Three petite blondes sat in the corner of a well scrubbed but old fashioned, even for their time, living area. There was a small wooden table with four rickety chairs tucked neatly underneath. An open fire blazed brightly to the left casting an orange glow across their thoughtful faces and a stack of forgotten medical files lay propped against the wall. This was the nurse's staff room at the Cardiff Institute.
They spoke with thick welsh accents, barely noticing the ever cooling cup of tea that stood before them on the table. They were on their break and eagerly discussing a new arrival.
The tall, handsome gentleman had been checked in by his parents that very morning. His "treatment" had begun immediately and he hadn't responded very well. He had been with the doctors for only 2 hours when the nurses were summoned and ordered to take him to his room.
"I was told his name is Jack Harkness," Millie leaned towards her colleagues.
"I know that family, quite well off and very proud of the family name." Karen nodded, "a gay son would seriously knock their reputation."
"He's due to go back to the doctor's in half an hour, poor soul." Gillian shook her head in disgust.
********
Downstairs, Jack Harkness lay on a folding camp bed in a private room. The conditions here were a lot less comfortable than home. His "treatment" was the doctors showing him various images in a small, dark room.
Thick leather straps were used to beat him when pictures of males were shown. Apparently, this was to teach him that homosexuality was wrong and he deserved to be punished and should therefore "straighten" him out.
However, the beating hadn't lasted too long as he had passed out. When he woke up, he found himself in his little room; aching and sore from earlier. There was also a sickly feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was all wrong. He shouldn't be here.
********
Ianto stood in the kitchen of the Harkness' family home. A party was taking place as Miss Cassandra Harkness was staying for a month. Ianto turned 18 last week and was now allowed to serve cocktails and begin his duties of servant instead of kitchen boy. Holding the tray of drinks firmly, he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Although he had met Paul and Linda Harkness briefly before, he had never been beyond the door leading to the main part of the house.
"Hurry up Ianto," Sam, a fellow servant, urged him through the door.
Ianto walked gingerly towards the guests, offering people drinks from his tray. There was a man sitting on the sofa next to Linda Harkness. They were happily conversing with an elderly gentleman. The likeness between the pair confirmed Ianto's suspicions; the man was heir to all this, the much talked about son. Jack Harkness. He was a good looking man with dark hair and a dazzling smile.
"Sir, can I offer you a drink?" Ianto held out his tray, fighting to keep it steady in front of Mrs Harkness and Jack.
"Yes please. Sorry, what's your name?" Jack took a drink from Ianto as his mother politely declined and continued her conversation with the elderly gentleman.
"Ianto Jones, sir." Ianto, not sure what to do, offered a hand to Jack.
Jack looked down, appearing annoyed. He took Ianto's hand in his own, glanced up to face Ianto and smiled warmly whilst shaking his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ianto Jones. Jack Harkness."
Ianto grinned back and returned to serving drinks as Mrs Harkness glared at him.
********
"Ianto, you're to be assigned as Master Harkness' personal servant," Mary, the head servant, informed every one of their duties," He's been diagnosed with the flu, needs to stay in bed for about 2 weeks. You must stay with him during the day and do whatever he says as well as feed him and give him medication, got it?"
"Yes ma'am!" Ianto mock saluted and began gathering Jack's breakfast and some medication.
********
Ianto knocked politely and entered Jack's room.
"Good morning, sir. I'm Ianto Jones and I'll be your personal servant for the duration of your illness." He smiled across the room at Jack who was lying in bed.
As soon as he finished introducing himself, Jack threw up all over his white sheets which were freshly changed less than an hour ago.
********
"Sorry Ianto," Jack sheepishly looked towards the bottom of the bed as Ianto finished buttoning up his new duvet cover.
"It's not your fault, sir." Ianto straightened up. "I take it you won't want your breakfast?" Jack's face turned a slight shade of green at the thought of food. "I'll take it back down to the kitchen."
"Thanks. Can you drop the sir please? It makes me feel old and uncomfortable."
"As you wish, sir... I mean, I'll be right back." Ianto stuttered, blushed and walked out the room.
About 5 minutes later, Ianto knocked lightly and poked his head around the door to check Jack was decent before he entered the room.
"I've brought you a glass of water just in case you get thirsty." Jack nodded in acknowledgment. Setting down the glass on the bedside table, Ianto looked around to locate a chair. There was a cream coloured sofa against the wall opposite Jack's bed. It didn't look right for a servant so Ianto settled down in a wicker chair by the window. "Do you think you'll be able to manage your tablets?" He turned the chair a little to face Jack.
"I don't think so. I don't really want to chance it. I'll just let it run its course, it's not like it's going to kill me." Jack chuckled quietly at the thought of a misdiagnosed 24 hour bug killing him. His laughter was cut short as a sudden coughing fit attacked him.
Ianto jumped from his chair and hurried over to the bed to help Jack sit up. "You need to be careful, sir...sorry, it's going to take some getting used to. Are you alright?" Jack's coughing had stopped. Not daring to speak and possibly start the coughing fit again, Jack simply nodded his head and took a small sip of his water. Fluffing Jack's pillows up, Ianto helped him lie back down again after putting the glass of water back on the bedside table. He wandered warily back to his chair, not entirely sure whether or not the coughing had stopped.
Ianto looked out the window at the fresh blossom that seemed to appearing over night on the ancient trees in the garden. Ianto loved spring time, it symbolised new life and a fresh start. He smiled as he thought of going for a walk through the garden in the evening. When he'd finished fantasying about nature, Ianto turned to check on Jack who was suddenly very quiet.
The duvet was pulled up to Jack's chin and his face was peaceful. Another smile spread like butter over Ianto's face as he gazed upon his sleeping master.
"Goodnight, Jack."
********
Ianto sat unmoving in the chair until around 4 o clock in the afternoon; it was then that Jack woke up.
"What time is it Ianto?" Jack mumbled whilst rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"4 o clock. Do you feel any better?" Ianto remained in his seat.
"Yes, I feel great actually. I reckon Dr Alexander diagnosed me wrong. I think I just had a 24 hour bug. I've got it out my system and just need to build my strength up again. I'll be fit as a fiddle by tomorrow tea time." Jack smiled and sat up.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Your parents were very stern when they said to make sure you stay in bed for the 2 weeks the doctor said."
"Well in that case, I would like a late breakfast please Ianto. I don't like my toast too well done and I'm not very keen on orange juice so I'll have a cup of tea please, one sugar and milk." Jack winked at Ianto as he dramatically sighed and rolled his eyes.