for tosh

[more_flexible]

Tuesday night

Jack had packed up dinner and grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms...just to be nice. It never looked good if you walked in like you expected something. He could hear her inside with Jackson, so he knocked quietly and waited. He'd actually been looking forward to tonight since he'd agreed to it. Looking forward to it a lot.

Not that he'd made any huge plans. Other than not telling anyone about it...Daniel knew he had a date, but that was it. He never said who with, or why. Because it was Tosh...and it was...

Special.

Comments

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

Tosh was sitting on a blanket on the floor with Jackson. He'd try to sit on his own and hold it a few moments before her hand would catch him again. They were both chattering away happily, Tosh brightly in a mix of Japanese and English, and Jackson in babbles. She didn't hear Jack come in, and if she'd known that he'd told Daniel this was a date- Well, actually that ould have filled her with a sense of smug satisfaction. It was with surprise that she looked up, jumping when she saw someone there. "Jack! You gave me a fright."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Sorry," he said gently, smiling down at the two of them. "I didn't want to be too loud in case you were trying to get him to sleep. I brought you some dinner from the kitchen," he continued, setting the parcel on a table.

"He's sitting up. Is he old enough to do that already?"

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"He's not sitting as much as balancing for a brief moment before I catch him." Tosh grinned as she corrected Jack, Jackson squealing at the sound of his namesake's voice. "I've no idea though. I've tried to avoid baby books. Letting him go at his own pace."

Standing she scooped up Jackson, leaning in to kiss Jack on the cheek. "Dinner smells lovely. Thank you."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Here. I'll take him...you eat. I ate already," he said, holding his hands out. He'd actually eaten twice, and would probably be starving by morning, but that wasn't what was on his mind. He turned his head to kiss her in return and all but stole Jackson from her.

"He's heavier, too," he said softly. "You just had him. He's growing up too fast."

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"Nearly seven months," it was too soon, in her opinion, far too soon. Tosh descended on the phone, opening the container with a wide smile. "He missed you. He always does. This is amazing, thank you."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Seven months," Jack replied, shaking his head a little before lifting the boy up. "You're growing so fast, kid. Let's let mom eat her dinner. You and I can figure out this whole sitting thing, okay?"

Jack laughed and walked away a bit. Part of the point was for Tosh to get a real break. Even if it was just a meal and a full night's sleep.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

Her legs pulled up under her, Tosh relaxed in the rocking chair Stu had built her before he'd gone from the island. It was nice to eat without keeping one eye on Jackson. Without worrying that he would wake, or hurt himself, or induce some catastrophe. It hadn't ever been her intention to do this on her own, but then it hadn't been her plan to get pregnant either.

"I think he might have the best of you," she watched them with a smile, Jackson squealing and shrieking with delight, clapping his hands together.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack grinned and held the boy's hands so he could find his balance without falling over completely. "The best of me? Naaah." He shook his head slowly eyes locked on Jackson, just in case he fell or smiled or...whatever babies do.

"Just the parts that don't make mom blush, huh?"

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"You've never seen how you look when you're with him," she wondered if she could ask Lionel to take some photos, or Mark to use up some of his film for this. The dish put aside she was content to sit and watch them, at least for a while.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

If that made him self-conscious, he certainly didn't let on. Jackson kept 99% of Jack's attention, playing with him, talking to him...the same level of focus and devotion he gave to other people, but this was different.

Once sitting lost its novelty, Jack picked the boy up and played the thrilling game of holding him and dropping him backwards, rocking him at the bottom of the arc.

"I'm sure I look like anyone else who plays with him, Tosh," he lied. He had a feeling he looked a little more...something.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"Hmm," She didn't think that, but she didn't push the issue. At least, not very much "We could say you look like a doting uncle should and leave it at that if you'd like."

"He'll never get to sleep if you keep that up." Jackson was still laughing, if it could be called that with a fist shoved in his mouth.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'll buy that," he replied, laughing right along with Jackson. He'd long since quit worrying about drool...or anything else that came out of the kid.

"He'll sleep. He'll sleep as much as I will," he promised. Hopefully Jackson would be exhausted by the time Jack was done...but he figured that he'd be exhausted, too.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"Tiring both of yourselves out?" Tosh didn't mind really. He'd been fed and changed already, and the reason Jack had come, other than the company, was so she could actually rest and relax. "Is this to try and stop the two am hungriness? You might be out of luck unfortunaely."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I kinda counted on it," Jack said, turning a grin to her. "You got that pump thing, right? I'll take care of it. You need a decent night's sleep, Tosh."

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"Already taken care of and in the cooler," Tosh stretched, unwinding as she pulled herself out of the rocking chair. It was the loneliness that stopped her from sleeping really, not just Jackson's waking in the middle of the night. The hut was so big and empty. So many people not here that should have been.

"I might get changed actually." Into the ever-romantic something more comfortable. Except this time it was into pyjama pants and a vest.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Does he need something else to sleep in? Just give me all the cra--stuff I might need," he said, tossing Jackson around one more time before bringing him to his shoulder and rubbing his back.

"I even brought some Pee-Jays for myself. Just so you know how seriously I'm taking this. For you two? I won't sleep naked," he teased, giving it just enough gravity to make it clear that pants were not part of Jack's routine.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"That's fine, honestly." Tosh pointed out everything he'd need, from diapers to bottles. "See?"

It was hard to not relax with Jack around. "Jack sleeping clothed? I think I should record this momentous event. People might never believe me."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He grinned and gave her a slow wink. "Like they'd believe you. Me? Staying the night? You know people will talk."

Although, anyone who did would find Jack less than amused. People could say whatever they wanted to about him, but implicating Tosh was another matter entirely.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

It wasn't something Tosh had even thought of, because to her there wasn't anything to think about. Jack was Jack, and she was just Tosh, and they were friends. More than friends. But not that, whatever value was being used for 'that' this day.

"If by people you mean Ianto and Charlie, I doubt it. He knows it gets lonely here." Her smile faded and she dropped her head so her hair hid her face. "You try and get someone to sleep. I might go read for a while if that's alright."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I don't think they'll care. Look, I've got this little guy under control. Do whatever you want to." He waved her off and moved off with Jackson, talking to him in soft, low tones as he gave him some dry pants and put him in his bedtime clothes.

Despite the play, in a dry diaper, fed and lulled by Jack humming old songs and swaying with the boy on his shoulder, it wasn't long until he was asleep. Asleep enough for Jack to carefully lay him down. He watched him sleep for a minute, then turned his attention to Tosh.

"If I change, you promise not to stare at my ass?"

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

It was nice, being able to relax without worrying how Jackson was. Even when Owen had him she worried. At the same time, it was a bit odd. Jack being here, where Owen should have been. Tosh stopped the thoughts before they could go too far. Things weren't that way anymore.

Distracted by her book, Tosh glanced up, her cheeks going pink in spite of herself. "I think I can resist. Barely."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Okay..." he replied, utterly feigning suspicion. He was quick and remarkably discrete, emerging in just a pair of loose cotton pants.

"Good book?" he asked as he joined her.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

She held it up, a Minette Walters mystery. "It's enjoyable but not enthralling?"

Shifting over in the bed, she closed the book, turning toward Jack. "Sometimes it's what I need."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack crawled into bed next to her, clearly unaware the words 'personal space' existed...in any language. He squirmed close and maneuvered his arm around her, looking at the book.

"Never heard of her," he said. "You tired yet?"

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"She's nothing special," Tosh admitted, flushing as she turned to face him. "No, and even if I was would you let me sleep?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I might," he said softly, as close as they were. "I was kind of hoping I could get you to talk to me, though."

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"Ulterior motives Jack?" She'd expected this, but at the same time had hoped she could avoid it. "I thought you just wanted me to get a good night's rest."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Tosh...what did you think when I offered to stay the night?" he teased as he pulled her closer, resting his other hand on her stomach.

"I'm not going to make you. But...if you want..."

The statement should have struck him as odd, considering he'd never used those words, quite like this, in bed with someone.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"What is there to talk about?" She turned away, rolling over so her back was to him. "Nothing is different Jack. Jackson and I are here, alone. You're staying over so I can get some rest. Simple."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He draped his arm around her waist as she turned away and followed her along so he was pressed to her back.

"Do you think, for one second, that I really believe that?" he asked, pressing his lips to her shoulder. "That it's simple. That you've just accepted it?"

He'd made a promise to Mimi that he'd take care of them, and he was at such a loss as to how to do that. Leave her alone? Pick at her until she unraveled? He exhaled softly against her skin then moved just enough to lay down and press against her back.

"Or, another option is not talking about anything at all. I'm an expert at that, too."

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

"Jack-" Her eyes drifted shut at his touch and his words. Tosh knew that it wasn't that simple. That there were things bothering her that couldn't be forgotten so quickly. "I don't want to talk about it. Not now."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack's lips curved into a familiar smile, lost on her but for the sensation of it against her back.

"Okay," he agreed, holding her a little tighter. That she didn't want to talk was at least better than pretending everything was fine. He could accept that; hell, he knew the response better than most.

[toshiko-san.livejournal.com]

Another time maybe, she'd be ready to talk about. THen again, maybe not. Right now all she wanted was the comfort and the rest. To have someone there and to not think about things too much.

She'd always been better at pushing things away than dealing with them. Burying herself in work. "Thank you."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Don't mention it," he replied softly, arm around her and fingertips drawing lightly along her forearm. He slowed his breathing and simply held her close. He was nothing if not adaptive, and this...this was actually easier than talking. This was something he couldn't mess up.