Someone to Watch Over Me - Chapter 14

[madbottoms]

Title: Someone to Watch Over Me (14/18)

Pairing(s)/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Tosh/Owen and OCs.

Rating: NC17 (overall)

Warnings: smarm, sap and crack – of the mills & boon type (seriously), m/m pairing

Disclaimer: Torchwood and its associated characters, and events are property of the BBC and Russell T. Davies but shamelessly borrowed for some fun.

A/N 1:  A small chapter to finish off the evening at the ball. More tension I’m afraid, but there is a bit of a romantic sojourn within. You know me, though, I love to make them suffer a little. But remember, the journey to true-love is bumpy! Enjoy.  J

FOURTEEN

 

*~*

 

Sitting next to Jack a dinner was torture, Ianto decided. His family, fortunately, was sitting among guests at other tables. Otherwise, it would have been much harder to pretend interest in the mundane chitchat at the table.

 

He itched to hash things out with Jack. He wanted to apologise, yes. At the same time, though, he was still piqued about the high-handed way he’d acted after the attack in the car park. Surely Jack owed him an apology as well.

 

Ianto stole a quick look at him. He was chatting with the guest on his right, the wife of a Lord. Jack’s slightly rough around the edges quality was set off by his tuxedo. It made him incredibly sexy and, he noted sourly, apparently appreciated by others, the Lord’s wife included. And if he wasn’t mistaken, perhaps even the Lord, too.

 

The stab of jealousy brought him up short. He was spared having to analyse the emotion, however, because Jack took that moment to turn to him.

 

Ianto turned away, unable to look at him without wanting to grab him and either kiss him or throttle him, or maybe both. He needed to get away from him. ‘Excuse me, I need some fresh air. I’m just going to step out onto the balcony.’

 

‘I’ll come with you.’

 

‘I don’t think that will be necessary. I’m sure there is no gunman waiting behind the potted plants.’

 

‘It’s my job to protect you Ianto. Where you go, I go. You’re not leaving my sight tonight.’

 

‘Oh for...Just don’t breath down my neck.’

 

‘But it’s such a pretty neck.’

 

Ianto stared at him coldly and then stood up, heading toward the balcony doors. Once outside, he stood against the railings and drew in a couple of deep breaths.

 

‘Dance with me,’ Jack asked from the doorway.

 

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Ianto said, refusing to turn around.

 

‘I think we can survive it.’

 

Jack came up behind him and put a hand on his waist, turning him around.

 

‘I don’t want to dance with you,’ Ianto said.

 

‘Oh, I think you do, Button.’ Jack pulled him against him and wrapped his arms around Ianto’s waist and shoulder.

 

‘Jack,’ Ianto said, halfway between a moan and a curse.

 

‘Just go with it, Ianto. I won’t bite. At least not unless you ask me to,’ Jack teased.

 

‘You are impossible, Harkness.’

 

‘I’ve been told that before.’

 

Ianto reluctantly put his arms around Jack—although, if he admitted it, it felt amazing—and let him lead. His body was reacting to his closeness, his body heat radiating and joining Jack’s.

 

For a while they danced in silence, the music floating outside from the ballroom the only sound. The music was slow and melodic and Ianto was almost tempted to rest his head on Jack’s shoulder. He gave himself a mental shake. He had things to say to Jack and he’d better get on with it.

 

Before he could say anything, however, Jack stirred the hair at his temple with his breath and whispered in his ear, ‘Silence becomes you.’

 

Ianto looked at Jack with a start and saw the mocking laughter in his eyes. Ianto had been about to apologise to him—and Jack was mocking him. Ianto decided the apology he owed him could wait a little longer.

 

‘Humility would become you but I don’t see you exhibiting any.’

 

‘That’s my boy.’ Jack had the nerve to laugh out loud. ‘I was wondering where that temper of yours had gone. You seemed a little too quiet during dinner.’

 

‘Quite the one for compliments tonight, aren’t you?’

 

‘Is that what you want? Compliments?’ Jack asked. Though his tone was still mocking, it contained a hint of seriousness.

 

‘Don’t be stupid.’

 

Jack cocked his head, pretending to think, before looking at him again. ‘You look stunning tonight, I could just strip you here and feast on your fabulous body...’

 

‘Stop!’ Even though his words had a teasing tone to them, Ianto felt a ripple of pleasure through him.

 

‘Why?’

 

‘Because you are being ridiculous.’

 

‘What if I was being sincere?’ Jack wasn’t far from it, really. All he had thought about since Ianto came down the stairs earlier that evening was about how he could get Ianto out of that suit and into his bed. And he was absolutely stunning.

 

Ianto couldn’t take it anymore.

 

‘Did you know that dancing is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire?’ Jack asked.

 

He was telling Ianto? He was practically coming apart, incensed, yet turned on by their banter.

 

‘So how am I doing? Am I as good as the others?’

 

Ianto ignored the question. Jack was impossible. Forget the apology.

 

‘You know, I must have been crazy to think I owed you an apology, Harkness.’ He pulled out of Jack’s hold and leaned up against the balcony railing.

 

Ianto had the satisfaction of seeing Jack look taken aback for an instant. That expression was quickly replaced by one of sardonic amusement however. ‘I can think of many reasons why you’d owe me an apology, Ianto. So why don’t you narrow it down for me and tell me what in particular spurred this fit of remorse?’

 

Ianto gritted his teeth. The only remorse he was feeling at the moment was at not punching him in the face. But instead, he said, ‘I got a call from Owen the morning after the shooting. He seemed to know all about what happened without me telling him.’

 

‘So naturally you thought I was the one who filled him in,’ Jack said.

 

‘It was a logical assumption,’ Ianto said defensively.

 

Jack arched a brow. ‘Of course. I’m an untrustworthy snitch where you’re concerned, is that it?’ His lips tightened. ‘Ever since I lied to you and went to your parents about the bar incident when you were seventeen. It goes as far back as that, doesn’t it?’

 

‘It wasn’t a far-fetched conclusion to jump to,’ he asserted again. ‘Anyway, are you also going to deny suggesting to Owen that I quit my job because it may become too dangerous? What am I, some weak damsel in distress?’ Ianto hissed.

 

‘Oh, you’re definitely all man!’ Jack said with a wicked grin.

 

Ianto’s temper flared.

 

‘But in answer to your question,’ he continued, ‘I didn’t suggest it to Owen. He brought it up.’ He stopped and gave Ianto a considering look. ‘But I won’t disagree.’

 

‘Great, then the sooner we find out who is behind the threats, the sooner my job will stop being too dangerous and the sooner you will get the hell out of my house. Frankly, it won’t be soon enough for my liking. On either count.’

 

Ianto pushed off the railing and walked back toward the ballroom, but stopped just before reaching the door. ‘Oh, and by the way, Owen guessed we were shagging.’ With that he turned again and walked through the door, not giving him a chance to reply. Though, he did note that Jack’s face was tight with anger and if he wasn’t mistaken, a little fear.

 

To think, he’d been for all intents, a lovesick fool to think something good had been developing between him and Jack. Instead, of giving Ianto his respect, it was clear to Jack that would always think Ianto a spoiled rich kid who needed to be handled and needed protection. His protection.

 

Comments

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all your comments on the last few chapters.

They both have some things to works through about who they are and where they want to be. It will work out eventually but the journey can be so much fun, even if frustrating.