Fic: Vizzini's Rule (61/105)
Title: Vizzini's Rule, Chapter 61
Rating: R
Warnings: Just a little bad language
Spoilers: Season One thru Out of Time (1x10)
Disclaimer: Torchwood and all its wonderfulness belong to Russell T. Davies and the Mighty Beeb. Just goofin' around! All ©’s to Catherine Tregenna for dialogue and situations borrowed from Out of Time.
Summary: In which Ianto has an idea to help Emma...
Notes: This chapter introduces you (briefly) to my second Original Male Character - seriously, I can’t be stopped! Hope you like him! :)
Previous Chapters
Vizzini's Rule: Chapter Sixty-One
The next morning Ianto was a little late to work. He still arrived before everyone else, including Jack who had apparently gone out somewhere, but he was later than he liked. He and Tosh had closed down the pub and then loitered by their cars, just chatting and sobering up the last little bit in the cold night air. He got home just after midnight and fell into bed. He slept soundly for the first time in days, too tired to brood about Jack.
Tosh showed up shortly after he did, taking her cup of coffee from him as if he were serving ambrosia. Then, two by two, the rest of the team arrived with their chosen rift refugee. Jack and John came in first carrying, much to Ianto’s annoyance, Starbucks cups. They were deep in conversation and headed straight for Jack’s office where they closed the door and continued to talk. Owen and Diane followed close on their heels. Ianto and Tosh exchanged a few questioning glances as the two of them laughed together over something Owen had done earlier and then several knowing looks when Owen poured Diane a cup of coffee without being asked. Gwen and Emma were the last to arrive. There seemed to be a little awkwardness between them which only intensified when Gwen left Emma with Ianto (“You don’t mind looking after her for a bit do you, pet? Thanks.”) and barged into Jack’s office, interrupting his discussion with John.
As their raised voices trickled out into the Hub, Ianto rolled his eyes at Tosh and took Emma upstairs to the Tourist Office.
“Too much drama in there today,” he said apologetically as they rode up the elevator.
“I hope it’s nothing I did,” Emma said worriedly.
“I shouldn’t think so. They butt heads quite a bit.” Especially when Jack’s in a black mood and Gwen is her usual thoughtless self, he thought. “So,” Ianto said as he slipped through the beaded curtain behind the counter. “How are you settling in?”
“Alright, I guess,” Emma said as she took a seat in the desk chair Ianto offered when he came out of the back office, crossing her ankles in a very proper fashion. “I’m just sort of confused about what to do next.”
“Well, what we’re you planning to do before the rift interfered?” Ianto asked as he leaned on the counter.
“I was going to Dublin to care for my cousins.”
“But surely that was a temporary situation. What were you planning to do after that”
Emma blushed charmingly, “Sounds so stupid now, but I was hoping I’d find a nice boy and get married and have a family of my own.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Ianto said firmly, earning a grateful smile. “But since you’re on your own now, maybe you should think about what you’d like to do to support yourself until you meet a nice boy. They’re rather hard to find these days,” he teased.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Emma said, “You seem pretty nice.”
It was Ianto’s turn to blush. “Yes, well, we’re a dying breed,” he said uncomfortably. Wanting to change the subject, he asked, “What were you good at in school?”
“Nothing really. I just sort of muddled through.”
“Okay, then what do you enjoy doing? Hobbies, whatever?”
“I like reading. I love going to the pictures, but I said that at the big store. I guess I don’t have any hobbies, really. Oh, but I make all my own clothes. Does that count?”
“Is it something you enjoy?” he asked as he looked over her dress with a practiced eye.
“Oh yes! I love trying new patterns and even made some of my own a few times.”
“Well, people always need clothes. I’m sure someone with your skill could find work as a seamstress. I wouldn’t have guessed your dress wasn’t store-bought and I know clothes. My father was a tailor,” he explained.
“No wonder you always look so nice. Gwen took me out dancing last night and so many of the people were wearing the most awful clothes.”
Ianto laughed. “Knowing Gwen, I can just imagine the sort of place you went. Would you be interested in talking to someone who works in fashion? I have a friend from University who works for a designer in London. He might have some suggestions for you, who to talk to, who might be hiring.”
Emma practically beamed. “London?” she breathed. “Really?”
“Really,” Ianto smiled. “Should I give him a ring?”
“Oh yes, please!” Emma clapped her hands with delight. “Thank you so much, Mr. Jones!”
Ianto was suddenly struck with an almost physical memory of Brendan. He would swear he could hear Brendan calling him ‘Mr. Jones’, could smell his shampoo on Brendan’s hair as he leaned in to kiss him... Flushing slightly, Ianto shook his head. “Call me Ianto, please. I’ll just step outside and give him a ring.”
As Ianto headed for the Tourist Office door, Emma asked in a panicked voice, “What do I do if someone comes in?”
Smiling, Ianto pointed to the flyers for the Castle. “Just give them one of those. You don’t happen to speak Welsh do you?” Emma shook her head. “Too bad, that gets rid of them more quickly than anything else.” He smiled again and stepped out into the cloudy December day.
As he searched his mobile for one Jamieson Smith, Ianto let his mind wander back to the last time he’d seen his flatmate from University. It had been almost a year ago, at a New Year’s party. I’d taken Lisa and that bloke…Mark?...who had just moved in downstairs and didn’t know anyone in London. He remembered that Mark and Jamie had hit it off instantly and had disappeared together sometime before midnight.
No, that wasn’t the last time I saw Jamie, Ianto thought his hand gripping his phone. Jamie had come to Lisa’s ‘funeral’. Ianto could suddenly see him, standing with the crowd gathered around the empty coffin, the bright spring sunshine mocking their black coats as they went through the motions of burying Lisa. Ianto had stood apart, present for appearances sake only and because Lisa’s mother had begged him. He hadn’t spoken to Jamie that day, he hadn’t spoken to anyone, his behavior excused by everyone as grief.
Ianto shook his head. So much has changed, he thought. One year, it doesn’t seem possible. He sighed and pressed SEND, hoping Jamie hadn’t forgotten him.
Jamie answered on the fourth ring. “Ianto?” he asked, his disbelief clearly audible.
“Smith,” Ianto growled into the phone, their old greeting.
“Jones,” Jamie replied, his growl turning into a laugh at the end. “You will never guess where I am right now.”
“Where?” Ianto asked, relieved to find no immediate awkwardness between them.
“I’m standing on the Parade in the middle of campus.”
“What the hell are you doing in Bath?”
“Waxing nostalgic,” Jamie laughed. The sound was music to Ianto’s ears. No one laughed as much as Jamie. “So there I am, walking around looking at these kids, thinking of days gone by and feeling very old, I might add, and my phone rings. And it’s you. I always said you were telepathic. Where are you?”
“Cardiff.”
“Ah. Home again, home again…”
“Jiggety-jog,” Ianto finished. “Yeah, long story. Sorry I’ve been out of touch.”
“Out of touch? You dropped off the fucking face of the earth, son!”
Ianto flinched. “I know. After… everything I had to get out of London. Cardiff seemed as good a place as any.”
“Well, you’re back on the map now and it just so happens that I’m due in Newport to pick up Mark tomorrow and if you think I’m not driving an extra half hour to see you, you’re daft. Remember Mark?”
“My neighbor Mark?”
“Yeah, you and…” Ianto could hear Jamie swallow hard. “You and Lisa introduced us at that party. We’ve pretty much been together ever since.”
“That’s great. He was a nice guy.”
“Yeah, still is. Dunno know why I’m so attracted to Welshmen, but I’m sure it’s your fault,” Jamie teased.
“Hey, don’t blame me for your strange proclivities,” Ianto laughed. “Are you really coming here?”
“Yes indeedy. In fact,” Jamie paused, “Fuck it, I’ll be there by lunch.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I was just killing time in Bath. Might as well kill it in Cardiff with you instead. Unless you have plans?”
“No, not at all. I do have a favor to ask, but that can wait.”
“Should’ve know. No way you’re calling me out of the blue just ‘cause you missed me.”
“Hey,” Ianto said softly, his voice breaking a little. “I have missed you.”
Jamie chuckled. “’Course you have. Who wouldn’t miss me? Hang on to the waterworks ‘til I get there, Jones. We’ll have ourselves a good sob and then get pissed.”
“It’s a plan,” Ianto said.
TBC in Chapter Sixty-Two
Rating: R
Warnings: Just a little bad language
Spoilers: Season One thru Out of Time (1x10)
Disclaimer: Torchwood and all its wonderfulness belong to Russell T. Davies and the Mighty Beeb. Just goofin' around! All ©’s to Catherine Tregenna for dialogue and situations borrowed from Out of Time.
Summary: In which Ianto has an idea to help Emma...
Notes: This chapter introduces you (briefly) to my second Original Male Character - seriously, I can’t be stopped! Hope you like him! :)
Previous Chapters
Vizzini's Rule: Chapter Sixty-One
The next morning Ianto was a little late to work. He still arrived before everyone else, including Jack who had apparently gone out somewhere, but he was later than he liked. He and Tosh had closed down the pub and then loitered by their cars, just chatting and sobering up the last little bit in the cold night air. He got home just after midnight and fell into bed. He slept soundly for the first time in days, too tired to brood about Jack.
Tosh showed up shortly after he did, taking her cup of coffee from him as if he were serving ambrosia. Then, two by two, the rest of the team arrived with their chosen rift refugee. Jack and John came in first carrying, much to Ianto’s annoyance, Starbucks cups. They were deep in conversation and headed straight for Jack’s office where they closed the door and continued to talk. Owen and Diane followed close on their heels. Ianto and Tosh exchanged a few questioning glances as the two of them laughed together over something Owen had done earlier and then several knowing looks when Owen poured Diane a cup of coffee without being asked. Gwen and Emma were the last to arrive. There seemed to be a little awkwardness between them which only intensified when Gwen left Emma with Ianto (“You don’t mind looking after her for a bit do you, pet? Thanks.”) and barged into Jack’s office, interrupting his discussion with John.
As their raised voices trickled out into the Hub, Ianto rolled his eyes at Tosh and took Emma upstairs to the Tourist Office.
“Too much drama in there today,” he said apologetically as they rode up the elevator.
“I hope it’s nothing I did,” Emma said worriedly.
“I shouldn’t think so. They butt heads quite a bit.” Especially when Jack’s in a black mood and Gwen is her usual thoughtless self, he thought. “So,” Ianto said as he slipped through the beaded curtain behind the counter. “How are you settling in?”
“Alright, I guess,” Emma said as she took a seat in the desk chair Ianto offered when he came out of the back office, crossing her ankles in a very proper fashion. “I’m just sort of confused about what to do next.”
“Well, what we’re you planning to do before the rift interfered?” Ianto asked as he leaned on the counter.
“I was going to Dublin to care for my cousins.”
“But surely that was a temporary situation. What were you planning to do after that”
Emma blushed charmingly, “Sounds so stupid now, but I was hoping I’d find a nice boy and get married and have a family of my own.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Ianto said firmly, earning a grateful smile. “But since you’re on your own now, maybe you should think about what you’d like to do to support yourself until you meet a nice boy. They’re rather hard to find these days,” he teased.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Emma said, “You seem pretty nice.”
It was Ianto’s turn to blush. “Yes, well, we’re a dying breed,” he said uncomfortably. Wanting to change the subject, he asked, “What were you good at in school?”
“Nothing really. I just sort of muddled through.”
“Okay, then what do you enjoy doing? Hobbies, whatever?”
“I like reading. I love going to the pictures, but I said that at the big store. I guess I don’t have any hobbies, really. Oh, but I make all my own clothes. Does that count?”
“Is it something you enjoy?” he asked as he looked over her dress with a practiced eye.
“Oh yes! I love trying new patterns and even made some of my own a few times.”
“Well, people always need clothes. I’m sure someone with your skill could find work as a seamstress. I wouldn’t have guessed your dress wasn’t store-bought and I know clothes. My father was a tailor,” he explained.
“No wonder you always look so nice. Gwen took me out dancing last night and so many of the people were wearing the most awful clothes.”
Ianto laughed. “Knowing Gwen, I can just imagine the sort of place you went. Would you be interested in talking to someone who works in fashion? I have a friend from University who works for a designer in London. He might have some suggestions for you, who to talk to, who might be hiring.”
Emma practically beamed. “London?” she breathed. “Really?”
“Really,” Ianto smiled. “Should I give him a ring?”
“Oh yes, please!” Emma clapped her hands with delight. “Thank you so much, Mr. Jones!”
Ianto was suddenly struck with an almost physical memory of Brendan. He would swear he could hear Brendan calling him ‘Mr. Jones’, could smell his shampoo on Brendan’s hair as he leaned in to kiss him... Flushing slightly, Ianto shook his head. “Call me Ianto, please. I’ll just step outside and give him a ring.”
As Ianto headed for the Tourist Office door, Emma asked in a panicked voice, “What do I do if someone comes in?”
Smiling, Ianto pointed to the flyers for the Castle. “Just give them one of those. You don’t happen to speak Welsh do you?” Emma shook her head. “Too bad, that gets rid of them more quickly than anything else.” He smiled again and stepped out into the cloudy December day.
As he searched his mobile for one Jamieson Smith, Ianto let his mind wander back to the last time he’d seen his flatmate from University. It had been almost a year ago, at a New Year’s party. I’d taken Lisa and that bloke…Mark?...who had just moved in downstairs and didn’t know anyone in London. He remembered that Mark and Jamie had hit it off instantly and had disappeared together sometime before midnight.
No, that wasn’t the last time I saw Jamie, Ianto thought his hand gripping his phone. Jamie had come to Lisa’s ‘funeral’. Ianto could suddenly see him, standing with the crowd gathered around the empty coffin, the bright spring sunshine mocking their black coats as they went through the motions of burying Lisa. Ianto had stood apart, present for appearances sake only and because Lisa’s mother had begged him. He hadn’t spoken to Jamie that day, he hadn’t spoken to anyone, his behavior excused by everyone as grief.
Ianto shook his head. So much has changed, he thought. One year, it doesn’t seem possible. He sighed and pressed SEND, hoping Jamie hadn’t forgotten him.
Jamie answered on the fourth ring. “Ianto?” he asked, his disbelief clearly audible.
“Smith,” Ianto growled into the phone, their old greeting.
“Jones,” Jamie replied, his growl turning into a laugh at the end. “You will never guess where I am right now.”
“Where?” Ianto asked, relieved to find no immediate awkwardness between them.
“I’m standing on the Parade in the middle of campus.”
“What the hell are you doing in Bath?”
“Waxing nostalgic,” Jamie laughed. The sound was music to Ianto’s ears. No one laughed as much as Jamie. “So there I am, walking around looking at these kids, thinking of days gone by and feeling very old, I might add, and my phone rings. And it’s you. I always said you were telepathic. Where are you?”
“Cardiff.”
“Ah. Home again, home again…”
“Jiggety-jog,” Ianto finished. “Yeah, long story. Sorry I’ve been out of touch.”
“Out of touch? You dropped off the fucking face of the earth, son!”
Ianto flinched. “I know. After… everything I had to get out of London. Cardiff seemed as good a place as any.”
“Well, you’re back on the map now and it just so happens that I’m due in Newport to pick up Mark tomorrow and if you think I’m not driving an extra half hour to see you, you’re daft. Remember Mark?”
“My neighbor Mark?”
“Yeah, you and…” Ianto could hear Jamie swallow hard. “You and Lisa introduced us at that party. We’ve pretty much been together ever since.”
“That’s great. He was a nice guy.”
“Yeah, still is. Dunno know why I’m so attracted to Welshmen, but I’m sure it’s your fault,” Jamie teased.
“Hey, don’t blame me for your strange proclivities,” Ianto laughed. “Are you really coming here?”
“Yes indeedy. In fact,” Jamie paused, “Fuck it, I’ll be there by lunch.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I was just killing time in Bath. Might as well kill it in Cardiff with you instead. Unless you have plans?”
“No, not at all. I do have a favor to ask, but that can wait.”
“Should’ve know. No way you’re calling me out of the blue just ‘cause you missed me.”
“Hey,” Ianto said softly, his voice breaking a little. “I have missed you.”
Jamie chuckled. “’Course you have. Who wouldn’t miss me? Hang on to the waterworks ‘til I get there, Jones. We’ll have ourselves a good sob and then get pissed.”
“It’s a plan,” Ianto said.
TBC in Chapter Sixty-Two