Set during Children of Earth when Jack is thrown in a cell after Ianto's death

Remember Me

The cell door clanged shut. It had come to this…

Thoughts of how many times the planet had been saved by him, of all those years being directly employed by the Crown didn't matter now. A charge of treason was hanging over his head. Jack felt numb like everything had slowed to slow motion, his heart, his sense, his reasoning gone.

He felt cold suddenly and pulled his greatcoat around him and shoved hands into the deep pockets. Jack's hand settled on a piece of paper in the right pocket. For a moment it startled him. Ianto, on occasion, had left notes in his pocket – anything from "Reminder: 2pm UNIT meeting, Porton Down," to "The bearer of this note is entitled to a quick one down in the Archives," to "Had to take this coat for dry cleaning. You wouldn't believe what was in the pockets! Sir, you're a disgusting slut! See me at home later!" This was a new coat though, the old one having been blown up along with Jack back in Cardiff. Ianto had always loved the coat though and when what remained of Torchwood regrouped in London, Ianto had scoured army surplus shops and the like for a suitable replacement. Most likely what Jack's hand had settled on was just a store note or receipt.

Jack pulled the piece of paper out. It was a folded piece of paper which had been ripped out of what looked like an old invoice book. Jack opened it out and felt the lump in his throat almost immediately as he saw the familiar handwriting:

'Jack,

I'll feel such an idiot if everything is ok and you find this, but I just had the weirdest feeling that things won't go well. Me being daft, right? Right, but it's like someone walked over my grave, I can't explain it Jack but just trust me on this.

Whatever happens you'll do what you have to – you always do, cos you're the hero. There are so many revelations right now – about what happened to those kids in the sixties, about your daughter and grandson – and I wish you'd talk to me more, but I suppose you have your reasons. I want to think they're selfish reasons but I think you want to protect us sometimes, to carry the burden yourself. You have shared some things with me though and I feel privileged because it's stuff you wouldn't tell anyone else. We're both Torchwood, and in the dead of night you say things to me and I know what you mean about it. Thank you.

Through all the bad times, the terrifying times, I wouldn't have missed working for Torchwood, for you, for the world. Hey not bad is it?! – That Jones boy from the council estate got to save the world a few times and nabbed himself an intergalactic playboy. Correction – an annoying arse with an ego the size of a planet sometimes! You do have your talents though sir…

Crap, I've got to wind this up now though there are probably loads more I could think of.

Thank you for everything Jack.

I just smiled to myself thinking of all the tales your old coat could tell. Take care of the new one darlin'

I love you

Ianto x

P.S. If everything has worked out ok then destroy this note and to save my embarrassment never mention it again. If not, I hope I did ok. Remember me….