Ianto couldn't see clearly anymore. Like a fog had fallen over his mind, all rational thought had gone. He was numb. And yet, not alone.

Jack sat facing him on the sofa. "Yan... talk to me... please."

He knew how hard the past 48 hours had been on the young Welshman, already so fragile from the loss of Lisa. Ianto sighed. He began to speak, his eyes never raising from the floor.

"I dont know what to say... I... When... You wouldnt understand." He blinked back tears, angry at himself for seeming so weak.

"I will understand, just tell me... I can help." Jack reached out to Ianto and stroked his hair. His heart felt like it was being torn to shreds watching his Ianto in such pain, so vulnerable.

"How can you understand? How can you know what it feels like to have the person you love shoot the woman of your dreams?" Ianto glared at Jack, anger glinting in his clear blue eyes. "You want to know something? When they held that meat cleaver to my throat, for one terrible moment, I was happy! I couldn't stop thinking how good it would be to die, to see Lisa again, and to escape this turmoil that I feel each and every day-"

Ianto was cut off as Jack leaned forwards and gathered him in an enveloping hug. He felt the young man began to shake as he gave way to the tears that had been building up. Jack stroked his hair and soothed him.

"Ianto, don't you ever say that again. You don't know the pain it would cause me to lose you..."

Ianto pulled away from Jack and looked into his eyes. Jack was reminded just how young Ianto was, his tear stained face and ruffled hair made him look so juvenile, so defenceless. His heart wrenched and he bent his head to kiss Ianto softly on the lips. Ianto leaned into the kiss, revelling in the comforting touch of his Captain.

"Come on you."

Jack stood up and held his hand out to Ianto, pulling him to his feet. He led him through the tidy flat. Tidy and so very organised, very... Ianto-ish, Jack couldn't help but think, with a slight grin.

The past two days had taken such a tole on his whole team. Gwen was at home, probably being cared for by Rhys, Tosh and Owen had gone back to the hub together and, probably, on to one of their flats, also together.
And Jack was left to care for his Ianto, his little Welshman.

As they reached the bedroom, Ianto stopped and pulled away from Jack, looking at him oddly "Jack, I"
Jack laughed. It felt good to laugh. "What do you take me for?" He pulled Ianto towards the bed and pulled the covers back. He made the younger man take his jacket and shoes off, as did he.
"Now get in, and go to sleep. You need to rest!"

As Ianto lay down, snuggling into the soft pillows and warm duvet, he felt Jack climb in behind him, felt the comforting weight of an arm draped across his waist and the welcoming heat of Jacks body behind him. He sighed and began to give in to the sleep he desperately needed.

As Jack felt Ianto's breathing become slow and regular, he kissed the Welshman's neck soflty and whispered in his ear "You're never alone."