Title: Redemption
By: blacknight
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG
Summary: Ianto muses on life, death and redemption.

***

The wind rushed past his ears making them ache, and made his eyes sting and water. The traffic flowing on the streets below was a mere rumble.

He was sitting on the high thin narrow walkway that was part of the modern apartment block that was one of Cardiff's star attractions.

He knew that Jack had been up here, but they didn't know that. None of them realised how much he really knew about what went on at Torchwood. Until recently they hardly noticed his existence, but he noticed everything.

How else did they think that he'd managed to conceal Lisa and all the equipment that had come with her.

He was tired of it all. They only noticed him now because of what had happened with Lisa. That wasn't acceptance though.

He had told them that he'd loved her. He'd wanted to see their reactions. He had lied to them though. He had never loved Lisa. He had wanted her to be his saviour, to redeem his soul. To save him from the darkness that always overtook him.

It was all destroyed though. Just like everything always was.

He hadn't meant to hurt Jack. Well maybe he did. Maybe he'd wanted Jack to feel like he did so much of the time.

That kiss was the only good thing that had happened to him for a long time. He had wanted it for such a long time. But then he messed it up, in front of all the other.

Jack's look had cut him to the core. He hated himself all the more for that now.

What would he do now, that was the question.

He shivered. It was cold; the sun was going down now.

He pulled his knees up and resting his head on his arms he closed his eyes and the tears finally flowed.

He felt an imperceptible movement of air beside him, and a heavy coat was placed over his shoulders.

Jack didn't say a word as he put his coat over Ianto's shoulders. He sat in silence and watched the sun go down, and the traffic flowing through the streets of Cardiff.

Half an hour must have passed. Jack put his arm across Ianto's shoulders.

"Let's go down Ianto" he said softly.

The other man looked up, eyes red with tears. As he looked into Jack's shining blue eyes, he saw nothing but forgiveness.

"Ok" he whispered.

***