Note: I do not own Torchwood or their characters.
This is a continuation from the previous chapter. I saw how long it was and thought it would be better if it was a little shorter.
If you have already read the last chapter thanks for continuing on. It is appreciated.
If the medical stuff is not correct I apologise I'm using what I know.
Chapter Two
Jack Gwen Tosh and Owen had gathered in the medical bay while Ianto was lying on the table still dead to the world. Owen had him hooked up to an IV and heart monitor just in case. His scans indicated that Ianto was dehydrated and was suffering severe exhaustion.
"We have to wait until he wakes up Jack. Other than the IV and the rest there's not much more I can do until he is awake to tell. Right now he just has to be comfortable." Owen told Jack who was hovering near the unconscious mans head.
"I'll nip to his place and get him some comfortable clothes I'm sure he has everything else he needs here with him. Keys phone wallet. But I can pick up the clothes now if that's okay Jack?" Tosh aimed the question at him knowing he would say yes. But she didn't want to leave if she was needed here.
"Yeah go on Tosh, bring anything you think he might need. Gwen this sound really strange because normally we live on takeout but go on a food run. We can't just feed him take out when he wakes up he's going to need some healthy food too. Owen keep an eye on him I'm going to sort the kitchen out so its hospitable. I think the only things the kitchen has seen is what Ianto has put in there. So not much more then coffee milk and sugar and I suppose other necessities. It should be done by the time you get back Gwen." they all nodded accepting their tasks.
"Gwen" he handed her a credit card "charge it on the Torchwood account." taking the card she followed Tosh out of the hub.
"I'll keep on eye on him for now. When Tosh gets back me and you can change his clothes and get him more comfortable. It depends on how exhausted he is. He needs the rest."
"I would sort my bed out but it would be difficult to get him in and out the room. So either it's the sofa or in here and to be honest neither are remotely comfortable."
"We can see when he wakes up. If he is strong enough and there's someone there to help he could make it to the bed. Someone can take food and drink down there to him. We'll see." Owen replied.
Jack nodded and moved towards the kitchen area, he looked around at the contents. Small fridge/freezer, coffee machine, microwave, sink and draining board. There was cupboard space but not a lot. All this place was used for was coffee and takeout. Thinking of Ianto he got to work. How could none of them have noticed? It wasn't till they were close to him they noticed how pale he had gotten, the dark circles around his eyes the fact that when Owen removed Ianto's jacket waistcoat and shirt that they could see his ribs. He hadn't been looking after himself for quite a while.
'Well that's about to change.' Jack thought to himself as he got to work in the small kitchen.
Tosh used her keys to enter Ianto's home just as she did a couple of nights previously. Most of the living room was neatly packed away in boxes like the spare room.
'He must have been busy' she thought as she climbed the stairs to his bedroom. He hadn't started in this room yet so It was easy for her to find a duffel bag in the wardrobe. Quickly and efficiently she packed him some clothes and retrieved his toiletries from his bathroom. Wondering what he would do in the hub while he wasn't allowed to work. She wandered around the house picking up books and DVD's, she found his laptop on his desk. Picking it up with his power cable she packed that too. She found a sketch pad and art set. Flicking through it the pad was almost full and the set was almost empty. He was an amazing artist, she felt like she was intruding on his most private thoughts. She would get the set refilled on her way back. She also found his diary on the front room table, she added that to his belongings too. If there was anything else he wanted she could come back and retrieve it.
Looking around she realised just how much of this house wasn't Ianto. It wasn't his taste at all. It showed his commitment to her. He was willing to risk his job his life and the lives of those around him because he needed to save to save her. Because he loved her. Tosh hoped that she would find someone like that someday. Double checking she had everything she exited the house locking it up and headed towards the art store before heading back to the hub.
Gwen called Tosh on the way to the supermarket asking for a list of what Ianto would eat. Knowing that Tosh knew him best. Listening to the list she tried to remember everything but failed. In the end Tosh had text her the list. It was long but most of it they all ate anyway. It just meant that she had to shop for five instead of one. She knew Jack lived there, Tosh would be around for Ianto as much as she could, Owen wouldn't leave unless he had too. He was too much of a doctor to leave a patient just in case. Grabbing a trolley she began walking through the aisles dropping things in at random. A vibrating against her stomach caught her attention, stopping she pulled the phone from her pocket answering it without looking at the caller ID.
'Hi Love, when you getting off work eh?' Rhys' voice poured through the phone.
"I'm not sure, Ianto collapsed today so until he wakes up were all on edge. We didn't realise just how much he did around work so we're all picking up the slack. I'll call you if I'm not coming home alright?" she replied hoping she wouldn't have to go into anymore detail.
'Collapsed, I bet he's tired. You just said he did a lot. I'm betting he worked himself too much like you seem to be doing since you started this job. Don't let yourself get like that Gwen.'
"I wont. Right now I'm shopping. We're keeping him at work for now to keep an eye on him but since all we eat is take out Jack sent me shopping to pick up some better food for him to eat when he wakes up."
"Sounds good. I'll let ya get back to it. Let me know if your coming home tonight alright?"
"Will do Rhys. Love ya"
"You too bye." he hung up leaving her to get back to her original task. Almost at the checkout she checked she had everything. The trolley was almost full she hoped there was enough room in the kitchen to fit it all.
'We'll soon see.' she headed to the checkout. Unloading everything onto the conveyor belt she hoped that she had gotten everything she needed to. Watching everything get scanned through she hoped that Ianto was going to be okay. After everything he has been through he didn't deserve this.
Jack checked on Ianto in regular intervals while cleaning the kitchen. Tosh had returned not long ago. A duffel bag in one hand and a large bag of art supplies in the other. When Jack had asked what they were for she explained the sketch pad she found and the almost empty art set.
"He's going to want something to do. I've got books DVD's his laptop his diary and this. It should keep him busy I think. Just because he needs to rest doesn't mean he has to feel completely useless. Apart from the laptop these are therapeutic to him. They should help." she explained.
"Alright then. Do you have canvases in that bag too it looks a little big just for some supplies."
"Yeah I bought him a set, maybe he will use them. He doesn't have too but I thought it might give him something to do. A project, keeping him away from work because we all know he will try and work. Its his release. I also bought a couple of sketch pads in varying sizes his one was almost full."
"It's a good idea. Here give me his duffel I'll take it to Owen and we can decide if we change his clothes or wait for him to wake up. Hopefully he'll wake up by tonight. If he is strong enough we're going to move him to my bed so he can get a decent nights sleep instead of being on the sofa or in the med bay."
"Alright." she handed over the bag setting the other near her workstation. "I'll come with you. I want to see how he is doing." they made their way to the med bay and watch from behind the railing as Owen checked Ianto's vitals.
"Well?" Jack asked. Both colleagues could hear the nervousness and concern lacing their boss's voice.
"Its only been around two and a half hours since I hooked him up to the monitors. So far he is okay. He's getting nutrients through the IV and rest through the sleep. It takes time." Owen replied casting a glance up to the railing. He saw Jacks arm around Tosh's shoulder as tears silently ran down her cheeks. Noticing that she had been caught she abruptly turned on her heel and headed towards her desk. She brought up the CCTV footage of the med bay on one screen to keep an eye on Ianto as she continued to work.
Jack stared down at the lifeless looking body feeling instant regret and guilt. He didn't regret what he had done only that he didn't see it sooner. Wanting to stay there but needing to be away enough to collect his thoughts and feelings he announced he was heading back to the kitchen to finish up cleaning and then he would be sorting out his room for Ianto. He left the duffel bag that Tosh had bought with Ianto's clothes so Owen could change him into something more comfortable. Jack thought it would be best , he thought Ianto would appreciate it because Owen was a doctor and had seen it all before.
Gwen called Owen Tosh and Jack just before she arrived at the hub and they met her in the garage. Opening the boot she took the first couple of bags handing the keys off to Jack who was taking the last so he could lock the vehicle up.
The bags were lined up on the small counters in the kitchen when Tosh forced them all out saying she knew how Ianto liked everything in there and that he would be happier being able to find when he gets better instead of having to re-organise the entire kitchen. Backing down they left her to it.
Owen went back to the med bay to work and keep a close eye on Ianto, Gwen went to her station to catch up on reports that had been put on the back burner and Jack returned to his office and climbed down to his bare room. It was fairly big. Set of draws wardrobe another desk which was rarely used. It was full of clutter he had accumulated over the years waiting for the doctor.
He knew that if Ianto was going to spend time here it had to be more lived in or at least better to look at. Knowing it got a little chilly in here at night and since it was nearing winter it would be getting worse. Jack noted since he had been here he had never really felt at home and therefore never made an effort for it to make it such. The past few days swam into focus and he realised just how much he hadn't done concerning his team, how much he didn't know.
Scrambling back into his office he pulled his coat on picked up the SUV keys his phone and wallet. He headed over to Gwen to retrieve the Torchwood credit card. Slipping it into his wallet he turned and walked back to the med bay.
"I'm heading out for a little while, keep me informed if anything changes." he turned back around to face the two women. "Tosh would you come with me." nodding she got her things together while Gwen sent a jealous glare her way. "You two be nice and keep me informed, we shouldn't be that long."
"Will do" Owen shouted after them as they made their way to the invisible lift. He watched them go out of sight before turning back to his patient.
Tosh found herself in IKEA looking at bedding. She was to say the least confused. She looked over at Jack who was deep in thought looking over new bedding.
"Jack what am I looking for?"
"Extra blankets that go with these." he walked over to her and held up packs of sheets pillow cases and quilt covers. Looking around her she managed to find a couple of different coloured fleece throws that matched the sets which Jack had placed in the trolley. Moving quickly because he didn't want to spend any more time than he had to away from the hub Jack didn't stop to admire things. He got what he needed and left that part of the store. An hour later Jack was paying for the bedding, a new TV/DVD and writing down details to where a new washer and dryer were going along with a new fridge freezer and a new cooker were to be sent to.
"Why are we getting these?" Tosh asked confused.
"I need new ones and I'm trying to make the hub a little more warm and inviting." he explained pushing the now paid for items in the trolley to the SVU. The washer/dryer and fridge/freezer were meant to be delivered to the tourist office and Jack would install them himself.
"Okay but where is the washer and dryer going to go?"
"Where the old ones are in room with the old lockers and showers. I might take the locker out or move them and put some single beds in just in case. it's a pretty big room so if the lockers are moved to the side near the showers beds can be put in. I'll order those when we get back."
"Okay, well Owen hasn't called so he must be doing okay for now. Oh and if he is going to be using your bed you might want to wash everything you have there or he wont. it's the same with clothes. Come to think of it I'm the same."
"Alright I'll get everything washed while I'm waiting for everything to be delivered. I don't think he'll wake up yet. His body needs to heal. I'll bet it will be in the middle of the night or some time tomorrow. Get in while I take the trolley." Tosh did so without question and waited in the passenger seat for him to return.
Their journey back was quiet and uneventful. Both were anxious of what awaited them. They hadn't heard from Owen so they knew nothing had happened but it didn't mean they weren't nervous about what they would find when they got back.
Night was closing in when Jack went to the medical bay to hear the latest news. When he and Tosh had returned she immediately went to work and Jack had washed and dried the new sheets and made his bed. He had also installed the new TV/DVD and cleaned the room and bathroom making it a little more hospitable.
Everything was all set up for when Ianto woke up. Since no rift alerts came in the team spent the day catching up on paperwork which would be filed at a later date because the filing system was something that only Ianto knew properly.
"How is he Owen?" Jack asked as he leaned over the rail looking down on Ianto's still form.
"No different, his vitals are still strong and steady. I say he should wake either tonight or tomorrow."
"Yeah that's what I told Tosh in IKEA. What time is it?"
Owen looked at his watch. "Its just after 9. Why?"
"Because its time you lot went home. I'll keep an eye on things here."
"No way, he is my patient I am staying right here." Owen stubbornly argued. Tosh and Gwen had joined Jack when they heard him say they should go home.
"Jack I'm staying here too. I don't have anything to go home to this is home." Tosh said moving down to Ianto sitting next to his bed.
"I would stay but Rhys is waiting at home so I'll be back in the morning. If that's okay." Gwen said looking at Jack.
"Yeah go home I think between the three of us we can manage. See you in the morning." she nodded and left the bay.
"Right Jack take a nap until 1 when you wake up me and Tosh can get some sleep that way we can be on alert and I know you can survive on only a few hours sleep. " Owen told Jack. Reluctantly he nodded and made his way to the kitchen he grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and a made a sandwich. He hadn't eaten all day so he would then catch a few hours sleep. Moving to his room he quickly ate his snack leaving the plate on the desk and climbed into his bed. The new bedding he had bought made it more comfortable for him to fall asleep.
Tosh and Owen fell into a comfortable silence while they worked. Owen was filling out reports and Tosh had bought her laptop from her desk and sat at Owens desk using her laptop and his computer to do her work. Occasionally his eye would flick over to see what she was doing. Noticing this she projected the image onto the wall. On his computer she was writing reports but on her laptop a series of numbers and equations were running through sequences. His confusion doubled and she turned around smiling at him.
"Dinner I can make sandwiches. The cooker is meant to arrive tomorrow with the rest of the stuff that Jack ordered. I swear that stuff wont fit but knowing jack he'll get it to. For the kitchen he ordered a new fridge/freezer and cooker. And a new washer dryer where he will fit it is beyond me." Tosh told Owen as she moved up the stairs.
"Sandwiches sound good thanks." he called in response to her as she left. While waiting he got his head back to work. 10 minutes later a plate of sandwiches was placed in front of him. He tucked in eagerly realising that without Ianto there they had forgotten to eat. He found it strange that one who cant look after himself can look after four others.
Tosh finished her sandwich and picked up her plate collecting Owens on the way to the kitchen. Coming back to the railing over looking the med bay she looked down on Owen diligently working through piles of paperwork sending concerned glances over to Ianto every minute or so.
"Owen, I'm going to head to my place and grab some clothes and stuff do you want to when you get back or can I pick some up for you?"
Glancing between himself and Ianto he took his keys from his pocket and handed them to her. "Just a set of clothes for tomorrow please. You know where I live." he turned back to his work as she called out her goodbyes.
At one Jack entered the med bay sending Owen to get some rest. Tosh stated she could stay a little longer so Jack could sort out the space for the new appliances that would arrive later that morning. He agreed knowing that there was no point in arguing. He sorted out the kitchen first to make room for the new cooker before he moved to tackle the locker room.
He could see Owen already asleep on the sofa as he moved to locker room and showers which were sparkling clean thanks to Ianto. He removed the old washer and dryer setting them aside in case he ever needed them again and prepared for the new ones that would arrive. He managed to move the lockers to the wall making space for at least 3 single beds. He cleaned the room before going to relieve Tosh and take over watch duty.
"Go sleep you need it." he insisted when she turned to argue.
"Where Jack, Owens on the sofa and there's only one bed in here." she argued.
"My bed I would have offered it to Owen but he was asleep before I could offer. Go on Tosh." she nodded moving towards him she wrapped her arms around his neck before placing a kiss on cheek.
Jack settled himself at Owens computer loading up the IKEA website searching for beds that he could place in the locker room.
Hours passed reports and files found their way through Jacks hands read filled in and signed. The paperwork that had accumulated over the past week was now up to date and ready to be filed which Ianto maintained was his job. No one was to mess his archives up. Jack had noticed the difference. For the past four days since Ianto had returned he would spend many hours sorting and cataloguing items and files in the archives. In just four days it looked more organised than it ever did and for Jack that was a long time.
Jack moved the files back to his desk and detoured to the kitchen to get something eat. Glancing above the clock where the cooker would go he realised it was near nine in the morning. Gwen would be in soon and Owen would soon be awake.
'Speak of the devil' Jack thought as he heard Owen stir. He also saw that Tosh was also awake wandering out of his office. Both heard him puttering around in the kitchen and headed that way.
"Anything Jack?" Tosh asked as soon as he was in earshot.
"Apart from catching up on my paperwork. ALL of it." he emphasised. "His vitals stayed constant. He hasn't woken yet."
Owen nodded and muttered something about checking on him but Jack put his arm across his chest.
"Go take a shower, coffee will be waiting for you when you get back out. And when your both back here I'll go get breakfast."
"But I need to check on him." Owen stated Tosh readily agreeing with him.
"And I have said its taken care of. No go shower. don't make me make it an order Owen." Jack voice had gotten deeper more menacing.
Owen and Tosh hadn't heard that voice in a while and both hastened to comply. Both believing that the quicker they showered and got ready the quicker they could check on Ianto and send Jack to bed to get some sleep.
Jack set up the kettle and mugs not trusting himself to touch the coffee machine if he broke he knew he would be dealing with one hell of a pissed off Ianto. Putting the kettle to boil he moved back to the med bay which was close enough for him to hear it when it went off. There was still no reaction from Ianto. Looking down at him Jack realised how lifeless he was. He moved down to stand at Ianto's side and took in how he looked now. Owen had changed his clothes and put a pillow behind his head and a blanket over him. He could see innocence on the unconscious mans face. He never realised just how young this team was and Ianto was the youngest. Seeing what he saw earlier the bags under his eyes the reality about how thin he was. He must have been only eating enough to keep on his feet and away from medical intervention.
Jack heard the whistle of the kettle and walked back to the small kitchen that was already set out for the cooker that was meant to come today. Smiling slightly that he managed to make some changes he made two cups of coffee for Owen and Tosh. Who had perfect timing and had made it back just as he finished stirring the liquid.
"Right Harkness grab a snack and head off to bed. Me and Tosh can handle things here." Owen said as soon as he reached for his mug.
"Yeah Jack you need a few hours. I can sign for the things from IKEA and you can install them when you wake up. Owen can monitor Ianto when Gwen turns up me and her can watch the rift." Tosh added taking her mug. "I didn't remake the bed because I knew Owen would kick you down there to get some sleep. If he wakes up we'll come and get you okay."
"Okay, for once I really cant be bothered to argue." he grabbed a bottle of water and a yoghurt from the fridge the disappeared before anyone could say anything else.
"He is really beaten up over this Owen."
"Its because he feels responsible hell we all do. If we had treated him right it wouldn't have happened."
"Ianto feels just as guilty for putting us in danger and the death of the professor and the pizza girls. He may not have done the deed but he still feels responsible because he bought her here."
"Once he is awake then we can talk cant we but for now we just have to wait."
The alarms from the cog door went off alerting the teams to Gwen's presence. Finishing their coffee they waited in the kitchen for her so they could tell her what was going on today.
"Morning. Any change?" Gwen asked as she walked into the kitchen making herself a cup of tea.
"No not yet according to Jack I'm going to go down to the med bay in a minute and continue monitoring him."
"And where's Jack this morning?" she asked hoping she would get to see him today.
"Already in bed asleep after watching him all night and catching up on paperwork. Anyway me and you are watching the rift while Owen and Jack are busy. I have to sign for some electrical items. So it will be another day of paperwork I'm afraid. I'm going to go get the breakfast Jack would have if you hasn't sent him to bed. I'll be back soon. don't kill each other while I'm gone." Tosh walked over to her station picking up her bag before leaving.
"What was all that about acting as if she were in charge." Gwen asked as soon as the cog door closed after Tosh.
"Just doing what she should. If you want to get technical Suzie was second in command now she's gone Tosh has been here the longest therefore she is second in command unless she gives it up. We have to do what she says while Jack is out. So get over it and stop bitching don't forget you haven't been here long. We've been here a hell of a lot longer. I'm going to med bay later Gwen." Owen left her in kitchen stunned.
Feeling slightly put out she moved back to her workstation and began her work for the day.
Tosh came back in half an hour later with breakfast. She dished it out and ate hers before handling the tasks Ianto would start the day with. She signed for the items that Jack had ordered leaving them in the locked tourist office until he could come and get them.
She fed and cleaned the weevils and other occupants of the cells managed to feed the dinosaur and tidy round the hub before Jack arose in the afternoon. Immediately checking on Ianto.
He bade every one good afternoon and fixed himself something to eat. He had only just finished when Owen called him back to say Ianto was waking up.
Jack Tosh and Gwen rushed to see what was going on, just as Jack reached Ianto's bedside to see a familiar pair grey eyes stare up at him.
