The team have to come to terms with events.

There was a sound to my right and I automatically looked that way. I saw a head appear through the hatch and I saw … Jack!!! I took half a dozen paces in his direction and shouted, "Jack, you bastard!" Then I grabbed him, before he was properly clear of the hatch, and hauled him to me, hugging him close, feeling his adult body pressed against mine. "How could you do that to me!?"

"I'm sorry, I thought I had time to get dressed," Jack said, to me and the others who were gathering behind me. He kissed me deeply then pulled away, looking into my eyes, his smile telling me everything was all right again. Then he was gone, over to Gwen who fell into his arms and to Toshiko who fitted neatly under the other arm when he lifted it to include her. Then Owen joined them in a group hug which was pretty miraculous: he drew back as soon as he realised what he'd done. "I told you it would work. Don't know what you were all so worried about," Jack said, his trademark grin back on his face.

There had followed a period of chatter and jokes and relief and only now, an hour later, were we getting back to normal. Owen and Toshiko had checked the CCTV and other monitors and were happy that all had worked as they'd expected. Jack had reassured us he was okay and had willingly submitted to an examination by Owen, which we'd all watched. Apparently he was, as near as Owen could tell, back to his normal age. Gwen was sitting on the couch again, grinning at everyone and everything, while Owen pottered in the Medical Bay and Toshiko fiddled at her computer.

I had been there for all of this but I hadn't felt a part of it. I observed, even seemed to be watching myself, from a distance. Inside, my emotions were in a frenzy. I was unnaturally happy and sad at the same time. I was overjoyed Jack was still here, that he was back to normal. Yet I missed the young boy he had been. In some strange way, I even regretted not having the chance to travel to Peru and sit in contemplation of Jack for the rest of my life. I decided there was only one thing to do in the circumstances - I made coffee.

Jack came up behind me as I stood before the coffee machine. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, standing close but not touching me. I nodded, unable to speak. "Good." He put his arms round me then, as he had so many times before, and rested his chin on my shoulder peering at the coffee coming out of the machine. "Make mine good and strong."

"Just like you," I answered. He chuckled into my ear, a wonderful sound. The coffee dripped into his favourite mug and when it was full I passed it to him. He let me go, standing back to taste the brew. He made appreciative noises even though I thought it must be too hot to drink. I finished the other coffees and then took them over to the work area where the others had gathered. Owen and Toshiko were back at their desks, Gwen on the couch. Jack stood beside me and I raised my mug, catching Gwen's eye, "Jack," I toasted.

"Jack!" they all said, remembering our agonising wait in the café.

The object of the toast looked bemused but smiled. He raised his mug, when we'd all drunk, and made a toast of his own. "My excellent team." He beamed at us all.

-ooOoo-

Jack was in his office, seated at his desk, and I waited until he looked up. I handed him the key and the papers he'd given me earlier. "You'll be needing these."

"Thanks," he said. "I'll go and put them away now." He rose and walked over to the hatch, managing to brush against me as he passed.

I watched him reach the ladder and spotted the small, blue jacket still hanging on the coat rack. "I'll take this and the other clothes to the charity shop," I said, taking the coat.

He stopped. "Don't do that. Well, not yet." He looked embarrassed. "I rather like that jacket," he said finally with a small smile. "Good memories."

I hung it back on the rack. "I'll leave it here then." He disappeared into his quarters. Who was I to stop him remembering the few hours when he'd been able to shed some of the responsibilities of Torchwood and revel in childish behaviour. Idly, I wondered what it would have been like. If I had stayed in the Hub that night, I too could have been de-aged. I realised I'd have enjoyed it as much as Jack obviously had.

Jack now re-appeared through the hatch. He smiled and raised a hand to touch the jacket, hanging next to the greatcoat. "Just for a little while, Ianto. Then it can go." I nodded my understanding and we walked out of the office together. He stopped, surveying the rest of the team.

"Gwen, you need to get home," Jack said decisively. I looked at her myself and she did suddenly look drawn and weary. The pain and discomfort, as well as the emotional roller coaster we'd all been on, was telling at last. "And there's one of those rabbity things to be released. Ianto, load him in the SUV and meet us," he indicated Gwen, "in the Plass. Soon as we're back, you two," he looked at Owen and Toshiko, "can get off home. You've earned the rest."

Sorry for the cliffhanger last time, hope this made up for it. The next chapter is a fluffly epilogue.

Thanks for the wonderful reviews.