Ianto Jones stood gazing at his naked reflection in the glass doors that opened on to his balcony. It was still dark outside but Ianto did not see the deserted plas, all of his attention was turned inward as he tried to make sense of the last eight hours.

He had been unprepared for the rage he had experienced when Pearson had burst his way into their home, the sense of violation and fury had made him reckless. Ianto smiled grimly, he knew he was by nature a passive man, with his upbringing he could barely be anything else, but somehow the invasion of the home he shared with Jack had awoken a streak of protective aggression in him. Ianto reached up and touched his left shoulder, Jack had placed his hand there, not to soothe but to warn when Ianto began to threaten the intruder, one of the things Ianto valued most in his lover was the fact that Jack never once thought of Ianto as weak or in need of more protection than someone able bodied but he had assessed Pearson as dangerous and was sharing the assessment with Ianto through his touch.

Ianto ran his hands through his hair, wincing as his fingers encountered the large lump that was a reminder of his encounter with the wall. He could still vividly remember lying stunned, listening to Jack taunt Pearson and to Pearson's violent threats. If he thought he had been furious at the intrusion into the flat hearing what Pearson had planned for Jack had taken him to a whole different level of anger. Ianto had always thought that anger was hot, the type of blistering fury he recalled from being forced to chose between Lisa and Tristan but the rage that had course through him when Pearson talked of raping Jack with a knife blade was like an arctic blast, freezing the blood in his veins and driving him up and onto his feet before conscious thought even kicked in. All those hours at the pool and in the gym paid off after all thought Ianto to himself, and now look at you; he focused on his reflection taking in once more that he was standing proud and tall on his own two feet. What struck him, even more than that, was the look of absolute contentment on his features, he raised his eyes and shifted his focus to the faint image of Jack, mirrored in the glass, sprawled in sleep across the bed, long lashes brushing his gorgeous cheek bones, thick hair mussed and the sheets down around his hips giving him an appealing dishevelled look. He was the one who had put the contentment on Ianto's face and in his life.

The memory that Ianto knew he would cherish, even above the moment when he had regained his mobility was of Jack, pressing his face to the wall of their bedroom whilst he got down on his knees and prepared Ianto with his tongue. Jack had run his lips down Ianto's spine, sucking and kissing each vertebra as he did so, then he had sunk to the floor, separated Ianto's buttock cheeks and licked a long wet stripe down thee sensitive skin making Ianto whimper with need. Jack had blown gently on the moistened flesh before driving Ianto to the edge of insanity by unexpected thrusting his tongue deep inside the yonder man's body. Once Ianto had been clinging to the wall, legs trembling Jack had guided him down to the bed.

'Want do you want, Yan?' he had asked gently

Ianto was already barely capable of coherent speech but had managed to croak out, 'you...in...me, please Jack' then all sensible thought ceased as Jack slowly and carefully inserted a lubricated finger into his arse and gently probed. Ianto had gasped at the sensation and barely noticed when one finger became two, then three. Jack stretched him in preparation and Ianto had moaned in disappointment when those teasing fingers withdrew. He heard the crackle of a condom wrapper and dredged up enough motor control to reach up and grasp Jack's wrist. Jack had immediately stopped, clearly concerned that Ianto was having second thoughts.

'Yan?'

'When were you last tested?' gasped Ianto wriggling slightly as Jack's leaking cock brushed tantalisingly against his inner thigh.

'Last month' replied Jack

'Been with anyone else since then?'

'Not been with anyone else since the day I first met you.' said Jack

Ianto's heart gave a joyful twist in his chest, 'I've never been with anyone ' he reminded Jack, gently plucking the condom from his fingers and tossing it down beside the bed, 'so we won't be needing that.'

Jack had made a strangled noise that sound like a hybrid of a sob and a laugh and bending down kissed Ianto puckered hole making the younger man scream with pleasure. Vaguely Ianto heard the snick of the lube bottle and he had begun to turn over to get onto his hands and knees, he had read somewhere that made things easier, but Jack had stopped him.

'I want to see your face when I enter you for the first time' he murmured, kissing Ianto tenderly, 'want to see your face when my cock makes you come.' Ianto had kept his eyes on Jack's face as the blunt head of his prick pushed against him. The stretch and burn of Jack entering him was mitigated by the expression of wonder and gratitude on Jack's handsome face. 'Oh sweet goddess,' Jack had half sobbed, 'so hot, so tight. I don't think I can hold on for long.' Ianto hadn't cared; the sensation of being one with Jack was so overwhelming his cock was like an iron rod, pre-come trickling from the tip. It had not taken long before Ianto had come hard shooting his come between them. Jack had followed almost concurrently shooting molten fire into Ianto's body. Shifting his stance slightly, Ianto could still feel Jack's come deep inside him; his reflection smiled back at him.

Two strong arms sliding around his waist and a warm body being pressed close against him from behind jerked Ianto from his reminiscence and back to the present; in the glass Ianto watched as Jack kissed the nape of his neck.

'Missed you' he breathed softly into Ianto's ear, 'what's happening?'

Ianto leaned back into his lover's embrace, the warmth of Jacks body making him realise how long he had been standing naked, lost in his thoughts. 'I was just thinking about last night,' he said

Jacks hand slid over Ianto's belly and closed around his semi-erect cock, 'looks like they were good thoughts,' he murmured suggestively as he rubbed his own erection against Ianto.

'The best'

'Come back to bed, show me all about them.'

Ianto laughed and turned away from the window, why would he watch the image when he had the real thing in his arms?

The next morning Jack seemed uncharacteristically silent, he pushed his breakfast around his plate, taking only small bites rather than inhaling it in his usual fashion. Ianto sat opposite him and watch worriedly.

'Everything alright, Jack?'

'Hmm?' said Jack abstractly

'I said, is everything alright?' said Ianto patiently.

'Yeah, yeah, I was just thinking about last night.' said Jack a small frown on his face

A cold fear suddenly gripped Ianto's heart making it stutter in his chest, 'last night? Why? Was...was...it not good? Was I not good?'

'What?' for the first time Jack seemed to notice Ianto's fear. He jumped to his feet and pulled Ianto into a tight embrace. 'No, no. You were wonderful, amazing. We were brilliant together.'

Ianto was confused, 'then what?'

Jack buried his face in Ianto's hair, 'you were so brave when that shit stain broke in to our home. You stood up to him, you saved me.' Ianto tightened his hold on Jack, he wasn't sure were this was going but he wanted Jack to know that Ianto would always hold him safe in his arms. Jack continued, 'it was my fault that you had to do all those things, my job that put you in danger. You are a book seller, Yan, you shouldn't have to face up to knife wielding low lifes or crazed killers of any sort.'

'So, what are you saying, Jack? You can't wrap me in cotton wool, you know. I'd rather face danger and have you in my life than be safe without you. I love you'

'I know' said Jack, 'I love you too. I have an idea. Make us some fresh coffee and I'll tell you what's in my mind.'

Tosh and Owen were becoming used to being the first people in the Hub these days since Jack seemed to be finding it harder and harder to leave Ianto; so they were surprised to see Jack making his way to the boardroom carrying a bag of pastries, from Jackson's no less, with Ianto Jones walking beside him carrying a tray of coffees.

'IANTO!' shrieked Tosh making Owen jump; he had no idea that such a petite woman could produce such volume.

Ianto turned to face them and the look of joy on his face was enough to tell them everything they needed to know. Jack had a similar look and his face and that gave Tosh and Owen the courage for what they had planned to do.

'Hi lovebirds' cried Jack, 'just in time, team meeting in the boardroom.'

Owen and Tosh hurried up to join Jack and Ianto at the large mahogany table. 'I can't believe he bought you into the Hub. And you are walking, what happened?' she whispered as she seated herself next to Ianto. Ianto smiled enigmatically.

'OK' said Jack, 'firstly, a welcome to Mr Jones who's help in ending the sex slave ring in Cardiff has entitled him to full disclosure of the work we do here. I have a couple of items for today's discussion, including an update on Ianto's amazing recovery, but before we get on to them, Owen, Tosh, do you have anything for the agenda?'

Tosh and Owen exchanged glances and then Owen rested their joined hands on the table top and cleared his throat, 'we do,' he said, 'erm...as you guys know, Tosh and I have been seeing each other for...well as long you two have, actually, and last night I asked Tosh to marry me.'

'And I said yes' added Tosh.

'Wow' said Jack, 'that is so brilliant! Congratulations, you two.'

Ianto hugged Tosh tightly and then shook hands with Owen, 'congratulations' he said, then he turned to Jack, 'does this make things easier or harder for us?'

'Both I think' replied Jack, then seeing the looks of confusion on the faces of his colleagues he related the events of the previous night from the moment Pearson had burst into their home to the moment Ianto had taken him out with a bust of Trollope.'

'Blimey' interjected Owen, 'I'd like to give you a full physical after this, if that's OK with you Ianto' Ianto nodded as Jack ended his story of Pearson's capture with an account of his incarceration by UNIT.

'The thing is,' continued Jack, 'the events of last night made something crystal clear to me, I cannot expose Yan to such danger and, if I continue as leader of Torchwood, I cannot guarantee his safety. I talked things over with Ianto this morning and as soon as I have negotiated and worked my resignation period from Torchwood, he and I will be getting married.'

Tosh and Owen exchanged glances, obviously having one of those silent conversations that couples do so well. They nodded at each other and then Tosh spoke up, 'we don't want to stay here if you are not Director. If you are tendering your resignation to Her Majesty you had better notify her that her people will need to provide replacements for us also.'

Owen had dragged Ianto down to the med bay for his physical and Jack was leaning on the railing of the landing outside of his office surveying the Hub. Tosh came up beside him and slid her hand through his arm.

'Everything OK, Jack?'

'Yeah' Tosh had never heard Jack so contented.

'And Ianto?'

Jack chuckled, 'takes everything in his stride. Aliens in Cardiff? No worries. Rift in space and time under the plas? That's OK. Immortal lover? Not a problem. The only thing that I have seen agitate him is if I try to use his coffee machine.'

'Wow' Tosh was impressed, 'you really went for full disclosure, didn't you?'

'I want this to work' said Jack sombrely, 'that means no lies, no deceit.'

Tosh nodded, 'I get that,' she said. There was a small pause as she and Jack shared a reminiscent and understanding smile, then Tosh continued, 'so what are you planning to do with yourself?'

'I want to take Yan on holiday, I've accrued quite a lot of money over the years and I think it's time to start spending it; there is so much I want to show him on this planet and others. I've already talked to The Doctor he's agreed that we can travel with him for a while. Then...I guess...I'm going to be a bookseller.'

'I think you will be a brilliant one,' said Tosh, loyally

'I will if Ianto is beside me' said Jack

Tosh looked at Jack, 'but something is bothering you' she asked shrewdly

Jack sighed, 'everything is perfect, Toshiko. I love Yan so much, I can't wait for our life together to begin and I could not be happier for you and Owen but...it just feels...'

'Like the end of an era.' said Tosh softly.

'Like the end of an era' agreed Jack.

Epilogue– 14 months later

On a warm mid-summer's eve, the sounds of a big band floated through the grounds of Cardiff Castle which had been closed for a private party by order of the Queen. Lights twinkled around the walls of the ancient monument and the soft chatter of guests could be heard as they wandered around the ground sipping the best champagne. It had taken much longer than they had anticipated for Jack to disentangle himself from Torchwood; UNIT had placed so many conditions on his resignation that eventually Jack had called in The Doctor in desperation. Even now he was taking no chances and in one shadowy corner of the castle wall a blue police box stuck an incongruous note to the festivities.

Tosh and Owen were dancing slowly on the grass; after considerable negotiation, both had agreed to stay affiliated to Torchwood as consultants. Owen was now their Chief Xenobiologist and Tosh was tasked with leading a team that evaluated any alien tech and worked on a universal translation project. They worked 9 to 3 most days, had weekends off and rarely went out into the field. Tosh had removed her shoes and was resting her head on her husband's shoulder. Owen kissed her hair gently and adjusted his hold on her waist. Tosh was only four days from her due date and, to Owen had never looked more beautiful, no matter how much she complained about feeling like she was the size of a whale. Jack and Ianto had agreed to be godfather sand had already spent the previous nine months spoiling Tosh as much as she would let them; practising, Ianto had said, for when their goddaughter was born.

'Are you asleep?' murmured Owen, 'are you flagging? It has been a long day

'Not asleep yet' hummed Tosh, sleepily 'but might be soon. This is nice though. Let's do this for a bit longer.' and she settled once more onto Owens shoulder

'Hey' Owen turned them gently, 'look at that'

'That's beautiful' said Tosh softly as she saw what Owen was looking at

The newlyweds, Jack and Ianto were standing alone, wrapped tightly in each other's arms swaying gently to the music. The two men moved in perfect harmony and their love for each other was painfully obvious and, even without the matching rings they both wore, it was clear they belonged to each other and no-one else. Jack whispered something to Ianto and Ianto responded with an incandescent smile and an emphatic nod. Unnoticed by their guests with the exception Tosh and Owen, the two men walked slowly, and hand in hand, towards the castle exit and on to the rest of their lives.

~~ Gorffenedig ~~