GWEN COOPER…For veritas6.5….Hope this redeems myself and Mrs G. Williams/Cooper…..
Gwen sighed, leaning back in her chair to stretch out sore shoulders and a kink in her neck. A slight groan escaped her and she almost jumped out of her seat when she felt two strong hands push down on to her shoulders with a firm and warming pressure.
"Here, let me help." A gentle Welsh accent brushed over her and Gwen happily surrendered herself to the ministrations of her youngest colleague. Gwen closed her eyes and wished she could purr like a cat as nimble fingers worked at tight knots and dispelled the tension her body.
"I'm going to steal you one day and keep you." She murmured. "Where did you learn this?"
Ianto continued his work with a faint smile on his face as a fond memory was called fourth. "Lisa and I did these night classes together, so we could do this for one another. Both our jobs were high stress and it seemed like a good thing to be able to do, and it was a great way to relax and feel better. It was a time when we'd talk about our day and just enjoy being with each other."
Gwen was smiling now. "Sounds nice."
"It was." Ianto replied thankful that the memories no longer hurt like they used to.
"Would you have married her?" Gwen was always curious about that and hoped she hadn't overstepped the mark by asking. His warm hands were resting around her neck and throat, stilled for a moment.
"Yes. My mam once said that there was no such thing as love at first sight, but she was wrong." His hands moved again, gently caressing and kneading. "Lisa was just like a bright star in the darkest sky, she was so brilliant, witty and beautiful. I don't know what she saw in me."
Gwen nodded. "I know what she saw in you, someone who really would sacrifice everything, including himself, to keep her safe."
Ianto's hands fell away and he stepped back.
"I'm sorry."
Gwen swung round in her chair and grabbed his wrist before he could move away and Ianto reluctantly met her fierce look.
"Don't be sorry for loving someone that much, its beautiful Ianto. I wish I was half as strong as you are."
Ianto's gaze dropped to the floor. "It didn't help though, did it."
Gwen shrugged. "Maybe not, but I suspect in the end she knew what you were trying to do for her. You may have been misguided by your feelings Ianto, but you tried to do the right thing. You always do. You look after us, you look after Jack."
Ianto tried to pull his hand away, but Gwen held on with a strength that belied her gentle appearance.
"You're just as bright as she was."
Ianto's cheeks flamed with shame and embarrassment. He wasn't used to compliments from anyone but Jack and his usually carried an erotic overtone. He did not know what to say, so he fell back on his passive armoury.
"Would you like some coffee?"
Gwen could only laugh. "Yes, thank you." She released his hand and got up and gave him a hug and after a moment of sheer rigidity he hugged her back and whispered into her ear.
"Thank you."
They separated and Ianto straightened his tie and jacket and Gwen sat back in her seat. Normality re-established between them.
"Do we have biscuits?"
Ianto smiled and turned away. "Chocolate Hob Nobs?"
Gwen smiled. "Oh yes, meet at the sofa?"
Ianto pulled out his stop watch and set it going. "In five minutes?"
"I'll be there."