Prompt 91: Rusting

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Title: Of Human Interest (Chapter 2)
Author: Tigerstriped86
Fandom/Pairing: Torchwood, Jack/Ianto, Ianto/Xander
Summary: Sequel to "In Good Company".  Xander wakes up in the Hub after coming through the Rift.  

Prompt: 91-Rusting 
Rating: T (for adult situations in later chapters.)
Disclaimers: I am not yet a writer/producer/actor for Torchwood in any way, shape, or form.  And now I am depressed.  This is written in script form as well, considering the first story in the timeline was written as a merging of Buffy/Torchwood/Company (the Stephen Sondheim musical).  However, this is not a musical.  But there might be some songs in later chapters.

Find "In Good Company" here to know what the heck is going on and why Xander is in Cardiff: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4138285/1/In_Good_Company

Chapter 1 of this story is here: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4178083/1/Of_Human_Interest

There was a general sound of merriment coming from the coffee machine along with its various whistles and whirs. Gwen's eyebrow raised as she swung away from the open door and began talking.

Gwen: So, will they be joining us anytime soon?

Jack: I'm not sure they'll have to, Gwen.

Gwen: And you don't think it's highly inappropriate to allow a visitor free reign like this?

Owen: Jealous then, are you? That he didn't let you wander off when you had the tour?

Gwen: Jealous you haven't gotten your pizza yet?

Tosh: Okay, okay. You're both jealous. Who is he Jack?

Jack: (who produces a map of Sunnydale with a flourish and a bit of technology) This is the town, or should I say, former town of Sunnydale. As far as we can tell, it was destroyed, although it still stands according to Xander.

Owen: A glitch in the Rift?

Jack: Or maybe it reaches through time as well as space. In any case, he was attending Sunnydale college here. (Jack produces a little red wand from his pocket which circles a red laser projection). And he went to high school here (A second projection over the center of the Rift causes general gasping).

Tosh: So what was it then that did it? Or will do it?

Xander: My money is on the rebuilding of the high school.

Gwen: So you had something to do with it?

Xander: I'm proud to say I did.

Owen: Jack, we need louder floors.

Ianto: (who enters behind Xander with a tray of fresh coffees) Or maybe you need hearing aids.

Gwen: Hello. Now, don't take this the wrong way, but what makes you think I shouldn't see you as a threat to Torchwood?

Ianto: He knows how to get rust stains off the bottom of the coffee cart using Coke.

Owen: Well, bully for you tea boy, but what in the bloody hell does that have to do with us?

Ianto: (Just slightly defensively) Don't you ever wonder why your coffee tastes a bit off once a month?

Tosh: Owen, don't be rude. Go on, so why should we trust you? Not that I'm not all for it mind.

Jack: Because of this. He knows about the Watchers Council.

Ianto: We're not even supposed to know about the Watchers Council, Jack.

Gwen: Excuse me a moment, but what?

Ianto: (sighing heaving) The Watchers Council deals with paranormal activity that is Earth dimension based as opposed to the Rift, which is more temporal but universal.

Xander: (grinning) Is he always this brilliant? You'd put Giles to shame.

Ianto: Why, thank you?

Jack: Yes, yes he is.

Owen: Okay, I do hate to break up this little love fest, but what does it all mean?

Jack: It means...

Xander: What it means is that I will be able to offer various levels of assistance to you, Owen, is it? And you can stop looking as if you're going to examine me, I'm not your type. And as much fun as corpses are to date, you aren't mine.

Owen: How did you?

Xander: A gentleman never reveals his secrets. Wouldn't want you getting too bored of me, now would I?

Tosh: Is there anything you can tell us with any certainty?

Xander: That the Powers That Be don't generally let something like this happen without a reason.

Various parts of Xander's past are revealed throughout the day. The compare notes at dinner, Xander keeping everyone but an unusually grumpy Owen in stitches.

Owen: I still don't see how it's possible.

Xander: I know. Neither could I, but there Phil was, jaw open, and from what I was told later, inhaling the pig!

Gwen: Rhys had a flatmate in college that did that once with butter. Two minutes flat per stick.

Ianto rises as Owen slides his coffee mug across the table. Xander shakes his head.

Ianto: No, no. You're the guest.

Xander: Are you kidding? This is like getting insider trading tips from Martha Stewart. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Tosh: (whispered to Gwen) Who is Martha Stewart?

Jack: (who proceeds to wink in the general direction) Don't keep him away too long.

Xander and Ianto: I won't.

Jack: Well, they seem to be getting along.

Owen: A little too well. I don't trust him. I mean, he feeds us various facts about vampires he knew, werewolves, and witches, but it's all too mysterious. I say, he's a nutter.

Tosh: Owen, can't you accept there are things we can't understand?

Owen: Only if I can touch them.

Jack: I think it's pretty smart, especially for a kid his age in a new environment.

Gwen: But what are we going to do Jack? Does he just stay here with us then?

Jack: I just don't know Gwen.

The whir of the coffee machine drowns out most of the conversation to the other members of the team. Xander leans away from the coffee machine, nose in the air, inhaling the taste.

Ianto: You didn't have to come with me.

Xander: Are you kidding? Why wouldn't I want to be with someone as charming as you? You remind me a lot of Angel, only with less brooding.

Ianto: And who is this Angel? Should I be flattered?

Xander: Here let me help you with that. (Xander grabs a bit of creamer and begins to pour a bit into various mugs.) I'd be flattered if I were you, only he was a bit taller I'd say. Same hair though, almost similar accents if you weren't paying attention. He was smart, versatile, a real keeper.

Ianto: Well, you were paying attention. Very observant. (Ianto notes that he correctly put the creamer into Gwen, Tosh, and Jack's respective coffee mugs only and a brief shot of honey in his tea.) It's too personal to talk about, isn't it?

Xander: What is?

Ianto: Whatever happened.

Xander: Now it's my turn to call you observant.

Ianto grabs the tray, chuckling, and travels back to the dining table.

Jack: It's good to hear your laugh again, Ianto. (Jack grabs Ianto's hand. Inside his own head, Xander raises an eyebrow and wonders what that really means.)

Ianto: It's good to have something to laugh about, Jack.

Xander: Well, as much as I'd love to chat about innuendo all evening (and this is the part where he rubs his hands together), they call Xander Harris many things, but a slacker is not one of them. Okay, in most cases it might be, but not tonight. You (and he points to Ianto) are taking a night off to show me the spots in the city. And you'll probably wait up for us. (He points a finger at Jack in mock salute.)

Jack: (who raises his hand in defense.) Guilty as charged.

Owen: Why Ianto? I'm the man about town of this group.

Xander: Let me guess. You go to all the posh spots with the lights and flirty women, go home with one or two and think that's it. Am I right?

Tosh: Spot on.

Owen: Hey! When did I lose control of this conversation?

Xander: I think you had them at hello. Where as Ianto, my man, will find me some much needed atmosphere.

Gwen: You boys don't be out too late.

Xander: Don't worry, we will. (Xander grabs Ianto's elbow before he can object and pulls him out of the Hub.)

Jack: (who currently has bemusement playing across his face) Well, I think Xander is going to be good for Ianto.

Owen: At least good for his social life.

Gwen: And why are you so grumpy today?