Baby Steps
Sep. 25th, 2010 04:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ericadawn16Characters: Jack, Ianto, Gwen, Owen, Tosh Jack/Ianto
Fandoms: Torchwood
Rated: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: A fertility clinic has an unbelievable success rate.
Author's Note: Takes place after Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but before Reset. This is for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
missthingsplace. I hope she thinks the wait was worth it.
Baby Steps
"This is the Gorloisen Fertility Clinic. Everyone who walks into their office ends up with a baby," Jack told them and Owen shook his head.
"That's impossible, not even a combination of treatments is a hundred percent effective for everyone," he pointed out.
"Yeah, kind of suspicious, don't you think?" Jack asked without wanting an answer. "Some of the babies are adopted but found less than a year after the couple first contacts the clinic."
"But...but clinics don't arrange adoptions like that," Gwen spoke.
"So, who's going to do it? I think after last time, we might need something more...subtle," he admitted although he hated doing that. It was so much easier just to make them tell them everything, but he didn't want to put Ianto in danger again.
"Prospective parents," Owen said, "Get in touch with the parents and have a legit appointment with the clinic."
Jack had come to the same conclusion and looked at Gwen.
"What? No way. Rhys would want to have that talk again and I can't handle that. I don't want any babies right now," she said and shook her head.
"Tosh?" Jack asked because they needed someone. She straightened her glasses and frowned.
"So someone forgot I'm in the middle of upgrading the operating system for our computer network?" she questioned, but they still needed two parents.
"It is a fertility clinic. They would also specialize in surrogacy. Why don't you and Tea Boy go?" Owen suggested and Jack tried not to look at Ianto. Ianto had never seemed particularly comfortable with their relationship in public.
"It appears to be the only option," Ianto uttered and Jack finally stole a glance. They were both right.
"Ianto and I will investigate the clinic first-hand. Gwen and Owen see what you can find from here," Jack told them and stood up.
"Are you sure about this?" Jack asked Ianto as they walked to his car. After a moment of hesitation, the other answered, "This has all been new to me. I wasn't sure what to think."
Ianto turned to Jack before continuing, "But us, there's more to it than there used to be and if I can't get past this, it's never going to grow."
Jack gave him a smile and felt proud of himself for resisting the urge to kiss him until they were in his Audi.
They arrived at the clinic and Jack marched up to secretary.
"Hi, I'm Jack Harkness and this is Ianto Jones. We're thinking of using your services, but we'd like to know more. Are there parents we could talk to?" he asked, trying to turn on the charm more than usual.
"Of course, let me set up a meeting," she said and typed at her keyboard. Jack gave Ianto a smile as a sign. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Ianto with his fingers pressing on his mobile.
"Little Hannah Miller is a handful," a loud voice suddenly came over the telly that had been changed from a children's show. Hannah's deafening, shrill scream filled the area. The secretary paused in her task.
"No! No! No!" yelled the girl on one of those nanny shows.
"Uh, excuse me," the secretary said and took a remote from a drawer.
"Right," Jack agreed and waited for her back to be turned. Then, he leaned over and looked on her computer for one of the couples with the adopted babies. Behind him, the secretary struggled with the television that refused to have the volume lowered, the channel turned or the picture turned off.
"Got it," Jack whispered after a quick photo of the computer monitor. Ianto pressed something else on his mobile and the television shut off. It was turned back on and the channel changed to something less headache inducing.
"Now, we have one really nice couple who love answering questions if you want me to set that up," the secretary offered.
"That's not necessary. We've decided we want to speak with a doctor as soon as possible," Jack told her. After a moment of looking at the monitor on her end, she said, "I should be able to convince Dr. Gorloisen to come in earlier tomorrow. Does 7:45 work for you?"
"Perfect," Jack confirmed with a smile and rapped the desk. Jack and Ianto went out to the car park.
"We'll start with the Spades. They adopted a six week old baby a month ago. All the babies adopted are six to eight weeks of age," Jack spoke, taking the driver's seat.
"Could they be bringing them in?" Ianto suggested, sitting beside him.
"We can't find any evidence on public flights so they could be using private means," Jack explained, "but the birth certificates all have them born in local homes using the clinic staff or the clinic."
"So, we're thinking a baby farm?" Ianto asked in a soft voice.
"Could be," Jack agreed and wished they would find a better alternative. He'd seen a couple of baby farms in his time and it wasn't pretty. Men and women reduced to an animal only good for breeding. It was one of the worst types of slavery.
"What do you want to do for dinner tonight?" Ianto asked after a few minutes of silence, very sexy in his suit as always.
"We could order in, Chinese maybe, watch a film" Jack suggested since he avoided cooking and doubted Ianto would have the time.
"Or we could go out someplace," Ianto suggested in an odd tone.
"Our usual?" he asked, thinking of the chips place not far from work.
"I was thinking maybe...someplace...nice," Ianto spoke almost as halting as when he tried to ask Ianto out properly that first time. The step was just as big. Ianto was suggesting being in public where anyone could notice.
"You have yourself a date, Mr. Jones," Jack agreed and saw the smile play at the edges of Ianto's mouth.
"You'll dress up?" Ianto teased him.
"Yep, a fresh shirt just for you," Jack retorted. It wasn't very long before they arrived at the nice house. Luckily, there wasn't a gate involved so they parked in the driveway and knocked on the door. A middle-aged woman answered after a couple of minutes.
"Hi, my name's Jack Harkness and this is my partner, Ianto Jones. We were at Gorloisen and they gave us your address. We were thinking of using them ourselves," Jack rambled to set the woman at ease.
"They gave you our address?" she asked in a confused voice.
"She said you were so nice and that the baby was one of the cutest she'd seen," Jack said. Flattery was second nature to him. Her expression warmed and she opened the door so they could come in and led them to a sitting room.
"He is cute..." she agreed and a wail echoed through the house, "speak of the devil. I'll go get him." Jack and Ianto examined the photos on the mantle. Half of them were of the new baby. He could have sworn one of them was of a baby less than six weeks old. Had the birth mother given them one? Jack had never seen that practice at a baby farm before.
"Here's my darling Peter," said Mrs. Spade coming into the room, "Aww, it's fine."
She fussed over the baby some more before sitting in a chair.
"He'll want a bottle soon," she explained, "What would you like to know?"
"You would recommend the clinic?" Jack asked and she nodded.
"Oh yes, they were so helpful. They did everything they could and when it just wouldn't work out here, they helped us get Peter," she said and beamed at the small baby.
"Was it an open adoption? Do you still maintain contact with the birth parents?" Ianto asked which were good questions. Ianto always let him take the lead in professional matters, but when he did speak up, it was usually something he hadn't even caught.
"We see them every day," said Mrs. Spade which was strange. Were the birth parents friends of the family and they hadn't noticed this in their prior investigation?
"And the birth was at the clinic?" Jack asked and Peter began to wail.
"Oh, he wants his bottle. Could you hold him for a minute?" she asked to Ianto who was closer.
"Sure," he agreed and she put the baby in his arms.
"Now, make sure you..."
Jack was about to tell him how to hold a young baby, but Ianto already knew, cradling the head for support. When she had left the room, Ianto spoke, "I have held babies before."
Jack recalled that he had a niece and nephew, but he hardly mentioned them. Jack hadn't met any of his family.
"Hello, Peter," Ianto uttered in a soft voice and when the baby continued to cry, he started to rock him in a gentle manner. He'd make a good father.
The thought came out of nowhere and Jack hoped it would go back there yet it remained. Some sort of primal emotion was dredged up at the sight of his boyfriend holding a baby with a smile on his face. Could they...?
No, that was silly. They were Torchwood and Gwen was right. Torchwood was no place for a baby. His own daughter was proof of that. He wondered if Ianto had connected the dots for that one. If he had sorted out that Jack had a daughter, he'd never mentioned it.
"They smell so nice when their nappy isn't dirty, don't they?" Ianto commented and inhaled deeply.
"Bottle time," Mrs. Spade said in a singsong voice, coming into the room and taking Peter from Ianto. Peter fussed at being moved until he discovered the bottle. Then, he sucked as though racing an invisible baby.
"You two would make great parents, I can tell. You're a natural," she said and winked at Ianto. His cheeks grew just a tad bit pink. Jack studied Mrs. Spade and the older photos on the mantle. One appeared to be just a year or two old, but it was obvious that she had gained weight since it was taken.
"You've been very helpful. I think we have all the information we need," Jack spoke, rising to his feet.
"Really?" she asked and sounded a little disappointed before yawning.
"Yes, thank you so much," he said and Ianto stood up, too.
"Well, I hope it all works out for you and your surrogate," she spoke and waved to them with the tips of her fingers. Jack and Ianto let themselves out. As soon as the door was shut, Ianto uttered, "The baby resembles her husband."
"She's gained weight since the photos were taken before the baby," Jack added.
"I almost think that she had that baby. It wasn't adopted at all," Ianto stated and ran his hand down the back of his head.
"None of the adoptive parents have appeared pregnant or had prenatal exams," he said and sighed, "It has to be alien tech. We've run out of all other explanations."
"Tomorrow, we'll find out the real truth," Ianto agreed, "but tonight..."
"What about tonight?" Jack asked, feigning ignorance.
"I'm taking you out to eat," Ianto whispered, "and then we're going to my place and..."
He trailed off, letting Jack use his imagination and Jack was quite good at that. He couldn't wait.
***********************************************
Ugh, 7:45, why did their appointment have to be so early? Jack was still a bit tired from the night before. He was sure Ianto had to be exhausted as well, but the younger man didn't show it...annoying. After shower, dressing and a quick bite to eat, they left for the clinic. The secretary had to let them in and they were directed to an office in the back.
"Boe? Boe, that is you!" a familiar voice cried. Jack stared a moment before remembering.
"Emytt James, I haven't seen you in a millennium," Jack spoke while Ianto gave him a look, "Emyt, this is Ianto. He's my partner."
"So, you're still with the Time Agency then?" Emytt asked with an amused expression.
"No, not anymore," Jack spoke, "How'd you end up here?"
"Oh, I've been here and there after the Time Agency tried to ruin me," Emytt explained, "but I've found this the most rewarding."
"What is this?" Ianto asked.
"The 51st century has some of the best prenatal care and fertility advancements...well, Boe knows all about that," he said with a smile and Jack groaned inwardly. Ianto would be asking about that.
"I still have the means and contacts necessary to take the patients who can't be helped by modern medicine, transport them to the future where they remain until the baby's born and bring them back. Then, everyone agrees to pretend it was an adoption," Emytt explained, "I make them sign a non-disclosure agreement, but then, who would ever believe them? They get a baby. I get paid. Everyone wins."
Emytt had never lied to him before so he believed him. As long as no was hurt, it wouldn't be right to shut them down.
"Just be careful," Jack told him and turned the handle on the door. The secretary gave them an odd look as they walked out.
"What did he mean about you knowing about it all? He made it sound like you had first-hand knowledge," Ianto commented and Jack nodded.
"I do," he admitted and tried to lighten the mood, "Why? You want a baby?"
Ianto's answer wasn't as quick as Jack had liked.
"Well, not this minute," Ianto replied, "but...yeah..."
Jack remembered how Ianto looked yesterday with Peter Spade.
"Yeah, I kind of want one, too," Jack agreed which surprised himself a little.
"We could get a surrogate," Ianto suggested.
"Actually, we don't need one. That's what Emytt meant. In the future, even some men are born with the ability to conceive and carry children," Jack explained and watched Ianto's face, "and I'm one of them."
At first, Ianto's mouth was agape and his blue eyes were wide. Then, in the middle of the car park, he kissed him.
"I like this," Ianto whispered and Jack knew that he meant all of it.
"Me, too," he agreed.
Fandoms: Torchwood
Rated: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: A fertility clinic has an unbelievable success rate.
Author's Note: Takes place after Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but before Reset. This is for
missthingsplace. I hope she thinks the wait was worth it. Baby Steps
"This is the Gorloisen Fertility Clinic. Everyone who walks into their office ends up with a baby," Jack told them and Owen shook his head.
"That's impossible, not even a combination of treatments is a hundred percent effective for everyone," he pointed out.
"Yeah, kind of suspicious, don't you think?" Jack asked without wanting an answer. "Some of the babies are adopted but found less than a year after the couple first contacts the clinic."
"But...but clinics don't arrange adoptions like that," Gwen spoke.
"So, who's going to do it? I think after last time, we might need something more...subtle," he admitted although he hated doing that. It was so much easier just to make them tell them everything, but he didn't want to put Ianto in danger again.
"Prospective parents," Owen said, "Get in touch with the parents and have a legit appointment with the clinic."
Jack had come to the same conclusion and looked at Gwen.
"What? No way. Rhys would want to have that talk again and I can't handle that. I don't want any babies right now," she said and shook her head.
"Tosh?" Jack asked because they needed someone. She straightened her glasses and frowned.
"So someone forgot I'm in the middle of upgrading the operating system for our computer network?" she questioned, but they still needed two parents.
"It is a fertility clinic. They would also specialize in surrogacy. Why don't you and Tea Boy go?" Owen suggested and Jack tried not to look at Ianto. Ianto had never seemed particularly comfortable with their relationship in public.
"It appears to be the only option," Ianto uttered and Jack finally stole a glance. They were both right.
"Ianto and I will investigate the clinic first-hand. Gwen and Owen see what you can find from here," Jack told them and stood up.
"Are you sure about this?" Jack asked Ianto as they walked to his car. After a moment of hesitation, the other answered, "This has all been new to me. I wasn't sure what to think."
Ianto turned to Jack before continuing, "But us, there's more to it than there used to be and if I can't get past this, it's never going to grow."
Jack gave him a smile and felt proud of himself for resisting the urge to kiss him until they were in his Audi.
They arrived at the clinic and Jack marched up to secretary.
"Hi, I'm Jack Harkness and this is Ianto Jones. We're thinking of using your services, but we'd like to know more. Are there parents we could talk to?" he asked, trying to turn on the charm more than usual.
"Of course, let me set up a meeting," she said and typed at her keyboard. Jack gave Ianto a smile as a sign. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Ianto with his fingers pressing on his mobile.
"Little Hannah Miller is a handful," a loud voice suddenly came over the telly that had been changed from a children's show. Hannah's deafening, shrill scream filled the area. The secretary paused in her task.
"No! No! No!" yelled the girl on one of those nanny shows.
"Uh, excuse me," the secretary said and took a remote from a drawer.
"Right," Jack agreed and waited for her back to be turned. Then, he leaned over and looked on her computer for one of the couples with the adopted babies. Behind him, the secretary struggled with the television that refused to have the volume lowered, the channel turned or the picture turned off.
"Got it," Jack whispered after a quick photo of the computer monitor. Ianto pressed something else on his mobile and the television shut off. It was turned back on and the channel changed to something less headache inducing.
"Now, we have one really nice couple who love answering questions if you want me to set that up," the secretary offered.
"That's not necessary. We've decided we want to speak with a doctor as soon as possible," Jack told her. After a moment of looking at the monitor on her end, she said, "I should be able to convince Dr. Gorloisen to come in earlier tomorrow. Does 7:45 work for you?"
"Perfect," Jack confirmed with a smile and rapped the desk. Jack and Ianto went out to the car park.
"We'll start with the Spades. They adopted a six week old baby a month ago. All the babies adopted are six to eight weeks of age," Jack spoke, taking the driver's seat.
"Could they be bringing them in?" Ianto suggested, sitting beside him.
"We can't find any evidence on public flights so they could be using private means," Jack explained, "but the birth certificates all have them born in local homes using the clinic staff or the clinic."
"So, we're thinking a baby farm?" Ianto asked in a soft voice.
"Could be," Jack agreed and wished they would find a better alternative. He'd seen a couple of baby farms in his time and it wasn't pretty. Men and women reduced to an animal only good for breeding. It was one of the worst types of slavery.
"What do you want to do for dinner tonight?" Ianto asked after a few minutes of silence, very sexy in his suit as always.
"We could order in, Chinese maybe, watch a film" Jack suggested since he avoided cooking and doubted Ianto would have the time.
"Or we could go out someplace," Ianto suggested in an odd tone.
"Our usual?" he asked, thinking of the chips place not far from work.
"I was thinking maybe...someplace...nice," Ianto spoke almost as halting as when he tried to ask Ianto out properly that first time. The step was just as big. Ianto was suggesting being in public where anyone could notice.
"You have yourself a date, Mr. Jones," Jack agreed and saw the smile play at the edges of Ianto's mouth.
"You'll dress up?" Ianto teased him.
"Yep, a fresh shirt just for you," Jack retorted. It wasn't very long before they arrived at the nice house. Luckily, there wasn't a gate involved so they parked in the driveway and knocked on the door. A middle-aged woman answered after a couple of minutes.
"Hi, my name's Jack Harkness and this is my partner, Ianto Jones. We were at Gorloisen and they gave us your address. We were thinking of using them ourselves," Jack rambled to set the woman at ease.
"They gave you our address?" she asked in a confused voice.
"She said you were so nice and that the baby was one of the cutest she'd seen," Jack said. Flattery was second nature to him. Her expression warmed and she opened the door so they could come in and led them to a sitting room.
"He is cute..." she agreed and a wail echoed through the house, "speak of the devil. I'll go get him." Jack and Ianto examined the photos on the mantle. Half of them were of the new baby. He could have sworn one of them was of a baby less than six weeks old. Had the birth mother given them one? Jack had never seen that practice at a baby farm before.
"Here's my darling Peter," said Mrs. Spade coming into the room, "Aww, it's fine."
She fussed over the baby some more before sitting in a chair.
"He'll want a bottle soon," she explained, "What would you like to know?"
"You would recommend the clinic?" Jack asked and she nodded.
"Oh yes, they were so helpful. They did everything they could and when it just wouldn't work out here, they helped us get Peter," she said and beamed at the small baby.
"Was it an open adoption? Do you still maintain contact with the birth parents?" Ianto asked which were good questions. Ianto always let him take the lead in professional matters, but when he did speak up, it was usually something he hadn't even caught.
"We see them every day," said Mrs. Spade which was strange. Were the birth parents friends of the family and they hadn't noticed this in their prior investigation?
"And the birth was at the clinic?" Jack asked and Peter began to wail.
"Oh, he wants his bottle. Could you hold him for a minute?" she asked to Ianto who was closer.
"Sure," he agreed and she put the baby in his arms.
"Now, make sure you..."
Jack was about to tell him how to hold a young baby, but Ianto already knew, cradling the head for support. When she had left the room, Ianto spoke, "I have held babies before."
Jack recalled that he had a niece and nephew, but he hardly mentioned them. Jack hadn't met any of his family.
"Hello, Peter," Ianto uttered in a soft voice and when the baby continued to cry, he started to rock him in a gentle manner. He'd make a good father.
The thought came out of nowhere and Jack hoped it would go back there yet it remained. Some sort of primal emotion was dredged up at the sight of his boyfriend holding a baby with a smile on his face. Could they...?
No, that was silly. They were Torchwood and Gwen was right. Torchwood was no place for a baby. His own daughter was proof of that. He wondered if Ianto had connected the dots for that one. If he had sorted out that Jack had a daughter, he'd never mentioned it.
"They smell so nice when their nappy isn't dirty, don't they?" Ianto commented and inhaled deeply.
"Bottle time," Mrs. Spade said in a singsong voice, coming into the room and taking Peter from Ianto. Peter fussed at being moved until he discovered the bottle. Then, he sucked as though racing an invisible baby.
"You two would make great parents, I can tell. You're a natural," she said and winked at Ianto. His cheeks grew just a tad bit pink. Jack studied Mrs. Spade and the older photos on the mantle. One appeared to be just a year or two old, but it was obvious that she had gained weight since it was taken.
"You've been very helpful. I think we have all the information we need," Jack spoke, rising to his feet.
"Really?" she asked and sounded a little disappointed before yawning.
"Yes, thank you so much," he said and Ianto stood up, too.
"Well, I hope it all works out for you and your surrogate," she spoke and waved to them with the tips of her fingers. Jack and Ianto let themselves out. As soon as the door was shut, Ianto uttered, "The baby resembles her husband."
"She's gained weight since the photos were taken before the baby," Jack added.
"I almost think that she had that baby. It wasn't adopted at all," Ianto stated and ran his hand down the back of his head.
"None of the adoptive parents have appeared pregnant or had prenatal exams," he said and sighed, "It has to be alien tech. We've run out of all other explanations."
"Tomorrow, we'll find out the real truth," Ianto agreed, "but tonight..."
"What about tonight?" Jack asked, feigning ignorance.
"I'm taking you out to eat," Ianto whispered, "and then we're going to my place and..."
He trailed off, letting Jack use his imagination and Jack was quite good at that. He couldn't wait.
***********************************************
Ugh, 7:45, why did their appointment have to be so early? Jack was still a bit tired from the night before. He was sure Ianto had to be exhausted as well, but the younger man didn't show it...annoying. After shower, dressing and a quick bite to eat, they left for the clinic. The secretary had to let them in and they were directed to an office in the back.
"Boe? Boe, that is you!" a familiar voice cried. Jack stared a moment before remembering.
"Emytt James, I haven't seen you in a millennium," Jack spoke while Ianto gave him a look, "Emyt, this is Ianto. He's my partner."
"So, you're still with the Time Agency then?" Emytt asked with an amused expression.
"No, not anymore," Jack spoke, "How'd you end up here?"
"Oh, I've been here and there after the Time Agency tried to ruin me," Emytt explained, "but I've found this the most rewarding."
"What is this?" Ianto asked.
"The 51st century has some of the best prenatal care and fertility advancements...well, Boe knows all about that," he said with a smile and Jack groaned inwardly. Ianto would be asking about that.
"I still have the means and contacts necessary to take the patients who can't be helped by modern medicine, transport them to the future where they remain until the baby's born and bring them back. Then, everyone agrees to pretend it was an adoption," Emytt explained, "I make them sign a non-disclosure agreement, but then, who would ever believe them? They get a baby. I get paid. Everyone wins."
Emytt had never lied to him before so he believed him. As long as no was hurt, it wouldn't be right to shut them down.
"Just be careful," Jack told him and turned the handle on the door. The secretary gave them an odd look as they walked out.
"What did he mean about you knowing about it all? He made it sound like you had first-hand knowledge," Ianto commented and Jack nodded.
"I do," he admitted and tried to lighten the mood, "Why? You want a baby?"
Ianto's answer wasn't as quick as Jack had liked.
"Well, not this minute," Ianto replied, "but...yeah..."
Jack remembered how Ianto looked yesterday with Peter Spade.
"Yeah, I kind of want one, too," Jack agreed which surprised himself a little.
"We could get a surrogate," Ianto suggested.
"Actually, we don't need one. That's what Emytt meant. In the future, even some men are born with the ability to conceive and carry children," Jack explained and watched Ianto's face, "and I'm one of them."
At first, Ianto's mouth was agape and his blue eyes were wide. Then, in the middle of the car park, he kissed him.
"I like this," Ianto whispered and Jack knew that he meant all of it.
"Me, too," he agreed.
