Title: Never Did Run Smooth – Chapter 18 (of 22)
Rating: R
Words: Each chapter ~1000 words
Characters: Jack/Ianto
Genre: AU, angst, H/C
Spoilers: TW S1 & S2 (some references to Jack’s time with the Doctor)
Disclaimer: All the wishing in the world won’t make Torchwood mine.
Summary: AU which explores what could have happened if Jack had refused to hire Ianto even after capturing Myfanwy. Years later, while conducting an inspection of UNIT, Jack spots a prisoner being transferred who catches his eye…
Beta: My dearest friend,quaintheart.
A/N: This story is complete and beta’d. I will be posting regularly. Feel free to friend me.
Previous chapters at my Master List 

Chapter 18 

Jack had hoped to go back to his rooms to check on Ianto at midday, but there had been so much work to get done; it was close to 8pm by the time he found himself hurrying to get back to his quarters. Baker promised to have some food sent and this time Jack didn’t expect him to bring it himself. The day had been long and stressful for both of them.

The closer Jack got to his room, the faster his feet went. His mind, suddenly free of the day’s hassles and concerns, began to fill with worries for Ianto. What if something had happened… what if he had fallen and couldn’t call for help? ... What if one of the men charged with guarding him was actually in agreement with Harris and had decided to finish the job?... What if Ianto’s injuries were worse than they realized and he’d bled out from internal injuries?! At this point Jack moved from a quick jog into a full on run. He turned the corner and skidded to a halt as two slightly surprised guards stared back at him.

He panted, “Everything okay here?”

They nodded, wondering what the rush was. “Your dinner arrived not two minutes ago,” one of them remarked.

How does Baker do that?

Jack thanked them and entered his room. He was pleased, albeit slightly concerned to see Ianto sitting up at the table eating his dinner. As Jack entered the room, Ianto looked embarrassed as though starting to eat without waiting for your host was the worst form of bad manners.

“I’m sorry Jack; I was just so hungry.” He didn’t meet Jack’s eyes as he spoke. Jack had a sudden image flash though his mind of a young Ianto Jones being scolded at the dinner table for bad manners. Instead of brushing his concerns off as silly, Jack tried to put him at his ease. 

“It’s no trouble Ianto. When you work in a place like Torchwood, you eat when you get a chance. If we tried to follow proper etiquette, we’d have all starved ages ago.” He was pleased that Ianto seemed to accept this and Jack dug into his own food.

“How was your day?” Jack sounded so domestic, but he was surprised to find he didn’t mind.

“I’m doing much better. Thank you Jack. Kenneth checked on me twice; said I was healing nicely. Everything just feels sore. My ribs hurt the most.”

“When we get back to Torchwood, I’ll have Owen take a look at you to see if anything else can be done…” Both men froze as the careless words slipped from Jack’s lips. Ianto stared at him shocked and Jack groaned inwardly at his unintended revelation. 

“You’re taking me back to Torchwood?” He sounded confused and disbelieving.

“Look Ianto… I shouldn’t have said that, but yes, it’s something I’ve been considering. You have skills we need and I think you have so much potential. Don’t get your hopes up. Nothing’s been decided. There’s still the matter of you refusing to tell me what you did.” Jack meant it teasingly, but Ianto’s eyes darkened as hope once again fled his eyes. 

“Oh right,” he mutter, “that.” For the rest of the dinner he evaded Jack’s attempts at conversation with a series of grunts, nods and flat out silence. Jack sighed, dejectedly.

Jack remembered the way their last dinner had ended, when Jack had brought up Ianto’s deceased girlfriend. Ianto had collapsed into a near catatonic state. Jack was almost tempted to bring up the topic again to see what would happen, but wisely thought the better of it. He was frustrated at how hard it was to get Ianto to communicate but he remembered that Ianto hadn’t spoke to anyone in almost two years. Jack felt privileged for every single word Ianto uttered.

After they had eaten, Jack helped Ianto to the bathroom before tucking him back into bed. Jack looked forward to another night with Ianto. Climbing into bed with him, he hoped the informality of the situation would help Ianto open up to him.

A simple question popped into his mind. In a lazy voice he asked, “Ianto, what’s your favorite colour?”

Ianto didn’t seem to think the question strange, or perhaps it didn’t occur to him to question why Jack would want to know that. Ianto looked at Jack’s eyes then his gaze drifted down to his shirt before answering, “I’ve always liked blue.”

Jack grinned, but somehow he was left with the distinct impression that he was being played. He decided to play along. “Well, red is most definitely your colour.”

Ianto snorted, “You wouldn’t say that if you had to spend the past two years wearing an ugly red jumpsuit. There were days I longed for grey!” Jack chuckled, but bit it back as he suddenly noticed how close Ianto’s face had suddenly gotten to his own. As his mouth began to open in surprise, Ianto closed the distance between them and kissed Jack softy with trembling lips. Jack moaned, completely unprepared. He pushed back with his own lips, deepening the kiss, carefully licking at Ianto’s bottom lip with his tongue. 

Suddenly Jack remembered something Ianto had said the day before.

I would have slept with you, you know. Back then. I was willing to do that to get the job.

Jack suddenly pulled back to look into Ianto’s eyes. They were unreadable. He realized it would be a huge mistake to underestimate this man.  Jack climbed out of the bed, needing to put some space between him and Ianto; space to think, space to will his arousal away; Ianto was perhaps far more dangerous than Jack had ever imagined. 

“Jack… I’m sorry. I thought…”

“Just get some sleep Ianto. It’s been a long day.” Jack tried to keep his voice neutral, but he realized it still came out a little harsh. Jack flopped down on the couch, his back to the bed. He didn’t notice the hot tears that burned in Ianto’s eyes before the young man furiously blinked them away and fell into a troubled sleep.

Chapter 19