Chapter Text
AFTER MY CHAT with the Doctor I went back to my room to collect my things and as I neared the sound of Rose’s bubbly laughter grew louder. I could hear them talking. They were in my room waiting for me.
As I rounded the corner Jack let out a “there he is!” and I smiled. I was so glad they were there.
“Hi there – you two having fun – in my room?” I made a mock frown and plopped down on the bed next to Jack. “I’m glad you’re here.” I sighed and leaned into his arm.
“Well… we figured you two needed some privacy for your talk. We didn’t want to miss you… soooo… we decided to wait for you here.”
“It was Jack’s idea really! He dragged me in here!” She grinned and scooted out of range of Jack’s swatting hand. “I think he’s smitten!” she teased.
“Of course I am! He’s a hunk.” With that he pulled me towards him and kissed me playfully on the lips. “You’re just jealous!”
“Ya, I am!” she agreed wholeheartedly which I must confess did wonders for my ego. “You two are so… ahem… cute together.” She was choosing her words carefully.
Jack leered and retorted, “that’s not what you said last night blondie.”
She blushed a lovely shade of crimson. I was so glad I wasn’t the only one around here who did that. “Wh…what did I say last night?” she asked nervously.
“You said we were hot.” He leaned forward and fanned himself like she had last night. “Then you ran down the hall after the Doctor. You two get it on last night? Hmmm?” He was really enjoying himself.
She made a face, not a happy face, not the face of a woman who got it on with the Doctor. “Not even close.” She flopped back on the bed with a groan. “He’s oblivious. Brilliant and completely stupid at the same time.”
“Yep,” Jack agreed, “totally blind.” He turned to me and asked, “so… Ianto what’s the plan? Are you going to come with us?” He looked so hopeful, sitting there with his heart on his sleeve. I’d never seen this side of Jack and this playful, young, carefree Jack was something I’d never see again.
It was a gift but it couldn’t last.
“I can’t…” I began, “I have things I have to do.”
“Ohhhh! Can’t you do them later?” he whined.
“No,” I shook my head and took his hand, “I really can’t. I wish I could… stay with you… but I can’t.” It hurt, saying this, watching his hopes being dashed and knowing I’d never see this Jack again.
“That sucks,” added Rose. “Well, let us walk you out…” she began but she took one look at our body language and changed her mind. “Ahhhh… maybe I’ll just meet you in the control room…” she added quickly and ran from the room giggling.
We moved towards each other and melded together. Our lips connected and our bodies wrapped around each other. This was a goodbye kiss, the kind you make movies about and the kind you remember for the rest of your life.
We walked slowly down the winding corridor; it felt like a really long walk, much longer than yesterday. The Doctor was fiddling with a thingy on his what-chu-ma-call-it and Rose was slumped on the console room’s pathetic excuse for a sofa when we finally found our way there.
“All set then?” asked the Doctor. His voice sounded chipper but his eyes were dull and sad. I’d be sorry to see him go too.
“Yep. Got everything in here,” I said and held up my backpack. I dropped it on the floor and went over to him. I could see him getting jumpy as I started walking towards him; he definitely didn’t like goodbyes. “Doctor… I want to thank you… for talking to me… for taking me to Raxa… Margaret’s planet.” I grinned and so did he, which was my plan of course.
“Oh,” he sighed, “Ianto. Ianto you are so very welcome. It was my pleasure meeting you.”
“The pleasure was mine, sir.” I gave him a hug because I needed one and also because I sensed that more than anything he did too.
He didn’t say anything but he hugged me fiercely.
“I was wondering… if there’s any way to get a hold of you if I find myself in one of those important time-liney situations we talked about?” I pulled back from our hug and looked at him hopefully.
He nodded and squished his lips together. “I think so.” He pulled the sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and wiggled it between his fingers. He held out his hand and said, “your phone?”
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and handed it to him.
He pointed his sonic at it and I heard that soothing sound once again.
He grinned, obviously satisfied and then handed it back to me. “That’s my direct line. Here. ” He pointed to the old fashioned red phone attached to the console. “Just press speed-dial #42 and it’ll dial me directly from anywhere.”
“Thank you, I’ll only use it in case of emergencies.”
“You can call me anytime. I’d love to hear from you from time to time.” He wrapped an arm around me and led me towards the center of the room where Jack and Rose were leaning up against each other.
Jack passed me my backpack and then he hugged me again. He kissed me one last time and he didn’t even stop when the Doctor began tisking at us. Rose grabbed the Doctor’s hand and just giggled.
I stepped out of the TARDIS and shut the doors behind me but before I walked away I ran my hand across her doorframe and I whispered my heartfelt thanks. “Thank you TARDIS. You are a beautiful blue… ship. Oh, and thanks for giving me this lovely necklace. I promise I’ll wear it.”
In reply, I felt her hum in my mind; she didn’t send me words per se rather what I felt was a happy warmth followed by a wave of mischievous glee.
I was back on the Plas, right where I’d started. I stood back and waited for the chilling noise of dematerialization.
Once they were gone I turned around and looked up in search of the spot that hid a CCTV camera and I waved. I said, “I’ll see you soon Jack!” and then I went home.
To be continued in Part Two