Once Upon A Time …
Day Eleven: Christmas Eve 2008
"If anyone else wishes me a happy Christmas, I'm gonna puke," were Andy Davidson's first words to Gwen Cooper.
"Scrooge!" laughed Gwen, not willing to let Andy dampen her good spirits. This was the first Christmas she and Rhys would spend as a married couple and – by lies and subterfuge - they had managed to arrange to spend the day alone. No families and – Rift permitting – no work.
"Very funny. So, what do you want?" He stirred the remains of his cup of coffee irritably.
"Jack sent me - "
"What the fuck does he want!?"
" – to invite you join us for a drink." She looked at him, amused when his pained expression changed to grudging pleasure. "But as you're doing your Scrooge act I assume you don't want to come." She pushed her chair back as if to leave.
"I didn't say that! Don't go putting words into my mouth, Gwen!" He waited until she returned her chair to its original position. "When?"
"Now. Just a few drinks and nibbles and some of Ianto's coffee afterwards to sober us up. Cendrillon specifically asked for you."
His face lit up but he tried not to look too pleased. "All right then. For an hour or so. Can't hurt."
They finished their coffees and walked through the throngs of shoppers and drinkers and a few tourists to Roald Dahl Plass and in through the Tourist Office. As before, Andy submitted to wearing a blindfold and Gwen led him through the tunnels and down into the Hub by a roundabout route that no one would be able to follow, she almost got lost herself. Once through the cog door, Gwen removed the blindfold.
"Andy, Merry Christmas!" giggled Cendrillon, standing in front of him in a deep blue dress that brought out the colour of her eyes and showed off her burnished blonde hair. She glanced across at Jack who was standing at the top of the steps. At his nod, she stepped forward and kissed Andy daintily on the lips. "Look up, Andy, look up." Gathering his composure – his heart was beating wildly – he did as she asked and saw an enormous bunch of mistletoe hanging above them. "Everyone has to do it, Jack says so."
"Umm, he would." Ianto had appeared soundlessly beside the couple. "Go on up and get a drink, Andy. Cendrillon, why don't you help him."
"Yep, you do that while I try out this mistletoe again." Jack had bounded down the stairs and was making a grab for Ianto.
"No!" cried the Welshman, expertly evading Jack and running off with his boss in hot pursuit.
Gwen laughed as she watched them go; she already had some wine and was determined to enjoy herself. Talia was on the sofa drinking steadily and eating sausage rolls and crisps, resigned to Ianto not being her beloved. Memories of her family were coming back and she was missing her husband and kids back on Speklenzel Dutte. Ten minutes later, when Jack and Ianto had returned, the little group was getting on famously. There was wine and beer and enough nibbles to soak up at least some of it. Andy felt a new closeness to the Torchwood team, a feeling that had grown since he had found Freda, the time travelling refugee, some months before. He and Cendrillon were getting on very well too, talking and laughing.
Two hours later, they were all still enjoying the impromptu party. Rhys had arrived and the slightly drunk group were playing charades with a lot of laughter and not much skill when Jack's wrist-strap beeped. Ianto froze, remembering what that sound had heralded the last time. Jack smiled in reassurance and opened the flap.
"Jack, what is it?" demanded Gwen, also anxious.
"Some visitors." He pressed a couple of buttons to turn off the base's security. A blue pulsing light and an eerie sound reverberated round the Hub and a spherical ship materialised on the lower level. "We'll need a couple more glasses, Ianto." With that he went down the steps and waited as the ship's hatch opened.
"What's going on, love?" asked Rhys, standing with Gwen at the railing. "How did that get in here?"
"I don't know," she muttered, watching open mouthed as the two most gorgeous men she had ever seen in her life appeared out of the ship's door. One was blond and the other dark but both were tall and handsome with classic good looks. They were fit and lean and moved with grace and confidence. Beside her, she could feel Rhys suck in his stomach.
"John, Charlot, glad you could join us," beamed Jack. He hugged and kissed them both.
"Sorry it took us so long to get here, Jack. Girls been all right?" asked Charlot, the blond.
"John!" cried Talia, staggering down the steps and literally falling into his arms. "I love you, John."
"I know you do, darling." He kissed her tenderly. "I've missed you."
Charlot looked from Jack up to the watching people and spotted Cendrillon. "Cinders!" he cried and bounded up to her side. "Cinders, my love." He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.
She was taken aback at first but his kiss awakened her memory and she recalled their wedding in the castle on the hill and this wonderful man who was her husband. "Charlie!"
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Prince John of the Rimsini Line and Talia's husband and Prince Charlot of the House of Charmaine, Cendrillon's husband." He got them all back together in the work area. "Some drinks for the guys, Ianto."
With reluctance, Ianto poured two glasses of wine and handed them over. He had seen the way Jack had greeted them and was determined not to like the newcomers. However Charlot lived up to his nickname - Prince Charming - and John was extremely likeable so Ianto soon came round.
After the excited flurry of introductions, Gwen remembered Andy and looked across to where he had been but he wasn't there any longer. Searching, she saw he was in the corner with Jack. Andy had to be feeling awful and she felt bad herself. She had known Cendrillon would not be staying but had allowed Andy to get close to her anyway and now he was hurt as a result. Leaving the others, she joined the pair.
"Andy, I'm sorry," she said.
"It's all right. Jack's explained, kind of," said Andy. "Seems a bit weird but then it's all spooky-do round here." He put a false smile on his face. His luck with women was as bad as ever, trust him to fall for an amnesiac who was married and an alien.
"Good man." Jack put an arm round his shoulders. "Come on." He swept them back into the thick of the party and made a point of ensuring Andy's glass was always full.
An hour later, the Princes and their wives were making noises about departing and Ianto seized his opportunity. "Excuse me, Prince John, but how do you know Jack?"
John glanced at Jack then threw back his head and roared with laughter. "He saved me from the thorn forest. There I was, battling through to get to my beloved Talia, and I got all tangled up. I'd still be there if he hadn't come to my rescue." He clapped Jack on the shoulder. "Was best man at the wedding."
Ianto smiled, that sounded like Jack. "And you, Prince Charlot?"
"I almost didn't notice this beautiful woman," he grinned down at Cendrillon, tucked under his arm. "It was only when Jack started dancing with her, twirling her under my nose, that I spotted her. He was my best man too."
"Ahh, Jack, you're an old romantic at heart," jeered Gwen.
"Jack the matchmaker," added Rhys with a grin.
Jack smiled but made no comment. He and Ianto brought up Clorinda and Tisbe, Cendrillon's ugly sisters, from the cells and put them on the ship. Princess Talia was quite drunk and John had to carry her on board. Cendrillon took a moment for a private farewell to Andy.
"Andy, thank you so much for looking after me. You were so very kind." She glanced round to make sure no one was within earshot. "And if I wasn't already married, I wouldn't want to leave." She raised herself on tiptoe and kissed him passionately before turning quickly away and making for the ship, tears in her eyes. He looked after her wistfully.
Final farewells were said and the ship's hatch was secured. The group moved away and the ship dematerialised leaving everyone feeling very flat. The party broke up shortly afterwards. Gwen and Rhys went home, dropping Andy off on the way, and Jack and Ianto were alone.
"Great party, don't you think?" enthused Jack, wrapping his arms round the Welshman.
"Not bad."
"Not bad!? It was great, and you've got rid of Talia. Just you and me now. Time to do some celebrating of our own." He kissed Ianto softly.
"I can't leave this mess." Ianto glanced round at the discarded glasses and plates, empty bottles and general chaos around them.
"Yes you can. There's plenty of time for cleaning up." He kissed him again, more passionately and this time Ianto did not protest.
Just one more chapter to go, when a special visitor comes to call on Cardiff. I aim to post it tomorrow morning, before I get at the presents!