Previous part of Returning To London.

***

The following morning saw Ianto wake at a more reasonable hour. He felt slightly disorientated and still a bit tired, but at least he hadn't had any nightmares. He lay in his bed running over the events from last night. He smiled to himself as he remembered the feeling of Owen holding and stroking his hand and the concern he showed - it had felt so good. He also remembered the warm feeling he got when he hugged Owen goodnight. Ianto hoped he wasn't reading too much into Owen's actions and that he just might have feelings of more than friendship in mind. But like him, Owen had to deal with his own demons first, so Ianto was going to be there for him as a friend first and if anything more came out of it, well he wasn't going to say no. He showered and dressed and then made his way to work. As always he was the first of the team in, apart from Jack. He followed his normal routine; coffee machine on first then feed Janet and Mafanwy. As he returned to the coffee machine Jack was stood waiting for him "Morning Ianto thought I'd better wait for you to finish the coffee.

"Wise choice Jack." Commented Ianto.

"How are you this morning?" Jack hesitatingly asked.

Ianto started making the coffee before replying, "Owen gave me a sleeping tablet last night so that I could actually get more than three hours sleep."

Jack sucked in a breath "Jeez Ianto no wonder you've been looking like death these past weeks. Why didn't you say anything? If not to me then to Owen who is your doctor as well as your friend."

Ianto thought carefully about how he was going to say the next bit. "Look Jack I know I should've said something but I thought I could handle it. You have enough to deal with running this place and keeping Unit happy and Owen, well he has his own problems to deal with. I did talk to Owen about part of the problem and yes you were right it all stems from London. I don't really want to go into details about what happened there but I will talk to Owen. In fact when he gets here he wants to give me a complete physical just in case I've damaged my lungs with all the cleaning products. Oh and he'll probably pull me from the field."

Jack looked shocked at this revelation, "Why would Owen pull you from the field?"

Ianto didn't want to admit that he might be a liabilty but he owed Jack the truth, "He thinks I might put the team at risk." Jack went to say something but Ianto held his hand up and continued, "And he's right. You know as well as I do that lack of sleep slows your reaction time down and also hinders your perception of things. So I guess I'm confined to base until the good doctor deems I'm fit for duty." As Ianto finished making the coffee and handing Jack his he said, "I'll be in the archiives if you need me. Tell Owen to come get me when he wants me." He then picked his mug up and leavng Jack standing there he walked away.

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

Owen woke in his own bed and with a clear head for the first time since London and he'd never felt better. When he had returned last night he had kept replaying all the things that had happened between him and Ianto. He couldn't believe he had held Ianto's hand, and it had felt so good, and that Ianto hadn't been freaked out by it. Also that hug and the way Ianto had whispered in his ear, "Remember anytime you need me I'm here for you." Well that had sent shivers down his spine. He shook his head, "Since when have I thought of Ianto as anything more than a friend?" Then his other voice answered him "Since you saw how vulnerable he was in London."

Owen groaned - he really didn't know what he was going to do. First and foremost he was going to be there for Ianto as a friend. The rest he would have to play by ear, as although there were signs that Ianto might be interested in being more than friends he didn't want to push him if all he wanted was friendship. For now he had to get to work and do Ianto's physical and then talk to Jack.

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

When Owen got to work just after nine thirty he went straight up to talk to Jack.

"Jack have you spoken to Ianto this morning?" Owen said without preamble.

"Good morning Owen." Jack sarcastically responded, "And yes I have. Why?"

"Did he say anything about last night?" Continued Owen

"Not much, he did say that you were going to give him a physical this morning - something about he might have damaged his lungs. Is that a real possibilty? Oh and he also told me how much sleep he's been getting and that you will probably pull him out of field duty. Do you think thats necessary? Jack asked concerned.

"If he's been doing as much cleaning as you think then there's a real chance of lung damage. Also I want to take a proper look at him because, although he didn't say anything, I don't think he's been eating properly. He barely touched his dinner last night and when was the last time he joined us for lunch? Cos I can't remember. As for taking him out the field, yes I do think it's necessary. His reaction time is going to be severly compromised due to his lack of sleep. He can go out on routine pick-ups, do witness statements liase with the police, that sort of thing. But if there is anything involving runnung and aliens that might put us in the firing line then I think he should co-ordinate from here." Explained Owen.

Jack mulled over what Owen had just told him before nodding his head in agreement, "Ok when do you want to check him over?"

Owen smiled at that. He was looking forward to checking Ianto over "Now is as good a time as any. I think it would be best if you take Tosh and Gwen out while I examine Ianto. You know how private he is and they will only ask questions which I don't think he's ready to answer just yet."

"Sure we can go check out reports of people seeing purple aliens over in Tremorfa Park." Laughed Jack putting his coat on. "Ianto's in the archives."

Owen followed Jack down to the main area."Tosh, Gwen get your coats on, we are going to the park." He said heading for the cog door.

Gwen looked up from the programme she was running and moaned. "It's cold out there, can't you take Owen or Ianto?"

"Nope they have things to do here that can't wait. Besides you're prettier than them." Jack answered chuckling at Owens indignant face.

Jack then left with both women, one on either arm and with a parting "Don't do anything I wouldn't."

"As if." muttered Owen as he went down to get Ianto.

***

Owen entered the archives and went in search of Ianto. When he couldn't find him he shouted, "Ianto where are you?"

"Down the end in store room 5." Came the muffled reply.

Owen walked down the corridor looking for the room. Upon finding it he discovered the door was open and as always Ianto was surrounded by paperwork.

Owen laughed "I'm sure you breed paperwork down here as I don't think we make that much upstairs."

Ianto glared at him "You only see your paperwork. I see everyones so just imagine yours times four."

"Ok ok. Anyway your fairy doctor has come to take you away from all this." Owen said waving his hands towards the desk.

"Oh really. And where is my fairy doctor taking me?" Smirked Ianto.

"To his domain where he will give you a thorough examination to see how fit or unfit you are." Owen said rubbing his hands together. "C'mon Jack's taken Tosh and Gwen out to give you a bit of privacy."

Ianto sighed. "Doesn't look like I've got much choice does it?"

"Nope. Look it's not going to be that bad. Taking blood pressure, listening to your lungs oh and I might if your lucky take some blood." Owen said gleefully.

Ianto paled slightly at the thought of having to give blood. None the less he followed Owen up the stairs carrying his now empty mug. "Would you like a coffee before or after you start torturing me?" He offered.

"Before please, I haven't had one since I got in. But you can't have another it might mess up the blood sample." He replied.

Ianto moaned and as he made Owens coffee thought, "Could this physical get any worse?" He then asked "Did you go to a club after you left me?"

"No went straight home to bed. Didn't even have a beer."

Ianto looked at him in disbelief "Did you manage to sleep ok?"

"Not too bad, the beers we had at dinner helped a bit." He answered honestly. "What about you? Did the tablets help?"

"They did much to my surprise, I didn't wake till the alarm went off at six. Lets get this over with." Ianto said once the coffee was made. They then headed to the med bay where Owen had set all equipment he needed on the side.

"Right if you could remove your jacket and shirt and sit up on the bed we'll get started." He said picking up his stethoscope.

Ianto removed his clothing and neatly folded the jacket and shirt, then sat down.

Owen couldn't help but stare at Ianto "When had he gotton so thin?" he thought. He didn't dwell on it but went straight into doctor mode.

"Right first I'm going to listen to your lungs so turn round."

Ianto shivered slightly as Owen pressed the end of his stethoscope onto his back.

Owen chuckled "Oh yeah this might be cold." He then asked Ianto to take deep breaths as he listened. "Hmm. Ok now the front."

Ianto turned round and before Owen could put the stethoscope on his chest he caught his hand and asked "Do you think you could warm it up first?"

Owen felt a tingle as Ianto's hand connected with his. He wondered if Ianto had felt it too, by the way he was looking at him he was sure that he had. He mentally shook himself as he blew on the chest-piece before he put it on Ianto's chest to listen to his heart. Ianto shivered again and he was sure it didn't have anything to do with the coldness of the stethoscope. As Owen moved from one side of his chest to the other his fingers brushed across his chest and Ianto had to bite back a moan. Owen for his part was trying to remain professional but it was proving hard when Ianto was sat there half-naked. Once he had got himself back in control Owen turned to the bench and picked up the blood pressure cuff and applied it to Ianto's arm and took the reading.

"Now for the fun part." He snickered as he reached for the needle to take some blood. He applied a torniquet and asked Ianto to make a fist with his hand to get a vein up. Ianto turned away as Owen inserted the needle and began drawing blood from him.

Owen decided to distract Ianto. "Any nightmares last night?"

"I don't think so - put it this way if I did then I didn't wake up. I still felt tired this mornning so took your advice and didn't drive. So what's the verdict on my lungs?" Ianto asked changing the subject. He really didn't want to discuss the nightmares here.

Owen finished taking the blood, capped the sample and labelled it before saying "You can get dressed now."

"Owen." Ianto probed.

"Lucky for you you haven't done any damage that I can detect, but I would advise you to keep the cleaning to a minimum for the time being." Owen directed.

"Ok I can work with that if you can help me sleep without using tablets all the time." Agreed Ianto doing up the buttons on his shirt and completely missing the longing look on Owens face.

As Ianto reached for his jacket Owen made a suggestion "Maybe if you talk about your nightmares and what happened in London they will have less of an impact."

"Oh yeah and who wants to listen to me go on about Cybermen and Daleks and losing all my friends in one go. It was bad enough being there without having to subject someone else to the horror." Ianto hissed.

"I would." Owen quietly said.

Ianto whipped his head up in astonishment "Why would you want to listen to my nightmares when you must have your own?"

"Look I know you're not going to believe me but I am your friend as well as your doctor and I want to help. Tell you what I'll make a deal with you. You talk about your nightmares and anything else and I'll talk about mine."

Ianto thought about this. He really did want the nightmares to stop so he could get a decent nights sleep, but did he really want to bear his soul to Owen, because that's what it would be. There again who else was there? He supposed he could talk to Jack, but Owen had offered and he really did want to explore that feeling he got last night so before he could change his mind he replied "Ok"

"Just one more thing before we finish."

Ianto sighed "What."

"When was the last time you had a proper meal that you actually ate?" Owens voice was full of concern.

"Last night. Your memory that bad you can't remember us going to dinner and eating. As I recall you had the hot chilli and I had veggie sausages." Ianto deadpanned.

"Ha ha. You may have had a meal at the pub but you barely touched it, just pushed it around the plate and you never eat with us anymore just make excuses to hide in the archives or tourist centre." Owen told him.

Ianto gasped, he didn't think anyone had noticed.

Owen continued. " I'm going to suggest you take a multi vitamin supplement and maybe iron tablets. I also think you might benefit from having protein drinks."

Ianto began to object but Owen just carried on softly "I noticed how thin you are. You can't afford to get any thinner." Again Ianto started to object until Owen, placing a hand over his and staring into his eyes whispered, "Please - do it for me."

Ianto stared back and swallowed as he nodded.

The moment was broken as they heard the cog door blare into life announcing that Jack, Tosh and Gwen were back.

As Owen removed his hand he added, "Tonight we talk."

***

"Jack I can't believe you asked that old bloke if he'd seen any purple aliens flying around in a red spaceship." Gwen was laughing as she took her coat off by her work station.

"And did you see the look on his wife's face when you said they were three feet tall." Tosh chuckled. As she sat down at her computer she saw Ianto coming up the stairs from the med bay and asked "Did you and Owen get done whatever it was that couldn't wait?"

"Yes thanks Tosh. All sorted." Then looking at his watch added "Anyone for an early lunch before the next piece of space junk or alien decides to descend on us."

There was a collective murmer of yes. Ianto wanted to get some fresh air as he was still feeling a little tired and thought it might wake him up a bit. So after taking everyone,s order for sandwiches he grabbed his coat and left via the tourist office. While he was gone Owen had a quick word with Jack and without going into specifics told him what he and Ianto had agreed to.

"Thanks Owen. I think the main thing is to sort out his sleeping or lack of it without resorting to pills all the time and if he's willing to let you help him then I think that's for the best. He obviously trusts you after London. Are you going to tell me what happened down there?" He inquired.

Owen ran a hand through his hair "Look Jack it really isn't my place to tell you. If he wants you to know he'll tell you himself, but don't push him, he's vulnerable at the moment. Ok? When he's in a better frame of mind I will probably advise him to talk to you and the girls but only when I think he's ready."

Jack let out a frustrated sigh, "I know you're right. I just don't like to see him or you suffer." With the perplexed look on Owens face Jack added, "Yes I noticed you've been suffering since London too. I was hoping you would be able to sort it out on your own. I hope you can help each other. If not you know I'm here for both of you."

"Thanks Jack." Owen looked at the time on his computer, "Where's Ianto, I'm starving."

Jack laughed as he walked away.

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

Twenty minutes later found all the team, including Ianto, sat around the table in the boardroom. The talk was mostly about work but the occasional personal question was asked and answered. Owen kept an eye on how much Ianto was eating and was pleased to find that it was a decent amount; not as much as he would've liked but it was a start. Ianto looked up to find Owen watching him and gave him a small smile as he picked up his coffee. As they were finishing lunch the computer alerted them to a rift breach. Tosh got up quickly, followed by Jack, Gwen and Owen. Ianto remained and started clearing up, as he knew he wouldn't be going out.

"Tosh what've we got?" Jack asked once up by her computer.

Tosh studied the screen "Looks like a breach in Splott. Don't know what or how big."

Jack was already on the move for his gun and coat "Ok Ianto you stay and co-ordinate - the rest of you with me." He yelled loud enough for Ianto to hear him.

Ianto made his way up to Toshs' computer as the others left and called "Have fun." But there was no one there to hear him.

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

"So," Gwen began, "what's wrong with Ianto?"

Jack looked at her quizzically. "Nothing. Why?"

"Well that's twice today that you've told him to stay behind." Gwen noted. "So why is that if there's nothing wrong."

"Look Gwen," Jack sighed, "we all have to take turns co-ordinating I just decided that Ianto could do it for this one."

"Ok that accounts for this mission. But why did you want us out the Hub earlier and don't give me that crap about Owen and Ianto having stuff to do that couldn't wait." Gwen continued.

"It's got nothing to do with you who I say goes out or stays at the Hub, unless of course you want to take over leadership again?" Jack shot back.

"No of course I don't. It just seems there are a lot of meetings going on between you and Owen and then between Owen and Ianto and I feel if it's something that's going to affect the team then we should all know about it. You know what having secrets does." Gwen bit out angrily.

"There is nothing wrong so it's not going to affect you." Stated Jack. "Now drop it Gwen."

"But..." Gwen didn't get to finish as Jack pulled up to the place indicated by Tosh who had been following the signal on her computer. "Pull over somewhere here. The energy signal is coming strongest from that house over there."

They found what they were looking for and were gone before anyone realised what was going on and returned to the Hub where Ianto had coffee waiting for them.

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

Once all the paperwork had been completed Owen announced he was off to the pub if anyone cared to join him. In the end they all went. They had a couple of drinks before Ianto announced he was going home.

Owen stood up. "I'll drive you if you want? I know you walked in this morning."

"That'd be great as it's now chucking it down outside." Observed Ianto putting on his coat.

"See you tomorrow." They said as they walked out.

"I suppose you want the coffee you didn't get last night." Chuckled Ianto

"Yeah it's the only reason I offered you a lift, oh and the fact we are going to talk." Owen told him. Ianto groaned "Do we really have to do that tonight?"

"The sooner we start the sooner you will be able to sleep without so many nightmares. I'm not saying they will go completely but hopefully we can reduce them. C'mon in you get." Owen cheerfully said.

The drive to Iantos only took twenty minutes. Once inside Ianto hung his coat up and took his shoes off, Owen following suit. He went through to the lounge as Ianto went to the kitchen to make the coffee. As he brought it through Owen was looking at the pictures and photos Ianto had dotted around the room.

He picked one up. "She was very pretty."

Ianto took the photo and gave him his mug. "Yes she was."

They sat down, Ianto on the sofa tucking his feet under him and Owen in an armchair.

"What was she like?" Owen quietly asked.

Ianto thought for a minute "Beautiful, kind, loving, caring, funny, she was so funny. She said it was her mission to make me laugh at least once a day, and do you know what, I think she did." He continued wistfully, "We met when I started at One. She was stood by the coffee machine and do you know what she said." Ianto looked at Owen who shook his head. "She said 'The coffee's crap' so I said 'Why are you drinking it then'? We both laughed and that was it. I took one look in her eyes and was lost. Invited her to try my coffee and she was mine. She was my first true love. We did loads together we even went to Brittany camping on the beach. I remember it was freezing, we had to wear our coats and share a sleeping bag." He laughed softly at the memory.

"How long were you together?" Owen softly spoke.

Ianto swallowed back the tears that were threatening to fall "Up until the battle about ten months."

They sat in silence both drinking their coffee. "Do you know the worst part?" Again Owen shook his head in silent answer. "The worst part was knowing that I failed her. I failed to keep her from the Cybermen and then I failed to put her back together. I tried, I really did try and find her before they did, but it was bedlam. All I could see were people running, running scared. The Cybermen were converting whole bodies as they were loosing too many. God the screaming, I can still hear it, never ending screaming, and the smell of burning flesh. The Daleks were everywhere blasting people to death. I had to keep climbing over dead bodies to get through. Then just as suddenly as it all started it all stopped. The Daleks and Cybermen were pulled into the air and were gone. Just like that they were all gone. When I found Lisa she was strapped to conversion unit but it hadn't finished. She was only half converted. I pulled her from the building and...well you know the rest. "

Neither man knew when it had happened but Owen was now sat on the sofa with Ianto leaning into his shoulder, tears falling down his face and Owen had his arm around him rubbing comforting circles on his back. They sat there not saying anything for a while. When Owen looked down he saw that Ianto had fallen asleep. He made sure they were in a comfortable position and just held Ianto as he slept. He didn't think it would be long before a nightmare kicked in considering what he had been remembering.

As Owen watched Ianto sleep he realised how young he really was. "No-one should've had to go through what you did, and that you survived mostly intact is a miracle. I will do everything I can to make sure the nightmares stop. I promise I will be here for you." He whispered as he placed a soft kiss to the top of Ianto's head.

***

As Owen had thought it wasn't long before there were signs that Ianto was having a nightmare: his breathing was getting faster and he was muttering, Owen could just make out the words 'Lisa' 'delete' and 'exterminate' whilst the rest was in Welsh which he didn't understand. He was also starting to shake roughly and sweat heavily. Owen held him close and spoke softly in his ear while rubbing a comforting hand over his back. This seemed to calm Ianto down and he didn't wake up but continued to sleep. Owen was finding that Ianto's sofa was not the most comfortable place to lie for any length of time, but he didn't want to move incase he woke Ianto up who was snoring softly in his arms. Two hours later the feeling of his mobile vibrating meant that he had to move, he did so trying not to disturb Ianto.

He whispered. "Hello."

"Owen?" Jack queried, "why are you whispering?"

"Because Ianto is asleep and I don't want to wake him up. What do you want at," looking at his watch, "3.30 in the morning."

"Got rift activity need some help with it. You ok to come in?" Jack told him.

"Can you get Tosh or Gwen? I really don't want to leave Ianto on his own. He's already had one nightmare tonight. I want to be here incase he has anymore." He replied still whispering.

"Ok. Look after him. See you later." Not bothering to wait for Owen to reply Jack hung up his phone.

"You could've gone. Don't need a babysitter." Ianto said sleepily.

"I'm not babysitting you. I'm being your friend like I said I would. How are you feeling?" Asked Owen not bothering to move from where he was currently sat, still with his arm around the other man.

Ianto yawned. "Exhausted. How long was I asleep?"

"About four hours." Owen replied.

"Wow that's the longest I've slept in a long time, apart from last night." Acknowledge Ianto .

He went to get up but Owen gently stopped him. "Do you remember the nightmare you had?"

Ianto turned look at him. "No. It couldn't have been that bad if I didn't wake up. Though I did dream you were talking to me. It wasn't a dream was it?"

"I just held you and talked to you hoping it would calm you enough that you wouldn't wake up. It seemed to work. Just wish Jack hadn't phoned or you might still be asleep." Moaned Owen.

Ianto extracted himself from Owens arm and at his questioning look said, "Just going to the bathroom and then going to make some hot chocolate. Do you want one aswell?"

The thought of hot chocolate had Owens mouth watering "Please. You got any biscuits?" He asked with a cheeky grin.

While Ianto was gone Owen stood up stretching out his back which was now beginning to ache. Ianto saw the movement on his way to the kitchen,"You ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, but your sofa is no comfort zone." He laughed as he followed Ianto.

Ianto made the drinks and they went back to the lounge. As Owen sat down, Ianto went to his bedroom to change. When he got back he sat next to Owen on the sofa. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on you, not much of a host am I?"

"Hey after what you told me I wasn't surprised that you fell asleep. I'm just sorry you didn't get more. Do you want to talk anymore about it?" He asked softly.

"Not really. I'm really tired. I'm going to go to bed and try to get some more sleep. You're welcome to the sofa if you really want to stay but I'm taking no responsibility if your back hurts tomorrow." He answered with a small smile.

"Is that ok? I'm knackered and there's really no point me going home at this time of the morning. Now go get some sleep and let me have some." Owen said stiffling a yawn.

Ianto headed for his bedroom saying goodnight to Owen. He tossed and turned until after an hour he got up and went back to the lounge hoping Owen was still awake so he could talk to him. As he entered, his breath hitched at the sight of Owen stretched out sound asleep. Without really thinking he walked across the room and lay down beside Owen with his back to Owens chest and pulled Owens arm around him. Very soon he was fast asleep feeling safe and secure.

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

Owen woke first and was surprised to find Ianto asleep next to him. He lay there watching him sleep thinking again how young he looked, but this time he also looked peaceful. Owen glanced at the clock on the wall and was shocked to see that it was 8.30. He knew it was gone 4 before Ianto had headed to his bedroom but after that he couldn't remember. "Wonder what time Ianto came and joined me?" He thought.

Twenty minutes later and Ianto was beginning to stir. He opened his eyes slowly and as they focused on his surroundings he remembered getting on the sofa next to a sleeping Owen and groaned. He was hoping against hope that Owen was still asleep so that he could make his escape but that illusion was shattered when Owen snickered behind him. "You trying to take advantage of me when I'm asleep Jones?"

Ianto groaned again and hid his face in the cushion and incoherently mumbled something.

"Could you repeat that in English, please?" Owen chuckled at his embarrassment.

Ianto lifted his head slightly "I said Sorry." He repeated before explaining. "I couldn't sleep when I got to bed, came out to talk but you were asleep. I didn't want to be on my own." He admitted softly.

"That's fine, but if you'd wanted to talk you could've woken me, that's what I'm here for." Owen said quietly.

"I know but you were tired and you need your sleep just as much as I do, more so as you're still going out on missions. Anyway it doesn't really matter as I managed to get back to sleep. Now we are both going to be late for work." Ianto stated as he looked at the clock. "I'll put some coffee on if you want to grab a shower. I may even have a shirt you can borrow if you want?" He offered as he stood up and stretched. "God you were right, my sofa isn't a comfort zone."

Owen also stood and stretched "Told you. But no complaining your back hurts it was your choice to join me, but I'm glad you did as you at least got some more sleep. Next time we talk, we do it in bed." Ianto's eyes shot up as Owen continued with a smirk, "At least that way if you do fall asleep, we will both be comfortable."

***

Owen emerged from the bathroom with just his jeans on and a towel slung around his shoulders. The smell of fresh brewed coffee and toast was coming from the kitchen so he headed towards it. "You got that shirt you said I could borrow?" he asked as he entered.

Ianto looked up from the toast he was spreading with jam and blushed slightly at the sight of a half-naked Owen "Um sure. What would you prefer short or long t or proper shirt?"

"Long t with a short sleeved short if you've got them." Owen answered grabbing the mug of coffee sat on the side.

"Hey that was mine." Ianto exclaimed.

Laughing Owen said. "You need to keep a better eye on it then." Draining the remainder he set the mug back down.

Ianto glared back before going to his room to get the tops for Owen and also picked up a clean pair of socks for him. "Here you go, they should fit. " Ianto said handing him the clothing. "Help yourself to more coffee and toast if you want some. Won't be long."

While Ianto was in the shower Owen made a quick phone call to Jack just to let him know they would be late in.

As it was they weren't that late, by Owen's standards at least and arrived just after 10. Tosh and Gwen were both at their computers finishing the reports from their early morning callout and Jack was in his office. As he heard the alarms of the cog door blare he came out. He looked at Owen and raised his eyebrows when he saw that he was wearing Iantos shirts. He looked at Ianto with his best pleading face and asked "Any chance of a coffee? Please."

Ianto was already on his way to the machine. "Sure Jack. Tosh, Gwen would you like a mug?"

"Please." They both answered.

"Hey what about me." Owen pouted.

Ianto laughed "You've already had the delights of my coffee this morning, in fact you pinched my mug as well as your own. Don't think you deserve another."

Gwens head shot up at this revelation and before she could think about what she was saying asked. "Did you spend the night at Ianto's?"

Owen smirked mischieviously. "Yes I did. That's why he's late." Then disappeared to the med bay leaving Ianto to face Gwen on his own.

Ianto finished making the coffee deflecting all of Gwen's subtle and not so subtle questions. He headed down to give Owen his coffee and as he handed it over said. "You don't deserve this."

"At least if Gwen's asking questions about me staying she won't be asking why we didn't get called in this morning." Owen defended.

"True." Agreed Ianto before leaving Owen to his autopsy.

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

The team had a quiet morning. Ianto ordered pizza for lunch and they sat in the boardroom eating. Inevitably the conversation got around to Owen staying at Ianto's the previous night.

"So why did you stay at Iantos last night then Owen?" Gwen asked trying not to sound too nosy. "It's not like either of you had had too much to drink at the pub was it. Or did you have a private party when you dropped him home?" She smirked.

"Not that it's any of your business Ms Cooper, but I wanted to borrow a couple of Ianto's James Bond DVD's so I went in and we got talking and before we realised, it was quite late so I crashed on his sofa. Which by the way is not at all comfortable." Owen moodily answered.

"But what did you talk about? It's not like you two are friends or even have anything in common." Badgered Gwen.

Jack and Owen could see Ianto getting more and more agitated so Jack intervened. "Gwen, what they talked about is none of our business and I for one am not interested so please can we change the subject."

"Look all I'm doing is showing an interest in my friends lives. What's wrong with that? Unless they've got something to hide." Gwen said hotly looking from Ianto to Owen. "Well have you got something to hide?"

Ianto looked up from where he had been staring at his plate and looking directly at Gwen said through clenched teeth. "The reason Owen stayed at mine was because ever since returning from London I've been having nightmares, getting between two and three hours sleep a night."

"Ianto you don't have to explain to her." Owen interrupted.

Ianto gave Owen a small smile. "It's ok. She asked so I'll tell her. Owen was there last night helping me, letting me talk. And do you know what I got more sleep last night than I have since London. So that's why Owen stayed last night. Anything else you'd like to know? Maybe you want to know about my sex life too." He added sarcastically before getting up and leaving the room.

"Nice one Gwen." Owen sneered.

"Well how was I to know." She reasoned to the others.

"What part of 'it's none of you business' did you not understand." Shouted Owen angrily then stormed out to find Ianto.

Gwen turned to look at Jack and Tosh hoping they would be on her side but all she saw was disapointment in their eyes.

"Next time just leave it when told to." Jack said.

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

Owen found Ianto in the archives. "You ok?" He asked softly.

Ianto answered just as softly. "Not really. Do you think Jack would mind if we get out of here. I really don't want to face Gwen again and I don't want to be on my own either."

"I'm sure under the circumstances he'll give us the afternoon off." Owen said holding out his hand to Ianto. "C'mon lets go ask if we can play hooky this afternoon."

They walked back up holding hands untill they got to the main area. They both went to ask Jack for the time off which he granted. "Just remember to keep your phones on just in case we need you."

Owen and Ianto left the Hub without saying goodbye to the girls.

***

Jack watched them leave wondering when they would admit their feelings for each other. Then he turned back to the paperwork he had been doing when they had come back up from the archives. Just as he picked his pen up Gwen entered his office. "See you still haven't found the art of knocking before you come in." He said without looking up.

"Jack I just wanted... " Gwen began sighing. "I just wanted to say sorry."

Jack looked up then and said "It's not me you should be apologizing too is it? Could you not see how you asking all those questions was upsetting Ianto?"

"I just thought..." Started Gwen.

"No Gwen you didn't think. You thought you were on to some gossip and to hell with the consequences. You didn't take any notice when Owen or I tried to change the subject. Look I know you like to know what's going on with everyone but sometimes you have to learn when to back off. I just hope for your sake Ianto can put this behind him he's been through a lot recently." Jack told her.

Gwen thought for a minute before asking. "Do you know what happened in London to make him have nightmares?"

"No but Owen does and that is why he's helping Ianto. When he's ready I hope he will tell me but until then I trust Owen to do what's best for him and to tell me if it gets out of hand. Look they're not keeping secrets that are going to affect the running of the team. All we can do is be there for him if he asks for our help. Ok?" Jack said hoping Gwen would now drop the matter.

"Ok." Gwen said deflated. "So where have they gone then?"

Jack sighed. "They asked for some time off. I gave it to them. I didn't ask what they were going to do and as long as they keep their phones on I haven't got a problem with it so neither should you. Now have you got some work you could be doing or would you like me to give you some."

"No it's ok I've got some thanks." She replied as she headed out the door.

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

As they reached Owens car he turned to Ianto and asked. "So what do you want to do?"

"First I want to go home and change then there's a place I want to take you to. It's not far so we can be back if we are needed." Ianto replied

"Ok. You gonna tell me where we're going or do I have to guess." He laughed.

Ianto grinned. "I might tell you or you can figure it out while I'm driving us there."

"Who said you were driving. It's my car." Owen spluttered.

"I did I've always wanted to drive your car, to feel the speed of her." Ianto said running his hands over the leather seats.

Owen visibly swallowed at the action tyring not to think about those hands running over his body. He blinked rapidly trying to clear his head of the image Ianto had obviously been talking to him. "Sorry miles away. What did you say?"

Ianto smirked knowingly and then repeated what he'd said. "Thanks for trying to get Gwen off my back earlier."

Owen stopped the car outside Ianto's building. "That's what I'm here for to rescue you from the nosy Gwen's of this world." They were both laughing as they got out the car and headed for Ianto's flat. Once inside Ianto headed for his bedroom to change while Owen went into the lounge. He went over to the window stood looking out. His thoughts quickly turned to the Welshman down the hall. "Oh shit." He thought. "I am heading for trouble if Ianto doesn't feel the same way about me as I do him." The other side of his brain answered the unasked question. "Of course he does are you blind or what? Have you seen the way he looks at you and the way he didn't freak when you held his hand."

A small cough brought him back to reality and he turned round to see Ianto stood there watching him with an amused grin on his face.

Owens jaw droppwd. Ianto was wearing black jeans and a deep purple jumper.

"Wow." He whispered. "Um sorry. It's...you um." Owen cleared his throat and blushing slightly stated. "You look good."

"Thanks." Ianto said also blushing. "So, what were you thinking about? You were miles away again."

"Nothing important." Owen lied turning back to the window so Ianto couldn't see it was a lie. "So where do you want to go?"

"Thought maybe we could go to Swanbridge and take a walk along the coast or something I find walking helps distract me from what's going on." Ianto said not quite believing Owen.

"I've got a better idea you might like - it's somewhere I go when I want peace and quiet but don't want to be too far from the Hub." He said nervously.

"Ok where?" Ianto asked hesitantly.

"Fforest Uchaf Farm." Owen told him looking a little uncertain.

"The Pit Pony Sanctuary." Ianto said increduously. "I never took you for an animal lover Owen."

"Yeah well...just don't tell the others." He stuttered. "Got an image to uphold."

Laughing Ianto said. "And that image is being shattered as we speak. Can I still drive - I know where it is?"

"Yeah sure." Owen said handing over his keys.

On the drive to the farm they discussed the CD that Owen put on, as it was one of Ianto's favourite bands. It turned out they had quite a few bands in commonthat they liked, which surprised them both. Before long Ianto was parking Owen's car at The Sanctuary. After paying the entrance fee they decided to take a walk up to the pastures to see some of the ponies grazing. They had been given a leaflet explaining what the farm was about and where all the ponies had come from. When they reached the ponies they leant on the fence just watching.

"They look content. Not a care in the world. I wish it was like that for me." Reflected Ianto stroking the head of one of the ponies who had come over to them.

"We work for Torchwood. We've both seen and done things no one should. It's what's made us who we are. Losing Katie is what brought me to Jack, just like Lisa brought you here." Owen said wistfully.

Ianto turned and quietly asked. "Tell me about her?"

Owen stared at him before turning and walking away.

"Owen." Ianto called softly.

Owen turned back and Ianto could see the tears in his eyes. "Look if it's too painful you don't have to tell me. I just thought..well talking helped me last night it might help you."

"You're right. It's just I've never talked about what happened with Katie with anyone other than Jack. I'm scared." Owen admitted.

"I'm a good listener." Ianto said joining Owen. "Let's go for a walk and if you want to talk I'll be here and if you don't...well I'll still be here."

They walked for a bit neither one saying anything, both lost in their own thoughts. They came to the top of a small hill overlooking the farm. Owen plonked himself down and Ianto sat down next to him. Owen stared straight ahead of him then in a quiet voice began talking. "We met when I was doing my training at the hospital she worked at. She was a junior doctor. She was beautiful, so alive. That was until she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers, youngest case ever recorded." Ianto moved closer and put his arm around Owen's shoulders in silent support. He didn't say anything just waited for Owen to continue. "I promised her a summer wedding. We'd got everything organised invitations colour scheme, we were even working on the seating plan. Katie couldn't even make a cup of tea by herself. One day she would be the old Katie the next she couldn't even remember my name let alone we were getting married." Owen stopped for a while lost in his thoughts.

"It must have been hard on you being a doctor and not being able to help." Ianto said carefully.

"Yes it was. I kept pushing for more tests to be done. Eventually they did and they found that it wasn't Alzheimers but a tumor. A tumor that hadn't been there the week before when they did a scan. They operated and that's when it all went to hell and Jack turned up." Owen laughed bitterly at the memory. "He told me it was an alien life form attached to her brain and that when threatened it released a toxic gas killing the whole surgery did something to me as the next thing I knew I woke up in a hospital bed being told Katie had died from the tumor. No one would listen when I mentioned aliens or Jack. Instead they gave me three months off and left me to it."

"So how did you meet Jack again?" Ianto questioned.

"He turned up at the gravesite one day. I beat the shit out of him. He told me what really happened to Katie, brought me to Cardiff and asked me to join as his medic and here I am, sat on a Welsh hillside baring my soul and freezing my balls off."

"Baring your soul once in a while is good for you. Well so I've been told." Ianto chuckled.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while both absorbing what Owen had said. At some point Owen had leant his head against Ianto's shoulder and Ianto was running his hand through Owen's hair.

"Did you mean what you said last night when I was having my nightmare?" Ianto whispered.

Owen tensed. "I didn't think you would remember that." He said clearly embarrassed.

"But did you mean it?" Ianto persisted.

Owen turned slightly and brought his hand up to cup Ianto's cheek and looked him in the eye. "Yes I meant it. I will always be here for you, keeping you safe and secure in my arms. If you want me to." He added a little unsure of Ianto's reaction.

Ianto mirrored Owens hand and leant in. He brushed his lips against Owen's briefly and whispered, "Yes I want you to," before bringing their lips together again in a soft kiss.

Both their phones ringing broke the moment. They took a calming breath before Ianto answered his to Tosh and Owen answered his to Jack. They were told the same thing; they were needed back in Cardiff. There had been several weevil sightings and it needed the whole team to deal with it. Ianto stood up after telling Tosh they'd be back within thirty minutes as Owen hung up on Jack. He held his hand out and as Owen took it he pulled him up. As they stood there Owen shakily asked. "Ianto I'm not misreading the signals am I?"

Ianto looked at him then kissing him gently whispered. "No you're not."

***

Ianto drove them back to Cardiff, as Owen was still feeling emotional after talking about Katie. Jack had sent them the location of the sightings to Owen's phone and as it was on the way back he text Jack to say they would meet them there instead of the Hub.

Ianto looked briefly at Owen "You ok?"

Owen had his eyes closed. "Exhausted. All I want to do is curl up with you and sleep for a week. But I can't as we have a job to do." He sighed tiredly.

Ianto grinned at the thought of curling up with Owen and said softly. "Maybe later?"

Owen laughed. "Definately later."

They pulled into the park and stopped the car behind the SUV and as they got out Ianto turned to Owen. "I'm not ready to tell them about us just yet. Let's see where it's going first." He said quietly

"Me niether." Owen agreed.

They walked round to the front of the SUV and met the others.

"Right this is where and I quote 'large men wearing leather masks and with big long teeth' have been seen." Jack said.

"Do we know how many?" Owen asked

Tosh looked up from her PDA "Six maybe seven, depends which witness you ask."

Ianto looked around. "Where are the witnesses?"

"With Andy giving statements." Tosh replied.

Ianto turned to Jack. "Do you want me to get them some tea to help with the shock of what they've seen?"

"Sure Ianto I think I saw a refreshment hut near the swings. Make sure they all have some." As Ianto walked away Jack noticed Owen watching him and smiled to himself. "I wonder if something has happened?" He thought. He pointed to the map as he continued the briefing. "Right the weevils were last seen in this area here. Owen with Gwen and go right. Tosh, you and I will circle left and hopefully we will surround them and take them down. Spray or stun only - don't shoot unless you have to - there are too many people around. Understood?"

They all nodded as they moved off.

Ianto made his way over to the play area where Andy was stood surrounded by eight people. "Hi Andy." Ianto shouted over the talking. "Want some help with this lot?"

"Please." Andy replied with a weak smile.

"Right." Ianto called "If you could all quieten down and let me speak."

Ianto waited a few minutes untill there were fairly quiet. "Thank you. Now I know you all want to tell PC Davidson what you saw but I think it would be better if you did it one at a time."

Andy nodded then turning to the man closest to him asked him what he had seen.

"In the meantime I will get you all some tea." Ianto continued. He walked across to the hut selling tea and coffee. "Can I have ten cups of tea please?"

The young lad stared at him before starting on the teas. Ianto had managed to slip retcon into eight of the cups and was handing them out. As he gave the last cup to a young woman he glanced towards the swings. What he saw made him smile; a young girl was on the swings trying to see how high she could get, as he watched her a movement caught his eye that made his blood run cold. At the far side of the small playground stood a weevil looking towards the swing. Ianto put his hand up to tap his comm only then did he realise he'd left it back at the Hub earlier. "Shit." He muttered. He didn't have any weapons with him either. "Oh God what am I going to do." He thought. Although he was anything but calm, he walked over to Andy and whispered in his ear. "Can I have your baton?"

Andy's head whipped around and he asked. "Why?"

Again Ianto whispered so no one else could hear. "Because there is a weevil on the other side of the play park, a girl on a swing and I've got no weapon and no way of contacting the team."

Andy didn't need asking again just handed it over. "Do you need any help?"

"Can you try and get the girl off the swing without drawing attention to yourself and keep this lot away?" Ianto asked moving away, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible as he headed towards the weevil. He managed to get within twenty feet of the weevil before something distracted it and all hell broke loose. He knew he couldn't let it anywhere near the girl so he did the only thing he could. He got between it and the girl with only a police baton for protection and screaming at Andy to get the girl and run.

Across the other side of the park the rest of the team had found the weevils and surrounded them. They managed to take them all down using the spray and then sedating them. Once they were all on the ground Jack and Owen started taking them to the SUV and loading them in the back. As they put the last one in Owen observed. "Either the witnesses can't count or we're missing a couple."

At that moment Jack's phone rang. "Hi Andy. What's up?"

"OK. Yeah be right there." He turned to Owen. "Grab the med kit. Ianto's in trouble." He turned and started running towards the play area.

The others looked after him then spurted into action. Tosh and Gwen ran after Jack while Owen grabbed his bag from the SUV then followed.

***

As Ianto stood looking at the weevil he thought. "I'm sorry Owen I wished we'd had more time together." Then the weevil lunged at him. He tried to hit it with the baton but it didn't have any effect and Ianto was thrown backwards with the impact. He managed to roll away from it before he got back on his feet. Ianto shook his head to try and stop the fuzziness taking hold. Again the weevil went for Ianto but he was ready for it and dodged out of the way. The weevil kept on coming for him and Ianto managed to keep dodging out of the way. He was trying to lead it away from the play area and towards the trees. Ianto was tiring quickly he didn't know how much longer he could keep this up. With a determined effort the weevil lunged at him, swiping its claws down Ianto's chest. Ianto screamed with pain and dropped the baton. Clutching his chest he stared at the weevil. "This is it." He thought. "I'm going to die." Ianto closed his eyes waiting for the final impact. It never came. All he heard was a single gunshot. He stood where he was, still with his eyes closed. He could hear people calling his name but he couldn't respond - he couldn't do anything.

"Ianto." Tosh called quietly. "Ianto open your eyes for me...please Ianto. Jack I think he's in shock. Where's Owen?" She said frantically looking for the medic.

Jack came and stood beside Tosh. Softly saying. "C'mon Ianto open those beautiful eyes for me." While gently stroking his fingers down Ianto's cheek.

The movement of Jack's fingers on his cheek seemed to break Ianto out of the trance he'd been in and he slowly let out a breath.

"Thank God." Tosh whispered.

Jack took hold of Ianto's arms "You're going to have to move them so that I can see where you're hurt."

Ianto blinked only then realising that he'd been injured. He slowly moved his arms away from his chest taking a deep breath as pain engulfed him. Jack caught him before he fell to the ground. He then sat down with him as Owen appeared.

"How is he?" He asked breathlessly.

"Bleeding and in shock."Jack replied lifting Ianto's jumper up so that Owen could get a better look at the wounds.

"Shit." Owen cursed as he began pulling things from his bag.

Without moving or looking at Gwen Jack asked, "Gwen can you find Andy and find out what happened here?"

"Looks like he messed up again." She muttered to herself. "Yeah sure Jack." Giving him a sweet smile.

Jack turned his attention to Owen. "How bad is it?"

Owen was in full doctor mode as he replied. "The slashes are very long and a couple of them are quite deep. I really need to get him back to the Hub to stitch him up and give him some of my powerful painkillers. I'm also worried about him going into shock. He's already showing signs. He's not reacting to what's going on around him."

"Ok. You take him back in the SUV with Tosh and I'll bring Gwen back in your car once we've established what happened here and sort out any witnesses." Jack said.

Owen nodded his head in agreement. "Let me just cover these wounds to stop dirt getting into them, then we can go."

Owen got a dressing and carefully applied it to the wounds all the time letting Ianto now exactly what he was doing and why. As he finished he leant in and whispered "C'mon Ianto, come back to me. We've only just started to get to know each other and I really want to see where this is going."

Jack and Tosh exchanged a look, but didn't say anything. Owen helped Jack stand Ianto up and then put his arm around him so he could help him to the SUV. Before Tosh followed him she turned to Jack and said quietly. "Did you hear what Gwen said before she went to find Andy?"

"No." Jack replied looking questioningly at Tosh.

"She seems to think Ianto messed up." She said sighing.

"Look Tosh I'm sure Ianto had his reasons for taking on that weevil alone and unarmed. Don't take any notice of what Gwen says. Now go. Owen needs you to help with Ianto and I need to find out what happened here." Jack said pushing her in the direction of Owen. He then turned and went to find Gwen.

Tosh caught up with Owen just as he was putting Ianto in the SUV. "Sorry." She mumbled. "Just needed a quick word with Jack. How's he really doing?"

"Not good. He's still completely unaware of what's going on around him. He's going through the motions, but it's like he's in some sort of trance." Owen murmured. "The quicker we get him back the quicker I can start treating him. So c'mon get in." He said more sharply than he intended.

Jack found Gwen talking to Andy by the play area. As he got nearer he heard Gwen say. "So Andy Ianto just decided to approach the weevil because it was stood there?"

"No Gwen that's no..." Andy started to say.

Gwen interrupted him. "You said the weevil was stood on the other side of the park and Ianto went and stood in front of it."

"Yes he did. But..." Andy tried to say.

"No buts. Either he did or he didn't." Gwen said brusquely.

"Gwen." Jack said. "Let the poor man speak without you interrupting all the time. Andy please tell me what happened?"

Andy let out a sigh of relief. "As I was trying to tell Gwen, I was taking statements and Ianto had just finished handing out the teas when he came across and asked if he could have my police baton. I asked him why and he said that there was a weevil loose."

"But why would he approach it? He knows that if you leave them they loose interest." Jack mused.

"There was a girl on a swing. I think he thought it would go after her if he couldn't get it away." Andy added.

"So he put himself in front of the weevil to distract it from the girl?" Jack thought out loud.

Andy nodded "Pretty much. When it went for Ianto he screamed at me to get the girl and run. Didn't hesitate to put himself in the way, just wanted the girl safe. Bloody brave if you ask me."

"Thanks Andy you've been a great help. Are all the other witnessess ok?" Jack asked looking around.

"Yes they've all gone home feeling rather tired after the tea Ianto gave them." He said with a knowing smirk.

"Good good." Jack grinned. "Gwen we need to get back to the Hub and sort the rest of the weevils out."

"I assume Owen took the SUV with Tosh and Ianto. How are we supposed to get back?" Gwen asked sulkily.

Grinning madly Jack jangled Owen's car keys.

***

Tosh was helping Owen stitch Ianto's wounds. Two of the slashes had gone quite deep and went from his left shoulder right down to his right hip and so far Owen had put in over one hundred stitches. They would leave scars, the others weren't quite as deep or long and would only leave faint scars. Owen kept glancing at Ianto who still seemed to be unaware of what was going on. Both Owen and Tosh had tried to get a response out of him, but so far nothing had worked. Owen had just put the last stitch in and was about to cover them when the alarm went on the cog door. Tosh looked up as she heard Jack and Gwen approach.

"I hope my car is still in one piece Harkness and that I'm not going to be getting loads of speeding fines anytime soon." Owen shouted without looking up from what he was doing.

"Your car is fine, not sure about the fines though - wasn't taking much notice - just wanted to get back as quickly as possible." Jack answered as he came to lean on the railings above the med bay. Looking down at the scene before him, concern clearly evident on his face he asked "How is he Owen?"

"Not good. Two of the cuts are very deep and long as you can see from all the stitches I've put in. The others just needed cleaning out and a bit of glue on them and they should be fine. He's had an antibiotic injection and some pain relief. The cuts should heal up ok though the long ones will leave a scar. At the moment I'm more worried that he's still not responding to anything. He's been like this the whole time and I really don't know how to bring him out of it." Owen answered despondently.

Jack looked at him with a grim smile not knowing what to say in response. "Gwen, Tosh debrief in the boardroom." He called out to the girls. As they walked away he turned to Owen and said. "Stay here with him, talk to him see if you can get a response. He seems to trust you maybe it will be enough to bring him out of this. I'll tell you what happened later when Tosh can sit with him. Ok?"

"Thanks Jack." Owen murmured as he sat on the chair beside Ianto. Once Jack had left Owen breathed a sigh of relief and picked up Ianto's hand and bringing it to his cheek he started talking softly. "Ianto I know you can hear me. Everything is going to be alright. I've done my best needlework on you, but you will still have one sexy scar. I don't know what happened out there today but if I know you, and I think I do, then I bet you were doing something heroic, 'cos if you weren't then you are in for a hell of a bollocking. I'm just so glad that Jack got to the weevil before it got to you. I don't want to loose you. Not yet - we're only just getting started." He placed a small kiss to the palm of Ianto's hand. He then leant down and placed a kiss to his lips hoping that it might bring him back. It didn't. Owen didn't know what else he could do or say so he just sat there one of his hands holding Ianto's while the other was gently carding through Ianto's hair. He wasn't sure how much time had passed when Tosh came down and gently put her hand on his shoulder. "Jack wants to debrief you now."

Owen looked at her then back at Ianto.

"Go on I'll sit with him." She said with a small smile.

Owen got up off the chair and much to Tosh's surprise placed a soft kiss on Ianto's forehead and murmured. "Tosh is going to sit with you for a bit, but I'll be back soon."

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

As Owen approached the boardroom he heard Gwen's voice "You can't honestly believe that Ianto would be that selfless that he'd put himself in danger to save a girl he didn't even know."

"Actually Gwen I can." Jack told her honestly. "Ianto is the most least selfish person I know and that's saying something. What do you think happened then?"

Without hesitating Gwen said. "He did it for the attention. As if he wasn't getting enough already."

Jack looked at her increduously. "You think he let the weevil attack him just to get attention."

"Well...yeah." She stuttered.

"You really believe he would knowingly put himself in danger for no reason. You really don't know Ianto at all. Do you? He hates attention. Any sort of attention. He hates all the fuss when he's injured. Why do you think he tries to hide his injuries all the time? Unless someone sees him get hurt he doesn't tell anyone, much prefering to deal with it himself."

Gwen was now getting angry. "But that's just it, you say he doesn't like attention and doesn't like fuss so hides when he's hurt, which means when we do find out he gets double the attention. If you ask me todays stunt with the wevil was just attention seeking. I don't care what Andy said about him trying to protect the girl. If he'd really wanted to he could have just asked Andy for his phone to contact us and we could've dealt with it. But no not Ianto he had to go and get himself mauled so now everyone is making a fuss over him. Classic attention seeking behaviour."

Owen had heard enough. He barged through the door and snapped at Gwen. "I can't believe you think Ianto did this deliberately. Do you now how many stitches I've put in?" Gwen shook her head.

"Over one hundred and fifty. The scar he's going to be left with is going to run from his left shoulder down his chest and finish by his lright hip." Owen was visibly shaking as he talked. Jack put a calming hand on his arm but it had no effect Owen continued talking. "Considering you're supposed to be the heart of Torchwood you have a funny way of showing it. Ianto isn't an attention seeker he's a very private person. You saw how he reacted this morning with your prying question - yes I know you called it friendly concern - but he hated telling you about the nightmares. He doesn't want your pity. He just wants to do his job as best he can. So if I know Ianto he wasn't confronting that weevil for the attention - as you put it - he was doing his job and keeping the public safe. Now I have a patient who needs me, so Jack is this debriefing going to take long."

Gwen stood opened mouthed looking at Owen, then fuming turned to Jack. "Are you going to let him talk to me like that?"

Jack smirked "Well he did make a very good point. Now if you can go and write up the reports of this mission it would be greatly appreciated and I can get on with telling Owen what happened with Ianto."

Gwen started to argue thought better of it, instead huffing and walking out of the boardroom.

Owen sat down on the nearest chair. "I'm sorry Jack, but she just got to me. It's been a stressful day in more ways than one and it's not over yet."

Jack agreed. "She was getting to me too. I don't know why she's got it in for Ianto at the moment but I need to keep a eye on it. Make sure it doesn't become a major problem." Jack then went onto explain what had happened at the park with Ianto and the weevil. Once he'd finished talking Owen spoke with a small smile "I knew he wouldn't have delibrately put himself in danger. It's just like him to put someone else's safety first. Have you finished as I would really like to get back to him.?"

"Sure. Just one thing?" Owen looked up at Jack as he continued "Is there anything going on between you two? Only both Tosh and I heard what you said to him in the park."

Owen sighed "We were hoping to keep it low key for the minute. To be honest I don't know. I think we would both like there to be and for now we are going to see where it goes. Please don't say anything - just let us figure it out. It may come to something or it may not."

"Ok. Just don't break his heart like I did. He deserves to be happy" Jack said meanigfully.

With that Owen was out the door and was heading towards the med bay when Gwen called sweetly. "Owen can I have a word please?"

***

Next part of Returning To London.