One Shot: How Can I Help?
How Can I Help?
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Iantosh! (Wha? How did that happen?)
Spoilers: None really
Summary: Set during the year that never was, although I make no mention of that. Ianto and Owen collect some rift waste, and have a strange reaction.
A/N: More stand alone action! Can be read alone.
Beta'ed by no one, so blame any mistakes on the author (and let me know what you catch, I’ll fix it up).
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Scouring the ground in a primary school yard just before dawn isn’t exactly what either Owen or Ianto expected to be doing on this particular rainy morning. But that is the way of the rift, spitting out space junk at whim, ruining their days with regularity.
“I think that’s everything, I’m not getting any readings in the yard any longer, just from what’s already in the SUV.”
Owen grumbles something in response, but has already started back to the car and his voice is lost in the wind. Cinching his parka tighter Ianto follows, keeping his eyes to the ground just in case they missed a piece. After securing the boot he climbs into the passenger side. He hands the keys over to the other man, who’s hunched over the steering wheel, shivering and scowling.
“I hate school children. Hated them when I was one, and hate them now for forcing me out in this bloody awful weather.”
“I suppose we could have left the extraterrestrial shrapnel out for the kiddies to play with…”
Owen shoots a glare at him.
“You owe me a gallon of piping hot coffee for not hitting you right now. Then again, that would require physical effort, and I’m simply not up to that right now.”
“Hmm, could do with a nap myself.”
Grunting Owen throws the car into drive and speeds off towards the Hub. Ianto surreptitiously reaches over to turn the wipers on high. They drive the rest of the way in a comfortable quiet. Ianto tracks the windshield wipers with his eyes, feeling the lids become heavier with each pass. They park in the underground lot, silently collect their findings and trudge onto the lift. As the doors open, they hear the klaxons fading, signaling the arrival of the girls. Carrying their parcel between them towards Tosh’s desk, they find her logging onto her computer.
“Owen, Ianto. What have you got there?”
“Alien rubbish. Here, you can have a go at trying to piece it back together. I need to wash my hands.”
“Ignore Owen, Tosh. He’s more tetchy than usual this morning. But he is right, this is nothing more than a collection metal shards. It was ruined on impact.”
“Hmm, more than we found at least. And less mud as well.”
“I can see that. Perhaps you’d like a shower?”
“On my way, just verifying some readings before I go. By the time we got to the location of our energy spike, there was nothing there. No unusual energy patterns, not residual readings, nothing. I’m wondering if the two events weren’t related. Maybe if I can identify what you found, then I can figure out what the connection was-“
Ianto covers her hand with his.
“Tosh, you are soaking wet, covered in mud and freezing. Take a shower. The readings and the whatever it is we found will be here when you get back. I’ll just put on some coffee, and it will be ready when you’re done.”
With a sigh she nods and goes off towards the communal shower room. Ianto glances at her desk and sees a smudge of dirt where he wrist was resting.
“I’ll just get the before coffee.”
Fetching some cleaning supplies he tidies up her area. As he returns the supplies to the utility closet, he is reminded that he hasn’t had the time to pick up their last load from the cleaners, and they are sure to be short on towels in the showers. Grabbing a couple from the cleaning supplies, a bit stale from storage but clean and pressed, he takes them down. On his way he passes a wet, but mudless Gwen, who smiles at him as they pass one another.
“I was just coming to find something for Tosh, I used the last hand towel to dry off.”
“Here, you can wrap your hair up at least.”
“Thank you Ianto, you always take such good care of us.”
“That’s what I do.”
“Have you seen Owen? I’d like to hit him for sending us out to a bog instead of a harmless schoolyard.”
“I think he’s in autopsy, he was off to wash up himself. Although, that was a bit ago.”
“I’ll find him, thanks.”
Ianto continues on his way, comforted by the fact that he was able to help Gwen in some small ways. As he travels down the hall towards the bathroom, he can hear the high-pitched whine of hot water running through ancient pipes. The air is warm and damp in the bath; the mirrors are fogged making Ianto want to wipe them. But he is distracted from the task when he hears a small yelp from the showers.
“Tosh? I’ve got towels. Is everything alright?”
“Yes, fine. I just can never get the temperature right in here.”
“Oh. Is it too hot or cold for your liking?”
Without thinking, Ianto enters the stall behind her, intent on fixing the problem for her.
“Ianto! It’s fine, I-I’m naked!”
She struggles to modestly cover herself.
“Certainly, a shower would be pointless fully clothed.”
“Like you are? Get out!”
Ianto looks down at himself curiously, unconcerned at the state of his suit.
“But… you needed help. I need to help you.”
Tosh looks at him strangely for a moment, confusing Ianto further.
“If it will make you more comfortable, I’ll just take these off then.”
Pulling at his tie he looks to her for approval, but sees a flash of something else in her eyes.
“oh.”
Stepping closer, he brings his hands up to caress her cheeks, pressing his lips to hers. She squeaks and grabs at his wrists, but doesn’t exactly pull away. Changing angles slightly he lets his hands drift to her shoulders. Trailing kisses across her jaw, he pleads with her.
“You’re so tense Tosh. Please let me help you.”
“Ianto, I think something’s happened, you’re not yourself.”
“I need to help you Tosh, please.”
He pushes her towards the tiled wall trailing his hands down her back. She huffs when he presses her to it, arching away from the cold ceramic. Lifting her by her thighs, he is able to increase their contact. He holds her in place with his body, leaving his hands free to roam her milky skin.
“Ianto…”
She says his name like a sigh, but shakes her head and grabs at his face.
“This isn’t you, Ianto!”
He looks into her worried eyes, and wonders if he got it all wrong.
“Isn’t this what you needed? I thought-When you looked at me-“
She pets at his hair to reassure him
“It’s not what you thought. When you offered to take off your clothes, it may have made me imagine some things, but it was a passing fancy. You don’t have to do this.”
Bolstered by her assurance, he reaches for her thighs again, adjusting their position, pressing their groins together. She moans lightly, her eyes struggling to stay focused and her hands gripping at his shoulders..
“I can help you. Let me help you”
Dipping his head lower, he indulges in licking a pert nipple before sucking it between his lips. Her gasp encourages him to start move against her.
“Ianto-“
He cuts off her protests with his mouth, this time exploring her with his tongue. She reciprocates, pulling him closer, running a hand through his hair. Emboldened, he reaches between them, running his fingers over her folds. Even with the water raining down on them he can feel evidence of her arousal. He presses inside, caressing her. Pleasure washes over him with each of her responses, making him shudder with the need to be inside of her. He pulls back to look at her, removing his fingers and lifting them to his mouth. She gasps, eyes wide, hips rolling against him, while he sucks the taste of her off of his own fingers.
“Yes, Ianto, I need this, I do.”
Smiling, he opens his flies and pushes into her. He has to stop for a moment, resting his forehead to her shoulder. He hears her whimper above him, urging him to move. Hiking her legs even higher on his waist, he latches onto her breast and begins thrusting wildly into her. He wants to be gentle, but she’s bearing down on him forcing him to move faster. Their grunts and moans echo around them.
“Oi!”
Ianto barely hears the shout behind him, but feels Tosh tense around him.
“Owen!”
Watching her, he sucks harder, and moves a hand to rub at her clit. Her eyes close and she lets her head fall back to rest on the wall behind her.
“Didya find them? Oh! Tosh! Ianto! What? Oh dear. Owen, um didn’t you say you needed to wash your hands?”
Ianto is peripherally aware that Owen and Gwen have arrived, likely wanting their coffee, but knows he needs to help Tosh before he can attend to anyone else’s needs. Spurred on with the knowledge that he has other tasks, he thrusts a bit harder, and nips at her other breast.
“Ianto! Oh-“”
He can feel her rippling around him and see the pleasure washing across her face. His own orgasm comes when she has completely relaxed around him, sighing his name again. He holds her to him, rubbing circles across her back.
“AHEM!”
Tosh’s eyes flutter open and she looks over Ianto’s shoulder, blushing immediately.
“Gwen. Um, this isn’t what… Something’s wrong with Ianto.”
“I dunno , looks like he’s a bit of alright from where I’m standing.”
“No, I mean, It’s like-I can’t explain it.”
“I know, something’s wrong with Owen too. He keeps washing his hands. It’s like OCD or something. So, I could really use your help figuring out what to do. That is, if you’re done here?”
Tosh glances at Ianto and ducks her head, speaking in a small voice.
“Yes, just give us a moment to sort ourselves out.”
Gwen just laughs and walks out. Toshiko waits a moment, hoping that Ianto will take the cue to let her down, but he continues to pet her from shoulder to side, resting his forehead in the crook of her neck.
“Um, Ianto?”
“Hmm?”
“Could you, um, put me down?”
“Certainly.”
He pulls out with care, stepping back but keeping his hands on her hips to steady her. He ignores her blush and hands her a towel with a pleasant smile.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?”
Surprised and more than a little confused at his bland behavior, she covers herself once again.
“No, no thank you. I’m fine. But you may want to change, you’re soaking wet.”
He looks down at himself seemingly unaware of his open pants still hanging low on his hips.
“Hmm, it would appear that you are right. I’ll just put on a pot of coffee, then change my clothes.”
“You should change first.”
“Owen and Gwen will be waiting, I should take care of-“
She stops him with a hand on his chest.
“Ianto, I need you to change your clothes.”
“Oh, then I suppose I’ll just do that first.”
Wrapping the towel around her, Tosh takes his hand and leads him to the lockers, waiting to open her own until he begins to shed his suit. She dresses herself, watching him carefully until he has zipped his jeans and fastened his last shirt button. He closes his locker and looks a little lost.
“Ianto, I forgot to tell you earlier. Owen needed to see you, to make sure that there are no side effects from handling that junk this morning.”
He hums in reply and gives her a butlery nod before turning on his heel to visit the medic. She follows quietly behind, looking for Gwen along the way.
“OWEN!”
They hear the other woman’s exasperated yell before they see her.
“Stop it! You’ll hurt yourself, Owen. You’re hands are spotless!”
Entering the medical bay she watches as Ianto politely stands to one side, clearing his throat to gain Owen’s attention. The medic ignores him, as he is intent on scrubbing his hands, which appear to have been dosed in iodine. Through the chemical, it is obvious that the Doctor’s hands are already red and raw.
“Tosh, I can’t make him stop. It’s like he possessed!”
“No, not possessed. Obsessed. You said it yourself.”
“So what do we do?”
Ianto perks up at Gwen’s question.
“How can I help?”
Gwen looks at him, smirking a little as she notices his new apparel. Tosh takes over, having a good idea how to control his behaviors.
“Ianto, Owen needs some gloves on before he can check you over. Can you help him get them on?”
“Of course.”
Immediately, he crosses over to the cabinet with the supply back stock and pulls out a fresh pair of latex gloves. Moving to Owen, he gently takes one of his hands from the scorching hot water and slips one glove on. Walking behind him, he repeats the process on the other side. Owen grunts in response, but continues scrubbing and rinsing his now covered hands.
“Thank you Ianto, now how about that coffee?”
“Consider it done.”
Tosh lets him pass before dragging Gwen out of Owen’s earshot.
“I think they’ve been affected by the pieces of metal that they collected today. I need to run some tests to see what has happened to them. But I think we need to distract Owen.”
“But how? I’ve been trying to distract him since you were distracting Ianto.”
“I wasn’t-He came onto me.”
“Mmmhmm. So…? How was he?”
“Gwen, this really isn’t the time.”
“But…?”
“Fantastic. Ok? He was bloody fantastic!”
“I knew it! Is he, you know, big?”
“Gwen!”
“I’m just saying, he looks like he might be packing…”
“So! I think that there is a psychosomatic affect obtained from physical contact with the metal. Causing anxiety in the subjects, if they do not complete certain tasks. Similar to obsessive compulsive disorders. Perhaps there was a chemical that was absorbed through the skin. That could block their serotonin production, or could be acting on the thalamus directly. As I said I need to run some tests.”
“Ok, so we need to get samples from Owen and Ianto. And keep them occupied, preferably without harming them.”
“Right. Ianto’s easy.”
Gwen snickers, but holds her tongue.
“…he seems to have a compulsion to aid. So we can just give him simple tasks to keep him busy. Just make sure to frame them n a way that will make him think he is helping you.”
Just then the overly efficient man appears, with a tray of hot drinks.
“Helping who? Gwen did you need help with something?”
“Um, yeah, actually. We need to distract Owen, he seems to be stuck in repeat.”
She makes eyes at Tosh, who sighs but doesn’t argue.
“Hmm, have you offered him food?”
“No.”
“That might work, it’s nearly lunch time. I’ll just run get some something.”’
“No! No, Gwen can do that, she…had some errands anyway, right Gwen?”
“Of course! Yes! I’m just on my way out now. If you’ll be alright, Tosh?”
“Yes, fine, thanks.”
“How about games? He might be sidelined by the new ‘Call of Duty’, I believe he swiped a copy last week. Owen?“
The girls exchange a look, and Gwen reluctantly leaves, as Ianto approaches the other man.
“I was looking up that game you downloaded, Call of whatever. Did you know that a 14 year old in the States completed the entire thing in less than three hours? Weren’t you playing for a few hours yesterday?”
Owen looks at him, wringing his hands.
“What? That’s not even possible.”
“He did, I can show you the article. It was recorded for the Guinness book or something.”
Now the medic is just standing with his hands under the water. Ianto reaches over to end the flow, continuing in his seemingly casual conversation.
“Yep. It’s being used in a smear campaign. One of the competing game companies, I can’t remember which one. It’s not important. But the point is, that after all of the hype a child can complete the game in the time it takes to watch a movie. A compelling point, if you ask me. I assume you finished it too?”
“Well, I wasn’t trying to finish it. I was just getting a feel for it. Didn’t even play for long really…”
“Hmm, I wonder if you could do better?”
Ianto walks away without waiting for an answer, stunning Tosh with how well he knows their sometimes childish Doctor. Owen waits for a moment, thinking deeply, then rushes to his desk to boot up the game. Tosh catches up with Ianto, who has collected Gwen’s mug to clean and presses him.
“How were you so sure that he would go?”
“Owen never backs down from a challenge. Especially if he doesn’t realize you’ve dared him to do something.”
“You’re amazing Ianto. Listen, I’m not sure I should tell you this, but I think that the items collected this morning have affected you. Did you touch it with your bare hands?”
“We both did. There weren’t any alarming energy readings, Should we have worn gloves?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure. I need to check you out, do some tox panels.”
“Anything, where do you want me?”
“Just have a seat on the sofa, it’ll be more comfortable there. I’ll meet you in a moment.”
He does as he’s told, removing his button up before he sits. He considers whether or not he should remove his undershirt as well, but can’t be certain what Tosh will prefer. He waits patiently, listening to simulated gunshots quietly drifting from Owen’s game. Tosh returns with supplies, smiles a little and tries to be careful with the needles. Sitting down beside him, she places drops of his blood on various cards.
“Now we wait. These are just going to help me narrow down some things. I would also like to monitor your vitals, do you mind if I place a few electrodes? One on each temple, and over your heart should give me what I need.”
Without another thought Ianto nods, moving to pull off his tee. She stops him by yanking the shirt back down, blushing furiously.
“No! No no. No need for that, just-Here, you can put them on yourself actually. This is for your chest, this is the right temple, and here’s the left.”
Worried that he has done something wrong, Ianto takes the pads and places them with care.
“Do you need to connect me to something now?”
“Nope, I’ve got everything here, it’s, well an idea I had. But as long as I can get a reading… There, yes, um… Everything seems to be within normal ranges, but your heart rate is a bit elevated.”
“I’m a bit nervous.”
“I can’t see anything to worry over just yet. But I wish Owen weren’t affected. I should check him too. You just stay here and try to relax. ”
Ianto watches as she hurries off to check over the medic, who has fallen asleep at his station, game controller in hand. She quickly checks his vitals, takes blood samples and applies the modified EKG leads to his head and chest. He stirs, but does not wake. She gives a handheld scanner a puzzled look, and walks back to the couch deep in thought.
“Is he alright?”
“Yes, I think so. There is a build up of adenosine in his system, which would make him tired. Are you feeling drowsy?”
“Hmm, actually yes.”
“Don’t worry, I’m still not certain that there is a problem. Clearly there has been some effect, but maybe the increase in adenosine is your body’s natural defense? I’m speculating here, but everything is still within normal ranges. I’d have to check your specific medical records to see if there are any marked differences, but I think, maybe, it’s wearing off.”
“So, no harm done?”
Seeing the worry still in his face, she sits beside him again, rest her hand on his knee.
“We deserve a break once in a while, wouldn’t you say?”
He chuckles and yawns.
“Make that quite drowsy.”
“It’s ok, just sleep, I’ll keep checking your readings and wake both of you the second anything looks strange.”
He furrows his brow, obviously not wanting to tell her something.
“Ianto? What’s wrong?”
“It’s just-I can’t. I haven’t been sleeping, really, since…”
“oh.”
“I just don’t know if I’ll be able.”
“Um, what if I just sit with you? You can lie down if you want, rest your eyes for a bit.”
“You don’t have to do that, you have work to do. Actually, I should be helping you.”
“Ianto, I need you to sleep. I need you to lie down, close your eyes and sleep. I’m not moving a muscle until you do.”
He looks surprised at the direct command, so different from her habitual style of request. But, with another yawn, he feels compelled to do as he’s been told. He kicks off his shoes and twists around, turning to face the back of the sofa, with his head resting on her leg.
“That’s better. Now close your eyes.”
He does, and feels her fingers lightly running through his hair. Curling his arm, he tucks one hand behind her back.
“You know…”
She speaks softly above him.
“…if you want to, sometimes, you could come stay with me. Not that what happened earlier will happen, just so you aren’t alone. I have plenty of room. And I understand how hard that can be. Especially at night, it’s always worse at night. So, officially, as my friend, I’m offering you a standing invitation. Anytime, just show up on my doorstep, and you don’t have to be alone anymore.
Sighing, he drifts off to sleep, happy in the knowledge that he has a friend who cares for him.
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Iantosh! (Wha? How did that happen?)
Spoilers: None really
Summary: Set during the year that never was, although I make no mention of that. Ianto and Owen collect some rift waste, and have a strange reaction.
A/N: More stand alone action! Can be read alone.
Beta'ed by no one, so blame any mistakes on the author (and let me know what you catch, I’ll fix it up).
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Scouring the ground in a primary school yard just before dawn isn’t exactly what either Owen or Ianto expected to be doing on this particular rainy morning. But that is the way of the rift, spitting out space junk at whim, ruining their days with regularity.
“I think that’s everything, I’m not getting any readings in the yard any longer, just from what’s already in the SUV.”
Owen grumbles something in response, but has already started back to the car and his voice is lost in the wind. Cinching his parka tighter Ianto follows, keeping his eyes to the ground just in case they missed a piece. After securing the boot he climbs into the passenger side. He hands the keys over to the other man, who’s hunched over the steering wheel, shivering and scowling.
“I hate school children. Hated them when I was one, and hate them now for forcing me out in this bloody awful weather.”
“I suppose we could have left the extraterrestrial shrapnel out for the kiddies to play with…”
Owen shoots a glare at him.
“You owe me a gallon of piping hot coffee for not hitting you right now. Then again, that would require physical effort, and I’m simply not up to that right now.”
“Hmm, could do with a nap myself.”
Grunting Owen throws the car into drive and speeds off towards the Hub. Ianto surreptitiously reaches over to turn the wipers on high. They drive the rest of the way in a comfortable quiet. Ianto tracks the windshield wipers with his eyes, feeling the lids become heavier with each pass. They park in the underground lot, silently collect their findings and trudge onto the lift. As the doors open, they hear the klaxons fading, signaling the arrival of the girls. Carrying their parcel between them towards Tosh’s desk, they find her logging onto her computer.
“Owen, Ianto. What have you got there?”
“Alien rubbish. Here, you can have a go at trying to piece it back together. I need to wash my hands.”
“Ignore Owen, Tosh. He’s more tetchy than usual this morning. But he is right, this is nothing more than a collection metal shards. It was ruined on impact.”
“Hmm, more than we found at least. And less mud as well.”
“I can see that. Perhaps you’d like a shower?”
“On my way, just verifying some readings before I go. By the time we got to the location of our energy spike, there was nothing there. No unusual energy patterns, not residual readings, nothing. I’m wondering if the two events weren’t related. Maybe if I can identify what you found, then I can figure out what the connection was-“
Ianto covers her hand with his.
“Tosh, you are soaking wet, covered in mud and freezing. Take a shower. The readings and the whatever it is we found will be here when you get back. I’ll just put on some coffee, and it will be ready when you’re done.”
With a sigh she nods and goes off towards the communal shower room. Ianto glances at her desk and sees a smudge of dirt where he wrist was resting.
“I’ll just get the before coffee.”
Fetching some cleaning supplies he tidies up her area. As he returns the supplies to the utility closet, he is reminded that he hasn’t had the time to pick up their last load from the cleaners, and they are sure to be short on towels in the showers. Grabbing a couple from the cleaning supplies, a bit stale from storage but clean and pressed, he takes them down. On his way he passes a wet, but mudless Gwen, who smiles at him as they pass one another.
“I was just coming to find something for Tosh, I used the last hand towel to dry off.”
“Here, you can wrap your hair up at least.”
“Thank you Ianto, you always take such good care of us.”
“That’s what I do.”
“Have you seen Owen? I’d like to hit him for sending us out to a bog instead of a harmless schoolyard.”
“I think he’s in autopsy, he was off to wash up himself. Although, that was a bit ago.”
“I’ll find him, thanks.”
Ianto continues on his way, comforted by the fact that he was able to help Gwen in some small ways. As he travels down the hall towards the bathroom, he can hear the high-pitched whine of hot water running through ancient pipes. The air is warm and damp in the bath; the mirrors are fogged making Ianto want to wipe them. But he is distracted from the task when he hears a small yelp from the showers.
“Tosh? I’ve got towels. Is everything alright?”
“Yes, fine. I just can never get the temperature right in here.”
“Oh. Is it too hot or cold for your liking?”
Without thinking, Ianto enters the stall behind her, intent on fixing the problem for her.
“Ianto! It’s fine, I-I’m naked!”
She struggles to modestly cover herself.
“Certainly, a shower would be pointless fully clothed.”
“Like you are? Get out!”
Ianto looks down at himself curiously, unconcerned at the state of his suit.
“But… you needed help. I need to help you.”
Tosh looks at him strangely for a moment, confusing Ianto further.
“If it will make you more comfortable, I’ll just take these off then.”
Pulling at his tie he looks to her for approval, but sees a flash of something else in her eyes.
“oh.”
Stepping closer, he brings his hands up to caress her cheeks, pressing his lips to hers. She squeaks and grabs at his wrists, but doesn’t exactly pull away. Changing angles slightly he lets his hands drift to her shoulders. Trailing kisses across her jaw, he pleads with her.
“You’re so tense Tosh. Please let me help you.”
“Ianto, I think something’s happened, you’re not yourself.”
“I need to help you Tosh, please.”
He pushes her towards the tiled wall trailing his hands down her back. She huffs when he presses her to it, arching away from the cold ceramic. Lifting her by her thighs, he is able to increase their contact. He holds her in place with his body, leaving his hands free to roam her milky skin.
“Ianto…”
She says his name like a sigh, but shakes her head and grabs at his face.
“This isn’t you, Ianto!”
He looks into her worried eyes, and wonders if he got it all wrong.
“Isn’t this what you needed? I thought-When you looked at me-“
She pets at his hair to reassure him
“It’s not what you thought. When you offered to take off your clothes, it may have made me imagine some things, but it was a passing fancy. You don’t have to do this.”
Bolstered by her assurance, he reaches for her thighs again, adjusting their position, pressing their groins together. She moans lightly, her eyes struggling to stay focused and her hands gripping at his shoulders..
“I can help you. Let me help you”
Dipping his head lower, he indulges in licking a pert nipple before sucking it between his lips. Her gasp encourages him to start move against her.
“Ianto-“
He cuts off her protests with his mouth, this time exploring her with his tongue. She reciprocates, pulling him closer, running a hand through his hair. Emboldened, he reaches between them, running his fingers over her folds. Even with the water raining down on them he can feel evidence of her arousal. He presses inside, caressing her. Pleasure washes over him with each of her responses, making him shudder with the need to be inside of her. He pulls back to look at her, removing his fingers and lifting them to his mouth. She gasps, eyes wide, hips rolling against him, while he sucks the taste of her off of his own fingers.
“Yes, Ianto, I need this, I do.”
Smiling, he opens his flies and pushes into her. He has to stop for a moment, resting his forehead to her shoulder. He hears her whimper above him, urging him to move. Hiking her legs even higher on his waist, he latches onto her breast and begins thrusting wildly into her. He wants to be gentle, but she’s bearing down on him forcing him to move faster. Their grunts and moans echo around them.
“Oi!”
Ianto barely hears the shout behind him, but feels Tosh tense around him.
“Owen!”
Watching her, he sucks harder, and moves a hand to rub at her clit. Her eyes close and she lets her head fall back to rest on the wall behind her.
“Didya find them? Oh! Tosh! Ianto! What? Oh dear. Owen, um didn’t you say you needed to wash your hands?”
Ianto is peripherally aware that Owen and Gwen have arrived, likely wanting their coffee, but knows he needs to help Tosh before he can attend to anyone else’s needs. Spurred on with the knowledge that he has other tasks, he thrusts a bit harder, and nips at her other breast.
“Ianto! Oh-“”
He can feel her rippling around him and see the pleasure washing across her face. His own orgasm comes when she has completely relaxed around him, sighing his name again. He holds her to him, rubbing circles across her back.
“AHEM!”
Tosh’s eyes flutter open and she looks over Ianto’s shoulder, blushing immediately.
“Gwen. Um, this isn’t what… Something’s wrong with Ianto.”
“I dunno , looks like he’s a bit of alright from where I’m standing.”
“No, I mean, It’s like-I can’t explain it.”
“I know, something’s wrong with Owen too. He keeps washing his hands. It’s like OCD or something. So, I could really use your help figuring out what to do. That is, if you’re done here?”
Tosh glances at Ianto and ducks her head, speaking in a small voice.
“Yes, just give us a moment to sort ourselves out.”
Gwen just laughs and walks out. Toshiko waits a moment, hoping that Ianto will take the cue to let her down, but he continues to pet her from shoulder to side, resting his forehead in the crook of her neck.
“Um, Ianto?”
“Hmm?”
“Could you, um, put me down?”
“Certainly.”
He pulls out with care, stepping back but keeping his hands on her hips to steady her. He ignores her blush and hands her a towel with a pleasant smile.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?”
Surprised and more than a little confused at his bland behavior, she covers herself once again.
“No, no thank you. I’m fine. But you may want to change, you’re soaking wet.”
He looks down at himself seemingly unaware of his open pants still hanging low on his hips.
“Hmm, it would appear that you are right. I’ll just put on a pot of coffee, then change my clothes.”
“You should change first.”
“Owen and Gwen will be waiting, I should take care of-“
She stops him with a hand on his chest.
“Ianto, I need you to change your clothes.”
“Oh, then I suppose I’ll just do that first.”
Wrapping the towel around her, Tosh takes his hand and leads him to the lockers, waiting to open her own until he begins to shed his suit. She dresses herself, watching him carefully until he has zipped his jeans and fastened his last shirt button. He closes his locker and looks a little lost.
“Ianto, I forgot to tell you earlier. Owen needed to see you, to make sure that there are no side effects from handling that junk this morning.”
He hums in reply and gives her a butlery nod before turning on his heel to visit the medic. She follows quietly behind, looking for Gwen along the way.
“OWEN!”
They hear the other woman’s exasperated yell before they see her.
“Stop it! You’ll hurt yourself, Owen. You’re hands are spotless!”
Entering the medical bay she watches as Ianto politely stands to one side, clearing his throat to gain Owen’s attention. The medic ignores him, as he is intent on scrubbing his hands, which appear to have been dosed in iodine. Through the chemical, it is obvious that the Doctor’s hands are already red and raw.
“Tosh, I can’t make him stop. It’s like he possessed!”
“No, not possessed. Obsessed. You said it yourself.”
“So what do we do?”
Ianto perks up at Gwen’s question.
“How can I help?”
Gwen looks at him, smirking a little as she notices his new apparel. Tosh takes over, having a good idea how to control his behaviors.
“Ianto, Owen needs some gloves on before he can check you over. Can you help him get them on?”
“Of course.”
Immediately, he crosses over to the cabinet with the supply back stock and pulls out a fresh pair of latex gloves. Moving to Owen, he gently takes one of his hands from the scorching hot water and slips one glove on. Walking behind him, he repeats the process on the other side. Owen grunts in response, but continues scrubbing and rinsing his now covered hands.
“Thank you Ianto, now how about that coffee?”
“Consider it done.”
Tosh lets him pass before dragging Gwen out of Owen’s earshot.
“I think they’ve been affected by the pieces of metal that they collected today. I need to run some tests to see what has happened to them. But I think we need to distract Owen.”
“But how? I’ve been trying to distract him since you were distracting Ianto.”
“I wasn’t-He came onto me.”
“Mmmhmm. So…? How was he?”
“Gwen, this really isn’t the time.”
“But…?”
“Fantastic. Ok? He was bloody fantastic!”
“I knew it! Is he, you know, big?”
“Gwen!”
“I’m just saying, he looks like he might be packing…”
“So! I think that there is a psychosomatic affect obtained from physical contact with the metal. Causing anxiety in the subjects, if they do not complete certain tasks. Similar to obsessive compulsive disorders. Perhaps there was a chemical that was absorbed through the skin. That could block their serotonin production, or could be acting on the thalamus directly. As I said I need to run some tests.”
“Ok, so we need to get samples from Owen and Ianto. And keep them occupied, preferably without harming them.”
“Right. Ianto’s easy.”
Gwen snickers, but holds her tongue.
“…he seems to have a compulsion to aid. So we can just give him simple tasks to keep him busy. Just make sure to frame them n a way that will make him think he is helping you.”
Just then the overly efficient man appears, with a tray of hot drinks.
“Helping who? Gwen did you need help with something?”
“Um, yeah, actually. We need to distract Owen, he seems to be stuck in repeat.”
She makes eyes at Tosh, who sighs but doesn’t argue.
“Hmm, have you offered him food?”
“No.”
“That might work, it’s nearly lunch time. I’ll just run get some something.”’
“No! No, Gwen can do that, she…had some errands anyway, right Gwen?”
“Of course! Yes! I’m just on my way out now. If you’ll be alright, Tosh?”
“Yes, fine, thanks.”
“How about games? He might be sidelined by the new ‘Call of Duty’, I believe he swiped a copy last week. Owen?“
The girls exchange a look, and Gwen reluctantly leaves, as Ianto approaches the other man.
“I was looking up that game you downloaded, Call of whatever. Did you know that a 14 year old in the States completed the entire thing in less than three hours? Weren’t you playing for a few hours yesterday?”
Owen looks at him, wringing his hands.
“What? That’s not even possible.”
“He did, I can show you the article. It was recorded for the Guinness book or something.”
Now the medic is just standing with his hands under the water. Ianto reaches over to end the flow, continuing in his seemingly casual conversation.
“Yep. It’s being used in a smear campaign. One of the competing game companies, I can’t remember which one. It’s not important. But the point is, that after all of the hype a child can complete the game in the time it takes to watch a movie. A compelling point, if you ask me. I assume you finished it too?”
“Well, I wasn’t trying to finish it. I was just getting a feel for it. Didn’t even play for long really…”
“Hmm, I wonder if you could do better?”
Ianto walks away without waiting for an answer, stunning Tosh with how well he knows their sometimes childish Doctor. Owen waits for a moment, thinking deeply, then rushes to his desk to boot up the game. Tosh catches up with Ianto, who has collected Gwen’s mug to clean and presses him.
“How were you so sure that he would go?”
“Owen never backs down from a challenge. Especially if he doesn’t realize you’ve dared him to do something.”
“You’re amazing Ianto. Listen, I’m not sure I should tell you this, but I think that the items collected this morning have affected you. Did you touch it with your bare hands?”
“We both did. There weren’t any alarming energy readings, Should we have worn gloves?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure. I need to check you out, do some tox panels.”
“Anything, where do you want me?”
“Just have a seat on the sofa, it’ll be more comfortable there. I’ll meet you in a moment.”
He does as he’s told, removing his button up before he sits. He considers whether or not he should remove his undershirt as well, but can’t be certain what Tosh will prefer. He waits patiently, listening to simulated gunshots quietly drifting from Owen’s game. Tosh returns with supplies, smiles a little and tries to be careful with the needles. Sitting down beside him, she places drops of his blood on various cards.
“Now we wait. These are just going to help me narrow down some things. I would also like to monitor your vitals, do you mind if I place a few electrodes? One on each temple, and over your heart should give me what I need.”
Without another thought Ianto nods, moving to pull off his tee. She stops him by yanking the shirt back down, blushing furiously.
“No! No no. No need for that, just-Here, you can put them on yourself actually. This is for your chest, this is the right temple, and here’s the left.”
Worried that he has done something wrong, Ianto takes the pads and places them with care.
“Do you need to connect me to something now?”
“Nope, I’ve got everything here, it’s, well an idea I had. But as long as I can get a reading… There, yes, um… Everything seems to be within normal ranges, but your heart rate is a bit elevated.”
“I’m a bit nervous.”
“I can’t see anything to worry over just yet. But I wish Owen weren’t affected. I should check him too. You just stay here and try to relax. ”
Ianto watches as she hurries off to check over the medic, who has fallen asleep at his station, game controller in hand. She quickly checks his vitals, takes blood samples and applies the modified EKG leads to his head and chest. He stirs, but does not wake. She gives a handheld scanner a puzzled look, and walks back to the couch deep in thought.
“Is he alright?”
“Yes, I think so. There is a build up of adenosine in his system, which would make him tired. Are you feeling drowsy?”
“Hmm, actually yes.”
“Don’t worry, I’m still not certain that there is a problem. Clearly there has been some effect, but maybe the increase in adenosine is your body’s natural defense? I’m speculating here, but everything is still within normal ranges. I’d have to check your specific medical records to see if there are any marked differences, but I think, maybe, it’s wearing off.”
“So, no harm done?”
Seeing the worry still in his face, she sits beside him again, rest her hand on his knee.
“We deserve a break once in a while, wouldn’t you say?”
He chuckles and yawns.
“Make that quite drowsy.”
“It’s ok, just sleep, I’ll keep checking your readings and wake both of you the second anything looks strange.”
He furrows his brow, obviously not wanting to tell her something.
“Ianto? What’s wrong?”
“It’s just-I can’t. I haven’t been sleeping, really, since…”
“oh.”
“I just don’t know if I’ll be able.”
“Um, what if I just sit with you? You can lie down if you want, rest your eyes for a bit.”
“You don’t have to do that, you have work to do. Actually, I should be helping you.”
“Ianto, I need you to sleep. I need you to lie down, close your eyes and sleep. I’m not moving a muscle until you do.”
He looks surprised at the direct command, so different from her habitual style of request. But, with another yawn, he feels compelled to do as he’s been told. He kicks off his shoes and twists around, turning to face the back of the sofa, with his head resting on her leg.
“That’s better. Now close your eyes.”
He does, and feels her fingers lightly running through his hair. Curling his arm, he tucks one hand behind her back.
“You know…”
She speaks softly above him.
“…if you want to, sometimes, you could come stay with me. Not that what happened earlier will happen, just so you aren’t alone. I have plenty of room. And I understand how hard that can be. Especially at night, it’s always worse at night. So, officially, as my friend, I’m offering you a standing invitation. Anytime, just show up on my doorstep, and you don’t have to be alone anymore.
Sighing, he drifts off to sleep, happy in the knowledge that he has a friend who cares for him.