In Love With A Ghost
Jack was just standing there, outside the TIC at Cardiff Bay. He didn't quite know how long for. There was this figure standing before him, surrounded by a white aura. It was breathtakingly beautiful. It was Ianto Jones. But how could that be? He'd been dead for over a month.
Jack just stood there, not moving. Not speaking. Afraid that this vision of beauty might vanish just as quickly as it had appeared.
"Aren't you going to say hello, Cariad?" Ianto asked.
A tear fell from Jack's eye, rolling unashamedly down his cheek.
Ianto stepped forward, brushing the tear away with a kiss. "I missed you," he whispered.
"Yan. Is that really you?"
Ianto nodded. "Of sorts. Only you can see me. I can touch you, but you can't touch me."
"No, it's a dream. This can't be real," he whispered.
Ianto took one of Jack's hands in both of his. "It's real, I promise you."
"But how?"
"I pleased a few people, up there," Ianto looked skyward. "They allowed me to come back. But you can't touch me, Jack, or I have to go back."
Jack shook his head. "How can I live without touching you? I can't."
Ianto smiled. "But I can touch you."
An elderly couple passed by as Jack was talking to Ianto. The woman looked at the man, shaking her head. "Poor dear."
Ianto laughed. "Be careful, Cariad, they'll lock you away."
Jack smiled. "Yeah, wouldn't you just hate that? White padded walls. Soft furnishings…." Jack stopped talking and just looked at his lover. "Are you here forever or just a fleeting visit?"
"Forever, my love." Ianto let go of Jack's hand, brushing a fingertip over his lips. "For all eternity."
"You look so beautiful. So real."
"Mmmm, dead didn't suit me at all."
Jack looked sad again. "It was all my fault."
"No, it wasn't. You tried your best."
"It just wasn't good enough."
"You beat them, Jack. You won."
"I lost! I lost you. I lost Stephen. I lost Alice."
"And you saved millions of children. You, Jack."
Jack went to walk away.
"Don't walk away, Jack. You're stronger than that. The Jack I loved was strong. The Jack I love, is strong."
"How can I live without touching you?"
"You'll get by. With a little help from me."
"In love with a ghost. In a suit no less."
"And not white, either."
They both laughed.
"Harkness and Jones…." said Jack.
"Deceased," added Ianto.
Ianto took Jack's hand and they walked together into the TIC, through the sliding door and into the Hub.
"Just remember, let me touch you. Don't try to touch me. In time, you'll learn."
"I'll never let you out of my sight again, Yan."
"Hard not to with this aura around me. Pretty though, don't you think?"
Jack nodded. "Breathtaking. But you still look good in a suit, Ianto Jones."
"Careful sir," mimicked Ianto, "That's harassment."
They went up to Jack's office and he closed the door.
Ianto Jones was back, if only in spirit.