Jack stood outside his office leaning on the rails and watching his team pack up and leave for the night. Toshiko and Gwen called goodnight as they left together, they had arranged a late night shopping trip.

Owen emerged from the med lab wiping his hands and removing his white coat. He looked over at Ianto working at one of the monitors and made a quick decision.

'Ianto, you fancy going for a drink?' he already knew the answer.

Ianto smiled up at him the usual inscrutable look on his face.

'No thanks Owen' he said glancing up at Jack.

Owen rolled his eyes as he followed Ianto's glance. He stopped suddenly and watched Jack closely for a moment then walked over to him. He stood underneath the rails studying the way in which Jack's hands were convulsively clutching at the metal.

'Jack? You ok mate?' he questioned carefully.

Jack looked down at him as if wondering who he was. He shook himself and grinned at Owen,

'sorry Owen didn't see you. I'm fine' he said.

'Sure?' asked Owen still uncertain about Jack's mood.

'Really Owen. Go and find someone to have fun with' insisted Jack.

Owen took one last look and nodded briefly, raised a hand at Ianto and left the hub. Ianto looked up towards Jack,

'want to go and get something to eat captain?' he asked.

Jack looked through Ianto not really seeing him,

'no! Order in. We have work to do' he snapped.

Ianto was puzzled, he was not aware of any unfinished work, and he had no idea what had put Jack in such a bad temper. He stoically closed his monitor down, took out his phone to order food and made his way to the tourist office to await delivery.

When Ianto re-entered the hub twenty minutes later carrying Chinese take away Jack was nowhere to be found.

'Jack! Food!' shouted Ianto over the internal comms.

No response, so Ianto wandered to the boardroom taking cutlery and drinks from the fridge with him. He found Jack already there sitting with his head in his hands. Ianto stood in the doorway and considered his lover, what was wrong?

'Jack? You ok? I got the food' he said.

Jack's head snapped up and he spoke angrily,

'of course I'm ok. Let's eat' he said.

Ianto placed the food and drinks in front of the captain and sat himself at the table. He adopted his usual placatory posture designed to take all the blame onto himself for whatever had upset his lover. Once he knew what was upsetting Jack he could work on a solution.

'So what work do we have to finish?' he asked in a neutral tone.

'I want you to complete the paperwork on the Frongal incident' said Jack.

'Tonight?' gasped Ianto.

The Frongal incident had created a huge amount of paperwork, some of which each team member had been responsible for, none of which had been finished or submitted to Ianto. It would take him most of the night to complete the outstanding work, much of which should be done by the others.

'Yes tonight' snapped Jack 'don't question me Ianto.'

Ianto looked away annoyed. Jack often had bad mood swings and Ianto had often been on the receiving end of it, he was the person most likely to be around. He knew Jack would be apologetic later, and would make it up to him in many ways, but the thought of an evening doing other people's paperwork still did not appeal.

Ianto ate a small amount of food and wandered off to begin his appointed task. Jack sat at the table for a while longer, his face growing darker as he brooded over his thoughts.

As Ianto continued working into the night Jack began to pace in the boardroom muttering under his breath and clenching his fists.

Ianto looked up from his work as the hub door sounded and Toshiko entered.

'Tosh, hi. What are you doing back? I thought you were shopping with Gwen' he said.

'I was. I did. I arrived home to find my neighbour's flat had been broken in to. The place was swimming with police and handymen banging replacement doors into place. I thought it might be quieter here, hoped I'd feel safer too, and I do now I've had a Ianto hug.'

She laughed as she extricated herself from Ianto's comforting arms.

'Why are you still working? I expected to walk in on something very different to work' she smirked.

Ianto smiled.

'Sorry to disappoint you Tosh, Jack's in a mood. You should stay out of his way or he might recruit you into overtime too' he said.

Jack suddenly appeared,

'Ianto' he shouted.

'Yes sir.'

'Why are you working?' asked Jack.

'You ordered me to sir' replied Ianto.

'Have we eaten, I'm hungry' said Jack.

'Yes. We had Chinese. What's wrong Jack? You're acting very strange' said Ianto.

'How do you mean strange?' demanded Jack.

'You don't remember eating, you don't remember ordering me to work, and you're really moody' said Ianto warily.

'Are you ok Jack?' asked Toshiko

Jack looked at her and back at Ianto.

'Ianto who is that? And why is she in the hub?' he demanded.

Toshiko and Ianto stepped closer together for comfort, they were beginning to get very scared by Jack's behaviour.

'Jack this is Tosh, she's worked here longer than me, you recruited her, don't you remember? Please remember Jack, you're really beginning to freak me out' begged Ianto.

Jack looked lost for a moment,

'Ianto I..I don't know her..oh God Ianto it's the 'darkness'. Do we have a doctor? Phone him or her and tell them I need them and then get yourself and that woman out of here...don't come back for at least six hours' insisted Jack.

'Jack what's wrong? I'm not leaving you like this,' said Ianto.

'Go...please go...you don't understand..I might forget you Ianto..I might hurt you..you have to leave' begged Jack.

'Calm down Jack' said Toshiko.

'I'll call Owen, but I'm not leaving you Jack' said Ianto.

'Who the fuck is Owen? And if that woman speaks to me again I will smash her face' snarled Jack.

Ianto and Toshiko both stared at him in shock. Forgetting people was one thing but why was Jack becoming so horribly aggressive? Toshiko had never seen him spitting such venom before. He had been angry with her at times but never had she seen him threaten violence.

Ianto managed to reach Owen by phone as he continued to watch Jack pace about the hub. He became increasingly concerned as he watched him return to his office and start to throw things about seemingly losing what little self control he still possessed.

'Owen, Jack needs you. He's acting very strange..aggressive..and he keeps mumbling about the 'darkness'' said Ianto into his phone.

'Oh my God Ianto. I should have recognised the symptoms..I knew something wasn't right when I left. You have to get out of there Ianto..fast.' said Owen.

'That's what Jack keeps saying but he's not well Owen and I'm not leaving him. Tosh and I will try to keep him calm until you get here' said Ianto.

'Tosh is there?' screamed Owen 'keep her out of Jack's way, if you let him hurt her I will kill you'

'Jack's not going to hurt her Owen, he doesn't even remember who she is, he couldn't remember your name either..please Owen tell me what's going on' pleaded Ianto.

'This 'darkness' it's a remnant of his earlier life, he said he lost two years of memories and he thinks it's something to do with that. Happens every few years...sometimes worse than others...there's a compound in the lab..heavy duty sedative..I'm about an hour away from the hub..if you won't leave try to inject him with it'..said Owen speaking quickly.

'you have to Ianto, he'll get out of control..he will hurt anyone in his way..if he's already forgotten Tosh she's in most danger so look after her Ianto' he continued.

Ianto was beginning to panic now, this was obviously serious, he took a deep breath and prioritised his actions.

'Ok Owen, tell me the name of the drug and where to find it'

Owen told him and begged him again to look after Toshiko and keep her out of danger.

'Get here fast Owen' said Ianto ending the call.

Ianto told Toshiko briefly what Owen had told him.

'I think you should leave Tosh' he told her.

'No way Ianto. If you stay so do I.' Toshiko insisted.

'Ok Tosh. I'm going to sort out the drug Owen spoke of. You take some blankets down to the vaults on level two, when Jack's sedated we'll put him in there..just to be sure' said Ianto.

Toshiko nodded, understanding the reasoning behind what Ianto said and left to complete his orders. Ianto went to the med lab and searched the drawers looking for the drug Owen had described. He found it quickly and prepared an injection.

Jack left his office and Ianto found him sitting in the middle of the floor just rocking and hugging his knees. He ignored him for a moment whilst he checked for Toshiko's whereabouts on the monitors. He saw her in the vaults, throwing blankets into one of the cells. He pressed buttons and the vault door locked. Toshiko looked around,

'Ianto' she shouted 'what have you done?..let me out!'

'Sorry Tosh' whispered Ianto 'I promised Owen I would keep you safe.'

He switched off the sound on the intercom but could still see her battering at the door. He walked over to Jack on the floor, he had no intention of sedating the man before him. He was broken already, just rocking and listening to his demons. Ianto put the vial in his pocket.

He sat next to Jack and put his arms around him hoping to give some comfort to his lover.

His touch broke Jack's reverie and the older man stood abruptly flinging out an arm and knocking Ianto to the floor.

'Don't touch me' screamed Jack.

Ianto lay on the floor slightly dazed. Jack's eyes darted around the hub as if looking for something. His gaze fell on Gwen's workstation and he began to rip it apart. The monitor flew through the air and the contents of drawers and table top were systematically thrown against the opposite wall.

Ianto looked on in amazement and something approaching real fear. Jack was getting out of control. As Jack moved on to Toshiko's station he knew he had to act. Toshiko was working on highly sensitive and complicated programmes, she would be really upset if Jack wrecked them.

He stood up and cautiously approached Jack.

'Jack, stop!' he demanded.

Jack's head whipped around as he looked at him. He ignored him however and continued to upset Toshiko's work. Ianto realised the time had come to use Owen's drugs. He removed the vial from his pocket and attempted to approach Jack.

Jack noted his movement, swung around and punched him in the face, once more flooring Ianto. Jack picked Ianto up by his jacket and pulled him close. He suddenly stopped and looked at Ianto as if seeing him properly,

'Ianto' he breathed 'I told you to get out..get to safety'

'Jack listen to me..try to remember..calm down..Owen will be here soon..and you're scaring me Jack.'

Emotions convulsed over Jack's face and he threw Ianto away from him. Ianto took out the drug again and tried to manoeuvre himself into a position to use it.

Jack turned on him again and thumped him hard in the stomach. Gasping for breath Ianto doubled over, dropping the ampoule on the floor. Jack watched him for a moment then walked over to the weapons cupboard and tried to open it.

To Ianto it appeared that Jack could not remember the combination to unlock the cupboard. He began to frantically pull on the doors, thumping and kicking becoming increasingly desperate.

'Jack please..it's me..Ianto..you don't want to hurt me' said Ianto.

'Not you...me' replied Jack.

'NO!'

Ianto convulsed into action. He knew Jack would return even if he killed himself, but he couldn't stand by and watch the man he loved do such a terrible thing.

'Jack..no' he said softly putting his arms around the older man.

Jack turned in his embrace and saw him properly. He sobbed on Ianto's shoulder then kissed him gently on the lips.

Ianto responded to the kiss as he always did but something was wrong. Jack was becoming frantic, pushing Ianto's jacket off, undoing his shirt buttons. Ianto tried to push him away, grabbing his hands to stop him.

'Come on Ianto, you never say no' said Jack continuing to undress him.

'I'm not saying no Jack..I'm saying calm down' said Ianto.

Jack was removing his own clothes now.

'Ianto..it's this or shoot myself..maybe the woman would be more amenable..where is she?' Jack had gone again.

Ianto realised Jack still remembered him. His only hope was in keeping Jack here, away from Toshiko and above all occupied, not hurting himself or anyone else.

'Ok Jack..ok..look at me now..just me..come on we can have some fun here.' Ianto begged.

Jack's head whipped back to see Ianto again. He was undressing quickly and Jack joined him, ripping the clothes from his own body.

Jack grabbed Ianto's head and pulled him into a fierce kiss cutting Ianto's lips on his teeth. Jack drew his head back and looked at the blood then leant forward and licked it off Ianto's mouth, his breathing quickened,

'come on boy be quicker' snapped Jack pulling at Ianto's remaining clothes.

Ianto was also breathing hard but more in fear and panic than lust. He had been with his captain countless times, sometimes it had been loving and gentle, sometimes fast and aggressive, but it had always been Jack. Ianto felt he didn't know the person now groping him, it was Jack but not Jack. It was Jack's body but there was very little of the captain he knew in there.

He was naked now and Jack pushed him to the floor and fell on top of him pinning him down. Ianto struggled to breathe under Jack's weight and tried ineffectually to push Jack's hands off him. Jack's hands closed about his throat and he snarled into his face,

'stop struggling boy..this is happening..enjoy it.'

Ianto could feel himself losing consciousness as Jack squeezed harder on his neck.

'Stay with me boy..you don't want to miss this' whispered Jack into his ear and letting go of his throat.

Ianto blazed back to reality and started to fight with Jack again, trying to push him off. Jack's weight kept him pinned down and he began to bite the younger man's neck. Ianto tried to calm himself, after all this was still Jack. He'd been pinned under his captain countless times and he tried to fool his mind into enjoying the experience. But the fear kept intruding, this was not really the man he knew.

'Jack please stop..calm down..slow down..you know I won't refuse..just give me a chance to catch up' begged Ianto.

'Get there faster boy' sneered Jack.

He flipped Ianto over onto his front and Ianto began to panic in earnest pushing himself up on his elbows to try to escape. Jack pulled one of his arms behind him and forced it up his back dislocating his shoulder. Ianto screamed in pain and Jack groaned in pleasure at the sound.

Ianto was glad of the distracting pain in his shoulder when Jack entered him swiftly causing him to scream again. He tried desperately to relax his muscles, to save himself from further damage.

Jack seemed spurred on by the obvious pain Ianto was in and he thrust hard and fast into the younger man. He grabbed Ianto's hair and pulled his head back,

'help me to forget..save me from the darkness' he shouted.

Ianto sobbed from pain and fear as Jack achieved his orgasm and slowed his thrusts resting briefly on Ianto's body.

'Jack..Jack?' sobbed Ianto needing to know if his captain was back.

Jack rolled off Ianto and staggered to his feet. He looked down at the injured Ianto but still did not seem to see him.

'Not enough..not enough' muttered Jack over and over.

He stumbled to the gun cabinet again and rattled the door. Ianto watched him from the floor unable and unwilling to move just yet.

Jack gave up with the door as his attention was caught by the internal cctv monitor showing Toshiko locked in the vaults.

'Arhh..the woman' murmured Jack

He looked around as if deciding which way he should go to reach Toshiko.

'Jack..no..don't hurt Tosh..stay here with me' pleaded Ianto.

Jack dismissed him with a single glance. Ianto struggled over to his suit jacket. He had no hope of injecting Jack with drugs, he would be physically incapable. But his hand closed around his gun.

'Jack..I won't let you hurt Tosh' he shouted,

Jack looked at him with a sneer on his face

'you wouldn't dare' he said.

He started to move again towards the vaults, Ianto felt the weight of the gun in his hands. He trembled, was he really going to shoot the man he loved? But he felt the pain of the injuries Jack had inflicted on him and he heard again Owen's voice begging him to protect Toshiko, and he fired.

Jack fell, the bullet had pierced his shoulder but he quickly recovered enough to sit and stare around at Ianto. Still pointing the gun at Jack Ianto crawled over towards him.

Ianto watched the emotions pass over Jack's face, watched the captain he knew return. Was the pain from the bullet enough?

Jack began to gasp as he looked at Ianto and all his injuries.

'Ianto?' he questioned.

The horror of the situation was becoming evident to Jack as he realised what had happened. Ianto watched him with tears in his eyes, was this really Jack coming back to him? Could he trust him yet?

'Oh no Ianto..no..no..' wept Jack.

Ianto was beginning to relax, beginning to lose control, beginning to drift towards unconsciousness. He tried to fight it, he couldn't leave Toshiko with Jack, couldn't trust that the real Jack was back. He lifted the gun and fired again, a direct hit to Jack's chest. Both men fell together as the hub door activated and Owen entered.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

What is the 'darkness'? Can Ianto forgive Jack? Will their relationship survive?