Authors Note: The 'dream machine' used in this chapter is with kind permission from Secrets-and-Smiles. This was a device used in her excellent story 'Dreams.'
'Dreams' can be found on fan fiction dot net.
The Key Stone.
"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Owen burst out.
"Not less than an hour ago you made the same suggestion yourself," Geoff pointed out.
"Well I was wrong. It was a stupid suggestion and I can't imagine what I was thinking. It would never work," Owen said.
"How do you know it won't work? Saying the word 'garden' got him there," Geoff pointed at the screen.
"It's how the hell do we get him into Jack's mind is the bit I'm struggling with," Owen retorted.
"Well have you got a got a better suggestion?" Geoff threw at Owen, who was standing, his arms crossed.
"What, we just walk up to Ianto and say, please come with us into the magic blue box. The same magic blue box whose very sight caused you to try and throw yourself over a cliff. Said box by the way is bigger on the inside than the outside. Here's the nice man Jack run off with, and oh by the way Jack is trapped in a nightmare in his old room on board, in a garden, in his mind, where you are supposed to be, but you're not, you're out here and somehow now we have to get you in there which apparently is impossible so…?"
Geoff interrupted Owen's tirade. "We are running out of time because I have no idea what will happen once the last fragment of the garden in Jack's mind dissipates." He pointed to the screen.
"Okay, Mr Genius Psychiatrist, how do you suggest we should handle this?" Owen glared at Geoff.
The Doctor walked between them and headed for the door. Reaching the door he turned. "You two coming?"
" Where the hell are you going?" Owen demanded as the Doctor moved into the corridor and started to stride towards the console room.
"As I see it there is only one person who can help." The Doctor reached the console and flicked a switch so the screen from Jack's quarters was now mirrored on a screen on the console. The Doctor looked at Geoff. "If I am not mistaken you said Ianto was the keystone."
"So we just bring Ianto here and get him to kiss Jack better?" Owen screamed at him.
The Doctor spun himself around and pointed as Geoff. "You get back to Jack." He now pointed at Owen. "You are coming with me." He threw a handle on the console and the door opened.
"Fucking mad the pair of you. How the hell did I ever get involved with this shit?" Owen said under his breath and grabbed the Doctor's arm as he passed which caused him to stop mid stride.
"Trust me. I'm the man with the nice maple syrup sweets and the elephant jokes," the Doctor said with a smile.
"What are you not telling me?" Owen asked.
"There are two words, Doctor Owen Harper, that need to become part of your vocabulary. The first is trust."
"Trust," Owen repeated looking sceptical. "And the other one?"
"Hope." The Doctor stepped out the TARDIS door into the garden at Rose Cottage. Turning his head to orient himself he strode up to the French windows and knocked.
"That's it? Hope and trust?" Owen retorted as they saw Tosh come towards them, wide eyed.
Ianto fixed his eyes on the magic blue box and gripped Myfanwy close as he listened.
He creased his forehead in concentration as Owen spoke.
"Jack is having a very bad dream and he needs you," Owen explained quickly. "I know how good you are at helping him when he has very bad dreams."
"I hold him and tell him I love him. And I tell him I forgive him which is an extra big sorry," he looked towards Tosh for reassurance who gave him a thumbs' up. "But Jack's not here he's with that man. Jack told me he was going to do some sort of thinking and dreaming this afternoon about being with the bad man." Ianto made a connection and continued. "So when he did the thinking thing did he start to have a bad dream?"
"Sort off. Jack needs you," Owen said softly.
"Okay, but I don't know where Jack is," Ianto pointed out.
"He's in the TARDIS," the Doctor told him and pointed into the garden at the TARDIS.
"He can't be in there it's too small," Ianto pointed out. "Unless he's standing up asleep and if he falls down I can't lift him up on my own," he said quietly. "He's very heavy and I'm not allowed to lift heavy things, it really hurts."
"Well this is a special box and I promise it's bigger on the inside than this house and garden," the Doctor said. Ianto looked at the TARDIS and the tall thin man in the brown suit in disbelief."
"Can Tosh come with me? And I need Myfanwy," he said unsure of the situation.
"Of course Myfanwy and I will come," she said taking his hand.
"What about Billy? I've never left him on his own he might get all worried if he's wakes up and I'm not here." The Doctor looked across at the large long blond animal lying on its back curled around in a U-shape in a deep sleep suspended on a hammock within some kind the four tier cage. "I love him and he loves me, and I don't want him to think that I would just go away and leave him," he added.
"Ianto, I promise that Billy won't even know you're gone," The Doctor said but Ianto still looked hesitant. And they all held their collective breaths as Ianto worked through his thoughts.
"I need to say goodbye to Billy and tell him where I'm going." Ianto said standing and handing Myfanwy to Tosh. He opened the door of the cage and with gentle care lifted Billy out. Billy stayed fast asleep and remained completely limp as Ianto cradled him close to his chest. He gave him a kiss and stroked him gently
"Jack needs me, so I'm going out for a bit. He's in the magic blue box. Which is outside and looks scary. I don't really understand what's going on. I need to be brave like the other Ianto so even though I'm really scared I have to help Jack because he's having a bad dream. So I'm going to hold him, tell him how much I love him and kiss him better. I just wanted to let you know how much I love you and daddy Ianto will be back soon. Daddy Jack loves you as well even if he gets grumpy. When we come back and if you've been a good boy I'll let you have one of his socks. I've also got a real treat for you because I hidden some marshmallows around the lounge and kitchen for you to find because I know how much you like looking for things. You be a good boy and don't get into any naughty trouble and I will be back soon." He kissed the animal's sleeping form and gently put him back in his hammock. He pulled himself up and turned to the Doctor, Tosh and Owen.
"I'm not sure how much he understands, because he never listens. But I wanted to let him know I love him and I will be back because I don't want him to worry."
"He's a wonderful boy," Owen said putting his hand on Ianto's shoulder, not sure what one says in this situation.
"He's a very naughty boy. You ask Tosh, he steals all her bread. And last week he shredded all the toilet paper into little bits and made himself a nest," Ianto said taking Myfanwy from Tosh.
"I hope you know what hell you are doing," Owen muttered under his breath.
"You're coming along nicely," the Doctor said aside to Owen as he opened the French doors.
"What?" Owen snarked when he realised the Doctor had heard him.
"You used the word 'hope'," the Doctor pointed out
Owen snorted, "Well if we're going to 'Hope Springs Eternal', we are screwed because none of us have the directions."
"Trust," the Doctor added and smiled as Owen started to mutter under his breath again and followed on behind.
"Woh!" Ianto said as he stepped into the console room of the TARDIS and turned around staring in wonder. "I thought you were telling me a big lie, but it was true." The Doctor winked at him.
"You need to come now," Geoff said entering the room and saw Ianto scowl at him.
"I don't like you," Ianto stated outright and pulled a long face. Tosh and Owen turned to him startled as this was the first time Ianto had actually spoken of his dislike of anyone in his daily life.
"I'm sorry Ianto but I like you," Geoff said then pointed at the screen which was now almost devoid of all detail except for Jack who was standing on an every decreasing circle of green.
Leading Ianto down the corridor they came to Jack's room. Opening the door, they saw Jack was lying on the bed, motionless. Ianto immediately laid down next to him and took him in his arms and started kissing his face. They watched as Jack wrapped himself around Ianto.
"It's me Ianto," Ianto said, now stroking Jack's face.
On an ever increasingly small square of lawn Jack felt like he was coming apart. Everything he had touched was brittle and crumpled into dust. He had just one thought, one feeling left. "Ianto, Ianto, please hear me, I need you," he cried out.
He heard what he thought sounded like a musical note. Jack looked wildly about as he tried to make out where it was coming from; it sounded like chimes of some sort. He concentrated; the notes sounded so familiar. The sweet sounds tore at his heart.
Holding Jack close, Ianto kissed and told him how much he loved him. Kissing Jack again, Ianto paused; he heard music. It was his song, his special song. When he was in the first bad place in the dark, when he thought he would never see the light again, he had heard this song in his head and had seen beautiful pictures. It had no words, just a sweet melody. He hummed along and he felt his eyes growing heavy…
"Something is happening," Geoff said as Tosh, the Doctor, and Owen lifted their eyes from the bed to the screen. At the same time they heard Ianto humming and looked down and saw Ianto close his eyes.
Humming Ianto heard words. The song had never had words before, but he did what he was told; he closed and then opened his eyes. His eyes widened as he saw Jack before him looking completely lost. Ianto pulled him into his arms. Jack broke down into howling sobs. Ianto knew this sound. He had made it himself once, when Jack had taken him out of the bad room. It came from deep within and he knew Jack needed to cry out his pain just like Jack had allowed him to cry out his.
Jack buried his face into Ianto's shoulder and felt strong arms envelop him. Stroking Jack's back Ianto told him he was safe, that he loved him, that he was found. As they stood locked in their embrace Ianto tried to work out what had happened. One moment he was in the magic blue box holding Jack on a bed and now he was here. It was like a dream but real.He closed his eyes for a moment then opened them again. Didn't matter; Jack had been lost and now he had found him.
"I couldn't find you. I called and called and then the garden started breaking up, it just broke into dust," Jack sobbed finding words for the first time.
"Well, the garden is here now," Ianto pointed out. Jack lifted his face and saw Ianto was right. Jack pulled out his tee shirt and blew his nose. Jack pulled back slightly and looked around then back at Ianto.
"You're not wearing your suit," Jack pointed out confused as he saw Ianto was dressed in a tee-shirt, jumper and jeans.
"Silly. I don't have a suit and if I did it would be daft to wear in the garden. It would get all messy. I only wear my best clothes when we go out special. Like that time we went on a date. We went to the café and held hands and we squeezed each other's knees under the table and then kissed loads in the car," he declared.
"Ianto," Jack repeated, looking around bewildered to see the garden had fully reformed, but it was different in a way he couldn't put a finger on at this moment. Standing back Jack took hold of Ianto by the shoulders.
"How...how did you get here?" Jack asked.
"I was doing my reading and Tosh was helping me when the magic blue box came. It was so strange; it just appeared, one moment it wasn't there and then it was! Then Owen came with the man who gave me the maple syrup sweets and the jokes. Owen told me you were having a bad dream, and you needed me. I was scared because I didn't want to go into the magic blue box. But you needed me so I decided I had to be real brave like when Ianto became Axel and he found a way to fight back. So I asked if Tosh and Myfanwy could come with me and they said yes. I said a special goodbye to Billy just to make sure that he knew where I was going and I loved him. I promised if he was extra special good he could have one of your socks. That is okay?" Ianto questioned. "I know he's a real naughty boy but he does love you and I thought that he could get rewarded with a treat like I used to."
Jack blinked. He was not sure what had happened, but this was the real Ianto and not the Ianto he had envisioned. This was a dream but it felt so real, surreal in fact.
"Of course," Jack took Ianto's hands into his own and kissed them. "But how did you get here in this garden? Because I created it in my mind," Jack asked.
He saw Ianto look thoughtful. "I'm not sure. But I think it was the special song. When I was in the first bad place I heard this song and it made me feel all happy inside." Jack closed his eyes and listened; yes, he could hear it too. He smiled in remembrance; whenever he had been here in this place he had heard this song. He looked at Ianto in wonder as he joined with him, humming the tune.
"That's it Jack," Ianto enthused, nodding. "That's my special song, and it must be your special song too. When I came into the magic blue box and held you it came into my head. And I heard words which is funny because it didn't have words before. The words said close your eyes and I did and then it said open your eyes and here I was." Jack was about to speak when a butterfly fluttered by. Jack did a double take because he had never seen one the size of a man before. It flapped its wings in lazy sweeps just enough to keep it off the ground. The deep blue on its wings shimmered as it passed.
"I love butterflies," Ianto said and his eyes lit up as he saw something a few feet away. "A fountain!" Ianto said excitedly taking hold of Jack's hand and pulling him along.
Reaching it lanto dipped his fingers into the thick brown liquid. He closed his eyes and he sucked his fingers. "Emmmmm yum maple syrup," Ianto said as he dipped his fingers in again.
Jack stood back for a moment. The liquid didn't look thick enough to be maple syrup and anyway he smelt coffee. He looked down and saw in a hollow a small shell-like cup. He scooped it out and dipped it into the liquid. Taking a cautious sip of the dark liquid he rolled it around in his mouth to experience the full flavour. It was best coffee Ianto had ever made. Draining the small cup he trailed it into the liquid and filled it again.
"I like this garden," Ianto declared. Jack finished his fourth cupful and felt his head clear. He looked around; it was the garden he had created but then again it was not. It was just as beautiful and wondrous but had become even more magical.
Ianto gasped and his eyes widened with excitement. "I wonder if there are real gooseberries here and not like the trick ones we grew?"
"And snapdragons are real snapdragons," Jack added as Ianto clapped.
"There could be bananas! If we find bananas I am going to bring them back here to this fountain. And I am going to dip them in and eat them all. Then I am going to drink this fountain dry," Ianto announced. "Because bananas are on top of my 'what's best with maple syrup' list and a fountain like this needs to be drunk up every last drop."
"Let's go see," Jack caught up in Ianto's excitement. They went around the fountain and followed the pink shell path into the next part of the garden.
How long they took exploring the garden Jack could not fathom. The time stretched on like one of those long endless summer afternoons of childhood that never seems to end. Each turning seemed to lead them to new surprises and wonders. Real gooseberries and snapdragons, and butterflies of every size and colour. Goldfish that did underwater dances, flocks of birds who chorused serenades, squirrels who juggled acorns made of silver, chocolate crocodiles with in-built clocks in their tummies, and knee-high elephants who followed them around demanding to be fed Lego cakes. There were climbing trees where the only way down was via long winding slides. Vistas of sheer beauty that took their breath away, to waterfalls of lemonade surrounded by trees with leaves made of crisps and inverted mushrooms filled with dip.
Eventually the garden led them back to the fountain. Nearby they settled into a hammock built for two under the spreading canopy of a shady tree. The leaves sparkled in the sunlight like diamonds, scattering rainbows which danced on every surface. Rocking back and forth gently they kissed and whispered sweet nothings to each other and made love. Jack, his head on Ianto's chest, was filled with a sense of peace and he let out a sigh of contentment. Safe in Ianto's arms and gently rocked by the light breeze he felt himself drift into a light sleep. As Jack drifted off to sleep Ianto heard the song singing to him, singing to him in words again. He listened very carefully and knew exactly what had to do.
A gentle shaking woke Jack followed by a deep kiss. He opened his eyes to see Ianto was looking about. Jack followed his gaze and saw the garden seemed too have shrunk. He felt a moment of panic. Ianto kissed him again and then swung himself out of the hammock. Jack blinked and saw Ianto had a sturdy long object clipped on his belt. He was sure it hadn't been there before.
Ianto unclipped the object from his belt and activated it. "Is that a lightsaber?" Jack said not sure he was seeing what he was seeing.
"I have always wanted one of these," Ianto said taking a wide a stance and began to slice the air around him.
"While you were asleep the song told me we have to leave the garden. But the bad man is out there and he is really mean and it's not going to be easy to escape," Ianto explained then held out his hand. "I'm Luke Ianto and I am here to rescue you." Ianto pulled Jack out of the hammock.
"You're Luke Ianto and you're here to rescue me?" Jack repeated, confused.
"You're meant to say, 'aren't you a little short to be a stormtrooper?'" Ianto instructed with a glint in his eye.
"Aren't you little short to be stormtrooper?" Jack repeated, not sure where this was going.
"Yes Prince Jack. I am here with my mighty Dragon Myfanwy to take you to freedom," Ianto announced grandly. Jack heard a mighty roar in the distance and felt the vibration through his feet.
"You will need this." Ianto handed Jack a wicked looking blaster. As Jack was weighing it up in his hand Ianto turned off the lightsaber and pulled Jack into a massive snog.
When they pulled back Jack saw the garden appeared to be folding in on itself. He looked back to Ianto who was looking serious.
"Now all the bad guys will be in white and bad man Darth Master will try his best to get us so we have to keep moving." Jack looked at the weapon in his hand. "Don't worry, it never runs out of bullets," Ianto told him and Jack looked at the blaster with renewed enthusiasm.
"Now I need you to promise me that I will get my reward later," Ianto said squeezing Jack's arse.
"Oh Luke Ianto, I am going to so reward you," Jack said trying to keep a straight face as he began to enjoy himself.
"Excellent. I like my rewards with lashings of naked and us chasing each other with loads of kissing and orgasms," Ianto told him as the collapsing of the garden sped up and faded around them.
"Get me to safety and the reward shall be yours," Jack announced with glee as they found themselves in a dark corridor.
Ianto threw a smouldering look of lust at him. "This way," Luke Ianto commanded.
"This is for luck," Jack said, kissing Ianto on the cheek.
Burying his face Ianto's shoulder, his arms tightly around his waist, together they swung across the abyss. They could both hear the shots of those above them firing down and ricocheting off the walls.
The arrived with a thump and Ianto looked up and shouted, "Missed! They are such rotten shots," Ianto pointed out. Jack had to agree. With the prolificacy of ammunition the other side wasted he would have thought at least one shot would come close.
Taking each other's hands they ran down the corridor. Turning the corner they were confronted with twenty of the Master's henchmen. Without hesitation Ianto flew towards them, screaming. Jack followed, screaming and firing. The men, startled, turned and ran. Jack bellowed with Ianto as he fired into the backs of the running men. Several of the men screamed into their radios asking for help. A few moments later a door crashed down from above cutting them off. Jack and Ianto skidded to a halt.
Out of breath they look around. If they were not careful they would be trapped and before either of them could say a word the door behind them now slid into place. They backed themselves against the wall and braced themselves for the attack they knew would follow.
The panel now moved aside on the other wall exposing a corridor and they saw Darth Master. As he came towards them he morphed and his robes fell away becoming the Master.
Ianto pointed his lightsaber in the Master's direction. "You hurt me and you hurt Jack and did mean spiteful things. You are a very, very bad man."
"You will never escape. This place is impregnable, which means there is no escape," the Master crowed.
"You need to be punished and there is only one punishment for really bad men like you."
"I am untouchable and you and Jack will be in my power forever," the Master snarled.
"We will defeat you," Jack shouted back.
"Never! I am too strong."
"Not as strong as my dragon. Myfanwy," Ianto screamed out.
As her name left his lips Jack and Ianto heard an ear-splitting roar which shook the room. Myfanwy crashed through the walls and flamed the Master who was shaking with fear. He burst into flames, screaming and writhing. She tossed him in the air and brought down her jaws silencing him once and for all.
Grimacing she swallowed him whole then placed a front claw down, bowing slightly. Ianto cavorted onto her back and put his hand down to help Jack up.
Jack placed his arms around Ianto's chest and Ianto kicked with his feet. Her back muscles rippled with power and she launched herself into space as Ianto, holding his lightsaber aloft, cried out his victory. Jack threw back his head and laughed as they soared amongst the stars.
The blackness of space dissolved and Jack opened his eyes.
He was laying on his bed in his room in the TARDIS. Ianto had his arms around him, firmly embracing him. He took a deep breath and buried his face into Ianto's shoulder.
"Welcome back," he heard Owen say.
"How long?" Jack croaked clearing his throat and Ianto helped him sit up.
"About two hours," the Doctor told him.
"Two hours, it felt like we were there for a lot longer," Jack said.
"I don't think it was in real time. Everything we saw was in extreme fast forward," Geoff spoke for the Doctor and Owen, who nodded.
"That was certainly an original rescue and I must say Myfanwy was a real heroine," the Doctor told them both.
"Yes she loves to snack on the bad man but she tells me he tastes nasty and bitter," Ianto explained and everyone laughed.
"How are you feeling?" Geoff asked after a few moments passed. He saw Jack glance over to Ianto and he pulled him in close.
"I think we need to explore what happened," Owen added.
"We need to go home. We just battled our way out of the Valiant," Jack said and he saw Ianto smile.
"And I need to check that Billy's been a good boy and give him his sock," Ianto said taking Jack's hand and pulling Jack to stand. Turning Ianto picked up Myfanwy and led the way out.