Part Nine
Owen made his way to the hospital and Jack was there by the entrance to meet him.
"How is he?" asked the medic.
"He seems okay." Jack shoved his hands deep into his coat pockets. "I thought you could maybe talk to the doctor. See if you can't get Ianto released today."
"I'll see what I can do."
They walked inside.
"But first, I wanna see Tea Boy for myself."
"Don't you trust me?"
"In a word, Harkness, no!"
Jack smiled wryly and led the way to Ianto's room.
On entering, Owen moved to the bed, leaving Jack standing in the doorway. Ianto had his head turned toward the window and looked at Owen once he had stopped by the bed.
"I'd really like to get out of here," he told Owen.
"I need to ask you a few questions first, okay?"
Ianto nodded.
"Great. Who's the Prime Minister of Great Britain?"
"Tony Blair."
"What year is it?"
"2007."
"What month is it?"
"April."
Owen smiled. "Who's the guy lurking in the doorway like a prat, wearing a greatcoat?"
"Captain Jack Harkness." Ianto smiled at Jack.
Owen turned to his Captain. "He's fine."
Jack sighed with relief. "Good. Now go see if you can get him out of here."
"Or at least get this…this bag removed!" added Ianto, his face a picture of indignance.
"Yeah. Not a pretty sight to greet one as they enter the room, is it?"
Ianto blushed.
Owen smiled. "Don't worry, Tea Boy, I'll soon have you out of here."
That brought a smile to the Welshman's face.
As Owen went off to find the doctor, Jack entered the room and stood by the bed, his back to the doorway.
"So, we get you outta here and back to the Hub." Jack eyed the younger man. "We better get the guest quarters ready for you."
"Guest quarters? W-what about your quarters?"
Jack frowned, cocking his head to one side. "Do ya think that's wise? Owen'll wanna keep an eye on you."
"And he can't do that in your quarters because?"
Jack smiled. "I have absolutely no idea." he shook his head fondly. "But he'll be bad tempered."
Ianto grinned. "Don't really care."
Jack rolled his eyes at that remark.
"Do you want me back at the Hub or not?" Ianto paused for effect. "I can always stay here another few days…or a week…or…"
Jack held his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay!" he shook his head. "My quarters it is." He leaned closer, placing a tender kiss on the younger man's forehead.
Owen appeared in the doorway a minute later.
"Doc says it's okay for Ianto to leave in a couple of hours," he smiled. "He just needs to make out a report before you leave." He turned to Jack. "Tosh is picking me up in ten minutes. You okay to take Ianto back to the Hub, aren't you?"
Jack nodded.
"Good. See you both there later."
With a wave, Owen was gone.
Jack pulled up a chair and sat down.
Ianto looked at his hands. "You…don't have to stay. I can make my own way back."
Jack frowned. "Wouldn't think of leaving you!"
Ianto smiled. "Thanks."
"Okay," Jack shifted in the chair, leaned forward, hands laced together, and rested them on the bed. "When we get back, you are confined to bed rest until Owen says you're okay."
Ianto rolled his eyes. "I'm fine, Jack."
Jack grinned.
"You know he'll make me stay in bed for ages!"
"Then bribe him with his favourite biscuits."
Ianto frowned. "We don't have any."
"Then, I'll go get some."
"Thanks, Jack."
Jack leaned back, looking out of the window.
"Jack?"
"I was just wondering how all this started." He sighed. "And ended with you…shooting me."
Ianto lowered his head. "I-I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault. I…should never have allowed you to come along in the first place."
Ianto licked his top lip nervously. "I wanted to get Tosh free…get their attention off of her. It seemed a good idea at the time," he said. "I head butted that maniac," he smiled, "but she hit me with the rifle butt and I went down like a sack of potatoes!"
"But Toshiko got away." Jack smiled. "She said you saved her life."
Ianto frowned, his beautiful face now with a modest look on it. "I wouldn't go that far."
"Tosh would." Jack stood. "I'll go see if the doctor has finished his report and we can get out of here."
Ianto smiled. "I'd like that."
Jack beamed. "So would I."
The End
