I'll come back. I promise

Jack kissed Ianto's hand softly as he leaned through the door of the TARDIS. His fingers lingered for a moment, but he snatched them away just as the heavy blue door slammed shut. Ianto stood hopelessly, watching the police box with his lover inside disappear.

I believe you, Ianto whispered to the air. A light breeze blew over him, his tie swaying, caused by the sudden absence of TARDIS. His bottom lip quivered with the moment of doubt that passed through his mind – maybe Jack would not be back.

He had looked so happy, enthralled and eager when the Doctor had strolled into the Hub. Ianto could remember the look on his captain's face when he first saw the Time Lord. It reminded him suspiciously of the cliché in movies, love at first sight, or the reunion of an old separated lover. Jealousy swept over Ianto and he tensed in the crisp autumn weather. He wrapped his trench coat tighter around him, squeezing the hatred and jealousy out of his body.

It was not the first time Jack had left. He had come back, but he was different. He had come back, but it had been after a long time. How long would it be this time?

Ianto scuffed his feet on the smooth pavement as he walked back to the Tourist Information booth. He had only just sprinted from there, chasing Jack, chasing the heart wrenching sound of the TARDIS. He knew that it would mean losing Jack, maybe for a little while, maybe for ever. Ianto had been reading the paper, sipping his coffee with Jack leaning over his shoulder, his neck nuzzled into Ianto's collar. Always ready, Ianto had his jacket within reach and had managed to whip it on as he followed his captain onto the street.

When Ianto returned to his coffee it had turned stone cold. Sighing, Ianto poured it into the sink and flipped the percolator on, starting the calming burbling of the coffee maker. Jack's cup sat on the desk, tiny rings of perspiration forming on the desk. He never used the coaster; no matter how many times Ianto had begged, pleaded and harassed him to. Ianto picked up the mug and stared at it, focusing all his anger on the porcelain cup. He flung it into the wall above the sink. It shattered, shards splashing around him, into his face and eyes. His eyes watered and his vision swam red. Hastily he made his way to the back door of the shop, using his hands to guide him. He could feel blood dripping down his face, spilling over his bottom eyelids.

God, Ianto! What happened?

Tosh spun around from her desk when she heard the slap of skin against the concrete walls of the hub. She leapt up and wrapped her hands around Ianto's shoulders, guiding him towards the autopsy bay.

Owen? Help me!

Stop it, Tosh. It's not that bad.

Ianto slumped onto the table, his eyes wide open and looking at the ceiling. He knew he could injure his eyes more if he closed them, but he wanted nothing more than to squeeze them shut. Owen reached the top of the circular staircase and saw Ianto's eyes.

Ianto don't you dare shut your eyes!

Ianto gave in to the pain. He closed them tight, and after a moment of screaming agony as the porcelain ripped through his flesh, the pain ebbed away. It would come back later, but for the moment he had gained a reprieve.

Ianto you twat. Did I not just say?

Owen grabbed his tiny torch and pair of surgical tweezers.

Ok, this time, do what I tell you. Keep your bloody eyes closed or I swear I will cut into you eyes myself.

Ianto grunted in response and allowed himself to be pushed back onto the table onto his back. Owen plucked the shards of pottery from Ianto's skin, wiping away the blood that leaked from his eyes. He lowered the torch to right beside Ianto's eyelids and the shards were illuminated.

Holy shit Ianto, what did you do? There are at least… ten foreign objects in your lenses. Did you shove gravel in your face for fun?

Your bedside manner is so comforting, Owen. I will never understand why you made the move from a general practitioner to working in autopsy.

Yeah well, at least I don't make my living by working as a tea boy, Tea Boy.

Ianto groaned.

Don't you dare roll your eyes, Jones!

I won't.

Owen shook his head as he grabbed a syringe from the drawer beside him.

This will hurt a lot.

Thanks for softening the blow.

You know me, mate. Always honest.

With out further warning he slid the needle into the centre of Ianto's eye, quickly followed by another injection into the other eye. Almost instantly the numbing agent flooded the front half of Ianto's face, and completely vanished.

Ok, Ianto. I'm going to put you asleep so I can get these out.

Ianto murmured a reply, but his intended list of insults aimed at Owen was abruptly cut off when Owen placed a gas mask over his nose.

Jack caressed the back of Ianto's shoulders, slowly rubbing his warm hands over Ianto's bare flesh. The warmth of his whole body flooded Ianto, and he reclined back into his Captain's lap. He could smell the soft musk that was so clearly Jack's, a smell so intoxicating he could hardly form words. Jack slid his hands from Ianto's back to his chest, creeping down the centre of his torso. He bent down and kissed his partner's forehead, tasting the light film of sweat that he had a moment ago lured from his body. The small bed in the bunker was hardly big enough for the two of them, but it added to the excitement. It was a game, a new challenge to over come, with the most delicious of rewards.

They slid over each others bodies to lie comfortably next to each other, and Ianto fell into a light slumber. He could feel Jack's heart beat beneath his hand as he drifted to sleep. Ianto's dreams were interrupted by Jack's heart beat quickening, his breath getting shallower, moving away from the synchronized pattern they had fallen into. Ianto lifted his head to examine his lover's face, which was a picture of soft joy. Jack's lips moved, with soft sounds escaping.

Jack. What are you dreaming about? Ianto whispered, imagining Jack reliving their acts over again.

You, Doctor.

A tiny voice escaped from Jack's lips. Ianto's heart paused, and he recoiled to the very edge of the bed, pressing himself against the cold cement wall. He closed his eyes and wished that he was dreaming.

Ianto tried to open his eyes, but a combination of weakness and tape stopped him.

Just as I suspected. You still aren't doing what I told you, Ianto.

Some things never do change, do they sir?

Sir? Now that's a new one, Tea Boy.

Owen pulled the surgical tape off Ianto's eyes and instructed him to slowly open his eyes. The world erupted into his vision, blurred but colourful, and filled with Owen.

God, it's you. Ianto spat at the doctor. He had been dreaming, and thought that he had woken up beside Jack, down in the bunker.

Not God, per say. I was aiming for supreme over lord, but God will do.

Ianto cringed, his face taut, stuck into shape by an anti-infection cream. He slowly looked around the room by turning his head rather than moving his eyes. Slumping back onto the pillow Ianto reached up to touch his face. His hand passed over one side of his face, and he watched it disappear out of his line of sight as it passed his nose.

Owen? Are you holding something over my eye? What have you put over it?

Owen leaned over his patient with his newly discovered friend – the tiny flash light. He flicked it on and off over Ianto's eyes, alternating sides, muttering to himself.

Pupil dilation…. Fine… optical colour…. Fine...

Owen, tell me this is one of your sick jokes. I get it – it's funny. Can you stop messing about now?

Panic filled Ianto as he tried to stay still, gripping the side of the couch. The soft lounge was no longer a comforting place to slowly regain consciousness in. Now it felt like he was drowning in soft suede. He ripped at his face, trying to pull away the mask blocking his vision.

Ianto! I-AN-TO!

Owen grappled with the young man and forced his hands to his side. Tosh ran over placed her soft yet firm hands on Ianto's chest, pushing him back and stopping him from struggling.

Tosh, grab a sedative off the blue table in autopsy. Go! Get Gwen on your way.

Tosh reluctantly removed her hands from Ianto's chest and ran down the spiral staircase, calling for Gwen as she descended. Gwen emerged from behind the cog door. In a split second she had the situation decided in her mind, and flung herself at Ianto of the couch.

Shhh, cariad… Gwan mo arswyda. Shhh…

Gwen stroked Ianto's hair lightly. Ianto's wriggling lessened, and he slowed down his breathing. Tears leaked from his wide open eyes, the red colour dripping from his left eye causing Gwen's breath to catch inside her chest.