Disclaimer: As before I don't anything in the Who-verse. That honour belongs to RTD and the mighty BBC.

A/N: I was going to wait to see what kind of feedback I got for Chapter 1 before posting Chapter 2. Then I thought what the hell...Sorry it's short but it seemed like a good place to stop.

Cue tissues...


Chapter 2

The gravestone was plain white marble, inscribed with just a name, date and a single word 'Beloved'. Jack put his hand on top of the cold damp stone and fell to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Jack?" The name was gently spoken. A warm hand covered his own. Turning, brushing his eyes with the back of his hand, he saw Gwen standing beside him shrouded in a huge raincoat which just covered her extremely pregnant stomach. She gave him a tentative smile and held her arms wide. In a single motion he had got to his feet and turned to be enveloped in a warm, teary hug.

"You stupid bastard. I was worried sick. Where have you been?" The scolding words were softened by the fact they were punctuated by gulping sobs. "Bloody hormones!" Gwen said disgustedly.

"I'm OK. Really. The Doctor found me," Jack assured her. "I'm sorry I worried you. I was getting my head together."

Gwen opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again and just hugged him tighter. As he struggled for breath, Jack could see Rhys over Gwen's shoulder, standing a few yards off, an intensely relieved expression on his face.

"Good to see you mate," he called across breaking the tension. "I was afraid she might go into labour when she saw you. You alright love?"

"I'm fine, Rhys," Gwen called back, then under her breath she continued for Jacks ears alone, "He's been murder the last three months – protective is not the word."

"You deserve to be protected, Gwen Cooper. I don't intend to lose you as well." Jack retorted softly. Gwen squeezed his arm and looked down at the grave.

"I'm so sorry about Steven," she began, but stopped abruptly when she saw the shuttered look descend over Jack's face. She took a deep breath before continuing. "I tried to contact his mother...your daughter I mean...but she refused to speak to me." She fell silent.

"She can't forgive me – I can't expect her to. I can't forgive myself. It's better I stay away." Jack motioned towards the gravestone. "I've done enough."

Turning back to face the gravestone he reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a model car which he carefully placed at the base of the stone next to the fresh flowers.

"When he was six he gave me that car and told me in such a grown up voice that I had to buy him a real one when he was old enough to drive. He had good taste. It was a Ferrari." He looked at the stone for a long moment, touched the name lightly with his fingertips and turning, walked away.

Gwen hurried after him. As they reached Rhys, Jack pulled him into a swift hug.

"You look after her Rhys Williams, or you'll have me to answer to!" he ordered with something approaching his old grin.

Rhys raised his eyebrows sceptically. "I'd like to see you try," he countered.

"Jack! You're leaving? Now?" Gwen said sharply, her voice panicked.

"I'm on a mission for the Doctor. Don't worry you've not seen the last of Jack Harkness. I'm only going as far as London and I'll be back often. There is Torchwood to rebuild after all." He held his hand up to stem Gwens' inevitable questions. "I'll tell you what's going on. I promise. Just as soon as I work out what's going on myself." Jack opened the door to the SUV he'd commandeered (the British government spooks had seemed surprisingly pleased to see him when he'd barged into Thames House earlier in the day) and climbed in. "Call me when...you know, the big day...or night" he conceded with another wide smile.

"Jack! Wait!" Gwen put a hand on the door, stopping it from closing. She reached into an inside pocket and pulled out a dirty crumpled envelope. With a sad smile she pushed into Jacks hand.

"We found it in what was left of the Hub," she explained. "In Iantos' things."

Jack closed his fingers around the paper and nodded blindly, his eyes suddenly blurring. "I'll see you soon"

Gwen closed the door and with a roar he gunned the engine and pulled away tyres squealing. With a sigh Gwen leaned back in Rhys's arms.

"At least he's back." She cast her eyes up to the darkening sky. "Thank you Doctor. For giving him back to us."


Jack drove for a hour, up onto the moors, off the road to the remotest, wildest place he could find, all the while the envelope burning like fire in his hand. Finally when it was too dark to see the desolate landscape around him he stopped and turned off the engine. He looked down at the envelope, desperate to know what was inside, but at the same time terrified of what he might find. He straightened out the crumpled paper seeing for the first time the words 'Jack. To be opened only in the event of my death' written in Iantos' clear, precise hand. Jack ran his thumb over the words and stared at them. Finally after the longest time, when the car had cooled and Jack had wrapped the greatcoat around him for warmth, he broke the seal and drew out the contents. A single sheet of fine writing paper folded in half and, slipped between its folds, a plain platinum man's ring. Jack grasped the ring tightly while he unfolded the paper and read,

Dear Jack,

If you are reading this then something has gone very wrong and I'm dead (either that or I'm out getting coffee and you are snooping in which case I hope you feel suitably ashamed when you next see me!). I'm writing this just after you woke up after that terrible waking trance, when I thought I'd lost you for ever and I said all those things, told you all my fears, worried about just being a blip in time for you. I know you heard me. Thank you for not making me feel foolish.

It made me wonder though just what we were to each other, where we would end up if we managed to beat the odds. I guess if you are reading this we never did beat those odds or maybe we did and it's eighty years on. I'm not a fool though. With the life we lead I don't think I'll ever live to be an old man. Anyway, after the whole Dalek thing, you tried to tell me how you felt. I know it wasn't easy for you. But for me it was all too new, too fragile and scary I suppose. I kept you at arms length and never really told you how I truly felt. But I'm not scared anymore and I need to tell you now.

You mean everything to me Jack Harkness. I love you body and soul, and although I know that even with a fair wind behind us we could only ever be together for a while you should know you are, and will always be, the love my life.

In this new liberated world I would marry you this minute Jack, shout it to the world if you asked me. I would ask you but I'm not that brave. I'm afraid you would say no, or talk me out of it with some rubbish about how you couldn't be with me forever. So in case, when you read this, you never got the chance to ask me, I'll ask you now safe in the pages of this letter. Will you marry me Jack?

If when you read this we are not together anymore and you have another love, please please don't feel guilty. Just bury the letter and the ring and be happy with my blessing. I've been so happy with you Jack, and whatever happens I will thank you for that. Forever.

I love you. Ianto

Fighting back tears Jack look down at the ring turning it over and over with shaking hands. It was his size, of course it was Ianto was nothing if not efficient. Inside it was engraved ' JH x IJ. Never just a blip in time'. Jack slid the ring onto the third finger of his left hand and kissed it.

"Ianto Jones," he said softly "You are full of surprises. It's one of the reasons I love you so much." Then he rested his head on his hands against the steering wheel and allowed the tears to fall unchecked, wet and warm against his cheeks.


Chapter 3 coming soon...