AN: Thank you as always for the reviews. As you can probably guess from the lack of updates today I did make it into work, albeit for a meagre three hours. There are threats of more snow tonight, so I could be enduring a third snow day tomorrow and forgoing work once more. I'm sure you'll all be hoping for snow, and to be honest, after the mission to get to work today, so will I.
I can't believe that this has spiralled so easily, and so joyously, from an 841 word one-shot to a story of over 12,000 words and counting. I thank you for reading this, and for your kind words.
Please review x
The afternoon passed without event either rift or Jack based. The team was relieved to not have to venture out in the snow and it gave them plenty time to finish up on some of the backlog of paperwork. As the clock swung around to six o'clock they began to get restless and a little bored, so Jack finally submitted.
"Okay lets make the most of the quiet – you might as well go home." He said. "Obviously I need you to all keep your mobiles on in case, but I don't think any of you will be disturbed tonight." He added.
"Brilliant. Uninterrupted night in with Rhys for a change." Gwen said enthusiastically as she got out of her seat and began gathering up her belongings. "What about you Tosh?" She asked glancing at the Japanese woman.
"Bottle of wine… box of chocolates… and a bit of Mr Darcy I think." She said with a smile.
Gwen grinned. "Ianto – got any plans?" She asked looking over at the Welshman who was sat on the sofa with an ever-present mug of coffee in his hands.
"Nope." He said taking a swig from his mug. "I will probably just enjoy the opportunity to catch up on some sleep for once." He got up and wandered into the kitchen with his now empty mug as he heard Gwen turn her questioning to Owen.
"And you Owen… or is that a stupid question?" She asked with a smirk.
"It's a stupid question." Owen replied as he pulled on his leather jacket and made his way to the cog door. "Night everyone." He called over his shoulder before walking out.
"Night." Gwen called back pulling her coat on and hoisting her bag over her shoulder. "Ready to go?" She asked looking at Tosh who nodded.
"Okay we're off Jack. Have a nice night." She called with a smile at her Captain who was watching proceedings from the gantry outside his office.
"Night Gwen… have a good one Tosh." He called back with a trademark grin as they hurried out chatting merrily as they went. Jack let his gaze drift to the kitchen and he set off towards the small room. Walking inside he found Ianto washing up the last of the dishes that had been used that day.
"You should know by now that you can't sneak up on me sir." Ianto said calmly, his back still facing Jack.
"I just wanted to offer my apologies for what I did last night. I shouldn't have reacted that way, and I'm sorry if I hurt you." The immortal man spoke sincerely.
"I appreciate that." Ianto said draining the sink and drying his hands on a towel as he turned around to face him. "I'm sorry for what I said to you – I was trying to upset you and I went for an easy blow." He admitted.
"I'm glad you and Owen are getting on for a change. Has he taken a look at this?" Jack asked brushing his hand lightly across Ianto's jaw.
Ianto stepped out of Jack's touch. "It's just bruised – I'm sure I'll live." He replied.
Jack lowered his hand and sighed. "Okay." He said simply. "Have a good evening." He added before turning and walking out of the kitchen. Ianto dropped the towel onto the bench and made his way out of kitchen making his way towards the coat stand and pulling his overcoat down from it. As he pulled it on his mobile phone sounded in his pocket and he took it out and read the text message.
"Gone home to change. I'll be round later. Didn't think meeting on the Plass would be a good idea x"
Ianto smiled. "Night Jack." He called before walking through the cog door and making his way up and out of the Hub. As he stepped onto the Plass he was relieved to see that a lot of the snow seemed to have melted meaning that he would hopefully be able to drive to work tomorrow for a change, instead of negotiating the treacherous roads. Nestling into the warmth of his coat Ianto crossed the Plass and walked quickly down the roads that led to his apartment. The journey was much faster than it had been for the past few mornings and evenings and he was soon home and revelling in the warmth of his central heating. Going into his bedroom he took off his suit and replaced it with more casual jeans and a thin knit V-neck sweater. He left his feet bare as he padded back out of his bedroom and into the kitchen. He flipped on the light as he walked in and made his way over to his fridge. He pulled it open and did a quick scan of its contents, relieved to see there were still a few bottles of beer left. Food wise things were a little grim, as they often were, but there was always the option of takeaway if necessary. Closing the fridge he turned and powered up the coffee machine. The clock on the wall indicated that it was a little after six forty five and he was beginning to wonder what time Owen would be arriving. A small smile played on his lips as he set about crafting one of his infamous coffees. It had been less than thirty-six hours since the kiss on the Plass that had surfaced a feeling in Ianto that the Welshman thought had long since left him. A feeling that he hadn't experienced since long before the fall of Canary Wharf. Ianto took a sip from his coffee, mildly smug at his own ability, as he began to wonder how he'd managed to allow Owen to affect him this way. Owen of all people. There was a gentle knocking on his front door that jolted him from his thoughts, and he placed his mug down on the bench behind him before sauntering down to his door and pulling it open with a smile.
"Dr Harper." He greeted.
"Mr Jones." Owen replied with a smirk.
"Coffee?" Ianto asked stepping back into his apartment and allowing Owen to pass inside. He shrugged his leather jacket off and hung it on the pegs in the hall and followed Ianto through to the kitchen.
"Got any beer?" Owen asked.
Ianto nodded and smiled. "In the fridge. Help yourself." He said picking up his coffee and taking a drink. "I have no food in by the way. I don't know if you're hungry, but its going to have to be take out if you are." He added as Owen pulled open the fridge door and removed a bottle.
"Got an opener?" He asked waving the beer in his hand.
"Middle drawer." Ianto gestured. Owen tugged the drawer open and pulled the opener out of the meticulously organised drawer, snapping the cap from the bottle before replacing the opener and raising the bottle in toast.
"Cheers." He said before taking a swig as Ianto raised his coffee mug in response.
"So are you hungry?" Ianto asked.
Owen nodded. "Starved. As nice and healthy as the sandwiches were at lunch there were hardly enough to satisfy appetite." He pointed out.
"I'll get the menus." Ianto said as he downed the last of his coffee and placed the mug in the sink. Reaching up onto the top of the fridge he pulled down a shallow basket and placed it on the bench top. "What do you fancy?" He asked as he pulled out menus for a selection of the nearest takeaways that delivered.
Owen placed the beer bottle beside the basket and took the menus out of Ianto's hands, dropping them into the basket. "For a reason I can't fathom, you." He murmured before placing a hand on the back of the Welshman's head and pulling it down into a crushing kiss.