So the last chapter – there may be a tissue alert on this.

Mirror Image – Chapter 13

That night they didn't talk much. Jack held Ianto in his arms while they sat on the sofa listening to music. Ianto just seemed to want someone to hold onto. Every time Jack tried to speak Ianto put a finger to his lips. In the end Ianto had fallen asleep with his head in Jack's lap. Jack stroked his hair and wished things were different. He wondered how long he'd keep doing this, searching across worlds to find another Ianto like his own. As he looked down at this man he thought he could love him; yes he was different and that made it easier to both love him and ultimately to leave him. Undoubtedly he looked like his Ianto, although the side burns were shorter and the eyes slightly more blue. Oh those eyes; they could get him to do anything. Jack wondered if Ifan could do the same with his Jack. Ifan was another complication. Jack knew that Ifan was more like his Ianto; the same quiet man working in secret. This Ianto couldn't do that and Jack loved the way this Ianto said what he thought and was open with his feelings; perhaps it was something to do with being a Dad or more likely just him. Ianto stirred in his lap and Jack felt his cheek move against his groin. Ianto opened his eyes and looked up at Jack.

'Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?' he asked. There was a gun, his faithful Webley but that was hidden out of sight.

'You're awake then?' Jack said.

'Sorry long day. Do you want to go to bed now?' Jack smiled.

'Well you'll get no argument from me.' He leant down and brushed his lips against Ianto's. Ianto put his hand on Jack's head to keep him there and the kiss continued. Coming out of it Jack said, 'I'll make some coffee and bring it up shall I, or perhaps we should have cocoa.'

'Coffee I think Jack. I'd like to be awake for a bit if that's okay with you.' Ianto extricated himself from Jack's arms. At the door he turned and said, 'don't be long will you?'

Jack heard him padding up the stairs. He went into the kitchen and wrote the note he intended to leave for Ianto; it didn't take long. He put it in his pocket for later. He'd rehearsed what he was going to tell Ianto so many times over the last few hours. He dropped the powder into the coffee and went upstairs. As he opened the door he gasped as a now naked Ianto was lying on his side, head propped upon one hand, looking at him. He very nearly dropped the coffee.

Regaining his composure he said, 'here drink this; it isn't too hot, unlike you.' Jack felt his body respond to the sight in front of him. 'This was going to be so hard to do but he knew he had to, didn't he?' He watched as Ianto drank some of the coffee and then put the cup down.

'Jack shut up and get undressed will you please; as you can see I'm quite interested in you joining me.' Jack did as he was told. He stood removing each item of clothing, slowly undoing buttons and peeling each item from his body until he stood there, as naked as Ianto. He could feel the other man's eyes appraising every part of him. Ianto swallowed the rest of his coffee. Jack swallowed some of his and then lay down next to Ianto. Immediately they were just a tangle of limbs as they endeavoured to touch and kiss as many parts of each other as possible. Jack wanted this to be special. He was vain enough to want Ianto to remember him, to remember how he felt when he touched him and was touched by him. They made love for hours. Jack made sure that there wasn't an inch of Ianto that he hadn't touched or kissed. They took care of each other over and over again. Ianto talked about everything they did, what he was doing and what Jack was doing. He was a fast learner this Ianto Jones just as his own had been and always eager to learn more. He'd worked out that Jack couldn't help but respond to his voice and now, without the children, Ianto didn't need to be quiet. The noises he made sent shivers down Jack's spine. Ianto talked of a future, of their future. He was making plans, planning a life with Jack. Jack felt himself freeze as the guilt he felt surged into his mind. The earliest signs of morning began to sneak into the room through a gap in the curtains and the light landed on Jack's face. Ianto stopped talking; he paused and sat up, looking for Jack's face, having felt his body stiffen.

'What is it Jack. Did I say something wrong? Sorry am I going too fast, too soon?' Jack found he couldn't speak. He put his hand on Ianto's arm and shook his head. 'No, it's not that Ianto,' he whispered.

Realisation hit Ianto like a cricket ball between the eyes. 'You're not staying are you Jack? This is it, isn't it? Did I do something? Is it me or the kids? Am I not good enough? Or was I just a convenient shag while you were away from home; someone to pass the time with. Is that it?'

'No Ianto believe me you did everything right and I wish I could stay. I could so easily fall in love with you Ianto Jones but there are things about me that I can't tell you. My life is based on secrets. You wear your heart on your sleeve. It amazes me that you are quite prepared to turn your life around for me but it wouldn't be that easy and it's not why I came here.'

'Jack I don't understand; you're talking in riddles.' By now Ianto was beginning to feel a bit fuzzy. 'It almost sounds like you came here looking for me.'

'In some ways I did Ianto and I guess I'll go on searching. I can't stay here with you and you can't leave with me. This is your world Ianto. I watched you yesterday at the funeral, how you were with people. I've watched you with your kids and they're such great kids. This is where you should be bringing them up and I don't think I'd fit into your world.'

Ianto tried to open his mouth to protest but Jack silenced him with a kiss.

'Please Ianto can I just hold you for one last time before I go?' Ianto somehow knew that he had no choice. For some reason he had no fight in him and he acquiesced easily. Jack settled down in his arms and then looked at the clock. He could feel Ianto relaxing in his arms as the rug began to work. Fifteen minutes later Ianto was sound asleep. Jack sat up and looked at the man beneath him. He kissed him for one last time.

'Oh I could so easily have loved you, Jones, Ianto Jones.'

He tucked the duvet around the sleeping form and gathered his clothes. He would return to the hotel and then leave this world behind. He had to go on looking.

He left the note on the table. In the note he tried to explain some things and he hoped that Ianto might understand.

Ianto woke five hours later and was surprised to see that it was after nine. He stretched a hand out and then remembered that Jack wouldn't be there; he wouldn't be there ever again. His head still felt fuzzy. Ianto wasn't surprised that Jack had gone while he was asleep. He got dressed and went downstairs. He needed coffee. He saw the note on the table in the kitchen and a few minutes later sat down to read it. He took out the photo of Jack and the kids he'd taken at the beach; Jack was smiling broadly and suddenly that seemed like a lifetime ago. Ianto sipped his coffee, turned on the radio and then began to read.

Dear Ianto

Some of what you are about to read may not make any sense to you but please understand that I never meant to hurt you. I truly wish that I didn't have to go. Believe me when I say I wanted to stay with you but there are too many complications, too many obstacles. You are a wonderful man and a great Dad. I fully expect Carys to be Prime Minister someday. As I watched you yesterday I realised that you belonged here, in this world and not in mine. You know that there are things from beyond this Earth after the ghosts appeared. There are other worlds out there, in time and space, beyond yours and I am from one of those. I came from my world to yours, looking for Ianto Jones. I came to take you back with me but I can't; you belong here, not with me. For reasons I can't explain I couldn't stay with you. I hope some day you'll understand. You will never be just a blip in time for me. Have a great life. I'll never forget you.

Love

Jack

Ianto sipped his coffee. He only partly understood what Jack had written and frankly it didn't really matter who Jack was, or where he was from, he was gone and wouldn't be back. Ianto knew that there were things from beyond this world; everyone did now. There were all sorts of rumours in Cardiff about secret organisations fighting aliens. Was Jack one of them, an alien? He looked at the photograph. The radio played 'Heaven' by Bryan Adams and Ianto thought that he'd glimpsed a little of what heaven was all about whilst lying in Jack's arms. He didn't hear the key in the lock, as a silent tear fell from his cheek onto the note in his hand. Then Carys bounded in, followed by Euan and Rhiannon. Ianto wiped his eyes and put the note and the photo into his pocket. Rhi put a hand on his shoulder having seen his tears. He looked at her and smiled and then he looked at his children.

'Right kids we've got one more day of freedom before Daddy has to go back to work tomorrow. So what do you want to do today?'

So reviews would be lovely and there is an epilogue.