Linger - Part VIII
Oct. 16th, 2010 03:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sariagrayTitle: Linger, Part VIII/X
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sariagray
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto, John Hart, OCs
Rating: PG
Word Count:694
Spoilers: I spoil EVERYTHING. Which isn't much, actually. Takes place post CoE.
Warnings: Nothing too shady.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. No monetary compensation is gained. This is purely for entertainment purposes (mainly, the entertainment of the author).
Beta: Thanks to the lovelybadly_knitted again for her patience, diligence, and understanding of where my mind scampers off to.
Author’s Note: Short and sweet. Well, not-so-sweet. But still short.
Previous Chapters: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII
John Hart swore that he would never work under someone else’s thumb again. Sure, he wanted vengeance (almost as much as he wanted a second chance). He planned to get it, too, but on his own terms. Mostly, without having to kill anyone. Not that he minded the killing, really, but it was messy and only served to infuriate Jack.
So when he had been approached by two very lovely creatures begging his assistance, he scoffed. But then they had to go and dangle a bloody carrot in front of his face.
It wasn't the redemption they promised; he had heard of the Watchers race, the Zeltasya, knew they weren't the gods or angels or demons for which they were frequently mistaken. It was what was said almost as an afterthought, the assurance that he could save Jack (and his bloody dull pet planet) from a perceived threat, that was just too good to pass up.
And they assured him that no one would die.
-----
He doesn’t like to think about the consequences, but thinking about consequences is precisely what Ianto Jones does. Dead or alive or somewhere in between, every day, he thinks about consequences.
But these consequences don’t matter to him. He was told that they would be dire to him. Not to Jack, or Andy, or Gwen, or Rhys, or the baby. Not to the family living next door. Not to anyone in the world. But to him. And that’s okay, because if any harm would come to anyone else over this, he knows they would have mentioned it; it would have been a much greater deterrent.
And then Jack has to go and look at him with those mournful eyes, as if he’s afraid Ianto will just flat out disappear. Ianto worries for a moment that he might. To be taken away from Jack again would be dire, absolutely. But he doesn't disappear, at least not yet, and he breathes a sigh of relief.
He knows he’s rationalizing and that it is completely circuitous. But that is precisely what Ianto Jones does; he thinks about consequences and rationalizes outcomes.
“You okay?”
Jack’s concerned voice tickles his ear. So wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn’t realized that Jack has sidled up beside him.
“Ninja,” he grumbles affectionately.
Jack laughs and pulls him close.
“I learned from the best,” he whispers. ”You’re anxious, terrified.”
Peace.
Tranquility.
Worry.
“I was thinking.”
“About?”
“Consequences and outcomes.”
------
“Humans are interesting creatures,” the Credu was saying in Council. “Unlike us, they have two lives. Not one of them has yet figured this out, but we have. When they die, only one spark of life goes out. Very few are brought back. Some we take as Guardians, which you know. Others, those who do get their second chance, are seen as mysteries. Most are buried or cremated and the spark goes out. There exists one man who seems to have a limitless supply.”
“The one who calls himself Jack Harkness,” Garunsal guessed.
“Yes, precisely.”
“But,” Fremenka pointed out weakly, “his mate already died once.”
“Yes, he did. But Jack Harkness brought him back, and his remaining ember was unfanned.”
“And you want us to capture these limitless lives,” Garunsal supplied.
“Yes. Juasiku is changing, our home becoming uninhabitable. We are dying out. You've seen it; it is why you are called to Union, in hopes that you may breed.”
The couple nodded at that and Garunsal slipped a protective arm around Fremenka’s trembling shoulders.
“How?” Fremenka whispered.
“You say his mate has taken form in his second life? Good. You did well to forbid him. No human can resist such temptation.” He paused. “You will kill him. The Immortal will release all to bring him back. The staff you bear, Garunsal, will leech the life out of him. Both will be sacrificed to our cause. Go, my children, and may Akalsi, the great Monarch, bless your mission.”
“Akalsi Bless,” they both intoned as they deferentially backed out of the chamber.
------
When John Hart reappeared at the Hub demanding to speak with Jack, Ianto knew something was wrong. They all did. The smug smile on his face did little to allay their apprehension.
Author:
sariagray Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto, John Hart, OCs
Rating: PG
Word Count:694
Spoilers: I spoil EVERYTHING. Which isn't much, actually. Takes place post CoE.
Warnings: Nothing too shady.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. No monetary compensation is gained. This is purely for entertainment purposes (mainly, the entertainment of the author).
Beta: Thanks to the lovely
badly_knitted again for her patience, diligence, and understanding of where my mind scampers off to.Author’s Note: Short and sweet. Well, not-so-sweet. But still short.
Previous Chapters: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII
Linger
Part VIII
Part VIII
John Hart swore that he would never work under someone else’s thumb again. Sure, he wanted vengeance (almost as much as he wanted a second chance). He planned to get it, too, but on his own terms. Mostly, without having to kill anyone. Not that he minded the killing, really, but it was messy and only served to infuriate Jack.
So when he had been approached by two very lovely creatures begging his assistance, he scoffed. But then they had to go and dangle a bloody carrot in front of his face.
It wasn't the redemption they promised; he had heard of the Watchers race, the Zeltasya, knew they weren't the gods or angels or demons for which they were frequently mistaken. It was what was said almost as an afterthought, the assurance that he could save Jack (and his bloody dull pet planet) from a perceived threat, that was just too good to pass up.
And they assured him that no one would die.
-----
He doesn’t like to think about the consequences, but thinking about consequences is precisely what Ianto Jones does. Dead or alive or somewhere in between, every day, he thinks about consequences.
But these consequences don’t matter to him. He was told that they would be dire to him. Not to Jack, or Andy, or Gwen, or Rhys, or the baby. Not to the family living next door. Not to anyone in the world. But to him. And that’s okay, because if any harm would come to anyone else over this, he knows they would have mentioned it; it would have been a much greater deterrent.
And then Jack has to go and look at him with those mournful eyes, as if he’s afraid Ianto will just flat out disappear. Ianto worries for a moment that he might. To be taken away from Jack again would be dire, absolutely. But he doesn't disappear, at least not yet, and he breathes a sigh of relief.
He knows he’s rationalizing and that it is completely circuitous. But that is precisely what Ianto Jones does; he thinks about consequences and rationalizes outcomes.
“You okay?”
Jack’s concerned voice tickles his ear. So wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn’t realized that Jack has sidled up beside him.
“Ninja,” he grumbles affectionately.
Jack laughs and pulls him close.
“I learned from the best,” he whispers. ”You’re anxious, terrified.”
Peace.
Tranquility.
Worry.
“I was thinking.”
“About?”
“Consequences and outcomes.”
------
“Humans are interesting creatures,” the Credu was saying in Council. “Unlike us, they have two lives. Not one of them has yet figured this out, but we have. When they die, only one spark of life goes out. Very few are brought back. Some we take as Guardians, which you know. Others, those who do get their second chance, are seen as mysteries. Most are buried or cremated and the spark goes out. There exists one man who seems to have a limitless supply.”
“The one who calls himself Jack Harkness,” Garunsal guessed.
“Yes, precisely.”
“But,” Fremenka pointed out weakly, “his mate already died once.”
“Yes, he did. But Jack Harkness brought him back, and his remaining ember was unfanned.”
“And you want us to capture these limitless lives,” Garunsal supplied.
“Yes. Juasiku is changing, our home becoming uninhabitable. We are dying out. You've seen it; it is why you are called to Union, in hopes that you may breed.”
The couple nodded at that and Garunsal slipped a protective arm around Fremenka’s trembling shoulders.
“How?” Fremenka whispered.
“You say his mate has taken form in his second life? Good. You did well to forbid him. No human can resist such temptation.” He paused. “You will kill him. The Immortal will release all to bring him back. The staff you bear, Garunsal, will leech the life out of him. Both will be sacrificed to our cause. Go, my children, and may Akalsi, the great Monarch, bless your mission.”
“Akalsi Bless,” they both intoned as they deferentially backed out of the chamber.
------
When John Hart reappeared at the Hub demanding to speak with Jack, Ianto knew something was wrong. They all did. The smug smile on his face did little to allay their apprehension.
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no subject
Date: 2010-10-17 02:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-17 02:33 am (UTC)It's plotted and being written! I promise! :) Hang in there!
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Date: 2010-10-17 04:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-17 03:20 pm (UTC)