It took Ianto 20 minutes to reach Jack's office with the coffee, Jack knew, Jack timed him

He was on the phone to UNIT about the best way to handle 25 weevils when he entered. He watched as Ianto gingerly made his way to deposit the brew on his desk before moving over to the couch in Jack's office, putting his cup on the floor and carefully lying on the was a sign of how tired he was to be voluntarily lying down in front of him.

As Jack tried in vain to get he UNIT Colonel off the phone he watched as Ianto closed his eyes and nestled into the couch.

In the end he had to be rude to cut the Colonel off, not that he cared and UNIT was more or less used to that kind of treatment from Torchwood 3. Grabbing the coffee and sighing at the first sip he silently made his way to Ianto. Kneeling down beside him he carefully stroked a hand over Ianto's cheek as the young man opened his eyes, flashing him a ½ smile.

"You know one day one of those Colonels is going to get some revenge on you Jack."

"Sit up for a second."

Jack helped Ianto to sit up as he positioned himself on the couch before pulling Ianto back onto his lap. Carding a hand through his hair he watched again as the young man gave in to sleep. Jack finished his coffee in silence content to be watching his lover finally with some peace written on his face.

He lost track of the time that had passed just sitting there until that peace was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"Jack?"

Jack pressed his finger to his lips as Tosh entered quietly followed by Owen and Gwen.

"Jack, you're right to go take him home if you like, we've got the rift under control should anything come up."

"It's fine guys, I appreciate it but...."

"Jack, Dr's orders ok, take him home, we've got it covered."

"Yeah Jack, stop arguing for once and do what your told."

Gwen said with her arms crossed, a fierce expression on her face.
Feeling very much ganged up on, Jack conceded defeat.

"Ok, Ok I will when he wakes up."

"He is awake and he would very much like to go home."

Ianto had woken feeling all of their collective eyes on him making him feel very uncomfortable.

Sensing this, Jack spoke.

"Ok, looks like it has been decided, we will leave you to it then."

Sensing a cue to leave, the others bid goodnight, Owen left painkillers on Jack's desk before leaving.

Nudging Ianto to sit up Jack rose to his feet and held out a hand, pulling him up to his feet and into an embrace feeling Ianto lean into him as he fought for balance.

Once Jack knew he had himself centered he guided him down the stairs and out of the Hub.

*******************

Sitting on Ianto's couch Jack reclined back as the younger man nestled in against him contentedly drinking coffee. He wasn't sure if it was an altogether good thing for the Welshman to be doing but after the last few days he wasn't going to argue, Ianto could do whatever he wanted.

As they finished the cup Jack took it from Ianto's hands and placed it on the ground beside the couch and wrapped his arms back around his lover.

Jack was so relaxed that he jumped a little when Ianto spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry."

Spluttering Jack asked,

"What for?"

Ianto turned slowly in his arms so he was now facing Jack. Lifting his hand he stroked the side of Jack's cheek before ghosting over the spot where the bullet from the gun he had held had entered Jack's skull.

"For shooting you."

"You have nothing to apologize for Ianto, you didn't have a choice and you did it to save the others. Besides, nothing invented yet has been able to kill off the Harkness charm."

Ianto tensed against him as Jack mentally slapped himself.

"Don't Jack! Don't joke about this. Just because you can come back does not mean you should have to suffer, doesn't mean I'm not sorry, that it didn't hurt to….to...."

Jack bit back tears as Ianto continued to stroke the side of his face, ghosting his fingertips over the site where the hole should be.

Jack reached up to take his hand as he leaned forward to kiss his lips. Pulling back Jack said,

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that and I wish you hadn't had to do it."

Jack held his head and made him meet his stare before he added,

"I'm proud of you, for having the strength to do it. Do you understand that?"

Ianto hesitated before nodding as Jack leaned forward once again, softly caressing his lips. It felt almost as if Jack was reclaiming his mouth for his own as he gently caressed his bottom lip placing tender bites along it before moving up to tease his top lip as the promise of a tongue threatened to breach the void.

As if reading Jack's mind Ianto opened his mouth as he warmed to the kiss, drawing Jack's tongue inside as it began a slow re-exploration. Jack ran his tongue over his teeth, flicking against the roof of his mouth, tasting every inch of Ianto as if it was his first and last ever taste of him.

Jack felt a spark in his arousal as he absent mindedly ground himself up against his lover, pleased to find his arousal matched his own.

Before anything could go further Jack forced himself to break the kiss, mindful of Ianto's physical state he wanted to stop before he went too far.

"No…..don't stop." Ianto pleaded.

"Ianto you're injured, I don't want to hurt you."

Ianto placed his hands on either side of Jack's face, holding it so that now Jack was forced to meet his gaze.

"Please Jack, I need you, I need you to make better memories with me, please?"

Jack looked back into perfect blue and he knew in that moment he was lost, nodding he said.

"Not here though, somewhere more comfortable"

tbc