OOC: LOG ‘Mr. Drama King’

[docisin]

Who: Jack thedashinghero and Owen docisin
When: Umm, last weekish, between Jack escaping the Master and going into the other dimension
Where: The Hub
What: Jack going for Owen’s dream-free sleep treatment, Owen finding out what the Master did and going Weevil-King, then these two having a civilised conversation. As civilised as Torchwood gets, anyway.
Why: We felt like it. Then we forgot. But we finished it now! :D

Jack dragged himself into the Hub, exhausted beyond all belief. After the hell the Master had put him through and dying again to save Ianto, all he wanted to do was knock himself out with those tranqs Owen had. So he made his way down to the autopsy pit and leaned against the wall, smiling tiredly. "Hey, Owen," he said quietly.

"Hey, Jack, been out on the.....", Owen paused, rewound his brain a little bit as turned to blink at him, "Fucking hell....Jack?"

Jack smiled a little, nodding. "Ianto found me, brought me back," he murmured. He would have to find a way to repay him somehow.

The doctor couldn't keep the smile from crossing his face. "Fucking hell, you look like complete and utter shit, but it's good to see you"

The smile on Owen's face lit up Jack's eyes a bit, and he nodded again. "It's amazing to see you again, too. And I feel like complete and utter shit, so I suppose that's fitting."

Owen moved up the stairs to him. "What the hell did he do to you, Jack?", he asked softly, experienced eyes running over him, checking for any sign of injury or neglect, "Need me to fix anything?"

Jack shook his head, avoiding Owen's gaze. "It all healed when I died, so I'm alright."

"No, you're all left", said Owen with a soft chuckle, before frowning, looking at him, "How many times?"

Jack looked down awkwardly, trying hard to resist the urge to wrap his arms around himself. "Too many," he whispered.

Owen's jaw clenched. "The bastard needs fucking torturing"

"Owen, please don't go after him," Jack sighed. "I couldn't stand if he...if he did...things to you too."

"Someone's going to have to stop him eventually, Jack", said Owen pointedly, "And it's not like he can fucking kill me...well, he can, but when I'm dead, I don't feel anything"

Jack shook his head. "He didn't just kill me, Owen, he..there were other things, and I'm not letting any of them happen to you," he said softly.

"What things, Jack?", Owen pushed, "C'mon you can tell me"

"Do you really want to know?" Jack asked, the light from his haunted eyes gone again.

Owen looked at him steadily, leading him to the battered sofa that sat on the back wall between his and Tosh's desks. "Yeah", he said, sitting Jack down, sitting beside him, "I've been in that dark place, Jack, you know after that....anyone could deal with anything"

Jack sat close to Owen, their shoulders just barely touching. He wasn't certain how much contact the younger man wanted with him just yet, and he wasn't going to push his luck. "He...he's good at the physical torture, the Master," he started, closing his eyes. "He fixed the part of me that feels hurt....but that wasn't the worst bit, not even when it got....less clothed. The worst part is what he can do to your mind....he knows every thought, and feeling, and exploits it as much as he can. He can put false ones in, make things seem like something they're not...and oh yeah, did I mention he's completely batshit insane?" he chuckled lightly.

"I figured that much out on my own, thanks", said Owen, narrowing his eyes, "So he fucked with your brain a lot. Explain again why we can't kill him?"

"Because it would kill the Doctor, and I can't watch him hurt like that again," Jack said quietly.

Owen set his jaw and squinted. "Doctor Noname has got to start taking fucking responsibility for his little pet nutjob", he said, completely unaware that his eyes were becoming black, "Because if he comes near anyone in this fucking hub again, I'll rip his fucking head off", he finished with a growl.

"Owen, calm down," Jack replied, worried. He reached out a hand to pet him almost on instinct, tugging him close.

Another growl started in the younger man's throat before he took in a deep breath, leaning against Jack, screwing his eyes shut, before opening them, back to their normal light brown. "Fuck", he swore at himself, "Happened again...sorry"

Jack merely petted him soothingly, murmuring words of comfort into Owen's ear. A bit ironic, since he was the one who had just been tortured, but he didn't mind. He just appreciated the fact that he was able to hold Owen like this again.

Owen frowned softly, looking at him. "Don’t you start fucking worrying about me", he said, almost as if he'd read his mind, "Deal with your own shit, first, Jack, mine can wait"

Jack chuckled. "Owen, there's no way to deal with this. I know, it's happened before. I just...have to keep going."

Owen sighed softly. "...I'm sorry"

Jack blinked. "What on Earth are you sorry for?"

Owen glanced down. "For everything, for fucking everything up for you"

"You didn't," Jack frowned, tilting Owen's head back up gently with his fingers. "Ianto is angry because of me, not you."

"Yeah, but you're you", he said shrugging, "...And I'm still to blame, even if it's only partly, mate. It's just been a fucking domino effect of crap recently"

Jack sighed again. "Me being me is exactly why he's upset with me," he pointed out. "And it has been, yeah."

Owen glanced down again. "It just needs to fucking stop raining shit on us", he said, then frowned, ".....And I've been a shithead to you"

"A break from shit rain would be nice," Jack chuckled, then paused. "You what?"

Owen glanced away from him. "I was a right fucking bastard to you", he said, "I'm sorry...I was just...I don't know, I was still fucked up...not thinking right"

Jack shook his head. "It's alright, I understand. I shouldn't have left like that," he murmured. "It's just...a reflex."

"Yeah, well if you can make it fucking stop being a reflex we'll all be sodding grateful", said Owen, "You're not fucking dispensable, Jack, we need you around here. Shit, I haven't fucking slept for days trying to keep everything fucking running on my own"

"I'm sorry," Jack replied, the guilt obvious in his voice. "I just....everyone had abandoned me here, and I don't handle that well. It was so hard for me to go back to just being a Captain..."

"No one had fucking abandoned you, Jack, you stupid shit", said Owen, annoyed, "Everyone just needed fucking breathing space, it wasn't abandoning you".

"I know that now," Jack said quietly, almost curling in on himself at Owen's tone. "I didn't then."

"That's because you're an idiot", said Owen, though there was genuine affection in his tone.

The affectionate sound made Jack glance up a little, an almost hopeful expression in his eyes. "Yeah, I am. And for the record...I wouldn't go with the Doctor again unless he absolutely needed me," he sighed.

"You sure about that one?", Owen asked softly, "All you ever used to lark on about was 'the right sort of doctor', which, for the record, pissed me off no fucking end"

Jack's look turned sad again, and he nodded. "I thought he could fix me. But he couldn't. And he wouldn't even try to help my mind, after Gray. But you did," he replied, glancing at him.

Owen looked back at him and gave a small shrug. "I'm your doctor", he said by way of explanation.

"You are my doctor. My right kind of doctor," Jack replied, his eyes locking onto Owen's seriously.

"Took you long enough to figure that one out", said Owen with a small smile.

Jack returned the smile, ducking his head a little "I'm sorry. You have my permission to hit me if I ever say otherwise."

"I'll remember that", Owen promised with a soft chuckle.

"I bet you will," Jack said fondly, not even noticing that his fingers had laced with Owen's of their own accord.

Owen had, however, and glanced down at them with a soft sigh. "....Talked to Doyle"

Jack immediately retracted his fingers at the words like he'd been burned. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

Owen sighed, taking Jack's hand in his own and giving it a light squeeze. "He knew it was coming", he murmured, lacing their fingers again, examining them, "Knew before we did"

Jack's eyes widened in surprise. "He....what? And he's not angry?" he asked, looking down at their entwined fingers.

"Nah", Owen smiled and shrugged, "Wants me to be happy..he's a fucking marvellous bloke, that one"

A laugh escaped Jack's lips, followed by a genuine smile. "He sounds like a marvellous bloke. There should be more like him." The 'Ianto should be more like him' went unspoken. "I'm glad he's not upset with you."

"Not at all", said Owen, "In fact he had a fucking go at me for being an arse to you when he came up with Flemming"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Flemming? And did he really?"

"Yeah, one of the billion kittens your vampire mate got stuck with", said Owen, "Yeah, made me see sense"

Jack chuckled. "I could see you with a kitten," he smiled, imagining it. "And I'm glad he did, I hate it when you're upset with me," he admitted.

"M'sorry", Owen shrugged, "You know me and my temper"

"I know," Jack replied, idly tracing his thumb along Owen's hand. "It's a bad combination of scary and hot," he teased.

"Getting more scary lately", admitted Owen, glancing down.

"....I'm working on that," Jack confessed, a little embarrassed.

"Working on what?", asked Owen, confused.

"Um. Your weevily thing," Jack gestured. "I know you don't like not being able to control it. So I've been researching stuff."

"Oh?", Owen's face softened, "You've been...I...umm". He was taken aback a moment, before giving a small smile, but still a genuine one. "Thank you"

Jack returned the smile, pleased with the genuine one he received. "I haven't found much, but it might help anyway."

"So I'm not completely screwed to a life of big teeth and hair loss?", asked Owen, trying to keep mirth in his tone despite the fact of 'what he was turning into' terrified him more than anything.

Jack shook his head, pulling him into another hug. "As far as I can tell you're just an extra-special Owen. Who could take over the world with a weevil army of doom," he chuckled. "The control part just needs practice and concentration."

Owen leaned into him. "Joy", he murmured, then smirked, "A weevil army of doom would be fucking awesome, though. You can have Cleveland"

Jack grinned, stroking Owen's hair lightly. "Yeah," he replied, before pausing for a few minutes. "Owen...what you said before, about Doyle wanting you to be happy....does that....are you...." he trailed off, not certain where he was trying to go.

Owen closed his eyes at the touch, a light purr escaping before he opened them, watching him. "....See what Ianto wants....after you guys have talked and not screamed at each other", he replied, then shrugged softly, "You always got me, though...going to have to share me...but you always have me"

Jack couldn't help himself at the last three words, and pulled Owen into a slow, almost needy kiss. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that," he murmured against his lips.

"I can probably guess", replied Owen, returning the kiss gently, before breaking it, resting his forehead against Jack's, "....But see if you can mend what you got with Ianto, first. He's the better man for you"

"Alright," Jack said softly. "I just...it's going to happen again. I can't stop it, and if me being myself hurts him so much....he called me cruel and ridiculous, Owen, for being that way."

Owen sighed. "He was pissed off, Jack", he said, "I bloody doubt you telling him you slept with another member of staff could have gone down even slightly well.....he's been given time to cool off, though now"

"He was pissed off because I love so many people, Owen. He said he would've forgiven me for the incident with the spray, had I not loved you," Jack pointed out.

"Oh", Owen frowned, looking up at the ceiling, "Hell, Jack, I wish I could wave a fucking magic wand for you and make everything fine. But I can't", he gave a smile that didn't quite come off as one, "That's out of even the King of the Weevil's power"

Jack chuckled a little. "Yeah..I just.....god, I just hope he's okay. Rose told me what it's like over there, it's crawling with cybermen, and that can't be easy for him," he replied, worried.

"He had a Lisa", said Owen, "....The other Ianto, he had to kill her, s'why he's such a fucking hardarse" He looked at Jack. "Ianto's more capable than you give him credit for, you should have seen him when I tried to open the rift"

"That makes sense," Jack murmured, then nodded. "I know he's capable. It's part of what I love about him. But it doesn't stop me from worrying about him."

"He'll be fine", Owen watched him, "Fucking hell, Jack, we're good at pulling through the worst of shit"

"I know, it's another part of the job requirement," Jack replied with a bit of a smile.

"That and being sexy", Owen nodded sagely, though a smile crossed his own lips.

"Very sexy," Jack replied, his smile growing a little. "You know, Jack meets both of those requirements," he sighed, leaning against Owen. "And I hate to see him just doing nothing in that apartment of his. But I don't think Ianto could handle it."

Owen threaded his fingers through Jack's hair as he frowned. "You want him to work with us?", he asked, then sighed, "....yeah, Mate, one step at a time, huh?"

"Yeah," Jack said, making a soft noise of appreciation as Owen threaded his fingers through his hair. It was nice to feel someone touching him that wasn't hurting him at the same time. "I think he'd be good at it. He'd get used to all the alien stuff after awhile, but he's got a good head on his shoulders and he's the only one around here that actually follows my orders," he chuckled.

Owen chuckled ruefully. "Excepting us to follow orders is asking for too much", he said, then smirked, "Besides, you need someone to tell you when you're being a complete and utter dillhole"

Jack grinned, "That's what I've got you for," he teased. "But still. I'll ask him about it after things with Ianto have calmed down, if they do. A four-person team just isn't cutting it," he sighed. Having Jack around would be easier on him, too, considering how much he missed him when he wasn't.

"Especially with Gwen fucking off in a huff and it becoming a one-person team", muttered Owen, "Seriously, that Hoix fucking hurt"

Jack looked at Owen, the worry returning to his eyes. "Are you alright now?" he murmured, touching Owen's leg.

"I'm fine, physician heal thyself and all that crap", said Owen, then smirked, "And it's the other leg anyway"

"I knew that," Jack grinned, trying to save himself from looking stupid. "I was just using it as an excuse to feel you up," he winked.

Owen laughed. "Jack, you're a terrible fucking liar", he smiled, "I can see right through you"

"I know," Jack replied sheepishly. "Doesn't stop me from trying."

"Ten out of ten for effort", chuckled Owen, giving him a gentle shove, "Big zero for pulling it off"

Jack grumbled, shoving him playfully back. "Shush, you. You're a terrible liar yourself, you know."

"Since when?", Owen laughed.

"Since always," Jack grinned. "When have you ever fooled me?" he pointed out.

"I can think of a number of occasions", smirked Owen.

"Like when?!" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well..", Owen huffed, "I can't think of a moment off the top of my head, but there are lots!"

It was Jack's turn to smirk. "Sure there are," he replied, amused.

"There are!", complained Owen, sulking, "Sod off!"

"Not until you can think of one," Jack grinned, poking him in the side.

Owen caught his poking finger idly. "No, I don't want to now", he smirked.

"That's because you don't want to admit you're wrong," Jack pointed out, attempting to free his finger from Owen's grasp.

Owen tightened his grip, not letting go. "Who's to say I'm wrong?"

"Let go," Jack frowned, pulling harder and using his other fingers to pry Owen's off. "And you so are, unless you have evidence.

Owen chuckled. "Say please", he said, "And I am not"

Say please. The light in Jack's eyes went out again at those words that the Master had used so many times. "Please," he said quietly.

Owen's smile faded as he let him go. ".....Jack?", he frowned.

"Sorry, I just....he..." Jack shook his head, looking down again.

"...Oh", Owen frowned, "I really do want to kill him lots, you know"

"I know," Jack sighed. "Part of me does too. But we just...can't."

"Yeah", frowned Owen, then considered, "Would engineering a virus that accidentally got into his system count as murder?"

Jack chuckled. "Yeah, it would, sorry," he replied, leaning against him again in an attempt to comfort himself. "I can still feel him," he murmured.

Owen wrapped an arm gently around him. "Bugger", he said, "You can? He's a fucking twisted puppy"

"It's like he's still here, in my head, even though he's not...like an echo," he sighed, snuggling into Owen's half-embrace. "I can still feel his hands, his...everything."

Owen watched him, worried, before pulling him in properly, brushing a hand through his hair, trying to soothe him. "S'alright, Mate", he said, "Its over now"

"He made them real, Owen," Jack whispered. "My nightmares, he brought them out to play..."

"The ones with the...dirt?", Owen spoke slowly, trying to keep him calm.

"Yeah," Jack nodded, closing his eyes again. "He made me feel it, like I was there again. Made me feel a lot of things. Think a lot of things, like it was you or Ianto when he..."

"....Right", Owen set his jaw, "You're making me want to sodding kill him more, here, Jack"

"I'm sorry," Jack apologized, glancing down. "I won't say anymore if you rather I didn't."

"S'alright, Mate, you can talk to me", he said gently, "Just making my case for wanting him dead stronger"

Jack laughed bitterly. "I don't think I'd be able to stop you from killing him if I told you everything in detail."

"Hmfh", said Owen, then considered, "Weevils? Technically if I suggest they kill him and they do it because they feel like it mean I didn't do it directly"

"You forget, he can be anywhere and anywhen in the universe he wants, and I doubt weevils exist on every planet," Jack pointed out. "Still....it doesn't matter who kills him. It just can't happen."

Owen huffed. "It's not fucking fair, nutjobs like him stalking about killing and torturing people as they fucking like"

"Yeah, I know. And he IS a nutjob. Literally. That drumming in his head drove him crazy a long time ago," Jack sighed. "It's like a bloodlust thing or something...the killing and torturing calms him down, it's weird. 'Course, that's not an excuse for being a twisted pervert," he chuckled.

"It fucking isn't", growled Owen, "You don't want to fucking know what goes on in my head, but I don't go about sodding killing everyone"

Jack nodded, petting Owen lightly to calm him down again. "Like I said, he's twisted and crazy. And he loves me, 'cause he can just keep killing me over and over and I never die. I can satisfy every single one of his needs."

Owen's eyes flickered to black, before going back to brown as he tried to calm himself. "Yeah, well he can just find another fucking toy"

"He'll never get tired of me, we're both gonna be around a long time," Jack sighed, kissing Owen again in a soothing fashion. "But I'll get over it, I did last time."

"Yeah, well so am I, so he can fucking watch out", replied Owen stubbornly, before returning the kiss tenderly.

Jack smiled into the kiss, cupping Owen's cheek in his hand gently as he returned it.

Owen sighed into it, leaning against Jack's hand, his eyes closing softly, taking comfort in the embrace.
.
Jack kept his own eyes open, needing to remind himself that this was Owen, and it was real. He deepened it a little, caught up in the moment and the need for comfort.

Owen purred softly into it, allowing it to deepen before reluctantly pulling away, pressing a tender kiss on Jack's forehead. "Jus' 'til we know what Ianto wants", he murmured.

Jack felt a sharp stab of disappointment when Owen pulled away, and sighed again at the tender kiss. "Alright," he agreed reluctantly. "But thank you, for that...it's nice, to be kissed when it's not..."

"Jus' till then", Owen murmured, resting his forehead against Jack's, "Don' want to make him any more pissed off than he already is". He gave a small smile. "Yeah..I know"

"Do you?" Jack replied, his voice quiet again. "I...he...never mind," he murmured.

"No", said Owen softly, "C'mon, tell me"

"Owen...when I said I satisfied all of his needs....I meant all of them," Jack admitted, after a few long moments of silence.

Owen looked confused for a moment, before realisation set in. "Right", he said, standing, his eyes going to pitch black in seconds, his voice coming out of a growl than actual words, "Now I'm going to fucking kill him"

"Owen, calm down," Jack pleaded, standing up next to him and tugging him close. "Just breathe..."

"No, that's going too fucking far", Owen snarled, fighting against him.

"Owen, you can't do anything, he's gone, it's already done, just be calm for me...I need you, Owen," Jack said softly, holding him in his strong arms.

At his words, Owen took in a shuddery breath, closing his eyes, trying to regulate his breathing again as he leaned against him.

Jack stroked his hair soothingly, murmuring quiet, reassuring words into his ear.

Owen took another deep breath, before opening his eyes, back to brown again, stilling in his arms.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything," Jack murmured, nuzzling him in apology.

"S'alright...wasn't expecting...", Owen felt himself tense again, but fought to keep it under control, "That's....it's not fucking on.....it fucking isn't"

"I know," Jack sighed, shrugging. "Nothing he hasn't done before though. Can't blame him, really, I am damn hard to resist," he chuckled.

Jack's joke fell flat as Owen looked at him steadily, "It's no excuse for rape", he said, his voice steady and dangerous.

Jack flinched at the word and Owen's tone, even though he knew it wasn't directed at him. At least, he hoped it wasn't. "I know it isn't."

Owen narrowed his eyes, angry, looking away. "People who do that deserve to be killed", he responded simply, "They're just a waste of fucking oxygen"

"Except that he can't be," Jack sighed, stepping away reluctantly. "I'm sorry, I'm not helping, I'll just stop..."

"I just don't like thinking of him....", Owen shook his head, taking another calming breath, "I fucking HATE people who do that"

"I'm sorry," Jack apologized again, mentally kicking himself. "I didn't mean to....I should just stop talking about it."

Owen sighed, sitting down heavily, covering his face with his hands, "You need someone to fucking talk to about it, Mate.....but I can't...."

"I know, it's alright. I handled the year without talking about it, I can do it again," Jack replied, glancing down.

"No, Jack", said Own firmly, "You need to talk about it. Not talking about it doesn't help. It builds up in you mind and that's when you're going to get more and more nightmares"

"But I don't have anyone to do that with," Jack sighed, sitting back down next to him.

Owen shrugged. "Ianto? Gwen? Tosh? The creepy arse vampire?", he tried, then sighed, "Jack, I would if I could...but...it just gets me so fucking angry"

"Ianto's pissed at me, Gwen's prolly still upset with me, I don't want to bother Tosh with this, and Angel's got enough on his plate," Jack pointed out. "I'll be fine."

"No. You. Won't", said Owen firmly.

"I have to be," Jack protested. "I...I have to be fine."

"Fuck off", said Owen, "You have to be able to talk about it"

Jack shrugged, glancing away. "There's not much to say, aside from what I've already told you."

"Terrible fucking liar", pointed out Owen.

Jack shook his head. "I mean it. It happened, what more is there to say about it?"

Owen sighed. "Just....don't bottle shit up, okay, Jack?", he asked him, "I do the bottling thing and it doesn't do you any fucking good. It just makes you angry and mean"

Jack chuckled. "You're talking to the king of bottling shit up, Owen," he pointed out. "I just...you make me talk more, because you don't take any of my crap."

"Too fucking right I don't", Owen smiled softly, "Someone's got to put their foot down with you and stop fawning over you like you're the bets thing on the fucking planet"

"See, that's what I love about you," Jack replied, smiling as well.

Owen grinned. "Because I don't worship the ground you fucking walk on?", he asked.

"That's it exactly," Jack replied, laughing. "You're assertive. If I try to push you away you just push right back. Just like Jack," he said fondly.

"Well, I always....", Owen trailed off, "....Wait....what?"

"What what?" Jack asked, blinking.

"I'm not....", Owen frowned, not wanting to say the words, "...I'm not a replacement for him, am I?"

"What? No!" Jack replied, shaking his head. "Do you not remember me saying I've been in love with you from day one?" he pointed out. "I fell in love with you before I ever knew him. Besides, you're still completely different people, even if he's got an assertive streak."

"Oh....good", said Owen quietly, then looked at him, "...Yeah...read it in that letter"

Jack nodded, glancing down again at the mention of his letter. Writing it had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done, and he hoped he never had to do it again.

"Still got it", said Owen, after a while of silence.

Jack blinked again, looking up. "You do?" he asked curiously.

"Yeah", Owen shrugged awkwardly, taking it out of the depths of his lab coat pocket, where all his most treasured possessions ended up, the paper folded over much more than once, clearly read over and over.

A lump formed in Jack's throat at the sight of the letter, and he caught the fact that it had been read many times. "Owen..." he whispered, hesitantly stepping closer.

Owen swiftly pocketed it back to it's place of sacred safety, then looked at him, trying and failing to feign nonchalance. "Wot?"

"Can't fool me, remember?" Jack said softly, taking another step.

Owen gave his patented lazy half smirk. "Can't blame a guy for trying"

Jack sighed, before closing the gap and wrapping his arms around Owen again. "I'm so sorry. I just wanted you to know everything if I never got another chance to tell you..."

Owen was still for a moment, before accepting the embrace, his own arms wrapping around the older man's broader back. "Yeah.....I understand the concept of a final letter, mate", he said quietly into his coat.

Jack rubbed soothing circles along the small of Owen's back, nuzzling him. "I know. I just...I don't want it to be final anymore," he said softly.

"Me either", Owen said quietly, "....But please hear Ianto out first....I don't want you losing out on someone that good for you on account of me"

"I know, and I will," Jack replied reluctantly. "Once we get him back. Which I really hope happens soon."

"Yeah, me too", said Owen, "I like this new Ianto even less than I like our one, and that's really fucking saying something"

Jack chuckled. "Don't be too hard on him, Owen. He's a nice guy when he's not being a bastard."

"I don't fucking like him", sulked Owen, "He called me a lesbian"

Jack blinked, stared, and cracked up laughing.

Owen frowned at him, stepping back from the hug and folding his arms. "What's so fucking funny?"

"Nothing, nothing, that's just a funny thing to call you, considering," Jack replied, declining to mention the fact that Owen was really a girl named Owena in Rose's reality.

Owen arched a brow, watching him. "....Right", he said, folding his arms, going into sulk mode, "I don't like him"

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, he won't be here for too much longer, I'd think. We need our Ianto back."

"Yeah", Owen chuckled ruefully, "Even I've missed our Ianto"

"Oh come on, I know you don't dislike him as much as you let on," Jack protested.

"He's irritating and he messes with my stuff", said Owen, though his sulk was decidedly half hearted.

"I do that too," Jack pointed out. "And I'm irritating as all hell when I want to be."

"Too fucking right", chuckled Owen ruefully.

Jack smiled. "So see? You can't dislike him that much. And most of your banter is of the friendly sort anyway, even if you wouldn't admit it."

"Maybe, maybe not", said Owen with a chuckle

Jack chuckled too. "We'll get him back, Owen, and everything will work itself out," he replied with a smile.

"It sodding better", said Owen, "'Cause our team is getting smaller all the sodding time"

"I know," Jack replied, his gaze distant. "When Gwen took time off, I thought...well, you know."

"Yeah, I knew exactly what you bloody thought", said Owen, "I had to go tell her to explain it properly. Fucking hell, you're all a lot of drama queens"

"You're just as much of a drama queen as the rest of us, Owen Harper," Jack pointed out.

"I'm not a fucking drama queen!", said Owen, "I'm a drama KING, see? King. I got a crown and everything that says I'm a king, so fucking there"

Jack grinned. "That says you're the king of the weevils, not a drama king."

"I'm still a ruddy king", said Owen, folding his arms sulkily.

"If you're a king, then does that mean the queen's the one with all the power?" Jack teased.

".....What?", Owen blinked, "Fuck off, if anyone's the queen, it you"

"Exactly," Jack grinned. "And I've got all the power."

"That's because you're captain", pointed out Owen.

"And don't you forget it," Jack smirked. "Mr. Drama King," he teased.

Owen scowled, then huffed, smirking as he gave Jack a playful shove. "Oh, fuck off"

"No," Jack replied, playfully shoving him back. "At least, not until you get me some of those tranqs," he hummed. "I could do with being knocked out."

Owen smiled and nodded. "Yeah, no problem", he said, starting down the steps to the autopsy pit.

Jack smiled as well, following him down. "I don't even know how many days I was there," he chuckled. "I mean, I do, but it doesn't feel like it...it's all screwy in here," he commented, pointing at his head.

"That's no big change", teased Owen gently, before starting to pull out the tranqs, checking to dosages carefully.

Jack chuckled, hopping up on the table as Owen checked the dosages. "True enough. Oh, Martha gave me tranqs while I was away," he remembered. "I'd forgotten to bring them."

"She's a star, that Martha", Owen smiled fondly, "When she's not doing my job, anyway". He flicked a needle, then walked over to Jack. "You manage okay with them?"

"Yeah," Jack replied, smiling as well. "I think she was a little surprised she wasn't killing me again with the amount," he laughed, shaking his head.

Owen chuckled. "She'll get used to it, she's been thrown into the bloody thick of it with those UNIT goons", he rolled up Jack's sleeve, cottonbudding the arm, "You're going to say the prick lines again, aren't you?"

Jack grinned. "You've ruined it already, twat. And Martha suffered a lot more before UNIT," he sighed, gaze distant. "She was there with me, you know."

"Good", said Owen, then frowned, "Yeah, mate I gathered that, I'm not thick". He slid the needle in, painless and professional as always, administering the tranq.

"Just sayin'," Jack murmured, feeling the needle enter with a bit of a twitch. "This feeling pain thing is going to suck."

"Sorry", Owen murmured, easing it out gently, "I do try my best"

"No, it's fine, you didn't hurt me. Brought up memories more than anything. I'm just saying in the future, when I actually do go and get myself killed again," Jack explained.

"Yeah, well try not to do that too much, okay?", Owen smiled a little, putting a cotton bud over the drop of blood left behind, "It fucking pisses us off"

"I don' generally try," Jack said awkwardly, the drowsiness starting to take over as the tranqs made their way through his bloodstream.

"Come on", said Owen, "Bed with you, before you collapse on the stairs"

Jack smiled sleepily, leaning against him as he slid off the table. "Thank you, Owen."

"Hey, s'what I'm here for", said Owen, helping him up the autopsy pit stairs.