A/N – For some reason this one was hard work. Been working on it for over a week and this is all I got. I just couldn't get into it even though I had an outline. So, I apologise for the brevity of it, but what can you do.

12 Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

Ianto turned the corner just in time to see the weevil's claws slice across Jack's neck and chest. As soon as Jack dropped, two shots rang out and the weevil hit the ground as well.

Ianto holstered his gun and ran over to where Jack lay crumpled on the ground. The younger man sat down next to the captain and pulled him into what could, in any other circumstance, be considered a more comfortable position - between Ianto's legs with his back against the Welshman's chest.

Once Jack was settled, Ianto activated his comm. "Weevil's down. So is Jack. Give us a bit." He told the rest of the team, knowing they'd understand his meaning.

He pulled Jack closer, wrapping his arms around the older man and leaned into Jack's ear. "I'm here, Jack." He whispered.

Feeling Jack's body relax and eventually fall still, Ianto sighed. Even though he knew Jack would be back, and based on this particular death, the captain wouldn't be down too long, Ianto could still feel tears begin to well up in the corners of his eyes. He blinked them back. He sat in silence holding Jack, even though he wanted to scream out his grief for the man in his arms until his voice was hoarse.

Jack was dead and not even the prospect of his revival could change that fact.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTW

"How long was I out?" Jack asked with a grin shaking out his limbs before offering a hand to help pull Ianto up.

"About twenty minutes." He answered getting to his feet and brushing off what dirt he could from his trousers.

Jack grinned. "Not too bad." He chuckled. Then turning his attention to the weevil. "Damn, they're getting sneakier, aren't they?" he added, already moving forward from what had happened.

Ianto stood and watched as Jack hefted the creature onto his shoulder and sauntered away as if nothing had happened. Just moments ago, he'd been a body on the ground, now he was Captain Jack Harkness gain. So full of life.

Ianto hung back for a moment, just watching Jack, then glancing at the pool of blood on the ground. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, cleansing the grief from his mind. Jack always chided him for grieving each death, but Ianto couldn't help it.

"Ianto, you coming?" Jack called from the corner. "Work to do."

"Yep." Ianto called back, jogging to catch up.

End