buttononthetop: (Vizzini's Rule - Title)
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Title:  Vizzini's Rule, Chapter 78

Rating:  PG-13

Warnings:  Nope

Spoilers:  Season One thru Out of Time (1x10)

Disclaimer:  Torchwood and all its wonderfulness belong to Russell T. Davies and the Mighty Beeb.  Just goofin' around!

Summary:  In which Ianto and Brendan go to lunch…

Notes:  Brendan is back!  Thanks so much to everyone who is excited he’s making a return.  :)  Hope you enjoy.

Previous Chapters 


Vizzini's Rule: Chapter Seventy-Eight

Still shaking his head at Jack’s generous gesture, Ianto headed back upstairs to wait for Brendan. He was in the back office when the bell over the door finally jingled again. He slipped through the beaded curtain to find Brendan leaning on the counter.

Brendan smiled and said, in a horrible American accent, “Excuse me, can you please tell me the best way to the Castle?”

Ianto laughed. “That is the number one question I get asked by those brave enough to come inside. How are you, Brendan?” he asked, extending his hand.

“Good, good, no complaints, you know? You?” Brendan replied, shaking his hand across the counter, holding it just a little bit longer than necessary.

“The same,” Ianto said.

“Everything the same?” Brendan asked a shade too casually.

Ianto nodded, answering the question Brendan hadn’t asked. “Exactly the same.”

“Ah,” Brendan said as he flipped through a brochure. “Okay, then. SUV still in the garage?”

“Yep, let me take you over.” Ianto grabbed the keys to the garage and the SUV and turned the sign to CLOSED on the door as they left. “So…” Ianto said as they walked. “Are we still on for lunch, then?”

“Yeah, I mean, if you want to…”

“I do. I mean, if you have to get back or… or something, I can –”

“No! I mean, yes, I still want to, too. Go to lunch, that is.”

“Good,” Ianto said. “Good, I… I’ve been looking forward to seeing you, Brendan.”

“Me too. I almost sent you an email a few times, just to say hi? But I wasn’t sure… I mean, if you wanted…”

“I did the same thing,” Ianto admitted, opening the garage.

“I think it’s the job, you know? We have to keep everything a secret and pretty soon we’re only talking to other people who know just so we don’t slip up.” Brendan set his toolbox on the pavement next to the SUV and turned to face Ianto. “But we kind of know the secrets so it would be okay, don’t you think?”

Ianto smiled. “I think it would be great. I… you can never have too many friends, right?”

“Right.” Brendan smiled back. “Well, I’ll get to work and then we can go to lunch?”

“Sounds great. Thanks, Brendan,” Ianto said.

Brendan flapped a dismissive hand at Ianto and pulled his coveralls out of his bag.

Ianto smiled again and left him to his work.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

It was only 11:30 when Brendan returned to the Tourist Office. He reported that the SUV was in perfect working order and had only required the standard oil change. Ianto signed the appropriate forms and then left Brendan to get cleaned up and changed while he ran downstairs to see if anyone needed anything before he went to lunch.

Gwen begged for a second pot of coffee, so he got that going and then headed into Jack’s office. Jack was on hold with the Home Office when Ianto stuck his head in. He merely rolled his eyes and waved Ianto on his way, mimicking a phone call to remind Ianto of their plans for later. With everyone squared away, Ianto hurried back upstairs to find Brendan.

“What do you feel like for lunch?” Ianto asked as they stepped out of the Tourist Office. “The pub? Indian? Italian?”

“Actually, Italian sounds really good. Is there something nearby? If not, I can drive us. I didn’t see your Audi when I parked?”

Ianto groaned. “No, you didn’t, long story. There’s a pretty good Italian place just upstairs on the Quay. Sound good?”

“Sure,” Brendan said agreeably. Ianto pointed them up the stairs and Brendan followed, asking about his car.

“It was involved in a case and it didn’t end well,” Ianto said.

“The case? Or the car?”

“Either, actually,” Ianto said thoughtfully. “Can’t give you details, of course, but as far as my car goes, it was stolen, smashed and set on fire.”

“Oh, Ianto,” Brendan said sympathetically, opening the door to the restaurant and motioning Ianto inside.

“Yeah,” he replied. “Not good. Two, please,” he said to the hostess.

“Have you started looking for a new one?” Brendan asked as he unbuttoned his coat and hung it on the back of his chair.

“Not yet, I’m supposed – hey, nice suit,” Ianto said. “What’s the occasion?” he asked, sitting down and opening his menu.

“Oh this bloody thing? I have a meeting this evening in London with UNIT’s intelligence branch. I figured it’d be easiest just to put it on now when I had a place to change. Tie’s in my pocket and won’t be coming out until I’m in the car park. I dunno how you do it. I always feel like I’m being slowly strangled and I know I look like it.”

Ianto shrugged. “You just get used to them, although I might suggest not tying them so tight,” he teased. “But why a suit? Why not your uniform?”

Brendan rolled his eyes. “Intelligence has this big office in the City and they don’t want to draw attention to themselves as a military presence so standard protocol whenever you’re summoned is to dress like you’re going to the bank. They’re a bunch of nutters.”

“Sounds like they –” Ianto broke off as his phone buzzed. He slid it out of his pocket and saw Jack’s name on the display. “Sorry,” he apologized as he flipped the phone open. “Yes, sir?”

“Ianto. You still at lunch?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good, good. Look, I’m sorry but I can’t make it this afternoon after all. The damn PM needs me to hold his hand through some decision making. Do you want me to call and reschedule? Or do you want to go ahead and just see what they have?”

“Why don’t I just go? It’s like you said, better just get it over with.”

“I really wanted to come with you,” Jack said, the disappointment ringing through the line.

“I know, Jack, but this is just a first look. It’s not like I’m going to buy something today.”

“Okay,” Jack grumbled. He told Ianto where the dealership was and who to ask for and then rang off.

Ianto closed his phone and smiled at Brendan. “How would you feel about some car shopping after lunch?”

“Seriously?” Brendan asked excitedly.

“Yeah. Jack set up an appointment at a dealership he knows. They just pulled together some cars I might like and should have them there to test drive this afternoon.”

Brendan looked surprised. “Jack must know this guy really well if they’re willing to do that.”

“Jack could talk anyone into anything,” Ianto said with a grin. “I’m curious to see what they have since he told them money is no object.”

Brendan’s green eyes got even bigger. “Is that true?”

Ianto laughed. “Yes and no. Jack feels awful that my car got destroyed because of Torchwood and said he’d pay the difference on any car I want, but I’m not going to take advantage.”

“You say that now,” Brendan warned. “Wait ‘til you get behind the wheel of something sweet and you might change your mind.”

“I’ll be happy with another Audi,” Ianto said firmly, nodding to the waiter who was circling the table.

“Hey, speaking as a mechanic, I wish everyone drove an Audi,” Brendan said.

“Oh yeah?”

“Oh yeah. I could retire at thirty with what I could make off the repairs alone,” Brendan said with a grin and a wink before he turned to talk to the waiter.

TBC in Chapter Seventy-Nine

Date: 2008-10-28 02:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] weeviltrends.livejournal.com
Yay Brendan.
He's just a bit of a comic relief in a sense.
Car shopping! Awesomee.

Date: 2008-10-28 02:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thrace-adams.livejournal.com
Oh Ianto and Brendan are so cute together!!! And you know what's coming next :) Surprised we haven't seen jealous!Jack raise his green ugly head yet :) Brilliant chapter as always...

ps. the link at the bottom is kind of funky...takes you to a previous chapter?

Date: 2008-10-28 02:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_miss_daisy_/
Woot! for Brendan!!!!!

And OMG! Car shopping with Brendan!!!!

I forsee some jealous!Jack in the future perhaps?

I can't wait for more!

Date: 2008-10-28 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dragynville.livejournal.com
The two of them, in suits, shopping for a car? Adorable! :D

Date: 2008-10-28 03:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] morgia.livejournal.com
Ho yes Brendan le bel adonis is back !!!
You know, you can write any conversation you want between gorgeous Brendan and Ianto (potatoes conversation, landry conversation, economy conversation, what its more good between lemon or pinneaple conversation or the special simpson halloween conversation) I'm totally hooked at the screen right now, my legs is like cotton and I have a big smile (ho and I giggle like a youg college student...) So do what you want (are you sure they not gonna kissing ????)
Prends soin de toi
xxxx
Gros calins et big hugs;)

Date: 2008-10-28 03:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] adafrog.livejournal.com
lol Oh yeah. Although I have heard they are supposed to be getting more reliable...
I like Brendan.

Date: 2008-10-28 03:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] teachwriteslash.livejournal.com
Oh Ianto --- you are about to make a certain Captain very jealous.

Date: 2008-10-28 04:05 am (UTC)
From: [personal profile] mercurychaos
Ooooh, bad Ianto. X)

Date: 2008-10-28 04:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] qaffangyrl.livejournal.com
I feel like I'm cheating on the Captain because I like Brendan so damned much! Curse you! LOL!

(during the gap are you going to develop the Gwen/Ianto friendship that's seen first in "Sleeper?" )

Date: 2008-10-28 04:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] unrequited1984.livejournal.com
and just like that what looked like only a chapter of brendan has turned into at least two. *rubs hands together* two attractive, open guys, fast cars...that could be trouble.

Date: 2008-10-28 06:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lupus-malus.livejournal.com
I like Brendan more than I should!

Date: 2008-10-28 07:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cjharknessgirl.livejournal.com
I can see Jack getting out of the talk with the PM and going to see Ianto at the dealership. And when he sees Bredan, we'll get jealous!Jack, perhaps?

Brilliant chapter! :D

Date: 2008-10-28 07:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] doctor-addicted.livejournal.com
I think your writing has made me slightly (more) paranoid (than I usually am) - I actually have a very bad feeling about Ianto taking someone, who clearly has a crush on him, to an event that Jack would have loved to share with Ianto...
*holds (metaphorical) breath in nervous anticipation*

Date: 2008-10-28 09:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hab318princess.livejournal.com
Loved this, and giggled re the cars

but am I getting paranoid regarding the meeting Brendan has in the afternoon when I think it can't be good for our lot?

Date: 2008-10-28 01:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] 01flowerpot.livejournal.com
Poor Jack sets up something nice to do with Ianto and can't make it. Better look to your game Jack, Brendon is definitely stepping into the breech here, and wouldn't mind any other occasion either.
Well deserved nomination for Children of Time beautiful written chapters that are a joy to read.

Date: 2008-10-28 03:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ttmac978.livejournal.com
*makes note of chapter number, adds to ever gorwing list of chapters worth re-reading. Looks at list, realises every chapter so far is included*

Have I said how much I love this fic? <3

The UST in this chapter is so well written. Was hoping Ianto might demonstrate on Brendan the correct way to tie a tie so it doesn't strangle you. Okay, looking at whats to come in Series 2 we know Jack and Ianto are going to be together. BUT Jack leaves him before that happens, does he not?

*Mind skips off somewhere...*

Uh, what was I saying? Oh yeah.

Can't wait for jealous Jack. Am surprised he wasn't watcing the cctv when Brendan showed up.

*Looks at [livejournal.com profile] hab318princess's comment* I never though of that. Meeting with UNIT's intelligence branch the evening after he has given the SUV a once-over. That can't be good. Though surely Brendan wouldn't have mentioned it to Ianto if he was spying on the team. Unless he doesn't know why he's going. *worries*

*sits staring at journal, waiting for next chapter*

Oh, can I friend you please? This is such a fantastic fic I really don't want to miss anything

Date: 2008-10-28 05:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alba17.livejournal.com
This day is going to take several chapters, isn't it? Really looking forward to the rest of the lunch and the car-shopping. *rubbing hands together in glee at Ianto's day with Brendan*. I like morgia's description of Brendan: "le bel Adonis"-hee.

Date: 2008-10-28 11:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lambsendbeds.livejournal.com
Okay...I'm going to be the lone objector here.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!NO CAR SHOPPING WITH BRENDON!!!!!!!CAR SHOPPING WITH JACK!!!!!!!!

***************throws self on floor and beats heels up and down***********

Ahem. I love the way you write Brendon but I find myself puzzled at Ianto's seeming interest in him. Things are going so well with Jack ATM that I don't understand why Ianto said things were exactly the same since the last time Brendon visited Ianto told him he was with someone who was being an arse (which was true at the time).

Just curious.......

I'm also worried that this could set up a situation where a Jealous!Jack might piss off Ianto....hmmm....***shifty eyes*****

Are you setting up the angst for us here?

Yeah yeah...wait and see.....

Date: 2008-10-28 11:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lambsendbeds.livejournal.com
Errrrrmmmm....

I'm not fired, am I?

*************goes off to plan campaign posters for you****************

Date: 2008-10-29 07:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kelspots.livejournal.com
Ahh, what a nice fluffy chapter! And I admit to also thinking that hmm, Brendan comes back in 3 months, Jack's gone then, hmmm..... ;) NOT that I don't like Jack/Ianto, but c'mon, Ianto doesn't deserve ALL of that angsty alone time.

Date: 2008-11-17 02:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vsee.livejournal.com
I have to admit that one of my new guilty pleasures of life is imagining Jack as a car-buying sugar daddy. Also, I now have the worst cravings for mac and cheese *waves back vaguely at previous chapters* This whole stretch of the story is decadent. *g*

Date: 2009-08-23 03:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] janto-x-naomily.livejournal.com
This is my second time reading this story through.
And I just can't seem to like Brendan (I liked him the first time I read this story though, don't get me wrong, he's a decent character, it's just my hardcore Janto heart doesn't like anyone else with Jack and Ianto :(), just 'cause I know what happens between Ianto and Brendan in To The Pain :(. I actually had to skip them chapters.
I feel sorry for Jack here too, and that he was excited about going with Ianto, but now he's taking Brendan. I can understand why Jealous!Jack raises his head when he finds out :(
Anyway, I am loving this series, and I totally love Jamie XD
Hannah x

Date: 2009-11-03 10:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] reddevilpoes.livejournal.com
Glad you wrote Brendan back...he's nice. Hope Jack is not going ballistic about him and Yan visiting the dealer...

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