Author's Note: This fan produced fiction is classified as AU as it completely ignores certain canon facts which are: 1) Owen becomes a zombie 2) Owen and Tosh dies 3) CoE ever happened 4) that scene in Season 2, Episode 1: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang with Jack and Gwen down by the cells and 5) Gwen and Rhys got married. However all other events up to and including Doctor Who episodes The Stolen Earth and Journey's End (with the exception of events occurring in Season 2, Episode 9: Something Borrowed) have taken place.
Warnings: Please note that the story will be told from multiple point of views and characters will be written as perceived by author and therefore may not reflect particularly well on characters and/or maybe different from the readers/viewers perception of the aforementioned characters. MAY BE A LOT FROM GWEN'S POV. Contains mention of male/male and female/female relationships, mention of suicide, homophobia, violence, profanity and may later contain graphic sexual situations.
Caution: Do not read if you are unable to stomach Gwack as that ship will be featured, otherwise do not fear as there is a reason why Gwack rhymes with and even contains the word wack.
Disclaimer: The author of this piece of fiction as created this as a fan of the serial without intention of gaining monetary compensation or like in exchange for distribution, and as claimed no right of ownership to the serial or any character, theory or otherwise relevant data relating to it.
Author's Note 2: All critique shall be welcomed, however it would be appreciated if excessively negative or otherwise unpleasant criticism is withheld. Thank you.
Chapter 1
Sunday:
Rhys Williams' PoV:
"Rhys!" Gwen screamed at me...again.
We've been having the same old argument over and over again ever since that damn 'Captain Jack bloody Harkness' reappeared from wherever the hell he'd disappeared to months ago.
"Don't you treat me like I'm a bloody fool Gwen!" I screamed back at her. "I'm sick and tired of you always pushing me to the side, but no more!"
Her phone conveniently chose that moment to beep and something inside me snapped as she grabbed it up, glance at the screen and made to leave. Leave me standing there, again, as she rushed off to Torchwood and bloody Harkness.
I grabbed the phone from her and used all my strength to throw it against the nearest wall. It shattered and I was almost appalled by the amount of glee I felt as I witnessed the pieces scatter.
"Not this time Gwennie! You are going to stay here and you are going to bloody well answer me damn it!" I told her, and I meant it too. No way was I letting her push me aside. Not this time. "Ever since you joined Torchwood you have been pushing me aside, treating me like I'm not important enough to be in your life any more, always acting like you would rather be anywhere but with me. Well news flash Gwen, we're suppose to be in a relationship and your job doesn't make you better than me, and you bloody better well remember that!"
She just stood there staring at me in shock with her mouth hanging open like an idiot and I was on a roll.
"So you better answer me now! Are you fucking Harkness? Yes or no Gwen, that's simple enough?" I stood there hands on hips trying my damnedest to look intimidating.
We stood there for God knows how long just staring at each other. This was a showdown and I would be damned if I was going to let her win this one.
I was starting to question my sanity for staying with this woman and worse loving her. She obviously took me for a giant fool because there she was just standing there not even denying it and looking guilty with eyes as big as flood lights. God, I can't believe I've been feeling guilty for questioning her fidelity and how daft am I that I'm still hoping she will call me stupid and chastise me for even thinking it.
When she finally broke the intense staring match and uncomfortable silence I knew there would be no going back or forward for that matter.
"Jack wouldn't cross that line." she said matter of factly, "I have to go to work, Rhys. What Torchwood does is important. My job is important! Owen is expecting me."
With that she grabbed her keys and stormed out, I noted, without denying that she would cross that line. She slammed the flat door and the sound seemed to echo in my head, that and the name Owen. Suddenly something clicked and it was like a dam broke letting through memories I didn't even realise were missing. Memories of being in this very room, sitting down with a glass of wine and her telling me she had been sleeping with a bloke name Owen from work, and she had given me a pill to forget.
Oh It was definitely over with Gwen and I. I may love her but I don't have to be with her.
Gwen Cooper's PoV:
"Bloody Rhys! Always questioning me. Demanding answers as if he could possibly understand. He's just a lorry driver. He's so average he wouldn't know special if it came up and bit him in the arse." I couldn't help muttering to myself as I drove to the location Owen had sent me before Rhys destroyed my phone.
What right did he have anyway going on like he was anything special. I'm special, Jack is special but Rhys he's...he's predictable that's what he is.
I pulled up to the address, a bloody construction site, and saw the SUV already parked with Tosh unpacking, Owen and Jack crouching over something nearby, and a police cruiser parked nearby while someone (maybe Andy) was taping off the area.
I parked and headed over to my team.
"Took your bloody time didn't you." Owen said in greeting.
I chose to ignore him and focus completely on Jack, giving him one of my best smiles. One which was reserved just for him.
"What have we got?" I asked cheerfully.
Jack returned my smile and it warmed me to my very core.
"Glad you could join us Gwen. Alien attacked three kids. Killed two before taking off." he told me motioning to the bodies Owen was currently examining. "Third kid barely got away alive. PC Andy and his partner found him running along the road bleeding and terrified. Kid told them that a black Wookiee with four red eyes murders his friends, so PC Andy called us while his partner went with the ambulance."
"Wookiee?" I asked.
"Chewie." Owen offered unhelpfully.
I shrugged.
"Star Wars." he said as if that should mean anything to me. I'm not a geek.
Owen sighed, "Bloody big hairy monster." he told me.
I nodded and returned my attention to Jack. He was looking sadly down at the bodies. I sighed, he is so compassionate sometimes.
"They are so young." Tosh said coming beside me. "Could you take the readings while I try to track the rift residue?" she asked.
I nodded even though I would rather not, after all I have more important things to do. I am Torchwood's Second in Command after all. She handed me a scanner and walked away.
In no time the scene was processed and the bodies were loaded. Tosh and Owen climbed into the SUV while Jack pulled me aside. He rested his hand on my arm and my heart flutter.
"Gwen I need you to head to the hospital and make sure that kid pulls through, then try to get him talking about what he saw." He told me.
I smiled his special smile and nodded, and with that he climbed into the SUV and I headed to my car. I love how Jack trusts me with the important stuff. Too bad I would probably be at the hospital all night though, I hope Rhys doesn't get it in his head to start another argument.
PC Andy Davidson's PoV:
Bloody Torchwood! Bloody Aliens! Bloody Gwen Cooper!
I really wasn't expecting to a child running scared and bleeding when I set out on patrol today, but I really should know better by now living in bloody Cardiff. What I can't believe though is that Gwen Cooper didn't even acknowledge my presence at the site. Ever since she got her fancy job she's been acting all superior. Like she's too good to be talking to me. I bet she didn't even mention me for a job to that Captain. Maybe she thinks Torchwood's too good for a lowly PC like me.
Who knows, maybe she's right though. I couldn't help thinking as I drove back to the station.
Toshiko Sato's PoV:
I was at the hub working on my newest modification to the rift monitor when the phone rang. I was startled right out of my seat but quickly recover and answered on the third ring. It was Gwen's ex-partner PC Davidson reporting a suspected alien attack.
I quickly contacted Jack with the information and he told me to call Gwen and Owen, and he'll meet us there.
I phoned Owen who asked me to pick him up at his flat and promised to call Gwen, then quickly packed mine and Owen's equipment in the SUV and headed out.
Owen claimed Gwen wasn't answering so he sent her a text. I knew I should have called her myself but sometimes Gwen can be so patronising and I really didn't want a "I have a life outside of Torchwood and you don't" speech, so I just let it go.
Jack was already at the site speaking to PC Davidson when we got there. He must have walked from Ianto's flat which wasn't that far away. Ianto, I noticed was no where in sight.
PC Davidson started to tape out the area and Jack moved to crouch over the bodies.
"Tire out Tea-boy did you?" Owen asked Jack rudely as we approached him.
I blushed. I was common knowledge that Jack and Ianto where together but Owen didn't have to be so crass about it.
Jack practically growled at Owen but otherwise ignored him. He gave us the additional information he had received from PC Davidson and as he spoke I couldn't help but feel sick by the condition of the two little boys' remains.
They were so young. Gwen finally showed up about twenty minutes later while I was taking extra equipment from the SUV. After Jack filled Gwen in and her not knowing Chewie I mentioned to her how young the children were but she hardly seemed to care, she was too busy staring adoringly at Jack and standing in my and Owen's way to notice anything else.
I asked her to run some scans for me, for the sake of getting her out of the way, and she agreed obviously grudgingly as if it was beneath her. Sometimes I really dislike her. Still I gave her the scanner and got back to work, my fingers crossed that she actually managed to use is correctly this time as unlikely as that was.
We finished processing the scene and loading the SUV, Jack told PC Davidson to head off, and Owen and I climbed in the SUV (Owen in the front) while Jack spoke to Gwen.
"Say Tosh," Owen said getting my attention, "think Gwen managed to get the scans right this time?" he asked.
I managed to stifle my giggle. "I'm scared to check." I told him.
Good thing the scans could be taken at any time so I can redo them if needed because last time Gwen had somehow managed to scan herself instead of the body we were examining.
Jack climbed into the SUV and we headed back to the hub.
"Tea-boy meeting us at the hub?" Owen asked Jack.
"Ianto's in London until Friday. UNIT conference." Jack answered sadly and Owen groaned. I couldn't help but smile a little, I knew that unlike Owen it wasn't just Ianto's coffee Jack will be missing.
We could look forward to a long night, maybe week because what ever killed those kids was still out there and we had to stop it before it killed again.
Dr. Owen Harper's PoV:
It isn't like Sunday's didn't already suck but add to that, one hell of a headache and being called in to examine the mangled remains of two brats and what do you get? One shite of a day, that's what.
To top it all off bloody Ianto Jones wasn't at the site when Me and Tosh got there. How hell am I to get my coffee back at the hub if bloody Harkness as shagged the Tea-boy into a coma? I couldn't resist making a quip but quickly regretted it when the Captain growled at me. Seriously? Growled?
On the other hand it made Tosh blush and it kind of looked all right so whatever.
I got to work on the bodies feeling nauseous, not too sure if it's the hangover or what. Next thing I know bloody Cooper is walking in like she owns the place or somethin'. I throw her a half handed comment knowing full well she'd be too busy making come-hither eyes at Jack to even notice, and then I got back to work.
Jack filled her in and she was looking at me all condescending when I tried to explain a Wookiee to her. Bloody Gwen Cooper, nice arse and decent shag but god awful attitude.
I got back to work and tried to ignored her while drooled over the Captain and stood in the way. Thankfully Tosh came to the rescue, I could kiss her, giving Gwen scans to do to to keep her busy and out of the way. Trust Tosh to know what to do, she's braver than be too. Honestly no way I'd be letting Gwen touch any of my equipment, at least not when we aren't even shagging any more.
We finish up and me and Tosh get n the SUV while Jack talks to Gwen. I ask Tosh if she thinks actually got the scans right this time and she tried not to laugh and said she was afraid to check. Don't blame her, everyone knows what happened the last time Gwen tried to scan something.
Jack got in the the vehicle and we headed to the hub. Already I was making list of what had to be done. Autopsy, check in the with the hospital, and figure out how to stop the alien before it goes and off some other brat. Add to that Tea-boy running off to London and no decent coffee for at least five days and I knew I'd be up for one nightmare of a week. Bloody Torchwood and bloody Sundays.
Captain Jack Harkness' PoV:
Last night after the others were gone Ianto and I went on another date, to a great little seafood place tucked away in a corner. The seafood was fresh and skilfully prepared, the wine was rich and velvety (just the way I like it), and the company...oh the company was sensational.
Ever since returning from running off with the Doctor Ianto and I've been dating properly. We'd been out together before, to a fair once and dinner a few times but never proper dating. Mostly just sex, mind blowing sex but just sex all the same. Now it was different, better even. Ianto and I've gotten extremely close, the sex had somehow managed to get even better, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
We'd headed back to Ianto's and we were in the middle of ripping each other's clothes off when my phone rang. UNIT. Damn UNIT and their awful timing. I would have ignored it but Ianto was giving me the "glare".
I answered and what do you think UNIT wants? A representative from Torchwood to come to London for a conference with them, Britain's armed forces and Ministry of Defence among others. Apparently it was important for Queen and country so Torchwood had to be represented, I knew I sure as hell wasn't going to go.
After the called I shared the information with Ianto and I was in the middle of scheming to send Owen when he had to be...well...himself and volunteered. I protested, of course I protested. He'd be gone almost a week, but then he had to go and use logic against me to prove he was the only option. Damn Logic.
I submitted to his stupid logic and he hurried to his laptop to make travel arrangements and to book a hotel online. For the next day! The conference wasn't for two days but he had to get there early, so he said.
To his credit he did make it up to me with lots and lots of sex. Rough and hard, fast and clumsy, and my favourite slow, tender and thorough. Needlessly to say he was exhausted this morning when his taxi came to take him to the train station.
When he left he kissed me and promised the days would fly pass, still I was happy for the distraction when Tosh called with a possible alien attack. That is until I got to the scene, saw what was left of the two little boys' bodies and PC Andy explained the state the third kid was in.
My mind was all over the place, with already missing Ianto, worrying about what that alien on the loose was out there doing, and mourning the tragic ending of two such young lives. I was so distracted I barely registered what was happening around me and couldn't even stop myself from growling at Owen for his dig at Ianto.
I was so lost in my own head that I barely noticed when Gwen showed up, ended botching the briefing and quickly sent her off to the hospital as soon as we were done with the scene. Hopefully with her police training she'll be able to get information from the child without further traumatising him.
I climbed in the SUV with Tosh and Owen, and drove of in the direction of the hub. Owen asked if Ianto would be at the hub and I had to tell them he was in London.
Owen was muttering to himself about no coffee and I couldn't help but wonder how I'd survive a case like this with out Ianto here. Especially after Grey.