Everybody's panicking over some snow.  'Oh noes, the fuel will run out!  We'll have no milk!  And what about the fresh fruit and veg, huh?  What about the fresh fruit and veg??'

Here's a thought; use public transport, go without milk, I'm sure you'll cope and buy frozen fruit and veg.  Seriously, once the weather changes yet again you can have all that stuff back, but a few days aren't going to kill you.

I hate snow, but that's mostly because it's cold, and that's what I truly hate.  Apparently I'm in one of the coldest areas of my region.  Joy.  I have good reason to dislike the cold.  It's called Raynaud's Phenomenon (which is a wonderful word, right up there with 'conglomeration') and basically means I get cold very easily and my fingers turn interesting colours.  Well, interesting for other people.  Whenever it happens I more worried about getting them back to a more healthy shade.

Go to www.raynauds.org.uk/ if you're interested in finding out more (though you're probably not.  I'm on one of the leaflets up there, ooh....).

Anyway, there was no point to this post.  Just me bitching about the cold.

Oh and would anyone be interested in doing a bit of beta work?  Answers on a postcard...

Title: Best Uncle in the World

Rating: PG

Characters: Ianto, David, Rhiannon, Mica

Genre: Humour

Spoilers: Based on a small scene in Day One of Children of Earth, though it could be set any time before then.

Summary: Ianto is truly the best uncle in the world.

A/N: I couldn’t help but watch Day One of Children of Earth and be inspired to write this.  Though it’s taken me until now to put pen to paper, as it were.

A/N2: While I’ve got your attention, I wonder if I could ask for a little help... Not so much a beta as more of a kick up the backside every now and again (figuratively speaking; please do not seek me out to kick me).  I’ve got quite a few stories I’m writing but I never seem to finish anything longer than a one-shot, and I’d like someone to read over what I’ve got, tell me what they think would be good to continue, then prod me every now and again so that I actually do it...

 

 

( Read more... )

I really need someone to prod me into writing. I've got so many half-formed stories and they just never seemed to get finished. Pourquoi? Well, I lose enthusiasm for them after a while, and I have no one to share them with in their unfinished states so they get left on their own, cold and unloved...

In an effort to motivate myself, I decided to make a list of the stories I want to get written the most (I have at least 70 different stories, so this is rounding it down...) and then hopefully I will feel more motivation to do them. To anyone reading (is there actually anyone reading this...?) feel free to comment on what you would like to see the most.  I should note that they're mostly Torchwood stories.  In no particular order..

( Super-Special-Awesome List )

This is quite depressing.



Your results:
You are An Expendable Character (Redshirt)

An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 70% Deanna Troi 65% Will Riker 60% Jean-Luc Picard 55% James T. Kirk (Captain) 50% Chekov 40% Worf 40% Data 38% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 35% Uhura 35% Mr. Scott 25% Geordi LaForge 25% Mr. Sulu 15% Spock 14% Beverly Crusher 10%

Since your accomplishments are seldom noticed, and you are rarely thought of, you are expendable. That doesn't mean your job isn't important but if you were in Star Trek you would be killed off in the first episode you appeared in.

Click here to take the Star Trek Personality Test

I have now been off work for nine whole days, simply because there is no overtime.  I never thought (ever) that I would miss being at work.  I've still got the rest of today, Thursday and Friday to fill.

It's funny though.  I wrote myself a list of things I should do with all my time off, and have I done it all?  Like hell I have.  I've done maybe three things on there.  Hmm.

I have noticed a rise in my creativity levels.  Writing, drawing, Photoshopping... It must be the boredom.  My friend says it's because I have a creative soul.  I'm crap at being creative though.  It takes time and patience - I hate taking my time to do things and I have very little patience.

So.  I have nine things left to do on my list.  One of them (I vaguely remember writing late at night) simply says 'BROWNIES :D'  Well.  If that's what I put...

On another note, one of neighbours has gotten this cat repellent thing that emits a high-pitched squealy noise.  It's incredibly annoying, and seems to go off whether there's a cat there or not.  I will have to seek and destroy it.  It's just made the list...

I've finally finished university.  Properly, this time.  I have a letter telling me that I have a Bachelor of Arts on Art and Design and congratulating me on the successful completion of my studies with the university.

There will be much celebrating, with much drinking and maybe some nakedness... Or not.  Actually, there'll just be work at eight in the morning, as usual.  The world will continue on as will my existence within it and not much will have changed.  I have a degree.  So what?  Get back to work, you still haven't paid your tuition fees, you lazy student bum.

The second thing my brother said after I told him (the first being 'well done') was 'So when are you going to get a job?'  I believe I sighed heavily at this point.  Easier said than done...

Travelling first, then work.  No, wait - crappy work for money first, then travelling with eventual, inevitable work to follow.

“We’ve a got a pulse!”  Someone called triumphantly.

 Ianto gasped, immediately regretting it as his chest was racked with pain.  He knew now, though, what it was, and it was important to tell Jack so that maybe he could save him.

 “Jack,” he croaked.  The people around him were all talking to each other and though he couldn’t understand what they were saying it sounded serious.  “Jack,” he tried again.

 “Ianto, can you hear me?”  The doctor asked.  “Ianto, if you can hear me, blink twice, don’t try to talk.”  Ianto obediently blinked twice and the doctor said something quickly to another person before she turned her attention back to him.  “Your friend is waiting outside, once we get you well you can talk to him but right now we need to take care of you, yeah?”

 “Tell him,” Ianto said weakly, “You’ve got to tell him... Tell him it’s a Loothtong...”

 “A what?” She said.  “Ianto, stay with me!”

 “A Loothtong,” Ianto repeated, “He can look it up.”

 “What are you going on about?” The Doctor asked.

 “For god’s sake,” Ianto said, pulling off the oxygen mask and sitting up to glare at him.  “It’s a creature that attaches itself to the heart and drains it, and in the process...” He trailed as he looked at the Doctor.  “Oh.  In the process the victim goes into a coma until their heart gives out.  The survivors on record commented that they experienced strange dreams...”

 “Ah yes,” the Doctor said.  “Actually it’s pronounced ‘Loo-ath-a-tong.’”

 “Really?” Ianto asked suspiciously as he got down off the bed.

 “No idea, but it sounds like something I’d say,” the Doctor grinned.

 Ianto couldn’t argue with that.  He wandered to the doors and walked through into his sister’s house.  Children’s toys littered the floor and he picked his way through to her living room.  Rhiannon must have redecorated; instead of the cosy little room with the squashy old sofas he was used to, it was now a big plain room with a table in the centre and chairs surrounding it.  The table was laden with plates of triangular sandwiches, little cakes and party rings among other foods, as well as fine china teacups and saucers with an enormous teapot in the middle.  Rhiannon was sat in an extremely lacy and fussy dress, full of bows and ribbons and very Gothic Lolita.  She drank her tea daintily with another woman who was sitting with her back to Ianto.

 “Ianto,” Rhiannon said pleasantly.  “Are you here for tea?”

 “I’m kind of busy right now, or I would,” Ianto apologised.

 “You always say that,” Rhiannon pouted.  “He always says that,” she told the other woman.

 “It’s always true,” he said.

 “Oh go on,” Rhiannon said.  “Have a French fancy.”

 Ianto sighed.  “Well, maybe one.”  He walked over and took the seat opposite his sister so that the other woman was now to his left.  The first thing he noticed was that while his sister was wearing white with black detail, this woman was wearing an identical outfit in black with white detail.  The second thing he noticed was that the woman was Tosh, and thirdly he noticed they were now having afternoon tea on a beach.

 “See, isn’t this nice?” Rhiannon said giving him a pleased smile.  “It doesn’t take long, you know, to just pop by and say hello, ask me how I am.”

 “If you’re planning on having tea on the beach a lot it’s going to make it very difficult,” Ianto said as he stared at Tosh.  She smiled at him sweetly before taking a sip of her tea.

 “Huh, well your work friend found the time, and she’s not even alive anymore,” Rhiannon pointed out.

 “It’s not his fault,” Tosh said.  “I’ve just got a lot more time on my hands, and they’re struggling so much with only the three of them.”  She reached a hand over to pat Ianto’s on the table.  “You really should get Jack to employ more people.  Especially a doctor; if he had maybe you wouldn’t be in this mess.”  She looked significantly at his chest where the blood was sweeping out.

 “I’m going to stain the table cloth,” he said apologetically.

 “Don’t worry about it, I’m already way ahead of you,” Tosh said lightly.  It was true; her own wound, Ianto could now see, had turned the entire spread a deep shade of red.

 “Have you seen Owen?”  Ianto asked.

 “Yes, many times,” Tosh said, nodding absently.

 “Oh.  Well that’s good.  Have you seen him lately?”

 “Ianto, he’s dead,” Tosh admonished.

 “That didn’t stop him before,” Ianto pointed out.  He could hear a child screaming somewhere and he looked to his sister, who was now eating cucumber sandwiches.  “Shouldn’t you see to that?”

 “Oh, it’ll be fine,” she said breezily.  Ianto bit his lip as the sound increased.

 “I better go,” he said, standing.

 “Don’t go too far,” Tosh called as he walked away.

 The sand gave way to cement and soon he was in the Hub again, standing before the cog wheel door.  It was made to withstand enormous pressure, but now Ianto could see cracks.  He was sure the banging was getting more intense.

 “They might not make it in time,” someone said behind him.

 He glanced behind him at the Doctor.  “Not you again,” he groaned.

 “Oi, you should feel honoured,” the Doctor retorted.  “I can think of several different species that would overjoyed to have me in their dreams. Well, reasonably happy, anyway.  Well...” he trailed before a particularly loud thump to the door brought back his focus.  “That’s not going to hold forever, you know.”

 Ianto looked to the door.  “I know.  But maybe it’ll hold long enough for them to help.”

 “Hmm,” the Doctor said contemplatively.  He looked up at the hothouse, now devoid of plants.  “They’re certainly trying their best.”

 Ianto looked up too, seeing Jack and Gwen swirling around, arguing though he couldn’t tell what about.  Jack was jabbing his finger at Gwen while she put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

 “Their best might not be good enough, however,” the Doctor mused.  Gwen threw one hand in the air before stalking away from Jack.  Ianto saw her walk through the door and suddenly she was by his side, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.

 “Ianto love, can you hear me?”  She asked, peering at him.

 “Of course I can,” Ianto said, trying to put his hand on hers, but it was just so difficult and there were all these tubes and lines running in and out of his arm making it impossible to move.

 “Ianto,” she called, sounding far away and there was an accompanying beep in the background of her voice.  “Ianto, we’re going to help you, okay?  Jack’s called Martha, she’s on her way now and we’re going to beat this thing, yeah?  So just hold on, okay?”

 “I am,” he said, desperately trying to move his body, “I swear I am.”

 “Ianto?” She said again uncertainly.  “Please Ianto, please be okay.”

 “I’m trying, but I don’t know how much longer I can last,” he said.  “I’m scared, Gwen.”

 “Ianto?” She called to him distantly.  He pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes, pushing so hard colour erupted slowly in his vision.  He wanted to believe her, he wanted to be okay, but there was that insistent banging...  When he pulled his hands away, she was gone.

 He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose against the headache that was forming.  A part of him recognised that it was caused by the alien toxin that had put him in this coma and was keeping him in the dream, but mostly he thought it was the banging.  He turned around and looked at his nephew and niece, David and Mica, sitting on the floor of his father’s tailor shop.  “Would you please stop that?” He asked, as they rammed their respective cars into each other repeatedly.

 “It’s okay, Uncle Ianto,” David said.  He lifted the little SUV with its blue lights in the windows winking for him to see.  “It’s built to last.”

 “That wasn’t exactly what I meant,” Ianto muttered.

 “Oh leave them be, Ianto,” his father said, coming out of the back of the shop.  He smiled at Ianto.  “They’re only kids.”

 “What if they break something?” Ianto asked, looking over his father.  He was dressed impeccably as always, but seeming somehow smaller and older than when Ianto saw him last.

 “Then it gets broken,” he shrugged.  “No use in worrying about ‘what ifs’ now, my boy.  You have more important things to worry about,” he said, looking meaningfully at Ianto’s shirt, darkly stained now with his blood.  “You’ll need to soak that in cold water.”

 “I imagine it won’t matter; the doctor’s have probably cut it off me by now,” Ianto said.

 “You’re probably right,” his father sighed.  “It’s a shame; that was a good shirt.”  Ianto nodded mournfully in agreement.  “Come on kids,” his father said.  “Come and help your old granddad.”  He gestured for them to follow him out the back.

 “We are coming,” they said in unison, abandoning their toy cars on the floor.  Ianto frowned as he watched them skip out to the back.  Once they had gone he reached down to pick up the little SUV, but it sped away from him.  He quickly followed it, chasing after it out of the shop and into the nuclear plant.  It disappeared into the dark where he heard it connect with something, and Ianto was aware of the darkness moving.

 “Hello?” He said hesitantly.  “Who’s there?”

 “Who do you think?” A very familiar voice asked.

 “Oh,” Ianto said, straightening up quickly.  “Of course.  What are you doing here?”

 “I never left,” the voice answered, a slight admonishment woven in his tone.

 “It’s not like we didn’t look for you,” Ianto said quickly.  “It’s just that there was nothing left to find.”

 “Typical,” the voice said with a tut.  “I bet you looked for five minutes before you and Captain Jack Flash found a broom closet to make out in.”

 “We wouldn’t,” Ianto said.  “Why don’t you come into the light?”

 “Haven’t we discussed this before?” He said.  “There’s only darkness, nothingness.  No light at the end of the tunnel for any of us.”  He paused before continuing, “Plenty of room for you too, and I’m fairly certain you’ll be joining me sooner rather than later.”

 “Come out where I can see you,” Ianto said.

 Slowly the darkness shifted.  “If you insist.”  A figure emerged and as the light hit it, Ianto found himself stepping back.

 He was barely recognisable as Owen anymore; the radiation had burnt his flesh and seared away to the bone with only great chunks of muscle remaining here and there.  His lips were gone and his teeth glared a brilliant white against the charred flesh but Ianto could still recognise those sneering eyes.  Ianto pressed a hand to his mouth and fought down a scream.

 “What’s the matter teaboy?”  Owen asked, his mouth moving grotesquely around the words.  “Don’t like what you see?”

 “I’m sorry Owen,” Ianto whispered.  “I’m so sorry.”

 “Yeah, well,” Owen shrugged, part of his shoulder flapping as he did so.  “Nothing we can do about it now.  I died so you all could live.  Twice.  The least you can do is thank me for it,” he grumbled.

 “Owen, I,” Ianto paused, taking a moment to swallow.  “Thank you.  Really.  Not just for the whole saving our lives thing, but for everything.”

 “Right.  Good,” Owen said awkwardly.  “Actually, you know what else you can do?”

 “Anything, name it.”

 “You can bloody well live through this, you little ponce!” Owen said, waving an arm.  A piece flew off and hit the wall with a thump.  Ianto closed his eyes and grimaced against the sound.  “I didn’t die just for you to copy me a few months down the line!  It’s not even original anymore.”

 “So last year,” Ianto murmured.

 “Exactly.  So turn around and go fight this thing, or so help me I’m haunting your pale little arse.”

 Ianto nodded once to Owen and turned around to face the cog wheel door.  It really wasn’t going to last much longer.  He took a deep, calming breath, clenching his hands at his sides.  The odds were not in his favour, unless Jack had managed to find out what the Loothtong was and how to kill it without killing him.  Or perhaps he would simply put Ianto out of his misery.  He took another deep breath and let his hands relax as he watched the door start to cave.

 A hand gripped his and he looked at Jack by his side.  Jack was staring at the door, his hand tightly holding Ianto’s.  “I’m here, Ianto,” he said.  “I’m right here, so stay strong a little longer.  Martha’s giving you the serum, and you’re going to be fine, you’re going to live.”

 “I never doubted you would let me do any different,” Ianto commented, squeezing Jack’s hand in response.

 “Stay with me, Ianto.  Don’t leave me yet,” Jack murmured.  He leaned in close and Ianto could smell him.  “I have so much left to do with you, so much left to say.  You can’t die without -”

 Suddenly the door exploded inwards and a weevil burst though, flying towards Ianto.  He jumped to the side quickly and it landed near Tosh’s desk, turning slowly and letting out a growling rumble.  He had an odd double vision of it for an instant; part weevil, all teeth and claws, and part creature of slick black and long tendrils.  Ianto was aware of a sharp increase in the beeping but he paid it little attention as he warily watched the creature.

 “Fight it, Ianto!” Jack shouted.  “You can beat this, come on!”

 “Easy for you to say, you’re not even really here,” Ianto retorted, never taking his eyes away from it.

 It snarled again and lunged.  Ianto brought his arms up to defend himself and hit it back with his forearms, sending it hurtling across the floor.  He backed up, quickly searching the immediate area before lunging towards the armoury, hastily typing in the number to unlock it.

 “Four five six,” he muttered as he punched it in.  It refused to open.  “Come on, four, five, six...”  No wait, he thought, that’s not right.  The creature was standing again, flickering between weevil and shiny blackness and heading over to him.  He turned back to the door and his fingers flew over the keypad remembering what he could not and he fell in the room, reaching to the first weapon he could.

 He spun around, raising the weapon but it landed on his chest, making him shout out with pain as the tendrils started to dig deep inside him.

 “Ianto!” He heard Jack shout, amid all the other urgent voices and the shrill whine of the heart monitor.

 Ianto fumbled with the gun until his finger found the trigger and he shot the beast.  It jerked his body upwards and let out a terrible cry, but it had not let him go yet.  Ianto shot again, over and over.  It hissed and the pain in his chest started to subside, but darkness was still closing in around him.  Above him the creature’s body dried out, disintegrating into dust and scattered to the air.  Ianto was alone in the darkness now, his fear rapidly giving way to rage.

 “No!” He said angrily.  “I beat the thing, it’s dead!  I am not going to die after all that, damn it!” The darkness rushed to swallow him but then there was Jack towering over him.

 “You don’t get away that easily, Snow White,” Jack said, and his lips pressed against Ianto’s and the world rushed back in around him, assaulting him with pain and brightness and noise.

 He gasped and wished he hadn’t as his chest protested against the movement.  He looked around wildly at the people swarming his bed, snapping at each other, talking to him but he ignored them as his eyes hunted for one person.  Someone moved and then there was Jack, standing looking as though he hardly dared to hope with a redness in his eyes that suggested he’d been crying.  When their eyes connected he surged forward, only to be held back by nurses who called him sir and gave him various reasons why he shouldn’t approach.

 “Jack,” Ianto said weakly, wincing against the rawness of his throat.

 “I’m here Ianto,” Jack called.  “I’m right here.”

 The doctors surrounding him were sounding a lot calmer now, poking him and jabbing him with various things.  One of them gestured to Jack before turning around to Ianto.

 “You gave us quite a scare for a minute there,” she said, and it took Ianto a moment to realise it was Martha.  “Thought we were going to lose you.”

  “Not Ianto,” Jack said as he came forward.  “Not by something as silly as a loothtong.”  He reached for Ianto’s hand and gripped it, pulling it up to his lips.

 Ianto took in the sight of Jack, squeezing his hand response.  “Such faith,” he managed, his voice coming out in a croak.

 Jack smiled and said, “You were never one to disobey an order.”  That was a blatant lie, Ianto thought, but he was too tired to argue.

 “You should rest Ianto,” Martha said.  “Your body’s been through a lot and you need time to recover, to sleep.”

 “He’s been asleep for days now, that’s long enough, don’t you think?” Jack said.

 “I don’t think a coma really counts,” Martha said.  She fiddled with something before turning back to face him, syringe in hand.  “This will help you sleep.”

 “Will I dream?” Ianto asked, watching as Martha pushed the needle into one of the tubes on his hand opposite Jack.

 “Shouldn’t do,” Martha said.

 “Good.  I’ve had quite enough of that for a while,” Ianto said, feeling the effects of the sedative almost instantly.  It was getting hard to think, but that was not a bad think.  He blinked slowly at Jack, who held his hand and smiled for him, looking intensely relieved.  “I’m glad you’re here,” Ianto murmured, the sedative slurring his words.

 “Just sleep, Ianto,” Jack told him, brushing a hand across his face.  “I’ll be here when you wake.”

 Ianto smiled a little before he let himself fall, and this time only the nothing kept him company till he woke.

People were shouting around him, calling out numbers and acronyms as he gasped for air.

 “Ianto!”  He could hear Jack calling his name, and his eyes searched him out.

 “Please, sir, you need to let us work if you want us to save your friend,” Ianto heard someone say.

 “Jack,” Ianto croaked, feeling the warmth of his breath encased in an oxygen mask.  His whole body ached but there was a sharp pain in his chest that made it hurt to breathe.  “Jack,” he tried to call with more volume.

 “Ianto?”  Suddenly Jack was there, pushing people aside like he always did.  “Ianto, can you hear me?”

 “Jack,” Ianto whimpered, trying to reach up his hand.

 “I’m here,” Jack said, grasping his hand.  “I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.”

 “Sir, please!” A woman’s voice said.  “We need to operate on him as soon as possible, and we can’t do that if you insist on barging in here and getting in the way!”

 “It’s going to be okay, Ianto,” Jack assured him, but it was getting dark again and Ianto could barely hear him.  It was so hard to keep his eyes open.  “Ianto?  Ianto!”

 Ianto opened his eyes and looked around the hospital room.  He was alone now, left to an eerie silence.  He sat up on the bed and pulled the various tubes and leads off an out of himself before he slipped off to stand.

 “Jack?” He said cautiously before he walked towards the double doors of the emergency room.  He hesitated a moment before he pushed the doors open, revealing the Hub.

 He looked around wondering where they had all gone, before his attention was drawn back to the door.  He eyed it nervously and jumped when something banged against it.  No, he decided, he didn’t want to stay here, not while that was trying to get it in.

 “Ianto!” Someone called.  He spun around to see a man in a dark brown suit waving him over from the archives.  He frowned for a moment before he recognised him; the Doctor.  “Quickly now, come on!”  The man encouraged.  Ianto cast another look at the door before he followed the Doctor.

 “Ah, good,” the Doctor said once Ianto entered the archives.  “Now, we need to start searching for this alien, figure out what it is and how to get rid of it.”

 “Just what exactly are you doing here?”  Ianto asked, his eyes narrowing on the man.

 “I’m helping,” he said, somewhat defensively.  “See me, researching, suggesting – helping.”

 “Yes, but why you?”  Ianto said.

 “Well, why not me?”  The Doctor asked.  He added proudly, “I have a TARDIS.”

 “And I’m very happy for you, but why does that mean you’re helping me?”

 “Ah, well,” the Doctor turned to him, brandishing his arms like a magician getting ready for a trick and wearing an expression of one about to explain something incredibly complicated and technical.  “You see, this is all in your head, you’re dreaming – you did know you were dreaming, yes?”

 “I’d figured that part out, thank you,” Ianto said dryly.

 “Right, so everything here is a part of you, a part of your mind, including me!” The Doctor grinned smugly.  “I’m the part of you that’s logical, smart, intelligent...  Apparently you associate these traits with me – well, the Doctor, anyway.  You relate to him on an intellectual level of brilliance!”

 “And arrogance, it would seem,” Ianto commented.

 “Yes, maybe that too,” the Doctor conceded.  “But look, we should get going, I don’t think the right one is here anyway.” He put down the files he was holding.

 “Where are we going?” Ianto asked as he followed the other man.

 “Here!”  Ianto stopped to stare at the TARDIS.

 “Why is it blue?  I never understood why it’s a blue police box,” Ianto said.

 “I don’t know, this is your brain we’re in,” the Doctor said.  He jumped towards the door and opened it.  “Come on, we’ll be safe in here.”  The Doctor disappeared inside leaving Ianto glancing between the entrance to the archives and the TARDIS.

 “Maybe later,” Ianto muttered and continued through the archives.  Behind him he heard the sound of the TARDIS leaving.  So much for that plan.  He pushed aside boxes of artefacts and stumbled into a corridor of Torchwood London.

 People bustled around him, bright and happy, chattering away to each other about inconsequential things.  He remembered them like this, excited and smiling and god how he wished they could have stayed that way.  He watched Carrie from Research and Development laugh with Richard, also Research and Development, about something they were working on.  Brenda from the Ethics Department listened to them, nodding in the right places.

 “It’s brilliant!  It’s going to change the world!”  Carrie exclaimed happily, grinning as she tucked her wild blond hair behind her ears.

 “Yes!  Telepathic vacuum cleaners,” Richard enthused.  “Cleaning will never be the same again!”

 “But what about the ethical implications?”  Brenda asked, frowning slightly.  “Is it right to expect something to clean up after you just because you want it to?”

 “Well that’s what the Society for the Protection of Cleaning Kit is for,” Richard said.  “SPOCK makes sure that no vacuum cleaners are hurt in the making of this dream.”

 “Oh, I see,” Brenda said, nodding.

 “Plus it won’t matter once we use them in our world domination plan!” Carrie said with a chuckle.

 Brenda laughed.  “Oh of course, you’re quite right – how silly of me to forget.”

 Ianto chose then to interrupt.  “Excuse me, but where are the archives from here?  I seem to have forgotten.”

 “The archives?”  Richard from R and D said.  “We don’t have archives anymore; they were destroyed in the battle, remember?”

 Ianto looked at each of them in turn, their cold metal faces emotionless and Ianto knew he shouldn’t have interrupted.  “Right, of course.  I just need to find out what’s after me.”

 “Hmm, maybe you should try floor thirteen, there might be something left there,” Carrie said.

 “Right, thanks,” Ianto said, backing away from the three Cybermen.  He hurried away, dodging around more Cybermen who were stomping around until he pushed through a door and he was on floor thirteen.

 The wreckage swamped the floor, files scattered haphazardly around the room with desks and chairs overturned and broken, a few of them on fire.  He picked his way through, occasionally lifting some papers only to dismiss them after a second’s glance.  His attention was drawn to one corner where there were piles of cushions and pillows, and he nervously walked over to them.

 “Stay away!” A voice commanded.  “Don’t come any closer.”

 “...Director Hartman?”  Ianto said, peering in through a gap.

 “This is my fort, there’s only room for me.  Stop looking at me, they might see me!”  She sounded panicked.

 “They aren’t going to bother us now, I think,” Ianto said as the Cybermen behind him walked slowly around without purpose.  “They’ve been dead a long time.”

 “I did my duty,” she insisted.  “For Queen and country – I did my duty.”

 “I know,” Ianto said quietly.  “I remember.  Director Hartman, I don’t suppose you have the file on what’s following me, do you?”

 “It’s not following you,” she said as though it were obvious.  “It’s wearing you down, wearing you out and eventually it’s going to break through that door.”

 Ianto looked at the cog door, where the something was banging away, trying to get in.  He turned back to her in her fort, now damp in the pool at the bottom of the rift manipulator.  “But if I know what it is I might be able to tell Jack, let him know; he might be able to stop it.”

 “You can have the file, but I need you to answer me something first,” she said moving closer to the gap so he could see her wide, earnest eyes.

 “Anything,” he said honestly.

 “I was good, wasn’t I?”  Her voice sounded small and lost amongst the pillows.  “I tried to do my best – what was best for the country, for its people.  I didn’t know what would happen, I couldn’t have known, if I did, I never would have-“

 “I know,” Ianto said.  “I have to believe that.”

 “If I had survived I would have endeavoured to do what was right,” she said sadly.  “I never would have stopped paying for what we did.”

 Ianto nodded.  “I know the feeling.”

 From between two pillows a file of paper slid out, small and non-descript in its brown folding.  “I have to find more pillows,” she said, and her eyes retreated from the gap.

 “Thank you,” Ianto said, clutching the file and hurrying away with it.  The banging against the door was getting worse and Ianto retreated up the stairs to the conference room.  He closed the door behind him and walked into Lisa’s flat.

 He stopped as he looked around taking in all the little ornaments she had, now covered in dust after being left for so long.  There were cobwebs hanging and he knew Lisa would go hysterical if she saw this.  It used to look so warm, but the rose-coloured walls now seemed bleached and unhealthy, the carpet so thickly layered in dust it let little clouds up with every step he took and a musky, unlived-in smell pervaded the flat and it nearly made him choke.

 How long had it been since he had been there, he wondered.  He was sure there were things missing, but he just couldn’t remember what.

 “Hello Ianto.”  Ianto spun around to see Lisa, standing by her sofa and giving him a critical eye.  “Long time no see.”

 He frowned at her, unable to quite place what was wrong with her, yet knowing there was something different.  “Lisa, we have to hide, there’s something-”

 “I know, there’s something after you.  That’s what it takes to get you to visit me now, isn’t it?  Imminent danger,” she said, scrunching up her nose.

 “I visit you all the time,” he protested.

 “Don’t you love me anymore Ianto?” She asked, a heartbroken expression on her face.

 “Of course I do, I always will.”

 “Then why are you neglecting me?”

 “This isn’t right,” Ianto said, turning away from her.  “You were never like this; you would never say things like this.”

 “Ah well,” the Doctor said, pushing the little service doors of her kitchen open to peer out at them.  “This would be the guilt talking,” he said knowledgably.  He paused then said, “I could murder a cup of tea!”  The Doctor closed the doors and the kettle started a low rumble.

 Ianto sighed and said to the wall, “I can’t stay here forever.”

 “I’m not asking for forever,” she said.  The kettle was settling in to a whine in a high tone.

 “It’s going to find me,” he murmured.  “I’ve got to move on.”

 “Then go,” she replied.  “But Ianto?”

 He noticed the kettle was no longer a kettle, but rather a steady note, not dissimilar to that of a dial tone, or maybe a heart monitor... “Yes?”  He said, now turning to look at her.

 The Cyberwoman lifted her hand as the darkness rushed in and said in a cold robotic voice, “Don’t forget me.”  She electrocuted him once and his body rose up off the bed before landing heavily back down.

Part Three
aliano.livejournal.com/6551.html

Title: Dream Dream, Even For a Little While

Characters/Pairings: Mostly Ianto, and then there’s Ianto’s mother, Jack, Rhys, Gwen, the Doctor (because he kept pushing in), Yvonne Hartman, Lisa, Rhiannon,Toshiko, David and Mica (Ianto’s nephew and niece), Ianto’s father and Owen.  There’s a little Janto in there too, phew!

Warnings: This is very weird and may be difficult to follow.  I really hope not, but it’s a possibility.

Summary:  “You see, this is all in your head, you’re dreaming – you did know you were dreaming, yes?”

Word Count: 6,472

Genre: Surreal?  Drama, slight romance

Author’s note: I’m rewatching Buffy with my friend and we’re fast approaching ‘Restless,’ the dream episode.  This came in my head and it had to be written down.  Although it kind of grew... a lot.  I hope it’s not too confusing.  It is mostly dreaming, and therefore in its very nature is weird.  I wanted to get it done before Children of Earth started airing, so I stayed up till half two in the morning to get it done.  Hopefully it’s worth it.

Author's note #2: Livejournal won't let me put it all in one.  Cue the sigh from me.  I'm too tired for this.

Ianto was aware of a nauseous feeling and a pain in his chest before he opened his eyes.  He was in the hospital waiting room, but it was strangely quiet.  The walls were brilliant white, as were the floor and ceiling, but the plastic chairs were a bright acidic green.  Every one of the chairs was empty, as if their very purpose in life was to wait.  Perhaps it was.  Not a sound could be heard, and Ianto suspected he was alone here.  There were no signs of life; just the clinical, sterile whiteness surrounding him, oppressing him.  “Hello?” He ventured, before wandering down the hallway.  “Where is everyone?”

 

He couldn’t remember what had happened.  He knew that he, Jack and Gwen had gone to investigate a rift spike in the city centre.  It was possible something had gotten through, and if anyone should find it first, it should be Torchwood.  The events after though – leaving the car, searching the area, hearing something up ahead in the shadows – all he had were snapshots.  And now...

 

He turned and suddenly there were people rushing past him, pushing a bed and shouting things to each other, or at least he assumed they did.  He could hear nothing, and he wondered for a moment if he had gone deaf.  Surely if he was deaf he wouldn’t be able to hear himself?  More people followed, and Ianto recognised Jack’s coat billowing out behind him with Gwen at his side.  Ianto followed, and up ahead they rounded a corner.  When Ianto turned that corner, he found himself in the Hub.

 

“Huh,” he said.  “They moved things.” 

 

He turned and looked around.  Something wasn’t right.  His eyes fell on the entrance.  Something was at the cog door.  He couldn’t see it, couldn’t hear it, but it was there; he knew it in his bones.  He backed away and looked around.  There was the ladder up to Myfanwy’s nest, he could go up there and be away from the door.

 

He climbed quickly and when he reached the top there was a manhole cover.  He pushed it up and quickly climbed out, shoving it back into place.  He took in his surroundings, only needing a moment to realise he was on the street where he grew up.  He walked over to his house, taking it in.  Exactly as he remembered it.  He looked up and down the road; nothing had changed since he was a boy. 

 

He turned back to his house and pushed the door open, closing it softly behind him.  It smelled the same, of summer with an edge of rain, material ready to be made into the finest suits a man could ask for and that sweetness of honey – easier to make the pills go down.  The grandfather clock in the hall ticked as it always did, quietly filing away time into seconds, minutes and hours with its hands as its pendulum swung to the beat.  Nothing had changed.

 

He walked through to his living room, squinting at the empty picture frames.  They had never had family pictures on the mantelpiece, only the odd painting of a landscape on the wall.  The tick followed him, steadily logging his footsteps as he looked around at all the empty frames.

 

“Ianto!”  He turned around and there at the window was his mother.  She smiled at him warmly.  “Ianto, let me in?  I want to make brownies for you.  Would you like that, Ianto?”  Her voice was muffled by the layers of glass and perhaps that was why her smile looked so fake and the cosy, motherly cardigan seemed so out of place.  He frowned at her.  Some things, apparently, had changed.

 

“What are you doing out there?”  Ianto asked.  “Are you feeling better?”

 

“Much better, Ianto,” she said as she held up a tray.  “I’ve already made you some treacle sponge cake.  It’s your favourite!”  She brandished a knife.  “Let me in, Ianto, I want to give you a slice.”

 

Ianto nodded and walked back through to the hallway, but suddenly stopped.  Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t quite but his finger on it.  He turned to the clock and realised it was beeping instead of ticking, and the sound was not quite so steady.  It was getting quicker, and he could hear the charge of electricity humming into a high pitch.  The hands were rotating quickly, speeding time along and outside it was getting dark.  He stood transfixed as he watched his time unwind before he quickly turned and ran.

 

He came to an abrupt halt behind Toshiko’s desk.  He could hear moaning and gasping, and it echoed around the Hub.  He looked to the door and he knew there was something there, behind it.  He turned away, worried, and headed to Jack’s office.

 

He peered down into Jack’s bunk where Jack was naked and having some very hot and sweaty sex with someone.  A woman, Ianto presumed, from the shape of the legs wrapped around Jack’s waist.  He couldn’t see her face in the darkness.

 

“Jack?” Ianto hissed.  Jack groaned and thrust deeply into his bed partner.  “Jack!”  Ianto said more urgently.  “I need your help.”

 

“I’m busy,” Jack grunted, not looking at him.  Jack bent his head and bit the woman’s neck, causing her to gasp loudly, which was quite an achievement now he saw that she had no face.

 

“There’s something outside the Hub,” Ianto insisted.  “I think it’s following me.  Please, can you help?”

 

“Maybe later,” Jack said as he picked up speed, flesh slapping against flesh and a dull thud as he pounded the woman into the wall.

 

Ianto bit his lip and looked towards the entrance.  It would only be a matter of time before it got through and Ianto did not want to be here when it did.  “Okay, well, I’m going to go hide.  You should think about doing the same.”

 

The woman was crying out now, her hands gripping Jack’s back as her red nails dug in.  That was going to leave a mark, Ianto mused.  “Always room for one more!” Jack yelled, one hand braced against the wall as he kept up his gruelling pace.

 

Ianto grimaced and said, “No thanks.”  He looked at the hatch to Jack’s bunk and said, “Look, I’m going to shut you, in, okay?  Maybe whatever it is won’t find you if I lock you in.”

 

“Okay!” Jack shouted, his thrusting becoming erratic as he came.

 

Ianto pulled the hatch down and locked them in before he threw a startled look to the cog door.  Something was thumping against that now.  “Gotta get away,” he murmured.

 

He quickly left Jack’s office and got on the paving slab lift.  It rose quickly taking him into Gwen’s house.  He looked around and found Rhys in the kitchen dressed in a chef’s white top, with a hint of deep red sauce down it.  He was stirring something in a huge pot.

 

“Rhys, I think something’s after me,” Ianto said.

 

“After you?”  Rhys said.  “Why would something be after you?”

 

“I don’t know.  I think I’m in hospital,” Ianto said, frowning at his surroundings.

 

“Oh?  Does this look like a hospital to you?”  Rhys chuckled as he set aside the scalpel to pull on his surgical gloves.

 

“It’s starting to,” Ianto admitted.

 

“Oh dear, that doesn’t sound good.”  Rhys came towards him, putting a stethoscope in his ears and pressing the end to his heart, careful to avoid the red mark that was seeping into his shirt.  “Not good at all.”  He looked up at Ianto and said, “I think your heart is failing.  Maybe you just need a quick jolt to get it going, eh?  Nurse!”  He called.

 

Gwen walked into the kitchen dressed in a nurse’s outfit.  She grinned at him.  “Ianto, are you here for dinner?”

 

“No, I’m just trying to get away, I don’t think I have time,” Ianto told her.

 

“He’s right, you know,” Rhys said to her.  “Not long now.”

 

She walked over to Rhys and grasped him from behind, draping her arms over his shoulders.  “That’s a shame,” she said.  “I wanted to have you for dinner.”

 

“I think I should go,” Ianto said.

 

“He’s not looking good,” Rhys said conversationally to Gwen, whose head was now propped on his shoulder.  “I think we’ll have to operate.”

 

“Are you sure?” Gwen said, looking between Ianto and her husband with a lazy interest.  “I don’t think it’s something that can be cut out, you know.”  She walked around Rhys to stand in front of Ianto.  “I think your best option is to keep moving.” 

 

Ianto could hear the beeping, only now it was not so much beeping as giving a steady tone, inescapable as the darkness that was now rushing in to surround him.

 

Gwen said, “This should help.”  She tapped his chest with one finger and he jolted backwards in a blinding light onto a hospital bed.

Part Two
aliano.livejournal.com/6153.html
 

So we already know I'm a huge geek.  That goes without saying most of the time.  It should come as no surprise to you that I buy and read SFX Magazine.  It supplies my sci-fi heart with a little pick-me-up once a month and I enjoy it greatly.  This month, they have a piece on Torchwood featured.  There's more promo shots (one amusing one of Gwen throwing herself across a room with two guns in her hand, screaming for all she's worth) and a nice one of the whole team (yes, all three of them!) which is unfortunately situated in the centre fold.  I'll try scanning it in, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

There is a couple of tiny interviews with Eve Myles and John Barrowman.  I read the Eve Myles one (Gwen "Two Guns" Cooper, apparently) and moved onto the John Barrowman one.  He's going dark again, joy of joys, but this is the bit that caught my eye:

'And Jack's acquired a daughter - what's their relationship like?'

Me: Huh?

'The daughter has always been around.  We all know that the Crown pays for Torchwood, and now you find out that they pay us an extortionate amount of money!  Therefore it's understandable how Jack can keep his daughter in a fantastic lifestyle.  Part of why he does that is because of guilt.  When you meet the daughter, she actually says, "Physically I'm older than you but you just don't age as fast as the rest of us," and she says, "Maybe that's why mom hated you so much, because you watched her get older, you watched her die."  Like everybody else, they have a good family dynamic and a really bad family dynamic, so it's interesting to watch.'

Me: o.O

Is anybody else thinking, what the hell? 

So I read the main article, which is mostly an interview with Russell T Davis until I come across what I'm looking for:

'The other big news is that there's and addition to the Torchwood family tree, in the shape of Lucy Cohu (cue me running to google to look her up), best known for portraying Princess Margaret in Channel Four's The Queen's Sister.  She plays Jack previously-unseen daughter, Alice Carter.

"It's not played as a big soap opera reveal - it's not like someone turning up in a doorway with a great big light behind them saying, 'I am your daughter!'" Davis clarifies.  "He knows her, she knows him, once in a blue moon he visits, but she never wants him to visit because she doesn't want her son, who's nine years old, to have any contact with Torchwood, and of course the older this boy gets the more he's gonna see that his grandfather isn't getting any older.  So it's taking the scale of Jack and turning it into a human problem,  It's played very naturally as one of the difficult situations that Jack has to live with, simply because of having been alive on Earth all this time.  And then, of course, she becomes crucial to events as everything starts closing around Torchwood and everyone starts being gathered up..."'

So not only is he a father, he's a grandfather too.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since he has been on Earth for a very long time,but still...

And now my little wrtier-y heart is thinking of all the fanfiction I could write... but also of how much I was writing is about to be completely wrong...

I have tried doing exactly as everybody keeps on telling me to do with the links, and yet!  I'm not asking for a lot, just one of those nice little links that says something like 'Story this way' and takes you straight to it.  Other people manage it.  EVERYONE seems to manage it.  And yet, every time I try it comes up with exactly what I've typed.  I wrote down the instructions, I copied and pasted and replaced the [ with <.  It still doesn't work!!

You can see what I've typed in in my previous entry.  TELL ME WHAT I'VE DONE WRONG, for the love of god, before I go insane and my head explodes!

And now for something completely different.

Uni work is almost finished, thankfully.  Less than a week to go!  I'm on top of my work, surprisingly, and will be mounting my work tomorrow which leaves me three days to finish off my learning report.  I like not having to panic about it for once.  Usually I've got lots to do at this point, but this time it's nearly all done and it's only the Wednesday before it's due in on Monday.  Impressive!  Well, for me, anyway.

This is also why there is an influx of stories by me recently.  For some reason I always write at my best around deadline time, when I should be doing those.  Hmm, I wonder why?  Maybe it's because I'm a slacker and would rather do anything else if it means not doing work.  Or perhaps it's because the deadlines have my creative juices flowing and I simply must write it all down... yeah.  That one paints me in a better light.  Let's go with that.

Title: Subject to Change Without Notice

Rating: NC-17

Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto, Gwen, Three aliens (OCs); Jack/Ianto

Genre: Humour, mostly.  I hope.

Spoilers: If you’ve seen all of Torchwood you’re good

Warnings: Character death, but it gets fixed, no worries.

Summary: A strange energy reading draws the Torchwood team to the countryside, but things rapidly get out of hand.

Author’s note: Inspired the manga series Kashimashi.  I couldn’t resist writing this.  Oh, and I got the title from my hair straighteners.  Let me know of it works...

 

The three stood in the middle of the open green area, staring at the white fleecy creatures around them.  The three were tall and thin, standing on four legs with two additional arms and no features to distinguish between them.  All had big eyes, slits instead of noses and thin mouths.  Eventually, one of the three prodded another and it approached one of the creatures.  It spoke, the creature looked up, bleated and ran away.   The being went back to the other two.

[So?] One asked.  [What did it say?]

[Baa,] It replied, before consulting a hand-held device.  [Which means ‘Aaaah!,’ apparently.]

[Oh.  Well that’s not very informative,] One complained.

[I believe,] the thus far silent one ventured, [that these are not perhaps the most intelligent creatures of the planet.]

[There seem to be a lot of them,] One said doubtfully.

[The size of the population does not have to directly correlate to being the superior species,] One pointed out.  [Besides, this is only a small area.  There is more to this planet then simply this, ah, green patch.]

[So what do we do now?] One asked as it put away the hand-held device.

[Back to the ship?] One suggested.  [Shreeneri suggested there may be more intelligent life elsewhere, so let’s go find them.]

[Perhaps we should head for the structures we saw?] The one called Shreeneri said.

[Excellent idea,] One replied brightly.  [As always.]

[Thank you, Plexus.]

They walked to an empty area that, to the casual observer, was just a bit of field.  Should one take a closer look, however, one would find that the air seemed different, with an almost shimmering quality to it.  If one were a highly advanced species, one would know that the shimmering effect was a cloaking device that duplicated the area around it in such a way that could fool the untrained, underdeveloped eye.  However, since anyone likely to see it would be from earth and therefore not a highly advanced species, no one would know.

The three entered the ship and made their preparations to find a more civilised species that would not scream and run away from them.  If they had known more about the planet, they would not have bothered with the search.

“It’s around here somewhere,” Jack muttered as he drove down the country lane.  “Gwen, check the PDA again.”

“Jack, I already told you, the PDA says it’s somewhere east of us,” Gwen said irritably.  “But, as I said, whatever idiot mapped this area obviously didn’t feel the need to include this road.”

“Fine,” Jack said, slamming his foot on the brake.  “We’ll just have to get out and walk then!”

Jack hurled himself from the SUV, throwing the door back into place before stomping off eastwards through one of the many fields surrounding them.  Gwen grumbled to herself as she got out of the car and Ianto silently slipped out, striding to catch up with their cranky leader.

“You just going to leave the SUV there?” He asked.

“It’s not like there’s anyone around here to care,” Jack growled.

Ianto sighed mentally.  It was going to be one of those days, then.  He slowed to allow Gwen to catch up and said, “Any change?”

“No,” she said harshly.  “It’s still there, still giving off low-energy readings.”

Jack turned and said, “Right, Gwen, you head up towards that end of the field, Ianto, you go that way and I’ll just keep going this way, got it?”

Neither argued; Gwen because she was still miffed at Jack for snapping at her the whole way there and Ianto for want of a peaceful life.  Or at least, as peaceful as he could manage working for Torchwood.

AA

[So,] Plexus said, [there seems to be signs of a large area of construction South-West of here.  Perhaps we will have more luck that way.]

[That would be my best guess,] Shreeneri replied.  [Though I believe we would have better luck trying to communicate with that species on the violet planet a few solar systems over-]

[Yes, thank you,] Plexus interrupted in a tone that suggested he was scowling.  Difficult to tell with no eyebrows.  [We heard your reasoning the first twenty times, but we’re here now so!] He said it with a sense of finality.  [Armatic, if you please, take us South-West.]

Armatic knew better than to argue, and quickly started up the engines.

AA

Ianto had trodden in the sheep droppings four times now and was beginning to think the universe did not want him to have clean shoes.  Was it too much to ask to want to look presentable?

As he thought this a great roar started somewhere in front of him and there was a blast of heat.  “Jack!” He shouted into his comm. link.  “I think I’ve found something!"

He didn’t hear Jack’s reply, partly due to the roaring of what had to be engines, but also partly because the ship the engines were attached to chose that moment to plough right into him.

AA

[Sorry!] Armatic called to his two companions.  [Had it in reverse!]

[Oh honestly, could you please watch what you’re doing?] Shreeneri scolded.

There was something beeping on the console drawing Armatic’s attention away.  [Oh, we hit something...]

[What kind of something?] Plexus asked, rushing over.

[Some kind of bipedal life-form,] Armatic replied, concentrating on the screen.   [Or at least, it was until we hit it.]

[Was?]

[Well, now it’s sort of non-pedal...]

[Wonderful,] Plexus said with a glare.  [We come here to talk to the resident intelligent life-forms and you end up squishing one.  This is not how to start good interplanetary relationships!]

[Uh-oh,] Shreeneri said, watching another screen.

[What now?] Plexus half shouted, half moaned.

[I think we upset the bipedal being’s friends.]

Heading towards them was a creature, shouting and waving a metal object around.  Even the three could tell this being was not happy.

[Still,] Shreeneri said, [at least this proves you’re right, Plexus.  There does seem to be intelligent life here.]  Plexus glared.

AA

“Ianto!” Jack shouted, running towards where he’d seen the other man go down.  “Ianto!”  Please, Jack prayed in his head, please let him be alive.  Please let him have just fallen over.  Any minute now Ianto would stand up and start complaining about the state of his suit.  Any minute now...

Jack came to an unexpected and abrupt stop when he collided with thin air.  As he stood, rubbing his head, he realised it was not thin air but a cloaking shield. He ran a hand over it before quickly navigating his way round to the other side, where he knew Ianto would be.

AA

[Okay, offer me solutions,] Plexus said.

[Let’s make a run for it,] Armatic declared, preparing to take the ship away from the ground.

[Offer me solutions that don’t involve a hit-and-run,] Plexus amended.

[Well,] Shreeneri said, looking over the latest scans, [I believe we can fix it.]

[Really?] The other two asked in unison.

[Well,] Shreeneri corrected herself, [I can, anyway.  Doesn’t look too complicated.]

AA

Gwen climbed over the stupid fields around the stupid sheep to get to the stupid aliens that had done something to Ianto.  She had no idea what, but he had not replied to her or Jack and now Jack had gone silent...

She saw Jack, crouching down in the grass with his back to her.  His shoulders were shaking and the dread that had been slowly worming its way through her kicked up a notch.  She raced the last few meters, almost running into Jack as she came to a dead stop when she saw...

“Oh no,” she whimpered.  “Please no...”

AA

[Hey look, there’s another one,] Armatic said as Shreeneri and Plexus set-up.  [They really don’t seem happy about this.]

[And whose fault is that?] Plexus snapped. 

[Right, ready,] Shreeneri said.  [Transport the life-form aboard.]

Armatic pushed the button before turning around to get a better look at the life-form.  [Eugh.]  He turned his head sideways.  [Well, that half seems intact.]

Shreeneri was fiddling with a small device and glow enveloped the creature.  [Ah, good, still alive.  That makes things easier.  There’s a lot of waste material here... It’ll have to be duplicated... Armatic, get me scans of the other two creatures.]

[Are you thinking reconstruction?] Plexus asked.

[Reconstruction,] Shreeneri affirmed.

[Got the scans, transferring them to you now,] Armatic called over.  [Wow, the grey one is really pissed off.]

AA

The minute Ianto – Ianto’s body – he – it disappeared, Jack roared and rose up, all terrible fury and burning pain.  Gwen jumped back in surprise as he launched himself at the ship, banging his fists against the invisible side.  “Give him back!”  Jack yelled.  “Give him back, you bastards!”

Gwen watched, too emotionally stretched to do anything but sit there and watch as her boss, her friend lashed out against those who took his lover.  Who had killed Ianto and then taken his body – what was left of his body –

The bile rose quickly in her throat, making her turn and fall forward, expelling it immediately.  Oh god, she thought.  Ianto.

She didn’t even notice the sobs raking through her body and the sound of Jack’s fist pounding against the ship became just background noise.

AA

Shreeneri was looking over the scans, trying to discern what was typical of the species and what was typical of the individual.  The two samples she had were different from each other, and she was once again reminded that aliens evolved entirely differently than they did.

[You’d better hurry up, he’s not going to stop,] Armatic said.

[I’m trying to make sense of this,] Shreeneri replied distractedly.  [Which type is this, or perhaps...]

[Perhaps you might want to work quicker,] Plexus suggested.

[I’m going as fast as I can!] Shreeneri retorted.  [This isn’t easy, you know.  Do you want me to get it right or do you want it done as fast as possible, because –]

[Right now?  As fast as possible,] Plexus replied.

[Why?]

[Because the bluey-grey one has stopped banging and is heading back to it’s petroleum-fuelled vehicle,] Plexus said.  [And I think it’s going to bring some of the incendiary devices back with it.]

AA

Gwen came out of her daze as Jack came back, carrying a large bag with him.  “Jack?” She said, wiping her cheek and turning to look at him.  “Jack, what’re you doing?”  Jack didn’t reply.  He set down the bag and unzipped it, fetching out small brown parcels and setting them near the base of the ship they couldn’t see.

“What is that?” Gwen asked, crawling closer.  Once she’d gotten a good look at them, she jumped back in surprise.  “C4?” She said, staring at it.  “C4!”  Jack continued to stack the packages.  There certainly were a lot of them.   “Jack, no!  You can’t use C4 on them!”

“Why not?  They killed Ianto, I’m going to kill them.  Eye for an eye.”  Jack seemed calm, too calm.

It was the grief, Gwen thought.  Making him irrational.  “Jack, you can’t blow them up!”

“Yes I can,” he said as the pile got bigger.

“With that much C4 there’ll be no field left!  You’ll blow away half the countryside!  Why do we even have this much C4?”  Gwen said.  “I can’t believe we’ve been driving around with that in the car this whole time!”

“We have it in case some alien kills one of my team,” Jack replied, “so that I can blow them up and make them wish they had never even heard of earth.”

“Jack, if you blow them up you’ll be blowing him up too!” Gwen tried, her voice catching on ‘him.’

Jack rounded on her then, that cold gaze fixed on her with so much pain searing in its depth.  “I would rather blow him up then let them have his body for a minute longer than I have to.”

AA

[I think they’re going to try and blow us up!]  Armatic exclaimed.  [That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?]

Plexus and Shreeneri ignored him.  [Almost done,] Shreeneri said, her fingers flying over her version of a keyboard.

[Too slow,] Plexus complained.  He looked over the screen and said, [Look, if we just put this and this-]

[Wait, what are you doing?  Get off!]  Shreeneri objected as Plexus stabbed at the keyboard before taking it off her.

[Look, the basics are all there, it’s good to go,] Plexus said, holding the keyboard out of her reach while he typed.

[You can’t just shove everything in and hope for the best!]

[Too late,] Plexus replied and hit the enter button.

There was silence before the Reconstruction Machine™ the body had been transferred to let out a long whistle and whirred.  Discs twirled and raced around the outside of the metal casing and there were many flashing lights.  It shook and the mechanics roared into life, whizzing inside, working to duplicate the material provided and include what was programmed.  The whole process took about five minutes (during which Plexus nervously watched the two beings outside as they apparently argued) before the machine let out steam from the top and bottom in great plumes, the lights fading and the workings coming to a standstill.  The front opened with a cheerful ping.  The three gathered in front and looked inside at their creation.

AA

“I know, Jack, and it hurts me too, but maybe we should try talking to them or something first!” Gwen protested.  “You’re going to end up killing us too, and I don’t come back from that.”

Jack stopped and turned to look at her, the pain in his eyes breaking her heart.  He started to reply but whatever he would have said was cut off by a panel in the ship appearing and lowing noisily down.  Jack and Gwen spun around, Jack instinctively blocking her body with his own.  Three shapes emerged, looking almost insect-like with their long thin legs.  Jack had his gun out in an instant and had it trained on them.

One of the aliens held out its hands while another tapped on a device.  Something else floated out of the ship, another figure that seemed to be lying down...

“Ianto!” Jack said, almost dropping his gun as he rushed forward.  The man was naked, but blessedly whole, unconscious but breathing.  Jack took him in his arms, pulling him away from the aliens and their ship and Ianto turned into a dead weight in his arms.  Jack laid him out on the grass, looking him over.  Before, when he was dead, his lower half and one hand were almost completely blown away.  Now he had legs again, everything again, and it all looked pale and brand new, devoid of hair and standing out against his upper body which was pink and hairy.

Jack took off his coat and spread it over the other man gently, pausing to brush a hand over his face.  Gwen was sitting beside Ianto now, staring at him as though she had never seen anything like him before.

Jack turned to the aliens, who were all standing watching them, and unless he was very much mistaken, shifting nervously.

“I should blow you up for this,” Jack threatened.

[What did he say?] Plexus asked as Armatic fetched out the translator.

[He should blow us off...]

Plexus paused.  [Off?]

[Up, sorry, up.]

[Tell him we’d rather he didn’t.]

[What do you mean, tell him?  I don’t speak alien anymore than you do,] Armatic protested.

[Give me that,] Shreeneri said, taking the translator off him.  She typed into it then held it up for the angry one to see.

Jack peered at the screen.  ‘We apologise profoundly for your lack of cheese.  We have restored cheese and will be leaving this planet immediately.’

“Cheese?”

[Ah, typo,] Shreeneri said after reading his response.

‘Person.’

“You think that’s good enough?”  Jack demanded.  “You killed him!”

‘We also reconstructed him.’

Jack glared before he glanced back at Ianto’s prostrate form.  “Will he be okay?  What did you do to him?”

He watched as the one typed, the others making burbling noises at it.  Eventually, she held out the tablet again for Jack to see.

‘He will be fine with rest.  He should not do any strenuous activity for three planetary rotations.  We duplicated the material and used samples from scans of your bodies to form the missing tissue.  While not his original form, it is preferable to the alternative.’

Well, Jack couldn’t argue with that.  “When will he wake up?”

Shreeneri paused as she tried to formulate an answer.  Technically, he should wake up in sixteen Tanathals, but that would not mean anything to these creatures.  She typed, ‘Soon.  Ish.’

Jack nodded.  “I want you off this planet.  Now.  And don’t even think of ever coming back.”

Shreeneri read the screen and nodded.  [I believe we should go,] she told Plexus.

[What?  I thought maybe now we fixed their friend we could try for that interplanetary alliance...] Plexus whined.  Shreeneri held out the device for him to see.  [Although there is that violet planet we went past a few solar systems over that might be worth our attention.  Come on, Armatic, let’s get out of here before it decides to blow us up anyway.]

The three hurried back onto the ship as Jack and Gwen carried Ianto away from the ship and there was a great roar from the ship as the engines fired up, before the slight shimmer in the air disappeared up into the sky.

Jack couldn’t stop staring at Ianto.  He was alive again, breathing in his arms.  He carried him draped in his arms to the SUV and carefully laid him out across the back seat, tucking his coat around him.  He turned back to Gwen who met his eyes.  Apparently that was all it took for her defences to shatter and she launched herself into his arms, sobbing and holding him tight.

“I know,” he said, stroking her hair.  “I know.”

AA

Ianto woke up lying on one of the sofas in the Hub.  He blinked and looked around him.  Had he passed out?  How embarrassing.  The teasing from Jack would never cease.  He frowned as he tried to remember what had happened.  They went out to investigate a strange energy reading in the middle of the countryside, there was a ship and then... He drew a blank.  That must have been when he fainte- passed out, he corrected himself.  ‘Passed out’ didn’t sound quite so girly as ‘fainted.’

He sat up and noticed he was covered only with a blanket.  Probably Jack’s fault, he thought.  He wrapped it around his waist and stood, only to fall straight back down again.

“Ianto?” He heard Jack call.

“Down here,” Ianto replied, rubbing his legs.  His legs that didn’t quite look right.  Had Jack shaved them too?

“Ianto,” he heard Jack breathe behind him.

“If this is your idea of a joke I’m not amused,” Ianto said.  “What have you done with my clothes and why the hell have you shaved my legs?”  When he didn’t get a reply he turned slightly to look at Jack.  Jack was staring at him like he was about to burst into tears.  Whoa.  “I meant,” Ianto said, trying to back-pedal, “you could have at least consulted me first, and I really liked that tie I had on, so-“

He was cut off when Jack leapt on him, knocking him back against the sofa and nearly blocking off his air supply with the ferocity of his hug.

“Jack?” Ianto heard Gwen call.  “Is everything – Ianto!”

Jack pulled back and Ianto managed, “Hi Gwen, did something-“  He didn’t manage to finish that sentence either as he found his arms now full of Gwen.  “Okay, we’re all happy to see me.  Anyone mind telling me what’s going on?”

AA

Ianto stared at his two teammates after they had finished explaining.  They had moved up to the conference room, Ianto being assisted by Jack as his legs felt so weak.  Ianto then stared down at his legs.  He knew something had looked odd about them, not including the lack of hair, but this...

“Huh,” he said.  “Well, this is weird...”

“Tell me about it,” Gwen agreed.

“They said you should rest three days,” Jack said.  “Well, they said no strenuous activity, so...”

Ianto nodded absently as he gazed at his left hand, flexing it into a fist and back again.  It was definitely his hand, being attached to his arm and all, but it didn’t look the same as it used to.  For one thing it was a lot smoother, having not been used for anything yet, and his thumb was slightly bigger, he was sure...

“Right, Gwen, go home,” Jack said.  “You’ve been here waiting for Ianto to wake and he’s awake now and fine, so go home and get some rest.  Ianto can sleep here for a few days so I can keep an eye on him.”  Ianto thought about protesting to being talked about as though he wasn’t there, but in the end he was too tired to say anything.

Gwen came around and hugged him again, placing a kiss on his cheek and telling him to get better soon before she and Jack disappeared off to have a quiet conversation.  Ianto laid his head on the conference table and stared at his new hand as he drifted off to sleep.

AA

It took five days to convince Jack he was well enough to work, and a further three days before he could entice Jack back into his bed.  In the end, he thought Jack only gave in because Ianto promised Jack could give him a full body inspection.

“You’re bigger,” Jack commented, as he slid his hands up Ianto’s legs.

“You noticed that too, huh?” Ianto said with a grin.

“Well,” Jack said, in-between his licks of Ianto’s newly enlarged anatomy, “they did say they used scans of us to reconstruct material.  Guess they used me as a basis.”

Ianto hissed and said, “You’re so full of yourself.”

“Wouldn’t you like to be full of me too?”

Ianto gasped out a laugh and said, “God yes.”

Jack grinned as he stroked a hand down across Ianto before he suddenly paused.  “Ianto,” he asked carefully.  “Have you always had a vagina?”

Title: Paperweight

Rating: 12

Summary: Ianto is woken by Jack being awake, waiting for the sunrise.

Author’s notes: Inspired by ‘Paperweight’ by Joshua Radin and Shuyler Fisk.  Or another way of putting it – the plotline is taken from that song.  It’s been a while since I wrote anything, so any feedback is much appreciated.  Enjoy!

 

Jack sat by the window, looking into the darkness.  In the bed behind him was the sleeping form of Ianto Jones.  He’d been staring at him most of the night, wondering what he was dreaming about.  He’d been this way with so many before Ianto, and would continue to be this for a long time to come, but with Ianto it felt like the first time.  Eventually he had gotten up and had gone to the window, staring down at the orange-tinged street.

“What are you doing?”

Jack jerked and looked towards Ianto guiltily.  He was leaning up on one arm and looking at him groggily, his hair sticking out at odd angles.  “I was just waiting for the sun to rise.”

“Come back to bed, Jack.  The sunrise will be there in the morning.”

Jack chuckled but didn’t move.  “You know, I was once on a planet that had three suns.  It was only night once every four months for about five hours.”  He smiled as he reminisced, looking inwards at his memories.  “Nobody really paid much attention to the suns rising except for that once every four months.  They spent the night preparing for the return of the suns, and when the first peeked over the horizon they would all gather and start singing, greeting in the new day with a celebration of song.”  Jack’s smile was quite sad as he murmured, “It was beautiful.” 

Ianto watched him for a moment from where he lay.  Sometimes he wished he had his diary nearby, just so he could write down the things Jack said.  He spoke of things Ianto would never see, would never experience and had trouble imagining.  If only he could write it all down, perhaps he wouldn’t forget in the daylight.  Then again, Jack would want to know what he was writing.  Better that he committed the words to memory, along with that smile of Jack’s.

“Of course,” Jack continued now looking at Ianto, “Earth’s sunrise has its own charm.”

“Oh?”

“It shines on this world, on this brilliant human race, bringing in a new day full of possibilities.”  He paused and gave Ianto a warm, amused smile.  “Wakes people up to their hair sticking up adorably.”

Ianto immediately started flattening his hair down, cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment at the use of the word ‘adorable’ in relation to him.  After a moment during which Jack’s attention was drawn back out the window to the darkness of the night, Ianto said tentatively, “Jack?”

“Yeah?”

Ianto looked away from those eyes now giving him their full attention.  “You are... Are you happy here?”

There was silence and Ianto thought Jack might not answer.  He looked up to see Jack still looking at him, a very soft smile gracing his lips.  “Haven’t I answered something like this before?”  Before Ianto could protest or apologise, he continued, “I am happy.  I’m happy to be here, happy to know you.”

Ianto watched Jack for a moment before saying, “I’m happy too.  Jack?”

“Yes Ianto?”

“When the sun rises... will you sing me a song?  From that planet,” He added by way of explanation.

Jack seemed surprised by the request and Ianto nearly retracted it when Jack said, “Sure.  Ah, I might not get the words all right, it was a long time ago, but yeah.  If that’s what you want.”

Jack looked back out into the night and Ianto said, “You’re not really going to just sit there waiting for the sun to rise, are you?  It’s only three in the morning.”

Jack smirked and said, “Make me a better offer?”

Ianto pursed his lips in mock thought and said, “Mess up my bed with me.”

Jack laughed, a genuine rich sound that made Ianto feel warm inside.  “Now that’s an offer.”

“Come on then.  Kick off the covers; I’m waiting.”

Jack grinned and made his way over to the bed and pulled the covers away from Ianto.  Instead of joining him, however, he admired the view.  Ianto shivered and said, “I’ve changed my mind; if you’re not going to get in give me the blanket back.”

Jack chuckled again and slid into the bed, pulling the duvet over both of them.  They shifted until both were comfortable; Ianto lying on his front with Jack on his side facing Ianto, one hand resting on Ianto’s back like a paperweight.  Better than a blanket.

Jack smiled softly at his young lover and noticed the slight frown of worry creasing his forehead.  “Hey, don’t waste your time worrying.” Jack said, taking the hand from Ianto back to smooth away the frown.

“Sorry,” Ianto said, his reply slightly muffled by the pillow.  “I wasn’t really... I was just wondering what was on your mind.”

“Ah, well, there’s no need to,” Jack said lightly, brushing his hand through Ianto’s hair.  “It’s you.”

Ianto suddenly pushed himself up onto his arms and met Jack in a kiss.  They shifted closer and Jack gathered Ianto in his arms, pulling him until Ianto covered him like a blanket.  They parted, Jack leaving his unique taste on Ianto’s tongue, but before either of them could continue further Ianto let out a wide yawn.  Jack chuckled and said, “Go back to sleep.”

“I thought we were going to watch the sunrise,” Ianto said.

“And we will.  But right now you’re going to sleep.  I’ll wake you up,” Jack promised.

Ianto frowned but relented.  “All right, you win.  But if I don’t wake up as the sun starts to rise with you singing for me, there’ll be hell to pay.”

Jack chuckled and said, “Yes sir.”

Ianto threw him a glare but settled down, resting his head on Jack’s chest.  It wasn’t long before his breathing evened out.  Jack shifted so he could see Ianto better, the younger man moving with him and curling into him.  He murmured in his sleep and Jack watched, going back to wondering what he was dreaming about.

I discovered, quite by accident, 101 Things in 1001 Days which I though seemed like a really good idea.  I was a little late to start on the first of January, though, so mine will be a month later.  I've been trying to think of things to do, but I haven't gotten very far.  I'm going to put my list so far up and as I think of more I'll update the list.

1. Sign up for Chat & Talent | Feelgood Factor | Pound for Pound - ITV Entertainment
2. Lose two stone by June
3. Get down to a size 12
4. Come up with some good ideas for a story
5. Actually put the story down on paper
6. Try to get it published
7. Finish one of my fanfictions
8. Visit Cardiff
9. Always give loose change to chairty
10. Plant a tree
11, Try to read a book a week
12. Get my degree
13. Get my driver's licence
14. Get trained on customer services
15. Read at least ten books from BBC - The Big Read - Top 100 Books
16. Exercise at least three times a week for at least half an hour
17. Read all the books on my shelves that I have yet to read
18. Watch the dvds I have yet to watch
19. Redecorate my room
20. Keep my room tidiy
21. Give away/sell the things I no longer need or want
22. Learn how to make a web site
23. Paint something beautiful
24. Learn to speak a foreign language
25. Visit Edinburgh
26. Vists Glasgow
27. Work in Australia
28. Work in New Zealand
29. Live in Japan
30. See the Great Wall of China
31. Take photos every day
32. Write in my journal
33. Drink more water as opposed to juice or milkshakes
34. Drink more green tea
35. Do something I am afraid to do
36. Review every story I read online, not just the good ones
37. Talk to my friends more
38. Open up more
39. Take my ginko biloba in cold weather, whether I think I need to or not
40. Always help when I know I can
41. Learn first aid
42. Recycle my old mobiles
43. Watch less TV
44. Spend less time on the internet
45. Go an entire week without using the computer once
46. Learn one good joke
47. Learn how my ISA works
48. Make a will
49. Give blood
50. Carpe Diem
51. Do something I think I can't
52. Use the local shops more
53. Go to bed earlier
54. Get up earlier

I admit I had to use my 'Change the World For a Fiver' book for about ten or so there, but I was running out of ideas.  They're still good ones, though.  And I'm over half way, yay.  Only another forty seven to go...

I am currently using a computer that is at least seven years old, I think.  It was second-hand anyway so it's older than that.  It likes to restart itself somewhere around five times when I turn it on, just for yucks.  When it eventually does turn on, it tries to do a multitude of checks on itself, but never finds anything.  Once I'm into windows it takes about ten minutes before it can find an internet connection and when it does it's very weak and prone to disconnecting at random moments.  The internet does NOT like messenger, oh no.  It's only got 512MB of RAM, meaning that it runs very slowly and god forbid I try and use more than one program at the same time.  The mouse is wireless, which you think would be cool, but actually means that I've got to sit right on the edge of my bed before it can pick up a signal.  In short; not the best computer in the world.

So I'm sure you're wondering why I would use such a computer.  Perhaps you're even wondering why I still have said computer around, when there's someone out there who would probably appreciate any computer, never mind the faults.

To answer the latter first, I kept this one originally so that I would have something to work from when I was at home for the weekend, and I hadn't gotten around to giving it to someone deserving of it.  And thank god I didn't.  My laptop, which has gotten me through university, seen many a learning report hastily written an hour before it was due in, fuelled my obsessions... my laptop has decided to die.  And take all my work with it.

I start it and it works for about a minute before it freezes up.  The internet was the first thing to go, dragging everything else with it.  I tried a virus check, but it froze too.  I cannot access any files.  All my work has been lost.  My photos, my stories... 

My hope is that my brother, technical genius that he is, can rescue some things for me.  All I need is two folders; 'Photos' and 'Stories.'  Everything else is replaceable/unimportant anymore.  If not my brother, than I will try a computer shop.  If I can get them back I will, no matter the cost.  They are worth more to me than money.

I know I sound really dramatic, like my computer dying is the end of my world.  Sadly, that isn't far from the truth.  I know I don't have even a slight portion of it backed up, but that's because this came out of the blue. 

Yes I'm weird.  Yes, probably more than a little pathetic.  But I don't care.  I'll probably cry if all my work is gone.

I don't think I can take that frozen screen one more time tonight, so I will try again tomorrow.  Wish me luck, anyone who's reading...

It all started with me watching Nathan Fillion riding on top of the van proclaming that a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.  I wondered what John Barrowman would be like in the role.  Random, yes, but there you go. 

I chuckled to myself as I thought of Captain Jack being Captain Hammer, and I started assigning other roles to other Torchwood members.  My first thought for Dr Horrible was Ianto, but it didn't fit.  Ianto just wouldn't work... My next thought was Owen, and there I found success.  Owen would make a great Dr Horrible, though he has more confidence than Billy.  Gwen became Penny (though I have to say, Penny has a far more agreeable nature than Gwen...) and it was oddly fitting if you consider the relationship dynamics of series one.

So where to fit in Tosh and Ianto?  That was just the thing, they wouldn't go!  I can't see them resonating with any of the characters in Dr Horrible, so what to do with them?  Which was whereabouts my brain started concocting solutions.  Everything could start the same way in the first act, but what if Tosh and Ianto came in and mixed things up a little?  Because of course, if Jack were faced with a decision between Gwen and Ianto, would he really choose Gwen?  Remember kids; Gwack is wack. 

So maybe Ianto would be saved by the captain.  Or maybe Jack'd do something to piss Ianto off (being the great big cocky superhero that he is) and Ianto would have to give him a dressing down.  Eventually in more ways than one...

But how to get Tosh in too... I think she would have to be a super-villain, an evil technical genius!  Quite possibly Owen would have to meet her and thus Tosh's silent loving of him begins... Although as an evil technical genius super-villain, I don't think this Tosh would be quite so shy about getting her man (whether he wants to be gotten or not).  She'd still be sweet and essentially Tosh, but with a more pronounced evil streak.

Which leaves us with Gwen.  Penny died, but if our universe veered off this much, then perhaps she would live...  Which means I've got to get Rhys involved too.  Maybe he could be a homeless guy...

All in all, too much thought put into this.  It would be fun to write, but ultimately it would not only destroy Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog, but do weird things to Torchwood too.  And I'm not a good enough of a writer to pull it off.

Ah well, it was fun in my mind while it lasted.

Seriously.  Evil uni b*****ds.

Sometimes you're quite happily chugging along, doing whatever it is you're supposed to be doing - work, relaxing, etc. - and a song comes on.  Maybe you've heard it fifty-million times before.  Maybe you're hearing it for the first time.  Maybe you've never really listened to the words before.  Suddenly now, in your life, the song has a particular resonance.  It means something now. 

I was listening to Dido and 'White Flag' came on.  That song, for me right now works.  It is how I feel, what I think.  It makes me want to send it to my ex, so that they know too.

Not that I will, since we've hardly spoken since we last saw each other and it would just be weird, I think.

Anyway, I just felt like getting that out there.  Make of it what you will.

Two weeks of evilness approaching.  No enjoyment to be had.  Pray for my soul.

Sometimes you get an idea for a story, you start planning it all out, write probably half a chapter's worth and congratulate yourself for a stroke of genius.  Then you check on LJ or fanfiction, because sometimes that's part of the reason why we write so much fanfiction; we read a lot of it too.  But then you see a summary that looks eerily familiar, so you click on it only to find...  It's your genius idea that you've just been writing!

The problem comes; what do you do now?  You want to keep writing your own but you don't want to be accused of copying someone else.  It's even worse if the story turns out better than your own.It's almost enough to make you give in, except the bunnies have sunk their teeth in and are not letting go.  You want to eventually share it with the world, but then everyone will think you're just ripping off someone else's idea...

This has happened to me several times now.  It's bloody annoying.  I only bring it up now because the story I've been working on for a few weeks appeared recently, and the latest plot twist is one I was going to use, and I get the feeling the next plot twist will be the same one I was planning...

My only hope is that no one else writes the story I'm working on currently.  If I turn on my computer tomorrow and find it sitting there, written better than I could have ever imagined it, I think I might cry.  Although to be fair, it has most likely already been done.  I'm just hoping mine is original enough to set it apart...  I'm even contemplating getting the first chapter out there even though I haven't made much more progress than that.  It might make me work more on it...