Ianto makes his way up from the cells, the hub is quiet. Everyone is downstairs with John.
John...
He shakes himself as a flash of anger threatens to take over. He sits down at his desk and pours himself a drink, he's not usually a drinker but if an occasion ever called for one, this would be it. The scotch burns on it's way down his throat, he pours another and repeats the process a few more times until he's pleasantly buzzed.
He felt useless down in the archives, as per usual. It's a wonder that he hasn't gotten himself killed yet, or anyone else for that matter. He's a hazard to himself and the rest of team. Perhaps it would be better if he just...
Quit.
The idea brews in his mind. And where would he go? His flat? No. Jack would look there. His sister's? Yeah, that sounds more reasonable to him.
Jack...
Ianto winces. He knows that Jack loves him. Would probably be heartbroken at his sudden departure. But after the way John spoke to him, he realizes that Jack and John are a better fit. Without anymore deliberation on his part, he begins to write his resignation letter to Jack.
Tosh races from the cells, flees even. Once again she doesn't know what's best for her. She looks up suddenly, seeing Ianto sitting there. "Oh, um, hello, Ianto." She tries to give him a smile though she keeps glancing back at the cells.
ReplyDeleteHe quickly closes the word document that he'd been working on, and tries to hide the fact that he's been drinking, His face cracks into a weak smile. "Hello, Tosh." she looks a little nervous, and he frowns. "You alright?"
ReplyDeleteShe nods, brushing her hair back. "Do you mind if I sit down?" She smiles at him. She needs to find something else to do to keep her mind off of her frustration with herself. "Oh and I got that list of CCTV cameras that need to be checked finished for you."
ReplyDelete"Not at all, no." He nods to the seat next to him. Ianto feels awkward, he was right in the middle of writing a resignation letter. "Oh...uh...thanks Tosh." He pauses. "Do you want a drink?" Gestures to the bottle in front of him.
ReplyDeleteTosh sits and glances at the bottle. "Sure, that would be nice." She looks around, seeing that he closed the window. "What are you working on? Maybe I can help." She gives him a better smile, more confident now that it seems to be back to work.
ReplyDeleteHis hand shakes as he pours her a drink, passing it over he attempts a nonchalant tone. "That's nothing..." Ianto knows the moment the words come out of his mouth that they don't sound convincing. And he isn't the least bit surprised when she raises an eyebrow.
ReplyDelete"Ianto?" She looks at him, concern making her forget her own problems for a moment. "Are you alright?" She reaches forward, a hand resting on his arm. She hasn't seen him look this bad since...well, since Lisa. She frowns.
ReplyDeleteHe hesitates, she might as well know. He's a rubbish liar. "I'm quitting Tosh. I can't fucking do this anymore. I can't do my job, and..." he swallows. "I can't compete with past lovers."
ReplyDeleteTosh stares at him. She couldn't have heard right. "Qu-quitting? But, Ianto, you can't leave!" She takes a breath and lowers her voice. "We need you," she says softly. "Jack needs you."
ReplyDeleteIanto shakes his head at her. "No. You really don't." He stands and begins to pack his things. Glances at the stairwell to the cells.
ReplyDeleteTosh wrings her hands. "Ianto, please don't do this. Why don't we talk?" She brightens. "We never talk, so let's have a conversation." She's desperate to keep him here until Jack can come back up. He'd know how to fix this. She grabs his arm. "Please, Ianto."
ReplyDeleteJack walks slowly up the stairs from the cells. Somewhat lost in thought. He's trying to work out what's going on. As he reaches the main floor he calls out to Tosh. "Where's that list of CCTV camera's that need working on? And I think you need to work on updating the security systems, it was entirely--" Jack stops he'd been looking at the ground and not paying attention to her or really anything. He looks at the two of them his head tilted. Tosh has Ianto by the arm. Ianto has a box and is putting items from his desk into it. Jack's brow knits together. "What's this?"
ReplyDeleteHe waivers and then sighs, sitting back down in his chair. Head in hands, he's trembling. "Talk about what? I don't fit in here, Tosh. Never have."
ReplyDelete"You don't fit in?" She shakes her head at him. She moves to stand by him, leaning down to whisper in his ear. As she does she spots Jack. "Talk to him, Ianto. No one fits with him better than you do. Just talk to him." She squeezes his shoulder and looks at Jack for a moment.
ReplyDeleteHis voice is cracking. "And say what?" He can barely look at her, and he doesn't register Jack's presence as he enters. Ianto stands. Gathering his things and quickly starts making his way out.
ReplyDeleteTosh moves quickly, grabbing Ianto's box. "Just /talk/ to him, Ianto." She takes the box from him and sets it back on his desk. She turns to leave and stares up at Jack for a moment, a sad look on her face. "I'm sure he'll listen," says, though her gaze never leaves Jack's face. With a sigh she brushes past him to go back to the one thing she seems to be good at, working at her computer.
ReplyDelete"I hope you weren't planning on leaving and with saying good bye." Jack says as Tosh passes him leaving the two of them alone. "Because.." He crosses the space and sits on the desk, placing his hand on the box containing Ianto's things, a man's life packed up in a neat container. "its going to be a pain in the ass finding someone else who can make coffee as good as yours." Jack smiles at him. He picks up a random item from the box and sets it back on the desk. "What's this about?"
ReplyDeleteIanto freezes, he wasn't expecting this at all. He keeps his face blank and his tone even. "I've given all I have to offer at Torchwood." He pauses. "-Sir-." placing emphasis on the word. "I've placed myself and everyone in danger more times than I can count by being reckless. I feel it would be better for -all- of you if I resigned."
ReplyDeleteJack’s smile falters minutely, but he pulls another item from the box and places it back on the desk. “I don’t think we would be. It’s not just coffee and cleaning I mean either. You aren’t reckless. You’ve helped out more than you know. Who else can I be sure will always be at my side? I know that /you/ will be there every time I need you. So..” Jack pulls out another item placing it on the desk. “I’m not accepting your resignation. Instead I’m offering an invitation. Come out with me.” He looks at Ianto his head tilted slightly.
ReplyDeleteHe blinks a few times, shocked, the only word that he can manage is; "What...?"
ReplyDeleteJack chuckles he looks at Ianto a moment his smile wide and continues removing things from the box next to him, he’s pretty confident Ianto isn’t going anywhere. He clears his throat and answers. “ Come out with me, you know.. Dinner? A movie? maybe drinks? What do you say?”
ReplyDelete"You're...asking me out on a date?" He drops the box onto his desk, rubbing the back of his neck, bemused.
ReplyDelete"Interested?" Jack asks with a chuckle.
ReplyDelete"I.. well..yeah." Clears his throat. "Yes." He doesn't know how Jack does it, he was ready to leave about twenty minutes ago, and now they're talking about going to the -movies-? -How- was Jack always able to turn the tables in his favour?
ReplyDeleteTosh can't stand it. She jumps up, rushing over to the kitchen area which puts her right past them. "I'm just, uh..." She looks at them then shakes her head. "I'm going to get Captain Hart some dinner." She rushes past them, grabs a few things before fleeing back to the cells.
ReplyDeleteJack is starting to say good as Tosh comes hurriedly past them. He really /really/ doesn't like the idea that she's going down to the cells. Which reminds him at some point Owen needs to-- He looks at Ianto, stop thinking about John right now. Focus. Jack smiles happily at Ianto. "Good. So does that mean you're going to stay then?"
ReplyDelete"I..yes. Yes it does. I suppose." He glances at Tosh as she runs by. "Maybe one of us should go down there with her? "
ReplyDeleteJack is thinking about this. Ianto is right. One of them should go down there with her, which of them should go? On one hand Ianto would probably feel better if Jack didn't go. On the other sending Ianto down there with John might make John decide to pick at him like he enjoys so much. Jack debates over it for a few more moments and finally decides. "Let's both go. I need to have a talk with him anyway."
ReplyDelete"Alight." Ianto says, hoping that his voice doesn't betray that he's a little nervous.
ReplyDelete