Discovery: Chapter 37 - Honesty

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Discovery:  Chapter 37 - Honesty
AUTHOR: Aviv_b 
RATING:  Chapter 37 - PG-13 for language and sexual references
CHARACTERS: Ianto, Owen, OC - The Brigadier
DISCLAIMER: Not mine; Aunty B's and RTD's
WORDS: ~ 2050
SUMMARY:   The Brigadier and Owen let Ianto know how they feel about his relationship with Jack.

The title is from the following quote:  An honest answer is the sign of true friendship.  Proverbs 24:26

 

The week between Christmas and New Years was pretty busy for Ianto. He spoke to Stephen about the brownies and while Stephen was apologetic, Ianto could tell that he thought Ianto was making too big a deal out of it. Ianto thought it was just as well that he wouldn’t be living with Stephen much longer. While he enjoying clubbing with him, Stephen never knew where his limits were. Ianto reckoned it would only be a matter of time until Stephen got himself into some serious trouble. And Ianto did not want to be with him when that happened.

 

He met up with Jonathan at rehab and had a nice lunch with him afterwards. Ianto inadvertently let something slip about Jack and Jonathan didn’t seem put out at all. Ianto wondered if there wasn’t something more to Stephen’s comments about Jonathan being intolerant.

 

Ianto set up a meeting with The Brigadier to tell him about Jack. He was really dreading the meeting, but thought it was only fair to be honest with him. He knew he had to be careful how he approached The Brigadier. It was one thing to tell Owen to back off as Owen was near his age and really more of a friend; it was quite another to tell someone who literally held his life as well as his financial future in his hands that he didn’t like the way he was being treated.

 

The Brigadier was surprised when Saundra told him that Ianto had called to set up an appointment to see him. “Hell, he’s like a son to me, he doesn’t have to do that,” The Brigadier groused to Saundra. 

 

Saundra thought that maybe Ianto wanted to discuss something about his continuing care and wanted to keep things ‘official.’   She suggested that they meet for dinner; it would less formal than his office but would still maintain his role as the person in charge of overseeing the survivors.

 

Ianto was surprised when Saundra called back to schedule dinner for Thursday evening but realized that a restaurant might be a better setting than The Brigadier’s office. After all, there was no way The Brigadier was going to throw a hissy fit in public.

 

Their conversation at dinner focused mainly on what Ianto would be doing in Cardiff once he moved back at the end of January. The Brigadier seemed pleased that Jack was going to provide a job, at least temporarily for Ianto. “I was worried that you’d be at loose ends…this is good for Torchwood and you.” When Ianto told him his thoughts about UNIT’s incident recording software he was surprised that The Brigadier agreed. “You know, UNIT always wanted to see what Torchwood was using, but Yvonne was not very good at sharing her toys.”

 

Ianto was certain Jack or even Archie would be happy to supply copies of the programs they used to log incidents and artifacts and he could demonstrate how well the cross- referencing functions worked.

 

The Brigadier was amazed by Ianto’s voice software. “It sounds like a real person, there’s even some inflection to the voice. How do they do that?” Ianto shrugged. The Brigadier was delighted when Ianto told him about the wonderful time he had at his sister’s for Christmas.  And he laughed when Ianto told him about the unfortunate incident with his nephew David imitating a robot voice.

 

‘I feel like a fool. I’ve missed so much time with my family. But they’ve welcomed me back like nothing every happened. And I can tell you sir, that nothing is ever going to keep me from them again.’

 

 

The Brigadier smiled and nodded. “Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean from my own personal experience. You’ll be meeting my oldest son, Aaron at the party.   His mother and I got married too young and when we divorced, neither of us was mature enough to put aside our differences for Aaron’s sake. His mother had primary custody as was the norm back then and when she moved back home with him, I didn’t make much of an effort to be a father. So when he came to live with me in preparation to going to University, he was a virtual stranger. We didn’t get along at all. I was a rising military officer with the British Army, very conservative and very concerned with appearances. He had long hair, different ideas and was making some lifestyle choices I did not approve of. And I had a new family and two young children and I was terrified that Aaron would be a bad influence on them. Interestingly enough, he got on pretty well with my second wife, probably because they were closer in age than she and I were.”

 

“Not surprisingly, after a year, he moved out, continued to live in London, but wouldn’t have much contact with me. Who would have thought that he’d end up a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Royal Marines? Just got promoted last week. Now it’s my younger sons I worry about and wish they would emulate their older brother. But this time, I’m not going to allow myself to become alienated from my children. Even if they make me crazy most of the time. Funny how things change.”

 

Ianto nodded. The Brigadier had been very candid with him about his family so maybe this wouldn’t be as difficult as he thought.

 

“I did ask for us to meet to talk about one specific issue. I think you are going to be quite upset with me, but I don’t want to be dishonest with you or put Owen in an awkward position.”

 

“If this is about Jack, Owen’s already told me. And he told me you told him to bugger off about it, so I’m guessing you’re about to tell me the same thing.”

 

Ianto’s mouth opened in shock. Why hadn’t Owen told him he had already spoken to The Brigadier?

 

“Ok, you can close your mouth now. I know you told him you’d handle it, but I think he still felt the obligation to comply with the conditions I set with him originally. Not to mention that it gave me time to think so I didn’t kill you on the spot.” The Brigadier sighed.

 

“I’m going to be totally honest with you. I think it’s a very bad idea. Now before you protest let me explain why. And it isn’t because you’ve chosen to be with another man. Obviously , you know about Stephen. I usually don’t discuss my sons’ private lives, but Aaron is gay. So I’d like to think that I’m pretty open-minded about individual lifestyle choices. At least now.”

 

Ianto smiled.   ‘So what’s the problem with Jack?’ 

 

“Now that’s a question I often ask myself. Jack is well, Jack. He’s like a force of nature, wild, impetuous, unstoppable. Which is fine for catching aliens, but I’m not so sure is good for relationships. I’m worried Ianto. I don’t want you to get hurt. Owen told me about your setting some ground rules with Jack, I just hope he doesn’t break them.”

 

‘He did make me certain promises, and we’ve made a few compromises that I can live with.’

 

“I’m not going to say any more than this. When Jack makes a promise he means it fully at that moment. Unfortunately, my experience has shown that Jack doesn’t have any problem breaking promises when it’s in his best interest to do so.  So just protect yourself physically and emotionally.”

 

Ianto respected The Brigadier’s opinion, but was disappointed that he thought so little of Jack.

 

“I hope I’m wrong, Ianto; I will be delighted to eat large quantities of crow if I am, but no matter what, you’re a son to me now and I’ll be there for you regardless.”

 

 

* * *

 

Owen arrived in London on Saturday. He was staying at the London Hilton on Park Lane where he and Ianto had dinner on Sunday night.

 

‘So did you and Tosh get to share the champagne yet?’

 

“No. What a week! Three more weevils were running around the shopping district on Saturday. Its hard to convince people that its just kids wearing costumes. Had to retcon a large group of shoppers who were convinced that they were real creatures. Not to mention that there seem to some mysterious disappearances of several young women from Cardiff since October. Personally, I think it’s just your average serial killer, not something from the rift.”

 

Ianto snorted. ‘Just a serial killer, that’s comforting.’

 

“Well, the police are treating it as their case for now, which means we won’t get involved unless another disappearance coincides with a rift spike.”

 

Ianto changed the subject. ‘ I had my little chat with the Brigadier.’ Seems somebody beat me to the punch.’  At least Owen looked abashed. ‘I guess I should thank you. He was pretty calm about the whole thing.’

 

“That’s nice to hear; he wasn’t so calm when I first told him.”

 

‘Why do you both have so little faith in Jack?’

 

Owen sighed; this was not going to be fun. “Ianto, you have to remember that Jack isn’t from this time. Humans have evolved for an additional 30 centuries by the time Jack is born. Where he’s from in the 51^st Century, the family structure has evolved away from monogamy. Not that there aren’t people who don’t live that way, but apparently its just one of a variety of coupling choices. And Jack admits to being a conman at some point in his past or future or whatever you’d call the time before he got here. So no matter what he promises, it’s still your primary responsibility to take care of yourself.”

 

“Yes, I’m being a bossy, interfering, git aren’t I? So I know you’re going to love it when I tell you that if Jack won’t commit to monogamy, or you suspect he won’t, you’d better be using a condom for oral or anal sex. Every time. No exceptions. Because Jack may be immortal, but you aren’t. And you can’t afford to pick up something like hepatitis or HIV.”

 

Ianto rolled his eyes. ‘Well let me ask you…do you always use a condom when you are out with a different woman every night?’

 

Ianto was surprised when Owen said he did. “I’m not stupid, Ianto. I’m not going to risk my life over a casual shag. I know, not very romantic, but very smart and practical.”

 

Owen figured he had said all he could about the topic and changed the topic. “Ready for the New Year’s Party?”

 

‘That was very smooth Owen.’

 

“Yeah, changing the topic gracefully is one of my specialties. I’m guessing you won’t be needing a ride, am I right?”

 

‘Stephen’s giving me a lift. We are going over a little early. The Brigadier asked that the family come early for a little private celebration.’

 

“Yeah, he asked me to come early as well. Can I assume that he won’t bring any Adults Only brownies to the party?”

 

‘I had a chat with him, but I could tell he thought I was overreacting.’

 

“Sounds like someone I know who thinks that way when I talk to him about safe sex.”

 

‘Owen, that was a terrible segway. Please, I heard you really, can we just drop it?’

 

Ianto thought, ‘I wonder what his reaction would be if he knew that Jack didn’t even promise monogamy.  Or that the idea of using a condom for oral sex is just too bizarre. Sucking on latex isn’t my idea of a good time. I bet that London’s fireworks for New Years wouldn’t even compare.’ 

 

“OK, this one’s even worse. Do you have any dress shoes? I realized that you didn’t buy any when you were in Cardiff.”

 

‘Yeah, I have one pair left; fortunately the pair that got ruined at Canary Wharf were my second best pair. And I think the shoes will protect me against an unwanted pregnancy.’

 

Owen snorted. “Very funny. Listen, did you have a chance to talk to your PT about some hand exercises?”

 

‘Yeah, she’s getting me one of those grip strengtheners. And she’s giving me different exercises to do with it.’

 

“Oi, you’re going to be regular he-man by the time you finish up your therapy.”

 

‘I don’t know about that, but I should have enough hand strength to throttle you if you don’t shut up!’

 

“I’m terrified, Ianto, truly terrified. I’ll see you on Saturday, then.”

 

They hugged and Ianto went to the hotel lobby and took a taxi back to Stephen’s flat.

Chapter 38 is here:  http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/14167.html