A/N: I'm baaaaaaack! (BEAMS) BUSY schedules almost got in the way of updating this promtly but here I am. Yay?

First, though…! WOAH! THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for the baffling amount of reviews, listings and love that this story has received! I would've NEVER expected this kind of a reception. I swear that I'll do my best to make this worthy of your affections.

Awkay, before I get all mushy… Let's go! I really hope that you'll enjoy the ride.

Three Makes a Crowd

Ianto had always been a perfectionist. No matter how seemingly mundane a task. And avoiding ending up knocked up after the changes his body was pushed through was something he didn't take lightly. He'd been very, very careful.

Yet here he was, throwing up and dry heaving when his stomach ran out of anything to spew out, the mental image of three positive pregnancy tests burned eternally to his retinas. Feeling throughoutly sick and, frankly, a little sorry for himself. Feeling too much for comfort.

He just wanted to wake up from this odd, terrifying dream already.

He jumped slightly at the feel of a stunningly tender hand rubbing circles on his back. He leaned instinctively to the touch. "Feeling better?" Jack murmured.

Ianto nodded slowly, pleased to discover that it didn't make him throw up again. He shivered and finally opened his eyes, looking down at the mess he just made. His face twisted to a grimace. "Owen's going to throw a fit at me for ruining his trashcan."

Jack chuckled. "He's in too much of a shock to even notice." Well, Owen did look ready to pass out when he left a few minutes ago to fetch Ianto some water

Ianto smiled but it disappeared in a flash. He wrapped his arms tightly around his achy, still mildly nauseated body, as though trying to shield himself. Too bad that this time the assault came from the inside.

Jack clearly noticed his discomfort. "Hey." A hand brushed some strayed locks of hair from his forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Ianto licked his lips, not really managing to meet his lover's eyes. "There's something inside me that should've never ended up there. How do you think I feel?" Was he talking about the changes his body went through weeks ago? Or something more? He didn't know. He winced at his tone. "Sorry. I'm just… I'm scared, Jack." Admitting that wasn't a small thing for him. He could only hope that Jack saw that much, at least tried to understand where he was coming from.

The hand that'd been caressing him withdrew. "You think that I don't understand that?" Jack growled. There was a stunning amount of raw emotion in the tone, in those slightly widened blue eyes. "I'm scared, too. For you, for us. To see what this will do to you." 'Scared' seemed to be the understatement of the year, if the sheer terror in the immortal's gaze was anything to go by. The man swallowed, hard. "And if all does go well… Ianto, I'll outlive you both. I'll watch you grow old and…" The inhale was so sharp that it had to hurt. "I'll… I'll live to bury my own child, alone."

The tragedy of it tore at Ianto's heart. The mental image of it… He took a deep, sharp breath of his own, feeling several more slashes of brutal pain. Because right there he saw. "But you still want it." Calling it a baby would've made whatever the hell there was growing in his violently altered body feel too real.

A torn look appeared to Jack's face. Such the Welshman couldn't remember seeing before. "It's not an alien, Ianto. It's ours."

Fighting the urge to feel sick again Ianto turned away, leaning his back heavily against the back of the chair and burying his face into both of his hands. So Jack was already thinking of it as their child. Jack was going to think that Ianto was a monster…!

"You don't want it." A statement rather than a question. Full of poorly hidden accusation, pain, sadness and betrayal.

Funny, because Ianto was feeling similar. A searing sensation took over his eyes and he did his best to rub it away. "I'm a man, Jack! This… This isn't supposed to be happening!" he cried out, sounding more than a little panicked. His eyes opened and stared at his stomach. It was surreal to imagine that there was something alive and growing inside it. "I was never supposed to become a dad. And definitely not this way."

He'd never, ever envisioned himself as a parent. Not even with Lisa and they fully agreed on the matter. A child with two Torchwood parents wouldn't work. And to be honest Ianto just couldn't see how he would've made a decent parent. His past hadn't exactly given him enough tools to know how to be one. He wouldn't be able to provide a child with what they needed! Physically and financially yes, of course, but emotionally…

And what about Jack? They were still exploring their rather newly deepened relationship, testing the ground. Getting to really, properly know each other. How would a baby fit into all of that? How were they supposed to raise a child together?

This was all provided he'd actually end up carrying the pregnancy to term, with however much or little free choice there was involved. His body wasn't supposed to be able to become pregnant, period. It was forced through dramatic changes that it might not be able to handle. Little as he liked to admit it he had to face the facts. There was no telling what this baby, which he'd never asked for, might do to him.

Right now he didn't have even the slightest clue what to do. All he wanted was Jack to wrap his arms around him and tell him that it was alright. That it was his body, his decision, that he'd support him and stay with him no matter what.

But as it was they were both too angry, confused, pained and scared. So they lingered in a stiff silence, both deep in thought. Both with the weight of the world on their shoulders.

That was how Owen found them upon entering the room five minutes later. One eyebrow bounced up. "Well aren't you two just full of cheer…" The doctor sighed, clearly exhausted. It'd been a long day. "So… I suppose that we need a course of action."

Ianto stiffened. There were certain things that needed to be discussed, considering his… situation. And he wasn't sure if he wanted Jack to be there to hear. But then again, Jack was also his boss and it was highly important, to the safety of the entire team, that he knew the medical things. So Ianto took a deep breath and clenched his fists, not looking at either of the other men. "My medication… doesn't mix well with a pregnancy." He couldn't see himself as a parent. But still, somehow, pumping whatever there was inside him full of chemicals that'd harm it…

He felt Owen's nod and discomfort. "We have to cut down your antidepressants. As well as your sleeping pills. Do you think you're up to it?"

What bloody choice do I have?, Ianto wanted to scoff. "I've… felt alright, for a while, now." Jack didn't know the full force of the rats gnawing at him but the captain had helped keep them at bay, especially lately. And for that the Welshman was grateful. He focused on Owen. "So, yeah. I'm up to it."

Owen gave him a hard look. "And you'd better tell me if that changes, got that? Especially now." Especially now, for Jack, or because of the pregnancy? Both?

Ianto swallowed. "I will", he promised. And he had a feeling that Jack would be watching over him like a hawk.

"Field work is another thing I wanted to discuss." Owen's suddenly nervous gaze flickered between him and Jack. "You're going to hate me for this, but this job… It's fucking dangerous. Take the word of a dead man walking. And we've all seen that you can be a incredibly infuriating trouble magnet. I can't let you out there, chasing and getting chased by all those creepy crawlers." A stunningly subtle pair of eyes flickered on his abdomen. "I know that you haven't decided yet. But until you have I'm not taking the brat's life on my conscience. Or yours."

Ianto understood. Of course he did. Owen was a doctor and although his ethics could be questioned from time to time he was also a stern professional. He couldn't let someone in Ianto's condition enter some of the world's most dangerous situations when it was under his power to stop it.

But to Ianto it was another blow, another little unwanted turmoil in his life. Another thing that he had absolutely no control over. He was getting tired of not having any control over anything.

He did have control over here and now, though. And so, with as much pride and dignity as he could, Ianto got up and nodded. "Thanks." He meant it, even if there was an echo of bitterness.

Jack frowned. One of the man's hands twitched. "Where are you going?"

Ianto felt a pulse of frustrated fury. "To the restroom. I just… I need a moment."

He was already walking away when Jack's voice called out. "Don't take too long." It almost made him smile, almost.

Jack knew full well that he could be… difficult. Ignorant in some moments and smothering right after. He could be very, very demanding. But when he cared about someone he took it seriously. He couldn't help it, no matter how many times he'd tried to teach himself to detach since learning of his immortality. People stayed in his eternal life for only a fleeting moment. Comrades, allies, friends, lovers, loved ones… They were always torn away from him, usually sooner rather than later, because that was the curse of his gift. Yet he hadn't managed to harden his heart entirely. He never managed to stop caring, falling deep. He was the kind of a person who was born to lead and gather people around him, whether he was leading them to his bed or to their deaths. They were his biggest strength and downfall. Keeping him fighting, hanging on, and shattering him piece by piece at the same time.

His latest massive downfall was Jones, Ianto Jones, a man of mysteries and surprises. An archivist with a deadly aim and the heart of a lion. Jack honestly didn't know what to call what the two of them had. But he did know that he didn't want to see it ending. That it was captivating, intoxicating. At some point he'd even cast aside the thought of being with others. He'd probably never manage to utter any pledges or confessions but this, being devoted to Ianto… He'd come to realize that he wouldn't change it for the world. And now, impossibly, Ianto was pregnant with his child.

Yes, Jack was terrified of what it might do to his young lover. But somewhere, deep down… There was the tiniest spark of excitement, such that he couldn't smother. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to. Was fate really going to grant him a yeat another family? Yes, one way or another he'd lose it and it'd kill a part of him, but the frail spark of excitement refused to die.

Jack also couldn't deny that it stung, more than a little, that Ianto didn't seem to feel a thing towards the life they'd accidentally created.

"You're not gonna start puking too, are you?"

Owen's disgusted, genuinely worried words succeeded in breaking Jack free from his thoughts. He sighed, rubbing his face with both hands. "I'll tell you when I know."

A few moments passed by with him attempting to get a hold of himself and Owen bustling around uncomfortably loudly, probably to keep himself busy. In the end the doctor broke the silence. "Look… I have no fucking clue what sort of mating and reproducing habits there were in your time. I'm glad for that. But this is totally new to Ianto. He just got knocked up and he's scared shitless."

Jack gritted his teeth. His jawline tightened. "It's his own baby!"

"He may never see it as such, Jack. That's not something anyone can actively choose." Oh, did Jack know that, with vivid detail…! Owen sounded and seemed very serious all of a sudden. "What you can choose is whether you can handle that. I'd advice to decide it quickly."

Jack couldn't help the hint of a smile that touched his lips momentarily. "You know… It almost sounds like you care", he teased.

Owen shrugged. "Tea-boy's my patient. And at the moment so is the brat. It's a part of my job." The doctor then gestured towards the door. "Surveillance footage revealed that he's sulking in the restroom. Now go."

Jack hauled himself up stunningly obediently. "Yes, Master Yoda." He hoped that the 'Thank you' was audible.

He was almost out of the door when Owen spoke once more. "Hey, and Jack? Congratulations."

If those words made Jack smile just a little bit no one would have to know.

Ianto had no idea how long he'd been in the restroom, locked up to one of the booths and slumped to the floor. His legs had been brought tightly to his chest and he buried his face to them, focusing firmly on breathing. Focused on anything but the storm of thoughts bombarding his head. Tried to shield himself from the rest of the world.

Of course that wouldn't work. Because eventually the room's door opened and familiar steps approached. "Sorry about the intrusion, but don't you agree that half an hour is enough of a 'moment'?" Jack stopped nearby, with only a thin door separating them. "Would you please open the door so we can talk like two adults?"

Ianto glanced towards the door with a mixture of caution and hopefulness. He gulped. "I'm… not sure if I can talk about… it yet", he admitted quietly.

There was a sigh. "I don't care, alright?" It sounded like Jack might even mean it. "Just… let me in. Screw talking."

Powerless against that tone of a voice Ianto unlocked the door and they were face to face. Both unsure and on the edge. Without saying a word Jack sat beside him and, as though without the captain's notice, a subtle hand reached out towards Ianto, grabbing his. Ianto squeezed it and held on tight, his head refusing to consider any other option.

No matter what happened or whatever Ianto decided to do with the pregnancy they were in for a tough ride. Again. Why couldn't things be simple with them for once?

"Toshiko and Gwen will be back soon", Jack pointed out at last, breaking the silence. They both stared at the same spot on the wall. "They'll have a lot of questions. What are we going to tell them?"

"Jack, please…!" Perhaps it was the unfamiliar hormones. But all of a sudden Ianto couldn't take the suffocating band tightening around his chest any longer. He knew that there was nothing short of despair in his eyes when they met his boss and he didn't give a damn. "I… I don't know anything, right now. And I… I need time. So please… Just give me some time." He knew full well that he was pleading, all too close to tears, but he couldn't help it. He just needed time, at least just a little.

Jack seemed to understand. Because although the turmoil of disappointment, anger, fear and accusation didn't disappear fully it grew milder. There was also softness and understanding. The captain nodded. "Okay. We can blame it on a stomach flue, for now." The immortal placed a comfortingly tender kiss to his forehead. "I'll leave Owen in charge and take you home to get some rest. And then I'll cook us some pasta."

That succeeded in coaxing a small laugh from Ianto. He dared to let himself relax slightly against Jack. "I'll take care of the cooking, thank you. You might survive a yet another food poisoning but I wouldn't."

Jack felt utterly drained while they entered Ianto's flat about an hour later and couldn't even begin to guess how the Welshman had to be feeling. It'd been a long, trying day. And apparently it was all getting started. Or well, that's what a small, secret part of Jack was hoping for. Bloody confusing, all of it.

Wasn't Ianto supposed to be the hormonal one of them?

"So…", Jack started with almost honest cheer once the flat's door had been closed. "What do you want to…?" He could only watch how his lover beelined towards the bathroom. It took but seconds before the retching reached his ears. He winced with sympathy and, admittedly, some worry. "… eat?"

Jack decided to give Ianto some privacy, especially considering everything that'd been dumped on the man over the past ten or so hours. But when the sounds of vomiting refused to end after twelve minutes the nagging concern from before deepened significantly. He was moving before he even registered it properly.

Ianto was leaning over the toilet, still gasping. Some tears of strain rolled down the unhealthily pale man's face. Well, at least the throwing up was finally done with. The Welshman spat the last of it into the water and groaned loudly. "… futuristic fertility devices…!"

Jack winced at the words that he almost certainly heard. "Please, Ianto, not when you're pregnant…!" He met the other's glare with a look of sympathy. "I take it you're not hungry?"

Ianto gave him a dry, dark look. "Try to force food down my throat and I'll vomit on your coat." The unwell man's eyes became hopeful. "Bed?"

Jack nodded. He would've wanted to have at least some food stuffed into Ianto, since that was what the man would've needed the most at the moment. But he didn't have the heart to deny that feeble request. "Sure." He actually bit his tongue to restrain some suggestions that might've resulted into Ianto damaging his private parts.

Ianto was able to walk, only just and with the sheer power of stubbornness. With a lot of difficulties they made it to the bedroom and Jack guided the Welshman to lie down. They younger man was fast asleep long before his head hit the pillow.

If only he could've seen what Jack saw, there. How Ianto's body curled up and one of his hands found its way to his stomach, pressing lightly. How the simple contact was enough to smoothen the lines marring the pale, sweaty forehead. Perhaps Ianto's active mind didn't know what he should do but the man's subconscious seemed to be a different story.

Jack himself hesitated. Then, very slowly, he reached out his own slightly unsteady hand. Careful that Ianto wouldn't wake up he lay it on the man's stomach. He was almost sure that he could feel signs of life although it was impossible. His lips opened, then closed again and he swallowed laboriously.

There in the silence of Ianto's bedroom Jack held on and wondered just where the three of them were headed.

TBC

A/N: Forgive Ianto, yeah? He's more than a little overwhelmed right now. (winces) Let's just hope that he and his relationship with Jack will survive this hurricane. But hey, just how cute is it that Jack seems excited about the whole thing? He's a darling, if not a little exhausting.

Sooooo… Thoughts? Comments? PLEASE, do let me know!

Until next time, folks! I really hope that you'll all join in then.

Take care!

Guest: I'm thrilled to hear that you find this so exciting! I truly hope that you won't be disappointed by what's to come.

Huge thank yous for the review!