37
Jack went with Ianto, sitting by the bed as he watched Ianto's face paling with pain.
"Once we get another internal shunt in this will be easier" Owen said softly and Ianto nodded silently, closing his eyes.
Jack offered the magazines and such he had packed as asked but Ianto dozed while Jack wound up reading them.
Then the paper came and Jack read bits out to him, Ianto showing interest and they talked about each article.
Then Tosh called in with some food and Ianto perked up, enjoying the chicken wraps.
After she left they talked about random things and Jack listened to Ianto talk about plans for the garden come spring.
As they talked, Jack realized that it had been a long time since they had connected like this and he chastised himself for letting it drift.
"You don't have to stay" Ianto said suddenly, "There's about another half hour's worth here at least. Go walk the grounds, look at the gardens. I know you hate waiting."
"I'll wait" Jack said firmly, patting his hand and Ianto smiled softly as he drifted off again.
Owen came in and checked the IV, gently closing it off and uncoupling it. He then carefully taped down the shunt and started to wind a bandage around it.
"Two days, give him time to recover a bit then we'll get that internal shut fitted so this crap doesn't have to get in the way of his busy life." Owen said as he straightened up to look at the snoozing Welshman.
"So this SGN-35 is going to do it?" Jack asked.
"It's the best we got buddy" Owen agreed, "Breaking technology. The success rate is so much higher with this, especially with relapses."
"But … it's not unheard of for it to come back after years?" Jack asked.
"Anyone who survives Hodgkin's can get it back … ten months, ten years" Owen sighed, "there are no guarantees in life."
"Thanks for sticking with us Owen, I know this isn't your field" Jack pulled his friend into a hug, "Ianto was unable to sleep for worry, then I reminded him it was you doing it and he settled without another murmur. We both trust you."
"I don't know if I would feel right with anyone else doing it" Owen snorted, "He's like a brother to me now."
"Yeah" Jack looked to the bed and smiled as Ianto stirred, "Hey baby."
"I'm cold" Ianto whined, then saw Owen.
"Hey whingey bum" Owen grinned.
"Stuff it dickwad!" Ianto shot back and Owen laughed softly as he nodded to Jack and left.
"Come on, here's my coat and when we get home a nice hot bath" Jack crooned.
"With one of those bath bombs?" Ianto asked in a little voice.
"Yeah, the new ones you just got at that little store. How about the raspberry one for a change?" Jack asked, "Babs loves that smell."
"Yes, my boys might like to join" Ianto perked up, "a big boy's bath."
"Just don't say that around John or he'll join in too" Jack laughed.
Ianto snorted and hugged him with all his might, leaning against him as Jack hugged him back.
"I love you" Jack whispered and Ianto hummed.
"Come on, the bubbles await!" Jack said as he lifted the suitcase and they wandered to check out.
Owen stood watching Jack help Ianto into the SUV and rubbed his face.
He had read up on Adcetris, or SGN-35 as he had called it while describing it and knew he had jumped the queue with it as Ianto had only had one treatment regime before instead of the two normally required.
He didn't usually pull strings and had a lot of favors to call in and he knew he would call in every last one and then some for Ianto.
He would do the same for him.