Second Look by catslash (PG-13)

[stasha2g]

Fandom: TORCHWOOD
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Owen, Ianto, Ianto/Lisa, past Owen/Katie
Length: ~6000 words.
Author on LJ: catslash
Author Website: fic tag
Why this must be read:

The Rift dumps late-S2 Owen into the recent past and gives him a second look on the events surrounding 'Cyberwoman'.

An excellent character-study of Owen and the changes he's gone through between early S1 and late S2, and of Ianto as seen through Owen's eyes.

Excerpt: 'Stupid fucking kid', he thinks, though whether it's because Ianto doesn't seem to have made any plans for his girlfriend's discovery other than grovelling, or because he brought her down here in the first place, Owen isn't sure.

"All right, Ianto," he says, in the clear and deliberate tones of addressing the slightly impaired, "let's just get this clear right off. I don't give a shit about your metal girlfriend, all right? I have much bigger problems. Do you understand?"

". . . all right. Yes," Ianto says carefully. His panicked expression smooths out, though he doesn't relax.

"Good. Now tell me, what is the date?"

"The - ?" Ianto looks at him blankly for a moment. Then his gaze sharpens and he starts really looking at Owen. Owen watches him take things in - the bandaged hand, the clothes that don't match whatever he saw Owen wearing earlier - and recants his previous exasperated assessment of Ianto's intelligence. He can actually see it all click into place behind Ianto's eyes.

Second Look