Continuance (6/15)
Title: Continuance (6/15)
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Characters: Jack, Ianto, Gwen, Rhys, Rhiannon, OCs
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: CoE
Summary: My response to the horrors of series 3. Sequel to Restoration
I’m not completely happy with this and it’s a little rushed, but I wanted to get it up before I leave tomorrow. I’m going away for a couple of weeks - no internet access (not really any electricity either, for the second week) - and won’t be able to post anymore, although I’m going to keep writing out the drafts so I can just type them out when I get back. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and thank you for all the comments :-)
Jack is standing on the invisible lift, watching Nick as he waits awkwardly on the Plass steps, looking around. Ianto is watching on the CCTV as he steps off it and strides across to Nick. They speak for a couple of minutes before Jack leads him back to the invisible lift. Both he and Gwen are standing, waiting, as it comes into view. Nick is radiating so much awe and excitement that it’s leaking through Ianto’s shields; his expression is wide-eyed and stunned.
‘Welcome to Torchwood,’ Jack says grandly as they step off the platform. ‘You’ve met Ianto, of course; this is Gwen Cooper. And what you see around you is the Hub.’
‘I - wow. This is - wow.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ Gwen says, smiling. ‘It can be a bit overwhelming at first.’
‘You’re not kidding. I mean just look at this place!’
Jack laughs. ‘You’ll get used to it. There’s a couple of things I need to do, so ...’
Ianto rolls his eyes. ‘Yes Jack, I’ll take care of everything.’
‘Never doubted you! I’ll be in my office if you need me.’
Ianto turns to Nick. ‘How about we take care of the paperwork and then I’ll give you a tour.’
He leads him up to the conference room, collecting the stack of paperwork from his desk and spreading it out across the table. Nick is looking at it apprehensively. ‘That’s ... a lot of paperwork.’
He nods. ‘I’m afraid so. Now, my first day in Torchwood I was just sort of left to get on with things. Not exactly enjoyable, though, so I thought I’d take care of things. God knows if I left the paperwork to Jack it would never get done. Anyway, here’s your swipe card, and a list of security numbers, including your personal one. Memorise them - properly - and then destroy this. We’ll need to do a retinal scan, get your fingerprints and take a DNA sample - all security stuff,’ he adds on seeing the wide eyes.
‘Um, okay.’
‘Right. Fill in these forms - they’re all pretty self-explanatory - and I’ll run through the basics with you. First, you can’t talk to anyone about Torchwood. ‘Any relationships?’
‘Not right now.’
‘Okay. If you do get involved with someone, you can’t tell them. If you have to, make up a Special Ops story to explain stuff - tell them you’re the tech expert. If you want to leave, or you betray Torchwood, we can and will retcon you. That means wiping your memory. Jack’s going to be telling you all of this too. Third, no messing around with alien tech, and no taking it off-base without Jack’s express permission.’
Nick is beginning to look more than a little worried and Ianto can feel his anxiety rising.
‘Don’t worry. If you stick to those rules you’ll be fine. Nearly done? Great. Anyway, you’ll find out most things as you go along. There are some protocols that you’ll have to learn, but they can wait. You ready?’
‘Yeah, I think I’m finished.’
‘Okay, I’ll check them over later. How about that tour?’
They make their way back down onto the main floor. ‘Okay, that’s your station there - no doubt you’ll be adding things, but for now it’s got all the standard stuff. There’s mine, Gwen’s at hers, and up there is Jack’s office.’
Together they make their way throughout pretty much the entire Hub. Ianto shows him the kitchenette, the shower and locker room, the lab and cold storage, which Nick seems to find a little creepy. Then they move onto the Archives - Ianto is pleased to see that Nick is impressed by them - and head over to the cells. Nick’s reaction to the Weevils is promising: shock, a little shakiness, a few questions about them, but mostly he takes it in his stride. They finish in the Tourist Office, where Ianto shows him the entrance and explains about the cover it provides.
Eventually, they head back up to Jack’s office; Ianto leaves him there and goes off to make coffee. ‘How do you take it?’ he asks from the doorway.
‘Ah ... weakish, drop of milk, no sugar. Thanks.’
He leaves, and Nick’s attention returns to Jack, who asks, ‘So what do you think?’
‘It’s amazing. Bloody spectacular, really. It’s just ... what exactly is my job here?’
Jack grins at him. ‘You’re our tech. Our computer genius. You’ll be creating and running programmes, dealing with the technical and some of the science side of things, and investigating alien tech.’
Nick’s eyes are lit up with excitement; he smiles widely. ‘Cool.’
‘You will be expected to learn how to shoot - you’re a Torchwood operative now, there’s no getting away from that. I’ll be teaching you. Eventually you’ll have to do some field training too, but you won’t be expected to do any actual field work until you feel comfortable and I think you’re ready.’
Nick gulps, suddenly nervous. Field work? He isn’t sure how he feels about that. Terrified, mostly. Slowly, he nods. ‘Okay.’
The look on Jack’s face is intense. ‘Are you sure about this? Because if you’re not we can retcon you and you’ll forget you ever met us.’
‘No, really. I’m sure. It’s just a lot to take in, you know?’
At that moment Ianto enters, coffees in hand and a small smile on his face. ‘Everything alright?’
‘Great. Thanks Ianto!’
‘Thanks,’ Nick echoes before taking a sip, his eyes widening at the burst of flavour. ‘My god! This is delicious!’
Jack is grinning at him. ‘Everyone says that - Ianto’s a coffee genius. Doesn’t matter how you take it, he does it perfectly.’
‘I try my best,’ he replies, straight-faced.
‘So what do you all do? I mean, I know what’s expected of me but ...’
‘Well, I’m your boss. Field agent, operation co-ordinator. Director and leader of Torchwood. Gwen’s also a field agent, although she’s about to be put on desk duty - she’s pregnant, as I’m sure you noticed. Used to be a PC, so she works as police liaison and investigator. Ianto here works as administrator, archivist and researcher all rolled into one, on top of being a field agent.’
Nick looks stunned. ‘Woah.’
‘There’s no official second-in-command, so if I’m not around follow either of their orders.’
Nick’s eyes narrow. ‘What if they conflict?’
Jack blinks and there is a brief pause. ‘Follow Ianto’s,’ he replies, decisive.
Ianto stared, shocked, and then moves to protest.
‘No, Ianto,’ Jack tells him with a shake of his head. ‘I’m not saying that because I’m biased, I’m saying it because you’re rational, level-headed. Gwen’s emotions cloud her judgement, and that can be dangerous in a leader.’
Ianto’s mouth closes and he nods, something silent passing between him and Jack before he turns back to Nick. ‘How about those scans, so I can get you into the security system?’
They head down to the lab; the tests and scans only take twenty minutes and then Ianto is waving him off. ‘Go and take a look at the computers, find your way around them.’
Nick grins, excited at the prospect, and rushes over to his new station, leaving Ianto to make his way back up to Jack’s office. Shutting the door behind him he leans against the edge of the desk, watching Jack.
‘What do you think of him?’ he asks after a few moments.
Jack considers. ‘He’s good. Enthusiastic, which is refreshing. Maybe a little young; I won’t be rushing him into the field.’ He falls silent and then says, ‘I want you to take charge of his training.’
Ianto gapes. ‘What? Jack, I -’
‘No, Ianto, listen. He’s most comfortable with you, you’re the closest age-wise, and it would be good for you.’
‘Wouldn’t you be better?’
‘No. Ianto, you’ll be good at this, and this will be good for you. I’ll deal with his weapons training, although if you would practice with him I’d appreciate it.’ He sighs. ‘If you really don’t want to do it I’m not going to force you, but I think it’s a good idea.’
Ianto falls quiet, thinking it over. Finally he looks up, gaze locking with Jack’s. ‘I’ll do it. And thank you for trusting me with it.’
Jack smiles at him. ‘Good. You’ll be just fine.’
Ianto nods, leaning in for a kiss. He hopes Jack’s right; it’s not the sort of thing he wants to mess up.
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Characters: Jack, Ianto, Gwen, Rhys, Rhiannon, OCs
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: CoE
Summary: My response to the horrors of series 3. Sequel to Restoration
I’m not completely happy with this and it’s a little rushed, but I wanted to get it up before I leave tomorrow. I’m going away for a couple of weeks - no internet access (not really any electricity either, for the second week) - and won’t be able to post anymore, although I’m going to keep writing out the drafts so I can just type them out when I get back. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and thank you for all the comments :-)
Jack is standing on the invisible lift, watching Nick as he waits awkwardly on the Plass steps, looking around. Ianto is watching on the CCTV as he steps off it and strides across to Nick. They speak for a couple of minutes before Jack leads him back to the invisible lift. Both he and Gwen are standing, waiting, as it comes into view. Nick is radiating so much awe and excitement that it’s leaking through Ianto’s shields; his expression is wide-eyed and stunned.
‘Welcome to Torchwood,’ Jack says grandly as they step off the platform. ‘You’ve met Ianto, of course; this is Gwen Cooper. And what you see around you is the Hub.’
‘I - wow. This is - wow.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ Gwen says, smiling. ‘It can be a bit overwhelming at first.’
‘You’re not kidding. I mean just look at this place!’
Jack laughs. ‘You’ll get used to it. There’s a couple of things I need to do, so ...’
Ianto rolls his eyes. ‘Yes Jack, I’ll take care of everything.’
‘Never doubted you! I’ll be in my office if you need me.’
Ianto turns to Nick. ‘How about we take care of the paperwork and then I’ll give you a tour.’
He leads him up to the conference room, collecting the stack of paperwork from his desk and spreading it out across the table. Nick is looking at it apprehensively. ‘That’s ... a lot of paperwork.’
He nods. ‘I’m afraid so. Now, my first day in Torchwood I was just sort of left to get on with things. Not exactly enjoyable, though, so I thought I’d take care of things. God knows if I left the paperwork to Jack it would never get done. Anyway, here’s your swipe card, and a list of security numbers, including your personal one. Memorise them - properly - and then destroy this. We’ll need to do a retinal scan, get your fingerprints and take a DNA sample - all security stuff,’ he adds on seeing the wide eyes.
‘Um, okay.’
‘Right. Fill in these forms - they’re all pretty self-explanatory - and I’ll run through the basics with you. First, you can’t talk to anyone about Torchwood. ‘Any relationships?’
‘Not right now.’
‘Okay. If you do get involved with someone, you can’t tell them. If you have to, make up a Special Ops story to explain stuff - tell them you’re the tech expert. If you want to leave, or you betray Torchwood, we can and will retcon you. That means wiping your memory. Jack’s going to be telling you all of this too. Third, no messing around with alien tech, and no taking it off-base without Jack’s express permission.’
Nick is beginning to look more than a little worried and Ianto can feel his anxiety rising.
‘Don’t worry. If you stick to those rules you’ll be fine. Nearly done? Great. Anyway, you’ll find out most things as you go along. There are some protocols that you’ll have to learn, but they can wait. You ready?’
‘Yeah, I think I’m finished.’
‘Okay, I’ll check them over later. How about that tour?’
They make their way back down onto the main floor. ‘Okay, that’s your station there - no doubt you’ll be adding things, but for now it’s got all the standard stuff. There’s mine, Gwen’s at hers, and up there is Jack’s office.’
Together they make their way throughout pretty much the entire Hub. Ianto shows him the kitchenette, the shower and locker room, the lab and cold storage, which Nick seems to find a little creepy. Then they move onto the Archives - Ianto is pleased to see that Nick is impressed by them - and head over to the cells. Nick’s reaction to the Weevils is promising: shock, a little shakiness, a few questions about them, but mostly he takes it in his stride. They finish in the Tourist Office, where Ianto shows him the entrance and explains about the cover it provides.
Eventually, they head back up to Jack’s office; Ianto leaves him there and goes off to make coffee. ‘How do you take it?’ he asks from the doorway.
‘Ah ... weakish, drop of milk, no sugar. Thanks.’
He leaves, and Nick’s attention returns to Jack, who asks, ‘So what do you think?’
‘It’s amazing. Bloody spectacular, really. It’s just ... what exactly is my job here?’
Jack grins at him. ‘You’re our tech. Our computer genius. You’ll be creating and running programmes, dealing with the technical and some of the science side of things, and investigating alien tech.’
Nick’s eyes are lit up with excitement; he smiles widely. ‘Cool.’
‘You will be expected to learn how to shoot - you’re a Torchwood operative now, there’s no getting away from that. I’ll be teaching you. Eventually you’ll have to do some field training too, but you won’t be expected to do any actual field work until you feel comfortable and I think you’re ready.’
Nick gulps, suddenly nervous. Field work? He isn’t sure how he feels about that. Terrified, mostly. Slowly, he nods. ‘Okay.’
The look on Jack’s face is intense. ‘Are you sure about this? Because if you’re not we can retcon you and you’ll forget you ever met us.’
‘No, really. I’m sure. It’s just a lot to take in, you know?’
At that moment Ianto enters, coffees in hand and a small smile on his face. ‘Everything alright?’
‘Great. Thanks Ianto!’
‘Thanks,’ Nick echoes before taking a sip, his eyes widening at the burst of flavour. ‘My god! This is delicious!’
Jack is grinning at him. ‘Everyone says that - Ianto’s a coffee genius. Doesn’t matter how you take it, he does it perfectly.’
‘I try my best,’ he replies, straight-faced.
‘So what do you all do? I mean, I know what’s expected of me but ...’
‘Well, I’m your boss. Field agent, operation co-ordinator. Director and leader of Torchwood. Gwen’s also a field agent, although she’s about to be put on desk duty - she’s pregnant, as I’m sure you noticed. Used to be a PC, so she works as police liaison and investigator. Ianto here works as administrator, archivist and researcher all rolled into one, on top of being a field agent.’
Nick looks stunned. ‘Woah.’
‘There’s no official second-in-command, so if I’m not around follow either of their orders.’
Nick’s eyes narrow. ‘What if they conflict?’
Jack blinks and there is a brief pause. ‘Follow Ianto’s,’ he replies, decisive.
Ianto stared, shocked, and then moves to protest.
‘No, Ianto,’ Jack tells him with a shake of his head. ‘I’m not saying that because I’m biased, I’m saying it because you’re rational, level-headed. Gwen’s emotions cloud her judgement, and that can be dangerous in a leader.’
Ianto’s mouth closes and he nods, something silent passing between him and Jack before he turns back to Nick. ‘How about those scans, so I can get you into the security system?’
They head down to the lab; the tests and scans only take twenty minutes and then Ianto is waving him off. ‘Go and take a look at the computers, find your way around them.’
Nick grins, excited at the prospect, and rushes over to his new station, leaving Ianto to make his way back up to Jack’s office. Shutting the door behind him he leans against the edge of the desk, watching Jack.
‘What do you think of him?’ he asks after a few moments.
Jack considers. ‘He’s good. Enthusiastic, which is refreshing. Maybe a little young; I won’t be rushing him into the field.’ He falls silent and then says, ‘I want you to take charge of his training.’
Ianto gapes. ‘What? Jack, I -’
‘No, Ianto, listen. He’s most comfortable with you, you’re the closest age-wise, and it would be good for you.’
‘Wouldn’t you be better?’
‘No. Ianto, you’ll be good at this, and this will be good for you. I’ll deal with his weapons training, although if you would practice with him I’d appreciate it.’ He sighs. ‘If you really don’t want to do it I’m not going to force you, but I think it’s a good idea.’
Ianto falls quiet, thinking it over. Finally he looks up, gaze locking with Jack’s. ‘I’ll do it. And thank you for trusting me with it.’
Jack smiles at him. ‘Good. You’ll be just fine.’
Ianto nods, leaning in for a kiss. He hopes Jack’s right; it’s not the sort of thing he wants to mess up.