Ianto: They say you’re supposed to talk to people when they’re in a coma. Don’t they?

[Pause]

I have absolutely no idea whether you can hear me, Jack. I never heard of anyone coming out of a coma and carrying on the conversation.  So I suspect it’s something the doctors tell us to do, to make us feel better, rather than help you. We don’t feel quite so useless and helpless. We get the feeling that there’s still some sense of purpose in our lives. We’re not just waiting. Waiting for the science to work. Or the miracle to happen. Or the nightmare to end.

[Pause]

I’m not much of a talker, Jack, you know that. But I’ll talk to you now, on the off-chance that it helps. Just promise me, if you’re hearing this, that when you come round and you’re going to, Jack; you’re going to come out of this, just promise me that you’ll never bring up anything I say to you now. How’s that? We got a deal?

[Pregnant pause]

This must be the longest that I’ve ever looked at you and not seen you smile. I’ve watched you in your sleep; did you know that? So  many times. Just woken up beside you in the middle of the night and watched you. Watched your eyes moving behind your eyelids as you dreamed. And tried to imagine what a man like you could possibly dream about. The things you’ve seen; the lives you’ve lived; the people you’ve loved. I wondered if you were dreaming about me, I hoped you were dreaming about me.

But lets be honest, Jack. I’m… nothing more than a blip in time for you, Jack. Everyday, I grow a little older. But you’re immortal. You’ve already lived a thousand lifetimes. How could you watch me grow old and die? How can I watch you live and never age a day?

I suppose we both know that will never be a problem. Not in this job.

No one in Torchwood ever lives to draw their pension do they? Even by some miracle I survive to see my hair turned grey, or God forbid fall out, I don’t kid myself that you’d still be around to see it.

One day, you’ll go again, just like you did before.

[Voice hitches with tears]

And this time you wont be back.

[Takes deep breath]

Maybe that’s what you’re dreaming about those nights, when I watch you sleeping. Maybe that’s why, even while you sleep, I see you smile.

But you haven’t gone yet, Jack. I know that. I know you’re coming back to me.


End scene by request:

Ianto: So you don’t remember anything about the trance?

Jack: No. Did you talk to me while I was out of it? They say that’s what you should do.

Ianto: I… talked. A little. But I’m not really much of a talker.

Jack: I know.

Ianto: That’s just me.

Jack: Yeah. But you never will be just a blip in time, Ianto Jones. Not for me.