Through the Looking Glass - Epilogue (TARDIS Ianto)
Authors: Cyberdigi and Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: Not ours, unfortunately
Author's note: Here is the first part of the epilogue for this story. We'd like to thank everyone who has read, and commented on this part, it's been a blast to collaborate on this.
Thanks again!
Ianto was bathed in blinding light once again, and even though he had stepped through the doorway, he felt himself standing still while at the same time, moving.
Much like the first time.
Except this time, when he opened his eyes, he was home.
He didn't even need to look; the emptiness that had resided in his head during this whole ordeal was gone, filled with his Mother and Jack.
"Ianto?" Jack asked hesitantly.
Ianto didn't even bother answering; he just launched himself at Jack, holding onto his partner as if at any moment he could be ripped away again. As he touched Jack, he felt the knot of tightness in his chest ease.
"I'm back, love," Ianto said before he brought their lips together.
After several minutes they separated—or rather, just quit kissing, as they were still glued together in an embrace—Ianto tucking his face into Jack's neck, Jack's hand coming up to cradle the crown of his head.
"Glad to have you back, Tea Boy. Harkness, could you release him long enough for me to examine our dimension-hopper here?"
Ianto pulled Jack tighter as he felt Jack start to loosen his grip.
Owen let out an exasperated sigh.
"Or he can come with us while I examine you and then you two can go off and do whatever it is you do when you're alone and I don't want to know about."
Tosh giggled and Jack looked up at her.
"Tosh, continue scanning the device; I want to know everything about it, so we aren't caught unawares by it again. And make sure to mark it as active," Jack said, Ianto taking half a step away so that they could start to make their way to the medical area.
"I'll get right on it, Jack," she said before turning to Ianto. "I'm glad we were able to get you back so easily."
She made her way over to them, squeezed between the two men, and hugged Ianto, before turning back to the device.
"This way, gentlemen, and be quick about it; I don't have all day, you know," Owen said, motioning the pair to follow him.
After Owen's exam, Ianto listened in a daze, still tucked into Jack's side, as his partner directed their team in a last few instructions for the night.
It seemed he blinked and then they were in the elevator on the way up to their flat. He did not even remember leaving the Hub.
He felt drained and…disconnected.
It was with tired surprise that he felt Jack sitting them on their couch. Jack knelt in front of him, hands on either side of his face, gently caressing him with his thumbs.
"I'll just grab some food from the kitchen, it's about dinner time after all, and I'm sure you missed your mid-afternoon meal."
Ianto just blinked at him.
"Hey, you alright?"
Ianto closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to center himself.
"I just feel drained, and a bit disconcerted. It was stressful finding myself so alone, not connected to you or Mother, and unsure how or how long it would take to get home, knowing that the longer it took the more at risk I was in by not being connected to my partner. Finally being home and reconnected—it's like all that just drained out of me, leaving me tired. But having those connections cut, then reestablished, and going between universes unexpectedly...I just feel a bit like the world just spun in the other direction and I wasn't prepared. I'm sorry I've been so…clingy, it's a bit like being given unlimited water after being in the desert; you just want to drink forever; or rather in this case hold on. I just need you, some food, rest, and you."
Ianto paused before adding. "Sex after the resting part, though."
Jack laughed and leaned up, bringing their foreheads together.
"I think I can take care of that, and tomorrow you can debrief."
Jack brought their lips together. They stayed like that for a moment, soaking each other up, before Jack pulled away to go grab some food.
