Ianto takes care of a sick Jack and Jack has a strange, fowl dream . . . .

This chapter rated PG-13.

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Long Time Since I've Been Sick

They had gone to Jack's bunker after the meeting and Ianto insisted Jack needed to rest because he looked exhausted. Both stripped down to their boxers and climbed into the camp bed Ianto spooning behind Jack. Wrapping his arms around Jack's waist Ianto whispered, "Sleep Jack, I've got you." Jack was asleep in a few minutes. Ianto wasn't sure when he fell asleep but he woke up later to the sound of Jack retching into the toilet in the small en suite bathroom. He crouched down next to Jack and put his arm across Jack's shoulders to comfort him. Finally after several minutes Jack had nothing left to throw up. "Come on Jack, let's get off this cold floor," Ianto said as he helped his mate stand up. Jack brushed his teeth to get the sour taste out of his mouth and then Ianto helped Jack get back into bed and covered him with the duvet. Carding his fingers through Jack's hair Ianto murmured, "I'm going to get Owen and have him come down here to look you over; I'll be right back." Ianto quickly dressed and climbed up the ladder to Jack's office. He stuck his head out of the office door and spotted Owen at his work station. "Owen, can you take a look at Jack?" Ianto asked.

Owen looked up from the report he was reading and asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"He threw up, he's extremely pale, but he doesn't appear to have a fever," Ianto replied.

"Jack normally doesn't get sick; let me grab my kit and I'll be over in a moment," Owen said tossing the report on his desk and heading down to the Medical bay where he kept his kit; a moment later Owen came down the ladder into Jack's bunker to find Ianto giving Jack a sip of water. "Alright Jack, what's going on with you?" he asked as he grasp Jack's wrist to take his pulse. "Your pulse is a little fast; how many times have you thrown up?"

"Twice today and three times yesterday," Jack admitted. He sighed and closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. "I . . . I thought it was because I was . . . upset."

"Jack, could you be pregnant?" Ianto asked.

Jack paused a moment; "I hadn't thought about it, but I don't think so," he replied.

Owen reached into his kit and pulled out a syringe. "I'll take a blood sample just to be sure." As he drew the blood he added, "You may have the flu or appendicitis; any sharp pains in the lower right abdomen?"

"No," Jack answered.

Owen finished drawing the blood sample and stowed it in his kit. "Ever had the flu since you arrived on Earth?"

"Only once," Jack confirmed after thinking a moment.

"When was that?" Ianto queried.

"Back in 1918."

For a moment nobody said anything. Finally Owen found his voice, "Bloody hell Jack, you had the Spanish flu in 1918?"

"Did you survive?" Ianto asked quietly anticipating Jack's answer.

"No; I woke up in the morgue surrounded by corpses and managed to sneak out before the burial detail came for the bodies." Jack saw the love and concern in his lover's eyes. "It's alright Ianto; it happened a long time ago," Jack said grasping Ianto's hand.

"Well I can say with certainly you don't have the Spanish flu Jack," Owen commented. "I should have the test results quickly, so just rest and I'll be back shortly." He grabbed his medical kit and climbed up the ladder leaving Ianto to look after Jack.

Like Owen thought, it didn't take long to get the blood test results. He was reading them when Ianto arrived in the medical bay with a cup of coffee for Owen.

"About bloody time," Owen complained but his tone of voice took the bite out of his words; he was grateful for the caffeine boost.

"Did you get the test results?" Ianto asked obviously worried about Jack.

"Yeah," Owen replied taking another couple of sips as he finished reading the test results.

Ianto couldn't stand the wait; "Is he . . ." he began.

"Sorry Ianto, Jack isn't pregnant;" Owen answered, noting the shadow of disappointment which briefly ran across Ianto's face.

"Oh . . . right; I know these things take time," Ianto managed to reply.

Owen studied Ianto; "You do remember what Jack said about male pregnancies, don't you?" Owen asked.

"Yes," Ianto said. "Jack said it's harder for males to conceive and there's a higher occurrence of miscarriages."

"Just keep it in mind Ianto and don't set yourself or Jack up for disappointment if it doesn't happen soon," Owen chided.

Ianto nodded before a wicked thought popped into his head and he said, "At least it's fun practicing; different positions, different locations, assorted lubes, various techniques,"

"Oi, too much information Tea Boy! If I hear anymore I'll puke on your shoes," Owen countered. Looking at the results one more time he continued, "Right, Jack's white cell count isn't elevated, so he most likely just has the flu. Do us all a favor and take him home so the rest of us don't catch it. No snogging or shagging until he's recovered – doctor's orders."

"I'll tell him, but he so wanted to show me this one technique he learned from two acrobats," Ianto began.

"Oi piss off!" Owen shouted throwing the report at Ianto who smiled and dodged the flying report with ease before heading back to Jack's bunker.

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"You're disappointed," Jack commented waiting for Ianto to unlock the flat door.

"Disappointed in what Jack?" Ianto asked as he opened the door and walked into the flat.

"That I'm not pregnant only sick with the flu," Jack replied closing the door, toeing off his boots and handing his great coat to Ianto.

Ianto didn't reply right away but hung up both their coats to give him time to think about his reply. They'd just gotten over one argument which had taken a heavy toll on him and Jack even more so; he didn't want to accidentally start another argument with careless words.

Wrapping his arms around Jack's waist, he answered honestly, "I admit I got a little excited thinking you might be pregnant because the thought of our love culminating in a new life thrills me. But you're not pregnant this time and that's okay; I can wait. Right now though you're ill with the flu and I want to take care of you. Now let's get you to bed so you can rest."

"Okay; maybe when I feel better we can practice some more?" Jack suggested as they headed to the bedroom.

"Love to," Ianto agreed with a smile.

Jack slept through most of the afternoon and only vomited one more time. Towards evening he managed to eat some toast and drink some tea with Ianto clucking over him like a mother hen. When Ianto finally climbed into bed that night a sleepy Jack turned over, moved into Ianto's arms with a contented sigh and went back to sleep.

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"Aren't you going to join me Jack?" Ianto asked before walking over to the water naked. They were alone having a picnic by a small lake when Ianto had announced he was going swimming. He stripped his clothes off and dove into water. "Come on Jack, the water's fine."

"No, the water's too cold," Jack replied content to stay on the blanket with the remnants of their picnic.

Ianto quirked an eyebrow; "Is big Captain Jack afraid of a little cold water?" he teased with a smirk.

Rising to the bait, Jack stood up, took off his clothes and jumped into the lake – promptly shrieking like a little girl from the shock of the cold water. "You bastard; the water's freezing!" Jack complained.

"I have ways of keeping you warm Jack," Ianto cooed, morphing into his lycan form and wrapping his arms around Jack. Immediately Jack felt warm and aroused as Ianto caressed him; then a duck swam over and started nibbling on Jack's forearm.

The duck began to talk, "Uncle Jack, Uncle Jack, are you awake?" Someone was now poking his forearm repeatedly and the erotic dream faded away.

Jack opened his bleary eyes and saw his niece, Mica, staring at him. "Mica, what are you doing here?" he asked, his eyes taking in his surroundings. He realized he was in bed at the flat he shared with Ianto and for some strange reason Mica was there and Ianto wasn't.

"Mica, Ianto told you to let your Uncle Jack sleep in," Rhiannon called from the bedroom doorway.

"I wanted to see if he was feeling better," Mica explained with a perfected look of innocence.

Walking into the bedroom Rhiannon replied, "Nice try missy, but I'm not buying it, so go out to the sitting room and watch the telly with your brother." Rhiannon and Jack watched reluctant, pouty Mica slowly leave the bedroom.

"Sorry about that, Jack; Ianto did tell them to let you sleep, but she snuck in here when I wasn't looking," Rhiannon explained. "Do you want to sleep some more?"

"No, I'm awake now and I do feel much better today," Jack answered. "Why are you and the kids here and where's Ianto?"

"We stopped by this morning to return a DVD to Ianto and got to talking. Ianto got a call from work and had to go in, but he didn't want to leave you here alone since you were sick. I told him the kids and I could hang around until he got back," Rhiannon explained. "Even then he hesitated until I reminded him I'm raising two kids just fine, thank you very much, and I can certainly keep an eye on you until he gets back," Rhiannon explained.

"I appreciate it, Rhiannon," Jack said sitting up in bed and leaning against the headboard. "Did Ianto tell you we had a big argument the other day at work?" he asked.

Nodding Rhiannon said, "He did, but he said you two worked things out. You can't be a couple without a few rows along the way. I know Johnny and me have had our fair share of rows, but that's life. Now why don't you get up and get dressed while I put the kettle on and make you some eggs and toast, alright?" She saw Jack nod in agreement and went to prepare breakfast.

Jack showered, dressed and chatted with Rhiannon while he ate breakfast.

"You're up," Ianto said entering the kitchen. "Do you feel better?" he asked kissing Jack's forehead.

"I feel fine now that I've had a good night's sleep and a good breakfast thanks to Rhiannon," Jack replied.

"Great, so you feel up to going into work?"

"You know me Ianto; I always rise to the occasion," Jack replied with a straight face.

Jack had never seen synchronized eye rolling until he saw Rhiannon and Ianto both roll their eyes at his comment.

"Is he always like this?" she asked.

"No, he's usually worse, but at least he's feeling better," Ianto replied.

"Well, it looks like my work here is done," Rhiannon quipped picking up her purse. "David, Mica, come in and say goodbye to your uncles, we've got to get going," she said. Five minutes later after goodbye hugs Rhiannon and the kids were on their way home.

"You didn't have to ask Rhiannon to watch over me while you were gone; I would have been fine by myself," Jack commented as Ianto helped him into his great coat.

Ianto smoothed down Jack's coat lapels and left his hands resting against Jack's chest. "You daft sod, I didn't ask her to stay for your comfort; I asked her to stay for my peace of mind," Ianto replied with a smile. He kissed Jack briefly before tapping Jack's chest. "Come on Jack, work to do." Ianto opened the front door leading the way.

"Remind me to tell you about the dream I was having before Mica woke me up," Jack said closing the locked door behind him. It was a nice day so they decided to walk to work.

"Was it a nice dream?" Ianto asked as they strode down the street.

"Definitely," Jack answered. "It involved you, me, a lake, and a duck."

Ianto stopped in his tracks and stared at Jack. "A duck? Why was there a duck with us?" he asked.

Jack grinned and glanced at his watch. "No time for explanations now Ianto, there's work to be done." He started walking again.

Ianto trotted after him. "Come on Jack, tell me about the duck!"

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Note from socalrose: Sorry it took so long to post; real life sort of frightened the plot bunnies away, but I finally managed to find some of the little darlings.

Please tell me if this chapter worked for you or not. Your comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcomed!