Xander lay sleeping in Jack's bed, covered with a blanket, clothed, and provided with water at an arm's reach. Jack elected to stay behind, it was his bed after all, to see to Xander's care and answer all questions. Not that they'd be easy to answer mind you.

Ianto reminded dutiful as ever. The conversation right before Jack had left had been intense and made him think about Ianto. He knew, always knew, no one on his team was dispensable, but by trying to make Ianto happier, he had turned him into that dispensable thing he hated so much.

He wanted so much to be with Ianto. He watched Ianto trying not to sneak glances at him, eyes burning to rove over every inch of his body, memorizing breath and emotion. He organized and shuttled about, making things ready and disassembling the scanner for parts. Knee deep in paperwork and requisitions to file away the scraps for later use; Jack sat on the floor, letting his leg swing over the grate, continuing to watch Ianto's methodical and adept system shore up his world.

Marry me a little,
Love me just enough.
Cry, but not too often,
Play, but not too rough.

Keep a tender distance
so we'll both be free.
That's the way it ought to be.
I'm ready!

He thought about how Gwen had wanted him to marry her. How consumed she had been by it. He affected people to a frightening point. It was his natural charisma; his easy gait. Even as a Time Cop; he had been special. Jack thought about dancing with the other Jack. Eventually, he'd have to tell Ianto. He was tired of the secrets. He was tired of holding in the tears about what the Master had done. Maybe it was time to let someone in.

Marry me a little,
Do it with a will.
Make a few demands
I'm able to fulfill.

Want me more than others,
Not exclusively.
That's the way it ought to be.
I'm ready!
I'm ready now!

He wondered if Ianto really did want a vacation. His eyes were bloodshot early in the morning, and Jack knew he was being lied to. Ianto wasn't allergic; he kept a very well-priced air purifier tucked away near the bed just for that purpose. He imagined playing in the snow, in the mountains. Snow angels, hot chocolate, fires in lodges, warm beds, warm bodies. Jack shook himself and moved closer, listening for sounds in case Xander stirred.

You can be my best friend,
I can be your right arm.
We'll go through a fight or two--
No harm, no harm.

We'll look not too deep,
We'll go not too far.
We won't have to give up a thing,
We'll stay who we are.

Right?
Okay, then.
I'm ready!
I'm ready now!

Ianto: Sir, it's not polite to stare.

Jack: (shuffles over with his hands in his pockets) Honestly, after all we've been through, you still feel like I'm a sir?

Ianto: I live for my job.

Jack: I know. And you keep me living. Put down the paperwork.

Ianto: But what about the boy?

Jack: This isn't Tommy the Musical. I'll hear him if something happens. Right now, he's safe and I need to be to.

Someone--
Marry me a little,
Love me just enough.
Warm and sweet and easy,
Just the simple stuff.

Keep a tender distance
So we'll both be free.
That's the way it ought to be.
I'm ready!

Jack: Ianto...I

Ianto: Don't say it if you don't mean it

Jack: I love...paper clips.

Ianto: They do keep papers together.

Marry me a little,
Body, heart, and soul.
Passionate as hell
But always in control.

Want me first and foremost,
Keep me company.
That's the way it ought to be.
I'm ready!
I'm ready now!

Oh, how gently we'll talk,
Oh, how softly we'll tread.
All the stings,
The ugly things
We'll keep unsaid.

We'll build a cocoon
Of love and respect.
You promise whatever you like,
I'll never collect.

Right?
Okay, then.
I'm ready.
I'm ready now.
Someone--

Ianto reaches across the desk, away from Jack. Jack shakes his head, feeling as though he'll burst. He grabs Ianto and says three words he only said three times before. Once to his brother, once to the Doctor, and once to Martha.

Jack: Ianto Jones, I love you.


I'm ready!