Chapter 8

Ok, so Carrie is still suffering from major mental block with this, but has decided to post what she has written, in the hopes that the rest will write itself- Haha If you can help with this… argh I detest the word: Writer's Block let me know.

It's not writer's Block exactly, because I've written a lot of other stuff, with no hassle, it's just… lack of a complete story arc really.

Ok, quick recap…

When she arrived Gwen quickly made her way cautiously into the house, gun drawn. Methodically checking each room, Gwen soon found Tosh and Ianto standing in the centre of the main room. What she saw would be almost comical in any normal situation. Ianto and Tosh stood, guns drawn, but pointing to the ground and water pistols raised in their other hands, as they watched the creature; which was completely ignoring the commotion behind it, as if it wasn't even aware of their presence.

And now on with the show!

Chapter 8

"Err… Ianto?" said Gwen quietly from where she stood on the threshold of the room. The young man didn't look round, but inclined his head to indicate he was listening, before focusing back on the humanoid creature in front of him.

Gwen took this as encouragement to continue. "Um… Jack needs you back at the Hub; ASAP apparently. I've been sent to take over here. You can take my car if you like."

"I thought Jack was with Cathexis?"

"He was- Owen told me."

"Right, well here's the water pistol, if in doubt shoot. Tosh you okay there?"

"I'm fine;" And with that Ianto left, leaving the water pistol to Gwen, who took vigil in his place.

Ianto took off in the SUV, blue lights flashing, and a gadget which changed all the traffic lights to green as he approached switched on. Although they had it, Jack rarely used it, preferring to simply honk the horn loudly and go barrelling through the red lights. He did it on stop streets too. How they all survived, he didn't know; at least this way cars had more warning.

When he reached the hub, Ianto found Owen at Tosh's workstation, heart monitors and brain activity scans flowing across the screen. Owen looked up from the many screens, as the cog door rolled back.

"Teaboy, you got here. Jack wants you in the autopsy bay now. Something 'bout shielding Cathy. You're to go in there and Jack said he'd tell you what to do."

"Is he awake then?"

"Well, he's conscious, and not asleep, but I dunno if 'awake' is the right word to describe it. Just um, call him I guess." Ianto made his way down the stone steps to the medical bay, where Cathy lay, eyes closed with Jack sitting beside her, his hands joined with hers. "Jack?" he spoke quietly, but a little louder when he got no response. This time when he spoke, he thought he heard Jack moan, before turning his head.

Ianto?

Ianto jumped. It was Jack and he was in his head again. It was a peculiar prickling feeling.

Come closer. Give me your hand.

And with that Jack released one of Cathy's hands, turned round and blindly felt around him, in search of Ianto's hand. When Ianto met it, he immediately gasped at the warm energy that flew up his arm, leaving him tingling all over.

What…?

Don't worry, its just to help you. Earlier, you had a shield up- yes?

I had a headache- it seemed to help.

That's because it did. You were blocking out Cathy's invasive personality; she doesn't mean to hurt people, she's just a little weak at the moment so her shields are down.

I… I heard that and I'm not weak! It was Cathy's voice this time, which was inside his head too. It sounded very frail and far off to Ianto, sort of, tiny. I'm just tired. Jack ignored her, speaking to Ianto.

Can you create it again, but include Cathy within the shield? Jack's voice spoke in his head again.

I think so. But how do I do it?

Create the shield round yourself, and then drop your personal walls, so that it expands.

Drop my personal walls? Ianto sounded dubious, and Jack was sure he could hear his raised eyebrow.

I'm sorry, but it's the only way I know how.

Ianto took a deep breath and braced himself, Okay, I'm ready he said, already building his shield. It didn't take long, the energy he could feel through Jack's hand helped a lot and Ianto was sure the Captain was also helping him. He soon had a strong shield surrounding himself, though this time the connection through to Jack, seemed to hold it open gently. It looked to him like a golden thread leading from himself through the shield to Jack.

You ready for this? We'll do it slowly; because if you've never done it before it can be uncomfortable. I'll try to control the flow from here- if I can.

Ianto began to lower his personal walls in as controlled a way as possible, but when they were about half way, they seemed to shake before shattering. Jack, who was very impressed by Ianto's control so far, was ready mentally and physically when Ianto's control faltered.

He was prepared for the sudden influx of emotions, and he also managed to catch Ianto, before the young man fell to his knees, instead lowering him gently to the ground.

Xxx

Phew, it's done. I've finally posted. Now I'll tell the brain to start the creative juices going, because this really needs to be finished! I'll feel so much better afterwards, I know I will.

Thanks for your unswerving patience, & although I hardly deserve it- Please Review if you will?

Carrie ; )

2008