Thanks to my fabulous beta, Viva Para Amar, happy birthday for tomorrow, hunny :)

It was nearing four 'o' clock, and Owen was getting tired of Jack's not-so-subtle hints to get on with it. Realising that Jack might spontaneously combust if the medic kept him waiting any longer, Owen decided, as much as the idea of Jack exploding amused him, now was as good a time as any for Ianto's doctors appointment.

"Ianto?" Owen called, and Jack let out a sigh of relief. At least Owen was keeping to his side of the deal. He hadn't known whether to trust the younger man or not, but now, he knew he could.

On the other side of the Hub, Ianto Jones inwardly groaned. He'd been successfully avoiding Owen all day, for two reasons. One, his head was still all over the place. Not just in a tired, groggy way he was used to, but in a seriously messed up kind of way. A scary way.

He could only remember feeling this, Ianto tried to find words to describe it, feeling this...helpless, confused, damaged, twice before.

One, after Lisa.

Two, after Jack.

And now, after Owen.

Both times, he'd done what he did that morning. The need to feel pain had been far too strong.

Both times, also, he'd almost taken his own life.

Thankfully, that morning, he'd remained in control. After making a single cut, he'd managed to stop. He'd never been able to that before. Previously, he'd trashed his flat, and let his health and well-being go out the window. Not this time. This time, he'd be strong and stay strong.

So, Owen's "check-up" had been the last thing he'd wanted. "So, let me get this straight," Ianto clarified, slowly. "You want to give me a 'once-over'. It's 'routine'?"

Owen nodded, solemnly; pleased Ianto hadn't kicked off about it. He hadn't really known what to expect. But, then, when it came to the Welshman, he never did.

Ianto almost laughed. "Yeah, right, nice one, Owen," Please tell me he's joking; please tell me he's joking...

"I'm not joking,"

Fuck.

"You keep on sniggering, I'll get the needles," Owen said, dryly.

"No way," Ianto replied, quickly. "I'm fine, you know I'm fine," Ianto was almost pleading now. Any injection would be in the – Ianto swallowed – arm. He might as well tattoo 'I'm messed up' on his forehead and be done with it.

"It's routine, Ianto," Owen told him, gently. He couldn't bring himself to be harsh with the younger man. In fact, he had to fight to keep a professional head on around Ianto. Not think about his soft hair, beautiful suits hiding an even more beautiful body...spell-binding eyes and oh-so desirable lips. He couldn't think about how it felt to kiss them and... Oh, crap. So much for not thinking about that. God, Owen thought, I'm so going to need a cold shower after this. Is there any way I can trick him out of his shirt? Hey, Ianto, it's also routine to get naked!

"It's just a few injections," Owen continued, struggling to form words. Ianto's fearful expression was mesmerising. Focus, Harper, focus. "Everyone had there's this morning, while you were off." Owen could tell Ianto wasn't convinced. "Just a couple of blood tests. You know we keep blood samples from everyone?"

Ianto nodded, cautiously, subconsciously sticking out his bottom lip in a way that nearly had Owen drooling.

"It's not that blood goes off...I don't know," Owen admitted. "But it's good to keep it fresh. Update it every so often."

"But," Ianto whined. "Is it really important?"

Owe looked scornful. "It saved Gwen's life."

"I repeat, is it really important?" Ianto asked, again. Saving Gwen's life didn't make something important. More annoying.

Owen laughed. "Yes, I'm afraid it is." Owe pulled out a shortish needle, indicating to the bed in the middle of the autopsy bay. "Now, if you wouldn't mind..."

Ianto sighed. "There's no way to stop you doing this, is there?"

"Nope," Owen replied, instantly. "If needs be, I can sedate you and do it." Owen was actually starting to warm to the idea. No one to stop roaming hands and – stop it, Owen, stop it!

"No!" Ianto exclaimed, quickly. At least if he was awake, he could stop Owen seeing the cuts. No doubt the medic would be furious, understandably. Ianto was furious with himself.

"No, I'll stay awake, thanks," Ianto finished.

Damn. "Okay," Owen grinned, falsely. "Let's do this."

*

"Okay, that's the first one done," Owe could see Ianto's eyes had been squeezed shut during it, but decided not to tease him about it, which was unlike Owen. But, then again, it was unlike Owen to fall for Ianto. But he had. Hard.

Ianto opened his eyes, blinking in the harsh light. He let out a sigh of relief, not just that it was over, but that Owen had decided to inject his left arm.

"Now, I just need your other arm..."

Oh, shit. Ianto leapt up. "Er, actually, I have a tonne of work to do, and I really don't think Jack would want..."

"Ianto," Owen commanded. "I am your doctor and I demand to see your arm."

Ianto paused. He rolled his sleeve up a centre meter, revealing milky white, uncut wrist.

"Ianto," Owen's voice was scarily stern. "I need to see your arm."

Ianto could see there was no way out of this one. Slowly, the Welshman rolled his sleeve up further.

Owen's eyes were met by a brilliant white bandage, stained red in places were the blood from the wound had seeped through, Owen realised with a gasp. Jack had been right. Bastard.

"Ianto," Owen struggled to keep his voice calm. Speaking through his teeth, he continued: "Take off the bandage."

Ianto shook his head immediately.

"If you don't," Owen threatened. "I will call Jack, and he will hold you down while I take the bandage off. Your choice," He didn't want to have to resort to that, Owen knew Ianto wouldn't want Jack involved. But Owen also knew this was serious. Very serious.

Ianto's expression was horrified. Quickly, he pulled the bandage away, revealing a blood-covered, gaping wound scarring his forearm.

"Ianto," Owen's voice was very quiet. "I think you need to explain to me exactly what happened this morning."