1

"Are you sure?" Jack asked for the hundredth time as Owen shuffled his feet nervously, the two men in the elevator both on edge.

"Yes. You are already on the payroll. I explained your military background and they were happy with whatever. Just… hold it in for a few days before being a nob-head" Owen replied.

Jack was poking his tongue at him as the door opened and they both turned to find a man standing there with a look of doom. Owen was first to speak "Hi Archie."

"Doctor Harper, this is your colleague?"

"Captain Jack Harkness" Jack thrust his hand out with as wide a smile as he could manage, clearly a good one as the man's face changed, accepting the handshake. Jack added "My mother was a bonny Lass from Scotland ya know."

"Right, follow me." Archie said with his bland fac still in place but Jack felt maybe a slight thaw.

A they walked, Jack tried not to speak, to look like he was confidently there knowing it all already. They entered a large room that had some people on chairs looking on as the stage at the other end was a large white grand piano and sitting at it playing, was the one Jack was here to see.

Ianto Jones.

The famous, sensational Ianto Jones. He was playing the piano with his usual aplomb as seen on TV, the tune one he did not recognize and it occurred to Jack that this s not a rehearsal, it was a jam session with just one person. He was freestyling.

The tune was mournful and yet... alluring, like someone was whispering in your ear and Jack was mesmerized. Finally, the music came to an end and those hands sank into the lap of the lithe man who turned his head slightly to look directly at Jack. His eyes were like storms. Jack was transfixed.

"Not bad" came a voice from the chairs, the man's father and manager rising "But will it sell albums? Maybe if you get some chart toppers that can be included in the album or something, hm?"

Ianto blinked slowly, his eyes moving from Jack to his father and Jack felt like he had been released from something. The voice was soft like molasses "As you say, Da."

"Ifan, here is my mate Jack" Owen thrust Jack forward and the man turned from the chair to look him up and down.

"Looks younger than I had hoped."

"I am actually 36" Jack replied without blinking "I just have a youthful appearance. Get it from me ma. She looks like my sister."

The man continued to stare at him, then turned as Ianto came to stand next to him, also looking Jack up and down. Then he nodded. A simple nod, an agreement or an acceptance. Didn't matter, he nodded.

"Right, get him to Alison in payroll then and we will sort out the paperwork" Ifan Jones waved a hand dismissively and as Jack was led away he glanced back in time to see Ianto's head lower like he was inspecting his shoes, the harsh voice of his father Ifan washing over him as he was told again that the piece was crappy.

"Is it always like that?" Jack asked.

"Hmmmm?"

"Is the father a douche all the time?"

Owen sniggered softly and looked around before answering quietly "The King who holds the gold, rules the world my friend. Ifan Jones has complete control over Ianto. You see… the poor lad had a wee bit of a breakdown after his girlfriend dumped him in a savage way… so now Daddy Jones holds not only the purse strings but the ability to place Ianto in a padded cell any time he wants."

"What?" Jack was surprised by this.

"Yeah. Poor bugger. His nerves are shot. Prone to crying for no reason, tantruming and refusing to eat… lots of mental things. If his father did not have conservatorship, I recking he would have killed himself by now… well that's what his father sells" Owen hissed "Have you not seen it yet? He is looking for an escape, constantly. Like a wild animal in a cage at the circus."

"Come on, he is a three-time platinum album musician with the world at his feet, millions of dollars in the bank and a guaranteed best seller next album even if it's full of fart noises" Jack snorted with amusement "Your telling me he's got a screw loose?"

Owen shrugged then entered an office "Alison, this is Jack. Ianto's new handler."

"Oh god… young isn't he?"

"I get that a lot darlin' lady" Jack winked, and she giggled as she waved a hand and reached for the paperwork Owen had produced from his coat.

"Christ Owen… you gone magician on me?" Jack asked, pulling at the coat "Got a rabbit in there?"

Alison tittered as Owen slapped at him and called him a twat.

Jack wondered what he was getting into but looking at the salary on offer… he could not very well say no.

And it was worth it for the music alone.