Thanks to all who reviewed and who asked so nicely for the 'coffee shop' scene here it is for you hope you like it.
Thanks to JonesIantoJones for betaing it for me really quickly.
Disclaimer: As before.
Talk Me Down part 2
As they stood in front of the building Jack turned to Ianto and asked, "Do you want to go back to the Hub?"
Ianto shook his head and agitatedly said. "You said we could go to the coffee shop."
"Coffee shop it is then." Jack said with fake cheerfulness. Turning to Owen he told him, "You take the SUV back, we'll walk."
"Ok but when you get back I am doing that physical on you." He answered addressing Ianto.
Ianto didn't answer Owen, just nodded.
Owen left them and got in the SUV. Once he was out of sight Jack and Ianto turned in the direction of Duke Street to go to Garlands Coffee Shop. They didn't talk on the way but Ianto clung onto Jacks hand.
Once they arrived at the coffee shop they found a quiet table where they would be able to talk in peace without being overheard or disturbed. Jack ordered them both black coffees with warm milk to add to them. They didn' t speak untill after their coffees had arrived.
"Did you really want to end your life today?" Jack asked quietly.
Ianto took a sip of his drink before answering. "I don't know. I don't think so. I really don't know what I would've done if you and Owen hadn't turned up when you did. It had taken me so long to get to the edge." He smiled ruefully. "I'm so tired of all the shit I end up being in Jack. When do I get a break?" He ran a hand over his face.
"Now. You get your break now. Tell me something? What pushed you over the edge today? What made you suddenly decide to walk out of work and climb that building?" Jack asked solemnly.
Ianto pulled the letter from his jacket pocket and handed it to Jack. "I recieved this in the post today." Jack looked at it before Ianto continued. "Go on you can open it."
Jack took the piece of paper out of the envelope and read it. It was a letter from another survivor asking Ianto if he would like to attend a meeting to discuss the possibility of erecting some sort of memorial on the site of Torchwood One. Jack looked at Ianto stunned.
"That's when I realised what the date was today and with what happened with....with Lisa just a few months ago and then the cannibals, I wasn't thinking straight. It all came crashing down on me." Ianto continued quietly. "You all seemed to be coping with what happened and what you saw. Me - I just wanted to fall apart. Ask why. Why would another human being do that to someone. But I couldn't, I had to stay strong and look after you all."
"Oh Ianto." Jack said taking hold of his hand. "You don't have to be strong all the time. If you want to fall apart, yell, scream, shout, throw things or whatever, then do it. We won't think any less of you. We all have different ways of coping with what we see and do." Ianto stared at Jack as he carried on. "Tosh looses herself in her computers making new programmes and updating the data bases - says it's calming and therapeutic. Owen goes out drinking and picking up women. Gwen has Rhys she can go home and forget Torchwood for a while. And me - me I find the tallest building and go and stand on the roof and watch ordinary people go about their ordinary lives and think - this is what we're fighting for." He said passionately.
"I didn't realise. I just saw you all carrying on as though nothing out the ordinary had happened and thinking I had to be strong and just get on with it otherwise you'd all see how weak I am." Ianto said bowing his head so Jack couldn't see the tears in his eyes.
"Hey look at me Ianto." Jack said firmly. When Ianto kept his head down Jack carefully put his finger under his chin and lifted it up so he had no choice. "You are not weak. What you did for Tosh in that farmhouse was brave - very brave but also vey foolish. You gave Tosh the chance to escape at the expense of yourself. Please don't do that again. I really would miss you."
Ianto interrupted "You wouldn't miss me mayb..."
Jack didn't let him finish "Ianto I would miss you first and foremost. Yes I would miss the coffee and you do look good in a suit but it would be you I'd miss Your sense of humour, you and Owen sniping at each other pretending you hate one another, you laughing when you think no-one else is around, but most of all I would miss your warmth and your smile."
Ianto looked completely shocked at this. "Do you really mean all that Jack or are you just saying it to make me feel better."
Jack once again took Ianto's hand in his and brought it to his lips. Then brushing them over Ianto's knuckles and staring into his eyes he said very softly. "Believe me Ianto I mean every word I have just said."
Ianto's breath hitched as he whispered. "I believe you Jack. Thank you."
They sat for a few minutes both absorbing what the other had said and thinking about where they would go from here. Ianto broke the silence. "Jack please tell me I can get over this? Help me believe that it's not all bad out there."
"It's not all bad and together we will help you get over this. I will be here for you; you only ever have to ask. Are you ready to go back to the Hub? I know Gwen and Tosh are just as worried about you. Even Owen cares even though he won't ever admit it." Jack grinned.
"I'm as ready as I ever will be." He replied standing up.
Jack also stood and once they had left the coffee shop slipped his hand into Ianto's as they walked back to the Hub.
