13

Jack could not believe he was in this place, like a large warehouse with overtones of doomsday prepping around the walls full of stuff that meant you could probably wait out World War III in here.

Beds were laid out with people on them, wounded, in shock and even a poor woman in one corner giving birth. Jack was horrified to see this was all they had. The Hospital was on the other side of the lights, totally locked out as the roads were blocked and clearly emergency services were not about to come over here when the other side needed them.

Jack saw someone on a phone and rushed over, grabbing their arm "Hey… it's working?"

"Satellite phone" the man said in a deep guttural voice "No towers needed."

"Can I borrow it? My friend is a doctor, I can get him over here. Please?" Jack begged and the man seemed to consider, then looked over at Ianto on the bed with the Old Man sitting in one of the few chair in the chaos of the place. He jerked his head in that direction and Jack swung to look, then back to the man "Yeah. Ianto. He's mine… I mean … I am the useless pig with him. Yeah."

The man handed over the phone with a polite nod to the Old Man who nodded back, watching Jack as he looked for a quiet corner to make some calls. Jack then handed the phone back with three crisp hundred dollar bills that had the man stain at him "thanks mate. Appreciate it, I may need to use it again, OK?"

"Keep it" the man shoved it into his hand "Just leave it with the Boss over there when you are done. I will get it off him in a few days."

"Really? Thanks, I appreciate it."

Jack went over and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for Ianto's hand "Hey. You OK there Tiger?"

Ianto grunted and let Jack slide his hand into Jack's and Jack rubbed Ianto's knuckles as he watched people staggering about. Finally he sighed, rose and kissed Ianto gently "I will be back Tiger. I just… I have to go help. Owen is coming, he will bring some supplies."

Ianto grunted again, opening his eyes to stare up at Jack "Don't go far."

Jack nodded "I know you are scared but I think the aftershocks are lessening sweetie."

Ianto nodded, closing his eyes and Jack kissed him again, and then rose to help those who need someone to tell them it was OK and to sit down somewhere. The Old Man watched with interest, especially as Jack showed not only a comforting command but compassion.

The sound of a helicopter was a surprise to all and Owen was the first out, running for the warehouse where Jack was motioning to him. He brought several other medical staff with him, as well as supplies and as they worked the Old Man slid over to poke at Jack "Where did they come from?"

"Owen there is our friend. Me and Ianto … he's an emergency doctor and he rang his friends who are off duty to jump on the chopper and come. The chopper is from the Harkness Corporation Flight Pool. My family has money, mat as well flaunt it." Jack replied, sitting by Ianto again.

Ianto seemed to wake more, trying to sit up and Jack helped him with pillows "Jack? What is happening"

"How's your head?"

"Still attached. What happened?" Ianto glowered "What is this?"

"Owen and some friends are here" Jack said, knowing that look. Ianto was tired, pissed and in pain. "How's your ankle?"

"Still attached. How much is this costing?"

"Tiger. Don't. Let's not do the money thing. Not now. It's my money and right now, my choice to be here. OK?" Jack said gently, taking Ianto's hand and rubbing those knuckles again "I don't know about you but I got a fright today. Then my ribs got a squeeze and right now I am busting for the loo."

Ianto snorted, smiling as he relaxed and Jack relaxed as well now that he saw Ianto coming out of his fugue. The shock and fear had been more paralysing for him than any physical injury and as Ianto swing his legs to sit on the edge of the bed a voice called out across the warehouse "IANTO JONES!"

Jack stood and held his arms above his head so Rhiannon could see him and he heard the kids running, shouting for him. Jack was slammed into and grunted with pain as his ribs told him they were more bruised than he first thought but holding those kids was great.

"Bloody hell, Ianto! Your house is toast!" Rhiannon said with her usual bluntness "Fire is whipping through the area now… it's all gone ya know."

"Fuck, thanks Rhia!" Ianto barked, rising and sighing as he looked around "Shit. On fire?"

"Come back with me" Jack said without a second thought as he heard Ianto cussing in front of the kids, something he would NEVER do. He was more upset than showing and clearly needed a time out "I want you to rest, be safe. Come home, the Estate is the safest place, the reinforced buildings there can withstand a larger shake than today. We don't even have stuff fallen from the walls."

"This is my home" Ianto said, "I will stay with…"

"Bloody hell, don't be so bloody high and mighty. Me and the kids will have to bunk in at Mama's and you know Gareth will be go nuts. Both of you feeding off one another… someone might end up with their throat cut!"

Ianto snorted and rubbed his face as he knew the Old Man would let him stay at one of the safe houses if he wanted. He then let his hand drop to look at the man who was practically begging.

"OK. One night."