Title: Take Me or Leave Me

Characters: Jack/Ianto, the rest of the team

Warnings: unexpected Gwen/Jack.

Spoilers: RENT the musical, None for torchwood

Rating: T (I think)

Word Count: ~ 1,500

Summary: Ianto just can't take any more from Jack and he has to make the decision to take him or leave him.

A/N: I was watching RENT, and during the song Take Me or Leave Me, I saw a lot of parallels between Joanne and Maureen, and Jack and Ianto. I just felt it need to be written. Unbetaed so all mistakes are mine, corrections are welcomed

This is my first fic so please be nice. Enjoy.

Ianto was angry, very angry. Jack was insufferable, and Ianto could only take so much. Jack was at the bar practically groping the waitress as he flirted with her. Tosh gave Ianto a concerned and caring look, the team knew Jack and Ianto were an item and they also knew that Jack treated him like dirt. They knew Jack was a flirt, but it was getting ridiculous. Ianto gave Tosh a small smile in return, then discreetly slipped over to Jack whispering something in his ear. Jack detached himself from the waitress and followed Ianto out of the room. Tosh was worried, she couldn't help it, she loved Ianto like a brother, and she needed to know that he was alright.

Ianto stood in the abandoned hallway, the sounds of the party wafting to his ears. He was so angry, quite ready to kill Jack, but he didn't want to disturb the party. Jack slid into the hall, turning quickly to face Ianto. A predatory grin spread across his face and he walked up to Ianto crowding him. Ianto pushed him back, no longer able to hold himself together.

"What the hell was that?"

"What?" Jack tried to approach again, Ianto pushed him back with more force,

"With the waitress"

"We where talking," Jack replied indifferently

"Talking?" Ianto stretched to his full height, staring Jack in the eye

Tosh slipped out the door into the hallway, silently as the two men argued. Tosh bit her lip seeing the look in Ianto's eyes, it was clear he had been driven beyond breaking point. Ianto stared at her over Jack's shoulder; he gave her a weak smile. Tosh decided that was him giving her permission to see this, whatever 'this' was going to become.

"Ianto, you know I'm getting sick of you, and how much of a control freak you can be. Last night, I had to leave early, because you wanted to go home!" Jack didn't attempt to reapproach Ianto just yell at him.

"You were, flirting with, the guys in leather, and the woman in the rubber bikini!" Ianto shouted back

"Yan, there will always be men in leather, and women in rubber! Ever since I can remember, everybody has stared at me, boys, girls, aliens, I can't help it." Jack was speaking softly now, approaching him slowly like a frightened animal.

"So, be kind and don't loose you're mind over it. Remember I'm yours, but you'll have to take me for what I am. If you care you won't try to change me" Jack reached out to Ianto, he didn't push back just step away a bit.

Tosh looked intently at the two, her blood boiled at how Jack was talking, the worst part was, that it seemed to be working. Ianto's eyes had softened gazing on Jack like a god again.

"Yan, just promise me you'll remember that you are the one I choose, and some would kill to be in your place" Ianto shivered at the thought of Gwen taking his place in the captains arms, "Ianto, don't waste my time asking me if I'm still yours"

Ianto snapped again, the words 'waste my time' echoed in his mind.

"Don't you dare!" He yelled, the venom in voice clear

"Just accept me! It won't kill you!" Jack was shouting again as well.

Owen heard the indistinct sounds of yelling from the dance floor. He scanned the room to see if any of the others had heard. He realised that Jack, Ianto, and Tosh where missing. He filled in the gaps, Jack and Ianto where having another fight, and Tosh had gone to subdue them. He secretly wished that Tosh wouldn't be able to break them apart just so he could get one good swipe at Jack. He treated Ianto, like absolute crap, Ianto was vulnerable and insecure, the lasting thing he need was Jack grinding him into the dirt.

Gwen was talking to an old friend from school, when she saw Owen leave. She would have ignored this, but the concerned look on his face made her curious. She excused herself and scanned the room for any of her colleagues, none there, except Owen slipping out the door at the far end of the room. She frowned and followed, wondering what was going on.

Tosh flinched when she heard the door being pushed open carefully, she relaxed when she saw it was Owen, followed quickly by Gwen. She whispered a slight explanation to them. Owen was ready to go and punch Jack but Tosh held him back.

"There is no way I can be what I'm not, I thought you were with me for the adventure! So will you just calm down! Remember it's you in my bed at the end of the day. Kiss Yan?" He reached out to the younger man's face, but Ianto wasn't going to take it.

He pushed Jack back with all his force, "It won't work!"

Tosh couldn't help herself she stepped out from the shadows of the hall and walked up beside Ianto, glaring at Jack. She needed Ianto to know she was there for him. Owen followed and stood with Ianto. Jack was surprised and wondered how long they had been listening, not that he really cared. Gwen followed slowly, still undecided, Jack was amazing, a god in her eyes. It was clear he wasn't good to Ianto, but she couldn't help that think it couldn't be Jacks fault. He was too perfect, Ianto had to be the one at fault, but he was still her friend. She couldn't decide, she stopped halfway between them, looking on from the sidelines. Maybe if she knew the rest of the story she would be able to pick a side.

Ianto appeared to ignore Tosh and Owen standing by his side, but their presence made him warm inside. He knew they supported him and that made the next part so much easier.

"Jack, I look before I leap, I love margins and discipline, I make lists in my sleep, what's wrong with that? I never quit, and follow through. I hate mess but somehow I love you! What am I meant to do? Don't get this wrong Jack because I'm happy, don't try and come up with a compromise, you're lucky to have me Jack!" Ianto is shaking a bit now, but wether it's from anger or because he's about to have breakdown Owen couldn't tell. He placed a comforting hand on Ianto's shoulder anyway.

"So maybe, YOU should take ME for what I am, take a page from your own book. Accept me, and don't try and change me"

"What, and leave you a control freak, a snob that's still over attentive?"

"That's IT!" Ianto shouts stepping up to Jack

"The straw that breaks your back?" Jack laughed a little

"I'm DONE! Unless you take, it back" Ianto tried to stand taller than Jack and invade his personal space.

Jack just laughed again, Ianto groaned inwardly but refused to back down, "I just can't live with you"

"Can't live without me either" Jack smiled arrogantly

"I don't think so, I'm gone Jack! I can't take anymore of you!" Ianto yelled into Jacks face and stalked down the hall heading for the exit

"Like I care!" Jack called after him, "There is practically a cue of people, waiting for me. Guess what Ianto, they treat me right" He threw a glance to Gwen, who blushed a bit then scuttled off, back to the party.

Tosh and Owen chased after Ianto, he needed their support more than ever. Jack sauntered back into the party as if nothing happened. Gwen was so confused, Jack had practically thrown himself at her, but she couldn't stop thinking about Rhys and Ianto. Jack pulled her into his embrace in the middle of the dance floor, moving her slowly, holding her carefully, just like she imagined. She felt so guilty, she couldn't do this to Rhys or Ianto, she took a deep breath, ready to push him away. She was enveloped by Jacks smell and all could think about was his strong arms holding her in place, safe and warm.

Owen and Tosh flanked Ianto's side, half holding him up. Ianto's knees where weak, and he was holding back tears, Jack had left him, he had left Jack, it was all a bit of a blur. They walked back to the SUV, no one caring that they would be leaving Jack and Gwen without transport. Owen took the drivers seat, Tosh and Ianto sat in the back. During the drive Tosh whispered quietly in Japanese holding him tightly hoping it would sooth Ianto. When they arrived back at Ianto's flat, he had pulled himself together, and invited his companions inside. That sat and drank and bitched about Jack. Ianto felt strangely at peace, Gwen could have Jack, soon enough, she'd discover how much of a bastard he could be.

Okay, that was not quite how I expected it to turn out. Jack is a bit more of a bastard than I meant him to be. I also didn't mean for him and Gwen to get together, but it happened, somehow. I am a HUGE Janto fan, so writing this was a bit shocking. I know Gwen/Jack isn't the most supported pairing (I should know being a Janto fan) but please be nice anyway.

Reviews are loved