Jack grew worried. It wasn’t like he expected the Welshman to be up here all the time when he wasn’t needed in the Hub but the sight of that pink tie just lying on the desk gave him a strange sense of foreboding.

Ianto always picked out his ties so carefully and Jack could remember that the younger man had lovingly allowed this one to flow through his fingers before placing it around his neck. Jack had wondered why he never wore the tie and today was the first day; to say it confused him would be an understatement.

The Captain slowly reached out and picked up the silken material, letting it run through his own fingers. It smelt deliciously of Ianto and Jack grew even more worried.

Keeping the material bunched in his hand, Jack made his way back into the Hub. He looked around his virtually empty Hub and called out to his only other remaining team member.

“Gwen! Have you seen Ianto?”

The dark-haired woman swung her chair out from her desk and walked towards the Captain so as to refrain from shouting to each other. Shouting only served to remind them all of the echoing emptiness left behind in the wake of Owen and Tosh’s deaths.

“No Jack, why? Wait, is that his tie?”

Gwen’s face screwed up in a frown, worry settling in on her features also. It was not like Ianto to disappear on them, especially without his tie. Carefully removing the pink object from Jack’s death grip, Gwen held the material up to examine it. As she did so a small piece of paper fluttered from its end. She slowly opened it up and immediately recognised Ianto’s neat handwriting:

Jack,

I’m hoping you find this before you go on a rampage. I haven’t gone missing; I just had an errand to run. I left the tie behind for a reason. I once told you I knew of Providence Park and that is where I have gone. After, you talked me into getting back in touch with my family I decided that I should return there, part of my history that I refused to accept was there. Coming from Torchwood London, I was sent there by my family, for they feared that the “terrorist attack” on my workplace had sent me off the rails, especially Lisa’s death. The tie may seem insignificant, but it was in fact that very tie that I attempted to end it all with many times in that place and that is why I cannot wear it to visit there.

I’m sorry I never mentioned it but I hope you understand Jack and I will be back shortly.

Yours, Ianto

As Gwen handed over the piece of paper, Jack read it quickly, relief and concern mixing on his features.

“Jack, he’s ok, he’ll be back soon…”

Jack continued to stare at the paper and Gwen tried again,

“Jack?”

“Yeah I know Gwen,”

Came the Captain’s answer at last. He carefully folded the paper back up and placed it in his pocket.

“And I’ll be here waiting for him…always…”