Picture Perfect Chapter 7

"I'm just going to call Johnny," said Rhiannon. "I won't be long."

After she had gone out of the room, Jack leaned forward, kissing Ianto on the lips.

"As soon as the doctors give the okay, we'll have you back at the Hub. Owen can take care of you there."

They kissed again.

"They say it'll scar."

"Mmm, I just love a man with war wounds."

Ianto smiled. "That's a relief."

"It's you I fell in love with, not just what you look like. Although…." He smiled.

Ianto frowned and then smiled at him.

"When Rhiannon comes back, I'm gonna let you guys talk, okay?" He stood up. " She knows about us, by the way. Said she knew you loved me."

"She knows me too well."

"I'm glad she does," Jack said, kissing him again.

"Was she okay about us?"

"She was a star. I'll be back later. You want anything?"

"Yes, another kiss."

Jack obliged.

Rhi came back just as Jack stood up again. "Johnny's on his way."

"I'll be back later," Jack told Ianto. He kissed Rhi on the cheek, waved to Ianto and was gone.

Rhi perched on the edge of the bed. "Jack didn't have to leave you know."

"He has to check in at work." He smiled. "We can chat until the nurse throws you out."

"Mmm. Do you need anything. Magazines. Fruit."

Ianto shook his head. "No, thanks. I sleep a lot."

The doctor poked his head into the room.

"Just a little longer, please. I'm fine." said Ianto. "My brother-in-law's on his way."

The doctor nodded and left again.

"He'll be here soon. Then you can rest."

"Rhi, don't worry. I'm okay."

Tears filled her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you," she cried.

"But you haven't. I'll heal. I'll have a few scars, but I'm alive."

Johnny entered the room. "Rhi?"

She rushed into his arms.

"Sshh, there, it's alright." Johnny nodded to Ianto.

"Take her home," said Ianto.

"Are you sure? we can stay if you like." Johnny told him.

"No, she needs to be with you right now. Besides, Jack will be here later. I can sleep til then."

Rhiannon looked at her brother. "I love you, Ianto."

"I know you do. I love you. Both of you," he smiled at Johnny.

"We'll be back tomorrow afternoon," Johnny told him before they both left.

Ianto settled back on the pillows and closed his eyes.

….Ianto got up from the sofa, having smelt the petrol, but by the time he got into the hallway, the fire had taken hold. The flames travelled along the length of the carpet and into the living room. Ianto backed away from the heat. It was getting unbearably hot. There was only one place he knew where he might be safe. Where he might make it out alive; in the shower. Moving to the bedroom, Ianto opened the shower door, got inside, shut the door again and turned on the cold water. It made him shiver, but only until the flames reached the bedroom. Closer they came, until the shower door shattered from the intense heat, covering him in glass shards. His clothes began to burn and his skin blistered from where the flames leaped through the water to touch him. He screamed in pain.

This is it, he thought. I'm going to die alone, in pain and scared. Ianto closed his eyes and awaited his fate.

Then a hand reached through the water and grabbed for him. Why wasn't the hand alight? He saw the grey greatcoat. The handsome face. That smile. Jack! He was pulled into strong arms and guided through the flames towards the window in the living room.

It's too high he thought. I'll die. But you'll die if you stay here, a voice in his head told him. He closed his eyes and entrusted his life to his Captain. Down they fell, down for what seemed like an eternity. Then he was finally on the ground outside the building. But Jack wasn't there with him. He was alone. Looking around, he looked up to see the flames leaping through the window he had just fallen from. But there was no Jack.

Tears ran down his face, as he stood there, waiting for someone to notice him. But no one did.

Perhaps I'm already dead, he thought. I just don't know it yet. He stood there for ages, but still no one noticed him. He was invisible to everyone. Why was that…

Ianto woke up in tears. The dream still so fresh in his mind. He looked around the room. No Jack. He wasn't back yet.

The nurse came into the room on hearing Ianto crying. "Are you alright? Do you need pain relief?"

Ianto shook his head. "Bad dream."

She smiled sadly and left.

Ianto slowly open the drawer in the night stand, taking out his mobile phone. Switching it on, he looked at the picture of him and his new love.

"Please hurry, Jack. I need you."