A STOMACH FULL OF RATS PART 12
It was almost mid night when Jack left Ianto's house. With his hands shoved deep into his pockets he marched head down in the direction of Cardiff City Centre and a decent lay. He had misgivings about telling Ianto of Flat Holm, but he realised that both of them had had to start from somewhere to try and at least build some semblance of a working relationship. Jack didn't trust him, the man was a self confessed murderer, but Jack had trusted his motives for the act, and understood that the trauma of Canary Wharf would have no doubt played a part in Ianto's choices. The younger had nothing left and that was something that Jack found somewhat disturbing. Ianto was too young to believe he had nothing. Jack strolled across the road startling an urban fox from a dustbin and it shot across his path with silent grace, barely affording him a glance. Jack paused and watched it disappear over a garden fence. He'd be watching Ianto like a hawk, he had been since Lisa, not that it had done the Welshman much good and Jack realised he should have spotted that something had been wrong with the boy since the day they first met. Jack forced himself to dismiss his past slackness, focus on the now and the fact that he had to notify Helen about the new arrangement. Part of him was relieved, he needed the pressure taken off, there were too many other things he needed to do, like refining the software being used to scan for signs of the TARDIS and freedom. He ached for the Doctor, he wanted answers and seeing Rose Tyler again wouldn't go amiss either. He found himself on Hazel's door step and he was gratified to see that her lights were still on.
Ianto locked his front door at Jack's back and ambled back to his kitchen to get another glass of water and take his night time medication. His stomach grizzled, perhaps the pizza hadn't been quite such a smart move, never mind. Ten minutes later and he was tucked up in bed feeling strangely comforted by the events of the evening, at least now he had something to do that was more challenging than cleaning out the SUV and making coffee. He tossed and turned the entire night, his stomach griping painfully and by morning Ianto was feeling thoroughly miserable. He showered and dressed in a suit that was just a little big for him now and decided on getting a taxi into the Hub because he didn't think he could cope with driving. It was just after 9am when he arrived at the tourist office and he let himself into the warmth because the day was shaping up to be bright but chilly according to BBC Radio Wales. The first thing Ianto did was go and look for Owen and he discovered him examining a rotten looking skeleton on the metal autopsy table.
"Looks like the diet didn't do her much good then." He quipped as he stood on the upper level looking down. Owen looked up and actually grinned at him.
"Blimey mate you look like shit."
Ianto couldn't think of a response to that so he tried an honest one.
"Rough night. My stomach. I was wondering if you'd mind checking." He asked slightly hesitant, waiting for the sarcastic barb that never came. Owen gestured.
"Yeah, of course come down."
Ianto perched himself on a stool eying the remains from the corner of his vision as Owen got busy with his Bekaran scanner.
"Have you had any vomiting?"
Ianto shook his head. "My gut just feels acidic and I can taste bile at the back of my throat."
Owen nodded. "What did you eat last night?"
"Pizza."
The scanner was plonked down. "No bloody wonder. Stick to the diet. Have you been taking the meds?"
Ianto nodded. "Yep."
Owen looked at him closely. "Honestly?"
Ianto's shoulders sagged a little. "Yes Owen, I promise I have been taking the meds as per instructions. I've not been doing anything strenuous and I have been trying to rest."
Owen was now looking at the scanned images on his computer screen and whistling. Finally he stepped back and folded his arms across his chest. "Right. I've got a mate at St Helen's, he runs a private gastro clinic I'll ring him and get you an appointment for tomorrow. Your scan is ok, but I think the medication needs reviewing, stomachs are not my thing but I want this looked at quickly. I'll let you know the time a bit later today. How's everything else?"
"I think things are ok. I still ache a bit and the ribs are sore but it's getting easier."
"Good." At that Owen waved him away. "Go and make some coffee then."
Ianto rolled his eyes, it was as good a welcome as he was likely to get from his acerbic colleague. He climbed the steps and noticed Jack leaning over the scanning bench in Suzie's old work area, a spiky metal object lay there, holding Jack's attention. Ianto rubbed at his stomach as he wandered in the direction of his coffee machine. Oh he'd love a coffee right now. He made the drinks with Gwen's assistance with filling the water filter for the coffee machine. Gwen was as cheerful as ever and Owen was as dismissive as ever. Jack startled him by flirting outrageously and Tosh nodded her thanks mutely. Ianto offered up a small smile, she looked like she needed it and he wondered where she'd got the pretty necklace from. His guts did nothing but protest as he sat at his computer and Ianto found himself wiping at a sweaty brow and thinking he was probably feeling worse than he actually was. The pain consumed him all morning as he worked and by the end of it every inch of him was aching. He abandoned his terminal and went to talk to Jack, explaining that the research he'd been asked to do had drawn up nothing of note and could he go home please. Jack took one look at him and offered him a lift. Later that afternoon as he lay tucked in bed a text came from Owen, advising him of a 10:10 appointment at the gastro clinic, Ianto set his alarm.
AN: THIS IS JUST A LINKING CHAPTER...THIS IS SO HARD TO WRITE, SO ONCE AGAIN THE DIVERSE RANGE OF COMMENTS HAS BEEN BRILLIANT...THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
