Moonlight and Lusting Chapter 33/? Damp Earth
The storm's over; time to assess the damage
This chapter rated PG.
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The old oak tree had survived for over a hundred years until tonight when it was split in two by a lightning bolt during the storm. There was no fire because the heavy rain extinguished any sparks before they could take hold. One of its limbs struck an electrical cable cutting off power to the private reserve where Jack and Ianto were staying.
Ianto remained in lycan form while he continued to comfort Jack. His life mate’s trembling had finally subsided but Jack made no move to pull away from Ianto. “I think the worst of the storm has passed,” Ianto said noting the thunder had stopped and the heavy rains had diminished. He shifted his position enough so he could lift Jack’s chin and see his eyes. Red rimmed eyes and a pale face looked back at Ianto. “Would you be okay alone with Jasper for a moment?”
“Yeah,” Jack managed to reply after clearing his throat. He released his tight hold on Ianto so he could get up.
“I’ll be back in a jiffy,” Ianto said as he stood up. “Jasper, stay with Jack.” Jasper crawled into Jack’s lap and licked his face. Jack wrapped his arms around the dog. Ianto tucked the blanket around them.
Ianto added a log to the fire and then climbed up the stairs in the dark leaving the candle in the sitting room with Jack to comfort him. Ianto found his mobile on the nightstand where he’d left it and turned it on. Using the light from his mobile he grabbed two jumpers before searching the storage bench in the hallway. Ianto found two emergency camping lanterns along with some eight-hour glow sticks. He snapped and shook a glow stick and tied it to the banister at the top of the stairs and then turned on one of the battery-operated lanterns. Carrying the items downstairs he activated another glow stick and tied it to the banister at the bottom of the stairs. “Found the camping lanterns,” he said walking into the sitting room. He placed the lit lantern on the coffee table and blew out the candle. “There, that’s better. I’ll keep the other lantern in reserve.” Crouching down next to Jack, Ianto stroke the back of his hand down Jack’s cheek. “You seem calmer - are you?”
Jack stopped stroking Jasper’s fur for a moment. “No, I feel shaky inside,” Jack admitted. He was still very pale.
“Fortunately we have a gas hob - I’ll go put the kettle on.” Ianto left one of the jumpers for Jack and took the other one into the kitchen. After he put the kettle on, Ianto morphed back into his human form and slipped the jumper over his head while he waited for the kettle. Five minutes later he carried a tray into the sitting room. “Tea and biscuits for us and dog food for Jasper,” Ianto said. He put the dog food on the floor. Jasper hesitated glancing between Jack and the dish of dog food showing his uncertainty by whining softly.
“Go on and get your supper,” Jack said. Jasper jumped down and started eating his dog food. Ianto sat back down next to Jack and handed him a mug of hot sweet tea. “Thank you,” Jack said holding the mug in both hands fearing he’d spill it otherwise. They sat together silently sipping their tea. Ianto’s left arm was draped over Jack’s shoulders, his hand absently stroking Jack’s upper arm. He waited patiently for Jack to drink his tea and eat a few biscuits. Sighing Jack placed his empty mug back on the coffee table and leaned back into Ianto’s embrace.
“Feeling better?” Ianto asked. Jack nodded. “It looked like you had a flashback - think you can talk about it?” Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Finally opening his eyes he replied, “Not tonight, I can’t; I’m afraid I’ll lose it again.”
“It’s alright Jack,” Ianto assured him, not wanting to distress Jack. “On one condition; I want you to take one of the sedatives Owen prescribed for you. We’ll bunk here in the sitting room tonight where we have light and heat so you’ll feel safe. Agreed?”
He watched Jack tense briefly and sigh once more; “Okay, I’ll take a sedative. Thank you for being understanding and patient. I promise to tell you what happened tomorrow.”
“I’ll hold you to your promise,” Ianto replied. They had soup for supper and then went upstairs to change into pajama bottoms and tee shirts before they came back down to the sitting room with pillows and another blanket. Ianto let Jasper out the front door for one last pee. Jasper was quick about it since it was still raining outside. Business done he came back inside and stood on the rug just inside the front door, letting Ianto dry him off with a big towel. Returning to the sitting room they found Jack had moved the coffee table out of the way and shoved the ottoman over next to the couch. Jack was already lying down on the couch; Jasper jumped right up on the ottoman and lay down near Jack. “Did you take the sedative?” Ianto asked.
“Um-huh,” was the sleepy reply.
Ianto laid down behind Jack and pulled the blanket over them. Jack turned over so they were facing each other, his sleepy eyes searching Ianto’s. “Love you.”
Smiling, Ianto kissed Jack. “I love you too, Cariad.” Jack snuggled closer and fell asleep in his life mate’s embrace.
Owen was already bored and it was only 9 a.m. Rift activity was at an all time low with only an occasional spike just big enough to spit out an alien toy or space debris. Tosh was catching up on paperwork and Gwen was meeting with Harold to check status on Pack security/Torchwood activities. Owen had finished his backlog of autopsies and reports yesterday and was feeling superfluous. He was just about to suggest getting the annual physicals out of the way when his mobile rang. Glancing at the display he saw it was Ianto calling. Answering his mobile he said, “Please tell me you’ve got a Weevil running loose through the cottages.”
“And good morning to you too - things a little dull at the Hub I take it?”
“That is an understatement; I’ve finished all my reports, inventoried the medical supplies, and even mopped the floor. Surely you’re not calling to just say hello.”
He heard Ianto sighed into the phone. “No, unfortunately; Jack had a bad flashback last night,” Ianto replied.
Owen removed his feet from his desk and sat up. “Shit. Tell me what happened.”
Ianto explained about the sudden storm and how it had triggered a flashback for Jack. He told Owen what he and Jasper had to do to bring Jack out of it. Owen was concerned about the intensity of the flashback. “Where’s Jack now?”
“He’s still sleeping on the couch; I gave him one of the sedatives you prescribed. Should I bring him to the Hub?”
“No, let him sleep off the sedative. Hang on half a mo,” Owen replied. He muted his mobile and walked over to Gwen’s desk. Harold and Gwen were looking over reports. “Sorry to interrupt; Jack had a bad flashback last night during the storm and I think I should go out and check him over. Harold, didn’t you mention this morning you were going out to there today?”
“Yes. Pete said there was some storm damage and they lost power. It was restored a short time ago, but Pete still needs some help,” Harold replied. “Want to drive out there together?”
“Yeah, sounds like a plan. I can be ready to go in ten minutes. First, I’ve got to tell Ianto.” Owen unmuted his mobile as he walked to the medical bay to retrieve his medical kit. “Ianto, I’m going to ride out there with Harold. I want to check Jack over and see if there’s anything I can do to help. Things are quiet here, so now’s a good time.”
“Should I do anything while I’m waiting for your arrival?”
“Not unless Jack wakes up before I get there. You’ve done everything right so far; just keep it going until I get there.”
“Jack won’t be happy that I called you.”
“Probably,” Owen agreed, “but it was the right thing to do. We’ll see you soon - bye.” He added some additional medications to his kit in case they were needed. Owen closed his kit, picked up his emergency overnight bag and went upstairs to find Harold.
Ianto put his mobile away and finished drinking his coffee. The rain had stopped sometime in the early morning and the sun was peeking through the kitchen window. He placed the now empty mug into the dishwasher and then went into the sitting room to check on Jack. Jasper was lying on the ottoman still watching Jack sleep. Petting the dog’s head Ianto said, “It’s my turn to watch him, Jasper; your breakfast is in the kitchen waiting for you. Go on.” Jasper seemed to understand and jumped down from the ottoman and trotted out to the kitchen.
“You do realize he is a dog, don’t you?”
“Yes I do, but he’s a very clever and perceptive dog,” Ianto replied smiling. He went over and opened the sitting room curtains to let in the sunlight. Jack squinted at the bright sunshine as he sat up.
“What time is it?”
“It’s going on 9:30 a.m. You should get up; Harold and Owen should be here soon.”
Jack’s head snapped up; “Why are they coming here?”
“Harold’s coming here to look over the storm damage and Owen’s coming to check you over because of the flashback you had yesterday.”
“You shouldn’t have bothered Owen about what happened yesterday,” Jack replied dropping his head down breaking eye contact.
Ianto sat down next to Jack. “I had to call Owen because what happened yesterday was bloody terrifying. Jack, we’ve both had our share of nightmares, but yesterday you had a full-blown flashback; you were choking to death on nothing except a horrifying memory replaying in your mind. I truly thought you were going to die - that’s how bad it was.”
Jack shuddered remembering the flashback. Ianto wrapped his arms around Jack who sagged against him. “I’ve never had a flashback that bad,” Jack admitted, “and it totally took me by surprise. I was in the kitchen getting the coco . . . the kitchen window was still open and the smell of rain and damp earth was so strong. Thunder boomed right over the cottage and the lights went out. Suddenly I was back in the grave Grey buried me in and rain-sodden earth was pressing down on me, filling my mouth and I was choking. I couldn’t escape!” Jack sobbed.
“Oh, Cariad, I’m so sorry. It’s going to be alright; you’re safe now,” Ianto assured Jack. “You’re not alone, we’ll all help you; I promise.” Jack held onto Ianto needing his life mate more than ever before.
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Note from socalrose: Poor Jack. Just when he thought things were getting better something as simple as a thunder storm triggered a horrendous flashback. Will they be able to help Jack? And why the hell did I mention the oak tree at the beginning of the chapter?
Please let me know what you think; comments and questions are always welcomed.This entry was originally posted at http://socalrose.dreamwidth.org/12802.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
This chapter rated PG.
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The old oak tree had survived for over a hundred years until tonight when it was split in two by a lightning bolt during the storm. There was no fire because the heavy rain extinguished any sparks before they could take hold. One of its limbs struck an electrical cable cutting off power to the private reserve where Jack and Ianto were staying.
Ianto remained in lycan form while he continued to comfort Jack. His life mate’s trembling had finally subsided but Jack made no move to pull away from Ianto. “I think the worst of the storm has passed,” Ianto said noting the thunder had stopped and the heavy rains had diminished. He shifted his position enough so he could lift Jack’s chin and see his eyes. Red rimmed eyes and a pale face looked back at Ianto. “Would you be okay alone with Jasper for a moment?”
“Yeah,” Jack managed to reply after clearing his throat. He released his tight hold on Ianto so he could get up.
“I’ll be back in a jiffy,” Ianto said as he stood up. “Jasper, stay with Jack.” Jasper crawled into Jack’s lap and licked his face. Jack wrapped his arms around the dog. Ianto tucked the blanket around them.
Ianto added a log to the fire and then climbed up the stairs in the dark leaving the candle in the sitting room with Jack to comfort him. Ianto found his mobile on the nightstand where he’d left it and turned it on. Using the light from his mobile he grabbed two jumpers before searching the storage bench in the hallway. Ianto found two emergency camping lanterns along with some eight-hour glow sticks. He snapped and shook a glow stick and tied it to the banister at the top of the stairs and then turned on one of the battery-operated lanterns. Carrying the items downstairs he activated another glow stick and tied it to the banister at the bottom of the stairs. “Found the camping lanterns,” he said walking into the sitting room. He placed the lit lantern on the coffee table and blew out the candle. “There, that’s better. I’ll keep the other lantern in reserve.” Crouching down next to Jack, Ianto stroke the back of his hand down Jack’s cheek. “You seem calmer - are you?”
Jack stopped stroking Jasper’s fur for a moment. “No, I feel shaky inside,” Jack admitted. He was still very pale.
“Fortunately we have a gas hob - I’ll go put the kettle on.” Ianto left one of the jumpers for Jack and took the other one into the kitchen. After he put the kettle on, Ianto morphed back into his human form and slipped the jumper over his head while he waited for the kettle. Five minutes later he carried a tray into the sitting room. “Tea and biscuits for us and dog food for Jasper,” Ianto said. He put the dog food on the floor. Jasper hesitated glancing between Jack and the dish of dog food showing his uncertainty by whining softly.
“Go on and get your supper,” Jack said. Jasper jumped down and started eating his dog food. Ianto sat back down next to Jack and handed him a mug of hot sweet tea. “Thank you,” Jack said holding the mug in both hands fearing he’d spill it otherwise. They sat together silently sipping their tea. Ianto’s left arm was draped over Jack’s shoulders, his hand absently stroking Jack’s upper arm. He waited patiently for Jack to drink his tea and eat a few biscuits. Sighing Jack placed his empty mug back on the coffee table and leaned back into Ianto’s embrace.
“Feeling better?” Ianto asked. Jack nodded. “It looked like you had a flashback - think you can talk about it?” Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Finally opening his eyes he replied, “Not tonight, I can’t; I’m afraid I’ll lose it again.”
“It’s alright Jack,” Ianto assured him, not wanting to distress Jack. “On one condition; I want you to take one of the sedatives Owen prescribed for you. We’ll bunk here in the sitting room tonight where we have light and heat so you’ll feel safe. Agreed?”
He watched Jack tense briefly and sigh once more; “Okay, I’ll take a sedative. Thank you for being understanding and patient. I promise to tell you what happened tomorrow.”
“I’ll hold you to your promise,” Ianto replied. They had soup for supper and then went upstairs to change into pajama bottoms and tee shirts before they came back down to the sitting room with pillows and another blanket. Ianto let Jasper out the front door for one last pee. Jasper was quick about it since it was still raining outside. Business done he came back inside and stood on the rug just inside the front door, letting Ianto dry him off with a big towel. Returning to the sitting room they found Jack had moved the coffee table out of the way and shoved the ottoman over next to the couch. Jack was already lying down on the couch; Jasper jumped right up on the ottoman and lay down near Jack. “Did you take the sedative?” Ianto asked.
“Um-huh,” was the sleepy reply.
Ianto laid down behind Jack and pulled the blanket over them. Jack turned over so they were facing each other, his sleepy eyes searching Ianto’s. “Love you.”
Smiling, Ianto kissed Jack. “I love you too, Cariad.” Jack snuggled closer and fell asleep in his life mate’s embrace.
Owen was already bored and it was only 9 a.m. Rift activity was at an all time low with only an occasional spike just big enough to spit out an alien toy or space debris. Tosh was catching up on paperwork and Gwen was meeting with Harold to check status on Pack security/Torchwood activities. Owen had finished his backlog of autopsies and reports yesterday and was feeling superfluous. He was just about to suggest getting the annual physicals out of the way when his mobile rang. Glancing at the display he saw it was Ianto calling. Answering his mobile he said, “Please tell me you’ve got a Weevil running loose through the cottages.”
“And good morning to you too - things a little dull at the Hub I take it?”
“That is an understatement; I’ve finished all my reports, inventoried the medical supplies, and even mopped the floor. Surely you’re not calling to just say hello.”
He heard Ianto sighed into the phone. “No, unfortunately; Jack had a bad flashback last night,” Ianto replied.
Owen removed his feet from his desk and sat up. “Shit. Tell me what happened.”
Ianto explained about the sudden storm and how it had triggered a flashback for Jack. He told Owen what he and Jasper had to do to bring Jack out of it. Owen was concerned about the intensity of the flashback. “Where’s Jack now?”
“He’s still sleeping on the couch; I gave him one of the sedatives you prescribed. Should I bring him to the Hub?”
“No, let him sleep off the sedative. Hang on half a mo,” Owen replied. He muted his mobile and walked over to Gwen’s desk. Harold and Gwen were looking over reports. “Sorry to interrupt; Jack had a bad flashback last night during the storm and I think I should go out and check him over. Harold, didn’t you mention this morning you were going out to there today?”
“Yes. Pete said there was some storm damage and they lost power. It was restored a short time ago, but Pete still needs some help,” Harold replied. “Want to drive out there together?”
“Yeah, sounds like a plan. I can be ready to go in ten minutes. First, I’ve got to tell Ianto.” Owen unmuted his mobile as he walked to the medical bay to retrieve his medical kit. “Ianto, I’m going to ride out there with Harold. I want to check Jack over and see if there’s anything I can do to help. Things are quiet here, so now’s a good time.”
“Should I do anything while I’m waiting for your arrival?”
“Not unless Jack wakes up before I get there. You’ve done everything right so far; just keep it going until I get there.”
“Jack won’t be happy that I called you.”
“Probably,” Owen agreed, “but it was the right thing to do. We’ll see you soon - bye.” He added some additional medications to his kit in case they were needed. Owen closed his kit, picked up his emergency overnight bag and went upstairs to find Harold.
Ianto put his mobile away and finished drinking his coffee. The rain had stopped sometime in the early morning and the sun was peeking through the kitchen window. He placed the now empty mug into the dishwasher and then went into the sitting room to check on Jack. Jasper was lying on the ottoman still watching Jack sleep. Petting the dog’s head Ianto said, “It’s my turn to watch him, Jasper; your breakfast is in the kitchen waiting for you. Go on.” Jasper seemed to understand and jumped down from the ottoman and trotted out to the kitchen.
“You do realize he is a dog, don’t you?”
“Yes I do, but he’s a very clever and perceptive dog,” Ianto replied smiling. He went over and opened the sitting room curtains to let in the sunlight. Jack squinted at the bright sunshine as he sat up.
“What time is it?”
“It’s going on 9:30 a.m. You should get up; Harold and Owen should be here soon.”
Jack’s head snapped up; “Why are they coming here?”
“Harold’s coming here to look over the storm damage and Owen’s coming to check you over because of the flashback you had yesterday.”
“You shouldn’t have bothered Owen about what happened yesterday,” Jack replied dropping his head down breaking eye contact.
Ianto sat down next to Jack. “I had to call Owen because what happened yesterday was bloody terrifying. Jack, we’ve both had our share of nightmares, but yesterday you had a full-blown flashback; you were choking to death on nothing except a horrifying memory replaying in your mind. I truly thought you were going to die - that’s how bad it was.”
Jack shuddered remembering the flashback. Ianto wrapped his arms around Jack who sagged against him. “I’ve never had a flashback that bad,” Jack admitted, “and it totally took me by surprise. I was in the kitchen getting the coco . . . the kitchen window was still open and the smell of rain and damp earth was so strong. Thunder boomed right over the cottage and the lights went out. Suddenly I was back in the grave Grey buried me in and rain-sodden earth was pressing down on me, filling my mouth and I was choking. I couldn’t escape!” Jack sobbed.
“Oh, Cariad, I’m so sorry. It’s going to be alright; you’re safe now,” Ianto assured Jack. “You’re not alone, we’ll all help you; I promise.” Jack held onto Ianto needing his life mate more than ever before.
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Note from socalrose: Poor Jack. Just when he thought things were getting better something as simple as a thunder storm triggered a horrendous flashback. Will they be able to help Jack? And why the hell did I mention the oak tree at the beginning of the chapter?
Please let me know what you think; comments and questions are always welcomed.This entry was originally posted at http://socalrose.dreamwidth.org/12802.html. Please comment there using OpenID.