Note: I do not own Torchwood or their characters.

This is where the entire story is AU now I will not follow Season Two Three or Four. Radio plays or books. OC characters and those from later seasons.

I am not a Gwen fan so if you like her be aware of mild Gwen bashing.

Chapter One

Ianto was impressed with the rate in which everyone adapted and moved on the few weeks after Jack left had been difficult now they were four months down the line. Getting everyone settled in and then the business with Gwen and Alice. But after Rhys ended their relationship and she had realised that Ianto would go through with his threats she had quietened down. She avoided Alice as much as she could and would sit as far away from her as she could in team meetings. The rest of they had built on what they started.

Tosh Rosanne and Rodney had managed to upgrade all the computer systems add more security protocols and more programs for everyone to use to make their life a little easier they also made sure they removed any of the old protocols and programs that were no longer used or needed.

Owen James and Tony were at the present time getting the equipment sorted for the live patient's ward which Edward Johnny and Adam were finishing up. Owen James and Tony had split their time with their medic duties and research of several different species mainly the refugee's. They had gone with Alice and Rhiannon and explained that the more they knew about them the better medical care they could give.

The aliens were sceptical at first but had warmed up to everyone over time. They had helped identify medical equipment household items weapons or at least give a good guess. They hadn't managed to identify everything but more than Torchwood had in quite a while. Some of the equipment had already been put to work in the medical bay and in the armoury. Some household items were released to make the aliens feel more at home although Ianto hoped that when the Doctor bought Jack back he could take these aliens back home or at least where they were intending to go they should not be kept in a place they did not want to be just because someone couldn't be bothered to ask.

Marc and Rick astounded everyone with the pace they were going. When they worked together the worked at such speed only Ianto could keep up. Since Ianto now went over everything before it went to the archives everything was kept in order. They had cleared one storage room and which had been turned into another archive room by Marc and Rick all it really needed was a good clean and some minor fixings. They did that while waiting for the equipment they needed to create the archive; filing cabinets shelving unit's tables and chairs. Ianto made sure he work at least two hours a day in the archives. He used the time to clear his head of the duties he now had as leader he needed time away from all that responsibility. Now both rooms were up and running it wouldn't be long until they started filling the second one as well.

Kate and Jen used their random system and it served them quite well they had managed to identify some weapons and through extensive training they had added some to the armoury along with the ones that the refugees had identified. They had done significant changes to the armoury and the range to help them do further testing and to aid in firearms training. Rosanne kept up with them and had the highest record in the firing range except Kate and Jen and of course Ianto and Jack.

Isabelle had trained everyone in evidence retrieval so that any evidence they collected could if not useful be turned over to the police. With her own lab she was able to conduct far more extensive tests that were not possible with Owen's lab since it was a medical lab and not specified for evidence. She worked in the old conference room was she was in view of the hub and could call over test results to save time.

Andy worked alone a lot of the time and preferred it that way. He liked to get immersed in the language so he wore headphones most of the time. His database had started with earth languages and then dialects. He worked on something different every few hours so he didn't get bored with one language. He still worked as a liaison with the police he got on better with the other constables then Gwen because he didn't act like he was better than them. He listened to their views and observations.

Gwen followed orders and kept to herself a lot more. She participated when she had to but that was all. Avoiding Alice meant also staying away from Rhiannon which meant she couldn't get any information on the compounds and she had to accept it. She was still angry at Ianto for keeping secrets and everyone else for going along with it but she couldn't go against him because she knew that everyone would side with him and she could risk losing her job her memory and her freedom if she did. So she kept her head down and wished every day that Jack would come back and show them all that it was for her.

Ianto decided to make sure he made Jack proud both in running Torchwood and ensuring his family and personal life didn't suffer. He still wasn't ready to meet other people it had only been four months he was still in love with Jack. Rhiannon mentioned the issue from time to time but when Ianto said no she didn't push any further. She understood that Ianto didn't want to give up on Jack so easily like most people had over his lifetime. He worked hard but made sure he took time away from Torchwood he spent time with his family went on day trips watched TV read painted started working on the garden. He Gail and Ifan had turned the back garden as large as it was into a vegetable garden. He tried to spend as much time as he could working outside but with Torchwood and the weather and it was difficult.

The only other major thing that happened was that Ianto offered the empty rooms in the house to Rhiannon and her family so they could save quicker for their own house and he also offered rooms to Alice and David. They accepted his offer moving in over a period of a two months and. Toshiko and Rosanne offered to move out so there was more room but Ianto didn't want them to leave they were family too. Ianto had told them what each room was and that they would each have their bathroom. He knew that the kids understood privacy and not to go through other peoples belongings. He also told them they could decorate however they wanted. They were reluctant at first but Ianto was adamant it was their home too they should decorate. Ianto had scoured the DVD CD and books to make sure anything that was not appropriate for the kids. He also went through Jacks collection putting them in their room. He asked Toshiko and Rosanne to do the same which they did as soon as he asked so they wouldn't forget. It made room for everyone else's on the cases so Ianto didn't have to get more until they were actually needed. It had taken a week for everyone to get on and start getting into a routine. Ianto loved being around his family he was grateful to Jack for pushing him out of Torchwood and making sure he appreciated all the small moments. The precious moments.

Rodney Mel Adam and Albert moved out two months after Jack left. Adam and Mel decided that Rodney and Albert would be living with them and had found a three bedroomed house they could all fit in. Albert and Rodney were both hesitant because Mel and Adam were newlyweds and argued that they needed some space to themselves. However they argued against it they like Ianto they wanted their family together. Marc and Rick found a small flat near the hub which they loved three weeks after they started at Torchwood. Kate and Jen also moved into a flat a larger one in the same block and Marc and Rick a month after they started at Torchwood. Isabelle and Tony moved into a flat a bit further from the hub wanting some more space between them and the hub they moved out five weeks after they started. Rhys was living with Andy and Gwen Owen and James were living alone.

Jack stood with the Doctor and Martha looking at the water tower. He believed what he said he had responsibilities he had people to watch over someone he loved. Travelling was once the only thing he could think of but now he wanted to stay he needed to stay to save a lifetime of memories before he was alone again.

"Come and meet them?" he told them. "Come and meet the people and man who I am giving up the universe for." Martha wanted to get home but she wanted to see who Jack waited a year for chained and imprisoned.

"I will." She start walking with him to the Tourist Office. The Doctor sighed smiled and followed along. He was actually quite interested in who this Ianto was.

Jack ran into the tourist office it was clean and tidy but empty so he hit the button under the counter. He was slightly afraid that his key card wouldn't work but it did. A small part of him hoped that Ianto was waiting for him that he would come back to him. It had only been four months but if Ianto had thought that Jack wasn't coming back he could have moved on. Jack really hoped that Ianto knew he would come back for him that all he wanted was answers he wanted to come back home for Ianto for his family.

He was impatient as Martha and the Doctor joined him in the elevator it wasn't a long journey but it seemed an age until the doors opened revealing the main hub or what Jack hoped was the main hub so many things had changed.

Ianto was stood near Tosh's station listening to her status report when the elevator alarms went off. He was confused since everyone came in that morning for a meeting Edward Johnny and Adam were working on the patients ward. The next project they had were the cells and then the guest rooms. Rhiannon and Alice were in the room they claimed for their work on the facilities theirs was the only room that needed an eye scan and palm print to get in and only Rhiannon Alice and Ianto went in there if the others had ideas they would bring them up in a meeting and then they would work in another room. Gwen was pissed about it because it still meant the information was off limits she had settled down and managed to still get on with the members of the team but she hadn't given up she knew she just had to wait for Jack to come back and he would tell her everything and he would realised he was to be with her. The room was also soundproofed and had no CTTV now the room was secure the files now stayed in a safe in there that also needed a palm print and eye scan.

Everyone's hands went for their weapons as the alarms went off and Rosanne and Tosh moved in front of Ianto whose hand was on his gun. Ianto was surprised when Jack came bounding up the steps right in front of him stopping a foot in front of him. There was a moment where no one moved they were all fixed on the sight before them if they looked away they would miss something.

Ianto closed the gap his hands going to Jack's hips.

"Are you home?" he whispered terrified of hearing the word no.

"I'm home." Jack whispered back. Ianto's eyes closed for a moment when he opened them his eyes were filled with love and relief. He pulled Jack close to him pulling him into a searing kiss. Emotions sizzled between them four months for Ianto a year for Jack; of waiting and wondering made them forget the people around him and all they wanted to be together.

As soon as Ianto and Jack had been within a foot of each other Tosh knew what was going to happen she signalled to Marc who was closest to the room where Alice and Rhiannon were to go and get them he managed to leave without alerting anyone but Rick who was a few feet from him. He buzzed the intercom. "Yeah?" Rhiannon's voice filtered out.

"Jack's back." He told them he heard the door clattering open as he headed back into the main hub Jack and Ianto still joined at the lips.

Ianto gently pulled back in desperate need of air. A slight blush rose in his cheeks he was still a little shy with public displays of emotion but today was different Jack was home. Ianto could see the pain that was still there something bad happened during his time away. Ianto just hoped Jack would tell him so he could help.

"I need you to calm down darling I have someone you need to see." Ianto whispered he needed to calm down before he saw Alice here.

"Who?" who could be here to see him. But he tried to calm down like Ianto told him.

"Daddy." Alice cried from the doorway running up to where they were.

Jack spun around staring at his daughter running to him in disbelief. The last time she had done that she was a small child. She threw herself into his arms and he overcome his disbelief very quickly to catch her. "Your home daddy." She sounded like a child again he rocked her as he clung to her tears forming in his eyes. The Doctor saw why Jack wanted a normal life span why he wanted to be 'fixed' he didn't want to outlive his family.

"Baby." Jack whispered holding his daughter Ianto bought her here to a place where he had kept her from for so long but Ianto would make sure it was safe.

"I'm happy your home." She said and she pulled back looking at her father. She saw the tears making their way down his face. "Steven is going to be so happy your home he has missed you so much."

"I missed you both." he pulled her in for another hug happy she was there. "I missed you all so much." She pulled away and she was replaced by Rhiannon.

Rhiannon saw his apprehension and fear at what she would say to him about leaving. She wrapped her arms around him burying her head in his shoulder.

"I'm glad your back brother." She murmured. She felt the breath of relief leave his body as he relaxed into her hug. She saw the same in Jack's eyes that Ianto saw the pain and grief. Something happened in the past four months something that would haunt him for quite some time. She knew that Ianto would pry it out of him and be there to get him through it.

"I'm glad I'm back too. I missed everyone." He said to her. He really was glad he was back he wished he never left it was easier not knowing why he was the way he was after how the Doctor acted on the subject. He didn't ask for it. He willing gave his life for the Doctor and because of someone else he was condemned to a life he never wanted and abandoned by the one he idolised the one he tried to follow after.

Toshiko and Rosanne tag teamed him wrapping their arms around him peppering kisses on his cheek.

"Don't leave again Jack Harkness." Toshiko growled but the smile on her face showed she wasn't angry she understood his reasons.

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." He promised now he knew there was nowhere else he would rather be. This was home now.

Owen walked up to him smacking upside the head. "You leave me to be second again I will shoot you."

"I missed you too Owen." Jack grinned as he pulled Owen into a bear hug picking him up. Owen growled at him cursing him until he put him down. But Owen did wrap his arms around him quickly.

Rhys and Andy both shook his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. While Gwen stood next to her desk her arms crossed she looked torn between running over hugging him tightly asking him not to leave her again and watch him show Ianto he wanted her or going off on one with him about leaving her.

Adam Johnny and Edward shook his hand welcoming him back. Mel just stood in front of him. She stared into his eyes and he knew despite the shields he put up she would see something she was very talented in her field. She didn't say anything she just smiled and kissed his cheek.

"You would be proud of how Ianto and your team have handled themselves the past four months. You have taught them well."

"I knew they could go on without me they are all talented people who deserve to stand out." He smiled at her. That praise was enough for him it was enough to make the trip bearable not what happened just the trip.

"Well they did. And Ianto have bought Torchwood to the place you both wanted it to be." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Forgive him he still feels guilt." She whispered only so Jack could hear her. He kept his face on but acknowledged what she said.

Gwen seemed to have made up her mind as she slowly walked over and wrapped her arms around Jack moulding herself to body burying her face in his neck. She was acting like his lover. He slowly put his arms around her unsure of what to do. He could see Toshiko and Owen rolling their eyes and Rosanne looked like she wanted to shoot her. Alice wasn't happy wither actually she looked worse than Rosanne and Rhiannon was holding Alice's wrist keeping her from moving forward. Something happened between Alice and Gwen Jack could tell. Just as she and Rosanne opened their mouths Ianto stepped next to Jack. Rhys just looked indifferent. He wondered why that was.

"Why doesn't every go to the conference room and set up presentations of your areas so we can catch Jack up as a group. Doctor why don't you and you're companion join us I'm sure you would like to see what Jack has built since he took over after his long wait for your return."

"Doctor Miss if you would follow me I will lead you to the conference room." Tosh stepped forward. She had met a previous incarnation of the Doctor she doubted he remembered.

"Havent we met before." he said to her not making any effort to move.

"Yes London a while ago I was there in business." She didn't elaborate she didn't wish to dwell on it and she was sure he was trying to stay where he was.

"Oh yes it was-"

"Doc Ianto asked you to go to the conference room please do as he says since he is in charge." Jack said as he pulled himself from Gwen's grip. She pouted at him she didn't understand why wasn't he glad she had hugged him so.

He didn't pay any attention to her as he stood beside Ianto slipping his hand into his. He could see Gwen not going either he would have to ask Ianto what was going on with her.

"Jack-"

"Doctor I have to speak to Jack and outsiders are not allowed to be here unattended. I have already asked politely as had Jack and Tosh please do as I ask I will not ask again." Jack watched as Ianto stepped forward straighted up and his voice had taken on that steel quality which Jack loved because it was true Ianto not the polite person he put on for everyone else. "Gwen please escort them with Tosh." Jack could see that she didn't want to leave. He could also the Doctor bristling but Ianto didn't back down. Marta wondered if she would have to pull him away but he seemed to understand he wouldn't win.

Toshiko led them to the conference room with Gwen at the back she turned back to see Jack pulling Ianto into another kiss. Jealously coursed through her but Jack didn't know that she and Rhys weren't together as soon as he did then it would change.

Jack and Ianto stood kissing for a few minutes until Ianto pulled away smiling.

"We can't leave them up there waiting for us." he whispered keeping Jack close.

"Can't we?" Jack just wanted to be with Ianto after all this time apart he wanted to make sure that Ianto knew he was important.

"No we can't. I know why you left Jack but these people have stepped up the past four months let them show off what they have done. They want you to be proud of them." Ianto wanted to be with Jack and just Jack for as long as possible but he always knew that everyone missed him well those who knew him and they wanted to make sure Jack was there to stay they wanted to know he was back home for good.

"Fine when you put it like that." Jack murmured as he stole another kiss.

"Later." Ianto promised as he slid his hand in Jack's pulling Jack with him to the conference room. They had reached the steps when Jack stopped pulling Ianto around. "Jack?" Ianto moved closer to him.

"No matter what I am proud of you and them and I want to tell you what happened I do but…" Jack started and he didn't know how to tell Ianto he couldn't tell him yet.

"Jack I'm not going to force you to tell me but you know I am here for you to talk to." Ianto could feel the fear and pain rolling off Jack in waves. He didn't have to feel it to still see it in his eyes.

"I know Ianto. I want to tell you but I need to work it through myself first." Jack admitted Ianto was the only to see the man who needed understanding and time. Captain Jack was always okay. Jack on the other hand needed time just like everyone else.

Ianto wrapped his arms around Jack pulling him close one arm tight around his waist the other running his hand through his hair gently guiding his head to his shoulder.

"I won't try and make you talk but we both from experience that talking does help so when you're ready I'll be here to listen." He felt Jack's arms encircle his waist holding on so tight like he thought Ianto would leave if he let go. "I'm not going anywhere Jack I'm not leaving you." At that moment Ianto didn't care about the meeting about how everyone was setting everything up all he cared about was making sure that Jack knew someone was in his corner. "Don't forget you have Alice and Steven here now and I'm sure she wants to make up for lost time as well."

"Whatever you said to make her come home I can never repay you for that." Jack really did want to know why Alice was here after everything that had happened.

"I will explain later. We can go home where our family are and spend the night catching up."

"Okay. You will catch me up on all the personal stuff later. Then I can get to know you all over again." Jack murmured. Over a year and he felt like it had been an age since he was last here with Ianto.

"And I can get to know you." Ianto muttered he pulled back enough to kiss Jack again. It was tender and short but just enough to let Jack know that he was home and he was wanted here.

Jack wasn't ready to let Ianto go so he clung on just hoping that Ianto wouldn't let go of him just yet. Ianto tightened his grip and thought less about those waiting for them in the conference and just focused on that moment in time Jack was home he was there in his arms and the rest of the world could wait.

Meanwhile in the small conference room tablets were making an appearance while everyone took it in turns to set up their small presentations. Tosh and Owen decided that Gwen should go first because hers was the smallest area then Isabelle Andy Kate and Jen Marc and Rick Owen James and Tony then herself Rosanne and Rodney. Rhiannon and Alice asked to go last because they weren't going to do a presentation but they could get the main points across. Ianto would catch Jack on his duties privately since most of it was for the boss's ears only.

It didn't take each person long to set up an outline of what they were doing since they were all so confident and adept at their abilities. Tosh was wondering what Gwen was thinking she hadn't put together all that much but most of it was how she was getting along with other cops and how they turned over evidence that was useful to the police and not to them. She watched as Gwen stayed silent as everyone else put forward their presentations her eyes fixed on Alice and Rhiannon. She was still not getting that it wasn't her department that she didn't need to know and more importantly they didn't want her to know about those aliens they didn't need her kind of mothering or what she thought was caring.

Adam Johnny and Edward would show him the blueprints with Ianto later so they could explain fully and Mel was the only one who wasn't preparing a presentation. The only time she could ever reveal something was if someone was in danger either the patient or someone the patient had a grievance against. She was sat in the corner of the room like she always did and observed the people that were in the room.

Apart from the Doctor and Martha who were sitting on the side watching proceedings everyone else was getting on like they had been for the past three months since everything got sorted. Gwen was doing her usual of staying out of the way which Mel wasn't happy about Gwen came to see her a few times then stopped when Mel suggested she look for someone different and she was certain Jack would come back for her. She hoped that Gwen could handle the disappointment because if the kiss they all witnessed was any indication Jack was staying with Ianto for good. Or at least as long Ianto was there.

Gwen's eye kept glancing to the door waiting for Jack to enter the conference room no one else noticed they were busy doing what Ianto actually wanted them to do even though her area was smaller than others there was no reason why she couldn't make the most of the time she had to make sure her presentation and report were as detailed and thorough but Mel personally thought that Gwen believed it would go back to how it was before.

Jack's grip on Ianto's hand tightened as they got closer to the conference room. Ianto could feel the fear that dwelled around Jack. He stopped and pulled Jack around to face him Jack looked confused until Ianto's lips descended on his holding him close.

"Don't worry about anything they will have to go through me and Alice first and trust me they already know not to go up against us." he whispered leaning his forehead against Jacks.

"I guess I know that they will accept me like I accepted them but it doesn't stop me from being scared that I don't have a place here anymore." He admitted almost inaudibly.

"You will always be Captain here this is your Torchwood." Ianto told him firmly.

"It's our Torchwood I started it you finished it." Jack insisted.

"It will never be finished there will always be something that can be added to make it better." Ianto kissed Jack again unable to stop himself. He was happy that Jack was home.

"After this meeting we are going home. I don't care what the others say I want to be with you and just you." Jack breathed as they broke apart.

"That sounds good to me. Everyone can cope without us for an evening." Ianto was having trouble finding a reason to stay.

"Good." Jack dove in for another kiss groaning when Ianto pulled away.

"Come on." Ianto tugged him along.

"Why did you move the conference room?" Jack wondered as they got closer.

"Well we have nearly five times the staff so for meetings we needed a bigger room instead of gathering in the main hub." Ianto explained. "It was okay for a little while but it started to get annoying so Edward chose this room to make into a new conference room."

"You didn't choose?" it wasn't like Ianto not to have a plan he had plan for everything.

"I had things I wanted done but I am not an expert so I left to the best we knew. Adam Edward and Johnny work very well together. Harry comes in to help with the electrics I didn't know he was a qualified electrician as well as computer expert."

"What have they completed so far?" Jack wanted to know.

"I'll will give you a tour before we go." Ianto walked through the automated door to the conference room Jack lagging behind a little. Ianto didn't turn around and lead Jack to the main desk where two chairs were now stationed instead of one. Jack sat next to Ianto and looked around. There was enough chairs for everyone. Jack noticed that Gwen seated herself a little apart from the group. She looked happy but something else was there something he couldn't identify. Adam Edward Johnny sat on the side of the room. And Mel was seated in the corner a perfect view of everyone.

The Doctor and Martha were seated near the desk they looked out of place but they seemed interested sort of. Since Jack told the Doctor how he restructured Torchwood the Doctor wanted to see how it was.

Ianto sat back and gestured for someone to start them off.

"Shall we begin?"

A/N: Hope this was okay I wanted to set the scene in this chapter while bringing Jack back.

Rhoda x