"This is not a date. This is simply dinner." Ianto said for the fourth time that night. I nodded and smiled. I could tell he was keeping a close watch on me, but it was nice to be back out in the world.
"Ianto, I know." I laughed as we walked into a small Chinese restaurant. He nodded and looked at the ground, the same reaction as the last three times he had said it. I chose a table by the front window, so I could watch the world go by. I liked doing that, watching people. Humans were always interesting to me. I liked watching them, because when I was a child, I rarely left my house. I had school and nannies to keep me busy. When I ran away, I was amazed by the other people. They were normal.
We ordered out food and Ianto and I sat awkwardly. I tried to think of conversation starters, but I was never one to hold conversations with people.
"So, how'd you, uh, end up at Torchwood?" I asked, playing with my chopsticks. Ianto drummed his fingers on the table, bored.
"I used to work at the one in London, but I heard about Jack and came here to try to get a job. After an odd series of events, I got the job." He shrugged. "What's your PhD in?"
"Quantum physics." I sighed as the waitress brought our drinks. I pushed my ice around and took a drink. "So, um..." I tried to think of a question to ask, but I was running a blank. They didn't teach social skills in school.
"You are the most intelligent girl I've ever met and you are socially inept." Ianto laughed. "I guess it's a balance, you go too far one way and you lose the other." He smiled. "So, why quantum physics?" I shrugged.
"It has a combination of math and science." I sipped at my water slowly. Ianto nodded. "I've always liked math and science." Ianto nodded again.
"Why?" I was glad he was there to keep the conversation moving along.
"They're definite. They in math, one always equals one, two always equals two. It's the same with science. There isn't a lot of leeway, it's just "this is the answer"." I gnawed at my lip. "I'm a horrible date, sorry." I laughed. Ianto shook his head.
"You are getting used to a new life. I won't blame you for it." He smiled. "You know, I could see you fitting in quite well at Torchwood." I almost burst out laughing.
"If Jack would ever let me. After what I did, it doesn't seem like it would even be plausible." I smiled. Ianto shrugged.
"You never know. We all have pasts. I'm sure you already know that though." He smiled and looked down at the table. I nodded and looked out the window.
"Tell me about your past." I asked, not looking him in the face. It seemed like an odd question for me. Asking people for their life history over fried Chinese food.
"I was born in South Wales. My dad used to work for Debenham's." Ianto smiled. "He would take me to the cinema every Friday." His face then fell slightly. "Things started to go downhill when I got a bit older. He died a bit before I graduated. I just wanted to go to school, leave all that behind me. I made good grades, but I wasn't outstanding. Not all of us can be geniuses." He smiled slightly. "That's about it. Not a whole lot to tell." I nodded. "You're getting better already. By the end of the month, you will be quite the socialite." I rolled my eyes.
"Like that's even possible. I would start talking about how to solve for the volume of a black hole and people would run for the hills." I laughed. Ianto cracked a smile and looked me in the eyes.
"I'd want to be a part of that conversation. It sounds incredibly interesting." He laughed as out food arrived. I smiled too, starting to feel a bit like the people I used to watch. Normal.