Title: Three Days In Your Shoes

Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Captain Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato, Gwen Williams

Warnings: Not sure at the moment, I'm betting for Fluff though

Summary: A little friendly competition doesn't hurt, right?Jack and Ianto make a bet, who can last three days in the others shoes without cracking and Jack uses some alien help.

Author Notes: This idea literally just hit me…it has potential to be funny though hehe wish me luck on that one.

Disclaimer: I don't Own Torchwood or Ianto…although I do own one of those gorgeous red ties and I'm in the market for a red beret and a stopwatch.

Chapter Ten – Dealing With Death

"Leave me alone with him." Jack said, barely a whisper.

"Jack, I..."

"Leave me alone with him!" Jack insisted.

Tosh and Owen went back to the blow fish, trying to pick it up and put it in the SUV.

Jack held Ianto a little bit tighter, "Come on Yan, we only have one more day."

At that moment Ianto took in a sharp breath and yelled out in pain.

"Ianto! Ianto, I know it hurts, it'll go away." Jack soothed.

"Oh fuck, Jack! Dont ever make me do that again." The fear in Ianto's voice was obvious.

"Never, ever again. I'm right here, I'm going to look after you."

Jack pulled Ianto into a bone crushing hug. Ianto breathed heavily into Jack's shoulder, wishing he could soak in that smell that he always got before but knowing he wouldn't.

"It's like I couldn't breathe, oh god. Jack, there was nothing."

"I'm going to get the others to go home and then I'm going to take care of you."

Ianto just nodded, still trying to control his breathing.

- - - - - - - - - X x X - - - - - - - - -

Ianto sat in the couch of the hub, shaking. Jack stood in front of the others and let out a shakey breath.

"Go home guys, I'll look after him."

"I don't understand, why is Jack acting like this?" Gwen asked.

"We swapped bodies Gwen. I thought you would've figured that out by now."

"...Jack?"

"Yes!"

Gwen gasped, "Oh my god, Ianto..."

"Go home. I'll take care of him."

Gwen said nothing, just nodding and taking Tosh with her.

"Blow fish is on the Autopsy table, I'll look at it tomorrow. Please look after him." Owen smiled a rare, genuine smile.

"Go home."

Owen nodded, following the girls. The moment they were gone, Jack rushed to Ianto, sitting next to him and putting an arm around his shoulders.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"How can you do that?"

"You get used to it."

"It was like being somewhere really familiar yet being completely lost..."

"I know."

"...And it's maddening, running around, trying to find your bearings but getting no where..."

"It's hard."

"...Because it's all just darkness, no matter where you run and then suddenly you just get pulled back." Ianto's voice was shakey.

"No one should know that Yan." Jack sighed.

"Don't leave me."

"I would never. Come on Ianto, breathe in deeply and let it out slowly, it'll get better."

Ianto did as Jack said, letting out deep breaths. Jack smiled reassuringly, pulling Ianto closer.

"Jack?"

"Yes?"

"Talk to me about something, anything."

Jack paused in thought before finally asking, "What did you mean when you said 'this is the worst part of my job'?"

"Watching you die, not being able to stop it, waiting for you to wake up and wondering if this time it's permanent."

"Is that how you feel everytime?"

"Without fail."

"I'm so sorry Yan. I never want you to feel like that."

"Talk about something else, please?"

"Uh..." Jack rubbed a hand through Ianto's hair soothingly, "Did you have fun bossing everyone around today?"

Ianto leaned into Jack, relaxing just slightly and letting out another breath, "I like being able to go to you whenever I want, without hiding behind the facade of coffee."

Jack smiled but could feel the tension in the younger man, "Tell me what's on your mind."

"You win." Ianto said simply.

"What?"

"You win. I can't handle being you, it's too hard. All this can't possibly be worth what you go through when you die. I can't imagine everything else. Can I have my body back now, please?"

"It's worth it to wake up to you. Come on Yan, we still have another day."

"I forfeit, just let me have my body back."

"...Do you hate me, hate what I am?"

"No! Of course I don't Jack, I just...I can't cope with this. We had a bet and you win."

"I'm sorry, this was my fault. I shouldn't have gotten you to drop your guard."

"I don't blame you. I love you Jack and I cant imagine how hard it is to live with the gift-"

"Curse." Jack quicky added.

"...Curse that you have to live with. I will support you but I can't do it. You're so much stronger than I am."

"Okay, come on."

Jack pulled Ianto up and took him to his office. Opening his top drawer, he pulled out the box and held it out to Ianto. The Welshman hesitantly looked between the box and Jack.

"Trust me?"

"Always." Ianto smiled and put his hand down on the little box, feeling the ever familiar dizziness.

Jack dragged Ianto over to the chair in the corner of the room before Ianto's vision went dark and he slipped into unconsciousness.

I hate writing an angsty Ianto ): Epilogue next. Cheers for the amazing feedback.

Cheers,
Gabz
xx