Ianto hung up the phone, eyebrows knit together. "He said he's going to talk to Dr. Smith, but that he can't deny that sometimes hypnosis is helpful to patients with amnesia."

Jack nodded, holding out his arm to Ianto. The Welshman placed the mobile phone on the table and scooted closer, letting Jack wind his arm around him. "I take it he wasn't very happy with the doctor's bedside manner?"

Ianto huffed. "Not in the least. He apologized at least three times. If it weren't for the conference he'd probably be talking to him face to face. As it stands he's going to call him."

"Understandable," Jack offered. He rubbed Ianto's shoulder. "So what do you think about this recommendation for hypnosis?"

Ianto sighed, leaning his head on Jack's shoulder. "Truthfully? It scares me."

"You think maybe there are suppressed memories in there?"

"Perhaps. What if there's some reason I don't want to remember, Jack?"

Using his other hand to lift the Welshman's head, Jack placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I can't imagine what it would be. The worst event I'm aware of was Lisa's death and your involvement at Torchwood One, which we've gone over."

Ianto curled back up against Jack again. "I'm sure that was awful, but I think it's important to remember such a tragedy. I wouldn't want to forget it purposely."

"Of course, if you do decide to go through with this therapy, we're going to have to find you a psychiatrist that works with Torchwood. We can't risk our information getting out there to the general public."

"Doctor patient confidentiality," Ianto replied.

"Not good enough. If they dig deeply you could reveal all kinds of secrets without even knowing it and not every doctor abides by the law."

"Good point."

"Besides, as much as I like Dr. Williams, I'd much rather your psychiatric care be with someone I trust. I'm sure Owen has connections."

"I wish I could get my memories back without it."

"Me too," Jack agreed. "Me too."

tw tw tw tw tw

Three days later found Jack speaking to a Dr. Elizabeth Singh via telephone. He'd been correct in thinking Owen had resources, and Dr. Singh came highly recommended. Jack was glad he'd clued Owen in on the residents of Flat Holm, since, as it turned out, Dr. Singh was one of the consulting psychiatrists for the patients housed there. If he hadn't he might have had to dig through Ianto's phone book in order to find her number, and truthfully, Jack hadn't even thought of the Flat Holm connection.

"She's one of the best in her field," Owen had told him, handing Jack the number before snapping on clean gloves and going back to his autopsy. "Good looking bird, too."

Jack had smirked, shaking his head. "As long as she can perform hypnosis I really don't care how she looks."

"Well, she's tried it on a few of the Flat Holm patients. No success."

"They're in a totally different state of mind," Jack had replied. "Thanks, Owen."

"Cheers, mate."

Jack read over the information Dr. Singh had provided him. Ianto had an appointment for the following afternoon. He'd been surprised, initially, but the doctor advised him that she always made room for Torchwood. He'd thanked her profusely, jotting down the directions to her office. They'd not have much of a trek, since she was in Newport, but there wasn't anyone better, as far as Owen was concerned, and even if she'd been in London Jack wouldn't have batted an eye. Ianto was more than worth the trip.

Tucking the paper into his wallet Jack went in search of the Welshman, hoping to whisk him away to a late dinner. The rift had been incredibly active over the last few days, and today had been no exception. He'd sent the others home an hour earlier, but Ianto had insisted upon doing some more archival work, stating he'd been away from work too long and the archives would fall into disrepair if he didn't.

Smiling to himself, Jack leaned against the doorway. He saw Ianto bent over a box of artifacts Tosh had catalogued and sent down for storage. "You know," he said, teasingly, "you're supposed to bend at the knee, not the waist."

Ianto straightened and raised an eyebrow as he looked at Jack over his shoulder. "I'd have thought you, of all people, would appreciate the view."

"Oh believe me, Ianto, I do." Jack leered. "I'm only thinking of your health."

Ianto rolled his eyes, turning back to the artifact in his hand. "Of course you are."

"Speaking of," Jack added, stepping into the room and putting his hands in his pockets, "I got a referral from Owen. Dr. Singh can see you tomorrow afternoon."

Ianto turned again. "So soon?"

"She said she booked, but she moved things around to accommodate you."

"That's awfully generous."

"She respects Torchwood," Jack replied, shrugging. "Is tomorrow okay for you?"

Ianto glanced down at the item in his hand before indicating Jack should follow him. Jack did, and they made their way deeper into the archives. Ianto made his way to a specific shelf and stopped, moving a box over and placing the artifact he carried where it had been. He removed a label and pen from his pocket and wrote out what Jack assumed to be information regarding the item, slipping it into a spot on the edge of the shelf and pushing the one belonging to the box over a bit.

He then turned around, tucking the labels and pen away before folding his arms across his chest. "I don't suppose putting it off would be beneficial."

"No, I doubt it would." They began walking back toward the main room, Jack again trailing behind the Welshman through the narrow passageways. "It's just the one session."

"I know."

They arrived back where they'd started and Jack stopped Ianto from reaching for the next item in the box, placing a hand on his arm. "Hey, look at me."

Ianto turned, eyes not meeting Jacks. "I'm sorry, Jack. I just feel like I'm being made to feel I've done something wrong."

Jack tilted Ianto's chin up so that their eyes met. "I don't think you've done anything wrong. And even if you have somehow repressed these memories, and it's not actually amnesia at this point, it's nothing you consciously did. It's your mind's defense mechanisms kicking in. There'd be a reason for it. That's why Dr. Williams agreed with Dr. Smith about trying the hypnosis."

"What if… what if there's something deeper?"

"Like what, Ianto?"

The Welshman swallowed. "I don't know. But, if my mind is protecting me from something, it would have to be bad, wouldn't it?"

"Maybe." Ianto's shoulders slumped. "Look, Ianto, we're going to figure this out, okay? I'll be with you. In the room, if you want me to be. Or I can wait outside. I'll do whatever makes you more comfortable."

A small smile crossed Ianto's face. "Thank you."

Jack kissed his forehead. "Come on, enough work."

"But I have a lot to do still, Jack!"

"I know, but it can wait." He steered the man until they were facing the doorway. "Right now, I'm taking you out."

"Jack…"

"Nope, not taking no for an answer. We're going to a late dinner, and then I'm taking you back to your place so you're nice and rested for tomorrow."

Ianto looked as if he was going to argue again but instead he simply nodded. Jack grinned and took his hand, leading him out of the archives and along the hallway. When they arrived in the main Hub Jack turned and drew the Welshman into his arms, pressing a long kiss to Ianto's lips.

"What was that for?" Ianto asked when they broke apart.

"I know you're not much for public displays of affection, so I figured I get the kissing out of the way now."

"You're ridiculous, Jack."

"I try," he said, moving in for another kiss.

tw tw tw tw tw

The restaurant was relatively quiet when they arrived, due to the late hour, and Jack was thankful they'd have their pick of tables. He chose one out of the way, following Ianto and the waiter to their booth in the corner. Once seated, Jack ordered a bottle of white wine and a couple of waters.

"You don't normally drink," Ianto pointed out, perusing his menu.

"No I don't. But I thought it sounded good. Italian restaurant, after all."

Ianto smiled up at him before looking back to the menu. "I've been here a couple times since the accident and I can still never bring myself to try something new."

Jack returned the smile. He knew Ianto tended to get the mushroom chicken pasta, and he had even before his accident. It was just one more thing that convinced Jack that the Welshman's memories were just under the surface, waiting to come out. He hoped the hypnosis would prove to be helpful. It was better than assuming Ianto would never regain his past.

Jack picked one of his favorites, a seafood and pasta that never failed to please, and chatted casually with Ianto until they could place their orders. A few minutes later the waiter arrived with the wine and praised their dinner choices, before leaving with the menus to get their meals ordered.

Jack poured a glass for Ianto and then one for himself. "To tomorrow," he toasted, lifting his glass. "Here's hoping it's a complete success."

"To tomorrow," Ianto repeated, touching his glass to Jack's before they each took a sip of the wine. He placed his glass on the table. "And thank you, Jack."

"For what, Ianto?"

"For being here for me. Through all of this."

Jack set his own glass down and draped a hand over Ianto's fingers. "I couldn't imagine being anywhere else."

Their food arrived a short time later and conversation returned to the everyday mundane, neither of them further discussing the appointment with Dr. Singh. Tonight was about getting Ianto to relax, and Jack knew that talk of tomorrow would only make him more anxious.

When they were finished with their meal they decided to forgo dessert, Jack driving Ianto back home in the Welshman's car, since the alcohol he'd consumed didn't affect him as it did the other man. He waited while Ianto unlocked his flat, shutting the door behind them and hanging both of their coats up. He removed his boots while Ianto did the same with his shoes.

"Will you stay tonight?" Ianto asked him, moving down the hallway.

"I'd like to," Jack replied, following him into the lounge.

"Coffee?"

"Normally I'd say yes, but dinner was quite filling."

"Alright. A movie, then?"

It was close to ten, the night having slipped away from them, but Jack found himself nodding anyway, and he settled onto the couch while Ianto selected a DVD from his collection. "Casablanca?" he asked, eyebrows rising as the movie started and Ianto settled onto the couch by his side.

"Just felt like something different," the other man replied, smiling.

"Well, then Casablanca it is," Jack said, taking Ianto's hand and pressing a kiss to his knuckles.

Within an hour Ianto had fallen asleep, his head cradled on Jack's lap. Let him sleep, he thought, lightly brushing fingers through Ianto's hair and smiling at how young and carefree he looked. Tomorrow might be extremely draining.

TBC…