Title: Should I Stay Or Should I Go 1/?
Characters/Pairing: Jack, Ianto, Toshiko, Gwen, Owen, Doctor (10 & 11), Amy, Rory, quick mention of Rose Tyler, Donna Noble, Martha Jones, Sarah Jane Smith, Jackie Tyler, Mickey Smith; Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, Amy/Rory, possible Tosh/Owen
Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood. If I did, nobody would have to write these type of fics. The BBC claims it.
Warnings: the usual for me: slash, MPREG plus a side serving of character death (implied permanent, but not really).
Summary: Jack and Ianto delay plans with their families because something came through the Rift (no surprise there), but Ianto has an encounter that could change their history and turn the team into a shadow of itself.
Notes: This was written for the Non-Anniversary challenge at Long Live Ianto on LiveJournal. The prompt was by cjharknessgirl : #10 - Time Beetles fall through the Rift and attach themselves to Jack and Ianto because they're both immortal and have the Vortex running trough them (the choice of how Ianto became immortal is up to the author). The Beetles then show them everything that could've happened from Exit Wounds on if they had made one decision differently (this decision could be the way Ianto became immortal) and up to the moment in Thames House. And then if the author wants the Doctor could show up and rid them of the Beetles. I took a little liberty from the post - only Ianto gets the Time Beetle in this. I'm still working on it, but I wanted to have at least one chapter before tonight is over.
June, 2011
"Jack, stop pacing!" Ianto snapped from where he was in the kitchen.
Jack stopped his pacing, standing in place and turned his head toward the archway to the kitchen. "How do you?"
"I hear you," came the reply.
"I'm not certain this is a good idea," Jack stated. He ran a nervous hand through his hair as he went over to the couch and dropped in it. "She's not going to take it well."
Ianto appeared in the doorway, wiping his hands with a tea towel. "At least Alice knows about you. What worries me is when we tell Rhia. She knows nothing about you, except that I chose to live out with rest of my life with you." Ianto shrugged. "Of course, she has no idea just how long my life is going to be." He gave Jack a coy smile.
Jack held out his hand and crooked his finger. "C'mere, Harkness-Jones," he said.
Ianto placed the towel on a counter near the door in the kitchen and went into the living room. "What?" he asked.
Jack patted the place next to him on the couch. "Sit with me."
Ianto did as requested to find himself being enveloped in Jack's arm. Kissing the side of his head, Jack murmured, "I'm still so sorry about that, Ianto."
"It's not your fault, Jack. It's not like you made the decision that I should be immortal. It just happened," Ianto reminded Jack once again. "And since then, what happened? We moved in together. We got married. We decided we wanted a family." Ianto pulled away from Jack, but placed his hands on Jack's shoulders. Looking deep into his lover's eyes, he asked, "Would have have allowed yourself all that if I wasn't immortal? Or would you have continued to fight the fact that you had fallen in love with me?"
Jack had the grace to blush slightly. "Well, I'm sorry you have the same curse that I do, but I have to admit I'm not sorry I get to spend eternity with you."
Ianto moved his hands behind Jack's head and moved close his head until his lips were a hair's wide from Jack's lips. "You'll never be alone, Jack. I don't have to worry about dying on you. We have each other. That's not a curse to me." Ianto lightly kissed Jack, but pulled away before the older immortal man had a chance to deepen the kiss. He removed one of his hands from behind Jack's head and placed it on the other man's abdomen. "And now we're having a family. It doesn't get better than that." He grinned at Jack a moment before frowning slightly. "And I thought we dealt with my immortality years ago. And yet it keeps coming up still."
"I know. I guess my nerves are shot with telling Alice and your sister about the baby," Jack admitted.
"You think a little?" Ianto asked. He leaned over to softly kiss Jack. "And because of not knowing how Alice is going to handle having a little brother or sister, your insecurity is rearing its ugly head again. I get it, Jack. I have my moments too."
Jack gave Ianto a smile. "As always, thanks for understanding." He moved to kiss Ianto again, but was distracted by Ianto's mobile going off. He planned to make Ianto ignore the phone, knowing he had very persuasive methods, but he was distracted by his Vortex Manipulator going off. "Damn," he muttered. "Rift alert." He watched as Ianto took out his mobile.
Ianto checked the caller ID and answered. "Tosh? What do you have?" He listened for a bit and then looked over at Jack, who started to check his wriststrap. "Massive Rift spike in Barry," Ianto said. He went over to an end table and grabbed a piece of paper off a scratch pad and jotted down notes.
"I have the coordinates," Jack said and made a sound. "Wow, that's a big one. Tell Tosh to have the team meet us."
Ianto nodded. "Tosh, Jack said you, Owen and Gwen meet me at the coordinates." He ignored the look Jack gave him. He said his goodbye and hung up. As he placed the phone in his pocket, he looked back to Jack. "I'm going to meet the team. You are going to call Alice and tell her that we're going to be delayed." When he noticed the relieved, hopeful look on Jack's face, he knew immediately what went through his partner's head. "We will be there tonight. Just a little later than planned. And as long as you get to spend some time with Stephen, it doesn't matter if he has to go to sleep before we leave. We can set it up so you can take him to lunch during the week to make up time you could have spent with him." He smiled at Jack. "I have faith in Alice, Jack, so get that look off your face."
Jack let out a heavy sigh. "Fine. I'll call her, and then I'm going to the Hub and run communications."
Ianto moved closer to Jack, slipping his arms around the older man's waist and placed his lips against Jack's. They indulged in a short, but deep kiss. As they broke apart, Ianto rested his forehead against Jack's. "I'll try to make it as fast as possible without endangering anyone."
"I'll contact you through the comms when I get to the Hub," Jack said as he walked with Ianto to the door. He grabbed Ianto for another quick kiss. "Try to stay safe. I know you come back, but as you know it isn't easy until then."
"It doesn't seem to be something large," Ianto started and saw the look on Jack's face as the older man started to open his mouth. Ianto cut him off. "I know, it doesn't have to be large to be dangerous."
"That was a very large spike," Jack reminded Ianto.
"Understood. Big massive spike and little object. Hopefully not too small that would make it hard to fine. I'll meet you back at the Hub and then we can go to Alice's from there." Ianto pulled Jack to him for one more kiss. He rested his hand on the small swell of Jack's abdomen that was not yet noticeable while Jack was dressed. With a tender smile, Ianto looked down. "Don't make Daddy too sick, baban."
"Love you," Jack said as Ianto left the house.
"Love you too," Ianto replied as he looked back, and then he was down the path, heading toward the SUV that they had as a back up vehicle for times they were called out to the field from home.
OoOoOoO
"Nothing yet, Ianto," Owen's voice came through Ianto's comm unit.
Ianto sighed and looked over to Gwen, who looked up from her PDA. They had just went through a shop in hopes of finding what came through the Rift.
"I can't pinpoint it," Tosh's voice came through the comms from where she was on the other side of the alley with Owen.
"Jack," Ianto asked, switching his comm so they were all able to communicate as a team, "what are you getting?"
"Just Rift energy," Jack replied. He sounded thoroughly frustrated. "And it's on the move fast."
"How far from us is it now?" Gwen asked, shaking her PDA in vexation.
"In the area... I think," Jack said. "I'm still picking up the residual energy, but it's old. Nothing new. I'll send you the perimeter coordinates."
Ianto looked over Gwen's shoulder as she pulled up the information on her PDA. "Right," he started. "We split up and cover more ground and hopefully find whatever it is." He checked his watch and sighed. "Some of us had plans tonight."
"Still not too late, Ianto," Jack assured him, on the channel for only Ianto to hear.
"We'll do our best," Ianto replied on the same channel and then switching so all could hear him, he continued, "Tosh and Owen, work it out on which ways you'll go. I'll do the same with Gwen. I noticed we're near the center of the perimeter, so Gwen and I will stay on this side, while you both stay continue on your side."
"I suggest starting in the immediate area and then systematically branch out." Jack added.
"What Jack said," Ianto stated and waited for the others to acknowledge. Everyone seemed to agree, which surprised Ianto. He glanced over at Gwen. They all had their turns on speaking up on reservations, but if no one else had any problems with a plan, Gwen would always have something to say. Most times it was a good thing, double checking, giving a last thought before following through, or sometimes not, but there were times they could have done without.
"Everyone keep their comms open," he said, trying to ignore the nagging sense of dread. "Jack, track us please."
"Already have been," Jack said, referring to the new nanotechnology which provided visual from each of them, providing almost a 360 degree view, depending on the person who was doing the tracking. Tosh had developed it, along with Ianto, using the technology of the contact lenses Martha Jones had used when she infiltrated the Pharm. "I have everyone covered. So if I give coordinates, I want the rest of you to run like hell and be there as back up."
"Got it, Jack," Tosh said and they heard her and Owen starting to work out their game plan.
Gwen nodded. "Okay."
Again Ianto felt the feeling of something about to go wrong. "You're our eyes, Jack," he said and then conferred with Gwen, who allowed him to decide which directions they would go. He wished her well and headed off on his own.
While he went onto his next destination, he spoke to Jack on the private channel. "You know I'm going to be fine, Jack. Worry about the others."
"I know, Ianto. But it doesn't make it easier when something happens to you. I'm doing my best to make sure you're all okay. Is that alright with you, Ianto?"
"No," Ianto replied, understanding where Jack was coming from. He felt the same whenever Jack was injured or killed. "I'm sorry this is taking so long."
"I'm going to tell Alice we'll be around day after tomorrow. It's just not going to happen tonight. And no need to push talking to Rhiannon because of it."
"Jack," Ianto sighed. "Rhiannon may be my sister, but Alice is your daughter. And in a few months will no longer be your only child."
"She's a big girl, Ianto. She did fine without me in her life for all those years."
"And she's doing better having you in it," Ianto reminded him. "We agreed we'll talk to Alice first, and then Rhia. So you call Alice and set up for tomorrow, And when I'm done here, I'll call Rhia and have her come over the day after. And then when I get home tonight, I'll make it worth your while."
"Really? Anything?"
"Whatever you want."
"You drive a hard bargain, Ianto Harkness-Jones. That's why I'm glad you're my second."
Ianto smiled softly but said, "Right. Enough now. Work to do."
"Good luck, Ianto. The others haven't found anything yet."
Ianto remained silent, while listening to the others on the comm, only answering when someone asked him a question. He went through shops and inside buildings for a couple of blocks, also coming up empty. Jack had reported that the trail had stopped, with nothing new to follow. He was convinced it was somewhere within the parameters he was still getting readings from, although in some areas the reading were fading.
He found himself standing before a shop with a sign above hanging above him, declaring psychic readings inside. To Ianto's chagrin, the shopkeeper would not allow him to look around without her giving him a reading first. Jack suggested that he humour the shopkeeper, and let her give him a reading, that whatever he spent will be paid by the Torchwood account, and to keep his eyeball rolling to a minimum. Ianto quickly agreed, mostly because he had a strong feeling that whatever they were looking for was in there.
He allowed himself to be seated and accepted her offer of tea, putting it to the side, but having no intention of drinking it. The pungent, spicy and pleasing aroma wafted up his nostrils. It most likely was a good home blend of an old recipe, but Ianto decided he was not going to take chances while on the job.
She took his right hand and held it in her two hands to study it. After a minute, she ran a finger along the lines in the palm of his hand and looked up. Her dark brown eyes met his. Ianto started to feel uncomfortable with the gaze. Only Jack was allowed to look through his eyes to his soul, but he swore this psychic reader, this stranger, was now doing that and he was open for her to read.
"You appear young, but your soul is old," she stated in hushed tones. She broke the gaze and stared down at his palm. A finger went along his lifeline. "Your life has ended and yet you live." She looked up at him again. "Your lifeline stops and yet goes on...forever."
Ianto tried not to shift noticeably in his seat, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.
"What the hell?" Jack's voice came through his comm unit. "It's as if she could figure out that you're..."
"How did this happen?" she asked. Her eyes met his again. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed she moved the cup closer to him so he could once again inhale the aroma.
"What are you talking about?" Ianto asked in a level tone, not will to easily give away secrets.
"You died."
"Obviously not because I'm here alive," he replied with a snort.
A slow smile grew on her face. "You are the one I've been looking for."
"Excuse me?" Ianto asked. He was starting to feel sleepy.
"When did it happen?"
"When did what?" Ianto started to feel light-headed. He wanted to put his head down and close his eyes for minute.
"Get out of there, Ianto!" Jack insisted through the comm.
"It's here," Ianto said, his voice now slurred. "I know it is." He forced his eyes to lock on the reader's.
It was a mistake as he felt himself getting lost in her brown orbs. "It is," she grinned. She reached over to brush her fingers in his hair near the ear with the comm unit. With a yank, she pulled it away from him and dropped it on the floor at her feet. She stepped on it, rendering it useless. "You are a special one, Ianto Jones. That's why I'm here. For you."
"How do you know my name?"
"That's not important. What is important is that you are going to tell me about the first time you died."
"Obviously I didn't die," Ianto said, but it sounded flat to him.
She leaned across the table and lifted the cup to Ianto's lips. "You look parched. This should make you feel better."
Before Ianto knew what was happening, he found himself drinking the tea.
"Now, Ianto Jones, tell me about the first time you died."
He was in the warehouse where they had found the space whale. After a struggle with the ringleader who was selling meat from the alien, Ianto found himself on on the floor. He almost had overpowered Dale, but it wasn't enough. He was currently staring up into the barrel of gun. Jack was trapped on the other side of the warehouse, split up by the alien whale that was in pain. Rhys was on the floor behind Jack, bleeding with Gwen doing what she could to help him. She was yelling to Jack to help her. Jack was frozen in his place. Ianto stared past the gun up to the man holding it.
"You should have stayed away," Dale said. "Now die!" and he pulled the trigger.
Ianto heard Jack's scream of "NO!" and then he felt the pain in his chest. He heard the gun's rapport only as an after fact as he fell backward to the floor, loosing blood. He was barely aware of another gun going off. Dale's footsteps stopped suddenly, followed by a thud. Ianto assumed Jack took care of Dale.
Too bad it was too late.
Jack was yelling, screaming in denial as Ianto felt his life slip from him. He managed to move his head, look at Jack, both of them divided by the space whale. Jack reached his arms out helplessly.
"Don't leave me, Ianto!" he cried out.
"S-sorry, Jack. I...I'm...sorry," he gasped. He felt the darkness start to envelope him.
"Ianto! Don't... please! I love you. Don't leave me!" Jack started to scramble around like crazy, trying to find a way over to Ianto.
"J-jack... I-I lo-" Ianto could not fight it any longer and succumbed to the darkness, believing it was it for him.
Ianto looked at the woman, seeing the smile on her face.
"First death," she said. "And then what?"
One moment there was nothing but darkness, pitch black and free floating, the next his eyes were suddenly snapping open. His body shuddered as he took his first breath. His lungs felt like they were on fire, the feeling going to his veins and through his body. He managed a curse, remembering what Jack had said about coming back to life feeling like being run over glass.
Wait, Ianto thought, his eyes opening more and his arms reaching out, fingers digging into the nearest thing available. Coming back to life? Well shit! Of all the STDs...
He heard something like a frightened squawk and then a cry. He realized he was being cradled by a weeping Jack when he, Ianto Jones, decided to make his comeback. It was Jack's flesh that his fingers were digging into. He doubted Jack noticed or if he did, cared because suddenly he was being hugged tighter with Jack kissing his face.
"Ianto! Oh my God! You're back! Oh God, you're back!" Jack continued to cry until his lips found Ianto's and then he finally fell silent.
And that was when they discovered that Ianto Jones was also immortal. No one died that day, not even Rhys, who Owen patched up. Then they sent Gwen and Rhys home. Jack was so happy to have another chance with Ianto after thinking he lost him, he did not think of needing to Retcon Rhys. That would be a decision to be made between Jack and Ianto. Ianto decided to convince Jack to let Rhys be. It would be good for Gwen to be able to talk and not keep secrets from Rhys. If it didn't work out, then Ianto would be having lagers in a pub with Rhys. And maybe even Gwen, depending on the situation.
The most important think on their minds were how? How was Ianto immortal? What had happened?