I Need You Safe 10/??
Series: I need you safe
Part: Ten
Word Count: 2128
Characters: Jack Harkness, Martha Jones, Ianto Jones, OFC, OMC.
Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, Martha/Tom
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst! AU!
Warning: Spoilers for Exit Wounds and the whole of the second series.
Disclaimer: Alas the Torchwood character's are not mine, they belong to other more fabulous people. Which makes me sad. The OC's are all my creations though, not that i wouldn't share them with RTD. 'Cause i so would ^_^
Un-beta'ed, sorry. Any and all mistakes are my own (i'm known as the typo queen around friends), and i apologize for them.
Author's Note: Because of my lousy updating, i give you two chapters in a row ^_^
Summary: Jack takes desperate measures to assure his remaining staff is safe, which leaves him with a new team who are experiencing a VERY different side of Jack. Now it's up to one of his closest friends to try and straighten things out.
Jack was standing in the medical bay by the exam table, his arms were crossed over his chest he stared silently down at Collin’s body. The boy was pale, a sheet pulled up to his mid chest. The various bites and claw marks on his chest and arms were nothing compared to his ripped apart neck, which is where Jack’s eyes kept drifting to. He heard someone walk up behind him, knowing that it was Martha just by the sound of her heeled boots.
“How is she doing?” He asked softly, not looking away from the body before him.
“She just lost her boyfriend, how do you think she’s doing?” Martha asked, standing next to Jack.
“I didn’t even know they were dating.”
“Well is it any surprise. You know nothing about them.”
Jack sighed tiredly. “Martha, please. Could you just, not?” He scrubbed his hand over his eyes.
“Sorry.” She said quietly, not meaning to have said something so accusing to him just then, it just slipped out. “How’s the jaw?” She asked.
“Okay. James has got one hell of a swing, it’s like running into a brick wall.” Jack paused. “I’m going to have to tell his family.” He said, still looking down at Collin with a thoughtful gaze. “Does he have any family? I know his parents died a few years ago, that much is in his personnel file. But other than that...” He shook his head.
“He has a brother that lives in London.” Martha informed him. “I can call him if you’d like.”
“No.” Jack said quickly, looking at Martha finally. “I’ll do it, it’s my job. After all, I’m the boss.” His tone was somber as he spoke before he turned and stalked out of the room.
####
A few hours later, when everything was sorted and Collin’s brother had been called, Jack stood outside in the night air in front of the water tower with Martha standing by his side. He watched his team leave, all of them looking like they had been through the ringer. He saw Nareesh’s husband drive up and get out of his car to help both her and Emma in. The couple were taking the younger girl to their house for the time being, Nareesh having decided that she shouldn’t be alone. Jack saw the concerned look in her husband’s eyes, and yet he also looked completely understanding. It idly made Jack wonder what exactly the man thought the two women did for a living that would warrant such an understanding reaction to the brutal death of one of their co-workers.
Mackenzie’s girlfriend arrived next, walking up and quickly pulling the upset doctor into her arms, hugging her tightly. Jack could hear the woman tell Mac softly to hand over her car keys, that she was in no condition to drive right then.
James was the last to leave, he only lived a short walk away from the Hub so he didn’t have a car to pick up. Instead he waited around until a young woman and a little girl about four years old met him, the child running toward him calling out ‘uncle James!’ as he swept her up into his large arms. Jack realized that the woman must have been the sister that the other man had mentioned in passing a few times, he had to admit, he didn’t know that James also had a niece.
Watching his team leave made Jack realize that he honestly knew shit all about them, just as Martha had said. She was right all along, as she usually was. He knew nothing about their lives, their loves, anything. His last team he knew pretty much everything about, that’s why they had worked so well together, well most of the time at least. They were a family, unlike his current staff who were just that, staff.
“I’m going to go.” Martha’s voice cut into Jack’s thoughts. “Just for tonight, back to the hotel. I’m tired and I think I want to call Tom.” She told him. “I’ll see you in the morning okay?” She leaned up on her tippy toes to place a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Night Jack.”
“Night.” Jack said in a hollow manner as he watched her walk away as well, leaving him alone for the rest of the night. Only problem was, Jack had no idea what to do with the rest of the night. In one single day, hours really. The entire past year he had worked so hard to build had gone crashing down around him, shaking his world and the world of those around him. He knew they were right, they were all right. It was his fault, he was a monster. Just like Ianto had told him two years before hand, nothing had changed.
He shook his head, not liking the direction his thoughts were going. The last thing someone with all the time in the world needed was to wallow, because then that’s all he’d end up ever doing. But just because he refused to wallow didn’t mean he wasn’t about to brood over everything in the coming days. Really, Jack was good at brooding.
With a sigh, Jack started to walk away from the Hub. He stuffed his hands deep into the pockets of his greatcoat, moving at a slow pace opposed to his usual brisk stride. He really didn’t have a plan or thought to where he was going, he just needed to walk. His mind wandered a bit, to his old team, his new team. Comparing the many wrongs he had brought upon the heads of both. He thought about Martha and her complete and utter refusal to give up on him, her unwavering faith in him. She knew he was more than what he was projecting to his staff, her faith was so strong, it made him want to hug her and shake her all at the same time. She didn’t know him, she didn’t know the things he had done. She only knew the reformed Jack, the hero. She never knew the time agent that would do anything to get the job done, or the con artist that could spot a mark at fifty paces.
What was it with all these women only seeing the good in him? Rose, Gwen, Martha. Perhaps they were all fooled by his dazzling smile and quick wit, only men like the Doctor and Ianto seemed willing to admit that he was a man capable of terrible evils. And it seemed that in the last year that those evils just kept gaining ground, it all started with his betrayal of Ianto and just continued. The night he retconned Ianto had changed him, and not for the better. It hadn’t made him feel secure in the other man’s safety, what it had done was shut Jack down, made him stop caring. He stopped caring about his team, and in the end that became the biggest evil of all. Collin was dead because he had let his heart atrophy, he had let his apathy take hold of him. He was dead inside, and early in the evening when he had sent the team out. Jack really hadn’t cared whether they lived or died. That chilling epiphany made his stomach lurch in a sickening fashion.
Jack stopped walking, closing his eyes for a moment. “My god.” He breathed. “Who am I?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Someone said from off to the left.
Jack’s attention snapped to the sound of the voice, seeing the small coffee shop from earlier in the day. Ianto was standing in the doorway, leaning his arms on a broom he was holding. Jack hadn’t even noticed that he had been walking toward the shop.
He watched Ianto with wide eyes, the two just staring at one another. After a few minutes Ianto turned without a word and went back into the shop, Jack followed.
####
As Jack opened the door, the bell above it rang loudly in the dark and empty shop. Ianto was behind the counter, quietly wiping down the top in his usual meticulous fashion.
“I’m not going to apologize.” Jack said simply.
“Good, or then I’d have to punch you again.” Ianto said, pausing his movements to look up at Jack.
Jack smile slightly, the younger man was always one that held actions in higher respect than words. Words were hollow, and more often than not laced with lies and misgivings. Actions held more truth to them, the physical tangible display of thoughts and emotions.
“Speaking of, what happened to your face? I know I have one hell of a right hook, but I doubt I hit you that hard.”
Jack momentarily wondered what Ianto was talking about, then he remembered James had hit him in the exact same spot that Ianto had. “I was having a two for one sale, hit me once get the second hit free.” He quipped.
“Hopefully Martha took advantage of that.” Ianto said, turning back to his work once again.
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Lovers quarrel?”
“What? No! Ianto, no.” Jack assured him quickly, his tone of voice causing the young Welshman to look at him.
Jack could see the anger in his eyes, the pent up rage that was bubbling just beneath the surface of his calm facade. The type of rage that made Jack happy that the other man no longer carried a gun, or he’d surely end up riddled with bullets.
“I could kill you, you know? I’m that angry, that I could literally kill you.” Ianto said suddenly, glaring at Jack.
“The thought's crossed my mind.” Jack quipped softly.
“How dare you, how fucking dare you! Who the fuck do you think you are?” Ianto didn’t yell or shout, his voice was just hard and cold. Each word spoke in that tone was like a slap in the face. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that? A complete bastard.”
Jack wasn’t looking at Ianto, instead his eyes held a far away look to them. Like he was lost in deep thought. “I know.” Jack said in barely a whisper.
Ianto watched the older man curiously for a moment, his anger suddenly and momentarily deflating. “Jack?” He questioned, moving from behind the counter to stand a little ways in front of Jack.
“I killed him.” Jack said, still holding that far away gaze.
“Who?” Ianto asked as a cold chill ran up his spine. He had only had his memories of Torchwood back for barely a day, and already someone was dead. That seemed to be the norm for Torchwood, he thought idly.
“He was just a kid.” Jack spoke like there was no one else in the room. “Martha was right, he was too young to work there. He was only 19 years old, and I got him slaughtered.”
As pissed as Ianto was, he couldn’t help but hurt for the man, staring at him with sad sympathetic eyes. He moved slowly toward Jack, watching the older man berate himself for the death of an apparent child.
“He trusted me.” Jack suddenly looked heatedly at Ianto, who stopped his approach. Just standing there in front of Jack, under his heated gaze. “They all trusted me, you trusted me.”
“Jack?” Ianto begun, unsure of what to say.
Jack looked like he was facing a wave of emotions a hundred years deep, full of confusion and sorrow.
“Oh my god.” Jack exclaimed quietly, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He sobbed, the proverbial flood gates opening.
Ianto watched as an entire year of pent up emotions crashed down onto Jack’s head. The pain and shock of gaining Ianto but losing a team member all in the same day had been too much on the man’s frazzled psyche.
“I’m sorry.” The apology wasn’t so much directed to Ianto as it was more of a general apology to everyone and everything, to the world around him.
“I know Jack.” Ianto nodded, reaching out tentatively.
“I’m so sorry.” Jack sobbed again, tears streaming down him face.
The moment Ianto’s hand touched Jack’s shoulder, the older man dissolved into a complete mess. Sobs wracking through his body as he all but fell into Ianto’s embrace. Ianto wrapped him arms around Jack, holding him tightly.
No words were spoken after that, instead the two were content to stay silent. Jack’s crying the only sound echoing softly throughout the empty coffee shop. The two clung to each other, Ianto attempting to sooth the broken man in his arms. It seemed that with Ianto’s return and Collin’s death, Jack had found his heart again. True, it was broken, but at least it was there.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 11 - Part 12
Love it? Hate it? Wanna take it home and cook it dinner? Let me know! Comments are love!
Part: Ten
Word Count: 2128
Characters: Jack Harkness, Martha Jones, Ianto Jones, OFC, OMC.
Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, Martha/Tom
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst! AU!
Warning: Spoilers for Exit Wounds and the whole of the second series.
Disclaimer: Alas the Torchwood character's are not mine, they belong to other more fabulous people. Which makes me sad. The OC's are all my creations though, not that i wouldn't share them with RTD. 'Cause i so would ^_^
Un-beta'ed, sorry. Any and all mistakes are my own (i'm known as the typo queen around friends), and i apologize for them.
Author's Note: Because of my lousy updating, i give you two chapters in a row ^_^
Summary: Jack takes desperate measures to assure his remaining staff is safe, which leaves him with a new team who are experiencing a VERY different side of Jack. Now it's up to one of his closest friends to try and straighten things out.
Jack was standing in the medical bay by the exam table, his arms were crossed over his chest he stared silently down at Collin’s body. The boy was pale, a sheet pulled up to his mid chest. The various bites and claw marks on his chest and arms were nothing compared to his ripped apart neck, which is where Jack’s eyes kept drifting to. He heard someone walk up behind him, knowing that it was Martha just by the sound of her heeled boots.
“How is she doing?” He asked softly, not looking away from the body before him.
“She just lost her boyfriend, how do you think she’s doing?” Martha asked, standing next to Jack.
“I didn’t even know they were dating.”
“Well is it any surprise. You know nothing about them.”
Jack sighed tiredly. “Martha, please. Could you just, not?” He scrubbed his hand over his eyes.
“Sorry.” She said quietly, not meaning to have said something so accusing to him just then, it just slipped out. “How’s the jaw?” She asked.
“Okay. James has got one hell of a swing, it’s like running into a brick wall.” Jack paused. “I’m going to have to tell his family.” He said, still looking down at Collin with a thoughtful gaze. “Does he have any family? I know his parents died a few years ago, that much is in his personnel file. But other than that...” He shook his head.
“He has a brother that lives in London.” Martha informed him. “I can call him if you’d like.”
“No.” Jack said quickly, looking at Martha finally. “I’ll do it, it’s my job. After all, I’m the boss.” His tone was somber as he spoke before he turned and stalked out of the room.
####
A few hours later, when everything was sorted and Collin’s brother had been called, Jack stood outside in the night air in front of the water tower with Martha standing by his side. He watched his team leave, all of them looking like they had been through the ringer. He saw Nareesh’s husband drive up and get out of his car to help both her and Emma in. The couple were taking the younger girl to their house for the time being, Nareesh having decided that she shouldn’t be alone. Jack saw the concerned look in her husband’s eyes, and yet he also looked completely understanding. It idly made Jack wonder what exactly the man thought the two women did for a living that would warrant such an understanding reaction to the brutal death of one of their co-workers.
Mackenzie’s girlfriend arrived next, walking up and quickly pulling the upset doctor into her arms, hugging her tightly. Jack could hear the woman tell Mac softly to hand over her car keys, that she was in no condition to drive right then.
James was the last to leave, he only lived a short walk away from the Hub so he didn’t have a car to pick up. Instead he waited around until a young woman and a little girl about four years old met him, the child running toward him calling out ‘uncle James!’ as he swept her up into his large arms. Jack realized that the woman must have been the sister that the other man had mentioned in passing a few times, he had to admit, he didn’t know that James also had a niece.
Watching his team leave made Jack realize that he honestly knew shit all about them, just as Martha had said. She was right all along, as she usually was. He knew nothing about their lives, their loves, anything. His last team he knew pretty much everything about, that’s why they had worked so well together, well most of the time at least. They were a family, unlike his current staff who were just that, staff.
“I’m going to go.” Martha’s voice cut into Jack’s thoughts. “Just for tonight, back to the hotel. I’m tired and I think I want to call Tom.” She told him. “I’ll see you in the morning okay?” She leaned up on her tippy toes to place a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Night Jack.”
“Night.” Jack said in a hollow manner as he watched her walk away as well, leaving him alone for the rest of the night. Only problem was, Jack had no idea what to do with the rest of the night. In one single day, hours really. The entire past year he had worked so hard to build had gone crashing down around him, shaking his world and the world of those around him. He knew they were right, they were all right. It was his fault, he was a monster. Just like Ianto had told him two years before hand, nothing had changed.
He shook his head, not liking the direction his thoughts were going. The last thing someone with all the time in the world needed was to wallow, because then that’s all he’d end up ever doing. But just because he refused to wallow didn’t mean he wasn’t about to brood over everything in the coming days. Really, Jack was good at brooding.
With a sigh, Jack started to walk away from the Hub. He stuffed his hands deep into the pockets of his greatcoat, moving at a slow pace opposed to his usual brisk stride. He really didn’t have a plan or thought to where he was going, he just needed to walk. His mind wandered a bit, to his old team, his new team. Comparing the many wrongs he had brought upon the heads of both. He thought about Martha and her complete and utter refusal to give up on him, her unwavering faith in him. She knew he was more than what he was projecting to his staff, her faith was so strong, it made him want to hug her and shake her all at the same time. She didn’t know him, she didn’t know the things he had done. She only knew the reformed Jack, the hero. She never knew the time agent that would do anything to get the job done, or the con artist that could spot a mark at fifty paces.
What was it with all these women only seeing the good in him? Rose, Gwen, Martha. Perhaps they were all fooled by his dazzling smile and quick wit, only men like the Doctor and Ianto seemed willing to admit that he was a man capable of terrible evils. And it seemed that in the last year that those evils just kept gaining ground, it all started with his betrayal of Ianto and just continued. The night he retconned Ianto had changed him, and not for the better. It hadn’t made him feel secure in the other man’s safety, what it had done was shut Jack down, made him stop caring. He stopped caring about his team, and in the end that became the biggest evil of all. Collin was dead because he had let his heart atrophy, he had let his apathy take hold of him. He was dead inside, and early in the evening when he had sent the team out. Jack really hadn’t cared whether they lived or died. That chilling epiphany made his stomach lurch in a sickening fashion.
Jack stopped walking, closing his eyes for a moment. “My god.” He breathed. “Who am I?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Someone said from off to the left.
Jack’s attention snapped to the sound of the voice, seeing the small coffee shop from earlier in the day. Ianto was standing in the doorway, leaning his arms on a broom he was holding. Jack hadn’t even noticed that he had been walking toward the shop.
He watched Ianto with wide eyes, the two just staring at one another. After a few minutes Ianto turned without a word and went back into the shop, Jack followed.
####
As Jack opened the door, the bell above it rang loudly in the dark and empty shop. Ianto was behind the counter, quietly wiping down the top in his usual meticulous fashion.
“I’m not going to apologize.” Jack said simply.
“Good, or then I’d have to punch you again.” Ianto said, pausing his movements to look up at Jack.
Jack smile slightly, the younger man was always one that held actions in higher respect than words. Words were hollow, and more often than not laced with lies and misgivings. Actions held more truth to them, the physical tangible display of thoughts and emotions.
“Speaking of, what happened to your face? I know I have one hell of a right hook, but I doubt I hit you that hard.”
Jack momentarily wondered what Ianto was talking about, then he remembered James had hit him in the exact same spot that Ianto had. “I was having a two for one sale, hit me once get the second hit free.” He quipped.
“Hopefully Martha took advantage of that.” Ianto said, turning back to his work once again.
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Lovers quarrel?”
“What? No! Ianto, no.” Jack assured him quickly, his tone of voice causing the young Welshman to look at him.
Jack could see the anger in his eyes, the pent up rage that was bubbling just beneath the surface of his calm facade. The type of rage that made Jack happy that the other man no longer carried a gun, or he’d surely end up riddled with bullets.
“I could kill you, you know? I’m that angry, that I could literally kill you.” Ianto said suddenly, glaring at Jack.
“The thought's crossed my mind.” Jack quipped softly.
“How dare you, how fucking dare you! Who the fuck do you think you are?” Ianto didn’t yell or shout, his voice was just hard and cold. Each word spoke in that tone was like a slap in the face. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that? A complete bastard.”
Jack wasn’t looking at Ianto, instead his eyes held a far away look to them. Like he was lost in deep thought. “I know.” Jack said in barely a whisper.
Ianto watched the older man curiously for a moment, his anger suddenly and momentarily deflating. “Jack?” He questioned, moving from behind the counter to stand a little ways in front of Jack.
“I killed him.” Jack said, still holding that far away gaze.
“Who?” Ianto asked as a cold chill ran up his spine. He had only had his memories of Torchwood back for barely a day, and already someone was dead. That seemed to be the norm for Torchwood, he thought idly.
“He was just a kid.” Jack spoke like there was no one else in the room. “Martha was right, he was too young to work there. He was only 19 years old, and I got him slaughtered.”
As pissed as Ianto was, he couldn’t help but hurt for the man, staring at him with sad sympathetic eyes. He moved slowly toward Jack, watching the older man berate himself for the death of an apparent child.
“He trusted me.” Jack suddenly looked heatedly at Ianto, who stopped his approach. Just standing there in front of Jack, under his heated gaze. “They all trusted me, you trusted me.”
“Jack?” Ianto begun, unsure of what to say.
Jack looked like he was facing a wave of emotions a hundred years deep, full of confusion and sorrow.
“Oh my god.” Jack exclaimed quietly, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He sobbed, the proverbial flood gates opening.
Ianto watched as an entire year of pent up emotions crashed down onto Jack’s head. The pain and shock of gaining Ianto but losing a team member all in the same day had been too much on the man’s frazzled psyche.
“I’m sorry.” The apology wasn’t so much directed to Ianto as it was more of a general apology to everyone and everything, to the world around him.
“I know Jack.” Ianto nodded, reaching out tentatively.
“I’m so sorry.” Jack sobbed again, tears streaming down him face.
The moment Ianto’s hand touched Jack’s shoulder, the older man dissolved into a complete mess. Sobs wracking through his body as he all but fell into Ianto’s embrace. Ianto wrapped him arms around Jack, holding him tightly.
No words were spoken after that, instead the two were content to stay silent. Jack’s crying the only sound echoing softly throughout the empty coffee shop. The two clung to each other, Ianto attempting to sooth the broken man in his arms. It seemed that with Ianto’s return and Collin’s death, Jack had found his heart again. True, it was broken, but at least it was there.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 11 - Part 12
Love it? Hate it? Wanna take it home and cook it dinner? Let me know! Comments are love!