Title: Nightmares
Author: Captains Cariad
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: They're definitely not mine, but the boys like to play and so do I.
Summary: Jack watches over Ianto after the events of "Countrycide".

***

The effects of the sedative & painkillers were wearing off causing Ianto to moan softly in his sleep. At the sound, Jack shifted his attention from the book he'd been half-heartedly reading to the young Welshman who was now stirring slightly on the sofa. Putting the book down quietly on the coffee table the Captain moved to kneel on the floor beside the sofa just as Ianto cried out & woke with a jerk.

"Arrrgh...no...no...please!"

"Hey Yan — shhh...shh...it's ok, I'm here" Jack soothed easing the injured man back onto the cushions.

Ianto was like a cornered animal, his eyes darting around searching for an escape route. Jack realised that the man before him had no idea where he was, he was still trapped inside his nightmare. Brushing Ianto's sweat soaked hair away from his forehead Jack spoke in a calming tone.

"It's alright Yan — look at me...you're safe, I'm with you"

Frowning as he tried to focus on what the voice was telling him Ianto relaxed a little as his eyes locked with Jack's & recognition flooded his face.

"Jack...oh God; please don't let them hurt me!"

Wincing with the effort Ianto sat up, flung his arms around the Captain & held on as tightly as he could ignoring the pain of his broken ribs. Jack embraced the younger man trying as best he could to avoid hurting him any further.

"They can't hurt you anymore Yan - it's over" he whispered moving to hold Ianto at arm's length & look into his eyes.

"So much blood...my blood...the knife...it hurts..." the words tumbled over each other as panic threatened to overtake Ianto once more.

"Let me help you. I can ease the pain a little"

Nodding slowly the battered Welshman allowed Jack to lower him back onto the sofa. Gently the Captain lifted Ianto's t-shirt to reveal a patchwork of multicoloured bruises & several livid cuts. He bent his head to trail his tongue across the injured flesh, his breath ghosting warm over Ianto's skin as he made his way upwards.

Moaning in a mixture of pleasure & discomfort, Ianto reached down to run his fingers through Jack's hair; feeling the Captain give a small smile against his skin at the intimate gesture. Jack continued to move up the injured torso before him until he arrived at the base of the other man's neck where sucking gently elicited a louder moan.

Eyelids fluttering, Ianto rested his hands on the Captain's shoulders as Jack leant down for a tender kiss. Holding the back of the younger man's neck Jack intensified the kiss & concentrated his mind on the life-energy deep inside himself. He willed the spark to increase, until it flowed through him like an electric current spreading a golden glow from his lips to Ianto's.

Arching his back as the surge of heat & energy hit him Ianto gasped against Jack's mouth. He could see a blaze of fireworks in his head and every nerve ending in his body tingled like pins & needles. It took some time for Ianto to form a coherent thought & when he was able to speak his voice was husky.

"Jack...that was...I...thank you..." was all he could manage.

The Captain nodded & brushed Ianto's cheek with the back of his fingers.

"You're welcome Yan. Now close your eyes, you need to sleep"

"But the nightmares Jack...every time I'm alone in the dark he's there!" Ianto said anxiously sitting up.

Jack smiled reassuringly as he got up from the floor to sit beside the injured man. He positioned himself back into the corner of the sofa beckoning the younger man to come sit closer. Gingerly, Ianto moved across the cushions & settled himself between the Captain's legs. He rested his weary head against Jack's chest. Placing one arm around the other man in a loose embraceJack used his other hand to stroke Ianto's temples comfortingly.

After a few minutes, Ianto's exhausted body relaxed. He listened to the steady rhythm of Jack's heartbeat and savoured the feeling of warm breath on the back of his neck.

"I'm not going anywhere Yan" Jack whispered softly into the young Welshman's hair.

***