A/N: standing on a boat

Spoilers: Adrift

Beta-ed: TattoedLibrarian

As they drove Ianto looked straight ahead, he was furious at himself and at Jack. Jack had the ability to drag out something that would favour him. He had to mention that incident where it all started for Ianto. Now he couldn't stop thinking about Jack and his damn boots as he came to the rescue, shooting those monsters that almost beat him to death. He could feel himself softening up, and he couldn't help it. Ianto hated it, when he reached decision he liked to stick to it. He prided himself on being a man of his word. He held onto that anger to stay cool. Even if he had to admit Jack's advantages, he didn't have to back down at one casual remark. It wasn't even a compliment, it was just statement, a memory Jack could reach. If Jack wanted him, he would have to do better than that. The time when Ianto just casually offered himself were in the past, because he wasn't offering just his body anymore and that made a world of difference.

When they reached the docks it was dark, but Jack drove their boat without hesitation, knowing the way by the heart. Ianto stood facing the bay so he didn't have to look at Jack. They were too close and alone, but the silence stretched between them and Ianto started to fear Jack would persist in this, that he wouldn't say anything, that he would just let things slide ahead in the way that Ianto set them. Ianto closed his hands hard around rail determined that even if that is so, he wouldn't back down. He didn't need to be Jack's part time shag, which would just be hurtful. The good thing in all this was that he could get over it, he'd gotten over worse things than this, far worse, he was good at dealing with pain.

That thought eased down the pressure in his chest and he loosened his grip on the rail. He could do this. They went ashore and Ianto was himself, smiling warmly to Marianne and pointing out the differences to Jack. There weren't many, but Ianto tried to make this place less cold and sterile, it wasn't a very promising task, but it was something that eased up the atmosphere of the place.

Jack was silent most of the time. Then he sighed and went to visit the residents one by one. Ianto stood in the doorway as Jack went in, sat in a chair and just sat there for a few moments, sometimes making some quiet talk if it was possible.

Jack reached the last door, chalkboard on the door was empty; there was no name.

"Lynette?" He asked facing the door, knowing the answer.

"Her blisters burst" Marianne spoke up sadly. "There was nothing we could do about it but to back away. It was truly terrible, but she's not suffering anymore, before the end she could barely eat."

Jack nodded and then knocked on the chalkboard.

"What's this? That's new" he said without turning around.

"Mr Jones brought that" she said fondly and Ianto felt uneasy. "I think it's a nice touch; we gave them to the ones that could write to write their name themselves, it seemed appropriate."

"It is" Ianto could see Jack's cheek stretching into a smile "simple yet something personal they could control. Good work."

Jack turned towards the exit and they followed his swift pace.

"See you in Thursday" Marianne said to Ianto and he nodded "glad to see you back Captain." She said to Jack's back and went back inside.

Jack just stood there and looked at the water.

"What" Jack spoke up still looking ahead "I don't even get a pat on the back for comfort?"

Ianto frowned.

"Well you weren't spilling your guts out on the grass" he answered and went to the boat.

If Jack's intention had been to soften him up with the horrors of Flat Holm it was just plain cruel. Ianto had gotten used to the Flat Holm residents and was at ease with them. Jack was right about him, he could handle it, and they were just some more injured or sick people. Like his mother strapped down in a loony bin.