Disclaimer: Don't own the characters

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters.

Warning(s): SLASH!! Oh and the characters may seem a little OOC. AU now that Season Two has started as it is NOT going to link into season two.

The Year That Never Was.

Chapter Three.

After that first night sleeping in each other's arms Owen moved his mattress next to Ianto's creating a basic but effective double bed for the two of them to share. When they wanted to they could stick to their own mattresses and duvets of course, some nights they'd merely hold hands but most nights they'd sleep curled up together or spooned together. It wasn't really sexual to begin with, just comfort…but it grew.

"Yan…"

"Owen…"

Their gasps and cries filled the pub as they writhed together on the mattresses, building up some good memories to bury the bad ones. During the day the couple were all business, setting up their plan to rescue Tosh and as many others as they could. And the plan was almost ready to implicate.

"Owen, what will we do once we get Tosh back?" Ianto asked one day as he brought the coffee in for both of them. "What will we do once we get Tosh and anyone else we rescue here?"

"Well we'll get them all settled in upstairs and…"

"No I meant with us."

"Oh…well if they, the ones we rescue, they can live upstairs and we'll stay down here. Together," Owen linked his hand with Ianto's. "We'll be fine."

"What about Tosh? She won't want to live upstairs."

"She won't mind us," Owen said, sounding sure, "It's Tosh we're talking bout here, she won't mind…except maybe to feel left out." Both men chuckled, remembering Mary and the revelation of Tosh's hidden…kinky side.

"I doubt she'll want to see us having sex Owen," Ianto said, squeezing Owens hand gently and smiling, "I don't think she's the kind who likes to watch."

"Well if she does mind we'll manage. There are plenty of houses for a night time, or daytime if you'd prefer, rendezvous," Ianto made a face, "I know it's not ideal and the place is full of horrible memories but now I've got you Yan I am not going to give you up." The 'yucky' face turned into a soft smile.

"Well then, with the oncoming possibility of sex in a scary and abandoned buildings how about we make use of the freedom we have now…you know we've never done it up against the bar before," Ianto said slowly, teasingly as he released Owens hand to strip himself of the simple t-shirt he was wearing, revealing smooth skin to the wide eyed Doctor.

"And I thought it was Jack that had always been the kinky one," Owen said with a smile before he pounced. Only one other person had fucked Ianto so thoroughly and made him feel so wonderful…so alive. Jack. And Ianto had fallen in love with Jack…did that mean he was falling in love with Owen?

"Right Yan, I've rigged the car there to explode. The explosion should distract the spheres long enough for us to get in and get them out," Owen said calmly as he and Ianto hid on the desolate streets, waiting for the first group of slaves to be brought back from the work camp. "Don't look back when you're running, just head straight back to the base. I'll meet you there."

"Ok."

Both men were dressed all in black, mainly just because it looked cool but also because black could hide them in shadows best. And both were armed with everything they had, the guns, kitchen knives and metal poles/bars taken from the kitchens of the other houses. They didn't need the pipes after all but they were good hitting sticks. And they were very prepared to use them.

"Here they come, can you see Tosh yet?" Owen asked. Ianto shook his head and they both watched the exhausted looking crowd of people stumbling down the road, escorted by only three spheres. No human guards were in sight which was a relief; the two men didn't think they could shoot at the human guards with intent to kill. It just wasn't the same as taking out the spheres, they were just people trying to survive under difficult circumstances.

"There she is," Ianto gasped, pointing to the middle of the crowd, "She's so thin." He was right, Tosh had lost so much weight and she was so terribly dirty. A long cut above her eye was dripping blood down her cheek and she clutched her hand to her chest even as she helped the person beside her along the road. "Blow up the car. We have to help her now!"

"Wait for it…" Owen said, his hands itching, ready to pull the string attached to the homemade bomb. "Wait for it…now!" He pulled sharply and after a few agonising seconds the car blew up quite spectacularly. The people screamed and all three of the spheres went to the other end of the road to investigate, proving once more that they weren't very smart. They'd left their charges unguarded.

Ianto and Owen took off at a run towards the twenty or so people huddled against the buildings front walls. Owen went straight to Tosh, giving her a brief hug before pulling her back towards the way they came. Ianto began herding the other people in the same direction. It was madness but eventually they all got the message, this was a rescue not an attack and ran in a semi-organised group.

"The spheres! They're coming back!" one of the women screamed almost hysterically. A shot rang out and a man yelled out and fell, dead before he hit the ground in a crumpled mess. Then another shot and another scream and another body lying on the road.

"Run for the woods! Hide in the woods!" Ianto shouted as he pulled his gun from its holster, stopping and turning to face the oncoming spheres. Owen didn't hesitate in letting go of Tosh's hand and doing the same.

"Tosh get them out of here!" he shouted at the woman who had paused along with him. Slowly she nodded and continued to run, urging the people to too. Ianto was the first to open fire, ducking behind some wreckage for cover. Even before Owen opened fire one of the spheres took a hit and was sent spinning away. "Nice shot Yan!" Now Owen, also taking cover, opened fire. Two on two.

"I did tell you I was aiming for your shoulder," Ianto grinned at his lover, firing another shot. Limited ammo meant they were both being careful, going for kill shots only. The spheres however were firing willy-nilly and that was not good as they weren't just firing at their attackers, they were firing at the people running. And they were killing the people running.

"Who taught you to-TAKE THAT YOU BASTARD!" Owens shout was one of triumph as the sphere on the left took a hit and fell like the metal it was through the air, hitting the ground with a thud. The last sphere was a fighter, weaving and dodging their shots. And it was also the one responsible for killing the most people.

"Jack!" Ianto shouted over all the noise.

"What?"

"It was Jack who taught me to shoot!"

"Well that explains it!" Owen laughed loudly, a laugh that cut off abruptly when Ianto cried out in pain and fell for the dirty ground. He'd been hit.

As he fell Ianto dropped his gun, his now free right hand pressing down onto the deep wound to his left elbow. Tears were forced from his eyes as he called out again. Owen cried out too, with rage, filled with anger and fear for his lover. His shots at the sphere became more rage driven but luckily, even as angry as he was, his aim was still quite good. The sphere took a direct hit and like the second plummeted.

"Yan!" Owen cried out as he rushed across the street, dropping to his knees by his groaning love. Blood was flowing freely from between Ianto's fingers and the smell of scorched skin and bone was so strong even Owen, a trained Doctor and Medical Examiner, felt sick. "Yah I'm sorry but you've got to move, they'll have sent more spheres on the way." Owen took of his belt, worn out of habit even though the black trousers he was wearing were a size too small and fit rather snugly, and fixed it tightly on Ianto's upper arm, creating much needed a tourniquet. He hoped to God Ianto wouldn't bleed out before they got somewhere safe and he could do more. "Keep pressure on it Yah. Can you walk Yan?"

"Yes but…you'll have to help me Owen…fuck it hurts…" Ianto groaned. When Owen pulled him to his feet he let out a cry of pain.

"I'm sorry Yan," Owen breathed as he put an arm securely around Ianto's slightly too slim waist. Keeping his grip both gentle and firm at the same time he got Ianto to hurry into the woods. After five minutes Owen considered them suitably hidden he leaned Ianto up against a strong looking tree. Not even thinking about it he tipped at the bottom of his t-shirt, tearing of three long strips and leaving his stomach bare. And then with all the expertise of his medical training he bound the wound, freeing Ianto's hand which immediately grabbed onto the tree for support. And in doing this he realised sickeningly that the wound was deep, so deep that it had shattered Ianto's elbow joint.

"Is it bad?" Ianto asked, his voice thick with pain.

"Nothing I can't sort out when we get back to the pub. Now can you make it the rest of the way or do you want me to carry you?" Owen asked, his hands gently stroking Ianto's sides as he spoke, his eyes not hiding the worry he felt for his lover.

"You can't carry me Owen I'm too heavy," Ianto said simply, truthfully, "I'll walk…but I could use a hand…"

"Say no more," Owen said with a small smile. Carefully he put Ianto's good arm around his shoulders, holding his right with his right hand while slipping his left arm around Ianto's trim waist. "This ok?"

"Yes…but where's Tosh? She made it out right?"

"We didn't pass he body so she's either in these woods somewhere or she's heading for the pub," Owen answered as they set of together as fast as they could manage. Ianto's feet felt unusually heavy and his head light, like it was full of cotton wool but he struggled and pulled himself together.

"How many bodies did we pass…I didn't notice?" Ianto asked sadly.

"About twelve," Owen sighed sadly.

"Oh God…" Ianto groaned, tears coming to his eyes, "So many…"

"We were never going to be able to save them all but…well I never expected it to feel like this," Owen admitted softly, "Now I know why Jack behaved like he did sometimes." Ianto nodded softly, stopping them walking briefly so that he could give Owen a soft kiss.

"Someone has to make the tough decisions," he murmured quietly, his lips still close to Owens, "And just remember that the others are alive and free because of us." He stumbled slightly as the world spun uncontrollably around him. "Whoa…"

"Yan?" Owen supported him more firmly, fearing that Ianto was going to collapse on him. "What's wrong?"

"World's spinning…"

"Can you still walk?" Owen asked worriedly. Ianto nodded weakly and this time Owen hurried the pair of them. Ianto's wound needed proper treatment, in an ideal world a hospital. This wasn't an ideal world so the pub would do but they needed to get there fast.

The door was open when they arrived at the pub and they were instantly on alert. Owen drew his gun reminding the now groggy Ianto that he had no idea what had happened to his after he fell. Ianto let go of Owens shoulders and leaned heavily on the doorframe, freeing Owen up to check the pub.

"Owen! It's me!" Tosh's voice screamed as Owen entered, ready to fire at anything that moved. The young Asian woman stepped out of the shadows, her hands raised just in case.

"Thank fuck…" Owen breathed; lowering his gun he pulled his friend into a tight hug. "Oh thank fuck…" Tosh let out a sob and clutched at his shirt, pressing her face into his shoulder as she began to sob.

"I knew you'd come but…but I…" she mumbled through her sobs, "We lost so many…Only seven other than men Owen. Seven! Out of twenty-three!" He pulled her head back down onto his shoulder and rocked her comfortingly, rubbing her back gently with his hands.

"I know Tosh but it was the only way we could get you out, we had to take the risk," Owen mumbled apologetically in her ear. Neither noticed Ianto swaying slightly at the door; neither of them heard him moan of pain. "Are any of the seven hurt? And where are they?"

"I got them something to eat, they're in the kitchen. And none of them had any major injuries, none that I could see anyway," Tosh answered, leaning back and wiping at her face with her fingers. "But Megs is seven months pregnant. It's lucky you came when you did, she almost couldn't work anymore and the spheres had orders to kill those who could no longer work."

"Pregnant?" Owen asked in surprise.

"Owe…" Ianto nearly staggered into the room, lurching to the left until his hands found the wall and he secured his footing once more. He felt sick and tired and he really wished someone would notice him and stop the world from spinning.

"I'll have to give her an examination, with all the stress and the work…"

"Owen!" Ianto gave a final cry before the world went dark. He was unconscious before he hit the floor with a loud thud.

"Ianto! Shit!" Owen shouted, rushing over to Ianto's fallen form. He cursed himself silently for forgetting so easily that Ianto was injured. "Tosh clear the table off and get one of the men to help me get him onto the table." Tosh threw the things off the table, uncaring of what they were and where they landed and then she rushed into the kitchen, returning with a strong looking man. "I'm going to need my med kit Tosh and a-a very sharp, big kitchen knife. Sterilised."

"W-W-Why the knife?" Tosh asked worriedly, shaking.

"I saw the wound earlier Tosh. The only thing I can do is…is amputate. If I don't he'll die of blood loss or infection," he said quickly, straightening Ianto's body out on the table top, "Can you get someone to make up some bandages and put one of the pokers into the fire. I'll need to cauterise the amputation after."

"But Owen we can't…"

"He'll die Tosh!" Owens voice broke and his eyes welled up, "I won't loose him Tosh now please do what I say. Please get the things I need." His voice was shaking now as he used one of the knives from his belt to cut Ianto's top away, not touching the belt/tourniquet or the bandages on Ianto's arm. Tosh had rushed into the kitchen, giving her orders and then returned with his med-kit.

Slowly and with shaking hands he checked the tourniquet and then unwrapped the bandages, checking on the wound. He needed to reassure himself that amputation really was the only option that they had. A young woman came out of the kitchen, carrying a steaming knife, recently boiled. She looked positively sick as he took it and assessed the sharpness of the blade. It would do the job well.

"What's your name?" he asked finally, still judging where to start his amputation and trying to stop his hands shaking. Shaking hands were not going to be good for a DIY operation.

"Brydie."

"Right? Can you grab the bottle of Vodka from behind the bar and give him a nice big dose. It'll have to do for an anaesthetic," she nodded and obeyed him, helping Ianto to take three big gulps from the bottle. "Now Brydie, would you be able to keep an eye on him while I work? Make sure he doesn't wake up? Give him more Vodka if he starts to?" The woman nodded shakily, positioning herself at Ianto's head, the knuckles of the hand clutching the bottle white. "He can't handle his drink so there's not much chance he'll wake up but it's just in case. I don't want him in pain…"

"I'll stay."

"Thank you." Owen turned to Tosh, knowing she didn't want to see this. "Can you have a bowl of water and a clean set of cloths ready? And the poker? It needs to be glowing red, that's when it's hot enough."

"I-I should stay…Ianto…he…"

"It's ok Tosh. Please Tosh, do as I say…you don't need to see this…" Owen reached out and gently rubbed his thumb over her cheek. Slowly she nodded and walked from the room, wiping her eyes as she went. Leaning down Ianto pressed a soft kiss to Ianto's forehead causing Brydie's eyes to widen slightly. "I'm sorry love." And the he began the operation.

It seemed to take forever and there was blood everywhere. Ianto had moaned twice and the young woman had shakily given him more Vodka, refusing to look at the operation. Owen called out for the water and the clothes and started to clean the wound he had just made, pressing the clothes on the bleeding stump as he called out for the poker. Tosh herself brought it out, taking a deep breath as she saw Owen pushing Ianto's now dead arm away.

"This…this is going to smell…" Owen warned quietly. Brydie bit her lip and Tosh looked away. Owen wished he could too but he had no choice. The sound of Ianto's skin and muscle burning was awful but was nothing compared to the smell. The seconds passed as Owen cauterised the wound he'd made and by the time he was finished his hands were shaking like an old mans, so badly that he managed to burn his own arm as he pushed the poker into Tosh's hands.

"What now?" Tosh asked.

"I'll clean it again and then bandage the stump. We'll have to change the dressings every few hours to keep it clean from infection," Owen said, his body sagging slightly at the relief that the operation was over. "Once the wounds bandaged we can change his clothes and put him to bed with someone always with him. I can't believe I forgot about his injury earlier."

"So he'll be alright?" Tosh asked.

"As long as he doesn't get an infection he'll be fine in a little while, with lots of rest and relaxation," Owen answered, "God Tosh we've missed you." They hugged fiercely again, fingers turning white as they gripped each other with enough force to bruise. Finally they pulled apart, a little more composed than before. "Now let's get our new friends settled in upstairs. Ianto and I have been living down here so it's all free for them up there and you can choose wherever you want to sleep."

Tosh nodded and set about locating people to beds/mattresses while Owen expertly used a shredded sheet to bandage Ianto's stump. As she worked on getting them bedding and pillows she noticed that while her mattress had been leant up against one of the walls and that Ianto's and Owens had been pushed together. She assumed this had been for warmth.

"Hey mate, what's your name?" Owen asked as he caught the guy who had helped him lift Ianto onto the table abut to go into the kitchen.

"George Keeping." Well he wasn't Welsh, that was for sure.

"Where are you from George?" Owen asked, curious about the accent.

"Liverpool."

"Ah," that explained the accent; "Well can you help me get Ianto onto the mattress over there. I want to make him comfortable." George nodded and between them they carefully got Ianto laid down on the mattress. "Thank you."

"No problem. Give us a shout if you need any more help," George smiled at Owen before heading into the kitchen. He returned a few moments later with a tray of glasses, filled with water. Owen gently tucked the duvet around Ianto and built the pillows up underneath him two under his head and one under what was left of his arm. That left one for Owen to use on his side of the bed; they'd had four pillows between them since they'd begun sharing.

"Yan…please don't hate me for having to do this to you," Owen said softly, pressing a kiss to Ianto's pale lips, "Please, please don't hate me love."

From where she stood at the foot of the stairs Tosh covered her mouth to silence her gasp her shock. Turning she returned back upstairs, leaving Owen alone with his love. At least now she knew the reason the two beds had been put together…

Three days passed and Ianto remained out cold, Owen explained it was his bodies way for coping with blood loss and shock. He was pale and his breathing was a little shallow but all things considered he was doing well.

The newcomers were settling in slowly. Megs was under the constant supervision of everyone else and wasn't allowed to do pretty much anything. She spent most of her time sat by Ianto. Brydie and Tosh had, as a team, taken over the kitchen and were between them making every meal as delicious as they could. George, who it turned out was an ex-dancer, had now taken over the job of firewatcher and wood gatherer. Ellen, Tom and Drew, all three of them ex-office worker had been given garden duty. And all these people taking these jobs meant Owen could focus on Ianto's health and Megs baby. Drew had also temporarily taken over watching the daily broadcasts. Owen would take that less than pleasant job back when Ianto was well again.

It was the middle of the night when Ianto finally stirred, waking to find himself held protectively in Owens strong arms. Going to touch Owen on the shoulder Ianto froze, why couldn't he feel his left arm? All he could feel was a throbbing pain above his left elbow.

"Wha-?" his voice was raspy, throat one dry. He looked down at his arm, expecting to find it bandaged or in a splint or something. He did not expect to find nothing. His breathing sped up as he tried to lift his arm and saw this stump move instead. He started to breath sharply, ever sharper than before, he was almost hyperventilating. This was more than enough to wake Owen up.

"Yan! Calm down for me Yan, calm you breathing for me love," Owen held his shoulder gently with one hand and cupped his cheek with the other.

"My arm…" Tosh, sleeping near the fire woke too and looked over at them. She'd had three days to get used to Owen and Ianto being an 'Item' but of course Ianto had been out cold.

"I know love, I know. Calm down Yan, calm down and I can explain," Owen pressed a chaste kiss to Ianto's lips, "Calm down love…" Slowly, ever so slowly Ianto's breathing slowed down to a normal pace, "Tosh, could you fetch a glass of water please?"

"Of course," the young woman jumped up and rushed into the kitchen.

"What happened…to my arm?" Ianto asked as Owen gently got him to sit up, supporting his lover gently. "Owen! What…happened!"

"I had to amputate."

"What?"

"I didn't have a choice Yan, the wound was bad. I would rather loose your arm that your life," Owen explained, his voice choked, "I had to save you Yan, I love you and this was the only way I could think of." Ianto watched as tears filled Owens eyes, "Please don't hate me."

"I can't hate you anymore Owen, you know that," Ianto slid closer, into Owens arms, "And I don't think it would be right for me to hate you for saving my life." They kissed softly and were still kissing when Tosh came back, Ianto's hand in Owens hair, Owens gently cradling Ianto to him. It was a hot sight, just as hot as Jack and Ianto always were when they snogged.

"Water?" she asked with a smile when they broke apart.

"Yes please," Ianto moaned, reaching out with his hand. Tosh chuckled softly and handed him the glass carefully before sitting on the bed beside them. "Thanks Tosh…Tosh!" It was like Ianto had only just realised who he was seeing and talking to. Giving another cry he dropped the glass, Owen catching it luckily, pulled her to him with his arm. She hugged him back tightly. "You're safe and you're here!"

"I've been here three days," she said softly, kissing his cheek.

"Three days?"

"Uh-huh and he's hardly left your side. It's quite rude actually, I've only just got back and I'm running things again," she teased, "You men are hopeless."

"That we are. And Owen can't cook for shit." Owen cried out in mock annoyance and slapped Ianto's thigh. Ianto merely grinned and pressed a kiss to Owens cheek. Tosh laughed,

"He cooked at all?" she asked, "It's a miracle!"

"No, a disaster."

"Well you don't have to worry about his cooking anymore Yan, the kitchen is for Brydie and me only," Tosh smiled at Ianto. He frowned.

"Who's Brydie?"

"One of the people we rescued," Owen answered, "You'll meet them all in the morning but now I want you to go back to sleep love. With your wounds you need all of the rest that you can get."

"Are you…alright…about this Tosh?" Ianto asked nervously, gesturing to himself and Owen. Her arms were immediately around both of them.

"Of course I am, just hoping. I'll find someone eventually," she kissed both of them on the cheek, "You look really good together." She leaned back, her tone becoming motherly, "Now Ianto, Owens right. You need your sleep. The more you rest the sooner you'll be back on your feet making your wonderful coffee."

"Tosh, coffees a two handed job," Ianto reminded her sadly.

"Not any more it isn't. You'll just have to adapt because I refuse to face the end of the world without Ianto's Amazing Coffee." Ianto smiled as he received a kiss on his cheek once more. "Sweet dreams." Once she'd gone back to her own bed Owen reached up and set the glass on the nearest table and forced Ianto to lie down.

"Is there anything I can get you before you can sleep?" Owen asked.

"No, just a hug," Ianto pulled Owen down onto the bed with him. For a few moments the two of them shifted around to get comfortable and it ended up with Ianto curled into Owens arms, his head resting on his lovers chest, right above his heart.

"Ok love?" Owen asked. Ianto just nodded and in moments it seemed was asleep. "Sweet dreams Yan." And, curled protectively around his lover, Owen drifted off to sleep.

After a month Tosh and Owen had to sadly admit that they could barely remember what Ianto had looked like with two arms, they were so used to seeing the pinned up sleeve or the stump. Ianto however could remember very well what he used to be like, what he used to be able to do. So many times he had to stop himself from sinking into self-pity and depression, to do so wouldn't help anyone.

"You ok Yan?" Owen asked, coming up behind the taller man he slipped his arms around the trim waist and rested his cheek on Ianto's shoulder blade.

"Yeah," Ianto replied, resting his hand on Owens, "Just thinking."

"What about?" Owen asked, closing his eyes and just enjoying the fell of the warm body he was pressed against. Ianto blinked away a sad tear as he continued to gaze out the window.

"Jack."

"Oh," Owen sighed before releasing his hold on Ianto to slide around so he was between his lover and the window, "What about him?"

"I was wondering who those people were, the ones that were with him when all this began," Ianto said quietly, "The woman and the man that the Master attacked. Who were they? And were they the ones Jack disappeared with? And if not how did he meet them, how did they ending up facing that madman together?"

"Whoa, that's some serious thinking you've been doing," Owen smiled softly, "But as to an answer…I don't know."

"Thanks. You're so much help," Ianto finally smiled down at his lover.

"I try," leaning up Owen kissed his lips gently, "But whoever they are Jack seemed to trust them so I think we should too," another kiss, one filled with more passion as Owen pulled their bodies close together. Ianto moaned into the welcome distraction, weaving his fingers through Owens dark hair. Pressing Owen back into the wall Ianto hitched his leg up slightly, his thigh pressing against the growing hardness between Owens legs…

"Whoa!" Brydie had just rushed into the room and put a hand over her eyes theatrically, "Sorry to interrupt, really sorry to interrupt, but Megs waters just broke. All over the bathroom floor, rather disgusting actually. Need a doctor."

"Shit."

Meagan was dead.

She'd died shortly after giving birth to a beautiful little girl. Owen had done everything he could to save her but in the end everything he had wasn't enough. It had taken him nearly two hours to say anything and then his first words were a demand for something very strong and very alcoholic.

Tosh and Brydie had taken charge of the baby girl, had cleaned her and dressed her, fed her and put to bed. But then it came to naming her; they couldn't go on calling her Meagan's baby. Tosh had finally come up with the perfect name, Gwen Meagan Harkness, a name to remember the three people they had lost. There were tears all round when Tosh had explained the name to the group, most for the memory of the wonderful Megs but three people wept for the one person they had lost and the one person they might never see again.

Ianto had set about preparing her funeral, picking the plot, helping George make the marker, helping George dig the grave (which was interesting with one arm) and prepared Meagan's body for the funeral. It was a horrible job but someone had to do it and Ianto knew, with the state that everyone else was in, it had to be him that did it. He spent the rest of his time comforting Owen, reassuring him that her death was not his fault, that he had done everything he could to save her.

"But I should have done more…"

"There was no more. Only a hospital could have saved her."

The funeral was short and sweet and very, very sad. Tosh had stayed inside the pub with little Gwen, Owen warning that being outside on the second day of her life would not be a good idea for the tiny girl. Despite the slight chill in the wind it was a bright and sunny day, a beautiful day that would have made Megs smile.

"I should have saved her," Owen said weakly for probably the hundredth time as he and Ianto cuddled in front of the fire the evening of the funeral.

"There was nothing more you could do Owen," Ianto replied, also probably for the hundredth time, leaning his head on Owens shoulder lightly, "It wasn't your fault, you need to stop blaming yourself."

"But it feels like it's my fault, it feels like I'm a terrible Doctor and that if I'd been better I'd have been able to save her…" Everyone else was thankfully already asleep, Tosh upstairs sharing Georges bed. A development both men were pleased about, their friend needed someone.

"Owen if you weren't a brilliant Doctor I'd be dead." The bluntness of Ianto's statement sent a shiver down Owens spine. "If you weren't as brilliant as I know you to be I would be in a grave next to Megs. There was nothing you could do." Owen started to shake, his body quivering beside his lover and Ianto pulled him closer and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Come to bed Owen, let me take some of your pain away. Let me help you."

Ianto rose and carefully walked the few paces to their mattresses, slipping his shirt off seductively as he went. Owen stared after him for a few moments, watching as Ianto dropped his trousers, kicking them off his ankles. And then Owen was up; rushing towards the love and comfort he knew he needed. His clothes disappeared as he moved and soon they were pressed together, skin to skin, arms around each other.

"Make it all right Yan…"

"I will Owen. I will."