AN- I got this one ready for you as soon as I could. I'm moving down to South Wales, on Monday, and will be without internet until Sunday 18th, so am going to do as much writing as I can in that week, and hopefully, have something to post on Wednesday. :)

I don't think I need to put a tissue warning up. But just incase.

I don't own Torchwood. I'm just borrowing the characters. :)

A huge THANK YOU to QuietTime for the beta and all the random conversations we have via e-mail. :)

Let me know what you think.

Chapter 26- Don't write me off...just yet.

The heated glares of the elder adults flew in Jack's direction from the moment he entered the Social Club where Gwen and Rhys were hosting their anniversary party. It was enough to make him want to run for the hills. The only people not glaring at him, were his friends, Ianto, and Ianto's parents. It seemed the majority believed his and Ianto's separation was Jack's fault. Granted, he'd been the one to suggest it, but somehow, he'd been targeted as the cause as well. Not really surprising, given that most of the elderly adults had seen Ianto grow up and nothing could bring the 'lovely, young welsh boy' down of the pedestal they had placed him on. If only they knew.

It wasn't long before he was noticed by Mica and David, who had been happily playing on the dance floor with other children. His heart warmed as they shot towards him like bullets crying "Uncle Jack! Uncle Jack!". Their arms attached themselves to his legs and he found himself smiling for the first time all evening.

"Hello champs, how're you doing?"

"We're okay. I got an A in my history project!" David informed him proudly.

"That's wonderful!"

David beamed at his 'Uncle Jacks' praise and Mica, not wanting to be left out, cried "I got nine out of ten in my spelling test!"

"Wow, got two bright little kids haven't we? You'll be taking over the world soon." Jack smiled. Rhiannon was two years older than Ianto, and had known Gwen since she was in nappies, it was no surprise to see his extended family here at all. Well, he supposed he couldn't call them 'family' much longer, but he'd always be there for the kids. He smiled at them as they continued to talk over each other about their grades and listened attentively. It was only when he was hugged fiercely from behind he realised that Rhiannon and Johnny had come looking for their kids.

"Ooo Jack, it's good to see you." Rhiannon hugged him tightly, whilst he was still seated. Once she stopped trying to strangle him, Jack rose to his feet, moving the kids slightly so he could hug her in return.

"Hi Rhi" he pulled back and offered his hand to Johnny, who shook it in a friendly manner and smiled at his brother in law. And with the same sinking feeling that had accompanied his earlier realisation, Jack accepted he couldn't call Johnny that for much longer either.

"Alright Johnny."

"Aye, you?"

"As I can be. Still completely jet lagged from yesterday."

"Oh, that's the worst." Johnny laughed. "Long plane journeys and then parties."

"Oh, the party isn't that bad...but if looks could kill..." Jack flinched and avoided the gaze of the older people, still sending daggers flying his way.

"Ignore them. They don't know the full story. Probably reckon that you've hurt Ianto, I mean, heaven forbid Ianto actually be human and make a stupid mistake." Rhiannon sighed

Jack chuckled "He's your brother."

"Yes, and I love him dearly but I reserve the right to remind him what he's done..."

"You shouldn't side with me," Jack pointed out. "It was both of our mistakes."

"Yes, but he should have talked to you, not thrown everything in your face and accused you before he had his facts right."

The American sighed "Okay, I give in." he smiled down at Mica who was tugging on his suit pants and after getting the message, he lifted her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

"Love you, Uncle Jack." she whispered, as if it was a world trade secret.

His heart lifted slightly. "I love you too, sweat-pea, and if you need me, I'll be there." Mica nodded against his shoulder and hugged him tightly. He gently set her on the floor and turned to David. "Same goes for you, okay sport?"

The little boy nodded and hugged Jack tightly. "I don't have to like it though. You and uncle Ianto splitting up."

"I don't like it either." Jack murmured.

"So why do it?" David demanded in that childlike way, that expressed confusion and the truth.

"Because...because sometimes adults break things. And sometimes, we can't fix them."

"What did you and uncle Ianto break?"

"Trust, faith, loyalty... amongst other things."

David just nodded and looked at Jack "They're hard things to break if you can't always put them back together again. But Daddy always says that something can always be fixed, if you want it to hard enough."

It took a long time, for Jack to understand what David meant.

A few hours later, and Ianto was frustrated. He had another hour before his plan could be put into action, and he'd lost count of the amount of people who'd gone over to Jack, gave him a talking to and walked off, whilst sending him, Ianto Jones, a sympathetic smile. At some point in the evening, Jack had moved to hide out in a dark corner, near the bar, talking to Tosh and Rhys. To avoid the stares. It angered him that everyone seemed to have placed the blame on Jack. No one had come over and had vicious words with him, it was all Jack.

With an hour to spare, he supposed, there was something he could do. He knew it was corny, but hell, it was so true. He headed over to Jack, Tosh and Rhys. Ianto could feel everyone's eyes following him as he stalked towards the table. Especially the gossiping old women, probably hoping to be able to side with him some more. Or have another go at Jack. Instead, Ianto smiled warmly when he reached the table and offered his hand to Jack in a total 'May I have this dance' motion.

Jack was rather stunned when Ianto appeared before him, hand extended in true courtly fashion. But he had to choke back a laugh when the Welshman quoted Gwen's favourite film at him.

"Nobody puts Jack in the corner."

Tosh and Rhys beamed and Jack chuckled lowly, still eying Ianto's hand. He knew, deep down, that there was more to this than just a dance. Ianto was trying to make a point to everyone. Either that, or he was going out of his way to have one final dance. Perhaps in the same way he'd chased Jack out of the café for a final kiss.

"Come on," Ianto smiled at him, waggling his hand slightly in further invitation. "They've seen us dance before."

"Well, Yes." Jack agreed hesitantly. "But not...not when they've all given me lectures."

"I don't care." Ianto insisted. "Now c'mon, the sooner we prove to them that we can still be friends, the better."

"Alright." Jack took Ianto's hand, slightly worried about what everyone would think. He shook his head, he'd never had a problem dancing with Ianto before and he was not about to start now. He didn't have to hide their relationship (or lack thereof), hell, the majority had been that their civil partnership. He was more worried of what people would make of them, dancing together when they were in the process of dissolving their civil union.

The Welshman led Jack onto the dance floor, as slow, romantic music struck up around them. Instinct and habit prompted Jack to snuggle in as they used to, but his brain shrieked about what a mistake that would be. Unsure what to do, Jack stood motionless, letting Ianto wrap his arms around his waist as they started to rock awkwardly on the spot.

"You know," Ianto whispered into Jack's ear. "If you continue to stand like that, they're going to think that, I'm clinging in hope you'll reconsider...and you'll get shouted at even more."

Jack chuckled and brought his hands up to rest on Ianto's shoulders. "Well, I know we'll end up having a 'why can't we work it out talk?'"

"Nah, lets not spoil Gwen and Rhys's party."

Jack sagged with relief and relaxed into the dance. "Gwen said you're getting up on the karaoke later."

Ianto blushed "Oh yeah, she and Rhys conned me into it."

"No...you volunteered." Jack teased.

"Don't damage my reputation of a shy, retiring, Welshman."

"You have a reputation?"

"How dare you, Jack Harkness!" they both laughed and everyone in the room who had been glaring or had words with Jack stared, stunned at the ease between the couple, finally accepting the possibility that there was something more to the current state of the relationship than just Jack being stupid. They could all feel their faces flushing that for automatically assuming Jack was to blame, just because they hadn't seen him grow up. They'd felt an awful sense of protectiveness for Ianto, ever since he'd brought home his first boyfriend.

Jack carried on swaying gently to the music, he cast his eyes about the room and he saw people glance at him ashamed before hurriedly looking away.

"I think you made your point."

Ianto beamed "Good, I was feeling left out. Everyone kept giving you earfuls and not me."

"Oh, poor baby. Want me to give you an earful?" the words were out of Jack's mouth before he could stop them.

"Is that a euphemism, Captain." Ianto winked.

Jack chuckled "If the shoe fits." the song they had been swaying to came to an end and Jack stepped back, out of Ianto's arms and stared at the Welshman. "Thank you...for this. Good luck later."

Ianto nodded his thanks and smiled when Jack leaned in and kissed his cheek. "See you soon." he whispered.

Jack nodded and walked off.

An hour later and Ianto knew he had about three minutes before he stepped up to sing. Nervous didn't cover how he was feeling. He shuddered and moved towards the stage as Gwen headed up and took the microphone as a rather drunken 'friend of the family' finished his version of 'Sweet home Alabama'.

"Hello!" Gwen beamed at everyone in the room. "I just wanted to thank you all for coming and supporting Rhys and I through our marriage. We've got this far." she grinned even wider. "But now, I ask you to show your support for Ianto, who's getting on Karaoke next."

Cheering echoed around the room as people watched the Welshman climb onto the stage and hug Gwen, whispering something in her ear. She shook her head in response and he smiled before turning to face the family and friends all sat at their tables smiling at him. He caught Jack's eye and nodded once at him. The music, a single piano, and nothing else played from the speakers.

"It's never been easy for me to find words to go along with a melody. But this time there's actually something, on my mind so please forgive these few brief awkward lines..." Ianto closed his eyes and tried to ignore the people watching him. He'd never been good at singing in public.

"Since I met you, my whole life has changed, it's not just my furniture you've rearranged. I was living in the past, but somehow you've brought me back and I haven't felt like this since before Frankie said relax. And while I know, based on my track record, I might not seem like the safest bet. All I'm asking you is don't write me off, just yet..." he could feel the tears behind his closed eyelids. He'd expected to get emotional when he sung, but not this early in the song. He opened his eyes and smiled. His gaze travelled around the room until he caught Jack's eye again, holding the eye lock just long enough for Jack to get the message. This was for him.

"For years I've been telling myself the same old story; that I'm happy to live off my so-called former glories, but you've given me a reason to take another chance. Now I need you, despite the fact that you've killed all my plants." a few chuckles rang around the room. But Jack smiled at him and nodded. He'd got the message. Ianto just wished there'd been a smile to go along with the realisation.

"And though I know, I've already blown more chances than anyone should ever get, all I'm asking you is don't write me off, just yet...Don't write me off just yet." his voice trailed of with the final note and he sniffed back the tears threatening to tumble down his cheeks as the crowd burst into loud applause. His eyes sort out Jack's again, but he couldn't find the American anywhere.

Jack had got the message loud and clear. Any other day he would have jumped on the stage at the end of the song and kissed Ianto senseless. But not today. The tears had been streaming down his cheeks since Ianto had moved into the final verse of the song. He could feel his heart racing and he ran. Not far. He was outside, in the pouring rain, hoping that it would mask the tears streaming down his cheeks. He loved Ianto and he couldn't deny it. He didn't want to deny it. He just couldn't trust him not to hurt him again. For once in his life he was running scared from Ianto Jones.

He heard the door open and John Hart and Donna appeared before him. John took one look at him and held out his arms. Just like that first few weeks after he and Ianto had split. He collapsed into his friends arms and Donna rubbed his back comfortingly.

"What are we gonna do with you?" Donna murmured.

The words echoed in his head and he managed to shrug his shoulders. Neither of the group of three saw the little old lady in the door way. She'd been watching Jack through the entire performance and as he left, she'd moved to follow him. But then, in her old age, she wasn't as quick as she used to be and John and Donna had gotten to Jack first. She let the door fall closed behind her and John looked up at her. She nodded at Jack and walked forward and patted Jack's back.

"When he's calm...I want to talk to him." she smiled at them. Donna and John just nodded.

AN- I don't own the song 'Don't write me off' Hugh Grant has that pleasure, though I don't think he wrote it.

Also, for those of you who are interested. Fight For This Love has a cover now...Thank you to the wonderful CJHARKNESSGIRL on Live Journal. http:(double forward slash)i487(dot)photobucket(dot)com(forward slash)albums(forward slash)rr238(forward slash)cjharknessgirl(forward slash)fightforlove(dot)jpg I'm sure you all know what is like for links lol!