Chapter 29

When they arrived at Ianto's flat, Jack led him through to the lounge and gestured for him to take a seat. Carefully he removed his coat folding it neatly and laying it over one of the lounge chairs. Opening the carry bag, he pulled out the old, wooden box and sat beside Ianto on the couch. Ianto remained silent as he saw nostalgia in Jack's gaze and waited for him to share what was on his mind.

Opening the lid, Jack carefully pulled out papers and several old photographs. He held one photo in his hand as gently as he could because it was old and fragile. Ianto saw that it was a wedding photo of a beautiful young woman and Jack. In a hushed and reverent tone, Jack shared with Ianto his special wedding day with Estelle, whom he had loved very much.

Ianto saw tears gather in Jack's eyes as he spoke, but the Immortal's expression mirrored a long-forgotten joy, as well as a deep sadness. He explained to Ianto that Gwen's wedding had brought his long-ago special day completely back to mind and he experienced again the emotions his own wedding day had invoked in him; nervousness, joy, happiness, fear, hope.

Jack quietly explained to Ianto that his feelings from the past merged with his confused feelings for Gwen at her wedding, but he realised now that it was more that he had loved Estelle so intensely, so deeply, that it had spilled over into his reactions to Gwen.

Jack also explained to Ianto that Gwen was very much like Estelle, but she was an echo to the vibrant woman he had loved fifty years ago. He could see now that it was the 'shadow' of Estelle in Gwen that attracted him, rather than Gwen herself, despite the fact that she was attractive in her own right.

Then he showed Ianto a land deed and house plan, explaining that one day he would take Ianto out to the special home he had built, but had never returned to live in. Occasionally he visited it, but only for bare maintenance purposes. He chuckled as he explained that it really needed a lot of TLC and he hoped that Ianto might like to help him with it. Ianto readily agreed, happy to be invited.

Returning the papers and the precious wedding photo back to the box, Jack placed it back in the carry bag, then lifted the other very old, wooden box out. Ianto's eyes went as round as saucers as he stared at the intricate design carved into it.

"This is from my time, Ianto, the 51st century. It was my mother's jewellery box which had been handed down to her from her great-grandmother. One time I travelled back to the Boeshane Peninsula with the Doctor so I could see my mother one last time."

"I've told you I joined the Time Agency when I was still quite young. When I left the Boeshane to join them, I never returned there in that timeline. The Doctor took me back on one of our journeys with Rose so I could do what I never had the chance to do – say good bye to her."

"It was a wonderful eight hours we spent as Mum welcomed us all as I knew she would. We arrived back when she was in her fifties so that seeing me, she could accept the age I looked. Before I left, Mum insisted on giving me this, despite my protests telling me that when I looked inside the secret compartment hidden within, I would know what to do."

Ianto was absolutely fascinated and hadn't said a word, anxious not to cause a disruption in Jack's tale of his earlier life. It meant so much for Jack to open up like this to him … he had always hoped he would and he promised himself, he would share his own family life with Jack … one day.

"So, Ianto Jones, here I am with you, holding my great-great-grandmother's jewellery box and remembering the words my mother spoke when she gave it to me." Opening the lid carefully, he reached inside and Ianto heard a faint click. Jack appeared to find something there and began lifting it out carefully, his large hand wrapped carefully around it so Ianto couldn't see what it was. Then laying the box down on the coffee table, hand still clenched, Jack turned to face Ianto and smiled at him; happiness, joy and love pouring out of his eyes.

"Ianto Jones. I have a gift for you … a very special gift. It has been passed down to me and now I have found the person I want to give it to … you. I never intended to … never planned it … nearly ran away from it … tried to push it out of my life. But the truth, Ianto, is that I couldn't push love far enough away before I got caught. But I'm now glad that I did … get caught."

Jack half rose from the couch, then ended up on one knee before Ianto, smiling at the perplexed expression on his young lover's face, knowing his words would have set his mind whirling all over the place.

In the softest, most intimate voice Ianto could imagine, he heard the tender words that he had longed to hear fall from Jack's lips, from the first time he realised he, Ianto Jones, was in love with Jack.

"Ianto Jones. I love you. With every beat of my immortal heart, I love you and I want to spend the rest of your life showing you how much I do. With every breath from my immortal lungs, I want your name on my lips. With every touch of my immortal hands, I want your hands to love and hold. With every atom of my immortal body, I want your body always close to mine for me to love and cherish. Ianto Jones … will you do me the honour of agreeing to be my beloved partner for as long as you live?"

Jack's voice had dropped to a mere whisper at the end of his last sentence … but Ianto had heard with absolutely clarity, every word he had said.

Tears were already spilling down his cheeks as Ianto reached forward to gently cup Jack's face as he leaned in to kiss him gently, whispering into his mouth "Yes, cariad, with all my mortal heart, soul, mind and spirit, I would be honoured to be your beloved partner. I love you, Jack!"

Jack leaned back beaming and carefully opened his hand. Lying in his palm was a beautiful gold wedding band, intricately carved in a similar design to that which was on the box. He picked up Ianto's left hand, delicate and warm and slid the ring onto his ring finger.

Ianto lifted his hand to catch the light and marvelled at the ring's exquisite design. And it fitted his finger perfectly complementing his hand.

Jack placed his hands to frame Ianto's beautiful face and softly said, "That ring was my father's ring and I am honoured that you would wear it. Thank you, Jones, Ianto Jones!"

He then leaned up and kissed Ianto passionately, deepening the kiss as their ardour grew. Then he got up and pulled Ianto gently into his arms to shower the young Welshman in kisses, chuckling as he tasted the salty wetness of tears on his face.

"To the bedroom", growled Ianto, his face flushed red and eyes bulging with lust. With a smirk on his face, Jack deftly picked up Ianto into his strong arms, laughing at the startled squeak that escaped from his lover's lips.

"Have to carry you over the threshold … well … the bedroom threshold!" And he carried him into the bedroom where they began to cement their new relationship with prolonged lovemaking. It was tender, it was passionate, it was exquisite … it was perfect.

Jack woke up around dawn, having only been able to sleep for a couple of hours. Ianto hadn't fallen asleep until 3.00 a.m. so he decided he would get up, go out and grab a quick breakfast to bring home, before waking him up. Planting a gentle kiss on his lover's forehead, he smiled as his feather touch still caused Ianto to first frown a little, then smile while still held fast in sleep.

Walking quickly out of the flat, the chill in the air embraced Jack, reviving his sluggishness as he walked swiftly towards the bakery, his grey coat swirling in the icy breeze. His thoughts returned to the amazing night the two had shared. He had never known the young Welshman to be pulsing with ardour, yet controlled so that each touch, each kiss was as gentle as a butterfly wing stroking him, yet so potent in it's passion.

And that look … that incredible look in his eyes. I've never seen that look. It's as though he opened his soul to me last night and poured out all his love. I feel like I've been bathed in love … Ianto's love. I can scarcely believe this beautiful, young man is mine! Do I deserve him? Hell no! Will I give him up? Doubly hell no! I know at some distant point in the future I will lose him … my heart will shatter … I will be consumed in agony. But I can't give him up … not even to save myself as I've tried to do for many years, from the inevitable … the end of my world. I hope, I can only hope that the wonder, beauty and power of our love, will give me the strength I need when I lose him. But for now … we live and love together!

But a dark thought, like a black cloud intruding on a clear, blue sky descended on his mind. Gwen. Jack couldn't help feel a twinge of guilt at the harsh tone of his email to the young Welshwoman. He regretted the tone … but not the content.

His mind reeled as portions of her email replayed itself. He would never have believed this of Gwen. Sending him that email … after getting poor Rhys drunk so he'd be out to it. Jack shivered.

I had always thought that Gwen retained a certain innocence. That's gone! And what has replaced it? Did Torchwood do this to her? Did I do this to her? I had always believed Gwen to be the heart of Torchwood … but not now. Was she ever? Even before she sent me that sick email, Gwen has never really been the heart of Torchwood … Ianto was … and is. How could a woman who professes to love so much, display such a cold and callous disregard for other people? Before Ianto stole my heart, a fact which I'm sooooo grateful for now, I know I would have fallen into Gwen's arms. Actually … she would have fallen into mine! I used to be just like Gwen … how she has become … cold, calculating, callous, indifferent to other people's feeling, uncaring about how much pain I caused as long as I got what I wanted. Yes. That's what I was like with lovers … drew them, used them, threw them … always about ME, ME, ME! But Ianto, my beautiful lover … no, partner … changed me. Ianto … beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. He cares … so I care. Ianto has the biggest heart I've ever known … and he shares it with everyone, even Gwen … and he gives it to me! I don't deserve his love anymore than Gwen deserves Rhys' love. But I've got it … and I'm not going to let ANYONE get in the way of this incredible love. Not anyone. No-one.

Shaking his head at the melancholy that had dissipated his light-hearted joy, Jack dislodged the train of negativity running through his mind and returned to ruminating about one delicious, gorgeous, wonderful Welshman by the name of Jones, Ianto Jones.

I wonder if he will take my name? Or incorporate my name with his? Or maybe he'll just keep his own … I don't know enough about 21st century customs regarding male partnerships. I must find out. And … I'll have to discuss with Ianto about a public ceremony. I hope he's open to it. Hell – I want EVERYONE to know that we're together … in love … committed. I want to CELEBRATE this wonderful event … our union. Shit! I sound like a dizzy girl … can't help it … we've moved to the next level in our relationship and I'm dizzy with love for Ianto! I hope he feels exactly the same way about me. Yes. Of course he does. No-one can fake that incredible look of love that's shining out of his eyes now. And I know I can't hide it. Not sure if I've ever been able to hide how much the young Welshman means to me. Haha! The famous intergalactic Playboy … roped in and tamed by one mild-mannered … well, in public anyway … quiet, unassuming 21st century Welshman! The Doctor would be laughing from one millennium to the next if he knew. Hey! I should invite him to our ceremony – yeah! He'd love Ianto Jones … he'd think he was brilliant! And Martha … maybe Mickey. And Alice? Well … I'll send her and Stephen an invitation anyway. Ooops, jumping the gun … best get Ianto's okay on all this first. I'm sure he'll agree.

Jack entered the bakery and a few minutes later came out with a bag full of doughnuts, bagels and a French stick in his arms. The bagels and French stick were still warm. He would wake the Welshman up for a delicious breakfast before they showered … together.

When Ianto sluggishly woke up, he heard an insistent buzzing in his head. He tried to ignore and murmured to Jack and reached out his hand. A cold patch greeted his fingers. Jack? Where are you, Jack? Have you left me to go to work? Shit!

Shaking his head to clear the grogginess, Ianto leaned up onto his elbows, forcing his sleepy eyelids open. Then he realised … it was Jack's mobile ringing. But where is it? It might be Tosh or Owen? Well … Jack can't be far. He wouldn't go anywhere without his mobile.

Stumbling out of bed, he searched Jack's pile of clothes thrown on the floor. Bloody typical! I find a few measly moments to fold and tidy my clothes, but he can't!

It had rung off well before Ianto located it under Jack's clothes. Ianto sighed and sat on the floor a minute, knowing it had already gone to the answer machine. Oh well … may as well wait until whoever is ringing leaves a message.

After a few minutes, Ianto looked at the screen and saw the Voicemail icon. Quickly accessing it, he lifted the phone to his ear and listened. A flush of anger crept up his neck as he listened to the familiar … and totally unwanted … voice of his colleague … Gwen Williams.

Jack! Oh, Jack! Please ring me! Please! This is important, Jack! This is a Torchwood matter … of National Security! Please, Jack! I'm not trying to harass you … this is work, not personal. And I'm sorry, Jack! I'm so sorry because … because this is about one of our colleagues, Jack. Something I've found out from the Cardiff Police about one of our colleague's past! It could threaten us, Jack … threaten Torchwood! Ring me! Urgently!

The beautiful gold ring on Ianto's trembling finger caught the morning light and shone brightly as he was poised to delete the message … he faltered … he couldn't delete it. This was Jack's mobile and now they were in a new relationship, trust was important. Besides … after reading Gwen and Jack's emails last night, it was best that Jack hear this. They could work out what to do about it … together.

Groaning aloud, Ianto stood up on still shaky legs and placed Jack's phone on the dresser. He was just about to go to the kitchen to put the coffee pot on when he heard Jack open his front door. Jack's face beamed when he saw his young lover stumble out of the bedroom.

"Hey, beautiful! Just in time! You make the coffee and I'll set the table."

Ianto returned Jack's radiant smile with a shaky one of his own and said in a croaky voice, "Jack! You have a message on your mobile. From Gwen. I took the liberty of listening to it because I thought it might have been from Tosh or Owen. I think you should listen to it. Now."

Jack's face fell and he let the bags of food fall down on the couch. Ianto frowned at that action, but said nothing. Then Jack looked back up at his young lover, a frown creasing his brow and asked, "Why didn't you delete it? You know I'm not responding to any of Gwen's communications!"

"Actually, Jack, no … I didn't realise you were not responding to any of Gwen's communications. You never told me that! You just said that you didn't want any of her communications."

Jack sighed and moved to Ianto, pulling him into his arms, "I'm sorry, love, I just thought you understood that I was avoiding her. What did she want?"

"Like I said, Jack. I think you should listen to it."

Pulling himself away from Ianto he went to the bedroom, found his mobile and opened it. He brought it back out to the lounge and taking Ianto's ringed finger in his hand, he accessed the phone message. And listened to it. His face darkened and Ianto felt a shudder go through Jack's body.

"Fuck! What the fuck is she playing at? Well … just as well I've made contact with Andy! I'm going to get to the bottom of this! You heard the message, didn't you?"

Ianto nodded solemnly, recognising how angry Jack was. He himself felt a similar emotion coursing through his body. What a bitch! What a fucking bitch! And I bet I know which colleague she is referring to … me!

"Jack! I believe she probably means me."

The Immortal tensed and looked at his lover with a worried expression on his face and asked nervously, "Is there something you haven't told me? Something I should know?"

Ianto shook his head emphatically, "No, of course not Jack! The only Police charge that has ever been laid against me, is the one that you're already aware of when I was young. Public record. There's nothing else."

Jack's body relaxed and he snorted, "Threat to National Security? Oh, hardly! I'm sure that even the Prime Minister would laugh at that!"

Ianto nodded in agreement and spoke with a smile, "Let's not worry about it now. We'll work it out together. And you can ring the Cardiff Police and find out what's going on when we get to the Hub. But first … is that salmon bagels I can smell? Guess it's time to put the coffee on!"

Jack's good mood returned as Ianto's calm and assured manner pervaded his tension. He grabbed the young man in his arms and kissed him soundly, smiling when he felt his lover's ardent response. Yes. We can deal with this later … after breakfast … after our shower. We'll get to the bottom of this damn scheme of Gwen's to drive a wedge between Ianto and me. If this carries on, I'm definitely going to retcon her … it she's lucky, it will only be for the time she's been in Torchwood.

He reluctantly let get of Ianto who went into the kitchen to prepare the coffee. He got out plates and cutlery and began laying the table. Then he froze.

Fuck! What if Andy has broken his word to me and told Gwen about the assault case against Ianto? Wait. He wouldn't have done that. I asked him especially not to tell Gwen and I know he understood my fear that she would overwhelm him with her motherly concern over it. And he agreed. But even if he did tell her, how the hell could that be considered an issue with Torchwood? And National Security? What's she thinking about? Ianto was the victim, not the perpetrator? I know all about it.

"What's wrong, Jack?" asked Ianto in a worried tone seeing his lover standing stock still with a glazed look in his eye.

"Oh … shit … sorry, Yan. Lost in thought."

"About Gwen?"

"Yeah. Look, you're right. We're at home, not at Torchwood. We'll eat, shower, then go into the Hub. I'm sorry, Yan. I definitely don't want anything disrupting us here … not now … not after our wonderful night last night."

Ianto's face lit up like the sun as he shared the memory with Jack … his partner. Jack returned his lover's dazzling gaze and pulled him into another long and tender kiss, before they both headed happily into the bathroom.

Across town, Owen and Tosh were sitting down in their dressing gowns enjoying a delicious bacon and tomato omelette that Tosh had whipped up. They were discussing, over breakfast, how they would need to be very alert when Gwen returned because neither of them trusted her after reading her sordid email.

They agreed to do all they could to protect Jack and Ianto when Gwen returned. Observing the depths of Gwen's cunning deception, neither of them would put it past the young Welshwoman to take more decisive action against the two men. They would stay on the alert.

When Ianto had forwarded the text message from Gwen and Jack's reply to it, he had requested that they not tell Jack any of them knew. Tosh and Owen knew the fact that they had leverage over the Welshwoman, would be used as a last resort if their other attempts failed. Neither believed that Gwen would accept Jack's response … they both knew their colleague too well.

"Tosh. There is no way any of us can let Gwen know about Ianto's assault. After reading her email, I honestly believe that there is no depths too low that she wouldn't sink to. She's already sunk lower than I would have given her credit for. I wouldn't put it past her to use that information against Jack and Ianto."

"I agree, Owen. We'll have to let Martha in on this latest development. It makes me feel sick to have to 'air our dirty laundry' to her, but considering what Ianto is about to undergo through counselling, I don't think we have much choice."

Owen nodded and they finished their breakfast in a reflective silence.