A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating. I've been ill all week but I'm feeling better now so there won't be too long between chapters.

Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood or its characters

Chapter 6

Jack was a lot brighter the following morning so Ianto made a suggestion.

"Jack I need to pick some things up from the shop. Want to get out and come with me?"

Jack bit his lip and looked nervous. "Will it be safe?" he asked.

"It's only a 10 minute walk. It's safe. Fresh air and a walk will be good for you. And we can get some extra bits you were looking at. You said you wanted to try making a cake you saw on that baking show you've been watching."

Jack smiled. "I would like that."

An hour later, with shopping list in hand they walked to the shops. Ianto didn't know whether to take Jack's hand or not. They never normally did even when out on a date. Ianto was too nervous in case there were any comments. Jack didn't care what anyone said but appreciated Ianto's nervousness and never pushed. Jack seemed ok just walking next to him so Ianto relaxed a little. Jack looked around with wonder at the different buildings and kept asking Ianto questions. He was like a child, desperate for knowledge. Ianto felt needed. Something he didn't normally feel, especially around Jack.

They were walking back with several carrier bags when Ianto's mobile rang.

"Owen! Everything alright?"

"Weevil alert" the voice replied. He could hear tyres screeching. "Weevil has been spotted in your area. Thought I would give you a heads up as I know you were looking at taking Jack out today."

"Will you watch the road?!" he heard Gwen yell.

"Will you shut up and look out for the Weevil!" Owen replied before hanging up. Ianto rolled his eyes.

"Is Owen ok?" Jack asked.

Ianto had a quick look around but saw no Weevil. "Fine. Just calling to see how you are but he was driving so he will call back later. Let's get back so you can get started on that cake." Ianto pulled Jack along quickly.

They were almost at the flats when Ianto heard a familiar snarling.

"Shit" he muttered. He remembered he had left his gun at home and he had no Weevil spray on him. "Double shit."

Seconds later the Weevil sprang out from the bushes, snarling at them both. It leapt at Ianto, teeth bared. He felt himself fall back and looked up to see Jack on top of him. There was movement and Jack tuned round, fist raised and punched the Weevil. The Weevil stumbled back and snarled at Jack as he rose off Ianto. Jack's hands went to his hip, looking for a gun but finding none. Ianto pulled him out of the way as the Weevil leapt at him. The Weevil's claw caught Jack's arm and ripped his shirt. Jack cried out and grabbed his bleeding arm. Ianto pulled Jack behind him when he heard the screeching of wheels. He had never been so happy to see the SUV. Gwen was straight out spraying the Weevil. Owen shot it once before kneeling on it and cuffing it. Ianto caught Jack as his legs gave way. His eyes were wide and he was pale and shaking.

"W-what is that?! How did I know how to fight it?"

"Owen!" Ianto shouted as Jack suddenly passed out.

"Ianto calm down he is fine"

Ianto paced round his bedroom whilst Owen examined Jack. Tosh and Gwen had taken the Weevil away whilst Owen helped Ianto carry Jack up the stairs. They'd put Jack on the bed and Owen was carrying out some basic tests.

"It's shock" Owen said. "Remember the first time you encountered a Weevil? That's what Jack has just had, but without any background knowledge of them. I remembered I was terrified the first time I saw one and it was in the vaults. He took a nasty swipe but he has healed already."

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to explain his super healing to him." Ianto sighed. He ran his hands down his face. "This was meant to be a simple trip to the shop. Don't know how I will get him out of the flat now." He slumped into a chair.

"It's strange what you were saying about him fighting" Owen said. He put his stethoscope away in his bag.

"He shielded me. It was like it was automatic. Then he was punching the Weevil and his hand automatically went for his gun. It was strange."

Owen thought for a moment. "Muscle memory" he said. "He's so used to going for his gun at any sign of a threat it's instinct. Although shielding you, I wouldn't call that muscle memory. More, I don't know, some sort of emotional memory? I'm guessing when you two go Weevil hunting he shields you when things go tits up."

Ianto nodded. "Sometimes too much. He doesn't seem to understand that I can handle myself."

"Just shows though" Owen said thoughtfully. Ianto gave him a puzzled look. "Even without his memory the first thing he did when you were in danger was push you out of the way and shield you. You two say what you like about your relationship but his actions today shows you mean a lot more to him than you realise."

Ianto shifted uncomfortably and couldn't meet Owen's eyes. Before either could say anything else there was a moan from the bed. Ianto moved onto the bed and took Jack's hand as he opened his eyes.

"Owen? Ianto? What happened?" he asked. He sat up and looked at his arm. "My arm doesn't hurt. The wound is gone? But there was blood. I saw blood" He looked between Owen and Ianto. "I don't understand. And what was that thing?" His voice becoming higher as he became more panicked.

"Jack calm down. Just calm down and I'll explain everything." Ianto said.

Jack settled a little. Ianto could see out of the corner of his eye Owen preparing a syringe, most likely a sedative.

"Jack what you saw was what we call a Weevil. They live under Cardiff, but sometimes they come to the surface. It's rare during the day but it happens. One of Torchwood's jobs is to get them when we get an alert and take them back to the sewers. You were scratched on your arm but it's healed." He looked at Jack carefully for any sign of distress. Jack nodded slowly, trying to make sense of it all. Owen was on standby with the syringe.

"So that's what Torchwood does? What I do? I fight those things?"

"That's one of the things we do yes. There's a lot more we do but we won't go into that now." Ianto said. He rubbed his thumb in circles inside Jack's wrist.

"What about my arm?" Jack looked at his arm and at the blood around the rip on his shirt. "There was blood. I saw it. I felt the pain."

Ianto looked at Owen who gave him a small nod.

"Jack you have the ability to heal quickly. We don't know how it works but scratches like that normally heal in minutes for you." Ianto didn't want to expand any more. He couldn't tell Jack about how seriously injured he has been in the past, let alone the deaths. He could see Owen holding his breath, syringe in hand just in case.

"Ok." Jack said slowly. They waited but Jack said nothing else. He saw Owen let out a long breath and put the syringe away.

"Right you two I better get back to the Hub. Gwen will come pick me up. Jack take it easy. Call me if you need anything." Owen picked up his bag. Ianto walked him to the door.

"Watch him" Owen said quietly. "I'm working on reversing John's crap, but that fight today may trigger something. Let me know if it does, even if it's something small. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Thanks Owen."

Ianto walked back into the bedroom to see Jack staring at his hands.

"Jack are you ok?" Ianto was worried when Jack didn't respond. He lightly touched Jack's arm. "Jack?"

"I saw a flash of something. I can feel it. Right at the edge. I can feel it but I can't grab it. I just wish I could remember!" Jack put his face in his hands and let out a sob.

Ianto's heart broke. He wrapped his arms around him and held him as he cried. He hoped that maybe this was the beginning of his memories returning. He wasn't prepared for what would happen that night.