Recovery: Chapter 11 - Conflict
Aug. 21st, 2009 05:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aviv_b_artworkCHARACTERS: Ianto, Owen, Gwen, Jack, Tosh
WORDS: ~ 1360
SUMMARY: Owen and Jack have a little disagreement
The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know - Napolean Bonaparte.
As Owen drove back to Cardiff, he reflected on the latest developments in his ongoing care of Ianto. ‘Bugger it, why did I decide to play big hero at Canary Wharf? Look where being a good guy has landed me. More work, stuck looking after an invalid, certain to be in trouble with Jack at some point because of this…..’ Ok, so maybe not an invalid, and it wasn’t Ianto’s fault, but he hardly had time for himself anymore. No, not true, he just didn’t feel like going out much anymore. Too tired after work and reviewing all of Ianto’s medical records daily and coordinating his care.
Owen knew that Ianto would be fine under Martha’s watchful eye, but he also knew he wasn’t going to stop reading the daily updates and calling and checking to make sure everything was running smoothly.
And then there was his eventual return to Cardiff. Owen acknowledged that it was this that was really putting him on edge. He needed to find a flat for Ianto, as well as have a continuing care plan in place. There was also that little matter with Jack, not to mention sorting things out with Ianto’s mother and sister.
As he pulled into the parking garage near the Hub, Owen sighed, wiping a hand across his face. ‘Maybe I can get Tosh or Gwen to help me…I’m just not good with this stuff.’
Owen reckoned he would have to somehow bribe Tosh and Gwen; he was not in their good graces at this point. He probably shouldn’t have teased Gwen about her boyfriend calling him The Big Oaf, and there was the unfortunate incident involving the caustic blue goop he had dropped on Tosh’s work station destroying her keyboard and several important reports.
He was relieved to see that everything was quiet when he entered the Hub. Tosh was engrossed with something on her computer and Gwen was reviewing reports of some kind. Neither acknowledged his presence.
“Where’s Jack?”
“In his office,” Tosh replied without breaking her concentration on her work.
“Right, well I’ll just go check in with him then.”
As he started up the stairs to Jack’s office, Gwen and Tosh looked at each other and smiled.
Owen stood outside Jack’s office and watching him muttering over some paperwork. He was obviously very angry about something, and Owen wisely began to back quietly away from the office.
“Owen, get in here and sit down.”
Owen sighed and entered Jack’s office. “I don’t want to bother you, you seem pretty busy. But I wanted to talk to you about Ianto Jones when you have a moment.”
Jack rose out of his chair and slammed his palms on the top of his desk.
“What is it now! I’ve had UNIT up my ass ever since Canary Wharf. Between the reports, inspections, meetings, conference calls, security checks and other nonsense, we’re barely able to keep an eye on the rift. I’ve given you an unlimited budget as well as time off to handle Jones, can’t you at least take one thing off my back! Makes me sorry I didn’t stick to my guns about having him retconned and put away in a secure facility.”
Owen couldn’t believe Jack could be so callous and by gods he wasn’t taking this sitting down. Owen stood up and began to shout back at Jack. “You prick, you self-absorbed prick! Sure let’s just lock him away because he’s inconvenient and more work, and you don’t want to deal with it. Well he doesn’t have a choice but to deal with it! And he’ll be dealing with it every day for the rest of his life. He’ll be 24 years old in a few weeks. He should be going to clubs, and dating, maybe thinking about getting married. He should have a nice job and a nice flat and looking forward to his future. And what’s he got? The inability to speak which does not look like its going to get better, a hand that’s not going to function completely even after surgery. Oh and as a bonus, no family to care for him, and complete disdain from the person who is ultimately responsible for his care. Frankly, I don’t know why he hasn’t put a bullet in his brain by now. After all it would be much more convenient for you!”
Owen stood up to leave. Jack was furious. “Don’t you dare walk out of this office Owen.”
Owen turned to walk out of Jack’s office and was startled to see Tosh and Gwen standing in the doorway.
Tosh interrupted, “Shut up, both of you, just shut up! “You,” she said turning to Jack, “have been behaving like a child having a temper tantrum, and you,” she pointed toward Owen, “have been running yourself ragged with this Jones project but too proud to ask for help.”
Jack stared at Tosh. She never spoke up or gave opinions unless asked. What was she so pissed about?
“And I swear Jack, if I ever hear you speak about retconning someone and locking them away when they represent no danger to anyone, the least of your worries will be from UNIT.”
Gwen stood quietly taking this all in. She didn’t know much about Ianto Jones, but she knew that Jack and Owen had both been involved in the rescue operations at Canary Wharf. And in her opinion, both of them were showing some signs of post-traumatic stress from being there.
“Could I make a suggestion?” Everyone turned to look at her; Owen with irritation, Jack with a smirk, Tosh with curiosity.
“If it’s OK with Jack, I think we should all get out of here, get some rest and meet tomorrow to discuss this. You two should list out what needs to be done with due dates. Then we can see how to divide the work up so no one’s overwhelmed. We’re supposed to be a team, maybe its time we started to act like one.”
Owen wasn’t ready to let go of his anger at Jack just yet. “Hell, that’s why I came to Jack – to ask for help…”
“Well, it’s a little late to start asking for help after the dam has burst,” Jack retorted.
Gwen and Tosh both rolled their eyes. Tosh gritted her teeth and said, “What part of ENOUGH, don’t you guys understand?”
Jack sighed and sat down. When did everything go to hell? He had a good team assembled and they were working well together and then Canary Wharf happened, and Suzie got crazed, now UNIT, what next? He took a deep breath.
“Tosh and Gwen have a point and we’re not getting anywhere yelling at each other. Let’s get together tomorrow at 9 AM for a group meeting. Owen, can you get a list together by then?” Jack was so calm it was scary.
“No problem, none at all.”
“The rift is quiet, so why don’t we knock off now and baring any emergencies, I don’t want anyone here before 8:45 AM.”
As they packed up for the night, Gwen asked Tosh about Ianto Jones and Canary Wharf. Tosh really didn’t know that much herself, but thought that this might be an opportunity to talk to Gwen and get to know her a little more. If, of course, she didn’t have to run home to her boyfriend.
“You have time for a drink, it’s early?”
Gwen looked at her watch. Only 6:00 PM. That was early for Torchwood. She really wanted to spend the evening with Rhys but remembered that he was meeting some of his friends for a few rounds at the pub.
“After today, I have time for a couple of drinks. Let me call Rhys and let him know I won’t be home until later.”
Tosh eyed Gwen as she called her boyfriend and explained that she was going out for drinks with a co-worker. Gwen smiled as spoke, laughing at something Rhys said, told him she loved him and ended the call.
‘After today, she must think she joined a band of lunatics’ mused Tosh. ‘I wonder how long it will be before she becomes like us.’
Chapter 12 is here: http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/5366.html
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no subject
Date: 2009-08-22 12:01 am (UTC)And now that I know your 'what won't happen list' I'm much calmer in reading your story lmao
no subject
Date: 2009-08-22 02:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-22 01:09 am (UTC)I'm glad to see Tosh and Gwen getting involved. Little Tosh is probably the *last* person you want angry with you. Go Tosh. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-08-22 02:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-22 09:30 am (UTC)and WOAH TOSH!! that was unexpected!!
Loving this more more MORE!!
no subject
Date: 2009-08-22 02:17 pm (UTC)And I think the worst part of us often comes out under pressure. At this point I don't think I'm giving anything away to say that my Jack has his worst moments when he's not fully in control of his destiny...when Yvonne Hartmann or UNIT is threatening him (but there's obviously more to the story with YH).
Owen - he is the real hero of the story, but he better be careful because he's tied his identity and self-worth very closely to Ianto's behavior. And Ianto is an adult and he isn't always going to do what Owen thinks he should. He and the Brigadier are a lot alike in this respect, as you shall see.
While Tosh and Gwen play relatively small roles in this fiction, I wanted to give them some ggrrrlll power! I'm not fond of the women in competition over a man dynamic. Its another cliche. Since my Gwen isn't as egocentric as the TV Gwen, I think she and Tosh could be friends.
Tosh - Considering that she was locked away (not without reason) but without trial by UNIT you can't be surprised that she opened a can of whoop-ass on Jack. You go girl!
no subject
Date: 2009-08-23 10:17 am (UTC)I am glad Owen is the hero this time, he never realy was in the series.
And I think Tosh should deffinitely shoudl have opened a can of whoop ass on Jack a few times n the series.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-19 11:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-20 12:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 05:11 pm (UTC)