Coming back unexpectedly

What if Ianto survived the 456, but left Jack and Torchwood shortly after? Can he come back, is Jack waiting for him or has he moved on in an unexpected way?

Chapter 1 - I'm sorry

"I'm sorry." were the words that kept glaring up at Jack, as he had read the letter over and over again. How could Ianto, his Ianto, do this to him? Leave him like that, without even looking him in the eye, and give him a chance to dissuade him from leaving? The question answered itself. Ianto must have known that Jack would have done anything to stop him from going, and had only left a letter on the Captain's desk, while Jack and Gwen were out on a mission. The warm tears seemed never-ending on Jack's cheeks, what would he do now? He loved the young Welshman more than anyone could imagine, especially the Captain himself.

"Jack, I am so sorry for leaving like this, but I don't know any other way. I love you, I probably always will, but because of me, you sacrificed someone who should have been more important to you. Had you not thought I had died, you wouldn't have let anyone use Stephen to get rid of the 456. It is clear to me that that's what everyone thinks and feels. You lost your daughter and grand-son, because you no longer felt it was worth it. That anything was worth the suffering. I can see the blame in their eyes, especially Gwen's, even though she tries to hide it. And at some point, you will think the same thing, and I couldn't bear to see that hurt and disappointment in your eyes. To see the final realisation of what you sacrificed, because you thought you'd lost me. Had I only stayed dead, it might have been worth it, but I didn't, I just took too long to come back.

I make you vulnerable, and it isn't possible that the head of Torchwood should be vulnerable. I am a way of getting to you, and for that I have to leave. I love you, and you have made me so happy, but I can't stay, not when it means having to be frightened that you should regret your decision. Had only my death stopped the 456, but it wasn't enough, and I couldn't live with the resentment you may feel.

You made me happy, but now I can't get Stephen out of my head, I can't get rid of the thought that had I come back sooner, we might have been able to find another way, but we didn't, and for that I am so sorry.

I love you Jack, please remember that, even if this hurts you. I'm sorry.

Yours forever,

Ianto"