/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's…though I wished I owned the guys…*sighs*

The rain refused to let up as everyone gathered at the pub. Brooklyn and Dean arrived with Tosh and Owen as Sam brought up the rear with Ianto. Sam scanned the room seeing no sign of Jack being there but had a sneaky suspicion the immortal would appear soon enough. Dean ordered up the house beer and of course the Shepherd's pie. He told Brooklyn to get the recipe before they left and she promised him she would try her best. Everyone noticed the absence of a certain brunette but didn't mention it aloud as they dined.

Ianto hoped Jack would show up but then again perhaps he was busy with Gwen….

Sam saw the glint of sorrow in the Welshman's eyes and squeezed his shoulder in a supportive manner.

"You're hoping he comes," Ianto nodded and took another drink.

"I left him a message on his phone. Maybe he hasn't checked his messages yet."

Sam had to admire his friend's optimism as Ianto looked to the door then back to the hunter and shrugged his shoulders.

Jack finally got a clue to check his messages and saw the message waiting screen on his phone and fumbled with the device until he managed to flip it open with shaky fingers. He put the phone to his ear as Ianto's voice started.

"Jack, if you get this in time, we'll be at the pub for dinner at 6:00. Hopefully we'll see you there."

Jack waited for the three words to come from his Welshman's voice but they didn't come. Had he lost Ianto to Sam? Or did he still have a chance? There was only one way to find out. He started up the SUV and raced out in the rain towards the pub. His heart was thundering in his chest as he rounded the corner nearly hitting a passing car in the process. The horn of the angry driver fell on deaf ears as the SUV whizzed by. Jack checked his watch seeing it was 6:15 and saw the lights of the pub looming over the horizon.

The gang was finishing up dinner and ready for dessert when the immortal burst through the door. Brooklyn looked up spying Jack on the landing then head towards the table. She was ready to confront him but decided to see what he had to say first before laying a hand on him.

"Ianto," Jack exhaled. "I need to talk to you."

Ianto turned and looked up to notice the dark eyes of his lover didn't hold the usual bright cocky light but were hollow as he appeared lost inside. The Welshman looked over to Sam who merely nodded his head letting him go. Ianto knew this was hard for Sam to do but the hunter respected the Welshman too much and knew his heart was heavy. Dean looked to his brother seeing the solemn look in his eyes.

"Actually I need to talk to Brooklyn and Dean too," Jack sat down across from the hunters. "I remember what happened with Gwen and being in her flat. I almost made a huge mistake but if it wasn't for you two…."

"Look Jack, I know you and I didn't see eye to eye at first but I didn't want to see Ianto hurt. If you truly did not want him I wanted him to hear it from you sober and honest instead of learning about a romp in another's bed."

Jack nodded and swallowed hard as Brooklyn didn't have to intervene, she could've just as easily allowed for Gwen to seduce him but she didn't. And for that he could never repay her enough.

"What's going on? What happened at her flat? What isn't anyone telling me?" Ianto demanded. Brooklyn sighed and reached over taking the Welshman's hand in hers.

"Gwen's been trying to create a rift between you and Jack. The pictures of us at the beach and the lies she spread was a way to drive you two apart so she could sink her claws in Jack. Hell, I confronted her not once but twice and the first time I earned my red badge of courage," Brooklyn pulled back a part of her hair exposing the small bald spot on her scalp. Ianto gasped in horror as did Jack but Brooklyn chuckled and replaced her hair.

"I'm fine now. Owen took care of me and I must say he did a rather fine job too," she flashed a bright smile at the doctor. Tosh took his hand and squeezed it affectionately.

"Anyways, I had Dean put a lo-jack on her and we followed her back to her place where she was about to get it on with Jack but Dean dragged him back to Torchwood and I stayed behind."

"You didn't kill her did you Brook?" Ianto asked. He was horrified at the notion of blood being shed over him.

"Why does everyone ask me that? No, I didn't kill her but Rhys showed up though and I gave him the cliff notes edition of what's been going on."

Tosh and Owen shuddered and looked at one another as Sam would've loved to have been the fly on the wall for that conversation.

"Ianto please, let me talk to you," Jack begged the Welshman.

"I don't know Jack. I mean we've been through this game before. You swear I'm not a part time shag and then you fall back into the same song and dance with Gwen. Tell me do you love her?"

"No. But when I first met her I was attracted to her," Ianto's shoulders slumped at the confession. "But just because I was attracted to her doesn't mean I wanted her like I want you. Ianto it took a serious wakeup call for me to finally see what's been right in front of me all along. I love you Ianto. Please stay," Ianto sighed and looked down at the table while wringing his hands over and over.

"How do I know you won't change your ways back to what you're doing now? You've done this before Jack and every time Gwen sheds a tear or needs something you go running to her like the good little mindless follower. What will you do to keep your word? Every single time I turn my heart out for you, you just toss it aside then assume I'll be there waiting for you when you feel like a good romp?"

Ianto's words stung but Jack knew he needed to hear them. Brooklyn and Dean watched as Jack took the brunt and didn't run or turn away. Instead, he remained and listened to the silent but pained ranting of the Welshman. This was something they needed to do for a long time now. Sam didn't jump in or intervene in the hopes of breaking them apart. He knew Ianto loved him deeply but the Welshman was more in love with the immortal but for some reason he was okay with it despite his heart screaming in agony.

"We are going to take some time together and get away from Cardiff, that's what we're gonna do for starters. Somewhere warm and tropical like Fiji or the Caribbean would work."

Ianto remained tight lipped but felt the tough exterior he built up slowly deteriorate bit by bit.

"Ianto please give me a chance. I know sorry will never cut it for the times I ignored you and pushed you away but I realized I can't live without you in my life."

Ianto sighed and looked up at the immortal. "Can you give me until tomorrow?"

Jack nodded and remained with the group as everyone finished their drinks and dessert. Sam just sat there with beer in hand and absently peeled away the label while Brooklyn and Dean looked on with concern in their eyes.

Everyone started to head their separate ways but Ianto stopped Sam before he could get too far.

"Sam would you walk with me? I want to talk to you," Sam nodded his head and swallowed hard as the Welshman led him down the street. The rain continued falling around them as they strolled towards his flat. Jack watched them walk away and bit back the jealousy within as he knew his insane jealousy was part of the reason Ianto had left in the first place.

"Please stay Ianto," he whispered sadly before heading back to Torchwood.

Sorry about the super super slow delay.....But I finally am back on track!!!