Ready, Ianto?
For what?
To relearn everything.
Ianto groaned at the sound of Owen's voice cutting through the chilly air. Even though he was unimpressed at Owen's point of view, Ianto was almost excited about going back to work. The night before Ianto had draped himself over the bed, on top of the covers, muscles tight with apprehension.
Gwen would make sure she would be there early; probably hook some form of string system that would guide him around the Hub. She would hover over him all day, and eventually do all of his work for him.
Tosh would carefully evaluate how well Ianto moved about, listen to every sound he made. She would stand around hopelessly lost, knowing that she should do something but not knowing what that was.
Ianto woke up, half dressed, to a muted Owen whispering to himself. Silently, Ianto crept to the door and poked his ear out, shielding his bare chest behind the door.
Gwen, come in later. Take Rhys out for breakfast, I don't care. Just don't..
The high pitched and tinny echo of Gwen's voice came through the telephone's speaker.
You know exactly what I mean.
Another moment passed with Owen listening half-heartedly to Gwen's indignant reply.
Look. Gwen. Don't make it a big deal. Wait for him to ask for help. The best way for him to get back into the swing of things is sorting it out himself…… No of course I haven't done any training covering dealing with people. Why do you think I became a coroner!
More angry babbling came from Gwen.
Yes. Yes. I do think it's best. If it doesn't work then you can try your way in a week. Or two. Give him a bit of space…. Glad you can see it my way. Cheers.
Owen slid the phone back into its cradle and sighed with relief. He sipped noisily on his coffee and didn't hear Ianto close the door behind him. Ianto slid under the blankets, covering his bare chest, smiling sleepily.
*****
A slight breeze brushed over the two men as they crossed the threshold of the hub. The cog door ground shut and Owen patted Ianto on the shoulder. He strolled down to the autopsy bay, throwing a furtive glace over his shoulder at the suited man he left in the doorway. Ianto turned around slowly, trying to find a point of reference. A tiny blur of red light shone about the hub door, a point that Ianto had to remember.
He took a tiny shuffle forwards, was met with no resistance, then continued slightly more confidently. When he reached the stairs he stumbled and reeled backwards, his toe catching the metal bars. A soft yet firm hand pressed into his back between his shoulder blades and pushed him upright.
Good morning, Ianto.
Tosh's voice echoed shyly in the empty hub. She slid past Ianto on the stairs and her boots tapped on the concrete floor, getting quieter as she got closer to her work station.
Ianto blew a sigh a relief. Owen had talked to Tosh as well. Or Gwen had talked to Tosh, so she wouldn't feel targeted, which was more likely. He continued to grope his way up the stair case, more cautiously than he wanted to.
Where am I going to start?
Ianto muttered to himself. Almost as though he had been listening, Owen shouted from the autopsy bay.
Hey, Ianto! Can I have coffee? Ta.
Ianto straightened up, tugging at his tie and building up his confidence.
Would you like some coffee, Tosh?
Uhm, sure. Thanks Ianto.
Ianto slowly circled on the spot, searching for the small red light above the hub door. He found it, and walked in the opposite direction – away from the cog door and towards kitchen.
It seemed like it took years to get through the door of the kitchen. Ianto's direction wasn't quite right, and he hit the hub wall about three meters to the left of the doorway. His cold fingers edged their way across the smooth concrete and eventually found the threshold.
Now came the hard part.
His hands scrabbled over the assorted jars and boxes on the counter, then up and over the coffee machine. The filter would need cleaning after sitting for nearly a week. His skin quivered when it was submerged in the cold coffee grinds, and the bitter aroma of old coffee filled his nostrils. With the water-heavy filter, Ianto swivelled around to the sink, and tipped the contents out.
The soft grounds splattered loudly as they hit a hard surface.
Ianto paused.
The splatter sounded further away than the sink should be. Ianto held his hands out and felt for the bench. Cold granite slammed into the side of his hand. He had turned too far.
Ianto sighed heavily.
He felt his way into the cupboard beneath the sink, took out the roll of paper towel, and after much difficulty finding the edge he tore off a strip. Ianto grunted as he tried to wipe up the brown sludge, but succeeded in only spreading it around the floor and deep into cracks. Leaning back on his heels, Ianto could feel his knees going numb from pressing into the floor. Even more discomforting still, his fingers had been numb from the cold floor and being soaked in cold water.
Ianto coughed, clearing his throat.
Tosh?
Yes?
Her tiny voice replied.
Could you give me a hand?
Sure. Just hang on one moment.
Ianto could hear her tapping faster at her keyboard, trying to finish the line she was on. She trotted into the kitchen, gazing around.
Where are you…
Tosh's arms flew up into the air, and she tumbled into a heap on the floor.
Tosh? Tosh? Are you ok? Are you hurt?
A giggle escaping from Tosh's lips gave him his answer.
What happened? What is this stuff?
She held her hand out, covered in brown grounds, and sniffed it gingerly.
Uhm, those would be week old Arabica coffee grounds. I am really sorry. I was trying to empty it into the sink, and I emptied, well… not in the sink.
Ianto sniffed as he tore off more paper towel and handed it to his left. On his right, Tosh took the towel and wiped her hands.
Don't worry about it, Ianto. Next time you'll know the distance from the machine to the sink.
Tosh caught a glance of Ianto's grey face through her fringe, the uncovered bloodshot eye unnerving her. She thought it looked almost like the pupil had leaked through into the white of the eye. Shaking her head clear of such thoughts, Tosh eased herself off the floor and checked herself over for any more of the elusive brown slush. Finding none, she turned back to Ianto, who had stood up as well.
Do you want to get the mop, Ianto? I'll get the floor cleaner and leave you to it. Yeah?
Sure.
Tosh quickly turned the hot water tap on, waited for it to heat up, while watching Ianto out of the corner of her eye. He navigated across the room cautiously and got a bucket and a broom.
Uh it's the other one, Ianto. You've got the broom.
Oh.
Blood rushed to Ianto's cheek with embarrassment and frustration. He handed Tosh the bucket, which she filled with hot water and floor cleaner liquid.
Here you are Ianto. I'll leave you to it. Give me a shout if you need a hand.
Tosh tried to sound bubbly, but she couldn't shake from her thoughts that this wasn't going to be the only interruption to her day. She marched from the room, already turning her thoughts back to the computer program she needed to run.
Hey, Tosh?
She paused.
Hmmm?
Ianto hesitated.
Thanks.
Don't mention it.
Tosh flashed her tiny pleased smile and she continued back to her station. Ianto bit his lip and dipped the mop into the soapy liquid. He heard bubbly water splash onto the floor. It was going to be a repetitive day.
