AN First off apologies for the delay in this chapter real life got in the way a bit oh and a holiday in Canada which was fantastic.

Second this is the last chapter of this story as I have got Ianto and Owen to where I want them to be in their relationship. I hope you have all enjoyed their journey and that you like the outcome. There may be more but for the moment I am concentrating on my other story Mountains to Climb.

Third I would like to say a huge huge huge thank you to JonesIantoJones for her amazing beta work(even with only 6 weeks to go before she becomes a mum) and for all the advice and encouragement she has given me since I started posting on here.

Lastly Ianto and Owen do not belong to me but I have enjoyed playing with them in this story.

As always reviews are most welcome and thanks to everyone who has stuck with this. xx

Returning to London Part 34

Four months later

"Tell me again. Why are we going to London?" Moaned Ianto.

Owen who was driving his car turned to look a Ianto. "Because Unit need my professional medical expertise and you are coming along because you need a break and more importantly to keep me company. Also I know you still have unresolved issues with London, so I'm hoping this trip will help."

"I don't..." Ianto started to say.

"Yes you do." Owen interrupted. "I know you've been a lot better recently. But I also know you're still having the occasional nightmare." Ianto started to object but changed his mind. Since he'd moved in with Owen three months previous the nightmares had reduced and he only got them when they had had a particularly bad case or he was really tired. He thought he had done a good job of hiding them from Owen, but obviously not. Owen continued. " I know they aren't as bad as before and I know you tried to hide them from me but having lived together for the past three months did you really think you didn't disturb me." Owen smirked.

Ianto looked suitably chastised. "Why did you never say anything?" He asked softly.

"Because you were handling them and I know you don't like a lot of fuss when you have one. Believe me if it looked like they were getting worse or you looked like you weren't coping I would've said something." Explained Owen.

Ianto grabbed Owen's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you."

"What for?" Owen asked.

"For being an amazing boyfriend who I love very much. And maybe you're right. Maybe I do need to confront the last of my demons."

"And I will be there for you when you do." Declared Owen.

******TORCHWOOD******

They made it to London in good time and before they knew it Owen was parking the car at the same Unit hospital they had collected Shelley from all those months ago. Owen smiled at the memory.

"What are you smiling about? Ianto asked.

"Just thinking about the last time we were here." Owen said still smiling.

"And that's something to smile about. I seem to remember having a complete mental breakdown." Snarked Ianto.

"Yes you did. But look where that led us to." Owen said pulling Ianto into his arms and kising him. "I think that's something to smile about - don't you?"

Ianto tilted his head to one side and thought about it " Mmm kiss me again just to remind me."

"Willingly." Owen whispered.

They stood trading kisses for several minutes until a group of school girls walked passed and started giggling. Owen sighed. " 'C'mon the sooner I get the work side over with the sooner we can enjoy ourselves. What are you going to do while I'm sorting Unit out?"

"I think I might go confront those demons." Ianto replied.

"Do you think that's wise on your own?" Owen asked concern lacing through his words.

"I honestly don't know but I've got to try. If I feel I can't cope I'll ring you. Ok?" Answered Ianto.

Owen still looked concerned. He decided that he needed to trust Ianto so simply said. "Ok if you're sure."

"Yes I am. Now go wow Unit with your expertise. Ring me when you're finished." Laughed Ianto.

With a last kiss they parted ways Owen into the Unit hospital and Ianto heading for the river. He stood watching the river for a while before deciding what he should do. Before he could change his mind he pulled his mobile from his pocket and made a phone call. He then made his way to the nearest tube station.

******TORCHWOOD******

Twenty minutes and two changes found Ianto at Wood Green. He excited the train station and turned left making his way through the streets to Acacia Road. As he approached number 21 his step faltered a bit. Taking a deep breath he walked up the path and knocked on the front door of the Hallets house. Lisa's mum immediately opened it and she stood staring at him for a moment before pulling him into a big hug.

"It's been too long Ianto." She whispered.

"I know Narissa and I'm sorry it's taken this long to come and see you." Ianto said as they released each other.

"Well you're here now so come on in - kettles just boiled." She told him leading the way to the kitchen at the back of the house. Ianto stopped in the doorway as his memories began to assualt his brain - they weren't as bad as he thought they would be. He hadn't realised he was crying until he felt gentle hands wiping the tears from his face and pushing him to sit on one of the chairs by the table.

"I'm sorry." Ianto sniffed taking out his handkerchief and blowing his nose. "Just seeing you making the coffee brought back all the times Lisa and I would come and visit you."

"I know it gets me too when I least expect it. So what brings you to London Ianto. I know it's not just to see me?" Narissa said placing a mug of coffee down in front of Ianto and sitting down opposite him.

Ianto sighed before taking a sip of coffee. "As good as it always was." He then set the mug down and looked at Lisa's mum. " I really am sorry for not keeping in touch and for not coming to see you sooner, but my life has been - hectic. And I also couldn't face London not after..." Ianto swallowed heavily, "not after the Terrorist attack." Ianto explained sticking to the official line about Canary Wharf.

Narissa put her hand over his and squeezed it in support. "I know it can't have been easy for you. Especially as you lost so many friends and collegues but where did you go after Lisa's funeral? I was really worried about you. I even tried finding you but no one knew where you'd gone and all the leads I had turned into dead ends. It was almost like you'd died too." Narissa said sadly.

Ianto met her eyes. "I'm sorry I just had to get out of London - the memories were too great. I went back to Wales, managed to get myself a job and over the past year I've been seeing someone. That's why I'm in London - he had a meeting here." Ianto waited for what he had said to sink in.

"He?" Narissa questioned.

"Yes. His name is Owen Harper. Doctor Owen Harper. He works for the same company as I do. He's wonderful, he's been helping me come to terms with what happened." Ianto smiled at the memories of some of the things Owen had done to help. He continued. " I came to London last year for work and afterwards the nightmares and guilt came back even worse than before. Owen helped me overcome them. I still have them occasionally. He thought it would be a good idea for me to come to London to face the fears that were still left. That's why I'm here. After Lisa died I felt so guilty for surviving that I couldn't face you even though there was nothing I could've done to prevent her death and even though I know you didn't blame me - I blamed myself. I think I've finally realised that it wasn't my fault."

"Oh Ianto. We never blamed you for surviving and we know you did all you could to get Lisa out. It just wasn't to be. And I'm really pleased you've found someone else to love - a little surprised it's a man - but I am happy for you and I know Lisa would be too."

They talked some more reminiscing about Lisa until Ianto's phone beeped with a message. Ianto pulled it from his pocket and smiled as he read it. He sent a quick reply then put the phone away.

Narissa smiled at him. "I'm guessing from that dopey look on your face that was from Owen?"

"Yes it was. He's finished his meeting and wanted to know where I was." Ianto answered.

"Well you better be going then and not keep him waiting." Narissa laughed. "Just promise you'll keep in touch this time?"

Ianto stood up and pulled Narissa into a hug. " I will I promise. Thank you for letting me visit. I wasn't sure what sort of reception I was going to get but it's been good catching up and talking to someone who knew Lisa."

"Take care Ianto and don't be a stranger." Narissa said giving him a final hug and kiss at the front door.

******TORCHWOOD******

Ianto sent Owen a text message to say he was on his way back and to meet him at the memorial garden. Owen frowned when he read the message he couldn't think of a reason why Ianto would want to meet him in the place he had had his breakdown. None the less he made his way to the garden and sat on a bench to wait for Ianto. Half an hour later he saw Ianto heading towards him. Owen stood up as he got nearer and when Ianto stopped in front of him he pulled Owen into a passionate kiss that neither of them wanted to finish but had to when the need for oxygen became too much.

"Wow. Not that I mind that sort of hello - but what brought that on?" Owen asked breathlessly.

Ianto smiled at Owen and then indicated for him to sit back down. Ianto took hold of Owen's hand. "I went to see Lisa's mum." He began. Owen looked at him in astonishment but didn't say anything, he could tell that Ianto wanted to say more and he knew he would when he was ready.

"While we were talking I got to thinking about what I want from my life." Ianto swallowed nervously.

"And?" Owen encouraged.

Ianto turned so that he was facing Owen and looking him straight in the eyes said. "And I came to a desicion. Owen you are one of the best things that has happened to me and you would make me even happier if..." Ianto swallowed again. "...if you would agree to become my civil partner?"

Owen stared at Ianto not really believing he had heard right. "Did...did you... did you just ask me to marry you." He stammered out eventually.

"Yes I believe I did." Ianto said grinning. "And it's usually polite to answer a question."

Owen threw his arms around Ianto and crashed their lips together in a bruising kiss. When they parted several minutes later Ianto whispered. "Is that a yes then?"

"Yes. Yes you big lump of course it's a bloody yes. I am officially the happiest man alive at the moment. Just one thing though?" Owen asked.

"Mmm what's that then?" Ianto replied.

"Where's the engagment ring?" Pouted Owen.

"Well as I hadn't planned on asking you today I didn't bring it with me." Ianto said waiting for the information to sink in.

Owen was once again lost for words. "You mean..."

"Yes I have a ring at home. I was just waiting for the right moment to ask you. And typical I find the right moment and the rings back in Cardiff." Ianto laughed. "You can have it when we get back."

Owen pulled Ianto in to another kiss - this one a lot gentler than the previous one. "Have I told you lately how much I love you."

"Yes but I will never tire of hearing it. I love you too. Come on let's get back to Cardiff and break the news to the rest of the team." Ianto said standing up and pulling Owen with him.

They stopped by the monument for a minute both reflecting on all that had happened since the last time they were there before turning and walking away hand in hand.

AN2 Well that's Ianto and Owens journey over hope you all enjoyed and liked the ending and thanks again for reading xx