As the creep pulled the trigger, Ianto closed his eyes tight but opened them when he heard a click. In that moment's hesitation a shot rang out and the thug fell down on top of Ianto with a bullet through his head. Tosh, Owen, and Shawn ran in from their corners with their weapons drawn and corralled the rest of the workers. Gwen was preoccupied helping Rhys who had taken a bullet through his shoulder. The massive alien was panicking from the gunshots and thrashing violently.

Tosh with her gun trained on the group of men, yelled out, "Owen! Do it now!"

Owen momentarily closed his eyes hating himself and took off to prepare the injection. Ianto pushed down his fear and jumped to his feet to reclaim his weapon and help Shawn and Tosh keep the terrified criminals contained.

Shawn moved closer to Ianto, "Close call."

Ianto breathlessly nodded, "Thanks for the backup."

Shawn winked, "Anytime, babe."

Tosh took out the tie wraps and the three of them worked on binding everyone's hands.

Once back in the Hub, Owen had treated Rhys' shoulder and the Welshman was sleeping under the heavy sedative. The doctor then went to Ianto and began bandaging his wrists that were torn up from the rope restraints. Gwen came up from the med bay, content that Rhys would be alright and was met by an irate Shawn.

"Cooper! What the fuck was that?"

"What are you talking about?" Gwen sputtered shocked at Shawn's tone.

"We had a simple plan: Rhys would distract the majority of the men while you, Tosh, Ianto, and I would each take a quadrant of the warehouse and flush out the remaining workers. Owen would then evaluate the alien and prepare a compound for euthanizing it. You abandoned your task, approached armed thugs, and provoked them."

"They had Rhys! He was in danger!"

"That is why I didn't want him involved in the first place. You brought a civilian into a hazardous mission. "

"What about Ianto? You and Owen insisted on him going on a field mission and he nearly got my fiancé killed."

"Your actions led to Ianto being captured and if it wasn't for a misfire he would be dead! You jeopardized a team member and the entire mission. Once Rhys is retconned you better damn well reconsider your position and if you will be able to lead this team."

"I am not retconning Rhys. He understands me now. None of you have partners outside of this. You all think it is cold and lonely out there, but it isn't for me because I have him."

"And we're all very impressed." Owen smirked as he entered the main hub.

"Owen, I am not retconning Rhys."

Owen calmly replied, "I would never ask you to do that."

"Thank you."

"That's why I did it myself ten minutes ago."

"Owen! Listen here-"

Owen ran up to her and furiously shouted, "No, you listen. The only reason I didn't do the same to you is because Ianto is still alive. What is going to happen is I am arranging for Rhys to be moved to the hospital. You are going to wait by his side until he wakes up. When he does you are going to tell him a story about how he saved you from a drug crazed mugger. The rest of us are going to clean up this cluster fuck and figure out how to dispose of a 40 ton space whale. Tomorrow you are going to come in and apologize to Ianto then offer to feed the weevils for the next month."

Gwen was taken aback for a moment before she glared at the doctor and marched toward the med bay. Once she left, Owen slumped down in a chair, exhausted after the day's horrific events. Soon a warm mug of coffee appeared in front of him. He gratefully breathed in the rich aroma and looked up at Ianto, "Thank you."

Ianto leaned in and softly replied, "No, thank you."

Ianto went over to Tosh who was working at her station, "Would you like a cup of tea?"

Tosh smiled, "That would be perfect."

Ianto headed back to the kitchen to start brewing. Shawn joined him and leaned against the counter, "You were amazing today."

Ianto's hand started to shake the cup he was holding. Shawn noticed and pulled him into a warm embrace, "Shhh, you're fine. It was close but I took care of him. You were so brave. It's okay to be scared; it just proves you're human."

"Were you scared?" Ianto asked weakly at his friend.

"Of course; I nearly lost you." Shawn then placed a tender kiss to Ianto's forehead.


Jack gazed over the Plass and felt the contentment of finally being home, "How long has it been?"

The Doctor did some calculations and mumbled. Jack, still looking toward the base, asked, "What was that? Couldn't hear you."

The Doctor said a little louder, "Four months."

"What?" Jack shouted.

The Doctor put his hands in the pocket of his coat and bounced nervously on his heels, "With the disturbance caused by the paradox, this was the closest I could get."

Jack closed his eyes and shook his head thinking of how to explain away four months.

"You know we could just keep going. Explore the universe for old times' sake." The Doctor looked at Jack expectantly.

"No. They need me. Hell, I need them."

After a long silence, the Doctor spoke, "You know, he was incredible. He walked right up to the Master knowing full well what was coming. He gave up everything for you. Reminded me of a young con man I used to know."

Jack smiled warmly at his old friend, "I promise: I'll do right by him this time."

"You better." The Doctor then patted Jack's shoulder and walked back into the Tardis.

The Tardis whirred away behind him and Jack started toward the tourist office. He stopped at the door and decided that a dramatic entrance was more his style. Instead he went to the invisible lift and descended hoping the entire team was inside. However, only Gwen and Tosh were in the main hub. Tosh turned around from her computer and Gwen set aside her paperwork and they both rushed the lift.

Tosh threw her arms around Jack and kissed his cheek excitedly. He turned to Gwen who shoved him hard and shouted, "You left us!"

"I know. I had to but I'm back now." Jack held Gwen's hand and noticed her engagement ring.

Gwen looked up at him almost apologetically, "You were gone. Rhys proposed so I said yes."

By then Jack was hardly listening as Ianto had entered the main Hub from the archives. Jack was amazed, the young man was walking: not limping but walking beautifully. His jacket was off and he was wearing a black waistcoat over a red shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Their eyes met and Ianto stopped to stare at his returned lover.

Gwen continued, "The wedding is next month but-"

Jack pulled away and absently told her, "Congratulations."

He quickly walked over to Ianto and wrapped him in a warm hug. He then pulled back and placed his hand on the young man's cheek staring reverently into his dazzling blue eyes. The last time he'd seen those eyes they were staring vacantly freshly taken by death. Jack knew this was a moment he would never forget in his entire long life.

They seemed to stare at each other for hours until Ianto stammered out, "Your office . . . I have . . . reports."

Jack pulled back and looked around, "Where is Owen?"

Tosh chimed in, "He and Shawn are at the hospital checking on a woman attacked by a weevil."

"Who's Shawn?"

"Oh, he started a few months back. UNIT sent him."

"Why did UNIT send someone?"

"They found out you were gone and thought we needed help."

"How did they find out I was gone?" Jack cast an accusing eye at Gwen. Gwen looked away guiltily.

Ianto spoke up from behind, "Word gets around. You do make a strong impression on people."

Jack grinned at him, "Do I now? Is that a good thing?"

Before Ianto could answer the cog door alarm went off as Owen and Shawn entered the Hub. Jack smiled hearing Owen complaining about the hospital staff using words like: incompetent, bureaucrats, and morons. The smile dropped from Jack's face as he got a good look at the man with Owen. Jack knew those eyes and that smirk. It was unmistakably the Master's head guard from the Valiant.


Jack stood in his office looking out the window at the team. Every instinct was telling him to go out and put a bullet through the man's brain, but he needed to know why he was here. Were there people loyal to the Master monitoring Torchwood and was this man reporting to anyone? Jack shuddered with rage when he saw Shawn place his hand on Ianto's back while Ianto smiled at him. What would Ianto say if he knew he was friends with a man that tortured and raped him? As if it couldn't be worse, Shawn turned around and briefly looked up at Jack's office. It was quick but Jack swore he saw the man glare at him.

Jack jumped harshly when his office phone started ringing, "Martha Jones: voice of a nightingale! What can I do for you?"

The next day Jack kept trying to get Ianto alone. With Martha arriving, the team was busy preparing for the new mission. He had so many things to discuss with the young man. He needed to explain his actions and try to repair the relationship he treasured so much. Before he made a decision about Shawn, Jack wanted Martha's opinion and to gauge where Shawn stood with UNIT.

While waiting for Martha, Jack was going over Ianto's reports. He groaned when he read that John had showed up. Luckily the death toll was limited to one civilian and a blowfish. It was difficult reading that Tommy was sent back; he always liked the young man and he knew how fond of him Tosh had become. While he was happy to see Ianto was taking on field duty (he always knew Ianto would be great doing field work) he was nervous about seeing him hurt.

Jack kept checking the CCTV footage for Martha. When he saw her approaching on the Plass, Jack jumped up from his desk. He bolted out the cog door and through the tourist office. Martha squeaked when Jack enveloped her in a huge hug and led her to the invisible lift. He loved showing off the lift; over a hundred years with Torchwood and it never failed to amaze him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Martha Jones of UNIT. Martha this is Gwen Cooper, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper, and-"

"Ianto Jones." Martha interrupted him while she stepped forward ignoring all the other team members and softly clasped Ianto's hand. Ianto looked at her confused by her affection but smiled politely.

A handsome blond man approached her, "Hello, doctor. Shawn Rollins." Martha's face dropped as she recognized Shawn. She looked nervously at Jack who nodded his understanding and she tentatively shook his hand.

Jack clapped his hands together and loudly announced, "Alright, you all have your assignments; I need to have a word in private with Dr. Jones."

Once they reached Jack's office and he closed his door, Martha burst, "What the fuck, Jack? What is he doing here?"

"He was here when I got back. UNIT sent him when they found out I was gone. I'm trying to figure out if he's planning something."

Martha was incredulous, "Jack, get rid of him. Oh my God, look, he's touching Ianto!"

Jack sank down into his chair, "I just don't know what to do with him. I'm afraid if I try something he'll hurt Ianto. I've seen him at work, he's terrifying. He would talk about what he and the Master did to Ianto. I just can't risk setting him off."

Martha sighed trying to think of a solution then she perked up, "Can you get a hold of Nick?"

Jack furrowed his brow, "He gave me a number to call, but I really don't want to go running to Ianto's ex for help."

Martha raised her eyebrow and Jack countered, "I think if I can just get him alone, I can work out why he's here. If it goes bad, I can stage an accident. People die suddenly in Torchwood all the time."

"Jack!"

"What? Tell me you weren't thinking the exact same thing."

Martha crossed her arms and gazed out the office window. Shawn was leaning over Ianto's shoulder reading something when Shawn whispered in his ear making the young man laugh. Martha growled, "Does he have to be so . . . lecherous?"

Jack took out the business card Nick gave him. He looked up at Martha pleadingly but she mouthed do it and Jack begrudgingly picked up his phone.


While Martha was undercover at the Pharm, Jack finally was able to get Ianto alone for a moment, "Ianto, could we speak?"

Ianto stiffened up, "Of course, sir."

Jack cringed at the formality, "I was hoping we could have dinner when all this is over."

Ianto put his hands on his hips, "Do you mean it this time?"

Jack stepped forward and held Ianto's hand, "A day hasn't gone by that I don't regret what I did to you. I had been waiting for him for over a hundred years and when he appeared I ran without thinking."

Ianto looked into Jack's eyes, "Was it worth it?"

"No."

Jack leaned in, his lips almost touching Ianto's when Gwen shouted over the com, "Jack! Something's happened."

Ianto suddenly pulled back and nervously headed to the main Hub.


Jack and Owen helped a still recovering Martha out of the building and met the rest of the team. Jack scowled when he noticed Shawn with his hand on Ianto's arm. He didn't notice the crazed Dr. Copley approaching the team. Martha let out a gasp and Jack wheeled around finding himself staring down the man's gun barrel.

Jack put his hands up calmly but the man fired anyway. Instantly Shawn returned fire and shot the doctor through the head but it was too late for Jack who fell down dead. Ianto rushed over to him and put Jack's head in his lap. Shawn leaned down and futilely searched for a pulse. When he found none he rubbed Ianto's back, "I am so sorry. There was nothing we could do."

However, Ianto just stared down at Jack and sadly stroked his pale face. Shawn looked around shocked that no one seemed particularly devastated. Owen did not even come over to check the body instead he just continued helping Martha. Tosh was checking her scanner searching for other alien activity. Gwen was watching Ianto in an almost jealous manner that Shawn could not attribute to grief.

Suddenly Jack jolted back to life flailing his limbs while Ianto held onto him tight. The captain looked around confused for a few moments and saw the dead body of Dr. Copley. He then sat up and turned to Ianto who had tears forming in his eyes. Jack grasped Ianto's face and pulled him into a soft, loving kiss then hugged him warmly. Anyone watching carefully would have noticed a moment of pure hatred flash across Shawn's face.

After his resurrection and holding his beloved Ianto in his arms, Jack decided that he needed to be rid of the threat in his base. Once back at the Hub, Jack took action. He told Gwen and Tosh to go home and added, "Owen, could you and Ianto give Martha a ride back to her hotel? Shawn, I received a call about a weevil in the park. Would you mind coming with me to round it up?"

Shawn glanced over to Ianto and then turned to Jack and smiled, "Of course. Lead the way."