The ambulance had arrived quickly. They put Ianto in the back and started putting temporary bandages on the wound while Jack held onto Ianto's hand. When they arrived at the hospital Jack jumped out and followed them. Only stopping when he was told to stay outside while they worked on his injury.
Jack took this opportunity to call Gwen. He pulled his phone out and walked outside to make the call.
"Pick up," Jack moaned at the phone. The ringing continued for what felt like forever. In reality it was only a couple of seconds. The ringing stopped when the tired Welsh vowels of Gwen Cooper answered the phone.
"Hey, Jack, what is it? Weevil? Rift activity?" Gwen had gotten so used to being called in the middle of the night because of something Torchwood related, that she just started assuming things.
She continued to list things that could be wrong until Jack interrupted.
"Iantos in hospital."
"Wait. . . What? What happened? Is he gonna be okay?" Panic was clear in her voice.
"I'm not sure why but this woman, well I think, I saw shot him. The doctor is sorting him out now." Jack tried to sound like Captain Jack Harkness, leader of Torchwood, not Captain Jack Harkness, worried friend, lover, boyfriend or whatever he was to Ianto. He had hoped he was boyfriend but never wanted to press that matter.
"I'm on my way. I'll be there as quick as I can." Gwen informed Jack. He disconnected the call without saying anything more but hearing her trying to wake Rhys. He turned back to the hospital.
Now sitting outside Ianto's room, Jack stares at the wall opposite him. Trying to figure out who the mysterious woman was but more importantly whether Ianto was going to be okay. He let out a sigh. As he finished his sigh, the doctor came out of Ianto's room.
"Mr Harkness?" The doctor moved in front of Jack, who was avoiding his usual remark about him being a Captain. He looked up at her. "I'm Dr. Sandra Smith. I'll be monitoring Mr Ianto Jones."
"It's nice to meet you, I guess. Is Ianto going to be okay?" Worry crossed His face. The last time a doctor had said they would be monitoring someone he had to attend a funeral three weeks later. It was not something that Jack wanted to do again, especially with Ianto.
"Well your friend was lucky. The bullet didn't damage any major organs around the area where he was shot. But there is, as always, a chance of infection especially as he is underweight. Is there a regular problem that causes this or something that has started lately?" The doctor asked. Jack turned to the doctor, who was now sitting at his side.
"He won't eat much or at all after something really upsets him. Usually he is fine after a couple of days." Jack was starting to get more worried.
"I see. Do you know if he has gotten any help for this?" Seeing the look on Jack's face, she decided to elaborate. "I mean, it's not a major problem now but, in future, it could cause him some problems."
"Not that I know of."
"Well it might be worth it. Anyway I would like to keep Mr Jones in for a couple of days, just to keep an eye on him. But he should be fine." Jack muttered a "thanks" before the doctor walked away.
Standing up he took a deep breath and went into Ianto's room. The room was just like any other room in the hospital that Jack had been in. Plain, a creamy colour and boring. With just machines,a bed (now occupied by Ianto) and a chairs for visitors (now being occupied by Jack). Too many times Jack had to visit friends or partners in hospital. The last time had been Martha and again, like this time, had been Jack's fault.
Ianto was asleep, not that Jack was expecting Ianto to be awake. At least Jack could think. Who was that woman? Maybe it was someone Jack had known from his past that he just couldn't remember. Or something to do with the two years that he lost. Whatever it was she must be extremely angry at him. Maybe I should ask John. He might know who she is. Jack thought. No. He couldn't ask John for help. Ianto and Gwen wouldn't be happy. They still tense whenever he mentions bringing John back to Cardiff for extra help until they recruit new team members.
Ianto stirred and Jack was broken from his thoughts. He just watched Ianto as he slept. If it wasn't for the fact that he was in a hospital, Ianto would look like an Angel. Jack liked watching Ianto sleep. His own eyelids were starting to close but Jack forced them to remain open. He wanted to be awake when Ianto woke up. He stood and paced round the room, listening to the beeps of the heart monitor.
Ianto was still sleeping at least three hours since Jack finally sat down again. He now sat next to his bed with his hand lying next to Ianto's, his fingers gently stroking his. Jack was just watching. Fully expecting a remark about how his mother never taught him that staring was rude when Ianto woke. The only difference with the room was that Gwen and Rhys now sat on the other side of the bed. Gwen's hand holding Ianto's and Rhys' arm around Gwen's shoulders.
"Why don't you go get something to eat or at least drink, mate?" Rhys broke the silence that had been there since Gwen and him arrived. Nothing was exchanged, just little looks every now and then. "We'll keep an eye on him." Jack looked across and took a large breath. Standing, he went to walk out of the room, quickly having one last glance at the man lying asleep in the bed.
As he made his way to the coffee machine, waiting for the strong disgust he would have over the taste, he couldn't help but notice the Police officers sitting in the room, talking to a woman who's voice he recognised as Detective Kathy Swanson. She was moaning about some woman attacking her. Typical. Ianto gets shot and they're more worried about another officer getting attacked. Jack stopped that thought as he reached the coffee machine.
He searched all over his clothing for a pound coin and desperately did not want to go ask the people in the nearest room. He decided to give up looking for the pound coin. Instead he was going to head back to Ianto's room when he heard a strong British accent.
"Here. It's the least I could do." Jack turned round and took the coin. He muttered a thanks and smiled at the woman. Only as she vanished did he realise who it was. The same woman as earlier in the night.