Picture Perfect

Jack watched as the sky went from dark blue, through to light blue, with tinges of red and yellow. The sun was coming up on a new day and the team would soon be arriving at the Torchwood Hub.

As he turned to walk back into the tourist office, Ianto Jones appeared from around the corner, where the cars were parked. They exchanged smiles, then Ianto went through the door and into the 'Staff Only' door inside the office.

Jack entered a few minutes later, pressing the red button on the wall that allowed the secret door to open, that led down to the lift and Torchwood Three. Jack looked back as he went through, hoping to catch a last glimpse of Ianto. Then he was gone.

Ianto finished putting leaflets in the containers and on the counter, then went down into the Hub. He went to make coffee for the team. He took their mugs to them all, then headed up to Jack's office and knock on the door.

"Come in."

Ianto walked in placing, a cup on his desk.

"Please, stay. I'd like to talk to you." Jack smiled.

"Okay," Ianto sat down, looking at his boss.

"You seem to be settling in well, Ianto. I'd like to see if you can cut it out in the field. How do you feel about that? It won't be straight away. I'll teach you how to shoot. Very thing you need to know."

"You want me to go on Weevil hunts and alien sightings?"

"I want you to be more involved in Torchwood. You clean up after us. Get us everywhere on time, but you don't seem like a team member. I want you on my team. Are you in?"

"I don't know what to say, sir." Ianto turned to look at the door. "What about the others? After Lisa and all…."

"Leave the others to me. I need you to learn in case….well, just in case." Jack smiled.

"In case what, sir?"

"No one lives to draw their pension at Torchwood, you know that. If I lose someone….God forbid. I have you."

"I don't plan on dying in the near future," Ianto tried to smile. "But, I'd like to try, join the team. It's what I want."

"We'll start target practice 6am tomorrow and every morning for the next 2 weeks."

"I've never fired a gun before. I wish I had one at Canary Wharf."

"I'll teach you. I taught Gwen."

Ianto went to leave. "Thank you, sir."

"Ianto, you'll be fine. Trust me."

Ianto left, making his way down to the archives. He was safe down there. Alone. He slide down the wall and put his head in his hand and cried.

Jack watched Ianto go then went out to speak to the others.

"I'm teaching Ianto to shoot, starting tomorrow. I want him out in the field."

"About bloody time," quipped Owen. "He's more than proved his loyalty since Lisa." He looked at Tosh. "He saved Tosh at Beacon."

"Yes, he did and I'm very grateful." Tosh added.

Ianto was down in the archives, sitting on the floor. He finally stood up and started filing away, but was also thinking about Jack. He looked at Jack differently since Lisa.

"I'm glad we all agree," said Jack, looking at Gwen, who had remained silent."I...think it's a good idea. But keep an eye on him, mind."

Jack sighed "I think we can trust him."

Ianto was still sitting on the floor. The tears had dried, but he was still in a quandary.

He knew in his heart that even after what he did to Lisa, Ianto had feeling for Jack. Feeling that he couldn't explain. Feelings that scared him to death.

"I love Jack," he muttered to himself.

Jack was worried about Ianto. He didn't seem to happy with the prospect of going on Weevil hunts with the team. He thought it might strengthen the bond between them. Was he wrong?

Ianto stayed sitting on the floor, his head in his hands, thinking. Getting out his phone, he looked at the picture of him and Jack that Owen had taken for him.

Jack decided to go down to the archives and was surprised to see Ianto sitting on the floor, looking at his phone. Jack had no idea what he was looking at. "Ianto, are you okay? I'm worried about you." He squatted by the younger man. "Can we talk?"

Ianto ran a trembling hand through his hair. "Yes."

"I thought you'd be happy, being more involved. Maybe I shouldn't have suggested it. Was I wrong? Yuan?" Jack closed his eyes. "Talk to me please. Say something. Say anything. Please."

Ianto cleared his throat. "No, it wasn't a mistake. I'm glad you asked me, really. It's just….I have these feelings."

"Feelings? About what? Do you want to leave Torchwood? Leave….me? I….can't let you. I….need you in my life."

"That's what I'm trying to tell you." He looked directly into Jack's eyes. "I'm in love with you."

Jack broke into laughter, grabbing the younger man by the shoulders and pulling him into a fierce hug. "Oh, and I'm in love with you."