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m_findlowTitle: Trust, but verify
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG.
Length: 1,000 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Written for Challenge 174 - Rumour at![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomweekly
Summary: Jack has to face up to the rumours that surround his unusual tenure at Torchwood Three.
‘I apologise for the rather short notice,’ the Prime Minister said as she ushered Jack into a high-back leather chair. ‘One must always find time for their allies.’ Harriet frowned. ‘I do hope that is the case. Tea?’ She reached across the table and picked up the silver service, pouring into two expensive looking porcelain teacups. She caught the flicker of hesitation from him. ‘You do drink tea, don't you? I know you Americans prefer your coffee.’
‘Tea is fine, ma'am,’ Jack replied, picking up the teacup and settling it in his lap, without saucer, milk or sugar, which didn't go unnoticed. ‘And for the record, I'm not American.’
There was a raised eyebrow at the remark. ‘Oh? Is it an affectation you employ to influence people then?’
‘My accent is what it is, but I assure you my British citizenship is as valid as yours.’
‘Quite so,’ she nodded, stirring her cup before clasping the saucer between her hands. ‘Do you know why I've asked you here today, Captain?’
He sipped the tea, feeling it burn the tip of his tongue. ‘I don't like to assume, but since you've been in the job six months now I'm guessing it's a case of finally getting around to meeting all your agency heads. I imagine Torchwood sits pretty low on that list which is why you've taken until now.’
‘That is a rather blunt assessment,’ she chastised. ‘The safety of this country should be a Prime Minister’s number one priority. And it was. In fact, I've met with Ms Hartman on a number of occasions since taking office. I feel it's important to understand precisely what we are up against and what needs to be done to ensure the safety of our people, and I think that Yvonne is very capable of ensuring that.’
Jack frowned. ‘So, what is this then?’ Not that he didn’t appreciate giving her the unfiltered, non-Torchwood One view of things. Capable, perhaps, but still running her own agenda.
Harriet fixed him with a firm look. ‘This is about you. I've heard unsettling rumours. I need to be certain you are the kind of man we should leave in charge of such an important posting. It is the Cardiff branch of Torchwood that is most exposed to incursion by alien life, by way of your rift. Would that be a fair assessment?’
Jack’s jaw clenched. This was why he hated politicians – even powerful ones. ‘Let me ask, if you weren't doing this, what would you be doing? What is it that makes you think you can do a better job of running this country than anybody else?’
‘It's not just my responsibility. It's that of the whole party to keep this country running.’
‘Let me tell you something, then. Something that isn't just a rumour. The reason I have an American accent, or at least what you think passes for one, is because I'm not from around here. I don't just mean London. I'm not even from this planet. Became stuck here a long time ago. I've done this job because I know what’s out there, beyond this planet. I know what threat that can pose.’
Harriet’s expression turned serious. ‘What are you saying? That you're an alien?’
Jack’s own expression remained stony. ‘That's exactly what I'm saying, and yet here we are sitting here drinking tea and talking like it's all perfectly normal. If you want a real rumour you should listen to some of the stories I have to tell you about the people I’ve had to work with over the years at Torchwood. There have been psychopaths, selfish individuals who only took the job for glory or power, leaders convinced aliens should be destroyed in every instance. There’s no way of negotiating peaceful relations with every species but to treat everybody like they're the enemy is equally dangerous. My job is to know the difference between those that don't mean us harm and those that do to make sure that the latter do not set foot on this planet. So, do what you want with me, Harriet Jones, Prime Minister. If you decide I'm an alien and I'm a threat then lock me up and throw away the key, otherwise let me do this job. I’m more valuable to you in the job than locked up, but that's for you to decide. Personally, I didn't even vote for you. I didn't think Britain was ready for another generation of Margaret Thatcher-style Iron Lady politics but what would I know? I'm just one British citizen; one vote.’
Harriet barely moved in her chair. ‘Is that supposed to impress me? Or perhaps shock me? If I can survive Tory party politics, then I can most certainly stomach the real truth of what's out there. It's not a question of whether I'm the right person for the task. The question is, do you think you're the best person for the task you've been set?’
He set the cup back on the table and leaned forward. ‘I do, ma'am. More than anyone else on this planet. This is my home now. For a long time yet. No one wants it kept safe more than me.’
There was a slight harrumph. ‘Good. That was all I wished to know.’
Jack might have spat his tea had he been drinking it. ‘That's it?’
‘Yes. Don't get me wrong, I like Yvonne. I think she is very capable, but I take my assessment of people from what I hear myself. Not what I'm told.’
‘Perhaps I've underestimated you.’
‘Nonsense. I too have heard all manner of things said about me. Thatcher-esque is too harsh. A woman must work twice as hard to earn a place at the table of men, and she is viewed as being made of iron for doing so. That, I'm afraid, is where comparisons end. Don’t believe everything you hear, Captain, and I shall do the same.’
He nodded. ‘Then I think we understand each other perfectly.’
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG.
Length: 1,000 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Written for Challenge 174 - Rumour at
fandomweeklySummary: Jack has to face up to the rumours that surround his unusual tenure at Torchwood Three.
‘I apologise for the rather short notice,’ the Prime Minister said as she ushered Jack into a high-back leather chair. ‘One must always find time for their allies.’ Harriet frowned. ‘I do hope that is the case. Tea?’ She reached across the table and picked up the silver service, pouring into two expensive looking porcelain teacups. She caught the flicker of hesitation from him. ‘You do drink tea, don't you? I know you Americans prefer your coffee.’
‘Tea is fine, ma'am,’ Jack replied, picking up the teacup and settling it in his lap, without saucer, milk or sugar, which didn't go unnoticed. ‘And for the record, I'm not American.’
There was a raised eyebrow at the remark. ‘Oh? Is it an affectation you employ to influence people then?’
‘My accent is what it is, but I assure you my British citizenship is as valid as yours.’
‘Quite so,’ she nodded, stirring her cup before clasping the saucer between her hands. ‘Do you know why I've asked you here today, Captain?’
He sipped the tea, feeling it burn the tip of his tongue. ‘I don't like to assume, but since you've been in the job six months now I'm guessing it's a case of finally getting around to meeting all your agency heads. I imagine Torchwood sits pretty low on that list which is why you've taken until now.’
‘That is a rather blunt assessment,’ she chastised. ‘The safety of this country should be a Prime Minister’s number one priority. And it was. In fact, I've met with Ms Hartman on a number of occasions since taking office. I feel it's important to understand precisely what we are up against and what needs to be done to ensure the safety of our people, and I think that Yvonne is very capable of ensuring that.’
Jack frowned. ‘So, what is this then?’ Not that he didn’t appreciate giving her the unfiltered, non-Torchwood One view of things. Capable, perhaps, but still running her own agenda.
Harriet fixed him with a firm look. ‘This is about you. I've heard unsettling rumours. I need to be certain you are the kind of man we should leave in charge of such an important posting. It is the Cardiff branch of Torchwood that is most exposed to incursion by alien life, by way of your rift. Would that be a fair assessment?’
Jack’s jaw clenched. This was why he hated politicians – even powerful ones. ‘Let me ask, if you weren't doing this, what would you be doing? What is it that makes you think you can do a better job of running this country than anybody else?’
‘It's not just my responsibility. It's that of the whole party to keep this country running.’
‘Let me tell you something, then. Something that isn't just a rumour. The reason I have an American accent, or at least what you think passes for one, is because I'm not from around here. I don't just mean London. I'm not even from this planet. Became stuck here a long time ago. I've done this job because I know what’s out there, beyond this planet. I know what threat that can pose.’
Harriet’s expression turned serious. ‘What are you saying? That you're an alien?’
Jack’s own expression remained stony. ‘That's exactly what I'm saying, and yet here we are sitting here drinking tea and talking like it's all perfectly normal. If you want a real rumour you should listen to some of the stories I have to tell you about the people I’ve had to work with over the years at Torchwood. There have been psychopaths, selfish individuals who only took the job for glory or power, leaders convinced aliens should be destroyed in every instance. There’s no way of negotiating peaceful relations with every species but to treat everybody like they're the enemy is equally dangerous. My job is to know the difference between those that don't mean us harm and those that do to make sure that the latter do not set foot on this planet. So, do what you want with me, Harriet Jones, Prime Minister. If you decide I'm an alien and I'm a threat then lock me up and throw away the key, otherwise let me do this job. I’m more valuable to you in the job than locked up, but that's for you to decide. Personally, I didn't even vote for you. I didn't think Britain was ready for another generation of Margaret Thatcher-style Iron Lady politics but what would I know? I'm just one British citizen; one vote.’
Harriet barely moved in her chair. ‘Is that supposed to impress me? Or perhaps shock me? If I can survive Tory party politics, then I can most certainly stomach the real truth of what's out there. It's not a question of whether I'm the right person for the task. The question is, do you think you're the best person for the task you've been set?’
He set the cup back on the table and leaned forward. ‘I do, ma'am. More than anyone else on this planet. This is my home now. For a long time yet. No one wants it kept safe more than me.’
There was a slight harrumph. ‘Good. That was all I wished to know.’
Jack might have spat his tea had he been drinking it. ‘That's it?’
‘Yes. Don't get me wrong, I like Yvonne. I think she is very capable, but I take my assessment of people from what I hear myself. Not what I'm told.’
‘Perhaps I've underestimated you.’
‘Nonsense. I too have heard all manner of things said about me. Thatcher-esque is too harsh. A woman must work twice as hard to earn a place at the table of men, and she is viewed as being made of iron for doing so. That, I'm afraid, is where comparisons end. Don’t believe everything you hear, Captain, and I shall do the same.’
He nodded. ‘Then I think we understand each other perfectly.’
