Ok so before you read this I should warn you all that I have used a character from another fic of mine. It's from 'not just another day'. It's not essential that you read that first but it might help. ENJOY!


Ianto was sitting on his kitchen counter with a phone to his ear. "Jack? It's Ianto, Mathew's made a decision."

The end is just the beginning

"Oh really?"

There was a knock on Ianto's front door. "Ah yeah, can you hold on a second? Someone's at my door."

Ianto opened the door to his flat, then lent against it. "You know you're making a habit out of this." Ianto hung up his phone.

Jack put his mobile in his pocket. "A habit out of what?"

"Turning up on my door step late at night, unannounced I might add."

"Well you did ring me."

"Jack you're good, but even you can't cross the city in a matter of seconds."

"Nah you're right. I was just about to let myself in when you rang me. Where's Mathew?"

"In bed I think, he had a bit of a stressful day. He turned in early."

"Ianto, um can I come in?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Ianto only just noticed that they were still on the threshold, he stepped aside. "Come in."

"Thanks." Jack followed Ianto into the kitchen.

"Tea?"

"Um sure." Jack sat on one of the stools by the counter. They were silent as Ianto made the warm beverage. Ianto sat on a stool next to Jack when he was done, things were uncomfortable the argument was obviously still fresh on their minds. "I'm sorry Ianto."

Ianto looked like he was studying his tea with great interest.

Jack let out a breath. "I mean it Ianto, I'm sorry. You were absolutely right. After you and Mathew and Gwen left, I was, well I was brooding in my office and John turned up. Once he saw me he wouldn't leave until I told him exactly what was wrong. So I did, I told him what you said and how I knew you were right. When I was talking with him, I realised something, I have become cold."

"No Jack, oh god no, you haven't gone cold!"

"No but I have Ianto. Over the years I somehow lost the ability to just live. There is so much life pumping through my veins but I don't live. I hide away in my underground fortress and I stand on top of that rooftop, but I never see what lies in between. Hohn told me that I should really listen to you because you were, what did he say?; 'oozing intelligence' and I should go and see what I am fighting for. I got off my rooftop Ianto. I walked so far, yet not nearly far enough and I saw so much, yet so little at the same time."

"Jack what are you babbling on about?"

"I walked all around, I have no idea where but I walked for hours and I could have gone on so much further. I saw all of the little things you spoke about, the things that usually go unnoticed by me, people shopping, having dinner, getting good and wasted. It was so little but I saw so much. All these people were living, just living life, and just being normal. Once upon a simpler time I wanted that, I wanted normal. I use to want a house, kids, maybe a dog, a Volvo but I don't anymore. I realised how lucky I am, like you said, because of what we do those people get to have a normal life. And that's amazing."

Ianto smiled as he watched a goofy grin cross Jack's face. "You got all of that from one little was around the city?"

"Well Mister Jones you do know how to get inside my head. When I was walking I couldn't stop thinking about you and everything you said. I felt guilty because I let you leave thinking I was angry at you and you left angry at me, when it was really just being my usual stubborn 'high and mighty hero' self. I love you Ianto and I should have listened to you in the first place."

"Yes Jack, you should have. I'm not just a pretty face in cute suits." Ianto took Jacks hand in his. "But I love you anyway."

"Jack smiled and pulled Ianto onto his lap. Ianto struggled and said; "Jack you'll break the stool!"

"Will not. Now sit still." Ianto reluctantly complied. "So, tell me, what did Mathew say?"

"He said yes. Now before you say 'Does he know the risks?' yes he does. When we were talking the other day at his flat, I told him all the good stuff, basically what I told you today. So I told him all the bad stuff when we got back and even after all that, he still wants to join up."

"Well that's a tech-y, now we need a medic."

"Well not yet." Ianto said before placing a small kiss on Jacks neck. "I mean, it can wait till tomorrow." Another behind his ear. "Can't it?"

"Why Mister Jones I do believe you are trying to seduce me."

Ianto ran his tongue over Jacks ear. "What are you going to do about it?" jack gasped and Ianto took this opportunity to slide his tongue into Jacks willing mouth.

The night passed with a make up session in both the kitchen and the hall way and gentle love making in Ianto's bed. They fell asleep in each others arms for the first time in almost three months, two lovers entwined in a mix of arms and legs.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jack found himself walking to the bakery in the morning, he was hunting, hunting for breakfast. When he was about to walk in he ran right into a woman coming out, he said a quick apology without paying much attention and continued walking.

"Captain Harkness?"

Jack turned around and gaped at the woman he bumped into.

"Oh my god it is you."

"Stephanie? Stephanie Myles? Oh my- wait, you remember me?"

"Yeah I um… never took the retcon. I still have it though; I didn't want to risk dropping it down the sink."

"Why?"

"Maybe we should go somewhere a bit more, um, private." Stephanie indicated to the amount of people around them.

"Oh right yeah, come on." Stephanie followed Jack back to Ianto's flat, without breakfast.

"Ianto!" Jack called when he let Stephanie and himself inside.

"Jack? That was quick whe-" Ianto stopped mid-sentence when he saw who accompanied Jack. "Stephanie?"

"Yep, that's me."

"But how do you still…?"

"She was just about to explain it to me."

They went and say in the lounge room. "OK so after we had that little chat, I walked for awhile, I just wanted to get my head around what happened. After a few hours of just walking I realised that I wanted to remember, that maybe knowing the truth is worth the pain you all hold behind your eyes. After that I left the hospital, I wanted to do more to help."

"I can't argue with that." Jack said with a smile. "Well then Doctor Myles I have a question for you." Jack looked over to Ianto who smiled in agreement.

"What would that be Captain?"

"Seeing as you want to do more to help, how would you like to come and work for us?"

"What? Isn't Owen your medic?"

"He… he died." Jack looked at the floor, Ianto took his hand. "So did Toshiko. Almost three months ago."

"Oh god, Jack, I am so sorry!"

"Thanks." Jack said with a small smile. "So what do you think? Want to join up? Make a difference? Come where the action is?"

"Smooth" muttered Ianto.

"Yes Jack, oh god yes!"

"Funny Ianto said the same thing this morning."

"Jack!"

"Ianto!" Came a voice from the other room. "Is Jack back yet?" Mathew walked into the room. "Oh hello"

"Hi." Said Stephanie

"Mathew meet Stephanie." Said Ianto. "Or should I say Tech-y meet Medic."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I can't believe Gwen is going to beat me to work!" Ianto said as they drove to the Hub.

"I don't know what you're bitching at me for." Said Jack who was playing with the radio.

"Jack, if you picked up breakfast this morning, we would have been early!"

"Well I'm sorry if I got distracted by a woman who wasn't supposed to know me!"

"Are they always like this?" Stephanie asked Mathew who was sitting in the back seat with her.

"You should count yourself lucky; at least Jack's wearing pants today."

"There you are!" said Gwen when they came through the cog door.

"Gwen it's lovely to see you as well." Said Jack. "I have something I want to show you." He stepped aside to reveal Stephanie crossing the threshold.

"Stephanie!" Gwen shrieked. "Wait weren't you retconned?"

"Yeah, well change of plans."

"Stephanie has agreed to come on as Torchwoods medic and Mathew is the new tech-nerd." Said Jack. "Now I am going to go and inform UNIT of these new developments."

Jack walked into his office and he saw a letter sitting on his desk. It was written in a familiar hand, sat down and began to read.

My Jack

A few days ago you asked me what I was still doing here. Then, I hand an answer for that question, a valid one, but now, now I don't. Before I couldn't leave because you were broken and you continued to break, I couldn't leave you like that. Not when you were mourning so completely.

You're not anymore, you have almost completely healed. I want you to know that I still love you, but I know that you and Ianto belong together. I may drop in again one day, but just in case;

Good bye old friend

Forever yours
John
xx

Jack smiled to himself as he read the words over again and again. Deep down he knew he still loved John but that love could never compare to that in which he felt for Ianto.

After he got off the phone to a very disgruntled General, he had a giant smile on. He went and stood at his door and watched his team. Gwen was chatting animatedly to Stephanie on the sofa and Ianto was joking with Mathew at the latter's new desk as they filled out the 'new employee report'. Somehow Jack knew that it was going to be OK, sure they will risk everything everyday, but if Ianto was any indicator, they will at least be happy.

Jack walked over to Ianto and put an arm around Ianto's waist. He marvelled at the fact that this 25-year-old Welshman has changed his life forever. And he couldn't be happier about it.

And so Torchwood was rebuilt, rebuilt on a foundation stronger than concrete that will outlast them all, including Jack.


So that's all folks it's done! I can't believe I actually finished this! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me with this!!