madbottoms | Opportunities/One door closes...and a window opens (21/23) (Reply)

Title: Opportunities/One door closes...and a window opens (21/23)

Rating: PG

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: Christmas morning goes a little awry.

~

Chapter Twenty One

Ianto paused. ‘You’ve reconsidered?’

Jack leaned back and folded his hands behind his head. ‘Why? You didn’t like the idea of a hot tub for eight right outside the neighbour’s side door?’

Estelle laughed merrily. ‘Only if I get to come and see it—and enjoy seeing the shock on their faces. But Ianto’s right—if you don’t want the house, then I shouldn’t saddle either of you with it.’

‘So, you’re staying here?’ Jack asked casually.

‘Oh, no, dear. I still want something much smaller, much simpler, with much less responsibility. The solution was Ianto’s really. Well, not directly—but when we were choosing charities to donate things to it seemed such a pity that the only things I could give those in need were some sheets and towels. Since I’m not a doctor or a social worker, I can’t help them get better, but I can give them shelter.’

Since I’m not a doctor or a social worker, I can’t help them get better...

Ianto shifted, as if the hearthrug had suddenly grown hot under him. ‘Estelle—’

Ianto had gone pale. Jack noted. Because he isn’t going to get the house after all? But he’d swear Ianto had been sincere all the times he’d said he didn’t want it. Besides, Ianto was the most pragmatic person he’d ever run across, and he certainly knew how impractical it would be for a young man with no job to take on a house the size of Estelle’s.

So why was he turning white now, instead of looking relieved?

‘Young people in difficult situations need options,’ Estelle said. ‘Not new towels. The more we talked about it I realised Ianto knew what he was talking about when he said if those young people had real choices and a place to live, they’d get the help they need and make better decisions and could look forward to life. So, when neither of you seemed to want this big old house, I got to thinking about how it might do as a group home—a place where troubled kids could come for a while, rent-free, and where they could get the help they need, rather than living rough.’

‘That’s a noble idea, Gran,’ Jack said. He hardly heard what he was saying. ‘But—’

Estelle didn’t pause. ‘So, after the holidays are over, Ianto, I want you to invite your doctor-friend who runs that program, and we’ll sit down and talk about it—about how we could make it all work.’

Ianto swallowed hard. ‘Whatever you like, Estelle. But let’s talk about it some other time. Aren’t you going to open the rest of your gifts?’ Ianto reached for the package he’d put down and started to slowly tear off the paper.

Jack wasn’t sure what to make of that. I realised Ianto knew what he was talking about when he said if those young people had real choices and a place to live, they’d get the help they need...

Ianto knew what he was talking about...how?

From firsthand experience?

In some situations there aren’t any good choices, Ianto had told him. You just deal with it and go on, that’s all. It had been the voice of experience speaking then—matter-of-fact, almost toneless, with no pain. Not because there hadn’t been any pain involved, but because he was long past feeling it. It had been the voice of a man who had looked a bad break in the eye, dealt with it, and survived.

He’d wondered whether Ianto was talking about more than just his mother’s condition and his own illness. But when Jack had asked him about his own suspicions he’d almost ridiculed the idea.

You thought I might have been committed or something like my mother?

Jack wasn’t proud he’d inferred that he thought Ianto was crazy. He had assured Jack that wasn’t the case, anyway. Or had he? Ianto had been through so much already, and to think there had been more to it than Ianto had said worried Jack more than he realised.

Jack was contemplating the thought when a crash reverberated from the kitchen. It was a full three seconds before Jack, his reflexes numbed by the sudden questions whirling around his head, realised that the echo of clanging metal, shattering glass, and something heavy thudding on the floor was real.

Emma seemed to have taken a fall.

*~*

Estelle jumped up, untangled herself from the blanket, and rushed toward the kitchen. Ianto was only a couple of steps behind her, but as Estelle vanished around the corner and into the hall, Jack reached out and grabbed his arm, holding him back.

Ianto skidded to a halt. ‘What are you doing? We should go and see what happened in there!’

‘In a minute. She’s already swearing a blue streak—she sounds more angry than anything. Ianto...’ Jack took a deep breath. ‘About this doctor friend...’

Ianto couldn’t believe his ears. ‘Can’t we talk about this later, Jack? After the crisis is over?’

‘No, we can’t. How long have you known this doctor?’

‘Several years. If you’re asking whether she’s the sort of person who would take advantage of a kind-hearted lady who only wants to help people in need—’

‘No.’ Jack’s eyes were dark, the lines around them deeper than usual, as if he had a sudden splitting headache. ‘I just wondered how you happened to meet her. And how you know all about that stuff you told Gran about real choices and getting the help they needed. Did this doctor help you, Ianto?’ Jack sounded genuinely concerned and it surprised Ianto for a moment.

Ianto looked at Jack and bit his lip. When Estelle had started talking about it, he’d been afraid Jack might pick up on something. Estelle was very intuitive and Ianto wouldn’t be surprised if she suspected some of Ianto’s troubled past. But he wasn’t sure how she would feel if she knew just how troubled or about him and Jack, no matter how short-lived their past was. He really didn’t want to tell Jack how he had completely fallen apart. He may have had a small part in it, but it wasn’t his fault. Ianto had so much going on in his life back then that anything could have triggered his downward spiral. The cumulative effect had been spectacular to say the least.

‘Ianto, I know I have no right to ask you but, I am. I haven’t been the most accommodating person this last week and I’m sorry.’ Jack’s voice was low and apologetic.

Ianto took a deep breath and tried to think. As much as Ianto loved him, the overwhelming urge to hurt Jack was still racing through his mind. Ianto had been hurt badly and now he felt confused forhaving feelings that he shouldn't, given their history. But he did feel for him and with all his being he wished Jack felt the same.

You’re going to have to tell him. The man’s like a dog with a bone; he’s not going away unless you tell him.

Dread rolled in his stomach. What was Jack going to think of him once he found out? The words were out of his mouth before he could think it through any further. ‘I kinda went off the rails, okay,’ he started. ‘I got sick right after mum died and it took me a while to get back on my feet. I started classes again but then everything caught up with me and I did some stupid things, made some mistakes, and got myself into a whole of trouble. Your background check didn’t pick up on that, did it?’ Ianto smirked coldly.

‘Ianto...’

‘No, Jack. I don’t want to hear what you have to say right now. You wanted to hear it, so now I’m telling you,’ Ianto growled. ‘I had no one. My mum was dead, my dad had fucked off to God knows where. He didn’t even come to the funeral, but then nobody knew where he was.’

Ianto clenched his fists by his side and looked coldly at Jack. ‘You know I hated you for so long. I hated my dad for leaving, I hated my mum for leaving, and I hate the fact that...that—even though you have been the biggest prick to me this last week—I let myself fall for you...again.’

Jack stood silent, but Ianto could see something in his expression. Guilt? Sorrow? Love?

‘Ianto...’ Jack managed to finally croak out and moved to touch him.

‘You know what, Jack? Don’t touch me. Just don’t.’ Ianto stepped out of reach. ‘I think enough damage has been done.’

‘Please, Ianto,’ Jack pleaded.

‘No, I don’t want to hear what you have to say right now.’

‘So, you can accuse me of taking advantage of you, but you won’t even give me a chance to explain my side of this whole fucked up little soap opera it’s become?’ His voice had a sharp edge to it then calmed a little. ‘Look, I’m sorry. I’m not the cold-hearted bastard you think I am.’ Jack moved toward Ianto and he backed away further.

‘I know what you are Jack and—’

Jack interrupted him. ‘You have no bloody idea who or what I am, Ianto. You never even gave me a chance. You just took off and I never saw you again. You’re so intent on thinking of me as the bad guy. I wish you would just shut up and listen.’ The last words came out louder than he’d meant.

Before Ianto could form a reply Estelle walked back into the room.

‘It’s a pity,’ she said a little too cheerfully, ‘but there won’t be pecan rolls for breakfast after all. Emma’s wrist gave out as she was transferring them from the oven and she dropped the whole lot. We can eat boring old cereal and toast unless you’re willing to run down to the bakery that I believe is open this morning and grab some pastries.’ She looked from one to the other and frowned.

Ianto coughed. ‘I’ll go help Emma clean up.’ Ianto left the room without looking at Jack.

‘Oh, dear,’ she murmured. ‘So, not sorted?’ She looked at Jack questioningly and he shook his head.

Jack sighed. ‘I’ll go and get some pastries then, Gran.’