AN Thanks to all those who reviewed/read the last chapter. I know I left it on a bit of a cliffie and hope this chapter makes up for it. I had an amazing time in Canada it truly is a beautiful country :), the only downside was I didn't get as much writing done as I wanted :(. I have got half the next chapter written and as long as real life doesn't get in the way should be done by Sunday.
My thanks as always to JonesIantoJones for reading and correcting all my mistakes, less than 2 months to go now Sarah, can't wait.
Please review (good or bad) and let me know if I'm still going in the right direction with this xx
Mountains to Climb part 11
When Jack had finished talking there were tears running down his face. Ianto pulled him into a hug and whispered. "Hey it wasn't your fault, and from what you've told me this - John is just out to cause trouble. And if he is then we deal with it - together."
Jack looked up at Ianto in astonishment. "You're not freaked out by what I've just told you?"
Ianto shook his head. "No I'm not. Jack in my job you have to rely on intuition and gut reaction. I can usually tell when someone is spinning me a tale or lying to me and I'm usually right. I know you are telling me the truth. What happened with Gray and John happened a long time ago. If John tries anything we will deal with it." Smiling he continued. "I'm a pretty good solicitor and can bury him under legal jargon if I have to. I'm just glad you trusted me enough to tell me what happened"
"Thank you." Jack whispered into Ianto's chest. "Do you mind if we don't go out, I'm not really in the mood anymore."
Ianto tilted Jack's head up so that he was looking at him. "That's ok. Do you want me to go or shall we order takeaway?"
Jack leant up and placed a chaste kiss to Ianto's lips, "Stay. Please. I don't want to be alone right now. There's food in the fridge - I could cook?" Jack murmured into Ianto's mouth but made no move to get up, in fact if anything he held on tighter to Ianto burying his head in the crook of Ianto's neck.
They sat entwined together for a while until Jack broke the silence. "Not the home coming you'd anticipated." He sniffed.
Ianto chuckled softly. "No it's not. I'm just glad that you still wanted me. I was afraid that you would've changed your mind once you'd had time to think about things."
"Never." Jack whispered.
Ianto was running his hand through Jack's hair in a soothing motion. "Mmm. You keep doing that and I'm liable to fall asleep then you'd never get fed." Jack said sleepily.
Ianto stilled his hand and when Jack looked at him questioningly he said seriously. "But you said you could cook."
"Yes I said I could cook not that I would." Jack replied just as seriously.
The melancholy of the evening broke as they both laughed. Jack sat up fully then turning to Ianto he said. "Thanks for being so understanding and trusting. Most people would've run a mile after hearing that story. I haven't told anyone about what happened with Gray and John in a long time."
"I'm just glad that you felt you could trust me enough to tell me. " Ianto said. "Right let's go see what there is to cook then 'cos as much as I'm enjoying sitting here with you in my arms I think we both could do with someting to eat and maybe a hot cup of coffee." Ianto commented as he looked at the full mugs of now cold coffee on the table.
Jack laughed. "Yeah you're probably right." He stood up pulling Ianto with him and went through to the kitchen. Jack opened the fridge and peered inside. "Well it look's like I've got some bacon, some chicken and some veg. Plus I know I've got some rice or pasta in the cupboard. I could do chicken stir fry or pasta with cheese and bacon?" As Jack pulled the food out of the fridge he caught sight of Ianto's face. "Don't tell me you're vegetarian?"
Ianto gave a shrug. "Yep sorry is that a problem?"
Jack grinned as he put the chicken and bacon back in the fridge. "No not at all we can have veggie stir fry." He pulled the vegetable tray out and looked through it. "Well we have onions mushrooms courgettes peppers and sugar snaps. Do you like all of them?"
"Sounds good. You can have some meat if you want. I'm not going to walk away just because you eat meat." Ianto said walking over and winding his arms around Jack's waist and leaning his chin on Jack's shoulders. "You want me to do anything?" He asked.
Jack turned his head slightly and kissed the corner of Ianto's mouth. "No thanks. And for the record I'm not a big meat eater I just eat chicken and fish mostly - oh and the occasional bacon sandwich." Jack smirked as he pushed back against Ianto so he could open the drawer and got out a knife. Ianto stayed with his arms around Jack as he began to chop up the veg.
"That's ok then. I wouldn't want to come between a man and his bacon sandwich. Just so long as you clean your teeth before you try kissing me after eating one." Ianto said as he kissed the side of Jack's neck.
"You are making it very difficult to concentrate." Remarked Jack as Ianto was continued placing barely there kisses to Jack's neck.
"Mmm sorry did you want me to stop?" Murmured Ianto in between kisses.
"No it's nice." Jack said continuing with the chopping.
While Jack carried on preparing the veg they talked about their respective jobs. Ianto found out that Jack had been manager of the shop for just over five years having worked at a different branch as assisstant manager for four years and that he'd been with the company for just under twelve years.
"Do you ever feel like changing companies or doing something completely different?" Ianto asked while pinching a sugar snap.
"Sometimes when senior management are being arseholes. But other times they are really cool to work for. I mean it's not many jobs that will take you skiing in Switzerland and call it staff training or send you to Scotland hiking is it?"
"No s'pose not. The furthest my company has sent me is London and then it was really boring. Mostly spent in a conference hall or hotel." Ianto said gloomily. "And I hate going to London."
"Why is that?" Asked Jack.
"Well it's just so big and what with all those terrorist attacks a couple of years ago I really don't feel safe when I'm there. Your job sounds much more exciting." He admitted.
"Hmm I hadn't really thought about that side of London, but saying that Skiing and hiking can be just as dangerous unless you know what you're doing. I mean you wouldn't just go out without checking you had the right equipment would you?" Jack replied.
"No I suppose not. It just yours sounds more fun than mine." Laughed Ianto.
"You like hiking don't you?" Jack asked. Ianto nodded his head. "How do you fancy doing the Three Peaks Challenge with me in September? A few of us from work are doing it for charity."
Ianto looked sceptically at Jack. "Jack the Three Peaks is hard. I'm not sure my level of hiking is quite up to that."
"Yeah it's hard but with the right training I'm sure you can do it. Look you don't have to decide right now. I'm doing a fifteen mile hike over the Brecons on Sunday, I'd really like it if you came with me. You could also meet some of the others who are doing it as well. Plus I get to spend more time with you." Smirked Jack. He had plated up the food while he'd been talking and handed a plate and fork to Ianto. "Do you want a drink with it?" He asked.
"Glass of water would be good. Thanks Jack this looks wonderful." Ianto said appreciativley.
They carried their plates and glasses through to the lounge where they once again sat on the sofa. "So what do you think? Are you up to meeting a few of my friends and going for a hike?" Jack asked around a mouthful of food.
Ianto swallowed his mouthful before he answered. "Yes I'd like that and like you said you get time to spend with me."
They continued to talk as they ate finding out more about each other. Before the knew it it was gone midnight and Jack was yawning. "Sorry it's been an eventful day, well afternoon and evening anyway."
"That's ok. I should be going. I didn't mean to keep you up this late. I'm sorry." Ianto apologised. "Can I meet you after work tomorrow? Maybe even go for that meal we missed tonight?"
Jack lifted his head from where it had been resting against Ianto's chest and kissed him. The kiss started gentle but soon turned heated and passionate. When they broke apart Jack whispered "Stay. Please."
Ianto hesitated for a moment, while his heart was saying 'yes' his mind was saying 'it's too soon'.
Jack seeing the conflicting emotions flitting across Ianto's face added. "I just want you to hold me, keep the nightmares away as I'm pretty sure I'm going to have them tonight after talking about Gray and John. Nothing will happen - well not unless you want it to. Please Ianto stay with me tonight?" Jack pleaded.
Ianto leant down and kissed Jack. "Ok I'll stay." He murmured softly.
They didn't get up straight away but carried on kissing each other softly until Jack stiffled another yawn. " 'C'mon you - bed." Ianto said pushing Jack off him and getting up. Jack also got up and together they put the dirty dishes in the kitchen, made sure the door was locked and that the lights were switched off then made their way to Jack's bedroom.
Ianto stopped in the doorway and looked around at the decidedly masculine decor. Three of the walls were painted a pale coffee colour while the one behind the bed was a deep chocolate. The duvet cover was in the same colours as were the cushions on the bed which was of dark wood. The only colour was two abstract paintings in rich russet and gold tones.
"Welcome to my boudoir." Grinned Jack.
Ianto laughed. "Boudoir is right with that amount of cushions on the bed."
"Mock all you want - I like them." Pouted Jack.
Ianto walked over to Jack who was by the bed removing the cushions. Taking the one currently in Jack's hand and throwing it on the floor he pulled Jack into a hug. "I like them too. Wait till you see my bedroom."
"Mmm is that an invitation." Jack smirked pulling Ianto closer and kissing him.
Ianto kissed him back before answering coyly. "Might be, as long as you don't snore too much."
Jack laughed. "Nope don't snore - well not that I've heard anyway." Then asked. "Would you like a t-shirt to sleep in?"
"Yeah that'd be good." Ianto replied.
Jack went over to the chest of drawers and pulled one drawer open, pulling several t-shirts out before settling on a particular one which he then threw at Ianto. Ianto held it up and looked at it then burst out laughing. "So is it true what it says on here then?" Ianto asked pulling the shirt over his head.
"Definitely." Jack grinned looking at the t-shirt that Ianto had just pulled on, it had a picture of a dog in a circle with a line through it and the words 'No Bitches Allowed' underneath. They finished getting ready for bed, both using the bathroom before tumbling onto the bed in a tangle of arms and legs. They managed to get themselves into a comfortable position with Jack resting his head on Ianto's chest and Ianto holding him close. They lay talking in the dark for a while till Ianto felt Jack's breathing even out and he fell asleep.
Once he was sure Jack was fully asleep Ianto lay there thinking about all that had happened since he had met Jack at the shop earlier. He smiled to himself as he remembered the kisses they'd shared and frowned as he thought about what Jack had told him about Gray and John. He made a promise to himself that he would help Jack through whatever John was going to throw at him, not thinking for a minute that he might be putting himself in danger.
AN Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and it was worth the wait. So what's going to happen on the hike in the Brecons...?