Chapter Four

Author Notes: Thank you for all the positive reviews, I hope you enjoy this.

Disclaimer: Torchwood is owned by the BBC

Previously

"…I suppose this memory isn't exactly doing much for my 'I-have-to-be-the-boss' status." Gwen leant over Ianto to pass Jack his mug, "I wouldn't say that it affects that…sir" Tosh rolled her eyes, why on earth was Gwen trying to flirt with Jack now? Jack was startled, he suddenly realised that he didn't like being called sir, unless it was by Ianto. Ianto clearly wasn't impressed either.

The next memory was of Gwen and Ianto alone in the hub, Ianto was clearing up and Gwen stood there watching him. "Ianto, what kind of relationship did you have with Jack?" Ianto looked up startled, almost dropping the paperwork he was holding. "What do you mean?" he said, slowly and carefully.

"Well before Jack…left…he kissed you so I was just wondering…"

Jack recognised Ianto's mask quickly, "you know Jack, always pushing boundaries, he was probably just adding to the harassment joke…" Jack could see the pain in Ianto's eyes as he lied.

Gwen shook her head, hands on her hips, "I think you're lying"

Ianto looked at her sharply. "Why?"

"Since I'm in charge, I thought I'd take a look around and I found where Jack sleeps." Ianto's mask was perfect, he didn't react at all. Gwen took something out of her bag, "and I found this."

It was one of Ianto's ties. Ianto stepped forward, "ah, thanks I've been looking for that, I took it off before…not very comfy after an eighteen hour day…Jack must've picked it up for me and forgotten to tell me."

Gwen raised an eyebrow, "I've also checked computer records and there seems to have been a large amount of CCTV footage deleted over the last couple of months…" Ianto kept looking blank, "unless of course you're hiding another girlfriend down in the vaults."

Everybody looked at Gwen in shock; she stood staring at her feet.

"That's way out of line Gwen, I don't need to hear this from you, and I don't know why you're nagging me. Jack isn't here so we need to work together to get through this, when he gets back…"

"If…if he gets back" interrupted Gwen.

"He will be back"

Gwen snorted "why will he come back for you? He left you didn't he? I mean he left all of us but it must hurt that little bit more for you."

Ianto looked at Gwen and sighed, "for the last time Gwen there is nothing between me and Jack will you just let it go? Why don't you go home to Rhys?"

Gwen snarled, "stop lying to me. I know something is going on, you're acting too perfect, you never leave the hub but you barely look upset, you can't be that dead inside that you don't care that he's not here!"

Something inside Ianto snapped, "why do you care eh? You think you're flirting is subtle, well it isn't. If it bothers you that much when he gets back talk to him about it, I might like to add though, that you recently became engaged."

Gwen stood there, not budging, "I just need to know what's going on between you, so it's not awkward if things…change when Jack gets back"

The tension in the hub was unreal as Jack, Owen and Tosh watched an ugly side of Gwen that they didn't know that she had. Suddenly the memory changed to a dream, one of Ianto opening the door to Jack's office with a cup of coffee. The cup slides out of his hands and smashes on the floor as Ianto sees Jack and Gwen writhing naked on top of Jack's desk. They both stop for a second, looking at him and then just laughed at Ianto. Jack noticed in disgust that Gwen looked at this dream with a slight smile on her face.

Quickly the dream faded back into the memory of Gwen wanting to know about Jack. "Well, what is it? Tell me!" The memory was overlapped by another.

Ianto and Martha were discussing how to get into the Pharm, until Martha changed the discussion. "So Jack asked me if I'd be able to get you an UNIT cap" Ianto blushed and stuttered, "Did he?"

The conversation was missed for a second as Owen murmured, "you're a sick man Harkness." Jack kept watching as Martha asked if they were together. Ianto paused, clearly not knowing what to say, "we…dabble"

Gwen snorted and everyone glared at her. "Really?" Martha replied, "so what's his dabbling like?" Jack grinned widely as Ianto replied with "innovative", this time it seemed that Owen choked on air alone. Martha seemed flustered as Ianto said, "bordering on the avant-garde".

The memory of Gwen came back as Ianto tiredly said, "what's the difference Gwen? Like you said he's left…"

Gwen sneered at Ianto, "well let me tell you this now, whilst I'm boss you don't get to shag your way into the good books. Now I want you to do all these reports before Owen and Tosh get in" she checked her watch, "so in three hours".

Ianto protested, "Gwen I haven't slept in over thirty hours, can I not do these tomorrow?" Gwen scowled at him, "no Ianto, now you have to work hard, not shag your way to the top."