Picture Perfect Chapter 4
Jack rubbed the back of his had across his face, wiping away the tears, then he started the engine and headed for the hospital.
He picked up the phone again, pressing the speed dial.
"Owen, how is he? Do you know yet?"
"He's with the doctors now. The burns to his left upper arm are quite bad and they'll scar. His chest and other arm are blistered, but should heal." Owen sighed. "Where are you, Jack?"
"On my way. I'll be there in ten minutes."
He hung up.
Owen put his phone away and sat back down. It was going to be a long night.
The doctor came out of the cubical and looked at Owen, before moving off down the corridor. Owen knew better than to stop him.
Turning to his left, Owen saw Jack striding down the corridor towards him and got up to meet him half way.
"How is he?"
"The doctor just left."
Jack walked to the cubical.
"You can't go in there yet. His dressings are sterile."
Jack sighed.
"Is there something I should know, Jack?"
"What?"
"About you and Ianto, I mean."
Jack shook his head.
"Jack."
"We were going out for dinner. I….was on my way there when I heard the news."
"You and Tea Boy?" Owen gave a low whistle. "No wonder Gwen's nose is out of joint."
"We haven't….this was our….never mind."
"So, when did you and Tea….Ianto get together?"
Jack sighed. "Today."
"You're kiddin' me!"
Jack shook his head. "I was worried about him after our talk about going out in the field, so I went down to the archives to speak with him. He told me he had feelings for me. That he loved me.""Do you love him?"
"From the moment I set eyes on him."
"Even after Lisa?"
"Maybe more, because of how he fought to keep her alive."
Owen hung his head. "I'm sorry, Jack. He'll pull through."
"Yeah."
They both sat down and waited.
Half an hour later, another doctor arrived and went into the cubical. Jack stood up and waited for him to come out.
Owen sat watching Jack as he paced up and down. "Sit down, Jack. He'll be out in his own time. Pacing won't make him come out any sooner."
Jack stopped and looked at the cubical and then at Owen. "Sorry."
Just as Jack was about to sir down, the curtain opened.
The doctor smiled at them. "Mr Jones is asking for Jack." He looked from Owen to Jack.
"That's me."
"Five minutes, that's all. We need to get him to the burns unit."
Jack nodded. "Thanks."
Going into the cubical, Jack was shocked to see the blisters on Ianto's chest and right arm. His left arm was heavily bandaged.
"Hi."
Ianto smiled. "Hi."
"Trying to get out of our date?"
Ianto nodded. "Thought I'd have a bar b q at home." He winced.
"Are you in much pain?"
"They gave me a heap of drugs, but the skin's getting tight."
The doctor entered the cubical. "I'm afraid we have to take him now."
Jack stood back as two porters entered, moving the gurney out into the corridor.
"What will you be doing to him next?" Jack asked.
"We need to get rid of the dead skin so new can grow. It's painful but necessary."
Jack nodded. "When can I see him again?"
"Maybe tomorrow." Then he was gone.
Jack watched as the gurney turned the corner out of sight.
"Come on Jack, let's go grab a pint. I think you could do with it. I know I could." Owen said, touching Jack's arm. "Do we tell the girls tonight?"
Jack shook his head. "Not much they can do. Let's leave it til morning."
Then they left.
Jack didn't take Owen's offer up of a drink, but went straight back to the Hub instead. Once there, he wondered around until he ended up in the archives. He sat at the desk, switched on the computer and looked through the files Ianto had made. He came across a file separate from the others, simply called You
Curiosity overtook him and Jack clicked on the folder and it opened. Inside were poems, about him. Leaning forward, he started to read them.
You
You only have to look at me
And my heart begins to pound
And when I hear your voice
It blots out every other sound
To hear you say those three words
How happy I would be
Then I'd be yours forever
But not for eternity
For you will live on forever
And alas someday I will die
But we could be happy together
In a world of just you and I
Jack sighed and looked up, then back at the screen.
You
Eyes so blue
Hair of brown
Always a smile
Never a frown
A handsome face
A laugh I adore
If I were yours
I'd never want more
To hold you close
To kiss your face
To say I love you
You're my saving grace
The touch of your hand
The wink of an eye
To have and to hold
Until the day I die
"Oh, Ianto," tears ran down Jack's face, stopping him from reading any more. Leaning forward he crossed his arms on the desk and put his head on them. He stayed there for most of the night, occasionally looking up and reading the poems again.