snape-metz: Grey will not be making an appearance, if he did then I'd have to write him as wacky as he was in the show and I think Jack has more than enough wackiness in his life at the moment. Jack wants to get out of the trailer but he's holding back until he gets enough money to survive on his own. As for the feedback, if you leave it then of course I'll comment on it, fairs fair and you are reading my junk after all ;]

CaptureTheDevil: Yeah, it's bound to happen soon. But for now Jack gets a little loving from unexpected sources... which makes Ianto very jealous. But Jack does love Ianto ;]

Poisoned-Thorns: Sorry for the mini chapter, something went weird and a whole section I don't remember writing turned up out of nowhere and threw everything out of whack. This part is a little longer.

XxTypoMasterxX: Yeah, but at least she's out of the picture now.

DoctorWhoXTorchwood: Much better now, things will get better. If you're at bottom you can only go up, or hold on for a wild ride until you fall off. Everyone loves Jack.

JantoForever21: Yeah but I'm sure that's the case for anyone who keeps things bottled up and hidden. Tosh is right though... bonkers!

TheWeddingFairy: They're slowly starting to realise there's something but someone gets in the way and Jack will like that, just a little bit...

katwinchester: Don't worry, she's not going to turn into a bunny boiler, Tosh tends to make sure that her sister doesn't do something stupid that would hurt or ruin her life. Going bonkers just happens to fall into that category. Little bit about Tosh and Chloe; they hate each other but if someone hurt the other then they'd fight for them. Y'know sisters/twins.

jantochryed: Hope you like the little moment in the lift and Jack's longing stare on the bus.

Authors/Note: Dedicated to jantochryed for reminding me this was still here. Thanks! A lot happens in this update... this was written over a course of weeks and I just let my fingers loose, I never plan anything I type and whatever comes to mind (whatever I picture) I write down. So if this seems random then forgive me... I think I was trying to invoke Sod's Law a little too much as soon as Jack got to work. I wanted it to come across that Jack feels like he's being punished for having a good day... it's something someone in that domestic situation would believe. As always, read and review, and just enjoy! Thanks!

Chapter Ten

Today had been an unusually good day; there had been no homework, Ianto Jones had dumped Chloe Sato and he'd skipped seeing Derek for near enough two days! All he had left of this day was a quick visit to the library and then his shift at the depot and then he could go home, lock his door and go to sleep soundly until tomorrow morning.

Jack felt cheeky wandered through the parking lot towards Ianto's dark green Audi, he was hoping to hitch a ride to the library since Ianto would be working today. He looked round for the car then remembered that his friend hadn't drove to school this morning, his dad had dropped him off. Crap, thought Jack as he hurried towards the bus stop hoping to catch the bus heading down town past the library.

Ianto and Nate were standing there at the stand talking as he made his way over, they clammed up when he reached them

"Hey" he murmured quietly, trying to suppress the hollow feeling that they'd been talking about him

"Hi" Nate grinned when he spotted Jack standing there and Ianto just scowled, the cloudy look on his best friend's face made him want to run away and hide "Are you coming to the library as well?"

"Yeah, I have to return some books"

"Cool" Nate stepped away from Ianto and closer to the younger man "How about afterwards we go for a coffee or something? I'll buy"

"Um..." Jack glanced nervously at Ianto, who looked like he was doing his best not to punch Nate's lights out, when he saw Jack looking he shrugged like he didn't care what happened "Okay"

"Great!" Nathan was positively beaming now "Ever since you started hanging around with us I've waited to ask you out. For coffee that is... hehe"

"I'm going to walk to the library" announced Ianto as he walked quickly away leaving Jack confused but Nate even surer about what was going on between them. Oh, he had wanted to ask Jack out for a while now and Ianto had had plenty of chances to get with the younger teen but all he'd done was get into Chloe Sato's panties. Nathan could understand the appeal some men had to find women attractive but he'd never understand that one!

Jack watched his friend walk off and he wanted to go after him but he was curious to Nate's behaviour. Why on Earth would such a cool, tough guy want to get coffee with him?

"Why did you want to get coffee with me?"

"Coz you're hot and they do say something about watching out for the quiet ones. I bet you'd be great in bed" his words made Jack promptly turn bright red and felt the urge to run after Ianto grow considerably. He liked Nate but he didn't like him on that level, well he was still getting to know the guy "Hm, sorry I shouldn't have said that, should I? I've made you uncomfortable"

"No, no... it's not that I just..."

"You wish it was someone else asking you for coffee?" he glanced briefly in the direction Ianto had gone. When he looked back Jack had his head bowed and his expression was just as dark as Ianto's had been before he marched off

"Maybe... before all this Chloe business. I'd rather have a friend than a person who..."

"What? Fucks around? There's nothing wrong with it as long as you're careful. Why are you so bothered about Ianto and Chloe"

"I'm not. I couldn't care less, now, it would have been nice but we're better off as friends?"

"And you and me?"

"Coffee. After the library" Jack nodded coming to a decision he felt was right. Nate smirked slowly before leaning closer invading his space, one hand came up to rest against his arm; Jack stared wide eyed as the older teen closed his eyes and brushed their mouths together. He backed off, intent to give Jack a taste of things to come but Jack reached up wrapping his hand around the back of his neck and pulled him back deepening the kiss. Hm, the quiet ones indeed!

The bus pulled up as Nate pulled away, Jack had warm grin and a content look on his face but that disappeared when he opened his eyes; it was more than clear to Nathan that no matter how he felt for Jack there would just be no getting round that he wasn't Ianto. While deep down Nate knew he should be hurt or upset but it was just one of those things and his two friends would have something really good if they ever woke up from being completely stupid.

"Like that?" chuckled Nate, Jack had gone bright red and looked abashed

"It was nice" he replied quietly before quickly getting on the bus. The two of them sat near the back and Jack snagged the seat by the window, as the bus drove down the street he saw Ianto walking on his own.

Ianto looked up when the bus passed and he saw Jack sat in the window seat watching for him, he looked rather down and that reflected his own mood. Nate had been going on and on about Jack since he decided to go with Ianto to get the bus down town; he'd gotten angrier and angrier with every word spoken. He had almost lost it when Nate said that since Ianto was 'straight' then Jack was pretty much free for all. Who knew Nate could be such an asshole?

If Nate tried any of his free for all crap on Jack and made him look as miserable as Ianto felt then he'd happily step in and beat the crap out of him. There was no way he was jealous, absolutely no way. But he's gonna get further with the guy you love, his mind teased him. Shut up, he shot back.

***

Jack shut the door behind him and put his bag down on the bench. Kirk rounded the corner and saw his young co-worker getting changed

"I haven't seen you for over a week! I thought you'd quit" he stated, surprised to see the young man standing there

"No, I was ill" replied Jack as he pulled up his white under shirt

"Hm, I see" Kirk said darkly as he saw the bruising and discolouration of Jack's skin. Without saying anything Jack slowly lowered his t-shirt and pulled his uniform shirt on over it "Who was it?"

"Please, Kirk, you can't tell anyone"

"Why not? You're being hurt" he marched across the room "Is it your father? Is he the one doing this?"

"Please" he begged desperately "If you tell anyone then I'll have to quit my job"

"Quit your job? Why? Don't do that"

"Then don't tell anyone. I'm not being hurt that bad... just drop it"

"Not hurt bad? Have you heard yourself? If that's not bad and you're off for nearly a week then I don't want to know what you consider a bad beating! I can't keep quiet about this"

"Then I'm out of here" he replied as he unfastened his shirt and shoved it into his bag. Kirk stepped forward and grabbed his arm, Jack winced under the pressure

"Don't quit. What will you do?"

"I'll have to get another job... it took me ages to find this one" he whispered as tears filled his eyes "And I really liked it"

"Then stay!"

"I can't! Not if you tell on Derek"

"So it was Derek that did this to you?!" he cried. Jack yanked his arm away and walked out quickly without looking back.

The only thing to do was go home. He'd give his notice properly tomorrow, it wouldn't really be that difficult to give his boss a reason to fire him. He'd missed an awful lot of shifts with the last beating he'd received. Jack would have to look for another job which mean that this weekend he wouldn't be able to go to SOS and see all the children. Maybe he could pick up more shifts at the restaurant?

No matter what happened, he just couldn't let anyone found out about Derek hurting him; he wasn't ready for things to fall apart yet. A few more months and he'd have enough money to get his own place and start a new life, he'd lasted all this time a few months more would be nothing!

*

It was quiet when he got home, all the lights were off and a quick glance at his watch revealed why, it was nearly one in the morning. Still, he thought, glancing up at the trailer that didn't explain why the lights were off. Usually Derek stayed up well into the night getting drunk, so why wasn't he doing that now?

For a moment, one terrifying moment, Jack thought Kirk had actually contacted the police and they'd come and hauled him away. It surprised the young man to find he was upset by that thought, despite how much he was hated by Derek he didn't want anything bad to happen to him. He was the only family that Jack had

"I'm not ready to be alone in the world" he whispered to himself as he slowly made his way towards the trailer. The TV was screeching with fuzzy static and Derek was sitting, slumped in his chair surrounding by beer cans

"Ehh..." he slurred, Jack crept slowly towards him "Ehhric"

"What? What's wrong?"

"My heart" he grunted. Do you even have one, thought Jack before he shooed those nasty words away "H-help"

"I'll call an ambulance" he announced to himself and hurried off to grab the phone and call. When they said it was on his way he went back to sit with Derek, even reached out and held his hand "It's on it's way"

"Don't leave" begged Derek hoarsely

"I'm not going anywhere"

"I know" he continued "That I ain't been the best father..." Jack broke down then, the tears that had been threatening to fall spilled down his face unbidden. Today had been good but the night had been cruel, everything had changed so fast and it wasn't difficult to believe it was punishment for being happy. He'd loose his job and his father... if Derek died then he'd have to go back into the system... another family most likely worse than here.

"It's okay, dad, it's going to be okay" he mumbled

"You're a good kid" Jack closed his eyes, his vision was blurring and he wanted to stay clear if this was going to be the last few moments with stability. The sound of the ambulance broke through his struggle and he jumped up to hurry to the door.

Not long after he first heard the wail of the siren did the EMTs turn up and work on Derek. He watched them work then they packed him up and took him away in the ambulance leaving Jack alone.

The young man stared out the open door, a few neighbours had come out to investigate who was being taken to hospital. One even ventured to the door

"Jack? What happened?"

"My dad had a heart attack, they took him to the hospital" he explained

"Why didn't you go with him?"

"I-I..." Jack mumbled then shook his head. He grabbed up the keys and pulled the door shut behind him, skipping past Mr Edwards and raced off with one place in mind.

***

Ianto was in a bitchy mood; his mam had kicked off when his tad had told her about his dive back into alcoholism, he'd dumped someone who was slowly turning out to be psychotic and to top things off Nate and Jack were dating!

He parked his car in the alley and walked up the metal fire escape to his front door, jangling his keys as he went. When Ianto reached the top he was surprised to see Jack sitting there with his knees against his chest and his arms wrapped around his shins

"Jack? Wha..."

"My dad had a heart attack" he whispered slowly not looking up

"Oh god, Jack, is he okay? What..."

"I don't know" he sobbed finally meeting his friend's eyes "I don't know. They took him the hospital and I should have went with him... I was scared, I don't know if he's alive"

"Do you want me to drive you to the hospital?"

"Yeah" he nodded as fresh tears tracked their way down his face "Would you?"

Ianto helped Jack up off the metal grating and the two of them descended the steps to the Audi parked lazily. Deep down Ianto knew that this was serious but all he could think of was how grateful that Jack had chosen to come to him instead of Nate.

The ride to the hospital was quiet, each of them wrapped up in their own thoughts and Ianto was doing his best to focus solely on the road. He parked his car in the car park before cutting the engine

"Do you want me to come in with you? Want me to stay?"

"Please" whispered Jack nervously rocking back and forth as he played with the jacket squashed under his hands. Ianto lifted his hand to lay it on his friend's shoulder

"It's going to be okay. I'll stay as long as you want me to"

"I don't want to go in there alone... but you... he... I don't want anything to happen to you" he confessed as tears slowly tracked down his face. Jack shook his head as he pulled the jacket up and wrapped his arms around it

"Me? Nothing's going to happen to me"

"You don't deserve to get messed up in my shit" he barked hoarsely, startling Ianto. Ianto was surprised to hear him swear, it wasn't something that Jack did all that much "You don't deserve it but I don't want you to go. This is me being selfish"

"You're allowed to be selfish, Jack, now should we go inside and see your dad? Make sure he's okay?"

"Yeah" he nodded slowly, Ianto waited for Jack to get out of the car first so as not to rush him.

He followed Jack into the main hospital through the bustling waiting room to reception, Jack glanced back to make sure he was still there before turning back to the woman standing on the other side of the counter "My father was brought in, he had a heart attack. Can you tell me which room he's in?"

"Name" she asked curtly as she moved to the nearest computer

"Derek Lowe" Jack replied. Behind him, Ianto wondered briefly why they had different names; yes it wasn't that much of a shock these days but if Derek was his father then why did Jack have a different surname? He debated asking his american friend about it but mentally shook his head no, now wasn't the time to ask such personal questions. Ianto filed it away for later.

"He's on the third floor, ward 6 room 10" she told him, Jack inclined his head in thanks before the two of them made their way to the lifts.

"How are you feeling?" Ianto asked once they were inside the large lift heading up to the third floor

"I'm okay" replied Jack breathing out steadily "I'm okay... thank you"

"No problem" Ianto lifted his hand again mirroring the comforting shoulder squeeze he did in the car and almost jumped out of his skin when Jack's hand came up over it

"I mean it. You don't know how much this means to me... that you're here... so thank you" Jack explained. Their eyes locked, something changed as they stared at each other but the lift levelled out and the doors opened with a monotone announcement awkwardly moving the moment away.

Jack stepped out with a clearing of his throat and went to find his father while Ianto stood there a little shocked by what just happened.

Ianto wandered his way down the hall to find Jack waiting for him near a window to a large room holding four beds, all of them occupied, with Derek Lowe in the one closest to the window on the right. Any thoughts of Jack being abused or beaten by this man disappeared as soon as he laid eyes on him.

Derek Lowe seemed like such a short man, looking at him, Ianto was sure that Jack was taller than him but he couldn't be sure. The elder man's hair was black but was starting to thin on top... if it wasn't for the alcoholism and cigerattes that had caused yellowed skin and a portly belly he would have been attractive.

Ianto watched as Jack slowly took baby steps towards the bed as if at any second one wrong step would wake him up; watching him walk to the bed he'd never seen someone looking so scared and fragile in his life. For a moment, as he moved closer to the bed, Jack looked more fragile, broken and damaged than the man in the bed... hell even more than Ianto himself, and that was saying something. Is he aware that I can see it, that we can all see it, wondered Ianto?

"Sir?" Jack sat down in the chair provided and put his hand up on the safety bars before continuing to whisper "Sir, it's me. It's Jack... are you awake?"

"Shhuddup" came the slurred, raspy growl that made Jack jump, he looked ready to bolt out of his chair and away... just away.

"Yes, sir" he nodded and all three of them fell into silence. Derek in bed, Jack sitting beside him like some faithful servant and Ianto stood at the end of the bed overseeing it all as watchdog.

TBC...