Taking Care

Title: Taking Care
Word count: 1,220
Setting: Post-Countrycide
Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood, blah, blah, blah, you get the idea.
A/N: Okay, I know I said the last chapter would be the last, but a lot of people have asked for something else, so I am going to attempt an epilogue. The whole idea for the plot of this was inspired by psychfan15 though.

Epilogue

A few weeks later, Ianto was well and truly better and working hard.

That was what everyone else thought at least. In truth, he was still hurting and working hard. What Gwen had said that Sunday night was still raw. Not to mention the fact that he couldn't think of any reason why it could possibly be untrue.

The only good thing that had happened so far was Jack. He had never had that kind of 'fun' with a man, and to be honest, he couldn't think why. Jack was just…amazing!

As he went to pick up Gwen's now empty mug, she reached over and gave him a bone crushing hug. Ianto was just grateful Jack, Owen and Tosh were sorting out a blowfish in Splott.

When he eventually peeled Gwen off of him, he saw that her eyes were apologetic.

"What was that for?" he asked her, genuinely confused.
Gwen sighed. "I looked through some CCTV footage last night. I heard what you said to Jack in the autopsy bay on Friday before I put the xinerdryplass in your coffee that Saturday. I am so sorry, Ianto. Jack had said to me afterwards that you'd had a hard life, but I hadn't believed him. Then I put the xinerdryplass in your coffee the next day. I don't know what I was thinking. And as for what I said on Sunday morning." Gwen sighed, breaking eye contact with Ianto and staring at her feet. "Again, I don't know what I was thinking. It wasn't true anyway," she met his eyes again. "we would all miss you. Owen would miss picking on you, Tosh would miss the little exchanges you two have before Owen and I get in and Jack wakes up properly. I would miss your sweet sarcasm. And Jack would just miss you. I am so sorry Ianto, though I don't expect you to forgive me."
Ianto smiled. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you, Gwen. I forgive you."

Without another word, or waiting for Gwen reply, Ianto picked up the coffee mug as he had originally intended to.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Later that day, Jack sent Gwen and Ianto on a weevil hunt.

They were coming up behind the weevil silently in an alleyway. It was going well.

As Gwen got right behind the weevil, she stuck the sedative in its back, then leapt back before it could get her.

This weevil was odd though. It whipped around and chased after Gwen. Ianto managed to dig his stun gun into its back before it could get on top her, though. But as it went down, it shot its arms out and managed to tear and her arm, knocking her over.

Ianto ignored the finally unconscious weevil and ran straight to Gwen. He helped her into a sitting position as she groaned in pain. Her arm was bleeding badly.

Ianto tapped his com. "Owen, Gwen's been scratched, badly."
"Okay, mate. For now, take off her jacket and press it firmly against the wound, got that?" came Owen's voice.
"Got it." Ianto hung up and did as Owen asked, despite Gwen's protests.

Gwen eventually stopped complaining and relaxed a little. The bleeding had stopped, but Ianto kept her jacket in place.

Gwen looked at him again. "I really am sorry, Ianto."
Ianto smiled at her. "I know. Like I said, its okay, Gwen."
Gwen smiled up at him.

There was a sudden snarling behind Ianto as the weevil regained consciousness. He gently laid Gwen down and turned to face it.

It was already on its feet, and quickly approaching him.

Before Ianto could get anything out of his pockets, the weevil was on top of him and clawing at his chest. Surprisingly though, Ianto felt nothing.

Just when he thought it was about to claw out his heart, there were two gunshots, and the weevil became limp.

Almost immediately afterwards, Jack was hauling the weevil off of him. As Ianto caught his eyes, he felt an unbearable pain start in his chest. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, and mentally cursed himself for being such a baby.

Then Owen was in his eye line. He took one look at Ianto's chest and swore angrily. He looked up at Jack. "He's gonna need a lot of stitches. We'll need to get him back to the Hub ASAP."
Jack nodded mutely.
Owen turned around. "Gwen, you're doing alright. Bring the SUV as close as you can."
Gwen didn't say anything, but Ianto heard her running back to the SUV.

Owen took some fabric out of his pocket and began to dab at Ianto's chest. He hissed as he did so, but said nothing. Owen didn't notice. Jack did, though. Gently, he held Ianto's hand and stroked it.

Ianto looked up at him and smiled weakly. In return, Jack grinned boldly at him.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Owen sent Ianto home that afternoon. Only problem was, he'd lost too much blood to be able to safely drive. So Jack had offered to drive him home.

Ianto knew exactly what Jack had been thinking when he'd offered, though.

As he opened the door to his flat, he waited for Jack to grab him. He heard Jack shut his door and Jack's hands on his shoulders, but Jack didn't whip him round like he expected him to. Instead, he gently guided Ianto over to his sofa and sat him down. Then he sat next to him and put his arm around him. Ianto happily cuddled up to him.

They sat like this for a while. Just sitting with each other. They never got to this, and they both wanted to savour it.

Eventually, Ianto felt himself start to fall asleep.

Jack noticed, and pulled his chin up so their eyes met. "Let's get you somewhere more comfortable, eh?" he said softly. Ianto didn't say anything just smiled softly.

Jack removed his arm from Ianto's shoulders and stood up. Ianto followed suit.

He started to walk towards his bedroom. Jack just watched him. When Ianto was halfway there when his legs began to give way. Jack was at his side immediately. He held Ianto up by his waist and helped him walk the rest of the way to his bedroom.

When they got into Ianto's bedroom, he began to undress himself while Jack did the same. "What are you doing?" Ianto asked him.
"I'm not leaving you alone tonight. Would you rather I stayed on the sofa?" Jack stopped unbuttoning his shirt.
"No. No, I was just wondering, that's all." Ianto peeled his shirt off, embarrassed.

Jack smiled at the blush creeping over his face.

Ianto crawled into bed, only just realising how tired he was. Being ripped apart by a weevil does that to a person. Jack slid in next to him, wearing just his t-shirt and boxers, same as Ianto.

He put his arm around the Welshman, and, once again, he cuddled into Jack. Jack smiled as Ianto fell asleep. The young man really had been through so much. Before, there hadn't really been anyone to help him through it. Jack couldn't do much, but he felt he could help a little. Yes, he and Ianto were going to be okay. Jack would make sure of it.

A/N: Right, this really is the end, sorry! Once again, thanks to everyone who's reviewed/favourite/alerted this! I love you all! *passes out chocolate cake with huge grin on her face*