A Friendly Touch

A/N – This is my first ever Torchwood fiction so please be friendly. I've planned it out and its probably going to be a short story of around 3 Chapters, but that depends on how many reviews and hits I get. So enjoy

Chapter 1

Ianto stared at the walls of the hub, the pain in his head seemed unreal as he tried to keep his eyes open, he hadn't slept for a week not since it had happened, fear rushed through his body every time he closed his eyes. It was almost midnight, other then Jack he was the only one in the office, every one else was out living their lives outside of Torchwood; Gwen at home curled up asleep in Rhys's arms, Owen screwing what ever girl he could find to erase the empty blur that Torchwood left on them all, and Toshiko is probably asleep after finishing one of her many side projects. He couldn't face going home, ever since that night he had kept himself at the hub till the early hours of the morning, burying himself in the archives, or getting lost in one of the many reports that were over due in for unit.

"Ianto, what are you doing here? I said you could go two hours ago.." Jack asked a little weary, he had noticed the change in his friend over the past week, there was no more slide witty comments, he hardly spoke to any one except the one line answers, that were usually yes or no, then there was the physical differences, his skin was paler then normal, the bags under his eyes were growing with every day, and when some one went to touch him he would pull away.

Startled Ianto jumped from the desk, his tired eyes drifted up to look at Jack who was watching him with a close cautious eye, "I lost track of time, I'll just finish this report and then I'll go..." The thought of going back home to his lonely apartment, where there was only his nightmares to keep him company was enough to make his body tremble with fear.

"Is everything okay?" His voice is quiet, but Ianto heard the concern in every word, Jack moved closer to him, taking in something that made his heart ache, Ianto looked as though he hadn't eaten in at least a week, he looked as though he had no energy in his usually spirited body, and that killed Jack.

"Yes sir, why wouldn't it be?" His voice quivered slightly, and he couldn't look Jack in the eye, Jack lowered his body slightly so he was face to face with Ianto who hadn't moved from his chair. Reaching out, Jack took Ianto's reluctant hand, he pulled away at first but Jack was persistent and held on tighter. "Jack, please..."

"What's going on Ianto?" It wasn't a question and Ianto knew it. Ianto shook his head as silent tears fell from his broken eyes, Jack pulled Ianto closer and felt his body freeze as though he wasn't used to friendly touches. "I'm not going to hurt you.." Jack whispered delicately into Ianto's ear, he felt the younger man's body breath heavily and realised he was crying harder now. Unsure of how to act; Ianto always kept his emotions private, Jack moved his hand up and down Ianto's body, relief spreading through him as he realised it was working and Ianto was calming down slightly.

"I should get going." Ianto mumbled once reality hit him, he pulled away quickly and stared at the floor, avoiding looking at Jack, he went to stand up but Jack was still holding onto his hand and kept him still.

"Tell me what's going on Ianto," Jack ordered, and Ianto shook his head determined he wasn't going to break down again, though he knew the minute he got home breaking down would be the only thing he'd be doing. "I'm not letting you go home until you tell me Ianto." Jack said trying his best to sound strong when inside he was shaking, not knowing why seeing Ianto like this was affecting him the way it was. Ianto still remained silent, part of him wanted to stay with Jack just for the simple fact that he wouldn't have to be on his own. "We've got some pizza left, I'll go heat it up for you and then we can get you to sleep." Jack sighed once he realised Ianto wasn't planning on telling him anything that was going on.

Ianto stared at the floor, he looked up and saw the lift, he debated with himself whether or not he should leave before Jack came back, but he didn't make his decision quick enough because within two minutes Jack was back, glass of water and two slices of pizza on a plate.

"I'm not hungry," Ianto mumbled, just staring at the pizza was making him feel sick.

"When was the last time you ate something?" Jack asked softly as he stared at Ianto who simply shrugged. "Well eat a slice, please, just for me." Jack pleaded. Squeezing his hand encouragingly Jack pulled a chair over and sat next to him. Ianto picked up the pizza and took a bite, the taste made his stomach ache as he forced it down, Jack noticed the painful look on Ianto's face and shook his head, "If you can't eat it, then don't," Jack said and Ianto put the slice of pizza back on the plate a twisted look on his face.

"Sorry," He mumbled pathetically.

"Ianto, you have nothing to be sorry for," Jack stated, Ianto nodded simply and stood up, "Where are you going?" Jack asked.

"Home," Ianto said but Jack shook his head sternly.

"You're staying here, where I know you'll get some sleep." Jack said, not having enough energy to argue Ianto simply followed Jack into his sleeping courters.

Ianto stared at the dark room his body shaking, he could never escape the darkness. Jack walked up next to him and smiled weakly, he took his hand once again and led him to the bed where he practically forced Ianto to lay down. "You know normally, it would take a lot more of my energy to get you into my bed," Jack smiled as he sat down next to Ianto who just stared at the floor.

"I'm sorry," Ianto said quietly as he looked up not surprised to see Jack looking down at him with a questioning look.

"You've nothing to be sorry for," Jack repeated smiling weakly, "I just wish you could talk to me," He added, Ianto looked away again, he couldn't bring himself to tell the truth, he didn't want to admit to himself that it was true. Jack noticed the uncomfortable look on Ianto's face and settled down next to him, surprised when Ianto curled closer to him. Jack wrapped a strong arm around Ianto, making him more comfortable but to Ianto he now felt protected and safe. "Just get some sleep," Jack whispered when he noticed Ianto's eyes threatening to close.

Ianto had been asleep for around three hours, Jack watched him closely; his body was moving violently, thrashing on the bed sheets as though he was trying to escape his own body. "Why can't you tell me what's going on?" Jack whispered as he ran a hand over Ianto's face, slightly shocked when he realised how hot he was, his body was sweating, his heart racing with what looked like fear. Jack couldn't bring himself to watch any more and got up from the bed and up to his office.

He stared around the quiet room, there has to be something that could help me find out what's wrong with him, Jack thought, he wanted to phone Owen in get him to run tests on him but he knew that if Ianto didn't want Jack to know, then he wouldn't be too pleased if Owen found out. Sighing Jack stared at his computer screen, making it so he was watching what was going on his bedroom, Ianto was still moving around violently, Jack looked around his room desperately, a small smile spread across his lips when he saw what he needed. He picked up the odd shaped object and held it in his hands, it was a silver glove, a telepathic device that would help him understand what was going on with Ianto, he stared at it for another hour, questioning whether or not he should pry into his friend's mind, he knew how private Ianto was, and after everything that happened with Lisa last year, that scared Jack more than anything. He held the object tight in his hand as he walked down to his bedroom once again. He sat back down at Ianto who was still struggling in his sleep, but once Jack's arms were around him he seemed to have settled down slightly. Taking a deep breath Jack put the glove on his right hand, and then pressed it to Ianto's forehead, knowing that Ianto would never forgive him for this, but he had to know what was wrong with him, he had to know so he could help him.