Jack insisted on driving them back to the guesthouse. Ianto still looked pale. Jack was a little worried about him; he was beginning to look ill. Jacks' driving was usually quite fast but today he kept to the speed limit. He pulled up in the driveway and they walked inside the guesthouse. Jack took Ianto straight upstairs.
"I'm going to run you a bath Yan," he said going into their bathroom.
"Jack I'm alright" he argued
"You need to rest Yan, I should have brought you back after we bought the suits I should never have pushed you into the rings as well"
"I wanted to get them Jack" he said putting his arms round Jacks waist as he bent forward over the tub and turned the taps on.
"I know but you look exhausted, strip off and get in the tub Yan" he said turning in Ianto arms and kissing him gently
The tub did look inviting so Ianto did as Jack asked. He stripped his clothes off neatly folding them as he did and then stepped into the bath.
"I'm going to get us both a drink from the kitchen, I won't be long"
"Ok" said Ianto, closing his eyes as he relaxed into the hot water. Jack pressed a kiss to the top of his head and went down to the kitchen. Aggie was no-where to be seen, the whole kitchen was deserted. He found a fresh pot of coffee and poured himself one, then made Ianto a cup of earl grey tea. He carried them upstairs, until the following week they were the only guests left. He remembered Aggie telling him last night that the last of her guests were leaving that morning. She usually didn't take any bookings at all this week, it was her little break but Jack and Ianto were more like family they were welcome to stay as long as they wanted.
"I'm back Yan" he called as he walked into their room, he got no answer and stuck his head in the bathroom door. Ianto was still in the tub. He walked in and sat next to the tub, the two cups on the floor in front of him. He reached up and touched Iantos face, he was burning up.
"Yan" he said
"Jack" he mumbled
"It's me, open your eyes for me Yan"
Ianto opened his eyes and looked at Jack
"I don't feel too good" he said
"What's wrong sweetheart?" said Jack immediately on his knees
"Just don't feel right, I'm tired" said Ianto
"You're burning up," said Jack touching his forehead again
"Lets get you out of the water and dried off" said Jack standing up. He turned and grabbed a huge towel from the rack and turned to wrap Ianto in it as he stood up. Jack helped him step out of the tub, he sat him down on the toilet seat wrapped in the towel as he took another towel and began to dry him off. Once he was dry Jack led him back into the bedroom and turned down the bed
"In you get" he said
Ianto lay down on the bed and Jack covered him with the duvet
"Close your eyes and rest Yan," he said gently pressing a tender kiss to his lips, he felt Ianto nod as he kissed him. He pulled back as Ianto closed his eyes. Jack stood up and looked at him, he could see beads of sweat forming on his face. Retreating to the kitchen Jack grabbed a facecloth and ran the cold tap, he wrung it out and went back to Ianto and gently wiped his face and neck with the cool cloth. For the next few hours Jack constantly wiped Iantos head and neck with a cool cloth. Ianto didn't seem to get better, Jack convinced himself he as getting worse. All he could do was try to keep the fever down; he wished Owen were at the end of the phone. Getting up Jack went to cool the cloth off again and went back to Ianto. He was mumbling with the fever. Jack couldn't make out what he was saying except for the occasional mention of his name.
"I'm here Yan, I'm here," he said softly pressing a kiss to Iantos lips
He jumped when the phone rang
"Hello" he said picking it up
"Jack, I'm off to spend the evening with Cassie and the boys we were wondering if you and Ianto would like to join us for dinner" said Aggie
"Aggie I'm sorry but Ianto is not very well"
"What's wrong?" said Aggie
"He's burning up," said Jack, actually telling someone that his beloved was ill was more than he could take and the tears came
"I'm coming up," said Aggie and the phone went dead
Jack turned back to Ianto and began to gently wipe his face again; he didn't turn when he heard the door to their room open. Aggie laid a hand on Jacks shoulder
"What happened?" she said sitting on the edge of the bed and putting her hand on Iantos forehead
"We went shopping, he said he had a bit of a headache but he started to get worse as we drove back" said Jack
"How long have you been back?" she asked, worried about Iantos fever
Jack looked at his watch
"About 5 hours, he's getting worse Aggie," he sobbed
"He'll be alright Jack, I'll call the doctor out, don't worry" she said and hugged him
She stood up and walked round Jack to the phone.
A couple of minutes later she put the phone down.
"The doctor will be here soon, I'll just call Andrew and let them know I won't be coming"
"No Aggie, you go, I'll be alright"
"Nonsense I'll not leave you until the doctors been" said Aggie and called Andrew
"Andrew its Aggie" she said into the phone
"Aunt Aggie, we'll pick you up in about 10 minutes"
"Andrew I can't come Ianto is not well, I'm here with Jack now waiting for the doctor"
"What's wrong with him?"
"He's got a fever, I'll let you know when the doctors been" she said
"Alright, I'll tell Michael and Cassie," said Andrew
"Give Jack our love Aunt Aggie and we'll speak to you soon" he said and hung up
Aggie turned to Jack
"Go and get yourself a coffee Jack, I'll stay with Ianto"
"I'm not leaving him," said Jack adamantly
"He'll be alright Jack, go and get yourself a coffee"
Jack nodded. He retrieved the cups from the bathroom floor and after giving Ianto a kiss he went to get a coffee.
Jack poured himself a coffee and leant against the counter in the kitchen and sipped from the cup. He was worried about Ianto; he should have made him leave when he first said he had a headache. He jumped when the back door opened
"Jack, how's Ianto?" said Andrew coming in, followed by Michael
"He's got a fever, Aggie sent me out for a break" he said and the tears appeared in his eyes. Michael was immediately at his side and pulled him into his arms.
"I'm sure he'll be alright," he said as Jack dropped his head on his shoulder and cried
"I can't lose him," sobbed Jack
"You won't, he'll be alright" said Michael holding him
The doorbell went and Andrew went to answer it, Jack heard him call out
"Jack it's the doctor"
Jack let go of Michael
"Thank you" he said as he almost ran to the doctor.
An hour later the doctor had examined Ianto and re-assured Jack that he had a fever but nothing else. After hearing that he was lost in the woods a few days ago he said that was probably the cause of the fever and headache. The best thing to do was to keep him warm and make sure he drank small amounts of water regularly.
"Will he be alright?" asked Jack
"I've given him an injection to help with the fever, once that breaks and starts dropping he'll be fine"
"Are you sure?" said Jack
"Mr Harkness, he'll be fine I promise but if you're still worried in the morning if the fever hasn't broken then get Aggie here to call me and I'll come straight out, but I assure you he'll be fine" said the doctor
Jack nodded and sat down on the bed next to Ianto and took his hand in his. Iantos whole body was scalding hot.
The doctor turned to Aggie as he got to the door and beckoned her outside, away from Jack
"Aggie he'll be alright, but make sure that Mr Harkness gets some rest too, I don't want him sitting up all night"
"I'll try but I don't think I'll be able to get him to leave Ianto, they're very close"
"I can see that, just make sure he gets some sleep"
"I will, I'll stay with them" she said
"We'll take it in turns Aunt Aggie" said Andrew coming round the corner of the corridor, he heard the doctor say to make sure Jack got some sleep
"Drew you and Michael have your ceremony tomorrow you need your sleep"
"We'll be alright Aggie, I think Jack would be more comfortable with Michael and I," he said gently
"He's right Aggie" said the doctor "I've got another call to make you can reach me anytime you need to" he said and left
Aggie turned to Andrew
"You listen to me Drew, go home and get some sleep," she said
Normally Andrew would do whatever his aunt told him, after all she had brought him and Cassie up since they were kids and welcomed Michael into the family without batting an eyelid when she discovered that her favourite nephew was gay. She'd just accepted it immediately and accepted his partner.
"Aggie listen, I really think Jack and Ianto would feel more comfortable with me or Michael sleeping in the room"
"Because your gay" she said
"Partly, aunt aggie it's complicated but I know I'd feel more comfortable with one of them if Michael were ill"
Aggie nodded
"Why don't you go and make Jack something to eat, I'll have a little chat with him and send him down for something to eat while I sit with Ianto for a while"
Aggie smiled, she kissed her nephew on the cheek and left
Jack didn't want to leave Ianto at all, but Andrew finally managed to convince him to go and get something to eat and have a break
"Jack we don't want you ill too, I'll sit with Ianto and keep him cool"
"But you and Michael should be spending tonight together, I'll be alright"
"Don't worry about us, we couldn't be at home knowing Ianto was so ill now go I'll call you if he wakes up" said Andrew and bodily pushed Jack from the room. He returned to Ianto and gently wiped his forehead with the damp cloth. Andrew took his hand in his as Ianto moaned with fever
"Ssshhh its ok Ianto" he soothed
"Jack" mumbled Ianto
"No its Andrew, Jack will be back in a minute" he said
Ianto moaned again, Andrew wiped his forehead again as Ianto settled into a fitful sleep.
Jack wasn't hungry; he wanted to be upstairs with Yan. But Aggie was standing over him making sure he ate something and drank at least 2 cups of coffee. Finally she was satisfied that he'd eaten and allowed him to go back upstairs.
"Andrew and Michael will take it in turns to help you look after Ianto during the night" she said as she walked back up to his room with him
"They don't need to I can cope" said Jack
"They won't take no for an answer" said Aggie
Jack walked into his room; Andrew was sitting on a chair by Iantos side gently mopping his face and neck. Ianto was moaning in his sleep
"Andrew" said Jack
"He's alright Jack, he keeps saying something in his sleep but I can't understand him"
"Go and get some sleep Andrew I'll be alright," said Jack pressing his hand onto Andrews shoulder
"Not a chance Jack, you need sleep too, I'll leave you to get settled in bed and then either me or Michael will be back"
"Really Andrew there's no need, I'd be much more comfortable alone with him" said Jack. He didn't want Ianto to wake up screaming from a nightmare with Andrew or Michael in the room, he knew it still embarrassed Ianto that he couldn't let go of his nightmares.
"I'll be back in about half an hour Jack," said Andrew as he left the room. Jack stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed next to Ianto. He cuddled up to him and laid an arm over his stomach. Ianto moaned as he Jacks arm settled
"Ssshhh it's me Yan" he said and pressed a gentle kiss to his neck, he seemed a little cooler to the touch. Ianto recognised Jacks voice and touch and snuggled into him. Jack pulled him close to him and Ianto settled down, Jacks legs wound round Iantos as he held him close to him. He didn't want to sleep; he lay awake just holding Ianto to him. Jack was still awake when he heard a gentle knock on the door, it opened and Michael's head appeared round the edge
"How's he doing?" he said quietly
"Still hot but I think its coming down" said Jack
Michael came into the room. He pulled the duvet up to cover Iantos back. Touching the back of Iantos neck he was still quite hot.
"Let me cool him off a little Jack" he said picking up the wash cloth from the side table he went into the bathroom to run it under cold water, having squeezed it out he came back and knelt on the floor by the bed. He gently wiped Iantos face and neck and then gently wiped the back of his neck and down his back. He pulled the duvet back up and tucked it around Ianto.
"We'll pop in a bit later and see how he is Jack?" said Michael
"Thank you" said Jack
"Just try and get some sleep Jack"
"I'll try"
Michael left the room and gently closed the door behind him. Jack placed a tender kiss on Iantos lips and closed his eyes. He didn't want to sleep but he had to rest. A few hours past and Iantos fever continued to drop, Michael and Andrew had popped in a few times during the night and gently continued to wipe Ianto down with a cool cloth careful not to wake him or Jack. It was a little after 6am when Michael went into the room to check Ianto. He smiled Ianto was now cuddled up to Jack. He gently touched his forehead, it was a little warmer than normal but the fever was gone. He turned to leave as he heard Ianto start to murmur in his sleep; he turned as Ianto started to thrash around in the bed. Jack was immediately awake; he didn't notice Michael he was completely focused on calming down Ianto who was now calling out Lisa's name. Jack knew from experience he was reliving what happened in Torchwood London.
"Ssshhh Yan its ok, just a dream" he soothed
"LIIISSSSAAAAA" screamed Ianto
"Yan, its ok sweetheart, you're dreaming I'm here" said Jack gently running his hands down Iantos back
"Is he alright" said Michael
Jack looked up and saw Michaels horrified face
"He'll be fine, please Michael can you leave us alone for a minute"
Michael nodded and left the room. He closed the door but stayed out in the corridor. Jack turned his attention back to Ianto
"Ssshhh my Cariad, I'm here," he said gently kissing Ianto. He started to calm down, and opened his eyes. They were full of tears
"Jack" he said slowly
"Its ok Yan, I'm here," he said tenderly, wiping the tears from his face
"I'm sorry," said Yan burying his head in Jacks shoulder and sobbing
"Ssshhh its ok, you're ok now"
Jack soothed Ianto for a few minutes until he stopped crying and moved his head from Jacks shoulder and laid his head on the pillow
"I don't remember anything after we bought the rings"
"You've had a high fever Yan, we've been mopping you down all night trying to cool you off" said Jack
"We"
"Me, Andrew, Michael and Aggie" said Jack "I was so worried Cariad"
"I'm sorry, I seem to be causing you a lot of pain lately" said Ianto
"Ssshhh, I can cope as long as you're alright"
Ianto nodded and licked his lips
"You want a drink?" asked Jack
Ianto nodded
"Stay here, I'll get us a drink from downstairs" said Jack. Ianto nodded and lay back on the pillow, Jack got out of the bed as he went to walk away to pick up clothes Ianto caught his hand
"Cariad" he said gently
"What's wrong?" said Jack looking at him concerned
"Nothing" said Ianto and pulled Jack towards him, Jack leant over and Ianto lifted his head to meet his. He kissed him so tenderly, Jacks stomach lurched. He kissed him back.
Jack got dressed and after making sure Ianto was propped up in bed and tucked the duvet around him, he left to get them both a drink. Michael was leaning on the wall outside the room.
"Is he alright Jack?" he asked concerned
"He seems fine thank Michael, the fevers gone and he wants a drink"
"You go back to him I'll get it," said Michael
"No, I'll come down for a few minutes," said Jack
They were almost at the kitchen when Michael asked him about Iantos thrashing
"It was just a dream Michael, Ianto witnessed the cyber invasion in London" said Jack
"Oh my god"
"You heard him scream out for Lisa didn't you?" asked Jack
Michael nodded, Jack stopped walking and touched Michaels arm, he stopped and turned to face Jack
"Michael please don't tell Andrew this and most importantly don't tell Ianto you know, his nightmares still embarrass him, I'm the only one who knows about his nightmares apart from our friend Tosh"
Michael nodded
"Lisa was his girlfriend, she worked at Canary Wharf, Ianto found her in a cyber conversion unit"
"Oh my god, how awful? did she make it?"
"No she died in his arms," said Jack, deciding not to tell Michael the whole story, all he needed to know was Lisa was dead.
"So how did you meet?" asked Michael as they resumed their walk down to the kitchen
"Ianto came to work for me not long after the battle at Canary Wharf, I'm not quite sure how we got to where we are now, but we've both been through some really horrific things and the other was always there for comfort" said Jack
"You really love him don't you Jack" said Michael
"More than I can ever tell him" said Jack
"Jack what sort of work do you and Ianto actually do? You never said"
"No we didn't" said Jack
"What is it some sort of government stuff?"
"Michael I run Torchwood Cardiff, Ianto is part of my team"
"Torchwood" he said
"You've heard of it then" said Jack
"I can't believe you work for them, after everything they did in London" said Michael disgusted
"Michael I know what you're thinking but we don't have anything to do with London, we're completely separate I run Torchwood Cardiff, we examine Alien artefacts we're nothing like London and never will be. I would never allow my team to do anything like what went on in Torchwood 1" said Jack
Michael looked at him and believed him.
"You lost someone didn't you?" said jack as they walked into the kitchen
"My twin sister" said Michael, and then turned to put his arms round Andrew and ending the conversation