Torchwood: Fanfic: A Christmas Tale - Part nine

[m_findlow]

Title: A Christmas Tale
Author: m_findlow
Characters: Torchwood Team
Rating: PG
Length: 22,304 words
Prompt: Torchwood_fest Prompt #6, submitted by badly_knitted(Members of the team have to assist Santa's elves by temporarily becoming elves themselves)
Summary: Santa is in trouble, can Torchwood save the day?

'C'mon Rhys were going to be late,' Gwen said, rushing around the living room, trying to pack food whilst simultaneously using a curling iron.

'I'm telling you Gwen, next year were having Christmas at our place. No ifs, no buts. I don't care if the oven isn't big enough for your mum's turkey. Do you have any idea how bad the traffic is going to be having to drive to Swansea on Christmas day? And always bloody roadworks! Who's paying these people to work on Christmas day then, eh? Us, that's who!'

'Oh, stop your fussing, Rhys! It won't be that bad.'

And it wasn't. No roadworks and green lights all the way. They even got there early.

 

 

'Look, I'm sorry Mama,' Tosh said, stumbling along the street in high heels, bags full of gifts on one arm, the other holding her phone to her ear. 'There'll be another train in an hour. Just start without me. Yes, I know Sofu and Sobo will be upset. I'll get there when I can I promise. Tell Papa not to worry, I'll get a cab from the station when I arrive.'

She struggled up the steps to Queen St Station. She wasn't sure why she was hurrying, she'd already missed the train to London and it would be a long wait for the next service, whilst her family disapproved of her tardiness on today of all days.

When she arrived though, there was a train there. She caught the attention of a nearby guard.

'Sorry, but am I on the wrong platform?'

'London train?'

'Yes.'

'That's her.'

'I thought I missed it. It's ten past the hour.'

'I know, love. Driver had an asthma attack, had to get a replacement driver so it's running late. Should be off in about five minutes though if you're still catching it. Lucky for you, eh?'

'Yeah,' she agreed, 'lucky.'

'Merry Christmas!'

 

Owen knocked on the door with trepidation. When had he last been here? Three months? Six?

The woman who answered the door was petite with silver hair and chocolate brown eyes. She always looked older than she was, thought Owen.

'Owen.'

'Hi mum.' There was an awkward pause.

'I wasn't expecting to see you, thought you had to work.'

Owen shoved his hands in his jacket pockets, looking contrite.

'Well, it's Christmas, innit? More important things than work. But you're right, I should have called ahead.'

She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. 'Don't be silly. Mark and Annie are inside, and Annie's kids. Why don't you come in? Always room for one more.'

'Thanks, mum.'

 

Ianto woke in the warm softness of the bed, Jack snuggled around his body.

'Morning,' murmured Jack, wrapping his arm a little tighter.

'Morning.'

'Merry Christmas.'

'Mmm. I had the weirdest dream last night that all of Santa's elves got sick and we had to save Christmas.'

'Really? I had that exact same dream.'

'Well that's not possible, is it? Wouldn't we remember if something like that actually happened?'

'Probably. Maybe there was something in that eggnog last night. Plus it wouldn't be the first time we've had the same dream. I dream about shagging you all the time.'

Ianto chuckled and lay there for a moment enjoying the peace.

'David and Mica will be tearing about the house any minute now.'

'Guess we'd better get ready then.'

 

The floor was littered with wrapping and curling ribbon while David and Mica took in their new toys. The four adults were lounging on the sofas sipping hot coffee.

'Oi, there's still gifts under the tree,' Rhiannon declared.

'Thought we'd done them all,' said Johnny.

Rhiannon reached under the tree for the two small boxes. 'They're for you,' she said, reading the tags and  indicating her brother and Jack.

Jack opened it. Inside the box was a silver ring. The inner band was engraved and he held it up to the light to read it. "All my love, Ianto." 'Aw, it's beautiful.'

Ianto was perplexed. Nice as it was, he hadn't bought it. What was Rhiannon up to?

'Open yours.'

'He did. Inside was a matching silver ring, engraved, "All my love, Jack."

Now it was Jack's turn to look confused. 'You know I'd take credit, but I didn't do that.'

'I'm confused,' said Rhiannon.  

'You mean these aren't from you?' Ianto asked his sister.

'Do I look like I'm made of money?'

'Well if you didn't buy them, who did?'

'Santa of course, silly,' Mica said, hopping up onto Ianto's lap.

'Santa's not real, dumbo,' said David.

'Shut up. He is, stupid.'

'Oi, none of that,' scolded Johnny.

'He is real, isn't he uncle Ianto?' Mica asked looking up at him.

He hugged her tightly, thinking back to last night's dream. 'Yes, he is,' then looked down at the ring and back  up at Jack, smiling. 'Yes, he is.'  

The end.

Comments

[breannarose1.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this! :)
Loved how you were able to match each TW member (+ Rhys) with just the right job, a job I now believe HAS to exist at the North Pole. ^_^

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[jo02]

Great story! And that ending was so nice I got a bit teary.

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The end was the first bit I wrote so it had to have the fluffy happy ending of your traditional Christmas story. I think I used up all my Christmas spirit just writing that bit!

[bk_forever]

It wasn't a dream, boys!

A happy Christmas to Torchwood! And here's hoping Santa and his elves stay healthy in future!

This was a great adventure! Thanks so much for filling my prompt! *hugs* I loved it!

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

You are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it and I liked some of your plot ideas along the way (why didn't I think of them?).

Apologies that the ending was a bit rushed. I was determined to have it posted on Christmas day and ran out of time, literally posting the final chapter at 11.59! Would have loved to have written more about Owen and Tosh's reindeer flight to Cardiff, as well as a few other bits and pieces.

Thanks again! :)

[bk_forever]

That's the trouble with deadlines, sometimes you have to rush bits you would have liked to explore further. But you got it finished and posted, and I loved it!

Still got some of your bingo fics to read, but I'm gradually catching up again!