SITE FOR SORE EYES - PROLOGUE
Title: Site for Sore Eyes - Prologue
Author: iantosdreamer46
Genre: AU
Pairings/Characters: Ianto/Jack, Tosh/Owen, Gwen/Rhys, Chris/Damien
Summary:Jack is the owner of a construction company and has been asked by his two friends to build their new house in Cardiff. Ianto goes to work for Jack after leaving London and his ex girlfriend.
Rating: NC-17 Overall
Wordcount: 2,068
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, they belong to the BBC and RTD, I just like to experiment with them from time to time.
A/N I've discovered that AU's are addictive. This is for zazajb who started me with these and I hope it goes someway to making her smile.
Jack had just come off the phone when there was a knock at the door.
Jack Harkness was the owner of Torchwood Construction. He’d built the company up from a small building firm to one of the largest construction companies in Wales.
“Come in.”
Dawn his secretary entered with a huge smile on her face. “Jack sorry to interrupt, but you have visitors.”
“I’m not expecting anyone am I? I don’t remember seeing anything down for this afternoon.”
“No, but they said you’ll be happy to see them” and before she could say anymore Chris bounded in through the door followed closely and more quietly by his partner Damien.
“Jack! Great to see you again, it’s been too long.”
“Chris I didn’t know you were back from your latest cruise in the Caribbean, Damien hi.”
“I got back yesterday and it’s Damien that’s got a proposition for you.”
Chris and Damien had been friends with Jack for many years. Damien was an Architect who had often put work Jack’s way, Chris was a dancer who had been the lead dancer and choreographer on the cruise ships for the last 10 years.
“We’re sorry to drop in unannounced” began Damien.
“But we have a project for you if you’re not too busy?” butted in Chris.
“Hey I’m never too busy for you guys. Without all the work Damien’s put my way I’d not be doing what I am. So come on talk to me, what do you want me to do?”
“We’re moving to Cardiff and Damien’s designed our house and we want your company to build it. We know we’ll get it completed on time and we know you’ll employ the best contractors, plus it’ll be of a high standard” beamed Chris.
“Wow, erm, I’d be delighted to build your house. Have you got the plans with you?”
“No, we thought you could come to our hotel tonight and have dinner, then we can discuss it further. Say 8 o’clock at the St David’s.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll see you both then.”
“Great, bring John Hart with you if you want, it’s a long time since we saw him.”
“Well, erm, we’re not together anymore, so it’ll just be me.”
“Oh, sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t meant to be, but we parted as friends.”
“Ok then, we’ll see you at 8.”
With that the two men had disappeared, leaving Jack speechless but smiling.
Jack was still thinking about Hart when Dawn came back in. “Jack, you ok?”
“Yeah, I am now. What can I do for you?”
“Owen’s just been on the phone wanting to speak to you, he says it’s urgent.”
“Oh, ok, ring him back then put him through. I want to ask him something anyway.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah, Chris and Damien just brought back a few memories, but I’ll be fine. No need for you to worry.” He smiled as Dawn left his office.
It had been six months since the break-up with Hart. He’d wanted Jack to move to London with him but Jack couldn’t leave his business and if he was truthful he knew his business wouldn’t do very well in London and he had too many contacts in Wales to let them down. Hart had tried everything to persuade Jack, but he was adamant he was staying where he was. They had parted friends and yes, Jack had missed him at first but he’d thrown himself into his work and the company and they’d finally stopped calling one another. The last Jack had heard, Hart had found someone else, Jack had wished them all the luck in the world and said that if ever they were in Cardiff to call and they’d all go out for dinner.
His phone buzzed “yeah Dawn?”
“I’ve got Owen for you.”
“Thanks….Hi, Owen. I hear you’ve been trying to get hold of me. What’s the problem?”
“Oh there’s no problem, just that Tosh was wondering if you fancied dinner tonight?”
“As a matter of fact I’m already out to dinner, but thank her for me would you.”
“Oh yeah, and who’s the lucky man then?”
“It’s not one man it’s two!”
“Harkness you sly….”
“Hey Owen, give the guy a chance.” Jack laughed, “Do you remember Damien and Chris?”
“Yeah how are they? I didn’t know Chris was back in this country. What do they want?”
“They’ve got a project for me and I’m meeting them tonight to discuss it. If I agree to do it there may be more work for you.”
“Sounds interesting. Let me know when you’ve spoken to them and I’ll discuss it with Tosh, you know what she’s like about me moving elsewhere when she has to stay in Cardiff.”
“You won’t have to move, it’s going to be in Cardiff. In fact if I take the job there maybe something in it for Tosh too.”
“Great, thanks Jack. Tosh is getting fed up where she is, she’s not using her skills to their full advantage. The firm don’t believe in 3D CAD and she’s done everything she can to try and persuade them it’s the next step forward.”
“Look, tell her that if she came to work for me she could have the pick of the hardware and the software that’s on the market. I’ve seen what she can do, and I’d rather have her working for me than for the competition.”
“Thanks, I’ll let her know.”
“Great, I’ll speak to you either later tonight or first thing in the morning, depending on what time I leave the boys at the hotel. You know what they’re like once they get talking, especially Chris about his travels and the things the passengers get up to on the ships. I don’t know how Damien puts up with him sometimes. But…..”
“Yeah I know what you mean. I’ve never seen two people so much in love as those two.”
Jack smiled as he put the phone down. He’d been trying to tempt Tosh into working for him for a long time, but the right job just hadn’t materialised. Maybe this one was it. She was the best CAD operator he’d seen for years. Her designs for some of the buildings in the Cardiff area were fantastic. He’d speak to her once he knew what Damien and Chris wanted.
Looking at his watch he had two hours to get home, changed and back to the St David’s ready for dinner. He liked the pair of them and always thought they were the most gorgeous couple around. Every time he saw them they seemed to be more in love with one another since the last time and if he was honest he was sort of jealous. He wished he could find someone to make him as happy as they were. One day Harkness, one day.
He left his office and made his way home, mentally making a list of all the people he’d need if he took this job. Hang on, you don’t know how big it’s going to be yet, wait until you’ve spoken to the pair of them. They might even decide not to have it done when you work out the cost. He knew the answer to that before he’d even seen them. They would have it built no matter what the cost or the size.
His mobile rang, “Harkness!” He listened to the sweet voice on the other end. “Tosh, hey Tosh, Owen was telling the truth, I am meeting Damien and Chris for dinner tonight.”
“Oh, oh right, I thought he was winding me up, you know what I’m like.”
“Yeah I know, but Tosh, if I was in need of someone matchmaking for me I’d definitely come to you.” They giggled. Before you say anything else, I’m fine on my own, and no, I’m positive I don’t need anyone.”
“Jack, you know me too well.”
“Thanks Tosh, I’m fine, I promise you’ll be the first to know if and when I want someone else in my life.”
“Ok Jack, have an enjoyable evening and we’ll speak to you very soon.”
“Bye Tosh.” Jack was smiling as he hung up. He loved how Tosh always worried about him. He checked his watch again, just enough time to shower and change and be at the St David’s for 8.
Arriving, he saw Damien waiting in the Lobby. “Jack, hi. Chris’s already gone through to the table and is probably ordering drinks as we speak. I hope that’s alright?”
“Yeah, great thanks. Now what’s changed your minds about living here?”
“We’re both fed up with the noise and bustle of London and we just want somewhere to escape to when we want and not have to ring around a load of hotels to find somewhere that’s got a decent room.”
“Well, let’s have dinner, then we can discuss your plans.”
“Great, there he is.” They went and joined Chris, and their conversation through dinner was light hearted and although there were questions about Hart, neither man pressed the issue.
“Come on then guys, where are the plans for this house you want building?”
“They’re on my laptop, I’ll just go get it.” Damien left them and went back to their room.
“So, when you gonna find a hot man to love, then Jack?”
“I’m not really looking for one just yet, I’m quite happy on my own for now.”
“There’ll be someone out there for you. You deserve it, you’ve been on your own too long!”
“Hey, have you been talking to Tosh? She says exactly the same.” They laughed just as Damien came back.
“What’s funny guys?”
“Oh, just my love life.”
“Or lack of it, Jack!”
“Chris, leave the poor guy alone and let’s concentrate on our house.”
Chris pulled Damien back down and leant in to kiss him. Jack smiled, everyone in the restaurant was watching the two good looking men showing their affections for one another. Jack suddenly wished he had someone.
Jack looked at the plans that Damien had and was very impressed. “Wow, that looks fantastic. What time scale are you guys looking at?”
“We were hoping you’d be able to tell us that. You know better how long these things take.”
“Ok, tell you what, I’ll do some figures, talk to a couple of people. Can you let me have a copy of the plans.”
“Sure, already thought of that.” Damien handed him a memory stick
“Thanks, I’ll have something for you by close of business tomorrow. How does that sound?”
“Great, shall we come to yours or do you want to meet here again?”
“If you come to my house then I’ll cook and we can discuss it then.”
“Great, shall we say the same time?”
“Sounds good, I’ll see you both then.” Jack left them and as he was making his way to his car he rang Owen. “Owen, Jack. Can you and Tosh be in my office at ten in the morning? I’ve got a proposition for both of you?”
“Sure Jack no problem, I guess then the boys have said yes to you building their house.”
“Yeah, and I’ll tell you something, it’s going to be gorgeous by the time it’s finished.”
“We’ll see you in the morning then Jack. Night.”
“Thanks Owen, night.” Jack was smiling as he closed his phone. Things couldn’t be any better, could they? Maybe John and Tosh were right, maybe it was time to find someone else. No, he was perfectly happy on his own. He could come and go as he pleased, he didn’t have to explain his whereabouts to anyone. Nope, he liked the single life. He was set in his ways, he didn’t need anyone else - did he?
Jack let himself into his house and decided that as it was still early he’d get started on the figures for Damien and Chris. He began with a list of workers he’d need. He’d have to enlist Owen’s help with that, he knew the labourers and foremen better than he did now. Jack you’ve spent too much time in your cosy little office, it’s about time you got back onto a site. He was determined that this was one project he would be on site for the whole time. He’d promised the men he’d deliver the goods and that was just what he was going to do.
tbc
Chapter 1 http://iantosdreamer46.livejournal.com/36203.html