SEA OF LOVE - Chapter 8
Title: Sea of Love - Chapter 8
Author: iantosdreamer46
Genre: AU
Pairings/Characters: Ianto/Jack, Tosh/Tommy, Owen, Martha Jones
Summary: Jack is the Foreman at a shipyard in Belfast. They are building what is rumoured to be the biggest and best cruise liner of all time - The Titanic. Ianto arrives at the shipyard having left Cardiff quickly to get away from his family and his ex-girlfriend, Lisa.
Rating: NC-17 Overall
Wordcount: 2,629
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 This AU is a subject close to my heart. Having researched the history of it for English lessons at school, I decided to give it the Jack and Ianto treatment. I hope I do it justice and that you all enjoy it.
A/N2 Apologies for any of you who are getting this multiple times, it's cross posted.
A/N 3 It feel like months since I posted an update for this fic. Sorry that it's taken me so long, but have gone back to work and am just trying to get my head around my new duties. I promise it won't be as long next time. Thanks to you all for being patient and I hope this lives up to your expectations. I appreciate all the comments you leave for me and hope that you'll continue leaving them for me.
Jack arrived home, went straight into the sitting room and flopped onto the sofa. He hadn’t realised how nervous he’d been. He was still shaking when he sat down. He stood up to take his great coat off, hoping that Ianto wouldn’t be too long.
Making their way home, Ianto was quiet. Martha kept hold of his hand not wanting people to see them apart. “Penny for them Ianto?”
“What? Oh sorry Martha. I never imagined I’d feel like I do for anyone, let alone another man. But I’m so pleased I came to Belfast. I nearly didn’t.”
“Well I’m glad you did, you’re the best thing that’s happened to Jack in a very long time. Now you need to both get away from here and live your lives how you want. I know it’s not going to be easy wherever you go, but you’re not going to have Lisa breathing down your necks once you’re in New York.”
“We know it’s not going to be easy, but we love each other and that’s got to be a bonus.”
She squeezed his hand, “you’d better come home to mine first, that way Sam and Chris won’t be suspicious if you don’t come back with me.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll say hi to them, then I’ll go for a walk, you know, to clear my head.”
“Ok I’ll cover for you too, tell them you’re not well and when you get back you’ll go straight to your room.”
“Thanks, I will be here in the morning, I’m going to leave Jack’s early to make sure I’m down for breakfast.”
“Ok. Right we’re here, are you ready for act two?”
“Yep” He looked down the street to Jack’s wondering if he’d seen them arrive home.
Jack had seen his lover and friend walk back down the street wondering why they hadn’t stayed in the pub any longer. He began pacing again, hoping Ianto wouldn’t be too long.
Ianto made an appearance at Martha’s, making sure the boys there saw him and heard him talking about going for a walk to try to clear his headache. He left Martha at the door quickly kissing her and saying he’d be back later. As he walked down the street his heart began racing, he wanted to run, wanted to be with Jack, wanted to be in bed with his lover.
He made sure no one was around and ducked down the alleyway at the back of Jack’s block of houses. He held tightly to the key Jack had given him and as he reached up to put the key in the lock, he noticed his hands shaking. He turned the key, opened the door straight into the waiting arms of Jack.
Jack had heard Ianto putting the key in the lock and had gone to wait for him. He was desperate to hold his young man. He didn’t realise how much he’d missed holding him, kissing him. He’d not loved anyone as much as he loved Ianto for a long time, if ever.
As Ianto stepped through the door Jack was there with open arms waiting. He didn’t give Ianto a chance to close the door, he pulled him into a searingly hot kiss. Kicking the door closed as their lips met.
Ianto broke the kiss when the need to breathe overtook him. “Wow Jack, that was….”
Jack’s lips crushed the young man’s again.
Ianto pulled away. “Hey Jack what’s wrong? Why the urgency?”
“Oh Yan, I’ve missed you so very much today and when I saw you and Martha walking hand in hand, then again wrapped in each others arms in the pub, I was….shit Yan I was jealous.” He looked at the young man. “I know I shouldn’t have been, as it was all an elaborate performance, but….but it still hurt to see you holding someone else.”
Ianto lightly kissed Jack, “hey, ssshhh Jack, it’s ok, I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. I’m sorry we’re having to do this, I want so much to be with you, it’s just, well if Lisa finds out….”
“I know sweetheart. We have to be careful. I’m so sorry….will you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive Cariad. I would have worried if it hadn’t affected you. I’m yours now and forever. I realised something tonight.”
“What’s that?”
“I realised I never loved Lisa. We were just pretending. I love you, really love you. What I feel for you is so intense that when I’m not with you, seeing you, being able to touch, to hold you, shit Jack it hurts. I don’t know how I’m going to get through these next couple of weeks. Once we’re on board we’ll be ok won’t we Jack? Nothing will separate us again, will it? I’d rather die than be apart from you.”
“Hey sweetheart, we are going to be ok. Once we are on board we can shut out the world, lock our door and be together and no one will see us. We test the lifeboats tomorrow so there’s not much longer to wait till we sail. The trial is set for the first of April and Mr Andrews has said we’ll be sailing not long after that. He and Mr Ismay are both sailing on board. They want to be part of history too, and I don’t blame them.”
“Jack?”
“Yes Yan?”
“Take me to bed, please. I don’t want to let you go until morning.”
Jack took his hand and led his young lover upstairs. Undressing, Jack watched Ianto, smiling at the notion that they would soon be leaving for a new life.
Ianto felt Jack’s eyes watching him. “What’s wrong Cariad?”
“Nothing my love, I’m just thinking how lucky I am to have found you.” He moved over to the bed, pulled the covers back and got in. Holding out his hand, Ianto took it and climbed in beside him.
Lying down Jack pulled Ianto close wrapping his arms around him. Ianto lay his head on Jack’s chest smiling at the sound of Jack’s beating heart playing in his ears. Ianto reached a hand down searching for Jack’s length. Finding it he wrapped his hand around it eliciting a moan from Jack. Slowly Ianto began stroking Jack who leant down and kissed his young lovers’ hair.
“Mmm feels so good Ianto.”
Ianto’s movements started to speed up, Jack’s moans louder. “Oh God Yan not going to last much longer….so….nngh good.”
“Don’t hold back Jack, I want you so very much.”
His hand quickened, Jack’s breathing heavier, inaudible moans escaping the older man’s mouth. It wasn’t long before Jack came, shouting Ianto’s name. Ianto continued to stroke Jack through his orgasm, slowing down when he felt Jack collapse into the bed. He reached over to the bedside cabinet for the wash cloth that was in the bowl. Cleaning up Jack he then threw the cloth on the floor and looked into the love blown blue grey eyes of his Captain.
“Thank you Yan.”
“My pleasure Cariad. I wanted to prove just how much I love you.”
“Oh my love, I know how much, you don’t have to prove anything to me.”
“I felt I was betraying you tonight in the pub with Martha.”
“Hey, I know, you know and Martha knows that it was an act. Now….come on I do believe you have a problem now that needs a gentle touch.”
“Mmm so it appears. I love you Captain Jack Harkness. I’m never going to leave you.”
Jack kissed him, stroking him all the while. It wasn’t long before Ianto’s problem had been resolved and Jack had cleaned them up again. Wrapping themselves in one anothers arms and legs, it wasn’t long before they were both sound asleep.
Jack woke to the sound of movement in the room. Reaching across he found the other side of his bed empty. He sat up bleary eyed looking around for his Ianto.
“Morning Cariad, I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“I’m glad you did. What’s wrong?”
“It’s five thirty and if we want to keep up our story, our performance, then I need to get back to Martha’s so Chris and Sam won’t suspect anything.”
“Oh….ok. Come here and kiss me first.” Ianto smiled and went to oblige. “I’ll never get fed up kissing you Yan.”
“I know what you mean. Today is going to be hell. You’ve got to remember that you’re mad at me, and don’t be nice to me. We have to keep this going, even more so at work.”
“I know sweetheart, but it’s going to be difficult.”
“Oh Jack, I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you.”
“Ianto!”
“Yeah, we’ll get through this, I know it’s going to be the hardest thing we have to do, but we’ll do it.” And he kissed him again.
“I have to go Cariad. I’ll see you at work, and remember….”
“Yeah, I won’t be very nice to you.”
“Love you Jack.”
“I love you too Ianto Jones.” He smiled, but Ianto saw that it didn’t quite reach his eyes like it usually did.
Ianto squeezed Jack’s hand one last time. “I’ll be here tonight.” Then he was gone, leaving Jack, his heart feeling like someone had ripped it from his chest.
Come on Harkness, he’ll be back tonight and it’s not like you’re not going to see him today. He just had to remember to be a tyrant. Something he wasn’t good at.
Jack was the first to arrive at the shipyard. He found he couldn’t stay at home, not without Ianto. So he’d gone to make sure everything was ready for testing the lifeboats. He checked the paperwork, the only thing to do before the testing was to put the date on each of the pages. To take his mind off his lover, he began writing, March 25th 1912. He lost himself in what he was doing and didn’t hear Owen enter his office.
“Morning Jack, how are you this morning after….”
“You don’t need to remind me Owen I was there last night, remember? Tell me one thing though, did you know about it?”
“No Jack, I didn’t and I’m truly sorry. I know how you felt about Martha. Is there anything I can do?”
“Yeah, just keep him away from me today, otherwise I might just hit him. Then I’d lose my job and I really don’t want to do that.”
“Ok Jack, look you know where I am if you want to talk.”
“Yeah, thanks Owen.” He breathed a sigh of relief as Owen left, hoping that he’d sounded convincing. Now he just had to keep this up when he saw Ianto.
Ianto hoped that he was able to keep up the pretence when he arrived at work. He’d said goodbye to Martha in front of Sam and Chris, hoping he was convincing. Then when they’d gone back to their rooms he’d heaved a sigh of relief.
“Ianto….you ok?”
“Not really Martha. I miss Jack already. I miss his smile first thing in the morning. I miss his touch, his kisses.” He stopped, “Oh God Martha, I’m so sorry, that was really insensitive of me wasn’t it? You really miss Mickey. I’m sorry please forgive me?”
“Ianto stop treating me like I’m going to break. I’m ok, I’m never going to forget him, but I’m moving on, I’m not going to break down every time you tell me how much you miss Jack. I can see how much you miss him and love him.”
“Yeah Martha I do, with all my heart. I can’t wait till we get to New York, no one knows us there, we can start a new life.”
“I’m happy for you both, you’ve not got long to wait you’ll be sailing soon.”
“We haven’t got a date yet, but we’ve been told that it could be at the beginning of next month.” He looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. “hey, I must go, don’t want to be late.” He hugged Martha just as Sam was coming into the room.
“Oi Ianto, put our Martha down, you’ll be home soon enough for that. We’d better go, don’t want the Captain any more angry at you than he already is.”
Martha felt Ianto tense and whispered “ you’ll be fine, Jack loves you” and she kissed him lightly.
“Thanks Martha, yeah I know.” He whispered back and hugged her again.
The three men left with Martha watching as they went, her heart going out to Jack and Ianto knowing how difficult the next few weeks were probably going to be.
Ianto arrived at work with five minutes to spare and was greeted by Owen. “Ianto I don’t think you ought to go into the warehouse, Jack is on the warpath after your little revelation last night. Come on, let’s go check the lifeboats they’re testing them today.”
“Oh….erm….ok.” He was desperate to see Jack, but had to keep up this charade. It was beginning to eat away at him. He hoped they’d get a sailing day very soon.
“Ianto….hey tea boy! You’re miles away, what’s up?”
“What? Oh sorry Owen, I was just thinking.”
“Hey, you’ll hurt yourself. Besides it’s out in the open now, there’s not much you can do about it. Come on, let’s go check those lifeboats.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Just as he was going with Owen he saw Jack come from the warehouse. He looked straight at him and Ianto tried to smile, Jack saw and just slightly nodded. Enough for Ianto to see.
Both men sighed, Jack wanting to kiss his Welshman good morning, Ianto wanting so much to hold Jack and tell him how much he loved him.
Owen noticed Jack staring, “let’s go Ianto, let him calm down a bit.”
They made their way to the deck to check the lifeboats. As they walked Ianto was counting how many boats were there. He counted 16. He made a quick calculation of the number of passengers and crew to the number of lifeboats and he didn’t think there would be enough.
Owen saw the puzzled look on his friends face. “Look Ianto, it’ll all turn out right in wash, Jack will calm down, he’ll….”
“No, it’s not that Owen, I’ve just been thinking about these lifeboats.”
“There you go again, I told you not to think too much.”
“Owen I’m serious, there isn’t enough lifeboats for the passengers and crew.”
“What?....No….look there are four collapsible ones too. Ismay and Andrews have it under control. They should know. Stop worrying and let’s make sure things are ready for testing.”
Ianto made a mental note to speak to Jack that night. He was certain there still weren’t going to be enough lifeboats even with the collapsible ones. He’d worked in ship-building long enough to know what was required.
The claxon sounded for lunch and as Owen and Ianto made their way to the dockside they ran into Jack.
“Ah, Mr Jones. My office in ten minutes.” He winked at Ianto.
“Oh erm….yes sir….erm ten minutes and counting.”
“Don’t get flippant with me Jones, we need to talk!”
“Sorry, yeah, I’ll be there.”
Jack strode off. “You gonna be ok Ianto? Want me to come with you?”
“Mmmm…what? No….thanks anyway, but I’ll be ok.”
“Right, just remember you’ve done nothing wrong at work, what you do in your private life is just that, and Jack can’t sack you for it.”
“Yeah, thanks Owen. I’ll be ok, I’d better go, don’t want Jack having anything else to pull me up over.”
“Ok, well you know where I am!”
“Thanks.” Ianto’s heart was racing, he hoped they’d been convincing and from Owen’s reaction so far, they’d got away with things.
tbc
Chapter 9 http://iantosdreamer46.livejournal.com/54492.html
Author: iantosdreamer46
Genre: AU
Pairings/Characters: Ianto/Jack, Tosh/Tommy, Owen, Martha Jones
Summary: Jack is the Foreman at a shipyard in Belfast. They are building what is rumoured to be the biggest and best cruise liner of all time - The Titanic. Ianto arrives at the shipyard having left Cardiff quickly to get away from his family and his ex-girlfriend, Lisa.
Rating: NC-17 Overall
Wordcount: 2,629
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 This AU is a subject close to my heart. Having researched the history of it for English lessons at school, I decided to give it the Jack and Ianto treatment. I hope I do it justice and that you all enjoy it.
A/N2 Apologies for any of you who are getting this multiple times, it's cross posted.
A/N 3 It feel like months since I posted an update for this fic. Sorry that it's taken me so long, but have gone back to work and am just trying to get my head around my new duties. I promise it won't be as long next time. Thanks to you all for being patient and I hope this lives up to your expectations. I appreciate all the comments you leave for me and hope that you'll continue leaving them for me.
Jack arrived home, went straight into the sitting room and flopped onto the sofa. He hadn’t realised how nervous he’d been. He was still shaking when he sat down. He stood up to take his great coat off, hoping that Ianto wouldn’t be too long.
Making their way home, Ianto was quiet. Martha kept hold of his hand not wanting people to see them apart. “Penny for them Ianto?”
“What? Oh sorry Martha. I never imagined I’d feel like I do for anyone, let alone another man. But I’m so pleased I came to Belfast. I nearly didn’t.”
“Well I’m glad you did, you’re the best thing that’s happened to Jack in a very long time. Now you need to both get away from here and live your lives how you want. I know it’s not going to be easy wherever you go, but you’re not going to have Lisa breathing down your necks once you’re in New York.”
“We know it’s not going to be easy, but we love each other and that’s got to be a bonus.”
She squeezed his hand, “you’d better come home to mine first, that way Sam and Chris won’t be suspicious if you don’t come back with me.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll say hi to them, then I’ll go for a walk, you know, to clear my head.”
“Ok I’ll cover for you too, tell them you’re not well and when you get back you’ll go straight to your room.”
“Thanks, I will be here in the morning, I’m going to leave Jack’s early to make sure I’m down for breakfast.”
“Ok. Right we’re here, are you ready for act two?”
“Yep” He looked down the street to Jack’s wondering if he’d seen them arrive home.
Jack had seen his lover and friend walk back down the street wondering why they hadn’t stayed in the pub any longer. He began pacing again, hoping Ianto wouldn’t be too long.
Ianto made an appearance at Martha’s, making sure the boys there saw him and heard him talking about going for a walk to try to clear his headache. He left Martha at the door quickly kissing her and saying he’d be back later. As he walked down the street his heart began racing, he wanted to run, wanted to be with Jack, wanted to be in bed with his lover.
He made sure no one was around and ducked down the alleyway at the back of Jack’s block of houses. He held tightly to the key Jack had given him and as he reached up to put the key in the lock, he noticed his hands shaking. He turned the key, opened the door straight into the waiting arms of Jack.
Jack had heard Ianto putting the key in the lock and had gone to wait for him. He was desperate to hold his young man. He didn’t realise how much he’d missed holding him, kissing him. He’d not loved anyone as much as he loved Ianto for a long time, if ever.
As Ianto stepped through the door Jack was there with open arms waiting. He didn’t give Ianto a chance to close the door, he pulled him into a searingly hot kiss. Kicking the door closed as their lips met.
Ianto broke the kiss when the need to breathe overtook him. “Wow Jack, that was….”
Jack’s lips crushed the young man’s again.
Ianto pulled away. “Hey Jack what’s wrong? Why the urgency?”
“Oh Yan, I’ve missed you so very much today and when I saw you and Martha walking hand in hand, then again wrapped in each others arms in the pub, I was….shit Yan I was jealous.” He looked at the young man. “I know I shouldn’t have been, as it was all an elaborate performance, but….but it still hurt to see you holding someone else.”
Ianto lightly kissed Jack, “hey, ssshhh Jack, it’s ok, I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. I’m sorry we’re having to do this, I want so much to be with you, it’s just, well if Lisa finds out….”
“I know sweetheart. We have to be careful. I’m so sorry….will you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive Cariad. I would have worried if it hadn’t affected you. I’m yours now and forever. I realised something tonight.”
“What’s that?”
“I realised I never loved Lisa. We were just pretending. I love you, really love you. What I feel for you is so intense that when I’m not with you, seeing you, being able to touch, to hold you, shit Jack it hurts. I don’t know how I’m going to get through these next couple of weeks. Once we’re on board we’ll be ok won’t we Jack? Nothing will separate us again, will it? I’d rather die than be apart from you.”
“Hey sweetheart, we are going to be ok. Once we are on board we can shut out the world, lock our door and be together and no one will see us. We test the lifeboats tomorrow so there’s not much longer to wait till we sail. The trial is set for the first of April and Mr Andrews has said we’ll be sailing not long after that. He and Mr Ismay are both sailing on board. They want to be part of history too, and I don’t blame them.”
“Jack?”
“Yes Yan?”
“Take me to bed, please. I don’t want to let you go until morning.”
Jack took his hand and led his young lover upstairs. Undressing, Jack watched Ianto, smiling at the notion that they would soon be leaving for a new life.
Ianto felt Jack’s eyes watching him. “What’s wrong Cariad?”
“Nothing my love, I’m just thinking how lucky I am to have found you.” He moved over to the bed, pulled the covers back and got in. Holding out his hand, Ianto took it and climbed in beside him.
Lying down Jack pulled Ianto close wrapping his arms around him. Ianto lay his head on Jack’s chest smiling at the sound of Jack’s beating heart playing in his ears. Ianto reached a hand down searching for Jack’s length. Finding it he wrapped his hand around it eliciting a moan from Jack. Slowly Ianto began stroking Jack who leant down and kissed his young lovers’ hair.
“Mmm feels so good Ianto.”
Ianto’s movements started to speed up, Jack’s moans louder. “Oh God Yan not going to last much longer….so….nngh good.”
“Don’t hold back Jack, I want you so very much.”
His hand quickened, Jack’s breathing heavier, inaudible moans escaping the older man’s mouth. It wasn’t long before Jack came, shouting Ianto’s name. Ianto continued to stroke Jack through his orgasm, slowing down when he felt Jack collapse into the bed. He reached over to the bedside cabinet for the wash cloth that was in the bowl. Cleaning up Jack he then threw the cloth on the floor and looked into the love blown blue grey eyes of his Captain.
“Thank you Yan.”
“My pleasure Cariad. I wanted to prove just how much I love you.”
“Oh my love, I know how much, you don’t have to prove anything to me.”
“I felt I was betraying you tonight in the pub with Martha.”
“Hey, I know, you know and Martha knows that it was an act. Now….come on I do believe you have a problem now that needs a gentle touch.”
“Mmm so it appears. I love you Captain Jack Harkness. I’m never going to leave you.”
Jack kissed him, stroking him all the while. It wasn’t long before Ianto’s problem had been resolved and Jack had cleaned them up again. Wrapping themselves in one anothers arms and legs, it wasn’t long before they were both sound asleep.
Jack woke to the sound of movement in the room. Reaching across he found the other side of his bed empty. He sat up bleary eyed looking around for his Ianto.
“Morning Cariad, I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“I’m glad you did. What’s wrong?”
“It’s five thirty and if we want to keep up our story, our performance, then I need to get back to Martha’s so Chris and Sam won’t suspect anything.”
“Oh….ok. Come here and kiss me first.” Ianto smiled and went to oblige. “I’ll never get fed up kissing you Yan.”
“I know what you mean. Today is going to be hell. You’ve got to remember that you’re mad at me, and don’t be nice to me. We have to keep this going, even more so at work.”
“I know sweetheart, but it’s going to be difficult.”
“Oh Jack, I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you.”
“Ianto!”
“Yeah, we’ll get through this, I know it’s going to be the hardest thing we have to do, but we’ll do it.” And he kissed him again.
“I have to go Cariad. I’ll see you at work, and remember….”
“Yeah, I won’t be very nice to you.”
“Love you Jack.”
“I love you too Ianto Jones.” He smiled, but Ianto saw that it didn’t quite reach his eyes like it usually did.
Ianto squeezed Jack’s hand one last time. “I’ll be here tonight.” Then he was gone, leaving Jack, his heart feeling like someone had ripped it from his chest.
Come on Harkness, he’ll be back tonight and it’s not like you’re not going to see him today. He just had to remember to be a tyrant. Something he wasn’t good at.
Jack was the first to arrive at the shipyard. He found he couldn’t stay at home, not without Ianto. So he’d gone to make sure everything was ready for testing the lifeboats. He checked the paperwork, the only thing to do before the testing was to put the date on each of the pages. To take his mind off his lover, he began writing, March 25th 1912. He lost himself in what he was doing and didn’t hear Owen enter his office.
“Morning Jack, how are you this morning after….”
“You don’t need to remind me Owen I was there last night, remember? Tell me one thing though, did you know about it?”
“No Jack, I didn’t and I’m truly sorry. I know how you felt about Martha. Is there anything I can do?”
“Yeah, just keep him away from me today, otherwise I might just hit him. Then I’d lose my job and I really don’t want to do that.”
“Ok Jack, look you know where I am if you want to talk.”
“Yeah, thanks Owen.” He breathed a sigh of relief as Owen left, hoping that he’d sounded convincing. Now he just had to keep this up when he saw Ianto.
Ianto hoped that he was able to keep up the pretence when he arrived at work. He’d said goodbye to Martha in front of Sam and Chris, hoping he was convincing. Then when they’d gone back to their rooms he’d heaved a sigh of relief.
“Ianto….you ok?”
“Not really Martha. I miss Jack already. I miss his smile first thing in the morning. I miss his touch, his kisses.” He stopped, “Oh God Martha, I’m so sorry, that was really insensitive of me wasn’t it? You really miss Mickey. I’m sorry please forgive me?”
“Ianto stop treating me like I’m going to break. I’m ok, I’m never going to forget him, but I’m moving on, I’m not going to break down every time you tell me how much you miss Jack. I can see how much you miss him and love him.”
“Yeah Martha I do, with all my heart. I can’t wait till we get to New York, no one knows us there, we can start a new life.”
“I’m happy for you both, you’ve not got long to wait you’ll be sailing soon.”
“We haven’t got a date yet, but we’ve been told that it could be at the beginning of next month.” He looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. “hey, I must go, don’t want to be late.” He hugged Martha just as Sam was coming into the room.
“Oi Ianto, put our Martha down, you’ll be home soon enough for that. We’d better go, don’t want the Captain any more angry at you than he already is.”
Martha felt Ianto tense and whispered “ you’ll be fine, Jack loves you” and she kissed him lightly.
“Thanks Martha, yeah I know.” He whispered back and hugged her again.
The three men left with Martha watching as they went, her heart going out to Jack and Ianto knowing how difficult the next few weeks were probably going to be.
Ianto arrived at work with five minutes to spare and was greeted by Owen. “Ianto I don’t think you ought to go into the warehouse, Jack is on the warpath after your little revelation last night. Come on, let’s go check the lifeboats they’re testing them today.”
“Oh….erm….ok.” He was desperate to see Jack, but had to keep up this charade. It was beginning to eat away at him. He hoped they’d get a sailing day very soon.
“Ianto….hey tea boy! You’re miles away, what’s up?”
“What? Oh sorry Owen, I was just thinking.”
“Hey, you’ll hurt yourself. Besides it’s out in the open now, there’s not much you can do about it. Come on, let’s go check those lifeboats.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Just as he was going with Owen he saw Jack come from the warehouse. He looked straight at him and Ianto tried to smile, Jack saw and just slightly nodded. Enough for Ianto to see.
Both men sighed, Jack wanting to kiss his Welshman good morning, Ianto wanting so much to hold Jack and tell him how much he loved him.
Owen noticed Jack staring, “let’s go Ianto, let him calm down a bit.”
They made their way to the deck to check the lifeboats. As they walked Ianto was counting how many boats were there. He counted 16. He made a quick calculation of the number of passengers and crew to the number of lifeboats and he didn’t think there would be enough.
Owen saw the puzzled look on his friends face. “Look Ianto, it’ll all turn out right in wash, Jack will calm down, he’ll….”
“No, it’s not that Owen, I’ve just been thinking about these lifeboats.”
“There you go again, I told you not to think too much.”
“Owen I’m serious, there isn’t enough lifeboats for the passengers and crew.”
“What?....No….look there are four collapsible ones too. Ismay and Andrews have it under control. They should know. Stop worrying and let’s make sure things are ready for testing.”
Ianto made a mental note to speak to Jack that night. He was certain there still weren’t going to be enough lifeboats even with the collapsible ones. He’d worked in ship-building long enough to know what was required.
The claxon sounded for lunch and as Owen and Ianto made their way to the dockside they ran into Jack.
“Ah, Mr Jones. My office in ten minutes.” He winked at Ianto.
“Oh erm….yes sir….erm ten minutes and counting.”
“Don’t get flippant with me Jones, we need to talk!”
“Sorry, yeah, I’ll be there.”
Jack strode off. “You gonna be ok Ianto? Want me to come with you?”
“Mmmm…what? No….thanks anyway, but I’ll be ok.”
“Right, just remember you’ve done nothing wrong at work, what you do in your private life is just that, and Jack can’t sack you for it.”
“Yeah, thanks Owen. I’ll be ok, I’d better go, don’t want Jack having anything else to pull me up over.”
“Ok, well you know where I am!”
“Thanks.” Ianto’s heart was racing, he hoped they’d been convincing and from Owen’s reaction so far, they’d got away with things.
tbc
Chapter 9 http://iantosdreamer46.livejournal.com/54492.html