Previous part of Pain Is The Only Feeling.

***

Jack walked down the stairs nervously. He didn't want the team to know. It had nothing to do with the fact that he saw this as a secret between two lovers, more to the point that he was scared how he would react. He knew Toshiko would understand, she and Ianto had a strong friendship that he was practically jealous of. Owen and Ianto had gotten closer over the past few months, but there was still the brother like bickering that passed between them constantly. And then there was Gwen. Despite their conversation earlier, Jack knew that she would go out of her way to make Ianto feel more alone then ever. It was time's like these he wondered why he had wanted her to join the team.

"Where's Ianto?" Owen asked. Gwen hadn't said anything to him or Toshiko about anything, which Jack was grateful.

"Downstairs, sleeping," Jack answered. "I need to talk to you, conference room please kids." They all stopped what they were doing and moved to the conference room.

"What's going on?" Toshiko asked softly.

"Right. First of all, I want to say that if any of you treat him any differently I will make you forget so much of your life you'll think you should be in nappies!" They all stared at him a little startled, after taking a deep breath, Jack started talking again. "Remember Kerry?"

"The alien that passed herself of as Ianto's sister?" Owen shrugged.

"She was an empath. She found it easy to attach herself to Ianto because he too is an empath."

"He's an alien?" Gwen started. Her eyes wide with fear.

"No, he's human!" Jack said loudly. "He had no idea about any of it."

"Yeah right, are we forgetting Lisa?" Gwen shouted. "How can you let him stay here?"

"Gwen, do you know what an empath is?" Toshiko asked angrily. "He isn't dangerous."

"Like hell he isn't," Gwen muttered.

"Is that why he fainted the other week?" Owen asked, his voice calm for such a conversation.

"Yeah, it's getting too strong for him." Jack said, worry evident in his voice. "I have a friend here to help him, his name is Luke Bolton. He works with Torchwood."

"That's why Ianto went to Scotland?" Toshiko asked.

"Yeah, but something happened and he came home." Gwen shot Jack a look and he moved his eyes.

"What happened?"

"He felt it when I died, he's empath abilities are attached to me because of our relationship," Jack could have sworn he heard Gwen snort.

"He must have been so scared," Toshiko said sadly.

"Can he get rid of it?" Owen asked.

"No, he wants to. He doesn't know how to handle it. But Luke is doing his best to help."

"Jack!" They all turned around to see Luke and Ianto standing on the balcony.

"Everything okay?" Jack asked as he moved over to them.

"Yeah, I'm taking him out. Lesson number two."

"Can't it wait till tomorrow?" Jack asked.

"I'm fine, Jack," Ianto smiled. "Besides. I think it will be best if I leave for a bit." He gestured his head over to the Owen, Toshiko and Gwen. Owen and Toshiko looked at him and smiled, why Gwen stared at him as he was a freak.

"Mate, you okay?" Owen asked, he and Toshiko moved over to him. Gwen staying where she was.

"Yeah," Ianto smiled sheepishly.

"We don't think you're a freak," Toshiko smiled as she wrapped her arms around him.

"You've always been a freak," Owen laughed. "So, can you feel what I feel?" He grinned.

"Oh god. Stop it!" Ianto laughed.

"What's he doing?" Jack asked, Luke just laughed next to them.

"He's being disgusting, horny bastard." Ianto muttered.

"Right, I think we should go." Luke said once he noticed Gwen walking up to them.

"Ianto," She said quietly. "I'm sorry about last night,"

"What happened last night?" Owen asked.

"Nothing," Ianto said. "We going?"

"Yeah," Luke said.

"Don't be long," Jack warned.

"Why?" Ianto laughed.

"Because, and keep your phone on." He said, Toshiko, Gwen and Owen moved away from them back to their own work stations and Luke headed to the exit.

"I'm fine," Ianto promised, before he knew what he was doing he had his arms around Jack's waist and was kissing him as though his life depended it on it. "I should go," He mumbled before walking away. Gwen watched with a frown her eyes felt like they were going to burst in her sockets. Ianto wasn't who she thought he was.

"So, you hungry?" Luke asked as they walked around the streets. Ianto's silence seemed to unnerve him. Even though he had only known the young man a couple of days he was used to him having a presence around him. But instead he seemed empty.

"Not really, but you are so lets eat." Ianto said quietly, turning into a small coffee shop.

"You going to tell me what's wrong?" He asked, sounding like a concerned friend.

"You know what's wrong!" Ianto laughed.

"I'm not in your head, Ianto. But if you don't tell me I'll dig around and get it."

"Just stop it." Ianto hissed. "Just please, Luke. Drop it."

"Okay." Luke smiled. "So, I'll order and then we'll start."

Jack sat at his desk, his eyes trained on the paperwork in front of him, his mind focussing on the breath taking kiss that just happened not ten minutes ago. He couldn't remember the last time he had been kissed like that. So desperately but so loving. He wanted to know what was going through Ianto's head to make him kiss him like that, but at the same time he was too scared to find out.

"Jack, you okay?" Jack was more than surprised to see Owen standing there. The medic looked slightly awkward standing there.

"Yeah, just worried." Owen walked further into the office and sat down opposite Jack.

"You're not the only one," Owen smiled weakly.

"He's scared, and feels alone and there's nothing I can do."

"Jack, we saw that kiss. If he thought he was alone he wouldn't have kissed you like that. He knows you're there."

"It's not enough though is it?"

"Maybe, but right now it's what he needs." Owen stood up a little, he had his own concerns for Ianto's health. He knew the dangers of what empathy did to the human mind and body.

"Thanks." Jack smiled.

"We're all looking out for him, Gwen she'll come around,"

"When aliens are really from Mars, maybe." Jack laughed.

"Maybe, but he has us and that's what he needs. Just make sure you give him plenty more of those kisses, just try and do it when we're not around." With that Owen walked out laughing, Jack smiled feeling slightly better, but his concerns for Ianto were still on his mind for the rest of the day.

***

"See that girl over there?" Luke asked. They had moved from the small diner once they had eaten and were now walking around the local park. It was Tuesday lunch, so the park was practically empty, a few adults sat eating lunches on benches, a few kids skipping school were playing around in the small playground. The close proximity of it all was making Ianto's head ache, he longed to listen to music. Just to do anything to block every one out.

"Yeah," Ianto sighed. He looked to where Luke had gestured, a girl of around seventeen was sat under a large tree, simply reading a book in the calm summer sun.

"What she feeling right now?" Luke questioned. Ianto didn't want to do it. It was invading her privacy, even though her thoughts were so loud it was as though she was invading his. "Come on."

"She's happy," Ianto smiled. It felt good to feel some one's happiness instead of their fear or grief. "She got accepted into the University of Cardiff."

"What is she thinking?" Luke asked.

"There's a party tonight, she's wondering if Cade will take her." Ianto couldn't help but smile. She was a pretty girl, and just looking at her made him feel calm.

"Okay, what about him?" Luke turned to the direction of a homeless man, he was half asleep under a bench, but his eyes looked to be open. Ianto felt a sob in his throat, he couldn't look at him.

"He's scared," Ianto said quietly. "He doesn't know where he's going to be sleeping tonight." He couldn't control the sobs in his chest break free. He didn't want Luke to see him break down, he held in his tears before running off.

Luke stood there clueless of what to do. Maybe he was being too tough, he was practically a child. He sighed as he turned to walk back to the hub, he knew Ianto just needed to be alone. Something that he needed himself a lot of the time.

Owen looked up expectantly as the cog door rolled open, he was just about to call to Ianto to make him a coffee when Luke walked in alone. "Is everything okay?" Toshiko asked, noticing the pained look on the strangers features.

"Yeah, is Jack about?" He asked.

"He's upstairs in his office, where's Ianto?" Toshiko asked worriedly.

"He's fine, just needed to be on his own." Luke avoided eye contact and headed up to Jack's office, knocking on the door gently before walking in.

"What's going on?" Jack asked, he could see the distress in the man's eyes.

"Ianto ran off," Luke said bluntly. "There was something bothering him when I asked him he told me to leave it, so I did. Then I was testing his abilities, and there was this homeless man and he got really upset and just ran."

"And you didn't think to go after him?" Jack shouted.

"He needs to be on his own. He'll come back when he's ready."

"What if he isn't going to be ready?" Jack asked, it was a fear he had tried to keep quiet but he needed to know.

"He will be. I know he will be. He's strong, he just doesn't know it yet," Luke smiled shakily.

"Couldn't you have found out what was wrong?"

"You mean me go into his head without permission?"

"Yes."

"No. I don't do that, not any more, Jack."

"Oh. How long are you staying for?"

"As long as it takes," Luke smiled. "He's a good kid."

"Yeah he is," Jack grinned. "Though he isn't a kid."

"He reminds me of one." Luke looked around Jack's office aimlessly. "So, do you want me to do anything here?"

"You still good with computers?"

"Course."

"Do you mind helping Toshiko? She's got some new programme to do with the rift, only she's having some trouble."

"I'll do what I can." Luke nodded before exiting the office and walked downstairs to see Toshiko.

Gwen watched wearily as Luke helped Toshiko, she couldn't believe Jack was letting some stranger in the hub and fuck around with everything. She marched up to Jack's office, determined to get to the bottom of this.

"What can I do for you, Gwen?" Jack asked, he had expected her to come up at least an hour ago.

"What is he doing?" She shouted, gesturing to Toshiko's work station where Luke was on his knees fixing some of the plugs behind the desk.

"He's helping," Jack stated confidently.

"How can we trust him?"

"I'm not asking you to. I trust that man with my life."

"Who exactly is he?"

"An old friend. I worked with him a long time ago. That's all you need to know."

"Were you lovers?" Gwen asked, hands on her hips.

"No." Jack couldn't help but laugh. "Was there something else?"

"What are we doing with Ianto?"

"We?" Jack asked, his voice raised. "We are not doing anything with Ianto!"

"But he's a..."

"An empath. Not an alien."

"What's the difference?" Gwen shouted. "He's dangerous."

"No, he isn't."

"He could have killed us with the Lisa thing!" Gwen pointed out.

"He didn't know he was an empath then, and that was a long time ago."

"Not to me it wasn't."

"This has nothing to do with you, Gwen. Ianto is a good man, that's why he is an empath. Human empaths are naturally good, that's why the whole Lisa episode happened!"

"What he tried to kill the whole team because he was so fucking good?" Gwen shouted unbelievable.

"He could feel her pain. He could hear what she was thinking, twenty four hours a day all that pain going through his head. All he was doing was trying to make it stop. Don't you get it? He was scared and alone with all these thoughts in his head, he did the only thing he could. Now you're going to leave him alone, you hear me Gwen Cooper? You say one bad thing about him or to him I swear you will be off this team before you can remember what Torchwood is!"

"So you're picking him over me?" She asked quietly.

"It's always been him," He stated. "Go back to work, or go home, your choice."

"All done," Luke smiled as he finished working on Toshiko's computer.

"How did you do that?" Toshiko asked. She had been trying to fix the programme for about a month.

"Magic hands," Luke grinned. The cog door rolled open and Ianto walked in nervously. "I was about to send out a search party." Ianto smiled weakly and headed to his desk.

"Everything okay mate?" Owen asked.

"Yeah." Ianto stared at the papers on his desks, just as Jack's office door slammed shut and a sad looking Gwen walked down. Ianto shut his eyes, trying to block out everything she felt but it was as though she was aiming it at him.

"Ianto!" Jack called, Ianto looked up at Jack who was staring at him. "Come here," He said kindly. Ianto moved from his desk quickly and moved to Jack desperately. All he wanted was the pain to stop. Feeling this, Jack kissed him desperately on the lips, he felt him calm down instantly. "Go lie down, I'll be down in a minute." Jack smiled and watched as Ianto headed down to the bunk.

Gwen watched with anger at the scene before her. Jack stormed down the stairs and stood in front of her. "I want you gone, now!"

"What?" Gwen asked. "You can't..."

"You know what you did, Gwen. That was out of order. Did you see his fucking face?" Owen shouted. "You know he feels everything, so you threw it all at him!"

"I didn't..."

"Go, now!" Jack shouted. "Come back when you remember we're a fucking team."

"He's going to need some painkillers," Luke said looking directly at Owen. "Strong, painkillers."

"We can't keep giving him painkillers," Owen said as he moved to the autopsy bay. "He'll get addicted, and they'll fuck his liver up."

"We don't have a choice. He's in a lot of pain," Luke said sadly.

"We'll figure something out," Owen sighed. "What are you going to do about Gwen?"

"I don't know, right now she's not my concern. Ianto is."

"Go sit with him, we'll keep an eye on the rift," Toshiko smiled.

"I'll stay and help out." Luke added.

"Thanks." Jack headed downstairs to his bunk. His heart ached when he saw Ianto curled into a tight ball crying his eyes out.

***

"It's okay," Jack whispered as he moved over to Ianto. The young man was in such a state that he hadn't even heard Jack enter the room, the only sign he showed of acknowledgement was when he flinched when Jack wrapped his arms around him. "You're okay."

"But I'm not, am I?"

"You will be." Ianto shook his head in Jack's chest.

"You don't understand," Ianto cried. "You can't understand."

"Help me understand," Jack said softly. He had a feeling that this wasn't about what happened with Gwen.

"Talk to Owen," Ianto mumbled. "I just want to take some painkillers and go to sleep."

"Okay," Jack said quietly. To say he was confused would be an understatement. He handed Ianto some pills silently, and watched as he dried swallowed them and climbed under the covers. Jack kissed him softly. "I'll be back in a bit," Jack said before walking out.

Toshiko, Luke and Owen looked up not expecting to see Jack right now, or for the rest of the day. "Owen, can we talk?" Jack asked quietly.

Owen noticed the desperation in the heroes voice and followed Jack to the kitchen area, he suspected that he didn't want to talk in his office because Ianto would be able to hear, or within ear shot of the others. The kitchen was out of the way, and much more private.

"There's something wrong with Ianto," Jack sighed. Owen tried to hold in his sarcastic comment, because they didn't need that right now. "I asked him what was wrong, and he said ask you."

"Shit," Owen muttered. "I didn't know he could read my thoughts, I just thought he could feel feelings."

"Owen! Tell me what's going on!"

"I've read a lot about empaths, mainly out of my own interest in University, they're not really that uncommon. But 95 of empaths don't live long, Jack."

"No, empaths live practically forever!" Jack argued.

"Human empaths, Jack. The pressure becomes too much on their brains and the headaches slowly form a tutor which will cause a lot of pain and then he'll die."

"But there's a 5 chance that he wont!" Jack continued to argue. He was clinging to hope that he knew was hanging by a string. A very, very thin string.

"The pain is still going to be there," Owen sighed. "But I don't know if it will happen to Ianto. Not with Luke looking out for him."

"Luke's never lost a patient," Jack sighed.

"Who exactly is he, Jack?"

"He's from my time," Jack smiled slightly. It was nice sharing memories, he normally shared them with Ianto, but Owen was there now and he needed to know just as much as everyone else. "I was part of the time agency. Luke worked with us, but he always resented the agency because of what they did to those who were different."

"Those with abilities?"

"Yeah."

"So he's like leader of the x-men in your time?"

"Something like that," Jack laughed. "He was a close friend of mine in school. Then he realised he had abilities and he confided in me, he was scared just like Ianto is now. Even though the 51st century didn't care what your orientation was, it still cared about powers. If you had abilities you were an outcast. Something to do with power struggles. The time agency had a sector who dealt with those who were special."

"You were in that sector wasn't you?" Owen asked nervously.

"Yeah. I didn't know it at the time, they covered it up so much I thought we were getting the bad guys, but then I saw Luke's name on the list. And just knew what I was doing was wrong. You can't leave the Time Agency, but I tried. I found him, and I ran."

"Then what?" Owen asked, he felt like a child at story time.

"We couldn't stay near each other, it would be too easy to track. So we split up. I didn't know what happened to him until about fifty years ago, at some Torchwood meeting. He told me he had found other people like him, and he wanted my help. Some empaths turned mad, especially before medicine that could help was invented. He set up a place for them to go, the same place that people who get taken by the rift go."

"Is that where Ianto is going to go?"

"No, because I'm not going to let him go mad."

"What if you can't stop it?" Owen asked, even though he didn't want to think about what could happen.

"There's devices in the archives that can stop the empath signal, not permanently but for now. If he chooses to use them, I wont stop him. But if he wants to keep what he has than it's up to him."

"I'll run some tests on him tomorrow, if he's up for it. Make sure everything is okay."

"Thanks."

"What are you going to do with Gwen?" Owen asked.

"Feed her to Janet?"

"Jack, seriously?"

"I don't know. I honestly don't know. I brought her on the team thinking she would make us all more compassionate you know, but turns out I was wrong."

"She's in love with you, that's the only reason she's like it."

"Because she loves me, she's hurting the man that I..."

"Jack we have weevils on the streets," Toshiko called from upstairs.

"Us three can go, if you're up for it Luke?"

"Always. I've missed the action," He grinned.

"Thanks. Call me if you need anything, and be careful!" Jack said before heading downstairs to hold Ianto. The man was curled in a corner, fast asleep.

***

Jack curled next to Ianto, the minute his body hit the bed Ianto rolled over and wrapped his arms around him. Jack smiled, he could get used to this. He rubbed a hand gently through Ianto's thick hair, and smiled when he saw his face relax into a small smile. He definitely could get used to this.

Ianto woke up the next morning, he didn't feel tired and there was no pain in his head. He managed a smile as he opened his eyes, Jack was still next to him, his arms wrapped around him and he was looking up at the ceiling.

"Morning," Ianto smiled lazily. Jack looked down at him and grinned.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, Owen's words spinning circles in his head.

"Good," Ianto replied honestly. "My head doesn't hurt."

"That's good!" Jack smiled, he leant down and captured Ianto's lips in a gentle kiss. "You've slept for ages you know."

"What time is it?" Ianto asked curiously.

"Almost ten in the morning," Jack replied, stealing another kiss. He was expecting Ianto to shoot up and move around the hub, because they both knew it was probably a mess right now.

"Can we stay like this for a few more minutes?" He asked. Ianto moved his arms around Jack a little tighter, giving him no choice in the matter.

"As long as you want," Jack chuckled. He rolled over so he was now face to face with him, he pressed his lips gently to Ianto's. Their kisses felt new every time they kissed to Ianto, he felt his skin burn with love like their first time.

"Lying here with you, I forget everything that's going on in my head," Ianto smiled. He placed butterfly kisses on Jack's jawline, as he slowly moved his body over Jack's. Settling between his legs.

"Then we can stay like this forever," Jack smiled. Ianto chuckled at that, he kissed Jack passionately and grinned as Jack rolled him over onto his back, the older man always preferred to be on top.

"Maybe just for another hour," Ianto smiled as his hands traced down Jack's chest, going lower. "Or two..."

Owen walked into the hub at half ten, he had expected to see Jack or Ianto around, he was genuinely surprised to see that neither were around. Luke was sat reading through some files, after what Jack had said about him, Owen's views on him seemed to have changed. He no longer felt threatened by the strange presence of another person in the hub. "Morning," He smiled.

Luke looked up and grinned. "Morning. Ianto and Jack are still... asleep."

"Oh god." Owen knew what the hesitation in the man's voice meant. "Maybe Ianto's feeling better than."

"Jack makes him feel better," Luke laughed.

"Stop please, I'm having pictures in my head now and it's just wrong!"

Luke laughed and watched as Owen settled in behind his desk, turning on computers and checking his email. Ten minutes later Toshiko and Gwen walked in. Both Luke and Owen looked surprised at this.

"Does Jack know you're here?" Owen asked accusingly. Toshiko shrugged of her jacket and headed to her desk, wanting to avoid the slanging match she knew was about to come.

"I'm going to talk to him now," Gwen stated matter of factly.

"Oh no you're not," Luke sighed. "They're asleep."

"They, as in Ianto's here as well?" Gwen huffed.

"Yes. Now you can sit and wait for them to finish or you can go back home." Owen grunted.

"Finish?" Toshiko laughed. "Ianto's feeling better then?"

"Ianto's feeling fine," They all turned there heads at the Welsh man's voice. He was standing at the door to Jack's office wearing an immaculate three piece suit. "Coffee?" He didn't wait for an answer from any of them, just made six mugs of coffee and handed them to their owners, he didn't even hesitate when he handed Gwen hers, even though he could feel her jealousy, resentment and anger.

"Where's Jack?" Luke asked interestingly.

"The Prime minister phoned," Ianto laughed.

"He interrupted didn't he?" Owen chuckled. "Least it wasn't one of us."

"Or a video conference." Ianto added with a smile.

"You sure you're feeling okay?" Toshiko smiled.

"Honest, I feel fine. Better than fine." Ianto grinned. "Don't I Luke?"

"He does, he isn't lying," Luke laughed. "And for the record, I believed you."

"Only because you could feel it," Ianto pointed out. Jack walked down the stairs a couple of seconds later.

"Do I smell coffee?" He grinned. He wasn't wearing his dress shirt, just a plain white under shirt and his trousers, his braces hanging down.

"Your mugs at the coffee machine," Ianto said as he grabbed a report from his desk.

"Jack, can we..."

"My office." Jack sighed when Gwen started to talk. "I'll be up in a minute." Gwen nodded and headed to the office without looking at any one. "Ianto, you're going to let Owen run some tests on you, no arguments." Ianto nodded and looked over at Owen nodded at him. "Luke what are you doing with Ianto today?" Ianto made a disapproving sound and Jack couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Some more exercises, if he's up for it," Luke said, looking over at Ianto who nodded approvingly.

"Toshiko, could you continue with the reports? The PM wants them to him by Monday..."

"Will do, Jack." Toshiko smiled.

"I'll be in my office," Jack sighed.

"Wouldn't want to be him right now," Owen mumbled.

"She's probably going to put the water works on," Toshiko commented.

"I doubt that would work," Owen sighed. "Ready for the test empath boy?"

"Did I get promoted from tea boy then?" Ianto laughed as he headed over to the medical bay.

"Makes him sound like a comic book hero," Toshiko laughed.

"No tights though," Ianto smiled. Toshiko and Owen exchanged smiles, both pleased that Ianto seemed to be getting better.

"Bet Jack would like you in tights," Owen grinned.

"Might have to add that to the list," Ianto smiled.

***

"So are you going to tell me exactly what is your problem?" Jack asked bluntly. He hated the fact that he had to deal with Gwen – again. He should be downstairs with Ianto, holding his hand tightly as Owen ran numerous tests on him.

"I think you know, Jack." Gwen said lightly. There was hidden hope in her voice making Jack moan in his head. He had hoped that this would be easy, but now he knew how foolish he had been.

"Tell me anyway." Jack replied casually, because he needed to know. He had to hear her words so he can tell her where she stood, even if it was very far away.

"I'm in love with you," There was no sign of nervousness in her voice. Jack shook his head. She knew he was with Ianto, knew how much he cared for Ianto. But she still had this idea that they could be something.

"I'm in love with Ianto." Jack didn't know where the words had come from. Yes they were true, god they were so true. But he hadn't wanted her to know, because when the world knows about your feelings, more people will try to ruin it. Though Gwen was trying her hardest right now.

"I always thought there was something between us," Gwen said truthfully.

"Honestly, so did I."

"Then why...?"

"Because when ever I died, and came back he was the only person I thought of. It's just taken me a while to realise it."

"But when you died, and you wouldn't wake up, I kissed you Jack, not him!"

"And he was the first person I kissed," Jack sighed. "If Owen would have kissed me that day, I would have woken up. I'm sorry, it had nothing to you. Just something about me and kisses..."

"Then why did you kiss me the other night, Jack?" Gwen asked frantically. Jack could tell she was close to tears. He thought back to the love he thought he held for the doctor. The love that was one sided and hurt so blindly. He loved the doctor, yes. But he wasn't in love with the doctor.

"I was lonely," Jack shrugged. "It was wrong. If I wasn't drunk, it never would have happened..."

"That's a lie and you know it!" Gwen shouted.

"Fine, I would have kissed you without the alcohol because I missed Ianto. All I could think about that night was him, and how he was so far away. I needed him, and you were just there!"

"But if he hadn't shown up, we would have gone further. It wouldn't have been just a kiss!"

"Gwen, twenty years ago I slept with people without a care in the world, sex was my favourite pass time, and you know what it still is. So yes, I would have probably fucked you that night, and you and me both know that it would have meant nothing."

"To me it would have meant everything," Gwen whispered.

"Then you need to rethink your whole marriage because what ever you're doing at home, isn't right."

"My marriage is fine!" Gwen argued.

"Then go home to Rhys, take the rest of the week off. Consider it suspension for how you treated Ianto!"

"You're suspending me?" Gwen asked, her eyes wide and watering.

"After what you pulled you're lucky I'm not firing you!"

"You wouldn't..."

"Do you want to bet on that?" Jack shouted, just as the door opened and Ianto stood in the doorway.

"Rift activity, lots of it," He said before making his way back downstairs to Owen who was typing frantically at his computer.

"Should I stay?" Gwen asked.

"Are you going to act like a member of the team?" Jack shouted, he walked over to Ianto who was watching as several dots appeared on the monitor, all signalling an alien device or alien. There was now four of them.

"Yeah," Gwen mumbled.

"Right. Luke up for some action?" Jack grinned cheekily.

"Always, Captain."

""Right, Toshiko and Owen go to the first site. Ianto are you okay to come or do you want to..."

"I'm fine," Ianto assured him. "I'll go with Luke."

"Oh no you don't. Gwen you're with Luke, go to the second site. Me and Ianto will do the third and fourth as they're right next to each other. Keep your phones on, and be careful!" Jack ordered.

Jack and Ianto headed down the high street to where the third and fourth signal was coming from, they could already tell that something was wrong because people were running around screaming. Jack looked over at Ianto who was holding his head slightly. "You okay?"

"Fine, it's just loud."

"Do you want to go back to the...?"

"No. I'm fine." Jack wasn't too sure, the screaming was giving him a headache and he didn't want to think about the pain that Ianto was in because it wasn't just in his ears, it was in his mind. They soon found the source of the third signal, and they both immediately took out their weapons.

In front of them was what looked to be an old fashioned mime, Jack knew that in his past or was it future that they were used as assassins when large crowds were targeted. He also knew that there bodies were practically human, which meant they could be killed. Jack raised his his gun and aimed it straight at the 'mimes' head and pulled the trigger, and with a loud yell the 'mime' fell to the floor, a pool of crimson blood decorating it's white outfit.

"We'll clean it up later," Jack said. He pulled out his PDA and located the fourth signal which was just down the road, he hoped that it was as easy as the third because he could sense Ianto's fear and pain.

They ran to the next site and both shuddered. A large, no large was an understatement. A gigantic, green beast stood in the centre of the street. It looked like a large statue just standing there, the only thing that was moving on his body were its arms and they were moving so fast they just looked like a blur.

"Somehow I don't think normal bullets are going to work on this one," Ianto said, his voice a little weary.

"We'll have to try," Jack sighed. Both men started to fire their guns, the bullets seemed to weaken the beast yet it was still standing strong.

"Now what?" Ianto yelled, his gun was already empty and it had been fully loaded before.

"We don't have to worry about it," Jack said, on the other side of the beast was what looked to be UNIT in full force. "Get out the way," Jack yelled as he pushed Ianto to the side, he knew what was coming. He used his body to shield Ianto from the flames that came past them, as the soldiers fired very high-tech alien weaponry.

The earth rumbled beneath their feet as the beast crumbled to the floor. "You okay?" Jack asked, he held Ianto at arms length trying to look for any injuries. Thankfully there was none, Ianto nodded as he buried his head in Jack's neck, trying to regain some control over the pain in his head.

Jack and Ianto walked hand in hand back to the hub, after checking that every one else was okay. Thankfully they all were, UNIT were there too at all four sites, and Jack and Ianto had the worst alien to deal with. "I'm sure Owen has some more painkillers you can take," Jack said, he could feel Ianto's pain, he didn't know why he could feel it. But it was there and it was strong.

"I think I'll just go to sleep, if that's okay?" Ianto asked quietly.

"Course. I'll do all the cleaning up on this one."

"Thanks."

"Don't worry. I just want you to be okay."

"Me too," Ianto sighed.

***

Jack watched as Ianto restlessly settled onto the make shift camping bed. The others still weren't back yet, but Jack saw this as the perfect chance to actually get some work done. He phoned UNIT, thanking them for their help, and demanding why they were on his territory. But he couldn't bring himself to be too mad at them, because they actually helped. He smiled to himself when he won the argument on who was going to deal with the press – and it wasn't Torchwood, Jack grinned.

When the others arrived, all they had to do was the paper work. "Where's Ianto?" Owen asked straight away.

"Asleep, he had a headache," Jack sighed. The Captain didn't miss the concerned expressions on his teams faces. "He refused to take painkillers."

"Probably for the best," Owen smiled. "I'll run the tests on him when he's awake."

"Thanks." Jack looked over at Luke who looked to be concentrating on something. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, why don't you go down make sure Ianto's okay, get him some water. Sure we can do the reports up here," Luke smiled.

"Okay. Thanks." Jack headed back up to his office and down to his bunk. Ianto was sat up on all fours, breathing in and out deeply. "You okay?"

"When I was a kid, I used to get anxiety attacks like all the time, this was the only thing that calmed me down," He explained, his breathing relaxing slightly.

"You were having an attack?" Jack asked as he sat down next to him, wrapping his arms tightly around him.

"Just a small one," Ianto mumbled into Jack's neck.

"That explains the look on Luke's face," Jack said, more to himself then Ianto.

"How did he know?" Ianto yawned. His fingers playing absent mindedly with the seams of Jack's shirt.

"Well, Luke is like you. He's human, and he is an empath. But he's been an empath for over a hundred years, he's strong like scary strong. And he connects to most empaths that he knows. Probably why he understands a lot of what you're feeling."

"He's over one hundred years old?" Ianto asked, his voice getting quiet with sleep.

"Not as old as me, but yeah he's over a hundred." Jack watched as Ianto's eyes began to close slightly. "Get some sleep, I'll be right here."

"Kay..."

Two and a half hours later, Ianto woke up when he felt Jack moving next to him. "Jack?"

"I'm still here," Jack smiled. "You feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm dying for some coffee," Ianto laughed. "Want a mug?"

"Love one, come on lets get up." Jack smiled. He held out his hand for Ianto to take, which he did and they walked back up to the main area of the hub.

"I wish I had a camera," Jack grinned, the whole team plus Luke were working hard and in what looked to be a peaceful silence.

"You know I think it might be you that causes all the distractions around here," Ianto smiled as he leaned in closer to Jack.

"Can you blame me? You do look awfully cute in the cute suit, and when we're doing what we do, every one else is too distracted because we're just that hot," Jack purred making Ianto laugh and blush.

"We can hear you, you know!" Owen shouted. "And you're not hot when you're together."

"Liar," Ianto winked.

"How's the reports going?" Jack grinned as he sat on the corner of Ianto's desk.

"Almost finished mine, and then I'll head home," Gwen mumbled. The reason for the strange silence was because Toshiko and Owen hadn't said anything to her, and Luke felt a little out of place to say anything to anyone.

"Right," Jack nodded. Ianto walked down the stairs, coffee's for everyone on a large tray.

"You shouldn't be drinking caffeine," Owen commented.

"I was having withdrawal symptoms," Ianto smiled in his defence.

"You shouldn't drink all that coffee anyway," Owen remarked.

"Jack, Owen's being mean, make him stop!" Ianto laughed. He brought the mug of coffee to his lips and grinned. "mm.."

"You two squabble like school children," Toshiko laughed.

"It's their way of expressing their love to each other," Jack grinned.

"Love? Owen? Jack don't be gross," Ianto smiled. "Remember my theory about you being the reason why no work gets done..."

"I still don't think it's true!" Jack laughed.

"Hate to say it Jack..." Toshiko smiled.

"Tosh! I thought you were on my side!" Jack chuckled.

"Here's my report, Jack. I'll be going then," Gwen sighed, as she signed her name and the date. She handed it to Jack before grabbing her back and left the hub.

"Tea boy, medical bay now!" Owen snarled.

"Back to tea boy now?" Ianto pouted.

"You're not wearing any tights," Toshiko laughed.

"When was Ianto wearing tights? And why wasn't I there?" Jack asked as he followed Ianto around the hub with his eyes.

"He gave us a nice show," Toshiko giggled.

"I'll get a private show tonight, without the tights." Jack loved the blush that crept on Ianto's cheeks and couldn't help but laugh. "I'll be down in a minute, but right now I need to talk to Luke."

***

"Is everything okay?" Luke asked, though he knew that everything wasn't okay. Jack remained quiet, he was watching from his office as Ianto spoke to Owen and Toshiko. He looked happy, maybe not happy, but content. "You're worried."

"Of course, I'm worried," Jack sighed. "He's so young."

"You were telling me before that he wasn't a kid," Luke smiled.

"He isn't," Jack said quickly, "But when he sleeps, he looks so young. He shouldn't be here..."

"But he is. Stop it Jack, stop asking yourself why you hired him. You can't change anything. The guilt you're feeling is a natural feeling but useless all the same. That young man down there, he loves you. Yes, Jack. He loves you. You balance everything out in his life. You saved him from himself, that's why you're his anchor. It has nothing to do with the feelings you feel back, and yes Jack you do have feelings towards him."

"I know, I do!" Jack shouted. He hated when Luke got into his mind. "I know how I feel towards him..."

"Then why haven't you said anything to him?"

"I didn't know match making was on the endless list of talents you have," Jack smiled.

"He's a good man, Jack."

"I know he is," Jack sighed.

"So what's the problem?" Luke asked. He hated seeing his old friend so confused and scared. Even though he knew what the problem was, with Jack it was always better when the man told him, instead of going into his head.

"I can't die, Luke. Ianto can... I can't let myself love him to loose him."

"I understand, but you need to understand that if Ianto manages to control his abilities, if his body can handle them then he'll be able to live a very long time, as he is now."

"Like you, you mean?"

"Like me. And I will do my best to help him. You know I will."

"I know," Jack smiled. "Because I'm his anchor is that why I can sense him and feel what he's feeling?"

"No, you're not supposed to. Well normal anchors aren't supposed to." Luke frowned in thought. "It's probably because of your 51st century abilities. Though I don't know how strong it will get, but I think it's for the best. It will help him know you're there."

"So what happens now?" Jack asked.

"I have a friend, I think Ianto should meet him," Luke wasn't too sure how Jack would take this. He knew how possessive Jack could be with the people he was close with. "He's around Ianto's age, human just like him."

"Why do you want Ianto to meet him?" Jack asked cautiously.

"To help Ianto understand that he isn't alone, that there are others out there like him."

Ianto sat on the cold bench in the medical bay and watched with wide eyes as Owen approached him with a needle. A very sharp looking needle. "Scared?" Owen mocked.

"No," Ianto lied. "I don't get why you need to take blood, again!"

"I need to make sure my tests are accurate, come on it wont hurt." Ianto had always been amazed at how different Owen was when his doctor switch was on. Jack and Luke walked down the stairs and headed over. "Jack, can you tell Ianto to sit still please?"

"What's going on?" Jack asked as he sat next to Ianto, their hands linking together automatically.

"He keeps moving when I come near him with the needle." Owen smiled at their joined hands.

"Okay, Ianto look at me." It wasn't the first time Jack had to do this, Ianto had a very irrational fear of needles. Ianto looked at Jack their eyes locking on each other. "So fancy going out for dinner tonight?" Jack asked casually. Ianto went to reply but felt the needle on his skin and squeezed Jacks hand tight.

"All done," Owen smiled. "I'll just get a plaster for the cut..." Owen watched as Ianto's arm went from bleeding slightly, to looking perfectly normal. "What the hell was that?"

"What?" Jack asked, he was too busy staring at Ianto to notice the new development in the younger man.

"Your arm, it's healed itself." Owen said. Luke who had been listening from the bannister walked down the stairs.

"It's part of your abilities," Luke smiled. "Your body is adapting quicker than I thought."

"So his body gets hurt it just patches itself up?" Owen asked. He could take Ianto being an empath some people were born to be special, but this was medically impossible.

"Something like that," Luke said, he could tell that Owen was freaking out. Ianto looked up at Owen he could sense how freaked out he was, and it hurt because he thought Owen had accepted who he was.

Owen looked at Ianto and smiled sheepishly, "That's going to take some getting used to," He smiled. He didn't want Ianto think he freaked him out. Even though he was starting to a bit. Ianto didn't need any one else to act like Gwen.

"Tell me about it," Ianto smiled. "I'm going to go and make some coffee,"

"So if his body can heal like that, does that mean that his brain can too?" Owen asked.

"Maybe, run the tests in case." Luke said, Owen nodded and got the scanners ready.

Jack followed Ianto up to the kitchen and smiled when Ianto turned around. "How you doing?"

"Good," Ianto smiled. "Owen's freaked out."

"I know, but he's handling it better than some." Ianto rolled his eyes but smiled none the less. "I meant what I said about dinner tonight, something special just you and me."

"You mean like an actual date?"

"Yes, an actual date." Jack smiled.

"Not one where we get dressed up, look at each other and decide that the date is just as much fun in a bed some where?"

"Nope, a date that involves getting dressed, going out and then coming back, then undressing."

"Where are we going?" Ianto asked as he flicked the coffee machine on.

"Surprise," Jack smiled.

Ianto grinned and turned around and wrapped his arms around Jack. "I can't wait," Ianto smiled as he kissed Jack softly on the lips.

Jack knew he probably should talk to Ianto about everything; his new abilities, the headaches, the scans with Owen, and meeting someone like him. More importantly he knew he should talk to Ianto about his feelings, but he was so wrapped up in that moment, Ianto's lips pressed against his, that he hoped it could wait a little longer.

***

Next part of Pain Is The Only Feeling.