Title: Timeless Lover

Summary: A pair of songs about my favorite Torchwood couple.

PLEASE REMEMBER ME by Tim McGraw

When all our tears have reached the sea Part of you will live in me Way down deep inside my heart The days keep coming without fail A new wind is gonna find your sail That's where your journey starts

"Let's go stand up to them."

"Yes, sir."

They walk out and get into the sports car Jack stole. They drove out onto the street. Ianto could feel Jack glancing at him as he drove.

"What is it, Jack?" he asked.

"You don't have to come," said Jack. "I can stop and drop you off right here…"

"No, Jack."

"But Ianto…."

"No, Jack."

"I'm just saying…."

Ianto turns to him serious. "Jack, my duty is to Torchwood and the safety of Earth. I'm not going to step aside while some aliens bully us into submission."

Frustrated Jack turns into an alley, so quick and so sharp Ianto almost thought he would be thrown out of the car. Jack parked the car and turned to Ianto.

"But you could die!"

"I already am dying, just more slowly. We knew when we joined Torchwood that it was dangerous. We had no illusions about that. The reason why we do it is because it's our duty and nothing else."

Jack reached over and cupped Ianto's neck. "I can't lose you."

"You will sometime, Jack. It's only a matter of when and how."

Jack didn't move as he studied Ianto's face and Ianto knew why. Jack was memorizing him, like he did every time they were together. Ianto knew why Jack did it and didn't question it. He just sat there and let Jack study him.

Then Jack pulled him forward and kissed him. Ianto went with it. Somehow he felt that it would be the last kiss they share together, just like they knew last night would be their last together, and knew that Jack felt it too.

Jack pulled away and put his forehead to Ianto's, eyes shut tight against the tears that threaten to fall.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

"You'll do what you always do. You move on, find someone new."

"If I could give you one shred of my lives or somehow became mortal, I would on the spot. Right now."

Ianto looked at him in shock. "You would do that? For me?"

Jack nodded. "On the spot."

You'll find better love Strong as it ever was Deep as the river runs Warm as the morning sun Please remember me

Just like the waves down by the shore We're gonna keep on coming back for more 'Cause we don't ever wanna stop Out in this brave new world you seek Oh the valleys and the peaks And I can see you on the top

Even through Ianto reassured Jack, he himself wasn't very convinced. What if this was his last ride? He could die today and who would remember him?

Jack? Jack's had more lovers then could count. Gwen? She was too busy keeping a marriage and now a baby. Rhiannon? She had her own family to think about.

The memory of Toshiko's and Owen's deaths were still fresh in their minds. Even now as he looked back he regretted not being their friend more. Ianto hardly ever joined them in their daily dalliances. It wasn't that he didn't want to or was never invited, which was few. It was just that he never felt like he was part of the team. He conned his way in, encouraged Jack's flirtations to throw him off, and used the team in the worst possible way.

And Ianto never asked for their forgiveness. Now as he glanced at Jack maybe he could have one person's forgiveness before he died.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"For what," asked Jack, half curious half surprised.

"For everything; lying, hiding Lisa, going against you…."

"Ianto, I'm not mad at you for any of those things. Yes I was at the time, but not anymore. A lot has changed. You've changed."

"I almost got you all killed."

"Yes, you did. But you proved something to me."

"What's that?"

"You're loyal to those you care about. That was why I didn't fire you."

"How could you be certain I wouldn't betray you again?"

"I wasn't, but I had faith in you." Jack smiled at him. "Just like now."

Ianto sighed. "I don't know how you think sometimes," he said.

"I have a heard time thinking myself," said Jack with a laugh. Ianto chuckled with him. This was one of the many reasons why he loved Jack, his carefree nature. Sure, Jack was as emotional as any human being, getting him angry was scary, but it was his carefree flirtatious nature that attracted Ianto to him.

Ianto knew he was attracted to Jack from the start. It was impossible not to be. But it was weird for Ianto because he had never been attracted to a man before, only to women. But the longer he spent with Jack Ianto seemed to drink up every glace, every word, every move Jack made. There were times when he would be spending time with Lisa and all he could think about was Jack.

Ianto could have cheered at the smile on Jack's face when Ianto accepted Jack's invitations. They tried to keep their sexual relationships a secret but like everything in Torchwood, secrets don't last long. Everyone knew that Jack and Ianto were together, it couldn't have been anyone else. Owen was very much straight, Gwen was remaining faithful to Rhys, and Toshiko was pining for Owen. When the secret came out no one said anything against it. Owen made the small joke or two but other then that it was a regular day at work.

Jack came to a stop in front of a long traffic jam. It would take them hours tog et through it. Jack turned to Ianto.

"Walk?"

"Good thing I'm wearing my running shoes," he said and they both got out.

You'll find better love Strong as it ever was Deep as the river runs Warm as the morning sun Please remember me

Remember me when you're out walkin' When the snow falls high outside your door Late at night when you're not sleepin' And moonlight falls across your floor When I can't hurt you anymore

"No! No no no no no no no—no!. No. Ianto. No, no, no…"

Ianto could hear Jack's cries, his pleads with the 456 to stop the virus, and Ianto could do nothing but die. He was struggling to stay awake now. He just needed more time.

"It's all my fault," said Jack.

"No it's not," said Ianto weakly.

"Don't speak, save your breath."

Ianto sobs. He can't die. Not here. Jack needs him. He always thought that he was the one who needed Jack but now, looking back. He could see it was the other way around. Jack needed him, and without Ianto who would be Jack's anchor?

Only one thing came to mind that would keep Jack going, something he wanted to say for a very long time.

"I love you."

Jack shakes his head.

"Don't."

Don't what? Don't say it. It was too late. Ianto was in love since the first day. He wanted to sleep. So very tired….

"Ianto. Ianto? Ianto, stay with me. Ianto, stay with me please—stay with me, stay with me, please!"

It was Jack's voice more then the shaking that brought Ianto back but only briefly. Through hazy eyes he could see Jack crying. Jack never cried in public. But in private, with Ianto Jack cried.

"Hey. It was—good, yeah?" asked Ianto. It was the only reassurance he could think of. Even out loud it sounded lame.

"Yeah."

"Don't forget me." Ianto didn't know why he said that. Of course Jack was going to forget him.

Jack smiles down at him.

"Never could."

Liar.

"A thousand years' time…you won't remember me."

"Yes I will. I promise, I will."

Ianto's last thought was "Yeah, right….", but his last feeling was that he knew Jack was speaking the truth. Then everything went black.

You'll find better love Strong as it ever was Deep as the river runs Warm as the morning sun Please remember me Please remember me

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