Mistakes

By Lyridium

Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood, or the characters within it.

Fic: Jack/Gwen (OCness should be expected from time to time though hopefully it's not too much.)

Summary: Life doesn't always go smoothly, and you cannot always get what you want. Plans go out the window and mistakes are always made. But what will it take for one to realise just what they have before they lose it forever...

Chapter I

She sat there just staring straight at her computer screen. She had long since given up trying to work this day and was back to contemplating what had happened what she had done for the whole Hub seemed to have its life drained from it. They went about their routines as normal though Jack was increasingly distant from her and more argumentative you would have thought he'd swapped places with Owen.

Everything hummed around her the machinery to the air and the tension within it, yet it hadn't been this way before she left it was since her return that it had all gone pear shaped. It so very much seemed as if the joy had left the place, it was heartbreaking.

She had no idea how long she had been in the constant cycle of thoughts but her name "Gwen…" fell amongst them lost. It was the hand shaking her shoulder that gave her a start one that did mange to make her jump.

"Gwen!" Ianto looked at her with worry in his eyes, "You alright? Shouldn't you be off home it's getting late?" he asked with a gentle squeeze on her shoulder.

"But Tosh and Owen?" she paused looking around "they've gone home haven't they?" Ianto only nodded in reply, "Ok Ianto, don't worry I'll be OK, just got a few things to tidy up then I'll head off." He walked off with a glance over his shoulder towards her.

Focusing back on her computer she immediately pulled up the files she had supposed to have been working on. Much of it she could really do tomorrow but she had gotten fed up of looking at the same documents plus Jack had wanted a report on all three cases by the end of the day with a follow up report cumulating the similarities and dissimilarities between them. Weevils mainly all comprised into the main report though there wasn't anything that much different from any previous case other than that their activity was increasing but you could say that about the Rift as a whole it had been getting restless was as good a term as any. Smiling to herself she ploughed on through the reports.

Ianto watched her for a while from the surveillance monitors when he saw her get that smile he knew that there was no point in telling her to go home again. Her focus on the work was evident of that, it had been something that seemed to have died within her after her return to the Hub but it wasn't really her fault as Jack had made it clear that he was just going to be an ass to Gwen they had all noticed it.

Though Gwen just took it, Ianto knew Jack was still upset that she had gone ahead with the Wedding and then needed time off for the Honeymoon. As if realising this subconsciously he had noticed Gwen had never actually spoke about her holiday or the fact that she had even been away. What was worse she hadn't even mentioned Rhys, he knew Jack made her promise to hold on to her life and not let it drift but even Ianto knew that was easier said than done. She was still not herself and had been consigned by Jack mainly to admin work he rarely depended on her for field work, and yet she just took it. He couldn't understand it and Jack would not even speak of her, evidence enough that he was trying to deal with his own feelings and thoughts. Shaking his head he made a fresh pot of coffee and poured a mug for Gwen.

"Here you'll need this!" he smiled at her though concern for her seeped into his voice.

"Thank you Ianto…" pausing before taking a sip of the wonderful hot liquid, "I know why I'm still here but why are you?" Looking around quizzically.

"Jack's still out and there needs to be someone around for when he gets back." she stifled a laugh, "Ianto he's a big boy now," he gave her a glare, "I know… I know procedures, if you want to get off you can. I'll be here for quite a while, I know me and him haven't being seeing eye to eye much, but if its alright with you I'll wait for him." she trailed off with a distant look in her eyes.

"Gwen! You don't need my permission to wait here for Jack." she smiled at him, and it was a real smile something he had not seen in a long time, not since her Wedding.

Ianto nodded and then headed out of the Hub, "before I go, about Jack don't let him get you down and don't take any of his crap, you're still one of us and remember that!" Smiling he walked though the door. She hadn't even realised she started to cry with Ianto last words.

Feeling the moisture of the tear tracks on her face she quickly wiped them away. It was so stupid but they were the words she still needed to hear. Going back to her work it was not that long before she needed to go for more coffee, the terrible things about working with computers too long they do make you tired she thought to herself. Smiling at the pot of coffee Ianto had left, pouring she heard the Hub door go. Looking over at one of the monitors she saw Jack stride through, nothing injured it seemed, pouring a mug for him she went to his office.

"You look like you could do with one of these", she said as she put the mug down on his desk. What surprised her was that Jack jumped when he heard her voice.

"Gwen! What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be at home?" it was not a conversational tone that he used with her anymore but of a statement as if she really shouldn't be there.

"Yes Jack I probably should but I had work to do and needed it finished." with that she strode out of his office seriously peeved. What the hell had she done to him? He was being so cold she hated it she wanted Jack in her life.

It was passed four in the morning and he could still hear Gwen working at her computer. Why did she have to be here. He knew that it wasn't the best of thoughts he was her boss but he still couldn't help but want to get as far from her as possible. Jack could explain it to but he knew that it wasn't going to happen or he would lose Gwen forever. Though he couldn't bring himself to really care if she went, it would solve his problems, but that was just it they were his problems not hers. Giving up Jack went down to see how she was getting on with her work.

"Why don't you just finish those up tomorrow, you don't have to work through the night. You'll be no use to the team if you're exhausted at work!" he stated to her,

"Jack it wouldn't matter anyway you don't let me go out in the field and I cant exactly get into trouble in the Hub!" Gwen shot at him coldly, but continued with her work.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.

"What do you think it means Jack, when did I stop being part of your team?" her tone rising hurt filled her voice.

"You are part of the team, you're a part of Torchwood" he told her without meeting her eyes.

"What the hell has happened Harkness? I must have done something, but how could I know when all you do now is avoid me or shout at me in front of the rest!" Gwen shouted it at him. He had really pissed her off, she never did anything to him.

"Gwen you're out of order!" he said trying to keep his cool.

"Piss off Jack!" She said as she got up and strode off.

"Gwen!" Jack shouted as he grabbed her arm forcefully.

"Oow… what the hell are you playing at let me go now!" Gwen threatened.

"You aren't leaving not until I say this is done" ignoring him she punched him square in the jaw splitting his lip.

"Never do that to me again!" she shouted at him with tears in her eyes, she ran out of the Hub cradling her arm.

What a place to leave it I know but this is just the beginning. Please leave a review, constructive criticism welcome.