It may have taken six months, but things finally seemed to settle into a new normal.

Owen had spent the first few weeks after Ianto was discharged working closely with an old colleague, learning what he could do to help Ianto. Owen found Ianto was suffering from PTSD and a good bit of depression.

For a few months, Owen held true to his promise about not leaving Ianto alone. He or Jack escorted Ianto wherever he went. The girls got in on the action too. Tosh moved her workstation to the archives so Ianto could work, and Gwen took the opportunity to take him under her wing and mother him any chance she got.

Ianto didn't argue about the extra steps they took. Owen was sure he realized that they needed to take care of him as much as he needed it. Seeing him hanging from that belt had given them all nightmares; enough so, that Owen had taken both Gwen and Tosh aside on a few occasions to make sure that they weren't heading down a similar path.

When Ianto asked Owen if he would like to hold it while he pissed, he decided it was time to let him have some freedom.

The experience had changed Owen. He had discovered that he and Ianto had a lot in common. They had similar childhoods and tough upbringings. They also shared the loss of someone they loved. They grew closer the more they talked. There were a few times when it seemed Ianto was helping him rather than the other way around. And in time, they were able to talk about Katie and Lisa without either of them shedding a tear.

Jack had made a habit of pulling Ianto aside throughout the day. It was obvious how pained Jack was over what had happened in his absence. They had begun spending nights together after leaving the hospital, either at the Hub or Ianto's flat. The arrangement seemed to be having a positive affect.

Owen had witnessed just how close the two of them had become. He was leaving the Hub late one night when he saw them. They were standing together in Jack's office. The door was open just enough for Owen to catch a glimpse, but it was enough to see how meaningful their relationship had become.

They stood facing each other. Owen could see they were talking. Ianto was tracing Jack's side in slow, languid strokes as he spoke. Something Ianto said caused Jack to shake his head and reach up and cup the younger man's cheek, forcing him to look at him. Whatever it was Jack said, Ianto seemed to agree as he nodded.

Their foreheads touched, and Ianto's eyes closed. The trust and love between the two of them seemed to fill the whole of the Hub. Their simple touches were more intimate than anything else could have been.

It seemed like they were all moving forward, and Jack and Ianto were getting what they needed, each other.

Owen had just finished cleaning up his autopsy table when an idea struck him. He flicked his gloves into the bin and charged up the stairs.

"Gwen, have you seen Ianto?"

"I think he just left Jack's office, heading toward the archives, I think."

"Thanks." He patted Gwen on the back as he headed off to find him.

"Ianto," he called down the hall in the lower level.

He listened for a response but heard nothing.

"Where are you?"

Owen paused for a moment, a feeling of déjà vu coming over him. He thought back to when he had first found Ianto lain on the floor. He had to swallow back the sick feeling the memories brought and remind himself how far Ianto had come, how far they had both come.

"Ianto!" he shouted, but still there was no response.

Even though he was reasonably confident Ianto was safe, he still began walking faster.

He hurried along towards Ianto's office. When he didn't see the Welshman at his desk, his mind began flashing images of his friend hanging from his belt.

"Yan!" He jogged toward the back storage area. "Answer me!"

Owen halted in his steps when Ianto popped out from behind a shelf. His brow was knit together in concern. He reached up and plucked an earbud from his ear.

He'd had his iPod on. Relief washed over him.

"Owen, what's wrong?"

Owen put his hands on his hips, catching his breath."Nothing, just looking for you."

Ianto placed the box he was holding on the floor. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Ianto had no idea how close to the truth his statement was. For Owen, for just a moment, he thought he had.

"I'm fine. I just came down to ask you if you'd want to go out to the pub tonight? My treat."

Ianto raised a brow. "You're paying?"

Owen feigned hurt. "I'm not a complete bastard. I can be charitable."

Ianto nodded. "Okay."

"Okay? You'll actually allow yourself to be seen in public with me?"

Ianto shrugged. "The witnesses will all be so pissed they won't remember."

"Good point. Grab me when you're finished."

"Will do."

Owen had tried to only allow Ianto a small amount of alcohol, knowing the meds he was on. But the effort was in vain, as three beers in and Ianto was completely rat-arsed.

Ianto was trying to explain, rather badly, what Jack meant to him. It was priceless. Owen sat and listened to his babbling friend and nodded his head like he understood, even though he was certain no one could follow Ianto's comparisons.

"Jack is like … like a … what are those things called, the ones with the big—" Ianto then began waving his hand in the air, and really Owen was having a hard time controlling his mirth –"ears!" Ianto shouted, slapping the table. "They have big ears. What was I talking about?"

"Jack and big ears."

"Oh yeah, Jack is like a rabbit. He can just keep going—"

"Yan, please stop." Owen laughed.

"I'm tired." Ianto yawned and closed his eyes, and for a moment, Owen thought he had fallen asleep at the table. He nudged him with his foot.

His eyes snapped back open, and he reached for his drink.

"Oh no you don't. I think you've had quite enough for one night."

He looked genuinely hurt by Owen denying him.

"Ow'n," he hiccupped, "do you like me better than your pet mold?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"My question, so answer it."

He leaned back and crossed his arms. "Of course I do."

"How much more?"

Owen sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "A lot more."

"A lot, lot more?"

"Yan, where is this going?"

Ianto shrugged and then snatched back his drink before Owen could stop him.

"Just curious," he said, hiccupping again. "You know what?

"What?" Owen smirked, awaiting whatever absurdity that would spill from him next.

"I'm glad we're friends."

"Me too, Ianto." Owen smiled at the drunken man. "Me too."