TITLE: Heart, Don't Stop
AUTHOR: Erin Giles
DISCLAIMER: Torchwood and it's characters are property of the BBC.
RATING: PG
PAIRINGS/CHARACTERS: Ianto/Jack, Gwen, Tosh, Owen
WORDS: 1077
SUMMARY: Jack's head finally catches up with his heart when Ianto's life is in danger.
CHALLENGE:
horizonssing Day 18:
If I Didn’t Care
Ink Spots
If I didn't care more than words can say
If I didn't care would I feel this way?
If this isn't love then why do I thrill?
And what makes my head go 'round and 'round
While my heart stands still?
If I didn't care would it be the same?
Would my ev'ry prayer begin and end with just your name?
And would I be sure that this is love beyond compare?
Would all this be true if I didn't care for you?
Jack barely drew breath as he came back to life before he was demanding where Ianto was.
“Jack breathe.” Gwen’s voice was insistent from beside him, as she pressed a hand to his thigh to stop him from leaping out the SUV.
“He’s fine. He’s at the hospital with Owen.” Gwen tried to reassure but all that seemed to do was increase Jack’s fears when he realised they weren’t following an ambulance.
“Where are we going?” He demanded, twisting in his seat slightly as Toshiko piped up from the back.
“Back to the Hub.”
“Turn around.” Jack spoke calmly, but forcibly.
“But Jack, we need to-“ Gwen tried to protest.
“Gwen dammit! Turn around!” Jack shouted, twitching to grab at the wheel. He could see Gwen’s frightened eyes on him for a split second though before she wrenched the wheel and they did a U-turn. Gwen’s illegal road manoeuvre was followed by the blaring of horns as she sped back towards the A48.
Gwen knew the last thing that Jack had seen had been Ianto unconscious before him, bleeding profusely. She didn’t blame him for being worried, she was as well. But Owen had assured them in that off handed way of his that ‘it was just a scratch’ and he didn’t know what the tea-boy was being so melodramatic about. Gwen had seen that flash of fear though as Owen had turned from her and jumped into the back of the ambulance as it sped away from them, leaving her and Tosh to deal with the dead weight of Jack and to clean up the mess the Rift had left behind yet again.
Gwen was surprised Jack hadn’t asked what had happened with the clean up, and it scared her somewhat on how intent Jack was in getting to Ianto, come hell or high water. He’d already leapt out the car before they’d come to a complete stop outside the hospital. Gwen and Tosh shared a look before they too were jumping out the SUV and following Jack into the hospital.
He wasn’t hard to spot. He was stood at the desk, yelling at the poor receptionist behind it, declaring he was Torchwood and demanding to see Ianto Jones immediately. Gwen had to admire the young woman as she patiently tried to placate Jack who was blatantly having none of it. Gwen had never seen Jack so worked up in her life.
“Jack.” Tosh placed a hand on his arm, coaxing him away from the desk. Jack wasn’t having any of it though. Jack slammed his fist off the desk, making both Toshiko and the woman behind the desk jump.
“I want to see Ianto Jones!” Jack all but yelled. Up close Tosh could see Jack’s eyes were brimming with tears and his hands were shaking with the effort of keeping his emotions in check.
“A little demanding aren’t we?” Came a croaky voice from behind Gwen and Tosh. Both of girls swung round to see a slightly dishevelled looking Ianto stood next to Owen who surreptitiously had a hand under Ianto’s left elbow to steady him. His right arm was strapped firmly to his chest and they could see gauze peeking out from under his now blood stained shirt. He looked exhausted but very much alive. Gwen barely had time to register this though before Jack was pushing Tosh and Gwen out the way to get to Ianto, throwing his arms around the young Welshman and pulling him close in a bone breaking hug.
“Jack, careful with him yeah.” Owen reprimanded as Ianto let out a grunt of pain and swayed noticeably on his feet. Jack continued to hold him close though, pressing kisses to his hairline and stroking the back of his neck in reassurance.
Jack suddenly felt like his heart had finally restarted after he'd died. His head was finally finished conjuring up all sorts of horrible images where Ianto Jones was dead and never coming back. He finally felt truly alive again.
“Jack.” His name whispered past his ear conveying everything Jack felt himself but couldn’t voice because he couldn’t get any words past the lump in his throat as he pulled away from Ianto slightly. He took in the young man’s ashen face, keeping a hold of both of his arms before Jack chocked down a relieved sob.
“Ianto, don’t you dare do that again.” Jack lightly reprimanded, pressing a kiss to Ianto’s dry lips, in reassurance that he was still there. Sudden realisation hit Jack at how dramatic he was being as the rest of the team looked on and an embarrassed blush crept onto Ianto’s face. Jack wrapped an arm round Ianto’s shoulders, leading him out of the hospital.
“Lets get you home Mr. Jones.”
When Jack shut the door on the passenger seat, Ianto now ensconced in it, one thought knocked him sideways - he loved Ianto. He knew that he loved all his team members but Jack hadn’t been that hysterical since, well to be frank, Jack couldn’t remember being that hysterical ever. He let out a relieved sigh as he lent against the side of the SUV, watching Gwen, Tosh and Owen coming towards him.
“You ok, Jack?” Tosh asked, placing a hand on his arm again and rubbing it slightly. Jack nodded mutely, letting out a shaky breath. Owen opened his mouth like he was going to say something sarcastic but he didn’t need Gwen’s warning look before he was closing it again and scrabbling into the back of the SUV. Gwen climbed back into the drivers seat as Owen shuffled into the back behind Ianto.
“You sure?” Tosh pressed.
“Yeah, just guess I’ve had a bit of a shock.” Jack admitted.
“We all did.” Tosh admitted, glancing past Jack to Ianto who was now dozing in the passenger seat.
“No, not that kind of shock, well yes, but-“ Jack stopped, realising he was rambling. Tosh smiled, patting Jack on the arm.
“Glad your head finally caught up with your heart.” Tosh whispered in his ear before she was climbing into the back beside Owen.
“Jack come on, I need a shower, I’m still covered in tea-boy’s blood.” Owen called through the open door. Jack smiled as he turned around to be met with Ianto’s face, blinking at him expectantly. His heart skipped a beat, giving him a surge of adrenalin that he didn’t think he’d ever get tired of feeling.