Bring Him Home - Rewind 17/17
Title: Bring Him Home - Rewind 17/17
Rating: 15 maybe?
Characters: Jack/Ianto, Captain John
Chapters: Sequel to “So It’s Goodbye Again.”
Spoilers: Anything Torchwood could be hinted at.
Summary: Has Ianto made his way home at last?
Disclaimer: Regrettably I own nothing, none of the characters, zip. Wish I did though. Title is from Les Miserables and doesn’t belong to me.
Author’s Notes: So this is it, the last chapter of Rewind, I just hope that it lives up to what you guys deserve! A HUGE thank you has to go all the great people who have kept on reading rewind and to 2nd_toshiko for being the most incredible beta ever! And yes, as always, any comments are loved and adored. Thank you :)
Chapter One: So Much For My Happy Ending
Chapter Two: Lost But Not Found
Chapter Three: Call Me When You’re Sober
Chapter Four: In The Cold Light Of Morning
Chapter Five: Remember Me
Chapter Six: Chasing Parallels
Chapter Seven: Who Am I?
Chapter Eight: I love you, I’ll kill you
Chapter Nine: Where Have All The Good Men Gone
Chapter Ten: Sleeping With The Enemy
Chapter Eleven: Cross Roads
Chapter Twelve: My Past, Your Future, Our Present
Chapter Thirteen: Memories Keep You Near
Chapter Fourteen: Turning Point
Chapter Fifteen: Rediscovery
Chapter Sixteen: So It’s Goodbye Again
Dedicated to everyone who’s stood by rewind, especially 2nd_toshiko ,naddypants , skullgirl013 and morgia ! Your support has meant so much! :D
It was cold, ice clinging to his fingertips as he shivered. And dark, black all round him, lifeless and lonely. For a few seconds, Ianto dared not move. Was this death?
As his eyes became accustomed to the gloom, Ianto allowed himself to move slightly, the silent shapes around him making his heart race. He breathed out, his breath forming a cloud. He forced a smile through chattered teeth. At least he was breathing.
Pulling himself to his feet, Ianto shook his body, every muscle aching and straining below his clothes. He blinked hard, wincing through the pain, groaning as he stretched his back, feeling the vertebra almost click back into place. He looked round, the shapes of what was most likely a warehouse opening out in front of him. He could see the heavy metal doors rusted to the iron walls, old equipment lying dormant above him, suspended from thick chain. Rubbing his arms, he headed towards the doors, a small crack of light piercing through the gap.
The sound of the sea washed into his eardrums, as the icy breeze set about freezing his features. Ianto looked out across the docks, the wooden jetty feeling so solid beneath his feet. It was Cardiff, and it seemed to be night, the city empty of the usual day time sounds, the same buzz that Ianto had become so accustomed to.
Steadying himself on the rail, Ianto took in a deep breath of air, feeling it chill his lungs, feeling the oxygen travel to his head. He felt the dizziness pass, and his muscles become numbed by the cool air. And then Ianto remembered. He saw Jack before his eyes, and suddenly, suddenly Ianto needed to know.
He was running, heart pounding in his chest, eyes watering from the cold air that was now pushing against his face. His teeth ached from his sharp intakes of breath, his muscles burning from pain and use as he felt his legs almost spin beneath him. But it didn’t matter to him anymore; he needed to get to the tourist office, see if the Hub was there, and know if this was the right world. Jack……
Toshiko Sato was tired, but she refused to leave her desk. Not while Jack was still alone in his office. She yawned, sparing a glance over to the Captain’s office door, seeing the light still shining through. Shuddering, she took off her glasses, flashes of that morning when she’d found him lying dead on the floor appearing before her. Rubbing at her eyes, Tosh tried to forget, to banish the images of blood and sleeping pills from her mind. Looking for distraction, she glanced up at the CCTV images flashing up on her screen, showing her the perimeter of the Hub clearly. There was nothing, no movement at this time of night, no signs of life anywhere. Sighing, Tosh looked away, until a small movement flickered near the bottom of the screen. Replacing her glasses, she squinted at it, before enlarging the image, and watching as the figure sprinted across the sprawl of concrete. Zooming in further, her fingers a blur as her eyes remained fixed to the screen. She gasped, her mouth dry, heart pounding in her chest. It couldn’t be.
“JACK!” She managed to scream.
Doubled over, his chest moving out of control breathlessly, Ianto had to stop, if only to breathe. Lactate oozed in his muscles, causing them to cramp and convulse, sending shocks of paining shooting up his calves and into his thighs. He was so close; he could see the tourist office in front of him, the same old little building. But he was suddenly so scared, so worried that he’d find it locked, find that his key no longer worked. Terrified that the Hub wouldn’t be there for him. That Jack wouldn’t be there for him. Ianto was desperate to run on, to put himself out of his misery. But at the same time, he couldn’t even move.
A sudden noise in front of him caused Ianto to look up, tired eyes scanning the scene for the cause. And then, Ianto felt his heart stop, as a petite, beautiful woman stood frozen in front of him. Toshiko.
Barely a few seconds later, soft arms were clasped tight around him, as Tosh clung to him, her hands grasping tightly at his back. He could feel her sobs on his shoulder, feeling his own face moisten as tears fell down his own cheeks. He tightened his grip around her slender body, clinging to everything, his old life, his best friend, the fact that he was home. He couldn’t even make sense of his thoughts as this realisation hit him. He could only feel, feel the relief wash through him like the tide.
As Tosh released him, Ianto’s felt life stand still as he saw Jack standing in front of him, his eyes as red and raw as Ianto’s own eyes felt. He felt everything around them melt away as he continued to look into his eyes, seeing all the hurt, all the loss and all the pain. His eyes felt so lost, and in some ways, so familiar. They looked just like the Jack who he had left behind, the man who had nothing, the man who had lost it all. Ianto felt his heart almost jump in his chest as Jack took a slow step forward. His brain couldn’t even believe that this was happening.
“Please…..”The Captain croaked, throwing his voice out into the night air. “Please tell me that you’re real.”
“Jack…. Of course I’m real.”
“I’ve seen you every night, but you were never real then.”
“I’m here. I came back cariad. I came back for you.” Trembling, Ianto took a step forward, reaching out and touching Jack’s arm. “See. You can feel me. I’m here.”
“Ianto?” Jack looked at him softly, his eyes lifting.
“Yes, Jack.”
“Oh God.” Jack almost leapt forward, wrapping his arms around Ianto, pulling him tight against him. His arms were tense around him, biceps pulsing as they coiled round Ianto, as the younger man felt unable to even think. He could smell Jack, not the same smoky and alcohol ridden Jack that he had used, but his Jack, the sweet smell of musk and caramel enveloping him alongside his arms. His skin relished in the soft breath at his neck, the soft lips that gently moved forward to kiss it.
“I love you.” Jack voice was quiet as he whispered into the younger man’s ear, still gripping him so tightly. “I never want you to forget that.”
“I love you too.” The Welshman’s voice was strained as he tried to suppress more tears, feeling them clog in his throat. He moved his head slightly, so that he could look Jack in the eye, feeling the familiar blue mingle with his own once again. It could have been hours, it could have been a split second but when Jack finally leant in and kissed him, Ianto knew he was home.
That night, Ianto lay in bed beside Jack, drawing circles on his stomach with his finger. He felt like his body was in shock, now that he’d been thrown back into his old life, nothing felt like he had expected it to. He didn’t know what to feel, every emotion bubbling its way through his subconscious. Questions and answers flowing through his mind in equal measure.
“Where did he take you?” Jack’s voice echoed above him, his chest shaking from his voice.
“Cardiff. Same time, same weather even.” Ianto forced a laugh, although he didn’t feel like it. “But it was a different world. A world without me.”
“Without you?”
“I died. I died and my sister lived. That’s why John wanted to take you there, because I wasn’t there.”
“He’s lucky to be alive.” Jack’s tone was dark, bitterer than Ianto had ever heard it. “If he’d have come back here I would have killed him.”
“Don’t talk say that, Jack. He doesn’t deserve it.”
“What?! He ruined everything for us and you’re defending him?”
“It’s because of him that I’m here. He could have left me, but he didn’t. He helped bring me home.”
“He’s still a coward.”
“He isn’t, he really isn’t, Jack, not anymore. He’s changed.”
“That’s not possible.”
“It is. You changed.”
“It’s not the same.”
“It is Jack.” Propping himself up one his elbow, Ianto faced Jack, reaching up and stroking his face gently. “I’ve got so much to tell you, Cariad.”
“Then tell me. I’d devote eternity to just listening to you.”
“Eternity?” Ianto swallowed hard, his worst fears suddenly screaming through all the other emotion that swelled within his heart. “But I can never do the same.” He managed to hiss, tears welling in his eyes.
“Yan?” The Captain reached out, taking him in his arms, gently kissing the top of his head. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m scared, Jack.”
“But you’re safe now, you’re home.”
“I don’t mean about that!” Ianto snapped, his voice grating against his throat as more tears escaped his eyes. “I’m scared for you.”
“Why? I’m fine.”
“You are now, but what about when I’m gone? I met you Jack, in that other world and you had no one, you were alone, and you were so unhappy. You were wasting your life Jack, and it killed me to see you like that.”
“That wasn’t me, Ianto, that was someone else-”
“But it could be you!” Ianto coughed, his own words choking him. “I don’t want you to turn into that.”
“Oh, Yan.” The Captain soothed, stroking his hair and pulling him closer. “Believe me, I never want to become that.” He forced a laugh, shutting out his own dark thoughts, remembering what had gone through his head that night when the gun had become so promising and wonderful. “I don’t care about the future, if I did, I’d have gone insane long before now.”
“Doesn’t it scare you?”
“Like hell, but I don’t dwell on what I can’t change.” Jack smiled, bending his head so that he could kiss Ianto’s forehead once again. “All I want is the here and now. All I want is you.”
“You have me Jack. Always.”
“Then I’m a happy man.” Jack grinned, pausing before kissing Ianto on this lips this time, the kiss long and comforting, both men pushing every feeling of love that they could muster into it. The broke apart breathless, both so tired, so drawn that they could only lie in each other’s arms and rest, indulging in the loving silence that engulfed them.
Ianto lay on his side, his hand slowly stroking Jack’s hair, watching the rare event that was his Captain sleeping. His face was so peaceful, his features relaxed, nose wrinkling slightly as he began to breathe heavier. Ianto felt his heart become warm, felt it finally emerge from all the other emotions running through him, finally allowing him to feel content. The past two weeks, ran before his eyes, pictures of John, of the not immortal Jack. Ianto smiled, hoping with his every fibre that they’d both found the peace that he had. Then he saw his sister, grinning and smiling in front of him, her teeth shining as she laughed. He closed his eyes, embracing the memories, loving the feeling that his sister was somewhere, still alive. It comforted him to know that, to know that she was alive and even she wasn’t alone, not now that she had Loretta. Ianto paused, letting his eyes open and rest upon Jack’s sleeping form once again. It was if he’d just woken up from the longest dream of his lifetime.
Leaning forward, Ianto pressed a soft kiss to Jack’s cheek, light and delicate, being careful not to wake him. He allowed himself a brief moment to keep his face close, breathing in the scent that was so inescapably Jack.
“Dw i’n dy garu di, cariad.” He smiled softly, before moving back over to his side of the bed, feeling his head sink into the pillow, the weight of sleep resting on his eyelids. But as he felt his consciousness fade blissfully, Ianto realised how much he felt he now had with the man beside him. After all, Ianto Jones had just come back from the dead……..and he’d come back for the man he loved.
The End
Ok, so that’s it for Rewind, unless of course anyone wants an epilogue I’d be happy to write one of course. But what did you think of this chapter, or the series as a whole? You know by now how much your encouragement means to me, so if you can comment, please do. :) Thank you so very much!
Just Being Me
xxxxxxxx
Rating: 15 maybe?
Characters: Jack/Ianto, Captain John
Chapters: Sequel to “So It’s Goodbye Again.”
Spoilers: Anything Torchwood could be hinted at.
Summary: Has Ianto made his way home at last?
Disclaimer: Regrettably I own nothing, none of the characters, zip. Wish I did though. Title is from Les Miserables and doesn’t belong to me.
Author’s Notes: So this is it, the last chapter of Rewind, I just hope that it lives up to what you guys deserve! A HUGE thank you has to go all the great people who have kept on reading rewind and to 2nd_toshiko for being the most incredible beta ever! And yes, as always, any comments are loved and adored. Thank you :)
Chapter One: So Much For My Happy Ending
Chapter Two: Lost But Not Found
Chapter Three: Call Me When You’re Sober
Chapter Four: In The Cold Light Of Morning
Chapter Five: Remember Me
Chapter Six: Chasing Parallels
Chapter Seven: Who Am I?
Chapter Eight: I love you, I’ll kill you
Chapter Nine: Where Have All The Good Men Gone
Chapter Ten: Sleeping With The Enemy
Chapter Eleven: Cross Roads
Chapter Twelve: My Past, Your Future, Our Present
Chapter Thirteen: Memories Keep You Near
Chapter Fourteen: Turning Point
Chapter Fifteen: Rediscovery
Chapter Sixteen: So It’s Goodbye Again
Dedicated to everyone who’s stood by rewind, especially 2nd_toshiko ,naddypants , skullgirl013 and morgia ! Your support has meant so much! :D
It was cold, ice clinging to his fingertips as he shivered. And dark, black all round him, lifeless and lonely. For a few seconds, Ianto dared not move. Was this death?
As his eyes became accustomed to the gloom, Ianto allowed himself to move slightly, the silent shapes around him making his heart race. He breathed out, his breath forming a cloud. He forced a smile through chattered teeth. At least he was breathing.
Pulling himself to his feet, Ianto shook his body, every muscle aching and straining below his clothes. He blinked hard, wincing through the pain, groaning as he stretched his back, feeling the vertebra almost click back into place. He looked round, the shapes of what was most likely a warehouse opening out in front of him. He could see the heavy metal doors rusted to the iron walls, old equipment lying dormant above him, suspended from thick chain. Rubbing his arms, he headed towards the doors, a small crack of light piercing through the gap.
The sound of the sea washed into his eardrums, as the icy breeze set about freezing his features. Ianto looked out across the docks, the wooden jetty feeling so solid beneath his feet. It was Cardiff, and it seemed to be night, the city empty of the usual day time sounds, the same buzz that Ianto had become so accustomed to.
Steadying himself on the rail, Ianto took in a deep breath of air, feeling it chill his lungs, feeling the oxygen travel to his head. He felt the dizziness pass, and his muscles become numbed by the cool air. And then Ianto remembered. He saw Jack before his eyes, and suddenly, suddenly Ianto needed to know.
He was running, heart pounding in his chest, eyes watering from the cold air that was now pushing against his face. His teeth ached from his sharp intakes of breath, his muscles burning from pain and use as he felt his legs almost spin beneath him. But it didn’t matter to him anymore; he needed to get to the tourist office, see if the Hub was there, and know if this was the right world. Jack……
Toshiko Sato was tired, but she refused to leave her desk. Not while Jack was still alone in his office. She yawned, sparing a glance over to the Captain’s office door, seeing the light still shining through. Shuddering, she took off her glasses, flashes of that morning when she’d found him lying dead on the floor appearing before her. Rubbing at her eyes, Tosh tried to forget, to banish the images of blood and sleeping pills from her mind. Looking for distraction, she glanced up at the CCTV images flashing up on her screen, showing her the perimeter of the Hub clearly. There was nothing, no movement at this time of night, no signs of life anywhere. Sighing, Tosh looked away, until a small movement flickered near the bottom of the screen. Replacing her glasses, she squinted at it, before enlarging the image, and watching as the figure sprinted across the sprawl of concrete. Zooming in further, her fingers a blur as her eyes remained fixed to the screen. She gasped, her mouth dry, heart pounding in her chest. It couldn’t be.
“JACK!” She managed to scream.
Doubled over, his chest moving out of control breathlessly, Ianto had to stop, if only to breathe. Lactate oozed in his muscles, causing them to cramp and convulse, sending shocks of paining shooting up his calves and into his thighs. He was so close; he could see the tourist office in front of him, the same old little building. But he was suddenly so scared, so worried that he’d find it locked, find that his key no longer worked. Terrified that the Hub wouldn’t be there for him. That Jack wouldn’t be there for him. Ianto was desperate to run on, to put himself out of his misery. But at the same time, he couldn’t even move.
A sudden noise in front of him caused Ianto to look up, tired eyes scanning the scene for the cause. And then, Ianto felt his heart stop, as a petite, beautiful woman stood frozen in front of him. Toshiko.
Barely a few seconds later, soft arms were clasped tight around him, as Tosh clung to him, her hands grasping tightly at his back. He could feel her sobs on his shoulder, feeling his own face moisten as tears fell down his own cheeks. He tightened his grip around her slender body, clinging to everything, his old life, his best friend, the fact that he was home. He couldn’t even make sense of his thoughts as this realisation hit him. He could only feel, feel the relief wash through him like the tide.
As Tosh released him, Ianto’s felt life stand still as he saw Jack standing in front of him, his eyes as red and raw as Ianto’s own eyes felt. He felt everything around them melt away as he continued to look into his eyes, seeing all the hurt, all the loss and all the pain. His eyes felt so lost, and in some ways, so familiar. They looked just like the Jack who he had left behind, the man who had nothing, the man who had lost it all. Ianto felt his heart almost jump in his chest as Jack took a slow step forward. His brain couldn’t even believe that this was happening.
“Please…..”The Captain croaked, throwing his voice out into the night air. “Please tell me that you’re real.”
“Jack…. Of course I’m real.”
“I’ve seen you every night, but you were never real then.”
“I’m here. I came back cariad. I came back for you.” Trembling, Ianto took a step forward, reaching out and touching Jack’s arm. “See. You can feel me. I’m here.”
“Ianto?” Jack looked at him softly, his eyes lifting.
“Yes, Jack.”
“Oh God.” Jack almost leapt forward, wrapping his arms around Ianto, pulling him tight against him. His arms were tense around him, biceps pulsing as they coiled round Ianto, as the younger man felt unable to even think. He could smell Jack, not the same smoky and alcohol ridden Jack that he had used, but his Jack, the sweet smell of musk and caramel enveloping him alongside his arms. His skin relished in the soft breath at his neck, the soft lips that gently moved forward to kiss it.
“I love you.” Jack voice was quiet as he whispered into the younger man’s ear, still gripping him so tightly. “I never want you to forget that.”
“I love you too.” The Welshman’s voice was strained as he tried to suppress more tears, feeling them clog in his throat. He moved his head slightly, so that he could look Jack in the eye, feeling the familiar blue mingle with his own once again. It could have been hours, it could have been a split second but when Jack finally leant in and kissed him, Ianto knew he was home.
That night, Ianto lay in bed beside Jack, drawing circles on his stomach with his finger. He felt like his body was in shock, now that he’d been thrown back into his old life, nothing felt like he had expected it to. He didn’t know what to feel, every emotion bubbling its way through his subconscious. Questions and answers flowing through his mind in equal measure.
“Where did he take you?” Jack’s voice echoed above him, his chest shaking from his voice.
“Cardiff. Same time, same weather even.” Ianto forced a laugh, although he didn’t feel like it. “But it was a different world. A world without me.”
“Without you?”
“I died. I died and my sister lived. That’s why John wanted to take you there, because I wasn’t there.”
“He’s lucky to be alive.” Jack’s tone was dark, bitterer than Ianto had ever heard it. “If he’d have come back here I would have killed him.”
“Don’t talk say that, Jack. He doesn’t deserve it.”
“What?! He ruined everything for us and you’re defending him?”
“It’s because of him that I’m here. He could have left me, but he didn’t. He helped bring me home.”
“He’s still a coward.”
“He isn’t, he really isn’t, Jack, not anymore. He’s changed.”
“That’s not possible.”
“It is. You changed.”
“It’s not the same.”
“It is Jack.” Propping himself up one his elbow, Ianto faced Jack, reaching up and stroking his face gently. “I’ve got so much to tell you, Cariad.”
“Then tell me. I’d devote eternity to just listening to you.”
“Eternity?” Ianto swallowed hard, his worst fears suddenly screaming through all the other emotion that swelled within his heart. “But I can never do the same.” He managed to hiss, tears welling in his eyes.
“Yan?” The Captain reached out, taking him in his arms, gently kissing the top of his head. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m scared, Jack.”
“But you’re safe now, you’re home.”
“I don’t mean about that!” Ianto snapped, his voice grating against his throat as more tears escaped his eyes. “I’m scared for you.”
“Why? I’m fine.”
“You are now, but what about when I’m gone? I met you Jack, in that other world and you had no one, you were alone, and you were so unhappy. You were wasting your life Jack, and it killed me to see you like that.”
“That wasn’t me, Ianto, that was someone else-”
“But it could be you!” Ianto coughed, his own words choking him. “I don’t want you to turn into that.”
“Oh, Yan.” The Captain soothed, stroking his hair and pulling him closer. “Believe me, I never want to become that.” He forced a laugh, shutting out his own dark thoughts, remembering what had gone through his head that night when the gun had become so promising and wonderful. “I don’t care about the future, if I did, I’d have gone insane long before now.”
“Doesn’t it scare you?”
“Like hell, but I don’t dwell on what I can’t change.” Jack smiled, bending his head so that he could kiss Ianto’s forehead once again. “All I want is the here and now. All I want is you.”
“You have me Jack. Always.”
“Then I’m a happy man.” Jack grinned, pausing before kissing Ianto on this lips this time, the kiss long and comforting, both men pushing every feeling of love that they could muster into it. The broke apart breathless, both so tired, so drawn that they could only lie in each other’s arms and rest, indulging in the loving silence that engulfed them.
Ianto lay on his side, his hand slowly stroking Jack’s hair, watching the rare event that was his Captain sleeping. His face was so peaceful, his features relaxed, nose wrinkling slightly as he began to breathe heavier. Ianto felt his heart become warm, felt it finally emerge from all the other emotions running through him, finally allowing him to feel content. The past two weeks, ran before his eyes, pictures of John, of the not immortal Jack. Ianto smiled, hoping with his every fibre that they’d both found the peace that he had. Then he saw his sister, grinning and smiling in front of him, her teeth shining as she laughed. He closed his eyes, embracing the memories, loving the feeling that his sister was somewhere, still alive. It comforted him to know that, to know that she was alive and even she wasn’t alone, not now that she had Loretta. Ianto paused, letting his eyes open and rest upon Jack’s sleeping form once again. It was if he’d just woken up from the longest dream of his lifetime.
Leaning forward, Ianto pressed a soft kiss to Jack’s cheek, light and delicate, being careful not to wake him. He allowed himself a brief moment to keep his face close, breathing in the scent that was so inescapably Jack.
“Dw i’n dy garu di, cariad.” He smiled softly, before moving back over to his side of the bed, feeling his head sink into the pillow, the weight of sleep resting on his eyelids. But as he felt his consciousness fade blissfully, Ianto realised how much he felt he now had with the man beside him. After all, Ianto Jones had just come back from the dead……..and he’d come back for the man he loved.
The End
Ok, so that’s it for Rewind, unless of course anyone wants an epilogue I’d be happy to write one of course. But what did you think of this chapter, or the series as a whole? You know by now how much your encouragement means to me, so if you can comment, please do. :) Thank you so very much!
Just Being Me
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