SITE FOR SORE EYES - CHAPTER 10
Title: Site for Sore Eyes - Chapter 10
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:2,432
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 forzazajbwho started me with these and I hope it goes someway to making her smile.
A/N2 Apologies for any of you who are getting this multiple times, it's cross posted
A/N3 Some of the incidents that are mentioned in the story have actually happened. They were incidents that were on sites I've worked on.
The morning flew by and Rod came to the end of the induction, thanking everyone for turning out on a Sunday when they would normally be having a lie in.
Jack stood and made his way to the front. “Thanks Rod, I’m just grateful you could come in at short notice to do this induction. We start on site tomorrow.”
“No problem Jack, always a pleasure to do your inductions. If you don’t mind I’ll shoot straight off I’ve got to get to the next induction.”
“No worries, thanks again.”
Gwen had been watching Jack all the while he’d been talking to Rod. She was amazed how this good looking man could look so hot in a coat that belonged in the Second World War. She was even more determined to make sure he noticed her. She hadn’t heard the conversation between Jack and Gray. She smiled to herself as she knew what her first move was going to be.
Ianto had also been watching Jack as he spoke to Rod. He wanted to know more about this John Hart and what he was to Jack. What had Owen said? Ask him anything. Right here goes. “Owen, you got a minute?”
“Sure Ianto, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, just that I heard Jack and his brother talking about a John Hart, who is he?”
So you want to know about our Captain, ok I’ll tell you. “Hart, he was Jack’s partner for several years, but he’s now living and working in London. He wanted Jack to go with him, but Jack said no, his life was here. They’ve been apart for the last six months and as far as I know Hart has found someone else. He and Jack are still friends but they’ve not seen each other or spoken for a while now. Why?”
“Oh, no reason, just curious, Gray was asking Jack why he hadn’t said anything and….well….I just wondered.” Ianto could feel himself getting warm, “you want another coffee? I’m just going to get one.” He had to get out of this room before he said anything else.
“Yeah sure, thanks. I’ll see if Jack want’s another. Hey Captain, Ianto wants to know if you want more coffee?”
“Mmm yes please, he makes a great coffee.”
Ianto did blush then, he’d been told his coffee was good before, but coming from Jack….he hoped no-one had seen. He disappeared quickly to get the drinks.
Jack had noticed the colour on Ianto’s face as he’d gone from the room. That coupled with how he was dressed today made Jack draw in a deep breath. Ok Harkness, this is getting ridiculous, you’re going to have to do something about your feelings, talk to him. No….talk to Owen, he knows him, then you can talk to Ianto.
“Owen, you got a minute?”
“Sure Jack anything for our Captain, what’s wrong?”
“Oh nothing’s wrong, I was just curious.”
Mmm two curious men, come on then Jack prove me right, ask me about Ianto. “Ok what is it?”
“Ianto….erm, why did you say he’d come back to Cardiff?”
I was right, you do have feelings for him. “He had a nasty split with his girlfriend Lisa. She got a high powered job in the city and wanted Ianto to stay home and look after the house. She said him being a builder was not the right image for her and the job she had. He’d just got a promotion and didn’t want to give it up. But she was adamant, she didn’t want her colleagues laughing at her for having a builder as a boyfriend, it wasn’t the done thing. They argued and in the end she gave him an ultimatum, leave his job or leave her. He loves his work and is very good at it….so….he left her and came home. Why did you want to know?”
“Like I said, just curious. Thanks Owen.”
Oh Jack, I’ve known you too long, that was more than curiosity, you want to ask him out. You both make me mad. It’s clear you both have feelings for one another, so just go for it! Owen watched as Jack went to talk to more of the contractors, now more than ever he was determined to make sure these two good looking men got together.
Gwen watched as Jack spoke to Owen, it must have been important by the look on both their faces.
“Come on then Gwen, let’s get home and have the rest of the day to ourselves. If you know what I mean?”
“Rhys, please not now. I’ve got something to do before we go.”
“And I thought it was me you wanted to….”
“Rhys! What have I said about broadcasting our private life in public.”
“Hey I’m sorry, it’s just, I thought….well we didn’t….”
“Oh be quiet Rhys, this is important.”
“What? And I’m not?”
“Of course lover, but give me a couple for minutes and I’ll be with you.”
Rhys was slightly annoyed, Gwen wasn’t normally this short with him. What was wrong with her? He watched as she bounded down to talk to Jack. Maybe it’s something to do with work. Oh well, she’ll be back in a minute. He made his way down to his fiancée and their boss. He didn’t get to hear what they were discussing as he was stopped by contractors he knew from previous sites.
“Mr Harkness….sorry Jack, can I possibly have a quick work?”
“Sure Gwen, anything for a lovely lady like you.”
Mmm Jack, so you are interested. “Sorry to hold you up, but just a quick question.”
“Sure, what can I do for you?”
“Well….Rhys and I” she thought it better if she mentioned her fiancé it wouldn’t look too obvious “we were wondering if you’d like to come around for dinner tonight seeing as though you couldn’t make it the other night. You could explain to me what I’m going to be doing on site.”
“Oh I’m sorry Gwen, I’m going to my parent’s for dinner. I haven’t seen them for a while. And besides Dawn, my secretary, will be on site first thing tomorrow to help you settle in. But thank you for the invite, and please thank Rhys for me too.”
Gwen tried to keep the smile on her face, but was finding it difficult. She felt someone appear at her side. She turned to see who it was, when Rhys put an arm around her “thank me for what lover?”
She shrugged his arm away and glared at him “I just asked Jack to dinner and he said no he was going to his parents.”
“Oh well, another time maybe. That means we can go home and have some fun.” He put his arm back and went to pull her close, he grinned.
“Don’t you ever think about anything other than sex?” She was annoyed now, and the last thing she wanted was to go home and go to bed.
Rhys was hurt, “I’m sorry Gwen….I thought….”
“Well you know what thought did?” she stormed off, leaving Rhys staring after her open mouthed.
Owen had witnessed some of the exchange between his friend Rhys and Gwen. He went over, “hey Rhys you ok?”
“What?....oh yeah, sorry mate, just a slight disagreement with Gwen, nothing to worry about.”
“Hey you know where I am if you want a chat.”
“Thanks, but we’re fine.”
“Rhys I’ve known you too long, that didn’t look like you were fine.”
“Seriously, we’ll sort it out. Look tell Tosh, it’s been too long since the four of us went for a drink, perhaps we could do it soon?”
“Yeah, that sounds great. The girls haven’t had a good gossip for ages. I’ll tell her to ring Gwen to sort it out.”
“Thanks, now you’ll have to excuse me, I must go find Gwen.”
“No problem, see you both at work tomorrow. It looks like this job is going to be a good one!”
“Yeah….yeah, see you tomorrow.” Muttered Rhys as he disappeared after Gwen.
Owen looked around to see Ianto coming back with three coffees. He caught Ianto’s eye and they met in the middle of the room.
“You ok Ianto?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Oh you looked a little flushed as you went for these.”
“Well it got a bit warm in here, I needed some air.”
Mmm I believe you….not. You’ve been watching Jack for most of the morning.
Jack came over “Ooo is one of those for me?”
“Yep, here you go.” Ianto handed Jack a mug of steaming coffee.
As Jack took the mug he touched Ianto’s fingers and a tingle made its way down his spine. He shuddered wow, that was unexpected. Stop Jack, you’re imagining things.
Owen had noticed Jack shudder. “You ok Jack?”
“What….oh, yeah, just a bit chilly now the room’s emptying.”
Owen noticed that Jack’s eyes never left Ianto’s. Oh boy, will you two sort yourselves out? I don’t think I can take much more of this. Stop it Owen, don’t push them, just help them realise that they are attracted to one another. He smiled to himself.
“Thanks for this Ianto, just what I needed.”
“No problem Jack, I had a reputation for my coffee on my last site. I’d be happy to make the coffee on this one too!”
“Oh a regular tea boy, weren’t you Ianto?”
“Thanks for that Owen, now Jack will think that’s all I’m good for.” He blushed as he smiled, which didn’t go unnoticed by the other two.
“Hey Ianto, just stating the truth. And besides by all accounts you’re good at other things too!”
Ianto nearly choked on his coffee at that last remark. What was Owen doing?
Jack smiled, he couldn’t help stare at the gorgeous young man, and close up he could see clearly the soft downy hairs peeking from the unbuttoned shirt the young man was wearing. He was brought back to the present by someone shouting his name.
“Jack….hey Jack, you ready?”
“What?....oh sorry Gray, yeah I’m ready. Right I’m sorry guys but duty calls. I’ve got to have dinner with brother and parents, so I’ll see you both in the morning. Dawn assures me that all the portacabins will be on site first thing. I’ll be there about 7.30am but I don’t expect to see you till 8.30am. Look I’ve got to go, Gray’s staring and when he’s doing that you don’t argue with him!” they laughed. “Ok, bye for now, see you tomorrow. Oh Owen, just make sure everything is locked up here for me please.”
“Sure Jack, no worries. See you in the morning.”
“Yeah, thanks Jack, I’ll be there about 8 if that’s ok, I don’t like to be late on my first day.”
“No problem Ianto!” Jack shouted across the room as he left with Gray.
“What’s this I don’t want to be late lark? When have you ever been late?”
“I….well….it’s a new job and I don’t want to give the wrong impression.”
“You will never do that Ianto Jones, you’ve made the right impression on Jack already so stop worrying.”
Ianto blushed again, Owen noticed. “Right then, I’d better get off too. See you tomorrow Owen, have a good rest of the day, bye.” He made a quick exit before he embarrassed himself more.
Owen was still smiling when Tosh arrived to take him home. “What’s got you smiling, you look like the cat that got the cream?”
“Oh nothing sweetheart. I’m really looking forward to this contract. I’m really pleased Jack’s decided to get himself back out on site.
“Yeah, it’s been too long, has he said what’s changed his mind?”
“No, not really, but I have my suspicions.”
“You gonna tell or do I have to guess?”
“Give me a few days to see if I’m right then I’ll tell you, I promise. I don’t want to jinx things before they’ve begun. Anyway what’s the reason for coming to pick me up? I only texted you to let you know I was on my way.”
“Oh, I missed you this morning. I was disappointed when I woke to find you gone. I know I’m usually first up, but I spent a long time on those drawings yesterday and staring at the computer screen is not good for anyone. So I guess I must have been really tired. Come on, let’s go make up for lost time.”
“Mmm yes please lover.” They were giggling as they made their way to Tosh’s car.
All the way to their parents’ home Gray was talking but Jack wasn’t really listening, he was just hoping that he was saying yes and no in the right places. He was thinking about Ianto and how much he wanted to find out more about him. Jack made a decision, he would ask Ianto out for a drink - Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager discussing the site and the work. At least he wouldn’t frighten the gorgeous young man off by suggesting anything else. Then if everything went ok, maybe….just maybe they could go for another drink? Jack smiled as he got out of his SUV at his parents’ house.
As Ianto walked home all he could think about was Jack and how he’d split from this Hart fellow. Why was he pleased Jack was single? He already knew the answer to that, he was attracted to him. Why? He’d never been attracted to men before? No it wasn’t men, it was just Jack. How was he going to admit his feelings to the older man without coming across too strong? Maybe he could talk to Owen? Yes that’s what he’d do. Owen was Jack’s friend as well as his. He’d know what to do….wouldn’t he? Ianto decided to let things lie for a few days before he said anything. They hadn’t begun the project yet. It was too soon. He realised he was smiling and hoped no-one had seen. He was going to enjoy working on this site. He found himself eager for Monday morning to come around.
Gwen hardly spoke to Rhys on the way home. She was annoyed that Jack had turned her down and annoyed at Rhys for wanting to go to bed. He thought that was the answer to everything. But she wanted some excitement in her life. Yes, she loved Rhys, but he was not adventurous any more, he was so predictable. And she was fed up with that. She would give things a few days, after all they hadn’t started on site yet. She’ll hang on and see how things went.
tbc
Site for....Chapter 11 http://iantosdreamer46.livejournal.com/38696.html