Remembering

Jack sat in his office waiting for Ianto to bring him his morning coffee. He could smell it, but there was no sign of Ianto. Walking to his office door, he looked down into the Hub. He couldn't see Ianto in the kitchen area. "Where's Ianto?" he asked Tosh.

"Tourist office." she replied, not looking at him.

Ianto had made Jacks coffee, but realised there was paper work to finish before Jack could get his hands on it. He sat behind his desk quickly sorting and filing the papers, sipping his own coffee. Ianto was tired the night before and didn't get a chance to finish them.

Jack walked down the steps from his office and out through the cog door. The other team members were watching him.

Gwen raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

Going up in the lift, Jack was trying to think what he might have done to upset the young Welshman. He pushed the button to open the secret door to the tourist office. "Ianto!"

Ianto snappily turned his head. "Sir!" he cried, then hid the papers quickly. "I'm sorry... I was just doing..." he sighed, then got up from his chair, passing him his coffee. "Sorry its late, sir." he swallowed, sighing softly, feeling a little nervous.

"I thought I'd done something to upset you. I wouldn't want that." He eyed the young Welshman. "Anything there I can help you with?" He smiled his best smile, sipping his luke warm coffee.

Ianto coughed softly, watching the older man. He shook his head quickly, feeling slightly uncomfortable. He had never been with a man before and with Jack's flirting ways, he found it difficult to focus. He looked at Jack, taking his own coffee, then nodded straighten his waist jacket. "No, thank you. Thanks for asking though."

"Are you going to be in here long? You weren't due in the tourist office today, were you?" Jack leaned against the counter, watching the younger man. "Whatcha doin' in here, Ianto Jones?"

Ianto shook his head softly. "Just finishing some things, wont be long," he smiled lightly, then looked at the paper before looking back at Jack. "Some files, nothing too important," he replied, feeling slightly shifty.

"But important enough for you walk off with my coffee in your hand and hide when I enter the office." Jack quickly grabbed a file, brushing his hand against Ianto.

"I did... didn't mean too," he shot back, making a soft wince when Jack grabbed the file. Ianto hadn't finished and didn't want to seem he was lacking. "Sir..." he whispered, sighing softly then slumped into his chair.

"Ianto, are you ill? You look a bit flushed." Jack put his hand against Ianto's cheek. "You feel a little warm. Are you okay? Do you need some time off?" He waited for a reply.

Ianto looked up, the touch of Jacks fingers against his cheek made him flutter with butterflies in his stomach. Gently he shook his head. "I'm... fine, sir, really," he whispered in reply, slowly coming back to his senses and took the file from Jacks hand. "Now please, I need to finish," he stuttered slightly, looking at Jack then to the file.

"Do I make you nervous, Ianto? You seem to be all fingers and thumbs, if you don't mind me saying." Jack watched as Ianto looked at the file then back at him. "You don't have to be you know. I won't bite." He laughed.

Ianto looked up at Jack and breathed. "I'm fine, sir really. Now please, can I get on?" He was beginning to get a little stressed. He slid his hand through his hair looking up at Jack. "I know," he whispered.

Jack couldn't believe how nervous Ianto was when they were alone together. He put his hand on his upper arm and felt him shaking. "Do you feel it too? Is it just me? Say it isn't."

He looked up at Jack, he could feel it, but he didn't want to show it. He never had been with a man before, he wasn't sure if it was him or not. "Feel what?" He asked, his eyes being glued to Jacks, swallowing sharply, trying to pick his pen up, then looked down in shame.

"I think I'm in love with you. Tell me you don't feel the same and I'll walk away." He took Ianto's trembling hand, took the pen from it and dropping it on the desk. "Ianto."

Ianto took a deep breath. "In love," he whispered, slowly standing up. "I feel... I feel something, sir. I've…I've never been with a man before," he trailed off, looking down.

Jack pulled him into his arms. "It's okay. It's all okay. I won't ask anything from you that you're not willing to give. I just wanna be near you." Jack kissed him. Ianto didn't pull away.

Ianto nodded softly then smiled. "Thank you, sir," He stroked his cheek softly, kissing him back, holding him close.

"I have loved you since the day we first meet. I just didn't realise it until now. You bring out the best in me, Ianto," he whispered into sweet smelling hair. "Let me be there for you."

Ianto blushed red, burying his face into his neck, nuzzling softly. He gripped onto his braces, slowly looking up at Jack. "Yes..." Lifting his hand and stroked his cheek gently. "Thank you," he whispered, pressing his lips against Jacks.

Jack lost himself in the young Welshman's eyes. Buried his face in apple scented hair. "Stay with me tonight. I just wanna hold you."

They kissed.

"Please, say yes."

Ianto nodded softly with a small smile. "I'd like that, sir," he whispered kissing him again, snuggling into him tightly. "I need you to hold me" he told Jack, stroking his hair lightly.

Jack sighed, taking a deep breath. "For as long as you live, I will always hold you. You have my heart."

A tear fell from Ianto's eye and Jack kissed it away.

"I suppose you better start calling me Jack." He laughed.

Ianto relaxed in his embrace.

"Due you remember the night we first met?"

Ianto nodded.

Jack led him at arms length.

"You saved me from that Weevil," he smiled. "You were a vision to behold, Jones Ianto Jones. My hero."

"But my motive wasn't honourable. I tricked you. All of you." Ianto hung his head.

Jack lifted his chin with his finger.

"You honoured Lisa. I'm proud of you for that. It took courage."

"It would have taken more courage to leave her behind. I couldn't let her go. She paid the price for my weakness." A tear fell.

"Lisa loved you, as you loved her. She wanted to live. Why wouldn't she." Jack wiped away the tear. "She was loved by you."