TBFTGOG Chapter 4
Jack was silent for a few moments, trying to collect his thoughts. Everything was moving in slow motion and he was trying to get his head around Ianto shooting himself. Then he spoke into the phone again. "Go home, Gwen. All of you. Just go home. I'll be back at the Hub as soon as I know how Ianto is after surgery."
"Ring me Jack."
"I will."
"Jack, it wasn't your fault. It wasn't Ianto's either. The boy shouldn't have been out alone that late at night."
"I know, but it doesn't make it any easier."
"We all love him, Jack."
"Has the boy been reported missing yet?"
"No."
Jack didn't say anything else, just hung up the phone. Putting it back into his inside pocket, Jack went to stand by the window. It was beginning to rain again. He pulled his greatcoat around him, suddenly feeling cold and alone. What will I do if he does die he thought He's the one I've been searching for all these years
Jack paced the floor, waiting for Ianto to get back from surgery. He looked like an expectant father, waiting for new of a new born. Two hours later, the bed with Ianto on it, was wheeled back to ICU. Tubes and wires where running in and out of Ianto. The most obvious was the one in his head, just behind his right ear. He had a ventilator tube in his mouth. Wires were attached to his chest and forehead. A monitor on his finger displayed his heart rate. It scared Jack a little seeing Ianto looking even more vulnerable than he had been in the early hours of this morning. He wanted to scoop Ianto up in his arms and protect him. Keep him safe. But it was too late for that now.
Jack approached the doctor. "How is he?"
"The bullet didn't hit anything important. He should make a full recovery. His skull is fractured and we had to put a small plate over the exit wound. We'll know more when he wakes up. Until then, we'll keep a close eye on him."
"Thank you." Jack shook his hand.
The doctor smiled. "He's not out of the woods yet. The drain is to keep fluid off the brain. Make sure there is no swelling."
"Can I sit with him for a while?"
The doctor nodded. "Try not to stay too long. You need rest, too."
Jack smiled. The events of the last 15 hours had left him exhausted. He rubbed a hand across his face and bowed his head.
Walking into Ianto's room, Jack sat on the side of the bed, taking Ianto's hand in his own. He touched his cheek and allowed himself a brief smile. "You always remind me of an angel when you're sleeping. You are so beautiful, Ianto Jones. Have I ever told you that? I have my own angel, right here on earth." Jack sighed. "We're gonna get you through this, you'll see. Everything will be okay. I love you, Cariad."
The various monitors buzzed and beeped. A drip going into Ianto's hand, glistened as it slowly moved from the pouch to the tube. The ventilator made a low hissing sound, as air passed through it, into Ianto's mouth. Jack watched as his heart rate on the monitor, went up and down, from 67 to 74. Watched Ianto's oxygen saturation peek at 97%. His blood pressure was low, but that was expected.
Bending forward, Jack kissed Ianto on the forehead. "You're gonna get through this." Jack repeated. "I'll make sure of that. Just stay with me, please." With that, Jack left the room and headed back to the Hub.
Gwen told Rhys about Ianto, then about the child. She had to tell someone, and knew that Rhys would understand.
"What was a child doin' out at that time in the mornin', that's what I want to know." Rhys asked.
Gwen shook her head. "And no one has reported him missing. Which is odd."
"Have you heard how Ianto is?"
"No. Jack said he's phone if there was any news."
"How's Jack takin' it?"
"Blames himself. Ianto wanted to go back to the Hub this morning. Jack wanted to carry on and catch the Weevil," she shrugged. "He feels awful."
"I expect he does."
"Are you okay with them now? I know you disapproved of Jack and Ianto."
Rhys shrugged. "I just thought Jack was takin' advantage of Ianto. I was wrong. I know that now. Jack really loves him."
"Yes, he does." Gwen smiled.
Jack went straight to his office, took off his greatcoat and opened his top drawer. Inside was an unopened bottle of Scotch. Twisting the top to break the seal, Jack poured himself a stiff drink. He downed it in one, pouring himself another. He leaned back in his chair as tears rolled down his face. He didn't attempt to wipe them away. Opening his drawer again, Jack took out a picture of a smiling Ianto. Jack rubbed his finger over Ianto's face, and smiled.
"Come back to me, Ianto. I need you."
Getting up, Jack made his way to the port hole in his office floor where his bedroom was. He took the bottle of Scotch with him, but left the glass.
Taking off his boots, Jack laid down on the bed, running his hand over the pillow where Ianto laid his head. Jack buried his face in the pillow and cried unashamedly.
The nurse changed the IV pouch and checked Ianto's temperature, before filling in the chart at the bottom of the bed. Ianto's right eye was swollen and blackened.
The nurse sighed as she left the room, glancing back at Ianto.
Owen moved around his flat looking at the phone. Should I call Jack? Nah, best not he thought. He'll call if anything happens to Ianto Oewn went into his kitchen and put the kettle on. He smiled. I could do with a strong cup of Ianto's coffee right now
Toshiko was lying on top of her bed, looking at the ceiling Please God, let Ianto make it through all this She sighed and rolled over into a ball, closing her eyes to stem the flow of tears.
Gwen and Rhys were sitting on the couch. Rhys had his arms around Gwen, comforting her.
"He won't stay, you know," began Gwen. "If anything happens to Ianto, Jack will leave."
Rhys kissed the top of her head. "Nothing is going to happen, you'll see."
Gwen turned her head so she was looking into Rhys' eyes. "I hope so, for Jack's sake."
Jack sat up, wiped his face on the back of his hand and opened the Scotch bottle. He took a long swig, wincing as the liquid burnt the back of his throat.
Over the next fifteen minutes, Jack consumed the bottle of Scotch, before falling asleep, clutching Ianto's pillow to his chest.