For the purposes of this story it is around mid series 2 in this world.

Mirror Image – Chapter 11

Ifan kept his word. He felt bad not telling Jack. He loved Jack but there had always been issues in their relationship. Jack didn't like labels and to begin with he wasn't monogamous. Now Ifan thought that perhaps he was but you could never be sure with Jack, as he loved a pretty face – male, female or alien, it didn't matter to Jack. It didn't make loving Jack any easier. It was yet another reason to worry about what this other Jack's intentions were. Was this Jack like his Jack? He'd come across worlds to find Ianto and Ifan could guess why; you never collected your pension when you worked for Torchwood. Ifan knew that he would die before Jack, well everyone did. Would his Jack cross worlds to find another version of him and did he exist in any other worlds as Ianto obviously did? He found it disturbing to think that there were worlds where he didn't exist and where Ianto shared Jack's bed, not him.

He wondered why he'd never told Ianto that he was gay. To be honest there weren't that many men before Jack; he'd never been one for clubs and one night stands. As soon as he'd met Jack he knew that somehow he had to have this man. He'd heard rumours about him and found that they were more or less true. He'd lasted two panic stricken weeks before succumbing to Jack's charms. He was fascinated by Jack and he'd had to make sure that Jack never got bored. To be fair he'd joined in enthusiastically with all of Jack's games, however innovative and they were certainly that. He smiled for a moment and then thought about Ianto. If he was right then this Jack had come looking for Ianto because something had happened to his lover in his world. Ifan was worried about what might happen now. He'd spent time carefully ensuring that his worlds didn't collide. But he'd made the deal with this Jack and for the sake of his brother he would keep it.

Jack was also worried about whether to stay after meeting Ifan. He had to accept that Ifan was telling the truth. He wondered how this world's Jack would react and would he feel that Ifan had betrayed him? Jack knew what it felt like when he'd found out about Lisa. Ianto had flirted with him and kept him dangling; he'd played him in order to keep his secret but Jack had forgiven him. In time he'd understood. Even now the memory of Ianto on his knees, hands tied behind him, spitting out those words about dealing with their shit made him shiver. And then Ianto had called him a monster and he'd probably been right. Even more so now as the decisions he'd made had made him a monster all over again. Suddenly he felt arms around his neck and lips kissing his throat.

'Penny for them,' Ianto said.

'Sorry Ianto, I was miles away; in time and space,' he thought. I was wondering what you wanted me to do. I feel a bit out of place here and I don't think I should be here when Lisa's mother comes. So ….. I'm going to go back to the hotel for a bit. Why don't you phone your sister? I'm sure she'll want to come round.'

'I'll miss you but yeah, okay. I'll ring you when the coast is clear. Best not to be here when Rhi comes. She'll only give you the third degree.'

Later Jack sat in his hotel room wondering whether he was doing the right thing. He thought he had a chance with this Ianto but it would be a big thing to ask him to change worlds and bring his kids with him as well. Jack wondered how this could affect the timelines but he didn't care enough. He wasn't sure if he loved this Ianto but he thought he could and the kids were an added bonus. Carys would be an asset in any world and it would be great to have someone in his life that had an ordinary job and wasn't anything to do with Torchwood. He could imagine coming home and snuggling up on the sofa, listening to Ianto whinging about some kid or other, or having too much marking to do instead of the latest alien that had come through the Rift. This Ianto would always have him and so would the kids. Perhaps they could even have more. That thought shook Jack. 'What am I thinking?' he wondered.

Back at Ianto's Rhiannon had arrived followed shortly by Sarah, Lisa's mother. Sarah was devastated. Ianto let her cry. Rhi looked after the kids upstairs until Sarah had collected herself.

'No one expects to outlive their child,' she said, 'and Lisa had so much to live for. How are you going to cope with the kids on your own Ianto with working full time as well?'

'I'll manage Sarah; other people do and I've got help from Rhi and Ifan and you. I've got six weeks until the summer holidays and the twins start school in September so it'll be easier.' Ianto also thought to himself, 'and perhaps I'll have Jack.' But he knew that was a bit complicated at the moment and he didn't want to take anything for granted.

Sarah and Ianto went through what they were going to do for Lisa's funeral.

'She wasn't religious Sarah; you know that. She always said that she wanted a humanist funeral with some of her favourite songs and she wanted to be cremated. Are we both okay about that?' he asked.

'Yes it's not what I'd like but I know how she felt about things. I'll phone the funeral home later and make an appointment for us. We've got to wait for the formalities to be done. You're a good man Ianto. I know she was the unfaithful one and you're a great Dad to those kids.'

Just then Rhi brought them down as she couldn't contain them any longer.

'Nanna!' Carys said. 'You look sad.'

'Nanna is sad Carys but all the better for seeing you two.' She looked over at Ianto. 'Do they understand?' she asked.

'Not really,' he replied. 'They know Lisa is dead. I'm just not sure that they understand what dead is yet.' Rhi brought in some juice and coffees. Sarah got up.

'I'm going to get off Ianto. David is coming tomorrow. He's flying in from the US. It'll be good to have him home again but I wish it wasn't for his sister's funeral.'

Ianto showed her to the door and hugged her. When he returned to the room Rhi was sat on the sofa drinking coffee. The kids were colouring on the kitchen table.

'How are you Ianto?' she asked.

'I'm okay. It was a shock but we haven't been together for months. It's just the kids I'm worried about.'

'Daddy?'

'Yes Carys, hang on. What is it?'

Carys held up her picture. It showed two men and they were smiling next to a sandcastle.

'Daddy, can I give this to Uncle Jack?' she said.

'Who's Uncle Jack?' Rhiannon asked. 'Is he that bloke you were out with the other night at St David's?' Ianto looked surprised.

'Yeah that was Jack. How did you know?'

'Suzanne works in the kitchens; she saw you and asked me who he was. So who is he Ianto? I swear you're getting as mysterious as Ifan. Someone told me that they'd seen him with a group of people dealing with that animal attack at the castle. Do you have any idea what he does Ianto?'

'No, he doesn't tell me either,' Ianto said hoping to divert Rhiannon, but no such luck.

'Who is this bloke Ianto? The kids obviously know him. Have you known him for long?'

'A while,' Ianto half lied. 'He helped me yesterday taking the kids out. He's good with them.'

'Suzanne says that you seemed very close and that you went up to his room. She knows the receptionist. You know this place Ianto.'

Ianto blushed and Rhi continued looking him straight in the eyes. 'Ianto have you gone bender too?

'Too?' Ianto asked.

'Well Ifan is,' she replied.

'Ifan's what?' Ianto desperately tried to sound surprised.

'For God's sake Ianto do you walk around with your eyes closed? He's always been gay. I know he has a boyfriend; he's been seen around Cardiff with some bloke in a long coat. Anyway I've always known about him.'

'Why didn't you tell me then?' Ianto asked

'I thought that you knew. You are his twin after all. Mind you he is a secretive bugger.' Rhi laughed at her own joke. 'So this bloke you were with, Jack, who is he?'

'It's complicated Rhi. It's weird. I've only known him a few days but ….. well perhaps me and Ifan have more in common that we thought. All I know is that I've never fancied men before; I've not even thought about being with a man but there's something about Jack. I think it's only him and I don't really want to put a label on it. Anyway trying to change the subject how are Johnny and the kids?'

'They're fine Ianto and if this bloke makes you happy then go for it. Life is too short, as we can see.'

A few days passed. Jack came around every day and stayed for some nights. Mostly they just held each other. Ianto needed comfort and practical help not wild, passionate sex. They had to be quiet as Carys had ears like bats and missed very little. The funeral was scheduled for Thursday; it was now Tuesday night.

'What do you want me to do on the day of the funereal Ianto? I didn't know her so perhaps I should stay away. Or sit at the back.'

'I want you there Jack but you're right just stay at the back. Come to the wake. I need someone there. I'd just like to know you're around. Rhi is going to take the kids so you'll be able to come back with me.'

Jack smiled. At least I'll get one night alone with him before I have to tell him,' he thought.

'That's absolutely fine Ianto. I'll be here for you whenever you want me.'

They snuggled back down together and slept.