I usually run away in the opposite direction when I see the words 'Ianto doesn't die at Thames House',

You and me both. It's the first clear AU I've ever written when I usually try to slot the fiction into the existent canon in a way that makes the story at least possible within the canon, so writing this was an interesting challenge.

The backstory is, I think, the crucial element in making this version of CoE play out and make it play out believably, so yeah, I'm glad that worked out to that effect. I appreciate your comments. Thanks