Chapter Twenty-Two

OK, so I've worked out a rough plan of this story now. I was writing completely freely beforehand, without any idea of where it was going, but I've realised that it's getting rather long and I ought to work out what's going to happen. I can't guarantee that it'll stick to what I've got planned out, but so far it looks like it'll be 35 chapters and an epilogue. And, boy, have I got a few plot-twists for you... :P

I also realised that this fic has made its own little universe with Accidentally In Love, Just Perfect, Cookie Jar and Because of You... which means that the rest are in a different universe. Just thought that I'd let you know – timelines etc are all on my profile. ;)

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Torchwood. A [fan]girl can dream...

Ianto slipped his warm hand into Jack's as they walked, their breath clouding in the cold air. The sky was dark and starless, but the lights from the city glowed in the black waters of the bay.

Jack smiled at him, a warm fuzzy feeling burning in his chest. He felt a judder of surprise as he realised what it was: happiness. He was happy here, walking by the bay with his lover, just enjoying the evening.

Ianto's blue eyes were distant as he looked up at the sky. "What's it like out there, Jack?" he asked unexpectedly, the question rather throwing Jack for a loop.

Jack hesitated. What could he possibly say to Ianto that would convey what it was like out there? "Breathtaking," he said, finally.

Ianto nodded, mentally filing away the information for a later date. "Will you go back out there, someday?"

Jack shrugged casually. "Not for a long time yet." 'Not unless you're with me,' he added silently.

Ianto halted abruptly. Jack was about to ask what was wrong, but before he could speak he found his mouth being plundered by a ferocious kiss.

"What was that for?" Jack managed to gasp after Ianto had pulled back, albeit reluctantly.

Ianto smiled secretively. "Oh, nothing." He took Jack's hand again. "C'mon, there are coffees back at the Hub with our names on them."

-T-

It was dark, so dark. Ianto felt alienated from his body; he seemed to be in nothing. A cold void of emptiness, pulling at his gut and crushing his head.

Ianto tried to gather his thoughts, but they were like escaping wisps of smoke, floating away from his hands as he tried to grab at them. The only word that he could keep in his head was 'Jack.' He tried to think of more, but nothing would come, only the memory of bright blue eyes and a brilliant smile. Was this 'Jack'?

Ianto felt an inexplicable longing for those eyes and that smile, but he couldn't even attempt to guess why.

He felt a memory flicker into his head like a quick-silver minnow darting through the shallows. A scent, a unique scent that tingled in his brain and sparked a surge of sadness. Why did this scent make him sad?

He held onto that scent, the blue eyes and the smile like a survivor of the Titanic might have clung to a piece of wreckage, fearful that if he let them go, he would be completely lost.

Then another memory slipped in, of soft lips gently caressing his own. Ianto reached up a sluggish hand to touch his mouth. He trapped this new memory in his mental safe, along with the others, and searched for more.

Anger. He recoiled from the next one as if he had been struck. It jolted his senses like an electric shock might, leaving him shuddering in pain. He nearly let it go, but locked it up in the safe all the same. Anything was better than nothing.

Warily, nervous of what else might spring on him, Ianto reached out again, probing for anything that might help. Help to do what, he didn't know.

Love. He felt a warm glow of contentment spread throughout him, soothing the senses frazzled by anger. It was like a healing balm, or a hot-water-bottle buried deep inside his chest. This was something he liked; he quickly captured it and placed it, almost reverently, in the safe with everything else he had gathered.

Then, all of a sudden, he was being bombarded by thoughts and feelings. A hand secure in his, a comforting embrace, rough shagging against a cold stone wall, gentle love-making in bed, a not-so-subtle brush of fingers against his as he handed over a coffee cup, smooth levers and knobs beneath his fingertips as he made coffee with his beloved coffee-machine, a metal stop-watch in his hand, the scent of sweat and sex, the bitter reek of blood, the sound of an amused laugh at something he had said, a teasing American accent... the list was endless.

Ianto was left reeling from this mental flood. He felt awash in memories, like being swept out to sea, and he didn't like it one bit. Ianto loved order and precision, and this was too much for him to take in.

He just curled up, covered his ears with his hands, and screamed loud and long.

-T-

What seemed like eternity later, Ianto nervously removed his hands from his ears and sat up, looking around nervously. He was alone again, the wash of memories seeming to have—

Wait. No, it hadn't left. It was just stored neatly and carefully into his mind. Ianto cautiously summoned up a random thought and an entire chunk of memory came floating to the surface.

Jack was sitting in his office, head bent over some paperwork. Ianto opened the door, a cup of coffee in either hand, and was greeted by a blinding grin.

"Ianto!" Jack welcomed him in, shoving the forms away to make space for Ianto to sit on the edge of the desk, as per usual.

Ianto smiled at him and handed over Jack's blue and white striped mug before taking a perch.

"Toshiko says that the Rift predictor says that we should get a quiet night, sir," Ianto said.

Jack cocked an eyebrow. "Should I tell the others to go home?"

Ianto rolled his eyes. "Jack, it's two o'clock in the afternoon."

"So?"

"Don't you think they'd suspect something?"

"Yan, everybody here knows about us." Jack said, using the affectionate nickname he had recently latched onto.

Ianto raised an eyebrow. "Still, it's a bit obvious."

"Nah – they'll enjoy some time off. I heard Gwen talking about making Rhys dinner," Jack replied, pleased with his idea.

The Welshman sighed. "I'll go and tell them now."

Jack grinned. "Make sure that you remember the stop-watch!" he called after the younger man as he headed back down into the main Hub.

Sorry that it's a bit short, but I've run out of time – I've gotta go to bed in about 5 mins as I've got school tomorrow. :(

Keep the reviews coming, please! The only way I can make sure that you're getting what you want is if you let me know what you like/don't like/want (basically, just what you think)!

Love and virtual anything of your choice to all reviewers!