A/N – Watched "Adrift" again last night. Forgot what an awesome episode it is (even if it's mostly Gwen). Anyhoo. Noticed that when Gwen was at Flat Holm, Jack didn't seem particularly angry, but more resigned. Like he knew she'd be there.

So, here's just a little missing scene type thing I thought of. (Emphasis on the little)

Burden

Ianto sighed against Jack's shoulder. They were laying entwined on the tiny bed in Jack's bunker. Surprisingly, after Gwen left, their evening had picked up right where it had left off. Unfortunately, Ianto was going to bring that blissful feeling to an abrupt end.

"You awake, Jack?"

A low murmur was all the response he got.

"Jack." Ianto said with a bit more insistence.

Jack rolled over in Ianto's arms to lay on his back. "Yeah, what?" He answered sleepily, running his fingers through the younger man's already disheveled hair.

Ianto sighed again. Just get it out, he thought. "You have to go to Flat Holm tomorrow." It was barely a whisper.

Jack pulled his hand back as if he'd been hit by an electric shock. "You told her." He said flatly, his eyes moving from Ianto's face to some obscure spot on the ceiling.

"I'm sorry."

Jack was quiet for a few moments. The only sound in the bunker was the sound of the two men breathing.

Ianto couldn't bear it any longer. "Jack?" he broke the silence. "Do you want me to go?" He shifted in the bed.

The captain turned his head back to look at the younger man. He raised his hand and brushed the short strands of hair from Ianto's forehead.

"No, stay." Jack whispered, pulling Ianto close. "You were right. She wouldn't have given up. At least now I can be there when she finds out."

Ianto rested his head on Jack's chest, listening to the immortal heartbeat. He knew Jack hated the necessity of Flat Holm, but at least now there was one more person to share the burden.

End

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