Ianto's story: Part 6
Jack was devastated by Gwen's death and of course he blamed himself for taking her in there with him. Then the only way to defeat the 456 was by sacrificing his own grandson while Ianto had been away trying to save his own niece and nephew. Ianto thought he'd lost Jack forever then. He disappeared without a word and Ianto was petrified that he would never be back
Six months later, though, Ianto came home to find Jack sitting on the sofa. He didn't know whether to hit him or kiss him.
Without looking up Jack starts to speak. "She was the one who was supposed to have a normal life, to get married, have children, grow old, enjoy her grandchildren" Ianto could hear the despair in his voice. "She would have had that if I hadn't recruited her. She would have had a life"
"That's not true Jack" Ianto said as calmly as he could "You didn't force her to join Torchwood, she came looking for us. She came looking for us because there was something missing in her life. She had her job, she had Rhys but it wasn't enough for her. It's the same for all us, Tosh and Owen, Gwen, myself. Before Torchwood, before you, we were all lost souls."
"I've made some bad choices. Look what I've become" he looked at Ianto then and Ianto could see the darkness in his eyes.
"We all make bad choices, but most of us are lucky that we don't live long enough to see the result….you don't have that luxury."
"But my own grandson…what should I have done Ianto?" He asks pleading now. Ianto sits down beside him and takes Jack's hands in his own
"Jack there was nothing you could do - all those children or the end of the world – you had no options. You and I both know the world is not black and white, someone has to make the difficult decisions and that someone is usually you whatever the cost."
"His mother, my own daughter, doesn't believe that, she has disowned me now for good. I've lost her too….and Rhys how is he doing? I assume you've stayed in touch?" He looks at Ianto and sees the answer in his eyes. "Yes of course you did, always looking after everyone else, always looking after me"
"Rhys took it hard, he's recovering slowly, but it's always hardest for the one's left behind…..and the tragedy is that, Jack, that will always be you. Gwen, Owen and Tosh died doing something that made them happy. Given the choice I'd choose a short and happy life over long and miserable…..but you don't have that choice…..so Jack I understand if you can't bear to have me around knowing I will have to die too…. but it's a shame."
Jack reached up and took Ianto's face between his hands and kissed him softly on the lips. "I can't stay here Ianto, Torchwood is dead, there is nothing for me here."
Ianto bit back his hurt and pain. "Where will you go then?'
Jack looked up "There's a cold-fusion cruiser surfing the ion reefs just at the edge of the solar system, just waiting to open its transport dock. I just need a signal"
Ianto looked at Jack for a moment then got up and opened the drawer of his desk he returned with Jack's wrist strap. "They found it in the wreckage of Torchwood, it's obviously as indestructible as you are. I had a new strap fitted by the way …. you owe me 50 quid" Ianto passed the wrist strap over trying to be brave, trying to imagine the pain Jack must have faced over and over again. Jack took it from him and then looked the young man up and down.
"So you're making the most of your Torchwood experience then" Jack indicates the uniform of a local coffee house chain Ianto was wearing.
"Well I didn't exactly have a referee I could offer …. and I do love my coffee"
"Quite cute, but I prefer the suits….perhaps you should pack both just in case?"
"Pack?" Ianto's heart starts to pound a little.
"Ianto - I'm sorry I ran away I panicked. I panicked at the thought of losing you too, you most of all" Jack was earnest now. "But I've realised I'd rather have whatever time I can with you because I'm going to have live long enough without you eventually, come with me…." Ianto smiled this was all he wanted, or needed, for however long they had together. "Whatever you say….sir" he pulled Jack into him for a passionate embrace. "Will that cruiser wait …..but I haven't seen my boyfriend for a while…." Jack let out a growl and pushed Ianto down prone onto the sofa and fell on him, as though he was a starving man at a feast. He had Ianto out of his clothes in seconds and his cock in his mouth, working his lips up and down the shaft, teasing the head with his tongue. Damn he was bloody good at that. "Slow down..." panted Ianto "or I'll come in seconds."
"Come…" Jack panted in return briefly lifting his head "I want you to come, I want to taste you now…" So Ianto obliged and Jack sighed in appreciation. "I love you" he whispered to his lover for the first time. "I love you too…." Ianto whispered back.
