Fic: Returning To Torchwood Three (Torchwood Jack/Ianto M Time Verse)

[magikalrhiannon]

Title: Returning To Torchwood Three
Author: magikalrhiannon
Beta: kajmere
Fandom: Torchwood AU
Verse: Time Verse
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: M (Language)
Spoilers: All up to Season 2 Ep 11 Adrift
Summary: Ianto and Jack have returned to Earth two years after Ianto was taken by the rift... but can life go on as it did before Ianto was taken or has too much happened?
Word Count: 191430
Disclaimer: All rights belong to BBC and Russell T Davies. I'm just finger-painting in someone else's masterpiece. No infringement intended.
Notes: For kajmere, cuz she owns me.
You will need to read Adrift In Time for this to make any sense.
Follows Tumbling Through The Vortex

Ianto's head was spinning. It had been 24 hours since he and Jack had returned to Earth, to Rhiannon. They hadn't returned to Cardiff yet. The TARDIS had deposited them on his sister's doorstep, almost quite literally, the previous day. After an emotional reunion and an awkward round of introductions, there was a rather uncomfortable hour of tea and cake around Rhiannon's dining table where they all tried to think of something to say. Amy asked about Rhiannon's children. She talked about David and Mica and what ratbags they were, however much she loved them - which made Ianto turn pale, and Jack put his arm around his shoulders.

When Rhiannon's husband, Johnny, came walking in after being called at work about a blue box sitting on his front lawn by one of the nosy neighbours and the neighbourhood kids having tried to steal it and graffiti it but couldn't, Ianto decided that he was going back on the TARDIS with the Doctor, to hell with being back on Earth.

“Ay Ay gay-boy! You're back from the stars then, are ya!?” he asked, pulling Ianto into a hug and lifting him off the ground in the most uncomfortable hug in the world. Ianto wanted to die. The Doctor covered his mouth to try and stop his amusement from showing. Amy and Jack at least looked sympathetic. Rory burst out laughing. “Glad you're still in one piece. Rhi was in a right state ya know. Shouldn't worry ya sister like that.”

Rhiannon got up and hit her husband's shoulder. “Put him down, Johnny, yeah? He's had a long day. And don't call him 'gay-boy'. S'not right. And he didn't go missin' on purpose. You know better than that.”

“Well he's queer ain't he? And I got a right to give him a good time, we're brothers ain't we?” he asked his wife, letting his brother-in-law go.

“Not by choice,” Ianto muttered as he straightened his clothes and moved away from Johnny. Jack stood up and moved to stand next to Ianto.

Johnny smiled as he saw Jack. “Hey Jackey boy! Good to see ya again!” he said as he held out his hand.

Jack offered a tight smile, his eyes an ice cold blue. “Johnny. Still the same I see,” he said as he shook Johnny's hand.

“Neva changin'! And who're you lot then?” he asked as he looked around the lounge.

“Oh, these are Ianto an' Jack's travelling companions,” Rhiannon said with a smile. “That's Rory, an' that's his wife Amy, they're from Scotland, yeah...” Johnny waved. “An' this is the Doctor.”

“Oh yeah? Doctor who, then?” he asked as he offered his hand.

The Doctor smiled and shook his hand. “Just the Doctor,” he said. “My, you have a lovely home. And Mrs Davis is quite the cook. You are a lucky man, aren't you?”

Johnny looked at him weirdly, then looked at Rhiannon who blushed. “Uh, yeah. I guess so?” Then he frowned. “You aren't getting' a leg over on my woman or nuffin' are ya? 'Cause that ain't on, ay.”

Rhiannon looked horrified. “Johnny!”

“What?” he asked indignantly.

It just got more embarrassing for Ianto from there. Thankfully, the Doctor suggested that it was time for them to head to Cardiff. Rhiannon though, was hoping to have a few more days with Ianto before he “disappeared” again - which he supposed was understandable considering he'd been missing for two years. So, Jack and Ianto went with the others back on board the TARDIS and up to their room and packed before heading back downstairs. When they were back in the main console room downstairs, they put the bags on the floor as they came face to face with their three companions.

“Well. I guess this is it, then,” Ianto said, dragging in a breath.

Amy threw herself at Ianto, hugging him tightly. “You won't forget us, will you?”

Ianto chuckled and hugged her back. “Of course not.” He pulled back. “You have our number programmed into your phone, yes?” She nodded. “Good. You ever end up back in our neck of the woods, you make sure to give us a call. Or anytime, really. These things can reach us anywhere, anytime in time and space.”

She looked over at the Doctor who nodded. “Okay. I'll miss you. Both of you.”

“We'll miss you too. Both of you,” Jack said, as Amy hugged him tightly, and Rory held out his hand to Ianto, which Ianto shook firmly.

“Nice to have met you Rory,” Ianto said. “Look after that young lady of yours.”

“Yeah, you too, Ianto. You're alright,” he said with a smile. “Once you get past the stick up your-”

“Rory!” Amy smacked her husband as she let go of Jack, but everyone laughed, including Ianto. Rory didn't mean anything by it. He reminded him of his brother-in-law, Johnny, actually. Just more educated.

When Jack pulled Rory into a hug, Ianto turned to the Doctor, who looked looked at the floor, then up at him from under his lashes.

“You know, when I heard you went missing, I thought Jack would move on, find someone new as he usually does. I never expected to find him still pining after 200 years,” the Doctor started.

“Doc,” Jack interjected, but the Doctor held up his hand.

“No, Jack, let me say this. I always wondered what kind of person made the serial, well I'd say ladies man, but Jack Harkness never let species stop him before let alone sex... into the man he is today. I am quite pleased to say an extraordinary one.” The Doctor smiled. “You, Ianto Jones, are the most intelligent and fascinating human I've had the pleasure to travel with, and I have to say, I've travelled with quite a few of those in my time. You, my dear man, take the cake,” he said as he patted Ianto's arm with his finger.

Ianto swallowed hard. He looked at the floor. “I used to despise you, you know,” he said quietly. The Doctor blinked. Ianto looked up. “Oh, I know, quite unfair of me, really. I didn't know you, had never met you... but you had a piece of Jack that I thought I would never have. His heart. You showed up in Cardiff and he went running without so much as a by-you-leave.” Ianto swallowed again, and gave a small smile. “I know why, now, but at the time... suffice it to say, your name was not one I wanted to hear, but heard often. I was rather nervous, meeting you. Coming aboard this ship,” Ianto looked around the room with affection. He then looked at the Doctor. “I'm very pleased I did. I now understand why he went running. You, Doctor, are an extraordinary Timelord.”

The Doctor beamed, and held out a hand. Ianto smiled, and opened his arms, which the Doctor walked straight into and hugged him tightly. “Look after Jack.”

“I always do.”

“Make sure he looks after you.”

“He will.”

“Stay in touch,” The Doctor demanded gently.

“We will,” Ianto reassured, as he pulled back.

“Call anytime. You ever want to come back, even just for a ride, you call.”

Ianto nodded. “Thank you, for everything. For bringing Jack to Daelynea. For picking us up. For everything. Thank you.”

The Doctor shook his head. “Thank you. For loving him.”

Ianto looked at Jack, who stood beside him. “How could I not?”

Ianto sighed and stepped away to let Jack and the Doctor say their goodbyes. Instead, he moved over to the console in the centre of the room, and ran a hand over it, smiling as the ship shuddered. “Ah TARDIS. Thank you for bringing us home. I promise, we'll look after each other and stay together.” The ship shimmered and shuddered. “We'll miss you.” Her lights flickered and he chuckled. “You'll miss us too, I know.” He then leaned closer to the console and whispered, “Don't let anyone else touch my coffee machine now, will you?” He rubbed the console again.

“Ready to go?” Jack asked him as he handed Ianto a bag, and swung a backpack over his shoulder.

“As I'll ever be.”

Jack and Ianto walked out of the TARDIS and onto Rhiannon's lawn. They were met by Rhiannon and Johnny, and turned to wave at their three friends before the Doctor shut the door. The familiar echo sounded and the blue box shimmered out of sight.

“Guess we'll have to go house hunting,” Ianto mused as they stared at the now empty lawn. “And buy a car. Fuck, what are we going to do for money?”

Jack chuckled. “Don't worry about money, I'm loaded. And I'm pretty sure we both still have jobs waiting for us at Torchwood if we want them. I guess we should ask Rhiannon if you were ever declared legally dead or not, what happened to your accounts and property and such. That paperwork is not going to be fun if you were. That's assuming you even want to stay here.”

Ianto sighed. “I don't even know, Jack.”

“We could just make our way to Cardiff, get a hotel for a couple of weeks, see how it goes. If we don't like it, we call the Doc, and bang, back into space.”

Ianto looked at his lover. “You make it sound so easy.”

Jack laughed. “It kind of is.”

“Well ya not goin' anywhere for a couple of days at least mind,” Rhiannon said from behind them, hands on her hips. “Ya got a niece an' a nephew who don't know ya from Barney.”

Ianto turned pale again. “Uh, exactly where are Mica and David anyway?”

Rhiannon looked amused. “They're at a little place called school Ianto, maybe you've heard of it?” She shook her head and turned to go inside, muttering about little brothers and something else but whatever it was got lost as she went inside the house.

Johnny stared at them. “So. While you're under my roof, none of this gay boy sex stuff, right? Can't have the kids walkin' in on it an' askin' questions.”

Ianto turned green. “I honestly think I'm going to be sick,” he muttered. “Johnny, what makes you think I would ever dream of having sex with anyone in your house regardless of who it's with?”

“Just so we're clear is all,” he said.

“Well, that would explain why Rhiannon's not getting any,” Jack muttered, picking up the bags again. “Ianto? Coming?”

“Not any time soon,” he said, following Jack into the house. This was going to be a nightmare.

~*~

Ianto laid in bed and stared up at the ceiling at the pattern the moonlight was making through lace curtains. Jack was on his side, arm slung over Ianto's waist, face in Ianto's neck and his warm breath a soothing rhythm on his skin, fast asleep. Ianto envied him, but his mind wouldn't shut down. It raced between what had happened, where they had been, what they had been before, and what could possibly happen in the future. Ianto had no idea what they should do. Should they stay? Should they go? Should they go back to Torchwood? Should they call the Doctor back and go back into the stars?

All Ianto did know was that he had a sister he loved, who loved him, who had missed him. Surprisingly, he'd missed her. But he wasn't sure if being in her life, if getting to know her children and being in their lives was such a good idea. If they stayed, if they went back to Torchwood... then it would only lead to heartache if they remained in touch. Ianto knew what Torchwood was like. Never-ending days, no family holidays, missed birthdays, disappointments.

Ianto sighed.

“Still can't sleep?” Jack asked softly, his eyes still closed.

“Thought you were asleep?” Ianto whispered loudly.

Jack's arm tightened as he nuzzled a little closer to his lover. “It's a little hard to with your mind racing so fast I can hear the wheels spinning. I think there's smoke coming out of your ears from the tread they're leaving behind.”

Ianto sighed. “Sorry.”

“Wanna talk about it?” Jack pressed his lips to Ianto's bare shoulder. When Ianto didn't say anything, Jack offered, “You might be able to go to sleep if you get it off your chest.” Ianto turned his head as much as he could towards Jack, who moved back to accommodate and press his lips against Ianto's.

“It's everything Jack. Being back here, being ...” he sighed again, turning to look up at the dark expanse of ceiling. “I don't have the words.”

Jack lifted his head and moved his arm to rest his head on one hand so he could look down on his lover. “You're worried about how being here will effect Rhiannon and the kids if something happens to you?”

“Stupid, really, all things considered.”

Jack smiled. “Well, it's not like we've taken this immortality of yours out for a test drive or anything. Not that I want to, don't get me wrong,” he hastily added, the hand on Ianto's waist moving up to caress his chest. “Yan, don't worry so much. We're home. So we spend a day or two with your family and you get to play the favourite uncle for a while-”

Ianto choked out a laugh. “Favourite uncle? Are you mad? I'm the weird bi uncle that went missing for a couple of years and suddenly showed up again with a boyfriend instead of a girlfriend. David looked at me like I stepped off a spaceship, which granted made him more intelligent than I gave him credit for given Johnny is his father. I wasn't worthy of Mica's attention because I didn't know who Justin Bieber is. Who the hell is Justin Bieber anyway?”

Jack frowned. “Yeah, I got nothing on that one. Must have been after I left. Okay, so it wasn't a raging success. Since when have you ever just given up on anything?”

“Jack.” Ianto huffed. “I … I can't explain.”

“Try.” Ianto glared in the dark at those blue eyes he knew were glittering at him. “C'mon, Yan. I know those words are in there. You just have to let them sort themselves into the order they want to form and let them flow. Give me those beautiful welsh vowels I love so much.”

Ianto growled in his throat. “Everything's different. I'm different. I'm not the Ianto they remember, not that those kids would remember anything of me other than handing them money.”

“Yes, you are.”

Ianto laughed once, but he wasn't amused. “No, Jack, I'm not! Rhiannon remembers a little brother that didn't call, worked for the government and fancied women. Now she's got an alien abducted brother who doesn't even share her DNA, who is immortal and will most likely return back to life exactly the way I was if I'm killed, oh and just wait until she hears about that. That lecture is going to be one for the history books. Oh, and did I mention I'm in a serious, eternity-long committed relationship with not only a man, but the man who was previously my boss? Where does that come anywhere close to me being the same person as when I was taken? It's not even in the same realm!” he hissed trying not to wake anyone else in the house.

“Well, you've just been bottling this up for a while there, haven't you?” Jack asked, reaching up to caress his cheek softly with his fingers.

“My temper burns slowly,” he huffed quietly.

“I know, but you were already in that relationship before you were taken so that's a start right?” Jack said softly, leaning down to kiss the tip of his nose. “Does the eternity long committed relationship pose a problem for you?” he asked quietly.

Ianto stilled, and immediately reached to touch Jack. “No. No, Jack, of course not. I was just merely pointing out that I hadn't had that 'coming out' conversation with her, for lack of a better phrase. Besides, it's not like I couldn't 'take you home to meet Mam'. You're every mother's wet dream for a son-in-law... charming, handsome, the dashing hero ready to save the day... those big blue eyes, white teeth and dimples coupled with that large heart of yours and the will to do anything to keep those you love safe... Aside from the whole being from the future and immortal, having a dangerous job, being an outrageous flirt, extremely imaginative and persuasive when it comes to sex and relatively promiscuous. Come to think of it, you're every mother's worst nightmare.”

“Hey!” Jack protested, rolling on top of Ianto.

“If the coat fits, Harkness,” Ianto stated flatly.

“Your mother would have loved me.”

Ianto sighed. “Yes. Yes, I imagine she would have. If you were with Rhiannon instead of me.”

Jack leaned down to press a kiss against Ianto's lips. “None of that. It doesn't matter what others think, okay?” Jack worked his hands under Ianto's neck so that Ianto was comfortable. “You and me, against the world, against the universe if we have to. I don't care what anyone else says. Rhiannon is on our side. The kids don't care. Hell, even Johnny in his rather... caveman ways, has your back, has our backs. And when we go back to Cardiff and see Gwen and Tosh and Owen... they'll have our backs too.”

“I'm being silly, really, aren't I?” Ianto asked, looking up at his lover.

“I wouldn't say that. Just thinking about things too much.” He kissed Ianto again, lingering longer this time. Ianto's hands found his hips under the sheets and pulled down as he tilted his hips up. “Don't start. As much as I'd love to, this is Johnny and Rhiannon's house, and we have to respect their wishes, however archaic they are.”

Ianto grinned. “Why, Jack Harkness. I do believe you've grown up.”

He rolled off Ianto and back onto his side. “I've been known to show respect from time to time. But don't get used to it.” Ianto turned on his side as Jack moved onto his back. “Think you can sleep now?” he asked, as Ianto moved to rest his head on Jack's shoulder, Jack's arm wrapping around him.

“Yep.”

Jack pressed a kiss to his hair. “Good. Night, baby.”

“Night cariad.”

Jack waited until he was sure Ianto was actually sleeping this time before he drifted back to sleep.

~*~

It turned out that Ianto and Jack didn't have to wait to go to Cardiff to see the staff of Torchwood Three. The next morning at 6am there was a knock at the door. An unimpressed Rhiannon answered it in her pyjamas in the middle of trying to get the children out of bed, fed and ready for school and Johnny off to work.

“Oh it's you lot. Do ya know what time it is?”

“Mrs Davies?” Gwen asked, looking surprised. “Rhiannon Davies?”

“Yeah?”

“I'm Gwen Cooper of Torchwood. Do you remember me? I worked with your … your...”

“My brother Ianto. I remember, I'm not daft. You tried to hit on his fiance Jack at his memorial, ya little hussy. I'm not likely ta forget ya in a hurry now am I? Now what do ya want? It's six in tha mornin'! I've got kids ta get up an' off ta school an' a husband ta get ta work.”

Gwen looked taken aback, while Owen, who was with her, pushed her back a little. “Ah, Mrs Davies, we won't take up too much of your time. We had a spike of rift activity in the area yesterday, yeah, and we wanted to know if you saw anything at all?”

“Yeah. I did. That all?”

“Well, what did you see?” Gwen asked, frowning.

“Oh for the love of... come inside,” she huffed, waving them in. “Hurry up. Mrs Garrison's a nosy parker.” Gwen and Owen looked at each other and followed her inside the house through to the small kitchen and into the lounge. “Have a seat, I won't be long. David! Sit back down an' finish that cereal now.”

“Oh but Mam!”

“No. No games in the mornin', ya know that. Now finish that breakfast an' get dressed. Mica, put that in the sink an' go get dressed.” She ordered before she hurried up the stairs. “Johnny! You better be outta that bed or so help me!”

Rhiannon knocked on Ianto and Jack's door before she opened it. When she pushed it open, she found them both asleep entangled in each other but (thankfully) both wearing pants. She took a moment to smile at how wonderful it was to see her brother this happy. He hadn't been like this with Lisa. Oh, Lisa had been nice enough, but there had been something... just not right with the relationship. Rhiannon couldn't put her finger on what it was even now. Ianto was different with Lisa. There was no balance in that relationship. Lisa tended to hold the power. He deferred to her. In their conversations on the phone, it was always Lisa wanted this, or when Lisa finishes this... Lisa's wants, hopes and dreams always came first.

Rhiannon doubted that Lisa would have searched the universe for her brother.

But Jack... looking at them now, so entwined, she couldn't tell where one ended and the other began. She understood why Jack couldn't get over her brother. It was as if they were two halves of one whole. They just fit. And she was thankful for that. Thankful for Jack. Beyond thankful. Without Jack Harkness, she wouldn't have her brother back. No, the world could go to hell! She would defend her brother and his right to love this man until her very last breath.

Loath to wake them up, she knew she had to. Rhiannon moved over to the bed and put her hand on Ianto's shoulder, knowing that the slightest movement would wake her brother. He'd always been a light sleeper. Just as she expected, he woke up.

“Huh? Rhi?”

“Sorry, Ianto. Ya friends a' downstairs. Seems that 'ship a yours caused 'em to come lookin'.”

Ianto paled. “Which friends?”

“That hussy an' the one tha' looks like Gollum.”

Ianto closed his eyes and sighed. “Gwen and Owen?” He looked down at Jack. “Okay. Give me a minute and we'll be down.”

Rhiannon nodded. “I'll put the kettle on.”

“Get some vodka while you're at it,” he called out. She laughed, and shut the door. Ianto looked back at his lover, then pressed a kiss to his forehead, then his cheek. Jack's head moved towards the kisses, and Ianto kissed his lips. Jack's lips chased Ianto's, and his eyes opened slowly. “Morning.”

“Morning. Did I hear someone else in here?”

Ianto kissed him again. “Rhiannon came to tell me Gwen and Owen are downstairs. The TARDIS must have disturbed the rift.”

“Gwen and Owen? They're here?” Jack sat up.

Ianto sighed as he flopped back onto the bed. “Yeah. You might want to at least get dressed and brush your teeth before you go rushing downstairs to throw yourself in her arms.”

Jack blinked and looked back down at Ianto, and raised an eyebrow. “I'm sorry?”

Ianto shook his head. “Nothing. Forget it.” He pushed the sheets off himself and sat up. Jack quickly moved to stop him from getting out of bed. “Jack.”

“No. What was that?”

Ianto swallowed. “Nothing. We don't have time for this. Rhiannon's going to be back up here any minute yelling at us, not to mention the madhouse downstairs. Let's just... go and get this over with.”

Ianto untangled himself from Jack's arms and pushed off the bed despite Jack's protests and went to his bag for some clothes. Jack watched him pull out a pair of slacks and a dress shirt, then put them back and pull out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He stared at both. He dropped them all on the bag and hung his head, his hands on his hips. Jack got up and hugged him from behind, pressing a kiss on his shoulders.

“Hey. C'mere,” he said, pulling on Ianto to turn around.

Ianto looked at him with sad, round eyes. “I just feel lost again, Jack.”

Jack cupped Ianto's cheeks and pressed his lips against Ianto's. “We'll find the way together.” He rested his forehead against Ianto's. “Okay?” Ianto nodded. “Okay. Wear the jeans. We're not going anywhere today, and if you start wearing suits again, I'm likely to break my promise about respecting the rules of the house.” Ianto rewarded him with a smirk and shoved off his pants, exchanging them for jeans. “Damn it. I might have spoken too soon.”

“Get dressed, Harkness, no time for showers,” Ianto ordered, spraying deodorant on then tossing it to Jack as he reached for the t-shirt and pulled it over his head.

Jack found his own pair of slacks and exchanged his pants for them, then pulled on a white t shirt as Ianto held out a blue button up shirt for him to slip his arms into. Ianto stood in front of Jack and did up his buttons.

“This is rather intimate,” Jack commented, as he tucked the shirt tails into his pants. Ianto looked up at Jack from under his lashes and smiled, but said nothing, just smoothed his collar and helped ease up his braces - red to compliment the blue. “Think I'm ready?”

“Brush your teeth, then you'll be ready.”

By the time they headed down the stairs, Johnny had left for the day, and Mica and David were on their way to the school bus. Owen and Gwen were sitting at the dining table with Rhiannon having a slice of toast and a cup of tea.

“Really, Mrs Davis, it was too kind of you to make breakfast,” Gwen was saying as they descended the stairs.

“Oh it's no bother,” Rhiannon said, getting to her feet. “These two'll be wantin' some now too.” She nodded towards the lounge as Ianto and Jack walked in.

“Hey kids! You miss us?”

Gwen choked on some toast. Owen spluttered out his mouthful of tea. Rhiannon tossed him a tea-towel that landed on his head.

“Jack? Ianto?” Owen coughed out, pulling the towel off his head and immediately mopping up the mess on the table. Gwen was still coughing up the toast that was stuck in her throat and reaching for her tea to help swallow it. When his hands were dry, Owen stood up and walked towards them. Ianto was first in line. Ianto held out his hand, but Owen threw his arms around him and hugged him hard. Ianto was shocked for a moment, before he hugged back. “Ianto! I can't believe it!”

“Hi Owen.”

“Are you alright? Are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” he said as Owen stepped back, and then looked at him.

“Are you sure?”

Ianto laughed. “I'm sure. The Doctor checked me over just to be certain. I'm in perfect health.”

“How? When? Where? How?” Owen spluttered out as he stared between the two of them. Then he shook his head. “I-I'm sorry. I'm just stunned. I never expected this when we knocked on Rhiannon's door this mornin'.”

Ianto gave him a smile. “We only got back yesterday. We were going to come down to Cardiff in a couple of days. Just... time with family first, you know.”

Owen looked over at Rhiannon and nodded. “Yeah, yeah, of course, of course!” Owen shook his head in amazement. “I'll be buggered. We sure have missed you, mate.” Then at Jack, who he hugged just as hard. “Jack! Welcome back mate.”

“Owen,” Jack said with a smile, and hugged Owen hard.

Gwen stood up and made her way over. “Ianto. It's good to see you again, love.” Ianto allowed her to hug him, however awkward it felt. “Tosh will be so happy to know you're okay.” She looked at Jack and smiled awkwardly but made no move to touch him. Jack regarded her with an amused smile.

“Yes. I... I wanted to call, but I thought it might be too much of a shock over the phone.”

“Too right it is,” Owen said, pulling out his phone. “But fuck it, I'm going to do it anyway.” He called Tosh on speed dial. “Tosh! Tosh, you'll never guess what that energy spike was in Newport! … Jack's back … he found Ianto … No, I'm not kidding … I swear on everything holy … yes, that too. Look I'll put him on, hold on.” He held out the phone. “Tosh.”

Ianto took the phone. “Tosh?”

“Ianto? Ianto, is it really you?”

“Hello Tosh,” Ianto said, his eyes tearing up. Oh how he'd missed her.

“Ianto! Oh my god! Owen was right, it's really you! You're back!”

“Just yesterday. Jack found me. Or, I found him. Well, it's rather a long story, actually. And one that should only be told once. Look, we're staying with my family for a few days, but we'll be coming back to Cardiff after that. We were going to come to Torchwood, see if you needed any extra hands?”

“Do we ever! Whatever Gwen tells you, we need you both. Though Martha has been a wonderful addition, and Jack was completely right to arrange for her transfer before he disappeared looking for you. I don't know how much Gwen's going to like handing back the reins to Jack though,” Tosh confided.

“I don't know if that will be an issue,” Ianto said honestly. “We'll talk more when we get back to Cardiff.” Tosh started crying. “Oh Tosh. Don't.”

“I'm sorry. I'm just so happy you're back! We have a lot to catch up on!”

“And we will. I'll talk to you soon, yeah?” Ianto asked. They said goodbye and Ianto handed the phone back.

“So what was it that caused the energy spike yesterday then, eh?” Owen asked as he pocketed the phone and crossed his arms over his chest.

“That would have been the TARDIS,” Jack said he and Ianto walked into the kitchen to help Rhiannon carry out the breakfast she'd made. “Thank you Rhi.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, causing her to blush and giggle. Ianto smiled, Owen rolled his eyes and Gwen glared.

“The TARDIS?” Gwen asked, frowning.

“Time And Relative Dimension In Space,” Ianto said, pouring out a new round of coffee for everyone. “It's the Doctor's incredible time machine.”

“Oh so now that she loves you, she's incredible,” Jack teased with a grin.

“I never said she wasn't, Jack,” Ianto reminded him. “I never had any issue with the TARDIS, you know that. Just you running away on her.”

“Yeah, okay, I'll give you that.” Jack bit into a piece of toast.

“So, you gonna come back to Torchwood?” Owen asked, looking hopeful. “We could really use your expertise again.”

“Owen!” Gwen smacked him on the arm.

“Oh come off it Gwen! We need them! No one knows the galaxy like Jack does, and while he might have a devil may care attitude, he gets the job done. And no one knows how the archives like Ianto, not to mention we haven't had a decent cup of coffee in two years.” Ianto and Jack shared a knowing look. “You're the only one putting up a fight about this and you know it. Tosh will be chomping at the bit to have these two back, and you know Martha will be too. Mickey needs some field training-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mickey? Mickey Smith?” Jack asked, his eyebrows hitting his hair.

“Yes. What of it?” Gwen asked. “We found him in London.”

“Mickey Mouse is working for Torchwood?”

“Jack.” Ianto nudged him.

“Sorry. Go on.”

“Donna needs all the help she can get,” Owen went on.

“Donna?” Jack asked.

“Donna Noble, our current receptionist,” Gwen said. “Well, it was meant to be a temporary situation, but the filing just never seems to be done.”

“That's because it hasn't been done in 30 years,” Ianto muttered.

“Donna Noble... where have I heard that name before?” Jack asked, scratching his chin.

Ianto turned to look at Jack. “Wasn't that... no... it wouldn't be the same Donna that the Doctor... Doctor Donna?”

Jack laughed. “Nah, couldn't be.” He stopped laughing. “Could it?”

Ianto looked at him with a straight face. “This is Torchwood Jack.”

Jack sighed. “Okay, so Martha, Mickey and Donna, Owen, Gwen and Tosh. Any other staff I should know about?”

“Oh, Jack, I think Donna's enough of a start,” Owen grinned, patting his boss on the back.

“What does that mean?” Ianto frowned.

“Ignore him, Ianto love,” Gwen said, waving her hand in the air. “Donna's just... eccentric.”

“She's a riot,” Owen said with a grin. “You'll love her.”

Jack looked over at Ianto as he polished off his toast. “If we have someone else that can focus on the archives and admin, we can keep you out in the field.”

“With you, you mean,” Ianto gave him a knowing smile.

Jack leered. “I can't help the perks.”

The group continued to talk over breakfast, with Gwen and Owen filling Ianto and Jack in on how each of the new team members came to join Torchwood Three. Martha showed up the day after Jack had left, much to everyone's surprise, as Jack had requested. She had tried to get to Ianto's memorial, but had been stuck in France on assignment and unable to get back until the following day. Gwen hadn't taken her assignment to Torchwood well at first, but as soon as the rift alerts had started ringing, she quickly changed her tune.

Mickey joined six months later, when Martha, Tosh, Owen and Gwen were inundated with cases all over the UK. They stumbled across Mickey by accident in London when he was a rather inquisitive and, in the end, helpful civilian that helped out on a case. Gwen liked his brash attitude and Owen liked the fact that he wasn't squeamish, didn't blink at aliens and his security license meant he knew how to handle a weapon - however bad his aim was.

Donna was called in three months ago, when they were finding it too difficult to keep up with all the filing. She was actually recommended by Martha, who knew of her from the Doctor. She'd tracked her down in London, working for a temping agency. Martha contacted the agency and contracted Donna's services for Torchwood in Cardiff. Donna, it turned out, was happy to leave Chiswick, if only to get away from her overbearing mother. Every weekend her grandfather comes down to Cardiff on the train and goes fishing with her. Well... when the rift allowed, Donna went with him.

Gwen checked her watched. “We should get going if we're going to get back to Cardiff.”

“Ooh yeah,” Owen agreed, checking his own. Everyone stood up, and Owen rounded on Rhiannon, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you for breakfast, love. Been a while since I've had a spread this lovely.”

Rhiannon blushed. “Aye, well next time just don' be showin' up at six in the mornin' yeah?”

Ianto and Jack walked them out. Owen had slung his arm around Ianto's neck, and dragged him towards the car hurriedly talking about Tosh and this new man in her life. Jack, meanwhile, was walking next to Gwen.

“How's Rhys?” Jack asked as they made their way slowly down the path.

“Oh he's great!” Gwen's overly enthusiastic nod gave away her discomfort with the conversation. “He's manager now. Promoted.”

“That's great. I'm glad.”

Gwen nodded again. “How have you been, Jack?” she asked, coming to a stop and turning to face Jack. He stopped too, facing her on the path.

“Now? Now, I have Ianto back, I'm fantastic. I'm great. Never better. Before... let's just say, things could have been better.”

“Did it take you long to find him?” she asked. “I mean, you've been gone a year...”

Jack gave an enigmatic chuckle. “Uh, yeah. It took a while, and he really found me. It's a very long story. Honestly, we'll tell everyone the whole thing when everyone's together so no one gets left out.”

She nodded. “Did your Doctor friend help?”

Jack looked down at the ground. “Eventually. Yeah. He brought us back.” Jack looked up.

“I missed you, Jack.”

Jack smiled. “I missed all of you too. We both did.”

Gwen shook her head. “No, I meant-”

He smiled softly. “I know what you meant, Gwen, but my answer remains the same. I'm sorry. My heart, my loyalty, my fidelity lies with Ianto.”

She nodded and looked away. “He looks good. No reason to send him to Flat Holm then?”

Jack laughed. “No. He's perfectly healthy. The Doctor checked him over thoroughly. I'm sure Owen and Martha will want to give him a physical too when we get back.”

She nodded. “I suppose you want me to hand over the reins then.”

“That's up to you, Gwen.” Her head whipped around. “You can either keep up the role, become my boss... or you can hand it over to me, and get your life back. The choice is yours. Unless you want to make it Her Majesty's.”

Gwen shrugged. “I never much liked having to answer to all the bullshit anyway.”

Jack shared a knowing smile. “It has it's moments.” He sighed. “You realise that Ianto will be my second in command?” She raised an eyebrow. “It's a long story, but he's now older than all of you. The only one older is me.”

“But his experience...”

“Has greatly changed. You... have no idea.” Jack just shook his head with a quiet chuckle. There was no way Gwen could know the changes either of them had gone through. Even if they talked their entire lives, they couldn't explain it all. Too much had passed.

She nodded. “Well. I guess we'll see you when you come in then.”

“Day after tomorrow probably. Time with the family and all.”

“Of course.”

“Oi!” Owen called out. “We going or what?!”

Gwen smiled. “See you later then.” She awkwardly hugged Jack. “It's good to have you back, Jack.”

“Good to see you too, Gwen,” Jack said as he hugged her back and let her go. “Go on, before Owen drives off and makes you walk back.”

Ianto stepped back from the SUV as Gwen climbed in the other side. Owen waved as he drove off. Ianto wandered over to Jack with his hands in his pocket.

“She's still in love with you, then,” he stated, looking his lover straight in the eye. Jack said nothing. “Can't fault her for that,” he said with a small smile, as he knocked into Jack.

“I don't-” Jack started and Ianto sighed as he looked way in the direction the SUV had driven off.

“Jack. Please don't insult my intelligence by telling me you don't have feelings for her. I'm not an idiot. I know you love her.” Ianto looked back at Jack, “Loving someone and being in love with someone are two different things. As long as you love her, but you're in love with me, then we have no issue. The moment that it's the other way around, please, do us both a favour and walk away.”

And without another word, Ianto walked inside, leaving Jack to stare after him.

~*~

They didn't talk about the conversation they had outside again.

Jack expected things to be awkward, but the only awkwardness in the house was when Ianto's niece and nephew were around. Jack always got a kick out of watching that deer-in-headlights look on Ianto's face whenever one of the kids came within 3 feet of him, or asked a question in his direction. It never, ever got old. They were 12 and 10 for crying out loud! David was far more interested in his gaming console than anything else. Mica on the other hand, was into the latest fashion and music and was becoming a woman far too early for her mother's liking at 12. It gave Ianto heart palpitations just thinking about it. He tried not to. He didn't even want to know about when she'll start dating, but vowed to shadow any date she went on, just in case. Jack, of course, was going to have to go with him as punishment for enjoying his pain way too much. He wouldn't be putting out for the effort either.

After dinner that night, David asked Ianto to play rugby with him on his gaming console. Ianto looked at his sister pleadingly before he said yes and reluctantly sat down on the couch and patiently listened as David explained how to use the controller. Jack chose to “help” Rhiannon wash up dinner, but really he was watching as David repeatedly creamed Ianto. The longer they played, the tighter Ianto's shoulders got. Jack knew he was getting more and more frustrated with the game, but wouldn't let it show for two reasons. One, he would never get mad at his nephew; and two, it would be giving in. Ianto Jones never gave in.

Once the dishes were done, Jack wandered over and asked David if he'd show him how to play. Ianto offered his controller, but he merely picked David up and plonked him down on his lap, wrapping his arms around him. David leaned back against Jack and instructed him on how to play. Team Harkness proceeded to cream Team Jones. Ianto sighed and handed his controller over to David and suggested he play the game with Uncle Jack. David nodded and surprised Ianto when he got off Jack's lap and crawled onto his. Ianto looked at Jack wide-eyed for a moment, before wrapping his arms around his nephew, hugging him. David settled back against Ianto's chest, legs astride Ianto's as he concentrated on the screen. No one noticed Rhiannon grab her digital camera, snap the photo and wipe the tear that slid down her face before she went off to do the laundry.

The following two days were spent getting Ianto and Jack's affairs in order. It wasn't difficult getting Ianto's done thanks to a lengthy call to now Sargent Andy Davidson, who was quite pleased to hear from both Ianto and Jack. He was happy to help turn Ianto's missing person's case to solved and release his frozen personal assets, only asking in return that they join him for a coffee and a catch up. He was quite eager to see for himself that Ianto was okay and still in one piece. With that done, Jack accessed his accounts and together they calculated how much money they could realistically afford to spend on a vehicle and a place to stay after pooling their resources.

Ianto was adamant that Jack was not going to live under the Hub of Torchwood any longer. He deserved a home, and a home he would have, even if it was an apartment within walking distance - or a warehouse they could convert into a living space. When Ianto suggested that as an option, Jack lit up. He had a thing for 'industrial chic' as Ianto had dubbed it. Ianto went into full research mode and commenced looking for something that was suitable. He was willing to stay at the Hub short term if a suitable building was found for conversion.

Meanwhile, Jack purchased them a new SUV - black because it went with everything. Ianto rolled his eyes at this announcement.

When it came time for Ianto and Jack to say goodbye to Rhiannon, Johnny and the kids, Ianto knew he was going to miss them. Mica actually gave Ianto a hug. David asked him for money. Ianto told him to earn his keep and help his mother if he wanted pocket money, but slid him a tenner on the sly. David hugged him hard before disappearing inside. Johnny gave him a bear hug and warned him about disappearing again. Regular phone calls were expected or his mates were descending on Cardiff. Ianto actually shuddered at the thought and promised to do his best. Jack shook his hand. Rhiannon burst into tears and hugged them both before ushering them into the car and waving them off.

“Well. That went relatively well,” Ianto said glumly as he watched the houses flash past the further Jack drove them out of Newport. Jack looked over at Ianto, smiled sadly and reached for his hand. He brought it to his mouth and kissed it.

The drive to Cardiff was relatively painless. Their first stop was in at the local coffee shop closest to the Hub, to get an array of coffees, from Ianto's memory of everyone's orders and his assumptions of what Mickey and Donna would have based on their descriptions from Gwen, Owen and Tosh. They got a selection of pastries to go with them and headed to the Plass. When Jack pulled up, Ianto took a deep breath.

“You sure you want to do this?” Jack asked, turning in his seat to face Ianto.

“No reason why we shouldn't. We have the knowledge, the skills, the ... unique capabilities.”

Jack moved to look back out the front windscreen. “You scared?” Jack asked. Ianto didn't reply. “'Cause I gotta tell ya, Yan... I'm fucking terrified right now.”

“Lightning doesn't always strike twice, Jack.”

“Lady Luck was never a friend of mine. Always was a fickle bitch.”

“We make our own luck, Jack.”

“Explain how you got taken by the rift then?”

Ianto looked down at the coffees on his lap. “I never used to believe in fate... in destiny.” He raised his head and looked at Jack. “Then I met you.”

“You saying you were meant to get taken by the rift?”

Ianto shrugged. “What would the TARDIS say?” he asked with a smirk.

Jack laughed softly. “And I thought I had that ship wrapped around my finger. She's never going to make coffee again, is she?”

“You'll just have to call him and find out.” Ianto sighed. “I can stay with you now, Jack. Forever if you want me to. Oh, no doubt we'll get sick of each other after a while. I can't stop you from walking away. I wouldn't, if that's what you wanted. If I wasn't what you wanted anymore. But if I hadn't been taken by the rift, you would have always had that fear of one day having to watch me die.”

“Instead I lost you to the rift for 200 years,” Jack returned. “What do I have to do to make you understand that I want to be with you forever? Ask you to marry me?”

“Is that a proposal?” Ianto choked out. “Because if it is, that was a pretty shit way to ask.”

Jack heaved a deep breath. “Ianto. Please. I'm trying here. I really am. But I can't... I can't...”

Ianto reached out and put a hand on Jack's arm. “Hey. Stop. Let's just take a deep breath, admit that we're both a little on edge about returning to Torchwood and it's making us a little crazy, and move on, yeah?”

Jack swallowed. “I love you, Ianto. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in my life. There isn't anything I won't do for you. Nothing. The only thing that terrifies me more than that, is the thought of losing you again,” Jack's voice was so quiet that Ianto strained to hear him. “Do you understand me?”

Ianto nodded. “Understood.”

“No Gwen, no John Hart, Estelle, Lucia, no one, nothing comes close to you. Do you get that?”

Ianto nodded. “Message received.” There was a pause. “You know I feel the same, right?”

Jack smirked. “I kinda hoped.”

Ianto smiled. “I do.”

“Good. Let's get inside before these coffees get any colder, okay?” Jack asked, leaning over and pressing a kiss to Ianto's lips. Ianto moaned his agreement.

~*~

Ianto and Jack walked in to the Tourist Office. Ianto looked around and frowned at the state of the brochures. Jack looked at what he was staring at. He patted his lover's shoulder.

“All in good time, Yan.”

“Mmm.”

Jack reached around the counter of the Tourist Desk as pressed the button to open the secret door, making a sweeping motion for Ianto to go first down the tunnel. They headed down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, Tosh looked up from her computer. Her gasping grin made Ianto laugh as she hastily took her glasses off and threw them onto her desk. Jack wisely took the tray of coffees from Ianto merely seconds before he was barrelled into by the tech specialist.

“Ianto!” she called out gleefully as he caught her and lifted her into the air, whirling her on the spot. Jack couldn't help but laugh at the scene. It had been far too long since these friends had been together. If anyone had missed Ianto nearly as much as he did, it had been Toshiko. She had lost her confidant, her friend, the person who understood her the most when Ianto was taken by the rift. When he was gone, she was left hanging. Tosh isolated herself in the beginning. Only Owen had been able to reach her, to draw her out.

“Tosh. So good to see you!” Ianto said as he hugged her and gently set her down.

She cupped his cheeks with her cool hands, and stared into his eyes, as if searching for something. Then she smiled. “I missed you. We all did.”

He smiled back. “I missed you, too.”

She beamed, and hugged him again. “Jack found you?” she asked when she pulled back.

“Well... we'll talk about that later.” He looked over at Jack, and so did Tosh.

“Jack!” she exclaimed, and as Ianto took the coffees and bag of pastries back, Tosh hugged him hard.

“Hey kiddo.”

“I'm glad you're home.” She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent, much like she did when she hugged her own mother. “It wasn't the same without you.”

“Sorry I ran off like I did,” he said when he let her go.

She waved him off. “Forget that. I would have done the same, you know, if I'd been in your position.” She looked at the coffees. “Is one of those for me?”

“Yes,” Ianto said, handing hers over. “Not one of mine, obviously. Sorry. But that will soon be rectified.”

She sagged in relief. “Oh thank god. Don't get me wrong. I like Donna, but her coffee making skills are complete sh-”

“Are wot?” A voice said behind her.

Tosh whirled around and froze. “Donna! Morning! I didn't know you were in yet.” Behind Tosh stood an attractive middle-aged woman. She was a tall, broad shouldered but slender redhead. Her hair was straight and fell over her shoulders, with bangs just above her eyes and tendrils hanging around her freckled face. She had large gold hoops hanging from her ears, and wore a empire waist purple shirt over a pink tank and jeans underneath. She wore boots on her feet, which weirdly didn't echo on the cement floor so no one heard her coming. Her clothes were an exact blend of Tosh and Gwen.

“Yeah. Just got here. Wot were you just sayin' 'bout my coffee makin' skills to these two,” she looked them up and down, “down right fine looking men here?”

Tosh swallowed hard. “I was just saying how you were completely improving using the complicated coffee machine that previously only Ianto here knew how to use.”

“Really? 'Coz it sounded to me like you were slaggin' me off?” She put here hands on her hips. “You weren't slaggin' me off, were you?”

Tosh's eyes widened and she shook her head. “N-no.”

“Good.” She then swung her hair over her shoulder and looked and Jack and Ianto and held out her hand. “Donna Noble. Receptionist and coffee lady.”

Ianto raised an eyebrow, and handed her a coffee. “Ianto Jones. Second in command, and ah, that makes me your boss.” He gestured towards Jack. “This is Captain Jack Harkness, Director of Torchwood. That makes him my boss. Oh, and he's also my life partner, just for future reference.” Donna's eyes widened. “Two things, just to be perfectly clear. First, don't ever talk like that again to a member of staff in front of people when you don't know who they are. Come to think of it, even when you do. It isn't professional. This is Torchwood, not the local pub. Second thing, don't touch the coffee machine again. That's my domain, and I don't take lightly to anyone messing with it. Now then. I believe you've been dealing with the filing and the archives in my absence?”

Donna gaped like a fish. “Uh, y-yes. Yes sir.”

“Excellent. The Captain and I will be individually saying hello with all the other staff this morning, and then we're calling a full staff meeting in two hours in the conference room, which you'll need to notify everyone of either by phone or email. You have until that staff meeting to write a report detailing exactly what you've managed to do in the time that you've been here. I need to know exactly what the state of affairs are of my archives. No doubt in my absence everyone's managed to make a right mess of things. I intend to make sure they return to condition they were in before I was... on enforced leave of duties.” Donna just stared at him. “Well, are you waiting for an engraved invitation? Dismissed.”

“Right! Yes, sir!” Donna turned and took off.

Ianto turned to Tosh and Jack and said, “I think I like being in charge.”

Jack smirked. “Don't let it get to your head there, M.”

Ianto sputtered. “M! M! M's a woman.”

“We can't all be James Bond,” Jack pressed a kiss to his cheek and moved towards his office. “Who else is in Tosh?”

“Martha and Mickey are out talking to a witness on a case of alien tech dropped through the rift, Gwen's having breakfast with Sargent Davidson so she'll be here any moment and Owen will be here in twenty minutes,” Tosh replied, following Jack and Ianto into Jack's office. Jack took his jacket off and hung it up on the coat rack. Ianto put the coffees down on the pile of paperwork on Jack's desk as Jack sat down at his desk. “Oh. I took the liberty of setting up your access codes,” Tosh said, and moved over to a cabinet on the far wall and keyed in a combination to the keypad on the door. When the door popped open, she swung it wide and pulled out a box, then closed it and carried the box over to Jack's desk. She opened it. “Okay, so these are set up and ready to go,” she said as she handed them one each. “Mobiles, comm units, pagers, PDA for Ianto. I've also got a laptop on my desk that I'm just finishing on for you too,” she said as she passed Ianto the PDA. “Do you both remember the last passwords you had to the Torchwood servers?”

Jack and Ianto looked at each other and smiled. “Yup,” they said together.

Tosh grinned. “Good. I reinstated it. Email, IM, server access, CCTV, it's all up and running. Jack, you've got administration access to everything. If you need to give Ianto that level access, just say the word.”

“Excellent.”

Tosh then brought them up to speed on all the cases that they had dealt with over the last year in Jack's absence. Ianto listened intently and made a list of all the files he wanted to read over and get up to speed on. By the time they heard the alarms ring of the cog door open, the three of them had gone through half the cases, and eaten a third of the pastries. Footsteps were heard on the stairs up to Jack's office and they all looked up when those footsteps came into the office.

“So, you finally decided to come home, then, hey?” Martha stated as she leaned against the doorframe.

“I hear the voice of a Nightingale,” Jack grinned as he leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head.

“I'll just... go back to work,” Tosh said, making her way out of Jack's office.

“Thanks Tosh!” Jack called out as she left, waving over her head.

Martha grinned and pushed off the door frame and ran to Ianto, who stood up from where he was perched on Jack's desk and accepted her hug. “You're looking well.”

“As are you.”

“I'm not the one who went missing for... how long was it?”

“Uh...”

“We'll get to that,” Jack said as he stood up. Martha raised her eyebrows. “C'mere you.” She laughed as Jack wrapped her up in a hug. “By the way, thanks for the beret.”

She pulled back. “Oh, you got it then?”

“Ianto did.”

She smiled. “He never mentioned it.”

Jack put his hands on his hips. “To either of us. I found it amongst his things at his apartment.”

Martha looked between them. “You...kept it?” Ianto gave her a look and Jack smirked. “You kept the beret?” Ianto rolled his eyes and Jack grinned like a naughty school boy. Martha burst into giggles. “Oh my lord. I knew I shouldn't have sent it.” She fanned herself.

“Red is his colour,” Jack grinned.

“Anyway,” Ianto cleared his throat. “Tosh was just getting us up to date on what's been going on around here.”

Martha rolled her eyes. “Yes. Well. Let's just say, I'm glad you're back, Jack.”

Jack raised his eyebrows. “Dissension in the ranks? Do tell.”

Martha shook her head. “I don't like to speak ill of my team members.”

“Jack does like a good bit of gossip,” Ianto intoned blandly, scrolling through his PDA. He sighed and then put his PDA in his pocket and walked over to the manhole in the floor. “I wonder if this has been opened in 12 months?” he asked as he turned the handle and pulled it opened. A stale smell wafted up at him. “That would be a no,” he said, wrinkling his nose. He looked over at Jack. “If I'm not back in ten minutes, come looking for me with oxygen.” Jack chuckled and mock saluted as Ianto climbed down the ladder into the den bedroom below.

Martha watched him in horror and then looked back at Jack. “Surely you're not going to live here again!?”

Jack sighed. “It's only for a little while. Just until we find more permanent accommodations. Ianto's a little …”

“Picky?”

Jack smiled. “I was going to use 'particular', but picky works too.”

“He better not think disappearing down there will get himself out of a thorough physical.” Martha crossed her arms over her chest, looking at Jack sternly. “You either.”

Jack grinned as he sat back down in his chair. “We're both looking forward to it.” He offered her a cup of coffee with her name on it.

She lifted it in thanks. “Have you seen him?” Martha asked, looking at the lid of the takeaway cup as she sat on the edge of Jack's desk. “The Doctor?”

“He brought us home,” Jack said softly. She nodded. “He said to say hi.”

She nodded and sipped the hot beverage. “He didn't stop to say hello this time.”

Jack leaned forward. “I think Ianto's brother-in-law scared him a little when he insinuated he was hitting on Ianto's sister by complimenting her cooking.” Martha laughed. “He wasn't our Doctor. He'd regenerated.”

“Oh.”

Jack nodded. “I was gone for more than a year, Martha.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “How long?”

“203 years in the end,” Jack admitted. “He brought us back as close as he could but there were... complications getting back.”

“Complications?” Martha asked, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“Keep this under your hat. We won't be telling the others this part.”

“Ooh sounds ominous,” Martha looked intrigued.

“The TARDIS took it upon herself to ram home just how much Ianto and I belong together,” Jack said, glancing down at the open manhole. “As if I didn't already know that.”

“The TARDIS?” Martha asked, blanching. “How can a time machine do that?”

Jack laughed. “She refused to bring us to the correct reality until Ianto had a talk to her. She took us to four different alternate realities first. Drove the Doc mad, actually. He couldn't work out why his calculations were wrong.”

Martha studied Jack. “I take it in all of these realities you and Ianto weren't together.”

Jack swallowed hard. “Uh, no. Something went wrong in each of them, which resulted in death and devastation.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, in the last one, Ianto stormed back to the ship and demanded she take us home, that he and I realised that we were... in love... we were together, and nothing was going to tear us apart. It was only after that declaration that she brought us home.”

“Well. Sounds like the TARDIS felt it needed to be emphasised.”

Jack shook his head. “It really didn't.”

“Maybe not to you,” Martha said, drinking the rest of her coffee and taking a pastry from the bag before standing up. “By the way, have you met Mickey yet?” she asked as she stopped at the doorway of Jack's office.

“Not from this reality,” Jack replied, his head resting on the apex of his fingers.

“I'll send him up. I think you'll get on like a house on fire,” she grinned. “Thanks for the treats.” She raised the danish.

Jack smiled and turned his chair around to look back at the open manhole, lost in contemplation.

Part 2