Toshiko Sato sat at her desk, like she did every day, typing away at her computer. And, like every day, Ianto Jones brought her coffee.

Except today.

For the coffee turned up on her desk as always, but someone different was carrying the mug.

"Owen?" Toshiko asked, surprised. "You're stealing Ianto's job, now?"

Owen shook his head. "This is especially for you, Tosh."

"You've poisoned it with something," Tosh frowned, reluctantly taking the cup. "What's different about it, Owen?"

"The only thing different in this coffee is the love it was made with," Owen replied with a deadpan straight face.

Toshiko laughed, smiling. "Right, Owen. Next thing you'll be asking me out on a date."

"Well..." Owen blushed, turning away. "I'll leave you to get on with your work, Tosh. Enjoy the coffee."

xx

Owen loved Toshiko. He didn't just fancy her, like he did with Gwen, or want her for the sex, like Diane. He actually loved her unlike any of the other women he had been with.

But it was these women that he knew he had no chance with Toshiko. She was sensible, unlike Owen, and had priorities. Owen's main priority was sex, and plenty of it, and Toshiko knew that well.

But Owen was determined to try. He could only be humiliated so much, and then it would cease to hurt.


xx

Owen left Toshiko a box of chocolates on her desk the next morning. He'd picked them especially, knowing that they were her favourites after remembering a previous conversation.

"They're lovely," Tosh beamed when she saw them. "Who are they from?"

"Mr Lover-Lover over there," Gwen teased, pointing at Owen.

"That's Doctor Lover-Lover to you," Owen retorted. He instantly regretted it. Again, Toshiko would think he was joking. Because he, Owen Harper, was the joker, and would never be serious when it came to admitting his true feelings. And Gwen knew it, which was why she'd teased him. And he'd bottled the chance again.

Owen approached Toshiko later that day, while the others were busy in the cells.

"You know those chocolates were from me, yeah?" he asked.

Toshiko nodded. "I didn't need Gwen telling me to know that. You're the only one who would leave anonymous chocolates on my desk."

"Am I that predictable?" Owen asked, blushing.

"No," Toshiko replied with a smile. "You're never one to admit things out loud, Owen, and that's not a problem. I'd just wish you'd left a note to tell me what they meant."

"What do you think they meant?" Owen asked.

"You tell me," Toshiko leant back on her chair.

"I've never been good with words," Owen admitted. "But I guess it's my way of telling you that, well..."

Ianto's voice cut into his ear. "Owen, we need you in the cells. Janet's ill."

"I'd better go," Owen gabbled, rushing off and leaving Toshiko stunned, speechless and fairly annoyed.

Xx

Toshiko unlocked her car that evening. She hadn't got much planned; probably a romantic novel coupled with a home-cooked Chinese. A tap on her shoulder stopped her before she opened her car door.

"Owen?" she asked. "Shouldn't you be-"

Owen pulled Toshiko towards him and kissed her softly on the lips.

"What was that?" she asked. "Where's the hidden camera, Owen?"

"I've never been good with words," Owen whispered, echoing his earlier sentence.

It was only then Toshiko realised what he meant.

"You don't need words," she smiled, returning the kiss. "I just wish you'd told me before. Now I'll need to un-make my plans for this evening." She opened her car, sitting in the driver's seat and opening the passenger door.

"What were you going to be doing?" Owen asked, getting into her passenger seat.

"Oh, not much," Toshiko said with a shrug. "But it'll be ten times better spending it with you. And I don't plan on using very many words."

"Sounds like my kind of evening," Owen grinned.