Janto One-Shots

9. Meat (Parallel) Part 2

(Can't leave you with a cliffhanger can I? ;) )

"Jack, you can stay if you'll help. Everyone else- out now!" Owen barked, racing around his small area.

There were no discussions or arguments. Tosh and Gwen led Rhys away, Gwen and Rhys to the sofa and Tosh to the kitchen to make tea for the three of them. She didn't bother making coffee for Owen or Jack; she'd know when they were ready for it. While they sat, recapping and the girls telling Rhys about Ianto, Owen worked feverishly to save the Welshman's life. Minutes slowly ticked by for all involved, until at last, Owen sighed, leaning against the wall.

"Owen?" Jack asked.

"It's up to him now," the doctor answered, shrugging off his blood stained white lab coat and snapping off the gloves. "His vitals are slowly improving, he's getting a blood transfusion, fluids and medication. All that's left now is watching and waiting."

"That I can do," Jack murmured, "That I can do."

Owen placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. "You should get yourself cleaned up before you get settled. You're a mess."

Jack looked himself over, and realized that Owen was right. There was blood all over his hands, his shirt, his jacket. Then he looked at Ianto, blood smeared all over his pretty face, and Jack knew that was his doing.

"You're right," Jack sighed, then pressed his lips to a clean spot on Ianto's forehead.

Reluctantly, Jack left Ianto in Owen's care and went to his quarters. After a fast shower and a change of clothes, Jack was right back by Ianto's side. He wasn't surprised to see the blood cleaned from Ianto's face, and looked to see Owen checking the monitor.

"Nothing new to report, Jack," Owen reported. "I'm gonna tell the others. Didn't want to leave him until you got back."

Jack nodded, putting a hand on Ianto's. He watched Owen head over to the others while he rested his chin on his fist. And Jack watched as Ianto healed.

As much as Jack tried convincing the doctor to go home and rest after such a long and trying day, Owen stubbornly refused, saying he had a patient that needed his attention. And even though he knew Jack would keep both eyes on Ianto, he wasn't a doctor. So the doctor slept on the sofa nearby so that if Ianto needed him, he'd be there. But before going to sleep, Owen made Jack a cup of coffee that Jack didn't touch.

Night brought slow but steady improvement to Ianto's condition, though the young man didn't wake. As night turned to day, Owen woke, checked on Ianto, showered and changed, and got Jack away for a little while under the guise of doing tests without Jack's hawk like gaze on him. Tosh was the first one in, and her first stop was Ianto's bedside where Jack updated her. After kissing his cheek and giving him a get-well wish, Tosh left Ianto in Jack's care. It was the same routine with Gwen, except she got Jack a cup of coffee that also went untouched.

Jack was able to focus on Ianto only because he knew nothing else needed his attention, and that Gwen and Tosh were keeping an eye on things. Early in the afternoon, after Jack had eaten the sandwiches Tosh brought him, Jack leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling. Then he sat up, brushed the back of his fingers against Ianto's cheek and sighed.

And that action was welcome by the fluttering opening of eyes.

"Jack?" Ianto whispered.

"Ianto!" Jack smiled, a hand on the side of Ianto's face. "I'll get Owen."

The doctor swiftly came to Ianto's side, then did every test and check possible. After consulting his own notes, computer and machines, Owen turned to the waiting Captain and drowsy patient.

"He's mending quite well," Owen announced, much to Jack's delight.

"Good," Jack sighed. "I take it he needs a lot of rest..."

"Yes, and fluids, and he'll be on medication- both antibiotics and painkillers. He should eat something, though I'd recommend something simple and small."

Jack nodded, though he knew the doctor wouldn't be going far anyway.

Days passed and eventually, Ianto was allowed to go home and do things around the office. Though he'd be barred from fieldwork for a little while yet, and making the drink rounds took a little longer than usual, Ianto was back to work and everyone was happier for it. And not just because the coffee quality was significantly lower when Ianto wasn't there to make it.

A week after found Jack and Ianto alone in the Hub. Jack was behind his desk, catching up on paperwork while Ianto dozed in a nearby chair. Thoughtfully, Jack sat back and watched Ianto sleep for a few seconds before realizing that the younger man looked decidedly uncomfortable.

Deciding on waking him kindly, Jack leaned down and brushed his lips against Ianto's. Ianto's eyes slowly opened, taking a second to register that it was Jack who woke him up.

"Coffee?" Ianto finally asked, to which Jack could only smile.

"No, I was thinking more like you in my bed," Jack replied with a wolfish grin.

"Jack..." Ianto began, but then saw that the grin was replaced by a tender smile.

"C'mon, just want to make sure you get enough rest. Owen'll have my head if I keep you up anyway."

So they lied under the blanket, Ianto tucked safely and carefully in Jack's arms, and Jack listened as Ianto slept in the darkness. And Jack knew that when it came to Ianto, that switch would never fully be off.