Hello everyone. Sorry this has taken a while, been busy with a nearly two year old, a one year old and influenza B. My poor toddler couldn't walk properly for days it was horrible. Anyway here's your update, I know I left you all hanging a bit with this one and I'm sorry for that. I hope you enjoy the update xxoo

Reunited

Jack arrived at the hospital as soon as humanly possible and made his way up to the floor John had directed him to. When he'd called Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing and it had taken several moments for John's words to sink in. But he'd pulled himself together, showered as quickly as possible since he was sure he needed one and had the driver bring him here, since he knew he'd drive far too quickly if he got behind the wheel. It wouldn't do to die on the way there because he was too distracted to pay attention to the road rules. Giving his parents the slip had been the hardest part, but he'd always been good at that.

As the lift reached the floor he thought back over what John had said. Ianto still didn't remember any of them so he had to approach with caution. It would be hard for Jack not to hug him breathless, but he'd managed it at the start of their relationship and he'd do it again. He'd do whatever Ianto needed.

John met him outside the room and like a mother hen he straightened Jack's shirt and fussed over his hair for a moment before reminding him to tread carefully and sending him in. He opened the door to find Ianto sitting on his bed, a photo album open on his lap. Just seeing him alive and well made Jack's breath catch and it took him several moments before he could utter a single word.

"Ianto," it came out in a whisper.

The boy on the bed looked up and Jack's heart clenched when he saw the tears slipping from his eyes.

"Jack," the Welsh boy greeted back, standing up from the bed, album still in hand.

"Are you okay? Nobody's been allowed to tell me anything except that you have amnesia after the attack," Jack asked, desperate to know the boy he loved was okay.

"I'm mostly healed," Ianto replied. "I still have to be careful with a couple of ribs and my arm won't come out of the caste for a few weeks yet, but otherwise it's just a bit of bruising left. I'm told I was very lucky," he finished, looking up at Jack for a moment before turning his attention back to the photo album, a lost look in his eyes.

There was so much that Jack wanted to say, but he knew most of it would just scare Ianto and now that he was finally here that was the last thing he wanted to do. Seeing his boyfriend look so lost and unsure of himself again hurt so much, he wished more than anything that he could go to Ianto and hold him.

"You really love me, don't you?" Ianto asked after several moments of silence.

"More than the world," Jack replied truthfully and he saw Ianto's uninjured hand curl tightly around the photo album.

"I can't remember that," he said in a small, broken voice. "I'm sorry. I've been trying, so hard to remember anything about the time we've spent together but I just … can't. I'm so sorry."

Jack felt his heart stop. This was it, Ianto was saying goodbye, he'd never get to see his beautiful Welsh boy again. The tears slid from his eyes and it was all he could do to keep from breaking down. As it was, the struggle to control his reaction almost led to him missing Ianto's next words.

"I want to remember, Jack, I want to feel like this again," Ianto all but sobbed, stroking the open album page gently with his fingers. "Will you help me?" he asked timidly, finally meeting Jack's gaze.

A relieved sob escaped Jack before he could stop it and he immediately brought his hand up to his mouth to contain anymore. "I'm sorry," he said when Ianto looked at him in concern. "I'm sorry I thought, with what you were saying … it doesn't matter," he finished, shaking his head. "Of course I will help you, sweetheart, I'd do anything for you," he replied sincerely.

"Are you sure? I mean, I can't imagine it'll be easy for you starting over from scratch. A relationship with me won't be like one you'd have with anyone else and … and I might never remember everything I lost."

"Ianto, love, our relationship has never been my kind of normal, that's what's been so wonderful about it," Jack assured him. "I agree, it won't be easy. Not because the relationship is different, but because I might occasionally forget that we're not where we used to be with some things. We took everything gradually the first time around because I knew your past. It worked for us then and I have no problem at all with doing it over again."

"Really?" Ianto asked tearfully.

"Yeah really," Jack replied. "I love you, Ianto, all I want is to be with you, I don't care what that involves. I'd willingly start all over again every day if that's what it took. I'm just …" here he had to stop and take a moment to compose himself. "I'm just so glad you're willing to let me try. I was so scared that I was going to lose you forever," he finished, his voice breaking on the last word.

Ianto closed his eyes and Jack saw that he was shaking, probably with the effort of keeping his emotions in check just like Jack. "Thank you," he sobbed.

"No, thank you," Jack replied. "Really, thank you so much." He paused for a minute to consider what he was going to ask next and in the end just decided to go for it. "Can I … can I hold you?" he asked hesitantly.

Ianto nodded wordlessly and placed the album down on the bed as Jack crossed the room and pulled his beloved Welsh boy into his arms. He expected Ianto to tense and he did for a moment. He relaxed far quicker than Jack had expected him to however and it wasn't long before the younger boy was holding him back.

"I missed you so much," he whispered.

"I missed you too and I didn't even realise it," Ianto replied. "I feel so much more whole right now than I have in all the time since I woke up."

"Well I'm here now, I'm not going anywhere, ever, I promise."

Ianto nodded and after a few moments Jack felt the younger boy's body start to shake with sobs. He blinked back tears of his own and tightened his grip on Ianto just a little. "Everything's going to be okay," he told his love. "I'm here for you, we're all here for you, we'll get you through this."

XX

John waited outside the hospital room for Jack to emerge, impatiently waiting to see what would come out of his best friend's meeting with his love. When at last Jack did come out he ushered John along the corridor and out to the waiting Harkness car without saying a word. When the door was shut behind them and Jack had commanded the driver to head home John understood why. Jack burst into tears and dove into his arms. John held him and spoke soothingly to him, figuring that Ianto had ended things between them. When Jack managed to pull himself together and told John what had really happened he was absolutely overjoyed and though he'd never admit it to anyone, he pulled Jack back into his arms and cried happy tears along with him.

They composed themselves before they reached the house and then headed inside to begin the battle they were sure to have with Jack's parents over Jack wanting to stay in Australia for the rest of the school year.

XX

Ianto sat down on his bed and looked around the room with a frown. His old dorm room was still a crime scene so he hadn't been allowed to get any of his things out of it, which meant he was going to have to do some shopping soon. He'd been getting by without a lot because he'd mostly been at school, but he really needed to get some things to make his room look a bit more lived in; it was sparse and quite dull looking. He at least wanted to get a frame so he could put a photo of him and Jack somewhere in the room. His boyfriend had offered to take him shopping on several occasions and it looked like he was going to have to take Jack up on it.

Jack. The Canadian boy was a saint. He'd been with Ianto almost every second since they'd reconciled, not smothering or overpowering him, just supporting. And he seemed to know what Ianto wanted or needed all the time without being asked or told. Ianto assumed it was because Jack knew him well, and he had to say, he was grateful the older boy had paid so much attention to him during their relationship.

He'd come with Ianto to meet his aunt when she'd arrived from Wales and helped him explain that he wanted to stay in Australia for the rest of the school year. She'd taken the news quite well really, which was a huge relief. He'd apologised for making her fly all the way out just to go back again, but she hadn't been bothered at all. According to her she'd needed a break from work and a holiday in Australia sounded perfect. Apparently she was a travelling photographer and could work anywhere she wanted. Her intention was to stay in Australia with Ianto until the end of the school year, she'd have a few weeks holiday then get to work photographing some of the local sights and wildlife and eventually head back to Wales when she and Ianto were ready for her to go.

She'd rented a house in the area and ensured Ianto had a room of his own at the opposite end of the house for privacy. Ianto had been intending to returning to the school dorms, but the department of child safety and the psychologist both agreed that living away from the school would be better for his mental health. They were concerned that going back into the dorm, even though he wouldn't be staying in the room where he was attacked, may trigger memories of the attack before he was ready to experience them. The department also wanted him to spend as much time as possible with his aunt before they returned to Wales together and Ianto could understand that. It wasn't exactly a hardship, she was lovely.

Returning to Wales at the end of the year was something Ianto and Jack hadn't spoken about yet. Ianto knew he had to finish his final year of high school there if he wanted to get into the college he'd been planning to attend before coming on this exchange, but he really didn't know whether he still wanted to. It was a few weeks into the term now so he had to give it some serious thought. It wouldn't be long before the school year would be over and he'd be forced to make a decision.

A knock on the door jolted him out of his thoughts and when he called for the person to enter his aunt's head appeared around the open door. "Jack and the others are here to see you, is that okay?" she asked.

"Sure," he replied with a smile, moving to his feet and heading for the door. She was so careful with him, but not in an annoying way. It was actually really sweet.

"Hi," he greeted the assembled group when he reached the kitchen.

He got a chorus of hi's back and Jack came over to give him a hug and a soft kiss. He'd kept him promise and was taking their relationship slowly, which Ianto couldn't thank him enough for. He seemed to know exactly when Ianto was ready for something and on the occasion where he wasn't sure he always asked. He was the perfect boyfriend, Ianto was already a little in love with him; Although he hadn't said it yet.

"Hi gorgeous," Jack greeted when they parted. "How are you this morning?"

"I'm good, how are you?" Ianto asked in return.

"Perfect now," the Canadian replied with an adoring smile.

Ianto smiled back, "No, you were always that," he disagreed and Jack chuckled at him.

"And now that all that's over with, want to come out with us?" Angela asked, interrupting their moment and making Ianto laugh.

"Sure, where are we headed?" he asked.

"Shopping!" Martha, Ray, Morghan, Angela and Tosh replied with rather scary grins and Ianto laughed again. Well, he had wanted to go shopping.

"Okay, I'll just grab my wallet," Ianto said and headed back into his room to grab it while the rest of the group piled out of the door. Ianto said goodbye to his aunt but before he could pass her she stopped him and held out a credit card.

"I know you need clothes. I've been meaning to take you but you've been busy with school. Grab some while you're out and if you get a chance go to a bedding place and get us both some new sheets and a bed spread, the ones here are awful. I'm happy with any colour or pattern as long as it's not either fairy floss coloured or fluorescent." she said, wrinkling her nose slightly.

"Are you sure?" Ianto asked, not wanting to spend her money.

"Of course I'm sure," she replied with a smile. "Have a good time. I'm sure those girls will get an absolute kick out of dressing you up and don't come back without at least five outfits," she directed sternly.

"Okay I will, thank you," he said with a smile and headed out to join his friends.

XX

Ianto stood in the middle of the room, surrounded on all sides by girls appraising how he looked. Some were his friends, some were staff members of the store they were currently in. It was almost lunch time and he'd been bullied into trying on so many clothes by this point he wasn't even sure how many he'd put on. It wasn't too bad though, in fact he kept getting an odd feeling of deja vu but he could never pin it down.

Truthfully that had been happening to him a lot since he'd returned to the school and started spending time with his friends again. It was almost like there was something pushing at the edge of his mind, but it always floated away when he tried to grasp at it. It was frustrating.

"Okay, I think I've made up my mind. This is it!" Angela announced and Ianto heard all the shop assistants sigh in relief. He couldn't blame them, he wanted to do the same.

He headed back into the change room to put his original clothes back on and the sales assistant took the others and put them with everything else the girls had decided he needed. When he arrived at the counter it was all in bags waiting for him and he stared wide eyed at the sheer number of them.

"Angela, I wanted a few things to wear for the rest of the time I'm here, I didn't want to send my aunt broke," he protested.

"I know. But your aunt isn't paying for it which is why I made sure I outfitted you completely," Angela replied with a satisfied smile and Ianto was trying to make sense of her words when he saw the shop assistant hand a card back to Jack.

"Jack, no, you shouldn't be paying for all of this," Ianto protested, moving over to where his boyfriend was passing bags around to the rest of the guys to carry out to the car.

"I have reminded you that I'm rich haven't I?" Jack asked, leaning over to kiss Ianto's cheek. "Don't worry, it won't even make a dent in my credit card and I want to do it, I enjoy spoiling the people I care about."

Jack's words brought another flash of deja vu and Ianto frowned thoughtfully at his boyfriend. "Have we had a conversation like this one before?" he asked.

Jack smiled. "As a matter of fact we have. Last time I bought you a coffee machine," he replied. "Are you remembering something?" he asked hopefully.

"Not quite, just having deja vu," Ianto replied.

"Well, that's a start." Jack handed him the last bag with a kiss. "Come on, let's get these out to the car."

XX

The rest of the day was a lot of fun and as Jack drove them back up the mountain that afternoon Ianto gazed out the window with a smile. He would always be grateful to John for bringing that photo album to him at the hospital. Not only had it brought him back to Jack, but it had given him the courage to spend time with his other friends as well and he was so glad he had.

They were all such amazing people and they'd been so caring and patient toward him. They didn't treat him like he was made of glass or tip toe around him, but they didn't put any pressure on him either; they gave him the space he needed to become comfortable around them again. He could tell it was hard for them and they occasionally slipped up, asking him about something that had happened before the attack. But it didn't happen often and they were always apologetic afterward.

He had been surprised at just how quickly he became comfortable talking and joking with them. It felt like being around family, although physically he still liked to keep his distance from anyone other than Jack. He wondered if he would always be like that and hoped that he wouldn't; it would be nice to be able to give his friends a casual hug without freaking out about it.

Jack dropped the others off at the school before heading back to drop Ianto off. When they arrived Ianto offered for Jack to stay a while and the Canadian readily agreed. They grabbed as many bags as they could carry, which in Ianto's case was only one because Jack didn't want him straining himself while he was still healing, and headed up to the house.

"Don't worry, you didn't end up paying for my clothes," Ianto said as soon as his aunt's wide eyed gaze fell on all the bags. "Jack told the girls he was paying and they outfitted me for the rest of my life."

"I would say so," his Aunt replied with a grin."Are there anymore bags?"

"A few. I'll get them though, don't trouble yourself," Jack said with a smile. Ianto's aunt relented without argument and Jack directed Ianto to start putting things away while he went back to the car to retrieve the rest. It took a while to get everything sorted, but they managed it eventually and Ianto was pleased to note that his aunt seemed happy with his choice of bed linen.

Jack ended up joining them for dinner and afterwards he and Ianto snuggled up together on the couch to watch whatever was on TV while Ianto's aunt took the linen to the laundromat down the street to get it all washed and dried as quickly as possible. Ianto was staring at the screen and enjoying the feeling of Jack's fingers gliding through his hair when Jack spoke.

"Did you have a good day, sweetheart?"

"Yeah I did, thank you, lots of deja vu though. Has Angela had me as a clothes hostage before at some point?" Ianto asked.

Jack chuckled, "Both of us actually, we were shopping for swimwear," he replied. "It was a great night actually, it was the first time you ever told me that you loved me, although it was in Welsh and I wasn't actually sure what you'd said until later."

"I wish I could remember that," Ianto said sadly.

"One day you might," Jack said reassuringly. "Until then I can tell you a ton of great stories about our time together so far."

Ianto sighed, "You've been so amazing about all of this you know. Thank you," he said, reaching over to squeeze Jack's free hand.

"Ianto, out of the two of us I don't think it's me who's the amazing one," Jack replied. "From the start of our relationship it's always been you; even though you liked to tell me it wasn't. To let me near you, allow me into you life, your heart, after everything you've been through in your life; that takes a lot of bravery. There have been so many roadblocks thrown in front of you, before I met you and since we've been on this exchange and you've overcome them all while still remaining true to your kind, generous, giving nature. You think me having patience with the situation makes me incredible, but compared to you I really am just a very ordinary guy. You're the incredible one."

Feeling overwhelmed with emotion Ianto asked a question to try and lighten the mood. "Do you practice speeches like that or do they just come naturally to you?"

Jack laughed. "All natural, darling."

A funny thought jumped into Ianto's head and he nearly burst out laughing just thinking about it. "Maybe you're a Ianto whisperer," he said in as serious as tone as he could manage. Seconds later they both dissolved into laughter.

XX

So Ianto had returned to Jack and his friends on the exchange. Now to wait and see if he'll ever get his memories back and what he'll decide to do about the end of the year. I hope you're enjoying the story and please review

Love to all

Kayla