"

Ianto toyed with the change in his pocket as he watched the others leave, trying his best to ignore the silence descending on the Hub. He wished he was with them, not because he wanted to bang all their heads together and remind them how lucky they all were to have each other – although he did really want to do that – but because there were just too many personal ghosts in the quiet spaces around him. His eyes snagged on Jack’s office door. That space especially.

His shoulders slumped slightly and he felt the ache inside, right in the pit of his stomach, that left him feeling slightly sick. It was there most days, and always when he was in the Hub. This was Jack’s place, and it was empty without him, they all knew that. Ianto could still hear the echo of his laugh and the feel of those hands on his skin. They’d tentatively been starting something that had the potential to be something great when Jack had gone, Ianto was sure of it. And it may have been Gwen who’d sat by Jack Harkness’s side until he woke up, but it had been Ianto who had torn the place apart hunting for him after he’d gone.

Even when he’d realised that the hand in the jar had vanished, it had taken some time to convince him that Jack Harkness had gone on some kind of adventure without them – without him – and without even saying goodbye.

He stared at the office door and wished he could see the dark shape of the familiar greatcoat hanging on the other side. His heart ached. Jack Harkness. Where the bloody hell was he, and when was he coming back?

"

—Ianto Jones in the short story “Kaleidoscope”, in the Torchwood novel ‘Consequences’ (Sarah Pinborough)

"After we stopped those alien parasites from infecting everyone, when everything turned out OK, how relieved we were – then we all went and got totally rat-arsed. You were dancing on a table, and Tosh was shoving fivers in your belt. Me and Owen said she was paying too much, that you’d do it for a drink and a wink, and I spilt my drink all down Gwen’s cleavage. Laughing, just laughing like we’d never laughed before, in case we’d never get another chance.’"

—Ianto Jones trying to bring back a catatonic Jack Harkness with memories in the short story “Virus”, in the Torchwood novel Consequences

"‘That time we came into your office, and we’d all switched clothes just to make you laugh. Gwen was in my suit, Tosh was in scrubs, and me and Owen were wearing Gwen and Tosh’s clothes. You laughed so hard, the coffee came out of your nose. Then you made me wear…’ He glanced over at Gwen and Rhys, slightly self-conscious. ‘Made me wear it again the next night.’"

—Ianto Jones trying to bring back a catatonic Jack Harkness with memories in the short story “Virus”, in the Torchwood novel Consequences

"

He knelt down in front of Jack and Gwen. He turned to Gwen first.

‘I don’t know if either of you can hear me, but if I don’t make it back from this… Gwen, sometimes you drive me bloody mad, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. You’re brilliant, and gorgeous, and so brave, and we’re lucky to have you.’

He turned to Jack.

‘Jack. You know how I feel. I think I know how you feel. You brought me back from the brink, so many times, and made me feel so alive. I didn’t think I’d ever feel like that again. So thank you. In all the madness, you’re the one person I know I can rely on. And that counts for a hell of a lot.’ He hesitated, then grinned. ‘Also, you’ve got a great arse. But you already know that.’

Ianto stood up again and went to a computer screen. ‘If anything goes wrong, you’ll both be looked after. I mean, in the way you wanted.’

He recorded a video message for Rhys, explaining what had happened, and what to do. Then he recorded another one for Martha Jones at UNIT, telling her what to do with Jack if Ianto didn’t make it back. He knew he could rely on her to do what was necessary. Sure, she’d probably spend a few months trying to figure out another way to cure them – and who knows, maybe she’d even succeed – but if it came to it, she’d finish the job as Ianto had asked. He closed the messages, and set up the server to send them in twenty-four hours. If he didn’t come back, then at least things would be taken care of.

He turned back to Jack and Gwen.

‘Right, then. I’ll be off. Do some killing and maiming. Hopefully I’ll see you soon.’

Before he left, he gave Jack one last kiss. And he made sure it was a good one.

He looked at Gwen after kissing Jack. He shrugged, and gave her a long kiss too, one that was almost as good as the one he’d given Jack. He glanced over at Jack. ‘What? Not like you don’t get to snog everyone. And I think I deserve it.’

"

—Ianto Jones with infected Gwen and Jack in the short story “Virus”, in the Torchwood novel Consequences

"

‘But we’re one person short,’ said the alien. ‘Where is Jones? Where is the tea boy?’

‘I’m here,’ said Ianto suddenly.

BANG! The alien’s head exploded in a fountain of blood, and his camouflage suit shorted out, revealing his body, which stayed standing for a moment before crumpling to the floor. Ianto blew the smoke from the end of the shotgun, and removed his night vision goggles. He glared at the alien. ‘And I’m not the tea boy. I’m the coffee boy.’

"

—Ianto Jones in the short story “Virus”, in the Torchwood novel Consequences