Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood or its characters

Chapter 6

"What the hell was that?!" Owen shouted.

Tosh was typing furiously at her keyboard, with her screens going haywire. "I don't know what happened! He was here. We had him and then a new opening took him!"

"Does this mean we can never get him back?" Gwen asked in a shaky voice.

"I don't know" Tosh sighed. "I need to go over all these readings and look at the CCTV to find out exactly what happened. We obviously got it right as he was came through before the new opening took him. I just don't understand it!" Tosh threw her hands up in the air in frustration.

They jumped as they heard soft moaning. Owen knelt down to see Ianto slowly opening his eyes.

"What happened?" he mumbled.

Owen looked at Tosh and Gwen. "Who wants to tell him?"

19 August 2006

Jack opened his eyes and was surprised to find he wasn't in the same area he usually ended up in. It didn't even look like Wales. He stood up and rubbed his head before he realised he was looking at the London skyline. He walked along the street and saw a vendor who was selling newspapers, so he had a quick look at the date. 19 August 2006. His stomach flipped. Not only was it Ianto's 23rd birthday, but he was only a couple of days away from starting at Torchwood One. He jumped as a group of four young men walked past him. He recognised one of them as Ianto.

"Ianto mate I can't believe you landed a job at Torchwood!" one of the men said to him.

Ianto smiled that self conscious smile Jack knew so well. "No idea how I got it."

"You got it because you're a clever bugger! This means next round is on you!" another said as they cheered.

"And as it is your birthday today you know what this really means. It means PUB CRAWL!" the first one shouted. The four of them cheered and started down the street to the nearest pub.

Jack followed quietly behind them as they entered the nearest pub. They gathered in a booth whilst Jack sat at the bar, trying not to watch. Ianto looked so carefree and happy, celebrating his birthday with his friends, as someone his age should. He had no idea of the horrors that would soon come down on him and destroy his world, and his perception of the world will be changed forever. He clenched his fist. He wanted to run over, kiss him then tell him to keep the hell away from Torchwood. But he knew he couldn't. "I'm so sorry Ianto" Jack said, wiping away the tear that was rolling down his cheek. "I'm sorry for what is going to happen to you."

"So we got him back but he disappeared again?" Ianto asked. He was in the med bay being poked and prodded by Owen as he spoke to Gwen and Tosh.

"He was here in the Hub but he was doubled over, like he was in pain. Another opening then appeared immediately around him and took him away" Gwen explained.

"I wish I could explain it but I can't. I can't see how a rift opening occurred right here in the Hub." Tosh was nearly in tears.

Ianto reached out and took her hand. "It's ok Tosh. We should sit down and watch the CCTV, see what we can pick up from it."

"Well everything seems to be back to normal. How's the head?" Owen asked.

"Achy but better" Ianto replied.

"Well I've given you something to help but I'm keeping that cannula in your hand for now in case I need access. I want to do a scan on your head and make sure there's no damage."

Ianto was about the protest when Tosh squeezed his hand. "Ianto we need to make sure you're ok. That's twice you've collapsed. Once Owen gives you the all clear I promise you can join us going over the data and CCTV, ok?"

Ianto slumped back. He knew she was right, but he just wanted to get started. He wanted to find Jack and bring him back. He could work through his changing memories later.

"Ok" he said.

Tosh patted his hand. "Good." She turned to Gwen. "We'll make a start whilst Owen sorts Ianto."

Gwen nodded and squeezed Ianto's shoulder before following Tosh out of the med bay.

Jack wandered round the area he had found himself in. He was half tempted to go to Torchwood One just to piss Yvonne off but he couldn't remember were he was at this time. He sighed. All this trying not to change the timeline was giving him a headache. He just wanted to go home. To his Ianto. He was suddenly gripped by that all too familiar pain. Here we go again. There was a flash and he was gone.

He opened his eyes and his senses were immediately overwhelmed by terrified screams and the smell of blood and burning flesh. With horror he realised exactly where and when he was. The Battle of Canary Wharf.

A/N: I've started taking some liberties with dates now as I wasn't sure exactly when Ianto started at Torchwood One and how long he was there before its fall. I know this chapter is a little shorter than the others, but I promise the next one will be longer considering where Jack has ended up ;-)