Then & Now - Chapter 14a

[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 14a

---

Jack’s eyes were shut as he lay on his bed. A hand gently stroked his head as he stirred awake. He smiled but kept his eyes shut. “I had the craziest dream. I was 18 again and back in high school. It was horrible, Ianto...”

 

“Ianto!?”

 

Jack’s eyes popped open wide and he realised his head was resting in Gwen’s lap. He jumped off the bed and scrambled to the other side of the room and behind a chair.

 

Gwen leaped off the bed. “You wanna play? Okay, let’s play. I’m the hungry lioness and you’re a baby gazelle." Gwen roared and chased Jack around the room.

 

“Wait! This is extremely inappropriate... and highly dysfunctional. Listen to me, Gwen. I’m your father.”

 

Gwen growled and stalked Jack around the bed. “And I’ve been a bad, bad girl, Daddy.” She dived across the bed, Jack dodged and ran out the door, very quickly.

 

Out in the backyard, Stephen and Nicole sat closely by a fire pit, laughing. “How about Mrs. Cruz? Every time she rolls her r’s she spits all over me.” Stephen imitated Mrs. Cruz and Nicole laughed and placed her hand on Stephen’s leg.

 

He looked down at her hand, then up at her, both staring at one another and he realised... it was the moment.

 

Nicole closed her eyes and moved in. Stephen closed the gap further but freaked at the last second. He bounded out of his chair and sprinted inside leaving Nicole hanging.

 

A distraught Stephen pushed his way through the insanity to find Jack who was bolting down the stairs.

 

“Jack, I blew it! I totally blew it!”

 

“Blew what? What happened?”

 

“She wanted me to kiss her but I panicked. I didn’t know if I should close my eyes or which way to turn my head or how much tongue I’m supposed to use...”

 

“Slow down, Stephen. Have you ever kissed a girl before?”

“Not a real one. I used to practice on pictures.”

 

“Ewww... never mind. It’s easy. All you have to do is take her face in your hands gently like this...” Jack placed a hand gently on either side of Stephen’s face. “... hold her still as you adjust your head, close your eyes and kiss her. The rest happens naturally.”

 

Gwen walked past at this moment and saw Jack holding Stephen’s face intimately. “Oh my god, it really is Stephen.” Jack and Stephen quickly separated.

 

“I hate you!” And she stormed out. Neither followed her.

 

“What if I, you know, pitch a tent?”

 

“If you feel it, you know, getting angry, take a step back. Now go get that kiss.”

 

Stephen took a deep breath and stepped outside. A determined Stephen marched over to the seated Nicole. “Nicole?”

 

She stood. “I’m sorry, Stephen. I didn’t mean to...” But before she can finish Stephen’s hands were on her face and his lips on hers. It was as if time stood still.

 

From the doorway, Jack watched his son’s magical first kiss. And when Stephen took a dazed step back, Jack laughed.

 

Jack’s thoughts were interrupted when his cell phone beeped. Pulling it out he saw it was a text from Samantha. ‘911. ^stairs. mastr b-room.’ Jack rushed to the stairs as an angry Gwen stormed down them. Jack ducked as she passed and he raced up.

 

He sprinted down the hall and threw open the door to find Samantha, Jamie and Lauren in the bed, their clothes on the floor.

 

“We decided not to make you choose,” Samantha purred.

 

“You can have all three of us,” Lauren invited. “The chance of a lifetime. A legend making moment.”

 

Jack looked sadly at the Bras. “Girls, if I was 20 years younger, I still wouldn’t want you. Put your clothes back on. Besides, you really should know – I’m gay and I’m in love with someone.” Jack turned and left them unsatisfied.

 

On the way out the girls heard sniffling. “Was he crying?”

 

*~*

Tosh laughed hysterically.

 

“God’s honest truth. I had the whole costume. I used to go everywhere dressed like a wizard,” Owen admitted. “No wonder I didn’t get a date all through high school. Aaaannnd you think I’m the biggest nerd ever.”

 

“No, no, really. I don’t.” She caught her breath, suddenly serious. “Hark! Who goes there?

 

A little unsure but Owen replies, “Tis I. The Wizard they call Marius. And who might you be fair maiden?”

 

Free to be herself, Tosh let her long hair down, shaking it out. “Tis I! Elf Princess Ariala of Jamroar.”

 

“NO WAY!”

 

“YES WAY!”

 

“Level 10.”

 

“Mage. Level 15. Bitch!” Tosh boasted.

 

They stared at each other incredibly turned on.

 

Owen screamed, “Check please!”

 Chapter 14b