29. Blowing in the Wind

Despite tests and going over the expensive files on the hard-drive Jack had pulled from the bastard's neck, they were no closer to understanding why Ianto had become immortal.

Well, he seems that way. Jack didn't want to test it and although Ianto healed quickly Jack secretly feared that a mortal injury would be just that. Permanent.

Ianto however, didn't see it that way and seemed to be openly taunting death at every opportunity. Weevils were taken on without a second thought and more that once Jack had found Ianto struggling with an Alien in the cells while demanding it change its bedding. Scrapes, bruises and more than one deep slash were not slowing him down a jot.

When Jack went up to the roof for some "Sky-time" he didn't expect Ianto to follow. Ianto had always hated heights and when he turned to see Ianto calmly walking along the edge of the building he went into brain-fart mode.

"Ianto. Get away from the bloody edge! You'll give me a heart attack!" Jack roared.

Ianto jumped with surprise and lost his footing.

Jack had no choice, he would do it again if ever asked and as Ianto slipped from view Jack jumped.

The ground was rushing towards them very fast and Jack caught Ianto's ankle, pulling him forward into his arms as he tried to shield him from the impact as much as he could.

Please gods, please make it quick for him Jack silently begged and Ianto's hands clasped at him with terror.

The impact was a bit of a relief. Jack couldn't bear the thought of what had been going through Ianto's mind in those last few minutes. God, I hope he knew how much he was loved.

Jack had revived and lay with Ianto's body still in his arms. The cameras would have picked up the movement and Jack knew they would soon come pouring out of the hub so he took his moment to pour all of his love into the last kiss.

I love you. I need you. You are my air. You are my chocolate. You are my wealth. You are my heartbeat. Jack poured these thoughts through the kiss as he sobbed and Ianto's hand swept away the tears as he gasped for air.

"You are everything to me too" Ianto finally sobbed, pulling Jack back into this arms.

Spike as first to reach them, a blanket flowing behind him as he fell to his knees with sobs of grief. Jack looked up as Anwen did the same, the twins hanging back as they clung to each other. Eyes wide with fear everyone watched as Jack slowly unfurled his arms and Ianto stared owlishly back at the audience.

Spike whooped and punched the air as Anwen dropped her head to Ianto's shoulder and wept.

Daisy and Rose hugged each other. Gwen folded her arms and huffed.

"Was that a test?" Gwen demanded and Jack looked up with shock.

"No! He slipped. Gods, you think I wanted to test the theory?" Jack spluttered.

"No, it's just … well. Look at him!" Gwen demanded.

Jack looked down at Ianto and saw the man he had made love to the night before Thames House. His face filled out and his muscles solid beneath Jack's fingers. A re-set.

"Ianto? How did it feel?" Jack asked softly.

"Hurts. Like a cold wind off the bay in winter, strips your heat away. Right to your bones." Ianto shivered and groaned.

"Like I've crawled over broken gl…" Ianto's head shot back as he stared into Jack's eyes. "We're the same."

"Yeah. Shit. Did you hear a voice back then, in Thames House?" Jack asked "I bring life?"

"Hmmm, not … no…yes." Ianto struggled through the fog of the lost years until he retrieved the relevant memory form his internal archives. "I bring life. I bring …love?"

"Rose" Jack whispered as he stroked Ianto's face. Damn you to hell, beautiful girl.

"Why?" Ianto asked with a frown.

"Why? I don't know" Jack shrugged and Ianto huffed.

"No, why damn her to hell if she did this?" Ianto cocked his head to one side as Jack gaped with shock. He heard that?

"Of course I did. I always hear you!" Ianto laughed and now everyone looked around with confusion.

"My love. I will always hear your whispers across the wind over my heart" Ianto kissed him.