Summary: After the events of "Cyberwoman" and "Countrycide", Ianto is left emotionally broken. Will Jack be able to put him back together?

Rating: M

Characters: Ianto Jones, Jack Harkness, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper, Gwen Cooper, Rhys Williams, Andy Davidson

Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Owen/Tosh, Rhys/Andy

Warnings: Swearing, angst, suicide attempt, Gwen bashing

Spoilers: Cyberwoman, Countrycide

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I just like to play with them.

(Author's note: Since today is my birthday, I'm hoping to be gifted with some extra reviews for this chapter. Pretty please with Jack on top of Ianto? ;) )

TWTWTWTWTW

Toshiko sighed in fond exasperation as she watched Ianto dusting a bookshelf. His movements were slow and deliberate, and he often had to pause and lean tiredly against it.

Though she would have preferred for Ianto to be resting, Tosh said nothing of it. Cleanliness and order had always been important to Ianto. And now, brought back from the brink of death, with noticeable brain damage to prove it, Ianto probably needed this to bring back a small sense of normalcy. He wanted to feel useful.

"I s-supposed Jack is... at the Hub by now?" Ianto commented, taking a final swipe at the bookshelf. "Showing the new recruits around?"

"Do you remember when Gwen first showed up?" Tosh asked, giggling as she looked up at Ianto, watching the Welshman fold up the dust rag and set it aside.

"She looked like...like a g-gap toothed goldfish," Ianto chuckled, smirking as he plopped down onto the couch beside Tosh. "I'm glad she's gone," he added, surprising Tosh with the blunt show of disdain. Apparently, this new, brain damaged Ianto had no social filter.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Ianto added hastily, catching sight of Tosh's smirk. "I shouldn't have...have said that."

"Why not? She was horrible!" Tosh laughed. "Since we're being honest, I'm glad she's gone, too!"

At that, Ianto also laughed. The sound warmed Tosh's heart. Ianto's laughter had been all too rare lately.

"Do you know what became of Gwen?" Ianto asked, once their laughter had died down. "All Jack told me was that she's been 'dealt with'."

Tosh shrugged. "I have no idea. But I'm sure she got what she deserved."

Looking down, Ianto's smile faded, his expression turning pensive. "I always thought that Jack...she and Jack..."

"Only in her wildest dreams," Tosh reassured Ianto. "We may have been fooled by Gwen's supposed 'heart' at first, but she eventually showed us her true colors. She tried to hurt you, Ianto. And Jack made sure she paid dearly for that."

"You don't think..." Ianto gasped.

"Oh no!" Tosh giggled. "I'm sure that whatever Jack did to her is a fate far worse than death!" She sat back, resting her cheek in her hand. "There's nothing Jack wouldn't do for you, you know."

"Y-you..knew?" Ianto stammered, wide eyes blinking.

"Of course I knew," Tosh said, smirking. "I think I knew before Jack knew!"

Ianto shifted where he sat, looking a little embarrassed. "He invited me on holiday, you know. Said he wanted the opportunity to get to know me better."

"That's wonderful!" Tosh exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I think that shows just how serious Jack is about you! This isn't his usual flirtation, Ianto. You really mean something to him."

Ianto shrugged, blushing.

"So, where are you going for your holiday?" Tosh inquired.

"No idea," Ianto shrugged again. "I t-told Jack...I'd only go... after he h-hired people to replace Gwen and myself."

"So that's why Jack was so motivate to recruit them!" Tosh chuckled. "He told me you selected Rhys and Andy yourself."

"I did," Ianto confirmed, lips twitching up in amusement. "And before -y-you ask, yes, I...do see it as karmic justice that Torchwood is...hiring Gwen Cooper's ex-boyfriend and...former partner."

Tosh couldn't help but to burst out laughing at that statement, and the look on Ianto's face as he said it. Post brain damage Ianto was a little evil. And, as his best friend, she couldn't deny it filled her with devilish glee.