Jack stood there, looking out over the bay like he'd done hundreds of times. It wasn't working, though. He was used to it being difficult, but the last few months had been extraordinarily bad. And this time it really was no one's fault but his own.
He'd thought combining some investigative work in the field with a team-bonding exercise had been a good idea. Well, if nearly being beaten, butchered, and eaten was good for bonding, maybe it had been at that.
Owen and Gwen had seen the least of it, even considering Gwen's wound. Tosh had been through worse and had a stronger core than most knew. Ianto… it was Ianto Jack was worried about. He was just getting better and beginning to move on, and Jack knew things were still not easy for him. He'd given Ianto a mild sedative shortly after getting everybody out of the charnel house, just to help him rest and not dwell on what had happened right away.
Jack sat down at the edge of the roof. "I wanted to help him. I only made things worse… as usual," he muttered to himself. Then Jack laughed hollowly. "And I have to fucking talk to myself because there's nobody else…."
After a long while, Jack got up and went back down to the street. He walked, not really paying attention to his direction but still knowing exactly where he was headed. He stood at the door of flat number 411, feeling like there was wires wrapped around his body trying to hold him back. He knocked anyway. If there was no answer within a minute, he'd leave.
The door opened at 37 seconds.
"Thought you might come by."
"I was out. Just thought I'd say hi."
"And check up on me?"
"No. Just a visit. Uh…. How are you?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Of course."
"I'm scared. I was alright earlier, but the longer I've been home, the more I'm thinking about it."
Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That's my fault. There was sedative in that bottle of water I gave you. It's wearing off now."
"Oh. Thanks."
"I shouldn't have done it without telling you, but I knew you'd refuse it. I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to have to go through that right then."
"I said, 'thanks'. Not, 'damn you'."
"I know, but I still shouldn't have. It wasn't very respectful."
"You're more upset than I am about it."
"I'm sorry for what happened out there. I'm sorry I pushed you coming along."
"You didn't push that much."
"I know you're not very comfortable with field work, and I know you don't like camping. I'm sorry I put you in a vulnerable position."
"If it's any consolation, I've felt about 90% better since you walked in."
Jack stopped, looking up at Ianto. He couldn't help the little smile that crossed his face. "I'm glad."
"I… um… was going to eat something. Probably not much, not exactly very hungry. I can offer some soup though, if you'd like. Was going to have a beer, but maybe I shouldn't now I know about that Mickey Finn you slipped me."
"You watch too many gangster movies. Anyway, it was mild and I only used a little of it. You should have metabolized it by now. Probably be fine to have a beer, but it's your call."
"Split one?" Ianto suggested, opening his fridge and taking out a bottle.
"Yeah," Jack nodded. "Ianto?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."