Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood or its characters

Chapter 8

"I don't want my memory back"

Ianto's heart sank. "Jack why? Why wouldn't you want it back?"

"After everything you have told me about Torchwood, about my life, why would I want it back? Why wouldn't I use this opportunity to make a new life? A new life without aliens and danger and fear. Ianto, what would you do?"

Ianto swallowed and looked to the floor. He hated to admit that he would be tempted, but still, he loved the job. It was part of him now. And he could never leave Jack. He looked up. "I would be tempted Jack. Honestly I would. But Torchwood does so much good. We help and protect people. We save the world. How many people can say that? And as much as we the team drive you crazy, you love us. We would follow you anywhere Jack. We need you. I need you" Ianto cringed at the last part, but it had slipped out.

Jack looked at him curiously. "I don't know" he said uncertainly.

"Jack just think about it please?"

Ianto watched Jack carefully. After a minute the older man gave him a small nod.

It had been a week since that conversation. Jack and Ianto had settled into some sort of routine. Ianto had taken to leaving Jack on his own for small amounts of time, and Jack was coping and becoming more comfortable being on his own. Owen had been phoning to check in and complain about John. The work on the reversal drug was going as well as it could between dealing with the team and rift alerts. Ianto was torn. He knew they were struggling being 2 men down, but he couldn't leave Jack for a whole day. Jack was less afraid now but was still reluctant to leave the flat, so Ianto didn't push him.

Ianto had discovered Jack had a love and talent for baking. Everyday Jack was trying something new, and to his credit he followed every recipe to the letter, and it always tasted delicious. Ianto wondered if he could persuade Jack to carry on when his memory came back. Would he even remember?

Ianto hadn't broached the subject again but he could see Jack was lost in thought sometimes. Any sci-fi show Jack would sit and watch, not saying a word. Ianto caught him the other night staring out of the window looking up at the stars. He hoped this was a good sign. No other memories had come back to Jack. Ianto was silently relieved at this. As much as he wanted memories to start to resurface, they couldn't control what would come back. Jack had a point when he said there were many bad memories. Ianto only knew some of what Jack had talked about with him, he couldn't imagine some of the things Jack had been through. He wished he could bring some of the good memories to the surface but he didn't want to try and trigger anything.

They were just eating Jack's latest creation of banana muffins when Ianto's mobile rang. He saw Tosh's name and answered.

"Tosh hi! Everything ok?"

"Ianto I'm sorry I didn't want to call but we need your help. Owen and Gwen are on a weevil hunt. There were supposed to be only two but they've got to the location and there are 5. I can't leave the Hub as I'm watching for a rift alert and making sure Hart behaves. I'm sorry Ianto we could really use your help with the weevils. It won't take long."

Ianto glanced at Jack who was just finishing his muffin and becoming engrossed in an action film. They'd found a movie channel that showed only James Bond type films. Jack had developed a love for them. He'd left Jack for nearly 2 hours yesterday and he had been fine. A little worried by the time Ianto had arrived back but he was ok.

"Ianto?" he heard Tosh ask.

If he went straight to where Owen and Gwen were he shouldn't be out too long. "Send me their location Tosh and I'll be there shortly."

"Thanks Ianto. I'm sending you their location now. I'll keep my mobile close in case Jack needs help."

"Thanks Tosh. I'm on my way."

Ianto hung up and touched Jack gently on the arm. "Jack?"

"What's going on Ianto? You looked worried." Jack looked concerned.

"Owen and Gwen are hunting some weevils and there are more than expected. They really need my help. I won't be out long Jack. I'm just going to help subdue the weevils then I will be straight back."

"Weevils?" Jack shuddered. "Ianto you could get hurt!"

"There's three of us and we have our spray that subdues them. I've done this loads of times before. Plenty of times with you. I'll be ok. Then I'll be back." He squeezed Jack's arm. "Promise"

Jack still looked worried but nodded. "Please be careful Ianto. I-I don't want to see you hurt. I don't like it."

Ianto smiled. "I'll be fine Jack. I'll see you soon."

"Owen can we get a move on?! I need to get back to Jack!"

"Ianto you nearly had your arm ripped off by a weevil so sit down and let me look at it and stitch you up. Gwen's parked your car and Tosh has spoken to Jack. He is fine. The sooner I've fixed you up the sooner you can get back to him. I'm not letting you drive until I say you can so sit down, shut up and let me examine your arm!"

Luckily the wound on his arm looked worse than it was. Owen cleaned and stitched him up and gave him 3 days of antibiotics. Tosh turned and smiled at him as he came up from the autopsy bay.

"Jack sounded fine don't worry Ianto. How is your arm?"

Ianto smiled. "Better now I've got Owen's miracle painkillers in me. I'm anxious to get back to him though." He looked around. "Where's Gwen? I wanted to say goodbye."

"Gwen!" Tosh called. There was no answer. She turned on the comms. "Gwen? Where are you? Ianto's leaving." There was silence.

"What's going on?" Owen asked, coming up from the bay.

"We can't find Gwen" Ianto said. "Tosh what did she say when she got back?"

"She gave me your car keys to give to you then said she was going to check on Hart in the cells."

Ianto suddenly felt sick. "Tosh bring up the CCTV from the cells."

Tosh brought up the live feed and saw the cells were empty.

"What the hell?!" Owen exclaimed. "Where is the bastard?"

Tosh rewound the footage and they watched as they saw Gwen approach a cell and talked to it. She suddenly let Hart out and began leading him away. They switched cameras and saw Gwen taking Hart to the car park. They got into her car and they drove off.

"Tosh how long ago did they leave?" Ianto asked quietly.

Tosh checked the timestamp. "5 minutes ago."

"Shit!" Ianto grabbed his keys off Tosh's desk and bolted for the car park, with Owen and Tosh following. He prayed he wouldn't be too late.