The Measure of a Man (5/9)
Jack finally felt the tension leave him as he pulled into the Hub garage and turned the engine off and leaning back in his seat, feeling every day of his true age. Looking back on his team who were sleeping peacefully it was so hard to imagine that they could just as easily chosen to be like that scum. What was it that made some people so good and some people so bad? To Jack, that was the true mystery of life.
“Owen,” he whispered, turning in his seat and gently nudging the young doctor’s leg, careful not to disturb Gwen or Tosh who were dozing against him.
“Come on, Owen. You can sleep with the girls later,” whispered Jack as Owen stirred and glared at him, the exhaustion evident on his pale face.
“Inappropriate?” asked Jack, sheepishly. Owen nodded patronisingly. It said something about Owen’s state of mind when he didn’t even carry on an innuendo.
“Sorry. Can you take the girls back to the Hub and set up? I’ll bring Ianto along in a minute when everything’s quieter,” murmured Jack, trusting the medic to keep going despite knowing all Owen really wanted to do was go home, get drunk and pass put on the sofa. That’s what he admired about Owen; his determination to see things through to the end no matter how tired or how scared he was because at the end of the day, Owen was ultimately a doctor through and through. He couldn’t not care even if he tried.
“Yeah, course,” said Owen, wearily, scrubbing a hand over his face in a vain attempt to feel more awake. Ianto needed him and he would do his best for the boy even if it took all night.
“Listen, Jack ‘bout earlier…”Owen shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Apologies weren’t exactly his forte.
“Don’t worry about it. I needed the metaphorical kick up the backside. I’m here now. Ianto knows that,” said Jack, gently.
Owen held his gaze for a moment; seemingly searching for something. Upon finding it, he dropped his eye line. “Good,” he said, quietly, seeing the sincerity in their Captain’s eyes. He knew Jack adored Ianto and wouldn’t forget the image of him being bound, gagged and utterly defenceless in a hurry.
“You can have the next few days off, all of you. There’s no point coming into work if there’s only two of us on active duty,” said Jack as he watched Owen wake the girls.
“Probably best,” said Owen, as he helped the girls out before getting out himself. As if it were an after thought, he turned and said; “I’m glad Ianto’s got you; you’re good for him,” before leaving.
Jack watched him go in frank admiration before moving to the last remaining member of his traumatised team and carefully removed his seatbelt knowing from personal experience that if Ianto woke up feeling restrained in any way he would most likely panic and Jack didn’t want the poor boy to go through that again.
“You’re beautiful you know that?” he murmured, tucking Ianto’s hair behind his ear as he watched the young man sleeping. It was hard to believe that just a few hours ago; he had risked his life so Tosh could live when he looked so young and vulnerable now.
“Ianto, you can wake up now,” he whispered, stroking the side of his face lightly, knowing how important it was to see a familiar face to ground oneself.
“Come on, Sweetheart, wake up,” he murmured, cupping the side of his face and kissing him softly on the lips. Any doubts he’d had about kissing the boy had been eradicated the moment Ianto had kissed him earlier. It had been a good kiss; despite the exhaustion which had convinced Jack of his sincerity. No one reacting out of shock would’ve been able to convey that intensity of emotion.
“Wha’? Jack?” mumbled Ianto as he woke dazed and confused, Jack’s reassuring presence beside him.
“Hey…Shh…We’re in the SUV. Owen and the others are in the Hub,” murmured Jack, affectionately, moving a stray lock of hair off his forehead. Ianto nodded drowsily as he relaxed in his seat, not really taking in what Jack was saying through the haze of pain flowing through his head but trusting the smooth baritone to keep him safe.
“Ianto, stay with me,” commanded Jack softly, worried at the younger man’s loss of lucidity.
“I’m fine… just…let me sleep,” slurred Ianto, his accent thick with exhaustion, his head lolling to one side.
“Ianto, look at me,” implored Jack, gently turning his head to face him. “We’re gonna go to Owen and get you sorted out and then you can sleep, okay?” he said, caressing his cheek to keep himself calm and Ianto conscious.
“Don’t want to…” mumbled Ianto, groggily, all he wanted to do was to curl up in bed, preferably with Jack and sleep. The last thing he wanted after the day from hell was to be poked and prodded even more. He’d had enough of that at the abattoir.
“You have to. We need to know you’re okay - I need to know you’re okay and I’m pretty sure Owen does too. Do it for me? Please?” pleaded Jack, cupping the side of his throat and running his thumb lightly over his jaw.
Ianto gazed at him intently for a minute, his head to one side in a way Jack would’ve found quite endearing if he weren’t so worried about the boy’s well being.
“’Kay,” Ianto mumbled almost inaudibly, nodding his understanding and regretting it instantly as a new wave of dizziness and nausea rolled over him.
“Good boy,” murmured Jack, kissing him lightly before helping him out of the car and supporting the majority of Ianto’s weight.
“You okay?” asked Jack with concern, wrapping an arm round his waist and noting how much he was shivering.
Ianto nodded;”just tired that’s all,” he mumbled, giving him a weak, unconvincing smile.
“You can sleep soon,” said Jack gently, stroking his hair back as they made their way to the safety of the Hub.
http://welsh-scotsman.livejournal.com/4169.html chapter six