Fic: The Sum of Us
The sum of Us Part 1
Title: The Sum of Us, Part 1/?
Author: Facinada
Word Count: Part 1 - 1,737 words
Rating: Adult
Characters/Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Summary: Jack post COE
Spoiler: Set post COE
Disclaimer: Characters not mine, just for fun.
The room is peaceful, with clear colored walls and flickering lights, the peace is broken by the sounds of someone struggling with pain, a woman in a long clear garment after wetting a towel approaches a high bed in the middle of the room, and tries to comfort the men lying on it, putting the wet towel on his forehead.
The man is Jack Harknes, he is trying to breath deep to control the pain, but for the look on his face it´s useless. Another woman approaches him, wipes the sweat from his face with the towel. Hang on Jack, the woman says. Is coming at any moment now, it will be over soon.
Jack closes his eyes when another wave of pain hits him, every time is stronger, and he tries to remember why he is here, why he is facing this, searching for the strength to stand the pain. The first woman approaches him again this time with a drinking glass, she asks Jack to drink the contents, and he refuses. Don’t want it; I told you, I don’t need it.
Jack, drink the sedative you need it, the second woman insist. This one is really big, she tells Jack. It’s going to do a lot more damage than the previous one. I said I don’t want it, replies Jack.
The woman sighs, and comes closer to him. You said you wouldn’t do it again Jack, she says while smiling at him.
Jack tries to smile back at her, but can only manage a half smile when the pain hits him again, a growl comes out of his mouth, he arcs up and his hands tear from the sheets under him.
Both women rush to the other end of the bed.
Is coming now Jack, the first woman tells him, prepare yourself.
Jack breathes deep and stretches his body as much as he can, the pain hits him, all over his lower body, the pain is unbearable and he muffles a scream with his right hand, after a few seconds a baby’s cry is heard.
After that, nothing, no sound, no pain. Jack tries to calm down, to even his breathing, and he props himself on his elbows.
The baby how is the baby!. Help him!. Jack urges the women. He knows this is a critical moment for the newborn.
He feels like fainting, everything in the room starts to blur, he falls on his back. The second woman rushes to him.
No! Jack yells, I’ll be all right, take care of the baby, Please! He cries out.
The woman stops on her heals, she knows Jack well enough to know he is going to be all right, somehow. She has learned to believe and accept everything he says without doubt. She turns back.
Jack opens his eyes; he is in a different bed, in a different room. He must have blacked out, but for how long? Everything is so silent, he tries to move to his side, but it is still painful to move, he can’t see anything in the dark of the room, he starts to worry.
Hello, welcome back! Jack turns himself to the other side, forgetting the pain. Is his woman friend, she is sitting next to him, and the look in her face calms him down, everything is all right.
I want to see him, pleads Jack, bring him to me.
Yes here he is, the woman stands and takes the baby from a crib, and places him on Jacks arms. How you knew it was boy? she asks.
Jack voice is barely audible, I just knew… tears starts to come down his face, he is overcame with emotions, the women understands and backs up a little.
Jack starts to caress the baby’s face. He is so beautiful, isn’t he? My little Ianto, my love.
The baby reacts to Jack’s voice, and tries to get close to him, but is only able to grab Jack’s finger with his little hand. Jack loses it and starts to sob uncontrollably, the emotions of the moment are too much for him.
The woman walks to Jack and helps him secure the baby on the bed. After a while Jack calms down.
It’s all right he says, when the woman takes the baby from him anyway.
Yes you and the baby are all right, but still you need to rest Jack, and the baby needs to rest and be feed too. It was also a struggle for him, remember.
Jack agrees and settles in back in the bed.
Go to sleep, the woman says, tomorrow you will be strong enough to feed him, and she leaves the room with the baby. John starts to sob again, he lets it go this time, he needs to feel it, he cries himself to sleep.
The morning light starts to come in through the window. Jack starts to wake up, he feels a sting on his eyes, the crying last night. He seats on the bed, and he is happy to find out the pain is completely gone. He stands up and still feel a little dizzy but continuous to walk to the end of the room. A big bowl of fresh water stands there, he splashes the water onto his face, it feels good. Is then he notices his wearing different clothes, he rubs his abdomen and chest and is all back to normal. They must have cleaned him up before bringing him to the room after he blacked out. He is drying the water from his face, when the room’s door opens.
The two women come in, one with a tray with food and drinks, and the other carrying the baby. Jack fully smiles at them and rushes to the woman carrying the baby and takes him from her. The baby still has his eyes close, is too soon, not even a day old.
Good Morning to you too Jack!
Jack turns to the women and salutes them with his head and gives them the biggest smile any one of them has ever seen.
Good morning Serena, good morning Lidia, thank you for everything. We couldn’t have been in better hands.
You are very welcome Jack, Serena answers, Lydia the younger woman, only smiles back to Jack and then leaves the room.
Now Jack, Serena tells him as she tries to take the baby from him. Give me the baby back, you have to eat something first and then you can have him all day for yourself.
Jack unwillingly gives the baby to Serena, and goes to the table and sits. He is hungry indeed, and everything looks succulent, but his attention is grabbed by the hot smoke coming from the coffee mug, he takes it and starts to sip little by little, as if kissing the cup.
Serena looks to Jack estranged by the way he is handling the coffee mug, she sits on the bed, and places the baby on it. The baby starts to stretch and settles onto the mattress.
There is nothing more peaceful than a baby sleeping, Serena tells Jack. He agrees with his head.
After Jack has eaten almost everything on the food tray, he turns to the bed and stares at the baby, Jack’s face shows how happy he is at that moment.
You told me you would heal by yourself, and I saw it with my own eyes, Jack. But still can’t believe it. Serena tells Jack, hoping she would get a straight answer from Jack, but knowing well she won’t.
Jack smiles; and starts to walk towards the bed, he sits on the bed and while he keeps his eyes on the baby, he answers Serena.
I died once and somebody brought me back to life, and since then I can’t die. It may seem like a blessing but is not, his voice breaks...
I have seen so many people died, people I love…Jack continues.
Serena knows Jack is telling the truth, and also knows he is hurting. He looked so broken when he came in first. She tried to help him but he was so closed up. She hopes the baby will bring him the peace he needs.
She stands up and goes to the table and takes the empty food tray.
I’ll leave you alone with him. Serena tells Jack.
You better let him sleep as much as possible, when he wakes up he will be very hungry, and you should be ready to feed him. If you need help just ring the bell next to the bed.
Jack turns to Serena and again he needs no words, just his smile and his eyes, says how grateful he is for her cares.
Months earlier.
Jack, promise me you won’t get in trouble, you won’t do anything that will alter the time continuum, promise me.
I told you I won’t get into trouble John. You have to believe me.
Jack Harkens is standing in front of Captain John Hart, he is strapping John’s vortex manipulator to his own left arm.
Thank you, for helping me. Jack tells John, and places a candid kiss on his mouth. I won’t be long. I promise, and he disappears.
Cardiff day three, Jack is outside the warehouse the team is using as the “Hub 2”. He is waiting he can’t face his present self. Then the present time Jack comes rushing out of the warehouse and drives off on the Porsche.
Jack, goes in to the warehouse.
Rhys: Back so soon?
Ianto looks startled at both.
Jack turns to look at Ianto, and smiles a beautiful and loving smile to Ianto.
Rhys: The beans are ready, you want to eat? No, Jack replies, not hungry, while he walks directly to Ianto, who still looks very surprised. Jack whispers at Ianto; come let me help you get acquainted with this new coat. Ianto smiles back; he knows what Jack is offering.
Ianto I need you to come with me, Jack says out loud, Rhys stay put and take care of the place.
Rhys replies Ok, and starts to serve himself a bowl of beans. Not going anywhere he continues, without noticing the two have already left the warehouse.
Once outside the warehouse Ianto starts to look around, where is the car? he questions. At that moment Jack embraces him and kisses him on the mouth, and activates the vortex manipulator.
To be continued…