"Come Fly With Me" Chapter 38

[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:  Another short chapter- but the next one will be long…. And sorry, yet again, for the delay.

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

Chapter  38

 

***

Ianto stifled a yawn. It was past two in the morning and The Savoy’s ballroom was clearing of guests as the evening’s celebrations were drawing to a close. Many of the younger crew members had already left for the nightclubs, seeking to continue their partying until the crack of dawn and the older end had retired a couple of hours ago, leaving a  hardcore of guests who were either networking or just happy to enjoy the remainder of the night at the event. For the Welshman it had been a tiring night; foremost there had been seeing Lisa again. The meeting had gone well, all things considered, but her assumptions about the dynamics of his and Jack’s relationship had niggled at him. On top of that, John Hart’s presence had been an unwelcome intrusion on the evening, but that intrusion had been distant and he hadn’t had to confront the man like that time in Heathrow- he wasn’t sure that he had that kind of energy at the moment.

A couple of Jack’s old colleagues had congratulated him on his crew’s award, and a few of the closer ones added slightly more awkward (but generally sincere) congratulations on his relationship with Ianto. All in all, the attention had made the evening fairly exhausting for both men.

Jack’s eyes followed Ianto’s as he looked over to where Toshiko was sitting, smiling and sharing a drink with a slim sandy haired man that the Welshman knew was Andy Davidson, a fellow countryman from Torchwood’s Baggage Handling Logistics section.

“Perhaps it’s good that Tosh is mixing a bit more…”

“Yeah,” Ianto said with heavy eyelids. “Andy seems to have taken her mind off Owen tonight…”

“I know. I was never really sure what she saw in him. I mean, Owen’s one of the best co-pilots I’ve had, and I regard him as one of my best friends, but he’s not exactly reliable relationship material!” Jack thought for a moment and relented. “At least not yet- he’s been through a lot. He’ll get over Katy… it’s just gonna take him a long time. He really loved her, y’know?”

“I know…” Ianto agreed quietly. “I did kind of hope he and Toshiko might have got together. She’d be good for him- she’s calmed him down since they’ve become friends.”

“You’re right there. She’s been a good influence on him. And you never know what the future holds- they may get together yet- and, if not, they’ll still have that friendship.” Jack watched another small yawn escape Ianto, and looked at his wristwatch. “Anyway, you- you look whacked. It’s been a long day. I think we should turn in; the party’s going to be winding up soon.”

Nodding gratefully, Ianto smiled at him. “You’re right- I’m not sure I can last much longer!”

“Why don’t you go up to the room and I’ll tell the rest we’re calling it a night? Not that there’s many of the crew left… I think Martha and Amy may have gone clubbing with Emma, and Beth left hours ago…” Jack said scanning the room.

Ianto wanted to at least say ‘goodnight’ to Tosh, but he certainly didn’t want to intrude on whatever was going on with Andy Davidson, and to tell the truth he was thankful of Jack’s offer- that king size bed seemed suddenly more than inviting, even if all he had in mind was surrendering to the sleep which threatened to overwhelm him. “Thanks Jack… I’ll get the room ready. And try to be quick; you must be as knackered as I am.”

“Come on then, you get going. I’ll be ten minutes- tops.” Jack got to his feet and gave an encouraging squeeze to Ianto’s shoulder, before Ianto followed his example and stood up, wearily.

The pilot thought of sending Ianto on his way with a chaste peck to the cheek, but settled for a brief, hardly there, linking of their fingers. Jack might be more at ease with his sexuality, but he’d never been one for flaunting it at work, and he knew that, for Ianto, tonight- and the recent weeks- had been a big step.

***

Ianto strolled wearily across the black and white marble floor of the hotel foyer on his way to the lift, his suit jacket slung over his right shoulder.

“If it isn’t Ianto Jones,” a transatlantic accent drawled.

The Welshman’s shoulders sagged for a moment as he instantly recognised the voice- just the person he didn’t want to have to deal with now. He turned to see bloody John Hart leaning lazily against one of the lobby’s pillars. He pushed himself away from the column and strutted the few yards over towards the young man.

“We really must stop meeting like this… even if it’s always a treat to see your pretty face.”

“What the hell do you want this time?”

“Now that’s not very friendly, is it?” Hart said with a sneer.

“Strange, that… Perhaps it’s because you seem hell bent on winding Jack up, and, quite frankly, pissing me off.”

“Quite a feat, considering you hardly know me. Get to know me, and I’m sure you’d see my more charming side- as Jack did.”

Ianto gritted his teeth, “I highly doubt it…”

“Now, now… that’s really not giving me a chance is it now?” He didn't wait for Ianto to answer. “Anyway, that was quite a display on the dance floor… I think you two caught everybody’s attention. I suppose you think this means that Jack’s got some kind of commitment to you?”

“What part of buying a house together didn’t you understand? I know Jack spoke to you earlier.”

“Oh, I understand that, alright, but you won’t be Eye Candy forever. And do you think you can keep him interested then?”

Ianto felt himself involuntarily clench his right hand into a fist and fought down the urge to deck the man as he tried to remember when he’d ever met someone so unpleasant that he truly wanted to commit violence against them. Instead, he managed to growl out a few words. “Every time I meet you, Hart, you manage to demonstrate just why Jack goes out of his way to avoid you. And I advise you to stay out of my way, too- I’m beginning to lose my patience…”

The Welshman was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder and looked to his side. He had been so wrapped up in his own anger at Hart that he’d failed to notice Jack approaching them. It seemed that the other man had, too.

“I lost my patience with you a long time ago,” Jack said and dropped the comforting hand from Ianto’s shoulder as he tried to control his own anger at John’s tactic of cornering Ianto when he was on his own. Not that Ianto couldn’t look after himself- but that wasn’t the point. “If you don’t stop harassing me- or Ianto- I’m going to either seek legal advice or speak to our CEO about your ties with Torchwood. I’m not sure that he’s gonna be overjoyed at your behaviour. And I don’t suppose United Airlines would be either; you’re supposed to be over here representing them, not harassing the employees of associated airlines.”

“That’s not very charitable, Jack. I was just trying to get to know your boyfriend…”

“Bullshit, Hart… You were trying to wind him up. I heard what you said- and it’s not making me feel very charitable at all. You’re a sad, lonely man, John. If you can spend this much time venting your jealousy and hate, there’s obviously nothing good going on in your own personal life.”

Hart smirked and opened his mouth to make what would no doubt probably be another sarcastic or cutting remark.      

Jack raised a dismissive hand. “I don’t want to hear it. Just shut up and fuck off, John. I want this to be the last time I see you for a long time.” His hand caught Ianto’s and he tangled their fingers together. “Goodbye. C’mon, Ianto,” he said and pulled the other man towards the lifts.

“See you…”

Jack replied without turning round. “Not if you value your life…”

***

To Be Continued…