AN: I am beyond sorry for the ridiculously long delay in updating. I can't believe how long it's been. My excuses? Writers block, real life and pregnant brain. Hopefully my updates will be more consistent from now on.
Any thoughts, ideas and suggestions gratefully received. Please review x
"Please stop pacing. I kinda like the carpet without holes in it." Owen remarked. He was sat on the sofa watching with a smirk on his face as Ianto wandered around the open plan living area checking for the hundredth time that it was up to his exacting standards of clean.
Ianto stopped in his tracks, bowing his head slightly as he chuckled. "I'm sorry. I'm just nervous." He said softly.
"Really?" Owen commented. "I hadn't noticed." He added with a grin as he pushed himself out of his seat and made his way over to the Welshman. "The apartment is immaculate. Dinner is cooking perfectly. You look gorgeous. If anyone should be nervous it's me. Calm down. It's going to be fine." He said laying a comforting hand on the other mans cheek, smiling softly as Ianto covered the hand with his own and nestled into the touch.
"Why are you nervous?" Ianto asked lifting his gaze to meet Owen's.
"She's your Mum and I want her to like me. I don't want to embarrass you or disappoint her. I mean she's taking your being with a man pretty well. I don't want to do anything to jeopardise that." Owen explained.
"You won't embarrass me." Ianto said. "She's going to love you Owen. She'll see how much I love you and she'll love you too. I just worry that there'll be some kind of end of world emergency back at the Hub. I mean she knows I work for Torchwood but not exactly what we do. I'm just waiting for a flying saucer to land on the Plass or something. Or for John to do anything."
"Jack knows what's happening tonight and knows to call Gwen and Tosh first. Plus John is here so he can always help as opposed to causing crises." Owen replied. "Things are going to be just fine, I promise. Plus I told Jack if he did call without good reason that I'd shoot him."
Ianto smiled and opened his mouth to speak but stopped as the doorbell rang. "Oh god." He murmured.
"Do you want me to get it?" Owen offered.
Ianto shook his head. "I'll go." He said before extracting himself reluctantly from Owen's hold and making his way to the front door, the Londoner waiting in the lounge area. As Ianto reached the front door he took a steadying breath before opening it with a smile that he hoped portrayed calm as opposed to the panic he felt.
"Hello Ianto." His mother smiled nervously at him, a man of similar age stood beside her holding a bottle of wine.
"Hello Mum." Ianto stepped forward and placed a kiss on her cheek. "You must be Gareth." He said extending a hand to the man.
"Pleasure to meet you Ianto." Gareth said as he shook the proffered hand.
"Come on in. Owen's probably fussing around dinner – all his work by the way." Ianto commented opening the door wider as Bronwyn and Gareth stepped inside. Taking their coats he hung them up in the hall before leading them through to where Owen was indeed peering into the oven.
"Mum, Gareth – this is my fiancé Owen." Ianto introduced them. "We got engaged yesterday in fact." He added proudly.
"That's wonderful." Bronwyn beamed. "It's lovely to meet you Owen." She said shaking his hand.
"You too Mrs Taylor." Owen smiled as he shook her hand.
"Oh call me Bronwyn." She said with a smile.
"Bronwyn." Owen nodded. "Nice to meet you Gareth." He added shaking his hand. "Dinner should be ready in about ten minutes. Can I get anyone a drink?"
Whilst Owen flitted around the kitchen getting everyone a drink Ianto led Bronwyn and Gareth into the lounge area.
"What a beautiful view. It's a lovely home you have here." Bronwyn said.
Ianto nodded. "I had a flat nearer the city centre, but we decided to live here when we got together."
"How did you two meet?" She asked as she took the glass of wine from Owen.
"We work together. Owen is our team doctor." Ianto explained.
"At Torchwood?" Bronwyn asked.
Ianto nodded. "We've worked together for almost four years now, but we've only been together for a few months."
"And you're from London?" Bronwyn asked as she looked at Owen.
"Yes. I moved to Cardiff nearly six years ago now." Owen explained.
"Do you still have family there?" She asked sipping at her wine.
Owen shook his head. "No my Dad left when I was a baby, and my Mum and I don't talk anymore."
"Oh I'm sorry." Bronwyn said softly.
"No it's fine. I have all the family I need right here with Ianto." He replied taking Ianto's hand in his and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Now dinner should be just about done. Why don't you all grab a seat whilst I serve okay?" He said before walking back towards the kitchen. Ianto led his Mum and Gareth towards the large dining table and ensured they all had drinks before settling down in a seat as Owen brought over the steaming plates of food.
"Nothing too fancy I'm afraid. I hope everyone likes carbonara." Owen said as he set plates down in front of Bronwyn and Gareth, returning for his plate and Ianto's, before a final trip brought homemade garlic bread to the table.
"This all looks delicious Owen." Gareth commented.
Owen smiled. "Well dig in before it gets cold."
The rest of the evening continued without incident, either within the apartment or from the Hub. When his Mum had left and the dishwasher was loaded and running Ianto settled on the sofa with Owen in his arms.
"Thanks for tonight." He said simply.
"What for?" Owen asked.
"Cooking… being all charming. My Mum really likes you. She told me I'd got myself a good one, like I didn't already know." Ianto replied.
Owen smiled. "Well you're welcome."
Ianto bobbed his head down and placed a kiss on the top of Owen's head as his mobile rang. Picking it up off the arm of the chair he sighed. "Well at least they waited till after dinner." He said as he answered the call.
"Is the world ending?"
Owen sniggered as he turned in Ianto's hold and nestled himself closer, his head resting on the Welshman's chest as he closed his eyes and enjoyed what he sensed would be the end of a pleasant evening.
"What do you mean missing?" Ianto asked.
Owen opened his eyes.
"I take it you've done a trace on his mobile? Checked his bunk? Checked the roof? Checked every room and corridor in the Hub?" Ianto asked.
Owen sat up.
Ianto sighed. "And I'm guessing John is missing too?"
There was a brief pause.
"Right we'll be there as soon as we can." Ianto said before hanging up.
"I don't really want to know do I?" Owen asked.
"Jack is missing. And so is John. And Gwen and Tosh can't trace his mobile and he isn't in any of his favourite hideouts." Ianto explained.
"And we're worried because?" Owen asked.
"Its Gwen?" Ianto offered. "I don't know. I mean its not like he doesn't have previous form, and with John back with a working transporter they could be anywhere and anywhen… but they didn't leave a note so Gwen's having a panic attack."
"She is so dramatic." Owen sighed.
"I think she's wondering if they've been taken. If the people that are after John might have found him." Ianto suggested.
"And checking the CCTV is where on her to do list?" Owen asked as they both got to their feet.
"She wants me to do that." Ianto replied.
"Because…" Owen prompted.
"Because if Jack is in the Hub, or has been in the Hub, in a compromising position with John she thinks I am best qualified to see it." Ianto explained.
Owen laughed softly. "Excellent. Well then, lets get going. The sooner we find the offending piece of CCTV the sooner I can upload it onto the Internet. Or at the very least set it as permanent screensaver on Gwen's computer."
Ianto smiled as they made their way to the front door, grabbing Owen's car keys as they went.