Torchwood: Fanfic: Aiming to please

[m_findlow]

Title: Aiming to please
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 619 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for m_findlow's prompt "Any, any, succeeding on the first attempt is just showing off." at fic_promptly
Summary: Ianto isn't as excited about weapons training as Jack.

'Okay, Ianto,' Jack said, wandering casually into the firing range, already set up for his latest victim. 'Are you ready for your first foray into the wonderful world of weapons?'

'I can hardly contain myself,' he replied, trying to look as unenthusiastic as possible.

Jack folded his arms. 'Do I detect a hint of reluctance?'

'I don't know what you mean, sir.'

Jack's expression turned firm, the charming smile dropping from his face. 'This is serious, Ianto. We deal with a lot of dangerous stuff here and I know you're not a field agent, but I still expect you to be able to defend yourself.'

'Of course, but-'

'Yes,' Jack interjected, 'I know that you probably had a pretty different role at Torchwood One, but here we have a habit of bringing the danger from out there into the hub. I wish we didn't have to, but that's the reality of the job.'

Ianto inclined his head. 'I understand. I only meant-'

'You're just administration. I get it. I want all of my people trained. You just never know when you're going to get caught in the cross fire. I hope you never are but I couldn't live with myself if I'd had the chance to do something to prevent it and didn't.'

'All perfectly logical, sir. I just wanted to say-'

Jack paused. 'You don't like guns,' he replied, finishing the thought.

Ianto cast a glance at the large array of weaponry Jack had spread across the table. 'They're very, um... final.'

Jack rested a hand on his shoulder. 'Look, I'm not saying it would have made a difference, not against daleks and cybermen, but everyone should be able to at least have a shot at defending themselves. That's why I want to show you how to use these. Some things work better on certain opponents than others. Hell, some don't work at all.' He chuckled and then turned serious again. 'That's why its important to know.'

Ianto nodded. 'Back at Torchwood One, though...'

Jack gripped him firmly by both shoulders this time and gave him an intense look. 'They're gone, Ianto. They were arrogant and didn't prepare their people for the worst. I won't make that same mistake. Now,' he said, letting go and focusing on the table beside him, selecting a fairly standard Earth semi-automatic. 'This is a nice weapon to begin with. Almost no recoil, so you can use it one handed, but for your first attempt, let's keep both hands on it, yeah?'

He showed Ianto the correct grip and how to slide the safety back to arm it ready for firing. 'Try aiming down towards that cardboard weevil,' he said. 'I don't expect you to hit it, but just try leveling your arms in the general direction of the target.'

Ianto did so and Jack nodded in approval at his stance, adapting his feet only slightly. 'Okay, now, you're going to need a little bit of pressure on the trigger. Not too much, though. Take the shot whenever you're ready.'

Ianto lined up his aim, focusing on the angry looking cardboard imitation and squeezed the trigger. He was disappointed when the shot dipped slightly, hitting the weevil in the neck instead of the head.

'Nice work,' Jack beamed. 'Beginners luck. I didn't think you'd get anywhere near close. Of course, some would say succeeding on the first attempt is just showing off.'

'Well, I suppose all that training in London has to count for something,' Ianto replied, trying hard not to look just the tiniest bit smug.

Jack's brow furrowed at him. 'Training?'

'Yes. I was trying to tell you we had firearms training there too, but I couldn't get a word in edgeways.'