AN I got the idea for this after listening to the Westlife song 'Talk Me Down' and thought it just fitted Ianto after 'Countrycide'.

Thanks go to my wonderful beta JonesIantoJones.

Disclaimer: They don't belong to me.

Talk Me Down

"Jack." Gwen called "Have you seen Ianto I need him to get a file for me."

"Nope, sorry don't know where he is. Have you tried his comm unit?" Jack answered back.

"Yeah he's not answering." She said looking up at him as he came out of his office.

"Tosh can you bring up CCTV for the Hub. Let's see if we can find him." Jack said coming to stand behind her.

Tosh pulled up the links and they looked through them. Ianto wasn't anywhere in the Hub.

"Ok." began Jack, "Who was the last person to see him, and when?"

Everyone began talking at once so holding up his hand Jack said. "Ok Tosh you first."

"He brought me coffee at about 10 this morning. That was the last time I remember seeing him." Tosh answered.

Jack turned to Gwen. "Um think it was about the same time as he brought me a coffee too. Don't think I've seen him since."

"Owen." Jack yelled down to the med bay.

"Yeah." Came the shout back.

"When and where did you see Ianto last?" Jack asked walking over to the steps so Owen wouldn't have to shout.

"Um don't know what time, but he brought me coffee sometime this morning. Why?" He asked concerned.

Jack looked worried. "He's gone missing. No one's seen him since he made us all coffee around 10 this morning. Tosh has checked he's not in the Hub and Gwen can't get him on comms."

"Have you tried his phone?" Owen asked logically.

Tosh looked up from her computer "Yes just tried. It went straight through to answer phone."

"Ok we know he brought coffee to everyone about 10. Tosh go back and check the CCTV see what he did after that. Gwen see if you can track his mobile." Jack ordered them.

While they were doing this Owen went back to his autopsy muttering about 'stupid tea-boys'.

Ten minutes later and Tosh had found the last place Ianto had been. She called the rest of them over so they could look together. The monitor showed Ianto delivering coffee to Tosh, Gwen, Owen and finally Jack at 10.15 after that he had gone up to the tourist office where it looked like he had opened some post. He had sat and stared at one particular piece for a good five minutes before opening it reading it and putting it back into the envelope. He then put it in his pocket got up and left the building.

"What the hell just happened there?" Jack exclaimed. "Tosh can you get the external cameras up. Let's see if we can see where he's gone."

It took a while but Tosh eventually found Ianto. "Jack you're not going to believe this but he's stood on the top of the Altolusso building."

"What!" Jack sounded surprised. "Why would he be up there he doesn't like heights? Owen with me. Tosh, Gwen monitor him at all times - if he moves let me know." Then they were gone.

******TORCHWOOD******

They got to the building quickly and raced up the 23 floors, then up again onto the very top of the building. As they emerged onto the roof they slowed down not wanting to spook Ianto who was stood right on the edge. They approached him from the side so he would be able to see them. Jack put his hand up to stop Owen going closer and then continued to walk towards Ianto.

"Do you know what date it is?" Ianto asked without acknowledging Jack. When Jack didn't say anything Ianto continued. "It's the date of The Battle. With everything else going on I'd completely forgotten." He then turned to Jack and whispered. "I'm so tired all the time I just want it to end. What are we fighting for Jack, 'cos I really don't know anymore."

Jack had slowly inched his way forward so that he was standing in front of Ianto. "We fight to keep people safe we do it because there is no-one else." Jack answered him.

Ianto spoke as though he hadn't heard Jack. "When I was in that farmhouse I really thought I was going to die and for just a second I welcomed death. As he held the cleaver to my throat everything I'd ever done flashed before me and I realised how little I'd actually achieved. I thought of all my family and friends, and realised that I haven't much of the first and most of the second died at The Battle so there was no-one really to miss me."

"We would."Jack said softly.

Ianto laughed bitterly. "You wouldn't miss me. You might miss the coffee, the place being clean and me doing al the paperwork but you wouldn't miss me until you wanted something. Who was it this time that needed me that made you realise I wasn't there? It would be so easy to step off and just end it." He said as he looked over the edge of the building at the ground far below.

"Ianto come back with me and we can talk about this please." Begged Jack. "I know we've all been wrapped up in our own little bubbles since The Brecons but we are here for you, I am here for you, you only have to ask. And I know that's not much but please, jumping is not the answer. C'mon take my hand. We don't even have to go back to the Hub we can go to that coffee shop that you like." Jack held out his hand palm up and waited to see what Ianto would do. It felt like hours had passed before Ianto carefully placed his hand into Jack's. And then Jack was pulling him into a fierce hug whispering in his ear. "Never doubt how much I care about you."

They turned and walked towards Owen who heaved a sigh of relief, which was echoed by the girls over the comms.

"You are getting a complete physical when we get back." Owen gruffly said trying to hide his concern.

"I'm fine it's just been a long few weeks, but thanks." Ianto said as they made their way out of the building still holding Jack's hand. Everything was going to be ok now he was sure of it. As long as he had Jack Owen Tosh and Gwen everything was going to be ok.

AN2 I was going to leave it there but a comment by my beta got me thinking, so if you want me to write what happens in the coffee shop and Iantos physical please review and let me know. Barb xx