Title: Torchwood High

Chapter: 11 part 2 – Telling all

Author: Iolo1234

Fandom: Torchwood/Doctor Who

Size: 116,000 + and growing

Pairings: Jack/Ianto mainly but many others

Characters: Jack, Ianto, Tosh, Owen, Gwen, (Torchwood). Others from Doctor Who.

Rating: PG - 14

Spoilers: The story weaves through Torchwood from the beginning so there will be spoilers for all series. There are also some references to Doctor Who series. But as this is AU things won’t exactly be the same or turn out the same way.

Warnings: some sexual content including m/m, f/f and m/f

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters as they belong to Russell T Davies and the BBC but I do get to play with them.

Author’s Note: I hope this works. I wanted Lisa to be a bit conflicted about what has happened with Ianto.

Chapter 11 – part 2 - telling all

Lisa stood there for a moment and no-one said anything. Everyone looked at each other not knowing what to say.

‘Well is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on and why you look like you’ve been crying?’ Lisa looked as much concerned as angry now.

‘Sit down Lisa. I will try to explain. There’s something I should have told you about weeks ago. Sorry, this is Owen and Tosh; they work with me. Tosh brought me home and Owen brought my car.’

‘What is it? Is there a problem at work? Have you been attacked or something? Tell me Ianto as I’m thinking all sorts here.’ Then she remembered what he’d said. ‘What should you have told me weeks ago?’ It was then that she noticed the photograph on the table; the photograph of Jack and Ianto kissing on New Year’s Eve. She picked it up and looked at the others and then at Ianto.

‘I don’t understand. What does this mean? Owen made a noise behind Ianto and Tosh glared at him. She got up and made tea for them all placing the mugs and sugar on the table.

‘Do you want us to stay Ianto? We’ll go if you want us to.’ Tosh asked.

‘Would you mind staying Tosh? You can get off if you want to Owen. I need to speak to Lisa on my own. She deserves an explanation.’

Ianto looked devastated. His shoulders were down and he looked so weary and vulnerable.

‘We’ll wait in the living room Ianto.’ Tosh touched his shoulder as she and Owen left the room. Ianto and Lisa were left sitting at the table. The photo lay accusingly between them.

‘His name is Jack Harkness. He’s the assistant head at school and yes it is exactly what it looks like. I should have told you weeks ago but I couldn’t.’

‘No Ianto I don’t believe it. Are you trying to tell me that you’re gay all of a sudden? I don’t understand, and he’s a teacher as well. So why the tears? Oh, has he dumped you because he’s found out that you’re two timing him with your girlfriend and that you haven’t given her up. Is that the reason for the tears? You’ve been shagging some man behind my back and now he’s dumped you. How long has this been going on? Was I still in a coma? While I was lying there were you fucking the boss? No wonder you weren’t interested in me. I thought you were just being considerate and caring when really you were just getting your end away elsewhere.’ Lisa slapped him hard across the face. Ianto said nothing.

‘I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done that but I’m really struggling here Ianto. I’ve got all sorts of pictures of you and him in my head. This is why you’ve been so distant isn’t it and why you’re always looking at your watch, just wondering when you can getaway from me and go to him. Why Ianto? I need to know why. I need you to explain it to me. I don’t get it. Have you always been gay and I was your way of trying to deny it, to be normal, is that it?’ Tears were rolling down Lisa’s face. Ianto grabbed some kitchen roll and gave it to her.

‘I can’t explain all of it Lisa. There was something from the first time I met him and no I’ve never been with another man in my life. This is all new to me. I can’t explain it. It’s him, only him and I love him.’

‘Well, obviously he doesn’t love you, or he wouldn’t have dumped you.’

‘He hasn’t dumped me Lisa. He’s been injured serving in Afghanistan.’

‘I thought you said he was a teacher.’ Lisa looked puzzled.

‘He is. He’s also a member of the TA and he was posted at the beginning of January. The car in front of his hit a roadside bomb and he was run off the road and ended up in a ravine. He was found unconscious with another soldier lying dead next to him. That’s why I’m crying because he head told me at the end of the day.’

‘The head, you mean the school knows about you and him. What sort of school is it that you work at?’

‘A bloody good one. Jack has worked there for nearly twenty years and everyone, staff and pupils, know that he’s gay and it doesn’t matter. Everyone loves Jack.’

‘You still haven’t explained to me what happened Ianto. I need to know what changed.’

‘I know I was trying to explain. We got to know each other. We were both attracted to each other. I don’t know why but I just couldn’t get him out of my head. Then one night, before half term, well do I have to paint you a picture? Then you came round the day after and I knew you needed me, so I ended it. I wanted to be there for you but I couldn’t Lisa; I couldn’t not be with him. I did try. I really tried; please believe me. It was the night of the Christmas staff do and then ever since. I love him Lisa, and I want to be with him, and now I don’t know if he’s going to live or die.’

‘Rather ironic then Ianto; first me and now him in a coma. So why didn’t you tell me – guilt?’

‘Yes I watched you struggling and admired your courage. I couldn’t tell you but I was going to this weekend.’

‘Well you’ve been saved a job then. What am I going to tell Mum and Dad Ianto? They’ll want to know why.’

‘Just tell them it’s over, that things aren’t the same. You don’t need to mention Jack do you?’

‘You’d like that wouldn’t you Ianto. Keep quiet about your sordid little secret. Ashamed are you? I thought you loved him. Do the school governors know that you’re shagging the assistant head as everyone other than me seems to be in the know? Doesn’t look good for a head of religious education does it?. The papers would have a field day.

Ianto’s eyes opened in panic. ‘No Lisa you wouldn’t, please. I know I’ve hurt you but not that. It would hurt the school.’

‘What would be the point Ianto? You’re not coming back to me whatever happens even if he dies are you?

‘No,’ Ianto whispered tears forming again in his eyes. ‘Even if he dies I won’t be coming back.’

‘I’m going to go Ianto. I don’t know if I want to see you again. I love you but this is a lot to take in. You’re a good man Ianto. I know that you didn’t intend to hurt me deliberately, but you have. I might try to hate you but I’m not sure I can. You’ve only slept with two people in your life. Trust you to fall in love with both of them. I’m sure your friends are desperate to get in here.’

‘How did you get here?’ Ianto asked.

‘Dad brought me.’

‘He’s not been waiting all this time surely?’

‘No I said I’d get a taxi home or that you’d bring me.’

‘I’ll ring for a taxi now.’ Ianto got on the phone. ‘They’ll be ten minutes.’

When he turned around Lisa had the photo in her hands again.

‘He is very handsome Ianto and I can see the attraction but I would never have figured you being gay ever. Have you ever felt this way before about a man or had any inkling of feelings of this kind? Part of me still wants to understand.’

‘I can’t say I understand it either Lisa. It just is and the thought of him lying there thousands of miles away, and that he might die without me being there, is breaking my heart. The attraction was instant and I knew he fancied me straight away. I was intrigued about how much staff and pupils admired him despite his being gay. He is a bit of a legend and watching him in action , the easy way he had with everyone, I have to admit that it was a bit like being star struck.’

‘So did he go after you until you gave in, persuading you to do this and betray me? Is that it?’

‘No,’ Ianto said quietly. ‘I got jealous because he was spending time with another new teacher, Gwen, in my department.’

‘But I thought you said that he was gay.’

‘No, not exclusively. He has a daughter and grandson.’

‘What! How old is he?’

‘He’s forty. He was only sixteen when his daughter was born. He doesn’t see her or his grandson.’

‘So not everyone is totally enamoured with him then?’

Tosh came into the kitchen. ‘A taxi has just arrived.’ Lisa got up. Ianto didn’t know what to do but Lisa did it for him. She kissed him on the cheek and said, ’I’ll ring you. I need some time and you need to see if he’s going to recover. You should have told me Ianto, before this. You’ve been a coward and you were wrong.’

‘I know and I’m sorry things ended like this. I didn’t choose it – it happened.’

‘I don’t believe that Ianto and neither do you. We all make choices and you chose him. Most of me hopes you’ll be happy. Some of me wants to hate you but I can’t. I’m glad your friends are here.’ She turned to Tosh. ‘Look after him.’ And with that she got up and went to the taxi. Owen helped her out. When he returned Ianto was sat at the table, Tosh holding his hand.

‘Well that could have been worse,’ he said helpfully. Tosh glared at him again.

‘What she took it better than my wife did is all I’m saying.’

‘It is all out in the open now Ianto. Perhaps not in the best way but it is. Owen are you staying as I am for a bit?’

Ianto looked at them. ‘Can you give me a bit of time you two? Take Myfanwy out. She needs a walk.’

‘Will you be OK?’

‘Don’t worry I won’t do anything stupid.’ Ianto followed them into the hall as they went out. He noticed Owen hold out his arm for Tosh to link and how she smiled. Ianto took Jack’s coat from the coat stand and went into the living room. He poured himself a whiskey and nursed it for a while, taking small sips. Then he lay down on the sofa with Jack’s coat over him. He could still smell him. He thought about Jack lying somewhere unconscious, thousands of miles away, with someone else sat at his bedside. All Ianto wished was that it was him waiting until Jack woke up. Jack had promised that he would come back. All Ianto could do was wait and hope.