Chapter 13: All Together

The cog-door opened and Ianto stepped through still hand in hand with Jack 5. Ianto had tried to recover his hand after getting in the lift but with no success. It was gripped tight and, anyway, he found he rather enjoyed the rare treat: his Jack hardly ever made such gestures. He looked up to the work area and was relieved to see Gwen standing there, he needed help in sorting out this situation. He also wondered what her reaction would be. Then he did a double take: he could see two Jacks standing by her but dressed strangely. The Jack he had found was wearing much the same as normal, even down to a flowing military-style coat. He opened his mouth to speak but was pre-empted when one of the Jacks, wearing khaki-coloured shirt and trousers, came down the stairs towards him.

"Ianto," Jack 4 held Ianto by the shoulders and looked him up and down. "Love the suit," he said after a pause. He took Ianto's face between his hands and kissed him gently. He finally released the Welshman only to hug him close.

"Put him down," came from the upper level.

Ianto looked over Jack 4's shoulder and saw Jack, his Jack, bloody but alive and well. Ianto wriggled out of Jack 4's embrace and eagerly climbed the stairs. "Jack, you're okay." He put a hand to his chest and felt the heart pumping there.

"I'm fine," said Jack, ruffling Ianto's hair. Ianto smiled; this was better, real affection without overt display.

Jack 5 bounded up the steps after Ianto and grabbed Toshiko, whirling her around. "Tosh! You look great." He kissed her soundly, then looked around, "Owen! Best medic in town. Good to see you." He gave him a hug too. Finally, he said, "Gwen Cooper. Or is it Williams now?"

"Still Cooper, the wedding's not for a few weeks yet." She was pleased to find her hands clasped and Jack 5 look at her admiringly. "My Gwen," he said softly and kissed gently but comprehensively. "The heart and soul of the best team I ever had," he said loudly, turning to encompass Owen, Toshiko and Ianto.

Jack 2 had watched all these happenings, interested in the young man – was he called Ianto? Another strange Welsh name – that seemed to evoke such affection from three of his other selves. He focussed on the last Jack to arrive, Jack 5, currently with an arm round Gwen's waist and the other on Toshiko's back. His clothes were the closest to those worn by the Jack of this time so he assumed he was from not far in the future. "When are you from?" he asked the latest arrival.

"2252. You?"

"1934, known as Jack 2. The others are: Jack 3, 1969; current, is he Jack 1 or just Jack?; and Jack 4, 4693." He pointed to each in turn. "You'll be Jack 5, unless Tosh decides to number us chronologically and not the order in which we were found." He smiled at her, rather regretting the appearance of other Jacks who seemed to know her so well: he had rather taken to the shy woman. He was rewarded with an impish smile from Toshiko.

"What brought us together? Not that I'm complaining, gets me away from the paperwork and I get to see these friendly faces." Jack 5 still had his arms round Gwen and Toshiko who seemed quite happy to savour the moment.

"Maybe we ought to sort that out," said Jack, deciding that as this was his time, and he had 'summoned' these versions of himself, he should take charge. "I'm going to shower and change. Let's meet in the Boardroom in 30 minutes. In the meantime, can we please remember to protect the timeline." He looked pointedly at his other selves who nodded understanding. "Ianto, I am sure we could all with some coffee."

"Coffee?! Ianto, please!" cried Jack 5. "You two," he looked at Jack 2 and 3, "are in for such a treat. This man's coffee is to die for. Right, Jack 4?"

Jack 4 did not reply. He was still on the lower level and was being dive bombed by Myfanwy, the pterodactyl.