Disclaimer: Nope dont own.

K IS FOR KISS

The other man is sitting at the computers, engrossed in his work when Jack wanders out of his office. The others are out on assignment, so he took his time watching him, amused when Ianto begins muttering softly under his breath.

Silently he creeps up behind the younger man, settling a hand on his shoulder, disappointed when Ianto does not jump in surprise.

"I thought you went with the others?" Sometimes he wonders how Ianto feels about being left behind most of the time, but the Welsh man never brings it up so he usually forgets.

"Nope, this way I get you all to myself." This time Ianto sends him an exasperated look before turning back to his work.

"We're working." He reminds Jack, but amusement colours his voice so Jack continues.

"At least let me take you out for lunch." Ianto shoots him a look, clearly remembering how their first and only date went. Torchwood had managed to interrupt them every time.

"Alright." Ianto agrees finally and Jack can tell that he's fighting a smile. "Just let me finish up my work here." He gestures at a small gold box that they had found the previous week. They had not been able to open it, so it had been pushed to the back of the work pile.

"Still haven't been able to open it?" He asks, picking it up and tossing it around before it is removed from his hands and placed back on the desk.

"Not yet, but I have a few ideas." Jack nods and leaves Ianto to his work, going to get his coat so they can go out.

He's happy, a strange bubbly feeling in his chest. While he's normally notorious for not getting into too serious relationships and chasing everything that moves, he wants more with Ianto.

Putting his coat on, he heads out of his office, to drag the Welsh man away from his work if he has too.

There's a nagging sense of concern in the back of his mind as he spots Ianto bent over with his head resting on the desk.

"Ianto?" He calls; reaching out to shake the other mans shoulder. Had he fallen asleep? He hadn't looked tired. "Wake up buddy." Jack shakes him a little harder this time. Nothing happens, he doesn't even grunt.

"Ianto! Time to wake up!" But even as he says it, he knows he wont get a response. The box Ianto had been working on, lays open on the desk, the remnants of some powder at the bottom.

"Shit." His fingers seek out a strong pulse, the relief that Ianto is alive, not out-weighing the fear and concern he's feeling when he won't wake up. The previously sealed box has to have something to do with it, he decides, carefully avoiding it and pulling Ianto and his chair away from the desk.

Ianto's head lolls limply against his chest.

"Ianto- wake up. Please." He adds as an afterthought, tapping his cheek. Nothing. The Welsh man remains motionless.

He's contacted Owen, calling the others back before he's even aware that he's doing it. He cuts off their string of questions, the quiet of the hub creeps back up on him. He has no idea what to do, so he does the only thing he can think of. Jack picks Ianto up, bridal style and carries him over to the couch.

DI

"I've tried everything I can think of." Owen announces closing up his medical kit. "I even dumped cold water on him." Ianto's hair still sticks up in wet spots from when they had to towel him dry. "There's nothing medically wrong with him."

This is not what Jack wants to hear. If it were medical, they could have found a way, found out what was wrong. As it is, he feels like they're chasing their tails.

"It's like he's asleep." Jack sits on the edge of the couch, carding his fingers through the short hair.

"I'll go through his notes." Tosh offers. "If we think it has something to do with the box." Jack nods and Tosh leaves. Owen and Gwen don't move from where they stand as though unsure of what to do.

"Gwen, help Tosh. Owen, run every test you can think of." He orders and they're gone in an instant, leaving him and the unconscious man. So he settles himself in on the couch, shifting Ianto so his head is pillowed on Jacks lap, keeping diligent watch for any sign of change.

DI

The tests come back inconclusive, every single one of them. He's frustrated, tired and worried, which makes him irritated and short tempered.

His legs fell asleep around midnight, about four hours ago, but he doesn't want to move, can't tear himself away.

Jack had sent the others home a while ago, but Owen refuses to leave and after that Gwen is the first one back, Tosh right on her heels. He watches as they work, tension radiating from them and feels a sense of pride as they band together to find the answer.

Ianto is as still as ever, the rise and fall of his chest the only sign that he is still alive and he's pale and Jack wonders if he was always this pale or if something else is wrong. He's had so many people taken away from him over his lifetime and Ianto will not be another one. He doesn't want to think about it, but he can't protect his family forever.

There is a loud 'crash' from across the room and he glances up expecting to see Owen standing over a broken piece of equipment, but instead it's Gwen. Hands clenched into fists as she fumes, then kneels to collect the shattered pieces.

"I've got nothing." Owen announces suddenly, voice loud above the hum of the monitors. "There's absolutely nothing here!" A colourful string of curses escape the doctor's lips and he can see Tosh wince at them, but no one comments.

"I don't know what else to do." Tosh admits, walking over to Jack and Ianto. Gwen and Owen gravitate towards them, until they stand in a sort of semi circle around Jack and Ianto. Drawing strength from each other, he realises.

"Looks like Sleeping beauty." Gwen murmurs and she is right. Long lashes rest against pale skin, pale lips slightly parted.

"Sleeping beauty?" Tosh repeats. "Ianto had mentioned fairy tales in his research on the box."

And they may be onto something there. What if it really was that simple? It wasn't like they had anything to lose.

He leans forwards, pausing before he presses his lips to the still ones below. Nothing. He moves his lips, trying to draw a kiss out of Ianto, flicking his tongue into the warm mouth. Nothing.

Jack pulls back and he can't hear anything except the roaring in his ears as he searches Ianto's face for any sign. It worked before, why won't it work now?

"We probably shouldn't tell Ianto about this." He announces, because it didn't work, what other options did they have left? Not many.

"Tell Ianto what?" The sleepy voice shoots right through him, because confused eyes are staring up at him. He isn't sure what to say, not sure what to do. It worked.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty." Owen snorts at Jacks comment and he can feel the tension that had clung to them disappear as Ianto yawns.