AN: Hi there. After the success of my last story I have decided to create a series of stories that build on Ianto's character. I feel that in the second series Ianto will have a bigger role. I think that Russell T Davies will examine his character more, or I hope so.

So here is my first, I hope you like.

Maintenance

Ianto always felt that if he took just one day off from working at the Hub, it would fall into disarray. He was always at the back of things but that is the way that he liked it. He cleaned up after the team, kept records and ordered food when the team returned from missions. He also provided emotional support when the team couldn't get any lower.

Like a few weeks after Gwen joined. The extra hours were putting pressure on her relationship with Rhys. She came into the Hub one day; her face was red from crying.

She hurried past Ianto and the rest of the team, dabbing her eyes with a crumpled tissue. She slumped onto her desk and began to catch up with the day's work.

Owen and Tosh gave each other the same concerned look. This was the fourth time this week that she had come to the Hub close to, or in, hysterics. Owen had tempted to talk to her the first time; all that he achieved was a shouting match from Gwen. Jack had tried the second time, he got the same treatment, and Ianto mused at the look of shock on his face when she snapped at him. It was the first time that Ianto had seen real fear on Jack's face. Tosh tried a couple of days ago, but just gave up when she was three steps away from Gwen; she didn't want to risk her wrath.

Ianto decided to have a go. He prepared Gwen's favourite mug of coffee, Brazilian bean with a hint of vanilla. This always made Gwen smile after a hard day. He then grabbed the packet of chocolate bourbons and made his way to Gwen's station.

He was in the boardroom at the time, he passed Owen first. He was heading up to fetch his autopsy reports from the table. He saluted Ianto as he walked by, Ianto nodded and continued down the stairs. Jack was lounging on the sofa near the autopsy room; he waved to Ianto and mouthed 'good luck'. He then made a thumbs up sign and continued to walk on towards Gwen's desk. He passed Tosh; she was running a program that would find their latest alien. She smiled weakly then continued to run her program.

Ianto reached Gwen's desk, he made no sign that he wanted to talk, and he simply placed his meagre peace offering on the table next to her. She stopped what she was doing and looked at the plate. Ianto turned and made his way back up to the boardroom to clean up after last night's late shift.

"Ianto." Said Gwen; her voice was small and shaky. All the other team members looked up suddenly. They all feared the worst, even Ianto.

He turned slowly, expecting a fire-breathing dragon that would flay his skin and chew his bones. He looked at Gwen and saw a smile that had been missing for a while. She walked over to Ianto and stood in front of him, she smiled wider and made a gesture that she wanted a hug. Ianto obliged and breathed a silent sigh of relief.

"Thanks Ianto." Gwen muttered as she pulled away and walked back to her work. Ianto smiled to himself and turned back to clean up the Hub. He was met by the stares from the rest of the team; they all had the same surprised look on their faces.

Later in the day Gwen waved happily at Ianto as she left the Hub. Ianto liked the feeling when he could help his friends.

Jack patted him on his shoulder as he left for home.

"What would we do without you?" Asked Jack as Ianto opened the information centre door to leave.

"The entire Hub would be demolished in the time it takes you to work the coffee machine. Sir" He added the 'sir' as an afterthought. Jack simply smiled and let Ianto go home.

Ianto was the most important part of the team, but he was just modest.

Hope you liked. R&R.