Twos and Blues...Prologue

[zazajb]

Title: Twos and Blues: Prologue
Author: zazajb
Rating: R - N/C-17 overall, adult concepts, occasional language, M/M
Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, [past]Jack/John, Tosh/Owen, Gwen/Rhys, Andy, Gareth, Harris, Nick, Pete, Gavin/Stu
Spoilers – none – totally AU
Summary: Jack is the Station Commander of a retained* fire station. This is the story of their adventures. Words: 3150 this chapter

Previous chapters: http://zazajb.livejournal.com/6286.html

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters – anything you recognise is owned by RTD & BBC, even if they don’t know how to look after them properly...

A/N So, I’ve finally gone completely AU...new departure for me – hope it works...and please excuse the rewriting of Welsh geography!

A/N1 Retained stations are crewed by part-time firefighters who live and work locally, responding to a bleeper signal when the fire appliance is needed – in all other respects they are the same as whole-time firefighters...

Twos and Blues

Prologue

The sirens blared as the sleek red vehicle raced along the road. Four year old Ianto Jones clutched his mum’s hand tightly and gazed after the truck as it vanished into the distance, his eyes wide and mouth open.

At home again, the small boy went to his toy box and sorted out his fire engines, losing himself to a magical world of sirens and his imagination...

Twenty three years later...

Jack pushed the door. It was locked. Peering in, he could see a shadow moving at the far end of the room so he rapped on the glass panel, raising his hand in acknowledgement as a figure approached and unlocked the door.

“Station Commander Harkness...” he said as he stepped over the threshold and looked around appraisingly.

The young girl smiled. “I’ll get the boss...he’s out back wrestling with his Welsh cakes!” She laughed at Jack’s raised eyebrows, adding “...and I don’t think he’s winning!” as she disappeared from sight.

Moments later Jack caught his breath at the vision of beauty in the shape of the young man who walked towards him, his hand outstretched... His short brown hair sat in gentle waves above piercing blue eyes, a cute button nose and impossibly soft, pink and deliciously kissable lips, a white apron tied neatly around his waist over a chest-hugging navy t-shirt emblazoned with a Blue Gillespie logo and tight-fitting black jeans.

Jack felt an instant electric charge as he shook the Welshman’s hand, the momentary widening of the other man’s eyes suggesting he was not alone in the sensation.

“Jones, Ianto Jones...” gorgeous Welsh vowels caressed Jack’s ears and he struggled to maintain his focus as his blood supply fled south.

“Station Commander Harkness...’Captain’ to my friends...” he grinned as Ianto gave a gentle tug on his hand and he realised he still had hold of it. Releasing it reluctantly, he looked around the large open plan room. “I really like what you’ve done with the place...”

“You do? It’s a bit different...”

“I don’t think Ted and Eleanor had decorated since the early seventies! No, this is really nice – modern, airy and the booths at the side mean those who want a bit of privacy can have it...” he winked, drawing a soft rosy blush over Ianto’s pale cheeks and Jack had to remind himself sternly that he was on official duties.

He stepped back abruptly and began shrugging out of his coat, his breath hitching as Ianto reclosed the gap between them, “here, let me...” as he helped Jack off with his heavy 1940s greatcoat and that electric charge shot through him again with definite stirrings of interest below his waistline.

Ianto moved away to drape Jack’s coat carefully over the back of a chair giving the Captain vital moments in which to get his head back into Fire Service mode. By the time the Welshman had rejoined him, Jack had resolved to get the fire safety inspection completed before he made any further moves; it had been a very long time since he’d had this reaction to anyone...he shook his head minutely, he’d never had this reaction before and it made him feel like a teenager again, giddy and heart beating fast, his mouth dry...get a grip Harkness..!

“Shall we start in the kitchen?” he smiled as the young man nodded and turned to lead the way, giving Jack a gorgeous view of his denim-clad backside and his good intentions almost went out of the window!

“Boss-man..? I think these are almost there...” the blonde girl who’d let him in was tearing a flat cake in half before taking a tentative bite. “Yup, they actually taste like they’re supposed to – we’ll make a Welshman out of you yet!” she giggled as Ianto rolled his eyes at Jack.

“Captain, meet Mica, my cheeky imp of a niece!”

“Mica...” Jack nodded and gave her one of his movie idol grins that set her giggling again.

“Teenagers!” Ianto laughed and turned back to Jack. Would you like a coffee or do you need me to go over everything with you?”

“I’d love a coffee, black, no sugar please...and I’ll shout if there’s anything I need to ask...”

“Any particular type of coffee? I’ve got the lot – well, this is a coffee shop!”

“Surprise me!” Jack couldn’t believe he was flirting with this young man, a stranger he’d just met – albeit an undeniably gorgeous one!

Ianto just nodded and moved back out into the shop to his coffee machine.

Jack began his inspection as Mica watched him, her blonde head tilted to one side. “He likes you...” she said matter-of-factly.

“Oh?”

“I haven’t seen him this happy in a very long time. Not many people can make him laugh these days – I know mum’s been worried about him, ever since he came back from Newport after Lisa dumped him...he’s been spending all his time here, getting this place ready...you know he lives upstairs in the flat...”

“Mica, I can hear you yattering from out here! Just let the Captain get on with his inspection without you bending his ear... Have you taken the rubbish out yet?” Ianto appeared in the doorway.

“I’m just doing it now! Shall I dump the three burnt lots of Welsh cakes or do you want to torture the birds with them?” she giggled again and scampered outside with two black bags before Ianto could reply.

“I hope she wasn’t distracting you, Captain, she’s a real chatterbox...” his expression softened and he looked out of the open back door fondly, “she’s a great kid and she’s been good company since I’ve been back...” 

“She said you were in Newport...” Jack ticked another box on his clipboard, missing the deep red that flushed the young man’s face as he realised what Mica had been chattering about.

“I...er...felt like a change...and this place came up – I always wanted my own business, so...” his voice trailed away as he met Jack’s frank and understanding gaze.

“I’m done here, I’ll have a look outside and then it’ll just be the main shop and upstairs...”

“I...um...” Ianto didn’t really know what he wanted to say or why he was getting so flustered and he was somewhat relieved when Jack nodded at him and went outside after Mica. He heard them laughing and took a deep breath, biting his bottom lip as he tried to imagine what other insights into his screwed up life his niece was imparting to the approachable, and incredibly handsome Ianto had to admit, Captain who looked absolutely dashing in his uniform... Sighing, he rubbed his eyes tiredly...

Mica bounced back in through the door. “Am I done now, boss? I promised mum I’d be back in time to put the tea on and I really need to get a few things from town...”

“Okay, you get off now...I’ll probably make one more batch...need to get them right before Saturday...” he dug into his pocket and pulled out a twenty pound note which he waved at her, “you did good today...treat yourself and I’ll see you after school tomorrow...”

Mica grinned and took the note, hugging him briefly before grabbing her bag and dashing out the door, throwing a happy “thanks Unca Yanno!” back over her shoulder. There was a pause followed by a deep groan as she crashed full tilt into Jack who was heading back inside, the collision winding him as his clipboard dug into his stomach. “Oops, sorry Captain...gotta dash!” and she was gone, leaving Jack to gurgle helplessly as he leant on the doorframe.

“Are you okay, sir?” Ianto hurried to Jack’s side, his close proximity highlighting the intoxicating aroma that Ianto had detected earlier; God this man smelled gorgeous!

Jack groaned again, the combination of a top-speed encounter with a buoyant teenager and those delectable Welsh vowels again, capped with that sir and his entire blood supply seemed to have deserted his brain, leaving him light-headed and gasping for air. He pushed himself off the doorframe and headed back through to the shop, sliding into the nearest booth. “I’m okay...”

Ianto poured the coffee into two blue and white striped mugs and added them to the tray with a plate of mixed Welsh cakes and shortbread and carried it over to where Jack was sat, now having recovered his breath. He handed Jack a mug, jumping minutely at the now familiar tingle of pleasure when their fingers brushed as the mug changed ownership.

“Thank you...” Jack smiled, “what was it Mica called you...Yanno?”

Ianto chuckled, “when she was little she couldn’t say my name properly, so I’ve been Unca Yanno ever since!”

“It’s cute...suits you..!” Jack took a sip of his coffee as Ianto blushed scarlet. “Wow!” Jack’s eyes widened, “this is awesome Ianto...Yanno!”

“Vanilla roast, no frills, just a straight blend...” Ianto’s blue eyes danced with delight and Jack was once again forced to quash the urge to tug the man into his arms and kiss him senseless... there was just something about him...

A brief but companionable silence fell as they drank their coffee and munched on Welsh cakes that apparently tasted like they should and lemon shortbread that Jack professed was the best he’d ever had, before he regrettably placed his empty mug back on the tray and picked up his clipboard again.

The main shop passed all aspects of inspection easily before Ianto led Jack upstairs. “I haven’t unpacked much up here...been spending all my time getting the shop ready...”

The flat consisted of two large double bedrooms, one of which was piled high with boxes, the other simply furnished with a king-sized bed, a large white sliding wardrobe, a chest of drawers and matching white bedside cabinets; a bathroom with shower cubicle, a separate toilet, decent sized kitchen with plenty of cupboard space finished in a light oak, a small table and four chairs at one end down a single step creating a simple dining area, leaving the living room, again a generous size and decorated in plain, uncluttered lines with two slate grey leather sofas and contrasting red cushions and curtains, a widescreen TV was set into the wall over the fireplace. Boxes in various states of unpacking were dotted around the room, one large one obviously full of books in front of a tall bookcase, but it was the display cabinet that grabbed Jack’s attention.

He strode over to it and turned to raise a questioning eyebrow in Ianto’s direction. The young man smiled and joined him “I’ve loved fire engines since I was a small boy and my family used to buy me a different model every year; there are some quite rare ones in there now...”

“That’s a really nice collection. See that one...next to the HP...Hydraulic Platform ...” he pointed, “that’s the first appliance I ever rode on...” he smiled wistfully, “...course, that was such a long time ago now...”

“You’re not that old!” Ianto grinned, sliding the cabinet door open and picking out the model under discussion. He handed it to Jack and watched the memories as they flew across the other man’s face, a myriad of different emotions playing out in just a few moments.

“I’m coming up on twenty years service...seen so many changes...” he handed the model back with a smile, “and this old girl wouldn’t recognise the latest appliances...” he sighed as Ianto replaced it in the cabinet and closed the door. “You ever think of playing for real?”

“Maybe...another lifetime ago...” in his head Ianto relived those heady early days of him and Lisa, saw again her pretty face pouting when he professed his desire to join the Fire Service, knowing it would involve a long stint at training school and rota patterns that would play havoc with his ability to be at her beck and call...and she’d sweet-talked him out of it. “...and it’s too late now!”

“It’s never too late...”

“I’ve got this place now...” the fleeting look of regret in his eyes not lost on the older man.

“I’m not just a firefighter, Ianto, I’ve got my own engineering company out on the Industrial Estate, Torchwood Engineering...Penarth’s fire service is made up of a retained crew...it means we’re all part-time and we respond when needed...” he turned slightly sideways and pointed to a tiny black pager attached to his belt “this lets us know when we’re needed and we go to the fire station...”

“So you’re not full time? How does that all work? I mean I can’t just up and go if I’ve got customers...” Ianto frowned as he thought of innumerable obstacles standing in the way of the enticing idea Jack had just presented him with...a way to have his cake and eat it too...

Jack chuckled, “I can see you’re interested – and you’ve got lots of questions... Why don’t you drop into the fire station on our weekly drill night – you can meet the crews, have a look around and I’ll answer all your questions...but for the moment all you need to know is that you can book off when you’re not available so you’re not on duty all the time – it’s a good system that means you can fit it around your main job and the rest of your life...”

Ianto nodded “you need to actually have a life to fit it around...” he muttered darkly to himself as he turned and headed for the stairs back to the shop, the comment drawing an arched eyebrow and a determination to get to know this intriguing – and utterly gorgeous – young Welshman much better. He followed the delectable backside down the stairs.

Back in the shop, Ianto worked his magic on the coffee machine again as Jack sorted out the required paperwork for his and Ianto’s signature. Presenting Jack with a mug of a rich hazelnut roast, Ianto chucked as the Captain almost swooned after his first sip, closing his eyes as he inhaled the delicious aroma.

“Wow...Yanno...just...wow!” he opened his eyes and took another sip, Ianto jumping as an insistent shrill bleating suddenly split the silence and Jack leapt up, sliding out of the booth at speed. “Sorry, gotta go – duty calls, your copy of the 1.1.D’s on the table. I’ll see you again Jones, Ianto Jones...” with that he was gone and the door clunked shut behind him. Through the glass panel of the door Ianto watched him jump into his black SUV and speed away leaving him feeling somehow cheated...almost bereft...and very confused...

Shrugging, he picked up Jack’s still full mug and inhaled the rich nutty vapour. Jack obviously had taste when it came to coffee as this was one of his best and Jack had certainly seemed to like it... Wandering back into the kitchen, he washed the mugs up and wiped the surfaces down, deciding against any more baking in his distracted state...

He pricked up his ears as he heard sirens in the distance, wondering if they were Jack and his team – were they called ‘team’? No, crew, Jack had said... Jack...visions of the man in his uniform, and that awesome coat, swirled around in his head as he locked up. His stomach did a loop-the-loop when he discovered Jack’s coat still over the back of the chair, forgotten in the rush to answer his bleeper. Glancing around, even though he knew he was alone, Ianto tugged the heavy coat from the chair and buried his face in the rough wool, breathing in the intoxicating scent of this man who had somehow captivated him...

He draped the coat over his arm and picked up the paperwork that Jack had left on the table for him, his breath hitching as he suddenly noticed the page that had obviously been torn from a diary or notebook.

Yanno – call me 07900 884246 Jack

Unexpected warmth swept through his body as he snatched the paper from the table and rubbed his thumb over it before tucking it carefully into his pocket. Finally, he switched off the lights and climbed the stairs to his flat. After filing his completed fire safety certificate he slumped in front of the TV, picking absently at his lasagne-for-one as he gazed at the coat he’d hung on a hanger and hooked on the bookcase and Jack’s number burned a hole in his pocket...

Finally, after two episodes of CSI which had passed his unseeing gaze, he plucked the number from his pocket and dialled, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach get a grip Ianto..! he told himself fiercely, you’re just going to tell him you have his coat safe...

However, the butterflies weren’t listening and went into full spin mode when the phone rang at the other end... You’ve reached Jack Harkness; can’t take your call right now so leave a message and I’ll get back to you...promise!

“Oh, er, hi...Jack, it’s Ianto...er...Jones...Yanno... I, er...you left your coat earlier so it’s hung up safe...” he paused, cursing his addled brain and incoherency, “right, guess that’s all, um, bye Jack!” he hung up and shook his head, “shit!” Rising, he dumped the rest of his dinner in the bin and made himself a coffee...hazelnut blend seemed a good choice...before heading for the shower where his thoughts drifted once more to soft dark hair, a pair of blue grey eyes, a dazzlingly white smile and dimples... As he soaped his body he found he was rock hard and it took just a few firm strokes to deal with, gasping that name as he shuddered his release and sank to the floor on boneless legs that refused to support him.

A very confused Welshman tossed and turned, lonely in his huge bed, his thoughts drawn like a magnet back to the same image...but I’m straight...tumbling around his sleep deprived brain until he eventually gave in and padded to the living room to drag the coat off the hanger and lay it on the pillow next to him.

Finally, he slept, his cheek resting on the heavy wool...


Chapter 1     http://zazajb.livejournal.com/43181.html