m_findlow

Title: Mr Fix-It
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Owen, Ianto, Jack, Gwen
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 66 - Broken at anythingdrabble
Summary: Jack is keen to show off his handyman skills.

'You're back early,' Jack said watching his two teammates enter the hub.

'Yeah, well sometimes the rift decides not to be a complete arse,' Owen replied, nodding across at Ianto who was carrying a box with their latest find tucked inside it.

'Anything good?' Jack asked.

'Dunno,' Owen replied. 'Never seen it before, but no doubt Tosh could probably figure it out.'

'For all that good that might do,' Ianto added.

Jack frowned at the pair of them. 'What makes you say that?'

'It's broken,' Owen declared, pulling it out of the box, holding the thing up by one corner, watching as a small spring from inside it rattled around before finding a crack in the outer shell through which it tumbled out and onto the floor.

'It's not broken,' Jack said, taking the device out of Owen's hands. 'It just needs fixing.'

Ianto gave Jack a knowing stare, folding his arms as if preparing to address a small child with grown up logic. 'Isn't that the very definition of broken?'

Jack gave a dramatic sigh and roll of his eyes. 'Ianto, sometimes I think you give up on things too easily.'

'I put up with you, don't I?' Owen snorted in amusement at the quip.

'Touché.'

'I'm with Teaboy,' Owen said. 'This thing has obviously taken a rough trip through the rift, not helped by the fact that it's gone smashing into the road on its journey to terra firma.'

'Give me a couple of hours,' Jack promised them. 'I know what it is, and once I've got it back in shipshape condition, I can show you.'

Owen looked at Ianto. 'You want money on it being a sex toy?'

He rolled his eyes in reply. 'Jack's not nearly enough excited for that, can't you tell?'

'I try not to dwell on those thoughts,' Owen said.

'Alright, you two,' Jack said, giving them both a warning glance. 'Have your jokes, but you'll both be properly impressed when I'm done.'

'Can't wait,' Owen replied.

Gwen leaned her elbows on the counter and stared at the metal contraption Jack had proudly set there. 'So, what is it?'

Jack beamed. 'A portable food fabricator. This little baby can make just about anything,' he said, giving it a pat. 'They were all the rage back in the forty nine forties. Every home had one. I've been waiting forever for one of these to turn up. No more craving pizza a three in the morning and knowing Jubilee are closed.'

'I bet it can't make a decent coffee, though,' Ianto said, giving it a distrustful look.

'Well, go on then,' Owen huffed. 'I'm gagging for a Toffee Crisp and a beer.'

Jack grinned. 'Your wish is my command.' He pressed a few buttons and the box began to shudder, before suddenly erupting in a cloud of smoke, leaving scorch marks on the counter and four stunned faces.

Ianto placed a consolatory hand on Jack's shoulder. 'Maybe leave the fixing things to Tosh next time.'