Epilogue

Jack put his feet up on his desk and sipped at his coffee. The mug was warm in his hands. He'd done some terrible things in his time and he had been the recipient of many himself—the master had seen to that. The memories of Joe begging in pain should have made him shudder, but instead, knowing the monster who had hurt Ianto had suffered made him feel at peace.

xXx

It had been raining, pouring, in fact, when Jack left Ianto's hospital room to find Joe. He didn't know what he wanted to do, or whether he'd be able to let him live. He did know that he'd never tell Ianto the truth about whatever happened. It would be one little lie. He'd simply tell him that Joe was gone. Ianto had been through enough.

The rain poured down on his back as he walked to Ianto's flat, rain soaking his coat. He could have driven but he wanted time to plan, to think, to feel the rage and burn inside him. He embraced it. He's thoughts were on Owen's words, telling the ways Joe had hurt Ianto. He would make him regret ever touching the Welshman.

Once he'd reached the flat, he could see the lights on inside. Someone was home and it wasn't Ianto. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the key, clicking the lock open. He walked up the stairs to his door, gently knocking.

He was greeted by a man that looked in his forties, older than Jack expected. He was muscular and well groomed. He could see why Ianto had taken interest. He looked Jack up and down, then taking a drink from his beer. "Who are you?"

"I'm here for Ianto."

"Well, that's too bad mate. He's not here." Joe tried to close the door, but Jack stuck his foot in the jam.

"I said, I'm here for Ianto, not that I needed to see him. I know right where he is, and that's no thanks to you."

The man scowled. "What are you going on about? Where's Ianto?"

Jack pushed his way into the door, the drunken Joe stumbling back, spilling his beer.

Joe got his feet under himself and tried to get a grip on Jack, but Jack was faster and threw a punch, catching Joe's jaw and sending him reeling back, tumbling to the floor.

"I thought you liked to fight?" Jack said, grabbing the fallen man and then kicking him in the face, blood splattering across the floor. "Or do you only like to fight people who don't fight back?" He grabbed Joe by his shirt and dragged him into the kitchen. Cleanup would be easier on the tile floor.

The man cried, blood and spit dribbling from his mouth. "I didn't … I never meant to hurt him."

The apology only made Jack see red. "You broke his ribs. Wanna know how that feels?"

"No, please, don't—"

Jack kicked him as hard as he could in the stomach and ribs, again and again, causing the man to cry out. Jack walked over and turned the radio on that was sitting on the counter. He turned the volume up as loud as it would go to cover his screams. He was just getting started.

Joe curled into himself, coughing and choking. Jack brought back his foot again and kicked him in the face, knocking out a few teeth.

"Ianto is a good man. You had no right to touch him like you did. I saw the marks, the scars. I know what you did."

Joe couldn't speak, just choke on his own blood.

Jack grabbed him by his shirt and dragged him to his feet. "I got an idea on what to do with you."

Joe shook his head and tried to fight but couldn't match Jack's strength. Jack dragged him out the apartment door and into the raining night air.

"Ever heard of a Weevil, Joe?" Jack asked.

The man mumbled through broken teeth, still trying to get away.

"Well, tonight's your lucky night. I know right where to find some."

Jack dragged him down an alleyway, Joe stumbling and barely able to walk as they went, Jack needing to carry most of his weight. They came to spot Jack remembered having activity at in the past. He knew there would be Weevils in the sewers there. The way Joe was sucking ragged breaths, Jack knew he was nearly done for, being shredded by Weevils was just topping on the cake.

He opened the old grate to the sewer, rain pouring down on them. He listened for a moment and then he heard it. The sound of Weevils. A smile crept over Jack's face as he shoved Joe to the ground and forced him into the sewer, locking the grate after him. Even if the Weevils didn't get him, Jack knew he would succumb to his injuries and cold. It was just a matter of time.

Just as Jack turned, straightening the collar of his Jacket, he heard a scream. It was done.

xXx

"Sir?" Ianto's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He looked up to Ianto standing in the doorway with files in hand. "You okay? You seemed lost in thought."

"I'm fine, better now that you're here," Jack said, putting his mug down and getting up.

He walked over to Ianto, putting his hands on the Welshman's hips. "Thank you for giving me a chance to love you."

Ianto brought a hand up to Jack's face, gently touching him. "I love you, Jack."

Jack pulled Ianto into a kiss, Ianto softening into his touch as Jack pulled their bodies together. Everything was falling into place. This was how it was meant to be. It was going to be okay.