Picture Perfect Chapter 5

When Jack finally moved the next morning at 7am, he closed down the computer and went back up to the main Hub. Going to the small kitchen, he made himself a cup of hot chocolate, taking it up to his office. Switching on the large TV monitor, Jack settled down in his chair to watch the early morning news.

'….go over to our local news reporter. And now the latest on the fire in St Mary Street last night. It now appears that the petrol was poured through the wrong door. The young man who lives at Number 14b is 24 year old Ianto Jones, who was injured during the attack. He was not thought to be the intended victim. The three teenagers were on the wrong floor, it seems. Their intended victim was actually 31 year old Michael Bryant, who is well known to the police. His whereabouts is not known at this time. Police think he's gone into hiding. Now for a weather update….'

Jack stood up and started to pace. "Jesus! The wrong floor!"

Picking up the phone, Jack dialled the hospital. "Good morning. I'd like to know how Ianto Jones is doing, please. He was brought in last night with burns."

"Are you a relative, sir?"

"No, I'm his boss." Jack took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Captain Jack Harkness. I believe the doctor put my name down…."

"Arh, yes. Let me just check with the ward, sir."

"Thank you."

Jack taped his pen on the desk while he waited.

"Hello?"

"Yes, I'm still here."

"He had a comfortable night, but was quite restless. If that makes any sense."

"It does. Thank you. Can I visit today?"

"If you come in and see the burns unit doctor, I'm sure he'll let you, sir."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Jack put the phone down.

A sound from outside the office made Jack walk to the door. Owen was coming through into the Hub.

"You're early."

Owen looked up. "Bad night. You?"

"Same. I just called the hospital."

"And?"

"Comfortable night, but restless."

"They wouldn't talk to me."

Despite himself, Jack smiled.

Owen noticed the cup in his hand. "Whatta ya drinkin'?"

Jack looked at his hand. "Chocolate."

"Want another?"

Jack nodded. His had gone cold.

Owen made two more and took them to Jack's office.

"What happens after they take all the dead skin off Ianto's arm?"

"They put it in a plastic bag until it starts to dry out a little, then bandage it. Hopefully, scar tissue will form, without it getting infected."

"And the blisters?"

"They'll pop the worst ones."

Jack grimmest.

"They know what their doing."

"I know. It just sounds…." Jack looked at his cup.

"Torturous?"

"Yeah."

"It's for the best. It's what I'd do."

Jack looked at his watch. "I'll have to tell Gwen and Toshiko."

"If they haven't already heard the news. Bloody plonkers. The wrong floor!"

The cog door went back and Gwen Cooper came through.

"Jack?"

Jack went to the office door. "Up here."

"I just heard. How is he?" Gwen climbed the stairs to the office.

"Burns to both arms and chest."

"Oh, God!"

"He'll be okay," said Owen.

"And they got the wrong flat?"

Jack nodded.

"Did you go to the flat, Jack?" Gwen asked.

"I was on my way there when I heard the news."

Gwen frowned, but couldn't stop herself from asking the question. "Why?"

"I….was taking Ianto out on a date."

He waited for her reaction.

"A date? You and Ianto?"

"Yes."

"Are you and he….er, a couple?"

"We hope to be."

"Oh," was all she could say.

"Move on, Gwen," Owen said, digging her in the ribs.

"I'm alright." She smiled. "I'm….happy for you both."

Owen rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right," he said, under his breath.