A/N: First off, I've gone and added a few paragraphs to the end of the last chapter; I hadn't ended it properly, so I fixed it. Hope you like what I added. It's not much, just an effort to make everything flow better.

Secondly, my third left maxillary molar is rebelling against the common order, and since it's the weekend, the dentist's office is closed...so I'm kinda swimming in Lake Ibuprofen, and wishing I could make it up to Painkiller Island, where the morphine derivatives grow on trees. So if anything I've written makes no sense whatsoever, that's why. Just thought I should warn you...

Thirdly (but certainly not least): HUGS AND COOKIES FOR ALL!

Disclaimer: The usual

Rating: T...still.

Warning: I'm packing this full of Jack/Gwen fluff, since I figure we all need some after Wednesday. It may get trite, but I'm hoping it doesn't. It's also my longest chapter to date (I think...for this, anyway; I've got stories whose chapters are 18 pages long), but you guys don't mind that, do you :)


Chapter Eight: Concussion

Jack insisted on fussing over her like a mother hen.

"I'm fine," she insisted for the fifteenth time. "Really. I'm not made of porcelain."

"You sure?" he asked, a ghost of smile playing across his face.

"Make all the jokes you want about me being hard-headed," Gwen said. She smiled; she couldn't help but remember that if she hadn't been in the hospital getting her head patched up, she never would have seen Jack run up the stairs, never would have seen her first Weevil, never would have joined Torchwood. "I'm fine, Jack. Really."

Still, he ran his fingers through her hair, ostensibly checking for scalp wounds, but really just enjoying the feel of her hair running through his fingers. He stopped before it got too obvious, though, and checked Ianto's scalp. Even though Ianto's hair was much shorter and a scalp wound would have been much more obvious, and Jack knew for a fact that Ianto hadn't been hit in he head.

After he assured himself that Gwen and Ianto were okay, and after he'd given them both painkillers, Jack nipped up to the garage.

When he returned, he was dragging a man by the collar through he Hub. Gwen and Ianto shared a look, and followed.

"Is that the man who tried to mug us?" Gwen asked. She hadn't seen him before, seeing as how she was hit from behind.

"Yes," Ianto answered. "That's him."

"He was in the trunk?"

"Best place for him," Ianto said with a shrug.

The man looked a little worse for wear. One leg of his jeans had been torn and he was sporting a black eye and a split lip and a myriad of other bruises. Apart from that, he was a weedy looking fellow, skinny and short. Brown hair was perched on his head like a greasy toupee. He wasn't exactly the best of specimens.

Gwen put a hand on the back of her head. A half-brick in a sock; the man must have been desperate for cash to resort to a half-brick in a sock when he could have just opened wallet negotiations with a knife. And why had he gone for her, when Ianto was clearly the bigger threat? To cow him into handing over the money faster? Maybe his arms weren't long enough; maybe he thought that by taking out the smaller of the two, he could prove himself with the larger. Maybe he was just nuts and hit the first person he came to with a half-brick in a sock. Maybe he hadn't perceived Ianto as a threat.

Gwen decided to not mention this last to Ianto. He was just coming into his own, the Torchwood Teaboy. The last thing he needed was a blow to the ego like that.

"Do we know what his name is?" Gwen asked Ianto as they followed Jack and his prisoner through the Hub.

"Huw David," Ianto answered. "He's local; wanted by the police on a several assault and battery charges, petty theft and similar."

"So, just run a run-of-the-mill criminal?" Gwen asked.

"Looks like."

"What's Jack doing with him then?"

"Teaching him a lesson."

Ianto had, in fact, asked Jack what he'd planned on doing with their prisoner. Jack had replied tersely that no one hurt his team. But Ianto had noticed the slight hesitation before Jack had said 'team', the hitch in his voice that betrayed the fact that Jack had almost said something else. What that something else was, Ianto wasn't sure. But the emphasis Jack put on the possessive pronoun was...startling in its intensity. Ianto had decided not to press the issue.

Gwen, who had still been out cold when this exchange had taken place, was still trying to get her aching head around the idea of being smacked with a half-brick in a sock. She wasn't one for revenge, so she didn't see why Jack just didn't turn Huw over to the police and leave it at that. The incident didn't involve extra terrestrials, or inter-dimensional travelers or rampaging millionaires collecting dangerous alien artifacts; it hardly fell under the jurisdiction of Torchwood.

The idea that Jack was teaching a mugger a lesson because he'd messed with those Jack held in highest regard would never have occurred to her.

By now they had reached the first level of the cells. Jack dragged the would-be mugger before the middle one. Ianto grabbed the anti-Weevil spray just in case Jack had something drastic planned.

Huw David started to yammer as soon as he saw Janet. Janet threw herself at the plexiglass. The other prisoner tried to back up, but couldn't move because Jack had a hold of him.

"Jack, what are you doing?" Gwen asked. Jack didn't answer.

"So, Huw," Jack said conversationally. "Believe me now?"

Gwen looked askance at Ianto, but Ianto wasn't paying attention to her. Clearly she was missing some part of what had happened. She pushed past Ianto and laid a hand on Jack's shoulder.

"Jack?"

Jack looked down at her. The stony look softened a little, around the eyes. Huw managed to take his eyes off Janet long enough to give the pair a considering look – which rapidly turned to guilt, and then fear, as he realized the true scope of who he had just tried to mug.

"Look, I didn't know she was your wife," he babbled. "I wouldn't have...if I'd known..."

All three looked down at the babbling prisoner. Huw tried to fold in on himself more, if that were possible. The effect was rather pathetic. Janet chose that moment to charge the plexiglass gain, startling everyone but Jack as she did so.

Jack held their prisoner in front of Janet for another few moments, to let whatever message he was trying to impart sink in, and then dragged him back past Gwen and Ianto.

Gwen and Ianto shared a look, and followed Jack again.


Huw David ended up slightly retconned and dumped out in front of a police station. Jack left Gwen and Ianto at the Hub while he made the drop off, with orders to keep Gwen awake by whatever means necessary.

"And that," he told them, with a slight leer, "can be interpreted whatever way you want. Just keep in mind that the video camera and extra film is – oh, Ianto knows where it is – just don't forget to film whatever you do for posterity's sake, and so I can watch it later."

This suggestion was met with blank stares. He left them with a grin.

When he got back, Gwen and Ianto were sitting on the couch under the ceramic wall, drinking coffee and chatting. They both looked up and smiled when Jack walked through the rolling door. Jack's mood had lightened considerably after he'd dumped the mugger out at the police station. He had left enough evidence (both real and manufactured) to make sure that Huw stayed in jail for a long time.

Gwen would likely tell him to be more compassionate, but he wasn't sorry. Dumping the man out at the police station, instead of summarily executing him was the compassionate course of action. No two-bit mugger threatened Gwen or Ianto. Not on his watch.

He knew that Ianto could have easily handled the mugger himself. Gwen too could have quite easily taken care of that skinny wretch herself, if she hadn't been knocked into unconsciousness so quickly. His presence hadn't been necessary.

But that didn't matter. He had seen the potential future in the tempographic picture, seen its own fractal of infinite outcomes, and had made a split second decision to interfere. Not simply because he was trying to influence events – though he couldn't lie to himself and pretend that what he had done hadn't influenced events, and that he'd set out to be an influence, but it wasn't just that. Rather, he had acted from a very basic human drive to protect what belonged to him.

One thing was for sure, though. He certainly wasn't going to be showing either Gwen or Ianto the tempographic picture. Not in a million years.

"So no video?" he asked in mock disappointment.

"No," Ianto said dryly. "We couldn't find the tripod."

Jack's eyebrow went up, and several choice comments about tripods went through his mind. Gwen laughed.

"How much longer should I stay awake?" Gwen asked before Jack could say anything smart.

"Actually," Jack said, "you should probably be resting now. If I remember my concussion procedure correctly, we just have to wake you up every few hours to make sure you haven't got any serious brain damage."

"I'm safe to go home then?"

"I'd rather you slept here," Jack said, a little too quickly. "You still have alcohol in your system, and I would hate for anything to go wrong. Plus," he added when Gwen started to make a face, "if the equipment we've got here can't help you, nothing in any modern hospital will be any better."

Gwen thought about this for a second, and then nodded. "Rhys has to work early tomorrow, so I can't get him to keep waking me up," Gwen said with a shake of her head. "I guess you're right."

"Marvelous!" Jack said, rubbing his hands together. "Lots of room in my bed, so don't worry." He caught the look on her face and grinned. "Just kidding. I'll set you up a bed in the medical bay."

"Thanks, Jack." Gwen said. "Just let me call Rhys."


While Gwen was off calling Rhys, either to let him know what was going on or to make something up, Jack and Ianto went down to the kitchen to see about a snack. Ianto immediately set about redoing everything that Jack had done to tidy the place up after the sonic resonator had blown. Jack just shook his head at the younger man's mild obsessive compulsive tendencies.

"You're welcome to stay tonight too," Jack said, rummaging in the fridge as Ianto rearranged the counter. "And you don't have to stay down in the medical bay."

Ianto considered this.

"I think I'll pass, tonight," he said.

"You sure?"

"I am. You and Gwen should talk. After all, that picture was of you two. I just took it. Apparently," he added because he couldn't actually remember.

Jack stood up, sandwich materials in hand.

"You think so?" he asked. Ianto was surprised to detect a note of uncertainty in Jack's voice.

"Yes," Ianto replied. "Especially after how we woke up the other day. I'm surprised she hasn't tried to talk to you sooner."

"She's been rather occupied," Jack muttered and turned away.

"And you've been avoiding the issue," Ianto admonished gently.

The lid of the mayo clattered on the counter top. Jack didn't know quite what to say, so he continued making the sandwich.

"Maybe I have been," Jack said after a minute. "I should have just talked to both of you, rather than shunt you down to the Archives on some made up job."

"Too right, sir," Ianto said, but when Jack looked up at him, Ianto was smiling.

"Next time, I'll know better."

Ianto laughed. "If there is a next time."

"Just you wait," Jack said. "I have plans."

"You would."

"Can't say Rhys was too thrilled," Gwen said, announcing her presence. "But he understands why I have to stay."

"Ah. Good." Jack said, presenting Gwen with the sandwich. "I made you a snack, courtesy of the Torchwood Deli."

"Thanks," she said uncertainly. She hadn't thought Jack would have been the domestic type, but the evidence, piled high with slices of roast beef and veggies, was right in front of her. She had to admit, though, it smelled wonderful. Jack had even included a pickle.

Ianto, who stocked the fridge against the constant flow of pizza, shopped at the Central Market even though it was on the other side of town from the Hub. The ingredients were fresh. One of the benefits of being part of an organization that had, practically, an unlimited budget.

"Thanks," she said again, a little more assured of herself.

"Anything for milady," Jack said in a fake London accent. He pulled out a seat for her at the table, which still smelled a little like frying oil, but not too badly. He made as if to make more sandwiches, but Ianto had already beaten him to it. Jack sat down at the table as Gwen ate.


Ianto left a few hours later. Jack kissed him good-bye again. Gwen even gave him a kiss on the cheek, a small token of thanks for watching her back earlier in the night. And then it was just Jack and Gwen.

The Hub was quiet. After the door had rolled shut behind Ianto, Jack had vanished to some distant room of the Hub to find her something to sleep in. He had offered her the shirt off his back, but she'd said with a smile that she'd rather a pair of the silky Weevil pajamas like the ones Janet had. Jack went off to oblige.

It was strange, being one of the only people in the Hub. The computers hummed quietly, matching the noise from the generators. Water trickled in a constant stream down the outside of the rift manipulator, adding to the small pond at the bottom. Light rippled off the surface. Even Myfanwy was in her nest, likely asleep. There was no sign of the pterodactyl in the rafters.

Gwen sat on the couch under the ceramic wall and listened to the sounds of the sleeping Hub. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous. It was the first time since they'd found the compass that she would be spending any amount of time alone with Jack – certainly the first since she had come to her realization about him. She half expected something to happen – and half was afraid that something would. And then her mind would change, and she would be half afraid that something wouldn't happen.

She was still trying to decide whether or not she wanted something to happen between her and Jack when Jack returned from his mission to find her some pajamas.

The pair he brought her were about five sizes too large.

"Sorry about that," Jack said when he handed them to her. "You took the last small pair home."

"They're in the wash," Gwen said, blushing slightly as she remembered why she had needed the purple Weevil pantsuit to begin with. "I'll run fetch them tomorrow, if you want."

"No need, for now," Jack said dismissively. "Just change into those and I'll go set up your bed."


When Gwen arrived down in the medical bay, she was holding her pajamas up in one hand. The shirt was so large that she'd left her own shirt on underneath for modesty's sake. It looked like she was wearing a purple silk tent.

In fact, she thought, as soon as Jack left for the night she was going to abandon the pants all together, since the shirt was even bigger than Ianto's had been, and was large enough that should could have quite easily made five or six shirts out of it.

"What sort of a Weevil were these made for?" she asked incredulously.

"Well, you never know what size we'll get," Jack said, trying to make a dirty joke though his heart wasn't in it just then. He was too busy being distracted by Gwen in her over-sized pajamas. They looked just about ready to fall off her. He wondered if she would mind if he helped. But he kept these thoughts to himself and indicated the bed before him. The covers were pulled back invitingly, and he had added a few more blankets. There was also a large glass of water next to the bed, and a selection of reading material.

Of course, the selection of reading material in the Hub consisted mostly of old reports and technical manuals. Hardly intellectually stimulating fare, unless you were the type to enjoy writing so dry it could rival the Sahara. So Jack had added a little something special of his own: several first edition (and mostly autographed) copies of various classic novels. He'd brought them along, feeling oddly excited to be letting Gwen know that he even had them, let alone allow her to touch one of them.

"Your chariot awaits, madam," he said with a bow and a flourish.

"Thank you, kind sir," Gwen replied in kind, and climbed up into the bed. Or tried to, at least. The over-sized pants made it incredibly difficult for her to get her leg up without letting go. And if she let go, it would have resulted in the pants falling to her ankles. She managed it eventually, however, though Jack didn't stop grinning at her the whole time.

"So...how's this all going to work, then?" she asked when she finally got under the covers and comfortable.

"Well, I'm going to read you a bedtime story – just one! - and then it's lights out for you, Missy."

"Jack," Gwen said warningly

"Okay, fine. Once you're asleep, I'll wait a few hours, wake you up, ask you a few questions. You get the questions right, you get to go back to sleep. If not, I assume brain damage and call Owen to come poke at you until you're fixed. Got it?"

"Got it," Gwen replied with a smile. She settled herself down in the bed, and was surprised when Jack leaned over her, pulling the covers up to her chin. He smoothed them down around her shoulders, taking the opportunity to trace the lines of her arms. He smiled to himself as she shivered at the contact.

When she was all tucked in, he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well," he said, and straightened. He turned out most of the lights as he left, leaving only the one at the bedside table on for her to read by if she so wished.

But Gwen didn't move after Jack left. She just lay there, watching the door, wishing he would return.


The first time Jack woke her up, Gwen answered all of the standard questions without pause, though she groaned at being pulled from her dreams. Jack tucked her back in with another kiss on the forehead, but this time, Gwen was asleep again before she had time to contemplate how nice it was or whether or not she wanted him to do it again. Or that, next time, she would move last minute and kiss him properly...

The second time Gwen woke up, she thought she was still dreaming. The Hub was quiet, humming with subdued computer fans and the whir of the generators far below. She felt like she was floating. There was a steady, rhythmic thump-thumping below her right ear. She opened her eyes a little.

"Jack?" she asked, focusing on the first thing in front of her. It was an arm. Jack's arm.

"Name, rank and serial number?" Jack asked quietly. Gwen could hear the joke in his voice though.

"I remember who I am," she said. "But I'm not so sure where you're taking me."

"You're dreaming. Go back to sleep."

"You sure?" she asked. The steady rhythm of his heart beat was hypnotic. Her eyes drifted closed. "Because I've had this dream before. It never ends well."

"Really." It was only half a question. "How does it end?" he asked, almost dreading the answer.

"Rhys always wakes me up," Gwen murmured into his chest.

There was nothing Jack could say to that. Even if he had, he missed his chance to say it. Her breathing slowed again, and she was asleep.


The third time she woke up, she was not in the bed that she had gone to sleep in. She vaguely remembered the second time she'd woken, the weightless feeling, and the sight of Jack's arm, the sound of his heart beating under her ear. A murmured conversation between them as they went. He must have carried her here.

His arms were wrapped tightly around her. She was in his bed.

She didn't care.

She rolled over to look at him.

He had said once that he didn't sleep. If she hadn't known about his voracious sexual appetites, she would have wondered at the purpose of a bed, even one in a hole in his office floor as this one was.

Jack was asleep. Breathing softly, his eyes closed; he was asleep. All the hardness was gone from his features. He looked well and truly at peace. Even in sleep a slight smile graced his features. His hair was tousled, falling over one side of his face.

There were a lot of things she could have done in reaction to finding herself in her boss' bed again. She could have jumped up, angry and yelling. She could have punched him awake and demanded and explanation. She could have slipped out silently, guilt ridden and thinking of her fiancé. She did none of these things.

Instead, she did what she really, really wanted to do. She'd wanted to do this for the last couple of days, ever since she'd woken up here in Ianto's shirt.

She brushed the hair from his eyes, kissed him gently, snuggled in closer, and went back to sleep.


A/N: So...too sappy? Or just right? Did it make coherent sense, or did the painkillers cloud my brain too much? Lemmie know...