Title: Understanding

Slash: Jack/Ianto Jack/OC Gwen/Rhys

Spoilers: Set 7 (Earth) Years after COE

Summery: It's hard to carry on without your lover; yet life goes on and love is never far away.

A/N Not sure if I should continue posting this or not, please reveiw and tell me what you think I should do. The first part is an insight as to what is to come, then it goes back 6 years for most of the chapters.

Chapter 1

"Daddy!" Cadi ran through the door and immediately bundled Jack. Wrapping his arms around the four year old he brought her up into a hug.

"Hey kid, miss me?" He brushed her long brown hair off her face, and tucked it behind her ear, as she mutely nodded her head in reply. "Have fun with papa?"

"Papa took me to the park an' gave me ice cream," her bright blue eyes light up by just saying ice-cream. She always loved spending time with her papa, just preferred to spend it with her daddy. Both adults knew this, Jack felt guilty but the other just let it be, he didn't mind, in all honesty he was just lucky and grateful to have both in his life and both accept him in theirs.

It was at that moment that Andrew entered the room; wearing his usual blue jeans, black top and well worn black jacket which fits his slim figure perfectly and shows off his gorgeous amber eyes. Jack lowered Cadi to the floor and told her to go and get ready for lunch. He walked towards his lover, pulling him into a slow and tender kiss. "Had a good day?" Andrew queried.

"Yeah; the usual. Are you still ok about tomorrow?" Moving apart Andrew placed his keys on the table before pulling Jack in for another gentle kiss.

"Of course, I understand, must be hard for you, how long has it been now?" Jack looked away from his lover so he could see the tears threatening to fall. Andrew notice how he began to retreat back inside himself, shutting everyone out, he knew he was going to have some sorting out to do later, but for now ensuring Jack was outwardly okay was the top of his list. Knowing how Jack would hate to let Cadi catch onto his feeling.

"Too long," he let out a shaky breath, "6 years." Andrew noticed the complete change in mood in his lover; pulling him into a hug. Jack rested his head on Andrews shoulder, closing his eyes.

"It's ok to be upset, I understand." Truth was Andrew knew he couldn't understand, the only person he had ever really loved was Jack, and he had been assured he would never have to go through it. He had no idea what it felt like to watch someone he loved walk away from him. Jack finally allowed himself to release the tears, wetting Andrew's fake-leather jacket. Andrew silently rubbed Jack's head, allowing his lover to fall apart, allowing him to release his feelings which have built up over the year. The tears left to build up for all the hurt, loss and death Jack had experienced.

It seemed like they stayed like that for years, but mere minuets had passed. Taking in a shaky breath Jack pulled away from his lover, wiping his eyes furiously, annoyed that he had started crying when Cadi could walk in at any minuet.

"Why don't you go freshen up and I'll go get lunch ready?" With that Jack made his way out of the room and upstairs. Releasing a sigh Andrew made his way into the next room, ready to start lunch. Knowing this year was going to be harder than the last.

6- years earlier

"Jack fucking Harkness." Ianto was infuriated; Jack had been late, again! Ianto was left sat there looking like an idiot who has just been stood up. He could see the sympathetic looks from other couples in the restaurant. In one corner an elderly couple ate their dinner in silence, enjoying the peace together. The table next to him had a young couple, the male looked very nervous so Ianto assumed it was his first date. There were various other occupied tables scattered around the restaurant, more than half of the occupants seemed to spend more time throwing sympathetic looks at Ianto then focusing on their dates.

Jack came running into the restaurant soaked to the bone, he wasn't wearing his coat instead he carried the item like a dead weight. He had two dry strips on each of his sides and a completely dry back, his trousers had slight dry patches. The added weight apparent in his movement. He spotted Ianto and walked over to their table. "Where the fuck have you been?" Ianto was struggling to keep his anger in place.

"Something came up, sorry" Taking a seat he gave Ianto an apologetic look. Ianto keeping a neutral expression.

"You better make it up to me, hadn't you?" A small smile spread across Jack's face, not in too much trouble obviously.

"Oh yeah."

The rest of the evening managed to go to plan. It was a midnight when Jack found himself regretting reclining the offer to stay round Ianto's. He was currently pacing his office, restless. The thoughts of Ianto's naked body wrapped up in his bright red sheets keeping him from sleep. The cold shower doing nothing for him; the erotic images playing on his mind too much. He was fighting a loosing battle, he knew he would give in and go to Ianto's, hoping that he wouldn't have to disturb him though.