Royal Matchmaker

Chapter Nine

It was a truly dismal day on the Boeshane Peninsula, with a thick, low-lying cloud layer that no sun could penetrate. Having sought but not found Prince Jack around the palace, Ianto learned from a footman that he'd taken a Hover out early and gone to the community centre, so Ianto followed suit. When he arrived at St James, there was no one about, but he could hear clanging sounds coming from downstairs, so with a paper-wrapped package in hand, Ianto descended into the centre's basement.

This time it was Ianto Jones' turn to ogle a fine-looking bottom; Jack was on his hands and knees working on the boiler and Ianto took a moment to assess one of the prince's finer assets but when he saw Jack move he quickly chirped out a cheery greeting

"Hi! You're up early!" Ianto walked into the room as though he'd just arrived and held out the parcel. "Owen said you'd skipped breakfast so I brought you a few of these."

"Thank you, that's nice," Jack put down his tools, brushed off his hands and accepted the bag, opening it to find several freshly baked muffins. "So, is feeding the prince one of your matchmaking responsibilities?" He selected a chocolate muffin and sniffed it and canted his head then sniffed it again.

"No, no, it isn't," Ianto shrugged, "I just find my clients are a bit more agreeable on a full stomach." He waited expectantly as he watched Jack study the muffin like it was going to reveal the secrets of the universe to him. Finally, he couldn't take the suspense any longer. "Sooo…?"

"Sooo…?" Jack copied him as he put the chocolate muffin back in the bag and pull out a honey nut one instead.

Ianto rolled his eyes and slapped at Jack's arm. "How did it go last night?! Come on, I came down here bearing muffins!"

"Well… ummm…" Jack set the paper bag on top of the water heater, put his muffin on that and picked up his tools again. He felt sad having to disillusion Ianto, but there was no getting around it. "No… no butterflies." He sounded strangely apologetic, as though he'd let the Welshman down somehow. Unable to look at Ianto, he knelt back down and resumed his repairs on the boiler.

Ianto Jones was flabbergasted and it showed as his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open for a moment, "That's ridiculous!" he exclaimed. "Every single one of those women was butterfly worthy!"

"Oh, I'm sure for someone," Jack felt compelled to explain, "just not for me."

Feeling his temper starting to rise, Ianto struggled to maintain a polite tone. "No! Based on analytics and my instinct," he protested, "they matched your personality criteria."

Jack shrugged, "Well, I don't know what to say then." He frowned as he looked at the spanner in his hand, realising his adjustment needed a different tool and rose, putting his current tools down again. "Maybe you're losing your touch," and the royal eyebrow shot up annoyingly.

"No… ahhh… I… You…!" Anger made Ianto splutter out nonsensical noises. "I am not losing my touch! Just because none of those women struck your fancy doesn't mean I don't have another trick up my sleeve," he announced smugly.

"Well then, have at it," Jack mocked, selecting a socket wrench and attaching the head then returning to his crouched position.

"I will!" Ianto crowed triumphantly, "In fact, I saved the best for last!"

"Oh yeah? Where are you keeping her, in your pocket?"

"She's in transit, actually." Ianto turned to go, inordinately pleased with himself for having had the last word.

"Transit!" Jack jumped to his feet. "What, are you shipping her in from Soulmates Incorporated?" he snarked with a frown.

"Go ahead and make your jokes, just make them, and then when you meet her and you fall in love with her, guess who's going to be laughing then!" Ianto kept backing towards the door.

Jack looked at him and cocked his head, waiting for the answer.

Ianto's face twitched with a combination smile and frown as he muttered, "okay, didn't think that one through," but then his bravado returned. "You just… you just prepare yourself, cos you're going to be bowled over!" and as he turned to leave he ran face-first into the door frame, bouncing off it slightly. Trying to maintain as much dignity as possible after that, Ianto refused to look at Jack, but waved his hand behind him as he declared, "She's amazing!"

"Can't wait!" Jack struggled mightily to keep the grin off his face, but it really was just too funny to watch the normally calm and collected Ianto Jones completely lose his cool and when he was sure he couldn't hear Ianto's footsteps any longer, Jack burst out with great guffaws of laughter, having to bend over and support his hands on his knees as he laughed til tears fell from his eyes.

Having recovered his dignity but still a bit angry, Ianto arrived on the upper landing where he noticed Gwen struggling with a large box as she came up the entryway stairs and when he saw Owen coming around the corner and realised the valet would get there before he could, Ianto called out to him and pointed.

"Owen, a little help?"

Owen immediately hurried over and took the box. "Where would you like it?"

Gwen gestured, "over there on the table is fine."

Ianto passed them by, walking at a furious pace, paused for a moment to look over his shoulder at them and then kept going.

"Funny how we haven't run into one another before now," Gwen observed, giving Owen a bright smile.

"How quickly the time has gone since we were at school," Owen agreed, feeling slightly uncomfortable as he recognised the predatory look on her face. He turned away and began looking through the books in one of the other boxes.

Gwen stepped closer. "I just remember you always being so helpful back then. Always the first to raise your hand to volunteer in class."

Owen snorted. "My father was a butler to the Royal family, so perhaps the instinct to help is in our blood." He turned back to the books, choosing one to take out and leaf through its pages.

Afraid of being dismissed, she searched desperately for something to say, some way to prolong their conversation. "It must be hard, being a single father."

Raised to be a gentleman no matter how much he wanted to get away from the woman, Owen sighed softly, set the book down and turned to her. "Well, I've gotten used to it, I suppose." Against his better judgement, he confessed, "My worry is it's awfully hard for Rudy, but…"

Gwen stepped even closer as she finished his thought. "But it's equally hard on you," and just as she was about to reach out and take his hand in hers, Owen got lucky.

"Owen!" Jack bellowed from below stairs. "Can you hand me the crescent wrench!"

Grateful for the intervention, Owen stepped back, smiling awkwardly. "Duty calls," and he beat a hasty retreat, leaving Gwen standing there with a very annoyed look on her face.

"So close!" she muttered as she gave one of the boxes a sharp jab.

Back in their war room, Ianto was pacing the length of the floor while going over the pictures and CVs of the remaining candidates while Tosh was going through their email.

"Oh, Ianto!" she exclaimed. "Come look at this cute photo we got from that girl at the wedding in New New York a few months ago! The one who asked you about the prom date?"

Ianto paused as he passed her desk and glanced at the laptop. "Oh yeah, oh that's so sweet. Great, my pro bono work is paying off aces. As far as the patient on the table…?" He held up a photo of an attractive brunette. "We need to find Petra."

"O… kaaay…" Tosh spoke hesitantly. "I understand she is one of your favourites, but she might still be travelling."

"I don't care! I don't… care!" Ianto felt like he was slipping off his perch and it was all he could do to keep his hands tightly clenched in his pockets so he didn't wave his arms around like a bloody great bird trying to take flight. "I don't care if she's in outer space, I need her here yesterday!"

Tosh had never seen Ianto look so… unnerved before.

"Find her!" He finally gave in to the desperate need and started waving his arms about like a demented windmill. "Tell her… tell her we're going to change her life!"

"Okay, I will find her," she agreed, although she really wasn't sure how, "and when I do I will schedule a formal dinner with the prince."

"Great!" Ianto turned away and then turned back. "No! Not formal… the last one… it was… my mistake." His brain was churning. "It was too stuffy and so pomp and circumstance and all the stuff the prince hates. Make th… this one more casual."

"Okay," Tosh nodded, her fingers flying over the keyboard and then, "Oh!" Suddenly her eyes flew open wide and she stared at Ianto. "I forgot to tell you!"

Ianto felt his stomach drop. 'Oh dear Goddess, what now?!'

"The King wants to see you in his study," she told him apologetically.

"Ha-ha… great!" Ianto felt like he was in year seven again and being summoned to the headmaster's office. "The hits just keep on coming." He turned and flounced out of the room.

"I agree, last night did not go as anticipated," Ianto began while King Franklin looked at him sceptically. "However, we have plenty of promising options we're still exploring." He plastered on his most winning smile.

"You do realise that the Jubilee Celebration is mere days away."

"I know, I know! I do, Your Majesty!" Rats began gnawing at Ianto's innards.

"I do not have to remind you that we both have a lot on the line here."

Ianto could feel a tiny trickle of sweat making its way down the middle of his back as he stood before the king and his massive desk. "You do not. I am sticking my reputation on a winning outcome."

King Franklin nodded. "I'm happy to hear it."

Clasping his hands together nervously, Ianto nodded back. "Good. Thank you, Your Majesty." He performed his best bow and waited to be dismissed.

It took a moment for the king to realise what Ianto was doing. "Oh… erm… you may go."

"Thank you," and Ianto backed away and then hurried out the door as quickly as he could and still maintain some semblance of dignity.

Watching his young matchmaker hurry away, King Franklin made sure Ianto was out of earshot before he burst into quiet laughter. There was just something about the Welshman trying so hard to hide his case of nerves that the king found quite endearing.

"And… I… think… we're back in… business!" Jack screwed the thermostat onto the radiator and immediately the heating turned itself on. "Now we're fixed!" He stood up and surveyed his handiwork with pride. "How long it will stay that way is anyone's guess," he admitted with a rueful grin.

Owen dusted his hands off on his trousers, and then frowning as he realised what he'd done, he did his best to brush his trousers clean. "I'm sure they'll take what they can get." He and Jack walked over to the table and put their tools in the box. "I must say, Sir, there's nothing quite as satisfying as a hard day's work."

"Yep." Without realising it, Jack popped the 'P' just he'd heard Ianto do. "It certainly does feed the soul, Owen." He retrieved a cloth from the toolbox, sat back against the counter and began to wipe his hands. "Speaking of, how about joining me for a steak supper at the lodge?"

"Ahhh…" For a moment Owen looked embarrassed. "I would love to sir, but I believe I'm going to have plans."

"Oh?"

"A date, actually." The valet sat next to the prince.

Jack cocked an inquiring eyebrow. "A date?"

"Yes," Owen swallowed hard. "With Toshiko Sato, hopefully. I'm going to ask her as soon as we get back to the palace." He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees, as though inviting confidence. "I would never have had the courage to ask her out if it hadn't been for your matchmaker. At first I think he wanted to set me up with Gwen, here at the Centre, but once he convinced me that I could do it, I found the person I actually wanted to ask was Miss Sato."

Jack found himself frowning. "So it's Ianto who's arranging everything?"

Owen shook his head. "No, not at all. Nothing's been arranged, I haven't even asked. She could very well say no…" A look of horror came over his face. "What if she says no?! How will I face her tomorrow? We still have to work together until the Jubilee Celebration." A note of panic set in. "What do I do now!"

"Slow down, Owen!" Jack held up his hands. "You're way ahead of yourself here! You haven't even asked her out yet so how can she already have said no?"

Owen heaved out a deep sigh. "Yes, I now… you're right…" He rolled his eyes. "It's just been so long since I've asked anyone out for a date – Katie was the last and truth be told," he lowered his voice and glanced both ways before revealing, "she asked me."

"No!" Jack laughed. "I never would have guessed you were such a ladies man!"

"Yeah, well, I hide it well." Owen grinned.

Jack put away the cloth, locked the tool box and stood up. "I guess I'll be dining alone then." He took several steps away, paused and looked aback at Owen. "Feeling the butterflies already, are you?"

"Sir?"

"Nothing," Jack shook his head. "Have fun."

Owen managed a sort of sick grimace as a substitute for a smile.

Sucking in a deep breath and straightening his shoulders, Owen turned back and strode over to Tosh. "Miss Sa… Toshiko!"

She looked up hopefully.

"I'd really like to take you to dinner some time…" Owen found it was easier to get the words out than he'd expected. "I mean, if you want to."

"Yes!" Happiness lit up Tosh's face. "I would like that, very much."

Owen gave a huge sigh of relief. "Good… I mean great!" and he smiled back before walking from the room, feeling so much lighter than he had before. 'Damn, but I'm good at this dating stuff!'