Chapter Text
A couple of hours later, they finally made it to the top. They had reached the last flight of stairs. Only one door stood between them and the Control Room.
„Ready?“ Jack asked with a low voice.
Ianto nodded, his nerves tense.
Jack opened the door, and they stepped through. He disabled the panel with a single blow from the hilt of his sword after the doors had closed behind them. The panel fizzled, and its lights died. If the undead decided to follow them, this should keep them at bay for a while.
„Where is he?“ Ianto hushed.
„Just one more corridor, and then the room opens up. Stay behind me; it's best if the parasite doesn't notice you right away,“ Jack whispered back.
---
The voice was already waiting for Jack to arrive in the Control Room. While watching Jack enter the sparsely lit room, Ianto tried to remain hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment. The loud voice he had heard before echoed through the Control Room.
„Hello, Jack! You haven't been up here in a long time! As you can see, despite your explosives, not much has changed. And now I have some company!“ the voice said, relating to the controller.
„Seems you found somebody else after I declined your offer,“ Jack said tensely. Ianto peered around the corner and saw his Jack suspended in the air, entangled in a maze of plastic cables. The urge to run over was strong, but he had to be patient a bit longer.
„Oh yes. I found a better Jack. More and better nightmares, direct from the source. Excellent quality," the voice said, pleased with his choice.
„How nice. You know, I've got some company of my own and I'd like you to meet my new friend,“ Jack said sternly, motioning for Ianto to join him.
„You have what?“ The voice was confused by the statement.
Ianto finally moved forward until he was standing next to Jack. He took Jack's outstretched hand and turned his gaze to the mainframe in the centre of the room – the source where the voice emanated from.
„Hello, my name is Ianto Jones, and I'm here to destroy you,“ Ianto introduced himself. He was nervous but tried to maintain a steady tone in his voice. Showing signs of weakness would only give the parasite more power.
For a brief moment, the voice fell silent. Then it burst out laughing.
Ianto didn't let himself be discouraged and continued speaking. „You believe you have complete control over everything. With Jack's immorality, you thought you'd hit the jackpot. But you're wrong. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into!" He held Jack's hand tight and got a reassuring squeeze in return.
The voice laughed once more. „Ah, I see, I see. Jack has kept a little secret from me. Such a naughty boy, shielding his memories, even though he knows he's not allowed to. But now that I know, this can be easily fixed.“
The walls and floor around them started to tremble. When they looked at Jack hanging in the controller's harness, they saw him squirming. When the parasite reached deeper into his memories, his face distorted, and a strained groan turned into a painful scream.
Ianto felt the tremors of the floor pass into his legs and further up until the vibrations resonated through his mind as the parasite began to break down Jack's shields to regain complete control. Ianto struggled to maintain his balance as the synapses in his brain stuttered, and his vision became obscured by layers of static interference. His eyes fluttered, and he spasmed uncontrollably.
Then the voice broke through Jack's defences and gained access to Ianto's mind, unravelling him from within while teasing him as a failure and pitying him for his poor choice of partners.
Ianto dropped down on his hands and knees. The floor felt hot against his skin, and lightning bolts of pain shot through his limbs, setting his nerves on fire. He let out a strained groan.
Like in a haze, Ianto noticed the other Jack on his knees next to him, crouching low, seeking his attention. His lips were moving, but Ianto had trouble hearing. The voice raged through his mind, obscuring all auditory perception from outside. He focused his entire attention on the man next to him, and eventually, Jack's voice became clearer.
„Ianto? Ianto! Listen to me,“ Jack stared into Ianto's bleary eyes and tried to get his attention. „Remember what we wanted to do? We're running out of time. Now or never!“
Ianto looked at him uncomprehending. Was there something they wanted to do?
„The parasite is destroying the last barriers; when he's finished, he'll crush you. Kiss me, kiss me now!“ Jack screamed into Ianto's ear. He then stood up, dragging Ianto with him. His legs were still weak, but Jack held him firmly. Ianto pulled all his will together and opened his lips for the kiss that, if done right, could be a game changer.
When their lips finally met, Ianto looked at Jack one last time, then closed his eyes. The chaos around them faded into the background as he felt Jack's hand cupping his cheek, and they both deepened their kiss.
Ianto's mind began to clear, and he could concentrate on his goal. He bared his soul in the kiss, putting every ounce of love and compassion he felt for Jack into it. Every emotion he would never be able to express verbally.
Ianto Jones was never a man of many words, but his love and care were all-consuming. It was all or nothing. It had burned him before, and if this didn't work, it would do so again. But it was worth it. Jack was worth it and much more. While channelling all his feelings for the other man into the kiss, he felt Jack's hands on his shoulders, drawing him closer. This Jack had only known him for a short time and seemed even less interested in commitments than his Jack, but he could feel the deep emotions and genuine care wash over him.
Their minds opened up to welcome the third party of this constellation into their midst. Ianto felt like he was one with both Jacks, and it was an intoxicating sensation.
Their connection was stable, but nothing changed for a while. Everything would have been in vain if the parasite's hold on Jack's mind didn't loosen.
When the tremors around them became more intense, and the ground began to shake, the voice's constant mocking turned into a frustrated howl.
Deep within the station, a groan of strained metal rose to the surface. The floor began to crack, and electrical sparks from exploding computer equipment illuminated the space. The station was breaking apart.
Ianto gradually felt the kiss shift from love and care to longing and utter desperation.
Did it work? Ianto reluctantly opened his eyes and gazed into Jack's haunted blue eyes.
„Jack!“ he cried with relief when he recognised his Jack standing in front of him, but immediately looked over to the controller's harness, where he saw his companion of the last few days, unable to move due to his constraints. They were both staring at each other.
When the parasite realised he had lost control, the rumbling of the floor intensified, and the howl turned into a thunderous roar.
„Ianto, we have to go,“ Jack's voice sounded shaken but full of urgency. Ianto just nodded. One last look at the other Jack. Thank you, Ianto mouthed. He was met with an uneasy smile in return.
Time to go.
Ianto activated the emergency exit, ripples surrounded both of them, and they disappeared.
--
When Ianto's eyes opened, he realised he was back in the hub's autopsy room. His vision was still foggy, blinded by the bright light, contrasting the dark Control Room he'd just left. Had they been successful? Before he could find out, he heard someone shouting.
"Tosh, Gwen, get Ianto away. Now!"
He felt hands grab him and pull him off the exam table where he had been lying. He landed on the floor with a thud, scraping his knees. Two sets of hands grabbed his shoulders and dragged him away. What was going on? He struggled in panic, but the hands wouldn't let go. When his vision improved, he realised Tosh and Gwen were dragging him away.
Then he heard Gwen yell, "Owen, hurry up! We're not sure how much time we have."
"Patience, patience! Won't do any good if I miss and it has to recharge, will it?" Owen's focused voice came from the other side of the room.
"Take cover!" Owen yelled a few moments later. A whirring hiss and a pop followed by silence.
"Ouch," Owen said, then he fell silent again.
Ianto struggled to his feet. "Owen, what did you do?" He shook his head to stop the room from spinning. Tosh groaned and closed her eyes while Gwen just stood there staring, one hand covering her mouth.
Owen grumbled, not looking at them. "Told you I needed more time to practice. At least his skull didn't blow up." He turned away and replaced the scalpel in its box. When Ianto took a step closer, he saw the mess in front of him. At least the parts that could be seen. His knees felt like they were going to give way.
"Jack!" With two shaky steps, he was at his side, gripping the side of the exam table with both hands, not daring to touch the lifeless man on the table. Jack's eyes, ears, and nose leaked blood and brain tissue. Owen's inability to use the singularity scalpel destroyed not only the parasite but also Jack's brain. Ianto gulped heavily as he slumped into a chair, exhausted. He then leaned over to the side and puked.
Gwen rushed over and tentatively placed a hand on his shoulder, unsure if a hug would be appreciated.
"It's alright, Ianto, you know he'll be back."
Ianto took a shaky breath and nodded, accepting the small sign of comfort.
"I'd rather he didn't have to go through that." He sighed and closed his eyes. "Let's hope it worked."
---
Ianto remained by Jack's side but eventually fell asleep; his upper body slumped over the lifeless form on the table. Gwen had wanted to move him to the couch, but Tosh had told her not to. He couldn't possibly want to wake up somewhere else, she reasoned. While Jack's body knitted itself back together, Owen kept a close eye on the monitors to see if the parasite had returned.
When Jack finally returned to life and began to move beneath him, Ianto was instantly wide awake. Staring at Jack, checking his eyes to make sure everything was okay. When he saw the smile on Jack's face and in his eyes, he knew everything would be alright.
"Welcome back," he said, kissing his partner. Ianto heard shuffling behind him and only vaguely noticed Gwen shooing the others out of the room to give them some space. Owen's arguments that he worked here fell on deaf ears.
A few moments later, they were alone.
"Thank you for the rescue," Jack said with a tired smile.
Ianto flushed as he struggled to come up with a fitting reply.
„Always.“
– The End –