Chapter 45

MJ: I meant what happened today?

I: Yan was mentally attacked. Jack was shielding them but it was draining him. It looks like Malcolm was able to help, Jack's not so pale anymore.

J: *I think she's here*

M: *taking note of the slowly retracting shields* *Think you can do this on your own now, or do I need to insult your hair?*

J: *NOT MY HAIR*

M: *smirking, retreats*

J: *fixes his shields* Damn you, Malcolm.

I: *sighs in relief* Thank you.

MJ: *puzzled* Malcolm?

M: *sticks his tongue out at Jack* You're welcome, Ianto.

M: *sees Martha and freezes*

MJ: *snickers* You're such children.

I: *groans and pulls Jack into a hug* You're telling me.

I: Just wait until you hear the rest.

MJ: The rest of what?

I: The very long explanation.

M: We should wait for Yan.

J: *kisses Ianto softly*

I: *holds him close, kisses him back*

MJ: And what exactly happened to Jack? To Yan?

M: Jack was overextending his shields and it was draining him. Like if you stretch too far and can't get back up.

R: *calling Jack*

J: *picking up* Hi Rik. *masking his emotions from his voice*

R: Thank goodness you're okay! Is it alright if I come in now? I can't sleep.

J: Um, best if you don't. It's only 3 am, what do you mean you can't sleep?

R: I just can't. Not tired and too worried.

J: I'm fine, Rikki.

R: Give the phone to Ianto.

J: Okay, why?

R: Because he won't lie about it. I know you do.

J: I'm not lying! I'm okay!

J: *passing the phone to Ianto* Rikki wants to talk to you.

R: *skeptically* Mhm. Then why did it take so long to call me? You didn't even call, I did!
I: *taking the phone* Rikki?

R: Oh, hi Ianto. Is Jack really okay?

I: He's currently alright, yes.

J: *giving him ten murderous looks to keep his mouth shut about what's been going on*

I: *rolls his eyes at Jack*

R: Are you sure?

MJ: *staying silent*

I: Yes, Rikki. Please try to sleep some more.

J: Rikki, I'm seriously okay.

R: *sighing* Alright, thanks. Can you hand the phone back to Jack?

I: Of course. Goodnight, Rikki. *hands it back to Jack*

J: See? I told you I'm fine.

R: Yeah yeah. I'll see you in the morning, you better be fine then too.

J: Of course I'll be.

R: Night…Dad.

J: Night kiddo. *secretly pleased*

R: *hangs up with a smile*
J: *hanging up* Phew-

M: *is sitting back in the chair, holding Yan's hand* Kids, amirite?

J: Haha, yeah…

MJ: Kids?

I: *facepalming* A very long story that we don't even know half of.

MJ: How long have they been dead for?

J: Uhh-

M: Why do they always take so long to come back?

J: It was psychological trauma. It'll be awhile. Depending on how they die, how many times they've died before, especially in the beginning, it'll take a long time.

I: If you factor in the part where Jack was keeping them alive, I suspect it'll be at least another half hour.

M: *frowning* You know, I really try to forget that part.

Y: *sitting up, trying to breathe*

MJ: Still not used to that.

M: Hey, Yan. *hugs them carefully*

Y: Hey. *leaning into the hug* I think I'm okay.

M: *hugs them tighter, relieved* Good.

Y: My head hurts inside.

M: *leans his head against theirs, giving them a mental kiss* Better?

Y: No…*frowning* My avatar is alive but not moving.

M: Maybe…*sends a kiss to their mind*

Y: That felt good, but they're still not moving.

M: Huh. could be you're just exhausted.

Y: I am pretty tired.

MJ: Before I send you home, I'm going to give you and Jack full mental exams.

M: *raises an eyebrow* Didn't know you could do that.

MJ: I was trained for hospital work, and now work for UNIT, I have more than just pediatric training.

I: *clearing the half-drunk mugs of coffee* You want a cuppa, Martha?

MJ: No thanks.

I: *nods, kissing Jack and leaves*

MJ: Jack you're up first.

M: You want the chair?
MJ: No thanks,

M: Jack?

J: *sits on the edge of the table* I'm good.

I: *returns and sits near Jack*

Y: *moves closer to Malcolm*

MJ: *examining Jack*

M: *kisses their nose*

Y: *smiles tiredly* I can't wait to go home.

M: Mm, that'll be nice.

MJ: Jack, you're good to go. Ianto, take him home, make sure he gets plenty of rest. Yan, you're next.

I: Thank you, Martha. Come on, Jack.

J: Thanks, Nightingale. Everyone, take the day off and rest. I'll text Rikki. *following Ianto*

M: *nods* See ya tomorrow.

Y: Bye Jack, Ianto. Jack- thank you for helping me.

J: Of course, anytime.

I: Night all. *takes Jack's hand*

MJ: Go to sleep, you hear me? No sex!

I: Don't worry, Martha, I'll make sure he behaves.

J: I can behave!

I: *smiling* I know.

M: *snorts* Oh I remember the last time that happened.

J: I behaved! Ianto didn't!

M: *laughing* I know!

MJ: I don't wanna know. *examining Yan*
Y: Go to bed you two.

I: *waves as they leave*
M: No, you really don't wanna know.

MJ: *laughing* What about the two of you?

M: *ignoring the fact that he's still holding Yan* What about us?

MJ: You're together, aren't you?

M: *smiling happily, nods*

Y: Yeah, we are.

MJ: Good for you! *to Yan* You happy?

Y: A lot more so now that I have him.

M: *grinning* I love you too.

Y: *noticing the look on her face* Don't even bother threatening him, Jack and Ianto already have.

M: *remembering* Yeah…

MJ: *gives him a cautionary glare* Alright, alright,

MJ: Yan you also better not hurt him.

M: *sighing* Don't worry, Martha.

Y: As if I would!

MJ: Good. Yan, you're clear to go home. Same thing I told the boys, understand?

M: Aye aye, Dr. Jones. Where you gonna stay?

M: Last time I had to be here, Jack set me up with a place to live for any time I came to Cardiff.

M: *quietly* Oh, that's right, I remember now.

MJ: Yup. take them home, Malcolm. They might be okay but I don't want them driving.

M: *nodding* Of course!

Y: Wait, why not?

MJ: Because you're still weak and low energy.

Y: Hmph. I'll be fine!

M: *picks them up*

Y: I. Am. Fine!

M: Come on, love. Home time.

MJ: Stop arguing. I'm your medic right now, so you gotta listen. And if not to me, listen to Malcolm.

M: *winks* Besides, you gotta admit you like being carried.

Y: I do, I do. *snuggles against him, attempting to kiss him with their mind* Night Martha!

MJ: Night you two.

M: Goodnight Martha! Thanks for your help.

MJ: Not a problem.

Y: Amore it's not working.

M: Hm?

Y: Trying to use my avatar to kiss you. I can't.

M: Well you did say it was practically asleep.

Y: It's not sleeping. I don't know what's wrong with it.

M: Maybe tiredness does have an effect on telepathy. Don't worry, we'll figure it out.

M: *gently kisses them before opening the car door and setting them inside* For now we can do it the old fashioned way.

Y: I like doing both at the same time.

M: *smiles and gets in the driver's seat* Me too.

Y: Hopefully soon.

M: *kisses them mentally* Hopefully.

Y: I didn't feel that. I could sense you trying something, but I couldn't feel it.

M: Hmm…*pulls up at home*

Y: Maybe sleep could help.

M: Most likely.

Y: Just out of curiosity, since it's possible to mind-kiss, can we do more than that? You know what I mean-

M: *laughing* Technically yes.

Y: Huh. Good to know.

M: It's not usually that- Well mostly it's just used as an amplifier.

Y: what do you mean?

M: *slightly grimaces* Let's just say it's not as intense and leave it at that, yeah?

Y: Wait, no, I want to understand. Let's go inside first though.

M: Alright. *opens their door*