Title: Mind Games
Author: Outside Edge
Pairing: gen
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters merely borrow them from time to time.
Summary: Set after Countryside. Jack uses his skills to help Ianto.

***

How long had he known?

Not long, not for sure. Although with the benefit of hindsight (and hindsight was such a wonderful thing) it had been clear from the start, but in the background; not like this.

Had he done anything to exacerbate the situation?

Probably. That business with the Cyberwoman, or Lisa as Ianto insisted they call it, that had brought things to the fore. The heightened emotions running through the entire team had certainly lead to an amount of emotional fallout on both sides, like a storm tide breaching sea defences.

The first time that he had felt it for sure was when they were chatting in the camp before that disastrous business with the cannibals. He had felt it, the tide of raw emotion, hatred and loss, so strongly that it had taken all his will to remain impassive.

Now, sitting alone in his darkened office at the end of another long day, a bottle of Islay malt whiskey on the desk in front of him, half empty or half full depending on your take on life. Jack considered his options.

It had been so long since he had used this skill. The skill he had been trained in by the Time Agency. In fact, the reason he had been recruited by them in the first place. An Empath. Okay, so they had developed his skills, twisting them into something much more dangerous and then had taken it away.

He still wasn't sure what aspects of the skill still remained. To be honest he was frightened to try in case he hurt someone. But this was different, he hadn't initiated the contact ... Ianto had.

The raw feelings of hurt still lingered in the back of Jack's mind. A sensation that refused to go away; like a dull headache. Jack gulped down another tumbler of whiskey. He made up his mind, he needed to reach out to help soothe the pain. He couldn't make it go away, but at least he could numb it slightly.

Jack closed his eyes and concentrated, searching outwards away from the Hub, looking for the bright spark he knew would stand out from the others. In his mind's eye had had given colours to each of the team as he encountered the. Gwen ... Blue, Owen ... Green, Tosh ... Yellow and Ianto ... Red, bright red, fire engine red, crimson red in all its brilliance. There it was, like a beacon, drawing him in.

Tentatively Jack established the connection and was nearly blown away with the strength of emotion that he found in the other man's mind. Raw, heartfelt emotion washed over him causing him to almost fall off his char and to cry out in pain. He opened his eyes and broke the connection breathing heavily.

Jack took several deep breaths to calm himself and poured another glass of whiskey to calm his nerves. Closing his eyes he re-established the connection.

Sidestepping the flimsy, raw barriers and keeping a low profile as if ducking under the radar he insinuated himself near the emotional core and set to work. Calming. Soothing; performing mental triage on the battlefield casualty that was Ianto's mind.

It was morning. Jack woke, emotionally drained, from his slumber to find Ianto clearing away the bottle and glass from his desk. Ianto paused with the empty bottle midway to the waste bin.
"You're not going to lecture me on responsible drinking again are you?" Jack asked.
"Perhaps having all your weekly units in one session, isn't such a good idea Sir." Ianto replied.
"Works for Owen." Jack replied.
"Owen is a prat, if you don't mind me saying Sir."
Jack groaned and smiled weakly. His head hurt like hell, might as well pass it off as a hangover.
"Point taken Ianto" he agreed "Any chance?"
"Of a coffee and painkillers of course." Ianto replied, with a smile.

Ianto made his way down to the kitchen area to fix Jacks coffee, pondering on what he had just seen. The label on the whiskey bottle had been familiar, although it wasn't Jacks usual brand. Ianto had dreamed that idyllic Scottish scene the night before. A night where the nightmares had finally receded and he had been able to sleep at last.

***