ANB Pt 2 Chapter 7

Jack and Owen arrived at Bute Park just in time to see a dark shadow hovering over the motionless body of Ianto Jones. Getting out of the car, Jack ran towards it.

"Ianto!"

The shadow turned to look at him, then began to melt into Ianto.

"No!" shouted Jack, throwing himself upon Ianto.

The creature squealed, leaving Ianto.

"Get your shapeless body off of him!"

"Jack!" called Owen. "Watch out for the Weevil."

Owen raced back to the SUV for the Weevil stray.

"Jack! Catch!"

Owen tossed the can of spray to Jack, who caught it. He took off the top and aimed it at the Weevil. The spray caught him full in the face, making him squeal, then back off.

"Owen, grab Ianto."

Owen ran forward. Grabbed Ianto under each arm Owen managed to drag him back towards the car.

The dark shadow bore down on Jack.

"That's it, come to papa."

The Weevil backed off as Jack taunted the dark shape.

"You can't have him, but you can have me. Come on! What are you waiting for, an invitation?"

"Jack, come on!" called Owen.

Jack turned to see Owen helping a dazed Ianto into the back of the SUV.

"Jack!"

Sighing, Jack backed away and headed for the car.

"We have to get Ianto back to the Hub. 'is shoulder's bleedin'."

Jack looked at Ianto. His light blue shirt was turning red.

"Damn! Okay, drive."

Jack leaned into the back seat, placing his hand against Ianto's cheek.

"He's burning up."

"The Weevil must have done that. I'll clean him up when we get back." Owen looked in the rear view mirror. "Er, Jack. We're being followed." Jack looked through the back window. "Doesn't give up, does it?"

"I can't outrun it. It's after Ianto."

"Over my dead body."

Owen looked at Jack.

"Just keep driving. Don't stop til reach the Water Tower."

"Got it."

Owen drove until he could see the shinning silver Water Tower. He braked in front of it. Jack got out.

"Where's Jack going?" asked Ianto.

"Just concentrate on getting on the lift."

"Not….without….Jack."

Owen pulled Ianto out of the car and up onto the lift.

"Yes, without Jack."

Ianto tried to break free, but wasn't strong enough.

"No!"

The lift started to descend into the Hub.

"Gwen, get the autopsy table ready. Ianto's bleeding quite badly."

Gwen rushed to the room, covering the table with a white sheet. Then she got gauze, bandages and sterile water ready for Owen.

"Jack!"

"He'll be fine. 'e's indestructible, remember?"

Owen half carried half dragged Ianto to the table, placing him on it.

"Gwen, can you assist me. Need to get 'is jacket and shirt off."

Gwen helped Owen, while Tosh kept an eye on what was happening by the Water Tower.

"Come on. What are you waiting for?" said Jack. "Try and take over my body."

"They're coming," muttered Ianto. "I can hear them….in my head."

"Tosh, warm Jack."

"Jack, there's something coming. Ianto can hear them."

"The more the merrier."

"Have to….help….Jack."

Ianto tried to sit up but Owen just pushed his back down gently.

"You are going to bleed to death if you don't lie still."

Taking off his jacket, tie and shirt, Owen inspected his shoulder.

"They're deep, needs stitching."

"I'll get the needle and thread."

Owen laughed. "We ain't doin' needlework."

"In a way, you are," said Gwen.

Jack watched as the dark form swirled around him, figuring out what to do next.

"You won't have him. He's mine!"

Weevils started appearing by the Millennium Centre.

"Tosh, bring up the sound on that recording I did last month."

Pushing a few buttons, Tosh sat back and watched the monitor.

"It's on, Jack."

"I can't 'ear anything'," said Owen.

The Weevils held their hands over their ear.

"No, but they can." Tosh told him.

They ran in different directions, trying to get away from the noise.

"Great, now it's just me and you."

The dark shadow was getting smaller.

"Arh. You don't like the noise either. Tosh, louder."

The shadow slowly began to shrink until it was no more.

"One point for the good guys," said Owen, swabbing Ianto's shoulder.

"Jack!"

"Settle down. 'e's okay." Owen pushed a needle into Ianto's shoulder.

"Arh!"

"Sorry, mate. Gotta numb it first. Tosh, get Jack down here. Calm Ianto down."

"Will do. Jack, are you coming down?"

"On my way."

Jack jump off the lift before it reached the bottom and went straight to the autopsy room.

"Has….it gone/" asked Ianto.

"Yep. Dissolved."

"I'm….sorry I….hit you."

"It's okay," Jack brushed his cheek. "I understand."

And he did.

"I killed you!"

"But I come back. I always come back."

Ianto's eyes began to fill with tears.

"I am….so sorry, Cariad."

"Sshh. It's okay, Yan."

Ianto shook his head.

"I don't know….why I did it. I…."

"It was too powerful for you. It had a hold over you. You weren't to blame."

Ianto nodded.

"I gave 'im a mild sedative with the aesthetic. 'e might be out for a while."

Jack nodded. "Good."

Owen began to stitch Ianto's wounds.

Two weeks later, Jack and Ianto were in town buying a few things, and stopped for coffee near the monument.

"Why didn't it kill me, Jack?"

"I think it needed someone with a strong mind. Third time luck."

"So, it wanted me to live?"

"Yep."

"You….kissed me again."

"I kiss you all the time, Yan." Jack joked.

"You know what I mean."

Jack nodded.

"You brought me back to life, twice."

"Yes."

"I can understand the second time, but why, after Lisa?"

"Because I loved you. I wanted you to live."

"I'm glad," Ianto smiled, touching Jack's hand with his own. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you, too."

"Can we stay in tonight? Wear pyjamas. Eat marshmallows and drink hot chocolate. Watch a sloppy movie."

"Anything your heart desires, Yan."

"Mmmm, you, Cariad. I desire only you."

THE END