Ianto laid sleeping on the floor of the kitchen completely spent. Jack had tried to get the young Welshman to move after taking him over the counter, but Ianto hadn't had the energy to consider it and Jack wasn't able to carry him in his current condition. Ianto didn't seem to mind as he had just taken Jack's abandoned overshirt and used it as a pillow as he fell into a deep sated sleep. Proud of himself, Jack had carefully stepped around the Welshman as he made himself a snack before taking a seat at the kitchen table. He was eating it as he stared out the window when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head he saw the Doctor standing with Ianto. Both of them were out of focus and faded looking. He rubbed his eyes but they remained staring at him from the dining room.

"Jack, come home," Ianto told him, his voice soft. Jack saw Ianto's lips moving as he spoke but he wasn't able to make out all of the words. Not that he really cared. The shadow Ianto wasn't real and he just needed to ignore him. He took another bite of his meal as he tried not to look at the two men. He was just tired, he told himself. Once he took his medication and then laid down the men would be gone again.

"Jack," he heard the Doctor speak up.

"Go away," Jack finally stated as he stood. He moved towards the sink to wash his plate.

"No," Ianto responded. Jack didn't look at them as he put his hands on the sink closing his eyes. He told himself they weren't real. "Listen." No, he wasn't going to listen. He was going to finish cleaning his plate then try to get Ianto to move to the room with him so they could sleep in their bed together. He counted to ten slowly then turned around happy to see that the dining room was once more empty. He sighed in relief as he followed through with his plan. He quickly washed his plate putting it in the strainer to dry. He then leaned down to wake his lover.

"Not real," Ianto's voice spoke up behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see the other Ianto still standing there. The Doctor was no where in sight but Jack was sure that he was nearby. He couldn't see Ianto clearly but he could still make out the sadness in his eyes. He hated that look and even if he knew that the Ianto standing on the other side of the room wasn't real he couldn't help the momentary pain he felt.

"Ianto," Jack whispered as he turned back to his lover. "Sweetheart, it's time to go to bed."

"Comfy," Ianto moaned.

"I doubt the kitchen floor is that comfortable," Jack chuckled. Reaching out he ran his fingers through Ianto's hair. "Come on you need to get up. I would carry you, but I can't while carrying your daughter."

"Son," the Doctor spoke up and Jack sighed upon hearing it. He wasn't sure why the Doctor kept claiming he had a son. Owen had confirmed that he was carrying a little girl and he was going to believe the ultrasound and not some pompous Time Lord who couldn't even come to visit him properly.

"I said go away," Jack snapped.

"What?" Ianto questioned opening his eyes further at Jack's sudden yelling.

"Nothing," Jack stated his voice softer. He helped Ianto to his feet, not caring as Ianto leaned heavily on him as the two of them started out of the kitchen. Jack couldn't help but glance briefly towards the dining room, relieved when he still didn't see the two men. Hoping that they were really gone this time, he took his lover up to their room to rest.

-DW-

"That went well," the Doctor said happily as they opened their eyes to find themselves staring at the large wall again. The crack that was there was almost sealed with what looked like cement. There was still a small gap but it wasn't big enough for them to get through and the Doctor turned climbing the stairs once more. Ianto followed him not sure if the Doctor was being sarcastic. He wasn't sure how long they had been in contact with Jack's mind but he had basically ignored them the entire time before kicking them out.

"Can we stop at the next platform?" Ianto asked feeling disheartened. While he knew that that the Doctor had struggled for months to reach Jack, he still thought that it would be different for him. He imagined that he would speak to Jack and that his lover would listen to him. That he would leave the safety of his mind and come back out into the real world. The fact that Jack had just ignored him focusing on the Ianto that he had created within his mind, broke the Welshman's heart.

"Of course," the Doctor agreed knowing how hard it was to be ignored by the Captain. Once more there was silence between them as they made their way up the stairs. Reaching the platform, the Doctor carefully broke the connection allowing Ianto to open his eyes back into the TARDIS. Ianto didn't stand as he turned his back on the Doctor staring towards the opposite side. He couldn't stop the tears that were once more streaming from his eyes as he wondered if he would ever see his lover whole again.

"I should have listened to you and stayed in Cardiff," Ianto mumbled.

"Don't say that. I know it was hard for you being kicked out of his mind but he actually listened to you today. You reached him quicker today then I have ever been able to and tomorrow we will try again. He will listen to you and I know that you will be able to guide him out," the Doctor reassured Ianto. He stood up going around the bed and taking a seat by Ianto's stomach. "I made a mistake keeping you away all these months. I see that now. Jack needs you and I promise you that I will help you to reach him again."

The Doctor started to stand but Ianto dared to reach out for a hug. The Doctor didn't hesitate as he wrapped his arms around Ianto holding him tightly. It had been six months for the Doctor and two for Ianto and they were both hurting from the loss of the man who laid next to them. Maybe that is why Ianto did it as he wasn't sure what else caused him to push his lips softly to the Doctors. The Doctor didn't pull away as he returned the kiss just as softly.

"Sorry," Ianto stated embarrassed as he broke the kiss. He felt guilty for kissing the Doctor and confused. He got to his feet hurrying to the ensuite and closing the door tightly behind him. He leaned against the door breathing hard as he tried to figure out why he had kissed the Doctor. It had been a moment of weakness, he decided. The kiss meant nothing. Washing his face, he swore that he wouldn't let it happen again. Opening the door he was relieved to find that the Doctor was no longer in the room. He looked at Jack laying there. He looked like he was sleeping but he knew the truth. Jack wasn't there no matter how much he pretended he was. Unable to handle it, and still feeling guilty he left the room to find the Time Lord.