36

"I do hate the smell of vinegar as much as I like it on me chips" Ianto said as they chewed their lunch around the meeting table and Owen smelt a story not waiting for the usual silent hope he decided to be bold.

"Why?"

Ianto looked at him as he seemed to consider, then he smiled, "Jellyfish."

Owen stopped chewing as he canted his head and screwed his face up as Ianto felt a flush of affection for the childish man so he gave in to the request for what might come.

"Hawaii in the early sixties, there had been a full moon the week before as well, usually we were up with these things but this early evening we just wanted to get our last catch of the day and head home, a big party that night for my brother-in-law's youngest. We were spear fishing off a reef, just off shore. A balmy night rolling in so the water was lovely and warm so we didn't wear much except our underwear, shouting at one another the usual jibes and taunts of friends hoping for an evening of fun. I really liked that family" Ianto took a bite of fish and considered it, staring at the white flesh like it held the next paragraph.

Owen took a bite of his own as Tosh tucked her feet up under herself and Gwen entered from her phone call with Rhys, "Did I miss something?"

"Shhhh" Owen flapped a hand at her, "Ianto is spear diving of a reef in Hawaii just on dusk. Was there much fish?"

"Lovely" Ianto smiled, "I had a lovely couple of flats that were going to slow cook wrapped in coconut leaves in the fire embers later. I was about done and I stood up in the chest deep water to call to the other men so we might go in. I was furthest out so the first tickle of my inner elbow had me looking down and yelling with alarm. Of course my brother-in-law started towards me not away so I had to yell to the others to pull him to shore, his desire to save me so strong."

"He couldn't?" Gwen asked as she settled with her cup of coffee still warm.

"I was about ten metres out, they were about six or seven so I knew they had a chance if I egged them on, so I thrashed about and disrupted the fish from going near the shore, gave them a small window of opportunity to get in then when I saw my Brother-in-law dragged onto the sand I started for the shore as well."

"What did it feel like?" Owen whispered intently.

"That's the funny thing, at first it was more like a tickle. Someone running their finger over your skin but then the burn settled in, running along my veins like quicksilver. I was feeling their venom" Ianto replied as Owen nodded.

"Venom" Owen repeated as he often did repeat something inanely when enthralled.

"I could feel my body struggling, my legs were numb like jelly and the heat inside me was a molten larva burring me alive from the inside out. Each breath was a struggle but I knew that if I didn't make landfall he would enter the water, his struggling with our friends proving his heart." Ianto sighed, "That family loved me too. Good stock, the Hawaiians."

"And?" Gwen promoted as Owen held his breath.

"And I reached shore, let them drag me up. Hecta was beside himself, seeing the welts from all the stings and knowing it was likely fatal. The others ran for the vinegar we kept in the car, returning to pour both bottles on me with some mad excitement that had me imagining them basting me for flames, the heat so intense now I was sure I was in an open fire pit. Gods, it burned so bad."

"You died" Owen said sadly.

"Yes"

"You liked them" Jack said softly, feeling his mate's sorrow at leaving a place of love and Ianto smiled at him reassuringly.

"It's OK. They panicked and all ran for help, not a single one thought to stay with me. I died alone looking up at the waning moon and cursing her for her bloody minions. The light got smaller and smaller until a pinhole and I let go, saddened but knowing this was how it was to be."

"Bu they didn't see you die" Tosh gasped as she got the smile he had given Jack.

"They returned to find me alive and groggy, no sign of the welts and they declared it miraculous, all slapping themselves on the back for being so efficient with the vinegar, yeah" Ianto roared with mirth, "I feigned illness for a few days and then lived another four years before a car accident made me leave them, yeah. One of the few times I could do a reset and stay."

Jack smiled with Ianto as he saw the relief in Owen's face. So sweet that he worried about Ianto like that, a good friend too.

Then Jack watched as Ianto reached out to pat Owen's hand and offer some more coffee. He realised with a stat that Ianto could stay every reset now, a family would always be here. Well, him anyway.

That was a comfort too.

No wonder vinegar always made him shiver.

.

..

OK so do you have any ideas?

Ways Ianto might have died?

Remember he can't lose his head but I will consider suggestions.