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missthingsplaceTitle: Vampire!Ianto - Children Of Earth - Day Four - 1/2 (Major spoilers)
Author: missthingsplace
Parings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Gwen
Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood but i have kidnapped the characters until RTD fixes the mess!
Summary: The whole thing set in my own vampire!Ianto universe.
Spoilers: Spoilers for whole of COE
Warnings: Slash, language, vampirism
Rating: NC17
Notes: AU wrapped around canon.
A/N I wasn't going to write this until this actual series got to this point but it wouldn't go away out of my head. They are all likely to be in two parts as they will be long and take a while to write. The first one isn't very different from the actual aired episode but it will get more and more AU as it continues as i deal with the issues that bugged me along the way.
Previous chapters: http://missthingsplace.livejournal.com/2
Previous fic's in this series: http://missthingsplace.livejournal.com/1
A/N2 This chapter comes with a 'Thrace Warning' ...
Every one in the 'Hub2' fell silent again as the cabinet reconvened and the Prime Minister began to speak through the laptops speakers as Lois surveyed the room, watching and making notes on her pad when needed for them.
“With regrets, ladies and gentlemen, I have to tell you that we're now facing the worst case scenario. And right now, we don't have time for a discussion on ethics,
the hand-wringing will have to wait. “He said Solemnly. “ All we can do at the moment, is to address a number of vital and practical questions. Namely, how do we select the 10%? Who would go? How would we transport them? And how could we sell it to the voters? John?”
“Well, the selection's not down to me.” Frobisher replied.
“Nevertheless. Practical solutions, please.” The Prime Minister replied.
“Once the selection has been made, then my department can arrange to bus all the children to the rendezvous points together, school by school.” Frobisher replied. “My staff are compiling various school databases. You just need to decide what criteria you'd use for selection. Which is out of my hands. Over to you, sir.”
“Anyone?” The Prime Minister asked. “Might I remind you, the clock is ticking.”
“It would have to be random.” The black guy sat beside him suggested.
“No one'll believe it was random.” A woman replied. “Not unless some of us are seen waiting at school gates for empty buses to return.”
“If the criteria we use is demonstrably fair and entirely random, then at least we could defend ourselves against accusations...” The black man countered.
“So you're willing to risk your kids? To make it look fair?” The woman replied.
“Then how else could we choose?” The woman argued.
“We could do it alphabetically.” A man opposite suggested.
“Oh, yeah. Thanks, Mr Yates!” The woman snarked at him
“I didn't mean... I've got no kids.” He replied, flustered. “I wasn't...”
“No kids, and no consequences.” The woman replied before turning to the Prime Minister and saying. “And yours have grown up...”
“Let's keep this civil.” The Prime Minster said, cutting her off.
“Oh, yes, let's discuss the loss of millions of innocent children, and let's be civilised about it?” She snapped back sarcastically.
“If you wouldn't mind, yes.” The Prime Minister retorted.
“Could we limit it to one loss per family?” The black guy asked. “Every second-born child?”
“That would take time and organisation.” Frobisher rebuffed the suggestion. “Time we don't have.”
“So it would have to be one school at a time.” The black guy continued.
After a pause the woman said. “Look, I'm going to say what everyone else is thinking. If this... this lottery takes place, my kids aren't in it.”
“I'm sure the families of Gold Command would be exempted anyway.”
“In fact, isn't that official policy?..Isn't it?”
“Those bastards, isn't it?” Clem asked the others around him. “Listen to them.”
“..during a major civil emergency we're also dealing with deeply debilitating personal grief.”
“Listen to them!” Gwen exclaimed angrily as they continued to listen.
“It'll be hard enough as it is. I'm right aren't I?”
“It is official policy our families get protection.”
“Course they bloody do!” Gwen added.
“Jack?” Ianto said quietly, squeezing his lovers hand as he watched the expression on his face, one of anger and guilt growing more and more obvious by the minute. “Are you okay.”
“Yeah. Fine.” Jack voice was clipped as he tried to hide his emotions from the rest of the team. Yes he thought, they were all as much of a team as they had ever been, Rhys included since the events had started a few days earlier.
“You don't sound fine ...” The vampire began.
“Just leave it, please.” Jack begged quietly to his lover, squeezing his hand back even tighter as they fell silent again.
“So, we could have a show of hands. I hate to be crass, but in the circumstances...” The black guy asked.
“Well, who votes?” The woman asked. “Those with kids, or those with no interest to declare?”
“No-one votes.” The Prime Minister told her. “It's down to me to make an executive decision.”
“Do you need some time?” Another man asked.
“No.” He replied firmly. “Whatever happens, the children and grandchildren of everyone round this table will be exempt.”
“What about nieces and nephews?” Th woman asked.
“Don't push your luck!” He told her.
“You seriously expect me to look my brother in the eye?” She began.
“We need to limit the number of people who know.”
“And what just give him a condolence card?” She argued.
“That's the responsibility of government, Denise.” He shouted over her.
“No, the first responsibility is to protect the best interests of this country. Right?” Denise shouted back at him. Then let's say it. In a national emergency, a country must plan for the future and discriminate between those who are vital to continued stability and...those who are not. And now that we've established that our kids are exempt, the whole principal of random selection is dead in the water anyway.”
“Only so far as...” The black guy interrupted.
“Let me finish. Now look, on the one hand you've got the good schools. And I don't just mean those producing graduates, I mean the pupils who will go on to staff our hospitals, our offices, our factories, the workforce of the future. We need them. Accepted, yes?” Denise asked. “So. Set against that, you've got the failing schools. Full of the less able, the less socially useful, those destined to spend a lifetime on benefits. Occupying places on the dole queue and, frankly, the prisons. Now look, should we treat them equally?” She paused for a few seconds and then continued. “God knows, we've tried, and we've failed. And now the time has come to choose. And if we can't identify the lowest achieving 10% of this country's children, then what are the school league tables for?”
Gwen looked at Rhys as she placed a hand on her still flat belly, seeing in his eyes exactly what she was thinking, that she was so happy their child wasn't born yet. Rhys moved to stand behind the chair she was sat on and put his arms over her shoulders, kissing her softly on the top of the head as they continued listening to the raging debate.
“Anyone want to speak against that?” The Prime Minister asked his cabinet.”Then there we have it. John, you have your criteria. We have selected the 10%.”
“We've got enough evidence recorded here to destroy every person in that room.” Gwen said as the members of the cabinet got to their feet and left the room.
“And we can use it to force our way into Thames House.” Jack replied resolutely. “Finally get face to face with this thing.”
“And get your family released.” Gwen replied.
Jack let out a long sigh. “Everyone know what they're doing?”
“What if I can't get Lois to agree?” Gwen asked.
“She hasn't let us down yet.” Jack replied. “Rhys? OK?”
“Yeah.” Rhys replied, nodding.
Ianto moved quickly across the room, handing Jack a gun, both of them loading them with ammunition and slipping them into the waists of their trousers.
“Let's go stand up to them.” Jack told Ianto, feeling proud for the fist time since he had discovered what was going on at the look of admiration for him back in the vampires eyes.
“Yes, Sir.” Ianto replied, moving swiftly with Jack out of the building and into the car, speeding off towards The centre of the city.
Gwen typed a message to Lois as she splashed water onto her face in the ladies toilets.
'We can stop this but we need your help.”
“Move!” Jack exclaimed as they drove into a traffic jam, becoming instantly gridlocked.
Making an instant decision, the captain, followed by Ianto climbed out of the car and abandoned it where it soon, walking quickly through the streets as Ianto made a call on his mobile.
“Hello? 'It's me.” Ianto said into the phone as it was answered.
“I thought you couldn't call here? Is it all over?” His great great granddaughter answered.
“It's only just beginning.” Ianto replied.
“It's Ianto.” He heard her say, probably to her husband.
Ianto heard him reply. “Tell him I want my car back in one piece!”
“That column of fire over London? Did you see it on TV?” Ianto asked Rhiannon.
“No, I was watching the other side! Course I did, you dumbo.” Rhiannon replied sarcastically. “What's happening? The kids said, they are coming," but who's they? Who is it?”
“Just stop a minute, and listen.” Ianto told her, trying to keep up with Jack as they strode quickly through the streets, heading for Thames House.
“Ianto, just tell me. Who are they?” Rhiannon pleaded.
“They're from another planet.” Ianto replied honestly to her. “They want children. That's why they're here.”
“They what?” She asked, sure she had misheard what he had said.
“They want kids. Millions of them.” The vampire replied, wishing there was more he could do to her her and her family, his only remaining relatives other than with a quick phone call.
“Why?”
“I'm not sure.” Ianto replied. “But don't let anyone take David and Mica, for whatever reason. And this goes for you people listening in on the wire as well. Forget the official secrets act. If you've got children, you need to hear this, and you need to tell every parent you know. Look, I've got to go. I love you. Don't let them out of your sight. I love them too. I'm even warming to Johnny a bit.”
*
“You've got to go, now.” Gwen told Rhys, handing him one of the laptops.
“You're just getting me out of harm's way, aren't you?.” Rhys replied. “You don't think I can hack it.”
“You're the most important part of this whole plan.” Gwen assure him, placing her hands on either side of his face and kissing him quickly. “Now go. You've got a job to do. There isn't much time.”
Gwen moved towards the other laptop as Rhys began to walk across the room, as she motioned to him with her hands to hurry he broke into a run. Gwen settled down with Clem to watch the events on the monitor again.
“We need a cover story to explain why the operation is happening and to encourage participation.” Frobisher address the cabinet. “So the suggestion is, we announce that the children will be given some kind of inoculation. A jab to stop them speaking in unison. We stress that there's no immediate danger. That everyone will be seen in due course. Then when it goes wrong, and the children disappear, we blame the aliens. Claim ignorance, and face the music.”
“We say the 456 double-crossed us?” The black guy asked.
Gwen answered the phone as it interrupted them.
“OK, Gwen. We're here.” Ianto told her.
“Take care.” She replied, both of them then cutting the call and turned her attention back to the laptop, typing in another message to Lois.
'Jack is in position, lets do it.”
“Excellent. It is the aliens' fault. That is where the blame should lie. Not with us.” One of the men replied.
“We play the part of naive dupes, rather than willing accomplices.” Frobisher replied.
“We're not willing. No-one in this room is a willing accomplice.” The Prime Minister told his cabinet.
'Jack is in position, do it now!' Gwen typed to Lois.
“Thank you, John. Comments? Anyone?” The Prime Minister asked.
“This is going to take a hell of a lot of organization. We'll have to stand the police down and put the army in their place.” Of of the men replied. We barely have time to talk, we need to get this thing moving.”
“Then shall we reconvene at 18.00?” The Prime Minister suggested.
“Excuse me.” Lois said hesitantly, raising her hand.
“Lois, stop it.” Bridget told her.
“I have something to say.” Lois continued.
“Really? Well, it's nice you want to make a contribution, er, what was your name?” The Prime Minister asked.
“Lois, Lois Habiba, sir.”
“Well, thank you for your hard work, Lois, it's much appreciated, but this isn't really the best time.” He told her dismissively.
“I'm sorry, sir. I know I'm only supposed to be here to take notes, but erm...I am a voter.” She continued.
“This isn't a referendum.” One of them men told her.
“Lois, could I have a word outside?” Bridget urged, getting to her feet but Lois stood her ground.
“No, but it needs saying.”
“Lois. Seriously. Not now.” Frobisher told her.
“And I'm not just speaking on my own behalf.” Lois said, using every ounce of nerve she had managed to muster up.
“Just what we need, a revolutionary!” One of the mean moaned.
“If you like, sir, then that's what I am.” Lois replied.
“Oh, yeah, you and whose army?” The same man retorted.
“Torchwood.” She told them.
“What?” The Prime Minister replied, looking stunned.
“Don't be ridiculous.” Frobisher added.
“I think she's doing it. Good girl!” Gwen exclaimed to Clem.
“Torchwood has been recording all these meetings. And everything that's been said, around this table, every single word, spoken by every single one of you, will be made public. Unless you do exactly what Torchwood says.” Lois told them.
*
“Jack Harkness. Ianto Jones. We're Torchwood.” Jack stated as he and Ianto walked into Thames House, weapons held aloft in their hands before putting them down forcefully on the counter of the reception desk.
*
Gwen and Clem sat calmly as the men in black invaded the building, calmly turning to face them as they came into view.
“We've been expecting you.” Gwen told the woman in black who had tried to stop them rescuing Jack from his concrete cell.
“On the floor!” The woman ordered, pointing her gun directly at Gwen. “Face down! Hands on your head!”
“You traced Ianto's calls, did you?” Gwen asked, not moving from her position.
“On the floor!” She shouted again.
“Now that you're here, you can take me to Alice and Steven Carter.” Gwen added as she ignored her.
“You'll be in the very next cell.” The woman replied. “Second thoughts, maybe I'll just have you shot while resisting arrest.”
“That would be a mistake.” Gwen replied.
“Why?” She asked.
“Look at what we've been recording.” Gwen said, nodding towards the laptop.
The woman edge closer, hearing the words spoken through the computer.
“And how exactly are you going to make us do this?” The Prime Minister asked. “Torchwood's been destroyed.”
“I'm afraid not, sir.” Lois told him. “Right now Captain Jack Harkness, head of the Torchwood Institute, is in the reception of the MI5 building. So you're gonna stand aside, and let him do his job, and deal with the 456, immediately. And, er... I think that's it.” Lois told him.
“What she's telling them is, my gorgeous husband has recordings of them all secretly agreeing to sacrificing millions of innocent children to the aliens. Now, him, and his laptop, at this very moment, are in a secret location and he's ready to press send and tell the whole world exactly what's been going on, unless you do exactly as we say.” Gwen told the woman in black. “Take a seat. Maybe you'll learn something about the people you've been working for.”
*
As Jack and Ianto rode up to floor thirteen in the lift they barely said a word, the air around both the immortals was thick with apprehension as they wondered if they would be able to talk the alien into just leaving or if they would have to resort to killing it and risking maybe even more mayhem.
“I want to feed the live TV pictures direct to this number.” Jack told the man who met them as they exited the lift. “Can you do that? I can do it.”
“I can do it.” He replied, walking through the halls with them to the room the alien was housed in.
The two immortals walked into the room and stood directly in front of the structure that housed the creature.
“I'm Captain Jack Harkness. I've dealt with you lot before.” Jack told it. “I'm here to explain why this time you're not getting what you want.”
“You yielded in the past.” It replied.
“And don't I know it?” Jack retorted. “I was there. In 1965, I was part of that trade. And that's why I'm never gonna let it happen again.”
“Explain.” The alien replied.
“There's a saying here on Earth. A very old, very wise friend of mine taught me it.” Jack replied. “An injury to one is an injury to all. And when people act according to that philosophy, the human race is the finest species in the universe.”
“Never mind the philosophy.” Ianto interjected. “What he's saying is, you're not getting one solitary, single child. The deal is off.”
“Er, I like the philosophy.” Jack told him.
“I gathered.” Ianto retorted lightly.
“You yielded in the past, you will do so again.” The creature told them.
“In the past the numbers were so small they could be kept a secret.” Jack replied. “But this time that is not gonna happen. Because we've recorded everything. All the negotiations, everything the politicians said, everything that happened in this room. And those tapes will be released to the public unless you leave this planet for good.”
“You yielded in the past. You will do so again.” The creature repeated.
“When people find out the truth, you will have over six billion angry human beings taking up arms to fight you.” Jack continued. “That might be a fight you think you can win, but at the end of it, the human race in defence of its children will fight to the death. And if I have to lead them into battle, then I will.”
“You've got enough information on this planet, check your records.” Ianto told the alien. “His name is Captain Jack Harkness. Go back 150 years and see what you're facing.”
“This is fascinating, isn't it?” The creature replied.
*
“Isn't it? Isn't it?” Clem stuttered. “It knows I'm watching!”
*
“The human infant mortality rate is 29,158 deaths per day. Every three seconds, a child dies. The human response is to accept and adapt.” The creature continued.
“We are adapting, right now.” The captain told it. “And we're making this a war.”
“Then the fight begins.” It told them.
Jack and Ianto looked at each other, not knowing what it meant before Jack spoke to the creature again.
“We're waiting for your reply.”
“Action has been taken.” It told them as alarms began to blare out loudly and lights began to flash.
“What have you done?” Jack shouted at it.
“You wanted a demonstration of war. “It explained. “A virus has been released. It will kill everyone in the building.”
*
“Can they override it?” Gwen asked the woman beside her as Thames house went into lock down.
“I don't know.” She replied.
*
“The building's designed to withstand chemical and biological attack.” Frobisher said. “Nothing or no-one can get in or out.”
“Oh! Happy now?” The Prime Minister asked Lois.
*
“The air's poisoned. Call someone. Shut down the air conditioning.” Jack shouted down the corridor. “Block every air vent. Get gas masks, hazard suits, oxygen cylinders.”
“If there's a virus, then there must be an anti-virus.” Ianto said, cocking his gun and aiming it at the containment unit. “Release it now or I'll blow a hole in that tank.”
“You've made your point. Now stop this, and we can talk!” Jack added as he ran back into the room with his gun at the ready.
“You are dying, even now.” The alien replied.
“You can't get rid of us that easily.” Jack growled as they both started shooting at the unit, the bullets bouncing off without causing any damage and then the alien started admitting a loud pitched scream.
*
Clem clutched his hands to his ears as he tried to block out the noise, writhing around where he stood as if it was physically hurting him.
“Turn it off! Turn it off! Clem?” Gwen told the other woman frantically. “Clem?”
Clem screamed as Gwen held him tightly.
*
“Jack, something wrong, I feel ...” Ianto whispered to Jack. “...the virus is in my system, in my body somehow.”
“No no, you're imagining it, a virus can't affect you.” Jack replied. “Vampires do not die from viruses, you don't breathe, technically you're already dead, how can it harm you, let alone kill you?”
“I don't know, I feel strange, light headed ...” Ianto replied. “Maybe I'm absorbing it through my skin.”
“It doesn't make any sense.” Jack said, becoming more and more upset. “None of your internal organs are alive, how can it cause you any harm?”
“I don't know ... but it is ... I can feel it, it's inside me.” The vampire replied, panic building in his voice as he felt himself being to wobble, feeling unsteady on his feet. “It's an alien virus Jack, we have no idea what effect it could have.”
“A virus is just a virus Ianto, no matter where it comes from.” Jack replied, trying to keep it together. “You're not dying!”
“I think I might be.” Ianto said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“There's gotta be something, an antidote.” Jack shouted at the creature.
“You said you would fight.” The creature replied.
“Then I take it back, all right?” Jack argued. “I take it all back. But not him!”
As Ianto began to topple to the floor Jack caught him, lowering him gently and holding him in his arms.
“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, Ianto.” Jack mumbled. “No Ianto. This cannot be happening, you can't die, I should have your forever.”
*
Clem kept screaming in agony as blood began to pour from his ear, nose and mouth, his hands still pressed to his ears as Gwen held him, tried to comfort him.
*
“The remnant will be disconnected.” The alien stated.
*
“He's dead.” Gwen told the other woman sadly as Clem became quiet and still, flopping lifeless in her arms she continued to hold him for a moment before laying him down gently. “What about Thames House?”
“They can't get out.” The other woman replied.
*
“It's all my fault.” Jack whispered to Ianto. “I should never have let you come, I should have made you stay behind ...”
“No, it's not...” Ianto said back. “As far as I knew, we knew nothing like this could kill me, I came here willingly.”
“But we should never have taken the risk.” Jack replied, his eyes brimming with tears. “You can't die like this, vampires don't die like this.”
“I love you.” Ianto whispered with a sob, looking Jack straight in the eye, his own having turned silver in an attempt to try and use it to ward off the virus.
“Don't!” Jack told him. “You're not leaving me, don't say it like it's the last thing you'll ever tell me.”
Ianto let his eyes flutter shut.
“Ianto, Ianto, Ianto!” Jack said frantically, shaking his lover gently unable to hold back his tears any longer as they began to stream down his face. “Stay with me! Ianto, stay with me please. Stay with me. Stay with me.”
“Hey.” Ianto replied, opening his eyes again. “It was good, yeah?”
“Yeah.” Jack murmured.
“Don't forget me.” Ianto asked sadly.
“Never could, I won't have to, this is not going to kill you!” Jack told him resolutely.
“A thousand year's time...” Ianto continued, wanting to finish what he was saying and not believing Jack. “...you won't remember me.
“If you die and I have to, then yes, I would.” Jack replied, completely denying to himself that he was losing his lover. “I promise. I would. But I won't have you, you'll still be with me.”
Ianto's eyes closed again as he lay still in Jack's arms.
“Ianto, Ianto, Don't go. Don't leave me, please.” Jack begged sobbing openly. “Please... please don't. This is wrong, you can't leave me like this.”
“You will die, and tomorrow your people will deliver the children.” The alien told him.
Bending down Jack kissed his lover on the lips softly and then collapsed to the floor beside him dead, his hand resting him the vampires shoulder.
*
“What now?” The Prime Minister asked as they watched the two men laying dead on the floor.
“Two choices. Either we go to war against an enemy we can't beat.” One of the cabinet replied. “Or we go to war against our own people. For their own good.”
“An injury to one is not an injury to all.” Denise told them. “We have to surrender.”
“35 million children?” The Prime Minister replied.
“Or 6.7 billion people.” Denise replied.
“Start putting your plan into action.” The Prime Minister told Frobisher.
*
Gwen followed the soldier into the makeshift morgue, the floor of the huge room was covered with the bodies of the people who had died, covered in sheets with numbers at their feet.
“13, 14.” The soldier told Gwen.
Standing where she was for a few moments Gwen took a deep breath and then moved forwards, past the bodies directly in front of her and towards the back of them room to where the soldier had indicated.
Kneeling between them she reached out and pulled down one of the sheets finding Jack beneath, after allowing herself a few moments to collect herself she then reached out to pull down the other one, her eyes welling up at the sight of the vampire lying there looking even more pale than he normally did.
As she reached out and straightened Ianto's tie she heard Jack gasp softly behind her as Jack came back to life, tears pouring freely down her face as Jack moved to sit behind her and wrap and arm around her shoulders as he let out a sob at the sight of his lover.
“How can he be dead?” Gwen whispered. “How can a vampire die from a virus?”
“An alien virus.” Jack murmured. “Ianto was right dammit, why does he always have to be right.”
“So what?” Gwen hissed. “So what if it was an alien virus, he was technically already dead, it can't have killed him. How can you believe he's dead, you have to do something Jack! I for one can't believe he's been killed by a virus, alien or otherwise.”
“Does it look that way? That I haven't lost him? Because to me it sure does look like it bloody finished him off.” Jack hissed. “Just go, leave me alone with him.”
“Jack, I ..”
“Gwen, please, just go.” Jack begged her.
Gwen got silently to her feet and left the room the same way she had come in as Jack sat cross legged next to Ianto and then pulled him up into his lap not even noting that there was no sign at all of rigor mortis in the vampires body, completely wrapped up in the thought that he had lost him forever.
“Ianto?” He whispered softly as his tears continued to roll down his face. “Are you still in there, can you hear me? Is Gwen right, does she know something I don't, can I bring you back somehow?” What do I need to do?”
Leaning down the captain kissed the vampires cold lips, desperately trying to feed some of his own life force into him but knowing it couldn't work as the other man hadn't been alive to begin with and then sobbed into his shoulder as he tried to think what to do, anything.
Sitting up abruptly some minutes later Jack rummaged around in his pocket for the keys to the Porshe he had been driving, remembering what had been attached to them. As he pulled them from his pocket he allowed himself a small, hopeful, wry smile.
Pulling the blade of the penknife out of it's protective cover Jack put it to his thumb and drew it across the skin, biting down on his lip to stop himself crying out in pain as he made a deep cut. As soon as the blood began to flow from the digit it put it to Ianto's mouth, between his chilled lips and prayed to whoever was listening that it would work.
