'I forgive you'

And with that, the dam broke, all the guilt he'd been feeling, all the hurt he'd kept bottled up for so long, that had been expressed only through anger, suddenly came pouring out in a tirade of suppressed emotions.

Jack could do nothing but cradle him in his arms whilst the rest of the team looked on, thankful that at last he felt secure enough to let go, and to understand that he was accepted, no matter his flaws. They all had them, their moments of weakness, Tosh and her mystery woman, Ianto and his cyber creation – kept for so long in the basement, Gwen and her Owen. Jack, well, he had to many to mention, so he held him and whispered comforting nothings.

'Come on, into the office'

With Jack supporting most of his weight, and his head still tucked firmly into the warm and soft chest of his captain, he managed to make it up the stairs, where he found the strength to is still a mystery. Once the door was closed though, he gave up, the sheer weight of what had happened, what could have happened overwhelming him. He collapsed, and ended up supported in Jacks lap, like a child recovering from a nightmare, being rocked back and to, gentle ministrations being applied to the taught muscles of his back and calming, rhythmic strokes to his hair.

'Sorry, so, sorry'

'I know, I know, hush now, it's over'

As the sobs slowed and his breathing evened he hid his head further into the faded blue jacket. He felt a gentle yet firm hand being placed under his chin and his head was lifted from its shelter.

'Look at me'

His eye's slowly rose, expecting to see condemnation, but as they focused, and he wiped the last of the tears away, he saw only loving concern,

'I forgive you, it's over and we're fine, stop this.'

'But I, what I did..'

'Was wrong, yes. But your judgement was clouded and you've repented, you clearly feel guilty enough about it already and have tried to make amends, so it's time for this to stop. That's an order.' The last remark was made with a slight smile and for the first time since he saw the plane take off into the distance, Owen managed a genuine smile back. Jack released the chin he had been propping up and shuffled Owen so he was resting fully against him, his head on his right shoulder and his legs draped across his.

'It's going to be okay Owen, I promise, now, just rest here for a while'

Ten minutes later Jack carried Owen down the stairs to the bed he kept there and lay him down gently.

'Sleep well little one. I'll be back soon, I promise.'

And after dropping a quick kiss on Owens's forehead he headed towards the familiar sound of the arrival of the right kind of doctor.