"Come Fly With Me" Chapter 31

[wanda1969]

Title: "Come Fly With Me"
Rating:  Adult concepts- but not explicit this chapter.

Spoilers/Disclaimers :  Torchwood, belongs to the BBC and RTD, I’m just borrowing the characters.

Summary: Torchwood characters in a story set in the glamorous world of international travel!

A/N: Now, I’ve never been to Noumea (but I’ve always wanted to go, which is why it’s in here!), so I’m not even sure that a ‘plane large enough to complete a long haul flight would be able to land there- it could well be too large for the runway… Let’s hope this lack of knowledge doesn’t ruin the story!

Chapter list:  http://wanda1969.dreamwidth.org/1863.html

Chapter 31

***

 

Ianto literally flopped onto his hotel bed, his flight case abandoned in the small hallway leading from the door. Captain Jack Harkness’ crew had just completed the main leg of their trial flight from London to Wellington, via Paris and Phnom Penh. The excitement of visiting a new (at least for most of them) country had kept the crew’s spirits up, but now the Welshman was exhausted- the journey hadn’t been troublesome, just excessively lengthy. In fact, the only really annoying part of the trip had been spotting John Hart across the departure lounge as they made their way to the aircraft. Fortunately, he’d been too far away to cause a scene- which had been a ‘good thing’, as Ianto was sure that he would have punched the man’s lights out if he’d been called ‘Eye Candy’ again, an act which wouldn’t have gone down well with the Team nominated for an award.

They were due one night in Wellington, before departing for their final destination for the next week, New Caledonia. Ianto would have loved the opportunity to catch up on sleep, but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see at least some of the sights that late afternoon and early evening, before the morning flight out to Nouméa. They’d be in the New Caledonian capital for a week; he was sure he’d have the chance to rest then.

***

Two hours later and Ianto had had a nap, and showered and changed into his more casual clothing. He met Jack in the hotel lobby, and they set off from the hotel towards the waterfront overlooking Lambton Harbour. They walked towards Jervois Quay and headed south along the more pedestrian-friendly, wide pathway along the seafront. Ianto started to regret that, as an impoverished student, when he’d gone travelling, he’d not got much further than some of the more obvious stops on his ‘round the world’ ticket. He’d only managed to get to Sydney on his Australia stop, before flying out to the Southern Americas.

Ianto found himself warming to the place- unlike some large cities, it had a certain intimacy, historic buildings vying with modern highways and structures, and harbour-side parks. They walked, both of them happily surprised to find that the waterfront had so much to offer: Te Papa Tongarewa, open parks and green spaces.

***

They were both relieved as they sank into their chairs at the restaurant on Oriental Parade. They’d  spotted it, realising they’d walked rather too far from their hotel. Having seen Martin Boseley’s Restaurant recommended in the Tourism Board’s leaflet at the hotel, Ianto had been surprised that their early arrival meant that there was a free table at what seemed to be one of the City’s best eateries. It lived up to its reputation, as they both dived into their starters- Ianto the salad of beetroot pudding and cheese, Jack the poached scampi.

“Mmm, this is good…” he said shovelling in a forkful of seafood. “I have to say, Wellington is a great place. But I don’t think we should be doing the New Zealand leg as part of this in the future.”

Ianto cut into his Comte cheese. “Why?”

“It’s just too far for one flight route. Gorgeous as you always look, Ianto, you’re shattered… we’re all shattered. I bet the passengers aren’t much better, even if they’re going back on one of our normal scheduled flights this time. I’m gonna recommend we go straight to Nouméa from Cambodia next time. That’s just about ‘doable’.  But… adding Wellington or anywhere else in, and it’s just that bit too much.”

“It was a bit…  exhausting,” he agreed looking out over the harbour. “I wouldn’t mind coming back here- but not after a flight like that. Part of a holiday, maybe…”

“God, we need a proper holiday. Late summer? When we’re in the house and this, and the awards are out of the way.” Jack gave a thoughtful smile. He had had every intention of making the most of their next week away- not that he’d bothered to tell Ianto. The young man deserved some time off now, and Jack wasn’t going to let any of excuses from him scupper his plans for a break- even if they were there, at the other side of the world, as part of their work.

“It’d be a change to be the one on the receiving end of the holiday experience!” He grinned and pushed the empty entrée plate to one side.

“You’re not wrong there!” He mumbled through the last mouthful of scampi. “Y’know we both have to have tons of flight bonuses stacking up- we’ve only had a couple of flights to Cardiff since you started working with me. And I hadn’t really seen the point of using many of them before I met you- I swapped the left over bonuses to vouchers every year end. We could have a great trip…”

Ianto nodded as he finished his glass of wine. Torchwood offered excellent bonuses and perks- they had had a reciprocal agreement with a few other carriers and travel companies, as well as offering reduced cosots for family and friends. Unused bonuses could be converted to Airmiles and vouchers at a slight loss. When he and Lisa had been together, she’d eagerly booked holiday after holiday for the two of them in the supposedly ‘fun’ and ‘happening’ places of the Med, or weekends away with her friends, but since they’d finished Ianto had built up quite a cache of unused vouchers.

“I ‘spose we ought to start looking at somewhere then… ”

“I’ll bet we’ve got so much saved up between us both that we could give a few to your Mam, and perhaps Rhi and Johnny, too.”

Ianto stared at him- Lisa would never thought of such a thing. “We can’t have that many?”

“Think about it- I know for a fact that you didn’t have a holiday last year, and I’ve worked through most of mine the last three years.”

Their main course arrived and, in between mouthfuls of a shared dish of Langoustines and tagliatelle in white wine and herbs, they discussed all of the places and things that they’d both always wanted to see.

Ianto yawned as their plates were taken away. He was too tired to even contemplate pudding.

“Hey, you. I think it’s time we went back to the hotel,” Jack said softly and held his hand up to gesture for a waiter. “You need some rest before tomorrow. I’ll get them to ‘phone us a taxi.”

***

To be continued…

Comments

[idamus]

Lovely update, I was somewhat jealous of their meal, I ate while reading -I had a lovely cheese sandwich ;)

[wanda1969]

And saddly I don't even EAT seafood or fish at all! But I guess most people would in a place like this... I'd prefer the cheese sandwich!

[janiemc]

Lovely update, nice to see all going well for the boys, despite the hovering John Hart

[wanda1969]

Hi there! It's been another hectic time at work, so I've not responded to your last PM, but you're right about ever being in the area when you're working.... I'm afraid my work only ever gets me to the outskirts of the Borough!

[badly_knitted]

I still marvel at the way you give such amazing descriptions of the places, the restaurants, the food... it's all so vivid!

Ooh, yes, they really deserve a proper holiday and a chance to be passengers on a flight! With the whole world to choose from, I wonder where they'll go! Back to their hitel for some sleep right now, I guess. Are they still sleeping in separate rooms? It must be a bit lonely, but I guess they appreciate their time off together even more!

[wanda1969]

I've spent a lot of time wanting to go to Noumea! Food? I don't eat fish or meat, so I read a lot of menus!
As for are they still sleeping apart at work? They were...

[milady_dragon]

Cute chapter!

Oh, I do hope they get a vacation away. I still can't wait until they come out to the rest of the crew, though...

[wanda1969]

Thanks! As for the trip away...!

[bluelilacs.livejournal.com]

Whether you've been somewhere or not, it would never show in one of your stories, as the details you put in make it seem as if you're right there with them. Even if you just completely made the place up, I'm sure it would still come out sounding totally picture perfect and believable.

Glad John Hart was held off for one more chapter, but I really hope the boys don't put off telling the others much longer.

[wanda1969]

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what me and Mr wanda1969 would do if we won the Lottery! So you'll find all of the places exist. It's fun looking them up on the internet!
And as for telling the others- they're getting so close.
Thanks again for reading!

[addieharkness]

*drools*
Lovely, comparing Jam on toast to THAT XD

Loved it, as always XD

[wanda1969]

Thank you!
And I'm a strict vegetarian, so I have no idea whether their dinner was any good at all, or even whether it was appealing!!! The toast option sounds good to me! Although the beetroot pudding sounded rather good when I read it on the menu for the restaurant!

[aigeallgood]

Hey, you mentioned Wellington! Hurrah for someone mentioning my home town, and actually having them go there!

You did an excellent job with describing it too. I'm looking forward to going home in few days so I can retrace their steps, although I'm not going to any restaurants, too expensive. Which hotel were they in? Inquisitive minds want to know.

It's probably a good thing I wasn't writing this chapter. They'd have been here for weeks, doing everything in Wellington, not to mention the rest of New Zealand. You took them to the waterfront, I'd have taken them to Mount Victoria, the windmill, South Coast, the list goes on.

The only thing I found that was different was Lambton Harbour, it's just Wellington Harbour, or the waterfront. But then again, that could just be a Wellington thing, it probably is called Lambton Harbour, and I just don't register it as such.

Sorry, I don't mean to be a nitpicker, but it's an ingrained reaction to fix anything anyone else says about New Zealand.

And beetroot pudding, in reference to the above comment, I am given to believe tastes rather like cherries.

[wanda1969]

Darn! That'll teach me to trust what I read on the internet! The map says Lambton.... Unfortunately they didn't have much time in NZ- only a brief stopover. I was always goign to take them to New Caledonia, but near the beginning brionyjae on ff said she'd love them to visit NZ... Sadly, they couldn't have too much time there as I was wondering if this was turning into a travelogue!!
I suspect that Martin Bosley's restaurant is very expensive... and from the online menu, I suspect there's very little I could eat! I don't eat fish, or meat! But I guess I can't enforce that on Jack and Ianto...!
MMm, the beetroot pudding did sound nice...

[aigeallgood]

I know. As a Kiwi though, I would so have made them stay here and not continue on to New Caledonia.

I don't think it was a travelogue, but then I was giddy at the mention of Wellington, and reading about through someone else's perspective, so I'm not the best judge.

And I do agree with Jack on the flying from Cambodia to New Caledonia. Wellington's nice and all, but not when you're trying to get somewhere else and you've just flown thousands of kilometres out of your way.

[missthingsplace]

Such a lovely chapter :)