Ianto walked over to Jack and grabbed his hand and they watched the sunset together. Rosco ran around in their backyard. "I know we need to go back eventually, but for tonight, maybe just tonight, can we pretend we really are married and happy and have a dog named rosco? That the world is not waiting on us and everything will be fine tomorrow?" Ianto couldnt bring himself to look at Jack when he asked the question. He just wanted to stand here and watch the sunset with his husband, holding onto each other without death lurking around the corner.

Jack couldn't help but smile when he heard Ianto ask that. It's what he wants more then anything, though for more then one night. "I'd like that very much." He said leaning in and kissing him softly. He cupped Ianto's cheek with his hand. He never wanted this to end. He pulled Ianto close to him. bloodstainedwings:

The next morning, Ianto got up and made breakfast in bed for Jack as quietly as he could. They shared a fantastic night last night and to Ianto it felt like a dream. Maybe they could get away with another day like that. But in his heart of hearts, he knew that even though Jack also wanted to dream to continue, that he was searching for something, something important. Ianto heard Jack mention a doctor of some sort. He also knew that this dream could last because of Jack's condition, people would grow suspicious eventually. It just wasnt meant to last. He figured it was better to not fool himself into believing it could last, otherwise it will hurt too much when it all falls apart.

Jack woke to the smell of Ianto cooking. A smile spread across his face. His husband sure was a good cook. He let out a sigh. He hated that this couldn't last. Perhaps they would get lucky and when they got back very little time would have passed at all. He got up and went into the on suite bathroom and was soon back in bed. Rosco jumped up on the bed and curled up next to him. He scratched the dog behind the ears. bloodstainedwings:

"So, now that we have breakfast out of the way..." Ianto started as he gathered the dishes "Where should be start Captain?" Ianto gave him that look that always gets a response from Jack. He smiled as he watched Jack get dressed, it was so strange seeing him in modern clothes. Ianto just go so used to him in those kaki trousers and suspenders. *sigh* I guess it cant be perfect here after all.

bloodstainedwings: He was making him breakfast in bed.... they haven't eaten.

Kirin Rosenbaum: if you want, you can add Jack eating breakfast to your previous post. I didnt think it was that significant. I also skipped what they did from sunset to morning. you didnt seem to mind that, so i figured this would be ok.

bloodstainedwings: Oh... alright just making sure you were aware.

Jack smiled at the look. "You know talk like that and we might not make it out of here." He grinned. He loved this man, with all his being. "We should go into town, see the sights. Rosco could come with us." He grinned as he leaned in and kissed Ianto's cheek. "Come on Rosco let's go for a walk." He walked to the hall closet and grabbed Rosco's leash. Rosco bounded up next to him and Jack hooked him up. "Ready love?"

Ianto finished getting dressed and opened the door. He smiled and kissed Jack back. "lets go Rosco!" He and Jack walked with rosco into town. There were a lot of people around and admittedly, Ianto was starting to feel nervous. What if there was someone who knew them here, but they didnt know who they were. what would they say? Would Jack be able to come up with something that people would believe? Would Ianto have to come up with something? He started to panic a little inside, but tried to keep cool and collected on the outside. He didnt want anyone to know that he... that they didnt belong.

People greeted them friendly. Everybody in town seemed to know them.

"You going to be coming in for your biweekly haircut?" The barber asks as he sweeps the sidewalk in front of his store.

"I'll be in tomorrow." Jack said with a smile.

"See you then."

They walk a bit further when they come upon a group of kids.

"We brought something for Rosco." One boy said with a smile.

"Oh and what's that?" Jack asked kneeling down as Rosco licked the boys face.

The boy smiled and handed Jack a bag from the butcher. "We saved up and bought him a steak bone."

"He'll love that." Jack said taking the bag as all the kids started patting Rosco. Rosco barked happily and licked all the kids.

bloodstainedwings:

Ianto was surprised by how friendly everyone seemed here. He almost felt out of place, but he just smiled and watch Jack be his charming self, holding Rosco back from would-be faces that needed to be licked and would-be bums that needed to be sniffed. It was really enjoyable to just walk around and feel neighborly and welcomed. Ianto wondered what they did here to deserve such kindness... maybe they were needed here just as much as they were needed back home. Maybe they should just stay here... maybe there was something exciting here that they did that wasnt so behind doors and invisible, and people actually appreciate them.... Ianto continued to stew in his thoughts and smile at the people walking by.

"Mr. Jack, can we take Rosco to the park?" A little girl asked.

"Sure, go ahead Mr. Ianto and I will catch up with you." He handed the leash to one of the older boys and they all took of towards the park.

With his free hand Jack to Ianto's hand. "What's on your mind handsome?"

bloodstainedwings:

"not much. I guess I didnt realize how well liked we are here. I feel like we dont get the same reception on the other side" He refrained from saying back home as he didnt want anyone else to over hear that they dont belong.

"Have you come up with any ideas yet?" Ianto really hadnt been able to think of any place to even start with getting back. They didnt have the computer network they had at the hub and they had no way of communicating as they didnt even really know where they were, or when even. With how peaceful and receptive everyone is here, Ianto was starting to think this was a when and not a where.

"I hadn't given it much thought." Jack said as they walked hand in hand. Actually he hadn't thought of it all. "We could stay here you know." He said as they got to the park. Rosco was having a swell time with the kids and Jack couldn't help but smile. Rosco, though he was off his leash, didn't run away. bloodstainedwings:

Ianto enjoyed watching Rosco have fun in the park and he did enjoy this simple life with Jack. But he knew the world needed them, and he knew any normal job here would just pale in comparison. He would never be just a regular joe, not since working for torchwood. The world is not a regular joe world to Ianto any more. He couldnt just see a bunch of kids playing in a park, he is looking around for fairies that might take them. He also knew that Jack couldnt die, even here, Jack couldnt die. He knew Jack was waiting for a doctor, although who this doctor was only Jack knew. He knew the world would be endanger again and that he had to be a part of the solution or at the vary least he had to try. He was one of the only people in the world who knew about the real world, the larger world. How could he just live a regular life? It would drive him mad. They had to try to get back. But Jack seemed resistant. Why? Why would Jack want to stay here? Jack had lovers in the past, Ianto knew that, but he didnt stay with those people. He left them, just like he would leave Ianto. Ianto knew that, he wasnt stupid. He wanted it to last for as long as it could... but he couldnt just live it out here. could he?

Ianto sat and sat and sat. He didnt say anything at all. Just watched Rosco and the kids and the park and waited for Jack.

Jack sat with Ianto. Ianto could have a full life her, one not full of risks. Jack knew he was going to loose Ianto eventually but working for Torchwood made that eventuality much more in the now. And he was tired of it all. Tired of loosing those he cared for to those damn threats. He put an arm around Ianto and kissed the side of his head. He had had lots of lovers in the past. Both male and female. Hell he'd even had the odd alien lover. But there was something different about Jones, Ianto Jones. He had never felt this way about another before. He felt the need to protect Ianto and keep him safe. Though he would never tell Ianto this, as it would most likely just piss him off. He was coming to realize that he truly and honestly loved Ianto. With all of his being he loved him. Though Ianto probably wouldn't believe him if he stated it out loud, but deep down he knew it was true. He loved this man sitting next to him. He kissed the side of Ianto's head again. bloodstainedwings:

Jack didnt say anything further and this was very out of character for him. Did Jack know something that Ianto didnt? Maybe Jack had encountered this stone before and lost someone to it? Maybe he knew, there was no way back and has resigned himself to this life... This life would drive Ianto crazy, Ianto knew it. It had no adventure or wonder or life altering events.. let alone have those events everyday. Ianto grew used to those and didnt really know how to live without them. Thats why he worked so hard to get back into Torchwood after the Cybermen incident. He couldnt just walk away from it all. Normally, when Jack knew something and didnt want to talk about it though, he would dodge and weave through to another conversation. He wouldnt just sit here quietly.

...is this world changing Jack? Would Ianto still love this changed Jack?

Ianto didnt want to think all these things, but he couldnt help it. they swirled around in his mind like sticks in a tornado, slowly cutting away at him.

Ianto called Rosco back and decided that walking might help him cope with the tornado in his head.

Jack smiled as Ianto called Rosco back. The large dog bounded back his tongue wagging. Jack knew Ianto wanted to go back. And he knew they would have to talk about it. The three of them started walking again. "You want to go back." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. He took Ianto's hand as they walked with Rosco. Though he didn't want to go back, he would, for Ianto. He leaned over and kissed Ianto's cheek as they walk. He realizes he would do anything for Ianto. Well anything within his power. bloodstainedwings:

"Well maybe we can go shopping around a bit. I think Rosco needs a new toy" Ianto says as rosco drops a stick that is twice is own length in front of them. Ianto smiles and attaches the leash to Rosco's collar. He was starting to get the impression that Jack didnt want to go back and deal with the stresses of saving the world. Ianto couldnt imagine why. Jack would always light up at the new and strange and wonderful. If Jack stayed here, he would never see his "doctor" ever again. Would he really be ok with it? Considering how much concern he had for that creepy hand that had something to do with the "doctor"? Ianto had no idea what was going through Jack's head... then again... he never did. so was this any different?

"We can hit the pet store on our way home." Jack said as they started to walk. "You know a part of me wants to get back. A part of me just wants to stay here with you. I get tired you know. So tired." They walk into the pet store and head to the dog treats. Jack waves to the owner who is helping a couple at the register. "We should pick up some dog food at some point." bloodstainedwings:

"Sure thing. I will go get the toy and the food, you hold rosco and keep him away from the cats this time. " Ianto said with a smile. After Ianto paid for the items he got back to Jack so they could carry on their conversation. They waved at the clerk as they left and the couple who was petting the store cat.

"So," Ianto started "You think you could live this life? What about your elusive Doctor? Your curse? The Hub? The world? Could you really forget all that and be a stay at home husband? What would you do all day? Bake muffins?" Ianto asked Jack, partly jokingly but partly serious.

Before Jack could answer, Ianto answered for him. "I couldn't do that Jack. Not before at least trying to get back. You know that. And i dont think you could either. You are too mischievous and adventurous. That is part of the reason I love you so much. So for real Jack, where do we start? We dont have our access to the network here... so our information is limited. I could try to recreate it, but there was so much that was Alien tech, I am not sure I can do it without getting caught. Tosh might know a way, but she isnt here. So, Captain, where do we start?"

Ianto couldn't accept for even a moment that Jack would want to live the simple life. He was always in and out of trouble, it was who he was and who Ianto loved. If Jack wasn't they way he was when Ianto fell in love with him, could Ianto even love him?

Kirin Rosenbaum: we still doing this?

Jack went to answer Ianto. That yes he could live this kind of life. That he would happily give up his Doctor to have this simple life where he knew Ianto would be safe. Well safer then where they were in Cardiff, in the Hub. The thing was he knew how to get them back home, in theory. He had dealt with something like what had brought them here before. He also knew that if they were to return right now very little time would have passed. He also knew Ianto would be angry at him for keeping this from him. By this time they had gotten home. He walked inside letting Rosco off the leash. Rosco bounded into the living room and curled up on his dog bed. Jack then went and put the dog food away. bloodstainedwings:

Jack didnt answer Ianto at all. This made Ianto think something was up. by the time they got home, Ianto had a pretty good idea what it was and he just had a hard time accepting it. Jack put the dog food away and thats when Ianto decided to start it up again.

"Jack, what do you know that I dont know? You clearly are hiding that you know a way back. Is the price too high? Will i die in the process and thats why you dont want to talk about it? Something that only you can survive?" Ianto waited for Jack to answer but he knew there was going to be nothing from him. Ianto was so frustrated. Jack should have just said so from the beginning. But typical Jack, hiding things until the end. "Damn it Jack. Why is it always so complicated? " Ianto was breaking down. His whole being was just falling apart, memories started flooding in about a life he had never lived and yet he thought he did. When they saved Rosco from the pound, his big eyes just melted their hearts. Jack insisted, and Ianto tried to tell him that they would have to move and it would be a huge responsibility, but those big eyes. Ianto gave in, like he always does and it was the second greatest decision he ever made. Second only to marring Jack. He was so hansom on their wedding day.

Jack saw Ianto start to break down. He went over and pulled Ianto into his arms. "You won't die. And if you want to go back we'll go back." Jack really didn't want to go back. He wanted to stay here with Ianto. But he knew Ianto wasn't happy here, and that broke his heart. He did wonder which aspects of this life Ianto was remembering. "We'll go back and I'm sorry for not telling you sooner." He said truly meaning it. He had selfishly wanted to stay here, to have this simple life. bloodstainedwings:

"Go back where Jack? Did we forget something for Bosco?" Ianto had no idea what was going on with Jack, He seemed different though... and concerned.

"Jack, is everything ok? You look concerned? Dont worry, about money issues again ok? I got this. My job with the government is steady and secure. It may not be the most exciting pushing papers job but its more than enough to cover everything while you write your book. Relax ok? Ill start on lunch." Ianto went about the kitchen preparing grilled cheese sandwiches like a regular saturday afternoon, on an average weekend.