JUPITER PART FOURTEEN

Tosh hadn't been exaggerating and Jack had been forced to leave Ianto solely under Amir's care. There was a huge Rift spike lighting up the skies over Lavernock like a cheap Christmas tree and showering out dozens of pieces of what turned out to be debris, most likely from some kind of exploded space craft. The team worked right the way through the night and well into the following day cleaning up. By the time they were done they were jaded and thoroughly fed up. Owen was eager to get back to the Hub, having heard nothing from the visiting doctor. He had been extremely unhappy about leaving Ianto, but Jack had been firm, the business of Torchwood had to take priority, after all it was what they were paid for. Owen and Gwen had both been ready to argue the point, but Toshiko shut them both up with a simple comment.

"It's what Ianto would want, Amir will take care of him and Jack is right we do have a job to do, for the greater good, the last thing any of us want is some random child picking up a nice shiny piece of potentially deadly debris."

Jack was eternally grateful to her in that moment, because leaving Ianto was the last thing he had wanted to do.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Amir had settled himself in the chair at Ianto's cot side. Having administered the two doses of what he had dubbed as the 'countervirus' he had simply sat and watched and waited. He knew he was taking a huge risk with Ianto's life. This method of treatment was experimental at best and part of him was well aware that he was likely doing more harm than good. Whilst the Welshman had remained deeply asleep he had not fallen into a coma. Occasionally Amir rose to unsteady feet and gently dabbed Ianto's hot skin down with a cooling wet flannel, it probably made little difference but Ianto had whispered a thank you none the less. The night slid by, slowly and quietly and Amir's patient barely moved. Amir also contented himself with watching the muted cat cam footage for a while. The doctor was concerned that they would need to change Ianto's position when the others returned. Hadn't Owen assured him that the bed was designed to prevent pressure soreness? It certainly looked comfortable enough.

Amir glanced at his watch and sighed. 3am. He looked up to see pale blue eyes blinking at him.

"Mr Jones, would you like some water?"

Ianto managed the smallest movement of his head. "Yes, thank you. Where is Owen?"

Carefully Amir got up and using the chair to support him for a moment before he shuffled over to get the water. His back was sore, they joys of getting old. It was some minutes before he was back at Ianto's side holding a straw to his lips.

"The others are dealing with a Rift alert, funny how some things never change over the years."

Ianto swallowed down a little of the fluid, but couldn't take any more so he moved his head away.

"Thank you. Jack said you were going to try a new treatment, is it working?"

Amir put the bottle aside and sat back down taking Ianto's wrist to feel the quality of his pulse, it was weak and thread.

"It is too early to tell, another few hours and we'll have some idea how things stand."

Ianto appeared to digest this. "Don't let me become a vegetable; I'd rather die than have to be cared for for the rest of my life. If it comes to that I want you to finish it."

Amir slid his fingers down and gripped Ianto's hot sweaty hand. "You know I cannot do that, but I will certainly advise Jack of your wishes. However you must not think like that, you stand a very good chance."

Ianto actually chuckled. "You are a lousy liar, doctor. I'm not stupid: you would not have been brought here otherwise."

"Touche. I can see why Jack likes you. Alright Mr Jones I won't lie to you. The treatment is a risk in itself, but so is crossing the street or getting behind the wheel of your car and you do these things every day without thinking about it."

"Not from now on I won't."

Amir smiled. "Good. Now try some more water, if nothing else it will help relieve the dryness in your throat."

Ianto obliged and accepted another sip.

"So, you and Jack?"

"It was half a century ago."

"Tell me anyway."

"It was the mid sixties, the age of free love and well what is a young man to do in such times? I came to Torchwood, I met Jack and we enjoyed one another's company until I transferred to London. There was some mission that Jack went on in Scotland and after it he was a changed man. I never did get it out of him, but after that he just lost interest in everything for a while, including would you believe sex."

More water was offered and Ianto took it. "Was it serious between you two?"

Amir laughed heartily. "No, never that. I had an arranged marriage ahead of me, I just wanted some fun before that and Jack was intriguing. He watched my back for me too and we just got on really well, shared the same sense of humour. He always tried to do the right thing, always believed in the good in people... until he went to Scotland." He looked down at Ianto. "Jack means a lot to you?"

"Yes he does."

"Good, I am glad he has someone who cares, too many times people have run out on him because of what he is, I trust you will not do this?"

"I don't want to, though I might not get a choice in the matter." Ianto closed his eyes when a gentle hand was rested on his head.

"You must have faith Mr Jones."

"I never was much of a one for religion."

Amir petted his damp hair. "Faith in yourself, God will take care of the rest."