Disclaimer: Standard still applies.
A/N: Oh my Rassilon. It's been a while. I am so sorry for that. Still. For this update you should thank my friend iceshade (that's her user name on LJ) because if it wasn't her birthday in, I don't know, fifteen minutes, this wouldn't have been finished in a very long time. It's a gift for her you see. She's been wanting it for a horrifically long time. I am such a horrible friend for making her wait so long. This is continuation of the TW!Toddlers 'Verse (chapters 25, 26, 27, and 31). But I have no guarantee how good this story is or anything. So, uh, enjoy?

17. Blood

"So, which one?" Ianto asked, chewing his thumb nervously and staring at three long coats.

Lisa glanced at Ianto and smiled slightly at how he looked. Ianto was wearing jeans along with a shirt, waistcoat, and tie. He looked like he could afford more than one coat from the store. She had been surprised when Ianto had called and asked her to go shopping with him, he needed her help. She was even more surprised when he drug her into a very expensive and well known store. "Well-"

"None right?" Ianto sighed and started pacing, "None of them look right for him. I want to get him something, after all, he bought me the stopwatch on the first date and I haven't given him anything in return so far-"

"He isn't expecting anything." Lisa said gently. She found it amusing how Ianto could get to worked up, thinking about his boyfriend Jack.

"I know." Ianto sighed and stopped pacing, glancing at the three coats, "I just, I want to show him that I appreciate how he has put up with me and my antics. He's just been so patient with me, Lise." He smiled slightly and Lisa found herself smiling with him, "I want to get Jack something he'll really like. Something he'd use."

"Thus a coat." Lisa nodded, "I get it. And I'd say something from here will show him that you appreciate him." She glanced at the coats, "How about the greatcoat? He is rather interested in the RAF and WWII right?" Ianto nodded, "And that one was made in that style. Slightly more modern, but still old fashioned."

Ianto nodded and grabbed it, "Okay. Thanks." They headed up to pay for the coat. "Thanks so much for coming with me."

"Not going to buy me something from here to show your thanks are you?" Lisa joked.

Ianto laughed, "I am afraid to say if I did it'd take a while before I have enough money to. This gift is pretty much making me broke."

Lisa frowned, "You don't have to give him something so expensive."

"I know." Ianto smiled again, "But he's worth it."

Lisa laughed as they left the store. She was so glad to see Ianto happy. Her and Martha had moved to Swansea not too long ago and she had instantly struck a friendship with the Welshman. After a few months, Ianto had asked her out and they had one of the best dates she'd ever been on but at the end of the night Ianto had realized he loved Jack. She had been hurt at first, having slapped him when he told her right after they kissed, but apologized right away. Two weeks ago she and the girls had gave Ianto a make over, giving the other boy the courage to ask Jack out. Lisa would have enjoyed dating Ianto, but she was glad she could be his friend.

Walking down the street she linked arms with him and laughing as he had to change his pace to match hers, taking smaller steps. They spoke of small things, enjoying each other's company when two men came up. They had hats on, covering their faces and large hoodies. Ianto got a bad feeling and quickly glanced about, horrified to see that no one else was around. He tried to lead Lisa away from the two in hopes that they would just continue on their way.

It didn't work.

"Rich boy." The taller one said, his voice gruff, "Give us your bag and money."

Ianto was shaking as he went to give Jack's present to them but Lisa glared, "Don't you dare, Ianto." She unlinked their arms and stood with her arms crossed, "You are not getting any money from us, you scumbags."

"Lisa." Ianto whispered, "No, we shouldn't confront them." He turned to them, "She-She doesn't know what she's saying. You can have our stuff."

"Ianto." She said, "You bought that for Jack. Besides, we can take them."

"You think you can, can you?" The shorter one asked, he moved slightly and the two could see guns.

Lisa froze and Ianto's eyes widened. Stepping in front of Lisa he swallowed and reached into his pocket, starting the stopwatch. He needed to count but had to keep his mind on what was going on. This was one of those times he could let the stopwatch count for him. Swallowing he set the bag on the ground, "Look, just take it. We'll leave you alone and won't have to shoot us."

"Mm. No." The first one, taller one, said, a smirk could be heard in his voice. "I don't think so."

Ianto jumped forward, hitting the one in the face with his hand while running into the other with his body, knocking both of them to the ground. He had to protect Lisa and get her away. Noticing that one of them had dropped their gun he kicked it away, hoping neither of them would reach it. Protect Lisa. He turned to her, "Run." He started to move towards her when someone grabbed the back of his waistcoat, pulling him backwards. Getting turned around the attacker pulled on the tie next, it tightened around his throat and Ianto went to reach up with his hands only to have them slapped away and held down.

Ianto glanced and saw Lisa was still there, she hadn't ran. She was fighting with the other. Protect Lisa. Ianto brought his leg up and kicked his attacker, sending the man sprawling. Quickly making his tie looser he took a deep breath, feeling a bit light headed from the lack of oxygen he had. He took a few shaky steps towards his friend, "Hey!" His voice gruffer than normal, "Over here!" He launched himself at Lisa's attacker, the two tumbling to the ground.

Ianto was ontop the other man. Protect Lisa. "Run!" he yelled again, hoping Lisa would listen this time. He glanced at Lisa, so he didn't notice when the man below him reached into his pocket and brought out his gun; however, he felt his body jolt as a shot echoed in the air. Suddenly he didn't have enough breath and he couldn't hold himself up. Swallowing thickly he got pushed off the man and he fell on the unforgiving ground. Keeping his eyes towards Lisa he tried to call out to her when the other man reached the gun that Ianto had kicked away and aimed it at Lisa. Protect Lisa. Ianto tried to pull himself towards her and didn't stop, even when she felt to the ground along with him.

{{{|

"No, see, this girl." John started, "Jack, this girl was-"

Jack gave a small grin of apology when his cell rang. "Hello?" He froze but John hadn't noticed, he was busy glaring out the window. "What exactly happened?" John wanted all the time with Jack to himself. Other's shouldn't stop by. "Ianto?" They shouldn't call. Jack should only think about John when they were together. "Of course, I'll be right there."

Jack got up and put his coat on. John wasn't going to stand for that. It was John's day to hang out with Jack, dammit. He stood in Jack's way, blocking the door. "Move." Jack said, his voice low.

John sneered, "Come on Jack! You've spent all your time with Eye Candy lately. You've got to choose one. Him or me."

Jack glowered at his friend, "Him or you?" He whispered, sending shiver's down John's spine, "Him or you?" He asked louder, "Him. My best friend since ever, my boyfriend. The man I love who is laying in a hospital simply because he went out of his way to buy me something? Or you," the 'you' was said with detestment, "You who has done whatever he could to sabotage my relationship with Ianto since we were in TARDIS together? You who uses people and then drops them like they were trash? Not that hard of a decision." He brushed past John.

{{{|

When Jack got to the hospital, he saw Martha on the floor, back against the wall and knees to her chest, crying. He sat down next to her and wrapped and arm around her shoulders. Her breath hitched and she turned, holding him tight and sobbing harder.

In the phone call, Jack had been told that Ianto and Lisa had been out shopping - a gift for him and muggers attacked them. Lisa was already dead. Killed in the street. Ianto was in surgery.

Jack idly wondered where Martha's parents were. And why wasn't Martha with them? Their family should be together, right? Maybe they were with Lisa's- and then Martha hadn't wanted to see Lisa's-

When Martha's sobbing slowed, she fell asleep. She'd tired herself out. Jack then heard some footsteps. Looking up, he saw her mother who smiled sadly at them. Clearing her throat, she said, "Thank you for being with her."

Jack nodded, "It's no problem."

"I'm sure you'd like to know," She tucked some of her hair behind her ear with a shaking hand, "Ianto should be out of surgery soon."

After Martha had been woken up and taken away by her mother, Jack stretched and made his way to where Ianto's family should be.

{{{|

After Jack got word that Ianto made it out of surgery, he was sent home. He wouldn't be allowed to see Ianto until tomorrow, so he was supposed to sleep. Like he could sleep knowing that his boyfriend had been shot and one of his best friends had died. As soon as Jack entered his house, he saw John sitting on the sofa. Glaring, Jack tried to ignore him.

"Jack, I heard what happened to Ianto and Lisa." John said, following his friend, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for you to choose between us and I understand why you had flipped out at me, after hearing that your boyfriend was shot. I forgive you for yelling like that." He paused, "Can you forgive me?"

Jack turned, feeling the anger burn under his skin, "No. I can't forgive you. You said that you didn't mean to make me choose, but you did. You always do and you were sick of me not choosing you. You can shove your forgiveness up your ass."

John held his hands up, "I understand that your emotions are all mixed up and that you don't mean that-"

"I do." Jack's voice was quiet and low, bubbling with rage. "I mean it. I never want to hear you talk to me again." He narrowed his eyes, "Now get out of my house."

{{{|

It was a few days later when Jack was holding Ianto's hand when he felt a squeeze, looking up he smiled at his boyfriend. "Hey, you're awake."

"Seems like it." Ianto nodded, slight frown on his face. "It's my fault."

Jack leaned down, "No, no it's not. Yanno, none of this is your fault."

"If it wasn't for me, she wouldn't have been there." Ianto protested.

Swallowing, Jack said, "Then it would be because of me. If we're using your logic - that it's not the mugger's fault - it's all on me. No, listen." Jack said when Ianto had opened his mouth, "You wouldn't have gone to buy me a gift if I hadn't given you that stop watch. Let the blame fall to me then." He fought back tears, "Even if you could never forgive me for getting you shot and for Lisa's death. You blame me if you have to. But don't, Ianto, don't blame yourself."

"I-I can't blame you." Ianto said.

"I won't let you hold yourself responsible for this." Jack said, "I know that no one blames you." At seeing the doubt in Ianto's eyes, he added, "Not even Martha."

{{{|

By the time Ianto was able to leave the hospital, his therapist had seen him a few times and said they were making progress. But Jack mostly noticed how Ianto's OCD was taking over his life. He was spending most of his time with Ianto now, with is parent's okay of course. They had understood.

So when Ianto would be counting while cleaning methodically, Jack would wrap his arms around Ianto and pick up on where Ianto was counting, and join in. He'd whisper in his ear and just hold him. Ianto's hands would slow on their cleaning and he'd lean against Jack, counting with him.

"I'm sorry you never got the greatcoat." Ianto said, stopping the rise of numbers.

"It's fine. Thought that matters, yeah?" Jack kissed him on the cheek. Placing his hands over Ianto's, he took him away from the cleaning and lead him to the sofa. "Let's sit and talk."

"T-Talk?" Ianto asked, clearly getting nervous.

"Yes. Talk." Jack said with a smile, "About anything. You don't need to panic. We can discuss fruit, movies or think about our childhood. Remember when I stayed at your house for the first time and we put together that puzzle? I had thought that puzzle was the most amazing thing."

"It had twenty pieces to it." Ianto replied with a grin.

"Twenty amazing pieces." Jack protested. After a bit more of light conversation, Jack made sure Ianto knew that if he ever felt like talking about what happened, Jack would be there for him.

When Jack's phone rang, John's ringtone playing, he hit the ignore button. "I'm not friends with John anymore, Ianto."

"What? But you and John are-" Ianto said, surprised.

"He was making me choose between him and you. I couldn't not pick you. You're my Yanno." He paused, "Plus I realized how much of a dick he is."

"And he keeps trying to reconnect?" Ianto guessed.

"Yes. But he it's not like he doesn't know why I won't be his friend anymore, I told him. It was clear. He just doesn't want to let go."

"Well," Ianto said, "I'm not sad to see the back of him, but I'm sorry that you're loosing a friendship."

"Me too." Jack sighed, "But not sad enough to keep him as a friend."

{{{|

Coming back to school was difficult. Jack had to act like a guard dog for Ianto. Too many people were coming up to him and saying how sorry they were over what had happened. Some would want to hug him, others just went on and on over how glad they are that he's okay but isn't it just sad about Lisa? The constant talk, the constant touches, the constant mentions of the horrible event, none of it was helping Ianto. So, Jack had started to protect him, and he got his friends to help.

Their group of friends had put a sort of barrier around Ianto and Martha both. They were tired of all the attention from the other kids. It was almost too much for them. The onslaught of condolences reduced to where they didn't need their friends to act as body guards.

It would be a while before Ianto and Martha would be alright. Before any of them would be alright. But things were slowly getting better.