Fic: The Soundtrack of a Relationship - Part 6
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Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, they just inhabit my dreams.
A/N - This is part 6 of a 12 chapter story about Jack and Ianto's relationship inspired by several songs I've heard over the past few days. I have a wide taste in music, so please forgive me if there are a couple of cheesy 80's tunes. The songs that inspired the individual chapters are listed just before the chapter begins and will also be listed in the "Music" area below the entry. Please, if you spot any mistakes and/or improvements, let me know (happy/"well done" comments appreciated too!). Thanks & I hope you enjoy the story!
Read Part 1 here...
Read Part 2 here...
Read Part 3 here....
Read Part 4 here....
Read Part 5 here...
Song: High Enough by Damn Yankees
The next song started to play...
"I don't wanna hear about it anymore
It's a shame I've got to live without you anymore
There's a fire in my heart
A pounding in my brain
It's driving me crazy"
Jack looked back down at the letter....
When you came back, I wasn't sure what to think. You were looking at me when you said 'I came back for you. For all of you.', but then later I saw you talking to Gwen on the CCTV and you told her something similar. Then Captain John showed up and you asked me out on a date. I was so confused, but I desperately wanted to believe that you felt something for me. You'd hurt me so bad, but you were so sincere. So I accepted....
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Captain Jack Harkness was nervous. It was a novel sensation, but not one he really cared for. Tonight was his date with Ianto and he wanted everything to be perfect. He'd thought about this so much during the year on the Valiant, how nice it would be to spend some time with the young man away from the office. Unfortunately, he had no idea where to go on their date. Dinner, yes..but where? A pub? No, too casual. He'd finally decided on one of Cardiff's nicer restaurants and made reservations. Dinner would only take so long though, then what? Dancing? A movie? What did people in this day and age do on dates? He decided to bring in outside help and looked at the team members below...Tosh? No, she never talked about going out. Owen? Jack laughed to himself, that'll be the day. He called Gwen up to his office.
"Yes, Jack?"
"I have a problem that I need your help with." Jack began. "You go out on dates with Rhys, right?"
Gwen looked confused, but nodded. "Do you have a date, Jack?" Her voice incredulous.
"Ummm, yeah, I do. I have dinner reservations, but...." this was awkward.
"You want to know what to do after dinner." Gwen smiled.
Jack looked sheepish. "Yes, I just...it's been so long since I took anyone on a date, and I want it to be special."
Gwen gave him a knowing look, "Ianto?" She asked.
"Yes. Do you have any ideas on what he'd like to do? I know you guys worked closely together while I was away." The hopeful look on his face made Gwen laugh. Who knew that Jack Harkness could be so anxious about such a simple thing as a date?
"Well, we mainly talked about work, but he did let slip once that he liked old movies."
"Gwen, I've been around since movie theatres first became popular...what exactly do you mean by 'old movies'?" Jack ran an exasperated hand through his hair. "Give me a timeframe to work with here. Please?"
"1940's, 50's maybe early 60's? There was some classic movie festival a few weeks ago that he was going on about. Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn? Something like that anyway." She took pity on the man in front of her. "I'll check and see what's playing, shall I? When is your date?"
"Tonight."
Walking back to her desk, she brought up the movie theatre times on her computer screen. Finally finding one that sounded perfect, she emailed Jack the time and place that it was playing. Then she asked him what he was going to wear.
"Gwen!!" Jack's voice rang through the Hub. "Get back up here, right now!"
She walked back into his office, grinning.
"What do you mean 'what am I going to wear'?" he demanded.
"Well, I was just wondering if you were going to wear you're regular type of outfit or if you had anything more...." her voice trailed off.
"More what?" His eyes were narrowed in suspicion.
"Modern?"
He stood up, grabbing her hand and dragging her down into his room under his office. She was laughing breathlessly as he threw open his closet.
"Find something."
She browsed through the clothes hanging there and finally decided on a nice pair of black trousers and a black waistcoat. There was even a suit jacket that matched the rest of the outfit.
"Wear a blue shirt, it brings out the color in your eyes."
Later that evening, Jack was standing on Ianto's doorstep. When the door opened, he offered Ianto the long-stemmed red rose he was holding. He enjoyed the slight blush on the younger man's cheeks and when Ianto looked up with a smile, Jack nearly lost himself in the happiness shining out of the soft blue eyes.
"Shall we go?" he asked, offering Ianto his arm.
The young man laughed and turned to shut and lock the door before placing his hand on Jack's arm.
Jack held the car door open for Ianto, then got in behind the wheel and drove to the restaurant.
He'd chosen the Bayside Brasserie on the Mermaid Quay, close to the bay. They were seated immediately and Jack ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon.
Ianto raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are we celebrating something, Sir?"
"Ianto...." he drew out the syllables in the name, giving the younger man a teasing stern look.
"Jaa-ack..." Ianto drew his name out the same way. "Are we celebrating?"
"Yep. We're celebrating you saying yes to a date!"
Ianto's blue eyes went serious when he said softly, "All you ever had to do was ask."
Jack nodded once in acknowledgement of that statement, regret showing in his dark blue eyes. Ianto's hand reached across the table to squeeze Jack's fingers, giving him a small smile of forgiveness.
The champagne arrived and when their glasses were full, Jack raised his in a toast. "To new beginnings," he said softly.
Ianto's glass clinked against his, "To new beginnings," he agreed.
Jack made a conscious effort to keep the dinner conversation away from work, drawing Ianto out about his childhood and university days. He shared memories from his younger days, too, opening up some about his past. It felt good to relax and talk about small things. Just getting to know each other.
After dinner was over, Ianto was surprised when Jack drove to the movie theatre. When he saw what was playing, he looked at Jack with a teasing sparkle in his eyes.
"If you tell me that you actually knew Cary Grant, I'm going to make you take me home right now."
"No, I never knew Cary Grant. I spent the 40's fighting the German's in WWII, not swanning around Hollywood." Jack laughed.
"Ok, good. Because 'Charade' is one of my all-time favorite movies and I'd hate to have to be jealous everytime I watched it!"
Jack bought the tickets and they entered the darkened movie theatre, choosing seats close to the back in the middle of the row. As the opening credits began, Jack felt Ianto's slender fingers entwine with his. He glanced over at the younger man and smiled, keeping his fingers cradled gently in his warm hand.
They both enjoyed the movie tremendously and spent the car ride back to Ianto's flat discussing finer details of the movie.
"So, Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn?" Jack asked.
Ianto rolled his eyes, but then he laughed and admitted, "Both. Audrey had such an ethereal beauty and I've always had a thing for older men." He darted a teasing look at Jack.
Jack threw back his head and laughed at that.
Pulling back up in front of Ianto's, Jack got out and opened the car door for the younger man again. They walked up to the front door and Jack was suddenly nervous again. It had been a good evening, but how would it end? Would Ianto invite him in? Was it too soon?
Ianto turned when they reached the door and caught the slight look of nervousness on the other man's face. Reaching out, he pulled Jack to him and kissed the older man. Jack wrapped his arms around Ianto and deepened the kiss. Moments passed in a haze of passion. When they broke apart, Ianto looked into Jack's eyes and asked, "Do you want to come in?"
"Yes, I do, but I don't want to push too fast, Ianto." Jack replied.
"It's not too fast, Jack. I need for you to help me forget the pain of the past few weeks. Stay with me tonight. Please." Ianto's soft words were like acid on Jack's conscience, but he couldn't deny the younger man's plea, or his own need to reconnect with his lover. He nodded and followed the young man through the doorway.
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Back in the present, Jack wondered how they'd gotten from that first beautiful evening together to this.
"Can you take me high enough
Won't you fly me over (won't you fly me over) yesterday
Can you take me high enough
It's never over..."
tbc
Chapter 7.....