Chapter 10

Author's Note

This is the final chapter of the Return of Ianto Jones.

I do not own Torchwood or any of the characters if I did there would be no need for this story.

Jack had sat for hours in the waiting room. Gwen was still sitting next to him but Rhys had to go home to watch their son. He had told Gwen he couldn't leave little Jack with his grandparents for much longer. Gwen and Jack sat in silence staring at the door to the waiting room.

"How much longer?" Gwen asked herself trying not to disturb Jack.

At her words the door opened and Jack stood up automatically. A doctor with a chart entered the room.

"Mr Harkness? Ms Cooper?" the doctor asked them.

"Captain Harkness but yes that's us," Jack answered.

"I take it you're not family to Mr Jones?" the doctor quizzed.

"I bloody am," Jack said trying not to yell, "I'm his partner."

Gwen sighed as the doctor raised his eyebrows, "Look Doctor we don't care what your views on same sex relationships are – we just want to know how Ianto is."

The doctor raised his eyebrow further, "Very well – Mr Jones has received severe internal bleeding due to multiple stab wounds and lacerations. His arm is dislocated and he has a broken leg," the doctor stated, "He had several broken ribs and he has concussion."

Jack looked at the doctor, "And will he be okay?"

"Yes he'll make a full recovery but I'll have to inform the police," the doctor stated formally, "You both will have to stay and give witness statements."

That was when Gwen stepped in, "No need I'm Police Constable Gwen Cooper," she said taking out her badge, "We're Torchwood."

The doctor's eyes widened, "Torchwood?" he gasped.

"Yes and we want to see Ianto!"

The doctor didn't need to be asked twice. He opened the door for them and led them to the intensive care unit where Ianto had been put after surgery.

"He's right over there," the doctor said before walking away.

Gwen walked over and almost began crying. Ianto was covered in bandages and his leg was in a cast. His arm had been reset and placed in a sling so he couldn't move it. His head was bandaged from where John had kicked him. The young Welshman looked a mess and it broke Gwen's heart.

"Oh Ianto..." Gwen trailed off.

She looked towards Jack who she couldn't decide was in shock at Ianto's appearance or if he was angry all over again.

"I'm going to help you get better," Jack whispered, "I promise."

He took Ianto's unbandaged hand and held it gently. He cried for his lover. Silently but Gwen could still see the tears glistening Jack's skin. The gentle heave of his shoulders as his body shuddered. She didn't know how to help – either of them. They just sat beside Ianto's hospital bed and protected him. Ianto had been the youngest of the original team. They would protect him now like they should have done before.

Due to the fact that Gwen's was neither family nor his partner, she had to leave when visiting hours ended. Jack however was allowed to stay. He had promised to phone Gwen the minute something changed. So Gwen walked home to Rhys and their son, her heart heavy with sorrow. She walked up to her son's room as soon as she was home and hugged him. The little boy just looked at his mother smiling: hugging her back.

In the hospital Jack became restless. He hated hospitals. They were to clean for his liking. He only stayed because he didn't want to leave Ianto again, never again. He laid his head on the side of the bed as he sat hunched over. A gentle touch caused him to sit up.

"Ianto..." Jack breathed the word, "You're awake."

"Barely..." Ianto trailed off as he tried to sit up, "Why can't I move?"

Ianto struggled to sit up causing himself to be in even more pain than before.

"Where am I?" he demanded.

"Ianto calm down, you're in the hospital," Jack replied soothingly, "And you can't move because the doctor's had to strap you down to keep you in place."

"Why?" Ianto asked confused.

"There was a lot of damage;" Jack answered each question truthfully, "John nearly killed you."

Ianto closed his eyes. The memory of what happened over the past few days, rising to the surface. He felt tears on his face and he realised he was crying, which only made the physical pain he was in a lot worst but he couldn't stop. Jack tried to dry his eyes but the Welshman continued crying till there were no more tears. The mental scars would be there a lot longer than the physical ones.

"It's okay Ianto," Jack whispered, "Just let it out I'm here."

Ianto's head rested on Jack's knee as he cried. He felt all the pain physically and mentally. It was always going to be with him. This was worse than the darkness.

"I'm so lost Jack," he whispered to the captain, "I can't find my way back."

Jack took in a deep breath as he ran his fingers through Ianto's hair.

"If you get lost Ianto I'm here to help you find your way home," Jack whispered, "Always."

Jack held onto Ianto gently, so as not to cause him more pain. He didn't know how to help him but he wasn't going to give up. He was going to make sure Ianto found a reason to smile again.

"When can I go home?" he asked, his voice weak from the crying, "I hate hospitals."

Jack smiled softly as he heard his lover's words. Hating hospitals was one more thing they had in common. He had just kept stroking the younger man's hair – trying his best to comfort him. To show him love – the way it was meant to be.

"Soon Cariad," Jack whispered.

"You finally learned some Welsh." Ianto said his voice showing some happiness.

"I had a great teacher," Jack replied.

Ianto fell asleep to the gentle singing coming from Jack's lips. He smiled softly as he dreamt of the captain.

A few months later...

Ianto hobbled around the hub on crutches. Gwen and Jack had tried to convince him to stay at home until his leg healed. Ianto had simply informed them they had to stop worrying and let him do his job. Jack had been watching him like a hawk and Gwen had been very motherly. He appreciated them both for what they were trying to do.

"Jack?" he knocked on the door. "I brought you some coffee."

Jack jumped at hearing the Welsh accent from the door. He quickly hid a little box and smiled.

"Hey Ianto thank you," Jack said smiling more, "You okay?"

The younger man smiled, "Couldn't be better Jack!"

With some counselling Ianto was beginning to deal with what had happened to him. He was smiling, laughing and even singing again. Jack had noticed this and had thought it the best time to do what he had been planning. He had told Gwen and Rhiannon his plan and they had both been thrilled.

"What are you up too Jack?" Ianto asked curiously.

"It's a secret," came the reply as Jack kissed Ianto and walked to the door, "Meet me in the archives room in half an hour."

Ianto looked confused but agreed.

Half an hour later Ianto hobbled down the steps towards the archives. He was still confused but it was Jack he would have gone to the end of the world for Jack. He always would.

"SURPRISE!" everyone yelled as he switched on the light.

"Oh don't tell me you forgot your own birthday?" Gwen said laughing as she hugged her best friend without causing him to topple.

"Bloody hell I guess I did," he laughed.

"Your 31 now Ianto," Gwen laughed.

Ianto groaned – he was still getting older but on one level it wasn't as bad as before.

"Where's Jack?" Ianto asked dazed but happy.

"Behind you Cariad," Jack said happily.

Ianto turned to face his smiling captain. He had to restrain himself. He was shocked though as Jack knelt down on one knee and looked towards Ianto.

"Ianto Jones I love you more than I ever thought possible," Jack said looking up at him, "You make my world a little more bearable by just loving me."

Ianto didn't speak as Jack entwined, "When I lost you it was like all the life and colour disappeared from my world. It was like someone had covered my eyes with a blindfold but I couldn't remove it," he said the smile still on his lips, "When the doctor told me you had returned I was overjoyed – when I saw you again all the colour and life rushed back. You're all I ever wanted and more. I need you with me like we need to breathe," He paused for a moment, "And here in front of our friends on this your birthday I'm asking...will you be my husband? My life partner?"

Ianto was speechless as he looked towards Jack. Jack stood up so Ianto didn't have to struggle. He dropped one of the crutches and pulled Jack towards him. He took in a deep breath as he kissed Jack. He pulled back a few seconds later.

"Is that a yes?" Jack asked stunned.

"Of course it's a yes," Ianto said shocked, "Why ever would I say no?"

Jack stood up picking the younger man up as he went and hugged him.

Gwen smiled as she watched them both. She took Rhys' hand and smiled more.

"CONGRATULATIONS!" Rhys bellowed, "THREE CHEERS FOR JACK AND IANTO!"

The room erupted into cheers and well wishes. Ianto had received the most perfect birthday present ever. One he would cherish the rest of his life.

"I love you..."

Ianto smiled as both men – both he and Jack spoke the same words at the same time. Their lives would always be happy as long as they had each other. And together they would always stay.

Authors Note

Well there it was the final chapter. Just to let people know I ended it where I did because it was called the Return of Ianto Jones meaning I couldn't do the wedding – that's another story.

Please Review and tell me what you think.

I have another Torchwood story in the works.