Continuance (8/15)
Title: Continuance (8/15)
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
Um ... oops? Again, I prove my awfulness at meeting deadlines. Sigh. I blame it on illness - have been struck down by a virus-turned-infection-thing again. Ah well. Merlin is probably also to blame, as that’s my fandom of choice right now. So many pretty men!
Anyway, here it is. Not great - a bit disjointed - but hopefully not too dreadful either. Thanks for all the comments, and hope you enjoy this chapter! :-) I’m not going to say when the next will be up, I really don’t know, but never fear, this will be finished. Eventually.
Jack is on one of his ‘we-really-should-develop-your-empathy-and-our-bond’ kicks again. Surprisingly, Ianto finds himself feeling mildly enthusiastic about it. It’s probably partly Jack’s emotions leaking across the bond and affecting his own, but he also likes a challenge, and psychic work is nothing if not challenging.
It’s lunchtime and they are sitting in a small cafe overlooking Cardiff Bay. The day has gone well so far. Nick - who is getting the hang of all the different protocols and is starting to get better at shooting - is happily creating a computer programme of some kind, although he couldn’t say what for. Gwen is looking into odd sheep mutilations (Ianto loves the idea that it might be Myfanwy, but isn’t about to get his hopes up) and complaining about cravings. In fact, the only thing marring the day so far is the headache that developed while he was working in the Archives, but even that has eased off considerably.
Taking a sip of his coffee - it’s not excellent, but it’s not awful either - he looks across to Jack who is glancing around, trying to find someone who looks distinctively emotional. It takes a few moments but finally his gaze rests on a harassed-looking worker who seems about ready to snap at someone.
‘Her,’ he says decisively. ‘Maker her calm, or happy, or something.’
Calm seems easier. This isn’t something he has tried before, although he has been practicing sensing other people’s emotions over the last few days. Taking a slow breath, he forces out all his other thoughts and distractions, focusing only on her. He feels a brief flicker of her emotions - stress, agitation - and then pushes them aside. Summoning up a sense of calm - something he is rather good at; he has to be - he tries to push it towards her. A few moments and nothing happens. Taking another breath he tries again, harder. Within seconds a look of mild surprise flickers across the woman’s features before agitation is replaced by a small, contented smile.
Ianto releases his concentration and looks over to Jack, grinning. ‘I think we can say that was a success.’
Jack is smiling too. ‘Nice one. Now try me.’
Ianto centers himself once more and brushes gently across the link, opening it and then sending out a wave of love, as strong as he can make it. He hears a soft gasp and then a pulse of happiness and answering love radiates back across the bond. It’s sappy, and cheesy, and he can’t help but love it.
‘This is amazing,’ he murmurs, eyes wide.
Jack’s smile broadens. ‘I know.’ He pauses, and the feelings died down, returning to what they are used to. ‘You’re good at this, Ianto. A natural. I’ve had psychic training, and I was okay, but you’ve really taken to it.’
He shrugs. ‘It’s not like I don’t have to try. Why do you think, though?’
Jack looks thoughtful. ‘Your empathy’s strong anyway, and on top of that you’ve got good mental skills. It’s probably the combination that does it. Lets leave it at that for now though. We can work on your stamina later.’ His eyes glint at the innuendo.
Ianto raises an eyebrow. ‘I think you’ve had plenty of proof of my stamina.’ Jack, of course, laughs and says, ‘You’ll have to remind me later.’
Break
They are walking back towards the Plass, happy and quiet in each other’s company. The day is slightly cool, and a little dull, but at least it isn’t raining. Ianto is slowly turning his conversation with Gwen over in his mind. Perhaps now is the time to say something?
Steeling himself, he opens his mouth and says, ‘I talked to Gwen the other day. Told her about my family - apparently Rhiannon said something to her when they met.’ Damn. He hadn’t meant to say that. Sighing internally, he decides that confessions can wait.
Jack is looking at him. ‘How did she take it?’
‘Not as badly as she might have. A bit hurt, but she seemed to understand, at least a little.’
‘Are you glad you told her?’
Ianto hesitates and then shrugs. ‘I don’t know. I never really thought about saying what I did - it was just sort of habit. It wasn’t really an issue.’
Jack looks at him for a moment longer and then nods. This acceptance; wordless, absolute, is something Ianto appreciates and something he returns. He has, on occasion, pushed, but only when he has to. It is not something he enjoys.
He is shaken from his thoughts when Jack asks, ‘How are things going with Nick?’
‘It seems alright. He’s good with the tech and a quick learner. It looks like he’s enjoying it, but it hasn’t been long and things have been pretty quiet, so it’s hard to say how he’ll really cope.
Jack nods thoughtfully. ‘Sound pretty good. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see with the stress situations. He’s not a natural shooting, but he puts in the practice. If he can handle fear and adrenaline he’ll do okay as a field agent. How are you finding things?’
Ianto pauses, thinking. ‘I think I’m doing alright with it.’ He stops. He has no negative feelings, except perhaps worry about messing it up. In fact, his feelings are almost all positive, he just can’t pinpoint what exactly his emotions or opinions are. In the end he offers, ‘I ... enjoy it?’, sounding distinctly questioning.
He laughs. ‘Are you sure?’
He just shakes his head. ‘I don’t know that enjoying is quite the right word, but it’s something good.’
‘I guess I’ll just have to go with that.’ They step into the Tourist Office and begin making their way down to the Hub. ‘Seriously though. Say if you honestly don’t want to do it anymore.’
‘I will.’
As they step into Hub Gwen smiles and call out to them; Nick is thoroughly engrossed with the computer.
Break
It is two days later, once everyone has arrived and been handed the first coffee of the morning that Jack announces, ‘Gwen, I’m relieving you of active duty. As of now you’re a desk agent.’
Ianto winces and awaits the inevitable explosion. Couldn’t he have done it a little more tactfully? Gwen is hot-tempered at the best of times. Now she’s hormonal. It’s not the happiest of combinations.
‘I’m pregnant Jack, not incapable!’
‘I know, and that’s why you’re still working here. You’re not risking your baby, though. No more fieldwork.’
‘Can’t I go out occasionally? What if you need me?’
‘No. I mean it Gwen. Think about it for a moment. You know I’m right.’
And then, of course, he heads up to his office, leaving Ianto and Nick - who is trying to be as inconspicuous as possible - to deal with the fallout. Surprisingly, she is quiet for about a minute before sighing heavily.
‘He’s right. I just hate not being able to do anything!’
‘Even if you’re not out in the field you’re still working for Torchwood. You’re still helping,’ he points out.
‘I just feel useless.’
Ianto feels a spar of irritation. ‘Well you’re not. Gwen, you’re going to be a mother. That is a priority. It is the priority. You knew you wouldn’t be able to keep up with fieldwork when you’re pregnant. It’s not like it’s come as a shock to you.’
She sighs again. ‘I know.’ She smiles slightly. ‘Can I blame it on the hormones?
He laughs. ‘You’re pregnant. You can blame anything on hormones.’
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
Um ... oops? Again, I prove my awfulness at meeting deadlines. Sigh. I blame it on illness - have been struck down by a virus-turned-infection-thing again. Ah well. Merlin is probably also to blame, as that’s my fandom of choice right now. So many pretty men!
Anyway, here it is. Not great - a bit disjointed - but hopefully not too dreadful either. Thanks for all the comments, and hope you enjoy this chapter! :-) I’m not going to say when the next will be up, I really don’t know, but never fear, this will be finished. Eventually.
Jack is on one of his ‘we-really-should-develop-your-empathy-and-our-bond’ kicks again. Surprisingly, Ianto finds himself feeling mildly enthusiastic about it. It’s probably partly Jack’s emotions leaking across the bond and affecting his own, but he also likes a challenge, and psychic work is nothing if not challenging.
It’s lunchtime and they are sitting in a small cafe overlooking Cardiff Bay. The day has gone well so far. Nick - who is getting the hang of all the different protocols and is starting to get better at shooting - is happily creating a computer programme of some kind, although he couldn’t say what for. Gwen is looking into odd sheep mutilations (Ianto loves the idea that it might be Myfanwy, but isn’t about to get his hopes up) and complaining about cravings. In fact, the only thing marring the day so far is the headache that developed while he was working in the Archives, but even that has eased off considerably.
Taking a sip of his coffee - it’s not excellent, but it’s not awful either - he looks across to Jack who is glancing around, trying to find someone who looks distinctively emotional. It takes a few moments but finally his gaze rests on a harassed-looking worker who seems about ready to snap at someone.
‘Her,’ he says decisively. ‘Maker her calm, or happy, or something.’
Calm seems easier. This isn’t something he has tried before, although he has been practicing sensing other people’s emotions over the last few days. Taking a slow breath, he forces out all his other thoughts and distractions, focusing only on her. He feels a brief flicker of her emotions - stress, agitation - and then pushes them aside. Summoning up a sense of calm - something he is rather good at; he has to be - he tries to push it towards her. A few moments and nothing happens. Taking another breath he tries again, harder. Within seconds a look of mild surprise flickers across the woman’s features before agitation is replaced by a small, contented smile.
Ianto releases his concentration and looks over to Jack, grinning. ‘I think we can say that was a success.’
Jack is smiling too. ‘Nice one. Now try me.’
Ianto centers himself once more and brushes gently across the link, opening it and then sending out a wave of love, as strong as he can make it. He hears a soft gasp and then a pulse of happiness and answering love radiates back across the bond. It’s sappy, and cheesy, and he can’t help but love it.
‘This is amazing,’ he murmurs, eyes wide.
Jack’s smile broadens. ‘I know.’ He pauses, and the feelings died down, returning to what they are used to. ‘You’re good at this, Ianto. A natural. I’ve had psychic training, and I was okay, but you’ve really taken to it.’
He shrugs. ‘It’s not like I don’t have to try. Why do you think, though?’
Jack looks thoughtful. ‘Your empathy’s strong anyway, and on top of that you’ve got good mental skills. It’s probably the combination that does it. Lets leave it at that for now though. We can work on your stamina later.’ His eyes glint at the innuendo.
Ianto raises an eyebrow. ‘I think you’ve had plenty of proof of my stamina.’ Jack, of course, laughs and says, ‘You’ll have to remind me later.’
Break
They are walking back towards the Plass, happy and quiet in each other’s company. The day is slightly cool, and a little dull, but at least it isn’t raining. Ianto is slowly turning his conversation with Gwen over in his mind. Perhaps now is the time to say something?
Steeling himself, he opens his mouth and says, ‘I talked to Gwen the other day. Told her about my family - apparently Rhiannon said something to her when they met.’ Damn. He hadn’t meant to say that. Sighing internally, he decides that confessions can wait.
Jack is looking at him. ‘How did she take it?’
‘Not as badly as she might have. A bit hurt, but she seemed to understand, at least a little.’
‘Are you glad you told her?’
Ianto hesitates and then shrugs. ‘I don’t know. I never really thought about saying what I did - it was just sort of habit. It wasn’t really an issue.’
Jack looks at him for a moment longer and then nods. This acceptance; wordless, absolute, is something Ianto appreciates and something he returns. He has, on occasion, pushed, but only when he has to. It is not something he enjoys.
He is shaken from his thoughts when Jack asks, ‘How are things going with Nick?’
‘It seems alright. He’s good with the tech and a quick learner. It looks like he’s enjoying it, but it hasn’t been long and things have been pretty quiet, so it’s hard to say how he’ll really cope.
Jack nods thoughtfully. ‘Sound pretty good. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see with the stress situations. He’s not a natural shooting, but he puts in the practice. If he can handle fear and adrenaline he’ll do okay as a field agent. How are you finding things?’
Ianto pauses, thinking. ‘I think I’m doing alright with it.’ He stops. He has no negative feelings, except perhaps worry about messing it up. In fact, his feelings are almost all positive, he just can’t pinpoint what exactly his emotions or opinions are. In the end he offers, ‘I ... enjoy it?’, sounding distinctly questioning.
He laughs. ‘Are you sure?’
He just shakes his head. ‘I don’t know that enjoying is quite the right word, but it’s something good.’
‘I guess I’ll just have to go with that.’ They step into the Tourist Office and begin making their way down to the Hub. ‘Seriously though. Say if you honestly don’t want to do it anymore.’
‘I will.’
As they step into Hub Gwen smiles and call out to them; Nick is thoroughly engrossed with the computer.
Break
It is two days later, once everyone has arrived and been handed the first coffee of the morning that Jack announces, ‘Gwen, I’m relieving you of active duty. As of now you’re a desk agent.’
Ianto winces and awaits the inevitable explosion. Couldn’t he have done it a little more tactfully? Gwen is hot-tempered at the best of times. Now she’s hormonal. It’s not the happiest of combinations.
‘I’m pregnant Jack, not incapable!’
‘I know, and that’s why you’re still working here. You’re not risking your baby, though. No more fieldwork.’
‘Can’t I go out occasionally? What if you need me?’
‘No. I mean it Gwen. Think about it for a moment. You know I’m right.’
And then, of course, he heads up to his office, leaving Ianto and Nick - who is trying to be as inconspicuous as possible - to deal with the fallout. Surprisingly, she is quiet for about a minute before sighing heavily.
‘He’s right. I just hate not being able to do anything!’
‘Even if you’re not out in the field you’re still working for Torchwood. You’re still helping,’ he points out.
‘I just feel useless.’
Ianto feels a spar of irritation. ‘Well you’re not. Gwen, you’re going to be a mother. That is a priority. It is the priority. You knew you wouldn’t be able to keep up with fieldwork when you’re pregnant. It’s not like it’s come as a shock to you.’
She sighs again. ‘I know.’ She smiles slightly. ‘Can I blame it on the hormones?
He laughs. ‘You’re pregnant. You can blame anything on hormones.’