AN: You lot don't like Gwen much do you? It's okay – neither do I. I'm not sure killing her is the solution though, so I can't guarantee that. Just a slow and painful sufferance.
"Okay I've just spoken to Martha – she's done a quick bit of research and she has some antibiotics that will fix this." Jack said, rushing back across the hub to where Gwen was still holding Ianto's hand sat silently on the floor by the sofa. "The only problem is the antibiotic is in London, so she's getting it sent to us as soon as possible. It could take a few hours. Apparently UNIT aren't keen on despatching helicopters with one syringe onboard. Something about an inappropriate use of resources. So all we can do is keep him comfortable till the parcel arrives. Any change?" He asked.
Gwen shook her head. "Nice ring." She murmured.
"I wanted to make it official… despite his protests." Jack said settling on the floor next to her. They were both resting on the floor infront of the sofa, their backs resting on the front on the sofa, Ianto still unconscious behind them, Jack listening intently for any change in his breathing as he and Gwen talked.
"Protests? I thought he'd be singing from the rooftops. This is all he's ever wanted after all." She said, a hint of bitterness in her voice.
"I just don't think he wanted a fuss… he never likes it when I try and make a fuss of him… try to show him off." Jack started. "Are you two going to be able to work together?" He asked.
"We've managed to work together for years." Gwen answered.
"Are you planning on making this as difficult as possible… because if you are you can leave now." Jack said.
"I'm not going anywhere… this is my job… I have every right to be here… as much as you hate to admit it – you need me Jack… one way or another." She said, her voice raised and angry.
"I need you in my team Gwen. I don't need you fighting with my team. I don't need you hitting my fiancé. Touch him again, and you'll have a fight on your hands so big, you'll wish you'd taken my offer of retcon. Now go do something useful and man the office upstairs." Jack's voice had a rough and biting edge to it as he spoke.
Gwen rose silently to her feet and made for the cog door. Before walking though it she turned on her heel and looked at Jack. "I love you. I hope he knows how lucky he is." She said softly before walking out.
Jack stood up, easing Ianto forward as he sat on the sofa, before lowering his head back down onto his lap. He stroked one hand through the younger man's hair as he caressed his cheek with the other. The blue patch on his neck had grown again, maintaining its perfect circular shape it was now the size of a side plate, and was beginning to encroach onto Ianto's face, the edge of his jaw tinged blue. His skin felt hot and clammy under Jack's touch and his hair was saturated. Martha had just told him to keep him comfortable, she'd said there was nothing else they could do for him, but told him to ring her if his condition deteriorated.
"Martha sends her love and her congratulations. Infact she screamed when I told her we were engaged." Jack spoke quietly to Ianto, hoping he could still hear him. "I was hoping we could spend the afternoon talking about the wedding… I don't know about you, but I was hoping we could do it sooner rather than later. I mean there's no point waiting is there? The sooner you're my husband the better. And we have so much to talk about Ianto. And I have something else I need to ask you… so you're going to have to wake up for me Cariad, because I need to see those eyes of yours… I need to ask you something… something important… but you need to be awake for it… so why don't you wake up for me… open those gorgeous eyes… I miss you… I miss your eyes and those beautiful welsh vowels of yours… wake up Ianto… please wake up." Jack's voice cracked as he spoke. He was scared. Scared that he was going to lose Ianto. Jack knew that he would lose Ianto one day… probably sooner rather than later… that was the trouble with Torchwood. Jack knew that there time together would be short… too short for anyone… but painfully short for Jack. But he wasn't ready yet… he wasn't ready to lose Ianto yet. Tears streamed silently down Jack's face as he cradled the Welshman in his arms. "Wake up." He whispered.
TW
Gwen was sat in the Tourist Information Office upstairs. She'd settled on the chair behind the desk with a glass of water and was flicking through a brochure for up-coming shows at the Millennium Centre. She glanced at the TV screen they had behind the desk that streamed footage from the Hub CCTV on it so that the person upstairs could keep an eye on what was going on downstairs. She watched as Jack planted a soft kiss on Ianto's forehead, the tears in his eyes evident, even at this distance.
Gwen sighed. "God what am I doing?" She whispered.
Getting up she turned the sign on the door around to 'Closed' and pushed the bolts across before heading down the stairs to the Hub. Walking in she crossed over to the sofa and sat down on the arm nearest to Ianto's head and to Jack, and put a comforting arm around him.
"I'm sorry." She said simply. "For everything… for being such a… bitch. I just… I guess I just need to learn to let go… and to remember how lucky I am. I have a gorgeous man sat at home waiting for me… and two of my best friends are getting married… and I am so happy to see him happy again… if anyone deserves you its Ianto… not me." She said.
Jack smiled a little. "Thank you." He said softly.
"Do you want me to ring Martha back… see where this parcel is?" She asked.
Jack nodded. "Please." His voice croaked.
Gwen smiled weakly and nodded as she rose to her feet and crossed to the nearby desk, picking up the phone and calling Martha.
Back at the sofa Jack looked down into Ianto's face as the young man moaned softly.
"Ianto?" Jack whispered.
"Jack…?" Ianto murmured.
"I'm here Ianto… open your eyes for me… god please open those eyes." Jack said gently.
Ianto's eyes struggled open, as though they were weighted down, closing them again a few times before he managed to hold them open long enough to lock eyes with Jack's.
"There's my beautiful boy." Jack whispered as he eyes filled with tears again.
"Cariad." Ianto whispered, concerned by the sight of Jack in tears.
"You're okay… you're going to be just fine. Martha's going to save the day. You just need to hold on in there… can you do that for me… can you hold on for me?" Jack whispered.
Ianto nodded carefully. "Anything for you Cariad."
Jack grinned. "Does it hurt?" He whispered.
"It's alright… I can take it. Just don't let go." Ianto said wincing slightly.
"Never." Jack whispered, bobbing his head down and kissing Ianto's lightly on the lips. "I will never let you go."
AN2: There will be a special delivery in the next chapter… which will be posted soon… assuming you all write me some lovely reviews… so you better get going x
