A/N: Hehe, sorry about leaving you all with a cliffhanger ;) May I just say, that the song in this scene has been my absolute favourite to write so far! :) It's just such a beautiful song and melody, and fit Jack perfectly... I definitely recommend listening to it while you read! Anyways, hope you enjoy it. Haven't got the next couple of scenes totally sorted yet, I do hope I won't let you all down with a long wait - I'll do my best. :)

13. Look At Me (Reprise): Think Of Me (The Phantom Of The Opera)

14. Darkness Of The Dead: Music Of The Night (The Phantom Of The Opera)


SCENE THREE:

(The silence continues, but only for long enough so as to make the audience slightly uncomfortable. Then, we hear the sound of footsteps, and IANTO arrives onstage. He is relaxed, at ease at first, but when he sees JACK and the MARA-FAIRY lying dead he gives a shocked gasp of breath, a strangled scream, and jerks to a halt.)

IANTO: It... it can't be!

(IANTO takes a few stumbling steps towards JACK, and falls to his knees beside JACK. Shaking, he touches JACK, tenderly touching the gash in his neck – his fingers becoming covered in blood. His fingers sweep across JACK's bleeding chest, and slide down to his wrist to take his pulse. IANTO sits still for a moment, then lowers JACK's wrist back down – evidently, there is no pulse. He chokes over a sob, but his face is still relatively calm or blank – he won't let himself show his true emotion. The music starts as he starts smoothing out JACK's clothes, making him look tidy.)

['Look At Me: Reprise']

IANTO: [sings]
Can this be...
Can this be happening?

Jack...

Look at us
Oh Jack, now, look at us
Defeated before we could start

You will never know
How I felt
Deep within my heart...

(IANTO now brings his eyes up to JACK's face, and he peers into it, his face beginning to crumble a bit. He hauls JACK into a more upright position, but JACK's head lolls back uselessly. The next lines are sung with the threat of tears.)

I never should
Have gone and left you here
I could have saved you, tried my best!

But now it is much
Too late to wake
You from this rest!

(IANTO now buries his head in JACK's shoulder. He has pulled JACK into his lap, and is cradling him, holding him desperately as the music turns into a haunting melody (from 'Look At Me'). However, the music suddenly stops as JACK gives a great gasp for breath, and flails around as he comes back into life. He lets out yelps of pain, and IANTO snaps his head up in shock, and just stares at JACK. JACK stares back in shock too. His hands have clamped down firmly on IANTO's arms – a way of anchoring himself into the world of the living. IANTO cannot say anything.)

JACK: (with a slight attempt at a chuckle)
This must be one of the best wake-ups I've ever had, all wrapped up in a gorgeous Welshman – and that's saying something.

(IANTO is taking deep breaths, trying to stop himself breathing too quickly, but not doing a terribly good job.)

IANTO: S-Sir?

(A small smile is playing on JACK's lips.)

JACK: Could we maybe drop the 'sir' now?

(IANTO takes a shaky breath and quirks one side of his mouth upwards.)

IANTO: Jack.

(JACK's smile grows, and he tries to sit up more, but hisses in pain, grimacing. IANTO clutches him tighter.)

JACK: (trying to catch his breath)
Ianto.

IANTO: I... you were – I don't – your... your blood...

(JACK lifts a hand, despite another grunt of pain, and gently cups IANTO's chin, stroking his cheek with his thumb – wiping away IANTO's tears that slowed from shock.)

JACK: It's okay. I'm alright.

(IANTO moves his eyes down to JACK's neck, and stares at it, in shock and in wonder. He moves his own hand, as if in a trance, to trace JACK's skin – the gash in his neck has knitted itself back together, and there is barely a scar there. He slides his hand further down to JACK's chest, and feels around for the wound.)

IANTO: But – but I saw it! That Mara-Fairy had – had –

(IANTO swallows a sob)

It had ripped your chest open.

(JACK doesn't say anything, just looks into IANTO's eyes. IANTO looks away and starts ripping open JACK's shirt buttons, exposing his chest.)

JACK: (amused)
You only had to ask!

(IANTO ignores him, however, and traces his fingers over JACK's chest. The wound is gone – all that remains, here and on JACK's neck, is his blood.)

IANTO: You – you're healed!

(IANTO gazes helplessly at JACK.)

I don't understand. How is that possible? I – I checked your pulse, and you – you were dead!

(IANTO bites out another sob, bowing his head, but JACK lifts his chin again to meet his eyes.)

JACK: (now serious, but with a soft, gentle tone)
I can't die.

(IANTO gives a humourless laugh.)

IANTO: Right.

JACK: But I can't.

(JACK lets out a deep breath, wincing as his neck moves.)

Something happened to me a while back... and ever since then, I can't die. I don't understand it myself... it just is.

(IANTO just stares at JACK – it is clear that he believes him, no matter how crazy it sounds. IANTO now reaches out and smoothes JACK's hair, running his fingers through it.)

IANTO: (murmuring)
Oh, Jack. I... why didn't you tell any of us?

JACK: It's not something I generally go spouting off about – it tends to freak people out. Plus it – well, it makes it more real, I guess.

(IANTO just looks at him – his face an expression of pity and sorrow, as well as a hint of relief.)

IANTO: (still murmuring)
Come here.

(IANTO gently helps JACK into a sitting position, and then, after making sure JACK is steady, he helps him to stand. JACK is still weak and stiff after coming back to life, so must clutch at IANTO's arms for support. JACK's shirt is still hanging open, and when they are standing, they suddenly seem to realise how close they are to each other – their embrace hugs them to one another. IANTO takes a sharp intake of breath, and moves back slightly.

Are you sure you're okay, to –

(JACK nods and 'shushes' him by placing a finger on IANTO's lips. IANTO shuts up, taken by surprise, and tenses up a little. Music starts playing for JACK's song.)

['Darkness of the Dead']

JACK: [sings]
Darkness greets you
Suffocates your senses
Silence deafens
Tempts you with pretences

Slowly the pain fades
And the harsh numbness pervades

(JACK moves out of IANTO's arms and slowly glides over the stage, a spotlight now on both him and IANTO – brighter on JACK. IANTO stays still, arms still raised slightly around the ghost of JACK's presence, watching JACK as he sings.)

Gasping, grasping
Can't escape the black frost
Blinds me, binds me
All alone – my soul's lost!

Dragged back into life
Like breathing through a knife
Being hauled over
Broken glass, and being bled
Be consumed by the darkness of the dead!

(JACK moves around the stage now, coat streaming out behind him. IANTO makes a movement as if to go to him, follow him, but stays put.)

Close your eyes and surrender to the dark nightmares
Try to keep hold of all you knew before
Close your eyes, feel your mind begin to sink
And you'll float, fly away and cease to think

Swirling, twirling
Let the darkness whisper
Bend me, break me
Threatening but so tender

Falling half in love
With the light shining above
Always reaching out
For what has long since fled
And listen to the darkness of the dead!

(JACK now spins around and crosses the stage to IANTO, pressing himself flush against IANTO. A slightly desperate look is in his eyes, and IANTO wishes that he knew how to help JACK, to make him feel alive again. JACK's hand rests against the side of IANTO's face, and IANTO raises a shaking hand to mirror this on JACK's face.)

When that first gasp of air is thrown into my lungs
I forget what life I've come back to live
When I'm thrown back to life, I barely cope!
But with you there, I can begin to hope...

(The music tapers off to be a quiet background melody, still continuing on a loop, as there will be more lyrics. IANTO lets a single tear fall down his cheek, and he takes a deep breath.)

IANTO: Jack, I –

(But before IANTO can say anything, JACK has closed the gap and kissed IANTO. IANTO is surprised at first but kisses back, deepening the kiss. JACK carefully brings a hand up to thread through IANTO's hair, and IANTO presses his palms against JACK's bare chest, running over JACK's skin. Their lips break apart and they stare at each other, breathing heavily. IANTO looks like he is now the one being supported by JACK, as he seems to be trembling slightly.)

JACK: Being alive, for so long... I have loved so many people – lost so many... sometimes I can't stand it!

(IANTO's voice is still a bit shaky.)

IANTO: If you had died just then... I would have missed out, on that...

(IANTO tries to give a chuckle, gives a small smile to lighten the mood. JACK smiles back, and kisses IANTO again. This time, IANTO brings a hand to JACK's neck, to hold him closer, if that were possible. They break apart.)

JACK: Not that I'm complaining... but being covered in blood isn't exactly the biggest turn on.

(IANTO blinks and clears this throat, assuming a bit of his 'professional mode' back.)

IANTO: Oh, uh, right. I told Owen I'd come back for you, meet him at the SUV. You just – you just stay here, I'll be right back. I'll get Owen to bring the SUV over.

(JACK nods, and squeezes IANTO's upper-arm briefly.)

JACK: Thank you, Ianto. For... for being here.

(IANTO is giving a true smile, looking a bit cheeky.)

IANTO: Part of my job. Sir.

(JACK rolls his eyes exaggeratingly, but gives IANTO a grin. IANTO quickly wipes his face for tears. He slips out of JACK's hold and jogs offstage, leaving JACK alone. The spotlight grows bright again and the music gears up for the final verses.)

JACK: [sings]
Flailing, falling
Dangerously too deep
Help me, hold me
Anchor me from death's sleep

Can I let you in?
Let you look around within?
Can I bare myself
And do all that I've said?
Let you save me from the darkness of the dead?

(JACK buttons up his shirt, spinning around gracefully, his coat spread out, to move across the stage from one side to the other.)

You alone can save my soul instead
Keep me from the darkness of the dead!

(JACK now sweeps offstage, and the music ends.)


There you are! :) I do hope that was pleasing ;)