Opportunities/One door closes...and a window opens (7/?)

[madbottoms]

Title: Opportunities/One door closes...and a window opens (7/?)

Rating: PG – I think. There is talk of sex and some ‘adult’ moments but nothing explicit.

Genre: AU! No aliens but some familiar names may still be used

Characters: Jack, Ianto, Estelle.

Summary: The holiday season is coming up and Ianto Jones is stuck without a job, with very little money and not too many prospects. So when he is offered a job for two weeks, he readily accepts. But this new job may become complicated when he realises that the man who broke his heart years before is the grandson of his new employer.

A/N: Ianto moves in, Ianto and Estelle visit the Hub, and Jack shows off.

*~*

Chapter Seven

 

It was amazing how much stuff someone needed for two weeks. Okay, Jack was responsible for him bringing his security blanket, but most of the rest had been Ianto’s idea. It had taken them far longer to load up all of his belongings that Jack had expected it to, and when he carried in the first crate he was welcome with the scent of roast meat and vegetables with fresh bread drifting through the house. At the top of the stairs, the guestroom sparkled, complete with robe and slippers laid out across the plush quilt that covered the brass bed.

 

‘No chocolate on the pillow?’ Ianto said.

 

Jack blinked in surprise. What an ungrateful little shit!

 

Then he saw the dazed look in Ianto’s eyes as he looked around, and he took a minute to assess for himself the differences between Estelle’s guestroom and his own dark little hole they’d just come from. Even at dusk on a winter afternoon the guestroom was bright and cheery, airy and full of colour and warmth, while Jack bet that even on a bright summer day the boarding house would look gloomy.

 

In fact, the only thing in the guestroom that wasn’t particularly colourful was Ianto himself. He was still wearing the stark white tux shirt and black pants from his earlier shift, though he had taken off the bow tie. And it looked as if he was exhausted.

 

I can work an hour here or there and fit partial shifts in between classes.

 

No wonder he was almost asleep on his feet. But Jack thought he would be wiser not to share the suggestion which was on his mind—that he might look better after a nap. Instead, he said mildly, ‘Well, the garden’s covered in snow and you had the car, so Gran couldn’t go and get flowers.’

 

‘I just meant...’ He shook his head. ‘I was being sarcastic. This room is perfect the way it is. Those must be the drapes Estelle was talking about replacing.’

 

Jack could hear the incredulity in his voice, and he had to stop and think what he was talking about. Oh yes—Gran had said something about drapes in the midst of that litany of reasons why she wanted to sell the house. ‘I guess so. She did say guestroom, I think. But they look fine to me.’

 

Ianto sighed. ‘Me, too. Better than fine, actually.’

 

‘I’ll go bring up another load.’ Jack paused in the doorway. ‘You might want to get changed before dinner. I caught a glimpse of silver in the dining room on my way up the stairs, so I think it’s a dress-up occasion.’

 

By the time Jack had brought up the rest of the stuff, Ianto had vanished into the bathroom. He stacked the last of the crates neatly along one wall of the room, retreated the attic to get changed, and went downstairs.

 

Emma and Gran had laid out the dining room with the heaviest and best silver flatware. His grandmother was sitting up very straight on a velvet chair in the living room, next to a flickering fire. She was wearing something lush and blue, with a row of pearls around her neck.

 

She was staring out the front window, and for a moment, Jack thought she hadn’t heard him come in. ‘Gran?’

 

‘Oh, hello, dear. I assume you got all of Ianto’s things moved?’

 

‘Yes.’ The question left him feeling a bit uneasy. All of Ianto’s things... Everything he could possibly need for a couple of weeks anyway. You’re not expecting him to stay longer than that—right?’

 

‘How could he stay here, Jack, if I’ll be moving out myself?’

 

His grandmother’s eyes were unusually bright, and Jack wondered if she’d been sitting there staring into space, thinking about her move. Maybe even winking back a few tears. Ianto just might be right after all. If Gran was having second thoughts already...

 

Maybe we didn’t need to pack ups so much after all. A few days and Ianto might be headed straight back home...in a manner of speaking. Well, when it came time to shift it back, he’d pay a mover.

 

‘Can I get you a sherry?’

 

His grandmother smiled. ‘That would be lovely, dear.’

 

He was standing at the sideboard in the dining room when he heard the creek of the stair. Fifth one from the bottom—he remembered it well from trying to sneak in after curfew, before he’d learned how to climb the tree and swing over the rail of the attic balcony to let himself in.

 

He grabbed beers from the little fridge for himself and Ianto, and turned toward the living room. He saw him standing at the foot of the stairs with one hand still on the post, and he stopped dead.

 

There was nothing particularly outstanding about the dress trousers and shirt that Ianto wore, but the rich red colour of the shirt was so vivid it brought out the fabulous blue of his eyes. And although he could tell the cut the pants wasn’t designer wear, Ianto wore them well and the fabric contoured to his body nicely—his gaze lingered somewhat slightly at the way the shirt clung to his chest and then slowly moved down, noticing the strong, lithe—if maybe a little skinny—body of the man in comparison to the boy he knew six years ago. That was different. He’d have remembered that just as clearly as clearly as he remembered how he’d come slowly to life as he’d kissed him...the way he’d clung to him as he made love to him...the way he’d made him catch on fire...

 

‘You wouldn’t have heard a marching band that night either, Harkness.

 

He must have made some kind if sound because his grandmother looked over her shoulder at him. ‘My goodness, dear, I thought for a moment you were choking.’

 

No, Gran, only acting like those guys at the cloakroom counter last night. He handed her the glass of sherry and held out a beer to Ianto. “Beer?’

 

‘Thanks.’ Ianto’s fingers brushed his as he took the bottle, and Jack felt something shift inside him, like the first warning tremor of an earthquake. Ianto wasn’t even smiling at him, but the lights in the room seemed to dim in comparison.

 

The man was dangerous, he told himself. He always had been—even more so when he looked the most innocent. And if he were smart, Jack wouldn’t let himself forget it.

 

*~*

 

The Hub’s newest outlet had already been open for several weeks, in order to take advantage of the enormous potential offered by holiday gift-buying. But the formal grand opening celebration had been put off until now—both for the sake of making a bigger splash and so Jack could be present.

 

The Hub - a gym and spa franchise had been such a great success that a sporting and camping goods store had been an obvious addition to its operations. Jack had 32 Hubs, and he hadn’t missed an opening yet—even after 32 openings, Jack still enjoyed the thrill of cutting the ribbon to formally unveil a new location. This was the fun part of the job—talking to employees who were excited about the a new Torchwood Hub, listening to customers as they exclaimed over the variety and style of equipment, and getting excited about how many people were interested and dedicated about getting fit and healthy. It also helped that he could see a lot of equipment surging through the checkouts and patrons signing up for memberships.

 

And of course, he enjoyed personally demonstrating the equipment that made the Hub so different from any other gyms or stores.

 

In his position halfway up the climbing wall, he braced himself for a brief rest and looked down at the crowd watching his progress. The wall was sixty feet tall, and though climbing it wasn’t exactly a challenge for him—not exactly the same standing as Mount Everest or K2, it was no easy feat either. He was at the point where the wall began to curve over at the top, making the rest of the climb similar to dangling over thin air while scrambling up an overhanging knob of rock.

 

The climbing walls in most Hubs had been built for varying levels, but this particular part was for the more advanced climbers, and had in fact, been designed by Jack, based on a particular challenging outcrop on a mountain he’d climbed in the Andes the year before. It should be a cinch after defeating the original.

 

He looked out over the crowd. Mostly young, he saw. What a surprise.

 

He searched for a familiar face but nothing. Where were they? Cracked up on motorway somewhere? He should have known better to trust his driving skills...

 

His toe slipped from the foothold and the crowd gasped. Half were frightened, Jack thought, and half were anticipating the possibility that he might actually end up broken at the bottom of the wall. Of course, that was unlikely on two counts—one being that no one went up without a safety harness and a trained belaying partner, and two, Jack was way too good for that to happen.

 

He reset himself and moved on before the crowd could lose interest and move on.

 

He didn’t see Gran and Ianto come in, but ten minutes later when he abseiled back down, his grandmother was chatting to the body builder who had been working his ropes. ‘We simply couldn’t keep him on the ground as a boy,’ she was saying. ‘He climbed up bookshelves and up trees and out windows. And then there was the time he tried to fly off the garage roof with a kite in each hand...’

 

‘Learned my lesson on that one,’ Jack said.

 

“What? How to build a bigger kite?’  Ianto murmured.

 

He shed the harness—not his favourite piece of equipment, since it tended to be a little tighter than was comfortable. ‘You finally got here I see. You missed the best part.’

 

Ianto was still looking up at the wall. His hands buried deep in the pocket of his coat. The same over-sized, old fashioned wool coat he’d been wearing yesterday. On his lithe frame it managed to look like a fashion statement rather than a castoff.

 

Jack mopped his forehead with a towel. ‘How much of the demonstration did you watch?’

 

‘Enough,’ Ianto said. Jack looked more closely; Ianto seemed to be a little pale around the edges. ‘That’s what you do for fun?’

 

‘I’d rather do it on real mountains, without all the safety gear. But I’ll take what I can get at the moment. I suppose your reaction means you don’t want to give it a try?’

 

‘That would be right. I’ll stick to writing tax and archival software, thank you.’

 

‘Just as well—because all of today’s slots are already reserved. Where have you been Gran? I thought you were coming over earlier.’

 

‘We were busy with the Christmas tree.’

 

Jack frowned. ‘I expected you to wait for me to help you put it up.’

 

‘You sound like a disappointed six-year old. Anyway, it’s not up yet,’ she said. ‘We’re just trying to find one.’

 

‘What’s wrong with the one you always use?’

 

‘I decided to have a real one. I’ve always wanted a live tree, but Emma thinks they’re a fire hazard. This year I decided to put my foot down and buy one anyway—but you have no idea how hard it is to find a nice sized tree.’

 

‘That’s too bad,’ Jack said.

 

‘So when will you be home? We could use your help with it.’

 

‘I thought you said you couldn’t find one?’

 

‘It just took longer than expected. I was just about to suggest we go into the mountains a find one,’ she said. ‘But we finally found one. It’ll take all of us to wrestle into place, I think.

 

Jack shot Ianto a glance, who seemed to be studying the display of ropes and crampons. He looked guilty—there was no other word for it. ‘How big is this tree, exactly?’

 

‘I figure we’ll need to use every ornament in the house if we decorate it properly,’ Estelle said. ‘Which is lovely, because when the tree comes down after the holidays, I can sort all the decorations out and set aside a boxful for each member of the family—the special things that will have memories for them. There are at least a dozen somewhere that you made when you were younger. You used to send them to me, remember?’

 

‘I’ve done my best to forget. How did you get this thing home? Tie it on top of the car? That must have been a sight.’

 

Ianto shifted on his feet. ‘Well, that’s something we should probably talk about.’

 

Jack groaned. ‘I suppose you need me to go get it?’

 

Ianto looked doubtful. ‘Are you offering to pick it up in the Jag?’

 

‘Of course not. The Hub has delivery trucks.’

 

Ianto looked around. ‘At the rate people are buying equipment, we might get a delivery by New Year’s Day.’

 

‘I’m the boss. They do what I tell them.’

 

‘And you’re so good at bossing, too, dear,” his grandmother said warmly. ‘At any rate, don’t concern yourself about the tree—we’ve got it all figured out. Now, let’s get out of the way and let him get back to being the boss, Ianto.’

 

‘I’ll walk you out,’ he said. ‘I could use a little fresh air after that climb, anyway.’

 

Estelle dawdled behind, looking at some sporting extras, and then making up her mind, hurried ahead through the crowd to the checkout lines with some merchandise in hand.

 

They reached the entrance and Jack leaned against one of the pillars just inside the main door. Ianto leaned against the pillar next to him. ‘Look, about the Christmas tree, Jack,’ he started, ‘I think Estelle saw my little tree yesterday when you carried it in. It was right on top of the crate, and I think that’s what gave her the notion.’

 

‘Oh—of course.’ Jack remembered his own reaction to seeing the pathetic little thing with it five too-big ornaments. Gran, sentimental old daring that she was, would have felt even more strongly that anyone who would cherish such a poor little tree deserved a real one.

 

‘So, if you want to blame me,’ Ianto said. ‘I guess you can go right ahead.’

 

‘Oh, what the hell,’ Jack said. ‘It’s her last Christmas in the house—so she should have whatever she wants.’

 

Estelle came up to them, triumphantly waving a shopping bag emblazoned with the Hub’s logo, and Jack pushed the door open for her.

 

Ianto looked at him. ‘I’m really glad you feel that way,’ he murmured.

 

Jack’s skin prickled—and not just because of the cold wind. There was something in his tone...

 

Jack scanned the car park, looking for the small, faded red car, and blinked in astonishment when his grandmother stopped beside a very different vehicle—a dark green and obviously brand new sport utility vehicle. And on top of it, neatly bound with rope and tied down tight with bungee cords—

 

It wasn’t the tallest pine tree he’d ever seen, but it was certainly the longest he’d ever encountered in a horizontal position. At least he thought it was—but his eyes seemed to be freezing solid in the brisk wind so he wasn’t quite certain what he was looking at. ‘Gran, what’s this?’

 

She smiled merrily. ‘Isn’t it nice? Have you got the keys, Ianto? I’ll put this stuff in the back.”

 

‘An SUV,’ Jack said faintly. ‘You bought an SUV just so you could get your tree home, Gran.’

 

‘Of course not,’ she said indignantly.

 

Jack sighed in relief. That sounded more like his grandmother. Renting the vehicle for the day, or borrowing it from a good-hearted neighbour, would make a great deal more sense that actually buying it.

 

‘We’ll be hauling all sorts of stuff as we clear the house out,’ Estelle said, ‘and it would have been simply too hard for Ianto to get big boxes of things in and out of that little car. So I decided to make it easier on him.’

 

Jack’s jaw dropped, and now his tongue was starting to freeze.

 

‘Besides,’ she went on, ‘the nice salesman gave me a whole lot more money for my car than you thought it was worth, so trading ended up being much more sensible than just selling it for taxi fare. And you did tell Ianto to buy me new tyres, so—’

 

Jack sputtered. ‘Damn it, Ianto, you told her about the tyres?’

 

Ianto sounded defensive. ‘Well, you didn’t actually say I shouldn’t mention it. And I thought if she understood that you really would like to do something for her—’

 

Jack couldn’t even find his voice.

 

Estelle said, ‘You thought I’d turn down the gift if I knew about it, didn’t you? But Ianto was very convincing that I should let you make things easier for me.’ Estelle opened the passenger door and stood back to show it off. ‘Isn’t this nice? See how the little board slides out automatically, so I have a step? Don’t forget to give him the bill, Ianto.” She climbed up into the SUV and firmly closed the door.

 

‘The bill? You mean the bill for the—?’

 

Ianto was very convincing that I should let you make things easier for me.

 

Ianto looked at him with a gleam in his eyes that made Jack long to choke him. The he pulled a sheaf of paper out of the pocket of his overcoat.

 

Jack murmured, ‘Gran would be the one person on the planet to get confused about the difference between a set of tyres and a set of wheels. I didn’t intend to buy her a whole—’

 

‘Remember?’ Ianto chided. ‘You said you’re not the one with a cheap streak. Well, here’s your chance to prove it. And from now on when you ride with me, you won’t feel like you’re in a tin can.’ Ianto smirked and left Jack standing in the cold staring after them as he drove away.

 

*~*

A/N 2: Two secondary characters will be introduced shortly and I’d like your opinion again. They will stir up a bit of tension – well, one of them mostly. I have the ideas of Tosh being one of the characters and had thought of Owen as the other just so they both got their time in this fic. However, the character that Owen would be taking on is seen to take an interest in Jack, but this role would really suit Gwen (whom I’m not too fond of). I then thought maybe we could use the character of James Harper – in an almost narcissistic way – being that someone like Jack himself is trying to get to him???

 

So, Owen, Gwennie, or James? Although Gwen would be perfect as the simpering suitor, I am leaning toward James. What say you? If James or Owen, I can leave Jack as liking guys and if it was to be Gwen I would have to change the fact that Jack likes everyone, which would be more Jack’s style – but also his intro to Tosh.
 

Comments

[sbs_01]

One vote for James Harper. I think Gwen would be out of place in this story.

[madbottoms]

Thanks for that. I think you're right. Cheers.

[ukdramafan.livejournal.com]

I love this AU series, it's just wonderful.
As much as I'd like to see Owen introduced somehow, please choose Gwen or James, as the idea of Owen and Jack (even AU) is a definite squick for me. I think there was platonic love between them on the show, or maybe paternal love from Jack to Owen, along with professional respect (excluding the whole shooting thing, of course!) but sexual interest? Please don't.

[madbottoms]

Well there would have been no sexual interest on Jack's part in any case, but I do agree. I think it willend up being James.

Gald you are enjoying it. Cheers.

[chamilet]

Please not Gwen. I'm enjoying this story and if it gets all Gwen-bashy I'll have to stop reading.

[madbottoms]

Noted!. Glad you are enjoying it and I don't want to ruin that. Cheers!

[chamilet]

Yes, always happy for new TW fics. Particularly Jack/Ianto ones!

[reddwarfer]

I just read through til now. I must say, this is the first time I've read a Jack/Ianto fic where I really wanted Ianto to forget Jack and get himself a decent boy/girlfriend. lol. I keep thinking, 'what a complete smeghead' Anyhow, I do like Ianto and Estelle's building friendship. It's quite lovely.

I've no preference for the new arrivals. Though, if it is Gwen, I'd prefer it not to be a completely unflattering portrayal.

[madbottoms]

Cheers! Jack is a bit of a git, but I am hopeful he will eventually be liked for some of his redeeming qualities.

I think James is the clear winner so far for one of the new arrivals. Thanks for the opionion.

[reddevilpoes]

I think James would be an interesting choice. I have no love for Gwen, but do not want any gwen-bashing in this fic..somehow it doesn't feel right for it.
And Owen and Jack...uuuhhmm NO NO No No
I'd sooner see Owen with Ianto...

[socalrose]

Loving the story. Could just picture Jack's expression when Ianto handed him the bill for the SUV. Sweet!

I vote for James too.

[madbottoms]

Glad you are enjoying it. Thanks for the vote.

[madbottoms]

I think James is the clear winner. Thanks for the vote.

I can see your aversion to Jack and Owen, too. Have no worries I won't squick you out any further with that notion. :)

[evalentine99.livejournal.com]

first things first. As much as I would like to vote for Gwen I vote for James.

There was so much I enjoyed about this chapter.

Jack chocking as he saw Ianto come down the stairs.

The fact that he slipped and fell off the Wall he had designed himself. Loved the metaphor. I imaging Jack has created quite a mountain for himself and he is headed for one hell of a fall. Hope he falls right on his arse!

To the 'Get my Gran a new set of wheels" Loved it!

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Seems LIke James might be a winner. Cheers.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Jack has certainly created something and I don't think he knows how to figure it out just yet. Whethe rit's on his arse or not, he's definitely going to fall!

[bluelilacs.livejournal.com]

For me it's between Owen and James, as the whole Gwen hanging all over Jack scenario has really run it's course and then some with me. I have a hard time picturing Owen being interested in Jack in any way other than in a friends/father/son type relationship. They've never come across to me as having anything close to what would classify as chemistry between them, so I'll have to vote for James, also.

I absolutely adore Estelle in this. I love that Jack has unwittingly bought her a new SUV. His own fault really. He made a big deal out of not wanting her to drive herself, so she hired a driver. He made a big deal of not trusting the car she drove, so she let him buy her a new one, for Ianto to drive. Makes perfect sense to me.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wasn't reallt comfortable with Owen either, so it looks like James is coming out a winner here.

Estelle is a cheeky thing, and she knows how to work her grandson, she's had years of experience.

Cheers

[sammydragoncat]

Love the update. I vote for James.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Cheers. Thanks for the vote.

[jsks.livejournal.com]

i vote for james.
ianto and estelle are going to keep jack on his toes.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

They certainly are. They make a good team. Cheers and thanks for the vote.

[spud1963.livejournal.com]

Love how Ianto got Jack in the end lol. The atrraction is still their obviously. I think Ianto is going to be good for that family :) Looking forward the the next chapter :)

Oh and I'd pick Gwen, she plays a self centred bitch very well lol. As you can see i don't like her alot as well lol

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is definitely an attraction there no matter the past...maybe because of the past. Yes, I think Iantro will be very good for them.

Cheers.

[sandysan2013.livejournal.com]

I love the business choice - it's perfect for Jack! It would never have occurred to me and that is why YOU are the creative genius chosen by the muses to write this lovely story.

I vote for James Harper as Ianto's rival. The canon character was nice and genuinely attracted to Jack. Jack can still be bisexual, even if the immediate love interests are still male. If you must have her, Gwen could be a former flame who has moved on but remains friendly. As could the lovely Tosh, though I much prefer to see her paired with Ianto for a bit of jealousy inducing drama coming from Jack. We've seen lots of the Jack/Into/Gwen triad in this fandom so there isn't much surprise there. Although, your skillful hands will no doubt make it interesting, it would be nice to see something different.

I'm enjoying this story very much. It is simple and endearing - just the thing for a sleepy Monday morning.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Well, I think James might be the go - thanks for the vote.

The characters will be introduced in the next couple of chapters.

I'm glad you are enjoying the story and have such faith. Cheers

[forsaken2003.livejournal.com]

Hire a moving van really Jack?!?!

How is Ianto dangerous?

*Bursts out laughing* Oh Ianto!

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Danger to his feelings, the the feelings Ianto can evoke in Jack...

[diggybear.livejournal.com]

Great chapter! As much as I'd like to see Owen make an appearance, I think you should go with James. Like someone said the Gwen pining after Jack thing is always done. It would be interesting to see it being another character.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Cheers! Yeah I think James is the winner here. Although his character won't be explored very much at all, he will be in a few strategic parts of the story.

[pharlap1.livejournal.com]

love the update

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Cheers.

[lone-star-woman.livejournal.com]

‘My goodness, dear, I thought for a moment you were choking.’

LOL. Estelle knows where there's smoke, there's fire. She's such a sly fox. Jack doesn't stand a chance against her and Ianto.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Estelle's a treat, for sure. Glad you like her. Cheers

[lilferret]

Wow, um, I think James. The idea of Owen having a thing for Jack makes me slightly ill. Lol

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Ha ha! I think James is a popular choice but now I'm having second thoughts and maybe thinking John..... Decisions....

[black59.livejournal.com]

always nice to read that is both light, fun while advancing the story.
I feel that, for now, it's Ianto who scores!
:-))))
I can not help but think that Estelle, fine as she is, will soon realize what is happening with Jack!


Tosh will also lead to tension? I am curious to know how? may be being a very close frie
nd of Ianto? the point where Jack might think they are more than friends?Not Gwen! it is so often. change! I vote for James Harper (although here I do not see who it is!)

I don't see how Owen could create tension: it is not the type of Ianto or Jack (at least for me, maybe because he isn't my type!)
As for John: No, really not want to see!


I love, really love
thanks for this magnific story.

[slns7552.livejournal.com]

If you have to bring in a love interest (which personally I don't see a need for as Jack and Ianto already have enough issues) why not give him to Ianto? Jack's an ass and Ianto could use something or one in his life.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Well I had only just been thinking last night that maybe there should be someone else for Ianto. There are two more characters to be introduced so maybe...

Cheers

[excentric397.livejournal.com]

Another one I waited til it was done to get reading. Loving it so far. Jack can be such a jerk, but I have a feeling Estelle (I just love her, how can you not?)and Ianto will sort him out. Thanks for sharing.

[madbottoms.livejournal.com]

Cheers. Yes, it's complete now. Perhaps something extra may be added later.

Jack is a bit if a jerk, but he has his reasons, whether they are right or not, though...

Estelle is great and it will all eventually get sorted out, but the journey is so muchg fun.