Torchwood: Divergence
Book Three: Rheoleiddiad
Chapter 10
Jack wandered out of the office around 3:00 pm, nodded a greeting to Turlough then went over to the Autopsy Lab where Martha and Gwen were sitting on the steps discussing recent events.
"Ladies," he murmured politely, then hooked a thumb over his shoulder toward the rest of the base. "Got a minute, Gwen?"
"I'll go peek in on Ianto," Martha offered helpfully. "Make sure the Devil's Apprentice did as good a job as it looked like on the video."
The young black woman aimed for the office, Cooper following their leader to the Boardroom. He let the door close behind them, dropped into the nearest chair and waited for the petite brunette to sit as well.
"I'm sorry I was short with you earlier," Harkness stated evenly. "But Ianto's in a really bad place right now. Did Turlough explain what happened and what that spike was pumping into him?"
"Showed Martha and me the CCTV footage of the surgery," Gwen blanched. "Bloody hell… It's no wonder he went over the edge at my mother's house. Turlough analysed the fluid from that spike and said it was even stronger and nastier than he'd first thought. That he was surprised Ianto was able to fight the effects enough to come out of that nightmare at all."
"It's still not completely out of his system yet," the Captain nodded, his expression neutral but his blue eyes hinting at how worried he was. "And that's where we have a problem. He knows you're concerned about him and want to help, but the dream he had earlier is still preying on him. You were the pivot point in the horrific events his subconscious conjured, and right now just hearing your voice brings it all up again with enough clarity and force to put him into seizures. He's wrestling with a few other issues too, but that über nightmare is what's hurting him the most.
"Plus, it's complicated by the fact that he doesn't want to hurt your feelings or upset you after the problems you've had since Christmas. Your friendship, the willingness to be family, they're very important to him and he's afraid what's going on at the moment could jeopardise that bond. But as long as any of that alien fish stuff is active in his body, his reaction to your presence is purely involuntary. I promised him I'd make things right with you and let him know where the situation stands when I go back in the room."
"You know I want to comfort him and make him feel better," Cooper protested, her eyes sad. "I hate to see him hurt and sick. But if doing that is going to make it worse, have him terrified and in convulsions, there's no way I'd ever want that. He was so scared when he had that dream… hearing him screaming and begging like that was enough to break my heart. That it comes down to him being afraid you'd choose me over him makes me want to cry. I don't think you ever would, not if you wouldn't after the 456. But what can I do to help? What does he want me to do?"
"Try to be patient," Jack urged calmly. "Let him have plenty of space till he can come to terms with that nightmare. Wait for him to come to you, yeah? He's beyond exhausted even after a few hours of rest. Between multiple seizures, the surgery Turlough had to do, and more than a week of overworking even for a Changeling, his body has finally said enough. So, he'll be right where he is in that bed for a good span yet. I'll keep my comms on, play go-between if you want to know how he's doing. Just don't take it the wrong way if he's skittish around you for a while. Something that overwhelming is gonna take time to fade even after the venom is all gone. Are you okay with some distance for a bit?"
"No," Gwen admitted truthfully with a pouting frown. "But I'll deal with it if that's what he needs."
"That's my girl," the immortal American smiled. "Now, in regard to the major lows you've had lately, I'll let you decide what will work best. If you honestly feel up to coming back here, great. Part-time, full-time, either's okay. If you think you need more personal time, relax with Rhys and the baby for a while, visit your mother, that's fine too. Just let me know what you need."
There was silence between them for a moment, then Cooper gave a loud sigh and hung her head like a scolded school girl. However, her expression was calmer and her eyes clear when she sat straight again.
"I promised Rhys I'd be home before 6:00 tonight," she stated with a shrug. "Let me see how I'm feeling in the morning and decide then. Will that work?"
"Works fine," Harkness nodded. "Give me a call when you decide, so I'll know how to plan missions."
"Aye-aye, Cap'n," Gwen saluted and pushed up from her chair. "I really do hope things get better for Ianto soon. He's had nothing but rotten luck and misery since we dealt with that Xhoquitt in late December. Mayber the two of you should take one of those trips you talked about. It'll be Valentine's Day soon… you could nip off for a couple of days, have a nice romantic holiday in Italy or Spain."
"Not a bad idea," the Captain chuckled, getting up to follow her from the room. "I might just look into that tonight. Do some Net surfing for B and B's while Ianto rests."
They came into the Hub to find Turlough examining Martha's left wrist, the team doctor looking rather dazed.
"What happened?" Jack and Gwen asked in unison.
"I went to check on Ianto," Martha explained. "He looked to be having a bad dream, so I tried calling his name to wake him but it didn't help. Without thinking, I reached over to touch his shoulder and wham. I didn't even see his hand move and suddenly it was around my wrist so tight it made my eyes water. He came awake and looked scared to death, let me go the instant he saw me. But he got upset anyhow, kept trying to whisper that he was sorry. I managed to talk him down, hopefully kept him from seizing, though he insisted I go ice this, so now I'm not so sure."
"Just bruised," Turlough pronounced, heading for the medical bay to grab a flexible cold pack. "Your comm is open in there on the night table by the way, Jack. His breathing's a little fast, but I haven't heard anything to indicate he's worked up enough to go into convulsions. Probably too exhausted."
"Thanks," the older man called, already striding over to the office. "I meant to put the headset back on when I came out. Guess it's a good thing I forgot. You okay, Martha? He'll wanna know."
"I'm fine," the young physician stated firmly. "My fault for touching him. I should've remembered not to from when he first came back from the Scieron. Tell him not to worry, yeah?"
Harkness waved to acknowledge the reassurance, disappearing into his office and beyond. Gwen surreptitiously picked up the headset from her workstation where she'd left it earlier, slipped it on and keyed it to receive while her teammates were busy with the cold pack.
[…fine. Turlough says it's just a little bruised.] she heard Jack saying quietly.
Ianto's voice was so raspy and weak, the one-time constable would barely hear him, some of his words lost over the connection.
[Apologise for me…] he hissed shakily. [I didn't… Martha till I'd already… arm…]
[She said she should've remembered not to touch you when you're dreaming,] his partner reassured. [And there's no real harm done, so don't dwell on it, okay? I'll let her know you apologise, but she's not worried over it at all. What was the dream about that had you so worked up?]
[First… I woke up… Hell…] Ianto grated painfully.
[Seeing them cut on you last week when you were in the Dark was enough to give me nightmares,] Harkness confessed. [I can't imagine enduring that wide awake and without painkillers, especially not for days at a time. And to take your very first reviving breath after Thames House in the middle of it… Honestly, Ianto, was the chance to be with me again really worth nearly two years of that?]
[Yes…] the young Welshman's reply was a strained, breathless squeak.
There was the sound of shifting fabric and settling creaks from the bedframe for a moment, then Jack spoke again, his voice soft and warm.
[Don't cry,] he murmured. [You're safe in my arms where you belong. Shh…It's okay, Ianto. I'm here.]
Cooper quickly deactivated the Bluetooth, slipped it off and back onto her workstation as she rubbed tears from her eyes. For an instant, she wished she was the one being comforted in their leader's embrace and bitterly resented the Changeling who actually was. But she forced herself to put the desire and cruel thoughts from her mind and focus instead on being cosied up on the settee at home with Rhys, knowing her husband would be there for her the way Jack was for Ianto. With her focus on that scenario, the raven-haired woman gathered up her purse and coat, then turned toward the medical bay.
"How's the wrist?" she asked automatically.
"Sore, but I'm lucky he has such strong self-control," Martha smiled ruefully. "With as much power as was in his grip, he could've crushed the joint and snapped both bones in my forearm like twigs in a heartbeat. No wonder he was able to twist that Blowfish's head around backward last year."
"Oh, yeah," Gwen agreed wholeheartedly. "He grabbed my arm like that to keep me from bashing Jack the first night we had him here when the Scieron originally sent him back. Bruised me black without even realising. I had finger marks wringing that wrist for more than week."
"I remember," Martha nodded, repositioning the cold pack she held. "You headed out?"
"I told Rhys I'd be home early," Cooper explained, pulling on her coat. "I'm going to check the lay of the land on the home front, let Jack know if I'll be in tomorrow or still need a couple days to settle the dust. Keep me posted about Ianto either way, yeah?"
"Will do," Martha and Turlough answered simultaneously, making their friend laugh.
"You lot have a good night," the former PC called as she headed out the cog-wheel door. "Tell Jack I'll be sure to call him in the morning, so he'd best have his mobile turned on."
She cast one last glance toward the office, then strode into the lift. Maybe it would be best to stay home a day or two. Give her a chance to reconnect with Rhys and Ebrill, visit with her Mam. It would definitely keep her out of Ianto's way so he could recover and feel up to facing her again. Jack had already given approval for it, so…
Feeling less uncertain about the situation, Gwen side-tracked to go say goodnight to Lois, then made for the underground carpark to head home. Time to get her priorities straight again.
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AN: Jack has taken steps to try to make things right for Ianto… hopefully Gwen will stick to doing the same.
Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM