Keep Dreaming

Royal Mess - Jack's POV

I slumped down into my chair in the headquarters. I wondered what would be going on in Erin's office right now.
All going well, Ianto had managed to Retcon Erin and was carrying her to the car by now. My ears pricked as I heard my phone buzzing. I picked it up, saw Ianto's number and smiled, feeling more reassured. He was probably in the car right now, calling to let me know he was on the way. I answered the call with gusto, but instead of hearing any clear dialogue, I could just about make out a muffled conversation.
I listened intently with bated breath.
"... love to tell you, Ms. Evans."
I could just about make out Ianto's voice, sounding tired and slurred. I hissed a string of curse words under my breath. This didn't sound promising - what the hell happened? Shit, had he taken the Retcon? Surely not, he'd administered it so many times before.
"But the unfortunate thing with Retcon is, it works fast."
Promptly after, I heard muffled thump. Shit.
I slammed my fist down on the desk. I didn't often panic, but it wouldn't look good if Torchwood had an attempted-kidnapping to answer to. Gwen was going to murder me; I could almost hear her nagging now.
I tried to think of a solution through the frantic thoughts whizzing through my head. I couldn't drive down, the car was at the therapy offices. By the time I ran or got the bus, Erin would surely have contacted the police already.
That's when I heard some rustling on the other end of the line, and I realised the call had never actually been terminated.
"... Jack?"
I gulped. How the fuck was I supposed to explain myself?
"... Erin."
I heard a choked sob on the other end of the line and winced. I don't think there was any point in trying to explain myself, so I just stood with the phone to my ear, listening to muffled crying.
"How could you- what were you-"
"I didn't mean-"
"I should have the police here right now. Oh my god, Jack. I thought you were dead."
I silently ran my tongue over my upper lip, lost for words. Perhaps my plan could have been executed in a better way.
"Erin?"
I heard a whimper on the other end of the line. It was as though the more I spoke, the more real the situation became to her.
"Erin, you don't have any reason to trust me, but I need you to right now. That man with you, the lawyer, is really my friend Ianto. I need you to-"
"Did you just say Ianto?"
"Yes, I did. I need you to-"
"Ianto as in, Ianto Jones?"
I froze as I realised my mistake. As if I couldn't have made this situation any worse.
"I... it's complicated."
I heard Erin groan like an animal in pain. I rubbed my temples in frustration.
As I heard heavy breathing on the other end of the line, I momentarily thought Erin might be having a panic attack. I mean, it wasn't exactly unwarranted, given the circumstances.
"Erin, are you okay?"
I asked hesitantly.
"Shut up, shut up. Shut up for a minute and let me think."
She snapped. I promptly shut my mouth and did as I was told. Erin took a few more deep breaths and then sighed.
"Okay. What do I do?"
I tried to stifle a grin, remembering that the situation wasn't exactly ideal.
"Okay, stay where you are. I'll be over and I'll help you lift Ianto into the car."
Erin scoffed.
"Fantastic. You are just the person I want to see right now."
She paused for a moment, contemplating.
"No, you stay where you are. Tell me where to go. I'll lift him into the car and drive it over, so you better not try anything funny on me. I used to work in the police force, so I know how to deal with these situations."
I couldn't help but frown in approval.
"Okay. Okay. I'll text the directions to Ianto's phone, just follow them until you see the water tower. I'll meet you there."
Erin inhaled deeply.
"Okay, fine. I'll meet you there. But remember what I said, because I swear to god, I'm at the end of my tether and I'm so close to turning you in. I'm crazy for not doing it already."
"Scout's honour."
I was afraid that it was perhaps a tad cheeky and may push Erin over the edge, so I hung up before she could process it.