As before I don't own Torchwood, it's all BBC

This was written for all the Ianto loversout there, hope I did him justice.

Things were going great at the pub. Jack helped out Endie at the bar, and Endie was teaching Jack all about kick boxing. Jack even took to having a little fun, he would spend some nights gambling with the patrons. Endie enjoyed watching him on those nights, Jack was very good at it, he only ever lost a couple of times and Endie was sure he did it on purpose. Jack won all sorts of items, things from clothing to mechnical parts, to bits and pieces of a computer. Endie had no idea what he was doing with all of it, Jack had purchased an empty storage room behind the pub, and kept everything locked up tight. Endie was never allowed in, Jack always saying it was just his personal area. Endie supposed everyone needed his space, besides Jack had never even stepped a foot into Endies bedroom. Guess all is fair in love and war. Love, a fickle thing, he never thought he would love again, but now, there's just something about "Jim" that attracts him, maybe it's his eyes, or that really nice ass, or maybe it's just the mystery the surrounds him, he wasn't very sure, he just knew he liked to be around him. There were times it seemed like Jim wanted to be around Endie, they would talk and laugh, then a sadness would fall over his face, and he would always run away. He understands though he knows the sadness, and once he thought too it would never end.

Times passes and the healing begins. One morning after their normal workout Endie decides it's time. He asks Jack to wait for him downstairs at the bar. Endie goes to his bedroom opens a drawer and pulls out a box wrapped in a handkerchief and tied up in string. He had no idea what was inside he never even tried to open it, but it was time. He headed downstairs to find Jack, who was waiting at the bar for him.

Endie walked over and took a seat next to him at the bar. " Jim, do you remember the first night you came in here?"

Jack looks up trying to remember. " I do remember some of it. I remember walked in here and ordered a drink but after that it's pretty foggy. Why do you ask? "

Endie sets the box on top of the bar. " After you finished off a couple bottles I went to the back to check on you. You were wasted, totally polluted, but for a brief moment you had some clarity you took this out of your pocket and told me to keep it safe, guard it with my life. You told me it was very important, and someday you would want it back. You said I would know when the time was right, and the time is now. " He pushed the box in front of Jack.

Jack takes the box, at first confused, then it clicked in his mind. He flashes back into the past. He sees it as clearly as if he was standing there. It was after the funeral Ianto's sister came over to him she didn't say a word just put it in his hand and left. He opened his hand, looked at what was inside and fell to his knees crying. Back in the present his eyes saddened and filled with tears. He slowly unwrapped the box, he opens it and pulled out what was inside. He was overcome with emotion, he put his hand over his eyes, resting his forhead there the other hand had a firm grip on the object.

Endie is concerned and puts his arm across Jacks shoulders. " Maybe I was wrong, maybe this wasn't the right time. I am so sorry Jim. "

Jack looks up at Endie, tears flooded his face. " No Endie this was just the right time. " He reached into the box pulled it out and opened his hand to show Endie. " This was the perfect time. "

As his hand opened Endie could see what it contained. Inside was a well worn stop watch, he could tell from Jacks reaction it held a very special meaning. Endie wanted to ask him, but decided to just wait. A long silence followed, Jack finally looked up at Endie.

" I thought it was gone, that I had lost it. I had no idea I had given it to you for safe keeping. This was all I had left of him." Jack rubs his fingers over the watch all the memories come rushing back, good times, bad times, he shook his head side to side trying to unscramble them he began sobbing as he spoke. " Thank you Endie, thank you so much for taking care of this. I am very grateful. If it wouldn't be too much too ask, I'd really like some time alone."

Endie stands, " I understand, Jim, I am sorry for your loss. " Endie left Jack sitting there at the bar staring at the stopwatch.

A voice seemed to materialize out of no where.

" You should go after him Sir, he really does care about you. He would probably enjoy trying to come up with new ideas on how to use a

stopwatch."

" I know that, you don't have to tell me, he probably would and stop calling me Sir. "

" Captain, pardon me if I am blunt, but you look like Hell ! Seems to me you could use a good cup of coffee, a shave, haircut, some clothes, and what's that smell? I also assume your coat must be at the cleaners."

Jack looked up to see an image of Ianto standing before him. He doesn't question what it was he saw he just accepted it. He had too.

"Sorry I had been working out earlier, haven't showered yet."

" That's really no excuse , Sir."

" As for the coat and the old clothes, I shed them as I shed my old life. They are gone."

" That was a bold move, unfortunately you chose to loose the coat as well, it had always looked so good on you."

"Ianto I miss you, more than I ever thought could be possible. "

" I know that Sir, and I know you kept your promise to me. You haven't forgotten me. "

" And I never will ! "

" Jack, I know there were times you doubted me, The incident with Lisa, the rift, but ever since we rolled around on that warehouse floor, I knew I wanted to be with you. I was just too blinded with grief to do something about it. I regret the time we lost. Don't you regret it too."

" The only thing I have regretted was allowing you to join Torchwood in the first place. I didn't let you in because of your expertise, I wanted you there because I was attracted to you, and now you are dead. My vanity, wants and needs came first. I was an arrogant selfish bastard and I managed to get everyone I loved ( He looked down at the bar, his finger still rubbed the watch) ...killed. "

" Enough wallowing in self pity, I have watched you night after night drink yourself do death, wake up screaming in terror, and ignore the one person who tried to help you. Get over yourself ! You are going to be around for a long time, you will need love and companionship, it's time to move on Sir, time to let me go. As Owen would say it's all bollocks. You forgave him, Tosh and Gwen, and even me, now it's time you forgave yourself."

Jack looks up breathing ragged from crying he saw Ianto standing before him, but his image was slowly fading away.

" It's time for me to go Jack.

" No don't go, I need you! "

Long pause " Sir.... Jack.... I forgive you."

Ianto has completely faded away, Jack stands there alone leaning on the bar his heart heavy, body drooping. He puts his hand on his forehead brushes the hair from his face, swallows the large lump in his throat, grabs a bottle from behind the bar, looked at it, started to walk away, stopped looked at the bottle again, then angrily threw it against the wall where it shattered. He turned away from it and headed down the stairs to his room. Once there he slung himself across the bed and wept.

Again thanks to my Beta Annie !!! Please take a moment to review, I welcome all comments.