Deep down Jack was in there. Parts of him wondered if Shannon would ever forgive him -- if there would ever be a way to mend that bridge. Jack honestly feared there wouldn't be. but he could try... maybe even have Ianto or Rose try to explain it. This was what the management wanted, it had to be. To try and destroy whatever trust was built between them. Why else would Edward be forced to do whatever heinous things he was doing to Tonks? Turn everyone against each other. It had to be the case.
There was a time when Jack would have thought that nothing could be done to turn he and Ianto at odds with each other. But then Jack saw the machine and the instruction came. Strap him in. Oh god... maybe there was something that could kill their relationship.
"Into the machine," Jack replied, his voice cold. "It won't hurt but a moment. You'll love what it'll do. Upgrade you. Make you better." Jack's body recoiled at what he was saying. All those things he'd heard the cybermen say, chanting. What Lisa had intoned at the Hub. "Human two point zero, coming right up."
Jack leaned into that touch, fighting back the tears that threatened to spring to his eyes. He felt something hot on his face, realising that there were tears streaming down his face as he wrenched Ianto's hand from his face and forced it down to the contraption. Jack leaned down, sealing his lips over Ianto's as he tied down that final hand. Everything he had, he poured into that kiss. Jack had to prove that he loved him, that it wasn't him doing this -- that he never would have done this. "I won't let you, lover, I promise." A second kiss attempted to soothe what he was doing.
Straightening, Jack moved to stand behind Ianto's head. His fingers threaded through Ianto's hair, clenching his jaw to keep from saying anything else, fighting the management control to at least keep up with the gentle touch.