Chapter Three
Ianto struggled against the rope that bound his hands. He'd been left alone in the cave for at least two days. He was starting to get hungry. He knew that Gray would be back soon, he had to get free. Gray would only keep him alive for so long.
When they had arrived here, wherever here was, Gray had bundled him into the cave before he could get any chance to have a good look around and get his bearings. Sitting in a darkened cave didn't allow Ianto to gauge how many days had passed. However, if Gray left him for two days each time he left, he could assume that he'd been in this cave for just on a week.
Gray always returned, if only to gloat. He took great pleasure in informing Ianto that not only did his brother not know where his employee was but that he never would find them. The first time that Ianto had heard Gray call him Jack's employee and not his lover, he had felt a small amount of relief. Ianto needed to be careful not to give Gray any clue about the relationship he had with his brother. Gray's hatred was so deep that he would kill Ianto instantly. He held close to his heart their last night together.
They had just locked up the latest alien that had been caught prowling the streets of Cardiff. Jack took Ianto's hand and pulled him in for a kiss. Soft and gentle, Ianto sighed when it was over. Leaning his forehead against Ianto's, Jack asked him out for dinner.
"Sure, we can grab something on the way home."
"No, I mean I want to take you out to dinner. I think it's about time, don't you?"
Ianto was a little shocked. Yes, Martha, Tom, Gwen and Rhys knew of their relationship but so far they had been keeping it very quiet. This was a big step for both of them. Jack was saying that if he didn't want to go out, he understood completely.
"I'd love to go out with you Jack Harkness. When and where?"
"There's a lovely little restaurant just outside the entrance of the Tourist office. We could meet there at 8 o'clock. Is that alright?"
"OK, that'd be fine. I'll see you there then."
Ianto smiled as he walked away. He was looking forward to tonight. Glancing at his watch he saw that the time was already 7 o'clock. He had to go home and shower and be back here for 8. Rushing out of the Hub, he headed for his car. As he drove away he waved to Gwen and Martha as they were heading into the coffee shop on the corner. He knew that they were working on Martha's wedding plans.
An hour later, Ianto walked up to Jack as he stood outside the restaurant. When he reached him, Jack took Ianto's hand and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He then tucked Ianto's hand into the crook of him arm and led him inside. He had pre-arranged a table right at the front of the restaurant so they could overlook Cardiff Bay. They enjoyed their meal, talking about so many different things. Jack was talking about things that Ianto had never heard him talk about. He sat there quietly, listening intently to the man who had healed his heart and completed his life. What Jack was saying did surprise Ianto. His age for one thing, he was at least 150 years old. That was a bit of an age gap. Jack was open about the loves he had had throughout his long life. The joy and sadness that he had endured as one lover after another had passed away yet he had to go on. It explained why Jack had closed himself off for so long.
When they had finished their meal, they made their way back to Ianto's place. After the whole Gray incident Jack had begun spending more of his time with Ianto and had left some of his stuff there. Ianto sat on the couch while Jack made the coffee. It had been funny the first time that they had come here together. Jack had said that from now on he would make the coffee whenever they were here, however it had then taken him half an hour to figure out how to use the coffee machine. He now had it down to a speedy 10 minutes. Sitting down, watching Jack made him smile and it filled his heart with so much love. He had never thought he would feel this way again after Lisa, let alone for a man, but he did. He loved this man with his whole being. Jack looked like he belonged here, with him.
With the coffee made, Jack walked over to Ianto and handed him his cup. Leaning down, he gave him a quick kiss before sitting down next to him.
"I love you."
He hadn't meant to blurt it out like that but now that it had been said, he was happy. He could clearly see that he had surprised him. Jack had explained, right at the beginning of their relationship, why this couldn't be anything more than two people enjoying each others company. However, Ianto hadn't been able to stop the way he was feeling and he was sure that Jack felt the same way. Before Jack could speak Ianto held up his hand, delaying whatever he would say.
"I know you've explained your reasons Jack, but you can't live the rest of your life alone. You've told me of your other lovers and I would be honored to be included on that list. To share my life with you would bring me such joy."
"Ianto, I…………"
"Jack, you don't have to say anything but I had to let you know. I love you and I always will."
Taking his hands in his, he looked up at Jack and was surprised to see tears in his eyes. However, behind the tears he could see the love shining through. He just had to wait for Jack to be ready to acknowledge it. Taking his face in his hands, Ianto told Jack that he would wait for him, never leave him and would never stop loving him. He then kissed him, tenderly, sweetly, lovingly. The kiss seemed to last a lifetime, neither man wanting it to end. When it finally did, Jack wrapped his arms around Ianto and placed a kiss on the top of his head. He then whispered gently.
"Oh Ianto, I tried to stop it but I finally realized that it was not possible. I love you too. You bring such joy to my life and I would be forever lost without you."
Ianto responded to this statement by standing up and taking hold of Jack's hand. Together they walked into the bedroom.
"Make the most of you happiness, it won't last for long. Just like he did with me, my brother will soon forget about you. Soon you will just be a distant memory to him."
Ianto looked up at Gray, saddened by the statement. He gave himself a mental shake; he must not allow Gray to get to him. Jack would never give up because his heart wouldn't let him and neither would Gwen or Martha.