Summary: After the events of "Cyberwoman" and "Countrycide", Ianto is left emotionally broken. Will Jack be able to put him back together?
Rating: M
Characters: Ianto Jones, Jack Harkness, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper, Gwen Cooper, Rhys Williams, Andy Davidson
Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Owen/Tosh, Rhys/Andy
Warnings: Swearing, angst, suicide attempt, Gwen bashing
Spoilers: Cyberwoman, Countrycide
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I just like to play with them.
TWTWTWTWTW
Yawning, Andy pushed his shopping cart through the market. He'd just gotten off of a very long shift, and was looking forward to having a day off. Not that it was anything to get excited about. He rarely had time to socialize. As a result, he had no one to make plans with. It was just as well. In his line of work, Andy had grown to appreciate solitude. All the same, he wouldn't mind the company of one or two like-minded individuals.
Andy mindlessly skimmed the frozen foods, taking his usuals almost on reflex. Cheese pizza, mac and cheese, a sad chicken stir fry dinner with soggy, flavorless vegetables...and then he saw him. Rhys Williams, stocking up on many of the same items. Though he was much more deliberate about it, studying every package, as if shopping like this for the first time. Or at least, the first time in a long time. Gwen had often spoke of Rhys' impressive culinary skills, and on more than one occasion, Andy had found himself envying the tasty looking lunches she had brought into work. So to see Rhys stocking up on frozen dinners felt a bit surreal.
For a moment, Andy debated whether or not to to talk to Rhys. They had never really been friends, but he liked Rhys well enough. And maybe he could get an update on Gwen; find out how his former partner liked being part of Special Ops.
"Rhys!" he finally called. The other man looked up at him, momentarily surprised, before smiling with cordial recognition.
"Andy!" he quickly returned the greeting, distractedly eyeing the selection of frozen dinners in Andy's cart. "Ahh...so those are good, eh? They could pass for actual food?"
Andy shrugged. "They're all right. Just sustenance. Cooking for one is kind of pointless."
"I hear you, brother," Rhys nodded, his voice suddenly very soft. "I'm having to adjust to this way of eating myself. First time since college."
Andy tilted his head in surprise. "Gwen not home for dinner much these days? Too busy with Special Ops?"
"No idea," Rhys said blandly, tossing a few frozen burritos into his cart. "Gwen left me."
"What? When?" Andy asked, only a little surprised. Rhys was a good man, and likely a loving and faithful companion. One he could easily see Gwen taking for granted. And with her new job, she'd likely found herself distracted by the latest shiny new object. It's not that Andy didn't like Gwen. He just knew that she could be fickle and shallow. Probably not the best match for a guy like Rhys.
"Few days ago," Rhys answered, making a face at the meatloaf dinner he was holding before tossing it back into the freezer. "I woke up and found a note from her on the kitchen table. Said she didn't think we were right for each other. I'm a homebody, and she wants to see the world. I want a family. She doesn't want one yet." Rhys sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So I guess she's off traveling somewhere now."
"Oh, that's rough, mate. I'm sorry," Andy said sympathetically.
Rhys shrugged. "Should have seen it coming."
Andy glanced at their carts; sad commentaries on their solitary existences. He then looked up at Rhys' despondent expression. It seemed they could both use a friend on this particular night, and he wouldn't feel right letting Rhys go home alone, after losing his girlfriend of over a decade.
"Tell you what." Andy gave Rhys a friendly pat on the arm. "Why don't we get our groceries home, then meet up for dinner?"
Rhys looked up uncertainly. "You sure? We've never really hung out before. Not without Gwen."
"Yeah, well, consider this a fresh start. Who knows? We might just end up liking each other," Andy said, flashing his boyish grin.
"Sure, why not?" Rhys said, returning the smile. "You want to try that Indian place that just opened?"
"I love Indian food!" Andy said agreeably. "Meet you at around 7:30?"
"See you then," Rhys nodded, waving as he walked off, pushing his cart.
Andy stared after Rhys for a moment, wondering why he was feeling a slight flutter in his heart.
TWTWTWTWTW
"You know, Gwen hates Indian food," Rhys commented, taking a bite of lamb vindaloo.
"Kind of fitting that it's your first meal out as a free man, then," Andy observed, spearing a forkful of gobi Manchurian.
"I suppose," Rhys sighed.
Andy felt a wave of guilt wash over him at the other man's expression. "Hey. I'm sorry, Rhys. I was only trying to lighten the mood. I know this must be hard for you."
"No worries, Andy. It's nothing you said." Rhys wiped his mouth off with a napkin. "I mean, I miss Gwen and all. But I felt us growing apart for awhile now. So her leaving didn't bother me quite as much as I expected it to. I feel like I should miss her more than I do, you know?"
"Huh." Andy scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. "Well, you did just say you were growing apart. I hate to say it, but maybe this is a good thing for you."
Rhys just shrugged and continued to eat.
"Oh, come on!" Andy continued, trying to remain positive for Rhys' sake. "Look at you eating this food that you wouldn't be able to with Gwen around. Enjoying a night for yourself. Could you do that with Gwen? You have to admit she could be a bit selfish sometimes."
That managed to get a small chuckle from Rhys. "I suppose. It's just...she left! And it got me thinking. Was it me? Maybe I was the problem. What if Gwen was my last chance to - "
"You stop that now, Rhys Williams!" Andy snapped. "If anyone is losing out, it's Gwen. Doubt she'll find another man as good and thoughtful as you."
Suddenly, Rhys started laughing a loud, roaring belly laugh; his face lit up with mirth.
"What's so funny?" Andy asked, puzzled at Rhys' sudden change in mood.
"Look at us!" Rhys finally said, after taking a moment to catch his breath. "Talking about our feelings, like a pair of girls!"
Andy snorted out a most undignified laugh, then sat back and observed Rhys with a smirk. "You'd make a cute girl."
Making a sound that was a cross between a gasp and laughter, Rhys sat up straight, eyes wide, mouth open. "You'd make a cute girl, Andy! You're the pretty one!"
"You're both right."
Rhys and Andy turned to see a handsome stranger pulling up a seat beside their table. He had light brown hair, blue eyes, and a gleaming, dimpled smile, and he spoke with an American accent. We wore a long military coat, and looked very much like an old-time movie star.
"Who the hell are you?" Rhys demanded, expressing both annoyance and curiosity.
"I'm Captain Jack Harkness," the man replied. "And I want to talk to both of you about some job openings I have."
(Author's note: So, were these the new Torchwood recruits you were expecting? ;) I've always liked Rhys and Andy, and I'm looking forward to writing them without Gwen's presence weighing them down.
I hope I managed to get their voices right. I've never written either of them before, and I'm not quite used to writing their unique manner of speaking. But I gave it my best shot.)