Strictly Straight Ballroom
Author: moonfirefic
Beta: milady_dragon
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Jackie/Pete, Rose/Mickey, Jack,/Ianto, John Hart, Gwen, Rhys, Martha, The Doctor(10th), Rhiannon, Johnny, Tosh/Owen, The Master(Simm), others
Summary: Inspired by the movie Strictly Ballroom. Jack Harkness has been training at Tyler-Smith Dance Studio since he was six years old to win the Pan Atlantic Grand Prix Latin Dance Final. When he starts coming up with new ideas about how he wants to dance, and who with, it will send him on a road of self discovery that will change his life and the world of professional dancesport forever.
Chapter Two
Tyler-Smith Dance Studio
The following afternoon
Jack kept his promise and under Doc's watchful eye went through the try-outs with a variety of partners. As he did so, Jackie, Pete, Rose, Mickey and several of the other regulars watched from the lounge counter window. Ianto kept to the back of the group, observing his competition in silence, but as each one was politely told that they would let them know, his heart soared a bit knowing that each dismissal meant one more day that he could keep dancing with Jack.
"She's got no body flight," Rose observed with a frown, watching as the latest dancer, a pretty, slender, but timid girl, danced past. The others tried not to snicker, as the fifteen year old called out the flaws of each dancer with ease.
By the time a week had passed, Jackie was starting to get worried. "They're too tall, too short, too tubby, well you know what I mean, too fat," Jackie complained to Doc as she marked another day off on the calendar. "It's like he doesn't want to find anyone who's compatible!"
"Maybe he has someone else in mind?" Ianto offered as he walked past. Jackie turned to stare at the normally quiet man in surprise. As she looked at him, she noticed that his skin seemed to have cleared up.
"Are you using that scrub?" Jackie asked. She couldn't remember giving it to him as she had been too busy with concern for Jack.
"Sorry, no," Ianto replied with a nervous smile. "Turns out I was allergic to it. Seems to be clearing up now though thanks," he hastily added before making his way to the changing room. Jackie watched him leave, wondering to herself if he had overhead Jack discussing a new partner. She waited for him to walk back out but was distracted when Pete dropped one of the record cases. Letting out an exasperated sigh, she quickly went to help him, her need to question Ianto quickly forgotten.
Jackie wasn't the only one wondering about the possibility of a secret partner. Owen and Tosh, who worked together at a local family medical clinic, had a bet going on whether or not Jack would even show at the next competition.
"He never showed up to help us with that blasted Bogo Pogo step," Owen complained. "Either he's got something going on the side, or he's too stubborn to admit that he can't find anyone else to dance with." Tosh nodded. She'd seen Jack staying late every day for the last week; maybe there really was a secret partner that none of them knew about. Gwen had been bragging about John nonstop, but her money was on Jack pulling off something amazing at the last minute.
"He's obviously lost it," John told Gwen while relaxing with her in his hot tub after their latest practice session. "He never could stand being left, always has to be the dumpee, not the dumper that Jack. I think he's all washed up and out of options." He edged a little closer and Gwen smiled back at him. She really didn't want to hurt Jack, but dancing with John was like dancing in a dream. An alcohol infused dream mind you, but when he was sober, a lovely graceful dream full of proper ballroom steps and no crazy partner swapping. Clinking her glass of wine against John's, she wondered idly if Jack would recover from all of this. Before she could ponder it any further, John set his glass down and pulled her in for a kiss, and all thoughts about Jack quickly flew out of her head.
Later that evening –
Despite the try-outs, Jack and Ianto were still working for several hours each night, and much to Jack's surprise, seemed to be making progress.
"Good," he commented, as Ianto spun away from him. "Come back in now but not too far." Ianto complied and turned just a bit too much until they collided. Jack frowned and Ianto pushed his glasses back up his nose in embarrassment.
They tried it again and they kept going until Ianto missed a step again. "No," Jack barked out in frustration, and Ianto quickly apologized.
"Let's take a break," Jack said, giving him a small smile before walking over to the fridge to get them each a bottle of water.
"Try-outs going well?" Ianto asked over his shoulder, trying to make conversation.
"Great," Jack threw back in reply as he opened the fridge door.
Ianto loosened his tie and rolled up his shirt sleeves as he walked over to the trophy case. Picking up one of the photos of Jackie and Doc dancing he smiled.
"Jackie and Doc were great dancers weren't they?" he asked.
"Yeah they were," Jack replied, suddenly wondering what he was doing dancing with a beginner in secret when he should be out looking for another champion class partner, and not letting Jackie and Doc down. He knew they would never be ready in time, and if he was going to get a real partner, he needed to end this, whatever this thing was with Ianto, now. Letting out a sigh, he came out of the lounge and found Ianto looking at some of the photos. He had loosened up a bit over the last week or so, and Jack found himself smiling as he saw the rolled up shirtsleeves, and unbuttoned shirt collar.
"They don't talk about it much do they?" Ianto asked as he put the photo of Jackie and Doc back on the counter. Jack stared at it a moment before answering.
"Not really, I think it's because of Pete," he finally answered, looking up at Ianto's hopeful expression and wondering how he was going to do this. It should be easy; Jack had always been able to pickup and drop partners with ease. But somehow this time, he was afraid of what Ianto would say.
"Look Ianto…" he started, and saw Ianto's face fall as if he knew what was coming. Jack cursed himself as he knew how his next words would sound. Before he could speak a door slammed downstairs and he snuck over to the basement door to see who it was. Peaking around the door, he saw Pete digging through the old locker in the basement full of mementos from old competitions. Pete was blowing the dust off of an old record, and humming to himself as he closed the doors to the locker and turned to make his way back upstairs. Jack quickly slipped away from the door and grabbed Ianto's hand, pulling him out the side door and up onto the roof.
As they watched through a window above, Pete crossed the empty dance floor to the record player and placed the record on the turntable.
"What's he doing?" Ianto asked, trying to get a better angle from his perch against the railing.
"He's always hiding away doing something," Jack replied, watching as Pete placed the needle on the record and music started to fill the room. He saw his stepdad start to sway with the beat and turned to Ianto with a grin, stopping short as he saw the other man remove his glasses to wipe a bit of dust from his eye. He had never noticed before how handsome the other man really was.
"Can you dance without them?" he asked, suddenly wanting nothing more than to see what those blue eyes looked like without the glasses to hide them.
Ianto looked up and Jack smiled when he saw Ianto's blue eyes meet his own with a tentative smile as he nodded that he could. Jack felt like kicking himself. How had he missed this? Had he been so focused on finding all of Ianto's faults as a dancer, that he had missed seeing the man himself? Folding up the glasses and slipping them into Ianto's shirt pocket, he drew his hand down Ianto's arm and clasped his hand in his own.
"Come on, we've got work to do," he said with a lazy smile as he pulled him away from the railing and the windows overlooking the studio. Ianto laughed and Jack found himself laughing along with him. The first genuine laugh he'd had in weeks. The two of them glided across the roof, and now that both of them had finally relaxed, the moves seemed to come with ease. Somehow the hesitation that Jack had felt from Ianto since the beginning seemed to be melting away and as he praised him and counted out the next series of steps, he couldn't stop from thinking that he had found his partner, rules be damned.
Below them on the empty dance floor, Pete was dancing to the beat, smiling to himself as he felt the familiar rush of steps long forgotten, and heard the soft pounding of his stepson and Ianto on the roof above him.
Tyler Household
One week later
"It was his year!" Jackie complained as she sewed the sequins onto Mickey and Rose's costumes for the All Wales District Competition. "It was Jack's year and he's gone and thrown it all away." She stood up to check the fit of Mickey's shirt. "You wouldn't do that to me would you Mickey?" she asked, hoping that at least one of her pupils wouldn't let her down.
"No," Mickey replied smiling brightly, glancing over at where Rose was twirling her new longer dance dress in circles in front of a nearby mirror.
"Doc will find a partner," Pete said, humming to himself as he danced across the kitchen.
"There's no time Pete," Jackie grumbled. "She'd have to be a champion. You think someone like Martha Jones is wondering around going, 'I wonder who I'll dance with'?"
Pete just kept on dancing without comment, and Mickey grinned. He almost never saw Mr. Tyler this excited about anything outside of soda drinks.
"Why don't you and Mrs. Tyler have a go in the over 35's Mr. Tyler? He asked.
Pete stumbled a moment, but kept on dancing. "I don't like competitions," he said looking over at Jackie.
"Dad hasn't done competitions in years," Rose explained returning to where Mickey was standing.
"But you should give it a go," Mickey protested. "I bet you'd be good." Pete smiled at the boy and winked, still dancing across the kitchen. Jackie who had remained silent through the exchange, suddenly turned red and shouted at him.
"Pete will you stop that!" she cried. "Stop that shuffling, you stupid man!" Pete stopped and glared at her. Jackie broke down in tears and Pete sighed.
"Don't cry mum," Rose soothed, pulling Jackie in for a hug as Mickey and Pete exchanged a look. "Jack will find a new partner, you'll see."
"Oh, Rose," Jackie said between sobs. "I really hope you're right."
Tyler-Smith Dance Studio
The following evening
"You're ready," announced Jack, smiling at him fondly. Ianto smiled softly back.
"What for?" he asked unsure.
"I want you and me to try out for Doc tomorrow night," Jack replied.
"At districts? Are you sure?" Ianto asked, his eyes wide. Jack nodded.
"Yes!" Ianto shouted, punching his fist in the air in celebration. Jack laughed, joining in the excitement. If they proved themselves at districts, the Pan Atlantics the week after should be a breeze.
"Come on then," Jack said holding out his arm. "I'll take you home." Ianto grabbed his jacket and took it with a grin.
As the two of them made their way to the door and locked up, Pete stepped out from the shadows with a smile on his face. Maybe, just maybe his son would have the courage to dance in a way that he never could.
As they walked from the car towards the council estate near the train tracks that Ianto called home, Jack tried to ask Ianto about the phrase he had said the first night they started dancing.
"Vivir conno meeko-" Jack began.
"Vivir con miedo," Ianto corrected with a grin.
"Vivir con miedo es como vivir a medias," Jack tried again.
"Very good," Ianto replied, chuckling softly.
"But what does it mean?" Jack wanted to know.
"Basically, to live with fear is a life half lived," Ianto replied.
"Like a proverb or something?" Jack asked. Ianto nodded.
"A life half lived," Jack said contemplating the words. "I like it."
Once they reached the door to the simple tailor's shop that was the family business with Ianto's home in the back, the two of them stood in front of it staring at each other.
"Well," Jack finally said, when he noticed that Ianto was not going to make a move. "I'll see you at Districts tomorrow." He turned to leave and Ianto took a step forward, wanting him to stay at least a few moments longer.
"Do, do you think the rumba is the right one to do?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"Doc will love it, you'll see," Jack replied with a smile.
"I do, too…the rumba, I mean," Ianto replied, pulling nervously on his shirt cuffs. Jack stared down at him, into those impossibly blue eyes and wondered if he could keep this professional. He knew he was attracted to the other man, but he didn't want to push him. If he remembered right, he had been with a girl named Lisa up until a few months ago, and straight as far as he knew. He needed to stop this now before he confused the poor man more then he probably already was.
"Ianto, you know what I said about the rumba, being the dance of love?" Jack asked, trying to build up his resolve.
"Yeah," Ianto answered, stepping closer.
"Well, you know its pretend right?" Jack asked, wanting to make his point clear.
"Oh, no…I don't think," Ianto sputtered. "Wait you didn't think? Because I don't…" He continued backing up and bumping into a nearby trashcan.
"No I didn't…Are you alright?" Jack asked, reaching to help him steady himself. Ianto flinched back from Jack as if his hand had burned him.
"You better go before the whole house wakes," he said, standing up and smoothing down his suit. "Night," he called over his shoulder before moving towards the side fence gate and letting himself in.
Jack stared at the fence a moment before turning to head back to his car. Ianto had seemed nervous; almost embarrassed at the thought of Jack thinking he liked him.
"But is he embarrassed that he likes me, or that I might like him?" he wondered aloud as he started walking back to his car.
As Jack contemplated whether or not Ianto was attracted to him, Ianto himself was busy trying to explain to his uncle why he was home so late.
"I don't care what this Jacqueline wants when it comes to practicing!" Rico shouted at his nephew. "Tomorrow you will be here for the fiesta, and no dancing partner is going to get in the way."
"But tomorrow is the All Wales District Championships!" Ianto protested.
"Enough!" Rico shouted. "I have been working at the shop all day, and Rhiannon has been taking on extra work while you slack off to dance." Ianto glanced over where his sister even now was sitting at her sewing machine finishing an order. "I need you here Ianto. And that is final."
Ianto glared back at him, not backing down. Rico tried his best to stare his nephew down, but ended up throwing up his hands in frustration and returning to his work. Ianto looked over at his sister and Rhiannon looking up at him in concern. Tired and not wanting to argue any further Ianto made his way upstairs, hoping that tomorrow his uncle would somehow understand.
Welsh District Championships
The following afternoon
The lead judges of the event were meeting for lunch before the afternoon's main events. The announcer on the dance floor below them was running through the competition announcements, mentioning thatt the featured dancers of the event would be Martha Jones and Tom Milligan.
"I want her to be Jack's new partner," Harold Saxon said, leaning across the table towards Doc Smith.
"Martha Jones?" Doc asked in surprise. Saxon had been dead set against Jack dancing with her before. What had changed?
"That's right Doc, bloody Tom's going to announce his retirement tonight," Saxon said with a grin. "Jack and Martha are without partners. I think it would be most advantageous for all concerned if they were seen together."
"But Harry," protested one of the other judges. "Jack's shenanigans have caused a lot of distracting press and online chatter to come our way."
"He's right," put in another judge. "That Sarah Jane Smith has been sniffing around and looking for us to slip up and make this a matter for the global stage. If word gets out to advocacy groups that we forced him to take her on as a partner-"
"That's why it's important that Jack is seen to be dancing the right steps with the right partner," Harry interrupted.
"Dancesport needs good young couples," Lucy Saxon, Harry's wife interjected.
"Good young boy-girl couples," Harry clarified, patting her arm. "Dancesport has been a source of good clean-cut family entertainment for as long as I have held office," he continued. "I don't plan on making a mockery of all that hard work now just because some young upstart seems to think he can dance what and with whomever he pleases." He gave Doc a meaningful glare, watching the other man stare stonily back at him.
"Sorry, when did we become the morality police?" Doc asked, not comfortable with Saxon's hard line tactics.
"When you started teaching within the federation," Harry shot back. "If you want to keep teaching and keep a roof over the Tyler's heads, you'll support me on this Doc," he added, leaving no doubt that he would follow through on his threat.
Doc's eyes narrowed. "I'll agree to arrange a meeting at the social dance," he replied his face unreadable. "But the rest is up to them."
Harry stared at Doc trying to ascertain what he was planning, before snorting in frustration. "Now that we have that settled, on to new business," he said, smiling as the others picking up the agenda and continuing the meeting.
Ianto had managed to sneak away for the competition, giving Rhiannon a half baked story about helping his friend move. He made an express bus to the city center, wearing his best black pinstriped suit and waistcoat with a dark red shirt. As central Cardiff drew near, ran over the dance in his head, wanting to make sure that everything was right before their big debut. So engrossed was he in following the steps in his mind that Ianto almost missed his stop. Jumping off the bus at the last minute, he spun to a stop on the pavement, giving the driver a cheeky grin as he hurried on towards the Millennium Center where the competition was to be held.
"I've been fielding phone calls all week about the steps Jack danced at the festival," Harry complained to Doc after the meeting broke up. "Jack has a second chance with Martha," he continued, putting his arm over Doc's shoulder. "Let's not forget that a Pan Atlantic champion becomes a hero, a guiding light to all dancers, someone who sets the right example." He added looking down into the main floor to where the ballroom dance final was in progress.
Meanwhile down on the competition floor…
"You've been drinking," Gwen growled at John as they swept across the floor in the waltz.
"Bullshit," John hissed back, keeping his smile firmly in place. "Only had a shot or two before breakfast. Now push it, move your bloody legs Cooper."
"You bloody have," Gwen groused through gritted teeth, keeping her own smile intact. "You're drunk aren't you?"
"Bullshit. Bullshit," replied John, fighting to keep his smile in place.
"You bloody are," Gwen continued, watching as John's face turned slightly green. "Keep your head up, come on, no getting sick now." Gwen propped up his head with her hand, trying to keep up the act that everything was fine and cursing herself for not sticking with Jack. Strange steps or no, at least he came to a competition sober.
"Do you two know anything about this partner Jack is dancing with?" Jackie asked, watching Gwen and John sweep by before sitting down next to where Mickey and Rose were waiting for the junior Latin final.
"No clue," Rose replied as Jackie placed a flower in her hair to complete her look.
"Jack says we'll never guess," Jackie prattled on in concern. Pete fixed his video recorder smiling to himself, there was no way he was going to ruin the surprise.
"Doc do you know anything about this partner?" Jackie asked as Doc returned from his meeting.
"Blimey news travels fast," Doc replied with a frown.
"Who is it boss?" Mickey asked. Doc looked back at them, knowing that there was no way out of it now. He handed over a copy of the latest issue of Dancesport Daily to Jackie and stood back, knowing what her reaction would be.
"Three times Pan Atlantic champion Martha Jones is hunting for a new partner," Jackie read the article. "It was announced today that her partner of ten years, Tom Milligan will be retiring due to commitments to his new medical clinic in Surrey. Their farewell exhibition will be at this weekend's District finals. Their farewell exhibition will be at this weekend's District finals. After tonight the question on every dance fan's lips is: who will snag Martha?" Jackie looked up at Doc, realization dawning on her face.
"Jack's in the running?" she asked anxiously. Doc glanced over to where Pete was watching the exchange with a frown.
"Apparently Saxon decided they should dance together," he replied, knowing that Pete would get the meaning of his words even if she didn't.
"Oh my God!" Jackie exclaimed. "We're saved."
"She's a hottie that Martha Jones," Mickey observed looking at her picture. A second later he was rubbing his arm where Rose had punched him. "Not as hot as you though Rosie," he replied with a grin.
"You're learning Mick," Doc said with a grin, watching the teenager wince as he flexed his arm.
"So she's really going to dance with him?" Jackie interrupted, not ready to believe it yet.
"Straight after her exhibition, she's hopping into the social dance with Jack per Saxon's orders," Doc replied. Jackie and the others started laughing in relief.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Jackie said to Pete as he stood stoically watching the proceedings.
"Bunch of bureaucratic bullshit if you ask me," Pete replied. Doc caught his eye and smirked.
"I won't let you ruin this for me," Jackie snapped back at him. Looking back at the article and the photograph of Martha and Tom dancing she smiled. "Isn't she lovely Pete?"
"Well she photographs well enough," he replied looking up with a smile as Ianto joined them.
"Oh Ianto, isn't it exciting?" Jackie gushed.
"Um," Ianto replied, glancing around and trying to figure out what was going on.
"I thought he'd never find a new partner, and now everything is just perfect!" she exclaimed.
"Do you really think so?" Ianto asked, surprised that she seemed so happy about his dancing with Jack.
"Of course I do, Doc and I are beside ourselves," Ianto glanced up at Doc and noticed that he seemed to be forcing the smile on his face.
"I'm very happy too," Ianto said overwhelmed.
"Of course you are love," Jackie said with a smile, reaching over to pull him closer. "Gee you look handsome this evening. I almost didn't recognize you." She looped her arm through his and pulled him closer.
"You've been using that buff puff I gave you yeah?" she asked. Ianto rolled his eyes but ignored her, still smiling and caught up in the moment.
Jack walked up a moment later, surprised to find Ianto already with his mother. Taking in the other man's appearance, his mouth ran dry. Any pretense he had of trying to keep their relationship strictly professional vanished as he realized that straight or not, he was definitely attracted to him. But why was he there already? And was his mother actually happy about the situation?
"Oh, I see you know already," he began. "I was going to tell you-"
"Oh yes, very funny, you little devil," Jackie interrupted him, letting go of Ianto to pull Jack in for a hug. "Well we know all about it," she said releasing him as the others gathered round.
"Bloody fantastic, mate," said Owen stepping up to shake his hand. "A right gem that one. How'd you manage it?" Jack stared at him in surprise. Was everyone fine with him and Ianto dancing together?
"You should have told us you know," Tosh said coming up to join the others. She and Owen had just finished the ballroom final and were stopping by to gather their Latin costumes.
"You haven't even seen us dance yet," Jack said overwhelmed.
"Oh come on son, you two were made for each other," Jackie replied, and Ianto laughed in surprise.
Pete stepped forward with his camera, wanting to capture the moment on film and hoping that Jack would acknowledge his real partner, even with someone like Martha Jones being dangled in front of him. "Just wanted to capture the big moment," Pete said smiling at Ianto.
"For goodness sake Pete," Jackie scolded him. "He's not the slightest bit interested. Look at him, he's beside himself." Ianto looked up at Jack, who grinned back at him, wanting nothing more than to take him in his arms and kiss him senseless. Who would have thought his family and friends would be so supportive?
"Who would have thought?" Jackie said, her words mirroring Jack's musings. "Our Jack dancing with someone like Martha Jones," she finished, smiling at Ianto. He smiled back and then glanced at Pete who lowered the camera, looking at her sadly.
"The Nightingale of the Dance floor for the last time with Tom Milligan… Miss Martha Jones!" called the announcer as the two of them took to the floor for their final exhibition dance, the Rumba.
"Martha Jones?" Ianto asked looking at Jack. Jack looked back at him, not sure what to say.
"Ianto, I-," he said taking a step towards him.
They all looked over to where the curtains parted to show Martha and Tom in the middle of the stage.
"Oh isn't Martha beautiful?" asked Jackie. Ianto stared at the champion couple stunned. All eyes were on them as they danced the rumba with well practiced precision. Unable to take it any longer, Ianto pushed past Jack and disappeared into the crowd.
"He's a funny one that Ianto," Jackie observed as he left.
"Excuse me," Jack said, hurriedly following him.
