The team returned to the hub after a long day battling an enemy from Captain Jack's past or should we say future. Everyone returned to their stations exhausted Gwen at her desk, Toshiko at her computer station, Owen in autopsy room, and Ianto making coffee for the team.

"Good day's work" Gwen had said to the team who groaned in unison.

"Aye turn those frowns upside down. Everyone including can go home for the night and take tomorrow off you guys deserve it."

The team grumbled again as they were forced to drop everything and head out the door. Gwen said her goodbyes to Tosh and Owen who apparently where walking hand in hand which surprised and didn't surprise Jack. The only two who remained in the hub were Ianto and Gwen and Jack knew he wasn't escaping the wrath of either too.

"Where have you been?" shouted Gwen who threw her hands up in anger.

"I can explain" Jack said putting his hands up surrender.

"Well you have a lot to bloody explain!"

Ianto remained quiet as he walked over to Gwen and handed her the cup of coffee. He then handed Jack his and as quietly as a mouse returned to the kitchen to clean up the cups.

"The thing is it's hard to explain" he said finally said taking a deep breath and slowly saying the words.

He knew he had to choose his words carefully around Gwen one tiny word and she would blow up. He didn't know what the problem was with Gwen seeing as the team had certainly was fine without him. What bothered him the most was Ianto he hadn't said a word after their conversation regarding a specific date in mind. Jack really wanted to speak to his former (maybe) partner instead of being yelled at by Gwen but he let her have her fill.

"It was hard Jack very, very hard to get the team up and running again. Everyone was discombobulated. Owen was snapping at everyone and everything even a dog who was peeing on the lift. Tosh well she was Tosh but I suspect she had a break down a few weeks ago. Someone had to put this team back together and it sure as hell wasn't Ianto."

Jack's face faltered at the mention of Ianto had he really changed over the course of his absence?

"Ianto at first was um an emotional wreck. At work he didn't show it but one day Tosh decided to pay him a visit at home and he was crying in his covers Jack. It was hard for him Jack he closed himself off once again seeing everybody running around happy and paired. Go talk to him if he's willing to listen because I'm done talking to you."

Just then a cough was sounding throughout the background and they both turned to find Ianto standing next to the door waiting to go home.

"I promised to take you home" he said pointing to the door.

"Right. Goodnight Jack." Gwen said taking Ianto's arm the two walked off and out of the hub.

Jack still stood there contemplating Gwen's words usually he wouldn't listen and let her ramble but something in the back of his mind stuck with him. Ianto really had changed since he was gone. Ianto avoided looking in Jack's eye like he was guilty of something making him wonder if he had betrayed his team yet again. But he knew he wouldn't do something so foolishly stupid that would split their relationship farther apart.

While being trapped in the Year that Never Was al he thought was returning home to his team. More specifically returning to Ianto and making their relationship something real something that wasn't meant to be hidden. He deeply cared for Ianto but he wouldn't call it love. Oh not yet not anytime soon he's done the love route and wish he would take it back many, many times. But the idea of growing old and dying (well not the dying part in his respect) with Ianto was appealing and he knew his body yearned for his touch.

He wanted to make things right with Ianto but he knew he would have to work hard and prove his feelings for him even though he wasn't quite sure what they were. But starting tomorrow morning would be a brand new day for the couple and Jack knew what he had do to win his heart.

He just hopes that he isn't too late.