Love and Paradox
Art by idontlikegravy (LJ | e-mail | comment)
Chapter One: Old Friends and Foes
Ianto's heart was beating so fast he was sure it would leap from his chest. He ran into Jack's office making Jack jump from his chair at the sight of the flustered, out of breath, Ianto.
"Hey, take a breath. Take it easy." By now he was in front of Ianto his hands resting gently on his shoulders.
"Bilis Manger!" Ianto looked into Jack's blue eyes and watched the darkness come down, watched the mix of fear and hatred cloud them. "He just, appeared, on the CCTV outside the Hub!"
"What?" Jack snapped.
"At three in the morning, Jack, but nothing since. Mickey's double checking now. Just thirty seconds staring into the invisible lift camera, smiling." Ianto babbled.
"He is announcing his presence, throwing down the gauntlet..." Mused Jack, to himself; seeing this Ianto felt a lump in his throat as Jack retreated further away from him.
"That's what I thought." Agreed Ianto, stepping even closer to him; but Jack dropped his hands from Ianto's shoulders and Ianto immediately missed them. He watched Jack grab his coat and go down to Mickey. He leaned over Mickey's chair in way Ianto knew would make the younger man uncomfortable. In spite of his own fears, Ianto couldn't help but smile. He had his suspicions about Mickey. Some comments he made, and his 'straight' posturing just seemed a bit of an act. Not that Ianto was interested, he had his hands full with Jack and wouldn't have it any other way. He was just interested to observe someone go through the same journey he had.
"Everyone, conference room, now!" Bellowed Jack.
Ianto glanced at the closing door and a confused Gwen munching on a cereal bar. Ianto mouthed Bilis Manger to her. She dropped the bar in shock and raced to join them, not even removing her coat. Martha sat to the left of Jack, Gwen to his right and Mickey sat next to Martha.
"So who is this Bilis guy then?" Mickey asked.
"He almost ended the world a couple of years back and Jack was dead for four days the longest he has ever, well stayed dead." Gwen looked down biting her lip. Ianto was pleased he sat next to her, so she couldn't see his face. He still wished he'd had her faith but he had buried himself in the all too familiar grief. When Jack had kissed him straight from the morgue he had promised himself he would believe in Jack whatever happened and that had been tested almost immediately.
"Ianto?" He came to and looked at Jack feeling a little foolish.
"Sorry Sir?"
"Can you fill in Martha and Mickey on what we know about Manger?"
"Not much. He ran a clock shop and can spontaneously time travel; though there was a theory that he used the power of the Rift, which is why he based himself here. He appears human but we have had no chance for a close examination and although we know that we are not the only sentient creatures on this planet there have been no legends, mythologies of anyone like Manger. Therefore he is either a freak of nature or an alien."
"His worship of Abaddon is very human!" Muttered Jack.
"I'm sure misplaced faith is not just limited to the human race." Gwen replied softly.
"True. Right our main objective is to locate Manger ASAP. Mickey keep sifting through the CCTV to see if we get any more. Martha, you can review all previous intel we have with a fresh eye, and then call your contact at UNIT to see if they have anything on him? Gwen, Ianto go to the shop see if there is any activity but check first for any rift peeks in the vicinity over the last couple of years. And I've to make a visit."
"Who Jack?" Ianto had his suspicions that a certain 'under age' tarot reader might be involved and that was never good for jack's mood..
"Just keep the faith Ianto!" Ianto raised his eyebrow at that. It was as if Jack had picked up on his earlier thoughts.
He had been graded basic latent, by Lisa in fact, when he had joined Torchwood One. He actually had been rather disappointed. He'd thought he had at least a strong empathy. But it was not long before he began to realise what happened if you were found to be more than 'normal': you disappeared and there were rumours. Yvonne Hartman was, apparently, obsessed with finding alien genome in humans and then cutting it out. She was convinced telepathy was a sign of this. Ianto often wondered about this; he'd asked Lisa but she'd changed the subject. But this was a woman who hated the use of Retcon. She'd kicked against the darker side of Torchwood at every opportunity. Ianto had often been afraid for her. The question was: had she marked his score down to save him?
The shop was untouched, but not dusty. Gwen stood with her back to the wall facing the door. Ianto was a little braver and took a good look around.
"It is as if we closed it up yesterday not more than two years ago. No dust, even the air seems the same." Ianto mused.
"And nothing on the Rift monitor." Gwen mumbled.
"We couldn't detect his movement before. He might leach off the Rift but he moves independently of it." Ianto Pointed out, keeping logical kept him calm and he could ignore the sickness brewing in his stomach.
"Can we go? This place, it makes me feel sick, this is where he showed me Rhys, you know..." Gwen's voice was shaky, as shaky as he was now feeling.
"Sorry. Come on let's go." Ianto carefully locked up and gave Gwen a hug outside. He normally wouldn't so familiar during office hours, even with Jack, but she looked like she needed it. He had had trouble feeding the Weevils for months, after his own vision in the cells, so he did understand; all too well.
Ianto looked up over Gwen's shoulder. Just as he was going to suggest going back to the Hub, there he was. The same clothes, the same smug smile, the same reptilian eyes.
"Don't move." He whispered. Gwen stiffened and Ianto swore he could feel her own undeniable empathic abilities reaching out.
"Oh god, it's Bilis..." she whispered back. Slowly he released Gwen and moved slowly towards him.
"Bilis, you have our attention!" The strange little man just smiled a smile that would freeze hell and then he vanished. Gwen turned just in time to see him go. Ianto was sure she was shaking as much as him.
Jack went crazy when they told him. His eyes had a wild look as he ordered Mickey to scout the area - with himself. Ianto was afraid, for Jack; because last time they dealt with Bilis, he almost lost him. Gwen squeezed Ianto's shoulder and went to call Rhys. Martha approached him and tipped his face up.
"Ianto from what I know about Manger he targets the people you love."
"I know and Jack nearly didn't come back..."
"He told me. He also told me he didn't want to live at that moment, he was happy to go permanently, but now he isn't. That's because of you Ianto Jones!" He tried to smile at her through the tears now tumbling unchecked and then it was his turn to be hugged and comforted by a colleague, friend.
For the second time that day Ianto was out of breath. He had run through the arcade upsetting the shoppers as they pushed through to a prone Jack and a panicked Mickey.
"He came out of nowhere. We didn't stand a chance. Jack should have of come back by now!" Stuttered Mickey, when on cue Jack took a sharp intake of breath; he grasped Ianto's shirt, who was by now kneeling down by him.
"Jack you have blood all over me!" Ianto said with mock indignation and Jack smiled.
"Ianto..."
"It's OK I'm here." He answered softly.
"Ianto, look out." Mickey's shout caused him to turn as a determined Bilis raced at him, Jack's blood still dripping off his knife. He heard a shot behind him and then a blinding flash of white light blotted out the arcade in front and a tall female figure emerged, almost in slow motion, touched something on her wrist and Bilis went down screaming.
"I missed I'm sure I....who?" Mickey gabbled as he stared along with everyone else at the tall blond woman in a long leather coat, knee high boots and a tight black jump suit not seen since the last Matrix convention.
"Thank you. And who might you be?" Ianto struggled to his feet with Jack who leaned on him a little heavily . Ianto could feel the smile spread across Jack's face.
"Veronica! Well you always had to make an entrance!"
Bilis, surprisingly not dead, was unconscious in an containment field, in a cell.
Veronica sat in the middle of the Hub; Jack perched on Gwen's desk, Gwen in her chair, Ianto half hidden behind Jack. He knew who she was; who she was to Jack;
Since they had gotten together, properly, they had spent several nights being 'honest',which had involved Jack listing all those he had loved, surprisingly not that many, and Veronica had been second on that list; the worst thing was how they ended, in betrayal...Perhaps Jack just wanted to forgive her, love her again or maybe he just wanted answers. And of course she had just saved his own life. Mickey was sitting at his desk chair swivelled round and Martha leaned against Jack's office door, watching.
"Oh goody, an audience!" Her accent was plummy, English, her eyes cat green and hair a dark natural blond. Veronica had high cheek bones and a pursed mouth that looked as though it would break out into a mocking laugh at any moment. There was something else behind the eyes something ....for a second Ianto could see time, space, dreams of other worlds...
"I knew human telepathic abilities started to show around this time but you're much stronger than I thought you would be!"
Veronica was staring right at him, a smile dancing on her lips but there was no telling if it was to be an honest smile; this women had a whole armoury of smiles designed to slay all. Just like Jack. "Well, Jack, we need to talk in private" Gwen bristled and Veronica smiled a calculating smile (number103 maybe)?
"Spoilers, sweetie, spoilers!" And Veronica actually winked at Gwen!
Without a word Jack got up and ushered her into his office. Ianto was thinking how she paused on the name Jack, he knew it wasn't his real name, they all did, but that meant she knew his real name. She had known the real Jack Harkness; Captain or not.
"Who is she Ianto and why did she think you're a telepath?" Gwen stood in front of him. She looked more afraid than she had than when they has seen Bilis.
"Jack worked with her, for her at the Time Agency. They were lovers."
"Like Captain John?"
"Same place, same occupation but she was the one who stole his memories. He is probably forgiving her this second; his redemption through forgiveness."
"His memories?"
"The reason he left the Time Agency, they robbed him of two years of his life." Gwen glanced through the office window; Veronica was standing so they couldn't see Jack.
"I don't like this Ianto; I don't like this at all."
They made love. It was nearly two am and Ianto was shattered, they both were, but somehow this connection was needed. Ianto was beneath Jack, legs slung over his shoulders as Jack moved steadily inside him. They gazed into each others eyes. They were too tired for games and experiments. This may be 'vanilla', but he needed this, Jack needed this. They needed this; he had almost died today. The tears came. He didn't mean to; it just hit him that this may not have been, but for Veronica...
"Sssh, oh baby!" Jack came not as loudly as usual, they kissed; Ianto followed through and clung onto Jack as he rode the wave. He finished and lay warm and splendid as Jack gently kissed his tears away. No one saw Jack like this; soft and sad and loving, except him. Ianto cherished this private thing.
"I love you so much Ianto Jones. I don't tell you enough." Whispered Jack.
"You don't, in words at least. I do know, honestly I do, but today was so close and Bilis Manger of all people..."
"I know, hush, he is out of harms way." Jack kissed him gently on the lips.
"Veronica saved me." Ianto muttered into Jack's mouth.
"She did and for that I'll always be grateful but it is you I love." Jack looked deeply into Ianto's eyes .
"I know." Ianto whispered.
"Do you? I did love her then hated her; but well I've lived far too long to carry that on my shoulders. I trust why she is here but I'm not sure I trust her. The Agency is gone but she was very much part of its ethos."
"Which was?" Squinted Ianto wanting to see Jack's eyes but they were too close, forehead to forehead
"Protect the timeline above all else..." Sighed Jack.
"That's bad?"
"It depends what it makes you do." Jack shifted off Ianto and slumped down beside him.
"Why is she here?" Ianto asked gently leaning up on one arm and reaching for and then clasping Jack's hand with his.
"Twenty-first century is when everything changes..."
"You're catchphrase!" Laughed Ianto, squeezing Jack's hand.
"And true!" Jack grinned and squeezed Ianto's hand back. "Now go to sleep, I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?"
"Promise." Ianto drifted off into an uneasy sleep. And more strange dreams came; even darker, harder than before and he awoke in a sweat to Jack gently talking him down into a blessed dreamless slumber.
Ianto felt rested and happy in spite of his confusing dreams. Last night was the first time Jack had actually said 'I love you'. He had shown him, said it, almost, so many times; but Ianto understood how hard it was for him, as an immortal. Ianto also understood why he said it now.
Veronica stalked into the Hub, having slept in Martha's spare room. She wore a green skirt that Ianto was pretty sure was one of Martha's with a worn, faded, black, Iron Maiden shirt, he was sure was Tom's. The long leather coat remained. Ianto wondered if slipping from time to time gave you a strange coat fetish! Veronica smiled at him; her hair was still slicked back, though this time in a painfully tight plait.
"Ianto, can I have a word?" Ianto looked nervously at Jack who shrugged his shoulders and wondered toward his office. He put his professional face on and went to speak to his boyfriend's ex.
They stood in the hot house, Ianto kept it ticking over, though not with the love Owen had lavished on it. He stroked a leaf of some alien herb and was aware of her staring. Then he could see them; her and Jack and John in a room. The room was very white they all wore fairly, normal clothes though John's were really bright. Jack beamed and flirted with both. Veronica had her hair in an elaborate up do and wore a tight, blue, full length dress. Jack was in a half undone white shirt and very tight trousers. Ianto smiled at this sight; then started when he realised Veronica was standing in front of him, inches away.
"You are so special! I can see why he loves you, contrary to what you may think he doesn't love easily; even before he couldn't stay dead!" Veronica gave him a slow, genuine smile.
"Why don't you say immortal?" Ianto was truly curious.
"He's not. He just can't stay dead!." Veronica bit her lip and stepped closer to Ianto.
"Why did you betray him?" Ianto held his breath.
"It's complicated." Her lips formed a tight line.
"Isn't it always?"
"He crossed his own time line, twice!"
"Surely he wouldn't be that careless? He has done really extreme things to avoid that." Ianto was almost shouting. Jack had been buried alive for nearly two thousand years but still volunteered to be frozen for another hundred simply to keep his time line intact.
"It was meant to happen, Ianto, as was this, his prolonged life; I wasn't told why but..."
"It was meant?" The Time Agency knew, Veronica Knew?
"He's all over the histories, the timeline and he does play a vital role in what's to come which is why I'm here." There was a note of pleading in Veronica's voice.
"Why are you telling me this? Ianto wasn't sure he wanted to know, even though he normally liked to know everything, he was wise enough to know, when knowing, wasn't good for him!
"So I can train you!"
"To do what?"
"Use your abilities." Ianto bit his lip and glanced down he knew this and he looked up at her again and saw the younger, freer Jack walking away into a very bright light, waving.
"We will die. He will lose us..." Ianto whispered
"Yes and he will grieve us. He will then move on, as he must!"
Ianto nodded everything she said was right and true. He liked her, admired her, she had betrayed Jack for the greater good, she had given him up so he would travel this path and meet him. He suddenly, impulsively, which wasn't like him at all, hugged her. She stood stiffly then relaxed slowly and wholly into his arms. Ianto felt like he was holding the universe.
Gwen was watching Bilis on the CCTV. He sat on the cell floor his knees hitched up to his chin and every few minutes he opened his mouth in a silent scream.
"It's so creepy, inhuman..." she mumbled to herself more than him.
"He's not human; Martha's scans confirmed that but we're still not sure if he is alien..."
"What else could he be?" Gwen looked up at him her eyes like saucers and her face tense.
"Remember the faeries? The people from the film? They were of this Earth just not yet categorised!" Ianto was tiring of Gwen's hysteria
"You said there are no legends, mythology..."
"No. And that is truly puzzling because my gut says he is from here and I'm beginning to learn my gut is rarely wrong!" Which of course was the wrong thing to say as Gwen would certainly bite..
"Ianto?" As predicted she bit.
But before Gwen could interrogate him; he moved on to the coffee machine his home, his safety. He flicked the switches and stopped thinking... allowing images to flood his mind. He could see wonderful worlds of every colour; he could see gas clouds moving through space, he could see the time vortex moving, changing and all swirling around one still point, one moment of wrongness...Jack.