Torchwood: Divergence
Book Three: Rheoleiddiad

Chapter 46

The team concentrated on their work for several minutes, all of them hoping that the last half hour or so was a sign that things were finally on the up-swing. But then Gwen got another pop-up on her screen and swore under her breath.

"Problem?" Harkness called, seeing her expression harden.

"Another of the kids just died in hospital," the raven-haired woman replied reluctantly. "That's five of the eight. Did we fight to save the children from the 456, just to have them killed by power abusing politicians? It's not right."

Jack saw all the colour drain from his partner's face, felt the Changeling flinch hard at the mention of the child dying, then again when reference was made to the 456. He quickly reached over to field the younger man's coffee cup and slide an arm around his shoulders. The tensing muscles there relaxed slightly with the contact, so he hugged the twenty-six-year-old tight. Cooper caught the movement from the corner of her eye and suddenly realised she'd been too free with her opinions. She felt like a bad friend, then remembered something her husband had mentioned that morning at breakfast.

"You know, Rhys' car is in for work, so he's my ride the next couple of days since there's just mine," the one-time PC stated, her tone indicating she was explaining for a reason. "He was thinking of bringing Eb in for a quick visit…"

"Please don't," Ianto interrupted softly, his voice very quiet but the fact that he was refusing the woman's suggestion instead of waiting for Jack's approval was more than enough to get everyone's attention.

He left the older man's embrace to rise and head for the kitchenette with the tray his belated lunch had been on, his partner simply watching and waiting.

"We just thought it might help…" Cooper tried to persist, seeing their leader stand and start for the kitchenette stairs just as the tray banged down on the counter with a sharp rattle of ceramic.

"No, Gwen, it really won't," Ianto countered tightly, his head down and both hands braced against the surface in front of him. "I saw my niece on a morgue slab this morning… keep watching her being run down and crushed in my dreams… So, I'd really rather not… have your daughter around… right now… if… you… don't… mind…"

The young Guardian's breathing was somewhat fast and laboured, but hadn't quite turned to the strained gasps that heralded a seizure. Jack was behind him now, simply turned him around by one shoulder and pulled him close.

"Catch your breath," the Captain murmured, starting the gentle swaying motion that seemed to help relax the younger immortal. "No visitors till you're up to it, yeah? You're doing great, buddy, no need to rush anything. It's okay."

There was relative silence in the Hub for some time, the team trying to focus on their own tasks while their leader waited for his lover's emotions to settle. Finally, he shifted his beloved Archivist back enough to see his face, reached up to dry the damp patches below his eyes and leaned in for a quick kiss. When the Welshman took a slow steady breath and nodded, the American got a hold of his left hand then headed them both down the stairs to the couch once more. Gwen drifted over after a moment, hesitantly sat down near the young Changeling and rested a hand on his knee.

"I'm sorry," she murmured contritely. "You've told me a dozen times that no means no, and I'm still being pushy. Blaming it on my hormones seems so pathetic, but I just keep doing it. You've been getting on so well; I didn't mean to set you back."

"I'm still pretty hypersensitive about some things right now," Ianto breathed, his expression both sad and apologetic as he wearily leaned back against the cushions. "Just… please try to tread softly for a while."

Cooper smiled and gave him a loose salute, then patted his leg and rose to return to her station. She'd call Rhys in a bit; tell him she'd meet him in the carpark and why. He was worried about their young friend, they both were. But there honestly wasn't much they could do to help. He needed to grieve, and the only person who might understand the full long-term impact of what he was feeling, was already right beside him holding his hand. If Jack couldn't help the Scieron Changeling through this, no-one could.

The Captain's mobile rang just then and he fielded it from his trouser pocket cross-bodied with his left hand.

"Harkness," he answered evenly, his gaze flickering to the twenty-six-year-old leaning against his right side. "He's doing better, Mrs. Davies… Rhiannon… He's resting, getting a little stronger all the time. Is there something we can help you with?... You can call me Jack, I don't mind… Yeah, I suppose it is kinda like being your brother-in-law… Oh, I see… That should be fine, I'll let him know. How's your son doing?... That's really good news… I'll tell Ianto that too… No, you call whenever you need to, I know these are hard times for you. And I appreciate you running things through me to avoid upsetting him… I'll be sure to ask him… 'Bye."

"Funeral already?" Ianto whispered, closing his eyes to hide the pain clouding their normally bright blue-grey depths.

"Tomorrow at 10:30, family plot," Jack confirmed, pocketing his mobile so he could use that hand to ease his partner's head over onto his shoulder. "Burials for the children are apparently being fast-tracked for the sake of their families. The services are going to be graveside, closed casket, so no need to drag things out. Your nephew is doing better… he's talked to his parents about what happened and he's helping pick out a recent photo of his sister to have colour-etched on the headstone."

"They can't afford that," Ianto sighed, trying hard to keep his breathing even and not start tensing up. "But we can… I take it you already made arrangements?"

"While you were sleeping earlier," the Captain nodded. "I spoke with your brother-in-law, let him know the two of us wanted to cover the funeral costs because there really wasn't much else we could do to help. I offered to get the casket, stone, flowers, and grounds work taken care of, and promised to have the funeral home call him about times and details when the rest was arranged. He said they'd pay us back; I told him family didn't do that and he decided to just say 'thanks' instead. Said it was nice to know you'd found a decent partner when you 'went bender'."

"That's Johnny," the younger immortal breathed, his voice quiet and resigned before his tone became firm. "Thank you, Jack. I was afraid to ask about the funeral… it seemed a bit much, considering I never properly introduced you to my family and they found out about us two years ago through a rumour. I really appreciate you doing so much… it helps in more ways than I can say."

Harkness smiled that incredibly tender smile that always made Gwen jealous of the twenty-six-year-old nestled against his side, stroked the Welshman's neck and scarred cheek with gentle fingers, oblivious to the disgruntled look the former PC across the decking was giving them both.

"Don't ever be afraid to ask me for anything," he murmured, turning to kiss his lover on the forehead. "I can't promise I'll always say yes, but if you want or need something, tell me."

"Just you…" Ianto replied, his voice barely audible yet powerful enough to warm the older immortal's heart as he tightened his grip on his hand, then got him to chuckle as well. "Oh, and coffee…"

The Rift alarm sounded at that moment, but neither man moved. Unless it was something big enough to need the full team, or an all-out invasion, they were staying right where they were for the foreseeable future.

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AN: Ianto still has a bit of recovering to go… it's not quite over yet.

Still too hot, still doing unpleasant things to me and my computer.

Your continued patience and support is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM