Title: Lost inside of you Part 30/?
Author: zazajb
Rating: NC-17 overall, adult concepts, occasional language, M/M
Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, Martha/Tom, The Doctor [10] Lois/Peter
Spoilers - TW anything is possible - via memories, inc DW
Summary: Sequel to No place to hide. Sometimes I don't know where I end and he begins...
Previous chapters: http://zazajb.livejournal.com/6286.html
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters - just like to dabble with them from time to time
This is for the wonderful wise_n_witty
X-posted jackxianto, jantolution, tw_proper - apologies to those getting this numerous times
A/N It’s long...
Thanks to the awesome Wykling for the story banner *hugs*
Chapter 30
Ianto had spent some time ordering supplies for the hub in general as well as more leaflets for the Tourist office – whilst they rarely manned the tiny office any more, it was open for anyone to come in and pick up a leaflet or two... Once the orders were complete he made himself a fresh coffee, concluding that it was rather nice to make it just to his tastes and no-one else’s once in a while. He inhaled the aroma, savouring it, before that first blissful sip sent his taste buds heavenward and he closed his eyes as the heady sensations made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up...oh pure bliss...
He jumped as Jack’s mind gave him a forceful nudge, reminding him that whilst he was snug in the hub, the rest of them were out working heartily deprived of such luxuries as coffee... Ianto resisted a smirk, promised to have extra special coffee waiting on their return and began making lists of things to take to the new house – some from the hub, though not many as they kept the basics here, some from the flat, again, not everything as they’d still be sleeping there too... The house was going to be their retreat...a place to relax and get away from the ever-present threat of aliens and whatever else decided to fall through the rift... He smiled fondly at Jack’s love you...as his Captain registered what he was doing...
Lists completed, he returned to his study of the data still spread across Jack’s desk. He was becoming more and more convinced that this was some form of mind control, be it deliberate or accidental, rather than an alien device – it just didn’t seem to fit the pattern of something mechanical...
In the meantime Jack had now joined his team on the pavement and was catching up on their progress reports. As he listened he gradually became aware of a feeling of unease...nothing he could define or even reach out towards...just unease...he increased his shielding level one point, warning Ianto to do the same...only Ianto never got that message...
The man had now found Jack’s mind and scanned it lightly – any deeper and he would be detected, despite his skills at masking...he blocked the outwards thought to Jack’s partner...it wouldn’t do to have him putting up any defences now would it... He was just retreating from his surface level scan when he caught the heartfelt love you that the Captain sent...sent to him.... Anger swelled into rage and waves of fury spread across the surrounding area...
It all happened so quickly. Jack sensed the tidal wave of pure emotion and slammed his shields up automatically. Gwen, Lois and Peter were protected by their earlier shot and didn’t feel anything at all... Andy had some protection but still turned towards Gwen and snarled at her for wasting his time with her stupid ‘spooky do’s’ science fiction. He turned and stalked off, throwing a comment back over his shoulder that she could phone him – or not – tomorrow, because he’d had enough!
Several streets away a routine face-off between rival gangs was disintegrating into a full-scale riot...knives were being drawn and the mood was ugly. Residents hurried inside, locked their doors and windows and dialled 999...
Anyone at home with another person in the immediate area found themselves inexplicably angry...nothing specific, but random irritations and in some cases, pure rage, exploded across the lower end of the Lampeter Estate and a crime spree backed with an unprecedented level of violence swept the area against a backdrop of howling dogs, hissing and spitting cats and babies screaming...
Jack glanced up and down the street, doors were opening and people were emerging, shouting obscenities...one elderly man appeared to have an old shotgun... Swiftly he urged his team towards the SUV... “We need to get out of here...now!” As they piled into the car Jack sent a panicked thought to Ianto...relieved when the calm sense of his Welshman caressed his mind and relayed the swift responses of the emergency services...
The team listened in horror to the catalogue of violence and destruction that had suddenly engulfed this area of the city...cars set on fire, random violent muggings, wilful destruction of property and looting of shops, gang war on an unprecedented level... They drove past Andy who was running from a mob of youths waving all manner of improvised weapons, Jack slamming the brakes on as Gwen hauled the terrified young copper into the car to sprawl breathless across their laps...
“Thanks”, he gasped as they sped away. “What the fuck is going on here?”
No-one had an answer.
In his upstairs window the man smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile.
They dropped Andy at the Police Station, promising to keep in touch with any news, and returned to the hub, sprinting from the underground car park to find Ianto had all the police and news reports already on, the computers loaded and a steaming mug of each person’s favourite blend by their workstation.
Jack flung himself into Ianto’s arms and kissed him hard, tightening his hold when they broke off for air... “What’s wrong?” the Welshman thought
“I don’t know...but something’s off...out of kilter...I don’t know, Yan...but I’m worried...no...more than that...I’m scared...”
Ianto held tight, flooding his partner’s head with comforting and loving thoughts, knowing that there was something specific bothering the older man, something behind the general fear...
He squeezed Jack’s arm supportively. “...we can talk about this later, cariad...right now we’ve got an area of the city in meltdown and it’ll spread panic unless we fix it...love you...”
Jack smiled softly and kissed the end of his Welshman’s nose before releasing him and shrugging out of his coat which Ianto took from him. Grabbing his coffee from Ianto’s desk he went over to where Gwen and Lois were working frantically on their keyboards. Gwen was cataloguing the various police, ambulance, fire and news reports, feeding the data across to Lois who was loading into the data programs they already had...a pattern forming as she transferred the readout into coloured rings on her display...
Gwen put her hand over her mouth in horror... ”that’s where we were...we were right in the centre of...of...whatever it is...” she finished lamely.
Jack nodded grimly, his lips set as he surveyed his team. His prolonged silence somehow scared them even more, none of them sensing the frantic exchanges between Ianto and their Captain...
“It’s there on the screen Yan...it was me...it must’ve been me...this is the first time I’ve been down there and this is the first time it’s been like this...”
“It’s not you, cariad...I’m sure of that...I would’ve felt it – felt something...we were in contact the whole time apart from those last few seconds when your shields went up...it’s not you who’s caused this...”
“How can you be so sure? All those memories we’ve been going through – some of them were pretty grim and I was angry...heaven only knows how angry I was in some of them...what if that’s breaking through now...making whatever’s out there worse somehow...I don’t know what to do...”
Ianto focused his mind and sent the safe space he’d created with the Doctor during the terrible memories into Jack’s tremulous thoughts, the tiny scrap of all there was and all there possibly could be with the Doctor burning at the centre of time, instantly calming the older man and he smiled gratefully at the man he adored with every atom of his existence... “We’ll talk later...I promise...”
Letting out a deep breath, Jack addressed his team. “We were at the centre – now that can mean one of two things: either our presence scared whatever is causing this because we’re getting too close or we, or rather I am the target and my appearance therefore prompted a full blown rage reaction...” He held his hand up as Gwen opened her mouth at the same time as Peter, “we’ll throw some ideas around in a minute, but I’ve got more to add to the mix...” he paused, glancing at Ianto, who nodded encouragingly...
“This is different from anything we’ve faced before – Hart, Gray...even Abaddon, we knew what they were and we had physical things to deal with...I think this is deliberately hiding itself, which means it’s a coward...and therefore far more deadly than you could possibly imagine. I think we were close today – maybe right on top of it...in that street?
We’ll need to go over every household there in detail...but more than that...when it happened I felt it – I felt a wave of raw fury but my mind automatically blocked it out...none of you were affected because of the shots you had... Andy, poor sod, we only gave him a sixty percent dose...he’s still our guinea pig out there and you saw how it affected him...
If it’s here for me then you’re all in danger...” ...especially you, he sent to his partner’s head, you need to be careful...did you increase your shielding like I said?
He caught Ianto’s surprise and horror flooded through him, the team watching in amazement as their Captain strode over to his partner and grabbed him forcefully by the wrists, blue grey eyes blazing as they met the puzzled gaze of the Welshman’s. Tell me you got that message earlier... “Tell me..!” he hissed aloud.
“Jack..!” Gwen protested in alarm, worried that Jack was losing it... He ignored her...ignored everything and everyone apart from the young man in front of him.
We shared lots of messages...maybe I missed that one...
No...it was blocked...I knew something was wrong...remember – I said I was uneasy...but I didn’t know why...it’s after me...and you too...and it’s already tapped into my mind...I’m putting you in terrible danger...
“Jack!” Gwen tried again, stepping forward to place a hand on his arm.
He shook her off, his eyes still locked on Ianto’s, the thought of putting him at risk making the older man’s blood run cold... From now on we speak aloud...put your shields up and keep them up...got that? Do it NOW!
But surely we’re safe here...in the hub..?
SHIELDS...N O W I won’t risk losing you again...
Huffing at Jack’s over protectiveness, Ianto put his shields up, blocking Jack out and immediately missing the warmth and reassurance of his Captain’s mind snuggled against his own.
“Thank you!” Jack loosened the iron grip on the young man’s wrists and hauled him in for a brief but passionate kiss.
Releasing him, he turned to face the others. “I’m now convinced that this is personal – whatever’s out there is after me and will go after any of you to hurt me...especially Ianto... You must all be vigilant...promise me – no unnecessary risks...” He met each of their eyes in turn, seeing realisation dawning that this threat was real and somehow more deadly than anything they’d faced before.
They looked at each other before they each solemnly promised...
“Ok...now we find this thing...person...whatever and convince them that Torchwood don’t take kindly to threats against their personnel...what else have we got..?”
The next few hours flew past as they went over and over the data from every conceivable angle and apart from some blanks on the electoral roll that needed some more investigation they ended up no further forward other than theories... Eventually, Jack sent everyone home and then wrapped his arms around Ianto and buried his face in the Welshman’s hair, mumbling into his ear... “I’m sorry, Yan...sorry I shouted, sorry I shut you out...I can’t risk losing you...not again...”
“I’m not going anywhere, cariad...we’re timeless...”
“...and eternal...” Jack finished for him as he pulled back enough to crush their lips together, the feel of his partner in his arms warm and reassuring...it would be ok...they’d survived Hart’s bombs, Gray’s destruction and even the Master’s world domination...they’d get through this... He stopped thinking and concentrated on kissing the man in his arms into a quivering heap, digging deep to add a life force-laden golden glow that had Ianto seeing stars...
They broke apart, panting hard, Ianto’s tingling and boneless body unable to support him as he leant heavily on his Captain. Jack held him tightly. “I love you” he whispered, “like I’ve never loved anyone before...you make me complete and...whatever happens...you have to remember that...”
Ianto shivered. Something about Jack’s tone frightened him...this thing was far worse that he’d let on... He tipped Jack’s face up so he could look into his eyes, gasping at the intensity of tangled emotion in those blue grey depths – love, devotion, fear and sadness all reflecting back at him.
“Jack...let me in...please...surely we’re safe here...” sighing with relief when he felt the gentle pressure of his partner’s mind pressing against his own. He lowered his shields and their minds entwined happily, familiar and comforting, settling back into each other’s space... just here in the hub – and only when we’re together...promise me Ianto...promise me you’ll protect yourself...at all costs...
I promise...
They reached for each other simultaneously, crushing their mouths together, hard and passionately, pent-up emotions washing over them as hands raked urgently over clothing, ripping it aside to touch the warm flesh below...desperate to reassure themselves of the here and now...
Bed... the thought came as one and they pulled apart, linking hands as they headed to Jack’s bunker. As soon as their feet hit the floor they flung themselves into each other’s arms, Jack dipping his head to press feather-light kisses down the side of Ianto’s neck, pausing at the juncture of his neck and shoulder to suck the skin into his warm mouth, biting down softly...
He smiled as Ianto shuddered and felt the hot pulse of desire echo in both their minds. Jack trailed his fingers down Ianto’s back, settling on his perfect backside and pressing him in closer so he could feel Jack’s arousal straining against his trousers. Want raging through him, Ianto grabbed Jack’s head with both hands and brought their lips together, driving his tongue possessively into the older man’s mouth where they duelled, passions rising... They pulled apart, panting, as they forced much-needed oxygen back into their lungs.
Jack pushed Ianto back onto the bed “...come with me..?” he whispered, cupping his face and gazing deeply into the Welshman’s blue eyes, drowning himself in the love that blazed back at him...
“Always...” Ianto felt Jack’s mind reaching out towards his, linking, entwining their senses on an even deeper level...
“...let go, Ianto, follow my voice...that’s it...now reach out...feel it...”
Ianto gasped and closed his eyes as his mind soared to that plane of pure bliss, where senses flew with the angels and he felt Jack’s mind nestle totally within his own so every sensation was doubled.
Look at me...
Opening his eyes to meet his Captain’s, Ianto felt his heart sing at the love reflected in those blue grey windows to Jack’s soul. He gave himself up completely as their lips met in a soft and tender kiss that went on forever until he was trembling all over.
Pulling back enough to draw breath, Ianto flicked his tongue across Jack’s lips, feeling the other man’s desire mounting as he opened his mouth to allow Ianto’s tongue entry, where it explored hungrily. Ianto could feel Jack’s every shudder and unspoken moan as if it were his own, these sensations only serving to magnify his own heightened senses. Jack bit down on the Welshman’s bottom lip and his entire body quivered...
Growling hungrily with want, Ianto intensified their kiss and raked his hands roughly through Jack’s hair, sharing in the delicious shivers that ran thorough the older man.
“...clothes off, now..!” he ordered. Two pairs of hands grappled with buttons, belts and zips until they were both naked, arching their bodies together on the tiny cot. Pulling away from the knee-melting hot kisses Ianto peppered feather-light brushes of his lips down the side of Jack’s neck, feeling the shudders of desire that rolled through him and mirrored in Ianto’s own body. He paused to suck at the soft spot behind Jack’s ear, grazing the sensitive skin with his teeth and jumping as the sensations sent a red-hot bolt of want to both their groins.
They moaned in unison, their minds entwined like the fingers of their hands and their senses woven into each other like a tapestry – layer upon layer of shared consciousness and sensation... Ianto lapped at the hollow in Jack’s throat and he caught his breath as his body shuddered with raw desire, his heartbeat pounding wildly and his breathing ragged...
“God, Ianto...that feels so good...” he felt Jack’s warm and loving presence in his head as he turned his attention to Jack’s body, kissing his way down his chest to encircle a nipple with his tongue, teasing the nub of flesh, sending wild sparks of want raging through them. Jack’s mind pulsated with desire, his body arched against Ianto’s, lips parted and head thrown back. He moaned loudly as the other nipple received equal treatment, tangling his hands in the younger man’s hair, urging him on.
“...more...please...more” echoed wildly in their heads, pleasure soaring to new shared heights. Ianto continued his path downwards, relishing Jack’s every shudder and quiver as he kissed, nipped and licked every inch of skin and every sensation echoed in his own body.
He felt Jack’s gasp as a physical bolt as he took him into his mouth, sensations of bliss surpassing anything within earthly description. Jack mumbled Ianto’s name over and over, thoughts tumbling wildly as Ianto’s wicked mouth teased and sucked his sensitive flesh. He felt Jack’s breathing stutter as his body soared towards release, his own breath coming in trembling pants and gasps as he shared the bursts of hot lust that coincided with each of his cheek-hollowing movements. Knowing Jack was close to climax, he pulled back a little further before taking him deeper into his mouth, pausing when the hands tangled in his hair tugged sharply,
“...wait...not yet...kiss me...”
Sliding up the older man’s body, Ianto crushed his lips to his Captain’s, driving his tongue possessively into his mouth, moaning in unison at the shared hot fingers of desire. Jack wrapped one arm around the Welshman’s waist, shuddering deliciously as their hips ground together. With one swift movement, Jack rolled them over, finishing on top, sharing Ianto’s gasps as their hot skin pressed together and he thrust up against him...
Releasing his hold on Ianto’s waist, Jack buried one hand into his hair and slid the other one down his body, grasping him firmly with slow sensual strokes, sending his love and passion as the young man’s senses were overwhelmed and they soared together towards that ultimate pleasure, their kisses becoming more frantic as they devoured each other’s mouths.
Moving his hand from Ianto’s head and breaking into their wild tongue duelling , Jack pushed two fingers into his lover’s mouth, a low moan escaping as the younger man sucked on them hungrily, sending white hot tendrils of pleasure coursing through them both.
“...now, Jack...please...” Ianto begged, his body screaming out for Jack’s touch, panting and convulsing as he felt first one, then a second finger slide into him, hips bucking uncontrollably, every nerve ending responding to Jack’s touch. He felt the rise as he spiralled towards his release, and bit down hard on his bottom lip to delay, his breath coming in shuddering gasps...”Jack...oh, fuck..can’t...”
“...hold on, sweetheart...breathe for me...” Jack’s voice filled his mind, soothing, calming, slowing the pace until his control had returned, the frantic pounding of his heart slowing momentarily, before increasing as Jack pushed slowly into him, the sensations of hot, tight heat raging wildly through them both. Ianto clutched at Jack’s hair and pulled his face close, claiming his lips roughly, biting down and feeling the twin sensations of pleasure and pain collide with shuddering passion as Jack began to thrust, matching his pace to his hand strokes.
Ianto cried out against Jack’s mouth as the sensations raged through his body like bursts of fire on his heated skin, each new feeling taking him to a heightened plane that was like nothing ever before, exquisite pleasure that defied description, raw, electrifying and simply fucking amazing...
Jack thrust harder and faster as he felt their release building, spiralling towards that explosive climax, breaking away from their wild open mouthed kisses to whisper “...come for me, beautiful...” a hoarse cry echoing as they shuddered together in ecstasy and time slowed to a stop, preserving that perfect moment as they found themselves once again in Nirvana...
”...timeless and eternal” Jack sent as he pressed his lips softly against his Welshman’s. Ianto felt the indescribable joy and pure bliss, incredible serenity and clarity as their every heart beat was shared, every breath in perfect harmony...here was where the two became one... senses, breath and more...even deeper...it was within every living cell in his body...and it was perfect...time was transcended and they each lived forever here...
Ianto felt Jack’s hand entwine with his, their lips met tenderly and they were back in real-time, chests heaving, bodies trembling...
Jack stroked a lock of hair off Ianto’s sweat-soaked forehead. ”...you ok..?”
“..ugh...uh..!” Ianto gasped, unable to do anything but splutter
“...my love...my soul mate...my life...” Jack kissed him, pouring his feelings in gentle waves into the young man’s mind. He urged him under the covers, wrapping him into his arms as they closed their eyes, their minds and bodies entwined as one as they slipped into exhausted sleep.
Jack was subdued early the next morning as he handed out instructions to the team. It was a little after six am and no-one was feeling particularly lively but they’d shown up with a dogged determination to track down the source and dispense copious amounts of Torchwood justice... Jack was on edge... They noticed he barely let Ianto out of his sight, saying little, but keeping him within arms’ reach at all times... this meant Jack was worried...and if Jack was worried then the rest of them should be terrified... It was a chilling thought...
Jack set them to work matching resident photos to houses in that street – difficult at the best of times as students rarely filled in the electoral roll declarations so it meant trawling through reams of CCTV footage... Ianto kept them supplied with endless coffee in between intense discussions with Jack as they went through the data yet again, searching for some clue...anything that would give them an idea of what they were dealing with...
Watching them in Jack’s office, Gwen noted the way Jack’s hand trembled when he reached out to stroke his fingers softly down the side of the Welshman’s face...the fear that showed in his face in an unguarded moment and quite simply the complete un-Jack-like quiet when Ianto’d left the hub about an hour ago...her heart broke for them and she blinked away her tears impatiently, turning back to the screen and the endless tiny figures on the CCTV...
After three hours and way too much caffeine from the flasks Ianto had left, they’d managed to match most of the residents to houses. The street had twelve student houses with four or five students to each – no wonder landlords liked the student market – it was a huge money-spinner... There were three houses whose residents hadn’t been seen and these were marked as priority for visiting...Ted Llewellyn, 78, a widower who lived alone and two student homes...
Ianto had kept his word and was phoning every fifteen minutes, his shields resolutely in place and on full alert. Jack had cried that morning, holding him close like he never wanted to let him go, making love to him like it was the last time...each touch laden with a reverence and gentleness that was both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time...
Armed with clipboards, street plans and photos, the team prepared to return to Malvern Street, Jack dropping them at the edge of the red zone before heading off to meet Ianto at the house...they hadn’t told anyone else about their new home yet, saving the announcement until everything was finished and they’d moved in...
When he arrived Ianto was busy directing the wardrobes and the bed in one direction and the dining table and leather suite in another... He seemed in good spirits as he coordinated the various delivery men, glancing at his watch and digging his phone out of his pocket... Jack leant against the doorframe and watched him, the tender smile on his face morphing into a huge grin as his phone rang and the Welshman jumped, swinging round to meet the gaze of the man he adored...
“How’s it going?” Jack detached himself from the doorway and swept Ianto into his arms, kissing him hard.
“Almost done...” Ianto panted when he was eventually released. “I miss you though” he said wistfully, tapping his finger against his temple...”...mobile phones’re just not the same...”
“I know...me too...” he pressed a gentle kiss on his Welshman’s lips, resisting the urge to tell him that instead of the warm comforting presence of his partner’s mind he now had a cold dead space and a gnawing feeling of icy terror that swept through his head at regular intervals...
Fortunately Ianto was so keen to show him what furniture he’d chosen that he had no time to dwell on the perilous state they’d found themselves in and allowed himself to be dragged into the kitchen to see the gleaming state-of-the-art coffee machine and the simple but elegant crockery, the young man beaming as he showed off the blue and white striped mug he’d found to match the one Jack had at the hub and a white one with blue dots on for himself...
Next stop was the dining room with an elegant teak oval table and eight chairs, the silver and white stripe fabric of the seat pads duplicated in the floor length curtains... Jack nodded, smiling broadly as he squeezed Ianto’s hand and he was dragged into the living room, his mouth dropping open as he took in the huge TV screen on the wall, the twin Italian red leather three-seater sofas and two reclining chairs...
A gleaming teak coffee table and two matching cabinets stood either side of the fireplace, but it was the picture on the wall that grabbed his attention and he folded Ianto into his arms, tears springing into his eyes as he gazed at Tosh’s Hokusai painting of The Great Wave...
“How did you know..?” he whispered
“Tosh told me you bought it for her when she got her first flat...she left it to me...I think she always knew we’d end up with it together...” Ianto cupped his Captain’s face, brushing his thumbs gently over his cheeks before pulling him in closer for a sweet and tender kiss, both men simultaneously dropping their shields to merge their thoughts and feelings as they melted against each other...
The glorious kiss could’ve gone on forever, but for the embarrassed cough of the bed showroom delivery man who needed a signature before he could depart... “Sorry to interrupt, sirs, but you need to sign...” nodding his thanks and making a hasty exit...
Jack grinned at Ianto’s pink flushed cheeks, you’re gorgeous, d’ you know that? pressing their lips back together to carry on where they left off...only to be interrupted again by a ring on the doorbell...
Grinning ruefully, Ianto slipped out of Jack’s arms and entwined their fingers as he led them to the front door. Another delivery firm- this time the Northern Nights quilts, pillows and bedding; towels and the rest of the curtains in a mountain of packages around the petite blonde female driver. “Mr Jones? Sign here please – eight packages in total... Thank you” and she was gone again.
Ianto picked up the loading strap on the largest and dragged it inside as Jack grabbed one of the smaller ones without relinquishing his hold of the Welshman’s hand... They piled them up in the hall and Ianto led the way to the first of the bedrooms where two men were busily putting up wardrobes. They nodded and carried on working. Jack sniffed the air...they’ve got coffee? How come I don’t have coffee..?
Grinning, Ianto tugged on his hand and pulled him towards the next door. The guest bedrooms were furnished simply and elegantly, the emphasis on understated high quality... Jack was impressed... I really like what you’ve done... They moved on to the master bedroom where the bed dominated the room, the sight of it sending an immediate pulse of desire through Jack’s body as he imagined their first night here...though why wait...we could...
No Jack...there’s no on it bedding yet and we’ve still got workmen here...chuckling at the pout that replaced the big puppy dog eyes...How about tonight..?
Jack’s eyes lit up and he hauled the Welshman in for a steamy kiss that made his head spin...they could lose themselves here...forget for just a moment the threat that hung over them...the thought was empowering and they lost themselves in each other, the feel of warm bodies pressed against each other, hearts beating faster as the kiss deepened and desire grew, the sensations of soft and sensual lips and exploring tongue driving them to a plane not of this earth...it was heady and blissful and it was with regret that they pulled apart, gasping for air...
We need to get back to work, cariad...I love it here...just us...no alien threats, no world to save...no responsibilities...just you and me..but...
Jack’s arms tightened in response, the cold fear washing over him once more as their brief dalliance into Utopia slipped from his grasp and he landed with a crash back in the icy grip of reality...why don’t you stay here and finish unpacking everything...there’s still masses to do...his primary goal of protecting Ianto from the unidentified but deadly threat asserting itself once more...
He knew as soon as the thought was formed that it was a lost cause as the young man’s body tensed in his arms before he pushed back to grasp his Captain’s arms and glare into his eyes...
On no you don’t Jack! I won’t be locked away like a princess in her ivory tower...don’t you dare try and make me less of a man...we’ll face this thing together...find it, defeat it...whatever it takes...but we do it together...would you stop any of the others..? You know you wouldn’t...his tone softened as he felt the older man sag in his arms... I know you want to protect me, cariad, and believe me, I’m scared...but I need to do this...we...need to do this...yeah..?
He blinked away the tears that filled his eyes as Jack’s thoughts flooded his head, endless love and devotion mingled with a sadness that couldn’t be expressed by either of them, but was understood, Jack’s eyes glistening with matching tears... Their lips met tenderly, the kiss soft and laden with feeling as both reasserted their shields, barriers once again in place. They broke apart and hugged tightly, not needing to share their thoughts for each to know what the other was thinking at that precise moment.
Ianto went to speak to the workmen who would let themselves out once they’d finished, the lure of more coffee in the kitchen along with slabs of fudge cake an incentive to keep working! Glancing around at their new home that was taking shape, Ianto smiled to himself and grabbed the two travel mugs from the kitchen before joining Jack in the SUV...his own car would stay here for now...
He swung himself up into the car and handed Jack the mug, watching as the pain lifted from his Captain’s eyes briefly...”To us..!” he said, holding his mug out...
“To us..!” agreed Jack, a ghost of a smile crossing his face as they clunked their mugs together and drank deeply. Ianto settled back in his seat. “Right, let’s go get this bastard...we got a bed that needs christening later...”
Jack’s answering chuckle lightened the heavy weight of fear just a little, his heartfelt “I love you, Ianto Jones...” leaving him with a broad smile and a feeling that he could take on all the terrors of the universe as long as he had his Captain beside him...
A quick call to Lois pinpointed the team’s location at the far end of Malvern Street, having tea and a rather interesting conversation with Dyllis and Ifan Davies... Jack put his foot down as they sped through the battle scarred Estate, burned and blackened cars, boarded up windows, glass and other debris abandoned in the noticeably empty streets...a sense of fear had fallen like a blanket over the area now, replacing the raw anger of yesterday...
They drove past the still-smoking, burnt out shell of Gloria Bromley’s corner shop, the firefighters now doing their final damping down. Gloria had been one of several fatalities of the previous day’s riots...she’d been robbed, shot and left to burn in her ruined shop.
Ianto bit down hard on his bottom lip as he took in the saddening sights, glancing across at Jack to see his mouth set in a grim line. He took a deep breath in...this was going to be a tough day... Jack parked in the same bay as previously and they jumped down, sharing a resolute nod as they started down the street towards number 49 and the rest of the team.
In the shadows of the upstairs window the man’s face lit up with a triumphant smile as he watched them stride past...at last...both of them... He reached out his mind and forced his way past Ianto’s shields, exerting his superior mind strength to overpower the young man’s defences...
The look of terror on the Captain’s face as Ianto cried out Jack’s name and crumpled to the floor was nectar to his twisted mind...got you, eye candy...you’re mine now...
Chapter 31 http://zazajb.livejournal.com/19881.html
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