Taamar's Beta Note: Folks, this delay is all my fault, and the author bears no responsibility. My 91 year old grandmother fell and lost her eye, and I've been caring for her. As my method involves pacing and reading aloud, you can imagine why I had trouble working on this in her presence. Though… it might be good for her. Who knows? Anyway, I'm sorry.

AN: Hi guys. I hope there are still a few of you waiting to read this. (I'm sorry it's taken so long.) Anyhoo… If could use this time for a little self-plug, I've started posting some things on Fiction Press so if any of you would like to go check out what Rifts would be like without Torchwood head over there. My user name is the same. Also you'll notice that I took down If we were normal, I'm revamping that into an original as well. So as always, please review it gives me and Taamar the umph we need to keep writing and editing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood

Warnings: Usual.

Rating: MA

Ianto

"You know," said John, "Jack's really good with interrogations. When we get back to Earth I'm sure he'd be happy to get this one to talk."

"Drop it, John," Ianto snapped. John had been trying to get information about Max out of Brody for the last three months, and Ianto was tired of listening to his 'helpful' suggestions. Ianto truly believed that Brody didn't know anything, and even if he did, Ianto didn't see what good it would do them. Brody was unrestrained for the moment, and Ianto was having him pack the bags. Not that he was doing a terribly good job; Ianto came to the conclusion that he should have spent more time teaching Brody to fold and less time teaching him how to fuck.

"If you're trying to scare me it's not working," Brody spat.

"Shut it and pack up the bags like I told you to do. John, stop antagonizing the prisoner." Ianto sighed. It would be another hour before the ship docked on the colony satellite that hovered over Jupiter. Ianto had never seen it, but he'd heard it was an amazing view of the giant planet. He was looking forward to it but, of course, what he was really excited about was seeing Jack. Just one hour, and he'd be back in his lover's arms.

"I love to antagonize though. It's my thing." John faked a pout. Ianto glared at him; it was hard enough keeping things under control without John stirring them up. John broke eye contact with Ianto and turned toward Mia, who was applying eyeliner by in front of the small vanity in the room. Ianto wasn't sure what was going on between the two, but he knew there was something.

"You can antagonize me if you want," Trevor offered, and John winked at him playfully. Brody growled under his breath, Mia coughed to cover a laugh, and Ianto smiled sadly. Trevor flirting was a step in the right direction, but he seemed to be making progress with everyone but Ianto. Trevor had been avoiding him as much as was possible in the close confines of the ship, and Ianto still wasn't sure he understood why. If Trevor had been standoffish with everyone it would have made sense… but it was just Ianto.

"Okay… so blue or yellow?" asked Adrian from the top bunk. He was shirtless and holding two shirts up for Ianto to see. Adrian was doing fairly well after his ordeal; Ianto had expected him not to accept hugs or even small touches, but Adrian had surprised him. After only three days on the silver liner, Adrian had pulled him into a hug and whispered, 'I really missed you', and at those words Ianto had known he'd gotten his friend back, and he vowed never to take advantage of him again.

"Those the only choices?" Neither shirt looked like Adrian. Ianto always felt that his friend's fair coloring looked best next to dark, rich tones.

"Umm…" Adrian said, jumping off the bed and rifling though John's bag. "Well, there's this black one… I wish I had my glasses. He loves the glasses."

"Frenchie, you could show up in a muumuu and Jason would still think you were hot. Not sure why, but you know…" Ianto teased.

Adrian let out a huff and pulled the black shirt over his head before turning to Ianto with a glint in his eye. "Maybe I'm trying to impress Jack, Onion, ever think to that?"

Ianto rolled his eyes and laughed. He loved that he and Adrian were back to their bantering ways. He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed them.

TW—TW—TW

"Trevor's a right mess, Ianto. "

Ianto turned to see John Hart leaning against the bulkhead. Ianto had come to the small public lounge hoping for some privacy to gather his thoughts before seeing Jack, but it seemed John had other ideas. He sighed and nestled deeper into the soft armchair.

"I know."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"What the hell can I do? I don't even understand what's wrong! He won't look at me, he won't let me comfort him, how am I supposed to fix this, John?" Ianto banged his fist on the edge of the chair. "I failed him. I know it, but no one seems to really know what's going on in his head. "

John smirked. "You didn't ask me."

"So what do you think you know that the rest of us don't?" Ianto leaned forward in his seat and clasped his hands between his knees. "Astound me with your insight, Captain Hart."

"First stop being a condescending prick. "

"I'm sorry."

John draped himself across the chair next to Ianto with a shrug. "No you're not, but I'll get over it." He paused a moment, and Ianto wondered if he was doing it for effect, or if he was actually trying to phrase something tactfully. "Trevor idolizes you. Worships you with the same intensity that Cooper woman did with Jack, and you've turned out to be pretty damn fallible. He's lost his anchor, so he's thrashing about trying to save himself. He can't cling to you, you've already failed him."

Trust Hart not to pull any punches. "I failed everyone else, too; they're all still speaking to me. Even Brody."

John snapped his fingers and pointed at Ianto. "And that is your other problem. In the back of your mind, and deep in your heart, this is still about Brody, and Trevor knows it. You see this as something you should have saved Brody from becoming, not something you should have saved Trevor from enduring. He's just collateral damage."

Ianto surged out of his chair. "That's not true!" he shouted.

John calmly raised an eyebrow and waited for Ianto to sit again. "Jones, you're treating Brody more like a teenager who got caught fucking on the couch than a murderer. That's why Trevor's flirting when Brody is watching, because you're not allowing him any other retribution. It's the only weapon he has to hurt him."

"OK, suppose you're right. Why is he flinching from me? Just me?"

"Because you were fucking terrifying in that hotel room, and he was caught between you and a deranged rapist and didn't know who was worse. He's angry, scared, hurt, and not entirely rational."

"So why is Adrian recovering so much quicker?" asked Ianto.

"Why shouldn't he be?"

"From what I understand, Max was far more brutal than Brody was."

"You don't think this is just about the time he spent in captivity, do you? You do, I can see it. You're a fool, Ianto Jones. From what I can tell, Brody had been abusing Trevor for much longer than any of you realized or have been willing to acknowledge. Most of his life, I think. So how long do you think it should take him to heal? How many months does he get before you decide it's too much?"

"You make it sound like I'm a monster."

John looked him dead in the eye. "Then maybe you should take a look at your choices here and think about what's important."

TW—TW—TW

Adrian, of course, was the first to feel Jason's rush, and he set off at a run almost as soon as the group had made it off the ship. Ianto and the rest followed behind him, and by the time Ianto saw Jack, Adrian was already in Jason's arms. Literally. His legs were wrapped around Jason's waist, his hands were gripping Jason's hair, and their mouths were pressed against each other. Ianto wondered how they were even breathing.

He stopped wondering a moment later when Jack pulled him into a similar embrace. "I missed you so much," Jack breathed against his lips. The warmth of Jack's emotions felt like a caress on Ianto's roughened nerves, soothing and healing all his hurts. He'd missed Jack so much, and he didn't want to let his lover go. He'd wasted so much time, pushing Jack away.

"Mmmhum," Ianto murmured against Jack's mouth, unwilling to break the connection. Jack took control of the kiss, and Ianto let him, understanding his need to reclaim what had been taken from him. In truth, Ianto didn't mind a bit; it had been much too long since he'd truly let himself be Jack's. For just a moment he was able to pretend that it was just them, alone. That there had been no murders or kidnappings. Hell, in that moment Ianto forgot all about his charge shooting him in the heart. Then reality came crashing down.

"I really hate to break-up these -very hot- make out sessions, but we do have a prisoner and…" John got closer to Ianto and whispered so only he could hear, "Trevor's twitching."

Ianto pulled reluctantly away from Jack. Trevor needed Jack now, and while Ianto desperately wanted his husband to himself, he refused to be selfish. Ianto pushed Jack toward Trevor. Trevor stepped back and held up his hands as if to protect his face.

"Hey beautiful, come here," Jack walked forward with his arms open, but stopped when Trevor shook his head. Ianto closed his eyes and hoped Jack wasn't about to push Trevor further than he was ready to go. Ianto had warned Jack during their last chat that is was possible Trevor wouldn't want to be touched, and that Jack should respect that. But this was Jack, and he was a tactile man; he would need to hold Trevor to reassure himself that his charge was safe.

After a moment of hesitation, Trevor threw himself into Jack's arms. Ianto suppressed a surge of jealousy. He wanted to be the one Trevor could turn to, but Trevor flinched away anytime Ianto even hinted at touching him. John had explained it somewhat, but that didn't mean Ianto had to like it. He looked away, telling himself that he only wanted to see how the others were handling the reunion. Mia looked pleased to see Trevor in Jack's arms, John looked a bit jealous, and Jason was glaring threateningly at Brody as if willing the man to give him an excuse for violence.

Jack kept his arms around Trevor as he led them to the Torchwood ship which had been christened Cooper's Dream. "Trevor and I will go get her ready for takeoff if you guys want to take the prisoner to lock up." Jack said over his shoulder as he walked away. Ianto wanted to stay with Jack, but he knew Trevor needed his guardian, so he followed Jason, Adrian, John, Mia, and Brody toward the other end of the ship.

It reminded him of The Ruby Jewel. Well, not really. The Ruby Jewel was more advanced than Cooper's Dream would ever be, but something about the small corridors made Ianto a bit nostalgic. He smiled at John, remembering one of the many times he and the other man had enjoyed on the Jewel. There had been more to those two years than just sex; John had taught the whole crew a very competitive card game, and they'd wasted hours playing it. John had left with a lot more credits than he's brought aboard.

Jason gleefully steered Brody to his new home. The prisoner's quarters on Cooper's Dream were minimalistic, nothing more than a small cell with a toilet and a small bunk with a threadbare mattress, but Ianto reflected that they were nicer than the old cells Torchwood had kept prisoners (and Weevils) in. Still, it wouldn't be comfortable. Ianto was sure he could find a spare blanket for Brody, which would at least keep him warm. Not that Brody deserved it, he reminded himself, but Ianto couldn't bring himself to be cruel to his charge.

"You've got to be kidding me," Brody grumbled. "I'm not using a toilet where everyone can see me." Ianto wondered how he'd missed what an ungrateful prat Brody was. Looking back, he could see that it had always been so, he'd just missed it. He remembered that he'd once bought Brody a nice suit, only to have the young man complain that suits weren't comfortable. Ianto had written it off then as a young boy with no style.

"Two weeks is a long time to hold it. Of course, you could always just not eat?" John suggested casually.

Ianto bit his lip to keep from responding. He still found himself wanting to stand up for his charge out of habit. He was learning to control it, and he mostly only snapped at people in his own mind. His current unvoiced comeback was a reminder that John deserved a cell just as much, having once murdered a woman for a rare diamond. What he actually said was, "John, stop. Brody, in."

Brody crossed his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes. "Trevor won't stand for it." Ianto shook his head. Trevor had never tried to defend Brody or comfort him. He'd never snuck him extra food or given him an extra pillow. Brody's belief that Trevor was his protector was pure fantasy.

Ianto saw a glint in Jason's eyes just before he pulled back and punched Brody hard. The others stood back, unwilling to get between Jason and his target. It was rare that he got to beat the shit out of something, and Ianto knew he enjoyed it. When he felt Jason had gone far enough, he intervened.

"Jace, cut it out."

Jason pulled away, and Ianto winced. Brody was still standing, but only barely. Ianto resisted the urge to wipe the blood off the man's face and tried to forget that he'd just allowed his own guardian to beat the man Ianto was supposed to protect, supposed to train. The man he'd failed.

"Get in the cell." Ianto snarled. "You know better than to mention Trevor, especially around Jason. I'll bring you a washcloth so you can clean yourself off." Brody went into the small space, and Jason locked the door behind him. "Feel better, now?" Ianto asked acerbically as the four men and Mia left Brody behind. Jason grinned in response, and Ianto felt like crying.

TW—TW—TW

Ianto stopped by the medical bay, then made his way back to the cell that held Brody. He tossed his charge a wet cloth and leaned against the bars. They felt cool against his forehead.

"What?" Brody asked, wiping a bit of blood off his hand. He looked utterly defeated, and Ianto felt another pang of guilt. Where had it all gone wrong? He asked himself for the millionth time what he could have done differently, realizing all the while that this was exactly what John had accused him of doing.

Ianto shook his head, clearing it of questions without answers. This was his first chance to speak with Brody alone, and he felt like he had so much to say, but he didn't know where to start. "Tell me, Brody, how did my bright eyed charge go from being so happy and carefree to this… monster?"

"I was never happy." Brody's words struck Ianto just like his bullet had: right through the heart. Never happy? Could that be true? Had Ianto really been that blind, never seeing his charge's pain?

"Never? What about when you and I went to that beach in Florida? Just after I became Minister, remember that? I told you how I wasn't fond of the sea. And you told me that I just needed to make a new memory. It was a great memory too…" Ianto said with tears forming in his eyes because. The memory would be forever tainted now.

"You… never loved me, really." Brody sniffled, and Ianto looked up to see that he was crying. "It was always him, I just… I wanted it to be me."

"Of course I loved you! I still do you love you, but I– fuck, Brody, I can't forgive this. Not this." Ianto's voice quavered as he looked away.

"I don't want your love anymore." Brody shouted. "If you want an easy way out of this, take that with you. I don't even like you anymore!"

Ianto met Brody's eyes. He didn't think that was an easy way out, it hurt to think that Brody didn't love him. It hurt worse to think Brody didn't feel Ianto loved him. He decided to voice his last hope that there was a reasonable explanation, that he hadn't actually been so oblivious. "Did Max… did he…"

"Force me? Make me do it all under duress? You'd love that wouldn't you? So you wouldn't have to accept me as your biggest failure."

"So all this is because you weren't number one on my list of people I love?" Ianto snapped. Anger took over now; Brody was deliberately baiting him, manipulating him using what he knew would hurt Ianto most. He always had, and Ianto was angry that he'd never seen it, angry that he'd spent over a century thinking his charge was a good person.

Brody shook his head. "Max… he said… he told me that you'd killed him because he'd slept with some boy you wanted. Sean, I think. He said that you'd just moved on and replaced me, over and over again. That you were a hypocrite, expecting everything of your lovers and giving nothing back. I believed him, I'd seen it. "

Ianto slid down the wall next to the cell bars without replying and hid his face in his hands. He remembered the conversation they'd had when Brody had asked for relocation the first time. He'd accused Brody of choosing Torchwood over him, but he hadn't asked him to come back to him. He closed his eyes and tried to hold on to the last moments when his charge had been within saving range. Maybe Brody was right, maybe if Ianto hadn't been so focused on Jack and had concentrated more on Brody then this mess, all of it, could have been avoided.

"I was already hurt when I asked you to relocate me, then I came through the Rift and found that you had been with me, the third me, for a while. You and Jack were on the outs, and you stood against him in my defense, and at that moment… I really was innocent then. After Adrian and Trevor were taken I decided that I wanted to change things, not allow my third self to come about… but then you…" Brody stopped and angrily pushed a tear off his cheek. "You went and forgave Jack and made plans… to leave me. I snapped. I took Trevor, and he didn't even know it was me…" He stopped again and cried into his hands.

"Is there more?" Ianto pressed. He didn't think he could handle any more at the moment, really, but he wasn't going to leave yet. He didn't know when he'd get Brody to talk again, and he wanted all the information he could get.

Brody looked up and met Ianto's eyes. "I didn't know him then, he was just a way to get to you. I didn't know that I'd fall in love with him. If I'd… I wouldn't have, I just… you said in time he'd forgive me. I just want him to forgive me." Ianto couldn't believe the man was still clinging to his delusions. He took a moment to wonder what life might have been like for his charge had he treated Trevor well from the start. Maybe Trevor would have come to love him, but not now. Now the only one who cared even the tiniest bit for Brody was Ianto, and only that because a guardian's love was unconditional. Even so, he knew Brody was past saving.

Ianto got up off the floor and shook his head. "When I said that I thought you'd had a fight about something normal. He's never going to forgive you, Brody, not for raping and killing him. Just like I can't forgive you for it." He walked away, trying his best to ignore his charge's cries of despair.

Trevor

Trevor had intended to continue avoiding Ianto, but he hadn't expected to nearly trip over him in the corridor on the way to his quarters. His former lover was sitting with his back against the wall and his head on his knees.

"Iden?"

Ianto looked up and met his eyes sadly. "It's been a long time since you've called me that."

"Back when I didn't know you. I don't know you now. "

Ianto looked away, but not before Trevor saw his eyes go glassy with tears. "That hurts, Trevor."

"It does. You have no idea, sir."

"I don't know how to fix this," Ianto said quietly. "I don't know what you need from me."

Trevor didn't know either, all he knew was that the man before him, the man from the hotel room, wasn't his Ianto, didn't make him feel safe and loved, couldn't help him through this. He wondered if anyone could. Not knowing what to say, Trevor turned and ran.

TW—TW—TW

Trevor nestled against Jack with his guardian's shirt in his fist and feeling safe for the first time since he'd been taken from Jason's playroom nearly a year before. He'd been afraid that his issues with Ianto would bleed over to Jack, since it was hard after all these years not to think of them as a single unit, but he hadn't felt the need to pull away from Jack's touch. Just the opposite, in fact; through Jack's rush he felt relief, protectiveness, and concern, and for a moment he could pretend he didn't feel Brody's presence every second of the day.

"Okay, it'll take me longer to get the ship ready with you permanently attached, but that's fine. I'll hold you as long as you need me. I thought you were going to take a nap?" Jack kissed the top of Trevor's head tenderly.

"I… didn't want to be alone." Trevor pushed aside the twinge of guilt that he was keeping Jack from Ianto. He didn't know what to do about Ianto. Their encounter had shaken him, and he had come to Jack hoping for some comfort.

As if he were aware of Trevor's thoughts, Jack spoke. "Trev, what's going on? You're clearly struggling to hang on, but you're not talking to anyone."

"I've been talking to John."

Jack blinked. "Why John? Why not Ianto? Or Adrian, he was there with you?"

"Not Ianto because he's the whole problem. Not Adrian, partly because he was there, and partly because he's got a stupid belief that I developed feelings for Brody. John's safe." Ianto stepped out of Jack's embrace, but kept a hand on his arm so he could feel the man's comforting emotions.

"I can't imagine any definition of the word safe that would apply to John Hart."

Trevor shrugged. He knew Jack had had issues with John in the past, but the man he knew bore only passing resemblance to the John he'd heard about over the years. Perhaps there was something to Ianto's belief that the Rift made her Children clean? Maybe that's what he needed, to wash all this from him and come through in a new time and place. It was a comforting idea, but he was pretty sure it was bullshit. Max and Brody had both come through every bit as twisted as before.

"John won't hurt me, we understand each other. He knows what it's like to love someone who turns his back on him. He's suffered for having to keep secrets. And he's outside of all this… he's not emotionally invested, and can see it without anger or guilt. Ianto's feeling so guilty he can barely breathe, but it's not about me. He's angry at himself, but not at the people who deserve it. He wants to pretend everything is okay, but he refuses to do the one thing that would bring me some peace."

"You want him to relocate Brody."

"He relocated John easily enough."

Jack pulled Trevor back into his arms. "That was different, sweetheart."

"Of course it was," Trevor sneered. "John wasn't his charge."

Jack sighed. "We'll work this out, I promise, but it'll have to wait. For right now, what do you need from me?"

Trevor thought about it for a moment. Since the rescue no one else had actually asked, and maybe that was part of the problem. Everyone else had assumed that they knew, but after everything what he really wanted was to be asked. To have a choice. To be in control. And suddenly he knew what he needed. The only one he'd allowed to touch him had been John, and that hadn't gone further than a few kisses. Now, so close to Jack, enveloped in his scent, he remembered how nice sex had been when he actually wanted it. He felt himself becoming aroused for the first time since the abduction. Barely able to speak, he pressed his erection against Jack and whispered, "Please."

Jack stepped back and put a finger under Trevor's chin and lifted until their eyes met. "Please what? You know I'll do anything for you, but you have to tell me. "

Something cracked inside Trevor. He shoved Jack against the wall and kissed him hard. Jack would understand this, he thought, this need to be selfish, to take after being taken for so long. "Suck me, Jack. I need it to be all about me, and I need to come down your throat." By the time he had finished speaking, Jack was already on his knees unfastening Trevor's trousers.

Trevor ran his fingers though Jack's dark hair. He smiled, realizing it had quite a few more grays than it had had a century ago. He nearly lost it when Jack pulled out his cock from the confines of his pants. He was overly sensitive, and the arousal running through Jack now was just adding to his own.

Jack's licked a long strip from the bottom of Trevor's cock. Trevor closed his eyes and looked at the ceiling. He focused his attention on the beautiful sensation of Jack's tongue caressing his sensitive flesh.

"Stop teasing," he commanded finally when he was sure he was going to come from being licked alone.

"Teasing's the best part," Jack murmured against Trevor's thigh. Trevor found himself shivering from the contact.

Trevor gripped Jack's hair almost roughly and pulled it toward his need. "Suck me now, Jack."

"Yes sir," Jack breathed before engulfing Trevor's cock. Trevor cried out at the sensation. He loved the hot wet feeling of Jack's mouth. He started to thrust his hips while guiding Jack's head to the exact tempo he wanted. It all felt so good, but he needed more.

He grabbed one of Jack's hands from his hips and pulled it to his mouth. He sucked in the middle and pointer fingers. He rolled his tongue over them getting them as wet as possible before pulling them out of his mouth and pushing Jack's hand back down.

"Inside me, now," he demanded, unable to form full sentences any longer. Jack wasted no time pressing a finger into Trevor's hole. He slid it in and out slowly, effectively driving Trevor crazy. "Both," he begged finally. The second finger joined the first.

Jack spent a few moments slowly fucking Trevor with his fingers, and his concentration on Trevor's cock wavered. Not that Trevor was complaining; he wanted it to last as long as possible. When Jack's fingers finally found Trevor's prostate, Trevor yelled out, alternately pressing back onto the pulsing fingers and forward into the willing mouth.

"Oh fuck, yes!" Trevor leaned one hand against the wall for leverage and renewed his grip on Jack's hair, pushing himself himself deeper into Jack's throat. He looked down at Jack for permission, and the man hummed and winked. That was enough for Trevor; he fucked hard and fast, thrusting between Jack's mouth and fingers. God, he loved watching his cock slide between Jack's lips. He knew Jack would take whatever he gave, so he let out all his anger, fear and pain and allowed himself to be lost in the pure sensation. "I'm gonna cum down your throat," Trevor announced through clenched teeth. He tilted his head back and stared, unseeing, at the ceiling once again. The pull was there in the pit of his stomach, and he couldn't resist any more; with one final scream he exploded down his guardian's throat just as he'd said he would.

Jack pulled away once Trevor's pleasure had ceased. He took his time licking the younger man's cock clean and helping Trevor pull his trousers back up. Trevor, nearly limp with exhaustion from his efforts, let Jack lead him to one of the seats in the small space and collapsed into it.

"I've gotta finish getting her ready for takeoff," said Jack with a fond smile. Trevor barely had the strength to nod before closing his eyes and giving in to the sudden urge to take a nap, his mind quiet at last.

Jason

"And here, my lovely, are our quarters for the journey," Jason said with a theatrical flourish and a wink. He was giving Adrian the grand tour of the small ship. Well most of it, the small window of the bridge was fogged over and Jason figured that meant occupied.

Adrian clicked the button beside the door that caused it to swoosh open, and walked in to the room. Jason followed behind him. "You know, when I was in my first life I don't think I could have even imagined something like this," Adrian said, looking back at Jason. "Someone like you, either. Though I did try, I just never got it right." He sat on the full-sized bunk in the room and smiled happily at Jason. "Please come make me forget everyone but you."

Jason nodded. "I wasn't sure that you'd want to… and you know it's okay, if you don't, I love you for more than just sex."

"Jace, I'm fine, I'm not fragile, I want you. Please, just come over here and fuck me," Adrian begged.

With another nod, Jason closed the gap between him and his lover. He straddled Adrian's hips and gripped his face. "I love you." He smiled before capturing the man's lips. "I'm not sure how long I can make this last though… I've missed you so much."

"I don't care," Adrian assured him. Jason felt a weight he hadn't even known was there lift off his shoulders. After that, things progressed quickly and before Jason knew it he was inside his lover and swallowing the Frenchman's moans. Jason didn't know why he'd been apprehensive before. Being with Adrian was like riding a bike, and though he'd feared that Adrian would somehow be different, he found that his fears were for nothing. Adrian still liked to be touched the same way, he still liked to be held close, and, the thing that Jason had mort feared would change, Adrian still allowed Jason to lead.

"I missed you so much," Jason whispered as they both lay in a tangle of limbs, mutually sweaty and red eyed. Jason couldn't remember an afterglow this magnificent. "I was so frightened that I'd never see you again."

"I know, mon amour, I feared the same thing. Your love got me through, though. I can get through anything by just thinking of you. Of how much I love you, and how much I know you love me." Adrian turned in the bed and hovered over Jason's body looking straight down into Jason's eyes. "I'm sorry that he took me from you. His goal was to hurt Ianto, but he… he hurt you the most, I know."

Jason reached a hand up and wiped a droplet of moisture, either sweat or a tear, from Adrian cheek. "It's over now, he won't take you again. Jack and I have a plan to keep you and Trevor safe." He tried to hold in the small smile that was pulling at the corner of his lips.

Adrian raised a questioning eyebrow. "And that would be?"

"Matching padded rooms. We're gonna put Ianto in one too."

As expected Adrian rolled his eyes and let out a giggle. "I'm game as long as you bunk with me in my room every night."

Jason flipped their positions on the bed so that he was hovering over Adrian. "Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Attention all non-captives, this is your captain speaking." Adrian and Jason looked at each other and burst into laughter at the sound of Jack's arrogant voice over the intercom. "We're about ready for departure so if you could all make your way to the bridge so you can buckle up I would greatly appreciate it. Over and out."

"That man," Jason sighed, shaking his head and getting up off the bed. He helped Adrian up, and they sorted through the clothing on the floor as they tried to dress quickly. He looked up from his pants to see Adrian looking at him with a raised eyebrow. Maybe his 'that man' had had more of a loveable sigh with it instead of the disdain Jason had been going for? Adrian was looking at him knowingly, and he decided it was best to come clean on the matter. "It was just us. We had no one else, we… depended on each other."

"It what way?" Adrian asked. Jason knew the man was more curious than jealous. Still, he felt defensive urge surface, as if what he and Jack had shared needed to be protected and shielded from all inquiries into its nature. He pushed the urge aside. This was Adrian, after all, his husband and the man he shared everything with.

With an apprehensive nibble on his lip, Jason stood up and explained the best way he could. "We formed a bit of a bond. He's been helping me with my trust issues. We've sorta been living together, working together, hardly ever leaving each other's side. We're… we've become something between lovers and friends. With benefits."

A slow smile formed on Adrian's face. "Well, I think that's great. Just…you know, remember that I'm number one."

Jason took a step forward and pulled Adrian into a hug. "Always, mon amour."