Title: Broken Dreams
Author: evalentine99
Rating: Mature 16+
Fandom:Torchwood
Genre: Romance / Angst. Hurt/ Comfort.
Pairings: Jack /Ianto
Alternate Time Line - Alternate Universe.
Spoilers None.
Authors Note: A big thank you to Quiet Time for the 'Roast Chicken Incident'
A sequel is planned called 'The Oncoming Storm' I will begin to post at the end of the year as soon as it is written.
Beta: milady_dragon Torchwood- Copyright BBC. This Fanfiction has been created for enjoyment and is not for profit.
Note: Set in a parallel reality to the cannon universe. The story begins two years after the Canary Wharf battle. Owen and Tosh are still alive as some events in this reality did not occur as they did in the canon universe.
Summary: Ianto has returned to Cardiff after many years of absence. Jack runs into him literally. It is lust at first sight for Jack. However, it's loathing at first sight for Ianto. Can Jack overcome Ianto's dislike of him? Can Ianto overcome the events of his most recent past to overcome his objections allowing them build a future together.

***

Chapter One

Jack sat at his desk, tapping a pen against his ring finger in a rapid beat. His desk which would normally be covered with large degree of clutter including files, large stacks of papers, alien artifacts, filing, and staff requests was clear. Even half-finished reports he would normally avoid at all cost were absent. In fact his office had a general air of orderliness that was extremely unusual.

Taking a deep breath he leaned back and swung the chair around in a wide arch bringing his feet up and placing them on the table top and began tapping the pen again. He heard a ping, raising his eyebrows in anticipation he sat straight up putting his feet on the floor and pushing his mouse and highlighting his email in-box. Scanning the contents quickly his face dropped and sat back with a sigh and began to tap his pen on his finger again.

"Jack, that is really getting on my nerves." Tosh told him loudly from her work station.

Jack threw the pen down on his desk and walked across to observe what Tosh was doing. He stood behind her for several moments as she tapped her keyboard in what appeared to a seemingly endless series of calculations that crept down her computer screen.

Several moments passed she glanced at him briefly. "Look if you're that bored, there are always the archives, they're a bit of a mess," she told him.

"But I like the level of organized chaos they are currently in," he replied thinking there was no level of boredom that could induce him to start that job.

"Myfanwy?" she queried with a sigh.

"Cleaned, petted, fed, played with and exercised," he advised thinking of the two hours he had spent with her that morning. "How's your project going?" he asked.

Tosh looked up at him, "I'm working on a possible calculation that would create and suspend a small pocket of time around this level of the Hub, the problem is that I keep running in to a problem of alternate reality universe cross dimensional shifts so, so far…" she trailed off as she bit her lower lip in concentration and continued to work in silence.

"So far?" Jack repeated.

Tosh looked at him in frustration. "So far I keep getting interrupted," she said.

Scowling Jack stalked off back to his office and sat back down and thought back to the last time things were this quiet. He had known lulls in rift activity in the past but none to compare with the length and endurance of this one. It had literally been weeks since there had been more that the slightest tremor in the Rift. Since such low activity was a rarity the whole team had taken the opportunity to take time out. It had allowed Owen to attend a whole series of conferences and Gwen to take an extended holiday.

Tosh had begun a project she had been meaning to work on for some time. Jack had caught up on every report, requisition form and general paperwork. He had then given the entire three floors a general seeing to, long delayed by more important events. He had restocked the SUV, gone through the lower levels, and completed maintenance, leaving him now with nothing to do. The others might revel in this rare break but he hated it, he loved the constant activity, the racing about, late nights, working to the early hours of the morning, wrestling with aliens, leading the team, the adrenaline rush, he loved it all. In fact he was never happier than when the team was at its most frantic. He picked up the pen and started tapping his finger but this was driving him crazy.

"Jack!" Tosh shouted at him.

Huffing Jack stood up and took his coat. "I'm going for a walk," he told her as he left.

Tosh let out a sigh of relief as she saw Jack heading for the main door and she returned to the task. She had never realized how annoying Jack could be when he had nothing to do. True he had managed to keep himself busy; the tidy and clean state of the Hub was evidence of that. He had caught up with what appeared to be a year's worth of paperwork. The lower levels had been given a much needed sorting out. Jack had spent three weeks on a long list of maintenance and repairs. He had even taken time to repaint and generally spring clean his own quarters under his office. But with the continued lull in rift activity it meant he was now underfoot. 'What he needed was some project to keep him busy, like she had, something absorbing fascinating keep him from interrupting,' she told herself. 'Getting him out of the Hub was first step,' as she watched him disappear she returned to her calculations.

Leaning against the railing Jack looked out across the bay. It was a beautiful day, there was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was warming his back. He watched the waters of the bay slowly lapping against the harbor walls as he felt a general air of discontent. The others might find a break like this welcome but he hated it. 'No,' he corrected himself he 'loathed it." He worked to live, lived to work.

He took a deep breath as he watched seagulls sitting on the water paddling about. A small inner voice invaded and he swallowed it down before it could intrude any further. The last thing he needed in his life right now was time to think. Thinking just led to introspection, and that led to something he didn't want to face now or in the near future. 'Yeah, the truth,' he heard a small inner voice say. What the hell did he want with the truth? That he had put his life on hold for over 100 years for someone who abandoned him then in a desolate space station. Who had used his ship to go trillions of years into the future in an effort to escape him and then told him was wrong. Then to make matters worse he had him advised there was nothing he could to help fix his wrongness . And what had caring gotten him, chained up in a boiler room being used as a punching bag for a year? After it was all over the Doctor hadn't even said thank you because he was so caught up with Master, the only other living Time Lord now locked in the TARDIS. It had certainly put Jack in his place and his understanding of his importance in the Time Lord's life and it had hurt god damnit.

In a sense he was grateful for that year because it had made him re-valuate his life and put it into perspective. It had led to two wonderful years of selfish self-indulgence where all that mattered was work and sex. He had a place and it was right here, right now as head of Torchwood Three. If he had a wish it would be that he could remain here forever working and the rush of sexual gratification gave him. He knew he was being shallow but where had being nice gotten him? Alone, frustrated and angry. He didn't care anymore, all he cared about was himself and it felt good. No personal responsibilities and a smorgasbord of endless willing bodies. Let's be honest it wasn't difficult not with his body and looks he could have anyone when and where he wanted and did.

His stomach growled and he looked at his watch; 12.30 lunch time. He patted down his pockets to check he had his wallet. 'Enough of this time for lunch,' he told himself as he turned around to scan the Plass and made his way across to the small café the team frequented.

Half way across a familiar sound caught his attention and he looked up it sounded like Myfanwy. It rang out again, his heart quickened as he now searched the sky. He cursed, had he locked her hatch? He searched his mind as he scanned the sky. She was getting crafty and had figured how to pull the latch, if not locked down she would scarper to harass the local sheep population. The last time was several months ago, Tosh had failed to secure the latch and within minutes she had taken off. Finally they had tracked her down to a night roost. After a brief struggle she had been subdued but not before regurgitating the remains of her ill-gotten gains all over Owen. He craned his neck walking backwards straining his eyes to see if he could make out where the noise was coming form. His mind raced as he tried to calculate the impact of her escape. His heart quickened, he could spend the rest of the day tracking her down, bringing her in, and dealing with all and any queries that might arise from such an event. He tried to calculate how much Retcon he might need when he collided with something and was almost knocked off his feet.

"Brilliant!" he heard a man burst out as he turned to see a man holding tray against his chest and several disposable cups scattered around his feet.

"I am covered in coffee," he spat out as he began to undo his waist coat, which was soaked in the contents of the cups.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked immediately.

"Do I look ok? " the man replied glaring at him as he pulled his shirt away from his skin.

" Sorry, let me help," Jack offered bending down to pick up one of the cups.

"Leave me alone, I can handle this myself," the man said putting up a hand to stop him and picking up the cups by his feet.

"I don't know how I, I missed , missed seeing you," Jack stuttered trying to recover as the man now walked over to the nearest bin

"Err you didn't look where you were going," the man retorted sarcastically.

"Let me replace…" Jack tried to offer.

"I think you have done enough," the man said angrily as he emptied contents of the tray into the bin. "Thanks to you, my hard working staff is now going to have to wait even longer for a much hard earned lunch and you have ruined my suit," he told him.

"I can recommend a dry cleaner, I'll be happy to pay for…" he stopped as he saw the look of disgust on the man's face.

"What is it about? I don't need your help, you don't understand," he said glaring at him then spun on his heels to return to the café.

Jack closed his mouth as the man headed back the way he had come. He stood as he followed his progress. He watched as the man entered the café then left carrying another tray. The man looked across, saw Jack and turned to take a different direction. He had no idea how long he stood on the same spot. It was not often he was left a stuttering mess, lost for words. He smiled to himself at the man's angry response and bit his lip then hearing a distant squawk he looked around, scanned sky, and pulled out his cell phone.

twtwtwtwtwtw

"That was a quick walk," Tosh commented as she saw Jack enter through the main door

"I bought you lunch," he told her dumping a wrapped sandwich and can of soda on her desk as he passed on the way to his office.

"Thanks, I checked Myfanwy all locked up and safe," she said as he passed not sure what had promoted this show of consideration.

"I have just met the cutest guy in a suit," he told her as he sat down and pulled the keyboard forward and fired up his computer.

"Man in a suit?" she repeated.

"Yeah, spectacular," he added as he began load all the CCTV footage from the previous hour centered on the Plass.

'With the most astounding blue eyes I had ever seen,' he said to himself.

"I've found a project," he called out to Tosh who shook her head.

"Jack, what happened to Brian?" Tosh asked "I thought you and he were kind of serious?"

Jack let out a derisive snort as he began to search through the CTV footage on his screen.

"You were together for four months Jack. That's a record. I thought maybe you had finally found someone," Tosh added.

"Yeah that was the problem, he wanted more, I didn't," he replied as he scrolled through the images.

"Jack, what sort of more!" she burst out in exasperation.

"Tosh it's the early days I love, the chase, the conquest, first kiss first everything, after that it all gets pretty domestic. Eventually, you run out of things to say and do because you've done it all and the adventure is gone," he told her as he concentrated.

"So Brian?" Tosh asked sadly.

"Is over," Jack told her.

"But he was lovely, you could just see how much he cared for you," she admonished him.

"Yeah he was lovely alright until he suggested we needed to sit down and talk about our "relationship," he said using his hands to do air quotes, "If I had let it go any further we would have been picking out sofas and assembling flat packs while I moved into his flat, then it would be quiet Saturday nights in with a takeaway curry, or worse some home cooked Mexican food and the latest release DVD," he shuddered.

Tosh narrowed her eyes, "You know one day you are going to meet and fall for someone who will be impossible to ignore and steals your heart," She told him as she opened the soda he had left on her desk.

" You gotta have a heart to have it stolen," he burst out as he saw Tosh shake her head sadly.

Sitting back in triumph he found the encounter he had been looking for, the man was spectacular in a suit. The waistcoat covered a deep plum coloured shirt. He wiped his mouth as he viewed the man from behind as he bent over. Here was the answer to his boredom, the prefect distraction a meaningless tryst until the Rift activity picked up. He lent back in his chair. 'Let operation cute suit begin,' he said to himself gleefully.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Looking at his watch Jack sat watching several CCTV feeds. He had sat here for hours, days in fact and he had not even caught a glimpse of the man. It was quite possible he admitted to himself that he was a visitor but he had a Welsh accent and said he had been buying lunch for his staff. This meant he worked somewhere in the area, deep in thought he sat back in thought when he saw him. Grapping his coat and using the invisible lift he raced across to the entrance of the café, and waited just outside while he caught his breath. He stood back a little as he watched the man pull out a list and make his way along the counter choosing sandwiches, cakes and placing them in paper bags. Arriving at the counter he ordered two coffees and a milk shake. The staff placed them all in a cardboard tray and he paid. As turned, he saw Jack. Jack smiled to himself as he realized the man had seen him and had started to stride away in the opposite direction.

"Look, I want to apologize for what happened the other day," he said as he caught up with the man and stepped in front of him causing him to stop. "I should have been looking where I was going, at least let me repay you for the lost lunch and the cleaning bill for your …" he halted as he saw the look of distain on the man's face.

"Let me introduce myself," he said holding out his hand as he flashed a wide smile, "I'm Ca…..."

" Captain Jack Harkness, head of Torchwood Three, " the man interrupted scornfully as he looked directly at Jack.

Jack gaped at him. "How do you know who… " he spluttered.

"I know you by name and reputation and I want nothing to do with you, now excuse me," he said as he pushed passed him and left heading back across the Plass.

For a second time Jack stood as he watched the man's retreating back. How did this man know him? What had he said, 'I know you by name and reputation, you are the head of Torchwood Three.' Had they met before? Was he a past one night stand? He searched his mind, there had been so many, it could be possible. He was sure he would have recalled him because he was simply stunning. True he was outside his normal type he had to admit. If he had a type it was tall leggy and or busty blonds. However if he was in a mood, he wasn't too picky anyone half way decent was fine by him. And how did the man know he was head of Torchwood Three? It was not like he went in for pillow talk; he was a local who knew who he was and more importantly what he did. Deeply in thought he made his way back to the Hub.

twtwttwtwtwtw

Jack braced himself, as the man left the Café with his normal order the following Tuesday as he saw the man stiffen as he caught a glimpse of him.

Taking a deep breath he approached the man. "We seem to have gotten off to a bad start," he said "I just want to apologize for what happened."

The man stopped looked at him and rolled his eyes.

"I'm at a disadvantage you know my name and yours is?" he asked smiling as he held out his hand and withdrew it a few moments later as the man glared at him. "I walked right into you, wasn't looking where I was going , I mean I knocked you for six, I know I was knocked for six, you have lunch I was thinking that next time you're here I could replace the lunch you lost, and I like the suit by the way. I mean I am happy to offer to pay for cleaning bill," Jack stumbled on as he tried to make some head way. "Have we met before?" Jack said finally as the man continued to glare at him.

"Excuse me," the man said taking a deep breath stepped around him and took off in his usual direction.

'This was becoming far too familiar,' Jack thought to himself as he watched the man's retreating back, this was third time in a row he had been left a stuttering mess. What was going on here?

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Jack pulled at his lip, this was hopeless. He looked at his watch. He had spent days going through hours of CCTV footage and there was not even a glimpse of the man. He was a complete mystery, he clearly worked in the area; he had staff which meant he was a manager of some kind. 'Did that mean he worked in an office near the Plass? He had bought three lunches which meant he worked within walking distance but where?' He stood up and stretched, and rubbed his eyes. It was early, he looked across at the coffee flask. Coffee, he needed coffee, good coffee he decided as he grabbed his coat and he made his way to the small boutique coffee shop that had recently opened. Deep in thought it was not until he was almost at the counter he realized he recognize the back of the man, it was his project. Easing himself forward he slipped in beside him.

"Let me pay for that?" he offered getting out his wallet. "I'll have an espresso," he continued speaking to the young lady who instinctually preened herself as he smiled at her.

The man spun around and his face fell and let out a loud sigh as he took his order annoyance written on every line of his face, as he turned to face Jack directly.

"I realize this is a public place, Captain Harkness but what you are doing constitutes harassment. I am aware you are someone who takes the word no as a challenge. I am not a challenge. I find you arrogant, and pushy and," he stressed forcefully, " you appear to be completely unconscious of my dislike of you. So I will make this as clear as I can so even you couldn't possibly misunderstand, do not speak or approach me again," he stated.

"Your order," the girl said as Jack tried to form a response, taking the cup he turned to see the man was gone. 'God damnit,' he almost burst out, it was clear he would have to change his tactics.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Picking up her handbag Tosh walked in to the armory where Jack had laid out the Hub weaponry and was in the process of checking each weapon.

"Remember, I am going out for lunch today, I should be back in about an hour and a half," she reminded him

"Going anywhere special?" he asked as he checked the barrel of the gun he was holding.

"No, just meeting an old friend, he's just moved back here and we've been meaning to catch up. He just opened a book shop in the new mall he's been so busy it's the first time he's been able to get away," she told him as he looked at his watch and put the gun down.

"Well enjoy. I'm off to start phase two, of operation cute suit," he told her as he picked up his coat. "By my calculations, in exactly 15 minutes he crosses the Plass and buys a large lunch, and this time I am going to observe him discreetly then follow and see where he works, " he said smiling.

"CCTV not working?" she asked.

"Oh this is much more fun, and it's the personal touch that counts," Jack added thinking of the delicious look of anger he could provoke on his project by his very presence and wondered what he might look like as he came.

"Jack you are very naughty," she said as he slapped him.

"You forgot charming," he added as they left together.

Jack leaned back into the railing, scanning the crowd for the hundredth time, as he looked at his watch. 'Where the hell was he?' he grumbled and his stomach rumbled, he looked around again, no sign of him. Right, he would duck in to the nearest café, grab something to eat and return to his vigil.

Jack approached the restaurant and saw Tosh meeting her friend. Jack stopped in his tracks. It was the man and he was giving her a massive hug. His eyes narrowed, so that was why he was late, meeting an old friend. 'Knew him by name and reputation, Tosh certainly had some explaining to do,' he muttered to himself as he stalked off back in the Hub to wait for her.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

His arms crossed Jack stood just inside the Hub door as Tosh returned looking flushed.

"Who is he?" Jack asked as Tosh passed and he followed.

"Who?" she said as she walked to her station and turned on her computer.

"The man in the suit?" he said as he stood next to her.

"The man in the what?" she queried not sure where this was going typing in her password.

"The man in the suit, the man you had lunch with today?" he repeated.

"An old friend. I told you he just returned to live around here and we were catching up," she told him.

"For two weeks I have been trying to speak to that man and today I see you're having lunch with him," he informed her.

"No," Tosh said as her faced dropped and she turned toward him as she became serious.

"No what!" Jack replied surprised at her vehement tone.

"No Jack, he is out of bounds," she told him sternly.

"Now I'm really interested," he told her as he saw the look of consternation on her face.

She looks at him in frustration, "Look he's a really sweet guy," she told him.

"And I don't deserve sweet?" he retorted.

"You don't want to hear my opinion Jack so don't test me," she told him starting directly.

"So who is he?" he asked again.

"He's out of bounds Jack, that is all you need to know," she advised raising her voice in concern.

"He knew my name and that I was head of Torchwood Three. Has there been a security breech here I need to know about?" he asked as he changed track.

" There's been no breach of security," she told him.

"So how come he knows so much about me then?" Jack asked. "I could make this an order," Jack warned her as he saw she was reluctant to reply.

She let out a deep sigh. "His name is Ianto Jones. He worked for Torchwood One in London," she told him.

"So why have I never been informed we had an ex-Torchwood operative here living in Cardiff?" he asked her angry now.

"He was not an operative, he was an archivist who never went above the third floor," she told him hesitantly not wanting to share what she knew, but by the look on his face Jack was not going to give up. It the past two weeks were an indication, she needed to tell him something to get him to leave Ianto alone. He had enough heartache in his recent past and the last thing he needed was continued harassment from Jack just as he was getting his life back on track.

"Well?" he demanded as he saw her continued reluctance.

"He is one of the survivors from the battle of Canary Wharf. He's just returned after several months away, for a new start," she told him unwillingly as she let out a long sigh.

"So you met him at Torchwood One?" he questioned.

"No I knew his fiancée Lisa Hallet. I met her when were at university together. I travelled down a couple of times to London to visit, I met Ianto then," she added.

"Knew, so I gather things didn't work out then?" Jack commented.

"Look you need to know Ianto's been through a lot. He's a kind of a long term committed type of person," Tosh told him.

"So if he is so committed then how come he's not settled down with this Lisa person?," Jack countered.

"Jack, she also worked at Torchwood One. She was one of the casualties," she told him.

"Oh," Jack said looking contrite.

"Yes, that's right Jack. So we're agreed Ianto is out of bounds," she saw the stubborn look on Jack's face, but then saw him nod.

"Ok, I won't try and speak to him on the Plass," he replied after several moments of thought.

"Good you leave him alone," she warned.

Jack returned to his office and sat down as he watched Tosh return to her endless calculations. 'Book shop,' he said to himself as a small smile curled his lips.

***

Chapter Two

Ianto rolled his eyes as he saw Captain Harkness standing at the entrance of the Mall. He thought he had made himself perfectly clear and he was now getting seriously annoyed. He had hoped after the last time the man had gotten the message, but it was clear the Captain had no boundaries or shame.

"Look how many ways do I have to say this to you: leave me alone. I am not interested in you or anything you have to say," he hissed through his teeth in frustration as he walked up to him.

Jack put his hand on his heart, a look of innocence on his face "Me? I've heard there's this great little book shop that's just opened that's come highly recommended and I thought I would go and check it out," he said as he raised his eyebrows.

Ianto growled in annoyance and strode off towards a small shop muttering to himself. Opening the door he entered and greeted his staff. He went to the back office took off his jacket and went to the store to see the Captain had followed him in. He saw one of his younger assistants move towards him, he pulled her back.

"I'll deal with this customer," he advised seeing the look of disappointment on her face.

Jack braced himself for a sharp retort as Ianto approached him.

"Can I assist you Sir?" he asked.

He looked at Ianto in surprise. "How come you call me sir in here, but outside you are rude to me?" he asked taken aback.

"You're a customer and as a customer I will treat you with the same respect I give all customers, Sir," Ianto told him as he struggled to contain his intense dislike of the man.

"I haven't read much in a while, what do you recommend?" Jack asked as he became lost in his gaze as Ianto looked at him. After a few moments of thought Ianto leaned forward brushing his arm against the captain and took a book from the high shelf above him.

Wide eyed Jack swallowed as Ianto brushed his shoulder as he reached up.

'Try this," Ianto offered handing him a book.

Jack took the offered book trying to hold onto his self-control as his heart pounded and his mouth went dry.

Forcing his gaze from Ianto's face he read the title out loud, "Salt: A World History."

"Fascinating read," Ianto advised as he saw Jack read the back cover and head slowly to the counter as he reached for his wallet.

"That's 5 pounds 99," he advised taking the book and placing it in a brown paper bag with the store logo on it.

"Thank you," Jack said quietly as he took the bag and headed for the door still deep in thought.

"Why did you stop me serving him?" Angie his assistant said in annoyance as she watched the Captain leave. "He's gorgeous."

"Trust me, you would have only been another notch on his bed post," he told her.

"Well I could do with being notched," she retorted.

"Yeah, but you would have gone where everyone had gone before," Ianto told her. "With any luck that will be the last time we see him," he added after a few moments had passed.

What did you recommend?" she asked suspiciously

"I chose something I would be interested in. I can guarantee he'll hate it and that will be the last we see of him," he told her as he went to serve another customer.

"Meanie," Angie muttered under her breath.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Back at the hub by his desk Jack pouted as he took the book from the bag. He turned it over in his hand reading the back. 'What the hell was he thinking? he asked himself. 'You weren't thinking, you were mesmerized, speechless, had the man recommended the most expensive book in the shop you would have pulledout your wallet and bought it before your senses returned.'

He tried to figure what had happened. Ianto had approached, he had braced himself for a snarky comment or is told to fuck off, but then he had called him sir and next he had found himself lost in the deep blue of his eyes. It was like the encounter had played out in slow motion as Ianto had brushed against him as he reached up and pulled the book down. As he had done so he caught the man's after shave lotion felt himself become intoxicated, he could swear the room appeared to sway. He felt his heart start to pound again. 'What was going on? He felt his cock twitch and he brought himself back into focus. 'This was a short term project, top the man in the suit, and 'don't you forget it,' he said to himself as he pulled himself together.

"Salt: A World History," he read the title and steeled himself. If Ianto Jones thought he could get rid of him that easily he was much mistaken. A part of him reveled in the fact the man was no easy lay, it made the prize all the more worthy of gaining. He turned to the first page and lent back in his chair as he began to read.

"What have you got there?" Tosh asked as she saw Jack sitting at his desk his feet on the table deeply occupied in a book.

"A book," he replied surprised at how long he had been sitting reading.

"Any good?" she asked him.

"Amazing, I had no idea something we use every day could be so interesting," he advised her as he returned to the page.

"Where did you get it from?" she asked suspiciously as she narrowed her eyes.

"Small book shop in the mall," he told her as he turned the page not looking up.

"Jack!" she shouted out in exasperation. "We had an agreement, he is out of bounds."

"Trust me that man is more than a match," he told her bluntly still continuing to read.

"If you hurt him Jack I swear you will have to answer to me, do you understand?" she warned him.

"Listen, Ianto Jones has made it very clear he loathes me and I can't see him changing his opinion any time soon. I can predict two things will happen before much longer, rift activity will pick up or I will lose interest," he told her, "and in the mean time I get to catch up on my reading," he added flashing her a smile as she threw him a filthy look.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

"And what can I do to assist you today, Sir?" Ianto asked trying to keep the exasperation out of his voice at the captain's return.

"That book you recommended was very good," Jack admitted honestly.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it Sir," Ianto advised silently cursing as he tried to keep his face a deadpan.

"It was fascinating. I will never take salt for granted again or look at it in the same way," Jack said smiling as he continued." I had no idea Natron was salt; it makes sense of course, if the Pharaohs used it to embalm the dead."

"I agree," Ianto added. "I loved the Roman's recipes for salted greens which today we get the word salad…" Jack listened in triumph as his strategy played out as Ianto continued.

"And olives I wonder how they worked out how to make them edible. It even included Tabasco, I had no idea about its origins," Ianto enthused.

"Like it hot and spicy eh? " Jack interjected with a wry grin as Ianto stopped realizing he had been pulled into a conversation. Jack watched with amusement as he saw the young man struggle between wanting to discuss the book and his dislike of him and he smiled smugly to himself. 'Round two to me,' he thought. "I was wondering if you could recommend something else, you last choice was spot on," Jack said in a tone that left Ianto in no doubt his scheme to get rid of him had failed.

Ianto looked at Jack seriously as he calculated his next move then went out the back of the shop and returned with a green hardback book. "This is a little bit more pricey," he handed it to the Captain.

"The Rifle Story, An Illustrated History From 1756 to the Present Day," Jack read the title and handed it back. "That's two history books in a row," he said. "I thought I would try something completely different this time," he said as he saw a sly look briefly touch the young man's features.

He looked at Jack again. "Have you read Harry Potter Sir?" he asked in complete innocence.

"Harry who?" Jack said as he felt his control of the situation slip as Ianto gained the upper hand again.

"I guess not," Ianto a small smile of satisfaction on his face at Jack's ignorance.

"Start with this one," he said handing him a copy of' The Prisoner of Azkaban' "It's third in the series.

"It's a children's book!" Jack stated out loud and several other customers turned to look at him.

"There are seven books in all beloved by adults as well as children a rare crossover," Ianto explained. "In fact so many adults have bought this they produced a whole print with adult covers, we don't stock them but we are happy to order them in as required," he added joyfully seeing the look of alarm on Jack's face.

"Why start with the third book?" Jack asked trying to regain control.

"It's where I started and when the story begins to get more serious and there are some interesting characters introduced, not in the least his godfather Sirius Black and few others like Remus Lupin," Ianto explained. "It was when I knew this was a series of books that were going to be something special."

"I see," Jack said keeping hold of the book hoping he could draw out more information intrigued by the passion on the man's face.

"If you're not interested," Ianto said as he started to take the book back.

"I didn't say I wasn't interested," and he saw look of hope on Ianto's face disappear, "as you've recommended it I'll give it a try," he said thoroughly enjoying the battle for control.

"That will be four pounds 99, " Ianto said keeping his face as bland as he could as Jack took out his wallet and handed over a five pound note.

"I hope you enjoy it, sir," Ianto said as he put the book in a store bag.

"Harry Potter?" Angie said as Jack left the shop.

"Well the history book didn't put him off," Ianto told her.

"You know we really enjoy him coming into the shop," Marcia commented as they watched the Captain disappear from sight.

"Yeah well I can pretty much guess that this one should do the trick," Ianto he stated confidently.

Jack seethed as placed the book in his pocket and he walked back the Hub. 'Well that was round three," he to himself and to be honest he had no idea who had won that round. He had to admit the man had a sneaky way of coming up from behind and taking him completely by surprise he narrowed his eyes. 'All the better, bring on round four.,'

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

Gwen entered the Hub through the main door and took in a sharp breath and her mouth dropped. She knew she had been away for some weeks, and she knew they had not been busy, but the place look un-natural, the walls gleamed. Even the algae growing on the bottom of the water feature was gone.

"Jack?" Gwen queried as she clicked on the coffee machine as she followed Tosh's out stretched arm as pointed towards the office, to see Jack who had his feet on his desk absorbed in a book.

"I have clearly come through a dimension portal and found myself in some alternate Universe. The Hub it's too clean and is that fresh paint I can smell?" she stated loudly as she sniffed.

"Still no major rift activity," Tosh told her as she studied the blue prints of the Rift Manipulator which were spread out over several long trestle tables.

"I should have stayed away longer," Gwen told her as she moved to the coffee flask, took a sniff of the contents and threw it down the sink and set about making a new pot.

"Owen?" she asked as she replaced the filter.

"He's in New York working on something called the Indigo Project with Martha Jones," she said not looking up.

"And Jack is reading a book," Gwen burst out.

"He's discovered Harry Potter," Tosh said in a stage whisper

"An actual book?" Gwen repeated not sure she heard correctly.

" Don't get me started," Tosh angrily interjected as Gwen continued.

"A book, not a manual, or how to guide, a real book with characters and a plot," Gwen asked incredulous.

"Yep," Tosh replied nodding.

"Something happened!" She declared as she entered his office. "We've been invaded by aliens, tell me where is the real Jack Harkness and what have you done with him."

Jack glared at her then lifted his mug handing it to her as he returned to book in his hands.

"Coffee and then archives," he said loudly, "and when you've done that, more archives."

"I had better find something to do," she said quietly as she rejoined Tosh, "because there is no way I am going to get stuck down there for the rest of my natural life."

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

Angie nudged Ianto who sitting on a bar type stool by the store computer setting up a book order for the Cardiff University. "He's back, that was quick it only took in three days to read it," she pointed out as the captain passed the front window and entered the shop. Seeing Ianto was seated by the computer he made his way the counter and stood before him.

"And how can I assist you today sir?" Ianto inquired as he looked up with a forced smile.

"Er what's the next one?" Jack asked.

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," Ianto told him trying to keep his voice as neutral as possible.

"I have one over here Sir," Ianto said as he went over the shelves and picked up a copy.

" Jack, please," he offered.

"Oh I don't think we are at a stage where we can indulge in that level of familiarity," Ianto replied slowly so there was no mistaking his intent.

"I am kind of a regular customer," Jack informed him.

"Two books is not a regular customer." Ianto corrected him sternly.

"What would constitute being a regular customer?" Jack queried.

"Regular customers," Ianto said as he pulled out a small card from under the counter divided into ten squares, "we offer a book card. For every book you purchase we stamp one of the squares. Once the card is filled you get a free book to the value of the average across all the books you have purchased." He handed the card to Jack.

"Basically its buy ten you get one free, so if you buy ten books at five pounds each you can have a fee book of that value," Marcia added trying to helpful.

"Ok, if I buy the next book in the series can I keep this card?" and he saw Ianto nod. "With this book that means I have bought three books, so can I have three stamps?" Jack requested.

"Of course," Ianto said as he took Jack's money and placed the purchase in a store bag. Taking the card he stamped it three times and handed it to Jack.

'Thank you," Jack said taking the card and placing it in his wallet and a huge grin grew on his face.

"Oh my god what is that aftershave he is wearing?" Angie said as he left the shop.

"What aftershave?" Ianto asked facetiously.

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

"Back for the next in the series?" Ianto asked as Jack strode up the counter.

"You know, when you recommended Harry Potter I thought you were just trying to get rid of me, but I am really enjoying this," Jack told him truthfully as he took pleasure in how easy it was to unsettle the young man by his very presence.

"Very good sir," Ianto said trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice as he took a ten pound note from Jack.

"Oh and don't forget my stamp," Jack said handing over the card.

Ianto pulled his face into a fake smile as he stamped the card.

"Am I a regular customer yet?" Jack asked as he reached out for the card.

"Your card currently has five stamps, " Ianto said handing over the card as he pulled his hand away quickly so there was no chance their fingers would touch.

"Only five more stamps to go," Jack said taking the card back as he flashed his widest grin and raised his eye brows.

"You know Ianto I think you need to seriously reconsider your strategy, you would appear have more in common with the captain than you realize. I mean so far every book choice has been a winner and now he's got that card," Marcia pointed out as the captain waved and left.

"Fuck," Ianto said under his breath as he watched Jack's retreating back,

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

Jack turned the last page of the final book in the Harry Potter series. He was not sure the last time he had actually sat down and read anything quite so good. He realized the first book had been recommended to fob him off. However this had been a complete miscalculation because it was so totally removed from what he would normally consider worthy of reading he had become totally captivated by the entire saga. 'Captivated by a man who looks good in a suit and smells divine, ' he heard an inner voice say as he tried to figure out what aftershave the man wore. It was nothing he had come across before and he should know he had dated enough men and none of the smelt as good as Ianto Jones. He pulled out the card, and fingered it, well two more books and he got one for free. 'Time for the payoff,' he smiled to himself. 'Get on a first name basis and drop all this sir nonsense.' He grabbed his coat and headed for the main door.

"That's 10 stamps, and I believe that makes me a regular customers," Jack triumphantly using his most seductive smile as he placed the first two Harry Potter books on to the counter, and ran over the speech he had prepared for this moment. "So now we are on first name basis why don't I buy that lunch I owe you , why don't we meet for coffee in say…"

"Excellent," Ianto told him as he stamped the card, 'do you have your choice for your free book, Sir?" Ianto asked.

"Jack," Jack corrected him as his smile faded.

"I don't believe there will ever be a time when we shall ever be on a first name basis," Ianto told him trying not to let the amusement he felt creep into his voice.

Jack took a breath, nonplussed as his strategy over the past weeks unraveled as he viewed the implacable man in front of him. He bit his lower lip and struggled to speak.

"If you don't want to choose today you can save it towards another book," Ianto said relenting slightly.

"Ok then," Jack said taking back the filled card. "Can, can I have another card this one's filled in? " he asked hesitantly after several moments had passed.

Ianto tried to keep his face straight, as he handed over a new card, taking enjoyment as he watched the man come apart. From the Captain's reaction it did make him wonder if the man had had anyone actually ever refused his advances and mean it. He imagined that one flash of his smile and he could have anyone he wanted and did. He could understand how this might happen because he had had to admit it had taken real effort to resist the Captain's charms. Many times over the past weeks had had felt himself respond to so some comment, look or gesture only to catch himself just in time

Ianto had taken real pleasure in avoiding every trick the captain had used in his attempt to seduce him and he had resisted for one reason, Jack's reputation. Ianto knew all the gossip, which lent itself towards the more lurid details of Jack's sexual escapades and appetites. From what he understood Jack was easy and would shag anyone, human or alien, willing and able. More importantly he knew from firsthand experience how little regard the man had for the consequences of the feelings of those who had difficulty when he lost interest. He had seen the direct result of this when one of his work colleagues had indulged in a fling. She had been convinced that the Captain had real feelings for her only to be devastated when he had moved on without telling her. When she had confronted him he had basically told her she had been boring shag and she had nothing to keep him interested. The outcome was real hurt as she became another victim to the man's hubris and belief in his own sexual prowess.

He had no intention of being added the long list of those who had bedded the Captain. The man reeked of someone who liked to get his own way, and doubted he had put anyone other than himself first for a considerable time. Ianto knew he was worth more than tawdry one night stand, and even if he had come terms with the loss of everything he had ever wanted or dreamed of and he was not going to be taken advantage of by Captain Jack Harkness. So he was not going to be falling for the captain's charms regardless of how handsome he was or how good he smelt.

***

Chapter Three

Leaning with his elbow on the bar Jack took a deep sip of the beer in front of him as he looked across at the pub clock then double checked the time on his watch. Nine thirty, he had been stood up; he indicated to the barman and ordered a whiskey.

"Another double whisky chaser coming up sir," the barman said as he handed the glass over and took the money from Jack's hand.

"Don't call me sir," Jack slurred as he dropped the small glass of whisky into in his beer then downed the whole lot in four gulps.

"And another," Jack ordered as the barman handed him a glass as watched the man immediately down the measure in one gulp and indicate a refill. Shaking his head he reached up and refilled a measure and handed it back, curious. The man had nursed a beer for two hours but was now looked intent to becoming as drunk as fast as it was possible to be.

Jack threw the whiskey down in one swallow and called for another. 'What the hell had happened to the world, where he was stood up, and mere shopkeepers, good looking fucking gorgeous, shopkeepers ignored his charms? He couldn't understand it. 'Where had he gone wrong?' he asked himself. He had pulled out all the stops, worked his magic, used his best lines and even his 51st century pheromones had no effect. He was the king of seduction, he had over 100 years of practice, knew every trick in the book, in fact he written the book. He knocked back the next whiskey he had before him as the room reeled around him.

'How much had he drunk?' he thought as stood and swayed. He seriously needed to get back to the Hub. Pulling out his mobile phone he let out a deep breath as he tried to will his fingers to hit the right keys for a taxi. After several attempts he hit himself on the head as he turned on the phone and moved towards the door for a breath of fresh air to clear his head.

The door opened and he almost collided with someone, he looked up. His brain struggled to recognize the man in front of him wearing a beaten up rugby jersey and jeans.

"Ianto Jones!" he said as he put his arm out to steady himself "At last, let me buy you a drink," he slurred.

"Oh god," Ianto groaned as he saw who it was.

"Who is this?" the man with him asked.

"I'm sorry Andy, this is one of my customers," Ianto told his companion.

"Not just a customer, a regular customer I have a card to prove it, two cards in fact," Jack corrected him. "He introduced me to Harry Potter," he added proudly.

"Excuse me," Ianto said as he tried to pass.

"First I want to buy you a drink," Jack said trying to remain steady as Ianto grabbed his arm and pulled him roughly aside.

"Look," Ianto hissed, "I came out for a quiet drink with an old mate, I tolerate you in my shop. Remember the rule, when you are in my shop I will treat you as a customer, other than that you don't to speak to me," he said as he pushed him away then realized how unsteady the man was and held on to him.

"Wow that's a bit harsh," Andy told him as he looked at his usually mild tempered friend in shock

"Look Andy the man has been a bloody pest. All he wants is to get into my trousers so he can add me to his long list of endless bodies, like a piece meat, and I am not going to let that happen," he added as he held Jack up.

"That's not true you're not just piece meat, your special Ianto Jones" Jack tried to say as he staggered forward.

"Yeah I'm special all right, worth a whole ten books. Which granted for you is probably a record considering no one's ever said no, right Jack?" Ianto told him as he held him up and moved him outside into the cool air.

"You're worth more than ten books, I'll have you yet," Jack slurred.

"Over my dead body," Ianto told him as he saw the shocked look on Andy's face.

"Don't say that even in jest Ianto that's not funny," he told him seriously.

"Sorry, wasn't thinking," Ianto replied as he saw the look of distress on his friend's face. "'Sorry, stupid thing to say," he repeated as Jack bent over and promptly threw up just missing his shoes.

"Brilliant, first a suit now a pair of shoes," Ianto said as he handed over his handkerchief to Jack who wiped his mouth. A brief moment passed as Jack staggered again, Ianto reached out to steady him and Jack lent his head into Ianto's shoulder then looked up at him.

"Aftershave," Jack said as he remembered something, "What is your aftershave? It's divine, he said as he drove a finger into Ianto's chest. Ianto rolled his eyes and pushed Jack away slightly in case he threw up again.

"It's called soap Jack," he told him.

"Soap! It's delicious," Jack burst out. "You're delicious, have I told you how good you look in a suit, especially when you bend …"

"I've called a taxi," Andy interrupted as he snapped his mobile phone shut and went assist Ianto as tried to hold Jack up.

"You'll see, I haven't even started yet, you wait I have few ideas," Jack told him.

"That's right Jack you pull out the whole carnival of tricks, throw in a few clowns and dancing elephants while you're at it, that will get me interested," Ianto said sarcastically as the taxi pulled up.

"You tell me then, tell me what will work. You tell me?" Jack asked him point blank as Ianto opened the door of the taxi.

"Have you tried being real?" Ianto said in exasperation as he maneuvered Jack onto the back seat placing his hand on his head in case he bumped it.

"What!" Jack burst out as look up at him startled.

"Maybe you should drop the insufferable dashing captain come gigolo act and be yourself," Ianto told him as he attempted to close the door but found Jack kept his hand on the handle.

"But Captain Jack is who everyone wants," Jack retorted from the back seat as Andy gave instructions to deliver his passenger to the Plass and handed some money over.

'That's your problem, I am not interested in Captain Jack Harkness," Ianto told him as he closed the door and Andy banged the roof of the taxi.

"What was that all about?" Andy asked as he saw the lights of the cab turn the corner.

"I think I have finally found a way to get rid of the man," Ianto admitted as he slapped Andy on the back.

"How's that then?" Andy asked curiously.

"I told him that he should try being himself, and as I don't think he has a clue of who that is. He won't be back," Ianto told him honestly.

"Ianto you are a seriously devious human being," Andy told him smiling and shaking his head.

"Yeah it will be Mission Impossible, and hopefully I have seen the last of him. Now, I really need that drink," Ianto said as he smiled and they headed back inside.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Holding the folded handkerchief Jack had found in his coat pocket, he stood in front of Dragon Books trying to work out was how he had ended up here.

He had woken up on the sofa in the Hub with Ianto's words ringing through his mind. In an effort to clear his thinking he had decided he would walk some order into his thoughts. At the same time he would pick up some coffee to sooth his pounding headache. He had first visited a small coffee kiosk then taken off with no particular destination in mind and an hour later ended up here just as light was dawning.

'Ianto Jones, Ianto Jones', the name ran through his mind like a mantra as he ran his thumb over the embossed embroidered letters IJ in the corner of the handkerchief. Who the hell was he and why did he continue to have this effect on him? 'It's about time I found out,' he said to himself as he placed the handkerchief back in his pocket and headed back towards the Hub.

Pulling his computer keyboard towards him he attempted to access the Torchwood One sever. It had been damaged during the attack and access had been temporarily blocked until someone decided what they should do with the contents. Six months before the destruction of Torchwood One he had asked Tosh to come up with a way to access the server in an effort to enable them to check up on some disturbing rumors he had heard. Not that it had done much good, she was still working on gaining access to the ultra-secure mainframe as all hell had broken lose. But with any luck what he was looking for would be in the personnel records. He smiled as the search engine came up and he typed in "Ianto Jones"

Stretching Jack leaned back as he mulled over what he had learnt. The records had been damaged in places and some were missing but he had managed to work out the following.

Ianto Jones was liked by his colleges and his boss. His records indicated he was thought an excellent addition to the staff, was known for his sarcastic cutting wit and outstanding coffee making skills. He had been recruited straight from University where he had completed a master's degree as an archive systems analyst. He had been employed eight months previously as part of a team created to assist in the establishment of a digital archive system.

The back ground check which was standard for all employees stated his mother had died when he was six. Apparently his father had not being able to cope had put him into state care. He had one younger sister who had gone to live with an Aunt around the same time. He had a single conviction for shop lifting at age 15 years old. He had worked his way through University as a barista which explained the coffee making skills. He was living with his girlfriend Lisa Hallett who he had met at University. They had been recruited and joined Torchwood One together. They became engaged four months after joining. She had just put in her resignation no reason stated. The one complete record he did have was an application for leave which would have begun four weeks after the Canary Wharf attack. He noted with no particular interest that her resignation coincided with the start of the leave requested. Maybe she had gotten a new position somewhere and they were taking a holiday first he speculated.

There were a couple of interesting points. Ianto had noted on his Torchwood employment assessment he was bi-curious, Jack raised an eyebrow. When Ianto had gone through the battery of tests Torchwood One subjected all its potential employees too, he had scored a two on the empathic scale out of a possible eight. As most people scored a one, a score of two meant that he had a reinforced gut reaction to people. Other than this blip he had no special characteristics. He was however highly intelligent with a memory bordering on the eidetic.

He leaned forward as he read down the list of his work colleges and one name stood out: Angela Smithson and a realization dawned as he understood Ianto's remark about his reputation. No doubt she had told Ianto all about her affair with Captain Jack in graphic detail. They had flirted but he had made it very clear from the very beginning he was only interested in sex. However, she had not seen it like that, and had bombarded him for weeks after with emails, texts, letters, gifts, flowers and more than once she had turned up here at the Hub. In the end he had basically had to be brutal to get her to leave him alone. He stopped and sat back, was that how Ianto Jones saw him? What had he called him an 'insufferable gigolo'? He took a deep breath as he recalled Ianto's words, and let out a deep breath, he thought he was immune to being hurt but he was wrong, for the phrase had cut deeply. 'He was nothing like Angela was he?' True he had been a gone a bit off the rails after his return from the Doctor. But he had always been up front that all he wanted or could offer was sexual release. That's what he was good at, his one skill used to its fullest potential.

He went back to the records on the screen, as this thoughts returned to Ianto Jones. So what had he been doing since the attack on Torchwood One? He followed the menu and clicked on the survivor section. It led to a separate servicer set up to follow the 162 survivors, found Ianto's name and clicked on the link. He quickly scanned the file. He had been found on the cyber conversion level; he had been given an onsite evaluation, found not to have been a danger and sent home. Then nothing, all follow-up was absent. He went back to the master list of the other survivors. He clicked on other names; all follow-up information was there: evaluation, reports, discussion, compensation, hospital follow-ups were there in great detail. He went back to the link with Ianto's name; the whole of his follow-up section was missing.

He went back to check… yes, he had missed something, there had been a recent update. He had come back to Cardiff, and used some of his compensation money to open a book shop and was currently living with his sister. He went back to check, that was it, so where had Ianto been the previous months? What had he been doing? A thought came to him and he looked across at Tosh's work station, could she… would she have deleted them and if so why? He dismissed the thought, he couldn't think of any reason why she would delete his files, and the man was so ordinary he was sure there could be no reason why she would go to the effort to delete the files.

He leaned forward and picked up the handkerchief and again rubbed his thumb over the letters IJ. He placed the handkerchief on the desk, picked up the full loyalty card and tapped it against his lips as he went over the conversation, as he had done repeatedly over the past hours. Ianto had been nothing if not honest even if he had used his first name during the entire encounter.

'Called you Jack and told you to be yourself,' he said quietly to himself. 'What am I supposed to now?' he asked himself as he realized his project had taken a dramatic and unexpected turn. And the man had said he wasn't a challenge. 'But you are a challenge Ianto Jones, he said to himself as he realized he was going to have to come up with something entirely original if he wanted to have any impact at all.

***

Chapter four

Sitting at his desk Ianto sorted through the day's mail. One particular buff padded envelope caught his attention because the address was hand written in old fashioned purple ink. Opening it he pulled out a handwritten letter and his handkerchief freshly washed and ironed along with a fully stamped loyalty card. Shaking out the letter he raised an eyebrow and started to read.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. I Jones

C/O- Dragon Books,

Down Town Mall,

Cardiff.

Good Morning Mr. Jones,

I return your handkerchief to you, thank you for lending it to me. I also want to thank you for seeing me safely on my way home. I now find I owe you a large lunch, payment for dry-cleaning your suit, and a taxi ride home.

I appreciate that you have indicated you do not require payment, however I will be happy to reimburse you at any time in the future if so required.

I have also enclosed my loyalty card. Please could you order me a book? I recall a poem a long time ago called 'Wait for Me' its Russian from the 1940's. I cannot recall who wrote it.

If you could find me a book with a copy of the poem this would be greatly appreciated.

If the cost of the book is over and above the cost of the card I am happy to pay the difference.

Yours sincerely

Jack Harkness.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

"Oi," Owen said as Jack passed his desk holding out an envelope. "Letter for you."

Jack smiled as he took the offered envelope, opened it and noted the letter had the Dragon shop logo in the right hand corner. Attached to the letter was an A4 sheet of paper along with his returned loyalty card.

______________________________________________________________________________

Mr. J Harkness.

Tourist office,

The Plass,

Cardiff.

Good Morning Mr. Harkness.

Thank you for your letter and for returning my handkerchief. I am glad you arrived home safely. I did not pay of the taxi ride but I will convey your thanks to my friend Andy along with your offer to reimburse him. The cost of the taxi was fifteen pounds. He is a P.C. with the local constabulary and you can drop off the money to him at any police station.

I have returned you loyalty card because I think I have found the poem you wanted on the internet. It is by Konstantin Simonov. I have included a print-out with this letter. It is an interesting poem. If it is not the right one let me know and I will do another search.

If you can think of another choice for your free book, I will be happy to order it for you.

Yours sincerely,

Ianto Jones.

Dragon Books

Jack now turned to the A4 sheet to find a copy of the poem he had requested.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Wait for me, and I'll come back! Wait with all you've got!

Wait, when dreary yellow rains Tell you, you should not.

Wait when snow is falling fast, Wait when summer's hot,

Wait when yesterdays are past, Others are forgot.

Wait, when from that far-off place, Letters don't arrive.

Wait, when those with whom you wait Doubt if I'm alive.

Wait for me, and I'll come back! Wait in patience yet

When they tell you off by heart That you should forget.

Even when my dearest ones Say that I am lost,

Even when my friends give up, Sit and count the cost,

Drink a glass of bitter wine To the fallen friend -

Wait! And do not drink with them!

Wait until the end!

Wait for me and I'll come back, Dodging every fate!

"What a bit of luck!" they'll say, Those that did not wait.

They will never understand How amidst the strife,

By your waiting for me, dear. You had saved my life.

How I made it, we shall know,

Only you and I. You alone knew how to wait -

We alone know why!

Konstantin Simonov

Walking slowly he returned to his office to think.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. I Jones

C/O- Dragon Books,

Down Town Mall,

Cardiff.

Good Morning Mr. Jones,

Thank you very much for the return of my loyalty card and the poem. Yes, this is the poem I recalled. Your effort in find me a copy was much appreciated.

I have visited the police station nearest to the Hub and left a letter of thanks for P.C. Andy along with the fifteen pounds to cover the taxi fare he paid for.

I realized recently that I have been neglecting my reading and would appreciate it if you order me a book.

"A Farewell to Arms"by Ernest Hemingway.

After the other evening I realized that my coming into your shop was becoming a problem for you and I apologize for any embarrassment I have caused. However I would still like to continue to use the excellent facilities at Dragon Books. If you could indicate a way in which I could pay and pick up the book without having to visit then I am open to suggestions. Alternately, I could give you my credit card number and you could always drop any books I order into the mail.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Harkness.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. J Harkness.

Tourist office,

The Plass,

Cardiff.

Good Morning Mr. Harkness,

Thank you for your book order.

I have placed an order for your book and will send an email to you once it has come in.

Please could you provide your email address?

There is no problem with you coming into the shop as a customer. However I would advise that we keep any interaction between us on a strictly professional level.

On a personal note: I thank you for repaying Andy. He also said he was unaware until recently that you had spoken to the desk sergeant complementing him on his assistance that night. I thank you on his behalf.

Yours sincerely,

Ianto Jones.

Dragon Books

___________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. I Jones

C/O- Dragon Books,

Down Town Mall,

Cardiff.

Good morning Mr. Jones,

Thank you for placing my book order.

My email address is .uk

I thank you for your comments and will try to keep any interactions between us on a strictly professional level.

Could you order me another book? It is called "'The Lilac Afternoon "I am not sure of the author but it was printed sometime in the 1920's.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Harkness.

________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. J Harkness.

Tourist office,

The Plass,

Cardiff.

Good morning Mr. Harkness,

Thank you for your book order and your email address.

I am currently unable to order '"The Lilac Afternoon"by Cecile Ransom, as it is out of print. However I regularly visit book fairs and will keep an eye out for it. I have also added the title to a list I hold with Busy Bee Books which handles second hand books on my behalf on a regular basis. If they get a copy I have flagged it on your behalf.

Yours sincerely,

Ianto Jones

Dragon Books.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Three Weeks Later.

Ianto sat at the computer at his desk the book order for Jack Harkness in his hands and grimaced.

"Is that the Captain's book order?" Angie said her eyes widening with delight as she took the book.

"Yes," he told her sullenly as he snatched it back.

"Excellent," she said with a smile "Marcia," she called out, "guess who's going to be calling in the near future?"

Marcia raced in. "Yes!" She squealed as she did an air punch and gave Angie a hug.

"Thank you , we appreciate your sacrifice on our behalf," Angie said as she jumped up and down as she saw Ianto put his hand to his forehead as he shook his head.

"You may not like him but he makes us feel very special," Marcia told him as began to go through the other book boxes checking through the rest of the order.

"Very special," Angie told him nodding as she spoke.

"Oh I hope he's wearing that aftershave," Marcia said as she helped Angie take the carton into the shop.

"He's a tasty bit of alright," Angie said.

"Oh yeah, hope he's wearing that coat," Marcia replied.

Ianto picked up the book and groaned inwardly as he watched their excitement. He wished he had never told them about that bloody letter. He had been so happy at the Captain's offer to not come into the shop; he had read it out loud to the stunned silence of his two assistants. They had looked at him then grumbled loudly and told him in no uncertain terms the Captain was a lovely man and they couldn't understand why he didn't like him. It was the highlight of their working day when he called in. The consequences had been laid out in stark terms: if he replied in any manner that would stop the Captain from coming to the shop, first they would be hiding the good coffee and then he would be forced to drink instant or worse Starbucks. After much sulking on both sides and in the spirit of continuing good employee relations he had relented. With a feeling of growing dread he composed the email.
________________________________________________________________________________

To:myfanway@myfanway.org.uk
From:Admin@Dragonbooks.com

Subject: Book Order.

Good Morning Mr. Harkness,

Your book order "A Farewell to Arms"by Ernest Hemingway has come in.

Five pounds 99p

Ianto Jones.

Dragon Books
______________________________________________________________________________

He sat for a while staring at the screen fighting the rats in his stomach when Angie reached around in front of him and pressed send.

"You know you are really pushing your luck," he told her seriously.

"Yes I know, but we promise, we will not squeal with too much delight when he comes in," she told him as she patted him on the back.

"You two had better appreciate this," he told then as he picked up the book and placed under the counter with all the other orders.

"Tomorrow, I am bringing in the biggest coffee cake ever from the cheesecake shop," Angie told him.

"And I will be making my famous cream cheese chocolate muffins," Marcia added, "as a big thank you."

"Back to work the pair of you," he stuttered trying not to smile at their antics then groaned as the realization that Jack Harkness could be heading for his shop right now.

twtwtwtwtwtwtwwtw

Striding forward with more confidence than he felt Jack braced himself. "Be yourself," he kept repeating as he walked up to the counter.

"Your book order, Sir," Ianto said as he reached down and pulled a book out from under the counter.

"Thank you," Jack said as watched Ianto place the book in a shop bag.

"Anything good come in you could recommend? As you know I'm trying to catch up with my reading," Jack asked as Ianto took his money.

""The Karma Sutra: The Modern Illustrated Edition"just for you," he snapped at him and saw Jack visibly wince.

"I forgot to ask did you want to use your loyalty card." Ianto asked disconcerted at the Captain's reaction.

Jack looked up at him and left out a deep breath. "I'll pay for this one," he said taking out the empty card from his wallet and handing it to Ianto.

"You can always save them up and put the money towards a more expensive book," Ianto offered taking the card. "Still no word on that other book you requested," Ianto said as the captain remained silent. "There's a book fair coming up." He pointed to the community poster behind him complete with logo, and date. "I'll let you know if I come across a copy," he added handing the stamped card back.

"Thank you," Jack said as he took the card. Taking the book he walked slowly over to one of the book displays, as he took a moment to compose himself.

He had come here expecting… 'What had he been expecting?' he asked himself. In truth he was breaking new ground, he had no idea what he was doing here or what he expecting. But Ianto's sharp comment had cut him to the core and in that moment he had realized this was a lost cause and there was nothing he could do, that would ever win the good opinion of this man and he felt inexplicably bereft as if he had lost something of extraordinary importance. He picked up a book from the shelf he stood in front of in an effort to appear he was interested as he tried to compose himself.

Busying himself as he served another customer Ianto watched as the Captain picked up the book in front of him. He was sure the Captain had no interest in soft toy making and shook his head slightly in amusement as the man realized what he was looking at and placed it hurriedly back on the shelf. Then he looked around to see if anyone had noticed then moved to another display. He felt himself relent a little as saw the moment and walked over to a prominent display picked out a book.

Jack looked up as Ianto approached him, "I think you might like this better," he said as he handed him a book. "You asked for a recommendation. I was thinking, if you've never heard of Harry Potter you probably never heard about the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett," he said as Jack took the book momentarily nonplused. "They're a bit mad, but whimsical," Ianto concluded.

"Guards! Guards!" Jack read out the title keeping his eyes focused on the cover as he tried to recover his equilibrium.

"The author's got the most twisted, wicked sense of humor. If you buy and read it, I'll give you an extra stamp if you can work out how my book shop got its name," he offered as he saw Jack come back into himself and gave him a half smile.

"An extra stamp?" he queried not sure he had heard correctly.

"If you can work out why my shop is called Dragon Books, "Ianto repeated.

"Okay, you're on," Jack said smiling hesitantly as he headed for the counter.

"What happened? I thought you didn't like him," Angie asked as she saw the captain leave.

"Man was drowning, all I did was throw him a life line," Ianto replied.

Angie nudged him. "Yeah we saw you watching him," she said winking at him as she teased.

"Shut up woman and get me some coffee cake and one of those muffins," he ordered her as his face flushed a deep red. He knew full well why he had done it, there he had been complaining about the captain's crass behavior and the man had come in an acted a perfect gentlemen. He had asked a perfectly reasonable question and he had thrown back an inane comment and made the man wince. The tremor of feeling that had twisted his stomach as he saw the look on the man's face meant his words had really hurt. He didn't understand how he knew this he just did. Then he had watched as Jack had pulled back trying to recover and in that moment he knew his words had stripped the man bare and he felt ashamed of himself. Ignoring his resolve he had reached out and offered the man some comfort.

"Thanks," he said as he took the plate from Angie.

"You do know there are 38 books in the series," Marcia told him.

"That doesn't include all the extras like maps and collaborations, so it's a more like 70," Ianto told her as he took a bite of cake then decided he was full.

"70!" Angie burst out.

"Think of it as your Christmas bonus," Ianto told her as he took the plate back to the kitchen area.

"Christmas and Easter bonus for the next ten years," Angie said her eyes shining.

"Have we ever told you how much we appreciate you Ianto?" Marcia told him seriously as she saw Ianto roll his eyes.

"No, but keep the coffee cakes coming and I just might," he said as he touched her shoulder.

***

Chapter Five

Pulling the book from the shop bag Jack sat down, trying to order his thoughts. To say he was confused would be an understatement as he tried to figure out the last two hours. He turned the book over in his hands observing its green cover with a large dragon with smoke curling from its muzzle on the front.

'Ianto Jones,' he said to himself, 'you are full of surprises,' and a thought came to him as he realized every encounter with the man had been surprising. Ianto's reactions were always honest, it was like he was a truth teller and he felt a warm glow grow in his chest as he realized that Ianto's reaction to him in the shop had been genuine. He had felt a touch of…' What had he felt?' he asked himself. At first he had felt derision as Ianto's words had hit him in the chest taking his breath away. He had moved away and as he stood there he felt the feeling replaced with shame, Ianto's. This was followed by a feeling of kindness, not born out of pity but concern that he had hurt Jack's feelings. It was like the man could read him, how was this possible? How could Ianto read him? And how was it possible he could read Ianto? It was a connection he had never known had existed until this very moment. He closed his eyes and pushed out and 'yep there it was', so faint it was almost non-existent, but there it was none the less. He sat back bewildered, what the hell was going on?

His looked up as the door crashed open and Gwen, Owen, followed by Tosh pushed their way into his office. Gwen placed her hands on the table and leaned in.

"We have a problem," she declared wide eyed.

"What happened?" he said leaning forward putting the book aside as he saw Tosh's face darken in displeasure as she saw the logo on the paper bag it was resting on.

"While you were out the Torchwood liaison from the Prime Minister's office called," Owen told him

"And?" Jack said in reply.

"We're in trouble deep trouble," Tosh told him.

"They've made a decision about the Torchwood One archives and they want to come down and make an inspection of ours," Gwen told him.

"They want to do what?" Jack burst out not sure he had heard correctly.

"There's been a decision and the Torchwood One archives are being split between ourselves and Torchwood House," Tosh repeated

"They want to come down and check how we have set up ours so they can decide how they are going to do this," Gwen added.

"Shit!" Jack burst out.

"Yeah, I can see their faces now," Owen cut in sarcastically, "considering the main bulk of our archives are in unlabeled cardboard boxes stacked five high, scattered in no particular order in various locations around the lower levels."

"Oh God," Jack moaned.

"Oh God covers it,"Tosh told him.

"Can we put them off, delay them?" Jack asked hopefully as Gwen shook her head.

"Tried that, they were very insistent," Gwen gave him a piece of paper. "Expect them 9.30 am Friday, that's in three days."

"Maybe we could just show them Owen's," Jack said as he took the paper and stared at it knowing only his medical records were in any order.

"Jack I've got six filing cabinets, there're not stupid , there is no way they will accept those as our main archives," Owen told him.

"We could always fake it, you know get into some cabinets rearranged…" he tried to say but was interrupted by Gwen.

"Jack it's over 100 years of neglect, there is no amount of cosmetics that are going to cover that up…" Gwen interrupted as she saw a look cross Tosh's face.

"You know I have an idea," she told them as she narrowed her eyes in thought. "We may not be so good on hard copy, but our computer system server and storage are first rate, maybe we should emphasis our strengths and offer to take the digital records which I understand are as extensive as the main archives."

"I like that thought," Jack said nodded in agreement as the sinking feeling he had felt on hearing the news began to lighten.

"And we could say we recognize that our archives are neglected and offer a solution to digitalize all our records so they can be shared with anyone who needed access," she added.

"Do it," Jack told her as he saw Gwen's expression.

"That doesn't resolve the issue of how bad state are archives in," Gwen told him as she folded her arms.

"Tosh, I want you work on your proposal, wow them," he said as she turned to leave.

Turning to Gwen and Owen he looked up at them. "I want a proposal from each of you on my desk about how we can organize our archive, at this point don't censor any idea," he told them as he led them towards the door.

"And what is your contribution going to be?" Gwen said seeing she was being dismissed.

"I have something important I need to do," Jack said looking awkward thinking of Ianto's challenge as he glanced down at the book.

Gwen let out a deep sigh as Owen left and she stood before him her arms crossed.

"Jack, you seriously need to stop this," she told him. "You are head of Torchwood Three, we need you Jack, and you haven't been here for weeks."

'What are you talking about Gwen? I live here, apart from your break you have seen me every day since you joined," he said in reply not sure what she was talking about.

"I mean mentally, it's been wonderful that you have discovered reading or should I say a certain handsome book shop owner. I can't explain it Jack but you're different, it's like your focus has gone, changed, I mean you've even stopped flirting,"

"We've hardly been busy," he told her his face clouding over as he put his hand on the book.

"This is important Jack, you are seriously distracted," she told him.

"Gwen, this is important," he reiterated his earlier statement as a powerful feeling of rightness raced through him. "Now out," he ordered seeing she was going to add something more. Pointing his finger at the door she turned as a disgusted look settled on her face and slammed the door as she left. Picking up the book he turned to the first page. 'Now which dragon?" he asked himself under his breath as he began to read.

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

"Draco vulgaris," Jack declared as he walked up to the counter and handed over his card for a stamp.

"You sound very convinced it's swamp dragons," Ianto said as he took the card surprised Jack had worked it out.

"It took some thinking," Jack told him not wanting to admit to the hours he had spent trying to work it out. There were only two dragons in the book, one a magnificent representation of dragon kind. The other was a sport dragon bred for show like a pedigree dog , who turned out to have a true heart of courage, It had to be one or the other, in the end he had gone for the less obvious choice.

"Okay, reasoning," Ianto requested intrigued Jack had not gone for the most obvious choice.

"Well the main dragon is splendid, but once unleashed it ends up mayor of the city sitting on a hoard of gold. Swamp dragons are smaller and easier to care for, well sort of. The one in the story is really cute," and bit his tongue to prevent himself adding 'like you.'

"I loved the way the members of the guard kept buying him toys and he kept eating them," Ianto replied laughing.

"So I was right," Jack said in pleasure at getting it right.

"Yes," Ianto replied smiling as he stamped the card. Jack took it and with a huge grin on his face went to stand in front of the display to choose another title.

"The book was a great choice, thank you Ianto, I really enjoyed it," he said as the young man joined him.

"You're welcome, Si- Jack" Ianto replied as saw the look of surprise on Jack's face as Ianto addressed him by his first name.

Angie nudged Marcia as she looked on as the pair relaxed into each other's company as Ianto introduced potential candidates for a second purchase.

"You know they would make a very cute couple," Marcia said as she watched them begin to chat.

"Don't you repeat that in front of Ianto," Angie warned her.

"Well you know what they say, sometimes dislike is a disguise that you really like someone," Marcia sighed. "It would be nice for Ianto to find someone. I know he pretends everything's all right but we both know how lonely he is, stuck here all the time and his sister being who she is."

"I was so pleased he went out that night for a drink, with who, was it Andy?" Angie commented.

"Yes, Andy. He needs more nights out like that having some fun," Marcia remarked as they watched as Ianto leaned into one of the shelves and Jack followed suit.

"I wonder how many hours he really spends here? He's here first thing, last to leave," Angie asked.

"And he's well set up round the back here, sofa, coffee machine, fridge, T.V. Very cozy," she added after a few moments has passed.

"Don't blame him. Not with that sanctimonious religious sister of his. Can you imagine what she would say if she found out he swung both ways?" Angie said indicating the calendar of well-muscled half-stripped fireman's calendar on the wall. They both knew Ianto had put it there for himself even as he joked it was really for them. Her son was gay and he had the exact same calendar on the back of his bedroom door.

"I can hear the screaming from here, horrible woman. Well, as they say god chooses your relatives, thank god you choose your friends," Marcia commented.

"And that's the problem isn't it, he's hardly got any friends has he?" Angie said sadly.

Marcia looked across at Jack and Ianto in deep conversation. "Well maybe that's about to change," she said.

"Let's hope so," Angie said as she looked across at the photo on Ianto's desk of a beautiful dark skinned woman in a silver frame.

"The man deserves to be happy after what he went through ," Marcia said.

"Yes let's hope he finds love and all that," Angie said as she went to serve a customer.

"I'll drink to that," Marcia replied as Angie left.

***

Chapter Six

"Okay," Jack said as he accepted a mug of coffee from Gwen. "That went better than I expected," he said commenting on the visit the day before from the Archive project managers.

"I don't think I have ever heard anyone make that noise," Gwen said as she commented on the sharp shocked intake of breath from the project leader when they had seen the stacks of boxes that comprised their archives, as she continued around the board room table with a tray laden with coffees for the rest of the team.

"It was the shudder that went with it that got me," Tosh added.

"Well we knew it was going to be bad, but the silence was hard to take," Gwen said as she put a mug in front of Owen.

"Hope this is better than your last effort," Owen snarked as he took a cautious sip.

"Any more nonsense from you Owen Harper and you can make it yourself in future," Gwen told him as she threw him a filthy look as she handed a mug to Tosh who took a sip and placed it on the table in front of her.

"I've just taken a call," Jack told then, "and the final decision has been made about the fate of the Torchwood One archives. Thank you Tosh for you wonderful efforts, as bad as things may have been for our physical archives, the project managers were impressed by our computer resources." Jack said as he took a mouthful of coffee, swallowed then looked into the cup and placed on the table in front of him.

"Basically it's going to be being split into two. Torchwood House will get all the hard copy and the artifacts. We will start receiving the digital archive beginning on Tuesday," he added, then indicated Tosh to continue.

'The archives were already partly converted, so it will come in several formats. About 40 percent will be on specially formatted drives, which will require conversion to be compatible with our system. The main standard system was damaged, so the recovered data has been loaded on to standard discs which we will have to be manually loaded," She added

"How many?" Owen asked.

"Unknown number but many hundreds," she told him.

"That's not very clever .What about security? I mean having highly sensitive information around on discs I mean what if they go missing or get lost," Gwen interjected.

"They will come in sealed boxes and secondly it's mostly low level information on the discs: interdepartmental email exchanges, personnel information from HR, nothing of any significance," Tosh told her.

"Why can't we just hot wire the hard drives into our own systems?" Owen asked.

"The digital archives were in process of a serious upgrade beyond what we have here and it's not compatible," Tosh started to explain

"I find that hard to believe. I thought we were cutting edge Tosh," Owen said indignantly

"Normally I would agree however in this case Torchwood One had gathered together a group of experts in their fields to create a state of the art digital archive. They had created and were implementing a system that was basically, well brilliant, "Tosh explained.

"Then why not just continue to use it then?" Owen asked

"The majority of the staff in the archives were killed with only one or two exceptions, the computer system was infiltrated by both the Cybermen and the Daleks so was compromised."

"Hang on a mo," Gwen interrupted as she realized something and looked at Tosh.

"What about that Ianto, your friend? The one who runs the book shop in the mall, I remember you mentioned him, didn't he work in the archives?" she asked.

"I don't think asking Ianto would be a good idea," Tosh said shaking her head.

"You said he was an archivist there, maybe he is someone he might know something about this," Gwen added.

"Gwen he's a survivor and he's just getting his life back on track," Tosh told her as she threw a look at Jack and tried to keep the disapproval she felt off her face.

"Well we will never know it we don't ask him," Gwen started to say when Jack interjected as he looked at Tosh.

"I agree..." Jack started to say but was interrupted by Tosh.

"Jack you can't ask him," Tosh burst out as she stood up indignation written on every line on her face.

"Look this Ianto he could help us, maybe..." Gwen said trying to get a word in.

"Gwen, I cannot begin to tell you how inappropriate it would be." She turned to Jack, "and I cannot believe you would be so callous to sanction such a thing, if you had any idea what he's been through ..." she stopped herself before she said too much as Jack raised his hand.

"Tosh, sit down" Jack ordered his voice ringing through the board room. "What I was trying to say was I agree with you Tosh," he glanced at her then looked around the group as Tosh crossed her arms clearly furious.

"But we need help with our archives Jack, there are in boxes stacked five deep, in no particular order, trying to find anything is a nightmare and don't get me started on the artifact catalogue. Why can't we at least offer him the chance he might be happy to help and …" She stopped when she saw the look Tosh's face.

"Look Gwen," Tosh explained, "Ianto lost all his work colleagues, several close friends along with …"she stopped herself and took a breath, "in the attack, and you want to ask him to come and work for Torchwood?" she argued

Gwen placed her mug down as she realized something, "I 've seen his name, I saw it on the list of people and roles at Torchwood One and he wasn't just an archivist he was an archival systems expert. This could he his system we're talking about, it means we have an expert right on our doorstep. It's common sense that we ask him," Gwen continued.

Jack sat back listening to the argument as he felt a wave of wrongness towards Gwen's suggestion so strongly he felt himself interject.

"No," Jack told her, "I agree with Tosh on this one."

"Jack, all I am suggesting is we ask him, he was a Torchwood employee, it is possible he was directly involved with system." Gwen was excited by her realization.

"Gwen the answer is no," Jack told her bluntly.

"Right," Gwen replied sarcastically.

"What Gwen?" Jack responded.

"Jack, is this a personal decision considering your interest in him? Because this man would be perfect, he worked for Torchwood One and he's an archive specialist," she continued to argue.

"This is not personal, my decision is based on compassion. He is a survivor of a horrific attack," Jack said as he felt the gut feeling he had about this issue strengthen.

"Survivor doesn't mean victim. It's been two years, he must have moved on by now, our asking him could be the best thing for him, helping him get back into the swing of things, get back on his feet," Gwen added.

"Gwen my answer is no," Jack repeated as he saw Gwen look stubborn as she had many other times when she had disagreed with him in the past.

"We have to sit back and watch a golden opportunity pass us by because of Operation Cute Suit? What, don't want to ruin any progress you've made getting into his trousers Jack?" Gwen retorted as Jack looked thunderous. Owen's jaw dropped at her audacity as she looked around the table for support, not seeing any she continued on regardless. "It's got to be said, you are seriously distracted. I've not said anything before because it's not impacted on Torchwood operations. But your obsession with this man has got to stop especially n …'

"Stop right there," Jack interrupted. "My private life is none of your business," he snapped back furiously.

"It's not private though is it Jack? You spend most of you time head stuck in book or you're round at that book shop of his," Gwen told him.

"Gwen leave it," Tosh asked now seeing that Gwen was not going stop as the Rift alert went off.

"So Gwen are we agreed?" Jack said quickly. "Are we agreed?" he repeated as he stood up keeping his eye firmly on Gwen. Seeing the look on her face he realized the argument was not over he added. "This discussion is not over, I want you in my office when I return," he told her.

"Owen with me," he commanded as he got up and left heading for his office to prepare.

Gwen took a breath and stood to follow. "Don't do it, " Tosh asked as she saw a devious look cross Gwen's face.

"Don't do what?" Gwen retorted.

"Don't speak to Ianto behind Jack's back," Tosh told her.

"All this fuss, over a book shop owner. So he's a survivor, others people have had appalling things happen to them, they get over it." Gwen said as she saw Tosh's face distort in worry.

"Don't, Gwen this is important" Tosh asked her again.

"For God's sake Tosh, what the hell makes him so special? It's not like he was even there, he was in the basement. So he survived an alien attack that's something we have to deal almost all most every week, sometimes every day, you don't see us falling apart. I imagine it was very scary down in the basement as he hid behind the filing cabinets," she added as she saw Tosh take a deep breath.

"I going to tell you something not because I want to but because I know it's the only way to stop you. It wasn't just Ianto who worked for Torchwood One. His fiancé Lisa was a research assistant who worked on the fifth floor," she said trying control the shake in her voice." Ianto was found on the cyber conversion floor, he has never spoken about what he saw or found. What we do know was Lisa was dead and along with the baby she was carrying. Three weeks later instead of attending their wedding, I had to attend her funeral."

"Oh," Gwen stuttered as she looked at Tosh.

"So I am asking you don't approach him because I promise you if I find out you did, it won't be Jack you will have to deal with it will be me," Tosh told her sternly. "Ianto has suffered more than any individual I've known over the past months and he has done it with courage and dignity. He's worked very hard to deal with what happened it's not been easy, he's had terrible times and it's only recently he's been able to move forward. " She got up and looked down at Gwen.

"I understand," Gwen said quietly not knowing how to respond but still looking stubborn.

"You know I would love to believe you, but truthfully I think you are so caught up in doing what you believe is right, that even after everything I've told you , getting one over on Jack and being right is more important than any lives you might ruin."

"That's unfair," Gwen retorted.

"Is it?" Tosh spat back.

"Yes it is," Gwen replied forcefully.

I've seen you lock horns with Jack too many times to believe that will you leave this alone," Tosh told her honestly as she saw Gwen take a breath. "And I am asking you don't approach Ianto about this. As you've rightly pointed out, he's moved on, he hasn't gone back to the industry he spent years working towards, he's come home and opened a book shop. That alone should tell you something about where he is at," she took a deep breath. "So put aside your righteous indignation at Jack's decision regardless whatever you think is going on and leave well alone," she added as Gwen looked thoughtful.

"Now I have work to do," Tosh said as she left, hoping in her heart she had done enough.

"I won't," Gwen said as Tosh began to leave. "But I still think there is something going on and it's not right. I mean it's sickening watching him moon about after some shop keeper," she added.

Tosh glared at her "What's the problem Gwen? Having a hard time that Jack's stop flirting with you, not giving you the attention you think you deserve?" she snapped back as she saw the look of indignation on Gwen's face then quickly continued before Gwen could retort. "I may not approve of what's going on, but Jack's right about one thing, it's none of your business." Striding forward she left leaving Gwen in deep thought.

***

Chapter Seven

His eyes focused on the screen on the cell phone-like device he held in his hand. Jack turned to the left, then the right then forwards. Looking up he tried to match the landmarks around him with the information on the screen. He could see he was in the circle of standing stones. Backtracking he made his way towards a small group of trees, and the blip reappeared. It must be small whatever it was, the good thing was it was not moving it was such a tiny trace he would never have been able to track it down. The small circle on the scanner screen thickened and the beep got louder. He must be right on top of it. There was only one thing for it and he got down on his hands and knees and started to search around the fallen debris under his feet. It had been raining so it did not take long for the knees of his trousers to become soaked and blackened. The debris was mix of dead leaves, food wrappers of one sort of another, bottle tops, and ring pulls. The beep got louder as he searched around with his hands and came across what looked like a small flattered marble. It became hot in his hand and he almost dropped it. "Got ya," he said with glee as he rubbed it against his fingers cleaning it up. He stood up brushing the debris from his trousers.

He looked at his watch, and cursed, three hours he had spent looking for what amounted to rubbish. Moving out of the trees he looked around to see where he was. He knew he was in Bute Park, but he had not really paid much attention to exactly where his location was. He focused on trying to recall where he had parked the SUV then he remembered it was on the far side of the park. The scanner beeped again and he turned if off then placed it into his coat pocket along with the object when he felt a pressure in his chest. He closed his eyes for a moment as he felt his heart race and he caught his breath. The only time he felt like this was when he was around Ianto, but he was not here now. Much more of this and he would need a medical from Owen, he thought as his heart pounded. So what the hell was it this time? He felt in his coat pocket and pulled out the small object and found it had become smoky, maybe this was causing it, not quite the rubbish it appeared to be.

Turning he started to make his way across the park, and as he passed a small café he saw a crowd around an open area with various marquees and tents, with long trestle tables stacked with books. The place was packed as he recalled the book fair poster in Ianto's shop. He wondered if Ianto was here today when he saw him. His back was turned away from him as he sorted through the boxes of books on a trestle table. He pulled back not wanting to let himself be seen. He watched for a while just enjoying seeing him move trying to carry an absurdly large number of books as he bit his lower lip, from table to table, he knew he should move on but found he couldn't move.

He had kept to the letter of their agreement and only spoke to him at the shop, and it was the hardest thing he had ever done. Over the past weeks they had had some astounding conversations at the book shop, some times for hours. He had on several occasions come close to asking the young man to join him for a coffee but something stopped him every time and he knew exactly what it was, he didn't want to ruin the time they spent together. When they were talking to each other, all that existed was Ianto, and he lost himself in the sound of his voice and his presence. He was scared of destroying the equilibrium between them, but he wanted more. He had dreams of just holding him close and feeling his arms around him, but would his selfish need for this man cause Ianto to reject him as he had in the past? Even now the memory of his words and disdain hurt, and he felt his heart flutter, maybe, just maybe he closed his eyes as he listened to his feelings, and the strange connection between them, as a book fell from the stack Ianto was carrying and he found himself stepping forward.

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

Struggling to hold on the stack of books he had found over the past few hours Ianto moved towards the cash register. 'My arms were clearly bigger than my common sense' he thought as one dropped on the ground. He had spent hours sifting through the boxes at the Bute Park book fair and had found a large number he had on his list filling customer orders. It had been a toss up to making several trips back and forwards to his car or just managing in one go. The rain forecast looked like it might be right for once and he had decided to get as much done as he could before the rain that was threatening turned into the promised down pour.

"Let me get that?" He heard a voice say as he tried to bend down and pick it up.

"Thank you," Ianto said as he looked up to see who had helped him and his felt stomach flip as Jack placed the book back on the top of the pile in his arms.

"You seem to have quite a few, let me give you a hand?" Jack offered keeping his face and voice neutral.

"I'm think I can manage," Ianto said hesitantly as he saw Jack take breath.

"Look I know I'm breaking the rule, about speaking to you outside the shop, but you look like you could really use a hand," Jack said as he put up both hands. "I can offer both." Several moments passed as Ianto just looked at him. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to help," Jack said letting out a sigh trying not to allow the disappointment he felt show on his face as he started to turn away.

"Yes, of course, thank you," Ianto said after a moment's hesitation as he saw the look on Jack's face and cursed his own stupidity, of course the man was only asking to help.

On hearing the invitation Jack took several books from Ianto's arms and they headed to the register.

"Look I know this is out of order, but could I buy you a coffee?" Jack asked as they unloaded the books in the book of Ianto's car, "There's a nice little café here in the park…"

"I found that book you were looking for," Ianto interrupted as he handed a small volume to Jack who took it reverently turning it over in his hands.

"Ianto, I don't know what to say, thank you," Jack said turning to the first page ran his eyes over the contents page then closed it. "You know I am going to enjoy reacquainting myself to the delights of this book, how much do I owe you?" he said putting the book in his coat pocket as he started to pull out his wallet.

"No need Jack it cost me all of two pounds," he told him shaking his head.

"That doesn't seem fair," Jack pointed out "I mean you put it on book lists, and gone out of your way to find it."

"Well, I tell you what," Ianto said after a few moments of thought as he looked into Jack's eyes, "Why don't you buy me a coffee and we'll call it even," he added as he saw Jack smile gently. Locking his car they headed over to the small café by one of the many ancient stones circles that were strewn around the park.

Watching as Jack went to put in their order Ianto wondered what the hell he was doing. He swore he would never do this. He gave the captain ten out of ten for persistence 'And if this was a change of tactics…' He admonished himself he could sense no hidden agenda here, all the man was doing was thanking him for finding a book. He had to admit Jack had certainly cleaned up his act and he now enjoyed it when the captain,' Jack' he corrected himself, came into the shop. The man was good company; it was like when they were talking he became lost in the conversation. Sometimes Jack just popped in to talk or ask his advice about something, but that was in the shop it was a professional relationship. So why did he feel so conflicted here in this public place and all he was doing was having a cup of coffee? He smiled cautiously as he accepted the offered cup as Jack sat down opposite him.

"Well this is the last thing I expected to be doing today," Jack started as he saw Ianto raise an eyebrow.

"I must admit you were the last person I imagined would come to something like this," Ianto remarked as Jack nodded.

"I was on call this weekend and the Rift alert went off, and indicated something came through," Jack told him.

"Anything dangerous?" Ianto said looking around as Jack shook his head. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the small flattened marble that was now clear and placed it on the table.

Picking it up Ianto examined it.

"It took me hours to find and it's junk," Jack told him.

"Junk?" Ianto repeated as he handed it back

"Junk!" Jack told him as he placed the object back on the table.

"How did you manage to locate it?" Ianto asked thinking of how difficult it would be to find so small an object.

"With this," Jack said as he pulled what looked like a large cell phone from his coat pocket and handed it across to Ianto.

Turning it over in his hand he studied it. "How does it work? " He asked as he examined it.

"I'll show you," Jack said as he moved his chair around next to the young man and demonstrated how to turn it on. The screen turned on showing a grid made of green lines.

"Now press the button on the bottom with the wavy line on it," he indicated as Ianto followed his directions as the grid filled with what looked like a mass of intersecting red lines.

"Woh," Ianto said as Jack now placed the small object in the center of the table.

"If you press the button with the triangle, it should show the position of the object," Jack advised him as Ianto did as instructed.

A small orange dot appeared on the screen as Ianto chuckled.

"What?" Jack asked as he saw and heard Ianto's reaction.

"Like I know where the object is, how would you work out where this was from this?" he indicated the lines on the small screen.

"That's why it took me three hours and eventually I had to resort to crawling around on my hands and knees," Jack told him as Ianto handed the scanner back.

"Now that's not standard Torchwood equipment," Ianto told him.

"Sometimes the Rift delivers useful objects," Jack told him as he saw Ianto pick up the object and found it warm in his hand and turn a deep pink. He handed to Jack quickly where it now began to vibrate hum and turn a deeper pink.

"You know you could have the equivalent of an intergalactic mood stone, like you buy as a souvenir somewhere," Ianto added.

"Three hours, on my hands and knees, ruined a perfectly good pair of trousers for a mood stone," Jack agreed laughing.

"Tell me about the book?" Ianto asked as Jack placed the detector and the object back in his coat pocket.

Pulling out the book from his other pocket he turned in around in his hands, "I had friend called Estelle. She died a while back and I recalled the first time I ever saw her was on a bench and she was reading this book," Jack explained. "I was always teasing her about her love of romantic novels. You know the type where the hero always gets the girl and after trails, tribulations and misunderstandings everyone lives happily after," he added as he saw sadness momentarily cross Ianto's face.

"Well one very rainy afternoon I was teasing her and she challenged me to read it," he added as Ianto raised his eyebrows. "I have to admit I found it hauntingly poetic," he said quietly. "It's the only romantic book I have ever read and when she died I remembered how we first met. When I was clearing her house I tried to find it but she hadn't kept a copy," Jack said turned the book over in his hands.

"My girlfriend Lisa had a love of those, Mills and Boon books," Ianto told him.

"Mills and Boon?" Jack asked.

"She had boxes of the bloody things. I thought that was bad enough then she bought herself an e-book reader and she decided that she would see if she could download a few, and what she thought was a couple of titles turned out to be about 2000, filled up almost the entire memory," he laughed then realized Jack may never have heard of them.

"Mills and Boon publish romance stories, hundreds of titles a year. Lisa's favorite plot was where some unlikely couple started out disliking each other, then through a series of events fall in love. Then one or the other would have some terrible past, and the other would help them through it. They always ended getting married and having a baby. Happy ever after. I asked her once what the attraction was, she told me they were easy to read and had a guaranteed happy ending, but what she liked most of all was the fact that the couple overcame all possible odds and still made it."

"Sounds like Lisa got a lot of enjoyment out of them," Jack said.

"They made her very happy," Ianto told him. "And do you know what's so stupid? I still have that e-book reader …" he trailed off.

"It's sometimes the smallest things that are hardest to let go of," Jack told him.

"I sometimes find myself reading the odd story," Ianto told him. "Sorry getting a bit heavy," he added after a few moments passed.

"You must miss her very much," Jack commented.

"Two year's anniversary of the attack on Canary Wharf coming up and each day it slowly gets easier. To begin with it's like this sharp stone in your chest, you feel the pain all the time but slowly the edges wear a bit, it hurts but it's not so immediate. It's been hard to let go because all I have left of her is this pain I feel," he pointed to his chest as he let out a deep breath and looked at Jack who was watching Ianto speak. "You know you are the first person I have spoken to about this," he shook his head in surprise as if he didn't quite believe he was sitting here sharing this with Captain Jack Harkness of all people.

"Life's not a romance novel," Jack told him. "Sometimes there are no happy endings."

"You got that right," Ianto told him honestly as Jack began to speak "I remember this one time…", Ianto sat back to as Jack began speak

"…and then she's chasing me down this alley way, she was so fast. I should have guessed something was wrong because no woman I've ever met can run in six inch heels. Any way I realized I had taken a wrong turning because I had come to a dead end. I cursed and turned around. I had no time make my escape because she morphed into this dark blob. It came to me she's not chasing me because she's angry I made pass at her boyfriend, I'm lunch. Within a blink of an eye I'm seeing the world through black-currant jelly, and I have this horrible sensation, all slimy and gooey…" Jack shuddered in remembrance as Ianto laughed wondering how Jack got out of this scrape , he heard a clatter , they both looked up to see a woman clearing the table.

"We're closing," she told them they turned around as they saw the place was empty and the staff where taking in the chairs and tables.

Looking at this watch Jack realized they had been here all afternoon, as he stood Ianto joined him.

"This was good yeah," Ianto said looking intently at Jack.

"Thank you for today," Jack told him.

"No thank you," Ianto replied as he stood not wanting to leave as he noted Jack's reluctance was as great as his. "This is a public place," Ianto declared.

"It is that," Jack said not sure where this was going.

"Well there are a lot of public places around Cardiff I imagine that we might run into each other," Ianto told him as he saw Jack face light up with understanding.

"As it happens I will be in a public place tomorrow around 11.30 AM. Every Sunday I have brunch at the Bay café near the wharf, you never know we might run into each other, "he said smiling.

"We might yet," Jack told him then hesitated. "Of course but we might miss each other?"

"Well it is a public place and you have Torchwood and all that, I would understand," Ianto told him.

"Can I see your mobile phone?" Jack asked as Ianto handed his over.

"Tell you what," he said as he pulled out his own mobile phone and began to add some numbers. "If something happens then, I'll send you a text," Jack said as he handed Ianto's phone back

"Great," Ianto said as he put his phone away.

"Where's your car?" Ianto asked not wanting to leave.

"Over there," Jack pointed in the opposite direction to the car park.

"See you then," Ianto said disappointed he couldn't walk with him to where he had parked his car. He left and headed towards his own car. Jack stood and watched him until he was out of view. This has been an afternoon for the record books, Ianto had learnt more about him in one afternoon than all his lovers combined in a century. And Ianto had shared something deeply personal, while he had sat here he had just listened, really listened and as he did he had felt so at peace. He wished he could fully understand why he felt this connection to Ianto and for once he pushed the thought aside.

'What did it matter' he told himself, 'Tomorrow, rift willing, Ianto would be there waiting for him and he could spend a few more hours in his company.' He turned towards the SUV. 'Had the man just asked him out on a date?' He asked himself as he suddenly realized what had occurred, he turned and smiled then made his way across the park.

***

Chapter Eight

Racing as fast as he could Jack looked at this watch he was late, fifteen minutes late. He could see Ianto was waiting for him his head buried in the Sunday newspaper. He hated being late because Sunday brunch with Ianto Jones was the most important moment of his week. They would order brunch, eat and talk then go for a walk. Ianto had led him to some amazing places within Cardiff and opened his eyes to the history of the area. What was so surprising was how little he knew of the place he had lived for one hundred years. Other times they had walked along the shore line, Ianto sharing what he called his favorite thinking places along with childhood haunts. In return Jack shared his love of tall buildings and they had stood on each in turn over several Sundays. Sometimes they just started walking and ended up in some unexpected places. While they walked they talked, Jack had opened up within reason to him like no other, and had told him all sorts of things about his life.

He had to admit Ianto was a little more reticent especially around some areas of his life. Jack having been loath to share anything personal until now , understood and over time he hoped Ianto would trust him and open up more. From their conversation in the park he knew there was deep sadness and loss there; it was clear Ianto had loved Lisa very much and missed her dreadfully. If Ianto didn't want to share it meant he didn't fully trust the friendship yet, Jack hoped he would, because he loved this new thing being created and when Ianto did share it meant that Ianto had come to trust him. It was extraordinary he had to admit a friendship without the sex.

Not that he wasn't interested. He would love to have a sexual relationship with Ianto but sensed that something was holding him back. He didn't want to pressure him because Ianto was worth the wait and because he wasn't prepared to ruin everything by bringing sex into this. Maybe it was the bi-curious thing he had read about. Perhaps Ianto had never had a same sex relationship and he was taking things slow. Slow, fast Jack didn't care, any time he spent with Ianto Jones felt good to him sex or no sex. He pounded forward as he reached the table as he did Ianto pulled out the chair and started folding his newspaper as he indicated to the waiter join them.

"Rift?" Jack explained as Ianto nodded his understanding. Picking up the menu, he saw the waiter come across and he put in his normal request for a continental breakfast with lashing of coffee.

'And you sir?" the young woman asked Ianto.

Jack smiled as Ianto ordered his usual Sunday feast of a full English breakfast complete with toast , marmalade and coffee.

"Anything wrong?" Jack asked as he looked at Ianto for the first time and saw his jaw was clenched.

"Sister," Ianto told him as Jack gently laid his hand on Ianto's arm.

"Had another go at me this morning," Ianto told him. "Demanded I to go to church with her again. When I refused she called me a godless heathen on the path to damnation." He let out a breath of frustration and added. "When will she get it through her head I don't believe in God? Well not her god anyway."

"I see," Jack said as he listened.

"Yeah well I wish she did, I keep telling her, look you can't prove God exists, I can't prove he… it…, she…, whatever, doesn't so why not leave it at that? I am agnostic." Ianto declared.

"How did she take that?" Jack asked wondering how Ianto managed to keep his cool under his sister's growing determination to control his life.

"As I said called me a godless heathen," Ianto repeated.

"What happened next?" Jack asked.

"Walked out, slammed the door, drove here, parked, walked to the newsstand, picked up newspaper sat here and waited for you." he explained.

"So I made a decision," Ianto told him as their breakfasts were delivered. Jack immediately leaned over and stole the black pudding from Ianto's plate along with a slice of toast, spread it with butter then added the pudding on the toast and scoffed it down as Ianto put an egg another slice of toast broke the yoke and added tomato sauce.

"Yeah?" Jack said as he chewed. He now picked up the croissant on his own plate and pulling it apart began to spread it liberally with jam as Ianto showed him the classified section of the newspaper with several items circled.

"I've decided to get my own place," he said smiling as he sliced into the bacon on his plate and took a bite.

"Brilliant," Jack responded smiling, over the past weeks he had listened to more than one outburst from Ianto about the problems of living with his sister and had to wonder why Ianto was still there. From what he had told him, he was living in a small room in the cramped confines of his sister's house, hardly suitable accommodation for a grown man with his own business.

"Rent or buy?" Jack asked as he took a large bite of his croissant which was dripping with jam.

"Well I've been thinking buying at this point, however if I can't find something I'll live in the back of my shop," Ianto told him as he stole some jam from Jack's plate and began spreading it on some toast.

Jack picked up the paper and started to look through some of highlighted adverts. "I am sure it won't come to that," Jack told him as he chewed.

"I'll bloody live out of my car if I have to if she keeps at me," Ianto told him as he called over the waiter for more jam and to refill their now empty cups.

"Well what are you looking for?" Jack asked as Ianto wiped some jam that had slipped from the croissant onto Jack's shirt and preceded to lick his fingers clean.

"Modern, central, walking distance to the shop, undercover parking, one or two bedrooms, a view would be nice, I wouldn't mind somewhere high," he told Jack as Ianto now took the serviette from his lap and dipping the corner from glass of water in front of him attempted to clean the jam stain from Jack's shirt then proceeded to remove a food mark from the corner of Jack's mouth.

"Oh so you've fallen in love with tall buildings," Jack joked as Ianto fed him a mushroom. "Em, that is good," Jack said as he speared another from Ianto's plate.

"I don't think I can afford a penthouse but several floors up would be good, I hate curtains," Ianto told him, "especially net ones, hate the bloody things," he said as Jack indicated they needed another refill of coffee.

"Next problem is I have is no furniture," Ianto told him and sliced into a sausage dipped in the egg yolk and took a bite.

"None in storage?" Jack asked surprised, he knew Ianto had lived with Lisa in London.

"Nope, a few boxes, books well they're at the shop, along with my DVD collection. No way do I want her to see what I'm reading or watching," Ianto told him honestly as Jack raised an eyebrow. "Let's just say I know she would not approve and I don't want any more arguments."

"Fair enough. So you need everything, then," Jack commented.

"Yeah from linen, sofa, towels, crockery, bed, the works," Ianto told him as he sat back nursing his coffee. "And a state of the art coffee machine," he added finally as he drained his cup.

"So what are we up to this afternoon?" Jack asked as he wiped his mouth clean and, picking up his cup and sat back.

"Well I thought I would show you my favorite thinking place," he said. "It's where I go when I really need to sort myself out," he added.

"That's why it's a thinking place," Jack teased

"Your car or mine?" Jack asked as he tore last piece of Ianto's toast in half and used it to wipe up the egg yolk from Ianto's plate and ate it in two bites then wiped his fingers on a serviette.

"Mine, Jack your driving is scary and the last time I'm sure I left fingernail marks on the seat from holding on."

"I'm shocked," Jack said in mock hurt as Ianto took two of Jack's middle fingers and placed then over the pulse point over his wrist.

"Feel that, heart rate still hasn't gone down." Ianto told him.

Jack laughed. "Your car it is," he said.

"Yep," Ianto said as they made their way over to pay.

Jack dropped his smile as he followed behind Ianto, as he tried to slow his own heart rate that had jumped as he recognized the significance of the long deep scars on his wrist. What hell had he been going through to do such a thing? No wonder he was reticent to speak about his past. Ianto turned and smiled as he realized he had paid for both breakfasts.

"Next meal I pay," Jack warned him.

'You have no idea how happy I am to hear there will be a next time," Ianto said as he put his hand on Jack's arm, his eyes twinkling..

"Yeah, me too," Jack admitted as they headed towards Ianto's car.

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

Ianto smiled and Jack rolled his eyes as Ianto took out the retractable measuring tape and began measuring the kitchen counter. He could see the real estate agent beginning to lose patience but Jack found it funny. Ianto had dragged the poor woman across town looking at multiple flats and in every instance he had used his measuring tape, ensuring his newly bought coffee machine would fit on any given bench. Ianto knew what he was looking for and was not going to buy anything that would not suit what he considered his needs. Of all flats they looked at this was the only one Ianto had asked to be shown twice.

He flicked the knob and the steel measure snapped back. Ianto walked around again, taking in the view from the lounge come dining sitting room.

"Excuse us," he said as he indicated to Jack to follow him to larger of the two bedrooms and shut the door.

"What do you think?" Ianto asked him as he dropped his poker face and broke into a grin.

Jack looked around, "It could need new carpet and curtains," Jack told him as he glanced around.

"Carpets would be going, I was thinking nice pale wood flooring, couple of rugs," he told him.

"Got an amazing view," Jack said after a few moments commenting on the large window that fronted the apartment that gave a magnificent view of the city and harbor.

"Yeah I was thinking leather sofa, and city watching," Ianto told him.

"Sounds like you've made up your mind," Jack said.

"And it's got good parking and is walking distance to the shop," Ianto added thinking out loud. "And it has a decent sized shower along with a bath." He grabbed Jack's arm and pulled him to an excited hug.

"I'm going to take it," he said as he pulled back from Jack who was recovering from Ianto's spontaneous hug.

"Great, let's go put that real estate agent out of her misery," Jack said smiling as he opened the door enjoying Ianto's excitement.

***

Chapter Nine

Moving the next carton of discs, Jack sighed. When Tosh had told him there would be hundreds of discs he had not actually considered a number. It's like when some says one million you know it's a large amount but it's so big it's not actually connected to anything in particular except, it meant a lot.

When Tosh said hundreds it meant hundreds, not discs, but boxes of discs, each one security sealed coded and listed. Fortunately for them the arrival of the digital archives from Torchwood had coincided with another lull in rift activity. Tosh has busied herself with the more difficult task of downloading the information from the converted digital archives. This left the rest of them downloading the remainder in shifts. He looked at his watch: ten AM. He needed to keep an eye on the time because he was meeting Ianto for lunch today instead of Sunday. Sunday was Mica's fourth birthday and there was a party planned for her and a giggle of little friends at Macdonald's and Ianto did not want to miss it. Jack broke the seal on the carton and viewed the discs and pulled one out.

The task was seriously monotonous. It was break the seal on the box, check the codes against the list, and count the number of discs in each box. Check the disc, load it onto the drive, check the contents, download to correct file. It was only the thought he was meeting Ianto for lunch that had kept him going this morning. He smiled to himself; Ianto was like his one rock of normality, now he knew what all the fuss was about. He sighed wishing it was more and he caught himself wondering what it would be like to live with Ianto as couple, and he found his thoughts wandering as he contemplated what would it be like to go home to someone at the end of each day and felt a warm glow.

He checked the label on the box, and checked the code against the print out. It would help if the boxes were in some kind of order, but they were as disorganized at the contents. Another thing he couldn't fathom was why they wanted to keep all this trivia because the vast majority of it was low level email communications between departments. 99% of it was a vast amount of the minutiae that made up the day to day running that you might expect to find in any large organization. He picked up a disc, loaded into the drive, and threw his eyes down the contents. He stopped for a moment and saw the content of this disc was slightly different than any of the others so far. Instead of emails this looked like a report, or series of reports. Clicking the mouse he quickly scanned the contents and then began the download. A name flashed by and he scrolled back to check he had seen the name correctly. Clicking on the name, he began to read.

His back against the wall, Jack had his arms around his legs, his head on his knees. He felt physically sick; it was this hollow feeling that was the worst of it. His watched beeped and he turned off the alarm, in exactly forty five minutes he had to sit down and have lunch with Ianto. What was he going to do? One thing was sure it meant he needed to put aside what he wanted and for once in his long life he was grateful he had not followed through on his feelings.

Ianto's needs were what counted here, but it hurt and he cursed himself that he had allowed for one moment the vision that it might be possible to have someone in his life. 'Well, more fool you for letting someone in,' he told himself. "Goddamnit", he burst out. Why had he let this go so far? He was an 'idiot.' He felt a tear run down his face and stood up. Ianto, deserved better and if all he could be was a good friend that's what he would be, he would be the best friend the man had ever had, anything to be in the man's life. 'But could he stand back and watch Ianto be with someone else? He asked himself as he took a deep breath and he felt himself come undone. He couldn't do it which meant he was left with only one choice, and he felt desolate. He wiped his face dry as his Bluetooth rang in his ear.

"Jack, there's woman up here in the tourist office screaming her lungs out demanding to speak to you," Gwen told him.

"Not now Gwen," he snarled at her sharply.

"It's Rihanna, Ianto's sister and she says she wants to speak to you about him, she's in a right state," Gwen told him.

He cursed under his breath as he reeled trying to brace himself for what he had to do next.

"No way Gwen," he said then switched off his phone and with slow steps he walked back to his office. Standing with his arms crossed in front of his desk he contemplated his next move. Maybe he could just not turn up for lunch and then just disappear off the radar and he felt his gut twist. If nothing else Ianto deserved a clean break. He might not be able to tell him how much he knew or meant to him or justify this was in his own best interests, but he could at least tell the man to his face. He looked up to see Gwen in front of him.

"You look terrible. You okay?" Gwen queried then continued before he could reply. "She's threatened if you don't see her she is going out on to Plass and call you out publically," Gwen told him as he glared at her.

"You tell her she can go to hell," he started to say then realized Ianto was most likely be at the restaurant nearby, and this was going to be difficult enough without having to witness his sister having a major rant in public, so without another word he made his way to the tourist office.

"You!" Rihanna screamed as soon as he came through the door. "I know all about you," she snarled at him as Jack took a step back instinctively and found himself backed up against the door.

"You leave my brother alone," she told him, pushing her face into his as he tried to back away but she had him cornered.

"I know what you're up to. You've been seen, meeting him in his book shop, having lunches, breakfasts, going on long walks," she bellowed at him.

"I care for Ianto and what he does is none of your business," Jack struggled to reply as he bristled at her tone; he might be about to end things with Ianto but that didn't mean her brother didn't have a life.

"So you care for him do you?" she snarled "Well let me tell you, the only thing he ever wanted, wants is a family, children; can you give him that? Can You? Can you? "She pointed a finger at his chest. "Can you give him that Captain- Jack- Harkness?" she spat out.

Glancing at Gwen he took a breath to reply but Rihanna was unstoppable.

"I know what you're up to. My brother doesn't need leading astray into some perverted lifestyle," she narrowed her eyes

"Excuse me!" Gwen interjected speaking for the first time as Rihanna pointed at Jack who had gone pale. "Are you suggesting that, what are you suggesting, because if you're saying what I think you're saying you are you are well out of order?"

"You work for him, you know he has peculiar tastes, my brother is a normal man, he was getting married, setting up to start his own family, he needs direction, in the right way, " she declared her arms now crossed.

"And you know the right way is that it?" Gwen told her sarcastically.

"Yes I do," Rihanna said drawing her self -up. "There are such things as right and wrong" she told them. "I am here to guide him to the right way," she pointed to herself.

"Guide him by harassing him to go to church?" Jack interjected." Trying to make him a mirror of you?"

"Yes, I have been praying for him, we are his family and we know what's best for him," she emphasized. "Faggot," she spat out as both Jack and Gwen took a sharp inwards breath at the insult. "You're are just taking advantage of his vulnerability and trying to lead him into a lifestyle choice that goes against every one of God's laws, " she said her face red with fury as Jack's watch alarm began to beep.

"I think I've heard enough," Gwen told her fury on every line of her face as she moved to open the door that led to the Plass. "You had better leave I'll you'll have me to deal with," she told her.

Rihanna lifted her finger. "You leave him alone," she turned on her heel and left, slamming the door.

Gwen looked at horror at Jack who had gone completely pale,"you okay?" she asked him.

"No," he replied. "I am a long way from being okay." His watch beeped again and he let out a breath and headed for the door.

As the door closed he closed his eyes and tried to recover from Rihanna's histrionics. He walked across to the railings and turned so his back was to the sea. Over to the right he could see Ianto waiting for him a coffee in front of him and he closed his eyes and swallowed down the ache he felt and with slow steps he walked towards the table.

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

As he approached Ianto looked up at him and pulled out the chair opposite. Sitting, Jack picked up a menu.

"I ordered for you," Ianto said taking the menu from him. He saw Jack appeared to be folded in on himself and he felt waves of sadness and loss.

"Jack what's happened?" Ianto asked him as he saw the distressed look on Jack's face.

"How, how are you Ianto?" Jack asked not sure how he should act

Laying down the menu Ianto stared at Jack for a long moment. "You know don't you?" he said as Jack remained silent, not able to return his gaze.

"How do…?" Jack asked looking up as Ianto interrupted him.

"How do I know? It's in the tone of your voice and the look on your face," Ianto told him exasperation lacing his words as he folded his paper.

"I'm so sorry," Jack said quietly feeling like a traitor.

'Do you know what was so nice Jack? It was being able to sit and have a conversation with someone who didn't know," Ianto took a deep breath then let it out nosily. "I could have a conversation with someone who wasn't constantly watching every word they said," his voice waivered with emotion. "Better not talk about families, or Christmas or children, he might start crying, get all emotional or kill himself." He looked at Jack who was staring at his feet. "We had this nice friendship, relationship thing going and I could be myself for the first time since….have you any idea how incredibly special that was for me? You were yourself, and now you've got the look," Ianto told him.

'The look," Jack repeated confused as he looked up at him as he continued to struggle with his own emotions.

"The 'oh my god he's so fragile, if I- say- the- wrong- thing, he- will- break' look," Ianto stated categorically.

"Ianto we need to talk, I am not sure if this is the right place," Jack said hesitantly with a horrible sinking sensation that seemed to have affected his whole being.

"If you have something to say Jack it better be now, best to get it over with," Ianto told him angrily suspecting he knew where this was going.

"I've been thinking that you and I should stop meeting," Jack said as he fought to lift his gaze and look Ianto in the eye, but knew if he did he wouldn't be able to continue.

"Yeah that's right Jack I'm damaged goods, better run," Ianto told him as looked at a Jack who looked up as he felt himself rocked as Ianto's pain crashed into him.

"That's not what I meant, Ianto never, you mean too much to, that's not why, look…" Jack stammered out distressed as he felt himself losing control. "You deserve to be happy, you deserve to get on with your life, and your sister is right." he spluttered as he looked at Ianto.

"My sister, so you've been talking to her have you," Ianto said in disgust as he stood up and drained his coffee in one gulp, "What about what I want Jack , have you stopped and thought about what I want in all this? Am I somehow invisible?" he said forcefully as he now turned and walked away towards his parked car as he fumbled for his keys.

Pushing his chair back Jack raced after him. He reached him just as Ianto paused to locate his keys and Jack spun him around, "No, you are not invisible," he exclaimed as Ianto swatted his hand away his face creased in distress.

"Then why? Why is everyone around me including you so determined to think for me?" Ianto demanded. "For months I've done what everyone else has wanted; come back to Cardiff, live with your sister. I didn't even get to open the type of business I wanted. "He pointed at his chest." I wanted to open a coffee shop; instead I have to open a book shop because it's less stressful. It's been months of do this, do that, and talk, endless bloody talk, how am I doing, how am I feeling, and not one of them, including you has asked me what I WANT ! " he shouted at him as he stepped around Jack and almost ran to his car.

"So what do you want?" Jack asked him bewildered as he chased after Ianto who was unlocking his car door.

"What do I want, Jack honestly truthfully?" he continued as he got into his car and put the key in the ignition as he saw Jack nod.

"I want you!" he shouted out as he slammed the door turned the ignition and backed out.

***

Chapter Ten

Pulling on the hand brake Jack saw Ianto sitting on the beach throwing pebbles into the approaching tide. Jack let out the breath he felt he had been holding on to over the past hour as he had visited each of Ianto's favorite places, relieved to see he was okay. He stopped himself, this was what Ianto was complaining about; the constant worry everyone close to him kept expressing consciously or subconsciously about his wellbeing.

He got out of his car and sat down next to him. "I thought you might be here," Jack said as he took in the view and picked up a pebble and joined Ianto into tossing one towards the incoming waves.

"I like it here," Ianto stated as he kept his eyes on the waves.

"I know it's your thinking place," Jack replied.

"I am surprised to see you," Ianto said after a few moments as he tossed another stone.

"Why?" Jack said hurt creeping into this voice.

"You know," Ianto told him matter of factually.

"What I know is my actions caused someone I care about to be hurt," Jack told him as he picked up another pebble tossing it up and down in his hand as Ianto looked at him.

"I have baggage, Jack, monumental baggage," Ianto admitted honestly.

Jack tossed the stone he was holding into the sea. "You know I have a fair amount of baggage myself, I have done things, things I am not proud of and I have secrets of my own," he said as Ianto looked at him.

"Is that the immortal can't die thing?" Ianto asked him as he saw Jack startle.

"How, how do you know?" Jack stuttered as he sat bolt upright.

"I worked in the archives at Torchwood One," Ianto said stating the obvious "I came across fragments here and there enough for me to work it out."

"And I thought I had removed everything," Jack admitted still recovering.

"Nope not everything," Ianto told him as they both took in the rolling grey waves as the inched their way closer to them.

"So which one of them told you?" Ianto asked after several long moments had passed as he saw Jack look uncomfortable. "Was it Tosh or my sister?"

Jack squirmed and looked directly at Ianto "I have a confession it was me, I was working at transferring the records from Torchwood One. There was a disc with your personal files on them I am not sure how they got there but…"

"How much did you read?" Ianto asked sadly shaking his head.

"Enough," Jack admitted ashamed of his actions as he saw Ianto take a deep breath.

"I am damaged goods Jack. This is your opportunity to run like hell," Ianto told him not wanting to look at him.

"Ianto, I don't see you as damaged goods, I see a brave and courageous man overcoming terrible events," Jack told him thankful for being able to set the record straight "And I'm not exactly prime goods myself, I've done things; terrible things, enough to keep a psychiatrist busy for a 100 years type of nightmare things," he exclaimed.

"A hundred years," Ianto repeated. "Maybe you should start seeing my psychiatrist? I could I give you her number if you like," he said light heartily as he picked up another stone and hefted into the oncoming waves.

"So it was my boyfriend who snooped." Ianto said after a few moments and several rocks later as they tried to out throw each other.

"Am I your boyfriend?" Jack said surprised as he looked at Ianto.

"We have been dating," Ianto told him has he returned Jack's look and took hold of his hand and interlaced their fingers

Jack gently squeezed his hand back. "I guess we have," he said as he chortled thinking of all the personal and intimate moments they had shared.

"I was wondering when we were going to, you know, kiss," Ianto told him.

"I wanted this to be on your terms," Jack said kissing the back of his hand.

They both sat watching the waves, "So if I'm your boyfriend we had better go out on a proper date then," Jack told him

"Proper date?" Ianto queried now leaning in towards Jack.

"You know, meal and a movie" Jack told him putting his arm around him.

"Will there is kissing?" Ianto asked hopefully.

"Yeah if you want," Jack told him astonished at the speed of events.

"Could we do some kissing right now? " Ianto asked as they leaned in together and kissed sweetly then pulled back.

"Definitely more kissing," Ianto commented eagerly as they kissed again more deeply this time.

"Ianto we do this at your pace, you are in control," Jack told him as he pulled back.

"Any chance for a snog then?" Ianto asked as he put his hand behind Jack's neck pulling him even closer as their lips crashed together.

Pressed against Ianto who was standing with his back against his car, Jack pulled back from Ianto with extreme reluctance as Ianto's mobile phone rang. With some difficulty they had finally reached Ianto's car. Progress had been deliciously slow because each step had been accompanied by kisses.

Jack ran kisses along Ianto's neck while Ianto tried to talk. He wasn't listening to the conversation because all his attention was pulled to the fine hair on Ianto chest which had been exposed when he had unbuttoned the top of his shirt and unloosened his tie. He ran his hand under Ianto's shirt and up his back as the phone call ended and they found each other's lips again.

"Staff," Ianto managed to say. "Wages," he added after a few seconds.

'Wages, staff," Jack repeated continuing to pay attention to Ianto's neck.

"My shop, pizza, coffee, I close at five." Ianto told him.

"Okay," Jack said as he pushed himself away with difficulty as Ianto pulled him back and kissed him.

"Pizza," Jack repeated looking up at Ianto his eyes dark with lust as took his hand and started kissing each fingertip.

"Coffee, I promise you best cup of coffee ever," Ianto said as he put his hand in his trouser pocket for his keys.

"Let me get those," Jack said as he put his hand into Ianto trouser pocket and moaned as he felt Ianto's hard cock through the fabric and pulled the keys out.

"They're all warm," Jack told him raising his eyebrows as he handed them over.

"I wish I didn't have to go," Ianto told him as he touched his forehead against Jack's.

"I understand," Jack said as he pulled away, as Ianto tided himself up not taking his eyes off Jack as he took one step towards the SUV then turned back towards his car smiling as he saw Jack smile back at him.

"Pizza, I like Hawaiian, extra pineapple," Ianto shouted after him as he saw Jack giving him the thumbs up. Opening his door Ianto put his head on the driving wheel then redid the top button of his shirt, re-did his tie and he drove off.

twtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtwtw

Jack watched as Ianto drove away, and then turned to watch the waves drive themselves up the shingle beach. As much as he wanted Ianto to stay he was relieved he had gone because he needed to think. He walked back down the beach and sat down, he felt like he had been in some kind of emotional washing machine. He pulled up his knees and placed his head on them and closed his eyes and allowed the sound of the waves to flow over him. He could see and hear why Ianto liked it here so much. So much had happened and it had certainly blown the lid off everything and on top of that Ianto knew his big secret. He had lived in fear of what Ianto might think if he knew. Here it was laid out and he not only sensed that his secret was safe and understood but he had felt Ianto's total acceptance and it felt wonderful.

And now he held Ianto's secrets as well. He thought back on the day's events and Ianto's surprise at seeing him here hurt. Ianto had expected him to use the opportunity to run, 'how did he put it 'run like hell.' Well maybe there was some truth in that because in the past he would have bolted, so what was different this time. Ianto had a horrendous recent past, a descent into hell so deep he had only just made it out. He felt his heart swell and he was so grateful that this man had lived and no matter how lonely his own past had been and all the events that had brought him to this spot he knew wouldn't trade it for the world. A wave almost touched the toe end of his boot and an understanding came to him about why Ianto had been holding back, it was a simple question of trust. Ianto didn't trust him. He wanted Ianto to trust him; he wanted Ianto in his life, because the difference in all this was him, and only him. He stood up and jumped back as a wave almost ran over his boots. 'Please let me be worthy of this man' he said to himself, 'if nothing I ever do in my long life, let me be worthy of this and let me earn his trust.' He took a final look around and, picking up a small pebble he placed it in his coat pocket and headed back to his car.

***

Next part of Broken Dreams.

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