galadriel1010 | Isn't Worth Living: Chapter 5 (Reply)

Author's Note: Wahey, and now we're back on familiar territory. How long can Ianto deny his attraction to Jack? On a scale of one to Jack, just how attractive is Jane? And what happened to those weapons that turned up whilst Ianto was having his panic attack during One Week? Don't know what I'm talking about? Read One Week to find out, otherwise tune in whenever I get another chapter up to find out what's going to happen to our lovely boy and their team.

Disclaimer: Own nothing, although I wouldn't say no to a pint

Ianto made his way across to his friends with a pint and dropped into the chair next to Jack. The others looked mildly shocked when he took off his tie and put it in his jacket pocket, “What?” he raised an eyebrow, “We’re not at work are we?”

“He has a point.” Jack laughed, “Good trip?”

“Yeah, London was a nightmare, as always, but I still made good time. I didn’t really expect to be back for another hour.”

“So…” Tosh leaned forwards conspiratorially, “What’s it like, do you think we’re in for trouble?”

“They’ve got a great set-up, easier to defend than the last one apparently, and she’s got an…” he struggled to find the word, “an interesting system.”

“You don’t approve?” Gwen asked.

“It’s bloody brilliant, to be honest. She’s got a numerical system that works, and because the interfacing is all done by her team rather than a computer it will actually honestly work. And it makes sense to use that system because she organised UNIT’s archive, which is the biggest one in the world, that’s how she got put in charge in London.”

“Whoa!” Jack choked on his drink, “You’re saying that someone from UNIT’s in charge? Whoever has control of Canary Wharf is the de facto head of Torchwood!”

“Yeah, she’s UNIT, but I think the current regime were glad to be rid of her. From his attitude today, I’d say that Mace isn’t a fan of her any more than he is of you.”

“Doesn’t mean we can trust her.” Jack pointed out

“What’s her line?” Owen interrupted

“She’s a bit odd really, very pro-Doctor I think. Treats anything alien as the property of the alien who lost it, wants to know as much as she can about everything. She’s had a…” he hesitated for a moment, not wanting to betray too much but needing to defend her, “She’s not had an easy past, I’d say she took an unorthodox route into UNIT.”

“A prisoner?” Tosh asked angrily

He nodded sadly, “Although I think it’s more complicated than that.”

“So what’s she like, really like? Middle aged dragon?” Gwen asked

“Not at all.” Ianto couldn’t keep the lingering surprise out of his voice, “She’s young, early twenties at the oldest although she looks to be in her late teens. Blonde hair with blue streaks, very cute.” Owen suddenly looked more interested, “And far too young for you Owen.” Ianto felt strangely protective of her, which was ridiculous, but still… “She’s lovely, really lovely. And strong enough to look after herself, she dealt very, very well with a government official today.” Taking a sip of his drink he allowed a grin to spread across his face, “My God that girl’s got spunk.”

Owen got up with a groan to get more drinks, Gwen following to help with the glasses. The three remaining knew that this was the only opportunity they’d get for serious discussion, so they took it, “All the official government organisations from across the world are involved. I heard about two dozen different languages being spoken today, everything from Spanish, French, other European languages right through to Japanese and Chinese. It’s the only thing that the whole world is united on, apparently. The latest reports and base files went up this morning and will be updated as we process them, but they need to be filed from there. Older reports, archived stuff, she’s gathering everything she can together to form concise reports, but everything will be available to view there or she’ll send it to whoever needs it by helicopter.”

“Whoa,” Owen returned and set the glasses down, “she has a helicopter? How come we don’t have one of those?”

“Because we’re based inside Cardiff, Owen. Why would we need a helicopter?”

“Besides,” Tosh commented, “Who’d fly it?”

“I have a pilot’s licence.” They stared at Jack for a while, and he raised an eyebrow in amusement, “Oh come on, even Captain Slow has a pilot’s licence, surely the Captain of the Innuendo Squad is allowed one.” They all laughed, and Jack smiled at the memories of the young man who’d called him that, Mickey Smith had turned into quite a character by all accounts. Now there was someone he’d like to work with.

The talk turned to more mundane topics like rugby and, trust Jack, cricket because Rhys arrived with some friends of his and Gwen’s. After a while, he and Gwen headed home for an ‘early night’, Owen spotted and attractive girl at the bar, which filled Tosh’s eyes with pain and caused her to disappear shortly afterwards. Jack glared at Owen across the room and smiled tensely at Ianto, “Do you think he knows?”

“I hope not,” Ianto responded sadly, “I don’t think even Owen could do that if he knew.” He downed the rest of his drink and gestured at Jack’s equally empty glass, “You done?”

They left the pub together with their coats over their arms because of the warm night. Jack still wasn’t quite used to going back to Ianto’s, but it was strangely reassuring having somewhere to go that wasn’t the Hub. His mind, however, was troubled. “So the head of Torchwood, my, dear God my immediate superior. Now that’s something I never thought I’d have to say again, but you like her?”

“Yeah, she’s a lovely girl, is this going anywhere?” he put on an expression of amusement

“I’m just trusting your judgement on her, and feeling slightly sorry for her.” He lied, “I didn’t really want to have to fight her on a regular basis like I did Yvonne, but it sounds like she’ll be OK.”

Ianto tried to deny the disappointment; he’d thought that Jack sounded… jealous? But that was dumb, because he wasn’t interested in Captain Jack Harkness, not remotely interested so he shouldn’t be disappointed that Jack wasn’t interested either. He shoved his hands in his pockets, “She likes you, it’ll be fine. I have a feeling she’d give you anything you asked for, no matter what it was.”

“She likes me?” Jack sounded surprised

“Yes, hero-worships you. She’s read all the files about you.”

“All of them?” now he was worried, it didn’t suit him

“Yeah, she knows you were arrested way back when, so she’s presumably figured out that you’re immortal. She didn’t comment though.”

“I knew I should have covered my trail better.” He let out a laugh, “Ah well, as long as she likes me.”

Ianto could hear the smirk in his voice, “Oi, she must be at least 100 years younger than you!”

“Spoilsport.” Jack laughed again, seeming not to notice the jealousy fighting with Ianto’s feigned indifference.