Hey peeps! Sorry for the delay in this chapter… real life is getting in the way. Hope you liked the last chapter… My muse was not happy with all of the angsty stuff and told me I had to do it… The boys had fun in the last chapter but now real life is reappearing, can Ianto handle the strain?

Disclaimer: I own nothing but a signed John Barrowman Tour card. I'd say it was enough but I'd be lying. So RTD and the BBC…

Title: The shifting Silence

After a while Jack and Ianto decided it was time to get out of the water; Ianto's fingers and toes had gone like prunes and Jack felt like he had soaked most of the water into his skin. Getting out, Ianto extended a hand to help Jack out as well. Jack grabbed a towel of the rack and wrapped it around Ianto, holding on to him for a moment; and also planting a soft kiss into his damp hair. Ianto let Jack embrace him and sighed with contentment. Jack then grabbed a towel and dried himself off; drying his hair, making it stick up at odd angles. Ianto laughed at it and Jack smiled back; it had been an age since he had heard Ianto laugh, he also hoped it wasn't going to be the last.

Jack shook his head and walked into the bedroom; connecting the two rooms together. Ianto followed close behind and tried to stifle a yawn but couldn't quite manage it before Jack had seen him. Jack looked over at him and smiled, 'Come on you… let's get into bed.' Ianto looked at Jack apprehensively and shifted nervously on the spot. Jack moved closer to him and placed a reassuring hand on his arm, 'Ianto nothing will happen unless you want it to. I don't expect anything… I will sleep on the couch if you want?' Ianto shook his head, 'No! I just don't think I'm ready for anything to happen just yet… not after what happened.' Jack nodded and smiled at him reassuringly.

Ianto gave Jack a soft smile back and went over to the chest of draws that sat on the opposite wall to the bed. Ianto looked back over shoulder at Jack who was still very naked. 'Would you like something to wear?' Jack looked down at his naked form and decided it was probably best that he did wear something, 'Yeah thanks that would be great.' Ianto pulled out a pair of tracksuit bottoms and handed them to Jack. Jack took them, his hand slightly touching Ianto's before putting them on. Ianto got dressed and got in the bed, under the duvet. Jack looked at Ianto, who lay on his side facing the door. He turned out the light and moved to the other side and slid himself in. He shuffled closer to Ianto but didn't touch him. He wasn't sure about what Ianto could handle right now.

Ianto lay on his side, facing away from Jack. He shifted uncomfortably and shuffled back away from the edge a little; towards Jack. Jack didn't move from the position he was in but let Ianto find his own comfortable space. A few minutes later, still staring at the ceiling, Jack could hear a soft whimpering cry. He realized it was Ianto and felt his heart break a little more. He shuffled a little bit closer and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, 'Ianto?' Ianto sniffled loudly and wiped at the tears that were trailing their way down his cheeks. 'I'm fine jack.' It was barely a whisper but Jack caught it. He tried to move Ianto so that he was looking at him but Ianto didn't moved, 'Ianto please, let me help you.' Ianto shook his head and more tears fell onto his pillow.

'There's nothing you can do…' Jack closed his eyes and sighed, 'You have to let me try.' Once again, Ianto shook his head, 'Just leave it Jack! There is nothing you can do….' After a few moments of silence Ianto spoke, 'I think you'd better go.' Jack rubbed his hands over his weary face and sighed, 'If that's what you want, then I will.' At hearing this Ianto did turn over and look at Jack. 'It's not what I want Jack but I think it's what needs to happen.' Jack nodded and got out of the bed. He retrieved his clothes off the floor and got dressed. Walking back over towards Ianto; he planted a kiss on Ianto's forehead, 'If you need me…' He trailed off and thought better of finishing his sentence. As Jack walked out of the room, Ianto rolled over and let the remaining tears fall onto his pillow, pulling the one Jack had been laying on towards him and hugged it; breathing in Jack's unique scent.

Jack walked out of Ianto's apartment and shut the door behind him. He rested up against it and closed his eyes, trying to stop the tears falling. After he had composed himself, he set off towards the bay, unsure where he was going but the walk would give him time to sort out his head.

He just hoped Ianto would be ok.

After a while, Ianto had cried himself out and fallen asleep. He hadn't wanted to send Jack away but he knew Jack would only try to fix things that weren't fixable. When he had finally fallen asleep he had been plagued by bad dreams and images. He was tossing and turning and trying to wake up but couldn't work out how… He was so terrified; he didn't know what was real or what was just a dream. He finally woke up screaming a name, 'JACK!'

Jack just kept on walking. It was a cold night and it had begun to rain. The cold drizzle felt comforting against his skin. He wasn't sure why it was comforting but all he knew was that he didn't mind it like he usually did. He walked down to the bay and leant on a railing. He had a lot of memories here; some good and some bad but most of them were with Ianto. He knew this whole situation had affected Ianto more than he cared to recognize; he was way too busy trying to make himself feel better. He smiled as a memory came to mind. It was of him and Ianto and one of their first kisses.

It had been snowing and Jack had taken Ianto out on a moonlit walk and had ended up chasing him around the plass. He had eventually caught him and they had fallen into the snow; Ianto landing on top of Jack. That night the moon had seemed incredibly bright and Ianto looked all the more adorable. A slight smile had graced Ianto's lips as he leant forward pressing a gentle kiss to Jack's lips. The kiss had been slow and passionate with no urgency or expectations. It had been one that had left Jack's senses reeling; not many things left Jack lost for words anymore but Ianto Jones had been the only exception.

Ianto sat up right and looked around the room; he was alone. He was hoping that Jack leaving had been a dream but unfortunately it hadn't. He stole a glance at the clock on his bedside table. It was now 8am; Ianto decided he needed coffee. He got up and made his way to the kitchen to make himself a coffee and see what was happening on the news. He reached the coffee machine and turned it on. Looking in the cupboards though he realized he didn't have any coffee and if bet if he looked in the fridge he would find its contents very scarce. He would have to go to the shop. Ianto walked back into his bedroom and pulled on a hoodie; he was already wearing pants. Ianto walked to the nearest shop and began the grueling task of shopping….. As he walked down each isle, occasionally putting things in his basket, Ianto became aware of a group of teenagers following him around the supermarket. He tried to keep his head down and stay out of their view… All of a sudden it all became too much for him and everything about that night came flooding back to him. Ianto broke down in the frozen Isle and became hysterical; shouting, screaming and threatening all those who came near him.

The manager if the supermarket called the police; who promptly turned up. Ianto didn't know it but they were the same two officers that had asked Jack questions at the hospital. Taking Ianto back to the station the younger officer phoned Jack.

'Hello, Mr. Harkness?'

Jack was surprise to get the call, 'Yes, Who is this?' The officer smirked and tried not to revel in the fact that Jack hadn't remembered him from the hospital. 'It's DS Simons; I need you to come down to the station. We have a Mr. Jones in custody and he's asking for you .'

There you have it an extra long chapter for you devoted peoples. Another chapter down and I have to apologize for the angsty- ness in this chapter. Let's hope that Ianto and Jack can figure things out. Will Ianto's fear stop them from being together? Loads of love and hugs.

Xx melica xx