"Ianto, how've you been?"
Ianto thought about the question. Well, he certainly hadn't been doing well. After the incident with Lisa, there was nothing, nothing to live for. His only purpose had been to keep her alive and now . . .
"I'm fine, sir."
Jack stared at the back of the man's neck as Ianto turned back to the coffee machine. Jack had been pretty much avoiding him ever since what happened with the cyberwoman. He didn't like when members of his team kept secrets. But, he also didn't like when members of his team were extremely depressed. Especially Ianto Jones. Jack had a soft spot for him. He didn't know if it was those brilliant Welsh vowels, or the fact that he looked so great in a suit, but there was definitely something.
"Ianto, if you ever need to talk, you know I'm here. Not just as your leader, but as your friend."
Ianto looked into the Captain's steel-blue eyes. He couldn't understand how he felt when he looked into those eyes. All he felt lately was pain, constant and growing, but when he looked into those eyes a little of that pain went away.
"I'm fine, really."
Jack sighed. "No you're not. I can tell. You feel so much pain, and you keep it all locked inside. You hide it away and you think no one notices or cares. Well, I notice and I care."
Jack took a deep breath, hoping he could get through to him. "Please, Ianto, let someone in. Let me in."
Ianto avoided his gaze. The last time he let someone in had been Lisa, but now Lisa was gone, and he had nothing. He had no one. All he had was pain. But then he looked into those steel-blue eyes again, and a little more of that pain went away. Maybe he did have someone.
Jack took a step closer. "Let me in."
"Okay."
And their lips met.