Part 2

The next day, Jack locks himself in his office, pretending to be taking urgent calls all day from everyone from the MoD to the people at Greggs who are concerned about the alien meat ending up in their pasties. Ianto doesn't dare to go into the office to ask Jack if he'd like a coffee, while Gwen simply stares up at the closed blinds, half of her wanting to go up to check on Jack, the other half of her needing to stay where she is for her own sanity. In reality, Jack is lying in his bed in the lower quarters of the hub, feeling sorry for himself. All of the times he and Gwen have shared spinning round in his head, he's trying not to think about her, but by doing so, is thinking of her even more. At the end of the day, Jack still hasn't surfaced. Owen and Tosh leave the hub at the end of the shift, but Gwen and Ianto remain.

Gwen: I think I'll take off too, Ianto. You don't mind, do you?

Ianto smiles.

Ianto: Not at all. Good night.

Gwen: Night.

Ianto waits until Gwen leaves before walking up to Jack's office. Summoning up the courage, he gently knocks on the door and enters. When he sees that Jack isn't in his office, Ianto sighs and makes his way down to Jack's living quarters. He finds Jack in bed, his red eyes a sign that he has been crying.

Jack: What are you doing down here?

Ianto: I was worried about you, Sir. We'd not heard anything from you all day, so I thought I'd come and check on you now that the others have gone home.

Jack: I'm fine, Ianto.

Ianto: I'd beg to differ, Jack. You've been cooped up down here all day, the rest of the team all know that something's wrong, and I know I may just be the office boy to that lot, but I'm not stupid. I pick up on the vibes from the rest of the team.

Jack doesn't answer.

Ianto: Did you pay a speck of attention to what I said last night

Jack: Like I said last night, I just want to be left alone.

Ianto: If you don't tell Gwen how you feel, then I will. I know it will end up with me losing you, but I'd rather not have you at all than play second best. So, make your choice, Jack. Either you tell her, or I will. You have until the end of tomorrow's shift. That's an order.

Ianto walks out of the hub, half proud of himself, half dreading what will come.