A/N: Um ok so this is set bout mid way through season 2, after 'to the last man' so slight spoilers, it's not a big feature in the story. I am a HUGH Janto fan! Thus this is a Janto piece.
Warning (because flames WILL be laughed at): Oh quick note on Gwen, I love Gwen as a character she fits in perfectly, however she gets a hell of a lot more face time than the others, who's characters are better and in my view far more entertaining. Basically I've tried my hardest to make this non Gwen bashing, but realistic to the pain, I apologise if this seems Anti-Gwen. Oh Yeah and I own nothing just got brave enough to post something where I borrowed them.
While the Cat's Away!
Ianto was gone. Stupid Torchwood meetings with stupid UNIT. Jack had been alone and annoyed for a week now. He was bored and ratty and his bed was cold without Ianto to heat it. Jack offered to go with Ianto but he wasn't on the best of terms with UNIT right now, something to do with escaping aliens and jurisdiction, then angry phone calls and apparently jack had stolen the alien's aircraft. Which absolutely was not stealing, hey if the 'keys' were still in the 'ignition' and there was intention of returning it at some point in time then it was borrowing . . . sort of. So Ianto politely declined Jacks offer as he wanted to be in and out, painlessly.
So now Jack was alone with thoughts of Ianto's return in two days, one, two days, that's all he had to make it through. Who thought the mighty Jack Harkness would be brought down by a week and a bit without his 'tea-boy'? It was because Ianto wasn't his ''tea-boy', he was just Jacks. They'd been out as couple for two months now and things couldn't be better.
He had John to thank for that he supposed. For all his swagger Jack had had no idea how to win Ianto back. John's arrival had changed that, provided the opportunity to ask Ianto out, even after that ridiculous mumbling about offices. That date had gone well; Jack had been surprised they'd had fun talking, laughing without work coming up once. Their 'arrangement' had been back on since that night, they still kept it quiet but they spent nearly every night together and went out when they could. It was since Tommy that they'd made it public, Jack didn't want to hide it anymore and from the way Ianto had been talking before they kissed it was the type of reassurance Ianto needed. The type that meant Jack wasn't about to melt into the wood work and disappear.
Jack was snapped out of his revive by the rift alarm. It was blaring at full blast and no one was turning it off, where the hell was everyone, oh yeah. Owen had threatened to shoot him so he'd sent them all home.
It was so stupid he just been talking to Owen during an autopsy and then he'd happened to drop his sandwich crumbs on the body and Owen had exploded. Reality being that Jack had adopted the persona of a three year old playing the 'why' game in the attempt to alleviate boredom. The final straw for Owen was Jacks 'dropped crumb'. More like a piece of crust thrown into the aliens open mouth, closely followed by whoops of joy from Jack.
Owen had snapped walking calmly over to his coat he picked out his gun aimed it Jacks head, and stated "Die" without a waver in his voice, Jack was almost impressed. However after the raised voice, hysterical booming laughter of Jack, a gunshot (a well placed miss by Owen) and finally Jack running through the Hub with a gun wielding Owen hot on his heels Tosh and Gwen thought it best that they take Owen home and stay there.
So there was Jack alone with a stupid alarm that would not quit. He was on his way to 'sort' it, probably in the form of throwing something, when it stopped. Jacks head popped round the door to see Gwen stood there with a smirk on her face. Good old Gwen always around when he needed her, jack felt a surge of affection and walked out to grab Gwen's arm, time for a weevil hunt.
xxx
Gwen had wanted to go home, Jack really was being an arse and she hated to think that Ianto could reduce him to that. Not because it was Ianto that made him that way . . . well not really, it was that she hated to think anyone had that much sway on her untouchable captain. So Gwen had stayed if only to snap Jack out of his behaviour. She was planning on keeping quiet, not sneaking or snooping just to be there encase Jack needed her. It didn't even dawn on her that she was mimicking Ianto's actions, his silent guard over Jack and the rest of them.
Ianto could be completely overlooked as part of the team, which was probably because he wasn't part of the team, not in the conventional sense; he was more the oil that greased the machine. No he was more than that, Ianto was the oil, the maintenance team and power switch. Ianto did all the jobs no one else even considered, maintenance of the hub and equipment; he took care of all and any causalities and records, not mention his very active role in archives. Ianto feed them, kept them caffeinated and no one knew more about the hub than him, no one. He'd even started doing fieldwork, more and more of it. Ianto loved this role, he never really was one for the limelight or aggressive action but from his position Ianto saw it all and could comfortably dive into any situation or argument. He could remain the rational member of the team when the others were too involved and for this reason they all trusted him, looked to him to keep everyone, mainly Jack and Gwen, in line.
So Gwen hadn't noticed this slight shift in her role while Ianto was away, no one did. Not because it was fuelled by ulterior motives, but because that role needed to be filled. And Gwen was most like Ianto as in her role wasn't concrete, unlike Tosh the techie, Owen the medic, or Jack the leader, Gwen was police liaison and seeing as that was really an at the time role Gwen's job was more fluid like Ianto's.
Gwen was doing well at staying under the radar, until the alarm went off; she could see Jack flinch and didn't need to hear him to know that Jack was grumbling probably contemplating throwing something. Gwen shut down the alarm and started taking note of where the rift spike had been, the size of the reading suggested weevils, she turned and smirked noticing Jack had come out of his office with a shoe in hand. After dropping the shoe and granting Gwen one of his famous Captain Jack smiles, the pair linked arms and Jack almost skipped to the invisible lift revelling in childlike anticipation of something to do.
xxx
Jack was flooring the SUV; he was caught up in the moment, the adrenalin buzz and Gwen's squeals at every sharp turn were spurring him on.
"Couldn't you slow down just a little bit?" Gwen's plea came through gritted teeth, but her smile betrayed her, making her enjoyment obvious, not that Jack would have listened anyway.
"Come on Gwen this is fun, admit it, your smile is."
"Yeah well it would be even more fun, if I wasn't quite so scared of every corner your taking" As if to prove her point her sentence was punctuated with Jack hitting the breaks to suddenly cut down a back alley, the back wheels catching the front and the whole car drifting, albeit in Jack's desired way. "Jesus Jack."
"Demoted, huh"
"What?"
"Well Ianto usually calls me God . . ." Jack let the sentence sink in with a wry smile and wink.
"Ok did not need to know." But Gwen was laughing, Ianto was always so professional until the two of them really got into a conversation, then all pretences were dropped. Ianto didn't confide much in anybody, but Jack and his dairy, however he was a brilliant listener and this had forged a bond between him, Gwen and Tosh. Ianto wasn't as reserved as a lot of people thought, his snarky nature had to come from somewhere, and Gwen and Tosh knew more about Ianto's sex life than Jack would have guessed, and visa versa.
Jack took the smile at face value and proceeded to speed through the smaller streets of Cardiff. "So where are we headed."
"About a Mile more east, there's a collection of houses that appear to be abandoned and the reading seems strongest there."
"Seems?"
Gwen checked the screen in front of her, the red haze indicating rift activity appeared blotchy, and she had guessed that was normal. Tosh always took care of this stuff, technically they were all trained in how to use standard equipment, but when Tosh got into full techie swing it was so hard to concentrate, plus Owen was usually trying to distract her. "Um well it's . . . all the red . . . yeah it's the most concentrated area."
"Oh, 'cause you sound so sure."
"Like you could read it any better" Gwen had got him there, if Jacks silent but open mouth was anything to go by. "Thank you."
The next few minutes were silent not due to any awkwardness or hostility but because each was preparing themselves for the fight about to commence. The SUV drew to a halt on a quiet street Jack's speed giving the car extra forward momentum that made the front wheel scratch against the curb. The street was eerily still, no movement showed on any side and the houses had a dormant feel, the whole street couldn't be asleep it was only seven, so Gwen was right, abandoned.
Jack got out of the car first, almost jumping on the spot, fidgety with adrenalin. Gwen followed quickly, both scoping the immediate area. Nothing, there was nothing there. The pair was letting their guard drop; it was then that a door to the left of Jack was flung open smashing into the wall snapping one of the hinges.
Jack automatically dropped into a crouch, creating a smaller target, while Gwen swung herself round the SUV bracing her back on the door. Inhaling deeply she peered over the bonnet to behold utter carnage. Jack was grappling with a weevil while another clawed at his back, claws shredding coat and skin like it was paper. Jack was writhing in pain, slowly losing grip on the weevil locked in his arms. Watching the proceedings were another three weevils two quite small, both further from Jack, spins curled, heads' raised to the sky nostrils quivering as if they could taste the fear in the air. With a jarring movement the weevil had finally wrenched itself free of jacks slacking grip. The pair of attacking weevils set about ending Jack with precise slashes to his stomach and throat. Jack's body lay convulsing on the floor, blood pooling around his middle and head spreading into a puddle around his now unnaturally still form.
Gwen had to be sick she could feel the bile rising in her throat, chocking her, crippling her ability to breath. Whether it was her retching that finally drew the weevils' attention or that they'd just waited to dispatch Jack first, Gwen didn't have time to decide.
Five heads snapped her way in unison. It was the largest weevil, the one which had been at Jack's front, that first bounded over to the SUV in four long strides. It skirted around the bonnet to lung at Gwen's chest. Throwing herself from the fatal strike, Gwen had missed a second weevil approach from behind. This weevil was at Gwen's side in an instant sinking its teeth into the tender flesh of her Shoulder. Gwen howled throwing herself to the side to try and dislodge the unwelcome addition to her body. This only made matters worse teeth not just sinking deeper but now twisting and tearing. Gwen's howl became deeper and almost animalistic, she was in too much pain to register that it wasn't her screaming now, her voice long gone and throat raw.
Jack had shuddered his way back into life, after a moment or two's disorientation he'd heard Gwen's cry. Shooting the three loitering weevils on sight Jack vaulted the SUV to land in front of the first weevil kicking out its feet and killing it execution style, one bullet clean between the eyes. Jack turned to face Gwen only to falter in his resolve, Gwen was bleeding badly her shoulder a gaping wound open to the elements save for a weevil covering it. Jack snapped back to attention empting his cartridge into the offending weevil and grabbing Gwen before she hit the floor. Placing her back against the car he all but ripped open the boot grabbed the first aid kit and returned to Gwen. She was in a bad way, Jack plugged the bite best he could, gauze saving her from infection for now. He checked Gwen's pulse it was faltering, but he wasn't about to lose Gwen not now, not today, not to a lousy weevil, not when she hadn't given as good as she'd gotten, not while he was okay, not while Jack could prevent it. Without a second thought or even first Jack locked lips with Gwen, hands grasping either side of her face in a less than gentle caress, willing, forcing his life into her, wishing her safe.
xxx
Gwen could feel herself growing cold. It started as a tingle in her fingers creeping slowly up her arms and drawing in from her legs and numb feet. She was growing numb, only a stabbing heat in her shoulder and neck anchored her to existence.
Then she felt it, a spark at her lips, something begging entrance flooding her with warmth, making her body sing.
xxx
Jack could feel Gwen accepting his life force. Now her pulse was growing stronger, cheeks gaining pallor, lips losing that hideous blue tint. Good, now he could move her, somewhere warmer and safer. Jack raised Gwen in one swift fluid movement, hauling her and their bags over to a shell of a house and breaking down the door. Jack slid in laying Gwen on the floor he took off his coat laying it next to her. Jack then picked up Gwen and placed her with such reverence, as if she was some precious jewel, on his coat. Now she was safe, well safer, jack rearranged the door back on its hinges and rang Owen.
"Look mate I'm not being funny but this better be good, you owe m . . . "
"Owen shut up its Gwen she's hurt, badly! I've stabilised her for the moment but there was so much blood, and the teeth were in so close to her neck I can't . . . can't lose her, not ready . . . none of you . . . "
"Shit, Jack try and stay calm, where are you mate, tell me and I'll be right there."
"Can't think, don't know an hour out of the harbour maybe, hurry Owen so much blood, I can't do this."
"Shit, ok relax, Jack I'm gonna need you to stay calm, look mate I'm going to get Tosh to track this signal, is Gwen conscious . . . Jack I need an answer, Jack!"
"Yeah, no she's so still Owen so still"
"Ok Jack breath, I needed you to stay calm, I need one of us to help Gwen ok, keep her warm and hydrated keep pressure on the wound, is it patched."
"Yeah, the first aid kit patched and sterilised."
"Ok, that's good Jack you've done well. Now Jack listen if she wakes up you've got to keep her focus and attention if she sees the wound there's a good chance she could go into shock. Jack . . . our Gwen's strong, she'll get through it."
"I know, Owen?"
"Yeah"
"Hurry" Jack didn't wait for the reply, he didn't need to. Jack knew Owen was probably half way out the door, already on the phone telling Tosh.
Jack returned to Gwen's body, so limp and still he removed his shirt to place over her, he had his t-shirt, and Owen had said to keep her warm. He looked at the water, but he didn't want to force Gwen, any shocked movement would tear her wound right open. So instead Jack lowered himself at Gwen's head raised it and sat crossed legged creating a pillow, and there he stayed diligently watching her breathe.
Jack had only been sat there a few minutes when Gwen took a breath her whole body seemed to move with it, her rib cage shuddering. Jack leapt to action finding her pulse, it was erratic and jumpy Jack remembered what Owen said about shock, and did the only thing he could. He kissed her, just like before, pouring in his life force, making Gwen come round.
Gwen did come round, to lips on her own, her eyes shot open, but steady hands kept her from springing up. Gwen was alert, but not panicked, this kiss was something else. She could feel jack in it, she knew he meant no harm, only life and Gwen clung to this drawing in Jack, feeding off his kiss.
Later they would blame it on other things. Jack would blame it on the situation, on being scared and alone. On the lust and care he felt for all his team members. On Owen and how he told Jack Gwen needed to be kept occupied. He would even blame it on Ianto for not being there to hold him when he 'woke up'. Gwen would Blame Ianto too, for making jack all the more alluring. She would blame it on nearly dying and on wanting to feel alive, wanting to feel anything. She would blame weevils, and Owen for not being there sooner, and she would blame Rhys. She would blame him for not being the one to bring her 'back'. But right now neither were blaming, neither were thinking, both lost in the moment and they own emotions.
Gwen pulled Jack to her, ripping his t-shirt from his torso. Jack was working on holding Gwen still always aware of her wound, while tugging on her jeans. Gwen had successfully removed jacks top and now surged forward in a deep kiss, almost animalistic, no room for anything other than pure need. A silent agreement was made in that biting kiss, this meant nothing but to fulfil the want, Gwen's need to feel alive and proof to Jack that they were both okay they'd both made it. Gwen pushed her hand into Jack boxers without warning, both pairs of trousers discarded in a heap to the left of them. She grabbed Jacks cock twisting her hand suddenly right. Jack threw his head back in pleasure and Gwen used her lips and teeth to attack the newly available skin, latching her mouth onto his earlobe first. Jack had to check himself; that was one of Ianto's favourite tricks. Ianto having told Gwen this himself after she asked for tips with Rhys. Almost only to ground himself to the situation, and the person, Jack stroked Gwen's breast tweaking the nipple, this was definitely not Ianto. Shit what was he doing? Ianto! But when Gwen bit his lip like that and applied that sweet pressure to his straining cock Ianto was forgotten. Gwen was keening now, jack was so strong and demanding, she could tell he was a teaser, he would rather have her begging, but right now it was about urgency.
The pair had transformed into a writhing mess on the floor, clothes scattered , bodies surging into each other, moans being prised from pursed lips like forbidden secrets. They were moving as one, increasing speed while losing control, surging and writhing while building and climbing to the climax that sweet oblivion before the rest of the world could come rushing back in.
Nearly an hour later they were back at the hub. Tosh and Owen had pulled up in his car to find Jack waving them down in the street. Owen had nearly had a heart attack, grilling Jack on why he'd left Gwen, why he'd moved her "What the hell Harkness". Jack hadn't answered, just motioned to the house muttering something about seeming worse at the time.
Owen, leaving Tosh to help Jack clear the weevil mess outside, had found Gwen sat on the bottom step facing the back of the front door. Owen had expected . . . well he wasn't sure but something a hell of a lot worse than this "Fucking Harkness . . . heart attack!" Gwen looked up to see Owen enter, and if he hadn't been more focused on checking her over he might of commented on the blatant look of disappointment that distorted Gwen's features.
The ride home had been unpleasant, after Tosh's relieved outburst at finding Gwen safe the group had been quiet. Tosh taking it as exhaustion and shock, she wasn't exactly ok herself; Owen's call and arrival had left her completely shaken. But Owen wasn't fooled something had happened, beside the weevil's. Jack had just taken off in the SUV with the weevils, he hadn't asked for help almost removing Owens head when he'd try to get to the bottom of it all. Gwen had been quiet, not one murmur of pain, not at the house, or in the car, not even now perched on the autopsy table.
Owen really wasn't stupid. There was no way Jack would have rung him like he had earlier if it hadn't have been bad. Jack had seen a lot, more than anything he could imagine and in this job that was saying something. So for him to breakdown over something as small as Gwen's grazed neck it just wasn't feasible. Plus Owen had that extra something called being a doctor. Gwen's neck looked odd, the skin was taunt and pale, like it was already scarring, the bruising was already more yellow than brown. Owen knew it was a bad wound, most definitely life threatening, but it was old, about three or four weeks if it had been stitched properly.
So Owen was just supposed to buy this, swallow the lie, or lack of truth. No way, Gwen had received a three week old wound today, her shirt was drenched in her blood along with Jack's coat, and Jack was ignoring everyone. Something had gone on and Owen had a tenner riding on the fact that Ianto and Rhys wouldn't like it.
Along with having the general advantage of being a doctor Owen had the advantage of being Jack's doctor. Oh Harkness liked to think he was all mysteries, pah, Owen knew all about Jack's biology wacked up as it is, and he hadn't missed the energy that permeates Jack's body. Owen was also Ianto's doctor and he'd seen that kind of healing on Ianto before, only that time he'd been willing to kick up a fuss doing tests and blood work finding that same energy in Ianto, only just showing resonating like an echo. These results turned Ianto into a blushing and unnaturally quiet blob, which usually left Owen laughing or craving some sort of mind bleach. Owen wouldn't say anything it wasn't his place; Harkness could screw up his own life. It was Ianto he was concerned for, if Lisa taught him anything it was that Ianto gave his love completely, this would hurt him massively and Owen would have to be prepared for when the shit hit the fan.
xxx
Gwen was panicking; she was ashamed, angry at herself and that arrogant bastard. She felt wrong and dirty like her insides were crawling, alive and wriggling. She felt all these things because she'd wanted it, hell she'd needed it, in a way she always had. But never, never had Gwen counted on it feeling so much like a betrayal. Not to Ianto, she didn't care too much right now, but for herself and for Rhys. Gwen was better than that, at least she'd thought she was, but Jack had managed to crawl right underneath all that, he got right under her skin. He'd become her obsession, her personal mission to know Jack, the real Jack. And to save him, to bring him out of that dark place they could all see he resides in, and for him to only thank her , for Jack to acknowledge that she was his guiding light. Now it was gone she felt almost cheated, their relationship had altered, moved on.
And she hadn't even been lucid enough to properly enjoy it, a coy part of her whispered.
Pushing said voice away she turned her mind to Rhys. She had cheated, oh God she had hurt possibly the only constant and good thing in her life. She done it before but those times she'd always been right, she hadn't like hurting him but it had been for the 'greater good'. Now she had no excuse no rhyme or reason, she couldn't tell if she felt more disgust or pity for herself.
An idle part of her mind had been wandering how Jack was taking this, but at the thought of his name all others stopped. It was his fault; there it was her reason, Jack. He had kicked everyone else out; well ok they'd opted out, but because of him. She'd had to weevil hunt with him, alone. It was his fault for dying, for saving her, for being there so she wasn't alone, and for being the only light in the most terrifying night she could remember. It was clichéd she knew, but it felt better, it was better, if Jack was a saviour and the context in which it happened, the events of the night, gave her an excuse, a reason to cheat, because she was just reacting to being alive.
Gwen had had enough of thinking for now, she needed to get up and go, do something before she went completely insane. Slowly raising herself from the autopsy table Gwen ignored a protesting Owen and didn't even spare him a glance as she shuffled to Tosh's desk, she wasn't in too much pain. Everything just felt stiff, like a broken arm after the cast is removed, healed but like it hasn't functioned in years. What she needed now was a good friend.
xxx
'Retcon where was the sodding Retcon' Jack was thundering around in his office trying to find a little white bottle. Owen had taken it last, for their field work, but no, he'd given it to Ianto after the incident with the farmer's tractor and screaming wheat, long story involving alien technology and the transference of sentient consciousness. Jack was sure he gotten it back though, yeah out of Ianto's trousers while picking them off his desk. So where the hell was it?
Jack had driven off alone; he wasn't able to deal with this, he needed to think but before that he needed to clear his head, a lot. Gwen was still swimming about in there, inducing dread as she'd nearly died, pure bliss that she was alive, and lust at the intoxication of her perfume and the grasp of her hands . . .
Jack had driven for a long time, out into the depths of the countryside. He was going to bury the weevils, the catalyst of tonight, the memories. After all they were dead. Owen had no use for them he cut up more of the creatures than Jack cared to remember and like humans, although built differently their basic anatomy was the same. And he wasn't about to dump them, leaving things alone, to rot, gave him the shivers. So Jack pulled the SUV to a standstill and dragged the bodies about fifty meters into the adjacent woods. Here the physical exertion was enough to bring Jacks whirring mind to a grinding halt. He just focused on the soil and the spade, the smack of steel on stone and the dull ache building and burning in his muscles.
It was nearly four hours later when Jack resurfaced back at the hub, even then he didn't stop to greet anyone, only pausing in his resolved march to sneak a glance at Gwen, sitting on the autopsy table obviously trapped in her own thoughts and ignoring Owens mutterings. Jack continued on, he had finally stopped to think in the car and had come to a decision. Retcon. He was in pain and so was Gwen, in fact his pause had only strengthened this resolve, he wasn't about to let Gwen suffer.
He could carry the guilt, be the only one to remember and stop the others trying to dig up these memories. He'd have to get Owen too, that boy was too smart for his own good and that meant getting Tosh as well, unless he could get her to help. Hmm that may just work better he'd have to come up with a story for the 'lost' time and Gwen's wounds anyway. So if he told the story to Tosh, something about a weevil and Owen and Gwen getting in too deep and an argument, he could convince her to help as it's what's best. Yeah good basics, he could Iron out the kinks later, Jack always was a good improviser . . .
Who was he trying to kid. Retcon, like that would ever work, they were all far too smart to fall for that or any half arsed story he concocted, and for once that didn't fill him with joy.
Jack was scared. He couldn't lose Ianto. Not now, not after it had taken so long for them to get over themselves. Jack didn't know when or how it had happened but he had fallen completely for his Welsh boy. He knew Ianto loved him completely too, he wasn't blind or thick, just selectively ignorant sometimes. Their relationship had always been about need, but now it had evolved from animalistic lust and the need to forget and feel, to the need for each other, the company, the advice, the love and the compassionate understanding.
They were completely in love, it just wasn't conventional. Jack had taught Ianto not to worry about boundaries, Ianto would tolerate Jacks flirting, even enjoy it because that's what made Jack and because it was always Ianto he came back to. Ianto could revel in the fact that he was something more to Jack than all these people, that's why he always returns.
Jack knew the instant it became anything more Ianto would walk and never look back.
And in return Jack opened himself up to Ianto, just little things at a time, but it was a never ceasing flow of the truth, of course Ianto accepted that there would always be something Jack didn't share.
The pair were completely comfortably with and around each other, completely trusting and open, they were perfect and without all that awful need for constant proof of love, although displays of it were always welcomed.
And he Captain Jack Harkness had fucked it all up.
Bugger.
xxx
Ianto stepped off the train onto the crowded platform. Taking a moment to brush down his suit jacket, Ianto allowed his eyes to survey his surroundings, to take in the appearance of Cardiff, of home. A second later he was swept up in the throng of people headed toward the exit. Dear god he was thankful to be home even the normal aspects of life here were interesting. He had never been so bored in is life than sat right at that table noting every word the UNIT idiots ranted. Jack really was rubbing off on him; there were never that many doodles in his margins before loving the great captain. Ah, Jack, his Jack . . . right Starbucks first then the hub, come on he had his priorities.
xxx
Jack was acting again, he was playing himself. Retcon was a complete no, so he was going to ignore the problem. Technically it wasn't a stupid plan because Gwen wasn't stupid. She had Rhys and would stay with him because she loved him and because Jack wasn't presenting himself as an option. If he didn't acknowledge the event then he was showing Gwen that he chose Ianto. He was, and always wanted to be with Ianto, but she was a friend, no she was more than a friend, so he wasn't being cold, he still loved her just not in the way that night had portrayed. By pretending nothing happened he was showing Gwen she still had a place on the team at his side, he wanted things to remain normal. They could move on without the mess of ruined team dynamics and Ianto could remain in blissful ignorance.
That was when the cog alarm blared into Jack's thoughts; his less than perfect plan was would have to work, because everyone was in work which meant that was Ianto, finally.
Gwen's head snapped up from the work she had been trying to finish. Oh god Ianto. What the hell was going to happen, Jack was ignoring the situation, which in all honesty she was thankful for. How the hell would that conversation go anyway? In Jack's warped way he was showing her they were going to be ok, she knew that. What Gwen didn't know was how they would get to ok. Was Jack going to tell Ianto out right? Would Ianto guess, he was freaky perceptive about Jack and well everything. 'Deep breaths Gwen' she told herself 'deep breaths' they'd get through this they were professionals, but just how many limbs would Ianto tear off first, she wondered.
"Ianto!" Jack all but vaulted the stairs and desk to reach the young man walking through the doorway. "Bout damns time!" Jack exclaimed as he swept Ianto off his feet turning to carry him bridal style into the main hub.
"JACK!" Ianto was decidedly uncomfortable with this, as much as he loved this very public display of affection, he didn't need another reason for Owen to mercilessly mock him. "Put me down, now" Ianto was wriggling so much that Jack had to comply or risk dropping Ianto on the floor. "Thank you" Ianto wasn't looking at Jack but rather smoothing over his suit for a second time that morning, it made him smirk to think Jack had the same effect as a large crowd of commuters. Jack however was not at all put off in his affections, he waited too long to needlessly touch his Teaboy, stepping up behind Ianto pressing his chest flush to Ianto's back and letting his hands naturally fall to Ianto's hips.
"Dear God! Five seconds Jack, he back exactly five seconds and your already molesting him. Ianto go away longer next time" Owen had come out to greet Ianto, curious of Jack and Gwen's reaction, but upon seeing the Teaboy smothered by Jack his childish excitement fell and he shouted his opinion over his shoulder on the way back to autopsy.
"Jealous Owen, he's mine" Jack retorted feeling Ianto shift against him as he giggled and then adding directly in Ianto's ear "never stay away that long again, I was bored" punctuating with a nip to the pale flesh under Ianto's ear "and I missed you"
Ianto hummed, he wasn't expecting this Jack was never this public at work, on the street it was normal Jack didn't care what people thought, he loved Ianto what should anything else matter. Yet at work Jack liked to maintain professionalism. That way 'Captain Jack' was obeyed and if Ianto felt he needed to interject or object it was never thought of as favouritism, not that it would have been anyway but it made Jack and Ianto feel better. And from the sort of grimace on Gwen's face Ianto guessed she had expected it either.
In truth Gwen thought it was sweet and would have swooned over the pair if it hadn't been for the whispering, shit why had she never learnt to lip read.
Jack was watching Gwen too. It may be cruel but he was marking his territory. Gwen better hide that grimace if she didn't want trouble, it wasn't her normal behaviour and Ianto was observant. "Gwen, you alright? Jack, stop it." Shit too late Ianto had tilted his head watching Gwen and had inched toward her.
"What, sorry, yeah fine thanks Ianto. Didn't sleep very well, sorry in a little world of my own, now come here stranger." Gwen was good at lying, she'd had to learn fast in Torchwood and with Rhys, plus the best way to catch a liar was to be one. She moved to hug Ianto who still hadn't shrugged off Jack who walked with him still pressed as closely as he could be while walking to Ianto's back.
xxx
"What did you tell him?!"
"Shit! Gwen, give a guy a heart attack!" Gwen had cornered Jack as soon as she could. She'd shrugged off Ianto's concern easily, ignoring the more pointed looks from Jack, and watched the two settle back into routine for a while. A first she thought she'd be ok but Jack wouldn't leave Ianto alone, constant touching or squeezing, nipping at his neck and all the God forsaken whispering.
The situation had been starting to fray her nerves, what if jack wanted to tell Ianto, make her out to be the bad guy, not that Jack would do that but her heightened state of agitation wasn't doing anything for her powers of deduction.
What Gwen had wanted to do was talk to Jack, this whole ignoring it gig wasn't going to work if they didn't have their story straight, or neither quite knew what the other was planning to do. And now with Ianto so close the threat was so much more poignant.
It had taken two hours, two fricking hours to get Jack sodding Harkness alone, and even that wasn't her doing. Ianto had finally lost him by bargaining, boring paperwork now whatever Jack wanted later.
What Gwen hadn't realised is that she had elongated the process herself. Her jittery nerves had made her follow Jack less than covertly, and her excuses to get him away were quite frankly lame and transparent. Each new attempt had seen raised suspicion of something in Ianto and Jack having to spend another fifteen minutes distracting him, not that he minded but he'd rather have been doing it for fun than out of necessity.
"Shut up Harkness. What did you tell hi . . ." Gwen's distressed state had elevated her voice raising it to a level that would easily attract the others. Jack grabbed her arm cutting her rant mid flow, and dragged her into his office; grip unnecessarily tight out of anger.
"I told him nothing. And neither will you or Rhys for that matter. Just forget it Gwen it was a mistake." Jack's words flooded Gwen's ears drowning her agitation with sorrow. Fair enough that had been the plan all along but hearing it from Jack, so blunt and without care, cut her.
Shame and revolution now fuelling her anger, Gwen wrenched her arm from Jacks grip she lunged forward, throwing her body weight at Jack, shoving him harshly against his desk, shock and the sharp twinge of pain quelling his retaliation.
"YOU BASTARD!" Gwen screamed, "Do I mean that little to you? Do I repulse you that much?" Gwen voice dropped and started to quake with a now deep burning anger, not that former violent spark but something cold and far more frightening for it.
Gwen's outrage carried her now, her body and soul were exhausted but Jack was going to get a piece of her mind, pure determination operating her mouth and voice box. "You can pretend all you want Jack but it happened and you loved it, you love me. Face it Jack Ianto has never mean that much to you, does he ever feel the raw passion you threw at me? You gave me some of your life, try and act all high and mighty, but I am a part of you now, you gave yourself to me" Gwen's pain was so consuming that the spite of her words didn't reach her, nor did the look of shock and panic that crossed Jack's face, or the presence at the door. In fact the only thing that penetrated her bubble was the broken sob that resonated from behind her and the way Jack sprang to life and bound for the door, with little care for her physical presence.
When Gwen turned four things hit her in quick succession. First was Owen's face, the look of smug confirmation and shock warring to rule his expression, finally settling to a sneer of barely concealed disgust. Second was the fact that she couldn't see Tosh's, just her rippling hair as the petit woman stalked away, shoulders tight and angry. Next came the image of Jack slumped on the floor, frame wracked with silent sobs and fist pounding the concrete in chastisement. The last was the smothering silence that followed the cog alarm, the blanket of quite that meant Ianto had run.
TBC
Hope you liked it I am writing the next part I swear just couldn't resist the cliffy.