The sight was almost unbearable for Jack. He sat next to Ianto's bed letting the long held back tears fall. His water filled eyes took in everything that he didn't want to see. Ianto was wired to numerous machines, all bleeping a different tone or measuring something vital. There were also bags of drugs and blood hanging, being dripped through Ianto's body. His beautiful face was covered with bandages and tubes keeping him alive. Jack took hold of his hand,
"I'm so sorry." He whispered, "If I hadn't of worked you so hard or if I had taken more time to be with you and cared for you a little more, you wouldn't be here now." It was times like these that Jack wished he could die, or could take somebody's place. Why Ianto? What had he ever done wrong that someone would try and hurt him like this?
Outside, by the window the rest of Torchwood 3 stood and watched also taking in the sight they didn't want to see. Tosh was holding onto Owen shaking with tears, Gwen had her head pressed against the window also crying silently.
Back in the room, Jack was still talking to Ianto, "I promise, I swear Jones, Ianto Jones that if you pull through I will never let go of you again. I will hold on so tightly that no-one will ever be able to hurt you again." He delicately squeezed Ianto's hand, as Ianto looked very fragile as if he could break at the slightest touch. Jack fell asleep next to Ianto and stayed so for the rest of the night.
The next morning Jack was wakened by a gentle nudge by a nurse. She smiled at him, "He made it through the night Captain Harkness. This could be the start of a recovery." Jack smiled back weakly. He looked outside the window where Gwen was slumped against the wall asleep. Tosh and Owen didn't appear to be there anymore. Jack stood up slowly, stiff from the angle he'd slept on. He walked outside and woke Gwen. She woke with a start. Jack helped her up and embraced her tightly.
"Where are Tosh and Owen?" Jack asked,
"Back at the Hub. Just checking the Rift, Janet and stuff." Gwen explained. Jack nodded. When it had come to his team, he knew he'd picked them wisely.
"How is he?" Gwen asked quietly.
"They said it's a good sign that he's made it through the night. It could be the start of recovery." Jack smiled. Gwen smiled back. They sat down on the plastic seats.
Suddenly Jack held Gwen's face gently. She looked into his dazzling eyes, dulled by worry and lack of sleep. He kissed her very carefully giving her a chance to pull away. She responded and kissed him back passionately. Allowing their worries to drift momentarily, to let the pain to go numb for a brief moment. They stayed enveloped in each others arms, eventually falling into a reluctant doze.
Through their sleep a nurse shuffled past. His high cheekbones covered in a thin surgical mask. He walked into Ianto's room and shut the door silently, without waking the two outside. In his hand he held a sterilized, silver tray with a single injection on it. He placed the tray carefully on the bedside table and with gloved hands picked the needle up, "Sorry. This isn't about you; it's just a personal thing. Not quite how I imagined ending your life but it will have to do." He spoke softly, with that he injected a lethal concoction into Ianto's arm, "Goodnight, Eyecandy."