Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Jack slowly opened his eyes. He was so warm and comfortable. It only took a few seconds to realize why. He was snuggled up to Ianto in his hospital bed. Just then he heard footsteps. Looking up, he smiled at Martha.

"Good morning Jack. How did you sleep? It couldn't have been very comfortable for you."

"It was the best sleep I've have all week. I've missed him being beside me. Thank you for letting me sleep here with him."

Martha waved her hand dismissively at him. Ianto's vitals had been steadily improving throughout the night. She tended to think that Jack's presence had made all the difference.

"He's improving Jack. His vitals are getting stronger all the time and he's got more colour in his cheeks this morning. That's a very good sign."

Just then Ianto squeezed Jack's hand. Jack wanted to shout but he restrained himself although he was quick to inform Martha. She promptly moved over to the bed and took Ianto's other hand. She asked him to squeeze her hand but Ianto didn't respond. She told Jack to speak to him. He nodded and asked Ianto to squeeze his hand again. Ianto responded immediately and Jack laughed out loud. He had to wipe the tears of joy that were streaming down his cheeks. Martha encouraged him to keep talking as she did some tests. She shone the penlight into his eyes and this made Ianto flinch. Martha smiled; this was a very good sign.

"What's going on?" Gwen asked from the doorway.

"Gwen, he squeezed my hand, he knows I'm here."

"Jack, that's fantastic. It is good news isn't Martha?" Gwen asked.

"Yes it is. He's also light sensitive. It's all good; it means he's getting better."

"Will you all be quiet." croaked a voice from the bed.

Seven pairs of eyes tuned towards the bed. Ianto was looking back at them.

"Hi you." whispered Jack.

"Hi yourself." he replied with a slight smile.

Jack leaned down and kissed his cheek. Just then Gwen leaned over from the other side of the bed and gave him a kiss as well. Looking around the bed he saw his friends as well as Capt John and a man he had never met before but he didn't care because he only had eyes for Jack. Martha hurried everyone out of the room. It took a little longer to get Jack to leave but she wanted to do a complete check and she didn't want or need anyone standing behind her, watching over her shoulder. Finally Jack left but only after he made her promise to be as quick as she could.

While Martha was examining Ianto, Jack went to talk to the others. Now that he knew Ianto was getting better he wanted to track down Gray and deal with him. He wouldn't let him get away with hurting Ianto. He had gone to far now. He'd caused the deaths of both Owen and Toshiko and now he'd kidnapped Ianto.

"Are we going after Gray?" John asked.

"Soon, when I know for sure that Ianto is going to be ok."

"Jack, I won't help you hunt down your brother just so you can kill him."

"He's already killed two of my team as well as the countless humans he killed with those explosions that he made John set and letting the Weevils out to roam the streets."

"Jack, no, I won't help you murder your brother. No matter what he's done."

"We can lock him up here." Gwen suggested.

"You already tried that and it didn't work. Look what happened last time."

"But that was Gray's doing. He'd embedded that program. Quinn's given our computers the all clear now and I'm sure we'll be able to get him to secure our systems again. If we bring Gray in this time he won't be able to do anything, we won't let him."

The Doctor smiled at Gwen, liking this woman. He knew that he needed to calm Jack down otherwise who knew what he would do. He looked over and thankfully saw that Jack was at least thinking about Gwen's suggestion. Turning to the Doctor, Jack asked if the Doctor would help him capture Gray so that he could be returned to the Hub and be locked up in the cells. Nodding, the Doctor agreed to help if that was what Jack truly intended to do. Jack was quiet for a long time, however John was vocal. He was telling him that he had let Gray off before and it had almost cost Ianto his life. Why was he thinking of giving Gray another free pass.

Gwen grabbed his arm and pulled him away. They were followed by Rhys and Tom. The Doctor and Jack stood silently side by side for a long time. Finally the Doctor put his hand on Jack's shoulder and told him that he would wait for him inside the TARDIS. Whenever he was ready, so would he.

When Martha had finished her examination she smiled at Ianto and sat down next to his bed. She started to ask him some simple questions, like his full name, his date of birth, where he was and what year it was. When he had answered these all correct she took a breath and asked him to tell her what had happened. He started from the very beginning, leaving nothing out. He knew that Martha would relay everything to the others. It took a while because his throat was sore and his voice was still a little croaky. As he neared the end of the story, Jack entered the room without either of them hearing him.

"And that's when he hit me again."

Hearing a growl, both Ianto and Martha looked towards the door to see Jack standing there looking grim.

"How many times did my brother hit you?" He asked as he approached the bed.

"Jack, it's ok. He only hit me twice and that was only because I provoked him the first time and I slipped up the second time. Generally speaking, he treated me well. He brought me food and water, kept me sheltered. He treated me well all things considered."

"He kidnapped you Ianto!"

"I know Jack, I was there remember."

This stopped Jack's tirade and he smiled at Ianto who held out his hand. Jack took hold of it and Ianto tugged him towards the bed. Jack sat down.

"I missed you Jack, I love you so much." Ianto whispered.

"Oh, I missed you so much. Never again am I going to let you leave me. I love you."

With that they leant in for a kiss although Jack held back a little until Ianto groaned.

"Jack, I won't break. Ask Martha if you don't trust me."

Jack looked over at Martha who nodded and smiled before leaving the two men. When they were alone, Jack lay down next to Ianto and took him in his arms again. They stayed like that for hours, not really talking, just holding each other. Finally Jack spoke.

"I have to go after him."

"Don't kill him. I couldn't live with that on my conscious. I'm here now and I'm fine."

All Jack could do was look at Ianto. After several long minutes he nodded and Ianto knew that Jack would honor his request.