Author's Notes: Thank you as always to everyone who continues to read and support this story. A special thanks also to Prothrombintime for invaluable and generously given feedback and suggestions. Enjoy.

Chapter Twenty-Four

October 29th, 2004 (continued)

It was over three hours later when Ianto finally departed from Yvonne Hartman's office. Wearily returning the brief but sympathetic smile he received from Yvonne's personal assistant, he collected the black leather case containing his laptop and files from where he'd left it beside her desk, and exited the outer office.

With a dull throb settling in behind his eyes and his stomach beginning to protest from a lack of food, he made his way briskly down the long, wide stretch of white corridor to the cluster of lifts at the furthest end. He needed some time alone to gather his thoughts.

Hartman's questions over every aspect of his tenure at Torchwood Three had been endless and highly detailed. He was still reeling from the revelation of Jack's association with the Doctor, and it had taken every ounce of his stoicism and composure to set aside his emotions so he could focus on answering her queries calmly and succinctly. Yvonne had clearly tried to get him off-balance, but he'd been determined not to allow her underhanded, yet admittedly effective tactics, to distract him. He was just relieved the meeting was finally over, and although it felt like a feeble victory at best, he felt confident he hadn't given any hint as to the true nature of his and Jack's relationship.

At the conclusion of the meeting Hartman had presented him with a list of artefacts to be transferred to London. Despite her polite words and innocuous smile, there was no doubt in his mind that it was an order and not a request. He knew Jack wouldn't be happy about it, but he was confident the Captain would grudgingly agree. The items were relatively benign, and he was grateful he wouldn't have a battle on his hands in relinquishing guardianship of them. It seemed like a small price to pay to keep Torchwood's administrator appeased, plus there was always the possibility that the items could prove useful in developing new defensive technologies.

More troubling, however, was Hartman's desire to expand the Cardiff team. It was a notion Ianto agreed with wholeheartedly, but one which he knew Jack remained stubbornly opposed. He'd attempted to buy some time by citing the Captain's distrustful nature, but he'd assured her he would do his best to persuade Jack to reconsider his position. He'd been surprised when she'd agreed without further debate. Tackling the contentious issue with Jack wasn't a task he was looking forward to in the least. Like stags butting antlers, he thought dejectedly.

With a soft sigh of frustration, he stabbed the button on the panel next to the gleaming lift doors. Lost in his thoughts while he waited, he didn't notice the approaching footsteps until an achingly familiar and melodious voice reached his ears. "Ianto?"

Pressing his eyes closed and cursing under his breath, Ianto felt an immediate sense of anxious dread wash over him. Of course, he'd known the encounter was inevitable, but nonetheless, he'd futilely hoped to avoid an awkward reunion.

Opening his eyes again, he schooled his features, then turned around, and found himself staring into the warm, brown eyes of his ex-girlfriend. Lisa Hallett looked every bit as stunning as when he'd last seen her. Tall and svelte, with flawless dark skin and full, soft lips he'd always loved to kiss, Lisa was a strikingly beautiful woman.

"Lisa... uh, hi. How are you?" he asked, cringing inwardly at the stammer in his voice.

"Oh, not bad. Busy though. How about you?" She looked at him intently. "I heard you were back in London."

"I'm fine. Just back for a couple of days." Ianto managed to produce a wan smile. Despite himself, he couldn't help staring at her, transfixed as a myriad of emotions washed over him. "Yvonne wanted to meet with me."

Lisa chuckled as she looked him up and down. "Well, it seems like you survived the experience unscathed."

"Almost," Ianto agreed dryly with a brief, nervous chuckle of his own.

"You look really great, Ianto. Cardiff must agree with you." Lisa smiled hesitantly and took a step closer. "It's good to see you again."

"Thanks," Ianto replied awkwardly, shuffling his feet. "You too, Lisa."

He heard the lift doors open behind him, and glancing back, he stepped into the compartment, Lisa following close behind. Tightening his grip on the handle of his case and cursing silently to himself again, he plastered on a polite smile and wondered if his day could get any worse. "Um, what floor?"

"Twentieth." She reached across in front of him and pressed the appropriate button. "Thought I'd take a break and get some coffee. Feel like joining me? You can tell me all about the Cardiff branch."

"Thanks," he replied hurriedly, feeling slightly panicked. "But I need to get down to the archives. Sorry."

It wasn't a lie as he'd planned to use the remaining day and a half of his visit to cross-reference various artefacts neither he nor Jack had been able to identify with the Torchwood One database. The list of items was extensive and it would be a time-consuming process. "I've got quite a bit of work to get through before I head back," he added apologetically.

"You can spare five minutes, surely?" Lisa asked, a hint of admonishment in her voice and an unpleasant reminder of all the times she'd berated him for working too hard. "For old times sake."

Ianto wanted to refuse, but his innate politeness and desire to please prevailed. Resigned to his fate, he nodded. "Yeah, all right."

A few minutes later they were seated at a small table near one of the enormous windows of Torchwood's sprawling self-serve cafeteria and common area, their cups of coffee in front of them. It was almost half-past twelve and while there were a few people scattered around the room, a couple of whom Ianto recognised, it was mostly deserted. Ianto had rarely visited the large, sparsely furnished space, preferring to eat at his desk or go outside at lunchtime and wander around. Lisa had always been the more sociable of the two of them anyway, the proverbial life of the party, and a stark contrast to Ianto's quiet, introverted nature.

"So, what's it like being back in Cardiff?" Lisa asked, taking a sip of her coffee. "It seems strange you being back there. You said when you came to London that you'd never go back."

"I know, but things change I suppose." Ianto shrugged and smiled benignly. "I like being back there. And I get to see my sister and my niece and nephew."

"You're not coming back here then?" Lisa asked, looking at him doubtfully.

Ianto shook his head. "Yvonne's making my transfer permanent."

"Oh. I just thought..." Lisa paused with a frown as he looked at her expectantly. "Well, I suppose I thought you'd be back eventually."

"Doesn't look like it." Ianto took a sip of his coffee as he tried to think of a change of subject. "How's things going with Patrick?" he asked after a moment, not particularly wanting to know the answer, but hoping to draw attention away from himself.

Lisa looked down and fidgeted with her cup. "It didn't last," she answered eventually. "We split up a couple of months ago. He's seeing Melissa in R&D now."

"Oh, um... I'm sorry," Ianto murmured, not sure what else to say.

He'd never liked Patrick Johnson, a Torchwood One field operative who seemed to have far too high an opinion of himself, but he took no pleasure in knowing things hadn't worked out between them.

The pain and bitterness he'd once felt had mostly passed, and seeing Lisa again reinforced his conviction that things had ultimately worked out for the best. It was strange to look at this woman he'd once adored and loved so deeply, and to realise that those intense feelings no longer existed. In a way she felt like a stranger to him now. It was a sensation which was at once both profoundly saddening and a monumental relief. His lingering vestiges of doubt had finally been put to rest.

He'd always care about Lisa and he'd always remember her as the beautiful, vivacious woman he'd once loved, but he was no longer in love with her. He wanted her to move on and be happy. It was with absolute certainty that he knew his heart belonged elsewhere, no matter how trepidatious that knowledge was at the present point in time.

Lisa shrugged, looking back up at him. "And you? Anyone special?"

"There's someone," he admitted, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. It had been on the tip of his tongue to say there was no one, but that would have been unfair to Jack. He also didn't want Lisa to think he was living a sad, lonely existence back in Cardiff, pining away for her. "It's still fairly new though."

Lisa's perfectly manicured eyebrows lifted in obvious surprise. "That's good then. I'd hoped you'd find someone new. Is it serious?"

Ianto hesitated, biting down on his lower lip as he struggled to decide on an answer. "Um, yeah," he replied, but then wondered if that was actually true. He'd thought he had a better grasp on where he stood with Jack, but after the last few hours, it all seemed so uncertain and tenuous again. "I think so. At least it is for me."

Lisa gave him a half-hearted smile. "Well, whoever she is, she's a lucky girl."

Ianto wasn't sure if he'd quite managed to hide the incredulity from his features. "Um... thanks."

A part of him wanted to correct her use of the inaccurate pronoun, but the last thing he wanted was to become the hottest topic on Torchwood One's rumour mill. He inwardly shuddered as he imagined his former colleagues gossiping about how his breakup with Lisa had caused him to run away to Cardiff and go bender.

Lisa obviously picked up on his disbelief. "Ianto, just because things didn't work out for us, it doesn't mean I don't know how happy you'll make someone." She sighed and looked at him with sadness in her eyes. "You were my best friend. I could talk to you about anything. I miss that... I miss being able to talk to you."

Ianto simply nodded in reply, his pride not allowing for anything more effusive. He wasn't unaffected by her words, but he refused to feel guilty about not being there for her to talk to.

Although he'd never been someone who talked about himself, his past, or his feelings, he and Lisa had spent a lot of their time together simply talking about anything and everything. She'd been both his girlfriend and his best friend. Even though he'd usually been more of a listener than a talker, he'd enjoyed that part of their relationship. While Jack had now filled the void in his life that losing Lisa had created, it was different... perhaps in part because they were both men, perhaps because of their guarded, introspective natures, or perhaps it was because of Jack's intimidatingly long past and incumbent mountain of emotional baggage. He'd always felt like he'd known where he stood with Lisa, even if, in hindsight, that hadn't actually been the case. Whereas with Jack, nothing seemed simple or clearly defined.

He felt justified in being upset that he'd had to hear about Jack's association with the Doctor from Yvonne Hartman, but he suddenly realised there was at least a degree of hypocrisy clouding his emotions. He could hardly blame Jack for being secretive about his past when he himself was similarly uncommunicative.

"I always felt bad about what happened," Lisa continued, beginning to reach across the table to touch his hand but then drawing back. "I'm sorry about..."

"Don't, Lisa," Ianto said firmly, cutting her off. "Please, don't. What we had was good... but you were right, it wouldn't have worked in the long-run." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Everything turned out for the best."

"Yes, you're right," Lisa agreed quickly. "I'm just sorry I hurt you."

"I know," Ianto replied softly, lowering his eyes and swallowing a mouthful of his coffee.

"So, what's he like?" Lisa asked a moment later, her voice taking on a lighter tone. Ianto looked up to see her gazing at him curiously. "Captain Harkness? I've only seen him once but he's gorgeous."

Ianto huffed out a half-laugh. "Well, he seems to think so."

"But you don't?" Lisa asked, her eyes widening incredulously.

"I suppose he's a decent enough looking bloke," Ianto replied, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

"You're jealous!" Lisa teased.

"I'm not!" Ianto protested, rolling his eyes as Lisa grinned at him. "Actually, he's a right pain in the arse, and he's very demanding. It's practically a full-time job just keeping him supplied with coffee." Feeling a little guilty for painting Jack in such a negative light, he added, "But he's a good boss and he knows what he's doing."

Lisa smiled knowingly. "I bet you had him addicted to your coffee on the first day. You've probably got him wrapped around your little finger by now."

Ianto smirked. "Maybe just a bit," he said, taking another sip of his coffee.

"It's lucky you're not gay." Lisa's features took on a thoughtful expression. "Otherwise, he'd probably be all over you."

Ianto spluttered and almost choked on his coffee, making a sound that was somewhere between a derisive snort and a hysterical laugh. "Yeah," he mumbled. "Lucky about that. Doubt I'm his type though."

Lisa shrugged and hummed non-committally. "Are the rumours about him true? That he'll shag anything if it's gorgeous enough?"

"Dunno," Ianto replied, feeling heat rise to his face and wishing the floor would open up and swallow him. "It's not like we go out on the pull together, Lisa. He's just my boss. Anyway, you can't believe all the rumours around this place."

"I suppose not," Lisa agreed, not looking particularly convinced.

Feeling desperate to escape before Lisa asked him any further questions, he quickly gulped down the remainder of his coffee, then gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, but I really need to get some work done. It's been good seeing you again though."

Lisa sighed. "Yeah, I should get back too." She stood up as Ianto did the same. "Take care of yourself, Ianto," she said, touching his arm and smiling warmly.

"You too." Ianto smiled back and reached down to collect his case from beside the chair. "Bye, Lisa."

"Bye, Ianto."

With one final look at the woman he'd once loved, Ianto quickly turned and walked away.

###

It was just after ten o'clock the following evening when the train pulled in at Cardiff Central station. With his overnight bag and laptop case both slung over his shoulder, and a suit carrier bag folded over his arm, Ianto disembarked and wearily headed for the nearby taxi rank.

The rest of his time at Torchwood One had been blessedly uneventful. He'd worked steadily and made progress with identifying a number of the previously unknown artefacts. He'd chatted briefly with a few of his former colleagues, and to his immense relief, he hadn't seen Yvonne Hartman or Lisa again.

He'd also spoken with one of Torchwood's head researchers, Dr. Rajesh Singh, about his Rift prediction idea. Rajesh had been one of several Torchwood staff involved in giving the new recruits basic psychic training, and he'd always been friendly and amiable. The man had seemed delighted to see Ianto again, and while he'd approved of Ianto's idea, he'd agreed that it would be difficult to implement successfully. He'd mentioned a young Japanese woman he'd once met, a gifted mathematician and a genius with technology apparently, and who Torchwood had been looking at recruiting. Unfortunately, she'd been caught stealing government secrets and had been subsequently incarcerated for treason in UNIT's prison facility. Nonetheless, Ianto had noted her name so he could find out more about her.

Jack had phoned him the previous night, asking about the meeting with Hartman, and confirming that his transfer was official. Feeling upset and frustrated by Jack's apparent lack of trust in him, he'd been unable to stop himself from being a little brusque with the older man. When Jack had asked him if anything was wrong, he'd tried to cover his taciturn demeanour with the excuse that he was tired and hadn't slept well the night before. He hadn't said anything about the Doctor, and he hadn't mentioned his encounter with Lisa. He respected Jack's privacy, and if Jack didn't truly trust him, there was nothing he could do to change that. It hurt though, and more than he was willing to admit.

After the arduous time in London, he simply wanted to go home, take a long, soak in a hot bath, indulge in a drink or two, and enjoy the comfort of his own bed. First, however, he needed to stop in at the Hub, check on Myfanwy, and report in with Jack.

He climbed into the next available taxi, asked the driver to take him to Roald Dahl Plass, and sank back into the worn leather seat. It felt good to be back in Cardiff and he was looking forward to seeing Jack again. He'd missed the other man, even though he'd been away for only a little over forty-eight hours.

The taxi pulled up at the edge of the Plass a few minutes later. He paid and thanked the driver, climbed out, and closed the door firmly behind him. After waiting until the car had driven away, he stepped onto the invisible lift, deciding the walk to the tourist office entrance required more energy than he was presently willing to expend. He breathed in deeply, enjoying the cool night air as he gazed across at the brightly illuminated Millennium Centre.

The lift began its descent and Jack was strolling towards him before it had reached the bottom. Ianto barely had time to put down his bags before he was pulled into Jack's arms and engulfed in a tight embrace. He stiffened involuntarily for just a moment, but then relaxed into Jack's arms and wrapped his own around the other man, hugging him back. Jack's hands moved up to cradle his face, and he captured Ianto's mouth in an insistent but surprisingly tender kiss.

Pulling back, Jack frowned. "I thought you were going to let me know when you were arriving so I could pick you up at the station?"

Ianto shrugged, ignoring Jack's slightly accusatory tone. "It was easier just to take a taxi."

"I didn't mind coming to pick you up, you know," Jack argued, still frowning at him.

"I know," Ianto agreed, smiling weakly. "Doesn't matter, I'm here now."

Jack looked at him searchingly for a moment, Ianto holding his gaze. Then Jack nodded, his expression clearing as his mouth spread into a wide, cheeky grin. "So, did you miss me?"

Under normal circumstances Ianto wouldn't have been able to resist teasing Jack in return. He probably would have rolled his eyes and feigned indifference while attempting to keep a straight-face, finally acquiescing when Jack acted crestfallen and unleashed his trademark pout. But he wasn't in the mood, and as good as it was to see Jack, his feelings of disquiet and disillusionment remained. After everything they'd been through together, the idea that Jack didn't actually trust him strung deeply.

Instead, he lowered his eyes and replied quietly, "Yeah... yeah, I did."

"I missed you too," Jack said, his voice equally soft and sincere, almost as if he was afraid of the words.

"You missed my coffee you mean," Ianto retorted, only half-joking.

"Well, I missed that too, of course." Jack chuckled, then became serious again. "But, no, that's not what I mean. It's not the same here without you."

"It's good to be home again," Ianto acknowledged as they looked into each other's eyes. Then he averted his gaze and glanced quickly around the Hub, looking for any sign or mess or disorder, but it appeared to be just as he'd left it. "Everything all right here?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, everything's fine. You don't have to worry. Me and Myfanwy have been on our best behaviour."

Ianto found that a little difficult to believe, but he didn't attempt a sardonic rejoinder. "I just want to check on her and then I'll head home." He picked up his bags again and carried them over to the cogwheel door. "I'll make you some coffee before I go if you like?"

Jack followed behind him. "Actually, I was hoping you might like some company tonight?" he asked, his tone casual.

Ianto didn't miss the underlying trace of hopefulness in Jack's voice. He put down his bags and slowly turned to face Jack again, clamping down guiltily on the unprecedented flicker of irritation he felt from Jack's request. As much as he liked spending time with Jack at the apartment, and had told him he was welcome there any time, for once he would have preferred to spend the night alone. But in addition to his time away they'd also had precious little time together in the few days leading up to his departure, and he could never willingly deny Jack companionship. "Oh, er... okay," he replied, stumbling awkwardly over his words.

"You're sure?" Jack asked, looking at him uncertainly. "If you're too tired..."

"Yup, I'm sure, Jack," Ianto confirmed, forcing aside his reticence.

"Great, just give me a minute," Jack said as he turned and hurried back up the stairs and into his office.

Ianto sighed and made his way across to the opposite side of the Hub, where he found Myfanwy sleeping soundly, curled up in her nest. He smiled at the sight and idly hoped Jack hadn't been feeding her too much chocolate.

He returned to the cogwheel door where Jack was waiting for him, his greatcoat already pulled on, and Ianto's bags slung over his shoulder.

Jack handed him his suit bag and grinned. "Let's get you home then, Mr. Jones."