Previous part of - Never Say Never.

***

Ianto awoke with a groan. He clutched his head as he sat up, wondering what the hell had happened. His eyes snapped open when he remembered the sight of Jothan Akribos standing in front of him, just before his world went dark.

"Fuck," he muttered. "Ianto, you stupid git, you know better than to walk down an alley without paying attention. Jack taught you better than that."

He took in his surroundings, hoping for a way to escape. He was being held in a small, windowless room. There was a door on the opposite wall with no handle. A small sink, toilet and the bed he was sitting on completed the room. That was it. No chance of getting out then.

A sharp jab to his ribs reminded him that he wasn't alone in the cell. Smoothing his hand down his shirt and across his belly, Ianto began murmuring soothingly.

"It's okay, Sprout. Tad is fine. Daddy will be here soon playing the big damn hero and everything will be okay."

A voice sounded in the room. "Your assurances to the female offspring are no doubt comforting, but premature don't you think? Are you so sure your mate will come to rescue you?"

"Yes, I am," Ianto replied calmly. "There is no doubt in my mind that Jack will come for us."

The door opened and Jothan stood in the entrance, sneering. "Pathetic, human. You have no idea who the Time Agent really is, what he's done."

"You're wrong. I know who he's been, I know what he's done. More importantly, I know who he is and what he's doing now. And right now, he is doing everything in his power to find us," Ianto paused and looked straight into the aliens eyes. "And make no mistake, Jack will find us."

Ianto turned and faced away from the figure in the door, dismissing Jothan from his mind. The door closed and Ianto allowed his frame to relax, exhaling forcefully.

"See, Sprout, if you stay strong and confidant, you can make annoying people back down. Most of the time."

Suddenly he remembered something Jothan had said. He'd referred to the baby as a ‘female offspring'. The Doctor's words came back to him, ‘The Burrelliam are telekinetic and mildly telepathic, but only through touch.' Jothan had touched him, he knew…they were having a baby girl.

"Sprout, you stay strong for Tad and Daddy. You have to stay strong so you can grow up and drive Daddy crazy when you start dating."

Ianto laughed softly at the thought of Jack interrogating anyone their daughter brought home. Then he thought of a teenage girl with Jack's looks and carefree personality and frowned. Maybe Jack wouldn't be the only one doing the interrogations. And Torchwood did have plenty of guns…and Retcon.

Lost in his thoughts of the future with Jack and their daughter, Ianto drifted slowly to sleep.

Hours later, he sat straight up on the bed, startled from his slumber, but not knowing why. A flash of movement and a familiar sound had him grinning widely. The TARDIS materialized in the small room and Jack rushed out the door.

"See, Sprout," Ianto said, laughing. "I told you Daddy was a big damn hero."

Jack swept Ianto into his arms, relief etched across his face. "Oh, Ianto, thank goodness. You're safe. You are okay, right?"

"I'm fine, Jack," Ianto soothed. "We both are."

"The sprout, too?" Jack asked, running his hand lightly across Ianto's stomach. He grinned when he felt a kick confirming that the baby was alive and well.

"She's fine, too, Daddy."

Jack's eyes widened and his glance flew from where his hand rested on the curve of Ianto's stomach to his lover's eyes. "She?" he asked, awe coloring his voice. "How?"

"Jothan's race is telepathic, remember?" Ianto reminded him.

The door to the cell crashed open behind them and Jothan ran into the room.

"No, you cannot do this, Time Agent! You must go back and stop my family from being executed," the alien demanded.

"I can't do that, Jothan. What's done is done and I can't change history for you."

"You are a Time Agent. You can do whatever you want," Jothan insisted. "I have run into others of your kind in the last four years."

Jack ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Even if that was the case, I'm not like that. I'm not even a Time Agent anymore. Changing history has serious consequences, Jothan. Don't you care about that?"

"No, I do not. The only thing I care about is my family. Now do what I have requested and fix this," he demanded.

"I can't. I'm sorry, but I can't," Jack insisted.

"Fine, then watch your family die in front of your face," Jothan snarled, reaching for Ianto.

A shot rang out and the alien dropped dead on the floor in front of them. Jack and Ianto swung around to see Gwen standing in the doorway of the TARDIS, gun still pointed at the motionless figure on the floor.

"I'll be buggered if I let some psychotic alien kill one of my best friends and my niece right in front of me," she stated calmly. She engaged the safety on her weapon before rushing out to throw herself, gently, into Ianto's arms.

***

Jack closed the door to the rented house and leaned against it, his eyes sliding shut. Ianto and the sprout were safe. Jothan Akribos was dead. So why was he shaking? Tears pressed against his eyelids and he choked back a sob.

"Shh, Cariad. It's okay, we're safe."

The beloved Welsh voice and the gentle touch of fingers wiping away his tears toppled the last of Jack's defenses. He pulled Ianto into his arms and buried his face in the younger man's neck, sobbing convulsively.

"Love you," he murmured. "Love you so much. I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Jack. This wasn't your fault."

Ianto pressed a kiss to Jack's hair, his hands rubbing up and down Jack's back in an effort to comfort and reassure that he was there and unharmed.

Jack lifted his head, lips seeking and finding Ianto's mouth. His tongue slid across Ianto's bottom lip requesting entry, which Ianto eagerly granted. Tongues tangled together, caressing and teasing. Lips and bodies strained to get closer.

They broke apart with gasped chuckles as their daughter made her presence known by kicking out against their stomachs. Jack leaned his forehead against Ianto's and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Make love to me, Jack," Ianto requested. "I need to feel you against me, inside of me."

"Gods, yes," Jack breathed. "I need you, too. So much."

Ianto took Jack's hand and led him to their bedroom. Reaching the side of the bed, he turned and threaded his fingers through Jack's hair, gently bringing their lips together. They kissed languidly, tongues stroking, tasting, letting their passion build slowly.

When Ianto tried to brush the braces from Jack's shoulders, his hands were captured and pressed to his lover's chest.

"No, please," Jack murmured. "Let me…I need to…."

Ianto saw the trembling of Jack's hands as his lover reached out to caress his face. He saw the lingering shadow of fear behind the desire and love shining in those blue eyes and knew what Jack needed.

"I know," he whispered.

Jack caught his breath at the understanding, love and acceptance on Ianto's face. He surged forward, capturing his lover's lips and pouring all the fear and relief of the last few hours into a scorching kiss that left both men breathless.

Running his hands down Ianto's sides, Jack grasped the hem of the young man's shirt and lifted it over his head. Caressing the smooth back, he bent his head and trailed soft, open-mouth kisses down Ianto's neck and shoulders.

The sensual assault on his senses made Ianto's knees weak. Gasping, he felt Jack's hands push slowly past the waistband of his trousers to cup his arse.

"Jack, please," he moaned. "Please, I need to feel your skin against mine."

Pushing Ianto's trousers and boxers down past his hips, Jack encouraged him to sit on the edge of the bed. Kneeling next to the edge, he brushed the garments down Ianto's legs and off over his feet.

Looking up into the soft blue eyes, Jack cupped his hands around Ianto's face. "I love you, Ianto Jones," he whispered. "Lay back and let me show you how much."

Ianto settled back onto the pillows, watching as Jack quickly removed his clothing and climbed onto the bed next to him.

Jack sat back on his heels, devouring Ianto with his eyes. "So beautiful…sexy…gorgeous…" he punctuated each word with kisses to Ianto's torso.

Ianto raised his eyebrow. "Stretch marks, swollen ankles, bloating…"

Jack chuckled and continued mapping Ianto's skin with his mouth, tongue and teeth. "Stunning…erotic…alluring…"

He moved down Ianto's body, licking along the crease where leg met hip. Ianto gasped and tried to buck his hips, but Jack's warm hands held him still. A ragged groan was torn from Ianto's throat when Jack ran his tongue along the length of his engorged cock.

"Mmmm, I love the sounds you make when I do that." Jack's low voice was like hot tea with whiskey and honey running through Ianto's veins. Spreading warmth through his body and distracting him as Jack slicked his hand, fingers circling the tight opening, coaxing the muscles to relax.

Slipping one finger inside, caressing and stretching, Jack took Ianto's mouth with his own. Swallowing the gasps and whimpers his lover made.

Panting, Ianto pulled away. "Jack, please…need to have you inside me. Need to feel your cock fucking me."

"Turn on your side," Jack encouraged, slicking his neglected cock.

Ianto turned, presenting his back. Jack slid his arm under Ianto's body, clasping his hand and pulling it across his chest to draw him closer. Jack positioned his leg in-between Ianto's legs, encouraging Ianto to bend his knee and open himself up even more. The blunt tip of Jack's cock nudged Ianto's opening.

"Are you ready?" Jack asked.

Ianto pushed back. "Yes, now, Jack, please."

Jack thrust forward slowly, savoring the feel of Ianto's tight warmth surrounding him. He paused, allowing Ianto to adjust to the intrusion.

"Ianto, feels so good," Jack breathed.

"Damn it, Jack. Move," Ianto growled, rolling his hips.

"Oh, yeah."

Jack began thrusting gently, his arms wrapped tight around Ianto's chest as he moved in counterpoint. He didn't want to let go, couldn't. The fear churning inside him wouldn't allow it.

"Almost lost you," Jack whispered.

Ianto groaned, thrusting back as he squeezed Jack's hands tightly to him. "Still here. We both are."

Needing to feel Ianto come, Jack slipped one hand down across Ianto's smooth stomach, until it came into contact with his shaft. Gripping it tightly, Jack began to stroke his young lover. Ianto's breathing hitched and his body tightened.

"Not going to last," he whispered.

"Don't even try." Jack increased the tempo of his thrusts and strokes.

Within a minute, he felt Ianto's release warm his hand, the muscles of his body clench on his cock hard. The smell and heat of his orgasm warming Jack, overriding his senses.

"Oh, yes." With one more powerful thrust, Jack came deep and hard.

Gathering Ianto close in his arms, Jack buried his face in the crook of his lover's neck.

"Love you so much," he whispered.

"Love you too, Jack," Ianto replied.

They fell asleep, hands intertwined and placed protectively over where their daughter rested peacefully inside of Ianto's abdomen.

***

Ianto woke slowly, snug in a nest of warm blankets and surrounded by Jack's scent. He stretched lazily. He debated staying where he was, but the combination of his stomach growling in hunger and a solid kick to his ribs from his daughter made him realize more sleep wasn't an option.

Rolling out of the bed, he put on some sweats and an oversize t-shirt. Running his fingers through his disheveled hair, Ianto wandered out of the bedroom and down the hallway. He stopped short just inside the kitchen, grinning at the scene in front of him.

Jack was standing at the stove cooking breakfast. Hair sticking out in all directions. White t-shirt and grey sweats outlining lean muscles. Hips swaying gently to the song he was humming.

"If only the team could see the illustrious Captain Jack Harkness now," Ianto teased, leaning against the wall. "I should tell them how domesticated you really are."

Jack tossed a grin over his shoulder. "They'd never believe you. Captain Jack Harkness is a big, damn hero - to borrow your phrase. I'm just Jack Harkness - simple 51^st century guy, cooking breakfast for the man he loves."

Ianto pushed away from the wall and moved behind Jack, slipping his arms around his lover's waist. "Mmm, the pregnant, very hungry man he loves."

Sliding the last pancake onto a plate, Jack turned in the circle of Ianto's arms and pressed a kiss to his lover's lips.

"Good morning, Gorgeous," he murmured. "Now, sit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold."

"Sir, yes, Sir." Ianto snapped off a playful salute before sitting down at the small table.

"Brat," Jack said, laughing. He set the loaded plate in front of Ianto before sitting down to eat his own breakfast.

 

 

"You know, when I told you to bring home lots of souvenirs, this wasn't quite what I had in mind, Ianto," Gwen teased.

Ianto snorted. "Not quite what you had in mind - what about me? I knew Jack had the ability to get pregnant, but neither one of us knew there was the actual possibility."

The two friends were sitting on the couch in Jack and Ianto's rented house, sharing a pint of Ben & Jerry's latest concoction - New New York Apple Cheesecake. Gwen giggled as she scooped another spoonful out of the carton.

"Do you think the TARDIS has a freezer?" she asked, eyeing the carton thoughtfully. "A really big freezer?"

Ianto laughed. "Actually, yes it does. A whole room right next to the wine cellar. Where would we keep it all while we modify one of the rooms at the Hub to be a walk-in freezer?"

Pouting, Gwen reached for another bite only to have Ianto hold the carton away from her.

"Oi! Pregnant person here, I get the last bite. It's a rule." Ianto nodded solemnly.

"A rule, huh?" Gwen was skeptical. "In what rulebook?"

"Check the list on the freezer door when you get another pint," Ianto directed.

She got up and walked into the small kitchen, pausing to read the list before opening the freezer door.

"Ianto, do I want to know why there's a rule about honey only being used for tea or toast as ‘other uses are disconcertingly sticky'?"

Smirking, Ianto replied, "Probably not. I could tell you, but it would probably have the same effect that catching Jack and I in the greenhouse did. And Rhys isn't around to benefit from it."

Blushing, Gwen grabbed another pint of ice cream and silently cursed boredom, tequila and Truth or Dare. Someday she'd learn not to suggest playing silly games with her teammates.

Walking back into the front room, she saw Ianto rubbing his hand over his belly with a pained look on his face.

"Is everything ok, Pet?" she asked, concerned.

Ianto looked up and smiled. "Yep. The sprout is just practicing for her future career as a footballer."

The familiar gap-tooth grin lit Gwen's face. "Can I feel?" she asked, sitting back down next to Ianto.

"Of course," Ianto said. He placed Gwen's hand over the spot where the baby was kicking. "It's time she was introduced to Auntie Gwen after all."

Gwen's eyes opened wide in wonder as she felt the baby kick against her palm. She smiled at Ianto, then leaned over to talk softly to the baby.

"Hey, Sprout. It's your Auntie Gwen. I can't wait to meet you. And when you're a little older, you just come to me when your daddies are being unreasonable, we'll set them straight."

Ianto laughed. "Oi! No conspiring with the sprout against Tad and Daddy. That's just wrong."

Giggling, Gwen replied, "She's going to need some female support sometime with two stubborn men for parents. Just wait until she starts dating."

"She's not allowed to date until she's twenty-five, at least," Ianto intoned. "In fact, if she's anything like Jack, we may not let her out of the house until she's thirty!"

"Hmph, you're no slouch when it comes to flirting, Ianto. I've seen you charm witnesses, the tourists that come into the information center, people down the pub when the team went out."

Ianto laughed and grabbed the ice cream out of her hand. "I had a good teacher and I'm a fast learner. Speaking of the team, did you leave Mickey to watch the rift all by himself?"

"No. Martha's Tom is helping out. So are Rhys and Andy."

"You saved the CCTV footage of Andy meeting Myfanwy to add to the collection, didn‘t you?"

"Of course!" Gwen paused. "Ianto, does it scare you? Having a baby and working for Torchwood?"

"It does. Of course it does," Ianto answered seriously. "Knowing what's out there, what could happen to her, or me. I worry about not being around to watch her grow up. But, Gwen, what are we fighting for if not to make the world a safer place for everyone, even us? And now I have an even bigger reason to stay alive and fight. It's my daughter's future that I'm fighting for.  And even if the unthinkable happens and I die, I take comfort knowing that she'll always have Jack."

"You're a braver person than I am, Ianto," Gwen said wistfully. "I don't know if I could bring a child into the world and work for Torchwood."

"Don't be daft, Gwen. If children are something you want, go after it. You know what Jack always says," Ianto reminded her. "Hold on to your life outside of Torchwood and…"

"Don't let it drift," Gwen finished. "I know. So, have you and Jack picked out any names?"

Ianto smiled at his friend and let her change the subject. "We talked about a few, but we just found out that we're having a girl and we haven't really had a chance to sit down and make a decision yet."

"At the rate the sprout is growing, you're going to have to make a decision soon," Gwen teased. "And, I brought something with me that might help." She dug around in her bag, finally pulling a book out and handing it to Ianto.

. 'Welsh Names For Your Children: The Complete Guide'  Ianto grinned in delight.

"Thank you, Gwen. This is perfect," he enthused, giving her a hug.

Ianto thumbed through the book, noting that, in addition to Welsh names, it also provided meanings of those names. He couldn't wait to sit down with Jack and decide on a name for their baby girl.

He should have known it wasn't going to be quite that easy...

***

Jack couldn't sit still. A week had passed since they'd found Ianto and dealt with Jothan Akribos. Ianto had already had one hormone treatment and was getting another one today.

The hormone levels had been increased to simulate the levels during the later stages of pregnancy. But with the increased hormones had come an increase in the growth rate of the baby. Ianto was now the equivalent of eight months pregnant and was having severe muscle spasms as his body tried to accommodate the growing baby.

"Jack, would you bloody sit down?" Ianto complained. "You're driving me crazy with all that pacing."

"I'm sorry," Jack said, sitting next to Ianto and pulling the younger man into his arms. "I just hate seeing you in pain. I should be the one- "

"Don't you dare feel guilty about this, Jack Harkness," Ianto admonished. "It was my decision to carry the sprout when you couldn't. I'll be fine. I've been through worse pain than this before you know."

Jack pressed a kiss to his lover's forehead. "I know. I just wish there was something I could do to help."

"Well, you could distract me for a bit," Ianto hinted, grinning broadly.

Laughing, Jack ran his tongue around the outer shell of Ianto's ear. "You are such an exhibitionist, Mr. Jones. What if Healer Nestad or Martha walked in on us?"

"I wasn't talking about sex, Jack," Ianto explained. "But you could kiss me…" He batted his eyelashes playfully, enjoying Jack's shout of laughter at the uncharacteristic action.

As Jack's lips descended and started teasing, Ianto smiled to himself. He knew the best way to get Jack to relax. Sliding his arms around his partner's shoulders, Ianto opened his mouth to Jack's questing tongue and gave himself up to the delicious feeling of Jack's kisses.

"Ahem," Martha walked into the room. "Honestly, you two…is it possible for you to keep your hands off each other for more than ten minutes?"

Pulling back from the kiss, Jack laughed and pointed towards Ianto. "Hello, gorgeous, sexy Welshman. Of course I can't keep my hands off of him."

Martha just laughed and shook her head. Healer Nestad stepped into the room, a serious look on her face. Unconsciously, everyone straightened. Jack reached for Ianto's hand and squeezed gently, preparing himself for whatever the healer had to say.

"After extensive testing, Martha and I have been able to determine what is causing the accelerated growth of your baby," she began. "There are several different hormones that a body produces during pregnancy. Progesterone and Estrogen are the most well-known. There is also a hormone called Thyroxine. It's needed for the development of the central nervous system and helps increase oxygen consumption and develops the ability of the fetus to metabolize proteins and carbohydrates. On top of this, it interacts with growth hormones to regulate and stimulate the baby's growth."

"So it's this hormone that is causing the accelerated growth?" Ianto asked. "Why? I mean, has this happened before or is it specific to me?"

"This is a unique case, Ianto," Martha replied. "When Rose used the Time Vortex to bring Jack back to life, she fundamentally changed his DNA. The Thyroxine is interacting with the DNA your baby received from Jack and the Time Vortex is causing it over stimulate the sprout's growth.

"But, why didn't the acceleration start when I was carrying her," Jack questioned.

Healer Nestad replied, "The change that affected your DNA also affected the rest of your system, Jack. Because your hormones are also infused with the Time Vortex, they reacted normally when you became pregnant. Ianto's body was not designed to carry children and the hormone therapy he's been receiving was tailored to a normal human's DNA."

Both Jack and Ianto nodded in understanding. Jack winced a little at the implication that he wasn't a normal human, even though he knew it was true. It was just a small reminder of the Doctor calling him wrong and the Master calling him a freak.

Ianto noticed the slight tensing of his lover's body and raised their joined hands to his lips. Placing a small kiss to the back of Jack's hand in reassurance that he wasn't either of those things.

Jack gave him a small smile in return, thankful once again for his lover's perception and comfort. Ianto always seemed to know exactly what Jack needed and lovingly provided it for him.

Martha continued, "There is a small risk that the accelerated growth could continue after the sprout is born. Healer Nestad and I are going to do some more testing to develop a blocking agent if that becomes a reality."

"How much of a risk is there that that would happen?" Ianto asked, rubbing his hand over his rounded stomach.

"It's not very large at all, Ianto," Healer Nestad reassured. "Maybe one chance in five hundred. We just want to be prepared for any eventuality."

"Jack, we'll need some more blood from you and bone marrow also," Martha stated. "We'll also need to extract some blood from the sprout."

Ianto tensed up at that. Martha continued before he could say anything.

"There's no risk to the sprout in extracting the blood. She'll be perfectly okay, Ianto."

"We have a way to extract the blood non-invasively," Healer Nestad assured them. "Ianto, you mentioned that you've been experiencing muscle pain with the increased growth of the baby?"

"Yes, it's kind of like when I dislocated my shoulder, but not constant. Sharp pain, like the muscle has been stretched too far all of the sudden."

"Which is exactly what is happening to your body. If the pain is too intense, I can give you pain medication to help deal with it, but it would be better for the baby if we could avoid that option. Just don‘t push yourself too much. At the current rate of growth, you should be ready to deliver in just a few days."

After giving the blood and bone marrow samples that were needed, Jack and Ianto left the hospital.

"You know, we should have Martha get a couple of those medical extractors for the Hub," Jack mused. "It's much more pleasant than getting used as a pin-cushion."

Ianto snorted, "No arguments from me. I fucking hate needles."

"Right, then, let's get you home, Mr. Jones. Something to eat, maybe a massage…"

"That sounds wonderful, Jack," Ianto replied. "But we have to go to a store first, there's some things we need to pick up."

"Why don't you let me go after we get you home and off your feet?"

Ianto gave him a look. "Ja-ack, not an invalid remember? I'll be fine. A short walk won't hurt me."

Giving in to the inevitable, Jack walked with his arm around Ianto's shoulders. He carried the basket as Ianto picked out several items they needed for dinner. Laughing and teasing each other, they were almost done with their shopping when Ianto dropped the jar of preserves he was holding and grabbed his belly.

"Ianto?" Jack asked, dropping the basket of groceries.

"It hurts, Jack," Ianto gasped. His face went pale as his knees gave out from under him and he slumped to the floor, unconscious.

***

"Ianto?!" Jack cried. He dropped to his knees next to his unconscious partner, quickly checking for a pulse. His eyes closed in relief when he felt the steady rhythm of Ianto's heart beat against his fingers.

Resting his hand against Ianto's pregnant belly, he was reassured to feel his daughter's firm kick.

"It's okay, Sprout. I know you're scared, but Tad is a strong person and he's going to be ok. Daddy is going to make sure of it," Jack vowed.

"Sir, is there anything I can do to help?"

Jack looked up at the shop assistant standing next to him.

"Yes, please. I need to get him to the hospital right away. Do you have an emergency transport or anything that I could use?" Jack would carry him if he had to.

"We have an anti-grav stretcher that you could use. Every shop has one. I'll get it for you and help you load him onto the stretcher."

"Thank you." Jack could feel panic fluttering at the edge of his mind, but he suppressed it. He couldn't help Ianto or the sprout if he started to panic.

The shop assistant was soon back and they got Ianto loaded onto the stretcher. Jack had called Martha and told her what happened, so she and Healer Nestad were waiting for them at the hospital entrance.

"Martha, he just collapsed. I don't know what happened." Now that Ianto was in the hands of trained medics, Jack's emotions were starting to get the better of him.

"Did he say anything before he collapsed, Jack?" Martha asked.

Not taking his eyes off the still form of his lover, Jack replied, "He just said ‘it hurts'. Nothing about where it hurt. Then he collapsed."

"When he collapsed, did he fall on his back or his stomach?"

Jack closed his eyes and pictured the scene in his mind. He watched as Ianto dropped the jar and slumped to the floor.

"His side. He landed on his side." Jack's breath hitched in a silent sob. "I felt the baby kick after he fell. She'll be okay, won't she?"

Healer Nestad looked up from where she had been scanning Ianto and the baby's vital signs.

"They are both holding their own for the moment. However, we need to get Ianto into surgery and deliver the baby right away. The placenta has partially detached and the baby is getting decreased blood flow, which also reduces the oxygen levels."

As they rushed Ianto into surgery, Jack kept pace, holding his partner's hand.

"Can I stay with him?" Jack asked, almost pleading.

Martha looked to Healer Nestad, who nodded. Entering the operating room, they transferred Ianto onto the table and prepared to deliver the baby by caesarian.

"Jack, you sit up here by his shoulder," Martha instructed, placing a seat close to the bed. "Ianto most likely passed out due to the pain of the placenta rupturing. We're giving him a pain inhibitor, similar to a 21^st century epidural, while the caesarian is performed. He may wake up during the procedure, so talk to him, keep him calm. He won't be able to move or feel pain, so he may panic a little bit."

Nodding, Jack sat at Ianto's side, holding his hand and started to talk softly.

"We're going to be parents today, Ianto. Not quite how we planned this, but that's ok. Our baby girl will be safe and you'll be out of pain." Jack brushed Ianto's hair back from his forehead, tuning out the sound of the healers talking.

"You need to wake up soon, gorgeous. We haven't even decided on a name for the sprout yet." Jack chuckled softly. "I don't think Sprout Harkness-Jones will cut it, do you?"

Ianto's eyelids started to flutter and Jack squeezed his hand gently.

"That's it. Open those gorgeous blue eyes so you can see our baby girl. She‘ll be here to meet us soon."

"Jack?"

The sound of Ianto's sleepy voice caused Jack's mega-watt smile to light up his face.

"There's those beautiful Welsh vowels," Jack sighed in relief. He leaned over and pressed a tender kiss to Ianto's lips.

"What happened?" Ianto asked fearfully, panic rising in his eyes. "And why can't I move?"

Jack cupped his hand to Ianto‘s cheek. "Shhh. It's okay. You collapsed at the store. I brought you to the hospital and the healers are delivering the sprout right now," Jack explained.

"Now? But it's too early," Ianto protested.

Martha stepped into view on his other side. "It's okay, Ianto. She's big enough to survive out of the womb. She's strong, just like her tad. She'll be fine."

A weak cry sounded through the room, drawing their immediate attention. Healer Nestad lifted her hands and the men saw the red, wriggling bundle of their daughter. Placing the small bundle on Ianto's chest, she turned to Jack.

"Would you like to cut the cord?" she asked.

Cutting where the healer indicated, Jack focused his attention back on Ianto and their daughter.

One small hand was wrapped around Ianto's finger. He looked up at Jack with tears of wonder in his eyes.

"She's so small," he whispered. "Look at her, Jack."

"She's perfect, Ianto." Jack rested one hand on Ianto's head and the other on their daughter's back. "Beautiful, just like her tad. I love you so much, Ianto."

"I love you, too, Jack." Ianto's gaze was fixed on the small person in his arms. "Welcome, Sprout. Your daddy is a bit daft - not about you being beautiful, ‘cause you are, but he always says I'm beautiful, too. Isn't that just silly?"

Jack felt his eyes fill with tears as he watched Ianto bond with their daughter. Ianto looked up at him, joy radiating across his face.

"Would you like to hold her, Daddy?" he asked softly.

Nodding, Jack carefully transferred the small bundle into his arms. Looking down into the hazy blue eyes of their daughter, he spoke quietly. "Hello, beautiful. I'm your daddy. You're tad is the silly one. He is beautiful and I hope you look just like him."

Martha handed him a small blanket and stepped back. Wrapping the baby gently, he handed her back to Ianto. Scooting closer, he slipped an arm behind his lover's shoulders and rested his head on top of Ianto's. His other arm cradled the baby on Ianto's chest.

"What are we going to call her?" he asked.

Ianto looked up at him shyly. "I did find a name that I liked in the book Gwen gave us. Eswen. It means ‘strong one' in Welsh. What do you think?"

"Eswen," Jack repeated. "Eswen Harkness-Jones. It's perfect, Ianto."

Leaning over, Jack brushed a kiss across the tiny forehead.

"Welcome to the universe, Eswen."

***

Martha walked quickly down the hallway towards Ianto's hospital room.  After the stress of the pregnancy and delivery, the healers wanted to keep an eye on him for a couple of days. 

 

There was also the matter of Eswen's accelerated growth while in the womb.  So far, the baby had shown no signs of continuing to grow at an increased rate, but there was testing that needed to be done before they could say for sure.

 

Walking quietly, in case Ianto or the sprout were sleeping, Martha entered the room.  Pausing in the doorway, she viewed the inhabitants within.

 

Ianto was lying on his side in the bed, sound asleep.  A tired, but happy smile on his face even while he slept.  The cot at the side of the bed was empty.  Martha spied Jack facing the window at the end of the room, cradling their daughter in his arms and talking softly.

 

"…and then your tad told Myfanwy that chocolate was good for her serotonin levels.  Tad is funny like that.  He always knows just what to say to make me laugh.  He's brave and funny and smart, so you listen to what he says, Essie.  Except when he says he isn't beautiful, that's the one thing he's always mistaken about.  He's beautiful now and he'll be beautiful when he's eighty-five.  You'll learn a lot from your tad, just you wait and see."

 

Martha smiled, knowing she shouldn't be intruding on this private moment between father and daughter.  She'd never really seen this side of Jack, though, and couldn't bring herself to leave.

 

"Things are going to be a little bit odd in our family, Essie.  Most daddies grow older as their children grow up.  Your tad will, but I won't.  I have this little problem.  I can't die.  What that means is that I'll always, always be here for you, but someday you'll probably look older than I will." 

 

Jack's breath caught in his throat, thinking about the days, hopefully far in the future, when he would lose both his loving partner and his beautiful daughter.  When he continued speaking, his voice sounded rough, like he was holding back tears.

 

"I didn't plan on ever having a child, Essie.  I didn't think I'd be strong enough to raise child, knowing that I'd outlive them.  I wouldn't even let myself fall in love because it would hurt so much when I lost…" his voice broke. 

 

Martha saw Jack's shoulders shaking and knew that he was crying.  Her heart ached for her friend.  She realized for the first time just how much pain and loneliness he would have to deal with in his long life.

 

"But then your tad came into my life, Essie.  He's so young and been through so much pain in his short life.  But he didn't let it stop him.  He's strong, like you.  He showed me the difference between just existing and really living.  And I'm so grateful for him, Essie.  He's given me the courage to build a life, a family, with him and with you.  I told him once, a long time ago, that I wouldn't change knowing him - loving him.  Now I have both of you to love and share my life with, and I'll tell you the same thing.  I wouldn't change it for the world."

 

A slight movement in the corner of her eye caught Martha's attention.  Turning her head, she saw that Ianto was awake lying still on the bed.  Tears ran silently down his face.  Blue eyes filled with love for the man pouring his heart out to their young daughter; and anguish at the heartbreak his love would endure when they were both gone.

 

Martha stared deeply into Ianto's tear-filled eyes, noting that they were far too old for his young face.  Her own tears spilled over as she backed silently out of the room.  When she was clear of the doorway, she turned and fled back down the hallway, wishing there was something she could do to ease the sadness in her heart.

***

Martha studied the test results again.  They were the same as the time before and the time before that.  Healer Nestad had brought it to her attention after testing Eswen's DNA .  Martha had run the experiment at least ten times and the results never changed.

 

"Doctor, you need to look at this," she called.

 

"What have you got?" he asked.

 

She handed him the results and watched as he looked them over.  The astonishment on his face almost made her laugh.

 

"You get the same results every time?"

 

"Yes.  Exactly the same.  Do you think…?"  Martha was almost afraid to hope.

 

"It looks like," the Doctor replied.  "Let's run it through the TARDIS before we say anything, though."

 

 

 

Ianto sat in the rocking chair they'd purchased, feeding Eswen.   Her weight at birth had been 2.97 kg and had weighed 3.01kg when they left the hospital three days later.

 

"You eat like your daddy does, sprout," Ianto teased.

 

Sleepy blue eyes looked up at him briefly before closing again, content with her bottle and being held in her tad's arms.

 

Ianto leaned his head against the back of the chair, rocking gently.  His thoughts wandered as Eswen drank the rest of her formula.  Shifting her to his shoulder, he set the bottle down and started patting her back.  Jack came through the door just as Eswen let out a loud belch.

 

"Ooh, good one, Essie," Jack said laughing.

 

Ianto rolled his eyes.  "Don't listen to Daddy, Essie.  His manners are rubbish.  I remember this one time-"

 

"Ahem!  Haven't we had this discussion about my manners before?" Jack questioned.

 

"Jack!  Like I'd tell her that story," Ianto protested quietly.  He continued to rock Essie and rub up and down her back.

 

Jack leaned down and kissed the top of Eswen's head, then moved to kiss Ianto's lips.  When he straightened back up, he whispered, "I think she's asleep now."

 

Ianto nodded.  He could feel the little body relaxed against him in sleep.  He stood up and gently laid her down in the travel cot they'd purchased.  He covered her with the blanket Martha had given them and stroked his fingers through her dark hair.  He felt Jack's arms wrap around his waist and leaned back against his lover's firm chest.

 

"It's a good thing the TARDIS is much bigger on the inside," he commented.  "We're going to be taking a lot more home with us than we came with."

 

"Yep," Jack agreed.  "Speaking of the TARDIS, Martha called and the Doctor is back from taking Gwen home.  She said they are coming over in a few minutes with some news."

 

"I'll put the water on to boil, then," Ianto said, stepping away from the shelter of Jack's arms.  "Did she say what kind of news?"

 

"No, but she sounded excited…and nervous," Jack replied, following Ianto into the small kitchen.

 

After putting the kettle on, Ianto found himself abruptly back in Jack's arms.  Relishing being able to feel his partner's body from head to toe, he pulled Jack even closer and started nibbling along Jack's lower lip.

 

"Mmm," Jack murmured.  "Maybe she's coming to say you're medically cleared to have sex again."

 

"I don't think she'd be overly excited about that, Jack.  Nervous, yes.  But not excited."  Ianto paused thoughtfully.  "Then again, it is Martha.  The girl who loves to hear all about our innovative, avant garde dabbling and purveyor of fine headgear."

 

A knock sounded on the door as Jack doubled up in laughter.  Ianto moved to answer it, admonishing Jack to behave.  Opening the door, he greeted their guests.

 

"Martha, Doctor, come in.  The kettle's on and tea will be ready in a minute." 

 

Ianto noticed that Jack had been correct about Martha's feelings.  He could see the mixture of excitement, nervousness and a touch of defiance in her eyes.  Looking closely, Ianto decided the defiance was directed towards the Doctor.  The Time Lord's face was a picture of surprise, worry and resigned disapproval.

 

Traces of laughter colored Jack's voice.  "Doctor!  Did you have a good trip?  Gwen get home okay?"

 

"Hmm?  Oh, yes.  She was a little upset that she missed seeing the baby.  She gave me strict instructions to get you home as close to the time I dropped her off as possible," the Doctor replied, walking into the kitchen where Jack was sitting.

 

Martha had stopped to peek at Eswen asleep in her cot.  She turned to smile at Ianto standing next to her.

 

"She has your nose and curls."

 

"Yes, and Jack's lips," Ianto replied.  "Let's talk in the kitchen so we don't disturb her nap."

 

"So, Miss Jones, what's this news you said you have for us?" Jack asked as they all settled around the table.

 

"Before we get to that, Jack, I have a question for you," the Doctor said.  "Have you ever met the Face of Boe?"

 

Jack frowned at the odd question, but answered slowly, "You mean that giant head in the jar?  Yes, we've met.  Even dated him for awhile when he was younger."  Jack grinned.  "No hands, but the things he could do with his mouth."

 

"Jack, stop it," the Doctor scolded.  "This is serious.  You actually know him and know where he came from?"

 

"Yes, I told you, I dated him for awhile," Jack insisted.  "We met at a party when I was doing modeling before I joined the Time Agency.  He was a damn thief, too.  His real name is Howard Smith."

 

"Howard Smith, really?" The Doctor asked, distracted.

 

"Yes, really.  He stole the whole ‘Face of Boe' thing from me.  Remember, I told you and Martha that they used to call me that?"  Jack ran a frustrated hand through his hair.  "Doctor, what is this all about?"

 

Martha spoke softly, "Timelines, Jack.  He had to make sure before I told you my news."

 

"What news, Martha?" Ianto asked, placing his hand over Jack's on the table.  "Is it about Eswen?"

 

"Not exactly, Ianto.  Healer Nestad and I were working on a blocking agent in case Eswen's accelerated growth continued after birth.  One of the combinations we were testing produced some interesting results," Martha explained, sliding a sheaf of papers across the table.

 

Jack and Ianto looked at the information shown, but couldn't understand what it was saying.

 

Shaking his head, Jack frowned at Martha.  "What are we looking at here?"

 

"I ran the test several times, and the results were the same every single time.  Jack, it's a…well…a cure, I guess you could call it."

 

"A cure to what?" Jack demanded.

 

Looking her friend directly in the eyes, Martha said the words Jack never thought he'd hear.

 

"A cure to your immortality."

***

Ianto barely noticed when Martha and the Doctor left. He knew that Jack had asked several questions and was aware that Martha had answered them. But there were so many thoughts swirling around in his brain that he just couldn't focus. The only thing he could hear was Martha saying they'd found a cure for Jack's immortality.

The sound of the door closing brought him out of his reverie. He expected Jack to come back to the kitchen. When his lover didn't return, Ianto stood up and went to find him.

Jack was slumped on the floor next to Eswen's cot, watching her sleep. Ianto sat down next to him, not sure what he should say.

"You were pretty quiet after Martha's announcement," Jack stated, still looking at their daughter.

"I - it's a lot to take in," Ianto hedged.

Jack snorted. "Yeah, tell me about it."

They sat silently, each lost in their own thoughts. After awhile, Jack began to speak.

"I waited for so long for the Doctor to come back and ‘fix' me. When he finally did show up, I just took off. No thought of anything except going back to him and picking up the life I had before he stranded me on the Game Station. I thought he didn‘t know that I was still alive."

Ianto knew all this. Jack had told him about his past after the incident with the space whale. Ianto had dragged him out of the Hub and taken him home. They'd talked all night long, or rather Jack talked and Ianto listened.

"Then he told me that he'd known all along and left me there on purpose. Told me there was nothing he could do - that I was going to be this way forever. So I resigned myself to living like this." He looked up at Ianto. "Resigned myself to outliving everyone I ever loved. Now I…Ianto, you're the logical one, what should I do?"

"I can't tell you what to do, Jack," Ianto replied, ignoring the churning in his stomach. "It's your life. Your decision. What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Jack asked, choking back a laugh that sounded more like a sob. "I want to have a normal life. I want to share that life with the man I love and watch our daughter grow up. I want to have a house with a white-picket fence and a porch that we can sit on when we're old and gray and watch our grandkids play at our feet. I want you to have a safe, boring job in a library somewhere while I sell shoes in a department store or teach history or anything but work for Torchwood."

Tears streamed down Ianto's face as he pictured the life Jack was painting.

"But we do work for Torchwood, Jack," Ianto reminded him. "And I don't think either one of us could do anything else anymore. Our job doesn't exactly come with a retirement plan. If anything it would be a widows and orphans fund."

By this time Jack was openly crying. "So you don't want me to take the cure?"

Ianto's head snapped up and he wrapped his arms around Jack's shoulders, pulling the older man into a tight embrace.

"Cariad, no, that's not what I meant at all. I want to share a life with you more than anything. Grow old together. I'm just afraid, so very afraid of losing you. After Lisa, it felt like my world had ended. You gave me meaning again and I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you now, especially with Essie here. Let's face it, you have the survival instincts of a lemming, Jack. I know you won't be able to promise that you'll never get hurt, but could you at least promise that you'll be more careful and try not to get yourself killed? For me…for Essie?"

"Yes, I can promise you that, Ianto." Jack's voice was husky with tears. "When I found the Doctor again, I wanted him to fix me so I could die. Now I want to be cured so I can live. You've given me so much to live for - you and the sprout. I'm not about to throw that away."

Their lips met instinctively. The taste of their tears mingled as they poured their emotions into the kiss. Finally they broke apart to catch their breath, continuing to press tender kisses to lips, cheeks and along jaw lines.

Jack's blinding smile lit up his face and he jumped to his feet, dragging Ianto with him. Throwing his arms low around Ianto's hips, Jack lifted his partner up and spun around in the middle of the room.

"Put me down you daft sod," Ianto exclaimed, laughing and bracing his hands on Jack's shoulders.

"Nope, no can do," Jack stated emphatically. He looked deep into Ianto's eyes. "My god, Ianto, I'm so happy and excited and nervous. I feel like I could burst."

A small cry interrupted Jack's impromptu celebration. Putting Ianto back on his feet, Jack turned towards Eswen's cot and scooped her up. She stopped crying and snuggled into her daddy's shoulder. Singing softly, Jack swayed gently, encouraging her to go back to sleep.

Watching his partner comfort their daughter, Ianto took a deep breath and tried to relax. He was still anxious about Jack giving up his immortality, but knew it was what Jack wanted. Stepping closer, he wrapped his arms around Jack and Essie, closing his eyes and swaying with his small family.

***

He was running through the darkness and the trees, following the sound of snarling and fighting.  He broke through into the clearing.  A weevil had a man pinned to the ground.  Before he could find a weapon to try and help, the weevil growled and tore the man's throat out.  Then it turned and lunged towards him.

 

"No!" Ianto sat up in the bed shivering, sweat plastering his hair to his forehead.  His breath came in short, harsh pants and his heart pounded in his chest.

 

"Shh, it's okay, Ianto, it's okay."  Strong arms wrapped around him as warm lips moved against the back of his neck.

 

"Jack," Ianto gasped.  Turning, he threw his arms around his lover and clung tightly.

 

"It was just a dream, love," Jack whispered.  He lay back down, bringing Ianto with him.

 

Ianto rested his head on his partner's chest, letting his steady heartbeat chase away the remnants of his nightmare.

 

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jack asked softly, running his hand up and down Ianto's back in long, comforting strokes.

 

Shaking his head, Ianto trailed his fingers across the warm skin of Jack's chest.

 

"It's not important.  Talk to me, give me something nice to dream about," Ianto implored.

 

Chuckling softly, Jack started to talk.  "You know, I was serious about a house.  Maybe not the white picket fence, but a house would be nice.  With a big tree in the back yard that we could put a swing in for Essie."

 

"That sounds good," Ianto said sleepily.  "Tell me more."

 

"We'll come home from work and play with Essie while dinner is cooking.  Then after she's in bed, we'll build a fire in the fireplace, put on some soft music and dance.  Make out like teenagers on the couch and then move to the bedroom and make love until we fall asleep tangled up together."  Jack pressed a soft kiss to the top of Ianto's head, smiling at the gentle snores emanating from his young lover.

 

Holding Ianto close as he slept, Jack pondered the differences in his life since meeting the remarkable man in his arms.  He remembered Gwen's first day on the job, telling her to go home to her boyfriend, to have a normal life - for him.  And now a normal life of his own was within his grasp, if he just had the courage to reach for it.

 

He knew Ianto was worried about him taking Martha's cure and becoming mortal again.  Terrified, actually, that Jack would do something reckless and get himself killed.  Jack was sure that's what Ianto's nightmare had been about, although he knew the younger man would never admit to it. 

 

He also knew that Ianto's fears weren't completely irrational.  Torchwood was dangerous and it had been a long time since Jack had had to worry about his own safety.  He'd already started being more careful, just because he knew Ianto hated it when he died.   And when he became mortal again, he'd be even more careful.  He had two very special reasons to live a long, healthy life.

 

 

"So, Jack, have you made a decision?" Martha asked.

 

Jack had accompanied Ianto and Eswen to the hospital for their one week check up and they were now sitting in the examination room discussing Martha's discovery.

 

Ianto could feel the tension radiating off his partner and took Jack's hand in his own, giving it a reassuring squeeze.  He felt Jack relax against him and knew that, by supporting Jack's decision, he was doing the right thing.  Even though the possibility of Jack dying permanently still scared him, it was a fear he was willing to live with.  He loved Jack, and his captain deserved to have the normalcy he'd been craving for so long.

 

"Yes, I have," Jack replied.  "I want to be mortal again."

 

Martha nodded, having expected this decision.  That it had taken three days for him to come to a decision had surprised her.  After witnessing his anguish at the thought of outliving both his partner and his daughter, she thought he would jump at the chance of a cure.

 

"How soon will you be able to give him the serum?" Ianto questioned.

 

"It's ready now, we can do it whenever you want," Martha replied.

 

"Are there any side effects I should be prepared for?" Jack asked quietly.

 

Ianto chuckled.  "Yeah, like rapid aging?  Jack may be prepared to become mortal again, but I don't think he's ready for grey hair yet."

 

Jack shuddered theatrically.  "We're going to have to invest in hair dye when that happens."

 

"Don't you dare, Jack," Ianto said.  He leered at Jack as he continued, "I happen to think you'll be sexy as hell with salt and pepper hair."

 

Martha laughed at her friends' antics.  She could tell that Jack was nervous and Ianto was doing everything he could to help his lover relax.

 

"No, no rapid aging," Martha stated.  "From the simulations we've run on the TARDIS, once injected the serum will adhere to the Time Vortex in your system and eliminate it.  It will not accelerate your aging, make you lose your hair, or make you impotent."  Martha grinned at the identical looks of shock and horror she received from the two men.

 

"That's not even funny to joke about, Martha," Jack admonished.

 

"Sorry, couldn't resist." Martha chuckled.  She continued, a serious expression on her face.  "The only side effect we've been able to determine is an increased strain on your heart during the process.  We will monitor your vitals closely, but I don't anticipate any problems.  Afterwards, you will be mortal and begin aging at a normal rate from where you are now."

 

Jack looked at Ianto, who nodded and squeezed the hand he was still holding.  He then looked at their daughter sitting on Martha's lap, tiny hands playing with the buttons on Martha's lab coat.  His blue eyes sparkling with excitement, Jack grinned his trademark, Harkness grin.

 

"I'm ready.  Let's do this."

***

Jack was sitting shirtless on the hospital bed while Martha attached the sensors that would keep track of his vitals during the procedure. The serum would be given intravenously. Based on the tests Martha and the Doctor ran on the TARDIS, it would take roughly four hours for the transformation to be complete.

Ianto was ensconced in a comfortable chair next to the bed, Essie sleeping in his lap. A small bag with formula and nappies for when she woke up was lying on the floor next to him.

"We're just about ready, Jack," Martha informed. "I'll be monitoring from the room next door and we're feeding the information to the Doctor in the TARDIS also. He will be able to confirm that the cure has worked immediately."

Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to relax. "I can't believe how nervous I am."

"Just lie back and think of Torchwood, Jack," Ianto teased.

"I'd rather think of you, naked." Jack grinned at Ianto, laughing outright at the familiar eye-roll he received in reply.

"Oi! Still in the room, Jack." Martha swatted playfully at her friend. "And keep thoughts like that to a minimum. You're body will be going through enough stress as it is, try not to raise your blood pressure anymore than necessary."

Ianto winked and said, "Relax, Martha, I'll keep him in line."

Martha snorted. "I know you, Ianto Jones. You're just as bad as he is. Now, behave. Both of you." She paused to pick up the needle for the IV. "Jack, lie back and get comfortable. I'm going to start the treatment now."

Settling back onto the pillows, Jack winced slightly as Martha inserted the needle into his arm. Once it was in place, she started the drip on the saline solution that would keep Jack hydrated during the process. With that going strong, Martha opened the valve for the serum.

Jack gasped as a tingling sensation spread from his arm to the rest of his body. It felt like dry ice had liquefied and was running through his veins - so cold it burned. He shivered as sweat broke out over his skin.

"Are you doing okay, Jack?" Martha asked.

"Yeah, just," Jack paused. "It burns."

"If it gets too bad, I can give you something for the pain. Let me know, all right?"

Jack nodded and looked towards Ianto and Essie. It was worth it, for them. Noting the worry in Ianto's blue eyes, Jack smiled, reassuring his lover silently that he was fine.

Martha rested her hand on Jack's shoulder. "I'm going next door to monitor you now. If you need anything, just press the intercom button."

"Thank you, Martha," Jack said, gratitude shining in his eyes.

He turned his attention back to Ianto as Martha left the room.

"So, Mr. Jones, just us, in this room, for as long as it takes. Although I think I'm the one with shivers down their spine this time."

"Are you scared, Jack?" Ianto asked softly.

"A little," Jack replied. "But I've wanted this for so long, Ianto. Wanted to be normal."

Ianto smiled lovingly. "You'll never be ‘normal', Jack. You're an extraordinary person and being mortal again won't change that. It's who you are."

Jack looked into the clear, blue eyes watching him affectionately. "You are good for my soul, Ianto Jones. I love you."

"I love you, too, Jack." Ianto's face lit up from within at Jack's declaration and Jack resolved to say those words more often.

"Since we found out about the sprout there, I've been thinking about Torchwood and how we could change things to make sure we all have a life outside. What do you think about hiring more people?" Jack asked.

Ianto looked startled, but recovered quickly. He thought for a minute before answering. "I think that would be a good idea. It would be nice to have at least two complete teams so we're not on call 24/7. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Not really," Jack mused. "We could recruit from UNIT. Although, they are a little too military for my tastes."

Ianto gave him a disbelieving look, snorting gently so he didn't wake the baby up.

"Hey, you know I like the uniforms." Jack smirked at Ianto. "It's the attitudes that bother me. We're more like a family and I'm just not sure how someone from UNIT would fit in with us."

"We don't have to decide right away, Jack. We could take the time to find people that fit." Ianto started to continue, then stopped.

"What were you going to suggest, Ianto?" Jack asked, shifting uncomfortably as his body started to get warmer.

"Well, what about Andy?"

"Gwen's Andy?" Jack exclaimed. "PC Andy of the snark and sarcasm squad? I can see why you'd like him around, but do you really think he'd be good in Torchwood?"

Ianto stuck his tongue out at Jack's remark, but answered seriously. "Yes, I think Andy would be good. Gwen said he handled the weevil invasion and bombings pretty well. And he's been useful a time or two during clean-up operations."

"Gwen mentioned that he was helping out while she was here," Jack mused. "If he's interested, we could give him a try."

Essie chose that moment to wake up and immediately started crying, squirming in Ianto's lap.

"Hey, Sprout, Tad's got you," Ianto murmured. "What is it, sweetie? Do you need a new nappy?"

Jack watched as Ianto competently took care of their daughter.

"You amaze me, Ianto," Jack said softly. "Do you want…?"

Ianto looked up, grinning. "Want what, Jack?"

"I was just wondering…do you want to get married?" Jack finished in a rush. Seeing the look of total shock on Ianto's face, he laughed nervously. "Surprised you, huh?"

"Jack, I…. Do you want to get married?" Ianto asked.

"I want to spend the rest of our lives together. And I want Essie to have as normal a life as we can give her," Jack said.

"And do you think us having a civil partnership will help with that?"

"Civil partnership, that's what it's called," Jack exclaimed. "I couldn't remember. I don't know, Ianto, what do you think?"

Holding Essie in his arms, Ianto sat on the bed next to Jack. He reached out and gently caressed Jack's cheek, noting absently how warm his lover felt.

"I think that we can be committed to each other and spend the rest of our lives together, giving Essie a normal life, without going through a ceremony in front of a stranger. Besides, it would be inviting the apocalypse to have two Torchwood operatives marry each other." He paused as Jack's body began shaking. The cobalt blue eyes were glassy and unseeing. "Jack? Jack?"

He reached over and hit the intercom button. "Martha? Something's happening to Jack."

"I see it, Ianto, I'm on my way in," Martha responded.

Seconds later Martha and Healer Nestad rushed into the room. Jack had started to convulse and Ianto moved off the bed to give them room to work.

Holding Essie against his shoulder, Ianto kissed her gently on the head. "Daddy will be fine, Essie. He's a fighter just like you."

Watching Jack's body convulse, Ianto whispered, "Come on, Jack, don't make a liar out of me."

Essie started to cry just as Jack's body went rigid and the monitor sounded an alarm that his heart wasn't beating.

***

Ianto dimly heard Martha and Healer Nestad's urgent voices. Even Essie's cries seemed to be coming from a distance. The only sound that penetrated his mind was the flat, steady sound of the alarm proclaiming that Jack was dead.

A sob caught in his chest as he realized that the last conversation he had with his lover was essentially turning down Jack's proposal.

"Please," he whispered, unsure of who he was asking. "Please bring him back to me. I…we need him. Essie and I."

Saying his daughter's name snapped his attention to the crying infant in his arms. Holding her close against his chest, he closed his eyes and began to sing softly.

"Oh, my love
my darling
I've hungered for your touch
a long lonely time
and time goes by so slowly
and time can do so much
are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
Godspeed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow to the sea,
to the sea
to the open arms of the sea
lonely rivers sigh 'wait for me, wait for me'
I'll be coming home wait for me."

"I'll always come home to you, Ianto."

Ianto's eyes opened as Jack's hand cupped his cheek and wiped away the tears he hadn't realized he was shedding.

"Jack…you're…but…"

Jack's smile lit his face. "You're cute when you stammer like that," he whispered. Resting his hand on their daughter's head, Jack leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to Ianto's.

Ianto melted into the kiss, wrapping his free arm around Jack's shoulder and caressing the soft hair at the nape of his partner's neck.

"God, Jack, I thought I'd lost you," Ianto breathed.

"Not getting rid of me that easily, Ianto Jones," Jack replied. "I intend to spend the rest of my life with you."

"You mean…it worked?"

"The Doctor just confirmed it," Martha answered. "Congratulations, Ianto…you're the proud partner of a completely mortal Captain Jack Harkness! May god have mercy on your soul."

They turned towards Martha, Ianto pressed close against Jack's side. Jack kept one arm around Ianto and used his other hand to tickle Essie. Waving her small hands, she managed to grasp her daddy's finger, promptly putting it in her mouth.

"Jack, we need to give you a full physical," Martha said, not wanting to interrupt the family moment but needing to make sure Jack was fine.

The Doctor walked into the room while Martha and Healer Nestad were examining Jack. He sat down next to Ianto and held his arms out to Essie.

Passing his daughter over to the Time Lord, Ianto chuckled at the banter between Martha and Jack. The two friends were like brother and sister, teasing each other and laughing together.

"It's hard to believe it's only been two months since we were waiting to find out if the sprout was going to survive the attack on Jack, isn't it?" Ianto murmured.

"Lot of changes in a short amount of time, Ianto." The Doctor looked up from making silly faces at Essie. "How are you doing with it all?"

Ianto laughed softly. "When we got here I was on a short vacation with my immortal lover/boss. Looking forward to a fun time and then going back to my dangerous job, with no thought of anything beyond surviving the next mission."

He looked down at his small daughter resting in the Time Lord's arms. Smiling gently, he continued talking.

"Now I have a beautiful daughter and a loving partner that, Torchwood willing, I can grow old with." Ianto shook his head in wonder. "Jack was right about you, Doctor. You really do change people's lives for the better."

"I didn't really do that much, Ianto," the Doctor replied. "It was all you, Jack and, well, Martha."

 

 

Several hours later, the Doctor and Martha were leaving the small rented house after having dinner with the two men. Ianto walked into the kitchen where Jack was washing up the last of the dishes. Wrapping his arms around his partner's waist, Ianto rested his chin on Jack's shoulder.

"So, how are you feeling?" Ianto asked.

Jack dried off the last dish and put it away before turning and wrapping his arms around Ianto.

"Happy," Jack replied.

Ianto closed his eyes, snuggling closer to Jack's warmth. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Sorry that I'm happy?" Jack frowned in confusion.

"No, you daft bugger. I'm sorry that the last thing I said to you during the treatment was that I didn't think we should get married."

Jack put his finger under Ianto's chin and forced the younger man to look into his eyes. "Ianto, don't be sorry about that - ever. You were right, getting married, or civil partnership, whatever it's called, doesn't mean that we'll have a more normal life. I love you and you love me. That‘s all that matters."

Ianto smiled, kissing Jack's lips lightly. "You know, Essie is sound asleep…"

"So…?" Jack asked, shaking his head slightly.

"So, while you were talking to Martha about the cure this morning, Healer Nestad cleared me to resume my normal physical activities." Ianto smirked at the look of dawning realization and excitement on Jack's face.

Running his hands down Jack's back, Ianto cupped his lover's firm arse and pulled him close. Rubbing his groin against Jack, he whispered, "Bedroom?"

"Oh yeah…bedroom."

***

Ianto yelped when Jack picked him up and tossed him over his shoulder, almost running to their bedroom.

"Put me down you daft idiot," he exclaimed. "You're going to hurt yourself."

"Nope, I'm used to carrying weevils around you know. And you're definitely lighter than a weevil," Jack teased.

"I should hope so," Ianto replied absently, distracted by the sight of Jack's arse in the tight jeans he was wearing. Ianto reached out and pinched one firm cheek, grinning wickedly at the startled cry Jack made.

Setting Ianto down on the bed, Jack climbed up and straddled his hips. "Oh, you are such a brat, Ianto Jones. You are going to pay for that one."

"What are you going to do, Jack?" Ianto asked, blue eyes twinkling with mischief. "Spank me?"

"No," Jack huffed, "I know you, Ianto. You'd enjoy that too much. I was thinking more along the lines of tickling you until you begged for mercy."

Jack suited his actions to his words and soon had Ianto squirming and breathless with laughter. Jack found himself moaning in pleasure though when Ianto grasped his hips and arched up, rubbing his burgeoning erection against Jack's.

"Fuck, Ianto, that feels good. More, please," he entreated.

"What was that you were saying about begging, Jack?" Ianto teased, rolling his hips.

"Cheeky bastard," Jack gasped. "Guh, don't stop."

Pulling Jack down into a kiss, Ianto shifted and rolled until Jack was underneath him. Trailing his lips down Jack's neck to the sensitive juncture where neck and shoulder met, he sucked and bit gently, soothing the purplish bruise with his tongue. Sitting back, he admired his handiwork, relishing the knowledge that this mark wouldn't disappear in a few hours.

Jack gathered the bottom of Ianto's jumper and pushed it off over his head. Ianto's hair was disheveled, eyes dark with passion, lips swollen and red.

"You are gorgeous, Ianto," Jack murmured, running his fingers through the hair on Ianto's chest.

Ianto blushed. "Don't be daft, Jack. I have stretch marks and a jiggly stomach. There is nothing gorgeous about that."

Jack sat up quickly, surprising Ianto with the serious look on his face. Cupping Ianto's face, Jack kissed him thoroughly, easing him down until they were lying on their sides facing each other.

"Ianto, those stretch marks and jiggly tummy exist because you carried our daughter inside your body. You have no need to feel self-conscious about the way you look. Those marks are sexy as hell."

Jack scooted down on the bed and began to lovingly kiss each mark on Ianto's stomach. When he'd finished, he looked back up at Ianto's face. The teasing light in his eyes warned Ianto that Jack was up to something.

"Do you think you could say jiggly again?" Jack asked. "It did funny things to my insides."

Ianto rolled his eyes, but couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. Jack always knew just what to say to make him feel better.

"I'll show you jiggly insides," he promised, voice low and husky. Removing Jack's shirt, Ianto leaned over and captured his lover's lips in a sensual dance of tongues, teeth and moist heat.

Hands caressed bare skin. Hips thrusting. Gasps and moans filling the air. Buttons and zippers undone and clothing pushed out of the way until they were both naked.

Resting his forehead against Jack's, Ianto asked, "What do you want?"

"I want you, Ianto. You inside me, and I want to be able to watch your face while you fuck me."

"God, yes," Ianto groaned. "Need to feel you surrounding me. Been too long."

He reached for the lube on the bedside table and quickly prepared Jack to receive him. Jack arched off the bed as Ianto stroked his prostate.

"Fuck, Ianto, I'm ready. Please," Jack begged. "Now."

Using more lube to slick his own cock, Ianto pressed Jack back into the pillows. The blunt head of his erection pressed against Jack's entrance.

Just as he was about to push in, a small whimper sounded from the cot across the room. Not daring to move, the only sound in the room was their harsh breath and Essie moving in her blankets. She settled back down quickly. Jack moved impatiently against Ianto, encouraging him to continue.

Ianto paused as a thought struck him. "Jack, doing it this way…I'm not going to get you up the duff again, am I?"

"What? No," Jack answered. "I got another dose of birth control while you were in the hospital after Essie was born." He moved restlessly under Ianto. "Now would you fuck me already?"

Chuckling lightly, Ianto pressed forward, entering Jack in one smooth stroke. He paused, letting Jack adjust to him before starting to thrust slowly.

"God, Jack, you feel so good," Ianto gasped. "So tight and hot. I love the feel of you stretched around my cock."

Jack wrapped his legs around Ianto's waist. "Harder, Ianto. Please. Missed feeling you inside of me."

Ianto began to thrust harder, sweat dampening his skin. The sound of Jack's gasps and moans spurred him on. Reaching in between their bodies, Ianto grasped Jack's cock and began stroking him in time with his own thrusts.

"Feels so good, Ianto," Jack murmured. "Not going to last."

"Come for me, Jack," Ianto encouraged. "Want to see you lose control."

"Yes, Ianto. I love you," Jack exclaimed as his orgasm began. His body seized up from the force of his release, muscles contracting tightly around Ianto's shaft. It was too much for Ianto to take.

"I love you, too, Jack," Ianto cried out. The feel of Jack surrounding him, squeezing him, milked wave after wave of pleasure from him.

As Ianto's breath started to normalize, he realized that Jack was sound asleep. Pulling his softened cock out of his lover, Ianto grabbed some wipes from beside the bed and cleaned himself and Jack up as best he could. Dragging the covers up over their cooling bodies, Ianto snuggled up next to Jack. He chuckled when Jack began to snore softly.

"Well, that's a new, and not entirely welcome, change," he whispered, dropping slowly off to sleep.

***

Ianto walked through the small house, checking to make sure they hadn't left anything behind. All of the stuff they'd accumulated was already packed in the TARDIS and it was time to go home.

Pausing in the doorway leading to the small bedroom, Ianto thought about everything that had changed for them in here since their arrival. He smiled softly as arms slipped around his waist and a pair of lips pressed kisses along his neck.

"You know, I'm kind of going to miss this place," he mused, turning in Jack's arms and resting his hands on his partner's shoulders. "It almost feels more like home than my flat does."

"A lot has happened to us here," Jack agreed. "This is where we became a family."

As he leaned in for a lingering kiss, Ianto almost wished they didn't have to leave. When they broke the kiss, he told Jack as much.

"We could always come back," Jack pointed out, a secretive smile on his face.

"We could," Ianto agreed. "But what are the chances it would be available again?"

"Pretty good, actually," Jack said. "I bought it this morning."

"What?! Jack…" Ianto exclaimed. "Why?"

Jack shrugged and grinned at the shocked look on Ianto's face. He loved surprising the Welshman.

"Every family needs a vacation home, don't they?" Jack asked. "So ours is on a different planet and 2,600 years in the future. When you have a good friend with their own time machine, you may as well vacation where you're happy."

Ianto shook his head at Jack's logic. "You are daft, Jack Harkness. But I love you, anyway. Thank you."

"I love you, too," Jack replied, kissing Ianto's nose. "Now, let's go back to Cardiff and find a proper home of our own."

They left the small house and walked hand in hand towards the TARDIS just down the street. Opening the door, they walked through, grinning at the sight that greeted them.

The Doctor was holding Essie and telling her a story. Her big, blue eyes were fixed firmly on the Time Lord's face, looking for all the world like she was taking in everything he was saying.

"…and then your daddy took the lift down and tried to talk everyone that was left into helping fight the Daleks. Because that's who your daddy is, a brave man that fights evil and saves the human race."

"He makes me sound like a superhero," Jack whispered to Ianto.

"Well, you do have the long, dramatic coat that swirls around you like a cape," Ianto teased.

"Ooh, maybe I should get a spandex costume to wear under the coat," Jack enthused. "I could have my initials on my chest and everything."

Ianto paused for a moment as an image of Jack in spandex invaded his mind. He shivered in dismay, and, if he was honest with himself, a tiny hint of arousal.

"I think black leather would be more your style, Jack," he replied, smirking. "Plus, it would go better with the coat."

Jack's laughter startled the Doctor, who looked up and grinned as his two Companions walked further into the control room.

"Martha's just saying good-bye to Healer Nestad. As soon as she gets here, we'll be heading back to Cardiff," he said.

Martha showed up a few minutes later and laughed at the scene that greeted her. Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" was playing over the speakers. The Doctor was dancing around the console room with Essie in his arms. Jack and Ianto were dancing together, steps in perfect harmony.

"Ianto, I had no idea you knew how to dance swing," she exclaimed as the song ended.

"My mam made me take lessons when I was younger," he replied. "And dating this guy has given me a refresher course."

"He makes me delete the CCTV footage though," Jack pouted.

Ianto snorted softly. "Oh yeah, like I wanted to listen to Owen teasing me unmercifully about it. It's not like I could threaten to put him on decaf anymore."

Jack took Essie from the Doctor so the Time Lord could start up the TARDIS to take them home.

"I always wanted to learn to dance like that," Martha commented. "It always looks like so much fun on Strictly Come Dancing."

Jack grinned. "We could have team Torchwood dancing lessons. Expense it as a team bonding exercise."

"I don't think you could get that past the person who does the books, Jack." Ianto laughed as he walked over to Martha and took her hand. He twirled her around, dipping her low to the ground and winking as she giggled.

"But you do the books, Ianto," Jack pointed out.

"Precisely," Ianto replied.

The Doctor, Martha and Ianto all dissolved into laughter at the pout on Jack's face. He looked down at his small daughter nestled in his arms.

"That's okay, laugh away, Essie and I still think it's a good idea. Don't we, sprout?"

"Are we all ready to go?" the Doctor asked, pressing buttons and spinning dials. At the eager nods from his Companions, he smiled and said, "All right, then…next stop Cardiff, Earth…21^st century. As close to the date I dropped Ms. Cooper off as possible. I don't want to upset her, she's a little scary."

Jack shuddered theatrically. "You have no idea, Doctor."

Several minutes later, the TARDIS jolted to a stop. Martha ran to open the door, anxious to see her fiancé again. Jack and Ianto followed behind with Essie, glad to be home and looking forward to introducing their daughter to the team.

Everyone was gathered in the middle of the Hub as they stepped out. Gwen practically bouncing in excitement. A large smile wreathed her face when she saw Jack holding the baby. Rushing forward, she gave Ianto a tight hug, her eyes never leaving the small bundle in Jack's arms.

"Oh, it's so good to have you guys home," she exclaimed. "Can I hold the sprout?"

Jack laughed as he placed their daughter in Gwen's arms. "Essie, this is your Auntie Gwen. Gwen, meet our daughter…Eswen Elizabeth Harkness-Jones."

Gwen's gaze lifted to her two friends, eyes moist with tears. "Elizabeth? Jack…Ianto…I…"

Ianto smiled gently, kissing her on the cheek. "Essie and I may not have survived if it wasn't for you, Gwen. Giving her your middle name was the least we could do."

Jack stepped closer and wrapped an arm around Gwen's shoulders, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Thank you for being such a good friend, Gwen."

The rest of the team had stepped back, giving the three some time alone. Finally, Rhys stepped forward, chucking Essie under her chin. Mickey and Tom gathered around and Essie was passed around as everyone took their turns holding her.

Andy hung back, not sure of his place in the team. Jack walked over to him and shook his hand.

"Andy, thank you for helping out while Gwen, Martha, Ianto and I were all gone. How did you like working with Torchwood?"

"You lot deal with some pretty strange things, Captain. But I liked it well enough." Andy paused. "Except for that bloody flying dinosaur. Don't think it liked me too much."

"It just takes Myfanwy awhile to warm up to people," Jack assured him. "Give her some dark chocolate and she'll be your best friend."

"Don't suppose it will be a problem much anymore," Andy replied. "Now that you and Ianto are home, I'll be going back to the police."

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that, PC Davidson," Jack began. "We're looking to expand the team and would like for you to come work for us permanently. If you're interested?"

A grin lit the blond man's face. "I could stand dealing with your spooky do's on a regular basis. Yeah, thanks."

Jack laughed and slapped him on the back. "Well, then, we'll get Ianto to push the paperwork through and transfer you over. Welcome to Torchwood, Andy Davidson."

Andy joined the group around Ianto and Essie, smiling broadly. Jack watched his team with affectionate eyes, his gaze lingering on his partner and their daughter.

The Doctor wandered over to where Jack was standing and grabbed his arm. Taking the sonic screwdriver out, the Time Lord ran it over Jack's vortex manipulator.

"Doctor, what…?" Jack's face was puzzled.

"I'm fixing your wrist strap, Jack," the Doctor replied. "I was wrong to disable it in the first place. You're a good man, and a brilliant leader. I'm proud of you, Jack."

"Thank you, Doctor." Jack's eyes misted over. "That means a lot to me, coming from you. You won't regret this, I promise."

"I know I won't regret it. I trust you, Jack. And I'm truly sorry that it took so long for me to see you as the man you are today and not the man I met back in 1941." The Doctor shook his head. "Seeing how much loyalty and love you've inspired in Ianto, Gwen and even Martha, made me take a long look at my attitudes toward you. It takes an extraordinary person to inspire that kind of trust in other people."

"And don't you forget it, Doctor," Ianto admonished, startling both Jack and the Time Lord with his presence.

"I won't, Ianto," the Doctor replied. "And thank you for helping me see how wrong I was."

"Thank you for giving us this wonderful trip," Ianto said. "You're welcome to come by anytime for a visit."

The Time Lord laughed. "I don't think I have much of a choice. The TARDIS sometimes has a mind of her own on where I end up and she's really taken a liking to both of you and your daughter. Thank you, though, for the open invitation. With so many of my Companions here at Torchwood, it'll almost be like visiting family."

"You are family, Doctor," Jack said. "Don't ever think otherwise."

After unloading all of the belongings they'd acquired on their trip, it was time to say good-bye. The Doctor gave each of his Companions, including Gwen, a hug good-bye. Standing in the door of the TARDIS, he shook his head at the sight of Jack with his arms around Ianto, who was holding Essie and waving her hand at the Time Lord.

"I never thought I'd see the day where Captain Jack Harkness settled down with a family," he said.

Laughing, Jack replied, "If there's one thing I've learned over the past few months, it's to never say never." He hugged Ianto tightly against his chest. "I never thought I'd find someone to share my life with, or have a child, or be mortal again. But look at me now."

As the Doctor shut the door and prepared to leave, he heard Gwen's shocked voice drifting through the Hub.

"Umm, Jack? What did you mean about being mortal again?"

Smiling to himself, the Doctor decided he'd stop back by in a couple of months to see how his family was doing. Maybe even spend a quiet Christmas in Cardiff…

fin

***

Epilogue

Ianto pulled into the driveway, glad to see that Jack was already home.

 

A month had passed since they had returned from traveling with the Doctor and Ianto was amazed at how normal their lives had become.  Well, as normal as Torchwood would allow.

 

They'd found a nice, three-bedroom house in a quiet neighborhood just across the Taff.  Close enough to the Millennium Center that they could be at the Hub in minutes, less if Jack was driving.

 

Jack.  A soft smile crossed Ianto's face as he thought about his partner.  Who knew that Captain Jack Harkness would take to domesticity so well and so quickly.  Not that he wasn't still Jack, full of energy and flirting with practically everything that moved.  But there was another side to the man that enjoyed the quiet evenings at home with their daughter.  Cooking dinner and watching television together until it was time for bed.

 

Ianto huddled further into his coat and hurried up the walkway.  Putting his key in the lock, he quickly opened the door and stepped out of the brisk November wind into the inviting warmth of the entryway.

 

Slipping his shoes off and hanging up his coat, he closed his eyes and inhaled the savory aroma of dinner that was wafting through the house.  Walking through to the kitchen, he grinned at the sight of Jack peering closely at a cookbook and stirring something on the stove.

 

"Your tad thinks he's sneaky, Essie, but we see him standing there, don't we?"  Jack directed his question to their small daughter who was sitting in her swing next to the window.

 

Essie began to wave her tiny fists and kick her feet at the sound of her daddy's voice.

 

"Yes, we'd go and give him a kiss, but we don't want dinner to burn."  Jack turned and winked at Ianto.  "Guess he'll just have to come to us."

 

Chuckling, Ianto sauntered to the stove and slipped his arms around Jack's waist.  Turning his head, Jack's lips met Ianto's in an affectionate kiss.

 

"Dinner smells good," Ianto said.  "What's the occasion?"

 

"You'll see," Jack replied, smiling mysteriously.

 

Ianto shook his head in fond exasperation, he had a feeling he knew what was going on, and turned to scoop Essie up in his arms.

 

"Hey, sprout, what's daddy up to?  I bet you know." 

 

Essie smiled up at her tad and waved her fists until she caught hold of the edge of his waistcoat.  Noticing the bottle of wine decanting on the sideboard, Ianto pulled out a couple of glasses and poured one for himself and one for Jack.

 

"How did the witness interviews go this afternoon?"  Jack asked, taking a sip of his wine.

 

Ianto leaned against the counter.  "Dead end.  No one saw anything, no one heard anything."

 

"It was a shot in the dark anyway.  We'll get a lead on the artifact soon."  Jack shrugged.  "We know it came down around that area.  I'll send Mickey and Andy out tomorrow with a scanner."

 

"Yep.  Gwen and I had a look around, but nothing registered.  Have them take a higher powered scanner.  How did the training exercises with Nicholas and Sian go?"  Ianto asked.

 

"Sian is a quick learner, but Nicholas is going to take awhile."  Jack indicated the stove.  "Dinner's almost ready if you want to go get changed."

 

Ianto pushed away from the counter and took Essie with him into the bedroom.  Laying her in the middle of the bed, he quickly stripped out of his suit and put on some jeans and a t-shirt.  Picking his daughter back up, he snuggled her close.

 

"Let's go have dinner and see what Daddy has planned for the evening, sprout."

 

Grinning at the babbling sounds she made, he carried her back into the kitchen.  Jack was just dishing up the food, so Ianto placed Essie into her swing.

 

Sitting down at the table, the men ate their dinner slowly.  They discussed the team, current cases.  Christmas plans and the need for a nanny, as the Hub was really no place for a baby.

 

After dinner, Jack got Essie ready for bed and fed her a bottle, while Ianto cleared up the kitchen.  Pouring them two more glasses of wine, Ianto entered the front room.  Jack was sitting in the rocking chair softly singing Essie to sleep.

 

Once she was out, they carried her through to her room.  Jack placed her gently in the crib and covered her with the blanket Martha had given them.  Ianto switched the baby monitor on and they quietly left the room.

 

"So, why the special dinner, Jack?"  Ianto asked when they returned to the front room.  He had a pretty good idea of what Jack was up to, but wanted to be sure.

 

Jack looked up from the stereo system and smiled at his partner.  "Do you know what today is?" he asked, turning on some soft music.

 

Ianto pretended to think for a moment, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.  "Um, Thursday?" he teased.

 

"Brat," Jack replied, rolling his eyes.  "You know what this is about."

 

"It's the anniversary of our first real date," Ianto said softly.

 

"Got it in one, Mr. Jones."

 

"In that case, may I have the honor of this dance, Captain Harkness?"  Ianto held out his hand.

Jack took Ianto's hand in his and pulled him in close to his body.  "I'd be delighted."

 

They moved slowly to the music.  Ianto's arm around Jack's shoulder and Jack's arm around Ianto's waist.  Their clasped hands held close against their chests.

 

One song blended into the next and they continued to dance.  Jack nuzzled his lips along Ianto's ear.

 

"This is what I was wanting for us that night on Tehrantos Four," Jack whispered.  "Our daughter asleep in her crib.  You and I holding each other close while we danced."

 

"I seem to recall you saying something about making out like teenagers on the couch, also, Jack," Ianto said.

 

"Oh yes, that's the next step in our evening," Jack agreed.

 

"Mmm, hold that thought," Ianto said, pulling away from Jack's arms.  "I'll be right back."

 

Jack looked questioningly at his lover, but Ianto just kissed him chastely on the lips.  He disappeared into the entryway for a moment and came back quickly with a small box in his hand.

 

Guiding Jack to the couch, Ianto sat down next to him and took a deep breath.

 

"I know we discussed the whole civil partnership idea and neither one of us is really interested in going that route," Ianto began.  "But I wanted to do something that symbolized our commitment to each other.  It's a little traditional, but…"  He handed the box to Jack.

 

Jack opened the box to see two rings nestled in the satin lining.  Lifting one out, he studied the intricate design around the band.

 

"They're Welsh Colgau rings," Ianto said softly.  "They signify eternal love.  I thought, maybe… If you don‘t want to wear a ring, that‘s fine.  It was just an idea."  He looked down, unaccountably nervous.

 

"Ianto, they're beautiful.  I'd be honored to wear your ring."

 

Ianto looked up into Jack's deep blue eyes, seeing the love and commitment there.  Taking the ring from Jack's hand, he slipped it onto his partner's ring finger.

 

"Dw i'n dy garu di, Jack," Ianto whispered.  "Forever."

 

Jack took the other ring out of the box and slid it into place on Ianto's hand.  "Dw i'n dy garu di, Ianto.  Forever."

 

"Should've known you spoke Welsh," Ianto muttered as he closed the distance between their lips.

 

"Well, I have lived here over 100 years," Jack breathed against Ianto's lips.  "Chances are I'd learn the language."  He pressed several light kisses to Ianto's mouth.  "A guy can't give away all his secrets, you know."

 

"Shut up and kiss me," Ianto murmured.

 

Jack touched Ianto's face then captured Ianto's lips against his, kissing him deeply. Ianto opened his mouth letting Jack‘s tongue slip inside. Ianto's hands tangled into Jack's hair as they continued kissing. Jack hit that hot spot on the roof of his mouth and Ianto groaned pulling him closer. The kisses they shared went from gentle and sweet to deep and intimate then back again. Kisses were only broken when the need for air was too great. They lost all track of time as they explored each other's mouths, tasting the unique flavor of each other. Jack loved the way Ianto would softly sigh when he nipped on his lip. Eventually, they stopped, wrapped up together and content.

 

"Make love to me, Jack," Ianto said quietly, gazing into Jack's eyes.

 

Jack smiled, kissing Ianto again. "Yes, need you."

 

Ianto took Jack's hand and led him to their bedroom where clothes were quickly discarded until they were both naked. Ianto lay down on the bed and Jack straddled his hips.

 

"What do you want, Ianto?"

 

Ianto gazed up at him. "You, inside me, slow and deep."

"Yes, I want to see you. I want to watch you come knowing it was me doing that to you."

 

"Only ever you," Ianto reached up and stroked Jack's cheek.

 

Jack began kissing Ianto's neck, trailing kisses down his chest, teasing first one nipple, then the other till they were hard nubs.

Ianto grabbed a pillow sticking it under his hips. Jack leaned forward slowly sliding his cock against Ianto's, eliciting a hiss from his partner. Ianto pulled Jack closer for a gentle kiss. Rolling his hips, he reached down to cup Jack's arse.

 

"Need you," Ianto panted.

 

"You have me," Jack said quietly.

 

Jack reached for the lube in the night stand before moving and settling between Ianto's legs and sitting on his heels. Ianto spread himself wide, gazing at Jack and they both smiled tenderly. Leaving a love bite on Ianto's hip Jack planted a trail of kisses down to Ianto's cock then licked from the root to the tip, before taking the head in his mouth and licking the slit, tasting Ianto's essence.

 

Ianto gasped as he reached down and threaded his fingers through Jack's hair. "Jack…yes, more.  Please…I want your mouth on me."

 

Jack grinned and then swallowed Ianto whole, hollowing his cheeks to take him all the way down his throat and sucking hard. He knew just how to drive Ianto to the edge, working his cock in and out of his mouth and within moments he had Ianto gasping and moaning.

 

Cupping Ianto's balls with one hand he stroked them gently before popping open the lube and coating his fingers with it. He teased Ianto's entrance causing his partner to whimper. Slipping one finger slowly into Ianto and watching his lover's face contort with pleasure as he did.

 

Ianto began thrusting up into his mouth while trying to impale himself on his finger. Jack held him down with his other hand firmly pressed on Ianto's hip, and then added a second finger into his tight entrance. Sliding his fingers over Ianto's prostate, he carefully prepared Ianto.

 

"Feels so good, Jack," Ianto gasped.  "Going to come…I want you inside me." Ianto grabbed onto the sheets as he felt his balls tighten and he wanted to explode. He was slowly being driven insane and he loved that Jack could do that to him.

 

Jack felt the change in Ianto's breathing as his cock pulsed inside his mouth and staved off the orgasm by gripping the base of Ianto's cock and releasing him from his mouth.

 

"Please, Jack, fuck me.  Need to have you."

 

Jack licked his swollen lips before leaning down to kiss Ianto, letting him taste himself. "Soon, Ianto, I want to be sure you're ready for me."

 

Jack slid in a third finger making sure that his partner was relaxed and fully prepared for him. Ianto clenched around his fingers drawing them in deeper as he cried out in pleasure, trying again to impale himself as Jack's fingers brushed his prostate. Feeling no resistance Jack removed all three fingers. Ianto cried out in disappointment.

 

"Jack, please!" Ianto locked gazes with Jack; both their eyes were almost black with desire and filled with love.

 

"Please what, Ianto?" Jack asked, loving to hear Ianto say how much he wanted him.

 

"You. In. Me. Now. Please."  Ianto reached up to caress Jack's cheek. Running his fingers down Jack's smooth chest, he teased already hard nipples before continuing down Jack's body till he reached his hard cock. He stroked Jack gently. 

 

Jack moaned as he handed Ianto the tube of lube. "Prepare me."

 

"My pleasure," Ianto moaned huskily. He leaned up on one elbow and flicked open the bottle, squeezing a generous amount of lubricant on his hands. He rubbed his hands together, warming the liquid before reaching out to slick Jack's throbbing erection. Using both hands, he stroked from base to tip, pausing to rub his thumb over the head and around to the underside. Jack shuddered and steadied himself with a hand on Ianto's chest. He closed his eyes and threw his head back, pressing into Ianto's tender caresses.

 

"You're gorgeous, Jack," Ianto whispered, gazing at the sight before him, knowing that he had Jack completely relaxed and lost in passion as he stroked him.

 

Jack leaned down to kiss him softly. "So are you. Are you ready?"

 

"Twpsyn, do you even have to ask?"

 

Jack chuckled. "Brat."

 

"But you love me," Ianto said with a smile.

 

"You know I do."

 

Jack aligned himself with Ianto's entrance, taking a moment to not come undone at the sight before him. Ianto sweaty, wanton and sprawled across the bed ready and open for him. It was truly a sight to look at, and he drank it in.

 

"God, you look amazing like this," Jack panted. "I want this to last…"

 

"Go slow, Jack," Ianto ran his hands down Jack's back and rested them on his hips.

 

Slowly, Jack pressed inward, hearing Ianto moan quietly as he thrust his hips up to meet him. Once he was completely sheathed inside, he leaned forward needing to kiss his lover as their bodies adjusted to each other. Ianto met him and kissed him hungrily, loving the feeling of Jack filling him completely.

 

"So hot and tight, Ianto. You feel so good," Jack said breathlessly, loving the feeling of his cock encased in Ianto's hot channel.

 

"Duw, I love you inside me, Jack. So good filling me completely…" Ianto panted, trying to convey what he was feeling but he had lost coherency the moment Jack entered him.

 

Jack gave him a tender smile and kissed him. They both began to move their bodies in slow thrusts, savoring the feeling of being joined and complete. Ianto wrapped his legs around Jack's waist, pulling him even deeper and causing Jack to moan in pleasure. He loved the feeling of sliding in and out of Ianto's receptive body. Bracing himself on one hand Jack leaned in deeper as they kissed passionately. His other hand stroked Ianto's cock as their thrusts increased.

 

"Harder," Ianto pleaded, wrapping his hand around Jack's bicep and pulling him down so they were touching everywhere.

 

Jack changed the angle so he brushed Ianto's prostate, and Ianto cried out in pleasure arching up from the bed when he hit the spot again. He began to pound into Ianto who met every thrust. For long moments, the sounds of breathing, groans, and flesh hitting flesh were the only sounds in the room.

 

Ianto reached down to add his hand to Jack's, their fingers entwined around his cock, stroking in unison. "So close. Gonna come, Jack. Don't stop."

 

"Come for me, Ianto. Please come for me," Jack whispered, further increasing the pace of his thrusts and their strokes on Ianto's cock fisting roughly wanting Ianto to come first, needing him to.

 

At Jack's words, Ianto cried out as he came hard, covering both his belly and Jack's in his release. He threw his head back in pure bliss, wave upon wave of pleasure flowing through him. "Dw i'n dy garu di, Cariad," he cried.

 

 The powerful contractions of Ianto's arse around his cock nearly sent Jack over the edge but he wanted to give Ianto even more pleasure and continued thrusting through Ianto's climax drawing out and intensifying his orgasm causing Ianto to cry out his name repeatedly as he did so. 

 

Jack lifted his fingers to his mouth tasting Ianto's essence. The sight of Ianto lost in ecstasy, the sound of his cries, the feel of him clenching around his cock, the scent of Ianto and their lovemaking, sent Jack spiraling. His thrusts became erratic until he buried himself deep one last time and came, filling Ianto with his essence. "Ianto!"

 

Jack collapsed onto Ianto's chest, completely spent. Ianto wrapped his arms around him, running shaky fingers through Jack's sweaty hair. For long moments, they lay together, covered in sweat and other fluids - chests heaving and hearts pounding. Slowly, Jack slid out. Both men were still shaking as Ianto pulled Jack up into his arms and they kissed languidly.

 

"Dw i'n dy garu di," Jack whispered, resting his head on Ianto's chest and wrapping his arms tightly around him. "Forever."

 

"Forever," Ianto promised, pressing a kiss to Jack's temple.

 

fin

***

Next story in series - Never A Silent Night.

• Main Torchwood slash page
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• Amazon.com - Torchwood: Children of Earth
• Amazon.co.uk - Torchwood - Children of Earth [DVD] [2009]
• Amazon.ca link - Torchwood - The Complete First Season (7DVD)