And now for some mushy stuff ...

Chapter 26: Pillow Talk

Ianto found he could not sleep. He lay in his bed looking at the ceiling and going over all that had happened in the past few hours and all that he had learnt about Jack, who lay dozing beside him. It was hard enough to believe that Jack had been alive in 1934 but to also know he would still be alive in 4693, 2,685 years in the future, looking no different at either age, was impossible. But it was true. Jack would live for thousands of years. He'd been aware of it ever since he'd known that Jack did not die but only now, seeing evidence in front of him, did he really understand. What a strange life Jack had had - did have - would have. Ianto sighed, it was so hard to get his head round the enigma that was Jack Harkness.

"What's up?" asked a sleepy Jack.

"I was just thinking about today, all that's happened. It must be really weird to have four other versions of yourself in the same room." Ianto sat up, he was not going to be able to sleep for a while, and leant against the headboard.

"Yes, it is rather." Jack reluctantly raised himself to sit beside Ianto. He was feeling more sleepy than usual – probably the result of such a messy death – and would have liked to rest but Ianto obviously needed to talk. "Must be weird for you too."

Ianto looked at him incredulously, "You think!? Four of them following me with their eyes wherever I am? And Jack 5 always touching me, being right by me? You know, he stuck to me like glue this evening. I couldn't go anywhere without him!"

Jack took Ianto's hand. "I know you're uncomfortable with him but he still misses you. You should be flattered. Whatever you had with him, he still remembers it after a couple of hundred years."

"I've had nothing with him!! I don't know him! I'm with you, not with him!" Ianto protested.

"We're the same person. What I feel for you, he feels for you. Difference is, he's showing you and I'm not." Jack looked at Ianto, holding his gaze. "He's not scared to show he loves you, wants to be with you."

Ianto looked into Jack's face, assessing his words. "Do you love me?" he asked quietly.

"Yes."

"Wow, I never thought I'd hear that." Ianto was caught off balance; Jack did not talk about his feelings, rarely showed them by gesture either. Ianto had got used to it, had come to expect it. A thought occurred to him. "Are you just saying that because we're going to wipe our memories? I mean, we won't remember this, will we?"

Jack was offended. "No, that's not why I said it. I do love you, I just hadn't realised it until today. And yes, I suppose we will forget this but I will eventually say it again. When I screw up the courage." He smiled ruefully. "Umm, this is where you're supposed to say you love me. Assuming you do, of course."

"I love you, Jack," he said, leaning in to kiss him soundly. He leant his head on Jack's shoulder and sighed contentedly. "I've known it for ages, thought if I said anything you'd run a mile."

"Probably would," agreed Jack, putting his arm around Ianto. "But until he goes, you might be nicer to Jack 5. And to Jack 4 too; he still remembers you after thousands of years."

"I'll try," he promised. They sat in silence for a while then Ianto asked, "What happens to me in the future? Have you asked?" He hadn't wanted to ask for himself, just assumed he'd die young, like most Torchwood personnel. Ianto had no illusions about what working for Torchwood was like, how could he after living through the Battle of Canary Wharf.

"I have. Apparently we run the new Torchwood together for some years. Not surprising, who else would put up with me and do all the admin!? You're around for a long time, another 70-odd years it seems. I guess we rub along together pretty well."

"You're right, there's no way in hell you'd be able to run this new Torchwood without me." His self-satisfied tone made Jack laugh. "So another 70 years with you? I suppose I can manage that," he added teasingly.

Jack looked at the bedside clock. "It's getting late, think we could get some rest now?" Ianto nodded and slid down beneath the duvet, moulding himself to Jack's side when he too was under the covers. He quickly dropped off to sleep.

Next lot of chapters will finish this off.