Three months. Jack had been gone for three months and two days. Ianto would count the hours if he didn't have better things to do, like planning the death of an immortal who was currently with the Doctor, somewhere far off probably having forgotten all about Ianto Jones in Cardiff.

Hell if he was going to let Jack forget him. Packing only a bit of this and a bit of that and looking around Torchwood one last time, Ianto left in search of Jack, with absolutely no clue as to where he would even begin to look for the elusive captain Jack Harkness, but determined none the less.

He looked high and low for a month but he had no idea what he was looking for. There were no signs as to where he would have gone and shit was seemingly hitting the fan and Owen was calling him left and right begging him to get back to Cardiff, that he was needed and they couldn't be two men down. Things weren't going well, it seemed and finally with a sigh of resignation Ianto made his way back to Cardiff.

It took him about a week to make his way back and with a defeated sigh he walked into the hub and stopped dead in his tracks. Owen and Tosh looked like they'd had a run in with a weevil or two and were now being dragged out, kicking and screaming mind you, by three people while the Master, as he called himself, was standing watch, smiling maliciously.

"What's going on here?" Ianto asked, not a trace of fear in his voice.

"A present for Jack." The Master said waving him away from the door. "Be a dear and step aside."

"No!" Ianto said, glaring at the intruder.

"If this is for Jack, take Ianto, that would hurt him." Gwen said and Ianto's eyes widened. The bitch had sold him out.

"Oh really now, and why is that?" The Master asked looking at Gwen who was shockingly unharmed.

"Shut it Gwen." Owen said, glaring at the woman, hoping she'd keep her mouth shut.

"They're together they are." Gwen said, not paying Owen any mind.

"Oh are they now?" The Master asked looking at Ianto happily. "Leave those two, take him."

000000000000000000000000000

Jack was chained to the wall and breathing heavily. He was in so much pain he could hardly take a full breath. It hurt to blink even.

He'd been tied up for so long he'd forgotten what it felt like to have his hands at his side. The Master seemed to be having fun tormenting him, torturing him to death and watching him come back to life. He'd done everything imaginable to Jack, from ripping out his heart repeatedly, since that was one of his favorites, to poisoning him to making him bleed to death, everything and anything his sick mind could come up with he'd done and Jack was just so tired of dying.

Thankfully the Master had left for the day. "Important work to be doing and the like." He'd said before leaving Jack chained to the wall and the doctor in his cage with guards on every corner of room they were in.

He'd been gone for about three hours when the door to the room burst open making Jack look up. His heart stopped the moment he saw who the Master's guards were dragging into the room.

"JACK!" Ianto said, relief at seeing the captain alive.

"Ianto." Jack said, pulling at the chains holding him back.

"Oh, so she was telling the truth. My my, how quaint." The Master said looking smugly at Jack. "Chain him up over there, so Jack can see the whole performance.

Jack watched helplessly as they chained Ianto to the opposite wall. He was struggling against his bindings, trying to get free and make his way to Ianto.

"It's going to be okay Ianto." Jack said, pulling hard enough for the metal to cut into his wrists. "It's going to be okay." He repeated. He wanted to be telling the truth but he knew he was lying. There was no way this was going to end well.

"Jack...I'm scared." Ianto admitted, tears falling down his face.

"I'm here Ianto. I'm right here. Look at me." Jack said pulling harder, feeling his muscles stretch and hurt, joints being pulled hard enough to dislocate. "Look at me." Jack commanded and Ianto did, locking eyes with his captain.

"I love you Jack." Ianto said as The Master started his torture, grabbing a knife and cutting into Ianto's chest, watching the Welshman inhale sharply at the pain.

"I love you too Ianto." Jack said, tears falling from his eyes as he watched The Master mutilate Ianto and his poor Welshman screaming in pain. Jack screamed along with him and his blood ran cold when he saw The Master take the blade to Ianto's throat.

"Say goodbye Jack." The Master said and Jack pulled at his restraints hard enough to tear muscle and pull apart bone, but he wasn't strong enough to break the bonds that held him.

"Ianto, look at me. Look at me Yan." Jack begged and Ianto looked at Jack as blood dripped down his face and marred his vision. "Good. Look at me. Just...keep looking at me...I love you...I love you Yan I love you." Jack said and watched as The Master slit Ianto's throat.

Ianto gurgled as blood pooled out and down his shirt. "I love you Ianto. I'm so sorry. I love you...I love you." Jack chanted, tears falling unchecked down his face.

"I'm going to rip your hearts out and not even the doctor can save you." Jack promised as he watched Ianto go limp against his bindings.

Jack hung his head and sobbed, screaming the name of his beloved. He was so far gone he almost missed it. A gasp and rapid breathing. Looking up Jack was astonished at what he saw. Ianto was alive and breathing heavily, no cuts visible on his skin. He didn't know how that was possible, but he was glad for it, as selfish as that may have sounded, he couldn't lose Ianto.

"Ianto, breathe. In and out, the pain will pass." Jack said, watching Ianto slow his breathing and groan in agony.

"I know, but it'll pass." Jack assured and watched Ianto nod his understanding as he continued to get his bearings together.

"Oh my, another one of you?" The Master asked, excitement clear in his voice. "Goodie."