An: Thanks to JonesIantoJones for all the help and editing with this chapter and if you're not reading her fantastic 'Snow Day' story go check it out it really is brilliant. On with the story and please review as reviews make me happy. Take care if you are out in the snow and ice xx.

Disclaimer: The boys belong to the BBC and not me

Returning to London part 5

Once on the M4 Ianto looked at the map and without looking up said " I think we should stop at the services near Swindon, they're about half way. We can check on Shelley and grab a coffee and some chocolate to keep us going. I reckon we should be back in Cardiff by five thirty sixish."

"Yes but then we've still got to get Shelley to Flat Holm, that's going to take an hour then at least another hour settling her in and telling Helen all about her, well as much as we know, then another hour back. Then we've got to write the reports. By which time it's going to be at least eleven and I'm going to be too knackered to go out and eat." Grumbled Owen.

"Well we'll just have to take a rain-check on dinner then for when you're in a less grumpy mood." Ianto smirked switching the radio on and tuning it into the local station so that they would hear any traffic updates .

They continued along the motorway both of them lost in their own thoughts. Going back to London had stirred up memories that both would've been happy to forget. Ianto kept a surreptitious eye on Shelley in the mirror of the sun visor, he was happy to note that she was still under the influence of the sedative. He was also keeping on eye on the road as he knew what Owen was like once he got behind the wheel he was oblivious to anything but getting to the destination.

"Owen you need to pull over into the nearside lane, the service station is coming up in a couple of miles." Ianto told him not looking at him but at the woman in the back.

"Um what?" Owen said distractedly.

"I said you need to get in the inside lane to come off at the services, I need to stop even if you don't." Replied Ianto this time turning to Owen to make sure he had heard.

"Well why didn't you say so. Don't want a wet patch on the seat do we?" Laughed Owen indicating to pull over and off the motorway.

"Not that sort of stop." Ianto snapped "I need coffee if you want me still awake when we get to Cardiff."

"Oi I was only joking." Owen snapped back.

"I know. It's just...." Started Ianto

As Owen pulled into a parking space he waited to see if Ianto would continue, he'd just about given up when he heard Ianto quietly say "It's just everything that's happened today, well my sense of humour has left me."

"Look lets forget I said it ok. Why don't you go get us both a coffee and I'll check Shelley over. How much longer till we get to Cardiff?" Owen asked getting out and opening the back door so he could get better access to his med bag and Shelley.

Ianto also got out saying "About another 75miles." before asking "Do you want anything to eat or just a coffee?"

"Just coffee ta." He replied already checking over his patient.

Ianto walked off. He couldn't believe he'd snapped at Owen like that, especially since Owen had been really good to him while they were in London. He thought back to when they'd had lunch and what Owen had said about his fiancée, Katie, about losing her to aliens. "God how selfish am I, I didn't even ask him anything else, too busy thinking how London was affecting me to worry about what he was saying." He thought stunned. He resolved to keep an eye on Owen and be there for him, if he was needed, when they got back just in case this trip had affected him too. When Ianto got back to Owen he handed over a Mars bar he'd gotton him along with a coffee, at Owens questioning look he said "I thought we could both do with a sugar hit, it's going to be a while till we get something proper to eat. You know I get queasy on the boat to The Island. How's Shelley doing?" He asked biting into his Snickers bar.

"She's doing ok. What about you? You found that humour of yours yet?"Owen said unwrapping his Mars bar and taking a big bite.

"Ha bloody ha." Ianto sarcastically replied and then continued quietly "I'm fine."

Owen looked at him before turning away mumbling "Yes sure you are."

******TORCHWOOD******

They had decided to switch places so Ianto was driving. As they got to the M4/M5 interchange their was an announcement on the radio of severe hold ups on the Severn Crossing. "Oh just great." Ianto muttered then a bit louder so Owen would hear "Owen can you have a look at the map and see which other way we can go?"

Owen pulled open the map and studied it then said "We can take the M48 and go over the old bridge. Shouldn't add too much to the journey."

"Ok." Said Ianto switching lanes as the turn off for the M48 was coming up.

The rest of the journey was uneventful with little talking and no more hold-ups save for the roadworks just outside Cardiff. They managed to get to the Bay by 6.30. "Not bad going, even if you do drive like a little old lady." Owen said laughing.

"Just because I don't drive like Jensen Button does not make me an old lady." Ianto shot back.

"Yes whatever. Did you phone George about our trip?" Asked Owen getting out and stretching.

"Phoned him before we left London, so he should be here waiting." Ianto said also getting out. Looking around for George he pointed in the direction of a boat with a man standing on deck and turning slightly said "There he is."

"Right you go ask if he's all set and I'll drive the SUV nearer so we can get Shelley on board without raising too much interest." Owen told Ianto as he got back in the vehicle.

Ianto walked towards George as he got closer he called out "Evening George you all set?"

George looked up "Yep been here since half five in case you were early."

"Sorry hold-ups on the bridge had to cross by the old one." Ianto replied as Owen pulled as close to the harbour edge as he dared.

As Owen got out he turned to the two men saying "Right you two less gossiping and more helping me get her on board I don't want to be out here all night."

Between the three of them they got Shelley settled in the front cabin out of the wind which had got up and set off for The Island.

The journey there went without a hitch as did settling Shelley in. Owen handed over the notes from Dr. Miller along with her medication. As they left Owen turned to Helen and said "Thanks. If you need more information call me or Dr. Miller and we'll try and help."

It was getting very late by the time they returned, neither of them particularly wanted to go back to the Hub and do their reports so Ianto text Jack "We r bck. 2 tired. Going home. C u 2moro. I&O"

Jack responded immediately "OK. J"

"You want a lift back?" Owen asked Ianto.

"No I fancy a walk. It's been a long day want to try and clear my head a bit otherwise I wont be able to sleep. But thanks for the offer. " Ianto replied pulling his coat around him and stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Owen looked at him with a frown on his face "Ok if you're sure. See you tomorrow. Bye."

With a "Bye" thrown over his shoulder Ianto walked away.

******TORCHWOOD******

Once Ianto had reached his flat it was gone midnight and he was freezing. He wished he'd taken Owen up on his offer of a lift, as he didn't feel any better for having walked. His head was pounding and he could feel his eyes beginning to ache but he wasn't sure if that was due to his headache or the wind. He took is coat and shoes off by the front door and made his way to the kitchen. He rummaged in one of the cupboards looking for the painkillers he knew were there. He gave a frustrated sigh until his fingers found the packet. Popping two pills out Ianto went to the sink picked up a glass from the draining board and half filled it with water before popping them in his mouth and taking a mouthful swallowed them down. Ianto then walked through his flat to the bathroom where he set the shower going before removing his clothes and stepping under the hot spray. As the water worked it's magic into his tired muscles he thought back over the day. He couldn't believe his reaction to being back in London, he also couldn't believe Owens reaction and how caring and supportive he had been. When he had finished and dried himself Ianto headed for his bedroom where he pulled open the top drawer of his chest and removed pyjama bottoms and a red t-shirt that he put on before climbing into bed. He was hoping that between the fresh air, painkillers and relaxing shower that sleep would come quickly. An hour later he was still wide-awake so decided he'd get up and make himself a milky hot chocolate. As he waited for the milk to warm he thought again about the conversation that he'd had with Owen at lunch. He wondered how Owen was doing now they'd returned home to Cardiff, knowing that the trip had been hard for them both. he considered phoning Owen just to check how he was, but thought better of it after seeing how late it was. "He'll be asleep anyway. I'll talk to him tomorrow." He thought before he drank his chocolate and headed back to bed, where he fell into a fitful sleep.

******TORCHWOOD******

Across the other side of Cardiff, Owen was trying to drink himself into oblivion. Being back in London had stirred up memories he had long thought couldn't hurt him, but being that close to where it had all happened had proved too much. He hadn't had time to dwell on it at the time as he had been too busy focusing on Ianto, but now - well now it was comiing back full force and he didn't know how he was going to cope. He collapsed sobbing onto his bed, clutching a photo of Katie.