It's Spncsifreak. Yeah, you finally get to meet me, because I'm taking a break from beta-ing for once.
I know...I was amazed too.

But, anyway, just to be clear, this is Dark Cascade's chapter, in all it's awesome glory. I know, I know, one day we will get this system worked out and actually get around to writing intros to our own chapters. I hope.

One more chapter to go after this, and It'll be mine, uploaded probably on the weekend.

REVIEWS REVIEWER GETS TO BE MY BEST FRIEND FOR EVER.

Blah blah blah disclaimer...blah.

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Jack
I was almost laughing when I saw John.
"Yan, did you...uh... really just pour hot coffee all over him?"

"No, Jack, I didn't. Just his face. What the hell is he even doing here?" Ianto put the cups back on the counter and his hands on his hips.

I know that Ianto. It's the Down-To-Business Ianto.

"He happens here to fill the position that recently became open. It's a temporary fix. I needed someone who was already trained, someone who could took after themselves as we get things sorted. He was in Liverpool," I added, shrugging, and left the rest up to them.

Ianto
So, Jack employed John.

I wouldn't have admitted it then, but the green monster in my chest did start to snarl a little at Jack's ex-partner (in every way) being in the Hub.

"How long will you be staying?" I asked, my voice carefully controlled.

"I don't exactly know, Eyecandy. How long do you want me to stay?" John said, standing up and gingerly wiping the cold coffee from his face.

"About as much as I want a Weevil gnawing on my femur," I muttered dryly. I really didn't want him there...as I thought that I had demonstrated by my initial act of protest.

He was invading my space.

"John, stop it. Yan, my office, please?"

So, yeah, I followed him. It's Jack, he is my boss. No matter how mad I may have been at him then, that fact remained.

"Jack, I know we need Gwen's spot filled, but really... John? John Hart is Torchwood material now?" I sounded very much like my five year old nephew.

"Ianto..." Jack didn't say anything as he sat down in his big chair across from me.

"Yes, he's trained. Yes, he's probably the best one we've got right now, but can't we wait for, let's say, Andy, to become a bit more qualified under us? You know you'd love to have that man on staff." In my mind I imagined the five of us, Jack, Tosh, Owen, Andy and I, all standing to a row. I laughed internally.

"Ianto, you know I would love to have Andy here. He would be the perfect man, except for the fact that he hasn't wanted anything to do with us since Gwen died." His cheeks puffed up, and he exhaled greatly.

"Is John really our only option?" He grinned and nodded at my resigned huff. I noticed later that day that Jack had been winning a lot of our one-to-one conversations. I caved a lot.

Always for compensation.

"Dinner? Tonight? Your flat?" Jack's eyebrows raised in question.

"Unless the world decides to end." I said, smiling at my reward.

Owen
When the boss and the teaboy left, I smiled. I could finally get some real answers out of the remaining Captain.

"So, Hart, why are you really here?" I asked.

"For the exact reasons Jack told you. Poor Gwen. Really thought her and Jack were gonna hit it off eventually. Eyecandy would be all for you I suppose. Unless Toshiko felt like snatching him up." John's head nodded toward our computer analyst.

Tosh stared at Hart, open mouthed, and I contemplated punching the bastard.

"Gwen Cooper was an honest human being and a wonderful person. Don't ever speak ill of the dead." I barked harshly at him.

"Really? Was Gwen that honest, Owen?" Tosh muttered to herself.

"Tosh?! Not you too!" I exclaimed, outraged.

"Yes, Owen. Me. I am saying that Gwen was possibly the worst we've had to deal with. Jack, heaven knows why, let her get away with all that she did." Tosh steadied herself on the counter before she spoke again.

Toshiko
I had no reason to yell at Owen like that, but really he deserved to stop looking at Gwen as if she was some kind of god.

"Owen, she didn't tell Rhys about you and her sleeping together! Even if she did, she would have retconned him right after. Her first day was a disaster. Sex gas? Owen, you're overlooking all the things Gwen has done- had done - that kept making this job worse and worse. She told Rhys and Andy about us, and has generally messed up this entire place. We all thought she would be the heart of the team. Instead, she was the one who ripped us from one another. Jack and Ianto got together with no help from that woman. You, Owen! You have been a wreck ever since you two stopped seeing each other."
He started to say something and I stopped him quickly.

"Don't you dare, Owen Harper! This isn't about Diane. Gwen did what she did because she knew she could get away with it. I understand that you're sad, I don't like that she died either. But do not even start defending her. We all know what happened."

Owen stared at me, much like I did John only moments ago.

I walked away silently as Jack and Ianto came down the stairs.

Jack asked, "What'd we miss?"

"That's one hell of a question," John said. I could feel their eyes boring holes into my back, but I didn't turn around.