A/N - This is obviously an AU story. Just a warning, there will be Gwen bashing. I hadn't originally intended for it to be so pronounced, but that's the way the story seems to be developing. I think Eve Myles is great; I just don't like Gwen interfering between Jack and Ianto. So, the scene between Gwen and Jack after he returned from the Year That Never Was did not happen.

As always, I don't own Torchwood, sadly. If I did I would have taken much better care of Ianto than RTD! ;-)

Enjoy, and please review!

Chapter 3 – Paperwork and Pariahs

Cardiff, Wales, Earth, 2008, Torchwood

Ianto was late, and Ianto was never late. Jack checked the time again, fifteen minutes late, he was starting to worry.

Maybe I should call, make sure everything is okay. It isn't like Ianto to be late, and he hasn't called. I wonder if he's sick, no he would have called. Unless he can't call. Something must have happened. Yep, definitely calling.

Just as he picked up the phone the alarm sounded on the cogwheel door and Ianto rushed through.

"So sorry I'm late, sir." Ianto gasped, clearly winded.

"Are you alright? What did you do, run from your flat?" Jack asked incredulously as he quickly walked over and placed his hand on Ianto's shoulder.

"Yeah." Ianto replied after taking a moment to catch his breath. "I knew with traffic it would take even longer if I tried to drive. Seemed logical at the time." He replied dryly.

Jack grinned. "Well Jones Ianto Jones, what am I going to do with you? Surely this calls for some kind of punishment." He winked at the younger man, pulling him into his arms.

Ianto looked at Jack very with a stoic expression. "Whatever you think is necessary sir. You are the boss after all."

"Hmm, I love it when you call me sir. Maybe I should-"

Jack's proposal was interrupted when the alarm sounded again, this time as Tosh came through the doorway.

"Morning!" She said, making her way to her desk.

"Morning Tosh." Said a blushing Ianto as he quickly moved from Jack's embrace. "I'll just get the coffee made." He hurried off to the kitchen, cursing his flushed cheeks.

Tosh smirked, knowing she had interrupted the two lovers.

"Good morning lovely Toshiko!" Jack replied as he grinned at Ianto's retreating form. He stared, with eyes glazed over for a few moments.

"Enjoying the view Jack?" Tosh grinned.

"Well, it is quite a view don't you think?"

"Oh absolutely! Definitely one of the highlights of my day!"

Jack gaped at her, "Toshiko, you naughty girl. Have you been eyeing up my Ianto?"

"Yep." She replied cheekily. "Best arse in Cardiff I say."

"Well I can't argue with that." Jack laughed. "Ianto does have the most fantastic ass!" He said just as Ianto walked back into the main hub with their coffees.

"And lovely. Are you two really that hard up for things to talk about?" Ianto quipped as he handed them their morning caffeine injection.

"Pfffft" Jack choked on his coffee, laughing and winking at Ianto. "Oh Yan, I love it when you talk dirty! I think you know exactly what state I'm in, but it has nothing to do with discussion topics!" Ianto rolled his eyes.

"And that's where I make my escape." Tosh said as she sat down at her station, booting up the computers.

"Must you really say such things in front of Tosh sir; she'll think you're some kind of deviant." Ianto smirked as he walked toward Jack after taking Owen and Gwen's coffees to their desks.

"Too late!" The tech sing-songed in reply.

"Hey!" Jack said pouting. "Tosh is already aware, and I happen to know you like it!" Jack pulled Ianto to him, grasping him by the rear. "Yep Tosh, you are so right. Definitely the best arse in Cardiff!"

"That is definitely harassment sir." Ianto smirked at the Captain as he brought his hands up to rest on his shoulders.

"Oh I really do love it when you call me sir." Jack leered at Ianto, kissing him hard just as the alarm rang again causing the lovers to step apart. They did try to keep it professional during working hours. Gwen entered the hub and frowned at the two men who were standing far too close in her opinion.

"Morning everyone. Ianto can you get me a coffee?"

"Already on your desk." He replied politely.

"Probably cold." She muttered. "Jack how was it last night? Why didn't you call me, was everything quiet?"

Tosh and Ianto exchanged a glance as Tosh rolled her eyes.

"I'll just head down to the archives. Still haven't finished with 1911 yet." Ianto said, quickly walking away.

Jack frowned. "There were a few Weevils out for a stroll around two, but I handled it. No need to call anyone else." He hadn't missed the way Gwen worded that question and the way Ianto reacted. He sighed.

At first Gwen's hero worship had been fun for Jack; it helped to stroke his ego a bit to be the dashing hero. He really didn't understand her attitude recently. He never expressed a romantic interest in her and she was engaged to Rhys. Sure he flirted, but he flirted with everyone. Hell, he flirted with Janet! He was obviously with Ianto and excessively happy with him, and he wasn't going to lose him over Gwen Cooper. He had already screwed up enough with Ianto before his trip with the Doctor and was still working to repair the damage.

"You should have called; I would have come to help." Gwen chastised.

"No, everyone needed a night off. Besides didn't you and Rhys have plans?"

"Oh that, nothing too important. I would have come."

"Wasn't it your anniversary?" Tosh asked, trying her best to appear innocent. Gwen was really pissing her off lately. Couldn't she see that Jack and Ianto were together, happily together? They hadn't exactly been subtle about their relationship since Jack's return, but some people only saw what they wanted to see apparently.

"Well - "Gwen started to retort.

"Anyway," Jack interrupted just as Owen walked through the door, immediately heading for his desk and the coffee he knew would be waiting. "The paperwork seems to be piling up again, so let's spend this morning on catch-up while we have a quiet moment before Ianto has my head. Tosh, how long until the next Rift spike?"

"Should be a quiet morning. There's nothing predicted until around two this afternoon, and it looks to be fairly small."

"Right, let's get to work kiddies. Tosh, I know you're mostly caught up. When you're done can you spend some time on that tracking program we discussed?"

"Sure, I'll get right on it."

"Alright, that's that." Jack whistled as he walked back up to his office, closing the door. Gwen frowned at his back wondering why he seemed so content lately. Her gaze didn't go unnoticed by her two coworkers, who caught each other's eye. This could become a very big problem, very soon.

"Ianto?" Jack's voice sounded through the comms.

"Yes sir?" Ianto was currently entrenched in files from the early 1900s, deep within the recesses of the archives. He had finished with 1911 prior to ordering lunch for the team and was now well into 1910. Now at 5:30 he was ready for a break, and Jack's exasperated tone seemed like just the excuse he needed.

"Can you work some coffee magic please? We should be done soon but I know I could use the pick-me-up."

"Of course sir, I'll be right up." Ianto eagerly marked his place and secured the archives for the night. Hopefully Jack would send the others home very soon and they would have time for dinner and whatever else the night might bring.

He was pleased to find that everyone appeared hard at work when he made it to the main area of the hub. Tosh didn't surprise him, she was always working, and normally on at least two or three things at once. Owen stared intently at his monitor and seemed to be working on his backlog, although it could be a computer game again, or porn. There was no telling with Owen.

Gwen was frowning at the foot high pile of files atop her desk. Ianto was pretty sure that the pile had gone down some since this morning, by an inch or two. He really didn't understand the issue she seemed to have with completing her paperwork in the allotted time, even Owen wasn't that bad. She had less work than any of the others on her busiest days. Then again, she seemed to think that staring at Jack in his office was part of her job description.

Ianto made his final coffee deliveries of the evening saving Jack's for last as usual. Jack was currently laying his head on his desk. He seemed to have completed all but a few of his backlogged files, which was a miracle considering he'd been on the phone with the PM and Unit for the greater part of the day. Ianto closed the office door behind him.

"Here you are sir." Ianto reached around Jack and placed his mug on one of the only clear spaces on the desk.

"You are a caffeine god, Yan! Argh, why do we have to talk to these idiots again? It's a complete waste of time." Jack complained, not lifting his head from the desk.

"Well sir, at least this PMs not as bad as Saxon." Jack instantly reacted to the name, jerking upright in his chair and breaking out in a sweat.

"Jack? What is it, are you okay?" Ianto turned Jack's chair to face him as he crouched in front of the unresponsive man gently touching his face. "Jack, come on cariad what's wrong?"

Jack seemed to come back to himself, although very shakily. "Yan?" He asked softly, his eyes roving over the Welshman's face as if not quite sure if he were really there or not.

"That's right cariad, I'm right here. Can you tell me what just happened?" Ianto stayed where he was, but reached out to take Jack's hands between his own. "I know something's wrong Jack. It's not what just happened either, you're not sleeping at all, and any time you try you wake up screaming. You're underweight and you're not eating. You're very clingy, not that I mind at all, but I can't help you Jack if you won't talk to me. So please, tell me what happened while you were away, maybe I can help."

"While I was - gone -" Jack started quietly. "I - I told you about the Doctor and I being onboard the Valiant, but I didn't tell you how long we were there and - and what happened."

Seeing how affected Jack was by the subject Ianto said, "We don't have to talk about this now if you don't feel up to it Jack, and especially not here. I just need you to know that you can tell me whenever you're ready, I'll listen."

"No. No I need to tell you. I just - let me send the others home and we can go back to yours. I really don't want an audience." Jack stood shakily and made his way to the door of his office.

"Alright everyone, let's call it an early night. Go home. I don't expect to see any of you here before 9, baring the world ending, again." Jack said, plastering on his Captain persona.

"Jack, I can stay. Rhys isn't expecting me home until later anyway. You shouldn't have to stay here alone." Gwen piped up immediately.

"Gwen, go home to your fiancé. Yan and I are heading home." Gwen huffed a bit and Jack rubbed his bloodshot eyes. Owen immediately started to shut everything down, not wanting to miss out on the rare opportunity for a night off.

Does she really think no one notices the way she acts around Jack? Just because she's oblivious to anyone other than herself and Jack doesn't mean the rest of us are. Tosh thought.

"I've sent the rift-alert to my wrist strap, so have a good night everyone." By this time Ianto had helped Jack on with his coat and they headed down the stairs. Jack grabbed Ianto's hand, pulling him through the doorway for once being the first ones to leave.

"What did he mean they were going home?" Gwen asked Tosh and Owen as they all made their way to the exit.

Tosh shook her head, laughing at Gwen's complete self-centeredness.

"You're kidding me right?" Owen said snarkily. He stopped in the tunnel leading out to the tourist office and looked at her incredulously. "Even you can't be that blind Cooper!"

Gwen gaped, who does he think he is, I'm Jack's second, he can't talk to me this way!

"You listen to me Owen Harper - "

"Oh, good god, leave it alone you two. Let's get out of here." Tosh interrupted, thankfully ending the argument for the moment as the three left the hub for the night.

Cardiff, Wales, Earth, 2008, Ianto Jones' Flat

Jack and Ianto made their way up the two flights of stairs to Ianto's flat. It wasn't too posh, but it was a nice building, good neighborhood, and not too far from the hub. Ianto liked it well enough, what little time he actually spent there.

His lease was up in a few weeks, so he would have to decide soon whether or not he wanted to stay. He had been contemplating whether or not to ask Jack if he would like to get a place together, but he didn't want to push his lover when he had so many more important things on his mind.

Ianto decided to hold off on ordering any food, even though he was starving. He had a feeling that what Jack was about to share was not something he wanted to hear while eating.

The two men silently made their way into the flat removed their shoes and coats in the entryway. They hadn't spoken since leaving the hub, both caught up in their own thoughts.

Ianto took Jack's hand and lead him to the couch. "Do you want some coffee or would tea suit?"

"Best be tea I think." Jack said as he leaned his head on the back on the sofa and closed his eyes.

"I'll be right back then. Do you want it plain or sweet and milky?"

"Sweet and milky please." Jack smiled toward Ianto.

Ianto set about filling the kettle and preparing a tray for the tea. He placed some of Jack's favorite biscuits on a plate to take out with him. Soon the water was boiling and he prepared the tea before taking the tray out to set on the coffee table.

"Thanks Yan." Jack said absently.

Once they both had their tea Ianto turned on the sofa, showing that he was ready to listen. Jack sighed and set his cup down after taking a few sips.

"We were there for a year. The longest year I've ever lived." Jack softly began as he stared unseeingly at the floor. "I saw things Yan, things that I can't make go away. They tortured me daily; they did things that I just can't talk about yet. I'm sorry."

Jack looked into Ianto's eyes apologetically. Ianto shook his head and shifted so that he could hold Jack as he continued.

"He seemed especially intent on breaking me. He killed you, all of you right in front of me. He saved you for last though. He was positively gleeful the day they captured you. You were the last though; you fought so hard, gave them a hell of a time trying to find you!" Jack said, his voice laced with pride. "He knew what it would do it me. He had invaded my mind so many times. I tried so hard to keep him out, to protect you, but he found out about us. It felt like part of me died with you that day.

After that I gave up caring what they did to me or how many times I died. The only thing I cared about was making sure that the Doctor's plan worked so that you would come back to me. Well that, and I wanted to kill him, to do to him exactly what he had done to you. The Doctor stopped me though, said it wasn't the solution. He even told that bastard that he forgave him! As if it were for him to forgive!" He said bitterly. "He sat there in a cage while I was tortured and killed daily for a whole year, while they tortured and murdered you in front of me, and he forgave him. I wish I understood. Part of me wishes I could do the same, just move on, but I will never forgive that bastard for what he did to you." By the time he finished speaking, well yelling by that point, tears streamed from his eyes to match those trailing down Ianto's face.

"Oh Cariad, I'm so sorry." Ianto murmured softly into Jack's ear as he cradled him. They sat like that for some time, tears falling, drawing comfort from the other's presence.

After some time Jack sat up, extracting himself from Ianto's embrace wiping his eyes and taking his lover's hand. "Yan, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I just - it was still too fresh. And I was just so happy to have you back that I wanted to forget it ever happened and pretend it was all okay."

"I understand Jack. I'm not upset. I can't imagine what all you endured. But Jack, you survived. You survived and you came back that's what is most important. All I'm worried about now is helping you get better. You're going to eat. You're going to come home with me and sleep. I'll be here when the nightmares come, and whenever you need to talk, I'll listen." Ianto said firmly as he held Jack's gaze.

"I don't deserve you Yan." Jack smiled at him.

Ianto shook his head sadly. "It's nothing more than what you did for me Jack. To be honest, I wasn't sure if you were coming back at all. After what we did, what I did, I was sure you had left for good; off with the Doctor like you always wanted."

"Yan, that's all in the past. I forgave you a long time ago." He paused and looked intently at Ianto. "The Doctor asked me to stay, to travel with him again." He felt Ianto tense.

"But I told him that this is where I belong. That this is where I'm going to stay."

Ianto's eyes snapped to his, closing the short distance between them he crushed their lips together in a bruising kiss. Both trying to say with that kiss what neither had the courage to say aloud. Tongues battled and hands roamed, reassuring each other.

After several minutes they broke apart, their breathing ragged and their faces flushed. Jack smiled at the younger man.

"Can we go to bed now Yan? I'm knackered."

"But you haven't eaten anything! You need to eat Jack." Ianto said insistently.

"I know, and I promise I'll eat in the morning. I just don't think I can stomach anything right now." Ianto reluctantly nodded, having lost his appetite as well. He lead Jack up the stairs and the two men prepared for bed. They were too drained to do anything more than sleep.

As they settled beneath the comforter of Ianto's large, comfy bed Jack said sleepily. "I promise Yan, no more secrets between us. No more secrets."

Ianto glanced at his lover guiltily, finally remembering that he had resolved to share his dreams about Siani with Jack. "Alright, no secrets. Jack I need to tell you -" His confession was cut off with a soft snore. Jack only snored when he was exhausted. Ianto smiled affectionately and kissed Jack's lips as he too settled further into the bed and Jack's embrace.

Tomorrow, I'll tell him tomorrow.