In The Beginning Chapter 10

I was put into a trance once.

A strange sound was coming in over the phone line, had already claimed one victim, to our knowledge. I just had to answer that damn phone.

A few seconds later, and I was out for the count. I don't remember much, except Ianto being at my side, talking to me.

This is what I remember…

"They say you're supposed to talk to people when they're in a coma, don't they?" Pause. "I have absolutely no idea whether you can hear me, Jack." Pause. "I never heard of anybody coming out of one and carrying on the conversation." Nervous laugh. "So I suspect it's something the doctors tell us to do, to make us feel better, rather than help you." Another pause. "We don't feel quite so useless and helpless. We get the feeling there's still some sort of purpose in our lives. We're not just waiting. Waiting for the science to work, or the miracle to happen. Or the nightmare to end." Pause. " I'm not much of a talker Jack, you know that. But I'll talk to you know on the off chance that it helps. Just promise me, if you're hearing this that when you come round, and you're going to Jack. You're gonna come out of this. Just promise me you'll never bring up anything I say to you now." Pause. " How's that? We got a deal?" Long pause. "This must be the longest I've ever looked at you, and not seen you smile. I've watched you in your sleep. Did you know that? So many times. Just woken up beside you in the middle of the night, and watched you. Watched your eyes moving behind your eyelids as you dreamed, and tried to imagine what a man like you could possibly dream about. The things you've seen. The lives you've lives. The people you've loved. I wondered if you were dreaming about me. I hoped you were dreaming about me. But let's be honest Jack, I'm nothing more than a blip in time for you. Every day, I grow a little older. But you're immortal. You've already lived a thousand lifetimes. How could you watch me grow old and die? How can I watch you live, and never age a day? I suppose, we both know that will never be a problem. Not in this job. No one in Torchwood ever lives to draw their pension, do they?" His voice trembles. "Even if by some miracle I live to see my hair turn grey, or, or god forbid, fall out, I don't kid myself that you'd still be around to see it. One day, you'll go again. Just like you did before, and this time, you won't be back." Controls his emotions. "Maybe that's what you're dreaming about those nights when I watch you sleeping. Maybe that's why, even when you sleep, I see you smile. But you haven't gone yet Jack. I know that. I know you're coming back to me."

I heard every word. If I could have moved, I would have taken him in my arms and held him close. Told him everything was okay. That I was fine.

When I came out of the trance, and we were alone, Ianto asked….

"So, you don't remember anything about the trance?"

"No. Did you talk to me while I was out of it? They say that's what you should do."

"I talked, a little. But I'm not really much of a talker."

"I know."

"But that's just me."

"Yeah. But you never will be just a blip in time, Ianto Jones. Not for me."

That evening was really special. I'll leave it to your imagination.

Not too smutty now. Kids might read this.

As if.