15

Time passed and before long it was a 'Friday' again.

Jack lay there next to his husband watching him sleep as the first birds started to wake, the dawn approaching and the last Friday of the month was here. They were warm and safe in the soft bedding, the files Ianto had been reading slid to the floor as he had fallen asleep while pouring though those overflow 'Fat Files' he said helped him sleep. And Ianto looked serene, almost ethereal in the soft light. He looked beautiful and Jack could not resist reaching out to cup his face and try to memorise each moment.

Finally those twin storms appeared as the eyelids twitched and rose, then came that soft loving smile as Ianto turned his head slightly so Jack cupped his cheek more as Ianto muttered "Hey Cariad."

"Hey Tiger."

"What are you doing?"

"Just loving you" Jack said with a growing sorrow "Just reveling in your warmth and energy. Just not wanting to start the day. You know?"

"Friday."

Jack's smile was soft and sad as he replied softly "Yeah. Third one, ya know."

"I know. Third scan day, it's been three months since Fridayitis." Ianto reached his own hand out to mimic Jack, their bodies now fully slid tightly together as they kind of imbibed one another I guess you might say. The feeling of love and togetherness making them both so fucking happy for a moment, before each heartbeat hurt like a knife stab.

Three months since it happened.

Three missed scans and meds. Yeah. They both knew what it marked. Would have been the end of his treatments. They would have had the scan today that told them if the treatments worked or if he was going to die anyway.

Yeah. Jack had finally worked it out. Ianto had given up and placed his trust in the Gods long ago.

"Jack. You know I did not have faith to begin with… neither of us really did. We sat there in that doctor's clinically depressing office and clung to one another because we knew that a 20% chance would not be a chance for me. I don't beat odds, I don't get into that little category… not me. We both knew that day when he said I had cancer that he said I was going to die." Ianto whispered, then as Jack opened his mouth to argue Ianto slid his fingers over it to silence him "Hey… we knew. Each Friday that I went for the scan and the shit that half killed me we also both knew I only did that for you. I endured that horrible reality so you have one more month ahead of hope each time. I didn't have any. I knew… I felt deep down that there was nothing that would stop this inevitability. Jack…. Three months since I missed that day, three times I have missed now. And you know what?"

Ianto leaned in and brushed his lips to Jack's the affection thrumming as he whispered gently "I feel fucking great."

Jack smiled as he fought back tears, his thumb sweeping Ianto's cheek as he leaned in for another kiss.

"We only have now. We only ever had now my lover. We have this moment and then that moment and maybe another moment… let's not waste this moment thinking about three or four moments down the line, yah? Let's just know we have this moment and revel in it. In us?" Ianto begged. "Could be hit by a meteor tomorrow… alien invasion… drunk driver… life is for living."

Jack pulled him in close and felt the warm body, the soft curves that had started to return. Since stopping the treatments and letting himself eat normal food again instead of worrying about a cancer diet, Ianto had put on a little weight. Not significant but he felt … more.

Ianto buried his face in Jack's chest as he started to move against him and Jack knew he had to agree, Ianto was right. IT is what it is. Why dwell on that cannot be changed. Fix what is Fixable and accept the rest.

They made a choice. Talked it over and knew what this would mean, stopping the scans and treatments. They knew the night they got here and stood under the stars kissing at one another until dawn.

If Ianto went to a hospital for his scans and treatment it would give them all away. It would be only a matter of time before they tracked him back to Toshiko, and her baby needed to be the priority here. They agreed. Sadly, reluctantly they had both agreed that this was up to the Gods now.

They did all that was left to do.

"They loved one another.

.

.

"Hey, you two been shagging again?"

"Yes Owen. I must apologize, was I calling your name too loudly?" Ianto asked as he slid into his chair and Owen roared with mirth.

"That's enough of that at the table" came a gentle scold and Ianto smiled as he apologized to his Grandfather.

"Guess what!" Owen said after everyone was stated.

"Do tell." Ianto said as he eyed the bacon coming on a plate.

"It's been three months since Fridayitis, and two since we bugged out of there" Owen declared to the table.

"Jack and I were just talking about that" Ianto said so easily that Jack felt his hand waver, the fork full of beans wobbling before he lifted it to his mouth. Yeah. Hey had.

"Yeah, so… Toshi and I think maybe we wanna know the sex so … we are doing a scan today!" Owen said with delight and Ianto felt the surprise before he could school his features.

"Oh my god" Toshiko gasped, her hands going to her face as she caught it too.

"Yes, it's so exciting. I can't wait" Ianto said as he lifted a rasher of bacon and started to eat it. "Our little miracle."

"Toshi?" Owen asked, reaching for her with confusion over her upset.

"Three months Owen, Ianto has not have any meds for months!" she wailed "Because of me."

"Stop that right now! Because of you, listen to yourself. Like you cased Fridayitis with some sort of alien ray gun you accidentally shot me with. Get over it Tosh!" Ianto said with soft laughter "Me and Jack knew what it meant to stop the visits and we also knew what it might mean if I continued them. We agreed, it was a mote point. I showed no change for the entire treatment up to that point, why would the last three or four make a difference? Hmmm? And I feel better now than I have for over a year. Ironically I feel great. Without that poison running through my veins I feel… me. So… shut the fuck up and eat your bacon missy! It's delicious!"

Toshiko smiled wanly and ate her bacon.

The precious cargo was hungry and bacon was always a hit.