Wow, finally i've reached the end - and by the deadline i set myself too - that's quite an achievment for me :L
A huge huge thank you to everyone who's read this far, i hope you've enjoyed it all.
Just to tie it altogether he's a new version of "6 months later" because i really really hated that bit in the show...
_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_ 6 MONTHS LATER _-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_
Rhys Williams drove a heavily pregnant Gwen down a muddy road through a small park in Cardiff. He leant over and kissed her cheek tenderly before getting out of the car and moving round to her side to help her out. At 7 months pregnant Gwen was trying her hardest but starting to struggle with walking distances and standing up unaided. This was making his ever-so independent wife a bit moody, but it was worth it, just the thought of having a baby with the woman he loved filled him with so much joy all the stress and catty remarks were worth it.
The last 6 months had defiantly not been easy for the couple, or the second couple of torchwood, as Gwen had dubbed them, jack and Ianto, for that matter. There was still a lot of clean up in and around Thames house, as well as hell of a lot of mess to clean up in Cardiff, despite the lack of hub the rift was as volatile as ever and liked throwing challenges their way when they least expected it. Still, despite only four official members of torchwood, there were many willing and able hands at the ready.
Lois Habiba had been left in charge of Thames House once Jack and Ianto felt they'd done all they needed and realised they were sorely missing Cardiff. She worked closely alongside the new Prime Minister, Bridget Spears, in converting the building back into offices, its original purpose. She also was left to deal with the victims of the 456 and uphold they numerous cover stories that had been put in place. She worked closely between Torchwood and the government, working to ensure such an event never happened again.
Mean while, between Lamaze classes and pre-natal scans, Gwen and Rhys worked seamlessly with Jack and Ianto, creating a new Hub from scratch. And with help from the frequently visiting timelord they were able to build a new rift predictor that Tosh would have been proud of. Despite lacking the archives of alien tech which had been assembled for decades, they managed to make the new Torchwood, which was situated on the opposite side of the bay to the old one, work with the much needed help of Andy Davidson and torchwood's new medical assistant, Mrs Martha Milligan.
Despite the Doctor still having the antidote the team had steadily grown to accept that fact that it was hopeless to try to save any more of the unfortunate victims who happened to be in Thames house at the time the virus was released. They were confident the antivirus would reset the victims, but they had no way of jolting them into life without there being a chance of immortality. The Doctor had to explain how dangerous this could be and how many paradoxes could be casued.
Things were running well and they were all coping until Jack slipped into a depression. It happened on what would have been his grandson Stephen's sixth birthday. Since then everything on Earth depressed him, and although Ianto helped he couldn't help but think maybe Jack had outstayed his time on this small planet. So he asked jack to take him away and show him the stars and planets of the universe that would forever more be his home. Jack felt he had to oblige the one wish of the man he loved and so they called Gwen and Rhys for their final goodbye.
_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_
"We've reached the end of the road," explained Rhys, "We'll have to walk... okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine! Stop fussing!" Snapped Gwen.
"Sorry," replied Rhys sheepishly. "I still don't know what they chose this bloody muddy park to say goodbye..."
"it's where Jack took Ianto on his first date after he brought him back... they had ice cream in this park then fish and chips on the bay," smiled Gwen, recalling her fellow Welshman telling her all about the date the next morning.
As they ventured towards a hill they soon noticed Jack, dressed in his typical military attires stood next to Ianto Jones dressed perfectly as always in a suit. Their hands were entwined.
"He was the one who wanted to make a grand exit....show off that he is" supplied Ianto as if explaining the unusual meeting point.
"Ha, it is bloody freezing up here! My feet!" Rhys whined.
"I won't miss that, the welsh complaining..." jack complained himself, resulting in three pairs of welsh eyes glaring at him, so in synch he'd have bet good money they'd rehearsed it.
After discussing Gwen's baby and chatting happily the mood suddenly changed and grew tenser.
"Jack Ianto." Uttered Gwen, quite randomly as she walked closer to the couple.
"Yes?" the couple asked in unison.
"Ha, no, I wasn't calling you, I was telling you, that's what we're naming the baby," before continuing she looked over her shoulder to see Rhys give her a reassuring look. "Jack Ianto Cooper-Williams."
"Gwen-"Jack began, feeling choked.
"We're very touched," Ianto concluded for his partner, noticing they really did talk like a couple.
"I don't want you to go..." Gwen admitted, "But if this is something you feel you have to do, I understand.... just promise you'll be safe, and visit some time?"
The couple smiled together before embracing Gwen and Rhys in an awkward but affectionate group hug.
"Keep safe," began Ianto. "we'll see you soon, I left the coffee beans under the machine with instructions and a number to contact the supplier, just say you're calling on behalf of me, we've got a few gifts for junior in the cupboard under my desk and -"
"Ianto," jack interrupted, "it's time; there's a cold fusion cruiser surfing the ion race, just to the edge of this solar system. " He added, in explanation to Gwen and Rhys. "it's just waiting to open its transport dock..."
"We have a going away present for you two," explained Gwen as Rhys pulled a familiar wrist strap from his pocket and handed it to Jack. Simultaneously Gwen handed Ianto a thermos of coffee. "For the road," she explained as jack put on his beloved vortex manipulator.
The plan for an emotionless get away was flawed as the tears began to shed, Gwen realising she never knew when she would see her friends again broke down as Ianto and Jack silently cried for all those that they loved and lost on this planet. Before he could change his mind jack signalled the ship above to take the pair away.
"Have fun boys!" Rhys exclaimed as he placed an arm around his wife and watched Jack and Ianto vanish from sight with a "We will, just watch us!" and a wink.
Gwen and Rhys turned back to head home not knowing if they'd next see Jack and Ianto in a day, a week or a year. They might not ever see them again....
And it's over!! What did you think?