Ianto takes in another deep breath -- he seems to be doing a lot of that here -- letting it out slowly as he tries to gather his thoughts. He's doing his best not to fall apart on Jim. He has a feeling that it won't all hit him until later anyway. Traumatic incidents have a way of doing that. Sinking in through the cracks, needing time to settle under the skin before he really understands the magnitude of everything that's just happened. The day after, as Jim said, is the rough part. And it's only just begun.

"It's easier to put on a brave face not knowing what it is you're getting yourself into," he agrees. Ianto distantly realizes he's been clutching at Jim's hand this whole time and squeezes it gently, not quite ready to let go but in recognition of the other man's being there for him. He doesn't have to be, after all. He's sure Jim has his own priorities to take care of. Other people to see to, himself included. He's grateful though, for the time he's allowed for Ianto himself.

"I don't know. The Natha said to leave the dragon to them, but. With this new mission they've given us..." Ianto doesn't know what to think. He's never really trusted them and certainly now that they hold the balance of -- well, everything in their hands. It all just seems so precarious. "And they still haven't said where they were, to suddenly return just now to miraculously save us all." He shakes his head. "It just. It all feels too convenient, I don't know. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just not thinking straight."