14

As Ianto fell, he twisted and seemed to struggle.

His face changed to one of anger and his scream echoed as he fought…something.

Jack got it.

Oh Gods, he got it, something had Ianto and a larger fight was going on than was visible.

Jack ran, swinging his cup up as he surged forward and its coffee arched up over Ianto and … a figure that had him by the throat.

Gwen screamed and started to back pedal as Tosh gripped her workstation with horror.

Owen threw the ash he had been carrying up to containment from an incinerated beast, watching it rain over them both.

As the two figures hit the grating Jack threw himself on top and tried to insinuate himself between them.

It was obvious which one Ianto was as his brogues were still shining as they kicked out.

Owen grabbed for them and pulled, putting his whole body weight into it and Gwen finally stopped retreating to watch.

Jack and the creature were now in some sort of death roll as they careened across the hub and Ianto lay gasping in Owen's arms.

"What the fuck, shoot the fucker!" Owen roared and Gwen raised her weapon, firing off a few shots as she advanced on them both.

She knew Jack would survive friendly fire and now she could see the thing she knew she had been foolish in her denials.

The thing shrieked again, this time they were not phased and Tosh surged forward with a well-placed kick of her pointed toe, sinking her shoe into the 'face' of the thing.

Owen let go of Ianto and leapt, landing on the two men and punched at it as a dark green oily substance wept from it.

The team worked frantically to extract Jack, Ianto staggering over to slam down the discarded coffee cup into its head as he roared with pent up rage and fear for his new lover.

It shuddered and stilled, releasing its grip on Jack and they pulled him to his feet.

Ianto was sobbing, almost hysterical as he ran his hands over Jack while repeating his name over and over again like a calming mantra.

Jack pulled him into his arms and tried to soothe him as he regained his own equilibrium.

"Oh Jack, my love" Ianto wailed, finally collapsing into him as he accepted that he was OK.

"It's OK baby, don't cry. I'm OK" Jack crooned as he rubbed his back and Ianto slowly wound down.

Owen was standing to one side with a look of complete confusion as he watched the thing they had just killed slowly melt away.

"Ianto?" Tosh's voice was soft and full of emotion as she reached out to touch him and he turned to face her, his face still wet as tears made small streaks in the ash.

"Are you OK?" he asked shakily and she laughed.

"Ianto, you almost died and you ask about me?" she smiled as she moved in to rub his shoulder.

"You are important, I would never forgive myself if one of the team were hurt because of my demons, oh god, Owen!" Ianto spun to grab him, looking into his face and checking for injury.

"I'm OK Yan" Owen said meekly as he accepted an ashy hug, then Ianto retuned to Jack's arms.

"I think we all need a fucking drink!" Owen walked stiltedly to Jack's office and returned with a bottle of whiskey from Jack's stash.

"I think we need more mugs" Ianto whispered as he looked at the carnage and Jack laughed as he pulled him onto a hug again, relieved that he was coming back on-line.

"Gwen? You OK?" Ianto turned his head to look at her and she nodded while biting her bottom lip.

"It's OK. I don't blame you, I don't hate you either. I know you were scared by the Mara and wished this not to be true." Ianto sighed as he shook his head, "I am sorry."

She blinked as it seemed like he knew what she was thinking, then she took a shuddering breath and replied, "I am sorry too."

"Do over?" Ianto said with a weak smile, his hand held out, and palm up.

"Thank you" she sighed, accepting it and taking another deep breath. "Right, what now?"

"Now? I need a shower!" Ianto moaned, "Look at my suit!"

"Sorry babe, it was a lovely one. Dry leaning will fix it, right?" Jack asked as he looked doubtfully at the dark blue suit that was now different shades of grey.

"I. Will. Never" Ianto said angrily, "Wear. This. Suit. Again!"

"Well, I guess its au naturel then babe" Jack winked, "We can make it casual Friday and clothes optional?"

Ianto blinked and then started to laugh, shakily at first but he gained momentum until they were all laughing.

"I think I have a track suit from my night shift sleep overs Sir, but thanks for the offer" Ianto hiccupped.

"Oh well, I might still do it" Jack winked, "I just won't warn any of you when!"

Ianto's laugher sounded again and Jack decided he had never heard anything more comforting.