Chapter 10 – It's Never Enough

Jack stood in front of the bedroom door, looking at Ianto cautiously.

"Ready?" He murmured quietly.

Ianto just nodded, no longer tired. Jack carefully opened the door and quickly covered his eyes from the sheer brightness of the light. It was like looking into the sun.

"What the hell!" Ianto covered his own eyes.

"Who are you and what did you do to us?" Jack demanded the answer from the creature.

"Repaid you." The alien's voice was soft and made them both relax, feeling somehow less threatened.

"What are you talking about?"

"You, Captain Jack Harkness, saved my people many years ago."

"I don't remember." Jack said rather disappointedly.

"You seem the sort to save everyone around you."

"This doesn't explain what you did to us." Ianto pointed out.

The creature's light somehow brightened and Ianto closed his eyes even tighter, trying all he could to block it out, "I wanted to repay him. The only thing he seemed to want was more time with you, to get to know you and love you more than he already does. This seemed like the most logical approach."

"I don't think this is what he had in mind." Ianto smiled at the sentiment, "Is there any way you can change us back?"

"If it is what he desires."

Ianto turned his head in the general direction of Jack, not wanting to open his eyes and be blinded, "Go on then hero."

Jack walked towards the young boy and cupped his face in his hands, "You are everything to me."

"Jack…"

"And I'd give everything for more time with you." He pressed his forehead to Ianto's.

"It's not that easy."

"Apparently it is. Why can't we have forever?"

"Because I'm not like that Jack. Even if we stayed like this, I'd still grow old and die. I don't want this. I want you, the you that wears a military coat and the you that walks around my flat naked for the hell of it. This isn't what I fell in love with."

"All I want is you. Forever. But I know that is the one thing I can never have." Jack sighed, "Change us back. Please."

The creature said nothing for a moment, "Are you certain?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It was fun while it lasted…but this isn't who we are."

The light dulled and Jack could just see Ianto smiling reassuringly at him. The light then began moving from the room and towards Ianto's bedroom. They followed and watched as the drawer opened, revealing the alien artefact.

"What is that?" Ianto asked curiously.

"It is a tablet. I must reprogram it for what it is you both want." Light buzzing and clicking noises came from the tablet as the light shrouded it, "I must return for it in a few days. The effects may not be immediate. You must remember this and have patience."

Ianto nodded at this and the light began to fade once more. It was like day becoming night at a much faster pace, until finally the room was dark once more.

"Well that was…different." Ianto's voice was barely a whisper.

"I'm so sorry Ianto. This was all my fault."

"How could you have known this would happen?" Ianto chuckled, "Stop blaming yourself."

"You guys okay in there?" Gwen's voice asked worriedly from over the comms.

"We're fine. Go home to Rhys. It's okay now." Jack assured.

"Okay…but call me if you need me."

Jack pulled the comm out of his ear and pulled Ianto into a strong hug. Ianto sighed, his hands instinctively falling to the small of the older boy's back.

"What do we do now?" Ianto's voice was muffled into Jack's chest.

"Go to bed? Wait it out? It'll take time, we just don't know how long."

"You wanted to leave it. You wanted to stay this way," Ianto looked up into Jack's ocean eyes, "Didn't you?"

"If it meant more time with you." Jack smiled, "Every second is precious."

"Which is why we should spend them as adults. The past is gone Jack. Aren't you the one who always says to forget about it?"

"I guess I thought we could try again and make a better past for ourselves by bringing it here, now."

Ianto chuckled, "You can't cheat like that, even though you are all knowing in such things. I wouldn't want to change it Jack. All those memories, all the horror and the chaos," He grinned, "And all the bloody wonderful things we've done with our lives, they've made us these people."

Jack smirked, "Now you're just being smart."

"I know everything."

Jack laughed, "Yes you do. Come on, bed."

Ianto tugged on Jack's arm, pulling him towards the bed and chuckled, "Don't think you're getting into my pants tonight."

"The accusation alone offends me."

A/N: I don't like this chapter much. It's short but ahh well. I had someone from school screaming at me to post it and then someone online doing the same xD so here it is. And JUST in time for my birthday as its 11.59 and my birthday ends in one minute. BAM! Please review.

Cheers,
Gabz
xx