Oops I did it again (Chapter 5)

[amythest_n_ice]

http://amythest-n-ice.livejournal.com/12032.html
Link to Chapter 4

http://amythest-n-ice.livejournal.com/15058.html
Link to Chapter 6
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Alister heard the never forgotten sound of the TARDIS materializing in his garage, and glanced at the clock. 2am, it seemed his old friend was right on time for a change. He listened carefully as he left the kitchen and headed for the door in the hallway that connected with the garage, and heard nothing. He was relieved that none of his guests had seemed to have been disturbed by the sound.

The door of the TARDIS swung open before he could knock on it, and the Doctor shot him a grin.

"Come in Alister, good to see you again."

"Good to see you too old friend. Now, what was it you didn't want to tell me on the phone?" Alister asked as he stepped inside.

"Sorry about that, but I couldn't take the chance that anyone who has it in for Jack could be listening. There are people in all sorts of places he irritates slightly."

"I recall. He irritated me for years. So what's Harkness done now?"

"Nothing, it's something that was done to him." The Doctor was leading the other man through the corridors as he spoke, and now opened the door of a room.

Alister looked puzzled at the sight of a small child tucked up in the bed, soft toy clutched to his chest, thumb in his mouth as he slept, unaware of anyone watching him.

"A child? What has that to do with Harkness?"

"He is Jack, or at least, he was Jack, and hopefully will be again. His name is Raiko, he's five, and he doesn't speak, or understand, any English."

"What? How did this happen?"

"One of his people got hold of an alien device he had confiscated from Toshiko, they accidentally triggered it, and this was the result."

"So why not just........."

"Because she damaged it too," The Doctor cut across him, knowing the question that was coming.

"So why bring him here?"

"Two reasons. First time he grew up, his life was hard Alister, he deserves a break."

"And the second reason?"

"How safe would he be if anyone figured out that this little boy was Jack Harkness, head of Torchwood 3? I didn't say that to Ianto though, he has enough on his mind right now."

"Ianto? Oh, Harkness's personal assistant."

"More than that Alister. Jack's lover, and mine."

"You don't do things by half, do you? Avoid entanglements for hundreds of years, then take two lovers at once."

The Doctor chuckled at Alister's words, then closed the door so there was no chance of them waking Raiko.

"You sure you're OK with us being here Alister? If you're not, I can take Ianto and Raiko off world for a fortnight."

"You're always more than welcome here my friend. Why two weeks specifically though?"

"Because that's when we'll know if this is reversible or not."

"And if it's not?"

"I don't know, I don't really want to think about it to be honest Alister."

"Well, I have to go and get some sleep, I have to get up to get breakfast on the table for 7am. I have rooms for you, if you want them."

"Thanks for the thought Alister, but I'd rather have Raiko in the safety of the TARDIS when he's sleeping."

"As you wish. You will join us for meals though, won't you?" 

"Love to, thanks Alister."

"Welcome. See you all at breakfast."

Ianto was carrying Raiko when they came into the house at 7.30am, Alsiter saw them and smiled. The boy was barefoot, dressed only in a sleeveless t-shirt and three quarter length shorts, nothing like the layers that he was used to Jack Harkness wearing. He had seen the torchwood medic stripping the man down after an incident once, height of summer and he had been wearing his greatcoat, a jacket, shirt, and undershirt. The boy pulled his head away with a small frown as Ianto attempted to tidy the unruly mop of dark hair.

"This way to the dining room, help yourselves to breakfast," Alister said cheerfully, coming out of the kitchen.

"Nice to see you again Mr. Jones."

"And you Brigadier, but call me Ianto, please."

"And I'm Alister then."

"Alister, this is Raiko." The Doctor said.

Alister looked into the sharp, intelligent blue eyes and smiled.

"Hello young man."

Raiko cocked his head, looking at the stranger for a moment, the said something to the Doctor in a completely unfamiliar language. The Doctor replied in the same tongue, and the boy looked back to Alister.

"Hel-lo." He said, obviously having trouble getting his tongue around the unfamiliar word. 

They went through to the dining room, and Ianto put Raiko down on a seat at an empty table as the Doctor went to get together some plates of breakfast. Raiko looked around curiously at the other families eating breakfast, and the children looked at him just as curiously.

//Here, eat up, we'll go and explore after breakfast.// The Doctor put one of the plates he carried down in front of Raiko, and gave another to Ianto.

After breakfast, they headed out to have a look around. Alister's guest house was on the front, and they stepped straight out onto the promenade. In front of them, the sea glistened brightly in the sunlight, and the sand was already filling up with people out to enjoy the sun.

"Right, we need to get the beach toys, and I think some sunblock will be a good idea, just in case. He's never been exposed to the UVA and UVB of Sol before."

"So how did he deal with it as an adult?"

"The Time Agency made sure all it's agents were immune to the effects of solar radiation of all planets in there jurisdiction. One of the few things they did that I actually approve of," The Doctor sighed.

"So, if he's still immortal, wouldn't that have carried over too?"

"Not a chance I want to take." The Doctor leaned over to kiss Ianto lightly as he spoke.

"I suppose not. There are shops on the pier, I think."

"Let's have a look then."

They got the supplies they wanted, and headed down to the beach. Raiko was fascinated as his bare feet sank into the sand and it welled up between his toes. He crouched down to run his fingers through the warm grains.

//Nice.// He murmured.

//Yes. This is sand, that is the sea.// Ianto told him, grateful that the TARDIS was translating between them now. He and the Doctor took their shoes and socks off, rolled up their trouser legs and led Raiko down to the waters edge.

He squealed, and tried to pull away as the first wave washed over his feet.

//It won't hurt you Raiko, promise,// The Doctor assured him as he and Ianto splashed a little with their feet.

//Safe?// Raiko asked doubtfully.

//As long as Ianto and I are with you, yes. You mustn't play in the sea alone though,// 

//'K,// The boy agreed.

Alister was in the front garden of the house, watering his plants when they came back later in the afternoon. He took one look at them and laughed, they were all soaked, and covered in sand. They all looked very happy too, and he was pleased his old friend was happy, despite one of his lovers having been regressed to a five year old.

"Had a good day?" He chuckled.

"Yes, thank you," The Doctor said, grinning at his friend.

"Do you mind if I make a suggestion, for tomorrow?"

"Go ahead."

"Invest in swimming trunks, unless you intended to bring half of the shore with you." He snorted.

The Doctor put on a look of injured dignity, and huffed, but it was spoiled by the twinkle in his eye.

"Yes, well, if you'll excuse us, Alister, we have to go and get cleaned up."

"Dinner in an hour, my friend."

"Thank you."

As they tucked Raiko into bed later, Ianto leaned back against the Doctor.

"You were right, bringing him here was a good idea."

"Yes, he had fun today, we all did. Come to bed Ianto, I want to make love with you."

Ianto turned where he sat, and pulled the Doctor down to kiss him.

"Another good idea." He agreed.

The lights dimmed as they left the room hand in hand.

TBC in chapter 6

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This is it until after the weekend. I'm off to Cardiff on Friday (provided the boat isn't canceled, why does the weather always turn when I'm supposed to travel?) and I haven't even thought about packing. *sigh* anyway, wish me luck.