A/N: since we just finished off the Christmas holidays, I figured I'd give my wonderful readers and faithful reviewers a Christmas gift of a second chapter in one day. Enjoy guys!

Disclaimer: I would love to own torchwood, but I don't...

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'What a mess.' Jack sighed to himself. 'My first try in taking Ianto out into the field, and this is what it turned into.'

He had been so proud of Ianto for admitting to everyone that he was with Jack, he knew Ianto was quite introverted and kept to himself around others. Jack also understood it was a big step for them. But before he could actually say anything, Gwen and Owen had returned after finding a body.

Hours later Gwen had been shot, Tosh and Ianto had been kidnapped by cannibals, Ianto had almost been eaten, and now Jack was just suffering a nasty headache.

Gwen was whining and acting petulant to get attention as the paramedics and Owen checked her over, and it was making Jack's headache worse.

He walked over to Ianto and Tosh who were sitting in the boot of the SUV, wrapped in blankets and looking far more worse for wear.

"Are you two feeling alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm not sure about Ianto though." Tosh whispered.

Jack saw that Ianto was starring at the ground, his breathing coming though in short wheezes. He leaned down a little to see that Ianto's eyes had regained the haunted look that they had once had that night Jack had found him in the SUV after they had caught Myfanwy. Only this time, they were even darker, as if there was nothing left in the young man.

"Ianto?" Jack asked softly, gently resting a hand on Ianto's shoulder.

Ianto suddenly jumped and let out a terrified yelp as he tried to move away from Jack's touch, scaring both him and Tosh. He was now huddled in the corner of the boot, his breathing even heavier, and obviously very difficult, as he his body quaked with bone racking shivers.

"Jack, what's wrong with him?" Tosh cried worriedly.

Jack was very worried now. He had never seen Ianto react so violently. He felt fear grip him, but then he remembered what Kit had told him to do in order to help. So he tried to calm down and fill himself with content thoughts, as he tried to reach out to Ianto.

"It's okay Ianto, come on, come back to me, please?" he said softly, leaning in and reaching towards Ianto. "Please, let me take care of you."

It was like trying to coax a terrified kitten to come towards him. Ianto's eyes slowly focused but he still didn't move.

"Come on Ianto." he said softly. "We need to have someone check on you."

Ianto shook his head. "I don't….. want to….. Move." he said slowly.

Jack could hear that his breaths were coming in soft pants. Something was very wrong with Ianto's chest, that was obvious. He needed to get Ianto looked at, but the way Ianto was closing in on himself, it'd be near impossible.

"Tosh, go get Owen." Jack whispered to Tosh who was now standing beside him.

Tosh nodded then quickly ran off to go find Owen.

Jack climbed up into the boot of the SUV and sat down beside him. "Come on Ianto, you have to talk to me, what's wrong?"

"It hurts…. For me… to breathe." he gasped.

"Then we need someone to take a look at your ribs." Jack said sternly.

Just then Tosh and Owen ran up.

"Alright, what's wrong with you then tea boy?" Owen asked trying to be snarky, but failing as his voice cracked with worry.

"I think something is wrong with his ribs Owen, he's having trouble breathing." Jack said.

It took a lot more coaxing just to get Ianto to let Owen near him. In the end Jack had to join Tosh outside while Owen joined the young man in the SUV.

After several minutes Owen got out with a heavy sigh. "I had to give him a sedative, just so he'd let me check him over. We need the paramedics to take him to the hospital, there's something very wrong with his ribs and he's pretty beat up." Owen explained.

Jack didn't want to take any chances with Ianto's health, so they called the paramedics over and had Ianto rushed to the hospital.

Owen had ridden to the hospital with Gwen, and Jack took Tosh home before heading straight to the hospital to be with Ianto.

When he had arrived, Ianto was still asleep, and the doctor had assured him that he would be unconscious for another couple of hours. So he headed back to Ianto's flat to pick up a few things to help make Ianto feel better.

But as he stood in the doorway, he really had no idea what Ianto favored when it came to basic comforts.

So Jack started by grabbing a fresh set of clothes out of Ianto's closet, and it was then that he saw a giant plush polar bear sitting on the shelf.

It was the one from the picture of Ianto in the hospital with his father.

Jack smiled and picked up the large toy, holding it tightly. He remembered Tara once telling him about how Ianto would always hug the giant bear whenever he would first return home, or whenever he had fallen ill. He picked up a duffle bag off the floor and packed the bear inside, along with a set of clean clothes. Then he walked out into the kitchen and found a pack of Oreo cookies in the cupboard before placing them in the bag as well.

After one last look around the flat he headed back to the hospital.

At the hospital, Ianto was still asleep, the bruises on his arms showing dark in stark contrast to his pale skin. According to the doctor he had suffered a mild concussion, and several cracked and broken ribs along with severe bruising over much of his body. He would recover, but it was going to take him a while.

Jack felt terrible as he stood over the young man he had come to love. The young man that had made him forget that the doctor was going to come and fix him. He felt like it was his fault that this had happened.

Ianto had made it clear that he was perfectly content with keeping the archives and the tourist office clean and organized, he wanted nothing to do with the field besides the occasional weevil hunt. Not after what he went through at Canary Wharf.

But Jack had wanted him out in the field. He wanted Ianto to be able to run Torchwood while he was gone with the doctor. He knew the young man could do it because he could see every angle of every case with a clear head unlike the others, he could deal with the red tape and paperwork, he was best at dealing with the prime minister and UNIT liaisons. Ianto would be the perfect one to run Torchwood.

Of course now Jack didn't want to be gone for too long. For years had had wanted to join the doctor on adventures again, just escape the world he was living in, but not with Ianto in his life. Now he wanted the doctor to fix him, and give him the chance to be with Ianto, to have a normal life with him where they could actually live and age together. That was his dream now.

Jack let out a heavy sigh as he sat down in the chair. He wondered if Ianto would blame him for everything that had happened that day. He hoped not. He glanced over at Ianto who looked like he was in a peaceful sleep. Then he smiled a tiny bit.

Jack had decided to do what Ianto's father had done so many years before. He had gently placed the giant bear on Ianto's chest and rested it's front paws on the young man's shoulders, it's nose resting on his.

The nurse had grinned when she had come in to check Ianto's vitals. Of course, when she asked about Jack's relationship, Jack had fibbed, saying he was Ianto's brother and he was the only family Ianto had in the country. He hadn't been sure if Ianto would have wanted everyone to know that they were together, and the hospital usually said that only immediate family was allowed in after visiting hours, and he didn't know if the hospital would consider him immediate family being Ianto's 'boyfriend' or 'lover', or whatever other quaint little label 21st century humans came up with.

After a while Ianto had begun to stir and Jack watched as he came to focus on the bear resting on his chest. He gingerly lifted his arms and wrapped it around the giant bear pulling it down and burying his face in the soft plushie.

"Feeling any better?" Jack asked softly, so as not to startle Ianto.

Ianto looked up and smiled a tiny bit. "Hi there stranger." he said, his voice harsh but quiet.

Jack grinned. It had been the same thing that he had said to Ianto when he had first come around all those months ago. He moved his chair to the edge of the bed and gently placed a hand on Ianto's arm. "Are you alright?"

"I've been better obviously." he shrugged. "How bad was it?"

"A mild concussion, and a few cracked and broken ribs."

"Oh, so that's why it's hard to breathe." Ianto quipped.

"Exactly."

"Thanks for bringing my teddy Jack." he said, hugging the giant bear a little tighter, his head buried under the bear's head.

"I wanted to try and find something that would help you feel better, and I remember Tara telling me how much you loved that old bear." Jack said, leaning down and resting his chin on the mattress so that he and Ianto were eye to eye.

Ianto smiled and leaned in to kiss him making Jack grin.

"Thanks Jack."

"You're welcome Ianto. But for the record, I'd be careful if the nurse sees us kissing, I told her I was your brother since they said only immediate family could stay after visiting hours."

Ianto just blinked then smiled and shook his head. "Really Jack? You could've just said that you were my partner."

"How am I to know what I would be considered?" he shrugged with an embarrassed smile. "I didn't know what I could tell her that would make them let me stay."

"Well your certainly no brother of mine." Ianto said with a soft chuckle, wincing slightly at the pain it caused in his ribs.

The two sat in silence for a moment until Ianto spoke again.

"Jack, can I have the week off?" he asked slowly.

"Of course Ianto, you need to rest anyway." Jack pointed out.

"I'd like to go home."

"The doctor said you might be able to go home tomorrow."

"I mean home Jack, to my family."

It was then that Jack began to feel the guilt. Maybe Ianto really did believe that the whole day had been his fault, and now Ianto just wanted to be away from him. He just hoped that Ianto wouldn't actually send the family after him.

"Stop that Jack." said Ianto sternly, surprising him.

"Stop what?"

"Stop berating yourself. This wasn't you're fault."

Jack sighed. Ianto really did know him too well.

"It was my fault Ianto. I'm the one who wanted you out in the field. If I hadn't of insisted, this wouldn't have happened." he sighed.

Ianto reached out and gently caressed Jack's cheek. "It wasn't your fault. You could never have expected cannibals. Besides, if I hadn't gone, if I hadn't been there, what would have happened to Tosh? Now that it's all over, while I'm still a bit broken from the whole thing, I'd rather it be that I'm the one that came close to being eaten as opposed to you coming back without Tosh because she was eaten."

"Tosh told me how you gave her the chance to run."

"Even though it didn't work for long, at least it distracted them long enough and none of us were eaten." Ianto admitted.

Jack leaned over and gently kissed Ianto's forehead. "So then, why do you want to leave?"

"Jack, I haven't seen my family since Canary Wharf, and even then, I didn't really get the chance to see anyone. Besides, my brother's getting married next week. Kit's dad. He wanted me to be his best man and I was afraid that I would have to tell him no. And I just need a chance to get away for a while. A chance to feel like I don't have to worry about Torchwood, or the rift, or aliens, or anything at all. Just for a little while."

Jack finally understood. At least he knew Ianto wasn't upset with him.

"I actually have a few brothers and sisters that I haven't met yet. Ones that just joined the family a couple of months ago." Ianto added. "So don't you dare think for one moment I want to leave because you did something wrong."

Jack let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "I was just worried that maybe I had messed up so much that you just wanted to leave." he admitted, voicing his biggest fear.

Ianto gave him a sincere smiled and shook his head. "If you ever did something to upset me Jack, I'd never just leave. I'd want to talk first."

"So you'd want to talk then leave? That's not much better." he said, suddenly frightened.

"No, no, no." Ianto said quickly, gently grabbing Jack's hand. "I'd want to talk and try to work it out. Okay? Like normal couples do, even though we are quite unconventional."

Jack finally smiled and relaxed a bit. "Alright. I understand now." he said with a nod. "Don't let me get in the way of your family. Family comes first, everything else comes second."

"How about, family first, you second, Tosh, Owen, And Gwen third, then Torchwood fourth? I like that list much better." Ianto said with a smile.

Jack grinned. "Agreed. I like that list quite a bit."

"I just don't want you thinking your second best to anything Jack." Ianto said, gently squeezing his hand.

"I'm fine, I know I'm not second best because there's no reason to compete with family. If there was another guy or girl pining for your romantic affection though, that's another story."

"This coming from the man that flirts with anyone and anything?" Ianto said with a chuckle.

"Hey, I've gotten better." Jack pointed out. It was true, he had gotten much better. He didn't flirt anywhere near as much as he used to. He didn't have to, he was content with just flirting with the man in front of him.

"I have noticed that." Ianto said honestly. "Like when Gwen flirts, you don't actually flirt back."

"I don't have to." Jack shrugged. "While she's pretty and feisty Gwen needs to stick to Rhys. He'll keep her grounded. I've got you, and you keep my attention and my affection because you never cease to amaze me. That and I don't want your family coming after me."

Ianto finally laughed, and Jack saw the sparkle come back to the young man's eyes. He may have been broken, but it was obvious he wasn't beyond repair, and Jack wanted to make sure that he would do everything in his power to fix all of the shattered pieces that made up the man he loved.

"So, would you really send your brother's after Owen?" he asked slowly.

"I care about Owen, he's a good friend, but he had no right to tease Tosh the way he did, he really hurt her. If he hurts Tosh again, then I'll have a stern talk with him. If he does it a second time, well then I'll be far more inclined to bring a brother or two over to say hello when they come visit. I do know one of my brother's that would be perfect for Tosh."

Jack smiled. "Do you now?"

"He's a computer wiz himself, and really nice. His name is James and he's one Owen wouldn't want to cross." Ianto said with a wicked grin.

"Why's that? He'll fry Owen's computer?" Jack asked with a raised brow.

"Have you ever heard of the U.S. Navy SEALs Jack?"

Jack shook his head slowly. "No, why?"

"They're the Navy's elite special forces. They come over and train with the British SAS units all of the time. The guys are insane, they love to jump out of planes, the ocean is like a second home to them, and their impeccably strong. The best of the best they say, and not the type you'd want to upset. James is a Lieutenant."

Jack gulped. That sounded like a guy that he didn't want coming after him if he upset Ianto. If Ianto sent the guy after Owen, well, Owen would be in for a hard time. "Don't send him after Owen. I need my medic." he finally said.

"Just a broken nose?" Ianto suggested.

Jack finally smiled and shook his head. Ianto really could be quite devious if he wanted to. "No, I need my medic."

"Alright, what about just a scare?"

Jack sat and pretended to think. "Alright, but just a scare."

Ianto smiled. "I personally think James would be good for Tosh, when he saw a picture of us, he said he thought she was very pretty and started asking all sorts of questions about her. I don't know if they'd be able to date. But they'd make good friends and Tosh does need some more friends."

"So do you." Jack pointed out.

"I have friends, I just have to get back in touch with them." Ianto said with a smile. "Which I hope to do while I'm home."

"Well then be sure to do that, and tell the obnoxious anteater I said hello while your at it."

Ianto grinned. "I would be more then happy to give Aldair your condolences." he said. "And Jack?"

"Yes Ianto?"

"Thanks, for distracting me. That's all I needed to feel better. When your happy and you feel content, it definitely makes me feel better too."

"Well then I'll continue to do my best to make you feel better." said Jack with a smile. He leaned in and gave Ianto a quick kiss on the lips. Then sat back just in time as the nurse came in to check on Ianto, smiling when she saw him awake.

But as she checked on him Jack couldn't help but wonder. A week without Ianto? Sadly enough, he had no idea how he was going to cope with that. But he knew he'd do his best. After everything Ianto had done for him and Torchwood three, he deserved a week to see his family and go to his brother's wedding and Jack would just have to learn to deal with it.

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A/N: Oooh, it sounds like a trip into Ianto's family may be in the very near future. I'm still wondering how this will turn out. I hope you guys enjoy the family. Thanks to all of my faithful reviewers! Since you review, I keep writing, and this story keeps going. You guys rock!