Title: Never Say Never
Author: bookwrm89
Rating: NC -17
Characters/Pairings: Jack; Ianto; Gwen; Martha; Doctor(10); Mickey - Jack/Ianto
Spoilers: Anything from Torchwood S1 & S2 and Doctor Who through S4 is fair game.
Warnings: Slash; Mpreg; Angst; Crossover with Dr. Who
Summary: A trip with the Doctor changes Jack & Ianto's lives forever.
***
'Bloody Time Lord,' Jack thought as he let himself into Ianto's flat. 'He gives everyone else door-to-door service, but I have to find my own way home from London!'He slipped off his boots, leaving them on the small rack next to the front door, then shrugged out of his coat. Making his way to the bedroom, he paused at the side of the bed and looked down at the man sleeping curled up around the pillow Jack usually used.Moonlight played across Ianto’s face and Jack felt his heart swell at the picture of peaceful beauty displayed. He’d never been so relieved in his life as when he’d heard those beautiful Welsh vowels acknowledging the Doctor’s request to use the Rift energy to tow the Earth back home. Jack smiled softly when he remembered the sound of Ianto’s laughter during the wild ride that followed.
Quickly removing his clothes, he climbed into the bed and propped himself up on his side. Facing his lover, he reached out a finger and trailed it gently down the side of Ianto’s face and across his lips. Reassuring himself by touch that the younger man was there, alive and safe. He watched as Ianto’s lips curved into a smile.
“Jack,” Ianto whispered, still asleep.
Jack leaned down and softly kissed those smiling lips. He moaned quietly at the answering pressure on his mouth. His tongue darted out to caress Ianto’s lower lip, gasping as the younger man woke up and moved to deepen the kiss.
Ianto’s hands came up to stroke Jack’s face, moving to thread through the soft strands of his hair. They broke apart to catch their breath and Ianto smiled that heart-stopping grin that caused Jack to melt every time he saw it.
“You’re home,” Ianto breathed.
“I promised you I’d come back, didn’t I?” Jack teased. “Didn’t you believe me?”
Even though he knew Jack was teasing, Ianto heard the slight underlay of hurt uncertainty in the immortal’s voice. Cupping Jack’s cheek in his hand, Ianto looked deep into Jack’s cobalt blue eyes and said seriously, “I always believe in your promises, Jack.”
Jack caught his breath at the sincerity and devotion shining in the soft blue eyes looking up at him. Speechless, he closed the short distance between them and brought their lips together, pouring everything he felt for the younger man but couldn’t say, into the kiss.
Ianto reveled in the feel of Jack’s skin against his and Jack’s taste on his lips. It had been too close this time. Daleks. If not for Tosh…. Ianto pushed those thoughts away and concentrated on the here and now. Arching closer, he wrapped his arms around Jack and lost himself in the kiss.
Their lips parted breathless moments later, both breathing heavily. Ianto thrust against Jack’s body, rubbing their erections together. Jack’s hands grasped Ianto’s arse, pulling him closer and aligning their hips.
“Ianto…feels so good,” Jack moaned, as his lover continued to thrust against him.
Ianto looked into Jack’s lust-blown eyes and whispered, “What do you want, Jack?”
“I want you inside me, Ianto. I want to ride your cock…want you to fuck me so hard we both forget everything but each other.”
Ianto’s eyes darkened and his face flushed in arousal at the picture Jack’s words painted. He reached over to the bedside table, grabbed the bottle of lube and handed it to Jack.
“Prepare yourself for me?” Ianto asked, growling slightly.
Kneeling up on the bed, Jack opened the bottle and poured the lube into his hand. Maintaining eye contact with Ianto, he reached around and slid his fingers across his own opening before pushing one finger inside. He began to fuck himself on his finger, quickly adding a second to stretch himself further.
Watching Jack prepare himself was one of the most erotic sights Ianto had ever seen. Head thrown back, face flushed with passion, skin glistening with a faint sheen of sweat and cock proudly jutting forward, precome leaking from the engorged head. Ianto licked his lips and leaned forward, swiping his tongue across the tip of Jack’s cock.
Jack’s hips jerked at the feel of Ianto’s tongue on his prick. He moaned as Ianto enclosed the swollen flesh in the moist heat of his mouth. Jack added a third finger, fucking himself back onto his hand before thrusting forward into Ianto’s mouth again.
Looking down, he saw that Ianto had poured lube in his own hand and was slowly stroking himself as he sucked on Jack’s cock.
“Oh, fuck, Ianto,” Jack gasped. “I’m not going to last if you keep doing that. And I want to come with you inside me.”
Ianto pulled away from Jack’s cock, swirling his tongue around the head in a final flourish. Giving Jack one of the dirtiest smiles he’d ever seen, Ianto sat up and captured Jack’s lips with his own, allowing the older man to taste himself on Ianto’s tongue. Trailing his hand down Jack’s arm, he pulled the other man’s hand away and leaned back into a sitting position against the pillows, pulling Jack with him.
“Why don’t we do something about that then?” He whispered.
Jack straddled Ianto’s hips and reached down to hold Ianto’s cock in place as he slowly impaled himself on the engorged length. Pausing for a moment to relish the feeling of his lover filling him, he braced his hands on Ianto‘s shoulders. Ianto’s hands settled on Jack’s hips and he bent his knees to plant his feet flat on the bed.
Rolling his hips, Ianto looked up at Jack and asked, “Are you ready?”
Jack nodded, lifting himself up before sliding back down, taking Ianto’s full length into his body. They began to move in counterpoint to each other. Jack moving down as Ianto thrust up, burying his cock balls deep in Jack’s tight channel.
“Jack. Feels so good. So hot and tight.”
“Ianto, yes…harder! Love the feel of your cock inside me.”
The room filled with the heady scent of sex and sweat. The mingled sounds of low murmurs, grunts, moans and skin slapping against skin.
Ianto watched as Jack rode his cock. Jack’s eyes were closed, lips red and swollen from their kisses. The muscles in his arms and thighs bunching and flexing. Sweat trickling down his forehead onto his cheek. Ianto reached up and wiped the drop of sweat away, bringing his finger to his lips to taste Jack’s exertion. He could feel himself slip closer to the edge and wrapped his hand around Jack’s neglected cock, stroking in time with Jack’s rhythm.
Jack’s eyes snapped open when Ianto started stroking his cock. He could feel the tingle start at the base of his spine, spreading out to encompass his whole body. Balls tightening and cock swelling signaling his coming orgasm.
“Fuck, Ianto…I’m going to come,” Jack gasped.
“Yes, do it, Jack. I want to see you fall apart for me.” He thrust harder, hitting Jack’s prostate with every stroke. “Come on, Jack…so close, come with me.”
Ianto’s voice, accent thick with passion, was enough to send Jack over the edge into ecstasy. His orgasm tore through him as he spurted his release over Ianto’s hand and stomach.
Ianto felt Jack’s muscles clamp around his cock as the older man started to come. He continued thrusting erratically through Jack’s orgasm until the tremors in Jack’s body moved into his own and he was coming deep inside his lover’s body.
“Oh God, Jack! Yes!” Ianto shouted.
Jack collapsed on top of Ianto, their breathing harsh and hearts pounding. Still joined, they slipped down into a lying position, limbs tangled, mouths straining against each other. Ianto’s softening cock slipped out of Jack, accompanied by a warm trickle of semen. Neither man cared about the mess as they held each other close and slowly drifted off to sleep.
***
Jack had been home a month and a half when a familiar grinding noise sounded throughout the Hub. Jack stepped out of his office and leaned against the railing, as the TARDIS materialized in the middle of the Hub. Ianto’s head snapped up, his attention pulled from the computer translation program. His startled glance shot to Jack, who shrugged as he made his way down the steps. Gwen, Martha and Mickey were out investigating a Weevil sighting, so it was just the two of them to greet the Doctor as he stepped out of the blue box.Wearing his regular brown suit and trainers, the Doctor stood with his hands in his pockets looking around the underground base that apparently now housed three of his former Companions.
“Doctor, what are you doing here and where’s Donna?” Jack called as he made his way to where the Time Lord stood.
“Just thought I’d stop by and see how the Rift was behaving after being used as a tow-rope,” the Doctor replied, ignoring the question about Donna.
Jack noticed his old friend’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes before stepping in to hug him. He met Ianto’s concerned gaze and he shook his head slightly to indicate that he didn’t know what was going on. Stepping back from the Time Lord, Jack turned to introduce him to Ianto.
“Mr. Jones!” The Doctor exclaimed. “Finally get to meet you in person!” He bounded forward to shake Ianto’s hand vigorously. “Jack and Martha have told me nothing but good things about you.”
Ianto smiled politely, not quite sure what to make of the being standing in front of him. “Thank you, Doctor. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Could I offer you some coffee or tea?”
“Ooh, a spot of tea would be wonderful! Thanks!” The Doctor turned to Jack, “Could we talk for a bit?”
“Sure,” Jack replied. “Ianto, coffee please? My office.”
“Right away, Sir.” Ianto made his way to the small kitchenette as Jack showed the Doctor to his office.
“He calls you ‘Sir’? I thought you and he were…” the Doctor’s voice trailed off.
“Ianto prefers to keep our personal relationship out of the workplace, Doctor.” Jack answered. “Not to be rude, but is this purely a social call or is something going on that we should know about?”
“Oh, no. No. Nothing going on. Just dropped by to say hello!”
Ianto knocked lightly on the door before he entered and sat the loaded tea tray down on Jack’s desk. He grabbed his cup from the tray and turned to go back to the computer program he was working on, but the Doctor stopped him.
“Mr. Jones…Ianto? Can I call you Ianto? Stay and visit. I’m anxious to get to know the man that tamed Captain Jack Harkness!”
Ianto laughed at the look Jack gave the Doctor and took a seat on the couch next to the Time Lord. “In my experience, Doctor, there is no taming Jack Harkness.”
“Oi! That’s enough abuse of the boyfriend if you two don’t mind!” Jack exclaimed, only realizing what he’d said when he saw the look of pleased surprise on Ianto’s face.
The Doctor turned to Ianto and said, “I told you…tamed.”
Ianto and the Doctor both dissolved into laughter when Jack threw his hands into the air and shook his head, smiling.
“So, you didn’t answer my question, Doctor. Where’s Donna?” Jack pressed.
“Home.” The Doctor stated sadly. “Had to remove her memories of ever meeting me. The human brain isn’t meant to handle the mind of a Time Lord. She would’ve died.”
Jack and Ianto were both starting to see why the Doctor had come to Cardiff.
“And Rose? And the other you?” Jack asked softly.
The Doctor looked up, “Back in the alternate universe. Both of them. Living happily ever after. He can give her what I never could.”
Jack nodded, looking at Ianto. He was surprised to see his lover reach over and squeeze the Time Lord’s hand in sympathy. Ianto never ceased to amaze him at his capacity to take care of others. It was one of the many things Jack lov…appreciated about the younger man.
The Doctor let go of Ianto’s hand and took another sip of tea. Shaking off the melancholy that had been dodging his footsteps, he looked up at Jack and caught the look in the immortal’s eyes as he gazed at Ianto. A smile lit up the Doctor’s face at the idea that streaked through his mind.
“Oi! Enough of the self-pity. How are things around here, Jack? The Rift behaving itself?” The Doctor knew he’d have to frame his offer just right.
“The Rift has been surprisingly quiet since our little adventure. I haven’t died once since I got back! Not sure if we just wore it out or if it’s building up to let loose something big.”
Ianto snorted into his coffee, causing the Doctor to look over at him. Noticing the shadows under the young man’s eyes, the Time Lord suddenly knew exactly how to couch the offer to get Jack to agree.
“Ianto, when was the last time you had a vacation?” he asked.
“About a month before the Battle of Canary Wharf, Doctor. Torchwood doesn’t lend itself to two weeks paid time off.”
“That’s right, Jack said you were there,” the Doctor mused. “Well, then, it’s about time you had one, isn’t that right, Jack?”
“What are you up to, Doctor?” Jack asked suspiciously. “You’re not trying to steal my Ianto are you?”
“Nonsense, I’m not trying to steal anyone. Just thought maybe the two of you would like to come for a quick trip in the TARDIS! We could all do with a bit of fun, I think,” the Doctor enthused. “You’re looking pretty tired yourself, Jack.”
Jack caught the startled look of wistful longing in Ianto’s eyes and found himself thinking about being able to show his lover some of the beauty of the universe. His eyes started to sparkle in excitement.
“Ianto? What do you think? Want to see some of the wonders of the universe?”
Ianto looked from the Doctor’s hopeful gaze to Jack’s excited one. He thought about all the shit he’d been through over the past two years and weighed it against the opportunity to travel the universe with the last Time Lord and share the experience with Jack. There was no contest. He grinned broadly and started to laugh when Jack whooped with excitement at his acceptance.
“One thing, though. We should wait until the rest of the team gets back,” Ianto warned. “If both of us disappear with the Doctor without saying goodbye, it’s safe to say that Gwen would kill us both when we got back.”
“Fair point,” Jack agreed. He stood up and bounded over to Ianto, pulling the young man into his arms and twirling him around.
“We‘re going to have such a good time, Ianto Jones!”
***
An hour later, Jack sat impatiently in his office waiting for the rest of the team to get back. He amused himself watching Ianto and the Doctor on the CCTV in the archives. Ianto had dragged the Doctor down there to see if the Time Lord could identify some of the various bits of alien tech in storage. From what he could see, they were getting along very well. The Doctor was talking a mile a minute, gesticulating wildly and Ianto was doubled over in laughter at whatever was being said.Jack was pleased that the two seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. He’d been a little nervous that Ianto would be guarded around the Doctor, but he should’ve known better. In fact, Jack was a little jealous at how quickly Ianto and the Doctor had taken to each other.
Shaking his head at the silly emotion, Jack took a sip of the coffee still sitting on his desk. Grimacing a bit at the bitter taste, he decided to make himself a cup of tea instead. He got halfway to the small kitchen area when the alarms went off and the cog door started to roll back.
Gwen, Martha and Mickey walked in laughing, only to stop short at the sight of the blue police box parked in the middle of the room.
Martha squealed in excitement. “Jack, where is he?”
“In the archives with Ianto,” Jack replied. He activated his comm. “Ianto, the team is back and I think Martha’s going to hurt you if you keep the Doctor holed up down there.”
Ianto’s chuckle sounded warm and intimate in Jack’s ear. “Yep. We’re on our way.”
Mickey shook his head, “Oi! I’d just gotten used to a world where the Doc wasn’t dropping by every five minutes. Guess that peace is out the window.” He was laughing when he said it though, so Martha didn’t hit him too hard.
Gwen was the only one that showed concern over the Doctor showing up and Jack knew that she’d be the one difficult to convince about he and Ianto going with the Doctor for a while. Deciding to get the hard part over with, Jack walked over to where Gwen was standing.
“Gwen, can we talk for minute?” Jack asked quietly.
“Jack, what’s going on? Why is he here?”
“It’s okay, Gwen, relax. He just stopped by to say hello,” Jack soothed. “So, how did the Weevil hunt go?”
“Oi! It wasn’t Weevils, just a couple of teenagers playing a practical joke.” Gwen laughed. “They won’t be doing that again, though. We put the fear of Torchwood in them!”
Jack threw back his head and laughed loudly. “I bet they had to go home and change their trousers after you got through with them!”
“It was kind of fun,” Gwen giggled. “It’s been pretty slow around here since the Dalek invasion.”
Jack saw his opening. “Yeah, it has. Martha and Mickey have been able to settle in and get up to speed with how we do things around here.”
“I already knew that Martha could handle herself. Mickey seems to be doing well too. He certainly knows his alien weaponry.”
“So, with the Rift behaving itself and the team coming together, what would you think of Ianto and I taking a few days off for a vacation?” Jack was trying to be nonchalant about it, but apparently he didn’t succeed if the look Gwen gave him was any indication.
<“You want to go with the Doctor don’t you, Jack?” She shook her head in resignation.
Jack gave her is mega-watt smile. “Got it in one, Ms. Cooper! The Doctor offered to take Ianto and I for a quick trip. Are you okay with that?”
Gwen sighed, “I’d be pretty hypocritical if I said no, wouldn’t I? Considering how much time I’ve taken off with Rhys. I think it would be good for Ianto to get away for awhile. Other than that month,” Gwen still wasn’t comfortable talking about the incident with the Cyberwoman, “I don’t think he’s had a day off since I started with Torchwood.”
“So, is that a yes?” Jack asked hesitantly.
“Yes, yes. Go. Have a good time. Just come back to us, yeah?” Gwen smiled, secretly pleased that Jack wanted to take Ianto away for awhile. She knew their relationship was more than shagging, but it was about time they did something normal couples would do, like take a vacation. Okay, so vacationing in space and time with an alien who had his own time-machine wasn’t exactly normal, but still.
Jack gave her a bright smile and hug before bounding over to where Ianto had watched them nervously. Throwing his arms around the younger man, Jack whispered something in his ear. Ianto’s face broke into a happy, excited smile that Gwen wished would cross his face more often. As he hugged Jack back, Ianto looked over his lover’s shoulder and mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to Gwen.
Gwen joined the group next to the blue police box just as the Doctor clapped his hands together and exclaimed, “All right then! Are you two ready to go?”
“Don’t we need to pack first?” Ianto asked.
“No, we can find everything we need on the TARDIS,” Jack answered.
“Yeah, just wait until you see the wardrobe room. With your love of clothes, Jack may never see you again!” Martha laughed.
Mickey was the practical one, “Doc, before you drag these two off, could you do that thing you did to Rose’s phone to all of ours, so we can get hold of you just in case?”
“Good idea, Mickey Mouse!” Jack teased.
“Oi! Shut it, Captain Cheesecake!”
“Mickey, Mickey, Mickey…I keep telling you…it’s Captain Beefcake, not cheesecake! Get it right!”
Ianto rolled his eyes at the familiar by-play. He took his enhanced phone back from the Doctor and moved over to Gwen, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
“Thank you for being okay with this, Gwen,” he murmured.
Gwen hugged him back, kissing his cheek. “If anyone deserves a break it’s you, Pet. Have a good time and come back safe. And don’t forget to bring back lots of souvenirs!”
Ianto chuckled and kissed her back. “Yes, Ma’am!”
He laughed as he pulled away from Gwen and Jack grabbed his hand, pulling him into the TARDIS.
***
Ianto knew what to expect when he stepped into the time machine. He knew that it was bigger on the inside and it was a living organism. But knowing and experiencing were two different things. He stood gazing around with wonder in his eyes.“She’s beautiful, Doctor,” he breathed.
The Doctor grinned at his newest Companion, “Thank you, Ianto. She is, isn’t she? The last of her kind.”
Jack watched as Ianto stepped closer, trailing his hand along the railings and console. He could feel the TARDIS respond and, having felt those hands on his body on more than one occasion, he wasn’t surprised that her response felt like a shiver in his mind.
“I think she likes him, Doctor,” Jack chuckled.
“Of course she does! What’s not to like, eh, Jack?” the Doctor replied.
Once again, Jack felt that niggling little surge of jealousy before shrugging it off. His emotions had been off-kilter for awhile now. It wasn’t surprising considering everything that had happened…Tosh and Owen, Gray, the Daleks. But it was disconcerting.
“You might want to hold on to something, it’s bound to be a little bumpy,” the Doctor instructed.
Jack’s stomach rolled unpleasantly as the TARDIS lurched into the vortex. Something must have shown on his face because Ianto looked at him questioningly, reaching out to touch his shoulder.
“Are you all right, Jack?” Ianto’s low, concerned voice caused a rush of affection to surge in Jack’s heart. Trust his lover to be worried about him instead of concentrating on his own feelings.
Jack smiled brightly “Never better! Just a bit rougher ride than the last time I was here.”
“Oi! It’s like I said, she was meant to have six pilots, not just one or two.” The Doctor pointed out. He turned and smiled at Ianto. “Ianto, this is your first trip, so where would you like to go? Backward in time, forward in time? Another planet?”
Ianto’s eyes widened. “I, uh…forward in time. Someplace fun, with a lot of different species, food and shopping.”
Jack and the Doctor looked at each other, nodded, and said in unison, “Tehrantos Four, 47th century!”
“What is on Tehrantos Four?” Ianto asked.
“The biggest outdoor bazaar in the universe,” Jack enthused. “If you can’t find what you’re looking for there, you won’t find it anywhere.”
The Doctor tapped several buttons on the console, pulled a lever and spun a couple of dials.
“Right, course laid in. Next stop, Tehrantos Four!”
Several turbulent minutes later the TARDIS stopped with a shudder and a bang. The Doctor looked at the console screen and scratched his head.
“Hmm…well, okay. Miscalculated a little there,” he mumbled.
Ianto eyed the Time Lord nervously and leant over to ask Jack, “What does he mean ‘miscalculated’?”
“Nothing to worry about, it happens fairly regularly with him. For a Time Lord, his sense of timing isn’t the greatest.”
“Oi! I heard that, Captain,” the Doctor protested. “For your information I was only off by a few hours. Instead of landing in the morning, we landed at night. Why don’t you show Ianto around the ship while I run out a grab us some dinner? Then we can get a good night’s sleep and explore tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan, Doctor.” Jack turned and leered at Ianto. “Would you like to see my old room?”
“Jack, stop it…” the Doctor started.
“Umm, I really don’t mind, Doctor. We are sleeping together, you know.” Ianto reminded him.
“Sorry, force of habit. How do you put up with all that flirting he does?”
“Hello? Standing right here!” Jack pouted.
Ignoring Jack’s spluttered protest, Ianto chuckled and told the Time Lord, “It really doesn’t bother me, Doctor. That’s just who Jack is. Flirting is fun and can be very helpful in getting what you want.” Ianto laughed at the look on the Doctor’s face, then he winked at him.
The Doctor shook his head and walked out the door muttering about intergalactic playboys and their cheeky boyfriends. The last thing they heard as the door closed behind him was something about now there being two of them to keep in line.
Jack and Ianto looked at each other and dissolved into laughter. Pulling the younger man into his arms, Jack covered Ianto’s lips with his own, kissing him passionately.
“Oh, Ianto, that was brilliant! The look on his face…” Jack kissed him again, before pulling back and urging the young man down the hallway. "Come on...tour."
“…and this is the library,” Jack said. “If you’re ever looking for the Doctor and can’t find him in the console room, try here.”
Ianto had a dazed look on his face. Jack had shown him his old room (where they would be staying), the kitchen, the wardrobe (Martha had been right, Ianto could get lost in there for days), the medical bay and a dizzying array of other rooms, including what looked like a wine cellar that would’ve kept Keith Moon, Oscar Wilde and Van-Gogh all happy for a decade.
“I am never going to find my way around this place, Jack,” Ianto protested.
Jack laughed. “Sure you will. She’ll help you, just think about where you want to go and the ship will guide you.”
The Doctor walked into the room carrying several bags emitting a mouth-watering aroma. Jack’s nostrils flared and his eyes lit up in anticipation.
“Doctor, is that Kuylarian Gallego I smell?” he exclaimed.
“Yep. I always get some when I visit the bazaar,” the Doctor explained for Ianto’s benefit.
“Ianto, you are going to love this! The Kuylarian’s discovered Cuban cuisine in the late 3600’s and elevated it to an art form,” Jack enthused. “I haven’t had this in ages!”
The trio made their way back to the kitchen and sat down to eat. Dinner conversation jumped from ancient Earth history, to favorite authors, to former Companions of the Doctor, to anecdotes from when Jack traveled with the Doctor the first time.
“Wait a minute, are you telling me that the entire Earth gets addicted to watching nothing but stupid reality shows in the future? And you both ended up as contestants?” Ianto asked incredulously.
“Yeah, I got stuck in a nightmare version of What Not To Wear, where the droids ended up trying to give me a face-lift with a chainsaw. Not fun. I kind of liked the defrabricator, though. Wish I had one now, it’d come in really useful during naked hide and seek,” Jack mused.
“Jack…” the Doctor and Ianto said in stereo. Ianto continued, "Like you don't cheat enough as it is."
Jack flashed them both his patented Harkness grin and stuck his tongue out at Ianto. Ianto shook his head and laughed at his lover’s antics. The Doctor watched them both, smiling. It was good to see Jack laughing and happy again, and the shadows in Ianto’s eyes were already starting to disappear.
“I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m knackered,” the Doctor said, standing up. “I’m just going to clean this up and then head to bed. Big day tomorrow.”
“I can help with clean-up,” Ianto started, before the Doctor interrupted.
“Nope, you are on vacation. No clean-up duties for you tonight, Ianto Jones.”
The Doctor shooed them off and made quick work of the leftovers before settling down in the library on his favorite couch. He smiled softly at the feelings emanating from the TARDIS.
“It is nice to hear laughter on board again, isn’t it?” He cocked his head for a moment, then replied, “Yes, Ianto is just who Jack needed in his life. Someone to care for him just how he is and remind him what living is supposed to be about.”
As Jack closed the door to their room, a sudden thought struck him. He smiled softly and looked at Ianto.
“You know how you once told me you wished there was something that we could do together that I’ve never done before?” he asked.
Ianto smiled wistfully. “Yep.”
“I just thought of something.” Jack chuckled at Ianto’s raised eyebrow and walked to where his lover stood next to the bed. “In all the time that I spent on this ship, I’ve never once made love to someone while on board. Ianto Jones, would you share this first time with me?”
Ianto smiled happily. “I’d love to, Jack.”
***
Jack looked at the gorgeous Welshman standing in front of him and was suddenly glad that his first time in the place he’d thought of as home for so long was going to be with this man that made him feel like he was home every time they were close to each other. Reaching out, he rested his hand against Ianto’s soft cheek, reveling in the way Ianto closed his eyes and rubbed against his hand.“Do you know how beautiful you are, Ianto?” he whispered.
Ianto’s cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink as he murmured, “Don’t be daft, Jack. I’m not beautiful.”
“Oh, but you are. Beautiful in face and form and spirit. Sexy as hell, loyal to a fault, caring, dependable, adventurous…” Jack stroked his thumb across Ianto’s cheekbone, encouraging the younger man to look at him.
Maintaining eye contact, Jack leaned in and captured Ianto’s lips gently. They kept their eyes open, staring at each other while they kissed. It was intense and erotic and passionate. Ianto’s hands rested on Jack’s hips. Jack’s other hand rested on Ianto’s bicep. Their bodies lightly touching. When they broke apart moments later, they were both breathing heavily from the rich emotions running through them.
Without speaking, Jack moved his hands under Ianto’s jacket, brushing the garment away to drop on the floor. His fingers deftly loosened the knot of silk at Ianto’s throat until it was lying loose around his neck. He began to unbutton the crisp cotton shirt, dipping his head to kiss each inch of exposed skin.
Ianto’s breath caught in his throat as he felt the brush of Jack’s lips on the hollow of his neck. Bringing his hands up Jack’s body from hips to shoulders, Ianto pushed the braces down Jack’s arms. Undoing the cufflinks at his captain’s wrists, he set them aside and began to unbutton Jack’s shirt.
Jack pulled Ianto’s shirt loose from his trousers and pushed it off his shoulders to lie on the floor next to the jacket. His hands came back to explore the skin his lips had just mapped out. Fingers slipping through the hair on Ianto’s chest, delighting at the way the wiry curls clung to his callused skin.
Ianto tugged on Jack’s shirt and undershirt impatiently, wanting to feel the smooth skin underneath. “Damn layers,” he grumbled.
Chuckling at the familiar complaint, Jack stepped back, yanking both pieces of clothing over his head and tossing them away. “You’re one to talk, Mr. Three-piece-suit-and-tie!”
Jack’s amusement faded and he closed his eyes as Ianto’s hands touched his abdomen, sliding them slowly up his chest to his shoulders and down his arms to clasp his hands, pulling him close. He shivered when Ianto ran his tongue around the outer shell of his ear.
“What do you want, Jack?” Ianto whispered huskily.
“You,” Jack breathed.
“I’m yours, Jack.”
Ianto’s words broke the spell Jack had been under and he crushed the younger man’s lips to his own. Lips and tongues and teeth clashing, hands desperately working to rid each other of the last of their clothing.
When they were both naked, Jack paused, drinking in the sight of Ianto flushed with passion, chest heaving, erection proudly displayed, eyes dark with arousal and filled with emotion.
“Beautiful,” Jack murmured as he backed his lover onto the bed, following him down and pressing close. Using his hands and mouth, he worshipped every inch of Ianto’s body.
Ianto was lost in a sensual haze under Jack’s onslaught. Every nerve in his body on fire for Jack’s touch. He heard someone gasping, whimpered moans filling the air around them and realized they were coming from his mouth. The touch of Jack’s tongue on his cock had him arching off the bed, wordlessly begging for more.
Jack complied with the unspoken request and took Ianto’s length in his mouth, humming happily at the startled groan torn from the younger man’s throat. As he continued laving attention on Ianto’s cock, Jack quickly slicked his hand and pressed a finger into Ianto’s tight opening, coaxing the muscles to relax.
The dual sensation of Jack’s mouth on his cock and Jack’s finger in his arse was almost Ianto’s undoing.
“Jack, please…need you now,” Ianto panted. “Need to feel you inside me.”
Jack’s only reply was to add a second finger and crook them forward searching for Ianto’s prostate. He knew he found it when Ianto’s hands fisted in his hair, gasping loudly. Releasing Ianto’s cock with one last swipe of his tongue, Jack removed his fingers from his lover’s body and quickly slicked up his own erection.
Ianto felt the blunt tip of Jack’s cock nudging his entrance and pushed forward eagerly.
“Yes, yes…oh please. Fuck me, Jack.”
Jack pushed forward, sheathing himself in Ianto’s hot channel. “God, I love that dirty mouth of yours, Ianto. Begging so wantonly and knowing that it’s me driving you to distraction.” He began to thrust slowly.
“Only you, Jack. Only want you. Yours.” Ianto murmured breathlessly, wrapping his legs around Jack’s waist and moving with him. “Harder. Please, Jack.”
Stunned at the surge of possessiveness Ianto’s words evoked, Jack bit down on Ianto’s shoulder, wanting to leave his mark on the pale skin.
“Mine,” he growled, thrusting harder into Ianto’s welcoming body.
Ianto moved his arms above his head, grasping the iron railing of the headboard and bracing himself to push back firmly against Jack’s thrusts.
Jack could feel his control deserting him. Wanting to feel Ianto come apart for him, he reached down and grasped Ianto’s cock, stroking in time with his thrusts.
“So close, Ianto. Want you to come,” he panted. “Want to see you fall apart for me. Let go, Ianto. My Ianto.”
“Jack, oh fuck yes,” he cried, tumbling headlong into his orgasm and coating Jack’s hand and his own stomach with come.
Watching Ianto come undone underneath of him, feeling the muscles surrounding his cock clamp down, Jack lost himself in the heat and friction. Pounding into Ianto until he, too, climaxed, pulsing deep inside of the younger man.
“God, Ianto, you are incredible,” Jack gasped.
They lay tangled together, bodies cooling, racing hearts slowing. Jack reluctantly pulled out of Ianto and grabbed his discarded t-shirt to clean up before they fell asleep.
Holding Ianto close in his arms, Jack’s lips ghosted over the mark he’d made on Ianto’s shoulder and he whispered, “Mine.”
“Yours, Cariad.”
***
Ianto woke up wrapped in Jack’s arms, the soft sound of snoring in his ear. That had been happening more and more often lately, and while he normally enjoyed just drowsing until Jack woke up, this morning he had a rather urgent need. Moving slowly so as not to disturb his sleeping lover, Ianto carefully got out of the bed.Jack was still asleep when Ianto came back into the room. Deciding to let him sleep, Ianto dressed in the jeans and shirt he’d taken out of the wardrobe room last night and set off to find the kitchen. And, hopefully, coffee.
He found the kitchen with no problem, but despite looking everywhere, no coffee. That was going to be a problem. Resigning himself to tea, he put the kettle on to boil, and made himself some toast. Ianto was just sitting down at the table when the Doctor walked into the room.
“Good morning, Ianto,” the Doctor said. “Where’s Jack?”
“Still sleeping,” Ianto replied.
“Really? That’s not like him, he’s usually the first one up and ready to go.”
“A lot has happened to him…us, recently. It’s changed all of us, even Jack.” Ianto took a sip of his tea, a faraway look in his eyes.
The Doctor watched the young man in front of him, sensing the sadness lingering in his mind. It touched a chord in his own soul and he placed a comforting hand on Ianto’s shoulder.
Ianto looked up at the Time Lord and gave him a small smile. “Thank you, Doctor. For giving us this trip. Jack needed it.”
“I think Jack isn’t the only one that needed it,” the Doctor said softly. He squeezed Ianto’s shoulder before moving to pour himself a cup of tea. Sitting down across the table, he smiled brightly and asked, “So, how did you meet Captain Jack Harkness?”
Jack walked in a few minutes later to find the Doctor and Ianto laughing.
“Really? It was flying around the warehouse, carrying Jack the whole time?”
“Oi! Are you telling stories about me, Ianto?” Jack teased.
Ianto’s grin widened, “The Doctor was asking me how we met.”
“Oh, so you were telling him how you saved me from a weevil in those sexy jeans? And seduced me with your fantastic coffee? And lured me to an abandoned warehouse with promises of a pet pterodactyl?”
“Yep. And how you fell for me, literally, on our third meeting.”
“Cheeky brat.” Jack leaned down and kissed Ianto’s smiling lips. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Ianto replied huskily.
Jack winked at him. “And technically, I fell on you. It took me a couple of weeks, seeing you in those suits, to fall for you.”
The Doctor watched the interplay between the two men with a small smile on his face. He’d always known Jack as a man who flirted with anyone that caught his eye, but he’d never seen the captain act quite like this with anyone else. He had a feeling that even Jack didn’t realize just how deeply he cared for Ianto.
Ianto slapped Jack’s hand away as the older man tried to steal a piece of toast from his plate. “Get your own, Jack. The toaster is right over there.”
“But I like the way you make it better,” Jack pouted.
Ianto rolled his eyes and offered Jack the piece of toast. “You are such a bloody baby sometimes. Remind me again why I put up with you?”
Seeing the mischievous gleam in Jack’s eyes, Ianto realized his mistake and braced himself for the retribution he knew was coming. He wasn’t disappointed either, as Jack took the question to heart and kissed him thoroughly.
“Sweet goddess, I’m hungry,” Jack said, straightening up from the kiss. “Doctor, do you have any grapefruit? For some reason I’m really in the mood for a grapefruit this morning.”
An hour later they were ready to spend the day exploring market. Jack was still grumbling good naturedly about the lack of grapefruit in the TARDIS.
“It’s always bananas with you, Doctor. Haven’t you ever heard about the properties of vitamin C?” He stopped teasing as they walked out the door, concentrating on Ianto’s face. Jack didn’t want to miss a second of his lover’s reaction to standing on an alien planet.
Ianto wasn’t sure what he had been expecting, but it paled in comparison to the reality of what he was seeing. The TARDIS was sitting at the edge of a vast city. There were buildings of all sizes and colors interspersed with tents and open air stalls. The streets were teeming with beings from all over the universe. Humans rubbing elbows with aliens of all shapes and sizes. It was the sky that held his attention the most though. Brilliant aqua blue with lavender clouds, all illuminated by the light of two suns rising high in the sky.
“My god,” he gasped and turned to Jack with an excited smile on his face. “I’m actually standing on a different planet.”
Jack grinned and threw his arm around Ianto’s shoulders, hugging him close. “Ianto Jones, welcome to Tehrantos Four.”
The Doctor stood off to the side, letting the two men have this moment of discovery to themselves. It always thrilled him to see that awe in his Companion’s faces when they first stepped out of the TARDIS into a whole new world. He stepped forward after a moment and handed two small metal bars to the men.
“Yes, well, Jack, you know how these work. There should be more than enough credits on them to purchase anything you want to buy.”
“Aren’t you coming with us, Doctor?” Ianto asked.
“No, there’s a concert of Ood music at the university this morning that I want to see. You guys go have fun and we can meet up for lunch.” The Doctor turned to Jack. “Jack, do you remember that Villengard café on the corner by the hospital?”
“The one with bananas on the sign?” Jack asked, a resigned look on his face.
“That’s the one! Let’s meet there for lunch. I gotta run if I’m going to be on time for the concert. Jack, behave yourself. Ianto, enjoy the bazaar.” The Doctor waved cheerfully and took off running.
Ianto watched him with a bemused look on his face. “What is it with him and bananas?”
“Don’t ask, just…don’t ask,” Jack replied. “Are you ready to shop ‘til you drop?”
“Yep. Although how he expects me to have fun if you behave yourself…” Ianto teased.
Jack laughed and grabbed Ianto’s hand. “I knew there was a reason I liked you. C’mon, let’s go.”
They spent the morning exploring the market, relaxed and laughing. Jack encouraged Ianto to sample the Marvarian equivalent of coffee and laughed at the expression on his lover’s face.
“That is not coffee, Jack.” Ianto shuddered. “How can people drink that stuff? Gwen’s coffee tastes better than that shit.”
They bought several souvenirs for the team, including a gag t-shirt for Gwen that said ‘My best friends went to Tehrantos Four and all I got was this stupid shirt’.
Jack was haggling with a merchant over the price of a handheld perception filter when a glimmer from the next stall caught Ianto’s eye. He moved closer to get a better look and caught his breath. It was a delicate silver necklace with a jade green pendant of what looked like a bamboo shoot.
He was lost in thought when he felt Jack’s hand on his shoulder. Ianto looked around and saw tears glistening in his lover’s eyes.
“Toshiko would’ve loved it, Ianto.” Jack said softly.
There was a slight hitch in Ianto’s voice as he replied, “Sometimes I miss her so much.”
“I know. I do too.” Jack gently kissed Ianto’s forehead. “It’s almost time to meet the Doctor. We should start heading towards the café.”
Ianto tried to shake off the melancholy mood he’d fallen into and had almost succeeded by the time they reached the café. The Doctor was waiting for them out front and, even though he smiled and waved, there was an air of sadness surrounding him, too.
“How was the concert, Doctor?” Jack asked.
“Oh, good. It was good. They dedicated the performance to Doctor-Donna.” The Doctor shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at his feet. “She would’ve been so proud.”
It was a subdued little group that made their way into the crowded café. And none of them noticed the hostile eyes that followed them from the corner of the room.
***
Jothan Akribos couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was the day he’d been waiting for. After 4 years of searching, he was finally going to get revenge on the Time Agent who had destroyed his life.Jothan’s family had always been arms dealers. The Akribos family was who you went to if you wanted good quality weapons at a fair price. And when his father had found the time portal that allowed them to get weapons from the future, their fortune was assured. Until the Time Agency interfered.
The Agency had sent in their best assassin. When Jothan had returned home after delivering a shipment to Rykolas, he’d found his entire family murdered. His father had been brutally tortured into giving up the location of the time portal before being left to die. In addition to being highly skilled at telekinesis, Jothan’s race was also mildly telepathic. When he’d found his father, Jothan had been able to lift the image of the assassin from his father’s mind.
Now, that image had come to life in front of him, and Jothan was having a difficult time waiting until the man was alone to exact his revenge. He sat at a table in the shadowy corner of the small café and watched the enemy and his two friends.
They had been quiet when they’d first entered and sat down, but as time passed they grew more boisterous. The Time Agent telling many outrageous tales that had his companions laughing.
As Jothan watched them, he realized something that made him smile in anticipation. The Time Agent was deeply attached to the younger of his two friends. It was obvious in the way they touched and the way they looked at each other. They were mated.
Jothan decided to kill them both - the younger one first, so the Time Agent had to watch.
When they got up from their table, Jothan followed them out of the café and through the market. He watched as they stopped at various booths along the way. Which is why he saw the Time Agent buy his mate a beaded necklace and place it around his neck.
Jothan’s chance came when the younger man pulled the Time Agent into a small alley between two shops. They had ducked into a dark corner and were locked in a passionate embrace when Jothan caught up to them.
“It is time to pay for your crimes, Time Agent,” Jothan hissed.
Lunch had started quietly, the three men lost in their memories, but they soon shook off their melancholy. The Doctor started telling them about his swordfight with the Sycorax leader on Christmas day.
“…even though he’d lost, he was going to try and come at me when my back was turned. There was an orange in the pocket of my dressing gown, so I threw it at the release button and the hatch disappeared from under him. And that was that.”
“See, I told you vitamin C was good for you,” Jack stated, laughing. “I was racing to get to London, trying to find you so you could tell me why I didn’t stay dead anymore. You were gone by the time I got there though.”
Ianto had been quiet through the Doctor’s recitation. Torchwood’s involvement in the Sycorax invasion had given him serious doubts about the organization he was working for. His thoughts were interrupted by the Doctor asking him where he’d been that day.
“One of those daft sods on a rooftop,” he replied. “If I hadn’t met Lisa on the roof, I probably would’ve left Torchwood after what they did to the Sycorax. It’s funny how one little decision can change your entire life.”
“Not just your life, Ianto Jones,” the Doctor said softly, thinking about Donna and the far reaching consequences of turning right instead of left.
They left the café together and walked down the street, stopping at a booth or shop when something caught their eye. The Doctor got into a rather heated discussion with a vendor over the authenticity of his wares, and the lovers wandered a little further on.
Jack stopped at a booth selling jewelry and found a necklace with an intricate pendant. He bought it and placed it around Ianto’s neck.
“Jack, it’s beautiful.” Ianto fingered the pendant.
“The design is an ancient B’Nerath symbol called a Leald’cao,” Jack explained, an air of hesitant vulnerability about him.
Ianto was reminded of when Jack had come back from traveling with the Doctor the first time and had asked him out on a date. He’d bite his tongue off before admitting it, but he’d thought Jack looked adorable.
“Leald’cao?” Ianto asked, encouraging Jack to explain further.
“It’s…well…it’s the symbol for loyalty and devotion. I…wanted you to know…” Jack’s voice trailed off as he gave Ianto a hesitant smile.
Ianto’s heart swelled at Jack’s words. It wasn’t a declaration of undying love with hearts and flowers and violins - Ianto didn’t need or want over-the-top romantic gestures. But this, this was something he would treasure for the rest of his life. Every time he saw the necklace, he would remember this crowded, dusty street on an alien planet and the beautiful, complicated, infuriating, caring and wonderful man who’d given it to him.
Needing to show his lover just how much this gesture meant to him, Ianto grabbed Jack’s hand and pulled him into a darkened corner in the alley next to them. Reaching up to cup Jack’s cheek, Ianto looked into the deep blue eyes of his captain, letting all the unspoken words show in his eyes.
“Thank you, Jack, I…” Ianto leaned forward and pressed his lips to Jack’s. His tongue teased the seam of Jack’s lips, requesting entry to the velvety heat beyond.
Jack opened his mouth to Ianto’s questing tongue. As he wrapped his arms around the younger man, their bodies pressed close from chest to groin. The entire world faded until there was nothing but teeth, tongues, hot breath and heartbeats between them. Just the two of them, locked in an embrace, in their kiss. Without words, Jack tried to communicate everything - all the joy, comfort, passion and dreams he wanted to share.
Until a sinister voice broke through their ardor, bringing them back to reality with a thud.
“It’s time to pay for your crimes, Time Agent.”
***
“It’s time to pay for your crimes, Time Agent.”Jack broke the kiss and swung around, placing himself between Ianto and the being confronting them.
Bi-pedal in form, the being looked vaguely human, but with grey skin. The dark green hair was long and worn in several braids around his head. Bright purple eyes flashed in hatred. Jack had never seen him before, not even his race seemed familiar.
“Who are you?” Jack demanded. “What do you want?”
“I want you to die, Time Agent. Die for what you did to my family,” Jothan’s voice shook with rage. “But first, I want you to suffer.”
Jothan made a move towards Ianto, hands stretched out like he wanted to strangle him, but Jack adjusted his stance, protecting his lover. Jack’s change of position had turned them so Jothan no longer blocked their escape.
“I don’t know who you are, or what you think I’ve done to you, but you are not touching a hair on his head.” Jack’s voice was low and deadly.
“Jack…” Ianto began.
“Ianto, go. Find the Doctor,” Jack instructed.
“I don’t want to leave you here alone. Jack, let me help,” Ianto said.
“Oh, how sweet,” Jothan sneered. “Does he have any idea who you really are?”
“Ianto, please. I’ll be fine,” Jack insisted. “Go find the Doctor.”
Squeezing Jack’s hand, Ianto followed Jack’s instructions and took off to find the Time Lord.
“Now, who the hell are you?” Jack questioned again.
“Does the name Akribos stir anything in your memory, Time Agent?” Jothan spat.
Jack was silent, wracking his brain for anything that would tell him why this person was after him, but there was nothing.
“No, it doesn’t. Should it?” Jack raised his eyebrow, tone careless and disinterested.
“Bastard,” Jothan growled. “You destroyed my entire life and you don’t even care enough to remember.”
“I can’t remember it, Akribos..”
“My name is Jothan, Time Agent. My family name was Akribos.”
“Jothan, then,” Jack corrected. “The Time Agency wiped my memory. Two entire years are a complete blank and I have no idea what I did during that time. I’m not the same man anymore. I am sorry, very sorry, if I did something to hurt you or your family, but there‘s nothing I can do to change the past.”
“Sorry?” Jothan asked, incredulous. “You killed my entire family. Tortured my father for hours to get information before leaving him to die. You destroyed our business. I was left alone and penniless because of you. And you‘re sorry?”
Jack could see that Jothan was getting more and more agitated the longer they talked. Cursing the Doctor and his prejudice against guns, Jack estimated his chances in a hand to hand fight. They weren’t good. Jothan was taller and broader than he was. Still, at least he’d come back to life if he lost. Thanking the deities that Ianto was safe with the Doctor, Jack prepared himself for the inevitable.
“Look, there’s obviously nothing I can say that is going to change your mind. And there’s nothing you can say that’s going to jog my memory. Let’s just get this over with,” Jack goaded. “What’s it going to be? Pistols at dawn? Sword fight? Poison darts? How about a good old-fashioned fist fight?”
Jack drew back his fist and hit Jothan square in the jaw. Jothan stumbled back, spitting blood. His lips twisted into a feral smile and stepped closer.
“Oh, I don’t need any of those things to kill you, Time Agent,” Jothan said. “All I need is this.” And he touched Jack’s forehead, a surge of energy flowing from his body. He laughed evilly as the touch enhanced his telepathy and told him something else about his enemy.
Jack felt his head explode with pain. As he stumbled back against the wall, Jothan stepped closer and whispered in his ear.
“My revenge is even sweeter than I thought it would be. How do you think your mate will react to losing both his lover and his unborn child in the same day?” Jothan activated the transport device hidden his pocket and disappeared, leaving Jack alone in the alley.
“No,” Jack gasped, fighting the clawing pain in his head. “It can’t be.” But he knew it was true. Pregnancy would explain everything that had been going on with him lately. The tiredness, the mood swings, the queasy stomach - even the sudden craving for grapefruit. A tear tracked down his cheek. “Ianto, forgive me.”
His last thought before darkness overtook him was of Ianto, and how much he would’ve enjoyed being a parent with the Welshman by his side.
Ianto was frantic. He hated leaving Jack alone to face the attacker, but he was unarmed and knew that Jack would be able to concentrate better with him safely out of the way. Even if things went pear-shaped, Jack would come back and brush off his own death, glad that he’d been able to save Ianto’s life. Ianto called it his big, damn hero complex, which Jack found very amusing.
Returning to the last place he’d seen the Doctor, Ianto found the booth closed for the day and the Time Lord no-where in sight. Raking his hand through his hair, other hand splayed on his hip, Ianto looked around in frustration.
“Daft bugger. Always disappearing and fuck all if you actually need him.” He knew he was being unfair, but he was worried about Jack and that always left him cranky.
“Hey, are you looking for that bloke in the long brown coat?” the vendor from the next booth called to Ianto.
“Yes, I am. Did you see which way he went?” Ianto was desperate for any scrap of information.
“Him and Miklos got into an argument over the authenticity of Miklos’ pottery. So Miklos took him to his studio to prove him wrong.” The helpful man waved his hand. “It’s off that way and a couple streets over.”
Calling his thanks, Ianto ran off in the direction indicated. He almost ran straight into the Time Lord before he realized it was him. Ianto skidded to a stop and bent over, resting his hands on his knees, trying to get his breath back.
“Doctor,” he panted. “Jack…attacked…needs help….”
The Doctor looked concerned. “Slow down, Ianto. Get your breath. Now what’s this about Jack being attacked?”
“Doctor, there’s no time. Jack needs our help, now come on!”
They ran back the way Ianto had just come, people staring after them as they went. Ianto found the alley where he’d left Jack - it was empty except for Jack’s crumpled figure next to the wall. Ianto dropped to his knees beside his lover and felt for the pulse in his neck, noting the blood dripping from Jack’s nose. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the weak, but steady beat of Jack’s heart.
“Doctor, he’s still alive, but there isn’t a mark on him. Why isn’t he awake?”
The Time Lord reached in his pocket and withdrew his sonic screwdriver, carefully scanning Jack for injuries.
“He appears to have ruptured a blood vessel deep inside his brain, Ianto. It’s bleeding into the cerebral tissue causing massive swelling. There’s too much damage, too deep inside his brain. Not even the medical technology of this century will be able to help him.” The Doctor gazed at Jack thoughtfully. “What exactly attacked him, Ianto?”
“I don’t know what species he was. But he seemed to know Jack. He kept calling him ‘Time Agent’,” Ianto replied.
“I can’t think of a weapon that would do this type of damage, unless….Ianto, what did he look like?”
“Uhh…humanoid. Grey skin, dark green hair, purple eyes…” Ianto started when the Doctor clapped his hands together.
“Of course!” the Time Lord exclaimed. “Burrelliam. Highly skilled telekinetic race. One touch and they can do more damage than a blaster.”
The Doctor continued scanning Jack’s still form, muttering to himself. Ianto ignored him, concentrating on Jack. He brushed the hair back from his lover’s forehead, then ran his fingers lightly across Jack’s face.
“Why do you always have to be the big, damn hero, Jack?” Ianto murmured. “Always putting yourself in the line of fire and sacrificing yourself for everyone around you.”
“Ianto!” Ianto turned his head sharply at the Doctor’s exclamation. “Help me get him up. We need to get him to the hospital right away!”
“Doctor, what can they do? You said technology wasn’t advanced enough to stop the bleeding.” Ianto slung Jack’s arm around his shoulder, wrapping an arm around his lover’s waist. He was surprised at the Doctor’s warm touch on his hand.
“It’s not Jack that I’m worried about,” he began. “Ianto…Jack is pregnant.”
***
‘Pregnant.’ The word turned over and over in Ianto’s mind. Jack had told him about the physiological differences in his body that made it possible for him to carry a child soon after Gwen’s encounter with the Nostrovite. He caught his breath in a silent sob as he remembered the conversation…
“Ianto, did you ever think about having children?” Jack asked while they were lying in bed.
It was a few days after Gwen’s wedding and Jack had been in a strange mood ever since. Ianto figured that his lover’s mood had to do with Gwen getting married, but Jack was nothing if not unpredictable.
“I suppose I used to think about having kids someday,” Ianto mused. His head was resting on Jack’s shoulder, his fingers tracing a lazy pattern on his lover’s chest. “Not really anything I’ve thought about recently, though. Torchwood isn’t exactly conducive to having a family. And, well…I’m dating a man, so the idea never occurred to me.”
Jack chuckled softly, “You’d be surprised. It’s amazing what changes can happen to human biology over the course of 3,000 years.”
Ianto pulled away and sat up in the bed, looking doubtfully at Jack. “Are you trying to tell me something here?”
“What? No! Hell, no,” Jack replied, sitting up and running a calming hand down Ianto’s arm. “I mean, yes, I can carry a child, but no, I’m not pregnant. Never doing that again.”
Ianto’s eyes widened, “You’ve been pregnant before?”
“Once, a long time ago. Before I met the Doctor.” There was a flash of pain in Jack’s eyes. “It…didn’t go to term. I got pregnant by accident, wasn’t even with the father anymore when I realized. But, I wanted the baby.”
Ianto could see the hurt that Jack was trying to hide. He took Jack’s hand and pressed a kiss to the fingers that clutched his tightly.
“What happened?” he whispered.
“Staircase, in my fifth month. I tripped and fell. Went into premature labor. The baby was stillborn.”
“Jack…” Ianto reached out and gently wiped away the tears falling down the older man’s face.
“It was probably for the best,” Jack stated, breathing deeply. A pale imitation of his smile crossed his face. “Can you imagine me as a single parent? After that I took a reversible, but permanent form of birth control.”
“Actually, I think you’d make a great dad,” Ianto grinned, firmly ignoring the word reversible in Jack‘s statement. “You could grow up together.”
Jack laughed in spite of himself, which was Ianto’s goal. “Oi! Are you trying to say I’m immature?”
Ianto arched his eyebrow, “Well, if the shoe fits…”
Jack growled low in his throat, “Oh, you are such a brat, Ianto Jones. I’ll show you immature.”
Jack had pinned Ianto to the bed and tickled him until the younger man begged for mercy, breathless from laughing. The mood changed abruptly, Jack’s eyes darkening from laughter to passion in a heartbeat, and they’d ended up making love until dawn…
Ianto’s thoughts returned to the present as the Doctor sat down beside him. They’d gotten Jack to the hospital and were waiting while the healers examined him.
“Did you know?” the Doctor asked. “That he could get pregnant, I mean?”
“Yes, Jack told me several months ago. He said he’d taken a permanent, but reversible, form of birth control so there was no chance of accidents happening.” Ianto buried his head in his hands, rubbing his face tiredly.
“Well, permanent is relative and probably not intended for the hundred and seventy plus years that Jack’s been alive.”
Ianto looked up at the Doctor. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” the Doctor looked concerned. “Ianto, what should I know?”
“Jack is over 2,000 years old now, Doctor,” Ianto replied.
“What?! How is that possible?” The Time Lord’s face was a picture of pure shock.
“Gray.” Ianto saw the question in the Doctor’s eyes. “His brother. You heard about the bombings in Cardiff?” He continued at the Doctor‘s nod. “Gray’s accomplice took Jack back in time to 27 AD and his brother buried him alive. Torchwood dug him up in the early 1900’s and he made them freeze him in the cryogenic unit until the day that Gray attacked.”
“I had no idea. Jack never said a word,” the Doctor said, sadly.
“That’s Jack, though, isn’t it? Always protecting others ahead of himself.” Ianto’s voice broke on the last word.
The Doctor pulled the young man into his arms and held him as he cried. “Jack’s not the only one that always thinks of others first, is he, Ianto? How are you doing with all of this?”
Ianto snorted through his tears and the Doctor was sure the young man had rolled his eyes as he replied, “I’m on an alien planet, 2000 years in the future and just found out my male lover is pregnant with my child, but may lose the baby because he’s dying slowly after being attacked by an alien out for revenge. How do you think I’m doing?”
“Right. Stupid question. Sorry about that,” the Doctor sighed. “I’m rubbish at the whole comforting thing.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Ianto took a deep breath, fresh tears flowing down his face. “Doctor, what am I going to tell Jack if he loses the baby?”
The Doctor opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted when one of the healers walked into the room, a somber look on her face.
“Mr. Jones, we have some news for you. Would you come with me, please?”
***
Ianto followed the healer into a room where Jack was lying, still and pale, in the bed. He hated seeing his lover like this and was grateful when he felt the Doctor’s warm hand on his shoulder, offering silent comfort. He didn’t know what he’d do if he had to handle this on his own.***
Next part of - Never Say Never.- Main Torchwood slash page
- New stories page
- Jack/Ianto stories
- Ianto/Owen stories
- Other pairings stories - ie threesomes
- F/F stories
- Gen stories
- Amazon.com - Torchwood: Children of Earth
- Amazon.co.uk - Torchwood - Children of Earth [DVD] [2009]
- Amazon.ca link - Torchwood - The Complete First Season (7DVD)
