Tales Of A Time Agency - 4/?
Title: Tales of A Time Agency - 4/?
Rating: 15 to NC-17 to be safe.
Characters: Jack, Ianto, John Hart, Toshiko, Owen, Gwen, Martha, The Doctor
Pairings: Predominantly Jack/Ianto (eventually), but it’s the Time Agency so expect Jack/John, Tosh/Owen, John/the consenting population of the universe……
Chapter: Chapter Number Four.
Spoilers: Anything Torchwood could be hinted at. Could also include a dash of Doctor Who too.
Summary: Ianto Jones is thrown into the world of excess of the Time Agency Academy, but will he sink or swim? Especially when the enigmatic Jack Harkness starts looking his way….
Disclaimer: Regrettably I own nothing, none of the characters, zip. Wish I did though.
Author’s Notes: As promised, here is more TOATA. I really hope that you enjoy this as much as I love writing it. Thanks obviously go to my adorable beta 2nd_toshiko , and to everyone sticking with this long… (And ambitious) fic. And yes, as always I adore every single comment you guys are kind enough to give me! :D
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Dedicated as ever to the equally amazing and incredible 2nd_toshiko , naddypants , skullgirl013 and morgia for being just so wonderful!!! You all deserve it!
“The sex, the drugs and the complications…….”
“Toshiko?” Ianto watched as the average build, yet strangely attractive man approached them. He was dressed in all black, his shirt unbuttoned slightly at the collar, a faint outline of stubble shading his chin and jaw. His eyes were a deep brown, pupils large and round in the dim light. He looked younger than Ianto had expected, but by the flush of crimson colour flowing across Tosh’s cheeks, he was most definitely the man they’d been waiting for.
“Owen…..” She smiled, nodding as to acknowledge his presence infront of her. She quickly turned to her side, pointing to Ianto. “My friend…..Ianto Jones.”
“Hello.” Owen quickly replied, before grabbing her arm and pulling her closer towards him so that he could talk into her ear. Ianto could faintly make out him saying something along the lines of “I told you to meet me alone….”
“I…..I’m sorry Owen.” Toshiko said softly, not able to look him in the eye. “I trust Ianto though…..”
“But I don’t.”
“Owen…..”
“You know what?” Ianto said quickly, grabbing his drink and already moving away from them. “I think I should go…” He nodded, trying to hide any embarrassment he felt at suddenly being in the way of things. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow ok Tosh?”
And then he was moving back off into the crowd, weaving in and out of the throng of people as they formed an endlessly rising and falling sea of bodies around him. He had no desire to stay in the club, to remain in the intense heat and flailing limbs all around him. It was all too much, amplifying his lost feelings and the isolation that still lived on in his heart. Who was he kidding here? There was still one man in his there, deep inside and no amount of alcohol was going to shift him in a hurry….
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Jack Harkness hated the way his heart was now pounding in his chest. He hated feeling so out of control as the figure kept him in position, the gun still held firmly to his forehead, cool metal etching out a soft imprint in his skin whilst the other hand writhed under his jacket, in his pockets for everything of value, snatching and taking like it had the right to. Every second of his training was playing through his head, yet it hurt so much to breathe that he was utterly powerless, unable to shift the muscular mass that had so much control over his own body.
“Take it off.” The figure stepped back, although the gun was still levelled at Jack’s forehead. He indicated down to Jack’s right hand. “The wrist strap. Give it to me, now.”
“You have to be kidding me…..” Jack managed to breathe, not even attempting to move. “It’s locked by the Academy, it’s useless to you….”
“Did I tell you to answer me back?!” The voice screamed, clicking the safety mechanism off the gun. “Just do it…..now!”
Jack sighed, yet he didn’t dare risk another outburst from his attacker as he slowly began to loosen the strap, working it loose from his wrist. He paused as he slid it off, still keeping his grip tight around it, yet looking up into the eyes of the man with the gun.
“You know if I give this to you…..they can trace it. You’ll be caught.”
“I’m not afraid of them.”
“You’re not? We’re outside of the galactic police here, there’s nothing to stop them from finding and killing you…..”
“Just give it to me!”
“Are you honestly sure that you want that?”
“Would you prefer me to kill you?!” The volatile person stepped forward, pressing the gun back against Jack’s face. “Because I can easily do that instead…….and no one would ever even know-“
“Jack?” There was another voice, less aggressive that rang out in the alleyway, throwing the attacker off guard. He jumped, stepping backwards from Jack and pointing the gun at the newcomer. This allowed Jack to turn his face, eyes meeting with the form of Ianto Jones. His heart missed another beat, jumping erratically in his chest. This was no place for a freshie…..
“Jones……..Get out of here.” Jack croaked, looking back to the figure in front of him.
“You heard him kid…..” The man said, levelling his gun on Ianto. “Run….”
“You really going to shoot me?” Ianto smiled, taking a tentative step forward, raising an eyebrow. “Honestly? Because if you do, you’ll be doing me a favour.”
“W……what?”
“Shoot me then.” Ianto nodded, taking another small step forwards them. “I dare you.”
“You’re crazy…..” The man said, his gun hand shaking as he moved back to focus his aim on Jack, pulling him so that he stood between Ianto and him, the gun pressed against his temple. “Come any closer and I shoot your friend.”
“Who says he’s my friend?” Ianto grinned, yet this time he stayed still. “Kill him. He’s nothing to me.” He punctuated the last sentence with another, more deliberate step forward, watching in satisfaction as the man backed away, pulling Jack with him. “Go on, if you’re going to do it.”
“Just…..just shut up!” The man screamed.
“Make me.”
He didn’t know what finally made the attacker lose his nerve, but one way or another he did, the look of determination lost from his eyes as his grip on Jack loosened slightly. In one quick movement, Ianto made to leap forward, but as soon as he did, the attacker raised his gun, hitting Jack squarely on the back of the head, throwing him from consciousness. He dropped his limp body, before turning and running from the alley, obviously praying that Ianto wouldn’t follow. He didn’t.
Ianto bent down onto his knees, his arms wrapping around Jack’s body, pulling one arm up around his neck and pulling him towards the alley wall, so that he could prop the heavier man up against the stone. He sighed, eyes fixed on Jack’s sleeping face, before craning his neck in order to look at the older man’s head. He was bleeding slightly from a cut where the gun had hit its final blow, and Ianto could feel the sticky blood clog his fingers in the dim light. He shook his head, taking the sleeve of his right arm into his hands and ripping at the fabric, holding the torn material to Jack’s head to absorb the blood. To many of people, the whole situation would have been a shock, sent them running off panicked and scared. But to Ianto…..well this was something that he had had to have gotten used to…..
“Urrgggg….” After what felt like an age, the head below Ianto’s hands began to move slightly, as Jack’s body slowly came back to life. Ianto withdrew his hands in milliseconds, the bloodied rag of clothing clasped in one hand as he moved backwards, still on his knees. “J……Jones?” Jack’s head lifted slightly, his eyes reached upwards until they came into full contact with the other man’s. He looked at him quizzically, one hand reaching up to hold his head, whilst the other tried to push himself upwards.
“That’s my name, don’t wear it out….” Ianto replied bluntly, examining the cloth in his hands intently.
“W……what?”
“Never mind.” He shook his head, swallowing his anxieties as he stepped forward again, examining Jack’s head. “It seems to have stopped bleeding. How do you feel?”
“What happened?” Jack replied softly, abandoning his attempts at trying to stand and simply letting his body drop limply back to lean against the wall.
“What do you remember?”
“Not much.”
“Well try.” Ianto said, trying to be as gentle as he could. “You’ve got concussion. Just trust me.”
“I…..remember….a guy, he was trying to take my credits. There was a gun….he wanted my wrist strap. Then you showed up.” Jack shook his head, before wincing and gripping at it gently. “My head….”
“Like I said; concussion. You took quite a knock.”
“I’ve had worse.”
“I bet you have.” Ianto laughed softly to himself, his heart torn in two. Part of it was screaming at him, joining forces with his brain and telling him to leave. This was the same Jack he’d been trying to forget, the same Jack who had made him feel so confused, made him feel so angry for the short time he had been at TARA. But the other side of him was crying out to be sympathetic, to show Jack the compassion that he knew anyone deserved. And right then, that side of him was winning…..
“Why are you even here?” Jack groaned, finally lifting his head again and speaking to him almost angrily. “I thought I was the last person you’d want to help?”
“That was before I saw you getting mugged.” Ianto quipped softly.
“That makes a difference?”
“Of course it does.”
“It shouldn’t do.” Jack sighed quickly, grimacing in pain. “Look, Jones……”
“Shut up Jack.” The younger cadet interrupted quickly. “You’re in no fit state to say anything. Can you stand?”
“I’m not sure.”
Ianto didn’t reply, and leaning down he took one of Jack’s arms and threw it back round his neck. The other man grunted slightly, but made no move to oppose him as Ianto began to lift him gently, using the wall next to them for added support and strength. He paused, panting slightly; cool sweat forming on his brow. Jack was heavier than he looked.
“You’ve done this before.” Jack grinned, his body swaying slightly now that he was upright, causing him to grip at Ianto’s collar.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Ianto laughed gently, taking a laboured step forward, his body just managing to bring Jack’s along with it. He stopped, taking another deep breath before moving again, a faster pace this time as he managed to support Jack enough to manoeuvre him from the alleyway. He looked around the deserted streets and sighed. Everyone else was still inside the clubs; there was literally no one there to help him.
Ianto was fully aware that there was no leaving Jack now. He had concussion, was disorientated and confused, as well as having several injuries from his encounter. Even worse, Jack was alone, and Ianto knew that if he left him, there would be no one else to pick him off the floor and check if he was ok. In some weird twist of events, Jack Harkness was now his responsibility, whether he liked it or not. In some ways, he had been Ianto’s responsibility ever since he’d seen him outside with the mugger, because that was when Ianto made the choice to either help him, or leave him to fend for himself. And no matter how Ianto felt about a person, that was one choice for him that had with it a guaranteed outcome.
Sighing, Ianto kept on walking with Jack, his muscles burning under the strain. He had no other place to go but home, and he was taking Jack Harkness with him this time…..
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Toshiko Sato had never been one for breaking the rules.
She liked to think that rules gave her some stability in life, gave her the structure that she craved from her work as a technological student. She wanted life to be as simple as numbers, in some ways to be less organic and more predictable. She wanted to be able to work people out like sums and figures, needed rules and regulations to give her set boundaries and time frames, to help her choose which was the most logical route or path to take. Assistance. She had never liked to admit it, but sometimes Toshiko just wished that someone, anyone, would tell her what to do.
Yet now, as she lay there, Owen’s lips at her neck, biting and sucking at the tender skin, Toshiko felt so out of her depth that she could barely even breathe. It was all so wrong, wrong for her to be letting her former tutor and commanding officer lavish her body with attention, wrong for her to enjoy it with every cell in her being. All the rules were against them, against whatever the sex could ever stand for. She was risking it all…expulsion from the Academy, her life with the Time Agency, everything. He was risking it all too, his life, his job, his reputation. Yet they didn’t stop, despite both knowing it. There was more in the air, sparking between them that night than simple pheromones, more than the complex biological battles raging in both their systems. Why was there always so much more to everything?
“Owen….” Tosh breathed, reaching down to his head which had worked halfway down her bare abdomen. Holding his face still between her hands, she forced him to make eye contact with her, tearing his lips from her skin. “Owen…..what are we doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” His face cracked into a lust filled smile.
“Yes…..but I…..” She was flustered now, hating the way that she could feel her cheeks flowing scarlet with every passing second. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“I mean…..well this. What’s going on between us? I mean……its wrong isn’t it?”
“Is it?” He gave her a quizzical look, pulling himself back up her body so that he could lie on top of her, bare chest pressed against hers, eyes searching hers inquisitively. “How is it wrong?”
“Don’t be stupid Owen!” She gasped, shocked at his flippancy. “You know it’s wrong.”
“Just because it’s against the rules?”
“Yes!”
“That’s it?”
“You’re being ridiculous!” She sighed; face softening slightly “…. It’s a big deal; don’t pretend to me that it isn’t. If we’re caught….”
“Then let’s not get caught.”
“Owen…..”
“Look….” He gave her a quick grin, shaking his head slightly above her. “Toshiko, those rules, they aren’t alive, they don’t really mean anything….” He leant down, pressing a kiss to her jaw. “Not like us…..we’re alive, we’re both here. Now that means something.” He smiled again softly, before lining more kisses from her jaw to the base of her neck, biting gently as it joined with her slim shoulder. “You want this right?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then that’s all we need to worry about.”
“But that still doesn’t make it right.”
“ Tell me…...Does it feel wrong Tosh?” Owen paused, his hands gently tracing the curve of her hip, moving tantalisingly down underneath her skirt. He gave her a comforting look, his eyes still locked onto hers as he slowly slid his hand down further. “Does this feel wrong?”
“…..No….” Toshiko groaned, desperately trying to keep her thoughts focused. “That’s the problem.”
“I don’t see it as a problem.” Owen grinned, pressing another kiss to her lips as he slowly started to move his hand. “Just let things happen……let go…..”
After another kiss, Toshiko knew she was lost. She’d wanted this, no needed this for as long as she’d known the young medic. As much as she hated to admit it there had been no one else, even though they had never even kissed before that night. There had always been something there for her, something stronger than what she had ever been used to feeling, something that intoxicated her. And now, now she had become broken by that intoxication, she was letting it rampage through her body, blind her logic and just let her feel. She was losing control, but for the first time that she could really remember….Toshiko loved it.
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His brain was burning within his skull, but Jack Harkness barely remembered drinking enough for him to feel so rough. He opened his eyes, blinking at the bright light pouring in through the large windowed wall, looking at the room around him for any clue as to where exactly he was. It was an Academy dorm room; he knew that at the very least. Meticulously tidy too, not an object lying around that seemed out of place, or that seemed like it didn’t fit in. He forced a small smile across his features. Except for him of course. Jack Harkness rarely fitted in anywhere after all…..
“You’re awake then?” There was a voice behind him, causing Jack to jump slightly, whirling round in the bed. Face coming face to face with that of Ianto Jones. Suddenly, it all came flying back to him, hitting him squarely between the eyes, a pure bullet of reality.
“Errr…..yeah.”
“How do you feel?”
“In pain. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.” He shook his head slightly. “You don’t have any vodka do you?”
“No, and I really doubt you should be drinking that in your state.” Ianto smiled, handing him a glass of what looked like water. “This will do you more good.”
“You sound like my mother.”
“Good….” Ianto laughed. “Probably means that I’m right.”
“Oh very funny.”
“Just drink it ok?” Ianto rolled his eyes, not saying anything else, allowing the room to fall back into a deep silence as Jack slowly sipped at his water. It was awkward, uptight even, pressure building with the silence in equal measure.
“You didn’t have to help me you know.” Jack said quickly, handing the empty glass back to Ianto.
“I couldn’t just leave you. You weren’t well.”
“I didn’t mean then. I meant in the alley, with that guy…..” Jack rubbed at his eyes, leaning back against the headboard. “I told you to get out of there.”
“And I ignored you.” Ianto smiled, putting down the glass before sitting down beside him. “My choice right?”
“You could have got hurt.”
“Nothing I’ve not encountered before.”
“What?”
“Where I grew up…..things like that used to happen a lot. You ended up getting used to it all.”
“Rough neighbourhood eh?” Jack laughed, letting his eyes meet with Ianto’s.
“You could say that.” The younger cadet nodded, letting a soft smile pass his lips. “Either way you just learn how to deal with it. You have to.”
“With an attitude like that…..you’re going to go far here.” Jack grinned, before tearing his gaze from Ianto’s and back to the ceiling. He laughed to himself, clearly remembering more by the second. “Did you really not care if he shot me?”
“Well……”Ianto quipped, looking at the wall dead in front of him rather than at the other man. “I wouldn’t say that I didn’t care. But you could just tell that he couldn’t do it.”
“You could?”
“Yeah, you could see it in his eyes. He was just desperate for an escape, and the only way he could get that was through us.” Ianto paused, shaking his head. “Desperation is powerful, but not that powerful.”
“You’ve got an eye for reading people.” Jack nodded in compliance. “I generally have that too.”
“Yeah….but it counts for nothing when you have a gun pointed to your head.”
“It’s supposed to count for something. It’s the whole point of my training, to help me get out of situations like that.”
“We all make mistakes Jack.”
“Even field agents?”
“Even field agents.”
“I like you Jones.” Jack smiled softly, looking back to the younger man.
“I think I’m aware of that.”
“I don’t just mean like that….” Jack sighed, not sure what to say. “I mean I like what’s going on in your head. We’re similar you and me.”
“Not too similar I hope.”
“No……..in a lotta ways we’re totally different. It’s just that….I don’t know. You just seem to know how to act around me.”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“No, everyone just acts how they think I want them to act around me.”
“Like John?” Ianto bit his lip, regretting mentioning the man’s name as soon as it passed his lips.
“How do you know about him?”
“Toshiko.”
“Oh, I see…..figures. No…I guess John is different. He knows….. well he knows what I want anyway.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Being researching me eh?”
“No, you’re just an arrogant bastard with a big reputation.” Ianto laughed, unable to believe how free he felt around Jack.
“Yeah…..that’s me.” Jack smiled too, leaning forward to stop himself slouching. He grunted suddenly, gripping at his abdomen in pain. “Shit…..”
“What’s wrong?”
“Not sure…….but it hurts like hell….”
“I’ll take a look.” Ianto nodded quickly, pushing Jack backwards so that he was lying down, whilst rolling up his shirt. He exhaled quickly, running a hand gently across the deep purple skin. “There’s something here, I guess it’s possible you could have broken a rib.”
“Not another one.” Jack hissed gently. “I think I’ve broken them all now.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me.”
“I’m sure it wouldn’t….” Jack replied, pulling himself up into a more upright position slowly. “Jones……..”
“What?”
“I still don’t get it.”
“Get what?”
“You’re helping me, even though…..well I tried to use you.” Jack shook his head, clearly not able to compute the realisation. “I thought you didn’t want to talk to me again.”
“I…..I didn’t….” It was Ianto’s turn to look confused this time, as he turned his gaze from Jack completely. “I guess last night I just realised something.”
“What?”
“You’re alone aren’t you Jack?”
“Not if I don’t want to be…..” The older cadet risked him a wink.
“I don’t mean like that. I mean in your life, you’re alone. You don’t have anyone. No one to really help you when you’re down.”
“Wow Jones….way to make me feel special….” Jack forced a laugh, but it fell heavy on them both. He ran an anxious hand through his hair. “Maybe you’re right….I dunno. I’ve never really needed anyone…..like that.”
“You did last night.”
“Well, last night was a one off; I don’t make a habit of that happening every night…”
“But what if it happened again?” Ianto paused, staring at Jack intently. “Who’d help you then?”
“I…..I don’t know….”
“My point exactly.”
“You’re not exactly helping here Jones…”
“I’m sorry.” Ianto gave the other man a gentle nod, looking at him with kind eyes. “But that was what I realised.”
“And? What do you want? A medal?”
“No. But I wanted to offer something to you that you didn’t already have.”
“What’s that?”
“Friendship.” Ianto sighed, shaking his head. “I like you Jack, but not enough to just accept what I know is the only thing you can give me.”
“So….you want us to be friends?”
“It’s better than nothing right?”
“I guess….” Jack scratched his head, obviously struggling with the concept. “So…..friends?”
“Yes.”
“Friends who don’t have sex?”
“Friends who don’t have sex.”
“And you’re ok with that?”
“Completely.” Ianto nodded, holding back a grin. “You can go off and fuck anyone and it wouldn’t bother me at all.”
“Good…..” Jack smiled in return. “I think……..”
“You’ll get used to the idea.” The younger cadet laughed, standing up. “Now, don’t you think you should get down to the medical centre?”
“Why?”
“You need to be checked out. Besides, from what I can make out you have an hour before your training starts.”
“What about you?”
“Mine started ten minutes ago. Space- Time Ethics.”
“You’re not missing anything there, believe me.”
“I don’t think I am, although I would like to make it to that class soon.” Ianto smiled, nudging Jack gently in the arm. “Now are you going to get to that med centre, or am I going to have to drag you there?”
“You know what?” Jack shook his head, standing up slowly. “When I said you were like my mother? I take that back……you’re so much worse.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Ianto laughed softly, watching as Jack made his way past him and to the door. “Just get out of here before I change my mind.”
“I’m going, I’m going….” Jack opened the door, but stopped halfway through it, turning round slightly. “Ianto?”
“What now?”
“Thank you. I…..errr….I mean it.”
“No problem.”
“I’m not sure if I can ever repay you…..you know, for what you did.”
“You’ve already made a start.”
“I have?”
“Yup.” The younger cadet gave him a gentle nod. “You called me Ianto. That’s a start alright.”
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Jack Harkness left Ianto’s room with an odd feeling that morning. At first, he blamed it on the fact that it had been so long since he left someone’s room without having any form of sex, although deep down he knew that wasn’t true. He was astounded, caught off guard by the freshie who despite his age seemed to be so much more mature than he. Friendship. He’d never thought that he’d needed it, since there were many people in his life that he considered friends, all people he knew and trusted, and all people who he had at some point slept with and grown tired of. But never anything like this, never a type of friendship that was completely separate from sex, isolated from all the complications that fucking brought to anything. This was something new, something that felt almost unconditional, something that was there not because of an attraction, but because of the personalities behind that. And in some ways that worried Jack. He was in unknown territory, surrounded by questions and new situations. Everything felt that little bit different, and he was sure that it wasn’t just down to his slight concussion. No, apart from the pain in his head, something else had shaken up in his life. The emergence of the mysterious Ianto Jones, a man who was still as desirable as he had ever been. Except now Jack had just agreed to no sex with the beautiful Cadet Jones…….what the hell had he been thinking?
Jack shook his head. Concussion or no concussion, he knew that that was going to be one agreement he was going to struggle to keep……..
So our boys are back together……kind of anyway. At the end of yet another chapter, I have to ask, what did you think? By now you know that I adore your comments so much, since I guess they are the only thing I actually post for! So, if you’ve got a spare minute or two, then leave me a comment! I really do love hearing what you think!! Thanks!!
Just Being Me a.k.a Sisi
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Click here for chapter five!!
Rating: 15 to NC-17 to be safe.
Characters: Jack, Ianto, John Hart, Toshiko, Owen, Gwen, Martha, The Doctor
Pairings: Predominantly Jack/Ianto (eventually), but it’s the Time Agency so expect Jack/John, Tosh/Owen, John/the consenting population of the universe……
Chapter: Chapter Number Four.
Spoilers: Anything Torchwood could be hinted at. Could also include a dash of Doctor Who too.
Summary: Ianto Jones is thrown into the world of excess of the Time Agency Academy, but will he sink or swim? Especially when the enigmatic Jack Harkness starts looking his way….
Disclaimer: Regrettably I own nothing, none of the characters, zip. Wish I did though.
Author’s Notes: As promised, here is more TOATA. I really hope that you enjoy this as much as I love writing it. Thanks obviously go to my adorable beta 2nd_toshiko , and to everyone sticking with this long… (And ambitious) fic. And yes, as always I adore every single comment you guys are kind enough to give me! :D
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Dedicated as ever to the equally amazing and incredible 2nd_toshiko , naddypants , skullgirl013 and morgia for being just so wonderful!!! You all deserve it!
“The sex, the drugs and the complications…….”
“Toshiko?” Ianto watched as the average build, yet strangely attractive man approached them. He was dressed in all black, his shirt unbuttoned slightly at the collar, a faint outline of stubble shading his chin and jaw. His eyes were a deep brown, pupils large and round in the dim light. He looked younger than Ianto had expected, but by the flush of crimson colour flowing across Tosh’s cheeks, he was most definitely the man they’d been waiting for.
“Owen…..” She smiled, nodding as to acknowledge his presence infront of her. She quickly turned to her side, pointing to Ianto. “My friend…..Ianto Jones.”
“Hello.” Owen quickly replied, before grabbing her arm and pulling her closer towards him so that he could talk into her ear. Ianto could faintly make out him saying something along the lines of “I told you to meet me alone….”
“I…..I’m sorry Owen.” Toshiko said softly, not able to look him in the eye. “I trust Ianto though…..”
“But I don’t.”
“Owen…..”
“You know what?” Ianto said quickly, grabbing his drink and already moving away from them. “I think I should go…” He nodded, trying to hide any embarrassment he felt at suddenly being in the way of things. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow ok Tosh?”
And then he was moving back off into the crowd, weaving in and out of the throng of people as they formed an endlessly rising and falling sea of bodies around him. He had no desire to stay in the club, to remain in the intense heat and flailing limbs all around him. It was all too much, amplifying his lost feelings and the isolation that still lived on in his heart. Who was he kidding here? There was still one man in his there, deep inside and no amount of alcohol was going to shift him in a hurry….
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Jack Harkness hated the way his heart was now pounding in his chest. He hated feeling so out of control as the figure kept him in position, the gun still held firmly to his forehead, cool metal etching out a soft imprint in his skin whilst the other hand writhed under his jacket, in his pockets for everything of value, snatching and taking like it had the right to. Every second of his training was playing through his head, yet it hurt so much to breathe that he was utterly powerless, unable to shift the muscular mass that had so much control over his own body.
“Take it off.” The figure stepped back, although the gun was still levelled at Jack’s forehead. He indicated down to Jack’s right hand. “The wrist strap. Give it to me, now.”
“You have to be kidding me…..” Jack managed to breathe, not even attempting to move. “It’s locked by the Academy, it’s useless to you….”
“Did I tell you to answer me back?!” The voice screamed, clicking the safety mechanism off the gun. “Just do it…..now!”
Jack sighed, yet he didn’t dare risk another outburst from his attacker as he slowly began to loosen the strap, working it loose from his wrist. He paused as he slid it off, still keeping his grip tight around it, yet looking up into the eyes of the man with the gun.
“You know if I give this to you…..they can trace it. You’ll be caught.”
“I’m not afraid of them.”
“You’re not? We’re outside of the galactic police here, there’s nothing to stop them from finding and killing you…..”
“Just give it to me!”
“Are you honestly sure that you want that?”
“Would you prefer me to kill you?!” The volatile person stepped forward, pressing the gun back against Jack’s face. “Because I can easily do that instead…….and no one would ever even know-“
“Jack?” There was another voice, less aggressive that rang out in the alleyway, throwing the attacker off guard. He jumped, stepping backwards from Jack and pointing the gun at the newcomer. This allowed Jack to turn his face, eyes meeting with the form of Ianto Jones. His heart missed another beat, jumping erratically in his chest. This was no place for a freshie…..
“Jones……..Get out of here.” Jack croaked, looking back to the figure in front of him.
“You heard him kid…..” The man said, levelling his gun on Ianto. “Run….”
“You really going to shoot me?” Ianto smiled, taking a tentative step forward, raising an eyebrow. “Honestly? Because if you do, you’ll be doing me a favour.”
“W……what?”
“Shoot me then.” Ianto nodded, taking another small step forwards them. “I dare you.”
“You’re crazy…..” The man said, his gun hand shaking as he moved back to focus his aim on Jack, pulling him so that he stood between Ianto and him, the gun pressed against his temple. “Come any closer and I shoot your friend.”
“Who says he’s my friend?” Ianto grinned, yet this time he stayed still. “Kill him. He’s nothing to me.” He punctuated the last sentence with another, more deliberate step forward, watching in satisfaction as the man backed away, pulling Jack with him. “Go on, if you’re going to do it.”
“Just…..just shut up!” The man screamed.
“Make me.”
He didn’t know what finally made the attacker lose his nerve, but one way or another he did, the look of determination lost from his eyes as his grip on Jack loosened slightly. In one quick movement, Ianto made to leap forward, but as soon as he did, the attacker raised his gun, hitting Jack squarely on the back of the head, throwing him from consciousness. He dropped his limp body, before turning and running from the alley, obviously praying that Ianto wouldn’t follow. He didn’t.
Ianto bent down onto his knees, his arms wrapping around Jack’s body, pulling one arm up around his neck and pulling him towards the alley wall, so that he could prop the heavier man up against the stone. He sighed, eyes fixed on Jack’s sleeping face, before craning his neck in order to look at the older man’s head. He was bleeding slightly from a cut where the gun had hit its final blow, and Ianto could feel the sticky blood clog his fingers in the dim light. He shook his head, taking the sleeve of his right arm into his hands and ripping at the fabric, holding the torn material to Jack’s head to absorb the blood. To many of people, the whole situation would have been a shock, sent them running off panicked and scared. But to Ianto…..well this was something that he had had to have gotten used to…..
“Urrgggg….” After what felt like an age, the head below Ianto’s hands began to move slightly, as Jack’s body slowly came back to life. Ianto withdrew his hands in milliseconds, the bloodied rag of clothing clasped in one hand as he moved backwards, still on his knees. “J……Jones?” Jack’s head lifted slightly, his eyes reached upwards until they came into full contact with the other man’s. He looked at him quizzically, one hand reaching up to hold his head, whilst the other tried to push himself upwards.
“That’s my name, don’t wear it out….” Ianto replied bluntly, examining the cloth in his hands intently.
“W……what?”
“Never mind.” He shook his head, swallowing his anxieties as he stepped forward again, examining Jack’s head. “It seems to have stopped bleeding. How do you feel?”
“What happened?” Jack replied softly, abandoning his attempts at trying to stand and simply letting his body drop limply back to lean against the wall.
“What do you remember?”
“Not much.”
“Well try.” Ianto said, trying to be as gentle as he could. “You’ve got concussion. Just trust me.”
“I…..remember….a guy, he was trying to take my credits. There was a gun….he wanted my wrist strap. Then you showed up.” Jack shook his head, before wincing and gripping at it gently. “My head….”
“Like I said; concussion. You took quite a knock.”
“I’ve had worse.”
“I bet you have.” Ianto laughed softly to himself, his heart torn in two. Part of it was screaming at him, joining forces with his brain and telling him to leave. This was the same Jack he’d been trying to forget, the same Jack who had made him feel so confused, made him feel so angry for the short time he had been at TARA. But the other side of him was crying out to be sympathetic, to show Jack the compassion that he knew anyone deserved. And right then, that side of him was winning…..
“Why are you even here?” Jack groaned, finally lifting his head again and speaking to him almost angrily. “I thought I was the last person you’d want to help?”
“That was before I saw you getting mugged.” Ianto quipped softly.
“That makes a difference?”
“Of course it does.”
“It shouldn’t do.” Jack sighed quickly, grimacing in pain. “Look, Jones……”
“Shut up Jack.” The younger cadet interrupted quickly. “You’re in no fit state to say anything. Can you stand?”
“I’m not sure.”
Ianto didn’t reply, and leaning down he took one of Jack’s arms and threw it back round his neck. The other man grunted slightly, but made no move to oppose him as Ianto began to lift him gently, using the wall next to them for added support and strength. He paused, panting slightly; cool sweat forming on his brow. Jack was heavier than he looked.
“You’ve done this before.” Jack grinned, his body swaying slightly now that he was upright, causing him to grip at Ianto’s collar.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Ianto laughed gently, taking a laboured step forward, his body just managing to bring Jack’s along with it. He stopped, taking another deep breath before moving again, a faster pace this time as he managed to support Jack enough to manoeuvre him from the alleyway. He looked around the deserted streets and sighed. Everyone else was still inside the clubs; there was literally no one there to help him.
Ianto was fully aware that there was no leaving Jack now. He had concussion, was disorientated and confused, as well as having several injuries from his encounter. Even worse, Jack was alone, and Ianto knew that if he left him, there would be no one else to pick him off the floor and check if he was ok. In some weird twist of events, Jack Harkness was now his responsibility, whether he liked it or not. In some ways, he had been Ianto’s responsibility ever since he’d seen him outside with the mugger, because that was when Ianto made the choice to either help him, or leave him to fend for himself. And no matter how Ianto felt about a person, that was one choice for him that had with it a guaranteed outcome.
Sighing, Ianto kept on walking with Jack, his muscles burning under the strain. He had no other place to go but home, and he was taking Jack Harkness with him this time…..
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Toshiko Sato had never been one for breaking the rules.
She liked to think that rules gave her some stability in life, gave her the structure that she craved from her work as a technological student. She wanted life to be as simple as numbers, in some ways to be less organic and more predictable. She wanted to be able to work people out like sums and figures, needed rules and regulations to give her set boundaries and time frames, to help her choose which was the most logical route or path to take. Assistance. She had never liked to admit it, but sometimes Toshiko just wished that someone, anyone, would tell her what to do.
Yet now, as she lay there, Owen’s lips at her neck, biting and sucking at the tender skin, Toshiko felt so out of her depth that she could barely even breathe. It was all so wrong, wrong for her to be letting her former tutor and commanding officer lavish her body with attention, wrong for her to enjoy it with every cell in her being. All the rules were against them, against whatever the sex could ever stand for. She was risking it all…expulsion from the Academy, her life with the Time Agency, everything. He was risking it all too, his life, his job, his reputation. Yet they didn’t stop, despite both knowing it. There was more in the air, sparking between them that night than simple pheromones, more than the complex biological battles raging in both their systems. Why was there always so much more to everything?
“Owen….” Tosh breathed, reaching down to his head which had worked halfway down her bare abdomen. Holding his face still between her hands, she forced him to make eye contact with her, tearing his lips from her skin. “Owen…..what are we doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” His face cracked into a lust filled smile.
“Yes…..but I…..” She was flustered now, hating the way that she could feel her cheeks flowing scarlet with every passing second. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“I mean…..well this. What’s going on between us? I mean……its wrong isn’t it?”
“Is it?” He gave her a quizzical look, pulling himself back up her body so that he could lie on top of her, bare chest pressed against hers, eyes searching hers inquisitively. “How is it wrong?”
“Don’t be stupid Owen!” She gasped, shocked at his flippancy. “You know it’s wrong.”
“Just because it’s against the rules?”
“Yes!”
“That’s it?”
“You’re being ridiculous!” She sighed; face softening slightly “…. It’s a big deal; don’t pretend to me that it isn’t. If we’re caught….”
“Then let’s not get caught.”
“Owen…..”
“Look….” He gave her a quick grin, shaking his head slightly above her. “Toshiko, those rules, they aren’t alive, they don’t really mean anything….” He leant down, pressing a kiss to her jaw. “Not like us…..we’re alive, we’re both here. Now that means something.” He smiled again softly, before lining more kisses from her jaw to the base of her neck, biting gently as it joined with her slim shoulder. “You want this right?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then that’s all we need to worry about.”
“But that still doesn’t make it right.”
“ Tell me…...Does it feel wrong Tosh?” Owen paused, his hands gently tracing the curve of her hip, moving tantalisingly down underneath her skirt. He gave her a comforting look, his eyes still locked onto hers as he slowly slid his hand down further. “Does this feel wrong?”
“…..No….” Toshiko groaned, desperately trying to keep her thoughts focused. “That’s the problem.”
“I don’t see it as a problem.” Owen grinned, pressing another kiss to her lips as he slowly started to move his hand. “Just let things happen……let go…..”
After another kiss, Toshiko knew she was lost. She’d wanted this, no needed this for as long as she’d known the young medic. As much as she hated to admit it there had been no one else, even though they had never even kissed before that night. There had always been something there for her, something stronger than what she had ever been used to feeling, something that intoxicated her. And now, now she had become broken by that intoxication, she was letting it rampage through her body, blind her logic and just let her feel. She was losing control, but for the first time that she could really remember….Toshiko loved it.
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His brain was burning within his skull, but Jack Harkness barely remembered drinking enough for him to feel so rough. He opened his eyes, blinking at the bright light pouring in through the large windowed wall, looking at the room around him for any clue as to where exactly he was. It was an Academy dorm room; he knew that at the very least. Meticulously tidy too, not an object lying around that seemed out of place, or that seemed like it didn’t fit in. He forced a small smile across his features. Except for him of course. Jack Harkness rarely fitted in anywhere after all…..
“You’re awake then?” There was a voice behind him, causing Jack to jump slightly, whirling round in the bed. Face coming face to face with that of Ianto Jones. Suddenly, it all came flying back to him, hitting him squarely between the eyes, a pure bullet of reality.
“Errr…..yeah.”
“How do you feel?”
“In pain. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.” He shook his head slightly. “You don’t have any vodka do you?”
“No, and I really doubt you should be drinking that in your state.” Ianto smiled, handing him a glass of what looked like water. “This will do you more good.”
“You sound like my mother.”
“Good….” Ianto laughed. “Probably means that I’m right.”
“Oh very funny.”
“Just drink it ok?” Ianto rolled his eyes, not saying anything else, allowing the room to fall back into a deep silence as Jack slowly sipped at his water. It was awkward, uptight even, pressure building with the silence in equal measure.
“You didn’t have to help me you know.” Jack said quickly, handing the empty glass back to Ianto.
“I couldn’t just leave you. You weren’t well.”
“I didn’t mean then. I meant in the alley, with that guy…..” Jack rubbed at his eyes, leaning back against the headboard. “I told you to get out of there.”
“And I ignored you.” Ianto smiled, putting down the glass before sitting down beside him. “My choice right?”
“You could have got hurt.”
“Nothing I’ve not encountered before.”
“What?”
“Where I grew up…..things like that used to happen a lot. You ended up getting used to it all.”
“Rough neighbourhood eh?” Jack laughed, letting his eyes meet with Ianto’s.
“You could say that.” The younger cadet nodded, letting a soft smile pass his lips. “Either way you just learn how to deal with it. You have to.”
“With an attitude like that…..you’re going to go far here.” Jack grinned, before tearing his gaze from Ianto’s and back to the ceiling. He laughed to himself, clearly remembering more by the second. “Did you really not care if he shot me?”
“Well……”Ianto quipped, looking at the wall dead in front of him rather than at the other man. “I wouldn’t say that I didn’t care. But you could just tell that he couldn’t do it.”
“You could?”
“Yeah, you could see it in his eyes. He was just desperate for an escape, and the only way he could get that was through us.” Ianto paused, shaking his head. “Desperation is powerful, but not that powerful.”
“You’ve got an eye for reading people.” Jack nodded in compliance. “I generally have that too.”
“Yeah….but it counts for nothing when you have a gun pointed to your head.”
“It’s supposed to count for something. It’s the whole point of my training, to help me get out of situations like that.”
“We all make mistakes Jack.”
“Even field agents?”
“Even field agents.”
“I like you Jones.” Jack smiled softly, looking back to the younger man.
“I think I’m aware of that.”
“I don’t just mean like that….” Jack sighed, not sure what to say. “I mean I like what’s going on in your head. We’re similar you and me.”
“Not too similar I hope.”
“No……..in a lotta ways we’re totally different. It’s just that….I don’t know. You just seem to know how to act around me.”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“No, everyone just acts how they think I want them to act around me.”
“Like John?” Ianto bit his lip, regretting mentioning the man’s name as soon as it passed his lips.
“How do you know about him?”
“Toshiko.”
“Oh, I see…..figures. No…I guess John is different. He knows….. well he knows what I want anyway.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Being researching me eh?”
“No, you’re just an arrogant bastard with a big reputation.” Ianto laughed, unable to believe how free he felt around Jack.
“Yeah…..that’s me.” Jack smiled too, leaning forward to stop himself slouching. He grunted suddenly, gripping at his abdomen in pain. “Shit…..”
“What’s wrong?”
“Not sure…….but it hurts like hell….”
“I’ll take a look.” Ianto nodded quickly, pushing Jack backwards so that he was lying down, whilst rolling up his shirt. He exhaled quickly, running a hand gently across the deep purple skin. “There’s something here, I guess it’s possible you could have broken a rib.”
“Not another one.” Jack hissed gently. “I think I’ve broken them all now.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me.”
“I’m sure it wouldn’t….” Jack replied, pulling himself up into a more upright position slowly. “Jones……..”
“What?”
“I still don’t get it.”
“Get what?”
“You’re helping me, even though…..well I tried to use you.” Jack shook his head, clearly not able to compute the realisation. “I thought you didn’t want to talk to me again.”
“I…..I didn’t….” It was Ianto’s turn to look confused this time, as he turned his gaze from Jack completely. “I guess last night I just realised something.”
“What?”
“You’re alone aren’t you Jack?”
“Not if I don’t want to be…..” The older cadet risked him a wink.
“I don’t mean like that. I mean in your life, you’re alone. You don’t have anyone. No one to really help you when you’re down.”
“Wow Jones….way to make me feel special….” Jack forced a laugh, but it fell heavy on them both. He ran an anxious hand through his hair. “Maybe you’re right….I dunno. I’ve never really needed anyone…..like that.”
“You did last night.”
“Well, last night was a one off; I don’t make a habit of that happening every night…”
“But what if it happened again?” Ianto paused, staring at Jack intently. “Who’d help you then?”
“I…..I don’t know….”
“My point exactly.”
“You’re not exactly helping here Jones…”
“I’m sorry.” Ianto gave the other man a gentle nod, looking at him with kind eyes. “But that was what I realised.”
“And? What do you want? A medal?”
“No. But I wanted to offer something to you that you didn’t already have.”
“What’s that?”
“Friendship.” Ianto sighed, shaking his head. “I like you Jack, but not enough to just accept what I know is the only thing you can give me.”
“So….you want us to be friends?”
“It’s better than nothing right?”
“I guess….” Jack scratched his head, obviously struggling with the concept. “So…..friends?”
“Yes.”
“Friends who don’t have sex?”
“Friends who don’t have sex.”
“And you’re ok with that?”
“Completely.” Ianto nodded, holding back a grin. “You can go off and fuck anyone and it wouldn’t bother me at all.”
“Good…..” Jack smiled in return. “I think……..”
“You’ll get used to the idea.” The younger cadet laughed, standing up. “Now, don’t you think you should get down to the medical centre?”
“Why?”
“You need to be checked out. Besides, from what I can make out you have an hour before your training starts.”
“What about you?”
“Mine started ten minutes ago. Space- Time Ethics.”
“You’re not missing anything there, believe me.”
“I don’t think I am, although I would like to make it to that class soon.” Ianto smiled, nudging Jack gently in the arm. “Now are you going to get to that med centre, or am I going to have to drag you there?”
“You know what?” Jack shook his head, standing up slowly. “When I said you were like my mother? I take that back……you’re so much worse.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Ianto laughed softly, watching as Jack made his way past him and to the door. “Just get out of here before I change my mind.”
“I’m going, I’m going….” Jack opened the door, but stopped halfway through it, turning round slightly. “Ianto?”
“What now?”
“Thank you. I…..errr….I mean it.”
“No problem.”
“I’m not sure if I can ever repay you…..you know, for what you did.”
“You’ve already made a start.”
“I have?”
“Yup.” The younger cadet gave him a gentle nod. “You called me Ianto. That’s a start alright.”
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Jack Harkness left Ianto’s room with an odd feeling that morning. At first, he blamed it on the fact that it had been so long since he left someone’s room without having any form of sex, although deep down he knew that wasn’t true. He was astounded, caught off guard by the freshie who despite his age seemed to be so much more mature than he. Friendship. He’d never thought that he’d needed it, since there were many people in his life that he considered friends, all people he knew and trusted, and all people who he had at some point slept with and grown tired of. But never anything like this, never a type of friendship that was completely separate from sex, isolated from all the complications that fucking brought to anything. This was something new, something that felt almost unconditional, something that was there not because of an attraction, but because of the personalities behind that. And in some ways that worried Jack. He was in unknown territory, surrounded by questions and new situations. Everything felt that little bit different, and he was sure that it wasn’t just down to his slight concussion. No, apart from the pain in his head, something else had shaken up in his life. The emergence of the mysterious Ianto Jones, a man who was still as desirable as he had ever been. Except now Jack had just agreed to no sex with the beautiful Cadet Jones…….what the hell had he been thinking?
Jack shook his head. Concussion or no concussion, he knew that that was going to be one agreement he was going to struggle to keep……..
So our boys are back together……kind of anyway. At the end of yet another chapter, I have to ask, what did you think? By now you know that I adore your comments so much, since I guess they are the only thing I actually post for! So, if you’ve got a spare minute or two, then leave me a comment! I really do love hearing what you think!! Thanks!!
Just Being Me a.k.a Sisi
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Click here for chapter five!!