Opportunities/One door closes...and a window opens (18/22)

[madbottoms]

Title: Opportunities/One door closes...and a window opens (18/22)

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, Tosh, James, Rhys (briefly)

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: I thought I’d give you all a treat before I head off to work on this lovely and surprisingly sunny Friday morning. Enjoy. Any mistakes...bugger ‘em. It’s almost the weekend and I’m too excited to care. J In this part, it’s Christmas time at the Hub and James and Tosh make another appearance. Meanwhile, Ianto has a revelation that shocks him.

*~*

Chapter Eighteen

 

The caterers had set up buffet tables even before the Hub doors were locked, and within minutes of closing time on Christmas Eve, the food was arranged and the staff had begun to gather in the large atrium of the Hub. Jack could hear the rumble of conversation as he made a last-minute check of the sales figures for all the Hubs.

 

‘How’s it look, boss?’ the Cardiff Hub manager asked. ‘How are we doing in comparison?’

 

‘Pretty well. The bonuses are all sorted, right?’

 

The manager patted his pocket. ‘I thought I’d start with that as soon as everyone was here.’ He grinned. ‘Nothing like some unexpected money to loosen up a party. You want to do the honours?’

 

Jack shook his head. ‘That’s your job, Rhys. I’m only here by accident.’ He signed off the network and shutdown the computer.

 

‘Fine with me—I’m happy to be the bearer of good news. I saw your grandmother come in, by the way. She and some fit looking bloke are waiting for you by the buffet table. The bloke asked where you were.’

 

Fit looking bloke? Ianto, of course. ‘Why Rhys, I didn’t know you felt that way. If only I’d know sooner.’ Jack winked.

 

‘Oi, Harkness. There’ll be none of that.’ Rhys winked back, cheekily. ‘Let’s just say I can appreciate a fit looking person when I see one.’ Jack agreed. And with that, Rhys mock saluted his boss, and moved off.

 

There was no reason why Rhys’ comment should send his blood pressure up; anyone could see that Ianto was gorgeous in every way.

 

He saw them from the top of the stairs. Estelle with her coat slung casually around her shoulders, Ianto wearing a striking grey pin-striped suit that hugged his body and made him look stunningly handsome. Did somebody turn the heat up?

 

He descended to the ground level and joined them near the buffet table. ‘Gran, Ianto.’

 

Estelle nodded and smiled.

 

‘Nice spread,’ Ianto said. His gaze followed Estelle a few steps toward the table, and he lowered his voice. ‘I need to talk to you.  Alone.’

 

Jack didn’t miss a beat. ‘Your climbing gear came in. Want to come and take a look?’

 

Ianto rolled his eyes, but he grabbed the cue. ‘Of course. We’ll be back in a minute, Estelle.’

 

Estelle waved a casual hand, seemingly too intent of examining the ice sculpture centrepiece to notice whether they were there or not.

 

As they walked away, Ianto muttered, ‘You couldn’t think of a better cover than suggesting climbing gear for an activity you have no hope in getting me to take part in?’

 

‘Hey, it worked, right? Love the suit by the way. When did you and Gran fit time in to shop?’

 

‘We didn’t. This came straight out of the cupboards in the dressing room. It was actually one of your grandfather’s. But we are making a significant dent.’

 

‘Dents? And that explains why I’ve been climbing over piles to get in and out of the house?’

 

‘At least it’s not the same pile,’ Ianto defended. ‘In the last two days I’ve been back to the shelter, to the library with books to donate, to a home for single mums to drop off wool and needles for knitting, to a group home and to the senior citizens centre. The dressing room is still a bit of a mess, but that’s because the drama department at the university is closed down this week, so we can’t get rid of the vintage clothes.’ He flicked a hand across his suit jacket.

 

‘So, you’re wearing the stuff instead? Have you decided to accept Gran’s gift?’

 

‘The house? Do I look like I’m nuts? I don’t need an ulcer on top of everything else.’

 

‘Then you understand how I feel about it.’

 

‘But what are we going to do, Jack?’ Ianto paused for a deep breath and said thoughtfully, ‘You now, sometimes I get the impression that she’d really like to stay. I’ve been talking to her about remodelling, to make it easier to live in, and if it wasn’t for the work and mess and confusion that’s involved I think she’d love your ideas.’

 

‘Wait a minute. My ideas?’

 

‘Yes—that’s why I need to talk to you. To fill you in so you don’t blow it if she happens to mention remodelling.’

 

‘Thoughtful of you. What great ideas have I had?’

 

‘The main one involves turning the linen closet into a master bath and laundry combination.’

 

‘Why on earth would I do that?’

 

‘Because most laundry originates from the bedrooms. It’s handier not to have to carry it all the way downstairs and then back up again. And the extra bath will be very useful when there are children.’

 

‘Hold everything right there. Kids? What are you telling her?’

 

‘Just that you’re still young and one day you might settle down and want kids.’

 

‘You told Gran, I want the house? After all the fuss and frustration I’ve had to convince her otherwise?’

 

Ianto looked so innocent that he was tempted to wring his skinny little neck, before he could slap him with any other surprises. Though Jack supposed it would be more sensible to wait until he spilled all the current ones first—just in case.

 

‘Not exactly,’ Ianto said carefully. ‘I may—possibly—have hinted that you’re actually fonder of the place than you’re letting on.’

 

Which meant of course, that he’d actually come out and said it. ‘Why?’

 

‘Why am I sure that deep down you want it? Because it offended you so much when she tried to give it to me. And don’t pretend it didn’t, because I won’t believe you. Maybe you’re planning for it to be your summer retreat? It’s not like that would be anything new. And then eventually—’

 

‘You’ve been telling her I want to remodel the place and live in it until it’s time to take it over? And that would be when? When I retire in forty years, maybe?’

 

‘Well, yes, sort of. Only I don’t think she’s going for it,’ Ianto admitted. ‘All the dust and noise, remodelling puts her right off the idea. So I was thinking, Jack—if you were to send her and Emma on a round-the-world cruise...’

 

‘And rebuild her house while she’s gone? What if she comes home and announces that she still wants to move into the retirement home?’

 

Ianto signed. ‘Then I guess you’d have a very updated stately home.’

 

‘Or you would. She sounds pretty determined that you’re going to end up with it.’

 

‘Maybe I’ll tell her I plan to turn the garage and carport into a party room with a hot stub to seat eight, she’ll change her mind about me being the right person to take care of her house.’ Ianto looked over Jack’s shoulder. ‘Oops.’

 

‘What? Gran on her way to find us?’

 

‘Not quite.’

 

Jack turned around to see James, leering at him as he made his way down the aisle toward them, the predator-like leer slowly morphing into a fake smile.

 

‘Evening,’ he said. ‘This is odd, finding you two here. Estelle told me you’d be in the climbing department.’

 

‘We’re just on our way back,’ Jack said smoothly. ‘What brings you to the party?’

 

‘Oh, Tosh invited me. She said that all the employees were told they could bring a guest.’

 

Ianto raised his eyebrow. ‘You hired Tosh? You didn’t mention that before.’

 

And when, Jack wondered irritably, would he have had the opportunity? Every time he’d seen Ianto in the last few days he’d had his head in a cupboard or his hands full of boxes and bags. ‘Not all the new staff who were hired when the store opened have worked out. That happens with any new store when there’s an entirely new crew. So I needed an extra pair of hands. I thought I’d give her a chance.’

 

‘Nobody here is experienced?’ Ianto sounded disbelieving.

 

He’s doing his accountant impression again. ‘The manager has been with me for years, and a few of the assistants.’

 

‘So you’ve been working the floor all week?’

 

‘Among other things. It keeps me in touch with the customers.’

 

‘I imagine it does.’

 

James, obviously annoyed at being left out of the conversation said, ‘So, you’ve decided to start climbing after all, Ianto. I wonder what could have possibly changed your mind about that.’

 

‘Isn’t that obvious?’ Ianto said sweetly. ‘It’s my utter fascination with everything that Jack does. I’m sure you understand that feeling...’

 

Jack could have cheerfully knocked their heads together. ‘I’m going for something to eat,’ he announced. ‘The boxing ring’s over that way, if you two want to suit up and go at it.’

 

A couple of months ago he would have gladly watched these two fight over him, and then shallowly taken them both to bed. But things had changed, his feelings had changed. Feelings he really didn’t want to contemplate, yet he thought about them every day.

 

*~*

 

Boxing ring, Ianto thought. As if he’d fight over him—though he had no doubts that James would. Much as he’d enjoyed teasing Jack about his ego, Ianto had to admit that James’ intentions were pretty obvious.

 

James laughed, a rough cackle that—to Ianto, at least—didn’t sound at all amused. ‘How very crude it would be of us to squabble in public—as if you were a toy we both want.’ And as if to indicate that he didn’t need to fight for Jack, he put his arm around his shoulders, and steered him toward the rising noise of the party.

 

Ianto followed along shooting daggers into their backs. But he was quite happy to hang back and be ignored for the moment. What on earth had inspired him to descend to James’ level anyway?

 

The party was in full swing. The tables of food already looked ravaged, the Hub’s music system had been turned up, and a few employees were dancing in the atrium. Jack and James were immediately swallowed up by the crowd, but Ianto dawdled behind.

 

He wasn’t unnoticed, however, for as he paused on the edge of the party Toshiko came up beside him with a couple of beers. ‘Hi, Ianto. Join me for a drink?’

 

‘Why not? Good to see you again, Tosh. Jack tells me he’s hired you to work here.’ Ianto wasn’t sure of her role, because a few minutes ago, Jack seemed to infer that she was just another salesclerk. Yet, in this sea of Hub standard uniforms, Toshiko was dressed as neatly and professional as any vice-president in a stunning black pencil skirt and purple blouse any CEO would be proud of. ‘What are you doing?’ The question was idle; Ianto was watching James, who hadn’t moved from Jack’s side, almost as if he were playing host alongside Jack. Twat!

 

‘Well, an offer to look at his IT systems and create a more streamlined system to connect all the Hubs was discussed. However, he was short-handed so he asked me to help out on the floor for now. He seemed to think it was a good idea for me to experience that part of the business anyway. I was happy to do it, of course.’

 

Well, if Jack was working on the floor himself, it wasn’t too much to ask anyone else to do the same. ‘He has a good point, Tosh, and I am sure you are brilliant at it, just like you are with your programs.’

 

‘Thanks, Ianto. How about you? You seem to be have a good deal, right now,’ she said. ‘I mean, you and Jack—I sensed something going on between you. There’s a history I think.’

 

‘It’s not like that, me and Jack. In fact, there is absolutely nothing going on between us. Like you said, it’s history and not worth dragging into the present. I’m just helping out Estelle.’

 

‘Oh?’ There was definitely more behind Tosh’s ‘oh’ than Ianto would care to imagine.

 

‘Yes, it’s only for a couple of weeks—well, one more really. Then I’m back at school to finish off my last semester.’

 

‘That must be exciting, to finally see the finish line. I know you’ve been through some hard times and I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you,’ Tosh apologised.

 

Although she knew about some Ianto’s past, she didn’t know it all. But Tosh had been there when he’d needed a friend and didn’t push for answers he knew she had questions about. That’s what he loved about her most.

 

‘I understand, Tosh. You had your own life and career to chase, and that’s how it should be.’ Ianto smiled at her fondly. ‘But let’s not dwell on the past. Maybe we could try and keep in touch this time. If you’re going to be staying in Cardiff again, we can see each other more often.’

 

‘I’d like that, Ianto.’ Tosh took a sip of beer and then looked at Ianto again. ‘So do you think Jack would consider moving his head office to Cardiff?’

 

‘Why do you ask that?’ he asked casually.

 

‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe he’s considering a change. I mean his grandmother lives here, he went to school here. You’re here.’ This time she did push.

 

‘Tosh, I already told you, nothing is going on between us.’ Ianto looked toward the crowd and spotted Jack again.

 

‘Is that why you keep searching for him in the crowd, or why you couldn’t keep your eyes off him at dinner, and vice versa?’

 

‘Tosh, please, I don’t—’ Maybe Tosh was too close to the mark than Ianto wanted to accept.

 

‘Okay, Ianto. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.’

 

Ianto smiled at her. ‘It’s fine, Tosh.’

 

Just then, the music died down and the Hub manager, Rhys stepped onto a makeshift podium. ‘Is everybody having a good time? Don’t worry, I’m not announcing work schedules for next week, and I’ll let you get back to partying in a minute. In the meantime, though, Santa made an early stop—assisted by our boss—’ he paused to let the applause die down. ‘—and he asked me to hand out a few gifts.’ He pulled a pile of envelopes from the bulging inside pocket of his jacket. ‘I’m going to call names.’

 

While this was going on, Ianto excused himself and wandered toward a display of windchimes. They were so perfectly balanced that even the movement of people in the atrium caused them to murmur. He closed his eyes and listened to the soft music of the chimes, to the voice droning the names, and the happy chatter of those who had already opened their envelopes.

 

‘Let’s all thank Jack,’ Rhys suggested, and this time the applause seemed to take forever to die down. ‘Now, just one more thing. I’d like to introduce someone else who has a few words to say—someone who just this week received a donation from our boss: a full gym set up for the Mission Shelter, as well as some other much needed items.’

 

This got Ianto’s attention. The shelter was where Jack had gone with Ianto just last Sunday, to deliver a load of sheets, towels and soap.

 

It was very interesting, he thought, that when he’d told him just a few minutes ago about going back to the shelter with another donation he hadn’t mentioned his own gift. Interesting—and also very much like Jack, he thought, to try and avoid getting the credit. He hadn’t bragged about hiring Tosh, either. And Estelle had told him Jack had even tried to duck out of that banquet in his honour at the university.

 

Well, he was glad he hadn’t managed to avoid that evening’s festivities, or he would never have met him again. He would never have come to love him...

 

The realisation was so smooth, so natural, that for a moment Ianto didn’t realise what he was thinking. Then the fact hit him as if the climbing wall had suddenly crumbled.

 

For the last six years Jack had always been at the back of his mind. He’d been his first lover, and there was no forgetting that. But all this time, while he’d thought he’d been nursing his irritation at Jack, and the hurt and humiliation of the past, he’d been fooling himself. He’d been getting more and more deeply involved with each conversation, each smile—each kiss. And as he had gotten to know the real Jack, he had fallen in love with him—again. 

 

The problem was he didn’t want it to be true—because he wanted Jack to care as much about him as he cared about Jack. And that was never going to happen.