Disclaimer:- I do not own Torchwood I do however own the creepy guy that popped up at the end of the last chapter.

A/N:- this was originally going to be the last chapter but then I got a really good idea for Jack/Ianto and it need this chapter to be here. The reviews have been FANTASTIC please keep them coming! I love you all! ENJOY!

Photos

Music was playing softly inside an inner Cardiff flat, though the owner wasn't paying much attention to it. Ianto Jones was sitting on his sofa, trying to ignore whoever was knocking at his door. He didn't want company and he was busy going through a box of photos he kept in the bottom of his cupboard. The photos were of Torchwood, not cold emotionless photos of the countless aliens they encounted, but group shots, evidence of happier times.

Ianto couldn't believe how many there were, he never thought Torchwood was capable of such happy memories. What was the most surprising however; was that most of the photos were of him and Jack. They were absolute, undeniable proof that at one stage they really were truly happy. Ianto had no idea how he should feel about this.

Ianto couldn't ponder this in too much depth though; he was finding it a lot more difficult to ignore who was at his door. He was getting annoyed because it was incredibly late and he would normally be asleep by now. Not only that, Ianto was certain that if he didn't answer it soon, he would be minus a door. This person, whoever they were, was impeccably rude.

Ianto walked to the door, before he opened it he said; "Do you have ANY idea what time it is?" Ianto yanked his door open, ready to yell at whoever was on the other side. All thoughts of aggression however were replaced by shock and confusion. Standing on his door step was the form of Captain Jack Harkness.

Ianto just stood in the door way and watched Jack watching him. He couldn't believe this man was just standing there. Ianto thought his voice had left his body, so was therefore surprised to hear himself say "Jack, what are you doing here?" he shook himself back into reality and added "Is it the rift? Should I get my coat?"

"No Ianto, it's not the rift."Jack said, dropping his gaze. Ianto could hardly recognise the man in front of him. Jack wasn't smiling, his eyes didn't sparkle and he was almost looking his real age. "I wanted … I needed to see you."

"You've seen me, now what?" Ianto could feel himself getting angry.

"Can I come in?"

Ianto reluctantly stepped away and walked into his lounge room, leaving Jack at his door step. Jack took the fact that Ianto didn't shut the door as permission to enter.

"Why are you here Jack?" Ianto's voice was a forced calm. He had none of his usual witty and professional manner. He seemed to be using all of his will power to not to shoot Jack dead, and make sure it stuck.

"I told you, I needed to see you." Jack walked right up behind Ianto and put a hand on his shoulder. "I've missed you."

Ianto turned around and gave Jack a look that showed just how insulted he was. "You can't be fucking serious."

Jack had been expecting this reaction "I'm so sorry Yan, I need you."

Before Jack knew what was happening Ianto had punched him square in the jaw. "I can't fucking believe you Jack! You walk into my home in the middle night, you are so bloody lucky I didn't shoot you by the way. You have barely spoken to me in almost three months and now you're telling me you need me and that you miss me. What the fuck went through your head to make you think I would be OK with that?" Ianto was yelling and staring daggers at Jack. "What did you honestly expect me to do?"

Jack looked straight into Ianto's eyes, tears were threatening to fall. He was expecting Ianto to be angry but he could never have pre pared himself for the pain in the young mans eyes, the pain that Jack himself had caused. Jack stayed silent and waited for Ianto to yell again.

The fact that jack was silent and not angry frustrated Ianto more. He needed anger now; he needed to feel something other than pain. He needed to make Jack angry so he would leave. He couldn't let Jack do this to him, not again.

"For fucks sake Jack, you left me! You left me, not the other way around!" Ianto was starting to sound hysterical. "Do you know what makes it worse? It wasn't the first time! Just like last time I needed you and you weren't there! Last time you were dead for almost a week, then you came back again. I needed you to tell me that it was OK, but no you left! And this time I need you to hold me and tell me that we can get through this, but no you left AGAIN! I was there for you EVERY time you needed me and for the first time I needed you to be there for me and you weren't! I wake up in the middle of the night screaming and you're not there!"

The tears in Jacks eyes were streaming, each one representing the truths that Ianto spoke. Jack was surprised to see that he wasn't the only one crying. Ianto's eyes were falling; three months worth of repressed emotion were finally being released.

"I am so sorry Ianto, I really am." Jacks made to step forward towards Ianto but Ianto stepped away.

"Just tell me why Jack."

"I was scared; I don't want to lose you too. I thought that if I didn't care about you then when I do lose you it wouldn't hurt. But it didn't work, I can't stop caring and it always hurts."

"You're not the only one that hurts Jack." Ianto's voice was a croaky whisper.

"I know" Jack took Ianto hands and gave him a look that said; 'Please for give me'

"Just answer me this question Jack." Ianto said, him and Jack were standing so close that their noses were almost touching.

"Anything." Answered Jack.

"The next time the doctor comes back or someone else dies or if you get the chance to go home, how can I know you won't leave me again?"

Jack looked like he wanted to avoid this question, but he knew Ianto needed reassurance. "I spent almost one hundred and fifty years waiting for the doctor. I needed to know what was wrong with me and if he could fix it. He can't and after what I saw I don't want him too. He asked me to travel with him again and I said no. I wasn't lying when I said I came back for you.

"I have seen so many people die in my life and I became numb to all types of emotion. You taught me to care again and knowing how to care also means you know how to hurt. I'm hurting and now I know what its like to hurt without you, I never want to know that feeling again.

"And I won't go home because I am home and there's no place like it. Aside from all of that, I need you to trust in the fact that you can trust me"

"Jack I have never asked for any kind of commitment from you, all I have ever wanted was to be happy with you in whatever way possible. But I'm scared that because I don't want that or that I have never asked for that, the next time someone tries to separate us you're going to leave."

"Ianto, I can't promise that someone isn't going to try and do just that. But for right now we are here, alone, alive, lost and we both care so deeply for each other. I don't know where we will be in five, ten, fifteen years, but I promise you this; there is no where else I would rather be." Jack said closing the gap between them.

This kiss was fuelled by raw emotion, so much so that they were both reduced to tears again. As there lips parted, Ianto said in barely a whisper "I love you." As soon as he said this however Ianto wanted nothing more than to become a piece of furniture. "I mean … um … arr"

Jack placed a soft kiss on Ianto's mouth to silence him. "I love you too Yan. Oh god, I love you so much"

Ianto and Jack kissed again as they broke apart Ianto was wearing his first smile true in almost three months. But this happiness was short lived, because as quickly as it came it disappeared and in its wake it left a sudden sad realisation.



"What's wrong?" jack said, genuinely concerned with Ianto's sudden emotional change.

"This is actually happening isn't it?"

"What?" Jack couldn't help but think that Ianto had changed his mind about the two of them already.

"This Jack," Ianto walked over to his coffee table and picked up a photo of Toshiko and Owen. "I can't deny it anymore can I?" they're not coming back are they?"

Jack pulled Ianto close and said "I'm so sorry, they can't"

"I can't do this Jack" Ianto was shaking and tears were falling again.

Jack had only seen Ianto lose control like this once and that was because of Lisa. Usually Ianto hid his true emotions, almost as well as Jack hid his. Even though Ianto was hurting, Jack was glad that he felt comfortable enough to express his true emotions, "Shhh, yes you can, of course you can. And you're not alone in doing it; me and Gwen are as well. And I will be there whenever you need me."

Jack led Ianto over to the sofa and let the young man cry into his shoulder. Ianto had calmed down again, he was about to start performing unholy acts to Jacks left ear lobe when someone started knocking at his door.

"Expecting someone?" Jack said.

Ianto shook his head and said; "No, it's probably my other boss coming to declare their undying love for me."

"OK, well don't be long."

Ianto left jack on the sofa while he got rid of whoever was at the door. Jack found himself going through all of the photos. He could hardly believe how many there were. He started to study a photo of himself, Ianto, Owen, Toshiko and Suzie. It was taken about a week before Suzie committed suicide. Back when the Hub was full of so many lies and so much betrayal.

Jack felt his heart lift when he heard Ianto's foot steps as he re-entered the room. He was shocked to see that he wasn't alone; Ianto had his arm around Gwen who looked like she had been crying for hours.

Gwen looked just as shocked as Jack felt. "I'm so sorry, I should have called, I should leave. I didn't realise you two were …"

"Don't be stupid Gwen, come sit." Ianto led Gwen over to the sofa.



Jack and Gwen sat on either side of Ianto in uncomfortable silence, which only got worse as the minutes rolled on. This never happened between the three of them and on the off chance an uncomfortable silence did arise, Owen would say something sarcastic and idiotic to break it. It was completely understandable that they would feel awkward around each other; they hadn't spoken about their personal feelings or even outside Torchwood in almost three months.

Ianto spoke first "I need a drink."

When Ianto returned with three glasses of wine, Gwen was picking lose cotton off her clothes and Jack was literally twiddling his thumbs. Ianto put a glass in front of each of them.

"No I really shouldn't" Gwen said with one hand on her stomach.

"Doctors say a glass of wine a week is good for pregnant women." Ianto said simply before settling down again.

Gwen silently agreed. The cold white grape fluid was smooth and fruity and it made the environment slightly more comfortable.

Gwen picked up the closest photo to her she started to giggle, loudly. Upon receiving puzzled looks from both Jack and Ianto, she passed it over. It was a photo of Toshiko, Owen and themselves covered in green goo, it had been taken shortly after a disastrous weevil hunt. The three were giggling uncontrollably and it wasn't long until it was fits of hysterical laughter.

Laughter filled the inner Cardiff flat, it had not heard such joy in so long. As thanks it became warm and welcoming, almost like a home.

When the laughter eased, Jack and Gwen rested their heads on Ianto's shoulders, they were grinning widely. Sometimes laughter really was the best medicine. They fell asleep happy for the first time in almost three months.

Mean while half way across the city a young man is in bed asleep, with every intention of waking up and entering a top secret government organisation.

So what did you think? Let me know they always make me smile! See Gwen can be a good person, she doesn't have to be stealing Jack (hint, hint BBC)