Author Note: Okay I know I've already done an alternate ending for Children Of Earth (title: Trust Him), but the idea that Jack saved the day, and Ianto and Stephen both survived proved too strong to ignore. So, Jack has defeated the 456, Ianto Jones lives (hurrah) and Stephen was not sacrificed. This story begins at the end of Day Five… everyone is back home safe and sound.

Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood… if I did – I wouldn't be posting alternate endings on here. There'd be no need. Ianto Jones would live. Russell T Davies would be signing on. The BBC would not continue to destroy Torchwood as we know it.

Jack was sat on Ianto's sofa in his flat in Cardiff. He looked up with a gentle smile as Ianto handed him a coffee before settling on the other end of the sofa with his own steaming mug.

"Hell of a day." Jack said as he held his mug out to toast.

"Hell of a week." Ianto countered, tapping mugs with Jack.

Jack nodded. "It's been eventful that's for sure."

"No kidding." Ianto said softly before taking a sip of his coffee before placing the mug on the table.

"Are you okay? You seem… distant." Jack asked placing his own mug on the table beside Ianto's.

"How often do you see her?" Ianto asked. There was no need for names, Jack knew who he was referring too.

"Not as often as I'd like to." Jack said, his voice low and disappointed.

"And Stephen thinks you're her brother?" Ianto asked.

Jack nodded. "Cool Uncle Jack." He said smiling, though his eyes didn't match the look of forced happiness.

"Why did you never mention her… or him… they're your family Jack." Ianto asked.

"Because it reminds me of what I've lost." Jack said leaning to pick up his coffee and drinking it, trying to end the conversation, but to no avail.

"I always thought you'd make a great Dad." Ianto offered.

"I don't think Alice would agree with you." Jack said sadly.

"Why do you always do this?" Ianto asked.

"Do what?" Jack asked confused.

"Shut me out. Like I said earlier – I've barely scratched the surface. You make it so hard Jack." Ianto said getting up and walking out of his lounge and into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him, the banging noise reverberating around the flat, leaving Jack looking guilty on the sofa.

Putting his coffee down on the table Jack walked over to the bedroom door and knocked on it lightly.

"Ianto?" He whispered.

Silence.

"Ianto?" He said slightly louder.

Silence.

Jack pushed the handle down and the door open, walking inside the bedroom. Ianto was led on the bed on his side, facing away from Jack. Jack walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge he pulled off his shoes, before lying down, rolling onto his side and moving close to Ianto. He put one arm around his body and rested his hand over Ianto's heart, using his free arm, bent on the bed to prop his head up, making it so he could look down on Ianto's face. His eyes were open but he was starting out at nothing, anything other than look at Jack.

"I don't mean to push you away and shut you out… its… it's a self preservation thing. I'm just trying… and failing… to stop myself from getting hurt again." Jack said softly. "Because when I finally admit to myself… to you… to everyone… that we're in a relationship… that I… that I'm falling… no… that I have fallen more in love with you then I have ever loved anyone before… then I know I'm going to get hurt. And I'm scared Ianto."

"Are you admitting that… are you admitting that this IS a relationship?" Ianto whispered, Jack feeling his heart pounding.

"Yes." Jack whispered.

"And you love me?" Ianto asked gently.

"Yes." Jack breathed.

Ianto smiled.

"I love you too Jack. You must know that." He said softly, looking back up at him.

Jack smiled a mixture of relief and love. "I was kinda hoping." He said.

Ianto grinned. "You just need to let me in there. I want to be with you Jack… whatever comes with that." He said rolling over in Jack's hold so he was facing him.

Jack nodded. "I know. It's just hard… I've lived a thousand lives Ianto… a thousand lives… and now I have finally found one I want to keep hold of. And I know I can't do that. Not forever. Not for my forever at least. But I can promise to be with you for yours. And I can promise to let you in." He said, his voice a little sad, but full of hope.

Ianto reached out his hand and stroked Jack's face, resting his hand on the older man's jaw and pulling him close, kissing him firmly but softly on the lips.

"I know you're scared Jack… I'm just as scared as you are… I don't need to know all about the man that you were… the men you've been… I love the man you are now… right here… right now… but… but if the man you've been has children… grandchildren… they are a part of you… and you can't hide them. You shouldn't want to hide them." He said.

Jack nodded. "We'll visit more… I'd like you to meet them properly." He said.

"I'm not trying to push my way into your family Jack." Ianto said.

"You are my family, Jones Ianto Jones." Jack whispered kissing Ianto again.

Ianto smiled as Jack spoke again. "Today… this whole week… it could have been so different… I've never been more scared of losing you." He spoke so quietly.

"Move in with me." Ianto said.

"What?" Jack said looking into Ianto's eyes.

"Move in with me… here… all the time. The Hub's gone… and I wouldn't want you to go back there anyway… you've lived there for a hundred years Jack… its time you moved on." Ianto said. "Move in with me." He whispered.

Jack nodded as a smile spread on his face, a true smile, not a Harkness Grin.

"There'll be no getting rid of me." He said, the smile on his face spreading into his voice.

"Oh well." Ianto said before kissing him once more.