Renewal: Chapter 46: Runner
Dec. 28th, 2009 06:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aviv_b_artworkIANTO'S JOURNEY, PART III, RENEWAL
TITLE: Chapter 46 - Runner
AUTHOR: Aviv_b
RATING: Chapter 46 - PG-13 - language and a few sexual references
CHARACTERS: Ianto, Jack, Gwen, Owen, Tosh
DISCLAIMER: Not mine; Aunty B's and RTD's
WORDS: ~ 1610
SUMMARY: Will Ianto reveal what The Queen said? Why are Jack and Ianto fightiing?
Title is from: The man who runs away may fight again. Demosthenes
Following the memorial service, there was a small dust-up over what The Queen said to Ianto. Ianto wouldn’t tell anyone, not Jack, not Owen, not even his sister.
“Oh come on, Ianto,” Rhiannon pouted, “it’s not like I’m going to tell anyone else.”
Jack was almost as bad. “I share a bed with you and you won’t tell me. I think I should be insulted,” he teased. Ianto just smiled and refused to be goaded by Jack.
Owen couldn’t resist trying to make Ianto feel guilty. “I risk my life to save you and you can’t even tell me what The Queen said to you. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she propositioned you.”
The tabloid press also speculated on what had been said to Ianto. The Sun was the most outrageous speculating that The Queen was asking Ianto if Torchwood would send her some aliens for a private petting zoo. The Daily Mail thought that she was probably praising him for his loyalty to the crown. ‘We need more stand up real men like Mr. Jones,’ they noted. Wales on Sunday was certain that she had offered Ianto a job at Buckingham Palace.
“Oi,” Owen laughed as he read this aloud to the Team at lunchtime. “She’s probably heard about your coffee brewing skills. What a scandal it would be if she turned out to be a closet coffee drinker.”
‘Very funny. No actually, she wanted to me stop by and help her grandsons smarten up their wardrobes a bit.’
Gwen snorted in frustration. “I can’t believe you won’t share this with us, your wonderful co-workers. Look at all the secrets we share here without telling anyone else. You’d almost think he didn’t trust us.”
‘So not working Gwen.’ Ianto couldn’t resist jerking their chains one more time. ‘I’m pretty sure she told me what she did because she knew I wouldn’t share it with anyone, especially with Torchwood.’
Tosh sighed. “He’s not going to tell us. No more chess hints for you this month.”
‘No more lattes for you this month,’ Ianto teased back.
“Children, children, enough already,” Jack snarked. “Let’s not bicker on a beautiful Monday morning. The rift is quiet, the sun is shining, let’s take the afternoon off. Well, Tosh, Gwen and Owen, why don’t you take the afternoon off anyway. Ianto and I need to finish some paperwork.”
Everyone, including Ianto rolled their eyes. “What? What? With Ianto gone, the reports have stacked up. But no reason for the rest of you to sit around and pretend to be busy.”
Owen was the first to accept the offer. “Well I don’t know about you ladies, but I can certainly use the few extra hours for something exciting. Like laundry or maybe I’ll be really avant garde and go grocery shopping.”
‘Don’t work yourself into a frenzy,’ Ianto teased.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Owen retorted. “I certainly won’t work myself into as big a frenzy as I suspect you two will be doing shortly…over the paperwork of course.”
At that comment, Gwen and Tosh got up to leave as well.
**
After the rest of the team had left, Ianto went up to Jack’s office. He was surprised that Jack was actually working on some reports. “I know, not what you had in mind, but I just can’t seem to get through these when you are not here to help.”
Ianto looked down at his crotch. ‘You know, its time like these that I wish I that anti-boner module that John had.’
Jack stood, reached out to Ianto and took him into a delicious kiss. “The faster we get through these reports, the faster we can enjoy at least part of the afternoon off.”
They completed eight reports in under an hour. ‘I think we just broke the speed record for report completion.’
Jack laughed as he stood up. “Well, let’s not try to break any speed records during our next activity.”
Ianto came around to Jack’s side of the desk and began snogging him. Jack leaned against Ianto pushing him back against the desk. Ianto sat on the desk and wrapped his legs around Jack’s waist. Jack groaned. “Wanna go downstairs and have your wicked way with me,” he teased. “I’ll let you if you tell me what The Queen said.”
Ianto snorted and pushed Jack away. ‘Not telling.’
“Ok, don’t tell me and I’ll let you have your way with me.”
‘You drive a hard bargain, Captain Harkness, but I guess I’ll just have to accept the terms of your surrender.’
“Oh yeah,” Jack replied.
**
It occurred to Ianto one evening when Jack was staying over at the Hub to keep an eye on the rift that he would be having his 25th Birthday in a few weeks. He wasn’t expecting anyone to make a big deal about it; in fact he couldn’t remember Jack ever mentioning his birthday. ‘Maybe he doesn’t know his, or maybe they didn’t celebrate birthdays on Boeshane,’ Ianto speculated.
But considering everything he had been through over the last year and not getting to celebrate his last birthday at all, Ianto decided he wanted to have a party. Nothing big, nothing fancy, but he thought it would be a nice way to celebrate and say thank you to all his friends and family both in Cardiff and London. He did a quick count (Martha & Tom, Jonathan and Kelly, Stephen, Aaron, Bryan (though he probably wouldn’t come), The Brigadier, Saundra, Rhiannon and Johnny and David and Mica of course, plus the Team and Rhys and maybe P. C. Andy). So no more than twenty people but probably more like fifteen.
He’d never made a party before, but he figured that Gwen would probably be willing to help him. He began to make a list of everything he would need for the party, and to think about where he should have it. At his apartment? Or maybe they could have a picnic if the weather was nice. He couldn’t wait to tell Jack about his ideas.
The next day was very busy. Four weevils had to be rounded up from a grocery store, numerous witnesses had to be retconned, and to top things off some poor fellow from 1865 came back through the rift. Jack and Ianto worked well into the night getting him settled at Flat Holm. Ianto was a bit surprised when Jack declined for a second night in a row to go home with Ianto, especially since he wasn’t picking up any signals from Jack that he was going to be visiting one of his rougher friends.
Something didn’t seem right. ‘Jack are you ok? Ianto asked gently.
“Ianto, its been a long day, I’m tired, and irritable, and really you’re not my keeper are you. Go home already.”
Ianto didn’t know what to say. Jack had never spoken to him in such a dismissive manner. ‘Well he’s obviously off kilter; its probably that guy who came through the rift.’ Out loud, he quietly said goodnight to Jack and left the Hub for his flat.
The minute Ianto left, Jack felt terrible. He knew he shouldn’t have snapped at Ianto. He was just so tired of waiting for The Doctor to show up. And since the hand suspended in the jar had seemed to glow the other day, Jack had been sure The Doctor was nearby. But since then, there hadn’t been any indication of his presence. Maybe it was just a trick of the light, Jack thought.
“Shit, what am I going to tell Ianto? Maybe I should just distance myself from him. No, that’s stupid; The Doctor may not show up for months or years yet.” Jack wiped a hand down his face and sighed. He knew this could happen at any time, but he didn’t want to worry Ianto unnecessarily. He vowed he would just go on with his life and not think about The Doctor.
Of course that wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Over the next week, Jack found himself glancing at the hand repeatedly to see if it was moving or looked any different. He was distracted and grouchy, yelling twice at Owen and once at Gwen. But when he started in on Tosh at lunch one day Ianto got angry.
‘Jack, stop it!’ Jack glared at Ianto. ‘I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but don’t you dare take it out on Tosh.’
Something snapped in Jack. “Who the hell are you to be telling me what to do? I’m in charge here, so why don’t you just do your filing and make the coffee and shut the fuck up!”
There was a collective gasp around the conference table. Ianto got up and walked out of the conference room. Before anyone could say anything, Jack had left the room as well and returned to his office slamming the door shut loudly.
Owen, Gwen and Tosh stared at each other. “What the hell was that?” Gwen asked angrily.
“Maybe I should apologize to Jack,” Tosh suggested.
Owen snorted. “For what, you didn’t do anything. Something’s not right with Jack. Has anyone else noticed how distracted he’s been the last week or so?”
“Maybe its something to do with UNIT, maybe they’re pressuring him again,” Gwen suggested.
“Yeah, but Ianto would know about it then. He’s their primary contact,” Tosh said chewing on her nails.
“Shit, what are we going to do about Ianto?” Owen was really worried. “Did you see the look on his face, he was completely stunned.” Speaking of which, I’m calling him in a bit to see if he’s OK.”
When Owen rang Ianto’s cell a half hour later he was relieved when Ianto answered. “Hey Ianto, can I stop by and see you later? What do you mean you’re not at home? Where are you? Ianto, I think that’s a very bad idea. Why don’t you come back home and I’ll be over in a bit and we’ll order in some dinner. Yes, my treat. See you at six, OK?”
“What was he doing?” Gwen asked anxiously.
“You’re not going to believe this but he’s riding buses around Cardiff. He wasn’t sure where he was when I spoke to him, but I’m sure he’ll find his way home OK.”
He saw the worry on both Gwen and Tosh’s faces. “And if he isn’t at home when I get there, there’s a tracker in his cell phone.
“Make sure you call us when you get to his house and let us know if everything is OK.”
“Yeah, I will.”
They cleaned up lunch and left the conference room, Jack was standing outside his office glaring at them. “Where’s Ianto?”
Owen spoke up. “He wasn’t feeling well, so I sent him home. And yes Jack, I have complete authority to do that, based on my judgment and my judgment alone.” Owen stood with his arms crossed just daring Jack to challenge him.
Jack stared at Owen for a minute and then said “Fine,” and returned to his office.
The rest of the afternoon seemed to last forever. Tosh immersed herself in her computer programs, Gwen studied the week’s police reports for anything unusual and Owen took inventory of his supplies. Jack stayed in his office the entire time. When 5 PM came, Tosh and Gwen did some whispering and then went to see Owen.
“We’re leaving, and you should too,” Tosh informed him. “And no, we’re not saying goodnight to Jack.”
Owen agreed that it was probably the best way to handle the situation. “Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll leave with you. That way if he starts up we have a united front.”
Gwen glanced back at Jack’s office as the cog door rolled open to see Jack staring down at them.
Once they were outside, Gwen told them what she had seen.
Owen flipped open his phone and dialed Ianto. Much to everyone’s relief, Ianto was home safely. “I’ll only call you if there’s a problem. But I’ll tell you this, I’m picking Ianto up tomorrow and we’re going in together. Do you want me to pick up either of you two?” Gwen declined but Tosh said she wouldn’t mind a lift.
“Ok, then tomorrow we beard the lion.”
***
Owen was surprised at how calm Ianto was that evening. They spoke a little about Jack, what everyone had observed of his behavior and their plan for the next day. Ianto agreed that going in together was a good idea.
As they sat quietly, Owen realized something. “This is probably not the best time to bring this up, but you have a birthday coming up in what, a little more than two weeks. Shit, it’s your twenty-fifth birthday isn’t it?” Ianto nodded.
“Have you thought about what you want to do for your birthday? Hey I’ll even treat the team to pizza.”
‘I was thinking about having a party and inviting everyone from London, but now, I don’t know. I’m not much in the mood for it. I don’t want to have to explain why Jack isn’t there or if he is why he’s being a prick.’
“You’ve got a point, Ianto. Let’s give it a few days to settle down before you decide.”
They chatted a little more, and then Owen got up to leave. “I’ll pick you up at 7:30 sharp. Yes, I know you are usually in by then, but it will be good for Jack to not take you for granted.” Ianto wasn’t sure it was such a good idea, but since Owen was driving, he’d have to go along with it.
***
The next day, Owen, Tosh and Ianto entered the Hub a few minutes before 8 AM. Gwen hadn’t arrived yet, but she didn’t usually come in much before 8:30. Upon entering, Jack was standing outside his office glaring at them. “So nice of you to make it in today. I’d like some coffee Ianto, if its not too big an inconvenience.” It was a perfectly reasonable request, but Jack’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.
Ianto went and made coffee while Owen and Tosh bickered as to whether he should take it up to Jack alone. ‘Just let me take him the coffee without a lot of fuss.’
Ianto trudged up the stairs to Jack’s office dreading having to face him. He knocked on the door and waited. “Come in.” Jack was working on some reports and didn’t even look at Ianto. Ianto put the coffee down on the desk and turned to leave. “Ianto.”
‘Yes sir,’ he replied not turning around.
“Nothing,” Jack sighed.
Ianto left Jack’s office and went to do some work in the archives.
Lunchtime came and Gwen got up the nerve to ask Jack if he was joining them for lunch. Jack stared at her for a moment like he didn’t quite understand what she was saying. “What? Oh. No, that’s OK, thanks for asking Gwen, I’m waiting for an important phone call. I’ll grab something later.”
Since Jack didn’t want anything, and there hadn’t been any altercations with him all morning, they all decided to go out for a quick lunch. They went to their favorite pizza place and had a very enjoyable lunch. They lingered a bit as none of them really wanted to go back to the Hub. Finally Owen sighed. “Time to face the music. Or the yelling. Or whatever.”
When they got back from lunch, the Hub looked in a bit of a mess. Papers were pushed off everyone’s desks in a haphazard fashion. “Looks like the lion was out for a prowl,” Owen remarked.
Ianto sighed and went to make fresh coffees for everyone. He rolled his eyes at the others and went to take Jack’s up to him.
An IM message hit Tosh, Gwen and Owen’s computers about a minute later.
Ianto: Get up here quick. Jack’s coat is here, but he’s gone.
Owen glanced around at the Hub and something caught his eye.
Owen: Shit, the hand is gone too.
Chapter 47 here: http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/23703.html
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Date: 2009-12-29 12:56 am (UTC)Lovely work - keep it up!
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Date: 2009-12-29 03:27 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2009-12-29 11:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-29 11:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-29 04:28 am (UTC)Hope Ianto gets his party.
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Date: 2009-12-29 02:51 pm (UTC)Fire!
Date: 2009-12-29 11:22 pm (UTC)Re: Fire!
Date: 2009-12-29 11:34 pm (UTC)Our aim IS true!
Date: 2009-12-29 11:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-29 05:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-29 02:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-29 08:36 am (UTC)Loved this chapter more soon please
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Date: 2009-12-29 02:53 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2009-12-29 02:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-31 10:57 am (UTC)I have to say: What a pot luck! I really thought I'd lost this fic forever! *squish*
Love, love, love for this whole 'verse. ^_^
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Date: 2009-12-31 03:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-15 01:13 pm (UTC)