Fic: Vizzini's Rule (20/105)
Title: Vizzini's Rule, Chapter 20
Rating: PG
Warnings: Nope - unless you count it being a WIP! :)
Spoilers: Season One thru Small Worlds (1x5)
Disclaimer: Torchwood and all its wonderfulness belong to Russell T. Davies and the Mighty Beeb. Just goofin' around!
Summary: The origin fic continues - in which the team investigate "fairies"...
Notes: Home 'sick' today so I get to post early. Enjoy! :o)
Previous Chapters
Vizzini's Rule: Chapter Twenty
The next day began to set the pattern of Ianto’s second life at Torchwood. He still arrived before everyone else, tidied up the Hub and started the coffee. But instead of retreating to the Tourist Office with a pile of cataloging, Ianto usually remained in the Hub, working on his new assignments and helping out on cases when he could.
When Jack and Gwen returned from an outing just before tea, Jack asked Tosh to gather up all the info Torchwood had on fairies, of all things. They all met the conference room and this time after Ianto served the tea, he stayed. During the conversation, he made a tentative joke to see how it would be received. He was glad to see Tosh and Gwen smile and even Owen seemed slightly amused, but Jack’s immediate reply coupled with a flirty glance made Ianto’s heart sing. Things were definitely getting better.
That afternoon Jack took Owen and Gwen out to investigate the fairy circle in Roundstone Wood, while Ianto and Tosh stayed behind. As soon as they were alone, Tosh walked over to Ianto and gave him a big hug. A bit taken aback, Ianto awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. He sighed with relief when she let him go and returned to her computer.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“For sticking it out. I know it’s been awful for you ever since... well, ever since. And coming back had to be hard on you. But it’s getting better right?”
Smiling slightly, Ianto replied, “Yeah, I think it is.”
“Good, because we need you here.”
“On that note, may I get you some more tea? Or a cup of coffee?”
Tosh laughed, “No, but you can help me with this weather program. If you’ll just read me these numbers here…” They worked side by side until the others returned.
Throughout the rest of the day, Ianto worked with the team, investigating the so-called fairies that Jack’s friend had seen. He was helping Owen with paperwork for the man Jack believed the ‘fairies’ had killed, when Jack got a call from Estelle and went tearing out of the Hub. Tosh yelled at Ianto on her way out, asking him to feed the data from the weather program into the SUV. Ianto did as she asked and then finished his other duties as well. He was worried about Jack and didn’t want to leave until he knew he was alright.
One look at Jack’s face when he walked through the door was enough to tell Ianto that everything was far from alright. He walked straight to his office, Gwen close on his heels.
Owen hadn’t come back down to the Hub but Tosh stopped in to grab her things. She stayed long enough to tell Ianto that Jack’s friend had died, drowned by the fairies in the spot of rain he’d seen on the monitor. His heart aching for Jack, Ianto decided to wait and see if Jack needed anything from him before he went home.
Gwen was in Jack’s office for quite some time. Ianto could hear snatches of their conversation as he straightened up the workstations, but nothing that made any sense. When Gwen finally left, waving good night to Ianto on her wait out, Ianto went immediately to Jack’s office. He was still at his desk, resting his head on his folded arms like he might be asleep. Ianto took note of the almost empty brandy decanter and was about to leave when Jack spoke without raising his head.
“Don’t go,” he said in a ragged whisper.
“Of course, sir. Can I get you anything? Cup of tea or coffee? Or shall I open up another bottle of brandy?”
Jack shook his head and then looked up at Ianto. “Nothing right now. Just don’t want to be alone.”
“Of course, sir,” Ianto said again. He sat in the chair across from Jack and crossed his legs.
They sat there for a few moments in companionable silence. Ianto took the opportunity to indulge himself in staring at Jack. He didn’t get the chance to just look at the Captain very often, Jack was always on the go, animated and restless, but all that energy seemed to have drained away. Ianto was trying to drag his eyes away from the enchanting dimple in Jack’s chin when he noticed the perfect lips above it twist into a smile.
Blushing, Ianto dropped his eyes to his lap. He nervously began pleating the fabric of his trousers.
“See anything you like?” Jack asked, his voice low and intimate but still teasing.
“I’m sorry, sir, it’s rude to stare. I apologize,” Ianto said stiffly.
Jack chuckled, “It’s not rude when you have a look like that on your face.”
“Like what?” Ianto asked, immediately regretting the question. It just wasn’t safe to flirt with Captain Jack Harkness.
Sighing, Jack’s face fell and he shook his head. “Never mind,” he said.
Impulsively, Ianto reached across the desk to place his hand over Jack’s. “Isn’t there anything I can do, Jack?”
Jack turned his hand and grasped Ianto’s for a moment. He sighed again and let go, leaning back in his chair. “Yeah, actually. Why don’t you go grab another bottle of brandy after all? We’ll each have a glass.”
Ianto found the bottle quickly and when he returned to the office he found Jack pacing the length of the small room. Jack watched without comment as Ianto filled the decanter with about half the bottle of the brandy and then poured two generous splashes. He joined Ianto at the desk and they raised their glasses.
Jack was about to take a sip when he hesitated. Instead of drinking, he held his glass out to Ianto. “To love,” he said bitterly.
Ianto nodded. “To Estelle.”
Jack paused for a long moment. Then he touched his glass to Ianto’s. “To Lisa,” he said quietly.
Ianto swallowed hard and then nodded. “To love,” he whispered and they both drank.
They finished their brandies in silence, each wrapped in his own thoughts. Ianto stepped forward to take Jack’s empty glass. The feel of Jack’s fingers sliding along his own was a balm to his tired soul. Spurred on by brandy fumes and Jack’s nearness, Ianto reached for Jack, grabbing his wrist.
“I’m sorry, Jack. God, I’m so sorry, you know that right? I’m just so-”
“Hey, hey,” Jack said as he pulled Ianto closer. “I know, I know, shhhh.” Jack slid his arms around Ianto, drawing the trembling body against his. Ianto rested his head on Jack’s shoulder for a moment, just breathing, savoring the feel of Jack’s arms holding him close. He raised his head and met Jack’s eyes. For a moment, Ianto would have sworn they were back in that warehouse. He was almost dizzy with the desire to lean forward another inch and press his lips to Jack’s. He swayed for a moment in the warm circle of Jack’s arms and then got hold of his senses again and stepped back.
Ianto cleared his throat. “Sorry, sir,” he said briskly. “Brandy,” he shrugged trying to make light of the fact that he had almost kissed his boss. Again.
An unreadable expression on his face, Jack just nodded. Ianto picked up their glasses which had somehow ended up on Jack’s desk. “Better get these cleaned up,” Ianto said as he moved to leave. Suddenly he remembered why he’d stayed with Jack in the first place. He turned at the door and looked back at the other man. “Will you be alright, sir? Anything else I can do?”
Jack shook his head. “No, go on home. Thanks for staying.”
Ianto inclined his head and murmured, “Of course,” as he left the office. He washed the brandy glasses, leaving them to dry on a clean towel beside the sink. He drove home, replaying the moment with Jack in his head, a small smile on his lips. That night when he dreamed of Jack, it wasn’t a nightmare.
TBC in Chapter Twenty-One
Rating: PG
Warnings: Nope - unless you count it being a WIP! :)
Spoilers: Season One thru Small Worlds (1x5)
Disclaimer: Torchwood and all its wonderfulness belong to Russell T. Davies and the Mighty Beeb. Just goofin' around!
Summary: The origin fic continues - in which the team investigate "fairies"...
Notes: Home 'sick' today so I get to post early. Enjoy! :o)
Previous Chapters
Vizzini's Rule: Chapter Twenty
The next day began to set the pattern of Ianto’s second life at Torchwood. He still arrived before everyone else, tidied up the Hub and started the coffee. But instead of retreating to the Tourist Office with a pile of cataloging, Ianto usually remained in the Hub, working on his new assignments and helping out on cases when he could.
When Jack and Gwen returned from an outing just before tea, Jack asked Tosh to gather up all the info Torchwood had on fairies, of all things. They all met the conference room and this time after Ianto served the tea, he stayed. During the conversation, he made a tentative joke to see how it would be received. He was glad to see Tosh and Gwen smile and even Owen seemed slightly amused, but Jack’s immediate reply coupled with a flirty glance made Ianto’s heart sing. Things were definitely getting better.
That afternoon Jack took Owen and Gwen out to investigate the fairy circle in Roundstone Wood, while Ianto and Tosh stayed behind. As soon as they were alone, Tosh walked over to Ianto and gave him a big hug. A bit taken aback, Ianto awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. He sighed with relief when she let him go and returned to her computer.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“For sticking it out. I know it’s been awful for you ever since... well, ever since. And coming back had to be hard on you. But it’s getting better right?”
Smiling slightly, Ianto replied, “Yeah, I think it is.”
“Good, because we need you here.”
“On that note, may I get you some more tea? Or a cup of coffee?”
Tosh laughed, “No, but you can help me with this weather program. If you’ll just read me these numbers here…” They worked side by side until the others returned.
Throughout the rest of the day, Ianto worked with the team, investigating the so-called fairies that Jack’s friend had seen. He was helping Owen with paperwork for the man Jack believed the ‘fairies’ had killed, when Jack got a call from Estelle and went tearing out of the Hub. Tosh yelled at Ianto on her way out, asking him to feed the data from the weather program into the SUV. Ianto did as she asked and then finished his other duties as well. He was worried about Jack and didn’t want to leave until he knew he was alright.
One look at Jack’s face when he walked through the door was enough to tell Ianto that everything was far from alright. He walked straight to his office, Gwen close on his heels.
Owen hadn’t come back down to the Hub but Tosh stopped in to grab her things. She stayed long enough to tell Ianto that Jack’s friend had died, drowned by the fairies in the spot of rain he’d seen on the monitor. His heart aching for Jack, Ianto decided to wait and see if Jack needed anything from him before he went home.
Gwen was in Jack’s office for quite some time. Ianto could hear snatches of their conversation as he straightened up the workstations, but nothing that made any sense. When Gwen finally left, waving good night to Ianto on her wait out, Ianto went immediately to Jack’s office. He was still at his desk, resting his head on his folded arms like he might be asleep. Ianto took note of the almost empty brandy decanter and was about to leave when Jack spoke without raising his head.
“Don’t go,” he said in a ragged whisper.
“Of course, sir. Can I get you anything? Cup of tea or coffee? Or shall I open up another bottle of brandy?”
Jack shook his head and then looked up at Ianto. “Nothing right now. Just don’t want to be alone.”
“Of course, sir,” Ianto said again. He sat in the chair across from Jack and crossed his legs.
They sat there for a few moments in companionable silence. Ianto took the opportunity to indulge himself in staring at Jack. He didn’t get the chance to just look at the Captain very often, Jack was always on the go, animated and restless, but all that energy seemed to have drained away. Ianto was trying to drag his eyes away from the enchanting dimple in Jack’s chin when he noticed the perfect lips above it twist into a smile.
Blushing, Ianto dropped his eyes to his lap. He nervously began pleating the fabric of his trousers.
“See anything you like?” Jack asked, his voice low and intimate but still teasing.
“I’m sorry, sir, it’s rude to stare. I apologize,” Ianto said stiffly.
Jack chuckled, “It’s not rude when you have a look like that on your face.”
“Like what?” Ianto asked, immediately regretting the question. It just wasn’t safe to flirt with Captain Jack Harkness.
Sighing, Jack’s face fell and he shook his head. “Never mind,” he said.
Impulsively, Ianto reached across the desk to place his hand over Jack’s. “Isn’t there anything I can do, Jack?”
Jack turned his hand and grasped Ianto’s for a moment. He sighed again and let go, leaning back in his chair. “Yeah, actually. Why don’t you go grab another bottle of brandy after all? We’ll each have a glass.”
Ianto found the bottle quickly and when he returned to the office he found Jack pacing the length of the small room. Jack watched without comment as Ianto filled the decanter with about half the bottle of the brandy and then poured two generous splashes. He joined Ianto at the desk and they raised their glasses.
Jack was about to take a sip when he hesitated. Instead of drinking, he held his glass out to Ianto. “To love,” he said bitterly.
Ianto nodded. “To Estelle.”
Jack paused for a long moment. Then he touched his glass to Ianto’s. “To Lisa,” he said quietly.
Ianto swallowed hard and then nodded. “To love,” he whispered and they both drank.
They finished their brandies in silence, each wrapped in his own thoughts. Ianto stepped forward to take Jack’s empty glass. The feel of Jack’s fingers sliding along his own was a balm to his tired soul. Spurred on by brandy fumes and Jack’s nearness, Ianto reached for Jack, grabbing his wrist.
“I’m sorry, Jack. God, I’m so sorry, you know that right? I’m just so-”
“Hey, hey,” Jack said as he pulled Ianto closer. “I know, I know, shhhh.” Jack slid his arms around Ianto, drawing the trembling body against his. Ianto rested his head on Jack’s shoulder for a moment, just breathing, savoring the feel of Jack’s arms holding him close. He raised his head and met Jack’s eyes. For a moment, Ianto would have sworn they were back in that warehouse. He was almost dizzy with the desire to lean forward another inch and press his lips to Jack’s. He swayed for a moment in the warm circle of Jack’s arms and then got hold of his senses again and stepped back.
Ianto cleared his throat. “Sorry, sir,” he said briskly. “Brandy,” he shrugged trying to make light of the fact that he had almost kissed his boss. Again.
An unreadable expression on his face, Jack just nodded. Ianto picked up their glasses which had somehow ended up on Jack’s desk. “Better get these cleaned up,” Ianto said as he moved to leave. Suddenly he remembered why he’d stayed with Jack in the first place. He turned at the door and looked back at the other man. “Will you be alright, sir? Anything else I can do?”
Jack shook his head. “No, go on home. Thanks for staying.”
Ianto inclined his head and murmured, “Of course,” as he left the office. He washed the brandy glasses, leaving them to dry on a clean towel beside the sink. He drove home, replaying the moment with Jack in his head, a small smile on his lips. That night when he dreamed of Jack, it wasn’t a nightmare.
TBC in Chapter Twenty-One