Notes: So what's happened to Ianto – I know I've kept you waiting long enough.

Chapter 9

Jack watched helplessly as the Doctor dragged Ianto into the TARDIS and he lost his fight for life. The other Jack rushed towards the TARDIS door not daring to leave and helped the Doctor to carry Ianto in.

'Doctor, you've got to sort this; you promised. You said time could be rewritten. Everyone else gets to live; please don't let him die.'

The Doctor ran the sonic screwdriver over Ianto's seemingly lifeless body. 'River, take us to New Earth; you know when. They'll be able to deal with this. Now, as fast as you can.'

'Where are we going?' Jack asked.

'There's a hospital there; they'll be able to deal with this. Just let me work on him.' The Doctor put his mouth over Ianto's and sucked out the air, coughing as he did. 'Breathe into him, Jack; it may help'

Jack couldn't believe that their lips were going to touch again after all this time. It had been years since he'd held Ianto in his arms and yet it could have been minutes. As he breathed into him he held him close and the tears poured down his face. Between each breath he spoke.

'I'm sorry, Ianto. I should have told you the truth. I did love you; I love you still. You can't die, Ianto; be strong, come on fight. We're going to get you help.'

A few minutes later River announced, 'we're there. I've landed us straight into the isolation ward.'

Jack carried Ianto outside and stopped abruptly as he saw the cats in nurses' uniforms. He watched as the Doctor talked to one of the nurses and he was directed to a bed.

'This should work, Doctor. We're familiar with the virus as we're familiar with all viruses.' They attached a drip to Ianto's arm. He was still alive. Jack was amazed.

'Ah, you're Jack Harkness aren't you; the man who can't die. That would explain it. A little of your breath is powerful stuff; not enough to keep him alive forever, but it did the trick until you got him here. He's alive because of you; you saved him. Now let's allow this to take effect. His vitals are already improving but it'll take 24 hours to get out of his system. We'll keep him sedated until then.'

For the next 20 hours Jack kept watch at the bedside. He talked to Ianto just as Ianto had talked to him when he'd been in that coma. He poured out all the love he had for the man in front of him knowing that he'd never hear the words or hoping that somehow he would. He felt a hand touch his shoulder; he'd finally fallen asleep through exhaustion.

'Jack, wake up, Jack. You've got to leave him now. He's going to wake up soon and he'll have lots of questions. He mustn't know that you're here. He mustn't know that ever. He mustn't know that we saved him when he should be dead. It changes things, Jack. He's got to believe that this was always going to happen. Once he's awake we'll take him home. We can lock in on wherever that Jack is and go there but neither must ever know about you.'

Jack felt Ianto move. He knew he had to go. He wondered how he could exist along with the other Jack but he thought it wouldn't be the first time more than one Jack had existed in time. At least that Jack would have Ianto, even if he didn't. He kissed the man below him and without looking back walked into the TARDIS. He found a room, lay on the bed and wept.