A/N: This is a re-write of the start of 'Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang', where Jack finds out that Gwen's engaged to Rhys.
How this should have been.
xoxoxo
"I saw the end of the world."
Gwen stared at Jack, half in amazement, half in terror of what her Captain had seen.
"How?"
"It doesn't matter now." Jack paused for a split second. "But after it was all over, I knew I belonged here. What kept me fighting was the thought of coming home to you."
Jack ran his hand down her arm lightly. As they looked into each other's eyes, Jack took her hand.
"I know this may sound crazy, but while I was away, the dying, the end of the world, none of that mattered. All I could think about was what you were going through after I left. What you were doing, how you were coping."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't coping, alright! You just left me, Jack! I didn't know what had happened to you! I kept thinking, over and over again, 'is it something I've done? Did I do something to make him leave?'"
There were angry tears glistening in her eyes. Jack hated seeing her like this. Even more, he hated that he had made her this way. He took her into his arms.
"Don't you ever think like that! I'm sorry I left without a word to you. And I hate myself for doing it, believe me, Gwen. If I could go back and take you with me, or at least tell you that I was going, I would."
Gwen sobbed into his shoulder.
"I did nothing but cry for the first week. After that, I gave up. I gave up hoping that you would come back, Jack."
Jack whispered into her ear.
"I'll always come back. I'll always come back to you."
Jack held onto her for a few more seconds before pulling her away from his shoulders and wiping the tears from her eyes. Stepping closer to her, he ran one hand down her back before pulling her towards him. His lips found hers almost immediately. He kissed her softly, before pulling away and looking into her eyes.
"While I was away, I finally realised what I knew all along. I love you, Gwen Cooper. Always have, always will. I know, you're with Rhys," he added, quickly. "But if there is even the slightest chance that you might feel the same way, please, I'm begging you, give me a chance. I know I don't deserve another chance, but please -"
Gwen placed a finger to his lips.
"You're right. I am with Rhys. In fact we're engaged ... "
Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Gwen placed her finger back over his lips.
"But you don't know how long I've waited for you, Jack. I don't mean just for you to come back, but how long I've waited for you to say that to me." She kissed him lightly, removing her engagement ring from the hand Jack wasn't holding. "I love you, Jack."
Jack smiled, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her from the ground, spinning her round.
"If this is the homecoming I get when I go away, maybe I'll disappear more often."
Gwen laughed, thumping him in the chest.
"Don't you dare!"
Jack kissed her deeply, pulling her close to him.
The Captain had his angel.