Chapter Eight

"What's this then?" Ikarii asked, watching Jack.

Jack pressed a button behind the desk, opening the hidden door, "Tourist Office."

"Swankey."

"Gwen might be in…so…prepare yourself."

"…Why?"

"You'll see."

"Oh dear."

Jack showed the way, walking through the tunnels and to the cog door. As it opened Jack turned to her and smiled.

"I just need to check the Archives, I'll be right back."

Ikarii's eyes lit up as she got a glimpse of the hub. So many gadgets, so much technology, so much to explore.

"Oh baby, I'm home!" She yelled, laughing.

"How did you get in?" Gwen's voice echoed from beside her.

She turned around to see the dark haired Welsh woman pointing a gun at her.

"Okay, you told me to be prepared but not for this!" She yelled to Jack, her hands raised in surrender.

"Gwen! Put down the gun." Jack ordered, rushing to Ikarii's side.

"Jack? You came back?" Her eyes were wide in a mix of shock and confusion.

"Can't keep me away."

Gwen pushed him angrily, "How could you leave like that!"

"Gwen…"

"You left me to pick up the pieces! I loved Ianto too!"

"Not like I did! Not like I do."

"He's dead Jack. There's nothing you can do to help him now."

Ikarii's eyes widened, "He's dead?"

"I can still save him."

"No, you can't!"

"Gwen, when he died in my arms, he told me he loved me…and do you know what I said?"

A tear ran down her cheek, "What?"

"I said don't. I never told him how I feel because I never realised that he meant more to me than anyone else. I need him to know because I can't live like this and you know what my life span is."

"So you're just doing this to make yourself feel better? To clear your conscience?"

"You know that's not what he meant." Ikarii chimed in, "You're just trying to come up with reasons to hate him."

"There are so many reasons."

"Don't you ever say that! I haven't known him for long but this," She gestured to Jack, "Is a great man. A man who would travel to the end of the world to save the man he loves. He won't let death stop him. Stop looking for faults and help him. You say you loved Ianto so much, listen to Jack."

Gwen watched the older man, "Has there been anyone else since him?"

"No. Never." Jack cringed at the thought. There could never be anyone else.

"You won't leave again?"

"If I get him back, why would I leave?"

Gwen nodded, accepting that. She hugged the older man tightly, "I was running out of reasons to keep going."

"You have a kid now Gwen, let that be more than enough."

"It's still a baby bump yet." She chuckled.

"How long was I gone?"

"A week."

"That's not so bad."

"It felt like a year."

"Time goes by slowest without Ianto's stop watch to keep track."

Gwen laughed sadly, "I miss him so much Jack."

"Not for much longer."

A/N: Next chapter tomorrow :D Don't forget to review.

Cheers,
Gabz
xx