Title: Fallout, Part TwentyFive

Author: Emma

Characters: A whole bunch of folk.

Rating: Starts PG, but hey, it’s got Jack in it!

Disclaimer: Oh, please. If I owned them, would I let some of those idiots write the scripts? And if I were making any money off them, would I be where they could find me?
Author's Note: This fic is CoE compliant

Part One is here; Part Two is here; Part Three is here; Part Four is here; Part Five is here; Part Six is here; Part Seven is here; Part Eight is here; Part Nine is here; Part Ten is here; Part Eleven is here; Part Twelve is here; Part Thirteen is here; Part Fourteen is here; Part Fifteen is here; Part Sixteen is here; Part Seventeen is here; Part Eighteen is here; Part Nineteen is here; Part Twenty is here; Part TwentyOne is here; Part TwentyTwo is here; Part TwentyThree is here; Part TwentyFour is here

            “It hurts.”

            Tish cradled him carefully, making sure she kept his head as straight and still as possible. “I know, sweetheart, I know.”

            “I don’t think I can do this.”

            “Yes, you can. I promise it, you can.”

            Yan moaned. “God it hurts.”

            “Talk to me, then. Tell me what you see.”

            ‘The end of the Universe. It’s so dark and cold. And there’s nothing except hope and even that will end.” He rubbed his palms on the carpet. “And the drums…”

            She blanched but kept her hold. “What about the drums?”

            “Scared. But why? There’s nothing to fear in the light.”

            “Tell me about the light, Yan.” Tears poured down her face. “What do you see?”

            “Warm. And safe. And so much power! I can do anything. I can make anything.” Suddenly he reached out as if grasping something Tish couldn’t see. “Why would anyone fear this?”

            “I don’t know. Can you still hear the drums?”

            “Yes. But it’s only my heartbeat. The light holds it, keeps it safe. Keeps me? No. Not me. Ianto.”

            “Can you see Ianto?”

            “He’s here. Hey, we do look good in a suit.”

            She giggled through her tears. “That you do, sweetheart. So now what?”

            “Now we…” 

            His body convulsed. She hung on, while at the same time tapping her earpiece frantically. “Martha! Get in here. Now!”

            “No. I’m… fine.” His voice was weak, and the Welsh accent was more pronounced.” It’s fine.”

            “Like hell, Yan. You were nearly levitating off the carpet.”

            He tried to sit up. “I’m fine, Tish. Really.”

            She kept her arms around him. “All right. So… did it work?”

            “I think so.” He sighed and dropped his head to her shoulder. “It wasn’t what I was expecting.”

            She stroked his hair. “Rough, uh?”

            “Something like that, yes.”

            Both of them looked up at the sound of running feet.

            “Oh. Sorry. We didn’t mean to interrupt.”

            “Interrupt what, Jack? Jack!”