[Fic] Home
written for 
twdw_ficathon
Title: Home
Author:
indiefairy
Gift for:
altogetherisi
Rating: 12
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ten, Jack/Sarah Jane, Jack/Ianto, Torchwood Team
Word count: 3,781
Summary: Jack and the Doctor visit Sarah Jane, causing Jack to come to a realisation. Is the TARDIS really where he's meant to be?
Spoilers: Safety's sake, all of New Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and all of Torchwood
Author's Notes:altogetherisi wanted; Torchwood 3 or at least Ianto meeting the Doctor[in particular I'd love a bit where the Doctor is baffled as to why anyone would open the Rift and explain something (to Owen or the whole team)very mildly that nobody understands], the Tenth Doctor and mentions of Rose and Sarah Jane, a happy/hopeful ending.
All of which I have hopefully provided.
The Doctor explaining bit, took me forever to come up with, sorry if it sucks.
Thank you to the amazingze_toaster for the brilliant and much needed Beta XD
Travelling all around the universe, through time and space, visiting a myriad of planets and experiencing more than a mere human could ever imagine. The vast array of cultures, climates and life forms. Life and Death situations, war and celebration. All these things Jack experienced with the Doctor, yet here they were, sitting in a sun soaked English garden, drinking ice tea, and yet it was one of the best days they'd spent together.
Not that they hadn't had their fair share of amazing experiences in the few months they'd been travelling together (with Martha along for the ride, of course). But here and now, in this relaxed environment, the Doctor seemed happier than he had for a while.
Jack supposed that was due to their lovely host, and she certainly was lovely.
“You do realise you're just encouraging them, don't you?”
Jack grinned at the two girls who were racing back inside the house to get him a refill, before taking his sunglasses off and turning to look at Sarah Jane, his face a picture of innocence. Not that it worked: Sarah Jane had got the measure of Jack within two minutes of meeting him.
“I have no idea what you're talking about.” Jack smiled at her. It really wasn't his fault that he was so good looking.
Sarah Jane shook her head, “I can just see it now, they'll be talking about you for days. It'll be Captain Jack this, and Captain Jack that. You, Captain, have the makings of a fan club here.”
“You thinking of joining?” Jack grinned. “I'll send you a personal newsletter every week.”
“You may have failed to notice, Captain, but your charms aren't working on me. Kelsey and Maria may have fallen under your spell, but it takes a lot more than a handsome face to charm me.”
“But you do think I'm handsome.”
Rolling her eyes, Sarah Jane turned her attention away from Jack, intent on ignoring him. Her attention turned to the Doctor and her adopted son Luke, who were currently locked in a fierce game of chess. A smile spread across her lips.
Jack watched her curiously. He knew all about her of course, but not from the Doctor. No, he never talked about his past companions, and Jack didn't blame him for that. The Doctor had been close with all his companions, and he'd always had to let them go, not always willingly. Jack didn't know how the Doctor did it: some had died under his care, and that sure as hell would mess with a guy. The Doctor never forgot about his former companions, no: Jack could see the heavy burden that his friend carried around with him, but there was no need to open old wounds when re-visiting the past was a fruitless exploit. Well, unless you were a Time Lord with a time machine, Jack thought, with a wry smile.
Jack knew too well the heavy burden that the Doctor carried with him. He'd been around long enough to know loss like the Doctor, although not on the same scale. They did, however, have one loss in common: Rose Tyler. Beautiful Rose. When the Doctor had told Jack that Rose hadn't died, and that she was safe and well in a parallel world, Jack had felt a great weight lift from his heart. Together, Rose and the Doctor had shown Jack what it was to be carefree and without burden. They'd shown him that life had so much more to offer.
Then they'd left him. Jack had been bitter about it for a while, anyone would be after being left for dead. But he couldn't really blame them: after all, he had been dead. Jack had agonised for so long about what he was going to do and say when he saw the Doctor again, yet when the TARDIS appeared in the hub, and he saw the Doctor for the first time in years, none of that mattered. He'd been so happy to see his friend again, that anything he'd planned to say or do went straight out the window. He felt like he was home again.
Jack continued to watch Sarah Jane as she concentrated on the Doctor and Luke. Her eyes were full of adoration. Jack knew that look all too well; he was well aware that he had the same look in his eyes when he looked at the Doctor. He and Sarah Jane had a lot in common: they'd both been abandoned by the Doctor and they both loved him more than he would ever know.
Perhaps the idea of a club wasn't a bad one, though less of a fan club and more of a Doctor lovers anonymous. There were other ex-companions dotted about the place. They could hold monthly meetings.
Jack was broken from his thoughts as the two girls handed him his drink and ambled over to get a better look at the chess game. Jack smiled. This felt like home, like family.
His smile faded as he thought about family, he didn't need another family, as nice as this was, it wouldn't last, the Doctor would be off again soon, and Jack with him, leaving Sarah Jane once more. Besides, Jack already had a family, albeit a rather dysfunctional, lets stab each other in the back, and shoot each other family. But a family none the less. What hurt the most about leaving his adopted 'family', was leaving one member in particular.
Ianto Jones. Gorgeous Ianto, with his amazing coffee, cute suits and beautiful Welsh vowels. Jack had fancied him from the get go, and made no attempt to hide the fact. Ianto had taken it all in his stride, letting Jack flirt and make inappropriate comments, but not letting it get too far. Ianto had always held Jack at a distance. He'd been in control of the relationship, and Jack had been happy with that. In hindsight, he could see that it was Ianto's way of staying in control of himself, with Lisa hidden away in their basement, which, as much as Jack was angry at Ianto for that, he was also impressed. He'd maintained from the moment he'd hired him that Ianto had hidden depths, and he certainly did. Their relationship had moved from playful flirting and banter to a physical one before Lisa had been discovered, and Ianto had been the one to make the first move, which had come as a welcome surprise to Jack. After the whole Lisa incident, Jack had convinced himself that what Ianto and he had previously had was all to distract Jack from finding the Cyberwoman. Hell, Jack had used the same tactics many times in the past. But to his shocked relief, Ianto had confessed that he'd gone to bed with his Captain because he wanted to, and for no other reason.
It had taken them a while to rebuild the broken trust and the ramifications from the Lisa incident. They trod softly around each other, neither quite sure whether they could continue seeing each other; both needing time to forgive and, rebuild their trust. Yet again, though, it was Ianto who made the first move. Strange what a catalyst a co-worker coming back from the dead and then dying again could be. Jack couldn't help but smile when he thought about the stopwatch.
That was the problem, though: they'd been through so much together that their rather fragile relationship had become something fantastic and meaningful, and then he had had to go and pull a disappearing act, without so much as a note or a goodbye, not even a backwards glance. Thinking about it now Jack berated himself for being such a heartless bastard. Ianto had deserved so much more. He'd already lost someone he loved, then a few months later he lost another. Ianto loved him, Jack knew that, he'd tried so hard to pretend that it was all a bit of fun, and that they both needed it, that love wasn't even a factor, but then Ianto had to fall in love with him, and Jack started to realise that maybe, just maybe, he had started to fall in love with Ianto.
“Penny for your thoughts, Captain.”
Jack hadn't been aware that Sarah Jane had shifted her attention to him, but he managed to mask his surprise with a smile.
“I was just thinking of what my first news letter would contain.” Jack winked at her.
“You're a terrible liar Captain.” Sarah smiled and took hold of Jack's hand, “it doesn't take a genius to tell something is troubling you, I promise I won't press, but believe me, it's better to have someone to talk to.”
Jack squeezed Sarah Jane's hand, he could see why the Doctor liked her so much, fierce, compassionate, one hell of a inquisitive mind.
In any other circumstance Jack wouldn't want to talk about it, he wasn't really the kind of guy who'd open up and divulge his feelings. Sure, Gwen had tried many times, sometimes succeeding, but Ianto had been the only person at Torchwood he'd been able to really talk to, which was good, considering their relationship.
Jack looked at Sarah Jane, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes and answered her. “I'm thinking of leaving the Doctor,” Jack opened his eyes expecting Sarah Jane to comment, but she just gently stroked the back of his hand with her thumb and motioned for him to continue. He had her full attention and attentive ear.
“When the Doc picked me up from Torchwood, I left without a backwards glance, no goodbye or anything. I was so happy to see him that I just threw myself into being back on the TARDIS, and travelling with him and Martha.” Jack stopped to glance over to the Doctor.
“You miss your team,” Sarah Jane added encouragingly.
Jack nodded. “They betrayed me, killed me even, but I loved working with them, loved having a team, friends, someone who loved me.” Jack smiled. “That's the worst of it. Ianto loved me, and I was such an ass.”
“You love them both, don't you.”
“I do, yeah.” Jack looked at Sarah Jane. “Trouble is, I don't know if Ianto will want me back, and even if he does, I'm not sure that I deserve him, plus I'm immortal, and he's very much mortal.” Jack sighed, “I got everything I've wanted for so long now, being back with the Doctor, but I'm not sure it's enough any more.”
Sarah Jane took a long measured look at Jack before speaking, “I think you've already made up your mind Captain. The Doctor will understand.” Giving his hand one last gentle squeeze Sarah Jane got up and went to join The Doctor, Luke, Maria and Kelsey, leaving Jack to think through what he was going to do.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Sunlight streamed into the TARDIS as Jack strode through the open door, closely followed by the Doctor, who had a large grin plastered on his face and was practically bouncing. “Now Jack, don't be getting any ideas.” The Doctor waggled a finger at his friend.
“Ideas about what?” Jack barely managed to mask his amusement: he knew exactly what the Doctor was talking about. In the last couple of hours he'd cheered up exceptionally. Having Sarah Jane to talk to had eased his mind, and they'd had a very fun day.
“Looking up Sarah Jane again. She's a dear friend and...”
“I'm the perfect gentleman,” Jack smiled his most charming smile. “Don't worry, if and when I do look her up again, it will be strictly business. She's a firecracker that one, shame she wouldn't join Torchwood.”
“She's clever, she knows Torchwood are no good.” The Doctor put his hand up to stop Jack interrupting, “I don't want to see her come to any harm, and you lot always seem to find it, or cause it most of the time. Like the rift. Who opens a rift? I mean, really, that's just inviting a whole load of trouble, like opening a lions cage, or hosting a party without those cakes with the little...”
The Doctor was cut off mid sentence as Jack's lips connected with his, but it was a short lived kiss.
“...edible ball bearings on them, ingenious invention if you ask me.” The Doctor smiled and made his way over to the TARDIS console, lovingly stroking it, before pushing a couple of buttons and cranking some levers.
Jack just smiled, “Most people can't form coherent sentences after kissing me, let alone continue their sentences where they left off.”
The Doctor beamed, “I'm not most people. Now how about we drop you back off in Cardiff.”
Jack's jaw dropped. He should have really expected it, after all, the Doctor wasn't stupid. Maybe Sarah Jane had said something. No, she wouldn't have.
“I know you want to go back Jack, and anyway, I'd feel a lot safer with you back working for them. At least I know you won't try to take my TARDIS.” The Doctor paused for a second to look at the TARDIS console affectionately, before darting around to the other side and pulling a couple of levers. “Besides, I'd like to have a proper look at your hub, and teach your staff members some proper rift etiquette.”
Jack made his way over to the Doctor, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his head against the Doctors shoulder. “Thank you.”
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Jack opened the Door of the TARDIS hesitantly. He'd asked the Doctor to land on Roald Dahl Plass as opposed to inside the hub. He'd been gone three months, and he wanted to take it as easy as he could. The TARDIS materialising smack bang in the middle of their base, without any warning, would most definitely create a big deal. Sure, it would create a great show, but subtlety was to be the order of the day, as much as Jack hated being subtle.
The sun was still shining, and people were milling about all over the plass. Jack smiled. It was good to be back.
“Well, Cardiff seems to be in one piece.” The Doctor looked at Jack. “Are you sure they need you back?” he added with a grin.
Jack smiled at the Doctor, and began walking towards the hub's reception entrance. “Well, are you coming or not?” he called back over his shoulder.
With each step towards the hub, Jack became more and more nervous, and a nervous Jack was a rare thing. He wished he could just walk in there like nothing had happened, give Ianto a kiss, sit behind his desk and get back to work.
The Doctor had offered to take him back to the day he'd left, but that wouldn't have been fair. He'd be lying to himself and his team. Coming back now seemed like the right thing to do, even if he would have caused his team some unnecessary anguish. He wouldn't be winning any boss of the year awards, that was for certain.
He felt the Doctor's reassuring hand on his arm, and taking a deep breath he opened the door.
His heart sank a little as he looked around the unassuming tourist information façade. Ianto wasn't behind his desk, and there was no one there to welcome him.
“Beaded curtains!”
Jack smiled. Trust the Doctor to lighten the mood.
“I had beaded curtains in the TARDIS for a while. They're a good conversation point, and great for alerting you when someone walks into the room. Can sting a bit if you aren't concentrating as you walk through them, though.” The Doctor grinned and continued to explore the small room.
Jack made his way around to the other side of the desk, pushing the button to lock the outer door. He really needed to talk to his team about that: there was no need to let security slide. After the door had been locked, he pushed the second button to get into the main hub.
“If you and the beaded curtain are quite finished Doc, I've got a lot more to show you.” Jack smiled and led the way for the Doctor.
They took the lift down to the main level, and as the circular door opened Jack saw why there'd been no welcome party, and no notice made to the hub's visitors. His team were playing basketball.
Jack and the Doctor stood watching from behind the iron bars, the team completely oblivious to them.
“That was a dirty trick Ianto, and not a legal move.” Owen called across to the Welshman as he reclaimed the ball.
“That's rich coming from you Owen. Now just play the ball.”
Jack watched with a smile as his team relaxed into play. Either it had been a really dull day, or it had been a hectic one and they needed to wind down. It was good to see that they were getting along, though it pained him slightly to see that they obviously worked well without him. Perhaps the Doctor had been right.
His eyes were drawn to Ianto, who looked positively delicious in jeans and a white t-shirt. As much as Jack liked the suits, casual Ianto was sexy.
“The UNIT basketball team must be quaking in their boots.”
“You know as well as I do, Doctor, UNIT don't have a basketball team. They prefer cricket.”
Jack and the Doctor's playful banter got the desired effect. Four pairs of eyes were now trained on them, and the basketball fell into the water at the base of the tower with a loud splash.
Jack hit the cage mechanism and walked through into the hub, hands in the pocket of his great coat he looked at the four expectantly. “If anyone wants to hit me, now is the best time.”
“It's about bloody time.” It wasn't what he was expecting and Jack had to smile as Owen made his way over and gave him a friendly hug.
As soon as Owen moved away, Jack was knocked back by both Tosh and Gwen, who it seemed were intent on hugging the life out of him.
“I guess you missed me then.” Jack laughed as he spoke and hugged them back.
“That's twenty quid you owe me, Owen.” Tosh held her hand out towards Owen as she pulled away from Jack, a triumphant grin plastered across her face.
“You had a pool going?” Jack tried to look hurt, but just being back made it hard for him to do much more than grin.
“Gwen had you down for only being gone a week, Tosh had three months, Owen had six, and I had four months.” Ianto pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed Tosh a crisp twenty.
Jack looked at Ianto and smiled, “I could always hop back into the TARDIS and get the Doctor to bring me back a month later.”
There was a loud cough from Owen's direction that sounded a lot like 'favouritism' followed by a yelp that Jack assumed had something to do with either Gwen or Tosh harming him in some way. Jack ignored it, his eyes still fixed on Ianto.
The two stood in silence just looking at each other until Ianto made the first move. “It's good to have you back, Sir.”
Jack was about to reach out his hand, unsure of what Ianto would want from him, or be comfortable with, but was stopped short as Ianto pulled him into a hug. It felt so nice to have his arms around Ianto that Jack felt like he never wanted to let go. Well, maybe let go long enough to pull Ianto down to his room and make up for all the lost time. As he was contemplating doing just that, an exclamation of 'My hand!' sounded from the other side of the room and Jack reluctantly pulled away.
“I suppose I should introduce my friend, and stop him before he finds your archives, Ianto.”
Jack took Ianto's hand and made for the the Doctor, chuckling to himself as Tosh claimed another ten pounds from Owen.
“Team, this is the Doctor. Doctor, this is my team: Gwen Cooper, Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato and Ianto Jones.”
The Doctor shook hands with them all, a beaming smile plastered over his face as he did so. “Sorry I kept him for so long.”
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Half an hour later and Jack found himself sitting behind his desk going through a pile of paper work, drinking a nice steaming cup of what he could categorically say was the best coffee in the universe.
Over at Owen's workstation, he could see the Doctor explaining something to Owen, Tosh and Gwen, all of whom seemed absolutely baffled.
“What's the Doctor talking about now?” Ianto had slipped into Jack's office from the side entrance, carrying another folder of paperwork, which he deposited on Jack's desk.
“He's trying to explain the space colony 853 good neighbour policy, using Eastenders as an example. He lost us all when he started talking about Pat Butchers earrings and something to do with Garadian Jundas.”
Jack laughed, in his limited knowledge of Eastenders, he knew the Doctor would be better off using the Slater's clothes stall in relation to the Garadian Jundas, but then the Doctor did have a better knowledge of colony 853 than him, and a rather worrying obsession with Eastenders.
“And how exactly did the Doctor come to be talking about colony 853?”
“Tosh mentioned Eastenders, I think she rather wishes she hadn't now.” Ianto smiled, and started collecting up the papers that Jack had signed. “Who knew a time travelling alien, would be so enamoured with a British soap.”
“You think that's weird, you might want to try mentioning bananas.”
Ianto raised an eyebrow, “I think I'll give it a miss.”
The office fell into silence, as both Jack and Ianto watched the Doctor continue his explanation, not much could be heard, but the occasional, Peggy Mitchell and Pauline Fowler, filtered through the open office door. Apparently the Doctor was shocked to hear that Pauline Fowler had died, and immediately stopped his explanation to find out all the details from Tosh.
“Jack.”
“Ianto.”
The silence in the office was broken as both men tried to speak at the same time.
“You first, Jack.” Ianto prompted.
“I was going to say, that I'm back for good now. And I know I shouldn't expect much, but I just wanted you to know that....”
Jack was stopped from continuing as Ianto captured his lips in a searing kiss, and it was all Jack needed to know that he was truly home now.
twdw_ficathonTitle: Home
Author:
indiefairyGift for:
altogetherisiRating: 12
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ten, Jack/Sarah Jane, Jack/Ianto, Torchwood Team
Word count: 3,781
Summary: Jack and the Doctor visit Sarah Jane, causing Jack to come to a realisation. Is the TARDIS really where he's meant to be?
Spoilers: Safety's sake, all of New Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and all of Torchwood
Author's Notes:
altogetherisi wanted; Torchwood 3 or at least Ianto meeting the Doctor[in particular I'd love a bit where the Doctor is baffled as to why anyone would open the Rift and explain something (to Owen or the whole team)very mildly that nobody understands], the Tenth Doctor and mentions of Rose and Sarah Jane, a happy/hopeful ending. All of which I have hopefully provided.
The Doctor explaining bit, took me forever to come up with, sorry if it sucks.
Thank you to the amazing
ze_toaster for the brilliant and much needed Beta XDTravelling all around the universe, through time and space, visiting a myriad of planets and experiencing more than a mere human could ever imagine. The vast array of cultures, climates and life forms. Life and Death situations, war and celebration. All these things Jack experienced with the Doctor, yet here they were, sitting in a sun soaked English garden, drinking ice tea, and yet it was one of the best days they'd spent together.
Not that they hadn't had their fair share of amazing experiences in the few months they'd been travelling together (with Martha along for the ride, of course). But here and now, in this relaxed environment, the Doctor seemed happier than he had for a while.
Jack supposed that was due to their lovely host, and she certainly was lovely.
“You do realise you're just encouraging them, don't you?”
Jack grinned at the two girls who were racing back inside the house to get him a refill, before taking his sunglasses off and turning to look at Sarah Jane, his face a picture of innocence. Not that it worked: Sarah Jane had got the measure of Jack within two minutes of meeting him.
“I have no idea what you're talking about.” Jack smiled at her. It really wasn't his fault that he was so good looking.
Sarah Jane shook her head, “I can just see it now, they'll be talking about you for days. It'll be Captain Jack this, and Captain Jack that. You, Captain, have the makings of a fan club here.”
“You thinking of joining?” Jack grinned. “I'll send you a personal newsletter every week.”
“You may have failed to notice, Captain, but your charms aren't working on me. Kelsey and Maria may have fallen under your spell, but it takes a lot more than a handsome face to charm me.”
“But you do think I'm handsome.”
Rolling her eyes, Sarah Jane turned her attention away from Jack, intent on ignoring him. Her attention turned to the Doctor and her adopted son Luke, who were currently locked in a fierce game of chess. A smile spread across her lips.
Jack watched her curiously. He knew all about her of course, but not from the Doctor. No, he never talked about his past companions, and Jack didn't blame him for that. The Doctor had been close with all his companions, and he'd always had to let them go, not always willingly. Jack didn't know how the Doctor did it: some had died under his care, and that sure as hell would mess with a guy. The Doctor never forgot about his former companions, no: Jack could see the heavy burden that his friend carried around with him, but there was no need to open old wounds when re-visiting the past was a fruitless exploit. Well, unless you were a Time Lord with a time machine, Jack thought, with a wry smile.
Jack knew too well the heavy burden that the Doctor carried with him. He'd been around long enough to know loss like the Doctor, although not on the same scale. They did, however, have one loss in common: Rose Tyler. Beautiful Rose. When the Doctor had told Jack that Rose hadn't died, and that she was safe and well in a parallel world, Jack had felt a great weight lift from his heart. Together, Rose and the Doctor had shown Jack what it was to be carefree and without burden. They'd shown him that life had so much more to offer.
Then they'd left him. Jack had been bitter about it for a while, anyone would be after being left for dead. But he couldn't really blame them: after all, he had been dead. Jack had agonised for so long about what he was going to do and say when he saw the Doctor again, yet when the TARDIS appeared in the hub, and he saw the Doctor for the first time in years, none of that mattered. He'd been so happy to see his friend again, that anything he'd planned to say or do went straight out the window. He felt like he was home again.
Jack continued to watch Sarah Jane as she concentrated on the Doctor and Luke. Her eyes were full of adoration. Jack knew that look all too well; he was well aware that he had the same look in his eyes when he looked at the Doctor. He and Sarah Jane had a lot in common: they'd both been abandoned by the Doctor and they both loved him more than he would ever know.
Perhaps the idea of a club wasn't a bad one, though less of a fan club and more of a Doctor lovers anonymous. There were other ex-companions dotted about the place. They could hold monthly meetings.
Jack was broken from his thoughts as the two girls handed him his drink and ambled over to get a better look at the chess game. Jack smiled. This felt like home, like family.
His smile faded as he thought about family, he didn't need another family, as nice as this was, it wouldn't last, the Doctor would be off again soon, and Jack with him, leaving Sarah Jane once more. Besides, Jack already had a family, albeit a rather dysfunctional, lets stab each other in the back, and shoot each other family. But a family none the less. What hurt the most about leaving his adopted 'family', was leaving one member in particular.
Ianto Jones. Gorgeous Ianto, with his amazing coffee, cute suits and beautiful Welsh vowels. Jack had fancied him from the get go, and made no attempt to hide the fact. Ianto had taken it all in his stride, letting Jack flirt and make inappropriate comments, but not letting it get too far. Ianto had always held Jack at a distance. He'd been in control of the relationship, and Jack had been happy with that. In hindsight, he could see that it was Ianto's way of staying in control of himself, with Lisa hidden away in their basement, which, as much as Jack was angry at Ianto for that, he was also impressed. He'd maintained from the moment he'd hired him that Ianto had hidden depths, and he certainly did. Their relationship had moved from playful flirting and banter to a physical one before Lisa had been discovered, and Ianto had been the one to make the first move, which had come as a welcome surprise to Jack. After the whole Lisa incident, Jack had convinced himself that what Ianto and he had previously had was all to distract Jack from finding the Cyberwoman. Hell, Jack had used the same tactics many times in the past. But to his shocked relief, Ianto had confessed that he'd gone to bed with his Captain because he wanted to, and for no other reason.
It had taken them a while to rebuild the broken trust and the ramifications from the Lisa incident. They trod softly around each other, neither quite sure whether they could continue seeing each other; both needing time to forgive and, rebuild their trust. Yet again, though, it was Ianto who made the first move. Strange what a catalyst a co-worker coming back from the dead and then dying again could be. Jack couldn't help but smile when he thought about the stopwatch.
That was the problem, though: they'd been through so much together that their rather fragile relationship had become something fantastic and meaningful, and then he had had to go and pull a disappearing act, without so much as a note or a goodbye, not even a backwards glance. Thinking about it now Jack berated himself for being such a heartless bastard. Ianto had deserved so much more. He'd already lost someone he loved, then a few months later he lost another. Ianto loved him, Jack knew that, he'd tried so hard to pretend that it was all a bit of fun, and that they both needed it, that love wasn't even a factor, but then Ianto had to fall in love with him, and Jack started to realise that maybe, just maybe, he had started to fall in love with Ianto.
“Penny for your thoughts, Captain.”
Jack hadn't been aware that Sarah Jane had shifted her attention to him, but he managed to mask his surprise with a smile.
“I was just thinking of what my first news letter would contain.” Jack winked at her.
“You're a terrible liar Captain.” Sarah smiled and took hold of Jack's hand, “it doesn't take a genius to tell something is troubling you, I promise I won't press, but believe me, it's better to have someone to talk to.”
Jack squeezed Sarah Jane's hand, he could see why the Doctor liked her so much, fierce, compassionate, one hell of a inquisitive mind.
In any other circumstance Jack wouldn't want to talk about it, he wasn't really the kind of guy who'd open up and divulge his feelings. Sure, Gwen had tried many times, sometimes succeeding, but Ianto had been the only person at Torchwood he'd been able to really talk to, which was good, considering their relationship.
Jack looked at Sarah Jane, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes and answered her. “I'm thinking of leaving the Doctor,” Jack opened his eyes expecting Sarah Jane to comment, but she just gently stroked the back of his hand with her thumb and motioned for him to continue. He had her full attention and attentive ear.
“When the Doc picked me up from Torchwood, I left without a backwards glance, no goodbye or anything. I was so happy to see him that I just threw myself into being back on the TARDIS, and travelling with him and Martha.” Jack stopped to glance over to the Doctor.
“You miss your team,” Sarah Jane added encouragingly.
Jack nodded. “They betrayed me, killed me even, but I loved working with them, loved having a team, friends, someone who loved me.” Jack smiled. “That's the worst of it. Ianto loved me, and I was such an ass.”
“You love them both, don't you.”
“I do, yeah.” Jack looked at Sarah Jane. “Trouble is, I don't know if Ianto will want me back, and even if he does, I'm not sure that I deserve him, plus I'm immortal, and he's very much mortal.” Jack sighed, “I got everything I've wanted for so long now, being back with the Doctor, but I'm not sure it's enough any more.”
Sarah Jane took a long measured look at Jack before speaking, “I think you've already made up your mind Captain. The Doctor will understand.” Giving his hand one last gentle squeeze Sarah Jane got up and went to join The Doctor, Luke, Maria and Kelsey, leaving Jack to think through what he was going to do.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Sunlight streamed into the TARDIS as Jack strode through the open door, closely followed by the Doctor, who had a large grin plastered on his face and was practically bouncing. “Now Jack, don't be getting any ideas.” The Doctor waggled a finger at his friend.
“Ideas about what?” Jack barely managed to mask his amusement: he knew exactly what the Doctor was talking about. In the last couple of hours he'd cheered up exceptionally. Having Sarah Jane to talk to had eased his mind, and they'd had a very fun day.
“Looking up Sarah Jane again. She's a dear friend and...”
“I'm the perfect gentleman,” Jack smiled his most charming smile. “Don't worry, if and when I do look her up again, it will be strictly business. She's a firecracker that one, shame she wouldn't join Torchwood.”
“She's clever, she knows Torchwood are no good.” The Doctor put his hand up to stop Jack interrupting, “I don't want to see her come to any harm, and you lot always seem to find it, or cause it most of the time. Like the rift. Who opens a rift? I mean, really, that's just inviting a whole load of trouble, like opening a lions cage, or hosting a party without those cakes with the little...”
The Doctor was cut off mid sentence as Jack's lips connected with his, but it was a short lived kiss.
“...edible ball bearings on them, ingenious invention if you ask me.” The Doctor smiled and made his way over to the TARDIS console, lovingly stroking it, before pushing a couple of buttons and cranking some levers.
Jack just smiled, “Most people can't form coherent sentences after kissing me, let alone continue their sentences where they left off.”
The Doctor beamed, “I'm not most people. Now how about we drop you back off in Cardiff.”
Jack's jaw dropped. He should have really expected it, after all, the Doctor wasn't stupid. Maybe Sarah Jane had said something. No, she wouldn't have.
“I know you want to go back Jack, and anyway, I'd feel a lot safer with you back working for them. At least I know you won't try to take my TARDIS.” The Doctor paused for a second to look at the TARDIS console affectionately, before darting around to the other side and pulling a couple of levers. “Besides, I'd like to have a proper look at your hub, and teach your staff members some proper rift etiquette.”
Jack made his way over to the Doctor, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his head against the Doctors shoulder. “Thank you.”
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Jack opened the Door of the TARDIS hesitantly. He'd asked the Doctor to land on Roald Dahl Plass as opposed to inside the hub. He'd been gone three months, and he wanted to take it as easy as he could. The TARDIS materialising smack bang in the middle of their base, without any warning, would most definitely create a big deal. Sure, it would create a great show, but subtlety was to be the order of the day, as much as Jack hated being subtle.
The sun was still shining, and people were milling about all over the plass. Jack smiled. It was good to be back.
“Well, Cardiff seems to be in one piece.” The Doctor looked at Jack. “Are you sure they need you back?” he added with a grin.
Jack smiled at the Doctor, and began walking towards the hub's reception entrance. “Well, are you coming or not?” he called back over his shoulder.
With each step towards the hub, Jack became more and more nervous, and a nervous Jack was a rare thing. He wished he could just walk in there like nothing had happened, give Ianto a kiss, sit behind his desk and get back to work.
The Doctor had offered to take him back to the day he'd left, but that wouldn't have been fair. He'd be lying to himself and his team. Coming back now seemed like the right thing to do, even if he would have caused his team some unnecessary anguish. He wouldn't be winning any boss of the year awards, that was for certain.
He felt the Doctor's reassuring hand on his arm, and taking a deep breath he opened the door.
His heart sank a little as he looked around the unassuming tourist information façade. Ianto wasn't behind his desk, and there was no one there to welcome him.
“Beaded curtains!”
Jack smiled. Trust the Doctor to lighten the mood.
“I had beaded curtains in the TARDIS for a while. They're a good conversation point, and great for alerting you when someone walks into the room. Can sting a bit if you aren't concentrating as you walk through them, though.” The Doctor grinned and continued to explore the small room.
Jack made his way around to the other side of the desk, pushing the button to lock the outer door. He really needed to talk to his team about that: there was no need to let security slide. After the door had been locked, he pushed the second button to get into the main hub.
“If you and the beaded curtain are quite finished Doc, I've got a lot more to show you.” Jack smiled and led the way for the Doctor.
They took the lift down to the main level, and as the circular door opened Jack saw why there'd been no welcome party, and no notice made to the hub's visitors. His team were playing basketball.
Jack and the Doctor stood watching from behind the iron bars, the team completely oblivious to them.
“That was a dirty trick Ianto, and not a legal move.” Owen called across to the Welshman as he reclaimed the ball.
“That's rich coming from you Owen. Now just play the ball.”
Jack watched with a smile as his team relaxed into play. Either it had been a really dull day, or it had been a hectic one and they needed to wind down. It was good to see that they were getting along, though it pained him slightly to see that they obviously worked well without him. Perhaps the Doctor had been right.
His eyes were drawn to Ianto, who looked positively delicious in jeans and a white t-shirt. As much as Jack liked the suits, casual Ianto was sexy.
“The UNIT basketball team must be quaking in their boots.”
“You know as well as I do, Doctor, UNIT don't have a basketball team. They prefer cricket.”
Jack and the Doctor's playful banter got the desired effect. Four pairs of eyes were now trained on them, and the basketball fell into the water at the base of the tower with a loud splash.
Jack hit the cage mechanism and walked through into the hub, hands in the pocket of his great coat he looked at the four expectantly. “If anyone wants to hit me, now is the best time.”
“It's about bloody time.” It wasn't what he was expecting and Jack had to smile as Owen made his way over and gave him a friendly hug.
As soon as Owen moved away, Jack was knocked back by both Tosh and Gwen, who it seemed were intent on hugging the life out of him.
“I guess you missed me then.” Jack laughed as he spoke and hugged them back.
“That's twenty quid you owe me, Owen.” Tosh held her hand out towards Owen as she pulled away from Jack, a triumphant grin plastered across her face.
“You had a pool going?” Jack tried to look hurt, but just being back made it hard for him to do much more than grin.
“Gwen had you down for only being gone a week, Tosh had three months, Owen had six, and I had four months.” Ianto pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed Tosh a crisp twenty.
Jack looked at Ianto and smiled, “I could always hop back into the TARDIS and get the Doctor to bring me back a month later.”
There was a loud cough from Owen's direction that sounded a lot like 'favouritism' followed by a yelp that Jack assumed had something to do with either Gwen or Tosh harming him in some way. Jack ignored it, his eyes still fixed on Ianto.
The two stood in silence just looking at each other until Ianto made the first move. “It's good to have you back, Sir.”
Jack was about to reach out his hand, unsure of what Ianto would want from him, or be comfortable with, but was stopped short as Ianto pulled him into a hug. It felt so nice to have his arms around Ianto that Jack felt like he never wanted to let go. Well, maybe let go long enough to pull Ianto down to his room and make up for all the lost time. As he was contemplating doing just that, an exclamation of 'My hand!' sounded from the other side of the room and Jack reluctantly pulled away.
“I suppose I should introduce my friend, and stop him before he finds your archives, Ianto.”
Jack took Ianto's hand and made for the the Doctor, chuckling to himself as Tosh claimed another ten pounds from Owen.
“Team, this is the Doctor. Doctor, this is my team: Gwen Cooper, Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato and Ianto Jones.”
The Doctor shook hands with them all, a beaming smile plastered over his face as he did so. “Sorry I kept him for so long.”
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Half an hour later and Jack found himself sitting behind his desk going through a pile of paper work, drinking a nice steaming cup of what he could categorically say was the best coffee in the universe.
Over at Owen's workstation, he could see the Doctor explaining something to Owen, Tosh and Gwen, all of whom seemed absolutely baffled.
“What's the Doctor talking about now?” Ianto had slipped into Jack's office from the side entrance, carrying another folder of paperwork, which he deposited on Jack's desk.
“He's trying to explain the space colony 853 good neighbour policy, using Eastenders as an example. He lost us all when he started talking about Pat Butchers earrings and something to do with Garadian Jundas.”
Jack laughed, in his limited knowledge of Eastenders, he knew the Doctor would be better off using the Slater's clothes stall in relation to the Garadian Jundas, but then the Doctor did have a better knowledge of colony 853 than him, and a rather worrying obsession with Eastenders.
“And how exactly did the Doctor come to be talking about colony 853?”
“Tosh mentioned Eastenders, I think she rather wishes she hadn't now.” Ianto smiled, and started collecting up the papers that Jack had signed. “Who knew a time travelling alien, would be so enamoured with a British soap.”
“You think that's weird, you might want to try mentioning bananas.”
Ianto raised an eyebrow, “I think I'll give it a miss.”
The office fell into silence, as both Jack and Ianto watched the Doctor continue his explanation, not much could be heard, but the occasional, Peggy Mitchell and Pauline Fowler, filtered through the open office door. Apparently the Doctor was shocked to hear that Pauline Fowler had died, and immediately stopped his explanation to find out all the details from Tosh.
“Jack.”
“Ianto.”
The silence in the office was broken as both men tried to speak at the same time.
“You first, Jack.” Ianto prompted.
“I was going to say, that I'm back for good now. And I know I shouldn't expect much, but I just wanted you to know that....”
Jack was stopped from continuing as Ianto captured his lips in a searing kiss, and it was all Jack needed to know that he was truly home now.
