Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood.
Author's notes: This takes place some months after the last chapter. See the end for proper notes.
A New Day
Tosh, Owen and Gwen all walked through the cog door together. They were laughing, although Tosh could not quite recall what had left them so amused.
They looked up at the sound of Myfanwy calling. There was something new in her voice, a note of triumph. She called again as Tosh waived at her. All the attention now on her, Myfanwy soared round and round the Hub, the majesty of her flight breathtaking. At times she swooped down, diving low enough to almost touch Tosh's monitors. Droplets rained on them as she flew past, having skimmed the side of the water tower with the very edge of her long wing. Every movement spoke of sheer happiness and Tosh felt the same emotion welling within her as she watched the pteranodon's flight.
Tosh's attention was diverted from Myfanwy by the scent of freshly brewed coffee. It had been a while since that scent had permeated the Hub. From the smell alone, Tosh could tell that the coffee would taste perfect.
They reached their work stations and Tosh noticed that a chocolate cupcake was sitting on her desk. She did not have to see the distinctive striped wrapper to know that it was from her favourite bakery; a place she had only ever been to with one person. She was about to point this out to the others when their PDAs all indicated that they had received a new email. The message made clear in no uncertain terms, using quite colourful language, that the current state of the archives was inexcusable and such behaviour on their parts was not to be tolerated in the future. The email also threatened to put them on decaf for a day for every misplaced file or item in the archives.
Despite the frightening prospect of a very long period on decaf, they all grinned. Tosh felt tears pricking her eyes as they spoke in unison:
"Ianto is home."
Tosh eased out of the dream gradually, reality slowly gaining hold in her mind. She opened her eyes to the light of a new dawn. The sun was rising, but it was not yet time to get up.
Just a dream, she thought. Just a beautiful, warm dream.
She smiled, the happiness from the dream lingering and taking new form. She shifted slightly and the warm fingers splayed across her ribs curled reflexively. Her smile widened as she glanced over her shoulder at Owen's sleeping form. His hold of her managed to be possessive and protective at the same time, and she found herself enjoying the feeling of being held. It was still early days in their relationship, but they were slowly getting there.
Her eyes drifted past Owen to an object that had given her a great deal of joy. On her bedside table was a photograph she had received in the post the day before. It was in black and white, and showed two hands, both male judging by their size, clasped tightly against the backdrop of a beautiful beach. Every time she saw it, her heart swelled with happiness.
Written on the back of the photo was an address in America. Tosh had taken it as an invitation and had already booked herself flight tickets for the following week. Torchwood, and Owen, would have to manage without her for a week, while she visited her best friend.
Tosh smiled to herself. On that beautiful morning, everything was well in her world.
Ianto was not coming home and she was okay with that.
Jack stepped out of his bathroom and into his main bunker room bringing a cloud of of steam in his wake. He stretched, and enjoyed the feel of his tired muscles protesting at the movement. While he delighted in their regular bike rides he still felt the effort of cycling twenty miles. He chuckled to himself "I'm just as human as the others. No fifty-first century advantage in that."
The morning ride had been a happy one this morning, and he felt energised and ready to start another day. He began to dress, and as he buttoned his shirt, his eyes strayed to the signed photo of Ianto hanging on the wall. Jack smiled, noticing that he no longer thought of Ianto with any sorrow. What he had now were feelings of fondness and a quiet acceptance of the choices they each had made. Ianto had changed Torchwood a great deal, changed Jack too, and both the institute and its leader were better for it.
His fingers stilled on the final button when he realised with a start that the nightmares of the Master and of his time on Valiant had faded, giving way to normal dreams. Smiling at his own understanding, he recognised that this inner peace that had soothed his troubled memories was Ianto's final gift to him.
"Thank you," he whispered to the stillness of the room.
Feeling alive and energetic,he quickly scaled the ladder to his office and reached for his long coat. The weight of the stopwatch was a familiar presence in the inner pocket. His hand reached up retrieve it and giving it a caress he slipped it into a pocket of his trousers. He smiled. Yes, today was going to be a good day.
Just as he was settling behind his desk Tosh all but ran in. Her hair was still wet after her shower and there was a wide grin on her face.
"I just got an email from Ianto! He suggested that we have a Skype conversation in a little while, if we're not too busy saving the world."
"That sounds like an excellent idea." Jack smiled. "Tell him to call us whenever suits him best, and we'll be waiting."
"Awesome!" Tosh replied and bounded away. Jack watched her go, his smile widening into a grin. Tosh had blossomed in the past few months and it he enjoyed seeing how happy she now was. They all were, in fact. Torchwood had become a far brighter place, despite the horrors they still had to face. This, right here, was foundation for the team he had always wanted to build. It was more than that, however, as Tosh, Owen and Gwen were not just his team, but also his family, and Jack was grateful for each of them. And if they were his immediate family, he realised, then Ianto and Mark were a special part of his extended family.
At the set time, they were all gathered at Tosh's workstation, eagerly waiting for Ianto's call. When the ring tone filled the speakers, Tosh fumbled with the mouse in her haste to accept the call, before switching on the video link. After a moment of blackness, the screen cleared to show Ianto and Mark lounging on a sofa. They were far more tanned than the last time the team had seen them, and both were dressed in a t-shirt and shorts. Sinta was curled up next to Mark, her head resting on his thigh, and he was rubbing her ears with the hand that was not linked with Ianto's.
"Hey!" Tosh exclaimed, a little breathless with enthusiasm.
Both men grinned. "Greetings from America," Ianto said and gave everyone a small wave.
"Wow, you guys look great. Life over there must agree with you. So, how is it there?" Jack asked after a chorus of hellos had subsided.
"Pretty good so far," Ianto replied with a wide smile. "This house we found is brilliant - the beach is basically our backyard. It makes for wonderful dog walks, I can tell you that, and I don't think we've eaten dinner inside more than once or twice. And I must have taken about a thousand photos of the sunsets and sunrises already. Poor Mark is getting fed up with my going everywhere with a massive camera around my neck."
"Yeah, that's a real drag," Mark teased him with a wink.
"And the exhibition, how is that going?" Tosh wanted to know.
"It's been a far bigger success than I ever expected," Ianto started to speak, but then Mark interrupted him.
"It's been just as successful as it was in London, as I always knew it would be!"
"Shush," Ianto muttered and nudged Mark with his shoulder.
"Anyway," he continued, "we've had to order more prints twice now and there's the possibility that I could take the exhibition to a couple of other places, New York and Toronto being main candidates. As they say over here – we're taking meetings," he finished with a smile.
"That sounds brilliant!" Tosh grinned and the others added in their agreement.
It was Owen's turn to ask a question. "Are you still going to turn photography into a new career then?"
"That's the plan." Ianto nodded. "I've found a suitable shop nearby to use as my studio and made contact with a couple of local newspapers to be added to their list of freelance photographers. I imagine business will be slow at first, but hopefully things will pick in time."
"You know you'll have at least one loyal customer," Mark reminded him and then turned to the others. "It made sense to have Ianto take all of the promotional photographs for the new advertising business."
"Is everything going okay with that?" Jack jumped in.
"Fine so far," Mark replied. "Between Marie and me, we have a pretty good reputation to build on and we've certainly been busy so far. Which is just as well, since I have a family to support now." He turned to wink at Ianto.
"That reminds me." Ianto took the cue. "There's someone we want you to meet."
"Who?" Gwen asked, instantly curious.
"We have a new addition to the family." Mark grinned as Ianto leaned away from the view.
When he straightened on the sofa again, Ianto was holding in his arms a small puppy that seemed to be all paws and giant ears. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Silla."
"Oh my goodness!" Gwen melted at the sight of the adorable little dog. "What is that and where can I get one?!"
"She's a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, like Sinta, but without the extra fluffy coat," Mark explained. "On those grounds, Cardiganshire would be a good place to start!"
"She's so, so cute," Tosh agreed with Gwen and gave Owen a meaningful glance. He pretended not to notice, but could not help smiling at the puppy.
Silla regarded the screen full of moving people with equal amounts of seriousness and suspicion. After a moment, she let out a high-pitched bark, which made Sinta lift her head and give her a reproachful glare.
"Silla, quiet," Ianto corrected her and turned her so she was facing him. This seemed to please her more, as her tail started wagging and she reached forward to lick his cheek.
Mark glanced at Ianto and Silla with obvious affection. "Since we're pretty settled here now, we thought it was a perfect time to get a second dog, since we've both wanted one for quite some time. And really, what other breed could we possibly pick?"
"She is a delight," Ianto added. "Unless you ask Sinta. In which case she's the worst thing that could possibly have happened!"
They all laughed at this. Ianto set the puppy back on the floor and as he did so, something else caught Jack's eye.
"Seems like you might have some other news to share," he said with a quirked eyebrow.
Ianto met his eyes and beamed.
"We do indeed." Ianto reached for Mark's hand and brought both hands closer to the camera, so that the team could see the platinum bands around their ring fingers.
"You didn't?!" Tosh exclaimed at Mark.
"We did." He grinned in response.
"Oh, I'm so going to hug you both to death when I see you next week!"
"Sounds good to me." Ianto laughed.
"No objections from me either," Mark chuckled.
"Congratulations to you both," Jack said. He made a point of catching Ianto's eye to show that the sentiment was genuine and heartfelt.
"Thank you, Jack." Jack saw the sincerity of real pleasure in Ianto's eyes, and his face was covered by a smile.
"Have you got a date in mind?" Owen asked.
Mark shook his head. "We're not in any hurry. And the great thing is, it's now legal. Rest assured that when we do decide to tie the knot, there will be invitations coming your way."
"We'll hold you to that!" Owen grinned.
"Speaking of which…" Ianto turned to Gwen. "How are your wedding plans going?"
Gwen groaned, and looked a little haunted for a while, before she smiled. "I swear my mother is driving me nuts with all her helpful suggestions! Rhys's mother isn't much better, but at least she calls him with her quibbles, rather than me. Beyond that, not too badly. We've more or less set the date, we just need a confirmation from the venue that all is in order. Once that's done, we'll put the wedding invitations in the post."
"We still have some matters to attend to in England, so we'll schedule them to coincide with the wedding," Ianto promised. "And we will definitely be there, I have to make Rhys some coffee, remember!"
"Oh good, Rhys and I really want you to be there," Gwen replied.
"And we wouldn't want to miss it," Mark assured her.
Ianto glanced at Tosh and his grin widened. "So, Tosh, how's it going?"
Tosh rolled her eyes, knowing what Ianto meant. "Fine."
"Fine," Ianto objected, "is fine really all you've got for me? Sounds like a weather report!"
"I'll give you all the details next week when I get there," she promised.
"Not all the details, I hope," Owen grimaced, looking a little worried. Tosh flashed him a cheeky grin in response.
"Your visit sounds better and better by the minute," Ianto chuckled with a wink.
Owen turned to Jack. "Any chance you could come up with a Rift emergency for next week that will keep Tosh from flying to America?"
Jack shook his head with a great deal of vehemence. "No way. I'm not getting in her bad books." He thought for a moment. "Besides, watching you squirm is pretty amusing."
"Cheers, Harkness," Owen grumbled.
Jack waggled his eyebrows. "Any time."
"You could come for your own trip, Owen," Mark suggested with a sly grin, "you know we'd be happy to entertain you!"
"And that just confirms that the Teaboy has a type," Owen shot back.
As the laughter subsided Ianto asked Tosh,
"How are Myfanwy and Gobeithio?"
"They're both doing really well. He was difficult to start with, but our hard work is finally paying off. And she has helped a great deal with his training. They are fast friends now and I think she might be feeling a little broody."
"Oh dear, you really will have a Hub full of pterosaur babies," Ianto chuckled at the thought.
"And if you would like a couple, my offer to ship them over to America still stands!" Jack jumped in.
"I think I'll continue to pass on that," Ianto said. "Sinta is upset enough by another Corgi; I can only imagine how appalled she would be if we adopted a couple of pteranodons."
"She'd sulk for years," Mark added with a nod.
"So thanks, but no thanks."
"It was worth a try, I guess." Jack shrugged.
Gwen's phone beeped and she pulled it out to check the screen. Glancing at Jack, she announced: "They're here."
She got up, smiling at Ianto and Mark. "It's been wonderful to catch up, but I'm afraid duty calls. I'll send out the wedding invitation as soon as possible. Tosh has your new address, doesn't she?"
"I do," Tosh confirmed.
"All the best with the plans," Mark wished her.
"Indeed, good luck with everything," Ianto added. "And give our best to Rhys."
"I will, thanks." She smiled. "Bye guys!"
She was gone with a wave and Ianto quirked an eyebrow at Jack.
"Andy from the police and another new recruit are starting today," Jack explained.
"I'm glad to hear that," Ianto spoke with a smile. "I hope they fit in well."
"Me too. Time will tell."
"We should let you get to it, if you have recruits to impress," Ianto chuckled. "No doubt you'll think of something spectacular to shock them with."
Jack spread out his arms and grinned. "I might as well start as I intend to go on."
"In style, and with harassment, Sir?"
"Do I know any other way?" Jack asked with a laugh.
"In that case, I hope it all goes well today. And in general too," Ianto emphasised his words with an affectionate smile.
"Thanks. And congratulations again, both on your engagement and on the new family member."
"Thank you, Jack." There was a question in Ianto's eyes and Jack responded with a nod.
"We need to do this more often," Jack stated, glancing at Tosh and Owen, who both voiced their agreement.
"Definitely!" Ianto flashed a grin at Owen and continued, "especially after Tosh's visit."
"Actually, I've changed my mind, Skype chats are a terrible idea," Owen replied, just as Ianto had expected.
"You don't have to take part, you know." Ianto laughed. "Easier to talk about you when you're not around."
"Just go already!"
Ianto was not deterred by Owen's grumbling. "By that logic, expect your ears to burn for the whole of next week!"
"Now that would be mean," Tosh interjected, but looked unrepentant. "Besides, I expect a fair exchange of details!"
"Oh, I'll happily tell you everything you want to know about our life," Ianto promised.
"I feel like I ought to object, but that's fine by me." Mark let go of Ianto's hand to wrap his arm around his shoulder.
"That's it, we're going to stop this conversation right now!" Owen exclaimed and got up. "Lovely to speak to you both, sort of, but we have a world to save, one Rift alert at a time."
"We won't detain you any longer," Ianto chuckled. "Be safe everyone and good luck with the new recruits."
"Thanks, Ianto. You take care too." Jack smiled.
"See you next Friday," Tosh called out.
"We can't wait!" Mark waved at everyone. "Later!"
"Bye everyone," Ianto added.
"Bye guys!"
After the screen went blank, Ianto leaned in to kiss Mark. "Today is going to be a good day," he announced.
"Then let's get it started. A walk on the beach with the dogs is in order, I think."
"Perfect."
In Cardiff, Tosh disconnected the call and shared a smile with Jack and Owen.
"That was good."
Owen leaned in to kiss her cheek. "It was. And I know you'll have a wonderful week with them."
Tosh squeezed his hand, face alight with affection.
"I better get started on the autopsy of that alien we found yesterday," Owen said, a gleam appearing in his eyes. "That way I'll get to the really gruesome bits right around the time Gwen shows the newbies the autopsy bay."
"You're as bad as Jack!" Tosh gasped with a mixture of shock and amusement.
"It's what he said," Owen defended himself. "I might as well start as I mean to go on. The sooner the recruits realise what I'm like, the better."
"Oh, I could tell them all sorts of things about what you're like." Tosh flashed him a look full of heat.
"I definitely want to listen in on that conversation," Jack jumped in, waggling his eyebrows.
"No way, Harkness, it's none of your bloody business," Owen replied with a look of disgust.
"You're no fun." Jack gave them his finest mock pout, which had no effect what so ever.
"You'll live, I'm sure," Owen muttered and with a final touch of Tosh's arm he headed towards the autopsy bay.
"Are you okay, truly?" Tosh asked.
"I really am fine, Tosh," Jack assured her. "I've let Ianto go and I'm okay with that. They look so well, so relaxed, so content that I know he's happy with Mark. Frankly, he's better off in America with Mark and I could never begrudge him the life he has chosen for himself. It was his right to choose the way he did and I respect that. It's time I too looked to the future. I'm a better man for having known Ianto. Torchwood is better for his influence and I know we're all grateful for that. And I have you guys, and what we all have is amazing."
Jack reached to lay his hand on Tosh's shoulder before continuing: "That's a great foundation for building a better future. What more could I possibly want?"
Tosh got up to pull him into a hug, moved by his honest words. "You're a good man, Jack. I wouldn't want you any other way."
"I do my best, honestly I do. I just hope that's enough," he replied with a rueful smile.
"It is for me," she said with warm conviction.
"Thanks, Tosh." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'll let you get back to work. We have recruits to impress, after all, and one of us should pretend to actually do some work."
Tosh rolled her eyes. "I should manage that just fine, what with having actual work to do and all. You go and take up position in your office so you look as handsome and dashing as possible."
"With this jawline …too easy!" Jack chuckled. With a final wink, he headed up the stairs.
Some five minutes later, the cog door alarm signalled that it was time. He could see Gwen leading two rather bewildered looking people through the door. Myfanwy and Gobeithio swooped down from their aerie, confirming Jack's suspicion that they enjoyed the shock and awe they elicited in strangers. Jack grinned and walked to the door. He leaned against the door frame and called out to his new recruits:
"Welcome to Torchwood Three!"
Author's notes: Wow, I can't believe this story is finally over! When I started this, I thought it was going to be maybe 15k long and a standard Janto story with a happy Janto ending. Little did I know what I was in for and how much fun this would turn out to be! It never occurred to me that Ianto might fall for someone else or that he would not return to Torchwood at the end of the story. Suffice to say I've never written anything this long before, but it's been interesting to let the story develop in the way that has felt the most natural and also to let things develop at their own pace. I know I can be impatient at times, but I think here I managed to rein that in at least a bit.
Thank you so much for everyone who has read, reviewed, faved and followed this story. The support I've received has been overwhelming and I've been so very touched by people's kind words. I hope you have enjoyed this story with me, despite the unusual direction it has taken.
Thanks very much to Jess729 and RhianaStar for our rambling PM conversations. They were fun!
I'm also very grateful for Gmariam for the constructive critique she left early on in the story. It not only improved the story, but also led to a great new friendship. I love our conversations, which continue to challenge and inspire me. Plus, yay for stuffed Myfanwys!
The biggest thank you without a doubt goes to my beta, Darcy58. I bet you didn't realise just what a mammoth undertaking you were volunteering for when you offered to be my beta! I can't tell you how glad I am that you left me that initial comment in AO3, followed by your lovely reviews and comments on FF. You've been everything I ever wished for in a beta, plus so much more. You've challenged me when I needed it, encouraged me when I lost faith in my own writing and given me all the support I wanted and then some! You were brutally honest with me, a quality I value a grerat deal, you had the guts to disagree with me and stick to your guns, and you had the kindness and wisdom to steer me in the right direction when I was stumbling. You took a good story and helped me turn it into the best thing I've ever written. So thank you for that. And thank you for making me a better writer; with you as my teacher improving has been fun and easy. And thank you for becoming a dear, dear friend. I've been sentimental about all of this before, so you already know…
I was going to take a break from long stories after this one, but then an inspiration hit me and now I'm already working on another long one! So watch this space.
And speaking of stories, I've had the privilege of betaing Darcy58's first story, Stiff Competition. I've loved it since the original concept came up in a conversation and I know that there's plenty more good stuff to come with the subsequent chapters. Chapter one is up and if you haven't already read it, go check it out now!
I'm going to stop talking now! Thank you so much for reading Love Worth Remembering and Happy Christmas everyone! See you next year…