A/N: Okay, this is the final chapter before Cyberwoman. I do hope you enjoy it. I apologize in the delay between updates. R/L has not been my friend in recent weeks. Thanks so much for reading.

Ghost Machine

Jack was walking alongside Ianto following the end of another emotion charged day at Torchwood. This time it had been mostly Gwen and Owen to be affected. Alien technology bit them in the ass once again. Shaking his head, Jack grimly adhered to the decision that it had no place in human hands. The guilt that Gwen now lived with, whether justified or not, attested to that. Owen had meddled just as fiercely in his visit to a stranger's past. All of them had learned lessons tonight.

Ianto cleared his throat as they neared the steps to his apartment, looking at Jack in concern. "Are Gwen and Owen going to be okay?"

"They'll be fine. A hard lesson was learned tonight. One we all learn when playing with things that have no business falling into our hands."

Moving up the steps, Ianto nodded his agreement. "You didn't need to walk me home, Sir. I'm sure Gwen needed you more after the shock she suffered tonight."

Jack placed his hand over Ianto's as he moved to place the key into the keyhole. "Gwen has her boyfriend. Regardless of the fact that she can't talk to him about it... she still has someone. If I were to be concerned about anyone, it would be Owen. He's alone... but, he's fine."

"If you need to check on him, it's fine with me..." Ianto offered, uncertain of what he should say or do tonight.

"How about you continue to open the door and let me decide where I need to be..." Jack told him with a teasing glint in his eye. "I didn't like how you rushed off last night. I wasn't going to let tonight be the same."

Opening the door, he stepped inside... feeling Jack directly behind him, hearing the swish that told him the Captain was removing his long greatcoat. A signal that pointed to the conclusion that Jack didn't intend on leaving anytime soon. "Have a seat, Sir. I'll start us some coffee."

"None for me, Ianto. I've had more than enough today. Now, I wouldn't pass up a glass of scotch, though..." Jack smiled, watching as Ianto flitted around nervously... both of them knowing this evening could and would have only one logical ending.

"Coming right up. I think I'll join you," Ianto said, as he nervously went to get the glasses and scotch, bringing all back over to the rectangular coffee table... hoping the liquor would settle the nerves that Jack always so effortlessly stood on edge.

Jack leaned back, watching unobtrusively as Ianto filled their glasses. He took the one that Ianto extended towards him, looking at him over the rim. "I was hoping you would."

"Cheers," Ianto nervously spoke as he lightly clinked his glass against Jack's, keeping his eyes carefully averted from the Captain's probing stare. Deciding he had better say something before Jack moved in a direction that didn't require speech – one that Ianto knew if he was being honest with himself he wouldn't mind repeating, although he realized the guilt would eat at him afterwards, he opened the first safe discussion that came to mind. "So, how did weapons training go with Gwen?"

"Very well." Jack thought about the question for another moment. "Actually, she's a natural."

Ianto rolled his eyes. "Indeed. Perfect in every way."

"Do I detect a note of jealousy, Mr. Jones?" Jack asked, setting his glass down as he moved in closer.

"I... errrrm, certainly not, Sir..." Ianto sputtered out, barely able to maintain his composure. "She's just well... attractive enough, I guess... and I get the feeling she likes you. So, well... after she kissed you last night, I kind of thought-"

Jack's eyes narrowed on Ianto sharply, immediate understanding assailing him. "You watched that on the CCTV last night. Now it makes sense. Your sudden departure last night... along with your distance today."

"It's none of my business, Sir. You don't owe me anything." He swallowed as he felt Jack's breath feathering against his neck, knowing Jack had moved in closer... until now not realizing how much closer.

"I know I don't, Ianto. However, that doesn't change the facts. I saved her from an alien. She was grateful. Of course, I can't speak from her point of view, but that's all it was for me. A kiss of gratitude. Nothing more, nothing less." Jack reached out, placing his arm across the back of the couch, his fingers reaching out to toy with the strands of hair at the back of Ianto's neck. Jack's voice dropped, low and husky, "You don't have anything to worry about, gorgeous. There's only one member of my staff I want to fuck... and, that's you."

Ianto gasped. Jack's touch burning into his skin... his words caressing him as blatantly as his most thorough touch. He turned to look into the smoldering eyes, at once finding his much limited resolve to resist thrown completely to the wayside. "Sir... I – uhhhh."

"Shhhh. Don't talk, Ianto. Just close that slight gap between us and kiss me," Jack ordered in a low throaty growl, immediately placing any discussion of Gwen Cooper completely to the backburner. Something that Ianto found no hardship in doing. Ianto sat his own glass down next to Jack's, before he moved to do as Jack asked... knowing in this moment, he didn't want anything more than to be in his Captain's arms once more.

Lips met and clung, hands reaching out to fully enclose the other; after a few moments the clothing becoming an unwanted deterrent to both of them. Ties were tugged loose, shirts askew, belts undone... all in the midst of their tongues rediscovering the unique feel and flavor of the other. Nothing was enough. Each of them thinking in their own way, nothing could ever be enough.

Jack slowly released Ianto's lips, placing his forehead against his lover's... breathing him in deeply, knowing his pheromones were more than in play tonight. Normally he could control them. With Ianto they had begun to come to the surface following one simple touch. His desire for the Welshman was too immediate... too complete. He couldn't keep them under control. It was unlike anything he'd ever known or felt. Over the span of his long life he'd been with many men, women, even aliens... not a one touched him quite like Ianto. Jack didn't intend to allow him to slip through his fingers. He knew human lives were so fragile, most especially within Torchwood. He would do everything in his power to protect Ianto from harm. No matter what direction it led him.

Ianto breathed in and out deeply, his arms around Jack's waist... knowing right now there wasn't anything he wanted more than Jack. "Sir, I – I..."

"I know, Ianto. And, it's Jack... not Sir. Not now." Jack slanted his lips against Ianto's, his tongue sliding in quick and deep, once more exploring every crevice in his Welshman's mouth, quickly finding himself addicted to the taste that could be simply defined as Ianto. "Take me to your bedroom, Ianto. I need you. Right now. I need you so badly," Jack virtually implored of him when he released his mouth once again.

Smiling tremulously, yet knowing it was what he wanted more than anything, Ianto stood up, extending his hand out to Jack... squeezing it tightly as he led him the slight difference to his bedroom. Once inside he closed the door behind them, uncertain of why he was doing that... only knowing he felt closer and more intimate with Jack enclosed in the small room. He watched as Jack quickly shed his clothing, his eyes openly admiring the beauty of the immortal; immediately following suit, this time finding himself able to meet Jack's eyes as he stood naked in front of his Captain. Ianto watched as Jack's eyes moved up and down him hungrily, his eyes never leaving his body as he pulled back the covers for them to slide beneath. He flushed as Jack's eyes darkened in lust as he continued to drink in the very sight of him.

Jack laid down on the bed, kicking the covers down to the foot, knowing that entanglement was the last thing either of them would desire for awhile. He braced his body on one elbow, reaching out his other hand, intent on enticing Ianto to join him without further delay. "Come to bed, Ianto. I want you... now..."

Ianto moaned as he slid into the bed, pressing his body tightly against Jack's, his lips moving to kiss along the line of Jack's jaw, roving down his neck to his chest. In his mind thinking if this was the last night they had together, he would make it special. He smiled as Jack growled the instant his mouth closed around one distended nipple, his fingers tweaking at the other... wanting nothing more than to make this a perfect memory for his lover. He licked and sucked each one in turn, his mouth continuing to move in a downward trek, his destination apparent to both of them. Ianto had never done this before... but, he wanted to do it for Jack. Before everything exploded around them, he wanted to do everything for Jack.

Jack hissed as he felt Ianto's tongue sliding down the length of his cock, knowing he wouldn't be able to stand this exquisite torture – not this time. He needed him too fucking badly. "Ianto... stop. Not this time."

Looking up in bewilderment, Ianto asked him, "You don't want me to? But... I – I thought..."

"Oh I do want. But, not this time. I won't last long tonight. I need you too badly." Jack's eyes blazed in a fiery need when he commanded in a guttural tone, "Lay down, gorgeous. I need to be inside you." He watched as Ianto immediately acquiesced, before he had the presence of mind to ask, "Lubricant? Do you have anything?"

Ianto flushed a deeper hue of red, jerking his head to the bedside table. "In the drawer. I just bought it a couple of nights ago. You never know when you're going to need it. Right?"

Jack chuckled sexily. "That's my resourceful Ianto. Always prepared."

"I do try," Ianto answered, tilting his head upwards in pride, unable to resist teasing Jack even in such a moment. Any thoughts of teasing quickly left his mind when he felt Jack's fingers smoothly slide inside, lubed and intent on preparing him in the most efficient manner possible. "Mmmmm," he moaned, unable to forestall the response from slipping past his lips.

"Oh yeah," Jack purred, his fingers deftly prodding and scissoring him apart, his breathing erratic as he prepared his gorgeous Welshman... anxious to feel his tight heat surrounding him – squeezing him. "Are you ready for me, lover?" Jack growled as he curled his finger, tapping at Ianto's sensitized prostate.

Ianto's hand clutched at the sheets as Jack's fingers worked him into a frenzy of near climatic proportions. "Y-yes. R-ready. Fuck me, Jack. Please... fuck me, now."

"Put your legs on my shoulders," Jack commanded, reaching down to slather a generous amount of lube on his cock. He smiled with eyes dark and feral as Ianto immediately complied, leaning down to kiss him... his mouth fully widening over Ianto's panting mouth, his tongue sliding swiftly inside simultaneous with his cock breaching the tight hole that beckoned him. Jack released his possession of Ianto's lips solely in his desire to watch the pleasure fill his Welshman's face as he moved in and out, each thrust taking him deeper. Arching his neck back, Jack growled out his own pleasure. "Yesssss. Move with me, gorgeous."

"Ahhhhh. So good," Ianto gasped, his head thrashing back and forth on the pillow, his hips rising to meet Jack's thrusts... seemingly of their own volition. When Jack began to hit at that special spot that made him see stars, Ianto felt his cock throbbing and leaking, realizing it would be over soon for him. "Fuck, Jack. I-I'm not gonna last-"

Jack chuckled, his thrusts increasing, his voice husky and raw... a tone that was designed to send the recipient over the edge – mindless to everything other than the pleasure that he could give. "Don't hold back, gorgeous. Give into it. Let go... with me."

Ianto's hands moved to clench around Jack's hips, his body rising and falling with each thrust, moans and shudders erupting within him. He forced his eyes to remain open to watch the pleasure on Jack's face, thinking he had never seen anything more erotic or beautiful as the Captain's lust blown eyes, the sweat rolling down the sides of his face... dripping down his neck – glazed eyes meeting the mirror of the other as they each reached for that splendid abyss that couldn't be compared to any other feeling.

When at last that perfect release transported them to another place, their bodies trembled... arms tightening on each other as those last sweet aftershocks assailed them. Jack rolled off of Ianto to his side, his arm enclosing around his lover to pull him snugly against his chest. Running his hands up and down the sweat drenched back, Jack whispered, "You are incredible, Ianto Jones."

"No more so than you," Ianto whispered, his lips kissing the slick chest beneath him... a part of him wishing this moment could last forever. Yawning, Ianto curled even closer into the Captain's warmth, a smile of contentment on his face. "I'm too comfortable to move... but, if you want to take a shower – please, feel free to avail yourself of it."

"I'll keep that in mind." Jack reached down, just able to reach the covers that were spread at the foot of the bed... pulling them up to cover them. "For now I'd like to sleep with you in my arms. We can always shower in the morning, though."

Ianto's eyes became cloudy for a moment. Tomorrow would bring so many changes. He feared the end was upon them quickly now. Lisa would soon be revived. This would all be lost to him. Closing his eyes, Ianto convinced himself these precious moments would be enough. Soon he would have Lisa back in his arms, and this thing with Jack... whatever it may be would be in the past. It no longer was a matter of wanting to let Jack go. He knew he had to let him go. His future was with Lisa. His head knew and understood that. The only problem he could see when he wasn't fighting it was very simple.

What his head knew to be right and true didn't coincide with the yearnings in his heart. Drifting into sleep, running his fingers along Jack's chest, Ianto feared his heart would never be free of Jack again. Ianto didn't think there was anything he could do to change it. In his most honest of moments he didn't even think he wanted to change that simple fact.

TBC