Good Advice (Torchwood, Jack/Ianto, OC)
Ianto found James in the medical bay sitting on the chair next to Martha Jones’ bed. It had been irony to see their only doctor get hurt badly during the investigation but Martha had taught James a thing or too about how to work the machines and what to do in an emergency. James had stayed by her bedside for the last few days so he looked awfully tired.
“How is she?” He asked, putting a hand on James’ shoulder.
“Still sleeping, has woken up a few times to tell me to go home.” James replied, looking up at Ianto. “She is very feisty.”
“Yes she is.” Ianto agreed, his eyes gazing upon the sleeping figure of Dr Martha Jones, noticing the dirty black hair and peaceful face. Tears started to form in his eyes as he thought about Jack. He didn’t know how that thought came to be but it was about the way that James was sitting next to Martha.
“Do you love her?” Ianto asked before mentally kicking himself.
James smiled, “I thought I did but she’s just a friend and I care for her very much.”
Ianto nodded, “Sorry I don’t know why I asked that question.”
“Don’t be, anyway are you alright?” James asked when he noticed Ianto’s tears. Ianto shook his head and grabbed a chair from the next bed before sitting down.
“Jack and I had a fight about what happened.” Ianto replied. He didn’t know why he was telling James this but he wanted to talk to someone and James seemed the best option.
“He doesn’t blame himself does he?”
“He does, I tried to assure him that he shouldn’t but he got very angry at me.” Ianto replied with his head down. “I said some very nasty things to him.”
James nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. “Sometimes we say things when we are stressed or angry that we regret later on. You shouldn’t feel bad as it will be alright.”
Ianto looked at James. He knew that James had been through a lot in the past with depression and bad dreams plus his nasty habits. James always knew what to say in situations like this but it didn’t mean he was a perfect man just a man who was still battling his inner demons.
He left James to hold Martha’s hand.
Jack saw the light in his office was still on when he entered the hub. He thought that he had left the light on by accident but he was sure that he had turned it off. The walk along the bay had refreshed his mind, making him a lot better. He had decided to apologise to Ianto and tell him that he didn’t have to be as Ianto was only trying to help.
He ran up the stairs to his office and stopped on the landing when he heard footsteps down below. He turned to see James walking across the hub towards the entrance.
“Finally going home then?” Jack called out to him.
“No just going for a walk, I’ll be back.” James replied before walking quickly over to the entrance before Jack could order him to go home.
Jack sighed. He knew that James cared for Martha, wasn’t in love with her but he cared as they were close mates. James didn’t want to find love yet, sworn against it after a few mishaps in his time. Jack shook his head and entered his office.
He found Ianto over by the coat stand, looking at the RAF hat that sat on top of it.
“Ianto, I’m sorry I said those things to you.” Jack told him, which made Ianto turn around. “You were only trying to help and....”
“I should be sorry as well.” Ianto interrupted, a few tears in his eyes. Jack walked closer and looped his arms around Ianto.
“No, I’m the one who messed things up.” Jack assured him and held him close as the tears ran down Ianto’s face. “Let’s never fight again.”