Title: That Thing In The Tunnel
Author: emeraldsage85
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: In order to understand this fic you'll need to have listened to the radio drama called Lost Souls.
Disclaimer: I don't make any money from this. Torchwood belongs to RTD and the BBC.
Summary: Ianto can't be unaffected by what he heard. Set after the Torchwood radio drama Lost Souls.

***

Ianto was standing in Jack's office, staring out at the rest of the Hub. He was clutching a recently collected empty coffee cup but made no move to start for the door.

"Something on your mind, Ianto?" Jack asked.

Ianto started.

"Sorry. I was just... thinking, sir," he said.

He finally made a motion to leave.

Jack got up from his desk and came around to block Ianto's way out.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he said.

Ianto sighed. He obviously didn't have much choice if Jack wouldn't get out of his way.

"That... thing... in the tunnels... It sounded like Owen and Tosh... and Lisa."

Jack moved closer and took the empty cup from Ianto. He set it back on his desk and took Ianto's hands in his own.

"It wasn't them. It was an alien," he said.

"I know," Ianto whispered. Tears glistened in his eyes and he blinked them back rapidly. "It all sounded so real, though. Owen called me coffee boy. Tosh was begging for help. Lisa... she... she talked about things only the two of us could know. I know it wasn't real. I know it shouldn't affect me..."

"But it does," Jack finished for him.

Ianto choked on a sob and the tears fell, making their way down his face in salty tracks.

"Come here," Jack said softly.

He wrapped his arms around Ianto, pulling their bodies as close together as possible.

Ianto rested his head on Jack's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Jack," he whispered.

"There's nothing to be sorry for," Jack said simply.

He squeezed Ianto gently and pressed a kiss to his temple. Ianto turned and kissed him firmly on the mouth.

"You should go home and get some rest," Jack suggested when they parted.

"Come with me. Help me forget tonight," Ianto pleaded.

"All right," Jack said. "I'll get the Hub set up for the night and then we'll leave."

Ianto nodded. He picked up Jack's empty coffee cup once more and made his way downstairs.

***