Just so you know : This is set a year after the previous chapter, and it is after Jack's time with the Doctor but before Owen's first death :)


"Remind me what I'm doing here?" Ianto asked Owen, because he still had no idea what he was doing in a pub with Owen of all people. Not that he didn't like being with him, but even if they were getting along better since Jack had left then returned, they weren't best friends in the world.

Owen shrugged and looked around. "See anyone you like?"

Ianto rolled his eyes, not even looking. "I don't know if you've been keeping tab, but don't put Jack out of the picture," he sighed.

"I know, I know. Listen, I'm not good at this birthday thing, okay? So just drink your beer, we can complain about our work, and we go home with a good shag. Well I do, and you go home to Jack. Sounds good?"

"Wait you brought me here for my birthday?" Ianto asked, genuinely surprised that Owen would do this.

"Yeah, why not? Tosh suggested it. The idea sounded good, but you can leave, I don't mind."

"You remembered my birthday?"

"Well, Tosh did, but yeah. You're part of the team, buddy, that includes being harassed on your birthday," Owen shrugged again.

"It's true that we made fun of you the whole day... But the 14th of February, you were born to make fun of on your birthday's date," Ianto smiled.

"Keep talking and I'm the one leaving."

"Now that would be a shame, wouldn't it?"

"You know I can."

"Anyway My birthday's tomorrow, not today."

"I know," Owen smiled.

"And...?"

"Oh come on, you know Jack's going to take you somewhere. I don't want to upset his plans. Now shut up, drink, and enjoy."

"It's still weird coming from you," Ianto smiled in his beer and Owen shot him an offended look.

He shook his head and sipped his own drink, looking around. They eventually started to talk, and Ianto found in Owen the friend he had been when Jack was away. They weren't talking about personal matters, they weren't hugging each other, but they were talking and it felt good to talk with someone about Torchwood, especially to complain about it.


As always, reviews are a blessing for authors :D

And concerning this fic, I only have the last chapter to write, so that's a good thing! And concerning my cat, she tried to eat the computer's wire but it survived. Yes I felt like it was important news you all wanted to hear :D