aviv_b_artwork | Recovery: Chapter 17

RATING: Chapter 17 - PG-13 for language, sexual references
CHARACTERS: Ianto, Owen, Jack, Gwen, Tosh; OCs-Saundra Bennett, Jonathan Bennett, Bryan Hamilton, Stephen Hamilton
WORDS: ~ 1740
SUMMARY: - Ianto receives a 'get out of jail card'

If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress - Barak Obama

A few days before Ianto’s second surgery in late-October, Jack called his team together to review the progress they’d made on the UNIT review and Owen’s ‘to do’ list.

“Gwen, you really are the ‘Goddess of Paperwork.’ We’ve got just about all the reports completed and only one has been returned by UNIT for more information. Tosh, where are we on the voice synthesizing software?”

Tosh explained that the number of programs available for translating text into voice was growing at an astounding rate. Many were downloadable to cell phones. “You’re not going to believe it, but there are translators with fairly natural sounding voices. Not that Stephen Hawking robotic sound of a few years ago. I’ve found several suitable programs with Welsh accented English; I’m assuming he’d have a southern accent being from Cardiff. And I found two programs for translation of text to Welsh. I’d like to have Gwen check them out since I can’t judge how accurate they are.”

“Good. Owen and I have reviewed the floor plans for Ianto’s flat and I’ve received approval for a medium sized one bedroom on the second floor. It’s almost 800 square feet with hallways wide enough for a walker or wheelchair should one be needed. We thought a lower floor would be better just in case there’s a problem with the elevators. Ok Gwen, what do we have for our furniture and soft goods estimates?”

Gwen explained that she had general estimates that she would refine now that the flat layout had been chosen. “I think we’re looking at around 3,800 pounds for furniture if we keep things at a minimum.” Jack winced. “That does include bedroom furniture, a sofa and chair and coffee table for the living room a computer desk and a small kitchen table and some chairs and lamps. I had to add in a couple of closet armoires since the loft space doesn’t have any formal closet space. I’m estimating around 300 pounds for soft goods – bed linens, towels, area rugs, and kitchen and bathroom accessories.”

Jack shook his head. “I have to admit, I had no idea that the cost would be so high. I’ll have to use my considerable charm to get the funds from UNIT.”

Tosh pointed out that living in a bunker in the Hub would tend to distort one’s idea of the cost of furnishing an apartment.

“Well, you have a point, but I wonder if we couldn’t get a discount from IKEA if we let them take photos of the flat as an example of an IKEA dream house.” Everyone laughed. “Owen when will be need to have the flat ready for Mr. Jones?”

“I’m estimating sometime around the end of January, beginning of February. His second surgery is in three days, figure another six weeks of rehab and a week or so to transition.”

“Assuming my meeting with his family goes OK, I’ll be bringing him to Cardiff for Christmas. It’ll be just for a few days, but enough time for him to see the flat so I’d like to have it pretty well complete by then. He’ll also need to test the voice software as well as visit his family. And meet all of you. He’ll be staying at my place for the visit, so that shouldn’t entail anything else for you to do.”

***

Ianto’s second surgery was far shorter than his first. In just under three hours the surgeons were able to complete reconstructing his hand. Only time would tell the full extent of its mobility but Ianto found that within a week he could with some effort button and unbutton most clothes as well as tie his shoes. He had become fairly adept at shaving with his left hand and he thought he might just leave well enough alone.

Writing was a different story. While he was able to hold a pen properly, his handwriting with his right hand was even more illegible than his left. Ianto didn’t seem bothered by this outcome. ‘Hell, nobody actually writes anything anymore except for their signature. I reckon with some practice I’ll be able to do that well enough.’

John still stopped by twice a week and Kelly visited when she could, but Ianto found that he was getting impatient to leave the rehab facility. Saundra noticed his restlessness and decided that he needed another change in routine. And she had a big change in mind for Ianto.

Much to his surprise, Saundra showed up one evening with two men not much older than him. She introduced the Brigadier’s sons Bryan and Stephen and like she did with John left them to get acquainted. Where John was serious and intense, the brothers were all about having a good time. They asked if Ianto wanted to go drinking with them that weekend. Ianto was keen to go but wasn’t sure he could leave the facility.

Stephen smiled. “You just leave that to ‘Aunt’ Saundra, she’ll bail you out of this place.” Technically, you’re staying with Father, but actually you’ll be staying with one of us.”

Ianto was puzzled by this but Bryan laughed and explained, “Hey if you pull, you don’t want to have to take her home and introduce her to our father, do you?” Ianto was pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen, but he could see the logic in their plans.

The next two weekends were spent with Bryan and Stephen. It was a lot like the old days with Charlie. Both men were of medium height and build with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes. Both were easygoing and fun to be with. But Bryan, the younger of the two, had much better luck with women than his older sibling.

As Bryan left the club with his newest lady friend, Stephen and Ianto laughed. “Well, he’s two for two, and you and I are scoreless!”

‘Yeah the ladies are not entranced by my text messaging. Can’t understand why. I’m a really good listener after all.’

Stephen snorted. “Maybe next weekend we’ll leave little Bryan on his own and try a few different clubs. But you have to swear you won’t tell Bryan where we go.”

That sounded fine to Ianto. They went back to Stephen’s flat and smoked a couple of joints. Ianto felt wonderful.

“Hear you’ve been spending time with John. That must be a treat.”

‘Actually he’s a nice guy. Why don’t you like him?’

“Let’s just say that he’s an awfully straight arrow.”

‘That wasn’t my impression. He’s pretty irreverent and he likes his whiskey…a lot.’

Stephen snorted. “When I say straight I mean he’s a total het, very intolerant of anyone who isn’t.”

Ianto wasn’t sure where this conversation was going, but he really didn’t know Stephen well enough for any personal discussions. ‘And this is important to me, why?’

“Oh come off it Ianto, I picked you up on my gaydar the minute I met you.”

‘I think that must have been your bi-dar actually.’

“Yeah, whatever. Just make sure he doesn’t realize it, or you’ll be out a friend.”

‘Well, I’m not interested in sleeping with him, so it shouldn’t be a problem.’

“When I say intolerant, I mean he’s hostile to anyone who doesn’t believe in one woman/one man missionary position sex. Now maybe he’ll make an exception for you, but I reckon you’ve had enough crap in your life, I just don’t want you to be surprised.”

‘I have to ask, how do you know this?’

“Because we were mates until I came out as bi. Now he can’t even stand to be in the same room as me.”

Ianto felt his heart sink a little. Good thing, then that he would be going back to Cardiff soon, he didn’t need a failed friendship to remember London by.

“Hey, don’t look so glum…I’ll be your friend.”

‘You aren’t hitting on me are you?’

“You are very cute, but not my type really. You’re too tall for one thing, and I like my men and women with dark hair and eyes and not with glow-in-the-dark white skin.”

Ianto smirked, ‘You’re not my type either. I like them tall and blond.’

“You should consider moving to Sweden. Gorgeous blond men and women.”

‘So how’s Bryan with your bi-ness?’

“Bi-ness, that’s not actually a word, is it? Anyway, he’s het but couldn’t care less what anyone else does.

‘And your father?’

“That’s an interesting question. Let’s just say that he’s mellowed with age.”

***

The third weekend, Stephen picked him up at the rehab facility ready for a night of clubbing. They laughed when they saw each other. Both were dressed in black jeans and black T-shirts. Stephen had on a belt with a large silver buckle; Ianto went without and let his jeans sit lower on his hips.

“We look like we’re a couple. We’ll never pull at this rate.”

Ianto opened his weekend duffle, pulled out a white T-shirt and quickly changed into it.

“That’s a nice look for you, like you’re half undressed already.”

Ianto rolled his eyes.

They both had better luck that evening. Stephen hooked up early with a handsome older man who was visiting from Spain. He tossed the keys to his flat to Ianto and told him not to expect him until the morning.

Ianto spent the rest of the evening with a young man named Roger, who was a graduate student in chemistry and yes, was tall and blond. They had some serious snogging going on, but when closing time came Ianto was too nervous to go home with him or invite him back to Stephen’s flat. Roger was disappointed but seemed to understand Ianto’s uncertainty. He gave Ianto his cell number and told him to call if he wanted to get together during his remaining time in London.

‘Shit, he was a nice guy. A little shy even; everything would have been fine. I’m smart enough not to get in over my head again. I’ve just got to use my brains, instead of my dick.’

And that, he realized was the biggest problem he had when it came to men. For some reason he seemed to be drawn to men with an edge about them, a little dangerous, a little unpredictable. Exactly who he shouldn’t be with. Not a nice, low key guy like Roger. ‘I hate not being in control and someone like Roger is really what I need. So why the hell do I always find myself drawn to the bad boys?’

Damned if he could figure that one out.

Chapter 18 is here: http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/6879.html