Author's Note: I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since I last updated. Sorry about that! I haven't got an excuse... I just lot track of the days. Being unemployed means I very rarely know what day it is, let alone what I should be doing that day (if anything.) I can't believe it's May already... where did April go? Anyways, thank you as ever for your comments and support. Hope you like the new chapter! Kal x

A Chance in a Million

Chapter Seven

Ianto sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. His head throbbed. The painkillers he had taken when he'd woken up roughly an hour ago hadn't made a dent in the pain. He massaged his temples savagely before giving up and lying down, closing his eyes against the dim light of the room. He hadn't bothered to open his curtains that morning and was grateful for the negligence. He could feel his pulse vibrating through his aching limbs as his thoughts went uninvited to the night before, and the reason for his short temper and tired body.

Ianto threw back the shot of whiskey within seconds of the bartender placing it in front of him. He placed the glass back down on the bar with a soft clink and nodded at the young man serving, indicating he wanted a fourth shot. Or was it his fifth? He was losing count. He watched as the brown liquid splashed into the glass and pushed money across the counter to pay for it. He didn't down this one, choosing instead to nurse it, letting his index finger trace the edge in a wobbly circle. He could feel the buzz of the harsh alcohol in his system and it was starting to affect his co-ordination. He could feel his cares disappear with each shot and the tension, which seemed to have taken up daily residence in his back, slip away.

Suddenly, he felt a hand touch his shoulder and glanced backwards with a jerk to the owner of the hand who was standing behind him. The first thing that struck Ianto was the stranger's eyes. They were a deep blue, almost penetrative. A smile was on the man's lips and Ianto felt himself smiling back before he had time to think about it.

"I'm Jake," the stranger introduced himself. He removed his hand from Ianto's shoulder and extended it towards him.

Against his better judgment, Ianto half turned on his stool and gripped Jake's hand to shake it. "Ianto," he said. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Well, I was going to offer you one but I see you're already sorted," Jake indicated the shot glass on the counter. "You've ruined my carefully thought out plan." He grinned at Ianto.

Ianto turned back to the bar where he picked up his shot glass and downed it, almost slamming the glass back down. "Does that help?"

"Yes," Jake slid onto the empty stool next to Ianto and moved to catch the bartenders eye. His t-shirt rode up at the back slightly as he leaned forward and Ianto couldn't help but eyeing the smooth skin it revealed. He found himself wondering if it was soft to the touch.

Jake got them a pint each, stopping Ianto's desire to drink the entire bottle of whiskey that the bartender kept providing him drinks from. Jake lifted his glass slightly and tilted it towards Ianto, taking care not to spill any of the liquid down the side. Ianto picked up his own and clinked it against Jake's.

"Cheers," Jake said, flashing the smile again.

"Cheers," Ianto responded, taking a sip from the pint.

"So what brings you here tonight?" Jake had asked, carefully licking the foam moustache from his upper lip. Ianto watched the supple movement with interest.

"I'm looking to escape," Ianto was surprised at his own honesty.

"From what?

"Everything."

Ianto wasn't quite sure how it happened. The next thing he knew, he and Jake were hidden in the shadows of the alley next to the bar. Jake was pushed up against the brick wall of the building and Ianto was kissing him with a ferocity he didn't know was in him. He could feel Jake's hands running through his hair and down his back, pulling him closer so they could feel each other's arousal through their jeans. Ianto growled into the kiss as Jake moved his hips against him. He was so aroused it hurt. Fuck Jack. He deserved to continue living his life. If Jack was okay with abandoning him... he was okay with fucking a stranger in a dirty alley next to an almost equally dirty bar. He wanted this. When Jake's hand stopped applying pressure to his back and moved a good deal lower on his body, Ianto lost all thoughts of what he wanted and tuned into what he desperately needed.

Ianto sat on his bed in the dark. He reached up and touched his swollen lips, finding them still warm from Jake's kiss. He had stumbled home after turning Jake's offer of going back to his flat. He needed to think. He shifted position uncomfortably. His boxers were sticking to his skin. Neither he nor Jake had had any tissues on them and had decided to suffer the chaffing. Luckily, Ianto didn't live too far away. He didn't know, or care, where Jake lived. When he had turned down the offer, he had turned away from his one night stand and left the darkness of the alley without so much as a 'goodbye' or 'that was fun.'

His body hummed with the afterglow of sex. He felt guilty at his actions and then angry at himself. He had no reason to feel guilty. He was a hot blooded human male who had needs and desires like anyone else. No... he had nothing to feel guilty about.

So why was he finding tears on his cheeks?

Ianto rubbed his eyes fiercely and rose to take a shower. He was going to bed. He wasn't going to think about this anymore.

Ianto fell asleep, his thoughts swirling into dreams. Again, he replayed the scene from the night before in his mind but in his dreaming state, Jake morphed into Jack and Ianto whimpered in his sleep, his fist bunching up the quilt as he gripped it. Ianto felt Jack's lips, Jack's hands. The dirt and smell of the alleyway melted into the warmth and comfort of Jack's bunk under his office in the Hub. They were naked and making love. It was a perfect world. Suddenly the Rift Alarm peeled through their actions and they stopped.

"What's that?" Ianto asked, puzzled. "Jack?" But Jack didn't answer and just stared at him with forlorn eyes, eyes which faded as the safety of the Hub gave way to the darkness of Ianto's bedroom. Night had descended and he briefly wondering how long he had been asleep. Then he found the Rift Alarm was in his room. But it wasn't the Rift Alarm. His phone was ringing and he blinked in confusion before scrambling for his mobile which was on the bedside table.

"Hello?" There was a silence on the other end and he reached up with his thumb to press the 'end' button, assuming it was a sales call when he heard a voice.

".....Ianto?"