down, we know this was a preconceived attack. So someone knew what he'd been doing and ... well. Didn't like it? I can search through your funny little systems a lot faster than those detectives upstairs can," the Doctor sniffed.
He gave Jack a tight hug before leaving him to undress Ianto and bathe him.
The Captain was careful, first washing the blood off his own hands before folding each of Ianto's garments almost obsessively, treating each of his limbs like they were made of glass. The heart monitor beeped reassuringly beside the bed as he began sponging down Ianto's face, ears and neck, washing away the soil and grime and revealing the soft, pale skin underneath. He moved onto his torso next, clammy with cold sweat and a neat, red line just below his heart where the blade had pierced through. Jack stared at it a moment, remembering the horror and the panic, finding Ianto lying there, sprawled out in his own blood.
If it hadn't been for the Doctor, he wouldn't be alive now.
Carefully, Jack washed the rest of him, caressing each inch of skin as it was cleaned before slipping on the pyjama bottoms the nurse had left with the bathing things. Finally, he tucked him back in and slumped back into the chair by the bed. He put his head in his hands, blocking out everything except the sound of Ianto's gentle breathing and the heart monitor beeping steadily.
He remained like that for an hour, unmoving, waiting patiently until the nurse returned to take the bathing things and change the IV. There was more colour in Ianto's cheeks now, thanks to the emergency blood transfusion, and the surgeons had assured him the wound was sharp and clean - nothing a laser hadn't been able to close up. They were baffled how Ianto could possibly still be alive, but both Jack and the Doctor kept quiet.
Thundering footsteps distracted Jack as they ran down the hallway, and a moment later Rhys appeared in the doorway, an hysterical Giacomo wearing pyjamas in his arms. Little Jack screamed louder when he saw Ianto, squirming and wriggling out of Rhys' grip and only just being stopped flinging himself onto the bed by the Captain reaching out to grab him.
"Just his hand," Jack told him softly. "Hold his hand - you don't want him to hurt worse."
Giacomo wailed incoherently, squeezing Ianto's fingers as he stood by the bed, refusing to let Rhys or Jack touch him.
"What happened?" asked Rhys.
"Stabbed from behind," Jack informed him quietly. "The CCTV cuts out, so we don't know who did it just yet. The Doctor reckons that it was a preconceived attack since they were prepared so ... We just have to hope Ianto saw them. Otherwise it'll be a full-scale investigation, and they can't find anything odd on the forensics yet."
Rhys sank down to the floor. "They'll catch them, won't they?"
"They better hope so ... 'cause if I catch them first ...."
"You have to kill them."
Jack and Rhys turned their gaze sharply to Giacomo.
"You have to kill them," the little boy repeated, his teeth gritted through his tears. "They deserve to die."
Rhys cleared his throat. "That's not our decision to make, Jack."
"They tried to make it for Ianto!" he snapped, turning around and glaring at Rhys, daring him to argue with his reasoning.
"Giacomo!" Jack called sharply. "Don't talk to Rhys like that. You're a baby. He's an adult."
Giacomo burst into tears again, reaching up to Jack and locking his arms around his neck, allowing himself to be pulled into his lap and burying his head in his neck. Rhys gave him a very pointed look.
"Oh ... and ... you can't talk about killing people, either."
"I-I ju-just wuh-want Yan-Ianto back!"
"Killing other people doesn't bring the ones we love back," Jack sighed. "But at least Ianto will wake up soon. He's only sleeping - you can hear his heart monitor beeping, and you can see his chest rise and fall as he breathes. See?"
Little Jack sniffed, turning to watch Ianto's chest moving up and down. "Can we wake him up now?"
"No, not yet. The doctors gave him medicine to make him sleep while his body heals up again. They used a laser on him, Jack. Isn't that cool?"
Rhys gave a hollow laugh, his face still pale and drawn. Jack narrowed his eyes at him.
"What colour was the laser?" asked Giacomo.
"Green."
"What do green lasers do?"
"They fasten you back up when you've been badly hurt."
They were distracted as Ianto moaned softly, and Rhys was on his feet, leaning over him with Jack and Giacomo. Giacomo scrambled to climb up onto the bed, and before Jack or Rhys realised what he was doing, began pulling at Ianto's chest hair.
"Ow ..." Ianto whimpered, drug-addled.
"Stop that!" Rhys chastised, taking hold hold of his wrists and standing behind him, cuddling him a little. The three watched, tense, waiting to see if Ianto would wake.
Impatient, Giacomo brought his ice-cold feet up and pressed them to Ianto's collar bone.
His eyes flew open and he yelped, shoving the cold extremities off him and cursing as cleanly as he could, if not weak and hoarsely. His eyes travelled around the room, and he groaned loudly. "That bitch with the notepad hasn't impounded me again, hasn't she?"
Giacomo was squealing and clapping, pulling the covers to climb underneath.
"Woahh ... easy ... ow!" Ianto hissed, his hand flying to the wound on his chest. He stared at it a second, and the room seemed to freeze as everything came back to him. Giacomo secured arms around his waist as he sat up stiffly, and Ianto held him tight, stroking his hair and resting his chin on his head.
He raised his eyes to the Captain and Rhys.
The Captain swallowed. "Who was it?" he asked, his eyes big and pleading, though there was anger hidden there as well.
Ianto bit his lip, sniffing as the backs of his eyes prickled. "I thought I'd never see you again ...." he breathed. "The worst thing was ... was ... I was okay with it. If I'd have gone then ... I thought I was going to ... but ... there was so much blood. It was all around-"
Giacomo let out a whimper, and Ianto seemed to remember where he was, and he squeezed him tighter, sitting cross-legged so that Little Jack could snuggle closer. "Safe now," Giacomo told him firmly. "You're safe now. I've got you."
Ianto cuddled him tighter still, tears tracking down his cheeks as Rhys and the Captain moved to sit either side of him. Jack's arm wound tightly around his shoulders, and Ianto leaned into the embrace as Rhys disentangled Giacomo from his arms. The Captain kissed him, gently, and Ianto kissed back, scarcely believing he was alive. He could tell from the kiss that Jack was just as shocked and relieved.
The Captain pulled away. "Who was it?"
Ianto snaked arms around his middle, holding himself close. He swallowed, took a deep breath and looked Jack in the eye and said:
"I was attacked from behind. I didn't see them."
~*~*~*~
"So ... let's go through it again. After the tunnels," began the Inspector. "you ran up the stairs. You get to the top, stop to catch your breath, hear a noise on the stairs, turn around and the attacker came up behind you. You remember hearing footsteps moving away, but were in too much shock to determine what type of shoe, how heavy-footed or what direction they may have retreated in?"
Ianto nodded. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "That's all I can remember."
The Inspector sighed, and turned to Jack. "You say the stairs are the only entrance and exit to that upper corridor?"
"Yep," he sighed.
"Then, Captain Jack Harkness, I shall have to arrest you on suspicion of the attempted murder of Mr. Ianto Jone-"
"No!" Ianto said, standing up and cutting him off. "It can't have been Jack! I'd have smelt if it was him. I remember, when he came ... and I was lying there ... I could smell him then ...."
"'Smelling him' isn't enough for us to go off. He was the only person on that corridor."
"Not necessarily," the Doctor cut in. "Teleportation devices? Have you thought to check for teleportation signatures in the immediate vicinity?"
The Inspector shuffled. "We're doing that, aren't we Gibbs?" he asked his constable. The Constable nodded, thinking he was being discreet by instantly pulling out a palm computer and sending a quick message.
Ianto rolled his eyes. "It wasn't Jack," he repeated. "Why would I protect him if it was?"
"Nevertheless, he is now our prime suspect, should nothing come up on the teleportation scans."
Ianto moved slightly, standing in between the Inspector and the Captain.
The Constable's palm beeped, and he tapped a few things. "Sir? There's no teleportation signatures - but there is an odd residual energy associated with time travel lingering in one of the office rooms. Forensics are running it through all known types now, and -" The handheld beeped again. "- we have a result. A Vortex Manipulator. We can even tell who it-"
"John Hart!" barked Jack. "If it belonged to John Hart ...."
"That doesn't match the name registered, but -"
"Time Agents change their names all the time. Let me se - JOHN HART!" he practically yelled at the LCD screen. "I'm going to find him ... and when I do ...."
"Jack!" Ianto snapped. "Wait! Don't do anything ... stupid."
"He stabbed you!"
"You're jumping to conclusions! He comes to visit you every now and then, you said!"
Jack narrowed his eyes, then relaxed a little. "Usually about this time of year, if he does," he admitted. "But ... helluva coincidence. And why hasn't he made his presence known?"
"We've found him!" the Constable declared. "Should I have him brought to this room for identification?"
The Inspector nodded, and fifteen very tense minutes later the sound of a very disgruntled John Hart being dragged down a corridor and shoved onwards met their ears.
"Heyyyyy Eye-Candy!" he grinned, seeing Ianto. He looked only a little older than when Ianto had last seen him. "He found you. Good ... good ...."
Jack raised an eyebrow at 'Eye-Candy', but said nothing of it. "Why the hell are you here, Hart?" he glared.
"I was just visiting, seeing the sights. As usual."
"And?"
The Inspector cleared his throat. "I'd appreciate it if we could take Mr. Hart to an interview room -"
"Captain," Hart insisted. "Captain John Hart. And what do you need to interview me for? Hotties Weekly? Bikini Cops? ... Captain Jack's Back Log?"
"For the attempted murder of Mr. Ianto Jones. Your Vortex Manipulator signature was uncomfortably close to the time and place he was found."
Hart blinked. "Forensics?" he asked. "Did you find my DNA at the scene?"
Ianto sighed. "They didn't find anyone's DNA at the scene. Well - they found mine, Jack's, Giacomo's, the Doctor's, a bit of Rhys - no one unusual. No one with a motive. And I was attacked from behind: I didn't see or hear anyone."
"I don't know half those names," shrugged Hart. "So you have no solid evidence other than a Vortex signature that wasn't actually at the scene of the crime?"
The Inspector growled. "I want a full search of the records of this School for a creature that might possibly be able to travel somewhere, touch something or move something without leaving DNA or a print! And I want this man -" He indicated Hart. "- arrested for questioning regardless."
Hart glared at them. "But I have this super-awesome tentacle alien waiting for me on floor-"
"I don't care!" hissed the Inspector as two officers began to cuff Hart. "Take him away!" he commanded them, following them out and leaving Jack and Ianto alone, sat together.
Jack checked his watch. "I put out the news that you're not dead," he said. "If we're quick, we can still make it for the registrar."
"Last night I was stabbed, suffered severe trauma and blood loss and now have to cope with possibly never finding out who did it - are you sure I have the energy to get married today?"
"Oh ... of course," Jack breathed, and Ianto squeezed his hand.
"Can you get the registrar to come down here? I'm not too keen on the idea of climbing those stairs in my weakened state."
Jack gave a small laugh. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Ianto smiled. "I'm sure Rhys and Giacomo will come down if I ring them. And Mr. Turnbull could bring our suits."
Jack was getting to his feet. "I'll ring Turnbull. You ring Rhys."
"Right," smiled Ianto, getting up to find a phone as Jack pulled out his mobile. There was one in the hall, and he scanned in his thumbprint to access it. "Rhys?"
"Ianto!" squeaked Giacomo in reply. "Daddy!"
"Jack, hiya, love. Is Rhys there? I need to talk to him and it's very important."
"One minute,"
There was a clunk as Little Jack put the phone on something solid, and he could hear muffled voices as Giacomo told Rhys to go to the phone. Eventually, there was a scraping as the receiver we lifted, and Rhys answered.
"Ianto? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah - erm ... Jack and I have decided to go ahead with the ceremony regardless. He's getting the registrar to come down now if he can, so ...."
"I'll get 'Lil Jack in his suit," Rhys assured him. "We'll be down ASAP."
"Thanks - I'll see you soon."
"See you soon."
"Byeeee."
"Byeeee ..."
They both put the receivers down, and Ianto sighed. He raised his head, his stomach suddenly tight. He and Jack were going to be married - and in a matter of minutes. He turned, just about seeing Jack pacing in the hospital room as he chatted on the phone, and suddenly felt the strongest case of Cold Feet he'd ever experienced. The urge to bolt for the exit was overwhelming.
"Mr. Jones!" barked an irritated voice, and Ianto turned to see the Inspector hurrying towards him. "What are you wandering around for? You should be in your room until we can determine whether or not the threat has passed ...."
"I'll be fine, I'm sure," sighed Ianto, allowing himself to be guided back into the room with Jack, sitting back on his bed. Jack watched the Inspector leave with a raised eyebrow, the Inspector ignoring him other than barking an order for him to make sure Ianto went nowhere without a chaperone.
"Mr. Turnbull will be here shortly, and our registrar - I think his name is George? - is coming down, too. He congratulates you on your 'alive' status, by the way. The Doctor's still in his TARDIS, but he's hurrying along."
Ianto yawned. "Good ... good. I think the drugs are wearing off," he complained, poking the exit wound and wincing.
"I'll get a nurse to give you more pain killers."
"Thanks," Ianto smiled, and sat back while he waited for someone to arrive. Jack grinned at him as he turned to leave, making his way to the nurses' station. He winked at the nurses and they giggled, and he felt a great deal of self-satisfaction as they practically fought their way towards him.
"Good morning, Captain," smiled an older one. "What might I do for you today?"
"I need you to find Mr. Jones' medical practitioner. His painkillers are wearing off, and he's feeling a great amount of discomfort," he explained, trying his best not to sound flirtatious.
"Of course, sir," grinned the nurse. "If you could return to the room to wait, and a doctor shall be with you shortly ...."
Jack couldn't help it. He gave her the Harkness Smile and watched her melt a little. Gawd it was good to be Captain Jack Harkness sometimes.
Satisfied Ianto was getting some attention, he made his way back to the room, pausing when he heard raised voices floating out from the doorway. One of them was Ianto - the other was unmistakably the Doctor.
"... no, I won't!" hissed Ianto. "I won't and you can't make me!"
"For the sake of all that is living and good, Ianto! You're making a huge mistake!"
"I've told you," Ianto replied curtly. "I am having my partnership with Jack; we're moving in together. We're bringing up Giacomo together."
"You have to tell him, Ianto!" the Doctor begged. "Before it's too late! You know it will never work!"
Jack folded his arms in the doorway. "What will never work?" he asked, flicking his eyes between them.
The Doctor cleared his throat, and Ianto gave him a very pointed look. "Nothing," the Doctor said. "Just ... chatting."
"About?"
Ianto coughed a little. "Just ... a small disagreement."
"Didn't sound small."
"Well, it is small," scowled the Doctor. "For the time being."
"Did you find a nurse?" Ianto asked, changing the subject and sitting down on the bed. The Doctor folded his arms, going to stare out of the window.
"I did," replied Jack, still staring at the Doctor and trying to read him. He shook himself, bringing himself back to the conversation at hand. "A doctor will be with us shortly to drug you up nicely before the ceremony," he joked.
Ianto smiled at the joke, but the Doctor made a non-committal grunt.
All at once, there was a bustle of activity, and a puddle of blue goo with two boxes on top of it slid into the room. Ianto stared as the goo rose and re-formed into the shape of Mr. Turnbull holding the boxes out to them with a proud smile.
Jack took them, opening the tope one and making impressed sounds.
Mr. Turnbull regarded Ianto gravely. "I heard you ... you'd been killed. I was so relieved you ...."
"Me too," smiled Ianto, and Mr. Turnbull gave a small laugh. "Do you have half an hour to spare? Do you want to stay for the ceremony?"
"Oh! That would be ... that would be lovely!" grinned Mr. Turnbull.
Jack put his arm around Ianto's shoulders. "We'd love to have you," he said with a smile.
Ianto yawned as Jack laid out their suits, and they both went into the en suite to get changed. Jack pulled his suit on quickly, Ianto helping him with the cufflinks and tie, but Ianto took more time, savouring the first and last time he would wear these clothes, and the symbolism they held. Before he had fastened up his shirt, Jack had insisted on kissing the red line left from the stab wound.
Dressed, they faced each other, Ianto in a purple toned with silver shirt, and Jack in blue. Their suits were black: Ianto's pinstriped, Jack's not.
Ianto took a deep breath, and put his head in his hands. "I'm tired," he sighed. "Where's my doctor?"
Jack smiled. "We'll wait until he comes and jabs you, then we'll get on with things - if Rhys and Little Jack are here, of course."
"And the registrar. Possibly called 'George'," Ianto reminded him. Jack laughed and nodded, and Ianto groaned. "I don't even know my own registrar's name!" he wailed as he rested his forehead on Jack's shoulder.
"It's George. I'm sure it's George."
"Mmmff," agreed Ianto.
"Ready to go out there?" asked Jack, gripping his shoulder.
"No, but you're going to drag me out anyway," grumbled Ianto, though he couldn't help but smile.
"Ladies' first," Jack indicated, holding the door open for him. Ianto glared, but put his smile back on as he went back into the bedroom.
"Daddy!" grinned Giacomo, then held his arms up to Jack, knowing Ianto couldn't carry him. "Pick me up, Dad!"
He was wearing his own little suit, fobwatch chain and all. Rhys was wearing dress trousers and a slightly unbuttoned shirt, and the Doctor was still rigid by the window. The registrar - definitely George - was chatting to Mr. Turnbull, and the doctor in his white coat was waiting by the bed to give Ianto his medication.
Five minutes later, Ianto was feeling a little numb, if not ecstatic, if not incredibly nervous, if not terrified.
He nearly laughed to himself when he realised that he'd spent his 'last night as a boy' crawling around underground, got himself stabbed and woken up from a drug-addled coma. Not bad, he decided.
Jack was putting Giacomo down, and he settled on the bed beside Rhys to watch as the registrar - who was actually 'Georgina' - called them to quiet.
She began the ceremony, and Ianto repeated after her as he was supposed to and listened as Jack spoke and repeated her, too. Ianto was a little out of sorts, and everything was happening too fast and seemed blurry as he tried to think back on it. He couldn't help grinning his way through though, and could see Jack doing the same, until -
"Stop the wedding!"
Ianto groaned. John fucking Hart.
"I wanna get a good seat!" he shrugged, appearing in the doorway. "Honestly, Jack. Can't believe you were getting married without me. Again. Watch it, Eye-Candy, coming through ...."
Hart pushed by him, and settled on the bed beside Giacomo and Rhys. Giacomo stared at up at him, and Ianto flinched when he saw the beginnings of a smidgen of hero-worship possibly developing. "You're pretty, even if you are old," Giacomo told him, and Jack and Ianto sniggered so hard, they nearly gave themselves sore throats.
John glared at him, then blinked a little. "Heyyyy - Jack, is this one yours? How old does he have to be before I can corrupt him?"
"Touch him and you'll be sorry," glared Ianto.
"Woahh, easy there, Eye-Candy. Just joking ... and who is this?" he asked with a leer in the Doctor's direction.
"I'm the Doctor," replied the Doctor with a side-smile.
"Hmm - I think I'm due a check-up. Think you might be able to fit me in?"
"Well, if you're not busy after the ceremony I'm sure I could silp-"
"Ah-HEM."
"Sorry," muttered the Doctor. "Carry on with the ... ceremony. Thing."
Georgina continued for a bit, in several languages, then asked for the rings. Giacomo hopped off the bed while Rhys blew his nose, offering the two gold bands up sheepishly.
Five minutes later, it was all over, and Ianto's left hand felt strangely heavy as he smiled for a few photographs. They pored over them for a few minutes while Jack decided which one to put in the newsletter, and Rhys cried all over them while he blew his nose again.
The nurses brought them champagne and let them go through to one of the group therapy rooms to celebrate - on the promise Ianto wouldn't touch a drop - and they all relaxed. Till came down, disappointed to have missed the ceremony itself, but much happier once she'd had some champagne and nibbles. They sat in a circle on the floor, Giacomo and Ianto watching in fascination as Jack and the rest of their guests got steadily more pissed and the circle games they were suggesting got more and more lewd.
Eventually, Rhys and Till migrated to one corner of the room, making out sloppily on a chintzy chair while the Doctor and John got similarly acquainted at the opposite side. Mr. Turnbull had turned the colour of the champagne he was drinking, and was finding it very hard to remain in a solid shape, while Jack sat pretty much on Ianto so that he didn't fall over.
"Now!" Jack clapped his hands, making everyone jump. Rhys and Till sprang apart, but the Doctor had greater difficulty getting John's lips away from his neck as a hand wound his tie in and pulled him closer. "Gifts!" Jack grinned.
Ianto felt his face fall. "Oh ... um ...."
"You're excused from gift-giving," smiled Jack. "I think we all agree it's exemplary circumstances, and you're unprepared. Just give it me tomorrow."
Ianto nodded, wondering what the hell he'd be able to get between now and tomorrow.
"My gift for Ianto," Jack declared. "Is this."
He pulled out what looked like an ornate gold tie-pin with a diamond set in it.
"Oh ... Jack ... that's ... lovely ...." Ianto forced himself to grin. He didn't wear tie-pins, but it looked like he was about to start.
"It's not just decorative!" grinned Jack. "You just pin it onto your tie and it creates a teeny tiny forcefield around all the synthetic fibres covering your body - i.e. you clothes - and it keeps them clean and pristine, like you've just put them on! And it's crease resistant."
Ianto stared at what might possibly be the best gift he'd ever received in his life. Instantly, he securely fastened it just below the knot of his tie, and grinned when he saw it change colour to match what he was wearing. The creases that weren't purposefully pressed into his sleeves disappeared, as did the crinkles in his trousers and the bottom of his waistcoat. "You should have kept it for yourself," he joked, looking at Jack's already 'more relaxed' appearance.
"My gift!" chirped Giacomo. "My gift now!"
"Go on," smiled Ianto.
"For my Dad and my Daddy:" he announced, taking a folded piece of paper out of his little suit pocket. "Look! I drawed it for you to share."
"It's drew, Giacomo," Jack corrected.
"I drew it for you to share!" grinned Little Jack, holding it out to them.
"Is that ... erm ... you and me?" Ianto asked, pointing at a big black blob and a small black blob. "And the orange and black blob ... that's the Captain?"
Giacomo nodded enthusiastically.
"The yellow and brown one is ... Till? Ohh I can see her hair! And ... and that's Rhys stood with her?"
"Yeah!" grinned Little Jack. "See! You and me and Dad, and Till and Rhys - and that's the dog."
"The dog?"
"Dad said we could get a dog!"
"Did he?" asked Ianto, turning to Jack unimpressed. Jack looked very innocently elsewhere. Ianto sighed. "We'll frame this and put it above the mantelpiece so everyone can see it."
"Especially when Rhys comes to visit?"
"When everyone comes to visit, sweetheart," Ianto assured him, Jack silent by his side.
"My turn, is it?" asked Rhys, moving things along. He gave Ianto a package and Jack a package. "Er ... probably best if Jack doesn't open his with the kid around, yeah?"
Jack and Ianto shared a smirk, wondering what Rhys had got them. It was already turning Rhys' ears pink.
Captain John shuffled forward, his hand actually tangled in the Doctor's tie this time. The Doctor was intoxicated, trying to use his sonic screwdriver to sort out the mess. Eventually, all he managed to do was cause the tie to rip and John's hand to fall more than a little suggestively into his lap.
"They told me you guys were gettin' hitched, so I gotcha summink," he slurred, handing them a business card. "Just ... go when the feeling takes ya ...." he shrugged, and returned to letting his limbs fall onto the Doctor's thighs as suggestively as he liked. Giacomo was too busy drawing in the corner to be corrupted, Ianto assessed.
"My turn?" asked the Doctor. "One minute, John!" he sighed, exasperated and disentangling himself from Captain Hart. "This is a gift for you both, but only Jack will see. Ianto - you've already experienced it."
Ianto frowned, and Jack looked just as puzzled. The Doctor raised his hands, pressing his fingers to certain parts of Jack's face and temples, and closed his eyes.
~*~
"Jones. Ianto Jones."
"Pleased to meet you, Jones Ianto Jones ...."
And he was.
It took Jack nearly a minute to realise that this was his own memory, buried deep, deep and deeper than it could be possibly ever brought up - by anyone other than a Timelord. He watched the scene play out - the forest at night, the alien attacker, that jacket and that studded belt - and fook, that was one helluvan awesome coat the Captain had on.
Everything swam yellow and gold, and eventually a picture began to reform.
A huge cavern; that looked like it was in the sewers; and technology all around, a huge silver tower and two desks. A Japanese woman was working behind one, a skinny dark-haired man behind the other. Jack blinked as he saw Ianto walking past with a tray filled with mugs, going straight into an office just out of Jack's line of sight. He hurried up to follow him and saw himself, much, much, much, much younger - before he was who he was now, before he was the Face of Boe ... before he was truly ancient - sat behind a desk, pretending to examine something that looked completely out of place for the strange office.
"Ah! Ianto!" he was saying. "Just who I wanted to see!" he grinned, getting up out of his chair and rounding the desk as Ianto set down a stripy mug.
"Good morning, sir. I brought your usual - black, no sugar."
"Naw. I'm sweet enough," beamed the Captain.
"Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"Hmm. There is one thing ...." pondered the Then Jack.
"Yes, sir?"
"Put that tray down a moment, could you?"
Ianto obeyed, and was halfway through turning to face Jack again when he found his personal space being invaded, his mouth plundered as he was pinned between the Captain and the desk. Beyond an initial, quite startled sound, he let himself melt into it, his arms snaking around the Captain tentatively and holding him tight.
Finally they broke apart, and the Then Jack stepped back. "Hmm. I think that was all," he grinned cheekily.
Ianto didn't even look that ruffled. "Very good, sir. If you need me to help you with that again, or perhaps even develop further, do give me a shout," he replied politely and professionally. "In the mean time - perhaps you might get some paperwork done?"
Then Jack mock-gasped. "Never!"
"I thought not," smiled Ianto, picking up his tray. "Good morning, sir!" he called back as he headed to the desk the skinny man was typing at and setting down a mug to a grateful 'Cheers!' as the memory swirled yellow and gold again.
He was in a bedroom this time, and he and Ianto were lying on the bed, naked under the covers and laughing.
"Honestly, you're such a liar!" Ianto was saying through his laughter.
"Am not!" whined the Captain, sticking his tongue out.
"There's no such thing as Father Christmas, and you have not met him!"
"Have too!"
"Not!"
"Too! And you were on the Nice List - I checked."
"I was?"
"Yeah ..."
"... and what are you going to do about that?" Ianto asked with a sly grin as Jack pulled him in close.
"I'm going to report back to him, and tell him what a bad, bad, bad man you are ...."
"Does this mean I don't get the remote control vibrating anal beads I asked for?" Ianto pouted. "Jack? Jack? Jack?" He turned to look at Jack, and tutted and sighed. He'd fallen asleep.
The yellow glowed and swirled, and he was in the same room again. It was summer - he could tell from the warm glow that permeated the curtains - and Ianto was asleep while Jack watched over him. Jack watched the memory for a while, wishing he could reach out and touch, before the yellow insisted on glowing and whisking him away.
The next memory felt different, and he could instantly see it. Ianto was sat on his own on the couch in that cavern, the word 'Torchwood' written above his head on the tiles. He vaguely remembered Ianto mentioning that word a few times ....
He stopped thinking when he saw that Ianto was crying, and tried to reach out and touch him, finding hid hand sliding through his shoulder. There were footsteps from the office, and Then Jack appeared, looking concerned. "Ianto?"
Ianto jumped, startled, and touched his face as if he only just realising he was crying. "Oh! Jack! ... I ... it's nothing ... I ... I just ...."
Then Jack wandered over, sitting next to him and putting an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in for a hug. "It's alright. Just let it all out," he murmured, kissing Ianto's head. "It doesn't matter that it's been two years. You're allowed to miss her, Ianto ...."
"That's not it ..." sniffed Ianto. "I'm ... I'm upset because ..." He choked back a few more sobs. "It's because I ... I can't forgive myself for ... for what I ... for betraying you!"
Then Jack curled a finger under his chin and lifted his head until their eyes met. "I forgive you, though. I forgave you all that time ago, and every day since."
Ianto sniffed.
"I understand, Ianto," Jack smiled, and he leant forward and they kissed, slowly, and Jack caressed Ianto's neck and face before moving his lips down to Ianto's jawline and just above his collar. "Make love to me, Ianto ...." he'd murmured.
The colours swirled again.
~*~
Landing back in the present was like a smack on the head.
"We're too drunk ...." complained the Doctor. "I'll show you more when I'm not hungover ...."
Ianto was watching them. "More what?"
"Well, the brain never forgets anything - well, Jack's has, but a lot of stuff is still there. I was showing him you, in Cardiff," beamed the Doctor dopily, swaying on the spot now that his Serious Sober Time was up and John was begging for more attention. He soon got it, and Jack pulled himself closer to Ianto.
"You," he decreed. "Have to call me 'sir' more often."
"I call you 'sir' in public."
"I want you to call me 'sir' in bed?"
"Why?" asked Giacomo, and Jack giggled as Ianto looked vaguely horrified.
"Erm ... doesn't matter. Grown up stuff, love. Let me see what you've been drawing ...."
"That's Rhys, and that's Till and that's the Doctor and that's Captain Hart ...."
Ianto narrowed his eyes at the drawing. "It just looks like two bloh - are they kissing?" he asked.
Giacomo nodded. "With tongues!"
"Right - you and I are off to bed!" he decided, standing up and scooping Giacomo up with him. He hissed as pain shot through his shoulder and chest, and set him down slowly. "My wound ...." he explained distantly, then held out his hand. "C'mon."
"Hey!" Jack complained, getting up. "It's ... it's our wedding night ...."
"I'm tired, Jack," sighed Ianto.
"I'll ... I'll put you both to bed. My house?" he offered.
Ianto yawned and shook his head. "I have to stay here tonight."
"I could ask a nurse to set up another bed in your room and that'll make enough room for the three of us."
Ianto nodded. "Okay," he smiled. "I'll get myself and Giacomo ready while you do that."
They parted ways in the corridor and Ianto lead Little Jack by the hand to the hospital room. Ianto shuddered as he entered it. He was starting to hate this room. "C'mon, let's brush your teeth," he sighed, guiding Jack into the en suite and getting a disposable toothbrush from the little basket.
He went through the routine, getting his teeth brushed and Ianto's pyjama top on, and Giacomo sat patiently on the countertop while Ianto got changed himself. While Ianto brushed his own teeth, Giacomo started asking questions.
"Daddy?"
"Mmf?"
"Why do adults kiss and kids not?"
Ianto spat his toothpaste into the sink. "Erm ... because they do. Because they like each other."
"But kids don't kiss like that, even if they like each other?"
"I ... erm ... no. Because you're not old enough."
"Why aren't I old enough?"
"You're too young to understand about it, love. Wait a couple more years, okay?"
"Abbie says it's to do with sex."
Ianto spat his water into the sink. "Did she?" he asked weakly.
"She says that's how babies are made. Is it?"
"Erm ... ah ... sometimes?"
"How come sometimes?"
"Eh ... uh ... because ... erm ... it doesn't always ... erm ... work? Let's not talk about this now, shall we? I think it's time we went to bed."
"Mm. Okay," yawned Giacomo, and Ianto carefully lifted him down. They waited while the orderlies set up a temporary bed and pushed it together with the one already there, and climbed in to wait for Jack. He eventually staggered in as they were making shadow puppets on the wall, and drunkenly undressed himself and crawled into bed. He spooned into Ianto's back as Giacomo snuggled into Ianto's front, and he leant over to kiss them both on the head, lacking a little in coordination.
"Nah night," he mumbled. "Love you both, very, very muhhhh ...."
He passed out, and Ianto and Giacomo laughed a little at his timing. Ianto silently prayed Giacomo wouldn't ask anymore awkward questions, and found it a blessed relief when he felt the little boy's chest rising and falling. He felt his eyes close, disturbed only when he heard a slight kerfuffle outside, cracking an eye open to find John and the Doctor lip-locked in the corridor, John pinned to the wall by an apparently very horny and well-endowed Timelord.
He was vaguely aware later on of Rhys and Till coming to check on them, feeling lips pressed to his temple that he assumed was actually Rhys rather than Till. He could hear them muttering about finding a container to put the passed-out and puddled Mr. Turnbull in before they left the room, and finally Ianto slipped into a peaceful, dreamless and blissful sleep.
Not what he had really imagined for his wedding night, if he was honest, but perfect nonetheless.
RTD? Who's RTD? XD
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