Title: In These Stones Horizons Sing
Author: Captains Cariad
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: They're definitely not mine, but the boys like to play and so do I.
Summary: Jack ensures Ianto he's not going to leave him again. Missing scene from 'Last Man Standing'.

***

Jack sat at his desk sifting through the papers left by his 1918 Torchwood predecessors for what seemed like the hundredth time. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see another solution. Tommy was the only one who could close the fracture in time and that meant that Tosh would have to say goodbye.

'This time tomorrow he'll be back in 1918,' he said as Ianto appeared from downstairs.

'In his own time,' Ianto paused before he went on, 'Would you go back to yours?'

Sensing a slight tension creep into the Captain's shoulders Ianto pressed on before he lost his nerve.

'If you could?'

Looking up, but not turning Jack answered, feigning nonchalance.

'Why? Would you miss me?'

'Yep.'

Ianto moved nearer to the desk as Jack gave a small sigh deciding it was time to bite the bullet and talk.

'I left home a long time ago. I don't even know where I really belong.'

Shuffling papers, the older man looked off into the distance remembering things long forgotten and speaking as if to himself.

'Maybe that doesn't matter anymore.'

Bringing Jack's attention back to the present, Ianto sat on the edge of the desk before asking his next question.

'I...er...Don't you get lonely?'

'Going home wouldn't fix that,' Jack shook his head.

'Being here I've seen things I never dreamt I'd see. Loved people I never would have known if I'd just stayed where I was,' lifting his gaze to meet the young Welshman's Jack continued, 'and I wouldn't change that for the world.'

Seeing the sincerity in the other man's eyes Ianto let instinct take over, sliding a hand behind Jack's neck and pulling him into a hungry, passionate kiss. Responding with equal need and fervour the Captain held Ianto's shoulders, hands roaming to his neck as he deepened the kiss, their tongues teasing and tasting each other with urgent desire.

The older man's fingers wove through his lover's hair until Ianto slipped from the desk bringing them both to stand up, pressing their bodies together. Jack's eyelids fluttered as Ianto finally broke the kiss and it was a few moments before he could focus on the handsome face before him.

'Ianto!' he gasped trying to regain some composure from the fireworks going off in his mind.

A small smile crept over the young Welshman's face as he realised the effect he'd had on the legendary Captain Jack Harkness.

'That must be a first!'

Jack raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, 'What is?'

With a chuckle in his voice, Ianto replied, 'You! Lost for words!'

Laughing too, Jack leant in for another kiss, 'Shocking, isn't it?'

Quickly reverting to his usual character, he grabbed the younger man's hand and headed for the door.

'Hey, Yan, come with me. I want to show you something.'

Permitting himself to be dragged onto the lift Ianto muttered good-naturedly under his breath, 'Doesn't last long, I see.'

The Captain just grinned, pressed a button on his wrist comp and used the motion of the lift starting up as the perfect excuse to place his hands on Ianto's hips in a steadying gesture.

When the lift appeared in Roald Dahl Plas Jack moved round behind the younger man, standing so close that the heat from his body made the other man audibly sigh and lean back. He rested his chin on Ianto's shoulder.

'Tell me what you see,' Jack's breath was hot against the Welshman's ear.

Knowing that the people walking by couldn't see them as the perception filter protected them, Ianto didn't move when he felt Jack's arms wrap around his waist. He sank back against the shelter of the strong body behind him and surveyed the scene that greeted him.

'I see Cardiff at night; stars in the sky, coloured lights, theatregoers, the Millennium Centre...'

Jack smiled, kissing Ianto's cheek, sending tingles down his spine, 'What else?'

'Um...People on their way home or out with their family and friends, going on dates. Everyday life.'

'Exactly,' Jack said moving round so that he and Ianto were facing each other.

'After all the things I've seen, all the places I've been, it all comes down to everyday life.'

Ianto cast his gaze across the Plas once more, 'You came back for all this?'

'To help protect it. Yes. I've seen the future, the end of the universe and none of it would exist without here and now...'

Turning to stare up at the Millennium Centre Ianto spoke the words written on the facade, 'Creu gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen.'

'In these stones horizons sing,' Jack translated, 'I don't think they knew how true those words were when they wrote that.'

Ianto nodded, taking the Captain's hands in his, entwining their fingers.

'The rift. So many horizons right on their doorstep,' he agreed.

'And these people have no idea; just like they have no idea we're standing here,' Jack replied.

Ianto pulled Jack nearer, searching his face for reassurance.

'And if he comes back, if he needs you...Will you go with him?' he asked nervously.

Knowing Ianto was referring to The Doctor Jack put his head on one side and closed his eyes briefly before speaking.

'If he needs my help, then, yes; I'll go with him, but I'll always come back.'

'Really?' Ianto's voice was almost a whisper, his gaze fixed resolutely on the floor.

Raising a hand to the young Welshman's jaw, Jack lifted Ianto's chin so that they were looking directly at each other. The soft brown eyes that met his were filled with uncertainty.

'Jack...,' Ianto found his words cut off as the older man's thumb touched his lips.

'Ianto, I meant what I said before. I came back for all of this, but for one thing above all others...'

Sliding his hand round to caress the back of his lover's neck Jack substituted his thumb with his mouth, placing a firm kiss, on the younger man's lips.

'It's you, Yan,' he said softly.

Tears glistened in Ianto's eyes as Jack's words sank in and a slow smile spread over his face. He leant in to close the few centimeters that separated them. Allowing his lover's tongue to part his lips gently he moaned into Jack's mouth and let the wonder that was Captain Jack Harkness envelope him.

After a moment, Jack pulled back a little, his blue eyes dancing with reflections from the city lights and the stars amongst which he once traveled.

'I came back for you.'

***