m_findlow

Title: Jack and the beanstalk
Author: m_findlow
Characters: Ianto, Mica, Jack
Rating: PG
Challenge: 414 - Stalk
Notes: Jack has an unusual take on bedtime stories. A triple drabble.

Ianto checked the time on his watch.

'I think it's past your bedtime Mica,' Ianto said, bundling her up off the sofa and carrying her back to her room.

'Can I get a bedtime story first?'

'Alright,' he conceded. 'But just the one story. Then bed. What story would you like?'

'Jack and the beanstalk.'

Ianto couldn't find the book anywhere, so he settled down on the bed and started as best he could remember.

'No, that's not how it goes,' Mica said.

'Yeah it is,' he replied, confused. Cow, magic beans, beanstalk, giant, golden goose. What had he missed?

'That's the silly version of the story,' she replied. 'Uncle Jack's is much better.'

Of course it is, Ianto thought. He felt torn. He wanted to please his niece, but had no idea what alterations Jack had made.

'I'll be back,' he promised.

Out in the hall he dialled Jack.

'Hey, what's up?'

'I need you to tell me a story in two minutes.'

After two minutes, Ianto was ready to give up. Jack's version had become so ridiculously complicated he'd never remember it all.

'Stop, stop. Why don't I just put you on speakerphone and you can tell it.'

Naturally, Jack's version of Jack and the beanstalk featured him as the main protagonist. It also however featured a gigantic cyberman, a spaceship in the sky, and a pterodactyl that laid diamonds. Jack had to stop the cyberman from coming down the beanstalk.

Ianto interrupted at that point.

'Jack don't you think this is a bit scary for a kids story?'

'Hey, who's telling this?'

'I'm not scared,' Mica insisted.

When Jack's story finally finished, Mica thanked him.

'Off to bed now princess, and put uncle Ianto back on the phone.'

'He's asleep.'

'Huh?'

'Your bedtime story worked. He's asleep.'