RUNNING
He seemed to spend all of his life running these days whether it be chasing something or being chased, eitherway it meant running. Normally Ianto wouldn't give a monkey's uncle. Running was fun, according to Jack, kept one fit, so Gwen liked to believe and usually resulted in a ruined suit from Ianto's experience. Yet here he was running, again, as fast as he bloody well could because his life depended on it and by God if he did happen to get killed, Jack would kill him! Yes Jack would certainly find a way. Ianto was in no mood to die, quite frankly all he wanted to do was strip off, have a shower and good satisfying long fuck with Jack. Really was that too much to ask? Quite obviously this morning it was.
He had literally been rolled out of his bed by Jack at 2am and ordered to get dressed for a Hoix hunt. Well at least he'd had the good sense not to put on a suit.
Ianto ran skidding along the icy slick tarmac of an alleyway that lay between two rows of suburban terraced houses, an enraged adult male Hoix hot on his tail. Though exhilarated by the surge of adrenalin as he pushed his body to its limits Ianto was wholly aware of how alone he was. Jack would be of no help, he had been taken down by a nasty looking cross bolt almost as soon as they had got out of the SUV and Ianto had no intentions of calling Gwen for back up. As he ran he pulled out his revolver and checked the clip and released the safety. Hoixs were tough shits but their knees were vulnerable to bullets and Ianto decided realistically it was his only chance, but getting a decent aim would mean stopping, he'd only get one shot. Ianto wondered if he was good enough. He also started to wonder how much time had passed since Jack's demise, would he have revived yet? He'd still be weak and disorientated Ianto had to keep the Hoix from going back in his direction. Shit, his breath was really starting to catch now, ribs aching with the effort and quite suddenly his left foot skated out from under him sending him crashing into the uneven slabs of frozen snow. The wind was knocked out of him but Ianto swung round, raised his gun and got off half a dozen shots as the enraged alien charged at him. Merely feet away it spun back howling in frustration and landed with sickening thump against a fence which fell down. It crawled away, hauling itself up and limping off into the night clutching at its leg and growling. Ianto sighed heavily, his breath turning white in the freezing night air. He launched himself up only to cry out in pain and end up on his arse on the ice. He looked down, the tip of a metal cross bolt protruding through his shin. Fuck that hurt. Nausea suddenly clawed at his gut and Ianto had to squeeze his eyes shut to stop himself from throwing up.
Ok, maybe now was a good time to call Gwen, boy was she going to be cross. He fumbled around for his mobile and firstly speed dialled Jack's number but his phone rang before the call went out. Ianto answered it and Jack's worried voice greeted him.
"Ianto? You're coms are down, you ok?"
"No. The bloody thing shot me. It's injured Jack you should be able to contain it now."
"Ok, I've got it's signal, can you hold on for a bit?"
Ianto took a quick squizz at his leg. "Yep, go get it Jack. I'll just wait here for you."
He hung up and pocketed his phone. He lay there staring up at the starry sky and wondering what the bad smell was nearby and hoped he wasn't lying on a pile of dog shit. Ianto wasn't certain how much time had passed by the time Jack got to him. He was tired and freezing cold when Jack hauled him to his feet and hastily inspected him. He looked down at Ianto's leg and then at Ianto's face, worry etched deeply into his own features. Ianto merely smiled at him, because whenever Jack looked at him like that it was all he could to allay the older man's fears. The next moment Jack was kissing him, deeply and somewhat forcefully, just to make sure. Ianto smiled still further, welcoming the warmth and taste of his lover and best friend as Jack held him up against his body. The need to breathe brought them apart and now Jack was smiling too.
"I guess I better get you to A&E."
Ianto nodded, testing his weight on the injury..... not his best move.
"Where's the Hoix?"
"Caged in the back of the SUV. You shot his knee out. I'll need to get UNIT to deal with it in the morning. But firstly let me get you patched up OK?"
Ianto nodded. "Are you ok Jack?" He was rewarded with that special smile, the one reserved for him and him alone.
"I'm good. Here let me help." Jack carefully lifted him up and Ianto wrapped his arms about Jack's neck, feeling a little foolish and rather chuffed by the tender gesture. He buried his face against Jack's neck, inhaling the comforting scent deeply.
"Thanks Jack."
Ianto was fast tracked through casualty and whilst his leg was operated on Jack went to the Hub, dumped the Hoix into a cell with a big dose of sedative, made a stack of phone calls and finally showered and got changed. Gwen arrived into work as he was leaving his office to go back to the hospital so he filled her in on what had happened. Gwen was worried of course and hugged Jack and told him to take as long as he needed, she'd call UNIT for help if things went to hell. Reassured Jack walked back to the hospital.
Ianto was sleeping in a private room in the orthopaedic ward when Jack got there. His lower left leg heavily bandaged with his toes poking out the end of the pristine padding. Jack looked at the neatly manicured pinkies and wanted to touch them but he was good and resisted, instead he contented himself with settling down on the bed and pulling Ianto into his arms in a gentle embrace. He lay there in happy silence, relieved that once again Ianto had been able to protect himself enough to stay alive, that this beautiful young man had actually found the strength and will to keep going in the face of adversity. It had been a long time since Jack had loved anyone this much, some days he wanted to run from it, others he was glad that he couldn't and all the time he was grateful that he hadn't. He knew shortly that Ianto would awake, lamenting the ruination of yet another item of clothing. Ianto would smile at him, touch his face, remind him that he was in fact alive and mostly intact and tell him once again that he was not to worry. Ianto, always thinking about everyone else before himself. Jack gently pressed his lips to Ianto's temple, wholly aware that though all he wanted was to protect this extraordinary man from the evils of the world, he wouldn't want anyone else at his side when facing the dangers. Ianto thrived on it in the same way he did. They both accepted their differing mortalities, in some ways it drove them forwards enabling Ianto to fully live in the moment. It was terrifying and exhilarating and Jack relished every element of its beauty, of Ianto's purity in such moments. One day he would miss this so much and Ianto had taught him not to be afraid of that, but to embrace it and accept it in readiness to move on. Ianto had moved on, from Canary Wharf, from Lisa, from Brynnblaid and Owen and Tosh and Jack marvelled at the new man he had become, stronger, more confident and happier than Jack had ever seen him. Good enough reason not to run.
