Hucking Harkness

Prologue

3.30 am Abergelli Farm, Swansea

Ianto woke the moment his alarm went off and rolling onto his back, rubbed tiredly at the facial hair which lined his face before he sat up in the narrow bed. Throwing off the covers he headed towards the tiny bathroom. Ianto hated having stubble, he thought it looked untidy and felt rough; it was not in keeping with the professional image he projected on a daily basis. Jack Harkness loved Ianto's stubble; loved the fact that for Ianto it was a requirement of his current assignment. Being from the 51st Century, Jack's face was permanently smooth and Ianto was slightly envious. Sighing he switched the light on in the bathroom, still scratching at his chin.

Once he'd woken himself up with some cold water on his face, he made the bed and dressed quickly, in the near darkness of the early morning. He wore long johns, black jods and a warm green sweater, over several more layers. Ianto paused and upon hearing nothing from below him, quickly checked the well hidden PDA for messages from the team, sending a brief update and a good morning greeting.

Once he'd pulled two pairs of long, boot socks on Ianto crept down the stairs of the semi-converted barn, carrying his well worn, scuffed and muddy boots. Jack had quirked a disbelieving eyebrow at Ianto when he'd first seen them, emerge from Ianto's attic; surprised that the young man could own something that was not pristine as the day it'd been bought. Ianto met Billy on his way out and greeted the small man with a silent nod and tight smile. The pair of them made their way together to the main stable block, joining Jenny who was already almost there. The young woman greeted them with a grin and bright eyes, chattering ten to the dozen despite the early hour. Her energy was contagious, and soon they were all in high spirits as they prepared the mounts on the board for warm-ups today.

Ianto was assigned Blue Dancer, Swansea Lee and Sunshine Sweetheart. Quickly he had all three tacked up and was starting to muck out their stalls as he listened to the familiar sounds around him. Gareth's tuneless whistling from the third stall down, a tune which Ianto found strangely calming; the stamping hooves of hungry mounts, probably Red the stallion; and Wynn's grunts of frustration in the stall next door where he was struggling with Hucking Harkness, who was, as usual, refusing the bit and dancing circles round the old groom. The stubborn horse was definitely living up to the name Ianto decided with a secret smile. His expression turned briefly to one of longing, he missed Jack.

Out on the track Ianto met Mr Llewellyn, the trainer for his instructions. "Jones. Mornin', sleep well?" Ianto nodded, "Ye're mounting Harkness today." If only the man understood the irony of his words... "Jus' breeze her round and at 20 furlongs give 'er her head."

"Yes sir," Ianto answered, turning quickly away. He raised his left boot for a leg up to his dancing mount as the older man ducked under the fence line, muttering and shaking his head. But there was a smile on his face- he liked the polite Jones boy. Bryn, one of the grooms, easily hoisted Ianto into the saddle and quickly re-adjusted the girth while Jenny held Harkness' head. She threw it in the air, snorting impatiently before they both stepped away, a quick reassuring pat to his calf.

Ianto stood and checked his stirrups before nudging the big horse forward into a canter and settled in the saddle as he turned on the track, murmuring gentle words to calm his mount before gathering her up and pushing her forward into a gallop. Hucking Harkness soon settled into her stride, head coming down, focussing on what she was being asked to do.

On the furthest side of the track, hidden behind a line of convenient shrubs, Jack and Owen sat in the black SUV in silence. Jack had a pair of binoculars trained on the frisky bay horse that was just starting to warm up on the gallops. The Captain couldn't be sure from this distance if it really was Ianto riding, but Jack was fairly certain it was him. No-one else could pull-off the dark green polo-neck sweater and black jodhpurs combination so well, he thought lecherously. Jack's attention was pulled away from Ianto's raised, and fast retreating ass, by Owen, who snorted awake and elbowed him grumpily. "Just 'cause you're not getting any..." Jack growled, training the binoculars back on the horse and rider in the distance. They seemed to flow effortlessly across the track together and Jack was almost envious of the exhilarating speed and adrenaline rush Ianto must be feeling.

As the horse rounded the second bend in the furthest side of the track, he neared another, this one a dark brown, almost black horse, skittering along the outside edge of the turf; the rider was struggling to hold him back as the Bay flew past, but managed eventually to get him to settle in a brisk trot, only dancing sideways occasionally. Jack focussed once more back on the rider of the bay, which was now coming rapidly towards him, confirming it was indeed Ianto on board. As he watched, Jack saw Ianto glance across to the trainer whose hand had just gone up. The young man moved his own hands further forward along the horse's neck and Jack saw his lips move silently. The big bay responded instantly with a further burst of speed and Ianto grinned, loving the feel of the powerful mare beneath him. Jack caught the expression before a second later, horse and rider flew past the SUV, just a dark brown flash accompanied by pounding hooves.

TBC

Well, this is the first bit! Let me know what you think? I'm afraid chapter updates will be stuttered until I have more regular access to the internet. I will be getting wireless soon, but I have nada for now. R&R? Carrie; )