AN: There might be one more chapter this week, then I'm afraid it's going to go quiet till Monday. Off to a wedding on Saturday, and then on Sunday I'm hoping to go out for coffee with "rosieposy" – weather permitting on both counts!
I hope this chapter doesn't come across as filler. There are a few key things raised within it, and the Weevil story line is not over yet, neither is Ianto's turbulent past.
Please keep reviewing, and keep your fingers crossed that is back to normal after its weird email behaviour x
Despite the occasional minor rift spike the afternoon passed without much incident. A meeting was held in the conference room when Ianto and Owen returned to discuss 'Roger' and his rather odd behaviour. His blood tests had come back clean and seemingly normal, and so far his time in the cells had been spent walking about and letting out the occasional growl – not uncommon for a Weevil. The team was at a loss as to why he hadn't attacked anyone in the club, but they were also largely grateful. The case was still ongoing, but for now on hiatus.
As Ianto delivered a final mug of coffee to Jack's office he spoke. "Still okay for Owen and I to take tomorrow off?" He asked.
Jack nodded as he looked up at the Welshman. "The rift looks quiet enough. The girls are off too, but I've got Gwen on alert, and I can always call you if necessary." He explained. "Doing anything nice?" He asked.
"We're taking Mica and David to the park." Ianto replied.
Jack smiled. "Sounds exhausting." He pointed out. "Are you both okay, after earlier?" He asked gently.
"Slight misunderstanding. We're fine." Ianto replied.
"Glad to hear it. Have a good day off." Jack said, and Ianto departed the office and made his way down to Owen's desk where the medic was waiting.
"I could murder some fish and chips." Owen remarked as he passed Ianto his coat and got to his feet.
"I know just the place." Ianto said as he pulled on his jacket, took Owen's hand and led him out the Hub. Upon reaching ground level they walked hand in hand across the Plass as Ianto led the way to a favourite haunt of his from childhood.
"Do you know every fast food and takeout restaurant in Cardiff?" Owen asked as they walked inside the warm shop and Ianto ordered two servings of cod and chips.
Ianto smirked. "With the hours we spend at work takeout knowledge is essential." He remarked. "I used to come here with Rhiannon every Friday when we were kids. Dad would give us some money and send us out for chips. The place has changed hands a couple of times since then, but the chips are still the best in Cardiff." He explained, taking the paper wrapped parcels from the server with a grateful smile. Passing one to Owen the two men stepped back out onto the street and set off back towards their apartment, Owen sneaking the occasional chip as they walked, and Ianto continued his story.
"You're just like Rhiannon. She was always nicking chips as we hurried home before they got cold. She never thought Dad noticed, but he did." Ianto smiled fondly. "He just never minded, because Rhiannon was always his favourite." He added sombrely.
Owen tucked the paper back around the parcel so his food was secure once more before taking hold of Ianto's hand a squeezing it affectionately. "Parents are meant to suck Ianto. I'm an only child, and even I wasn't my Mum's favourite. She still lives in London, but we haven't spoken in years. Like I said, she wasn't particularly fond of me, so we both stopped making the effort. Christ knows where my Dad is, but I'm beginning to understand why he bailed on her when I was little." He remarked. "Do you know where your Mum is?" He asked gently.
Ianto shook his head. "She left when I was five. I don't even remember her. Not her face anyway. I remember running up and down on the beach at Rhyl one summer with Rhiannon, and I know both parents were there, but I can't picture her. It's just a hazy memory." He said as they walked into the apartment building. "Do you remember your Dad?" He asked boarding the lift.
"Na he went before my first birthday. I found a photo once, and I look just like him. Maybe that's why she hated me so much, and why she threw me out. Constant reminder." Owen ventured as an excuse as they made their way into the apartment and settled at the breakfast bar, eating the fish and chips straight from the paper, though Ianto did insist on cutlery.
"I always planned on being a better father to my kids than mine was to me – not that that would have been hard. I promised myself that I would never let them feel how he made me feel growing up." Ianto mused. "Did you and Katie plan on having children?" He asked.
Owen shook his head. "Never came up. Never had chance to though." He remarked. "But it was something I wanted. Not right away, but I wanted them eventually." He admitted.
"You'd make a great Dad." Ianto pointed out.
Owen shrugged. "Guess we'll never know." He replied as he finished off his food. "Beer?" He asked getting up from the stool and going over to the fridge, depositing the balled up paper in the bin on the way past.
"Please." Ianto replied.
"So what's the plan for tomorrow?" Owen asked settling back onto the stool.
"Rhiannon's dropping the kids round at 1 o'clock, and I tend to get them home for 6. There is usually some kind of Happy Meal involved." He explained.
"Here?" Owen asked.
"Here what?" Ianto asked.
"Is Rhiannon dropping them here?" Owen clarified.
"Oops." Ianto replied.
Owen sniggered. "You really need to tell your sister you've moved." He pointed out.
Ianto laughed gently. "We'll go back to mine beforehand, and I'll give her this address for next time." He said.
"Is there any more of your things back there that you need bringing over?" Owen asked as he took a swig from his beer.
"A few bits and pieces. Just stuff that gathers dust there that can gather dust here." Ianto replied.
"What are you going to do with your place?" Owen asked.
"Dunno." Ianto remarked as he took a drink from the bottle. "I guess I could sell. Add it to the list of Torchwood safe houses? See if Jack wants it? I don't know. There's no rush."
"I guess." Owen said despondently.
"That doesn't mean I'm keeping it so I can move back there." Ianto replied taking hold of his hand. "You're pretty much stuck with now Harper – so you better get used to the idea."
Owen smirked. "I'm sure I'll survive."