It was supposed to be nothing. There were moments when they'd be walking and he'd slip her hand into his. There'd be times when she gave him a reassuring smile with a lot more feeling then she would admit to herself. Sometimes when they were working on the latest case they'd stop in the middle of work and talk about anything and everything. They'd have that certain look when they looked at each other that everyone knew about, but wouldn't say anything and that was all it was supposed to be.

She still had her life and he still had his very long one. She was with Rhys and he was with Ianto. They accepted it. But lately the tension seemed to be becoming a little too much.

Gwen had allowed Rhys to remember after the whole meat encounter. She had allowed him into their secret. It really was all he had. All he could hold on to. She would never talk to Rhys about Torchwood before. Instead she would talk to him and now he felt replaced. She could go home have a whole conversation about the aliens encountered and she would never converse with old Jack no more.

Jack didn't bother to hide his jealousy and bitterness. He made it seem it was the whole idea that Rhys could talk at any moment that bothered him instead of the jealousy that was bubbling inside him. He never minded Rhys. Rhys kept her sane and brought her back to him. He knew all about him, but just seeing her with him, kissing him, touching him ever so lightly made his insides puke with disgust at the thought of her with him or anyone else. He remembered that kiss Gwen had pulled on the sofa right in front of him and was struck with an idea out of his fury.

It was the middle of the day. Martha was working on a case that Torchwood had overlooked and the rest of his team was perched at their desks working. Gwen was at her station typing up a report. Ianto walked up to Jack offering to get him a coffee when he pulled him in for a long passionate kiss. Ianto closed his eyes while Jack kept his open and intently on Gwen. She didn't look up until Owen yelled "Get a room."

He closed his eyes as her's pierced in their direction. As much as he would have loved to see her seethe with the jealousy he knew she would he had to make it look real or she would just shrug it off. He knew it was wrong to use Ianto this way, but Ianto didn't seem to mind. Jack and Ianto DID love each other, but they were both still free to live their lives accordingly with anyone else if the opportunity arose.

Jack opened his eyes to see Gwen blushing a furious red as she attempted to go back to her work like she had never noticed the pair. Jack licked Ianto's lips and gave a grin of victory at her crushing defeat. Two can play this game he thought and made for his office leaving a speechless and swollen lipped Ianto standing in the middle of the room.

Gwen hated herself for looking. She hated Owen even more for catching her attention and making her look. And he looked so smug with himself she thought angrily. What was she doing? She shouldn't even be feeling jealous. Sure, she knew Ianto and Jack were shagging, but she supposed it didn't bother her because they weren't all affectionate in front of her. But what he had just pulled, it was enough to make her…enough to…oh she couldn't even think because she was so embarrassed with herself and hated the fact that she was actually acting like a child with possession issues.

So, they went on like this for awhile. He was more confident then ever while she was silently feeling miserable as Jack seemed to give Ianto a light kiss every morning in front of her desk or somewhere where she was definitely standing. It had all become a game to him. He reveled in her pink cheeks growing steadily redder every time, but he had to give her credit. She played the part brilliantly, but he could read her like a book.

Gwen decided to bring his smug arse back to reality and switch his happiness with her misery. She smiled cordially to everyone, each smile a truthful smile too as she had no problem with the rest of the team. She made her way to Jack's office and knocked on the door. As soon as she entered she saw Ianto leaving with a smile on his face.

"Gwen, what can I do for you," said Jack ever so innocently taking a seat in his chair.

"Nothing, really. I just wanted to see how you were doing? You've seemed a bit distracted lately," she said trying to cover up the blush. Damn the man for his effects.

"Have I? Well, I'm fine as you can see," he said his eyes darting to hers.

She had no reason to be angry now because in the next few moments she was about to enjoy this. He enjoyed torturing her with his showy little kisses and beautiful blue eyes. All she needed to do was speak a few words that she knew would trigger him.

She was up to something. He could tell. She was hiding more then she was letting on and he wasn't about to fall for it for a second.

"Just as long as you're okay," she turned to make her way to the door and then stopped, "Oh I forgot."

She pulled out an envelope from her back pocket and handed it to him. He grinned at her, his eyes never leaving hers as he took the envelope from her hand barely touching it, but so wishing he had more contact.

"It's for you," she said taking her hand back and making sure she wasn't doing anything that would give her away.

Jack didn't miss it for a second. He grinned at her not trusting the look in her soft green eyes now matter how seductive they were and opened the manila envelope. He read the contents and instantly paled at the words.

"Rhys and I set a date," she said folding her arms, "I invited everyone and it'd mean a lot to me if you came. You're practically my best friend after all."

It was the only words she could use to describe their relationship which had always seemed to be a mystery to her. Jack looked up at her, his eyes were wet, his mouth was dry and pursed. She instantly regretted this. The pain on his face was almost to much to bear and he didn't deserve to be told like this no matter what he had deliberately put her through for the past few weeks.

"Wow," he said quietly, "So it's really happening isn't it?"

"In a month. Jack?"

"I can't make any promises. I might have to travel to London that week," he said though he was fully aware he was lying through his teeth.

He couldn't stand there and watch her be given away. He couldn't bear the thought of her being truly and forever taken away from him, but he couldn't offer her all the things Rhys was. He couldn't stop this for his own selfishness. It was Gwen's choice and she was leaving him.

"Jack, you have to come. It wouldn't be right without the whole Torchwood team there," she said taking a step forward, but Jack shot her a look and she took a step back.

"I can't make any promises,' he repeated his voice hoarse.

She nodded and made to walk out when another thought just occurred to her. She knew she really shouldn't be bothering him about this especially at the worst of times, but it needed to be asked. she had promised Rhys after all.

"Oh Jack, do you think I can have Saturday off. I'm participating in a charity. I'll work Sunday to make up for it," she said.

Jack only nodded not daring to look at her. She left the room silently. She hadn't done anything wrong. She would have had to eventually tell him when the date was. Rhys had insisted on inviting him though Gwen thought second of it knowing it would be awkward. She had full intention of getting back at him with the whole jealousy thing, but she realized she had taken it a bit too far after seeing the look on his face. She was truly sorry about it, but it was something they both just had to deal with.

Jack sat in his chair holding the manila envelope and invitation in his hand. He felt like knocking things down, breaking various objects, starting some kind of brawl. Anything to keep the hurt from revealing itself from behind close eyelids. It wasn't her fault. He knew it wasn't. If anything all he wanted to do after he broke various items, shouted at her for no reason, but to make himself fell better was throw her engagement ring out the window and just take her against his desk.

The thought sent shivers down his spine and arousal within his blood, but he stopped himself. He wiped his eyes which were moist and threatening tears. He wasn't going to cry over this. He just needed something to keep his mind occupied. Jack stood up and took a deep breath and then went in search of Ianto so he could feel even guiltier about himself, but sustained for now.

more chapters to come thanks for reading :)