John was pacing as he waited for Mark in the center of the Hub. He was upset with the whole situation. If Mark were a sleeper then his heart would break. He loved him that much. It was rare for him to fall for anyone. One of the only other lovers he could say that about watched him wear a hole in the floor as he paced back and forth. Mark had changed his world. He didn't want any of that to disappear. What if it hurt him? What if it killed him? The mind probe was not designed for all to use safely. When Jack had first told him about it, he remembered hearing stories about it being used as a torture device as well. Mark had been through enough.
Jack watched John pace. He felt for his friend. He was having the same feelings. After just finding his friend, the cosmic joke would be to make him an enemy. It was Grey all over again. Jack kept wondering when his karma would balance out. Right now whatever he did seemed to be affecting two of the most important people in his life. The third one came up from behind and whispered in his ear that they were ready. Jack turned to look at his future partner and smiled. "Thanks, Ianto." He allowed his eyes to lock with the younger man. Ianto as always, smiled back that he understood what Jack was feeling.
John stopped pacing when he saw Mark come up from the medical bay. Without thinking he ran to his lover and grabbed him in a big hug, picking up and twirling him around. "I love you!" John declared.
It was enough to tip Mark off that something wasn't right. He wiggled his way out of John's grasp to face him. John let go and moved away. Mark scanned the room and put together the emotions of the people around him. Jack's barrier was up. Ianto was trying to cover up distress with a recipe for lemon chicken. The others weren't looking at him. Soon James and Nick joined them. He nodded in Jack's direction, as he already knew what was up. "If you think it is for the best," Mark said to Jack.
With a confused look Gwen replied. "Did he just read you mind?" She looked at Jack.
"Mark is a strong telepath, Gwen. He has always been. That's how I knew those kids were chasing you when we first met. You touched my mind with your pleas for help. I didn't remember that until the other day. But you are a lot stronger now. Mark, I wouldn't make you do this. I think you'd want to know as much as we do. And I think you know that they did something to you." Jack slowly walked towards his friend.
"No, I won't allow it." John interrupted, putting himself between Jack and Mark. " He is fine. They didn't do anything to him!" John yelled this out as if he was trying to convince himself of this fact and not make the others believe it was true.
It was Mark that said something very softly at first. "John, look at me." John turned to face his lover. Pain radiated from John's eyes as he fought to hold back the frustrated tears. "I need to know. I want to make sure I will never hurt anyone again. This is for you as well. If I am a monster, I want to know. But you have to promise me something." He looked at John who looked like his whole world was falling apart. Mark closed the gap between them and pulled the man close to him, so their foreheads were touching. "I have to say this, you are not going to like it but you have to promise me that you will do it." John groaned and tried to pull away from Mark. Tears of frustration were building in his eyes. Mark held on to his wonderful man, more for strength then for obedience. "If something happens, if it is no longer me that comes out of this, I want you to kill me." John began to shake. Mark pulled him even closer. "Don't hesitate, just end me. Promise me this, my love."
The kiss he leaned in to take from his lover could probably be their last. It deepened in desperation as the reality became clear. For a long moment the lovers gave into their passion. With sadness, John pulled away. The sad smile told Mark all he needed to know. He breathed deep and turned to face his future. Either it would be fine or he would be at peace in death. It was for the greater good. He didn't mind it so much with that knowledge.
Jack looked at his best friend with admiration. "Mark," he began but lost the words to the lump in his throat.
Mark went to hug his friend. Jack melted into the embrace. "It is okay. If anything happens, take care of John for me. I will always love you." He kissed Jack on the lips and turned to Ianto. "Take care of him, Ianto. Please look after John as well." He hugged Ianto. He also stole a kiss from him. Jack and John both stared at the two. "Oh," he said when he pulled away. "Congratulations on your engagement. I wish you all the best." He turned to the open jaw expressions of Jack and Ianto. As he headed towards the room where the mind probe was, he said over his shoulder to John. "Don't kill me just to get out of the fiver you owe me for winning that bet!"
End Part 35 TBC