Then & Now - Chapter 4

[madbottoms]

Title: Then & Now

Author: Madbottoms

Prompt: 17 Again

Pairing(s)/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Owen/Tosh, Gwen/John Hart, Stephen, OMC’s, OFC’s.

Rating: NC17

A/N: See chapter 1 for notes and disclaimer

Chapter 4

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Inside the empty gymnasium, a shirtless Jack stood just beyond the three point line, grabbing ball after ball from the hopper, netting them all in rapid succession. He was on fire.

Coach Harvey entered the gym and called out, “Hey Harkness, save some for the game.”

 

Jack sunk one last jumper, turned to the Coach. “Just warming up, Coach.”

 

Coach Harvey handed Jack a towel. “First game of the season and the scouts are already lining up. You have half the season I know you’re capable of Jack and you can play anywhere you want.”

 

“That’s the plan, Coach.”

 

The rest of the Falcons, Fitch High’s basketball team, jogged out from the locker room followed by a photographer.

 

“Round up, Jock Straps! Picture time,” Coach yelled.

 

The team assembled in the middle of the court, one of the players kneeling in front holds a sign, `FITCH FALCONS, 1989’.

 

“Hold on. Owen’s not here yet.” Jack looked around searching.

 

Dom, one of the other players laughed, “Who cares? He’s the water boy.”

 

“And you suck, Dom, but we’re letting you in the picture.” A shoving match broke out between Jack and Dom.

 

“Hey! Hey! Knock it off.” Coach Harvey pulled the players apart just as the gym doors burst open.

 

Owen Harper burst in, sporting a jacket over a wizard costume, tripped on his robe, got up and then peeled his clothes off.

 

“Sorry I’m late. I was locked in a life and death battle with the dark wizard...”

 

“Fall in, Harper. Hurry up,” Coach ordered and Owen took a spot next to Dom.

 

The photographer lifted his camera. “And 3, 2, 1...” And as the flash went off, Dominic reached behind Owen and grabbed hold of his underwear and ripped....

*~*

 

The Falcons ran, passed and shot practice hoops on one end of the court while the opposing team did the same at the opposite end.

 

A few minutes later, the gym lights were dimmed and music blared out of the speakers as cheerleaders ran out onto the court and danced to MC Hammer’s ‘Can’t Touch This’. They performed the Hammer dance routine and the crowd cheered. They cheered louder as Jack rose from the bench and joined the cheerleaders, dancing in sync with them.

 

Owen awkwardly tried to imitate Jack and failed miserably, earning him jeers from the other team members.

 

Coach shook his head in disgust and just waited as the routine ended.

 

“Alright, Ladies, bring it in!” Coach said then begun his pep talk as Jack took his seat again. Owen handed waters to the players, skipped Dom and stopped at Jack.

 

There were only a few minutes left before the game and Ianto still hadn’t arrived. Jack searched the bleachers but he definitely wasn’t there.

 

He turned to his best friend. “Owen, I can’t help you with the girls if you keep showing up places dressed like the Cookie Crisp guy. Okay?” Jack advised him and then looked up in the stands again. “But dude, don’t look now but I think Diane Holmes is scoping you hard.”

 

“For real?” Owen jerked around to blatantly stared at her.

 

“Smile.” And Owen flashed a goofy smile. Diane just mimed puking.

 

“My bad,” Jack said.

 

“Jack?” Jack turned hearing that beautiful Welsh voice.

 

Ianto stood at the end of the bench.

 

“Who’s that gorgeous cherub I see before me? Oh, it’s my boyfriend.” Jack walked over. “I’m glad you’re here, Yan. This whole scout thing’s got me so damn nervous.”

 

Dom dribbled past, smiled at Ianto. “I’m dedicating my first basket to you, Ianto.”

 

“Way you shoot that might be midseason!” Jack quipped. To Ianto he said, “Everything cool?”

 

Ianto smiled nervously and lied, “Oh yeah. Everything’s totally fine.”

 

“Totally?”

 

“Totally.”

 

The referee blew the whistle indicating it was time.

 

“Let’s go! Remember, boys, winners get the girls. Losers please themselves!” Coach said glibly.

 

Jack smiled and gave Ianto’s arm a quick rub. “Excellent. Gotta run.” He kissed his cheek, started off but then turned back. “What’s wrong?”

 

“It’s fine, Jack, just like I said,” Ianto lied. Badly.

 

“Come on, Yan, there is obviously something wrong. Just tell me, please.”

 

Ianto let out a shaky breath. “My parents just told me... we’re going back to Wales. My father’s company transferred him back.”

 

Ianto could tell he’d wounded Jack. “What?!”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“When do you leave?” Jack whispered, not really wanting to hear the answer. How could he leave? Jack could already feel his heart breaking at the thought of not having Ianto in his life.

 

“Tomorrow,” he said sadly and Jack’s whole body deflated. “Apparently he’s known for a while and they just now told me. I’m so sorry, Jack, I shouldn’t have said anything. This is an important game for you.”

 

“Yeah, it is. I have to go, Ianto. Please wait for me?” Jack pleaded.

 

Ianto nodded, his eyes tearing up. Jack stepped away and headed toward centre court.  As he does Owen walked in time with him.

 

“Do you really think Diane’s in to me?” Owen asked, completely oblivious to Jack’s inner turmoil.

 

Diane and her friends mocked Owen and laughed hysterically and Jack just walked past in a daze and took his place for the jump ball. He blew a kiss to Ianto and crossed his heart. It was just one way he showed Ianto how he felt.

 

The crowd stomped and cheered loudly as the referee got ready to toss the ball. Jack looked over to the stands and saw a crushed Ianto heading for the exit. Jack was torn. Play or go after him. In a split second decision that would change his life forever, he went after him.

 

“Where you going!? Harkness!?” Coach Harvey yelled.

 

Jack rushed through the tunnel after Ianto. “Yan! Wait.”

 

Ianto turned and slumped against the wall as Jack caught up to him. Jack leaned in and kissed him tenderly. Ianto wanted nothing more than to stay in Jack’s arms but he pulled away. “Jack, what are you doing? Get back in the game!”

 

“No, I couldn’t let you go like that, thinking that I cared more about the game than you. I love you, Ianto. Nothing else matters right now. If I lost you, I’d lose part of me.”

 

“Oh god, Jack. I love you, too.” And they kissed again.

 

“I’m coming with you,” Jack said suddenly.

 

“Wh... what? Jack, no, you have a life here, a chance to play college ball, hell a chance most likely at the pros.”

 

“I told you, none of it matters, not without you.”

 

“Jack, please, you can’t do this. Besides, your parents will never allow it.”

 

“Yan, I’m 18, I can do whatever I want. And I love you. Don’t you want me to come with you?”

 

“I want nothing more. But if you do this, I’m afraid you’ll end up hating me for it.” Ianto ducked his head.

 

Jack lifted his chin up. “Ianto, I will never regret wanting to be with you. This is my choice and I chose to be with you. I’ll follow you anywhere.”

 

*~*

Jack followed Ianto to Wales, his parents fighting him every step of the way but he and Ianto were very happy. He stayed with the Jones’ until he and Ianto had graduated from school and earned enough money to get a place of their own. Not long after, they had a Civil Ceremony and celebrated with their families, Jack’s parents and Owen flying over for the celebration.

 

Four years after leaving California they returned, two young children in tow. Two had become four when Ianto’s sister and her husband died in an accident. Ianto and Jack had become instant parents of two kids still in nappies and took them on as if they were their own.

Although happy with his new life, Jack had missed his family and friends and Ianto agreed that going back to California might be a good thing. Besides, he owed it to Jack and he would do anything for his family.

 

Owen welcomed them back eagerly and spoiled the kids rotten. In the years Jack had lived in Wales, Owen had made millions in the stock market and from his software designs. Owen had lost his other partner in crime though, with Suzie moving on after college. Jack was never too sure about her most of the time anyway. Owen was strange but Suzie had been downright scary most of the time.

 

So, the Harkness-Jones family returned to California and settled down in a nice neighbourhood. Ianto stayed home to look after the kids and study part time and after some thought Jack had applied to the Police Academy and to his surprise, he was accepted. It wasn’t really a career he would have normally chosen but it meant security for his family and that was the most important thing to Jack.

 

 

 

Comments

[megans-writing.livejournal.com]

*bites nails* oh dear what's going to happen to make everything go wrong?

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Yes, well the shit could very easily hit the fan!

[missthingsplace.livejournal.com]

Waiting for something bad to happen ...

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

It's coming!