Disclaimer: I own nothing

Author's Note: I've finally finished 6th form and A levels so hopefully I can get update out quite regularly now.

Chapter Two

" So ... then I said to him "Well Your Royal Highness, you can go suck-" "

" Jack! "

Sitting on the kitchen table in the newly rebuilt hub, Captain Jack Harkness sighed as his wife of almost 11 months, who he'd been with for over two years before that, scolded him.

" But I'm telling you all the story," he protested, " don't you want to hear it accurately? "

Lily rolled her eyes, while Torchwood Medical Officer Dr Owen Harper roared with laughed.

Lily and Jack had so many stories between the two of them, and as the team sat around in the kitchen on this particularly quiet day, it was Jack's turn to regale one of his stories.

This particular one was from the time period when he'd returned to earth from the Game Station, and been stuck in the late 19th century, and he was telling them about the time he'd met Prince Albert, Prince Consort of Queen Victoria.

" We don't need to hear that bit," Lily told him, " and I told you when you first told me the story, I think it was kinda rude of you to speak to the Queen's husband like that. "

" Are you joking? " Jack laughed, " this coming from you who was banished from the empire by Queen Victoria, who quickly set about setting up an organisation to keep out you, your dad, and similar "threats." "

Lily had to smirk at that, as she took a chocolate from the box that Tosh was passing around, " Well, look how that turned out. What would Queen Victoria say if she knew one of the very threats she had in mind when she set Torchwood up, was sitting here drinking coffee and eating chocolate? "

" Have you ever met any royalty? " Tosh asked Lily curiously, " I mean, any current royalty? "

Lily grinned, " I met Prince Harry once. Lovely young man. Gorgeous. "

" I don't know," Jack shrugged, " I always quite fancied William. " When Lily raised her eyebrows at him, he added, " Well, you know, if I had to choose. "

" I never know when to take you seriously," Gwen said, resting her hands on her expanding belly, at 6 months pregnant.

" I find he's always telling the truth when he tells these stories," Ianto said, sipping his coffee, " unfortunately. "

Lily had to smirk at that.

It had been a quiet day, but the hub was comfortably rebuilt and they were all sitting in the kitchen. It was early evening, and Ianto had just ordered them all pizza. Tosh had brought in a box of chocolates earlier than - her aunt had been visiting and had brought her a box of chocolates full of nuts, which she didn't like.

When Ianto announced he'd better go meet the pizza boy, they all watched him leave the kitchen. After Ianto's relationship with the girl from the pizza place had ended, they'd considered ordering from somewhere else, but Ianto had insisted that was no need - the relationship had ended badly, they'd just drifted apart.

" Get off the table," Lily told Jack, a smile on her face that wasn't at all in keeping with the tone of her voice.

" Why? "

" Because we're going to eat, and we don't need to eat off something that your backside has been on," she said, as he gave in and got off the table.

" Under the thumb, mate," Owen snorted, as Jack looked around the room. They'd only gotten four chairs, and all were being occupied.

" I am never under the thumb," Jack protested as his wife stood up so he could take her chair.

As Jack sat down Owen laughed, " You're so under the thumb. "

Jack sighed, " Well, she doesn't let me sit on the kitchen table at home either. "

Owen snorted as he thoughts were confirmed, and Lily shrugged as she sat down on Jack's lap, " What can I say? I love my kitchen table. "

She was wearing a cheeky grin, and Jack chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her waist, " That's what you love, is it? "

She grinned, " Well it's so smooth, and sexy and - "

" Are we still talking about the table? " he asked, raising his eyebrows at her.

" Well, of course," she said, " I mean, it's a beautiful piece of craftmanship. "

" Shut up," Jack mumbled as he leaned in. He closed the small gap between them and Lily closed her eyes as she felt his lips press against hers. It was a sweet brief kiss, and when they broke apart, he smiled and brushed some of her hair away from her face.

" You two are so cute its actually sickening," Owen grumbled.

" You're just jealous," Jack said with his usual self assured smirk.

Owen allowed himself a smirk, " Well, I suppose your wife is rather gorgeous, but I don't need to be jealous. Lily knows if she wants me, I'm hers. "

This earned him a playful slap on the arm from Tosh, while Lily grinned at him, " Oh Owen, don't worry sweetie, we're still on for our secret rendevous later on. "

Owen winked at her, earning himself another swat from Tosh, whilst Jack warned, " Better not be. "

Lily giggled - her flirting with Owen was always meaningless, and their partners always knew they just did it to wind them up. Lily smiled innocently and turned her face towards Jack's.

" I suppose if you've got objections to the secret rendevous, I'll just have to call it off," she said.

" Very kind of you," Jack drawled, leaning in again. She was grinning as they shared another kiss, this one lingering just a little.

" How can you still act like newlyweds? " Owen asked, shaking his head at them.

" Oh Owen stop being so grumpy," Lily sighed, as Ianto walked through the door, putting three large boxes down on the table, " we haven't even been married a year. "

" It's coming up though," Jack pointed out, brushing some of Lily's hair away from her face with a smile, tucking it behind her ear.

Tosh frowned, " How do you even work out when your anniversary is? Don't you have two? Since we went from present day December to Christmas Day in Shakespeare's time, then came back to present day December for a reception? "

Lily nodded, " Yeah, one anniversary would be Christmas Day, but the other would be 11th December. We agreed we'd celebrate our anniversary on the 11th, because we're already celebrating christmas, at christmas. "

" Any plans? " Gwen asked mildly, rubbing her bump absent mindedly.

"I'm sure I'll think of something," Jack said, his lips twitching into a smirk, and Ianto pulled the lid off the pizza boxes, and they all started tucking in, " it's like 5 weeks away anyway. "

" So, are we doing the bonfire thing this year, then? " Lily asked after they'd all taken a few bites.

It was two days away from bonfire night, and Lily was eager to go to a bonfire. Although she'd been living in Cardiff for almost two years, she hadn't been to a human bonfire. They'd agreed to go last year, but a unprecedented weevil infestation of the streets had given them other plans.

" What do you mean "bonfire thing"? " Owen asked, rolling his eyes at her.

She shrugged, " You know, watching a fire, and fireworks, and whatever it is you do on bonfire night. "

" You've never been to a bonfire night celebration? " Ianto asked.

Lily shook her head, " Nope. Remember the weevils stopped Jack and I going with you lot last year, and I'd just never happened to go to one before. I think Dad was at the original bonfire night, but I wasn't there. Anyway, what's the deal? "

" I can't believe you've never been to a bonfire," Ianto said, " our parents used to take us every year when we were little. "

" And me," Gwen said.

" So," Jack said, between mouthfuls of pizza, " looks like I'm taking you to a bonfire, baby. "

" They're having a fair on Saturday night, at Crows Nest Park," Ianto supplied helpfully.

Lily turned to look at Jack, and he grinned, " Yes," he said, leaning over and kissing her cheek. He smiled at the way she could be so easily impressed by what others considered to be a simple celebration.

" You two in? " she asked Owen and Tosh.

Owen and Tosh, who had been dating for almost a year, both nodded. " Course we are," Owen said, " as long as you two don't get all soppy and romantic. That time we double-dated to that new italian place, you were looking into each others eyes all lovingly. It was sickening. "

" Don't be ridiculous," Tosh said, rolling her eyes at him, " they were acting like a normal couple. Just because you're afraid to show anyone that you've got a soft side, doesn't mean everyone is." Turning to Lily, she added, " Of course we'll be there. "

" Gwen? " Jack asked.

Gwen grimaced, " I'm not too sure. I don't think Rhys will want to spend any time anywhere enar you Jack. "

Jack seemed unhappy with his, and he shook his head, " Rhys is still pretty pissed, then? "

" He's livid," Gwen replied, " every time I go to work, he tells me he wants to move away. Doesn't think it's safe at all. Can't say I blame him. " She rubbed her bump, " I don't know if I want this for my daughter. "

Everyone had suddenly gotten very quiet, looking at her, and Jack frowned, " Gwen, you'd be bored as hell if you didn't have this place and you know it. "

" Yes," Gwen sighed, " but I can't put this place ahead of my marriage, Jack. "

" You're not actually considering moving away? " Jack asked, his voice strained.

Gwen looked as though she could cry and she kept staring solidly at the table, refusing to look at Jack, " I don't know, Jack. You know what, can we not talk about this? "

There was a long pause, before Ianto suddenly said, " I'll come. "

Lily had to smile at the way he was so eager to break the uncomfortable silence and she smiled at him, " Well, of course you are, sweetie. How would we manage without you to keep our lives in order? "

" That, is a very good question," Ianto said, allowing himself a smirk.

When the team had eaten they didn't stay much longer, before they all decided to go home. Then once everyone else had gone, Lily and Jack got ready to leave too. Rather than doing as they always had done and finishing a bit of paperwork, before going to curl up together in the rec room, or their bedroom under the manhole cover, they now pulled on their coats, turned off everything in sight and headed for the rebuilt cog door.

They locked it behind them, with the kind of secure locks that only Jack, Lily and Ianto had the access codes for, before starting down the corridors to the tourist office. They'd had extra security fitted when it was realised that no-one would be in the hub all night - unless an emergency arose - with Jack and Lily alone holding the access codes. Until the next morning, when Ianto had arrived early for work, as always, and beaten Jack and Lily there, having to wait half an hour for them to arrive. He'd then been given the codes for himself.

They left the tourist office together, and headed for the garages. In the wake of the rebuild, they'd bought a few garages close to the area, all of which were extremely secure. One was used to store the SUV, and Gwen sometimes used on of the others for her car, but the others remained empty, but they were sure theyd eventually come in handy.

They climbed into the SUV. Lily had insisted that Jack removed the word "Torchwood" emblazoned on the side of the SUV now they were going to have to take it home every night. They didn't want the neighbours getting suspicious after all.

Their new home was a short drive away from the hub, and when they walked through the doors, Lily grinned and went into the living room, throwing herself on the sofa.

They both loved having their own home, and it felt completely right.

The house had a small patch of grass in front of the house, beside the drive that was in front of the garage. Inside the front door was a small porch, full of shoes, then inside the house, a large living room on the right, a kitchen/dining room filling the rest of the downstairs.

Upstairs was a bathroom and three bedrooms - the largest of which they were using as their own bedroom, the smallest of which housed a pool table, darts board and several board games, and the medium one empty - probably one day being a bedroom for their child. There was an attic upstairs again, which was mostly empty.

Lily heard footsteps behind her, and then she groaned as Jack playfully threw himself on the sofa too, throwing himself on top of her, though careful to distribute his weight between his hands and his knees.

Lily burst into laughter, her voice muffled by the sofa and managed to roll over so she was lying on her back, facing up at him.

" What're you doing? " she giggled.

Jack grinned, " I think I'm still excited that we've got a house. I just wanted to come into my living room, and pounce on my wife on my sofa. "

" That's our house, our sofa," she corrected.

Jack grinned and leaned in. She reached out to rest her hand on his cheek, kissing his lips as eagerly as he kissed hers, and when their kiss ended, Lily grinned,

" Kitten, not that I don't appreciate you looming over me like some kinda sexy thing, but move," she told him wth a cheeky grin, " Dirty Dancing is starting in five minutes. Oh I love this - what's it called, with all the channels - sky tv? "

Jack sighed, " Must I always come second fiddle to Patrick Swayze? "

" Don't be so bloody dramatic," she told him, as he reluctantly rolled off her, and she sat up, " it's your own fault. You introduced me to Patrick Swayze when you put that Ghost film on. "

" I did not put that film on," he said firmly, " I'm far too manly to watch that. I was just flicking through the channels, and that happened to be on when you came in. "

" Yeah. Right. Now, are you staying, or are you too manly to watch this too? "

" No, I'll stay," he said quickly. When he saw the amused look on her face he cleared his throat, " um, I mean, you know ... keep you company. "

Lily giggled as she found the channel, " I'm sure I'll be fine. Don't feel obligated to stay on my account. I bet you're dying to get some practise in on the pool table, since Owen and I thrashed you last time we went to the pub. "

" I let you win," Jack said, " and I'll stay. But please don't make me have to admit I like this film. "

She grinned, " Great. I think there's some nachos in the cupboard. "

As Jack lef the room to go get them, he called over his shoulder, " It's about the only thing there is in that kitchen. You know konw day one of us is going to have to learn how to cook. "

" Ah, I'll get round to it one day," she said, " it's just so difficult when there's takeawayson every corner. "

When Jack came back in with a huge bag of nachos he settled back against their sofa, but the nachos down beside him on the sofa, and reached out for Lily.

She smiled as the film started and cuddled up to him. Sometimes there was nothing better than a cuddle from her husband, and although Jack was very good at being tough and macho, Lily thought there was nothing sexier than a big protective man who wasn't afraid to show his love.

Her back was resting comfortably against his chest, and one of his arms was around her waist, his hand resting in her lap, intertwined with her own hand.

When the film was over, Lily sighed, " You know, that film never gets old, does it? "

Jack grinned and pecked her cheek with his lips, adopting his lowest, sexiest voice, " No-body puts baby in a corner," he said.

She giggled and Jack moved his lips to her ear, " Mmm, I do love you. "

She grinned, " I know, kitten, I know. So, tell me, what do people wear to one of these bonfire things? "

Jack chuckled, " As tempted as I am to say a very sexy little dress, the real answer is wrapping up warm because I'm sure you know what November - well, any time of the year - is like in Cardiff. "

" So there's no customary dress? " she asked, " not like hallowe'en or St Patrick's day? "

Jack sometimes had to chuckle at how simple earth things could confuse her, " No, baby, no. But don't worry, I'm sure you'll look positively gorgeous in anything you choose to wear. "

Two days later, after a thankfully quiet day at work, Lily and Jack met Owen, Tosh and Ianto in the local pub.

" Looking good spacegirl," Owen nodded as she and Jack joined the other three.

It was a particularly cold evening, and Lily had opted for a marroon winter coat. It was rare she wore a coat that wasn't her beige trench, but she'd bought this coat a few weeks ago, in a rare occasion of going shopping, and was in love with it. Over the top she wore a woolly scarf, and in her hands was a matching woolly hat, and matching gloves.

Underneath she wore a pair of jeans, tucked into ankle boots.

" Thanks," Lily said, grinning at Owen, " unless you're taking the piss, in which case, screw you. "

Owen chuckled, and Jack wrapped an arm around his wife's waist. " You look really cute in all your winter gear," he said, as Ianto called them a taxi, and Owen, Tosh, and he started to go outside, " hat, scarf, gloves, the lot. "

" You missed one thing," Lily said, a winning grin on her face.

" Oh yeah? " he asked, raising his eyebrows.

" Oh yeah," she agreed, " gorgeous hunk of a man to love me and enjoy it all with. "

Jack sighed, and the look on his face was one of pure happiness, " You're such a romantic at heart, aren't you? Come on gorgeous, you don't want to miss the fireworks, do you? "

They left the pub and piled into a taxi with Tosh, Ianto and Owen. Owen was grumbling about not being able to drink - being dead meant he couldn't eat, drink, use the toilet or have sex. It must be difficult for him, but Lily admired the way that he coped and that he and Tosh managed to have a relationship as best they could.

Once they got to the park where the bonfire was being held, there were tents of beer, burger vans, candyfloss stalls, all surrounding a huge pile of wood. In another field were several fairground rides.

Jack was the first to want to go on all the rides, and Lily and Owen both wanted to, too. Ianto and Tosh were less bothered about the rides, and were happy to stand around the fire.

When they'd tired themselves out all the rides and got extremely competitive over the shooting game (which Jack won, as much as Owen and Lily put up a fight), then joined Tosh and Ianto around the fire.

The fire burned, and though they were stood some distance away, the heat still shone on their faces.

While Lily's back was turned, Jack slipped off, and by the time she noticed he'd gone, he was on his way back, holding up what looked like two red balls on sticks. When he got closer, she realised they were apples, covered in red sticky toffee.

" Toffee apples baby," he announced proudly, " a bonfire night tradition. "

She grinned and took one from him, and he wrapped his arm around her as they stood together by the fire. Jack rested his chin on her shoulder as he stood behind her, her back pressed snugly against his chest.

When the fireworks started, Jack grinned at every gasp and smile the display drew out of Lily. When the firework display was over, he turned her around in his arms,

" Well? " he asked, brushing her hair away from her face, " how was your first ever bonfire night? "

" It's brilliant," she grinned, " aren't fireworks just gorgeous? "

Jack grinned, " I'd say they are. But I'm thinking, how about we go home, open a bottle of wine, put on some music and make some fireworks of our own? "

She responded by pushing herself up onto her tiptoes and planting a kiss on his lips.

" So that's a yes? " Jack smirked when they broke apart.

From behind them was a shout, " Oi! Romeo and sodding Juliet! Are you coming or what? "

Lily looked over her shoulder to see Owen standing with his hands on his hips, with Tosh and Ianto by his side. They were some distance away - clearly they'd started walking away, realised Jack and Lily weren't with them, and stopped to turn around.

" What do you want? " shouted Jack.

" We're off to the pub! " Owen shouted, " you coming? "

Lily looked up at Jack, " C'mon Romeo," she said, " let's go with them for a bit. We can still go home and have a bottle of wine, et cetera, et cetera, afterwards. "

" Mmm promise? " he asked, a teasing smile on his face.

" Oh Jack, is there anything I wouldn't promise you? "

Jack chuckled, as they started to walk towards Owen, Tosh and Ianto, " One of the many things I love you about," he said, linking his fingers through hers, and allowing himself to think that he was so very lucky, and well aware that she was thinking exactly the same.