The Storms of Change: Chapter Nine

[emeraldsnakes]

Summary: There comes a time in every Sentinel's life when their immortality is revealed. When 21st Century Earth is the epicenter of the change that will decide the survival of the human race. What kind of consequences affect those who are preparing for the change as this immortality is revealed amongst one of their own. Is Torchwood really ready?

 

Words: 1,058
Title: Pain All Around


Jack had forced them up into his office before they continued talking, insisting that the archives was no place for the kind of conversation they were having and Ianto agreed. He made them some coffee before sitting down on the opposite side of the desk.

"I'm not as innocent as I use to be," Ianto started, taking a sip of his coffee. "Time just slowly and mercilessly sucks it out of you, exposes you to things you never wanted to see. I've seen the cruelty of the human race, I've been that cruelty."

"How?" Jack asked softly.

"For the first hundred years everything was perfectly fine. I lived life and waited for my own time to roll around. I knew what and where I needed to avoid thanks to the Torchwood Archives but two years before World War One was when it all changed. I was in a Cardiff bar ready to leave the city because I'd nearly bumped into you too many times when your ex-lover Captain Hart walks in. There's no introduction, no communication but he took a liking to me. As I was walking home he forced himself on me."

Jack sucked in a breath and Ianto looked at him. There was pain in them, pain and hate and a ton of sorrow. "That's how he knew you. That's why you killed him."

Ianto nodded, "I didn't recover from it Jack, not for about ten years. Before the War I killed people, just randomly because at least I could control something. The British Government employed my skills in the War as a spy and assassin as I took out many Officers in the German and Austrian armies, including my informant."

"Who was your informant?" Jack asked curiously.

Ianto shrugged, "I tried so hard not to remember those days Jack that I actually think I've made myself completely forget the names of the lives I've ruined. My informant was a deep closeted homosexual who was also homophobic so although he took pleasure from it, he hated himself for it. It made things worse for me. I couldn't come to terms with what John had done to me so every day I just sank deeper into darkness." Ianto looked at Jack with the emotionless eyes of a killer, "I liked it Jack."

"Do you like it now?" Jack asked seriously.

Ianto shook his head and his eyes lost the emotionless look. "No. I regret what I became but I know I can't ignore it. I learned many things during that time, I just hope I never have to use that knowledge."

Jack nodded, "I won't make you. I've done thing in my past I'm not proud of as well Ianto. I know how much you want to keep the past in the past."

Ianto smiled thankfully. "Jack?"

"What do you want to know Ianto?"

Everything. Form the Time Agency to The Doctor and everything in between, before, and after. I want to know you inside and out. I want it all.

"I've been through the entire Alteran Database and there have only been three instances with time travelers. Two of them were from ten million years ago, the first one during the Luanean Wars and the building of Atlantis and his name was Yuan Sheliak. The second was during the outbreak of the Great Plague and it was The Doctor with my ten year old father. The third was ten thousand years ago after the abandonment of Atlantis and during the construction of Vaclus. His name was Dar Ashen. Are you Yuan or Dar?"

Jack sighed and looked out the window to the Hub, "Yuan Sheliak. God I haven't been called that in so long. You said Dar showed up too? What did he do?"

Ianto snorted, "Slept with Jeremiah, stole stuff and got a price on his head."

Jack raised an eyebrow, "A price on his head?"

Ianto nodded, "Nobody pisses Jeremiah off and gets away with it. He'd not the only person to have mated with a Veutair - the most animalistic and volatile race in the universe - for nothing."

"Well you can tell him to take that hit off then." Jack said. "You killed him Ianto."

Ianto frowned, "Hart?"

Jack nodded, "I'm sorry you had to experience him."

"I'm over it, mostly," Ianto replied shrugging. "The stuff of nightmares now."

Jack got up and walked around the desk, taking Ianto's hands in his, "How are you Ianto? Really?"

Ianto sighed and looked at his hands within Jack's. It felt so god, so right that he never wanted Jack to let go. "I've been better but everyday things progress in the right direction, and it started with your return."

"I'm glad," Jack said sincerely. He dropped Ianto's hands and moved back. "Get some sleep Ianto."

Ianto looked up at him surprised and lost. He hadn't been expecting Jack to back off. Jack never backed off unless he didn't want it or the other person didn't. Hurt, Ianto stood, gathered the cups and headed out.

"Jack," He said turning around. Jack raised an eyebrow. "I read my father's report about the Valiant. I only know what he knows but…I'm sorry."

"Would you like to go on a date?" Jack asked suddenly as he was about to turn away.

Ianto felt his stomach flip and flutter. What was Jack playing at? Every time Ianto thought they could progress Jack shot him down and now, now Jack was asking him out of a date? "Yes. I'd love to." It was the truth, no matter what was going on with Jack.

Jack frowned as if remembering something, "Who's Mordred to you?"

Ianto smiled softly, "A Sentinel; family."

"It sounded like you were having sex."

Ianto groaned, "Stupid. He used his powers on me and you should know how that feels."

Jack frowned, "I should?"

Ianto nodded, "I've lost control before. It's that feeling you get when every part of you is on fire and so full of pleasure it's not possible."

"I think I remember. You'll have to refresh my memory at some point." Jack smiled his trademark smile and it was by sheer force of will that Ianto didn't beg for him right then. He left with hope in his heart, a bounce to his step and a smile on his face.


Chapter Ten

Comments

[onlyoneargess.livejournal.com]

Oh good. Ianto finally talked to Jack about the past and at least their back to a somewhat normal track.

Very nicely done. Update next chapter soon.