Picture Perfect Chapter 12
"Ianto, answer me. Ianto!" Jack shouted into his coms device. "Ianto!"
Going quickly back to the SUV, Jack drove it into the Park and managed to put the 'body' in the back. Slamming the door shut, he got into the car and drove as fast as he dared, back to the Hub. Leaving the Zaneokite in the back, he rushed down into the Hub. He found Ianto on the floor by Tosh's workstation.
"Ianto!" He lifted the younger man in his arms and carried him to the old couch. Placing him on it, he went to the kitchen for some water. He placed the glass against Ianto's lips and let some dribble in. Ianto drank a little, then coughed.
"Hey, take it easy."
He watched, as Ianto's eyes flickered open.
"I found you on the floor."
"I don't remember…."
"Do you still feel sick?"
Ianto nodded. "A little."
"Let's get you back to bed."
"Jack…."
"No arguments."
Ianto let Jack help him up to the office and then down in the bunker. Undressing slowly, Ianto got back into bed. Jack sat on the top of the covers and held his lover until he fell asleep.
Laying Ianto back down on the pillow, Jack climbed the ladder back into his office.
It was nearing 8am, when Gwen entered the Hub. Jack went to the door to see her.
"Have you got something in the SUV, Jack? It's making a funny noise."
Jack closed his eyes and shook his head. "I'd forgotten all about him."
"Him?"
Jack nodded. "A Zaneokite. Sharp teeth. 6 feet tall." Jack frowned. "Did you say you heard it?"
Gwen nodded. "Yes."
"I thought I killed it."
"Apparently not."
He shook his head again. "That'll please Ianto."
"Where is he, by the way?" asked Gwen, looking around.
"He wasn't feeling too good. He's back in bed."
"Back…."
"He directed me after the Rift alarm went off earlier." Jack walked towards the cog door. "Better go get this Zaneokite back to it's own planet. Can you stand by the transporter?"
"No problem," Gwen told him.
Going back up to the SUV, Jack listened at the door, then he spoke. "I don't want to hurt you. There's water out here. I know you like water." He carefully unlocked the doors.
The Zaneokite stared at Jack.
"I guess I didn't kill you after all. You were just playing dead." Jack stood back. "Look. Water."
The Zaneokite moved towards the door and began to sniff.
"You can smell it. Come out. I won't hurt you."
Jack touched his ear piece. "Get ready, Gwen."
A few more steps and the Zaneokite was outside the car. He edged towards the water, then dove in.
"Gwen! Now!"
A flash of light caught the Zaneokite in it's beam, carrying the alien into the sky. Up and up it went until it disappeared into a black hole.
"Thanks, Gwen. It's gone."
"You might want to get back down here, Jack. Ianto is stood in your office doorway in just his boxers."
"I'll be right there."
Jack rushed back to the Hub. Ianto was still stood in the doorway, a confused look on his face.
"Didn't hit his head, did he?"
"Not sure." Jack slowly climbed the stairs, taking off his coat as he went.
"Ianto, are you alright?"
Ianto didn't look at him.
"Yan!" He placed his coat around the younger man's shoulders, pulling him into a hug. "Hey, it's Jack."
"Jack?"
"Yeah."
"I….I couldn't find you."
"I let the Zaneokite go. He wasn't really dead."
"Not dead?"
"No." Jack guided the younger man to a chair. "Sit here for a minute, I'll get you something to drink." Jack walked to the door, looking at his watch. "Where's Owen? It's almost 9 o'clock."
"Right here," said a voice from outside the cog door.
"I need you. Something's wrong with Ianto. He collapsed and I don't know if he hit his head or not." Jack poured a glass of water, giving it to Ianto.
Owen came up the steps two at a time. "When did he fall?"
"About 2 hours ago."
Owen felt around Ianto's head.
The young Welshman frowned. "Am I in trouble?" He drank some water.
Jack caressed his face with a fingertip. "No."
"No lumps that I can feel. What was he doing before he collapsed?"
"The Rift alarm went off. He was directing me."
Owen sighed. "Probably just needs to rest."
Ianto dropped the glass. "I feel funny," he said, just before his nose started to bleed.