Sleepless Nights, Crowded Days Chapter 10

TWTWTW

Jack had no intention of letting anyone else go through what Ianto had just been through - might still be going through. It was more than he could bare.

"To hell with the alien….let it burn!" Jack said, standing defiant. "I'm destroying it now!"

Going down to the basement, Jack went passed the room where Ianto had kept Lisa, to the incinerator room. Once inside, he looked at the bracelet, closed his eyes remembering the sight of Ianto on his knees, clutching at his head and opened the small door. The heat from the furnish almost scolded his arm, he was that close.

No mistakes, he thought It has to be burnt. Can't let this happen again!

Throwing the bracelet into the flames, Jack heard a mournful cry. Was it from inside the incinerator or from somewhere else?

Slamming the door shut, Jack raced back up to the main Hub and the battered old couch.

Ianto was still lying on it, but he was awake. His eyes were staring into space. His face twisted in pain.

"Ianto?" Jack knelt bedside him. "Ianto, it's Jack."

No answer.

Jack looked at Owen. "I heard a scream."

Owen tilted his head towards Ianto. "It was him."

"When I threw the bracelet into the flames, I heard two screams."

"The Obsidian?"

Jack nodded. "It had to be done. They can't be allowed to take over humans."

Ianto's eyes slowly shut and his face relaxed into sleep.

"Do ya think there are more of those bracelets out there, Jack?"

Jack looked at Owen. "I hope not."

Gwen put a hand on Jack's forearm. "Why don't I make us all a nice cup of tea, mmm?"

"Yeah," began Owen. "better not touch the coffee machine. Ianto would skin you alive."

They all laughed.

Jack walked over to Tosh's workstation, bringing up the Planet Obsidian. "It's gone! The Planet's gone!" Jack looked at Ianto. "What have I done?"

"The Planet was dead, Jack," said Tosh. "I already checked. That's why they were here….it was here."

"The last of a species."

Tosh nodded, sadly.

"You did the right thing, boss," said Owen.

"Yeah."

Gwen brought a tray with five cups over and put it on the low coffee table by the couch. She smiled as she handed out the cups. "Habit," she said, seeing the last cup.

TWTWTW

As he opened his eyes, Ianto looked around him. It was all quiet, save for the humming of electricity and the sound of water. Sitting up, he looked over towards the Water Tower. Gwen was sat at her workstation. Tosh was in the kitchen. Owen was in the autopsy room. And Jack? Jack was stood on the platform outside his office, looking down at him, a smile on his handsome face. Ianto smiled back, swinging his legs off the couch and standing up.

"Why was I on the couch?" he asked.

"I keep on at you to eat more," said Jack as he descended the stairs. "You skipped breakfast and lunch, again!"

Ianto ran a hand through his hair. "Did I? I don't….remember." He stared at the cup before him.

"I made you tea." Gwen told him. "About an hour ago."

"Sorry."

"I'll make you another, shall I?"

"No, no. I'll make coffee. Thanks."

Walking passed Jack, Ianto entered the kitchen and started the coffee machine. He shook his head. "I don't remember much about today. Was I out of it for long?"

Jack looked at Owen.

"A couple of hours, I'd say," said the doctor.

"Funny, I don't remember getting up this morning, either."

"Well, you take such good care of us, Tea Boy, that you forget yourself sometimes."

"Oi!" said Ianto. "That's Coffee Boy to you!"

Ianto made coffee and they all went up to the boardroom to drink it.

The young Welshman looked around the table as they all sat drinking their coffee. They were like a family.

Gwen, the mother hen. Tosh the big sister. Owen, the annoying big brother and Jack….Jack was his lover. His friend. His everything.

He smiled, sipping his coffee.

"I promise to eat regularly from now on."

Jack raised his cup, smiling. "I'll drink to that."

Ianto smiled back.

THE END