Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to get this up, bunch of personal issues plus trying to adjust to new classes (it's shocking to me, for some reason, that there's so much work in Law classes). Also, I have absolutely no idea why it's so easy for me to write guys, yet when I have to talk with them or manage a relationship with one, they completely confuse me. Why? ANYWAY. *Cough*

Enjoy!


Chapter Two

Later, when anyone decided it would be hilarious to bring it up, Ianto would work hard to deny the fact that he stumbled over his name about ten times as he stared at the grinning, ridiculously handsome man before him. He hadn't stammered, and - even if he had - it was due to the drink he'd just finished. Nothing else. Was it his fault that he happened to be a little bit of a lightweight when it came to drinking? No.

Feeling his face start to heat up and spotting the grin on the man's face turning a little bit more amused, Ianto gave an awkward cough. What the hell? I'm acting like some school girl with an idiotic crush. "Ianto Jones." He said quietly, extending his own hand to take his hand, giving it a quick shake before moving to cross his arms in a slightly self conscious manner. Ianto heard a faint giggle, but couldn't be bothered to glance over his shoulder to see if it was Tosh or Gwen who had made the sound. He instead kept his eyes on the older man's expression, stiffening his shoulders a little bit.

The grin on Jack Harkness's face seemed to get wider. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ianto Jones." His blue eyes flicked to Tosh now, allowing Ianto to blow out a breath and relax, leaning heavily back against the seat he'd recently occupied. "And, let me guess, Toshiko Sato? I've heard a lot about you from these two." The man jerked his head at Gwen and Owen. A slightly flustered look flew across the woman's face, but she gave him a small smile, biting her lower lip.

"Uhm, yes. It's nice to meet you."

Another dazzling grin stole across the American's lips, and Owen abruptly cleared his throat forcefully with a slightly bigger scowl than before. He looked more irritated than usual, which surprised Ianto a little bit. "So. Ianto, you were saying you had to leave?"

This abrupt statement jerked Ianto back to the present, and he forcefully removed his gaze from Harkness, coughing awkwardly. In a slightly nervous move, he fiddled with his tie before smoothing his hand over it to remove any wrinkles, inclining his head in a slight nod. "Yes. Right. I -"

Harkness's voice stopped him again, and Ianto's eyes flicked over to the American. "Leaving?" His tone was one of disappointment, and he looked back at Ianto. "When I only just got here?"

He was actually pouting, something Ianto had never imagined an adult male doing. Ianto blinked twice, and then shook his head. "I...well..." The Welshman wasn't quite sure why he was suddenly debating on staying longer. The longer he stayed out, the more he drank...well, Ianto had dealt with it before, and it wasn't something he wanted to live through again. Still..."I suppose I could stay a bit longer."

"Good!" Harkness slid into the seat between Ianto and Tosh, looking completely at home as he grinned around at them all, ignoring Owen's sulky expression. "A round of drinks on me, then!" He pulled out money as he spoke and Ianto held back a groan with difficult. He had a feeling he'd end up regretting his decision to stay.


He was completely and utterly hammered.

Ianto had lost track of how many drinks he'd had, but the last one he'd managed to count when still partially sober had been four. It was more than he'd drank in a while; years, even, as he'd learned from his University years that he became a rambling, giggling idiot when he drank more than one. And now proved it, as Ianto giggled madly at some story Harkness was telling about an ex of his, a name Ianto couldn't for the life of him recall. In fact, even the story was slowly falling out of his grasp, but for some reason it was still incredibly funny to the Welshman.

Giving a slight hiccup of a laugh, Ianto glanced down at the silver wristwatch he was wearing, having to squint and gripping the table's edge to see and steady himself. Midnight. Then he had...five hours until work. With a small groan, Ianto tried to force himself to stand just as Harkness finished up his story to a round of laughter around the table. Unfortunately, half way through his attempt, Ianto's foot somehow managed to get caught on one of the table legs and he stumbled directly into Harkness's chair, reaching out quickly to steady himself and landing his hands right on the American's shoulders.

The man turned to face him, taking in Ianto's slightly glazed eyes and his wobbly stance. "Alright there, Yan?"

Yan?

Before he could make a response, Owen spoke up. The alcohol appeared to have relaxed him a little - his expression had cleared and he'd grinned and laughed throughout Harkness's entire tale. "Ianto's just a fucking lightweight. Can't hold your liquor very well, can you, mate?" Owen gave him an amused smirk, sipping at his pint.

Ianto moved to flip him off and instead went tumbling into Harkness with a curse. The American straightened him with a slightly concerned look, frowning and glancing at the other three around the table. "I think he should probably go home." There was a slight groan from the Welshman who was still being supported by the American, his head buried in his arms. It helped to stop the room from spinning. "Should we call a taxi or -"

"No." Tosh, who had apparently stood up. Out of the five of them, she had refrained the most from drinking, and sounded far too cheerful and sober for Ianto at the moment. "I can take him home. I've got to get up early myself for work later." There was the sound of high heels hitting the floor and then someone nudging his shoulder. "C'mon, Ianto. I'll take you home."

With another groan, Ianto moved out of Harkness's grasp and let Tosh drag his arm over her shoulders. He tried to help, straightening up slightly and closing his eyes when the room tilted violently again. Tosh spoke again - words that sounded more like a jumble of nothingness to Ianto - and then he felt her drag him out the door, but not before the American called after them.

"Hopefully see you guys again!"

And then they were out the door, Tosh helping him into the car and then slamming the door shut as Ianto sank down into his seat, closing his eyes with a small, muffled groan. He was going to have the biggest fucking hangover...


R&R please and thank you!