Title: Fires Within 1/7

Series: DragonLord
Characters/Pairing: Jack, Ianto, Toshiko, Gwen, Owen; Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Owen, Gwen/Rhys, Tosh/Mary
Word Count(this part): 3119
Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood. If I did, nobody would have to write these type of fics. The BBC and He Who Does Not Know How To Treat His Characters claims it as theirs. I'm just borrowing them to keep dreams alive.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Torchwood S1, especially "Greeks Bearing Gifts"
Summary: Ianto is trying to come to terms with his dragon nature. A revision of "Greeks Bearing Gifts" in the DragonLord verse. Sequel to "Fires That Burn".

Beta by:

Notes: I am not going to cover the entire episode, unless something different happens in the story. Most of this story is a behind the scenes with Ianto and Jack as Ianto discovers more of his dragon nature.

This also covers the Long Live Ianto bingo prompt, "Psychic Links".

Additional note: In "Fires That Burn" Ianto's race was referred to as "dragonkind". Since I wrote that story, I decided if I was going to continue it, they would be DragonLords, however dragonkind can also be used as a generic term to were-dragons. Some of the concepts behind the DragonLords are from "The Last DragonLord" by Joanne Bertin.

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bFires Within Chapter One/b

It had been a week since the members of Torchwood Three had encountered the cannibals in the Brecon Beacons. The team was still recovering from their ordeal. Captain Jack Harkness, leader of Torchwood Three, knew it was more than just the encounter with the cannibals that shook most of the members of his team. Suddenly discovering one of their own was actually an alien with the ability to change into a dragon was disturbing to some members.

Gwen Cooper did not seem to be handling the knowledge very well. She approached with caution whenever the other was around. Ianto Jones at times seemed shell shocked whenever he thought no one was looking. Jack figured that Gwen just had to accept it and get on with their job. Ianto, however, was not so easy. Ianto had more to lose than Gwen if he did not get comfortable with the truth soon, because Ianto Jones was a DragonLord.

Toshiko Sato and Owen Harper, Torchwood's medic and technological genius respectively, seemed to take it in stride, and treated Ianto no different than before. Owen still traded barbs with Ianto, only adding quips about deadly halitosis and Golden Boy. If there were any changes in how Toshiko related to Ianto from before, Ianto could not notice it. She did offer her services to Ianto that if Jack was able to find more recordings taken from the ship to translate them. She was currently running a new translation program in hopes to completely translate the diaries that Jack had held onto that Ianto's mother had given him. Jack was able to translate parts of it, which Toshiko used for the program as a starting point.

Jack was nothing but supportive. He did his best to assure Ianto he was still the same man he was before they left for the countryside, only he was more. He did his best to answer any questions Ianto might have about his native race, and spent many hours between Rift alerts translating as much as he did.

Currently Jack was down in the Archives with Ianto in another attempt to find anything still in Torchwood's possession from the ship that crashed with Ianto's family aboard.

"Ianto!" Jack bellowed from several aisles away from where Ianto stood, going through microfilm. "I think we still have the ship."

Ianto turned in the direction of the voice, to see Jack enter the section he was in, holding onto a

folder.

They were in a section of the Archives that Ianto had rarely been in before, looking through the logs back from the early 80's.

Jack came to a stop before Ianto and handed him the folder. "I know they had stripped the ship and placed the parts in storage, but I was sent overseas for a few years, tracking an operation in the States. When I returned, the storage unit with the ship was emptied, there was a new staff and no one knew what happened. I figured it was either destroyed or sent to London," Jack explained.

Ianto glanced through the file. "Some of the locations are on site," he stated. "Tech they could not make out what it does, ship logs they were unable to translate. Most of it is in the miscellaneous section."

"At least we have location numbers," Jack said. "They're yours to peruse as you want. Depending on the Rift, we can head out to the storage facility in Newport tomorrow or the day after."

Ianto checked his watch and noted the time. "It's almost quitting time," he said, understanding why they were not going that day.

Jack nodded. "You can start going through the locations here tonight, for starters." He gazed at Ianto. "After dinner and some more exercises."

"Jack, I appreciate all you're doing for me, but it worries me that we seem to be strengthening the bond with our exercises."

"The stronger the bond, the more I'll be able to keep you grounded so you can control your Changes," Jack stated, resting his hip on the desk they stood by. "And Ianto, you need to Change again soon. It's been a week now."

"I will," Ianto said, looking down. "Once I figure out how," he added, almost as an afterthought.

"There should be more information to help you now that we know where to look." Jack rested a hand on Ianto's shoulder. "It's been a long day, and I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

"I can call in an order," Ianto started.

Jack shook his head. "I'm tired of takeaway. We've been having it for the last four days. I'm taking you out. Then we can come back here, do some exercises and then go through the locations until we either get called out on an alert or we decide to go to bed."

Ianto sighed. "Well, now that you mention it, I wouldn't mind some Italian that isn't pizza."

Jack grinned. "See? That's what I'm thinking too." He stood up and took Ianto by his hand. "We'll lock up what we found tonight with the others. Of course, it would make reading better once Tosh finishes the translation program for it."

"She said she's almost done with it, using the samples you had translated."

Jack snorted as they headed out of the deeper levels of the Archives. "You don't want to know how long it took me to do what I had. I remembered only a little of their language. We used translators when I was there." He shrugged. "Your mother and grandfather thankfully spoke a dialect of Standard Galactic so I was able to communicate with them."

It wasn't the first time Jack had mentioned it over the week since Ianto had unexpectantly found himself turning into a dragon, and making a barbeque out of the cannibals who tried to turn the Torchwood team into dinner.

"I understand, Jack. Really. I don't expect you to know it all, and I really appreciate all you're doing to shed some light on this." He took a deep breath, turning his head to gaze at Jack. "Are we okay?" he asked.

Jack looked confused.

"This bond thing."

Jack shook his head fondly and took Ianto's hand in his. "Of course we are. Unless you're feeling

trapped. I mean, just because we have this bond between us, doesn't mean we have to be more than friends. If that's what you want, that is."

"What about you?" Ianto asked.

"I'm thinking the bond is only enhancing what we developed during the month you were suspended."

Ianto nodded. "I guess, but I'm still concerned that it had something to do with….."

"Don't go there, Ianto," Jack said. "That's in the past. I forgave you because once I calmed down I knew where you were coming from. Everyone should have someone in their lives that you would give the world for. Lisa was your someone."

Ianto glanced down, watching the play of light and shadows on his shoes. After taking a few steps, he glanced back at Jack. "Did you have a someone?"

Jack snorted. "More than one." He shrugged. "I guess I used to be fickle."

Ianto eyed him. "Right," he said. While they never really broached the subject, Jack had reason to suspect that Ianto knew he had been with Torchwood since 1899, and considering he didn't look over 40, there was something not exactly normal at play there. They came to the stairs that led up from the inner depths of the Archives as Ianto felt Jack's gaze.

Before he had a chance to question, he felt Jack grab onto his arm and turn him around. "We still need to talk. A lot of talking. But I'm not good at it."

Ianto could not help snorting. "Not good at talking? Seriously?" Ianto asked. He started up the stairs.

"I know I can talk a fast story, but I'm better at not really saying anything while I'm talking," Jack

admitted. "But I do with you. A little anyway. Saying something, that is."

They both stopped and stared at each other. Ianto came to a quick decision. "How do you feel about pasta for dinner?"

"With garlic bread?" Jack asked.

"I'll see what I can do," Ianto replied with a smile.

"Are you sure you want to cook? I'm all for going out for dinner."

Ianto shrugged. "I'd rather be home," he replied. "Actually I prefer to stay here but I know you're not letting that happen."

Jack sighed as he grabbed Ianto by the hand to stop him. "I told you, unless something triggers your dragon nature to emerge, you will not spontaneously Change like the first time. Your situation was critical and I believe it was a combination of anger and fear, along with a strong sense of self-preservation that triggered it. Technically, you're still too young to Change."

"So that's why I didn't at Canary Wharf?" Ianto asked.

"That or as scared that you were, you weren't angry enough, or subconsciously you never felt your life threatened."

Ianto seemed to consider it before looking Jack in his eyes. "I wasn't thinking about myself then," he admitted, "and not getting her out was not an option." He started to look down but Jack stopped him with a squeeze of his hand.

"That explains it. I'm glad because it might have been worse if you were triggered then." Jack shuddered. "And we are at the place where we can talk about Lisa with no hard feelings. Yes?"

"I'm trying," Ianto stated, looking Jack in the eye again.

Jack smiled at Ianto. "I know. You can look me in the eye when you talk about it." He leaned over to lightly kiss Ianto's lips. "We're okay, Ianto."

"I know. Now I still prefer to be home instead of in a restaurant, even with your reassurances. So, pasta and garlic bread? We can stop off on the way home to pick up some fresh bread."

"And fresh pasta," Jack added hopefully.

Ianto managed a smile. "As long as we don't eat out. I can do a quick in and out in picking up what I need to make dinner."

When they reached the Hub proper, Jack grinned at Ianto. "Go on and get a head start. I'll send

the others home for the night and shutdown. I won't be too far behind you."

Ianto nodded. "Okay, but if anything changes, give me a call. Especially if you need help."

"Got it."

Jack watched as Ianto headed across the Hub toward the cogwheel door. He frowned when Gwen was on the walkway and had to pass Ianto. She tried to school her features into neutral, but Jack still caught the fear and something else as she tried to pull as far from him as possible without falling over and into the basin below. If Ianto noticed, which he most likely did, he showed no sign of it as he continued on his way, calling out good night to Toshiko and Owen.

Gwen saw Jack and started to go in his direction. Before she had a chance to approach him, he called out, "Gwen, go home." He took his attention off her and looked in Toshiko's direction. "Tosh, Owen, you too. If I need you back, I'll call."

"I was hoping to speak to you, Jack," Gwen started, finally coming to a stop before Jack.

"If it's about Ianto, forget it, Gwen."

"But he's a dragon, Jack! An alien! Why do you keep him around?"

"Because he's part of the team," Jack remarked, getting annoyed. "Because we need him around. And because I say so. It should be enough."

"You should be thinking about if he goes dragon on us, and hurts one of us," Gwen stated.

"It won't happen, Gwen. And I already told everyone that his race is a peaceful one. So enough on this bull." He sighed at stared at Gwen. "You know I would never do anything intentional that would harm any of you. This job is bad enough and I know it's dangerous, but I still do my best to keep everyone safe. That includes you, Gwen, and it also includes Ianto."

"Did you stop and think about what it would mean to the team once Ianto learns how to Change and control his, well, his dragon-ness?" Owen asked, coming over to join the conversation.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "I should hope there isn't a dragoness in Ianto's life," he quipped.

"You know what I mean, Jack," Owen said.

Jack stared at Owen, knowing Gwen was staring at him. "Like do you mean would Ianto be stupid enough to Change down here in the Hub?" he asked the medic. "Or while in the field, he Changes because his dragon self is harder to injure and could possibly save one or more of us and still come out of it relatively uninjured? Is that what you mean?"

He heard Gwen snort, and turned to glare at her.

"Jack, I'm only thinking about Ianto," Owen stated. "Particularly because of the events that caused his first change. And damned if I know anything about doctoring a dragon," he added in frustration.

Jack looked back to Owen and nodded. "Once we get to transcribing more files we have from the crash site, I'm sure there should be some medical notes for you to reference."

"And this is based on?" Owen asked.

Jack shrugged. "Most ships maintained medical records on crew and passengers among other files. If nothing else, Ianto's mother was pregnant, so there has to be something on her."

"Wonderful, so should Ianto gets himself up the duff, I would know what to do. Lovely, Jack."

"Well," Jack started as Gwen giggled from next to him. He shrugged. "I'm sure there's more than just her pregnancy on file. For one thing, I'm sure there are records of vitals and what should be normal for his race."

"I hope you're right, Jack."

"Look, for the most part when Ianto is in his human form, there should not be much difference from other humans, which is why I felt it safe to leave him to be raised by a human family. However once he starts Changing more often, from what I know, he'll get tougher. Like his dragon self, he'll be harder to injure and quicker to heal, only not as much as in his dragon form."

"Which leads me back to my first concern," Owen said. "No, I don't believe Ianto would be stupid enough to stuff himself in a small space. Not intentionally, but being as he has not yet been able to trigger another and his first one was uncontrolled, then who's to say it won't happen again like that, which could be anywhere."

Jack shrugged again. "His ability to Change is tied into his emotions. I doubt he'd be pushed into the state he was in that triggered his Change. I explained that to him too, or else he'd be camping out down in the firing range."

Jack decided to keep his struggles he had each night for the past week getting Ianto down to his bunk, and there were a few nights when they spent the night on a makeshift bed in the firing range.

"What about his mental condition?" Owen asked. "Is he dealing with what happened that night?"

"Why don't you ask Ianto?" Jack replied. "Without an audience please. However, if you're asking for my opinion, then I'll say that he seems to be more distracted with finding out who he really is than what was done that day."

"Fine. I'll ask him tomorrow," Owen conceded. "If I can get him to talk. He gets tight-lipped about it when I ask."

"Have you asked him when others aren't around?" Jack asked as his eyes shifted to Gwen, showing that he did not forget she was still there.

"Well no, but that's only because I can't get Ianto alone," Owen answered.

"So try harder. I'll tell Ianto he better not run. If he still does, I'll keep him around for you. Deal?"

"Deal," Owen answered. "He needs an exam too."

"I know. I'm working on him with that," Jack said. "Now did I say everyone should get out and go home?" Jack looked beyond Owen to Toshiko who was still furiously typing away on her computer. "That includes you too, Tosh. Out!"

"I thought you wanted that list for UNIT?" Toshiko called out, still typing.

"Yes, but during normal working hours. Now scat everyone. Take advantage of an early night while we have one."

"Can I check the Daikaran translation program first?" Toshiko asked.

Gwen realised she no longer had Jack's attention, and not likely to be sympathetic to her concerns and huffed away to her workstation.

"Quickly," Jack allowed her. "Five minutes and out. I'll check it through the night."

Toshiko finally turned to face Jack as Owen started for his workstation and prepared to leave. "You will call me if there is anything wrong?" she asked Jack.

"Of course. I want this to be done as fast as possible. This is important for Ianto," Jack replied.

"Which makes it important for us," Toshiko said with conviction. "He is part of our team."

Owen nodded in agreement, and Gwen slammed a drawer on her desk but said nothing. She didn't have to because Jack knew what she was thinking by the look on her face.

He watched as Gwen stormed over to the cogwheel door, thinking she was going to leave. The annoyed woman stopped and waited impatiently while Owen and Tosh got ready to leave.

Jack watched as they left, and once the cogwheel door closed behind them he went into his office and pulled up the CCTV camera by the tourist information office and watched as the three came through the door. Gwen and Owen said goodnight to Toshiko, then they watched as the Japanese woman made her way along the boardwalk in the direction of her flat on Windsor Esplanade before they made their way up the stairs and toward the carpark for Mermaid Quay. He changed the cameras to watch as they stopped and talked before getting into their own cars. Owen left the carpark and Gwen followed. Jack continued to follow the two cars as they made their way to Owen's flat. He watched as they both entered the building, Gwen giggling and laughing and basically acting like a schoolgirl.

He shut down his computer and took out his mobile to send Ianto a text, "You're right." He put away the mobile and shutdown his computer. After a quick check at Toshiko's station, he put on his coat and left the Hub to meet Ianto.

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