CHAPTER SIX

Owen almost jumped out of his skin when his mobile vibrated in his back pocket. He dropped his car keys with a curse and grabbed the offending phone to take the call….

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Ianto sighed and stretched back on his couch feeling absolutely exhausted. He had parted ways with Jack back at the docks, opting to get a taxi home, while Jack took his car back to the Hub. It was his turn to cover the night shift and whilst Jack technically didn't need to be there, old habits died hard. In truth Ianto was relieved, as he was too tired even for Jack's company, the boat trip had left him feeling queasy and achy. All he wanted to do was to fall asleep. Which was exactly what he did, right there somewhat sprawled on his sofa.

Some undetermined time later he got the fright of his life when Owen shook him into wakefulness. Ianto flailed out an arm and almost walloped Owen in the face. Jack was there too hovering just to the left of their medic with a concerned look on his face.

"Come on Tea Boy, wakey wakey, you have to come back to the Hub."

Ianto struggled his way to being awake enough to sit up straight and glared at Owen.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Waking you up, what does it look like? How are you feeling?" Owen demanded somewhat urgently.

Ianto sat and sucked back intense nausea.

"Not so great actually."

To Jack it looked like something of an understatement. He held out a hand. "Come on, up you get."

Ianto automatically grasped the outstretched limb and Jack helped him to unsteady feet. Ianto wobbled slightly and clung on to Jacks other arm as well.

"Oh, crap. This can't be good." He muttered.

"It might not be. We need to check you over. I shall explain when we get back to base."

Ianto allowed himself to be steered out of the small lounge and then he hesitated.

"I need to feed the cat."

Jack tugged him forward. "I'll see to that later. Come on."

Ianto found himself being manhandled gently into the SUV by Owen and Jack and didn't have the energy to put up much of a protest. Owen got in the back seat beside him as Ianto clumsily fastened his seatbelt.

"You two want to tell me what is going on?"

Jack started the car deciding to leave this discussion to Owen.

"How long have you been feeling unwell?" Owen asked producing a small scanner from his jacket pocket. Ianto shrugged.

"I don't know, a couple of days, just felt a bit tired and headachey, that's all. I felt pretty crap after the trip to Flatholm though, the sea was rough. What aren't you two telling me?"

Owen checked the screen on his scanner. "I got a call from Maggie at Porton Down. The other three who were in Thames House that survived, one died this morning and the other two are in isolation at St Thomas' in London. The virus they are carrying has mutated and the treatment has stopped working. Its possible the same is happening to you and we need to check. I also need to be certain you're not infectious."

Ianto's mouth dropped open and he gazed at Owen in shock. "Oh no, seriously?"

"Yeah, I'm afraid so."

"Shit. Owen have I infected the others and what about everyone at Flatholm?"

"I've spoken to Helen and everyone is remaining on the Island. Owen will be going over there just as soon as you've been checked over and we have an idea of what's happening." Jack replied.

"Maggie seemed to believe no one else has been infected and she will contact me immediately if she hears otherwise. I'm afraid I am going to have to subject you to every test under the sun and then some, along with everyone else. You'll be quarantined in the lab for a while." Owen grasped his shoulder. "Sorry mate, I really thought we had this thing under control."

Ianto looked at his colleague. "Just make sure I don't make anyone else sick, please Owen."

"I'll do my best mate."

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After hours of being examined, scanned and tested in every way Owen could think of. Ianto was finally settled on a gurney in the isolab. His clothing had been swapped for surgical scrubs and with the assistance of a mild sedative, Ianto was soundly sleeping under a couple of cotton blankets. Both Martha and Owen were trawling through the scans and discussing the results, also comparing them with what had been sent over from Porton Down and St Thomas' hospital. Jack hovered around but did manage to mostly keep out of the way whilst the doctors did their jobs and now he was out in the field with Mickey and Toshiko investigating a rift spike out at Lavernock Point, near Sully. Gwen was showing Tom the basics of co ordinating with the field team. A long day, stretched into an even longer night. Gwen was sent to get some rest in the Hub crew quarter's having been advised that she couldn't go home. She sighed worriedly, wondering what was going on with Ianto.

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Ianto woke up and stretched, almost rolling off the narrow gurney before he remembered where he was. He arched his back and yawned feeling refreshed and well rested. Thankfully the nausea seemed to have left him and he was desperate for a coffee. He glanced around the darkened room and flung aside the blankets. He winced when his bear feet touched the cold tiled floor. Ianto had no idea what the time was, but he was pretty sure it was about breakfast time. He made his way up to the operations area of the Hub where it was quiet, the machines on night mode. He spied Owen sprawled out asleep on the couch and he turned to see Jack was hunched over his desk looking bored and fed up. Ianto smiled to himself and headed to the kitchenette to get the day started. It wasn't long before the scent of brewing coffee brought Jack out from his office and bouncing into the kitchen. He took up his favourite leaning spot next to the fridge and smiled.

"Good morning."

Ianto was reaching mugs down from the cupboard. "Hello Jack. Could you pass the milk please?"

Jack happily did so, noting the much improved colour of Ianto's complexion.

"How are you feeling?"

Ianto paused and faced Jack. "Actually I feel fine. I think I just needed a damn good sleep. Did Owen slip me a sedative last night?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, you were looking pretty awful."

"I felt it. I am pretty sure it was the boat trip. Have any of the tests come through with any results yet?"

Jack could only shrug. "Owen will be briefing you at 10am, he reckons that'll be when he'll have everything completed. You look so much better though."

"I feel it. What about everyone else?"

"We've all been put through blood tests, Owen will take it further, pending the results on you. I called in Rhys and Anwen as well, just to be safe."

Ianto turned back to his task. "I hope for all our sakes….." he hesitated, "After all this time, why now? I mean how does that happen?"

Jack stepped forward and gently slipped his arms around Ianto's waist.

"I'm no expert I'm afraid. That's gonna be a question for Owen to answer later today. " He rested his chin on Ianto's shoulder. "In the meantime, we can have coffee and then a shower and some me you time."

Ianto couldn't help but smile as he rested a hand over one of Jack's. "I suspect Owen might have something to say about that, but the coffee and getting clean would be a good start. I probably should have stayed in the iso lab."

Jack was shaking his head. "I told Owen to lock it if he thought you presented a serious risk, and lets be honest if you did, we've all been exposed to you anyway. However, what I did get from Owen was that it was highly unlikely that you pose a threat to anyone else. Porton Down confirmed that a few hours ago. The woman that died had additional complications and the two in isolation at St Thomas' Hospital have not gotten any worse."

Ianto huffed out a sigh of relief. "Hopefully then I am no risk to anyone else."

Jack carefully eased him round so that they were facing each other. "Hey, you are important too. Please think about yourself as well." Jack hugged him close and Ianto happily reciprocated.

"I will Jack, I promise."