Title: One Week
By: cameragirl
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: NC-17
Summary: When Ianto gets kidnapped by a parallel and seemingly identical Torchwood, the Doctor needs to bring him back and explain all the missing days.

***

Sunday Night

Jack chuckled to himself as he strode out into the main room of the hub. The speaker crackled and the song Jack had been humming all day started playing through.

"Wrong copy but right song." Jack called. Ianto appeared behind him.

"Not my fault. I had a short amount of time to figure out what you were humming. If you wanted a specific version you should have warned me." Ianto said haughtily. Jack turned around and let his arms hang around Ianto's waist.

"Don't be angry with me. But I do need to know…who did you have to ask to find out which song I was humming?" Jack grinned. Ianto frowned and pulled away, but Jack's arms held firm.

"I may have bribed Tosh with her favorite cookies. Hypothetically. If I was a cheat."

"Which version is this?" Jack asked, distracted by the singer's voice.

"A Canadian named Michael Bublé. The shop didn't have a Van Morrison copy." Ianto apologized.

"So Tosh knows MoonDance…" Jack mused and began swaying Ianto and himself to the music.

"I never said I didn't know it. I was having trouble recalling it. Jack…" Ianto warned when he saw what Jack was doing.

"Come on. We've been through this before. The universe doesn't implode if Ianto Jones dances." Jack grinned as Ianto hesitantly took hold of his hand. He kept it simple for Ianto, a few steps back and forth with Jack leading.

Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies

And all the leaves on the trees are falling

To the sound of the breezes that blow

And I'm trying to please to the calling

Of your heart-strings that play soft and low

And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush

And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

Jack sang along with the music and felt Ianto's tension fade. His voice was nice and sounded perfect with the singer in the song. Ianto leaned in closer to Jack and let the Captain try to teach him dance steps.

Well, I wanna make love to you tonight

I can't wait 'til the morning has come

And I know that the time is just right

And straight into my arms you will run

And when you come my heart will be waiting

To make sure that you're never alone

There and then all my dreams will come true, dear

There and then I will make you my own

And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside

And I know how much you want me that you can't hide

After Ianto trod on his foot for the fourth time, Jack's head went back as he laughed. He looked in Ianto's eyes before kissing him. Ianto felt his body tingle before he relaxed into Jack's arms as the kiss deepened.

One more Moondance with you in the moonlight

On a magic night in the moonlight

On a magic night

Can't I just have one more dance with you my love

"Come on. We'll continue your dancing lessons another time." Jack kissed him again. He put his arm further around Ianto's waist and danced them both over to his quarters. Jack smiled happily while he let Ianto go through the hatch first.

There was an air of contentment surrounding them. It was a little eerie but Jack wasn't able to argue a brief break from the insanity of Torchwood.

"Good night." Jack whispered sometime later. He spread a sheet over Ianto and himself.

"Night." Ianto leaned up from his spot against Jack's chest to give him a soft kiss.

Monday

Every universe, planet, and species has their own personal form of Monday. Jack Harkness hates them all. By the time the 51st century had rolled around, the human race had wised up and eliminated Mondays. Jack especially hates 21st century Mondays. Everything just seems to drag and their missions take a turn for the worst.

This Monday, however, might have been the worst that Jack had ever experienced. It had started out good though. Jack had fun waking up Ianto in his unique Harkness way.

This was the Monday that Ianto got kidnapped. Not five minutes after Ianto had climbed up from Jack's quarters he was grabbed around the neck and had a gun held to his head. Jack had been watching Ianto from Tosh's station when the man had appeared out of nowhere. He was tall with leather pants and a yellow button hanging around his neck.

He also looked exactly like Jack.

"Jack Harkness I presume?" He sneered when Jack raced down the steps. Ianto's eyes were darting between the two men. "I'm James Harper. I'm here to borrow one of your team. Well, hopefully borrow. I'll probably give him back if nothing happens." He talked quickly, all while pushing the gun further into Ianto's temple.

"This is my team. You do not take them under any circumstances." Jack growled at the man who looked exactly like him.

"Yes, well. We've been monitoring this parallel Torchwood for quite sometime. I believe this-" He shook Ianto "-is one of the main reasons that this institution is successful."

"So you just decided to borrow him? I don't think that's a possibility." Jack said firmly. He was talking quietly but Ianto could tell he was trying not to blow his temper.

"Well borrow was a nicer term. I'll see you in a day or two. Probably. Maybe. Hmm…" James tightened his fingers on the upper part of Ianto's neck, behind his ears into the pressure points. This caused Ianto to gasp and slump down. James was still holding him up by his neck and just laughed.

Jack lunged at the two as James hit the yellow button hanging around his neck. There was a flash and Jack hit the metal floor and a loud thud. He began cursing when he realized Ianto and James had disappeared.

He was still cursing and running radar, rift and void tests on every single computer in the hub when the team came in an hour later. Gwen forced Jack to sit down and explain what had happened. He sat with his head in his hands long after Gwen had left the room to talk to Tosh and Owen.

Jack felt like a douchebag. That's the only way he could describe it. No matter what logic told him it wasn't his fault, Jack still thought he could have done something. He couldn't help but keep thinking about the morning earlier. How right it had felt waking up with Ianto day after day. Things becoming comfortable after he had come back from traveling with the Doctor.

There was another flash and Jack ran out to the main room, hoping to see an unharmed Ianto. Instead, Owen was leaning down to pick up a letter.

"Jack?" Owen looked around and saw Jack standing at the top of the steps. "Letter for you." Owen tried to hide his confusion as he handed Jack the small cream colored envelope inscribed with "Cptn. Jack Harkness." Jack looked confused but took the old fashioned silver letter opener off his desk to unseal the envelope.

Dear Jack,

I've been monitoring void gaps to alternate parallel worlds (like the one where Rose is in). A short amount (of your time) ago I monitored one life form go into your area and two life forms go out again. I've been thinking it's one of yours because of the amount of struggle that was going on. I need to shut that world and close their void. I'll get your teammate back for you.

Regards,

The Doctor

Jack breathed a sigh of relief. Not much of a relief considering the Doctor's track record with parallel worlds. But Jack trusted The Doctor even though it would have been nice to have a timeline of when Jack would see Ianto again.

"Jack?" Tosh asked. The whole team was staring at Jack and had watched him read the letter. "He's coming back. The Doctor's bringing Ianto home." He said quietly and then turned to go down to his quarters. He hated just waiting; The Doctor knew that, the team knew that. When he had come back from his unsuccessful journey with The Doctor he had explained everything to his team.

All that time he had waited for The Doctor to figure out his immortality only to find the words Bad Wolf. Jack decided to return to his team and let The Doctor try to solve that mystery. It seemed to have more to do with Rose rather than Jack and it seemed fit that The Doctor should investigate it by himself.

Thursday

The past few days had been horrible for Jack. All he could do was wait. Jack's kind of waiting didn't involve eating or sleeping until Thursday. Tosh and Gwen convinced Jack that he would be too weak to help Ianto when he returned.

So Jack let Tosh and Gwen take him out to lunch. All it took was a sandwich for Jack to get his energy back. He was sharp and aware of everything going on around him. That's why he was caught off-guard and jumped a bit when his earpiece beeped.

"Jack. He's back. Ianto, I mean. You need to get to the hub. But I'm warning you from now. He's unconscious but I still don't want any sudden movements or loud noises. There's also another letter."

That was all Jack needed to hear for him to go racing back to the SUV with the girls running to keep up.

"No." Owen said angrily, stopping Jack at the doorway to the medical and autopsy bay. "I told you no sudden movements Jack. He's in very bad shape and I can't let you see him yet. Let me get him cleaned up. Just read your letter." Owen said harshly, pushing it into Jack's hand.

Dear Jack,

I believe this belongs to you. I recognize him from the picture you showed me. I believe his name was Ianto, but he was barely coherent when I found him in the lower cells of the parallel Torchwood and didn't respond that well. I'd explain more, but for now I need to fix this void. Your Ianto won't be very responsive at first. I'll come back soon because the TARDIS seems to have taken a liking to him. She was very affectionate. Take care of him, very gently. He won't want to talk to you at first because of what that look-a-like of yours and the others did to him.

See you soon,

The Doctor.

Thoughts were running through Jack's head and he was pissed off that The Doctor wouldn't let him kill the person or people that had taken Ianto. He was more pissed that Owen wouldn't let him see Ianto. It was probably a good idea on Owen's part, knowing Jack's temper, but it didn't calm Jack's nerves. He said he wanted to clean up Ianto? How badly hurt was Ianto that he needed privacy to be cleaned?

And The Doctor had said James Harper had done something to Ianto. Jack felt his hand tightening around The Doctor's letter, but didn't bother to stop and crumbled it. He decided to go against his better judgment and turn on the CCTV.

The same time Jack turned on the inner hub camera screen, MoonDance started to play and another window popped up.

Jack,

I might have set this up to annoy you but that's fine. Whenever you try to spy on someone (usually me) in the hub, we'll all hear it. You probably just put it on not five minutes after I went to make coffee. You seem to be fond of watching me in the morning. In that case, I'll probably be there in a few minutes.

Ianto

Jack froze and quickly shut off his monitor. The note had been dated Sunday night. Jack ran a hand through his hair but quickly sat up when Gwen walked into the room.

"We convinced Owen to let you inside. So long as you hold your temper." She told him quietly. Jack wordlessly followed her down to the bay and couldn't even try to form words when he saw Ianto.

He was lying, naked and unconscious, on the autopsy table. Owen was slowly washing Ianto's skin, trying to clear the cuts of infection. There weren't many cuts, mostly bruises. Jack sat down quickly when he saw where Owen was cleaning next. There was dried blood that came from Ianto's backside and seemed to trail all down his legs.

"I'm sorry Jack." Gwen went to lay a hand on his shoulder but thought better of it.

"He'll probably be waking up soon." Owen said stoically and finished wiping off the last bit of blood. That must be what The Doctor had written about. Of course Ianto wouldn't want to see Jack. James Harper had looked exactly like Jack. Ianto knew the difference but it wouldn't be enough. Not by a long shot.

Ianto started to stir, all his movements were sluggish and he didn't know where he was. Once he was aware, he began to violently shake. He saw Gwen and Jack in front of him and scooted backwards, only to hit Owen and Tosh. Ianto huddled himself in the middle of the table, protecting his still sensitive body.

"Ianto, you're home." Jack moved forward to calm Ianto but he inched away and looked horrified of Jack's outstretched hand.

"Don't. Don't. Don't touch me. Not again. Don't come near me." He muttered, his eyes cast downwards. Jack stepped backwards as if he was slapped.

"Ianto." Tosh said quietly. "Ianto. It's us. You're back in Cardiff. Back in your proper section of the universe." She told him.

"Not again. Don't try fooling me again. He said he'd only be gone a day. He'll come back for me." Ianto whispered to the table. Jack's eyes opened. Ianto did remember talking to The Doctor.

"Ianto, he will come back. The Doctor. He gave me the letter." Jack moved forward again and held out both letters. It wasn't the letters that caught Ianto's attention though. It was Jack's leather wrist brace. His eyes went back and forth from the band to Jack's eyes.

"Jack…" Ianto whispered hopefully. Jack nodded. "The wrist brace." Ianto whispered again. Jack was confused at first but Tosh quickly figured it out.

"On the CCTV footage, that James Harper-" Ianto winced at the name and wrapped his arms around his knees. "-wasn't wearing a wrist band or a coat like yours. Clothing differences."

"Jack." Ianto said again. His eyes had gone blank at the mention of James Harper.

"Ianto?" Jack tried to move forward but Ianto involuntarily shuddered at his form. Too soon. The Doctor had said this in the letter. "Tosh, take Ianto home tonight." Jack said quietly. Tosh looked up in surprise. "It's too soon." Jack whispered.

Tosh nodded, only partially understanding. "Of course." She said. She took the robe Jack handed her and draped it over Ianto. Without touching him, Tosh led Ianto into the bathroom. A few minutes later they came out and Ianto was wearing pajama trousers and one of Jack's t-shirts.

"He mumbled that the t-shirt smelled like you and he wanted to wear it. He also said that James Harper doesn't smell anything like you." Tosh whispered to Jack (determined to let him know whatever was happening with Ianto) as Ianto climbed into the passenger seat of Tosh's car.

"Encouraging." Jack mumbled. He felt forlorn as Tosh went away with Ianto, but he knew Ianto must have been feeling worse. Tosh would hopefully be a friendly, calming face to help Ianto relax.

Jack started to go back inside but something made him stop.

He was hearing things. Tosh's voice and Ianto's grunts.

He took his earpiece out and realized it was on and he was hearing whatever Tosh and Ianto were saying. Jack knew Tosh wanted to tell him everything and breaking the code on his earpiece was true Tosh. "Thanks." He whispered into the earpiece before putting it back in place.

Tosh smiled to herself when she heard Jack's voice thanking her. She turned her attention back to an incredibly tense Ianto. He had been paying her mild attention as she recounted the events of the past week. Ianto only seemed interested in whatever Jack had been doing.

"Ianto…" Tosh asked once she set him on her couch with a duvet cover. "What happened to you?" She asked gently and sat back, just waiting for his response. It took a few silent moments for Ianto to respond.

"They looked exactly like you. All of you. But they were horrible Tosh." His voice shook and he brought his knees up to his chin. "Nothing like you. Horrible. Bastards." Ianto spat out the word and looked at Tosh with frightened eyes.

"So long. In the cells. With them. What they did. What James Harper did. Too long." Ianto choked and tried to hold back his tears. "Couldn't even look Jack in the eyes. What must he think? Horrible. Both their tempers. Tempers match. The Doctor said it would all pass. But Jack. Jack?" Ianto had rambled to himself but Tosh and Jack had heard everything. Now Ianto was looking around Tosh's apartment for Jack.

"Jack's back at the hub." Tosh told him.

"The Doctor said it would all pass. But Jack. And everything. I didn't let Jack touch me. Jack." Ianto realized that he couldn't instinctively go to Jack. James looked exactly like that and although Jack would never do what James did, it was too startling to see the resemblance. "Does Jack know?" Ianto wondered out loud.

"Know what?" Tosh and Jack asked simultaneously.

"Jack needs to know. He's not James. I miss Jack. Jack's not him. I still love Jack." Ianto didn't bother holding back his tears any longer. Tears leaked down onto his knees.

"I'm sure he knows." Tosh assured him.

"I need to tell him." Ianto begged.

"Do you want to go back?" Ianto nodded wordlessly and twenty minutes later Jack was outside the hub waiting for him. Jack nodded his silent thanks to Tosh and tapped his earpiece. Tosh smiled back and drove away, leaving Ianto and Jack outside in the brisk air.

"Jack." Ianto said.

"That's me." Jack said quietly. He wrapped his coat around Ianto, the only other clothing factor distinguishing Jack from James.

"Jack." Ianto breathed in Jack's scent.

"Come on." Jack held out the hand with the wrist brace. Ianto gave a little surprised smile and put his hand in Jack's. Jack led the way to his quarters where he had set up a separate cot for himself.

"Tosh said you liked my smell so…" Jack let Ianto sleep on Jack's bed. The look of relaxation whenever Ianto breathed and sensed Jack was such a relief.

Jack sat down on the cot, not sleeping, but just watching Ianto sleep. He was just waiting again, for the nightmares to begin. He didn't need to wait long. The minute Ianto's face started scrunching up Jack knew it was time to wake him.

"Time to try again Ianto." Jack touched his shoulder and Ianto's eyes sprung open as he shoved himself away from Jack.

"Harper." He gasped. Jack held up his leather band. Ianto stared at it before "Sorry". He looked down and mumbled.

"I can give you something for a dreamless sleep." Jack offered.

Ianto shook his head. "I'm not taking anything ever. Not again." Ianto said forcefully. His breathing started speeding up.

"Ok, ok, that's fine. That's just fine" Jack sat back down on the cot and couldn't help noticing the disappointment on Ianto's face. He looked longingly at Jack.

"Here, let's try this." Jack sat on the bed so their bodies were adjacent. He held his wrist out to Ianto, who took cautious hold of the leather band.

"And this." Jack held out the lapels of his coat and Ianto grabbed one side tightly. He breathed deeply, recognizing his surroundings by touch and smell. Jack's wrist was slowly losing circulation, but if that's what it took so be it. Small price to pay for Ianto's comfort in his arms.

***

Friday

Ianto woke up to the smell of his favorite pastries and a smiling Jack. He was caught off guard at first and stood still, bracing himself. But Jack held up the arm with the leather band, getting used to having to do that.

"Jack." Ianto said unsurely. Nothing was certain anymore.

"Yes." Jack nodded. Ianto sighed and leaned back on the pillow. Jack just continued to smile.

"There's someone here that wants to see you." He said gently. Ianto looked frightened.

"What?" He asked nervously.

"Hello Ianto, how are you feeling?" Ianto looked to the wall opposite Jack and saw a familiar face. A tall, thin man wearing a pinstripe suit smiled at him. "You." Ianto said confusedly.

"Yes, me. Had to come back and see how you were doing. And the Tardis wanted to say hi." The Doctor added.

"Yea, Doc says the Tardis took quite a liking to you. But who wouldn't." Jack said quietly. The Doctor warned him not to talk much during the weeks explanation, but he couldn't help himself.

"Ianto. Between the two of us we need to go day by day. We need to talk about and record what happened. Not just for Torchwood but for Jack too. You want Jack to know everything, right?" The Doctor sat down on Jack's bed and talked to Ianto as if he were a small child.

Ianto nodded and kept his head down, his fingers twisted around the sheets. "Good lad." The Doctor said quietly. "I'm going to go through what I was able to piece together. A third of this info is from what you probably don't remember telling me, another is from what they told me-"

The Doctor gave Jack a face, leading the Captain to believe The Doctor had to forcibly get information out of the parallel Torchwood

"- And from what I experienced." The Doctor finished. Jack nodded and pressed his earpiece to record whatever was coming next. "Let's begin then." The Doctor said quietly.

"Ianto Jones, taken from this word by a parallel renegade by the name of James Harper." Ianto had started shaking before the Doctor had gotten through the sentence. "You know…let's do this somewhere else. Can you walk?" He asked Ianto. "Nevermind. Come on up. Lean on me."

Ianto seemed to want to get off of the bed. His body was in a nice position, no open skin or vulnerable parts. The bed still smelled nice and warm, like Jack. Not to mention that Ianto still ached all over. He also had the slightest idea that he had stated leaking again. Blood had come out of his hole more than once over the past few days. Even with no penetration. Ianto felt his face get flushed.

"Oh." The Doctor realized and quickly thought up a solution. "We were just going to go to the Tardis. It would make you feel safer. Like last time. Do you remember?" Ianto nodded. He remembered the ship that was bigger on the inside and the telephone box on the outside.

Ianto closed his eyes and remembered the soft hum of the main console. The warmth and comfort that had surrounded him the moment he inhaled. The hum grew louder, almost like a deep purr. Te Doctor had been surprised at the warm response from the Tardis. Ianto opened his eyes and he was in the Tardis again. He jumped when he saw the Doctor and James Harper.

No, not James Harper. It was Jack. Jack was here. He loves Jack. He'd missed Jack. It was Jack, not James. Ianto almost forgot about his week when he first felt the Tardis' warmth envelop him. The Doctor's voice helped him back.

"So, Ianto was with the parallel team of Torchwood. Owen. Gwen, Tosh and James Harper."

Ianto felt himself being pulled back one direction into his memories and the Tardis in the other direction trying to keep him in the present.

Monday Night/ Tuesday Morning

Ianto's neck ached horribly. The pressure behind his ears had bruised him. It took him a minute to realize where he was.

He 'had' been kidnapped though, right? Why did it look like he had woken up in Jack's room? Well, besides the monitors on a nearby desk. Ianto got up cautiously and went to the computers, there was a try sitting on the desk with a glass of water and a sandwich. A note beside it said "Ianto"

He took a cautious sip of the water before looking at the screens. The images looked like the hub except…something was missing. It didn't seem right. Then Ianto noticed that The Doctor's hand wasn't in its case. Actually, the entire table was gone. That was odd.

Jack's room was odd too. It had an off smell. Jack didn't clean it so it wasn't a smell of cleaning products. A light appeared as the hatch opened.

"Harper? That bitch you brought earlier is awake!" it sounded like Owen, but who was Harper?

Ianto sank to his knees when he remembered everything that had happened.

"Ah good." Jack leapt down from the hatch. No, it wasn't Jack. It was James. That James Harper that took him. "Let's recap shall we? You work for Torchwood three. The most successful Torchwood we've seen. You seem to be the reason for that. According to what we've seen, you provide sexual relief to your captain and food and drink relief for the rest of the team." James sneered and grinned evilly.

Ianto's eyes widened and he thought quickly. Looking around he decided his only option and made a run for the hatch.

"Woah!" James lashed out and his fist connected with Ianto's face. Ianto fell to the floor; there was no reason why he shouldn't have made it to the hatch. It was an easy distance.

"Can you feel it? You only took a sip of the water but that's all it takes." James grinned. He yanked Ianto off the floor by his neck. Ianto felt himself lose control of his limbs, he was getting weaker.

"That's it. Just let go. Don't worry; I'll let you stay awake for the fun part." Ianto felt more of what he thought had been water slide down his throat. He could feel himself in James arms, his senses were all heightened but he was powerless to move. He couldn't even from tears when James started stripping him. He was helpless.

After a half hour Ianto blacked out.

"Ianto stopped talking then. Harper went into details but there's no need." The Doctor said coldly. Jack's eyes were burning holes into the Tardis floor and Ianto was sitting with Jack's jacket around him on the couch opposite the Captain.

Ianto hadn't outwardly acknowledged anything the Doctor had said, but he involuntarily shuddered during certain parts. The Tardis beeped and the Doctor looked over at the monitor. He frowned and pressed a few buttons. The Tardis beeped again but the Doctor shook his head.

"Close it." He said firmly and pressed more buttons until satisfied.

"What's the problem?" Jack looked up.

"She keeps opening the door to the sick bay." The Doctor said distractedly, checking the monitors.

"Why?" Jack got up and walked over to the console.

"The nanogenes are in there and the ship senses a sick person on board. Insists on healing that person." They both looked over at Ianto but he didn't notice.

"Will they help him?" Jack asked.

"Not sure. They'll heal him. Probably physically and mentally."

"Mentally?" That caught Jack's attention.

"Of course. Not all the way but it would help him calm his nerves more. He wants to get back to you, that much is obvious." The Doctor told him.

"Can we do that then?" Jack asked anxiously.

"It's up to him." They both turned their attention toward Ianto. Jack went to sit down next to him.

"Hey. Can we take you up to the sick bay? Jack asked casually.

"Don't come near me." Ianto's voice came out small and scared.

"He's still in his memories." The Doctor said quietly. "I'll finish the days. Then he'll be back. Jack... its best you sit on the other couch."

"He's not Jack. James isn't Jack. Tow different people. Didn't smell like Jack." Ianto's voice came out shaking.

The Doctor smiled at Ianto. "That's right. Two completely separate people. Now where was I…"

Late Tuesday Night

The next time Ianto awoke he was naked and bleeding inside a cell. It looked exactly like the other cells in which he imprisoned the Weevils. Someone stood in front of the glass. It was James.

"Are you ok now?" He sounded exactly like Jack but it couldn't be Jack. Jack wouldn't have watched Ianto while he was bleeding in the cells. "Don't worry; I'll get you out of here." James smiled and Ianto was confused and almost hopeful.

Then James put on an evil grin. "That was almost too easy." He laughed. "How's you back doing? I heard blood made a good lube but I had no idea." Ianto shut his eyes, willing Harper to go away. "Oh no, definitely not. You look at me when I'm talking to you." The glass door opened and Ianto yelled out as fingers dug into his pressure points again.

"There we go." James said happily as Ianto's eyes sprang open.

"This continued until Wednesday night. James torturing him, Pressure points, rape, beating, drugs, anything to inflict pain. To make Ianto talk. By the time I found him he had been drugged twice. I might have knocked out a few of the team in the process but I was able to get what had happened out of them and some footage on the computer." The Doctor gave Jack a pair of headphones and pressed play.

Wednesday Night

"You'll be there for quite a while. Not too long though, this short amount of time for he amazing Captain Jack Harkness. I'll bet he's even forgotten about you by now. Imagine his immortal life compared to yours. Shit that just proves you are a fucktoy. Now you're there weeping on the floor. Bleeding again. Maybe he's abandoned you. It had to happen sometime. Poor little fucktoy. His life is huge. He's forgotten you already-"

Jack yanked the earplugs out. "Why the hell did you make me listen to that? That sounded exactly like me!" Jack yelled angrily. He was obviously shaken by the truth of what was said. Going through life and forgetting those he meets.

"Jack." The Doctor said sharply. Jack's head snapped toward the Doctor who was pointing at Ianto. He was clutching at Jack's coat and staring wide-eyed at Jack.

"Shh…it's ok. It's only Jack." The Doctor tried to sound soothing. The Doctor pressed a few buttons on the screen in front of him and warmth began enveloping Ianto again.

Such nice warmth. Safe. Within a few minutes Ianto had fallen asleep. Jack didn't bother arguing with the Doctor, he knew Ianto needed sleep and comfort. Jack just wanted the Doctor to finish the story so he could heal Ianto and go kill James Harper.

"You can't kill him." The Doctor reminded Jack, almost knowing his exact thoughts. "The gap is closed. They were punished thoroughly." The Doctor didn't elaborate but just continued with the story.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." James Harper turned around and saw a man in a pinstripe suit.

"Ah the Doctor. He for whom Torchwood was created." James moved back the foot that had been ready to kick Ianto's chest. Before Ianto could look up, the Doctor had James Harper locked in the cell.

"The others are unconscious upstairs but we need to hurry before the void closes." Ianto didn't really know who he was talking to but the man had locked up James Harper and that was good enough for Ianto. Ianto mumbled things for a few minutes before the Doctor realized he wasn't coherent.

"Ianto? Ianto can you hear me? Come on. I know this is incredibly painful for you right now but Jack is so worried about you. Come on. Lean on me, we've got to make it back to the ship."

"Harper. The water. Drugged." Ianto managed to get out before he fainted before the Tardis door. The Doctor left him on the rail leading to the main console and ran back outside to the other universe to deal with the parallel team.

Thursday Morning

"Morning." The Doctor gave a friendly smile and moved to hand Ianto a cup of tea. Ianto didn't take it, instead he just stared at the Doctor. "Do you remember what happened?"

Ianto nodded. "Saved me." He whispered. "Jack?" He looked around.

"Ah, yes. We're working on that. We're about to make the jump to your universe. It might knock you out again. I found your clothes and I've written Jack a letter. I need to monitor the closing but I'll be back in a day or two." A loud whistle sounded from the computers and Ianto heard

"You're going home. I'll see you soon Ianto Jones" before everything went black.

"The world? It's closed then?" Jack asked

"Closed." The Doctor confirmed. The same beep sounded on the computers again.

"Can we use the nanogenes?" Jack asked. The Doctor sighed. He kept his head down while he thought. The Tardis had programmed the nanogenes the second Ianto had been brought aboard. Who knew the side effects it would inflict on the universe jumping human. It shouldn't be anything negative. As long as the nanogenes used the right kind of DNA.

"Yes, we'll use them. It'll make this easier. Quell his fear, clear his mind. Without them it'll be a lot of pain." The Doctor decided quietly.

Jack carefully wrapped Ianto in the great coat to carry him to the Doctor's medical bay. The Doctor stayed by the console to monitor the nanogenes.

"Argumentative computer. What are you up to? Must be Thursdays. Can never get the hang of Thursdays." The Doctor muttered to himself as he fiddled with switches. Then the medical door closed and clicked.

"Uh, Doc?" Jack touched his earpiece. "I think the door-"

"-Locked. Yea I've noticed Jack." The Doctor said tensely. Another click was heard and billions of lights surrounded Jack and the body in his arms.

"Doc?" Jack said urgently. "I know Jack. I'm trying. The Tardis locked the door. It's determined to do what's best for Ianto." The Doctor told him.

"Which is what exactly?" Jack asked nervously. The lights buzzed around Jack for a moment more and then went to work on Ianto. "Doc…" Jack started, he began to realize.

"The nanogenes were programmed by the computer. You're the healthiest DNA in the room. Ant they're transferring it to Ianto."

"Doc…"

"Yes, I know what that means Jack. I said the Tardis only wanted the best for Ianto. It considered you the best." The Doctor explained.

"Meaning that Ianto is now-"

"Immortal. Like you." The Doctor confirmed Jack's suspicions.

Suddenly, the nanogenes switched off. The light in the bay was gone and Jack and Ianto were alone again. What had happened?

Jack looked down at the unmoving Ianto in his arms. Under any other circumstances Jack would have been ecstatic to have Ianto stay with him for eternity. But Ianto was still recovering and what if the nanogenes or the Tardis had messed up?

"Ianto." Jack adjusted the Welshman so his head was leaning on Jack's shoulder and his body was in Jack's lap.

"Ianto." Jack said louder and more urgently. He was beginning to get frustrated.

"Ianto!" His last cry echoed through the medical bay. The door finally opened and the Doctor turned his head at the sight. Jack sat on the medical table, his tears soaking Ianto's body, which was clutched in his arms.

"Oh Jack. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." The Doctor whispered.

"He's not dead. He can't be dead. Not after all of this. He's not going to die like that." Jack said harshly.

"Maybe it was too much, the nanogenes. You die and come back all the time. Maybe his body was too weak?" The Doctor suggested.

"But you said death is like nothing for nanogenes." Jack insisted.

"Well what do you need when you die then? When you leave, what does it take for you to come back?" If Jack was determined to get Ianto back, the Doctor was going to go about this logically.

"A kiss…" Jack said quietly.

"What?" The Doctor asked. "Sorry what? Didn't quite catch that."

"A kiss." Jack repeated.

"This isn't a fairytale Jack." The Doctor said gently.

"No you don't understand." Jack insisted. "That's what I need if I die for a long time. Or at least it's what I needed last time." Jack looked at Ianto and leaned in to kiss him. Ianto's lips felt cold, which only made Jack more determined.

He continued to kiss Ianto until…Ianto started kissing back. Jack pulled back, leaving Ianto gasping for air just like the first time Jack had saved him.

"Oh god." Jack pulled Ianto into a hug and started crying and kissing Ianto's hair.

"What happened? Jack?" Ianto asked frantically, his breathing fast and nervous. He recognized he was in the Tardis, Jack was holding him, the actual Jack, his Jack. Ianto was wrapped in Jack's coat but couldn't remember why. He felt amazing though. No pain, no fear of Jack, he felt safe. The Doctor stood next to Jack and smiled down at the two of them.

"Why aren't I scared of you?" Ianto asked after a minute. "Not that I'm complaining it's just I feel…-"

"-rational." The Doctor interrupted. "Your body is confused because your mind is rational. You can now tell that this is your own Jack without smelling and without making sure he has a leather band on his wrist. These nanogenes are subatomic robots. They heal everything physically and mentally according to the nearest DNA."

Ianto didn't quite catch on at first.

"Why do I feel warm though? It's like an energy." Ianto looked at his hands, turning them over to examine them. The Doctor and Jack exchanged glances.

"Well the Tardis kind of… erm, gave you Jack's DNA. The nearest and healthiest DNA in the room." The Doctor told him.

Ianto looked incredulously at both of them. "Meaning…" Ianto started.

"You're gonna be stuck with me for a long time." Jack told him quietly.

Ianto breathed a sigh of relief and leaned his head against Jack's shoulder. It was obvious he was both relieved and shaken by the news. Jack began rubbing his back, smoothing the shaky breaths. Ianto wrapped his arms around Jack. His biggest fear of losing Jack had just disappeared.

"I'm sorry. It'll be ok." Jack murmured, smoothing out Ianto's hair and taking Ianto's breaths in the wrong context. "I never meant for this to happen to you. None of it. I should've-"

"-Jack." The Doctor interrupted quietly. "Cant you see…" He whispered low so Ianto couldn't hear.

"He's not upset by the situation. He's just overwhelmed. And quite relieved and happy to have the chance to spend eternity with you." The Doctor added.

Jack smiled and kissed the top of Ianto's head. "You and me, Ianto Jones." Jack whispered. "You and me."