Notes: It's that scene and that's all I'm going to say – for now. But I said there would be angst

Chapter 7

Jack watched with the Doctor and River as he and Ianto walked into the room and stood in front of the glass case holding the 456. Jack felt as if he couldn't breathe. He wanted to rush out to the man stood beside his former self and tell him the truth, tell him that he loved him more than life itself or more than death in his case. He wanted Ianto to know how important he was and how he'd only truly realised that when it was too late. He noticed that Ianto was smiling to himself as he and Jack came in the room. He also noticed the look that both men exchanged; that was new.

'Jack, stay where you are; you know they can't see us tucked away here,' the Doctor ordered. 'Even that Jack can't see us as I've got the filter on the highest possible setting and you didn't have that convenient detector available! We can only watch and hope they've taken the advice we gave them.'

'Advice? What advice? You know what happens, Doc. The building is locked down and everyone dies when they release the virus. Why are we here? What have you done? Does this have anything to do with the creatures you had me kill? Will someone please tell me before I go out there anyway, because you won't be able to stop me?'

'You can't, Jack. Look I did something. The 456 aren't a fixed event. It doesn't have to turn out as it did. The building has been evacuated and the lockdown turned off, except for this room. The 456 will release the virus but only the room will lock.'

'But that means Ianto will still die,' Jack said.

'No, they know, so they must have plans in place. They must have some idea of what they're dealing with,' River explained.

'Hang on Ianto's wearing his coat. He didn't have a coat on when he was with me. Perhaps he's got a mask hidden underneath. Perhaps you're right, Doc.' Jack could only hope that this was true.

'Jack, just watch will you, or if you can't just go somewhere else, but please shut up as I'm trying to hear.' The Doctor sounded exasperated but River knew that he was just concerned as to whether this was going to work. She turned to look at the Doctor saying quietly, 'Doctor, the man is his lover, what do you expect him to be like?'

She went over and hugged Jack and then they sat and watched the screen as events unfolded before them back in the room.

'I'm Captain Jack Harkness. I've dealt with you lot before. I'm here to explain why this time you're not getting what you want.' Both men stood side by side facing the glass. The creatures moved within and then spoke.

'You yielded in the past.'

'Don't I know it,' Jack continued. 'I was there in 1965. I was part of the trade. That's why I'm never going to let it happen again.'

Ianto looked at Jack. This was the Jack he admired, heroic and strong, ready to face anyone or anything.

'Explain!' the creatures demanded.

'There's a saying here on Earth, a very old, very wise friend of mine taught me.' In the TARDIS Jack looked at the Doctor and mouthed one word, 'You.'

'An injury to one is an injury to all. And when people act according to that philosophy the human race is the finest species in the universe.'

Jack felt the three beats on his wrist strap. He knew that Clem was in place and winked at Ianto.

'Never mind the philosophy; what he's saying is you're not getting one solitary single child. The deal is off,' Ianto clarified.

'Umm I like the philosophy,' Jack responded looking at him.

'I gathered,' said Ianto standing firm. He had no intention of leaving Jack until he had to.

'You yielded in the past. You will do so again,' the 456 continued seemingly undaunted by what the men before them had said.

'In the past the numbers were secret, that isn't going to happen. Everything that was said has bee recorded. The tapes will be released unless you leave this planet for good.'

'You yielded in the past. You will do so again.' It was like hearing a broken record.

'When people find out the truth you will have over six billion angry human beings take up arms to fight you. In the end the human race, in defence of its children, will fight to the death. And if I have to lead them into battle, I will!' Ianto wanted to hug Jack just to show him how proud he was of him.

'Look for Captain Jack Harkness. Go back 150 years and see what you're facing,' Ianto said.

'This is fascinating but you will see; action has been taken. You are already dying as everyone else will die if you oppose us.' As the voice ended the door slammed shut.

'No, it's too soon. Ianto get your mask on quickly!' Ianto began to fumble inside his coat.

'That will be no use,' the 456 continued. 'A virus has been released for at least five minutes. The building will lock down and everyone in it will die. Did you think we would be unaware of your plans for this building?'

'Jack, I've already breathed the air?' Ianto cried grabbing at him.

'Put the mask on,' Jack shouted.

It's too late. You will die,' the voice intoned again.

'No, you will!' Jack touched his wrist strap as Ianto collapsed next to him. The 456 began to thrash smashing green and yellow liquid against the glass.

'We know how to defeat you now,' Jack yelled at them whilst holding Ianto in his arms. 'Go and never come back!' He turned to the man he loved. 'Ianto, no, don't die; you can't die, not now. You weren't meant to die. Ianto, stay with me, stay with me, please.'

'Hey, it was good, yeah.' The young man in his arms looked up, tears filling his eyes.

'Yeah.' Jack found he couldn't say anything else. His mind was trying to find answers. This wasn't supposed to happen.

'Don't forget me, Jack.'

'Never could,' Jack said, meaning it more than anything else he'd ever said to Ianto.

'In a thousand years time you won't remember me,' Ianto continued, tears rolling down the faces of both men.

'Yes I will; I promise, I will.' Jack watched on helplessly as Ianto lost his fight for life and his head fell to one side. 'Ianto, don't leave me, please. Don't go, please don't.' Jack knew that he would die too. He reached down and kissed Ianto, a last kiss as he too waited to die.

In the TARDIS Jack looked on helplessly; once again he watched the man he loved appear to die. As he looked at the Doctor Jack uttered one simple plea, 'Do something!'