BTBD Challenge 54 - Like a lightning bolt

[m_findlow]

Title: Like a lightning bolt
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Torchwood team
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 4,455 words
Content notes: Written for Challenge 54 - Inspiration at beattheblackdog
Summary: The boys have devised a plan to get Owen interested in Tosh

Jack hated watching as Tosh was once again rebuffed and belittled by their resident medic. Why was he the only one who couldn't see how obvious it was that Toshiko fancied him? It infuriated him, and even more so because Tosh let him get away with it. Owen wasn't exactly flaunting his sex life around these days, but nor was he sympathetic to Tosh's lack of one.

'Is it just me, or are there days when you want to just slap Owen?' Ianto asked, watching as Tosh worked industriously away at her desk, trying to hold her expression neutral after another one of Owen's cheap shot comments.

Jack slumped back in his chair, staring out over the hub from his office window.

'Throttling would more satisfying,' Jack agreed, 'but probably just as ineffective.'

'He genuinely has no idea, does he?'

'Not a clue. Can't see the forest for the trees.'

 

He hadn't meant anything by it but Jack's throwaway comment hard sparked an idea in Ianto's brain, which once it was there, wouldn't go away. Yes, it was a bit mad, and not a little bit underhanded, but if it didn't work, there was no harm done, and if it did work, well, it would all be worth it.

He expected Jack to laugh when he told him his plan, or perhaps to get ruffled over the idea, but instead, Jack looked at him very seriously and nodded.

'It's bold and inspired, Mr Jones. You'd be prepared to make it convincing?' Jack asked. It was ambitious and required far more involvement on Ianto's part than it did Jack's, and it most definitely wasn't Ianto's usual style.

'I'm okay with it,' he replied, 'but we'd have to convince Tosh.'

'You really think she'd agree to you pretending to be her boyfriend?'

He shrugged. 'It is only pretending, after all.'

'And you think Owen will fall for it?'

The more he sat there and thought about it, the more convinced he became. Owen wasn't complete bereft of feelings, and he suspected the green eyed monster might do the hard work for him. If there was one thing he'd leant about Owen in all their years together, it was that he was the kind of person who only wanted something he couldn't have, and if he couldn't have it, no one else was allowed to have it either.

 

Tosh was taken aback by the proposal but she'd learned long ago to trust her two best friends.  They only wanted what was best for her, even if they both agreed Owen was a bit of a twat sometimes, and that she could probably do better. They spent the rest of the night going over the details and answering all of Tosh's questions so that come tomorrow they'd be ready to begin. They worded Gwen up as well so that she didn't inadvertently impede their efforts, and she actually delighted in being able to help any which way she could to make it more convincing.

'I must say,' Jack say, considering her, 'I wasn't sure how you'd take it, after, you know, that little fling.' He waited for Gwen to slap him for bringing it up, but instead she just smiled and shrugged.

'We all make mistakes. Owen was one of them. He helped show me what I had right in front of me was more important than anything in the world. Now it's time to return the favour.'

 

The next morning  when Ianto came around to serve them their coffee he made sure to make a show of it.

'I made you that Peruvian blend that you like,' he said to Tosh as he carefully handed over the mug.

'Oh, thank you, that's so sweet,' she said, playing up to it, giving him a warm smile.

'All set for tonight?'

'Mmm hmm,' she hummed.

'Meet you up ont the plass at six, then?'

She beamed. 'Can't wait.'

Ianto smiled and left to go about his day.

'What's tonight?' Owen asked.

'Tosh has a date,' Gwen replied grinning over the top of her own coffee.

Owen exchanged looks between Tosh and the retreating figure of Ianto headed towards the lower levels of the nub.

'What, with him?'

Tosh just nodded.

'Hang on, I thought he was with Jack?'

'They're in an open relationship,' Gwen explained, 'which means they can date other people.'

'And Teaboy wants to date you?' Owen said, sounding incredulous.

'Where are you off then, Tosh?' Gwen asked, letting Owen stew on the idea of them heading out on a date.

'St David's.'

'Ooh, that's very posh! Don't you think that's posh, Owen?'

'Yeah, well,' Owen stuttered. 'It's alright if you like that sort of thing I suppose.'

'I bet he brings flowers,' Gwen added, enjoying teasing Owen. 'Ianto strikes me as the flowers on a first date sort.'

'Let's not get too carried away,' Tosh warned, staring to enjoy herself. 'It is only a first date.'

 

Owen had been stomping around the hub all day, much to Jack's amusement. It seemed their little prank was going along nicely, even if Ianto felt a tiny bit guilty about winding Owen up.

'Tosh, have you got a minute?' Jack called out from his office

She entereded to find a large flat box in his desk.

'For you for tonight,' he said, nodding at the box.

She carefully prised open the lid and pulled out the most stunning emerald coloured gown, dotted with tiny jewels all along the bustline which was cut low to tie up behind her neck. Only as she held it out full-length did she notice just how low cut it was at the front, dipping down halfway to her navel.

'It's beautiful Jack, but don't you think it's a little revealing?'

'I didn't choose it, Ianto did. There's some shoes to go with it,' he said, handing over another bag, grinning with mischief.  

'This must have cost a fortune!'

'You were due a pay rise. Consider this back pay.'

'Thank you,' she said, not knowing what else to say.

'You should get going. It's after five and you've got a big night out ahead.'

'Not really, but dinner out will be nice. You're sure you won't join us? Owen will never know.'

'Nah, you two have a nice night out, you've both earned it. I'll get my reward after dinner,' he grinned. 'Plus, seeing you strut past Owen on your way out in that and watching his jaw hit the floor will be icing on the cake.'

Tosh blushed. Just then, Gwen came knocking at his door.

'Jack, we've finally got a lead on that bounty hunter.'

His face turned serious. 'Do we know who he's targeting?'

'Yeah. It's the mayor, and tonight's their big gala at City Hall. There'll be hundreds of people there. Any one of them could be him.'

'Looks like date night is off,' Tosh joked.

'Nonsense,' Jack replied. 'You two are already dressed for the occasion. Gwen, call up the mayor's office and cash in some of our favours. We're going to need tickets.'

 

Owen was standing at the doorway when Tosh came out of the showers, decked out in her gown and shoes, hair tied back neatly in a loose bun. He started slightly.

'You look amazing, Tosh.'

'Thanks,' she said, blushing. 'Not quite what I had in mind for tonight.' She'd much rather it was Owen taking her out, but she didn't say so. 'Alien stake out isn't quite the same as dinner overlooking the water.'

'And you're serious about this thing with the Teaboy?'

'It's just one date, Owen,' she replied, pleased that they were even discussing it.

'Him still dating Jack doesn't bother you? I mean, I can't even believe he'd be capable of dating two people. Jack yes, but Ianto?'

'It's better than nothing,' she said, and she felt like she meant it. Surely being loved by someone was better than not being loved at all, even if you had to share them with someone else. If any of this had been real, she didn't think she'd feel any different about it. Ianto was sweet and kind and her best friend in the whole world. She'd be glad to have someone even half as good as him in her life.

'Well,' Owen said, shifting awkwardly, 'spose it is just one date. Could be rubbish. It's only a first date after all.'

Tosh smiled. Owen's words left her full of encouragement.

 

The team headed down to City Hall, prepared for a lengthy stake out. They still didn't know what their bounty hunter looked like, but at least they knew who has was targeting. It was unsurprising, since Cardiff's latest mayor was just one in a line of alien mayors the city had inadvertently elected. At least this  one didn't want to blow up the city, but was just as displeased by Torchwood's efforts to protect the city as their garden variety mayors. That was the thanks they got for saving him from his crashed spaceship, and resettling him in the city, unable to return home. He was by rights a professional politician, and had been travelling home from a conference when the rift had decided to ensnare his ship, so it didn't take long before his natural tendencies towards government had lead him back into the political fold. Jack had spoken briefly with him and warned him of the danger, but he refused to call off the event, assured that he was far safer in the company of hundreds than tucked away in his office. Alien or not, all politicians had an inflated sense of self. He reluctantly agreed to let the pair of them shadow him for the evening, provided that they didn't interfere.

 

Owen and Gwen were patrolling the outer edges of the function, dressed in plain black to match in with the other security personnel. Jack was similarly prowling the room, though looking slightly out of place amongst the tuxedos and ball gowns. Tosh and Ianto were seated at the mayor's table, whilst a couple on a table nearby looked miffed to have been shunted from the best table in the room. None of the others on the table questioned the inclusion of one of the world's most brilliant scientists and a local philanthropist, even if none of them had ever heard of them.

The dinner seemed to go smoothly, as did the speeches which droned on for nearly an hour,  sapping all of their concentration.

'If he doesn't shut up soon, I might shoot him,' they all heard Jack mutter over his comms.

 

With the dinner and the formalities out of the way, they rest of the evening was dedicated to entertainment. The band played unobtrusively on the stage whilst the floor was opened up for dancing and the general milling of people in groups, discussing matters of interest, and hobnobbing with anyone who they could get close to. The mayor was mingling with several people on the dance floor, so Ianto and Tosh similarly took up positions not far away, subtly watching the mayor and those around him.

 

'You two really do make the cutest couple,' Jack teased, keeping their comms on a separate channel so that Owen didn't overhear them. 'If you ever get sick of pining after Owen, you could always join us and make our twosome a threesome.'

'I don't think so, Jack. Ianto seems like the possessive type,' for which she received a playful squeeze around her waist, pulling her closer.

'Oh, and I'm not?' Jack said, sounding put out.

'He really is,' Ianto agreed.

Jack went quiet for a few minutes, checking out scans of the building as they continued to sweep slowly around the dance floor, giving them the perfect way to scan the entire room from both angles.

'You're a very good dancer,' Tosh complimented.

'Practice,' he replied.

'With Jack?' she said, her voice squeaking a little.

He laughed. 'No. Lisa was maid of honor at her friend's wedding. She made us go to ballroom classes for weeks. Said that under no circumstances would I embarrass her by being the clumsiest one in the room.'

'I can't imagine that,' she said. 'You being clumsy, I mean.'

'That's because you didn't see me. I had three left legs and managed to trip over all of them.'

Tosh laughed and gave in to their embrace. It really did feel nice to be this close to someone, even if it didn't mean anything.

'I've spotted Owen over by the far wall,' she heard him murmur against her ear.

'Does he look jealous?' she asked, trying not to sound too desperately hopeful.

'More like mildly annoyed,' he replied, before wrapping his arms tight around her middle and dipping her low. She wasn't expecting it, but Ianto held her firm.

'Ah, that's better,' he said, smirking at the riled up expression on Owen's face.

Tosh smiled in spite of herself. 'Who knew you were such a tease.'

'Not a tease,' he countered, 'just a friend who does like his friends being taken for granted.'

'How come you never do that when we dance?' Jack complained.

Ianto rolled his eyes. 'Because last time you tried it, I ended up on the floor.'

'Oh, that's right. Need to work on that. Hey, did I ever tell you about the time I went on a date with Ginger Rogers? Now she could really burn the floor.'

'Maybe some other time, Jack?' Ianto replied, trying to concentrate on watching the crowded room. He didn't need images of Jack spinning around the dance floor to distract him.

'Ianto,' Tosh said, squeezing his shoulder, 'looks like the mayor's on the move.'

He spun her around slightly to get a better view, watching as the mayor shook someone's hand and staring moving through the throng.

'I think our mayor is headed for the little boys room,' Jack announced,

'I've got eyes on him,' Ianto reported. He left Tosh to intercept the mayor, disappearing into the crowd.

The mayor caught sight of him and frowned.

'I don't need a bodyguard,' he muttered, continuing to walk out of the hall.

'I insist, sir,' Ianto replied, walking beside him, making it look as if they were in deep conversation. Jack caught sight of them after he'd lost them in the midst of all the other people and breathed a sigh of relief. There were so many people packed in the room, it would be all too easy for someone to hide.

 

Tosh headed for the bar whilst she waited for Ianto to return, all the while still scanning the room for anyone who looked out of place, as she picked up her third champagne glass for the night, taking one sip. She hadn't had more than a mouthful all night, subtly abandoning the full glasses on empty tables and trays, merely looking as if she was enjoying the evening,

'Having fun on your date, Tosh?' she heard Owen behind her, hovering by the wall. She could feel his eyes on her, and she held up her glass so that he had less of a view of the plunging neckline.

'It's hardly a date, Owen,' she replied, enthused at this show of jealousy.

'Have you told him that? He looks like he's enjoying it.'

Tosh resisted the urge to roll her eyes, knowing it would upset Owen to do something that was so very Ianto, but not wanting to push her luck too much.

'We're working, Owen. Don't tell me you're jealous?'

Owen scoffed. 'Me, jealous? Not bloody likely,' he lied. 'Just be nice if once he could keep it in his pants, that's all.'

Tosh was about to make a comment in Ianto's defense when she felt a hand slip around her waist. A second cupped her cheek and then there were warm lips pressed to hers. The action surprised her but she found herself kissing back in spite of the surprise.

When the lips pulled away, she caught sight of the livid look on Owen's face as he stormed off, leaving Ianto to his prize.

'Wow. That was, unexpected,' Tosh said, feeling breathless. Ianto had completely snuck up onher and siezed her right in front of Owen. It was bold and brash, not like him at all. If he'd wanted to ruffle Owen's feathers, he'd certainly succeeded. Ianto just smiled back.

'The mayor has gone home for the night, so I thought we could make the most of the rest of the evening.'

 

Owen was fuming as he pushed his way through the crowd, headed for the doors. Gwen was about to follow him when Jack caught her arm and told her leave him be. The kiss had caught even Jack by surprise. He knew Ianto wanted it to be convincing, but he didn't think his lover would have the guts to pull it off. I've thoroughly corrupted him, Jack thought grinning inwardly.

Owen shoved the door to the bathroom open and let it shut behind him before kicking over the paper bin in his frustration. Sodding Teaboy! Did he want to have a go with Gwen as well? Should've decked him right then and there, he thought, looking glumly at his reflection in the mirror. When he did, he caught sight of the two pairs of legs in the cubicles behind him. Both were at odd angles, like someone was lying on the floor inside.

Forgetting his anger for the moment, he rushed over, banging on the doors, asking them to respond. When he got nothing he managed to break down the first one, finding the body of the mayor sprawled on the floor, pale and unconscious.

Shit. If this was the mayor then who was in the other cubicle? He shoulder charged the door and found Ianto lying in a heap, a thick bloody gash across the top of his head, equally unconscious.

Owen tapped his comms, flipping over to a separate channel.

'Jack, have you got eyes on Ianto?'

'When have I not got eyes on Ianto?' he replied cheekily.

'He's not Ianto, he's the bounty hunter,' Owen replied hurriedly, checking Ianto's pulse and finding it weak. 'He's a shape shifter.'  

'What?' Jack said, scanning the room for them shortly and realising he couldn't see him anywhere.

'I've got the mayor and Ianto in the bathrooms. They're alive but barely. I think they've been poisoned. I need to get samples and get them an antidote quick.'

Jack darted across the room, in search of Gwen, grabbing her and telling her to rush back to the car and get Owen's kit and to help him. He'd go after the bounty hunter.

 

Putting thoughts of the immediate crisis out of his mind for a moment, he knew he had to get to Tosh before the bounty hunter decided to take her out, or before he changed faces again and slipped out of their grasp altogether. He must have been watching them all night, picking them out as Torchwood. He cursed the mayor for being such a stubborn idiot, forcing their hand.

Luckily he found them idly swaying in the middle of the room, Tosh oblivious to the danger. They'd switched over to an encrypted channel in case the bounty hunter had stolen Ianto's earpiece, so Tosh had heard nothing of their exchanges. He quickly closed the gap between them and his current position.

'May I cut in?' Jack asked, smiling congenially.

'You're the boss,' Ianto replied, standing back to let Jack take up a stance with Tosh. Instead, Jack wrapped his arm around Ianto's waist and pulled him into his embrace.

'You're impossible,' Ianto replied.

'I know,' Jack beamed. 'I like to keep everyone a little jealous of me,' he added before reaching up to Ianto's face and planting a kiss on his lips. When he pulled back he turned to face Tosh.

'Tosh, Owen and Gwen are in the men's bathroom. They might need your help.'

'Help with what?'

'Our bounty hunter has done the old switcheroo. Tried to poison the mayor and Ianto, but Owen got there first.'

Her eyes flashed with the sudden realisation, at the same time that the bounty hunter realised he'd been made. At the moment he went to bolt from Jack's arms, he felt himself go boneless, Jack's embrace holding him up.

'What have you done to me?'

'Paralysing lip gloss,' Jack grinned. 'You don't have to like the man, but you can admire his methods,' he replied, having snaffled a tin of the the substance the last time he'd crossed paths with John Hart. In his semi paralytic state, Jack managed to drag him from the room without causing a scene, arm wrapped around his waist like a pair of lovers leaving for the night, cuffing him in the back of the SUV for good measure.

'Owen? Status report,' he said, needing to know that the rest of them were okay.

'We're good. That new anti-toxin kit did the job. They'll both be fine.'

'Good. This one is going to need similar treatment before his internal organs shut down,' he said, watching the bounty hunter helplessly lying on the back seat of the car, still looking like Ianto.  

'What did you do?' Owen asked.

'Gave him a welcome to the city, Jack Harkness style.'

 

Back at the hub, the mayor and Ianto were resting in separate rooms, recovering from the effects of the poison. Ianto also had a mild concussion from being clubbed when they'd entered the bathroom. He'd been prepared for a possible ambush, but the man who'd left the bathroom just as they were entering it had doubled back on him and come from behind. It all happened too fast for either of them to do anything about it. Once Ianto was out for the count the shape shifter made quick work of subduing the mayor and injecting them both with the deadly toxin, before shutting the doors and leaving them there to die slowly but surely. He should have disappeared into the night after that but he'd known Torchwood were on his tail and he felt like teaching them a lesson for getting in his way. He'd already killed one, but the pretty one in the green dress would make a lovely prize. He might even keep her for a while, rather than kill her outright.

 

Tosh felt awful that Ianto had gotten hurt. She should have kept a better eye on him instead of trying to tease Owen. She was sitting on the edge of his bed when he woke up, still in her dress, but the painful stiletto shoes abandoned. Owen was hovering nearby, checking over test  results and surreptitiously eavesdropping.

'Hey,' she greeted, watching as he cracked open an eye.

'Hey,' he replied back. 'What happened? Judging by the painful headache, nothing good.'

'Alien shape shifting bounty hunter,' she replied. 'Knocked you out and tried to poison you both. Luckily Owen found you in time to reverse its effects.'

She brushed a hand gently over the bandaged cut on his head. 'Not exactly a great first date,' she joked.

'Oh, I don't know,' he mused. 'For a Torchwood date, I'd put it right up there with some of Jack's finest work. All we missed was the harried car sex at the end.'

'Well you won't be having any of that tonight,' Owen replied gruffly, coming over to check his IV line.

'Killjoy,' Ianto muttered. 'Jack will be so disappointed.'

'I will be,' Jack added joining them, with Gwen in tow, ensnaring one of Ianto's hands in his own, giving it a gentle squeeze.

'Well, you could always shag Tosh,' Owen sniped.

'Nah. I think I've decided I don't like sharing. Sorry Tosh, but you'll have to find yourself someone else. Ianto is very much taken,' he said, leaning over to deliver a kiss to Ianto.

'That's okay. I think we're better off as friends,' she grinned. 'He's a good kisser though,' she added, wanting to get in one last teasing comment.

'Don't I know it? Shame it was the bounty hunter you snared. The real thing is something else.'

'Where is he?' Tosh asked.

'Locked up in the cells,' Jack replied. 'Once Owen administered the antidote he was back up on his feet, but he won't be going any to where for a long time. I think he's claimed his last bounty.'

'And the mayor?'

'Resting,' Jack replied. 'I thought about retconning him, but figured he might be a bit more amenable towards us if he remembered how we saved his life.'

'I think he might remember more how we almost didn't save his life,' Ianto added.

'Good point. Perhaps when we serve him breakfast you might make the necessary arrangements?'

'Consider it done, sir.'

'Okay. Good job everyone. Time you all went home and got some rest yourselves.'

 

Tosh was grabbing her handbag out from under her desk when Owen ambled by. She'd changed back out of her sparkling gown and into the comfort of her jeans and cashmere sweater, but looking forward to curling up in her pajamas when she got home.

'Can I give you a ride home?' Owen asked.

'That would be great,' she replied. 'I'm not as tired as I thought, but my feet are killing me from those shoes.'    

Owen shoved his hands in the short pockets of his leather jacket.

'So you and Ianto aren't a thing anymore?'

'We were never a thing to begin with,' she replied. 'Never even got to first date let alone first base. He and Jack are just perfect together, and that's how it should be.'

The silence hung in the air for a moment before Owen spoke again.

'So, you don't think that maybe we could, you know, maybe grab a drink after work some time? Since you're not dating anyone at the moment,' he added.

Her heart fluttered. 'Are you asking me out?'

He shuffled awkwardly. 'Maybe. It's just a drink,' he said, sounding like he expected her to turn him down. He couldn't really blame her if she did. He wasn't exactly the bookish gentleman that Ianto was, but he could try. Tosh was such a nice person, pretty, smart, and brave. He could do worse, but she could probably do better.

'I'd like that,' Tosh said, smiling at  him.

'Really?'

'Sure,' she said. 'What's the harm? It could be rubbish. It's only a first date after all,' she said, repeating his own words.

'Okay. Good,' Owen said stumbling over his words. ' Spose I should take you home then.'

Tosh couldn't keep the smile off her face the whole way home. Tomorrow she was going to buy Jack and Ianto through biggest box of chocolates she could find.

Comments

[bk_forever]

How sweet is Ianto, willing to fake date Tosh to make Owen jealous? And it worked, even though poor Ianto got clobberd over the head and poisoned for his trouble. It's a good thing Owen stalked off to the men's room in a snit, otherwise Ianto and the mayor might not have been found in time!