36
Ianto knew it was irrational, but he couldn't stop thinking about it.
Sean was still up there and the candle that still burned next to his photo needed to be extinguished. Hector and Betty needed closure and he needed to let it go.
He knew he had to go back up, he had to look for himself.
He told Jack as they lay warm and entwined in bed, Jack's sigh allowing him permission to go.
All night Ianto lay staring into the dark, the image of Sean up there all alone had dogged him since the accident and now it gnawed at his gut like it was full of rats. Seeing the place on the screen was the final push.
Next morning Ianto was tying his laces when Walter wandered into the room.
"Taddy? You going for a walk?" he asked as he looked pointedly at the climbing boots.
"Just a wee look, hon" Ianto smiled, "No snow this time."
Walter left and returned with the hat, thrusting it silently at his father who accepted it with a lump in his throat.
Ianto kissed his son and then went back to the laces to hide his discomfort.
Walter hummed as he wandered off to find Jack and Ianto took the opportunity to leave.
It was a beautiful morning and Ianto pulled Lisa's bobble hat on as he took a deep breath and regarded the mountain looming ahead.
He wasn't surprised to find Bobby waiting, but he was glad to find no cameras in sight as they walked silently forward, save for a still camera around Bobby's neck. The others joined them and Ianto led them up the mountain with a calmness in his gut that told him he was doing the right thing.
Connie and Taylor walked behind him as they discussed the budget and Bobby walked hand in hand with Charlie beside Ianto.
Jack had wanted to come, but Ianto wanted him with the kids in case he did find something.
He was determined to do this.
A couple of hours later, they were at the spot where Ianto had been found and he slowed the pace as he looked around.
Bobby quietly took out her camera and took a few shots of Ianto as he stood with his face tilted to the sun, sorrow lining his features.
Ianto looked up the trail, where they had been and calculated the decent he had taken. Judging the area he was in and where Sean had been at the point of impact …
Ianto walked over to the bracken nearby and began scanning, he felt this was the right area.
"This was all checked, on foot, by air and drone" Charlie informed him, "Every month this whole area is checked."
Ianto looked back at her and went to speak. He stepped into the bracken and gave a yelp as he felt the ground give way.
A ledge.
Ianto disappeared from view and they all raced to find him, his bobble hat visible as he looked up from the shallow depression the bracken had hidden.
His tears were flowing as he looked at them, then looked down at his feet. At first Bobby thought it was a bin liner or a discarded jacket. Then she saw the boot Ianto had squatted to pat gently.
Oh God.
They had found a body.
"Who is it Babe?" Bonnie called out nervously and she knew. When he looked up she knew.
"Sean."