A Promise Kept

Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood or its characters

A/N: I have had requests for a sequel to my fic From the Other Side, so this is a one shot following it. YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ FROM THE OTHER SIDE TO UNDERSTAND AND ENJOY THIS FIC. There are obviously spoilers though for that fic.

Hope you all enjoy and Merry Christmas everyone!

Ianto walked into the office to see Jack gazing at the pictures on the wall. He stood next to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"They're all still watching over us" he said quietly.

Jack nodded. "After all these years. I know the teams haven't been able to understand why I keep these pictures on the walls and not go all digital, but I just can't change them." He stroked one of the pictures. "Especially this one."

Ianto watched as Jack touched the photo of himself tenderly before turning and pulling him into a gentle kiss.

"I like them. I just wish there weren't so many now." Ianto looked sadly at the walls covered in framed pictures of fallen Torchwood personnel, the one of him the largest.

Jack looked sadly at him. "I'm sorry you have to go through this. I'm selfish because I'm so happy you are still here, but now you have to watch everyone you care about die."

Ianto pulled him into a hug. "It's hard, but I have you. We can get through anything together."

"I don't know what I would do without you Ianto Jones." Jack kissed him tenderly, savouring the moment.

"Have you finished your paperwork? I saw Torchwood Australia have sent a mile long list of requests again."

"I'm no longer surprised." Jack said.

"How are the other offices doing?"

Jack sighed. "Torchwood USA keep sending pictures of random objects wanting my opinion. God knows why as I keep telling them most of it is redundant or junk from here. Torchwood Africa are having trouble with their weather equipment again. It keeps raining inside their base. I'll have to send a tech team over to them. Torchwood Europe are once again arguing with the ESA. It never ends. Still, it won't be my problem for too much longer."

Ianto looked at him warily. "Jack what do you mean? Last time you tried to step down all the Torchwood bases, secret agencies and governments were in uproar."

"We'll see." Jack said. He suddenly grinned. "Now mister! It's just after midnight on Christmas Day. Present time!"

"And who said I've got you a present Jack?"

"I saw you hiding it in the kitchen whilst I admiring the view you were giving me as you bent over" Jack smirked.

Ianto rolled his eyes. "Come on then."

They walked down into the main Hub area. There had been a lot of changes as technology advanced over the years, but some things remained. The water tower and the invisible lift. Jack had defended keeping those vehemently. They still had a sofa under a Torchwood sign, but the sofa was replaced every few years. Everything had been modernised. As much as Jack resisted certain changes, Ianto had always managed to bring him round with coffee. With the advancement of coffee machines, Ianto's coffee became even more exquisite.

Jack sat down on the new black leather sofa, replaced a month ago, and waited for Ianto to come back. Ianto appeared with a parcel and sat next to Jack, putting it in his lap.

"Do I get a hint?"

Ianto rolled his eyes and elbowed Jack gently. "Come on open it."

"Ok Mr Impatient." Jack carefully unwrapped the parcel. He pulled out a small leather bound book. He opened it and his eyes filled with tears. It was a scrapbook full of photos of Jack and Ianto's life together. Jack's proposal, their wedding, anniversaries, holidays, setting up the various Torchwood branches around the world, their first house and many more. His heart swelled as he looked through all the photos, each one dated with the month and year. He turned and kissed Ianto. "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Ianto stroked his cheek. "I have some idea." he said quietly.

They stayed like that for a few minutes before Jack sat back up. He wiped away the tears. "Right get your coat Ianto. Time for your present."

"Where are we going?" he asked warily.

"Just put your coat on." Jack winked.

An hour later they were in the SUV on the way. Ianto kept trying to guess the route but it was hard to make out shapes in the dark. Jack wouldn't give any hints, much to his frustration. Theories ran wild in Ianto's mind, each more ridiculous than the last. Eventually they arrived in a large field surrounded by countryside. Jack pulled over in front of a large building, bigger than any warehouse that Ianto had seen. It looked like some sort of aircraft hanger.

"Jack where are we?" Ianto asked, feeling very confused.

Jack took his hand and led him him to a small door on the side of the building. He unlocked it and pulled Ianto inside. He pulled a leaver and lights turned on, temporarily blinding him. As his eyes adjusted, he gasped at what he saw.

In the middle of the building was what can only be described as some sort of space ship. It had a cockpit with large windows at the front. Ianto could see a cockpit and saw 2 seats next to each other. He walked around. It was standing on what could be described as four legs. A ramp led to an open door on the underbelly of the ship. The back of the ship had one large engine. There were windows on the sides but the ship was too high up to look in. He put his hand and slid it along the smooth cool metal. He came back round to where Jack was watching him with a big smile on his face.

"Jack what is this?" Ianto felt more confused than ever.

Jack walked over to him and took both of Ianto's hands into his. "Ianto, 100 years ago you were shot and died in my arms. I thought that was the end for me. It broke me that I had lost you. But minutes later you came back to me. The universe gave me the most precious gift. You, immortal. That Christmas we were on a rift alert. It was a clear sky and there were hundreds of stars. You were looking at them. I took your hands then and I made you a promise that in 100 years time I would take you to the stars. Today I keep that promise." He brought Ianto's hand to his lips and kissed it. "This ship is ours, and it is capable long distance space flight. We can go further than this solar system, we could go to the other side of the Milky Way if you wanted." He looked up at the ship. "I know it doesn't look like much but it is more sturdy than it looks."

Ianto just stood staring at him with his mouth open. "How have you managed this?!" he managed to gasp out.

Jack grinned. "I've been working on this all year, including test flights. It came through the rift badly damaged, but me and a team managed to rebuild it. I had to fake many rift alerts so you wouldn't get suspicious." he winked. "Couldn't have you ruining the surprise."

Ianto didn't trust himself to speak. He just kept gazing from Jack to the ship. Jack became worried.

"Ianto are you ok? Do you not like it?"

Ianto suddenly grabbed him and pulled him into a passionate kiss. It took a few minutes before they needed to come up for air. "I love it." he said. "How did you remember?"

Jack cupped Ianto's face in his hands and put his forehead against Ianto's. "I never forget my promises to you. Not the truly important ones. You are the most important person in my life. You ARE my life. And I want to give you the most amazing life."

"But Jack what about Torchwood? We can't just leave."

"I have spent the past six months arranging the change in leadership and my stepping down. It's been a battle but between us we have given over 300 years to Torchwood. No one can argue we haven't given enough. Humanity have now taken the first steps to the stars, establishing bases on the moon and Mars. It is more than capable of defending itself. Now it is time to live OUR lives."

Ianto threw his arms round Jack's neck. "When do we leave?"

Jack looked at his wrist strap. "We leave in 12 hours."

"We better get packing! We have so much to do!" Ianto made to rush to the door when Jack stopped him.

"Already done. All of our belongings are on the ship. It is fully stocked with supplies. All it needs is us.," He smiled at Ianto. "I have arranged everything, professionally and personally. Everything we have is in that ship. Our house has been sold. The heads of Torchwood are prepared for our departure. And the governments will have to find new verbal punching bags as we are off on our own adventure."

They walked outside hand in hand, Ianto still in disbelief at what was happening. They were leaving Earth, his home. He was finally going into space with Jack. He could barely contain his excitement. As they walked back to the SUV Jack stopped and looked up, pulling Ianto close to him.

"So Mr Harkness-Jones, which way will we be going?" he grinned.

Ianto grinned back and looked up. He pointed up, slightly to the left. "That way."

Jack pointed at the same spot. "That way it is." He looked at Ianto. "Merry Christmas Ianto."

Ianto looked at Jack. "Merry Christmas Jack."

They kissed under the stars, ready for the new exciting adventures that awaited them.