Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood.

Author's note: This is a little warm up story I wrote this week. I've been re-watching Torchwood and as predicted it has inspired me to start writing TW fanfiction again. I have a bigger story in the making, but more on that later. For now, here is a short moment between Ianto and Jack.

It Was You

After Gwen and Owen disappeared to gather firewood, Ianto busied himself with moving some of the gear from the backseat to the back of the SUV. Part of him felt guilty about bringing the group's light-hearted conversation to an abrupt halt. A bigger part, however, wondered what right the others had to be happy, when he himself was in constant agony. He missed Lisa so much it hurt to draw each breath. He would have preferred to hide in some dark corner of the Hub and drown in his grief, but Jack had insisted that he come along on this mission, saying he needed to spend more time with the rest of the team.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Ianto was startled to find that his employer had appeared by his side. Jack had an uncanny ability to move silently and he frequently made Ianto jump even though the young Welshman was used to the Captain's habits. Now the American fixed his piercing eyes on Ianto and took a step closer. Ianto instinctively took a step back, unnerved by the older man invading his personal space, only to have Jack follow him. They repeated this a few times, until Ianto found himself cornered between the body of the SUV and the open car door. He licked his lips nervously, oblivious to the fact that the simple gesture sent a shiver running through his boss. Being this close to the Captain, he was very conscious of the spicy aftershave that seemed to always cling to Jack. The heady mixture of aromas had a strange effect on Ianto, making him want to lose all his inhibitions and bury his head in the Captain's neck so he could fill his lungs with the scent that was so unique, so very Jack. Conscious of this, the young man did his best to maintain a healthy distance between the two of them.

But now Jack was so close he was the only thing Ianto could smell. The Captain stepped closer still, until he was pressed against the younger man and their faces were mere inches apart. The feel of the solid body against his made Ianto's knees tremble and he suddenly found that he was short of breath. He raised his eyes and once they met Jack's he found himself unable to look away.

"Sir?"

Ianto had to clear his throat to get his voice going, all the while his boss seemed to search the deepest parts of his soul with his intense stare.

"I dodged the question earlier. They asked me who was the last person I kissed and I didn't want to respond. I thought I'd answer that now."

Jack broke the eye contact and leaned closer, so close that his lips brushed Ianto's ear when he whispered:

"It was you. You are the last person I kissed. It was when you were unconscious and although it may have started out as resuscitation, it quickly became something more. I know that because in the moments before and after you regained consciousness I kissed you and you kissed me back. I could feel life coursing through your body until reality came crashing down on you and you pushed me away. But even now, when your whole life has been engulfed by the darkness of your grief, the memory of that kiss is the only thing that makes you feel truly alive. Believe me, I know, because that's exactly how it made me feel."

With that Jack retreated, giving Ianto one last smouldering look, before stalking away towards the tents. Ianto, who now was no longer pinned against the vehicle by Jack's body, felt his knees give away. He slid down to the ground, blushing furiously, and trembled as he tried to ignore the truth behind Jack's words.