Chapter Last Edited 24/3/16

Chapter 6

Following a subdued late-night dinner consisting of Chinese take-out and pizza, the members of Torchwood Cardiff, Harry and Luna once again gathered in the board room.

Harry sighed warily, taking Luna's hand in his before continuing on with his story, "After Pixie had taken Ginny away I crashed. Spent the rest of the night drinking and musing over if's, what's and why's. It wasn't until after lunch the following day that I became sober enough to think straight. First thing I did was Floo call all the wedding invitees and tell them it was off. Then I called Arthur Weasley, Molly's husband, who told me that Robards had sent Aurors to pick up Molly earlier that morning and that she was being charged with attempted theft, amongst others. He was quick to reassure me that neither he nor any other Weasley family members had any idea as to what they were planning."

"He called me next," Luna continued, "Ginny was my best friend, but after the war, things were different. Instead Harry was always the one who was there when I needed him, especially after Neville." Luna smiled sadly. Harry leaned down, kissing her forehead in comfort, both remembering their tragic loss.

"Later that afternoon I went to Gringotts, the wizarding bank. It wasn't until Ginny had mentioned my fortune that I even considered that I was rich. I never knew. Most pureblood or half-blood children know about their heritage because they are raised knowing about it. Between being raised in the muggle world and having a psychopathic killer after me for most of my life, then the war and aftermath, I had never been told or had time to consider what my parents had left for me."

Harry twirled the rings on his finger, remembering the day he had got them with vivid clarity.

"It's funny… I honestly thought after the war, things would become easier, more peaceful. Merlin… I was so naïve." Harry scoffed at himself.

"You weren't to know," Luna murmured comfortingly, "you thought you could trust them and they let you down."

"You aren't the first to be let down by someone you trusted," Jack muttered darkly, thinking back – or forward – to the Doctors abandonment of him.

Gwen turned to glare at Ianto, "Or nearly killed." Ianto flinched, lowering his head.

"Gwen!" Jack barked, "Enough. Move on."

"It would be wise to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that one day, it may be YOU that puts your team members in danger. And perhaps, looking back on your current actions, they will not feel too forgiving." Luna advised, her dazed eyes cooling and sharpening as her gaze rested on Gwen, before softening at Ianto's thankful look.

"Perhaps this story would be best finished at a later date," Harry announced, his face blank, though it was clear that he had been personally affected by Gwen's accusation.

Jack sighed, glaring at Gwen, before turning to the couple, "Yes, that would be best. It's getting late anyway. When would it okay for you guys to finish this?"

Harry and Luna shared a glance, at Luna's nod Harry continued, "We have nowhere else to be, so whenever you have a spare minute. Though, it's Ellie's funeral tomorrow, and since you now know about our world… if you would like to attend, you would be most welcome."

Toshiko smiled sadly at the couple and, at Jack's nod, replied "We would be most honoured."

"Well, count me out, I'm busy. Tomorrow is Rhys' day off so we are going to have a movie day." Gwen announced.

Jack's smile tightened, "Ianto, Owen, Tosh. Please show our guests out. Thank you so much for coming. See you both tomorrow."

As the five left the room, Jack booming voice followed them. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! YOU DON'T JUST SAY THINGS LIKE THAT AFTER SOMEONE INVITES YOU TO A FUNERAL!" Gwen could be heard stuttering, but Jack's voice overpowered her, "AND SINCE WHEN DID YOU ASK ME IF YOU COULD HAVE TOMORROW OFF."

"Well, thank you for coming. What time is the funeral? And where?" Ianto questioned as they arrived at the tourist door.

"It is really no trouble, thank you for allowing us to explain. Tomorrow, I think it would be best if I came and got you all at around 10am. There will be a public wizarding funeral first and it's difficult for muggles to get there." Harry answered, Luna nodded in agreement.

"Lovely. See you then." Toshiko waved.

Following all of the goodbyes, the couple spun around, and with a pop disappeared.

"Odd. Wonder how they do that?" Owen proclaimed.

"Magic." Tosh smiled.

Ianto chuckled quietly, before they all walked back towards the main part of the hub. They arrived just in time to catch Gwen's yell, "Well Jack, I don't know why we should care anyway. It's not like we knew the girl."

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT! It's common decency to attend a funeral if you've been invited. Beside we owe it to ELLIE, to at least say goodbye, since we didn't save her."

"Well, go then. But I'm not."

"FINE!

"ALRIGHT."

"No, actually. Do you know what Gwen, don't bother coming in for a week. Go take some lessons in common decency. God knows you need them. Just go."

As Gwen's screeching reached the deafening stage, Jack just turned and stormed out of the room into his office.

Tosh and Owen glanced at each other. "Home time." Owen mouthed to Tosh, who nodded. Ianto watched the two gather their things and leave, before walking to the kitchen area to make coffee for himself and Jack.

Just before he walked out of the kitchenette he heard the sirens announcing Gwen's departure, and let out a sigh of relief. Walking into Jack's office, he found the man leaning back in his chair with his feet on his desk looking thoroughly worn out.

"She just saps the energy right out of you, doesn't she?" Jack murmured, reaching blindly for his heavenly coffee. Ianto chuckled, handing it over and taking a sip of his own.

"Harry will be coming by at around 10am to take us all – minus Gwen, of course – to the funeral."

Jack scoffed, "I cannot believe I hired that woman for her humanity and compassion."

Ianto smiled softly, "You aren't the first person to be let down by someone."

Jack's eyes opened slowly, focusing on Ianto's self-hating face. "Yan… You did what you thought you had to in order to save someone you loved…"

Ianto let out a chocked sob, "I… I killed…"

"NO. No. Ianto Jones, you did not kill those people. The cyber-tech killed them."

"Yes, but…"

"No. Enough. Yan, you did what you thought you had to. Yes, in hindsight what you did was a mistake. But you didn't do it on purpose or knowing how it would all turn out."

Ianto sobbed. Jack sat up and, slowly approaching Ianto with his hands spread out wide and low, gathered him in a hug. "It's going to be okay. We all forgive you, and we definitely all understand. Owen probably more than anyone."

Ianto nodded into Jack's shoulder, before gathering himself and stepping back. Clearing his throat, "We should- We should get some rest. I think tomorrow is going to be a long day."

Jack smiled softly, "Do you want to stay here with me tonight?"

Ianto gazed back at Jack hesitantly, then smiled tentatively. With a small look of satisfaction, Jack began to lead Ianto towards his bunker, beneath his office.