Firsty, I'd like to apologise for the delay of this chapter, but I hope it was worth the wait.
Chapter 8 – The Aftermath
A month had gone by since the events of that particular night had occurred and the whole team had done everything within their power to help Ianto overcome what had happened. Even Owen, the man that hid his feelings and covered them up using sarcasm, showed his caring side by checking up on the Welshman everyday and, not that Owen would admit it, he liked being a Doctor for aliens-dead or alive- but Humans were different. But truthfully, he was being there for his team mate and friend. Plus, Jack would give him an earful if he didn't take care of the young Welshman.
Tosh had been astonished yet happy, when Jack had told Gwen to 'get out' of the Hub, it had some how put the women in her place and it felt good. If Tosh was honest, if Jack hadn't said anything or acting on anything, Tosh had had in her right mind to slap Gwen so hard it left a red hand print on her face.
The Japanese women looked up from her workstation and let her eyes travel over the top of her classes and towards the medical bay where Ianto was currently undergoing his routine check up. Owen had attached sticky patches to the man's chest which had meant that the young man had to remove his shirt. This, of course, meant Jack coming up with some feeble excuse as to why he had to be present. Owen suspected it was the mans primal instincts taking over and he couldn't resist gazing at a half naked man who happened to be feeling very exposed at the situation he was under.
There was a beep and Owen, recreating a Michael Jackson move, turned on his heels and headed over to the instrument which had produced the high pitched noise. Scanning the screen, the Doctor nodded to himself. "Everything seems to be in check," He announced as he pulled his surgical gloves off his hands and turned back to Ianto.
From the corner of his eye he saw the grin emerge on the Captains lips and Owen sighed. In the recent weeks Jack had become a little protective of the young man, it had surprised Owen at first, but after a while he realised Jack was trying to show Ianto what he meant to him. The Doctor had to shake his head. His boss had had the confidence to say the three words in front of Gwen but why did he think he had to keep proving he meant it? Unless, Ianto didn't believe him and he wanted to make sure his Boss didn't say them just to get Gwen out of the Hub. After awhile Owen's head started to hurt and he was glad when Tosh's voice filled his ears.
"I've sorted out the cover stories," She reported turning away from her computer for a split second to pear over he glasses at the team. They had managed to sort out the case involving George. The pills he had been giving the innocent people at his meetings meant they were experiencing serious hallucinations which caused them to do bodily arm or, worse, kill themselves and this explained the many 'dead body reports' that the police had been receiving.
"You're brilliant Tosh!" Jack clapped his hands together. "Have I ever told you that?"
"You might have mentioned it," She answered with a slight girly giggle.
A sound echoed around the autopsy bay and Jack snapped his head round from looking at Toshiko. His eyes focused on the fingers of the Welshman who was hurrying to put his shirt back on.
"Where do you think you're going?" Jack questioned the young man. He was met with an innocent look which melted the Captains heart. "You're not done yet,"
With that Owen rolled his eyes and left the area.
-007-
Two hours passed in which the Hub's atmosphere had turned from a general work place feeling to a comfortable silence.
The individuals there were wrapped up in their own work. Tosh as usual was at her computer, tapping away, creating or modifying the various Hub systems which helped to detect intruders. Owen had been debating whether to continue his analysis of an apparent alien substance the SUV's tyres had picked up on a recent mission. Jack and Ianto were in the office, talking. Each man held a cup of steaming coffee as they sat either side of the older man's desk.
Jack laughed at Ianto's previous comment. "I have to admit it is a lot different around here with Gwen gone," He glanced out the window.
"It is a lot quieter," Ianto smiled and Jack saw it out the corner of his eyes.
"You can say that again," Jack's laugh bounced off the walls of the office and out into the main part of the Hub where it reached Toshiko's ears. She looked up and met Jack's eyes. He winked at her and a blush danced on her cheeks.
"The team seem happier," Ianto's words pulled the Captain from his gaze out the small round window. "You, seem happier. You aren't as stressed or arguing as much," He said it so innocently it filled Jack with a feeling he only ever got when he truly loved someone – happiness.
A nod was his reply as he thought about the past weeks without the Welshwomen. Yes it was different, very different, but it reminded him of the years Suzie was alive and they hadn't even heard of a PC Gwen Cooper.
He sighed, closed his eyes, and used his index fingers to rub his temples. He was suddenly aware of two hands on his shoulders slowly massaging them.
"Better?" The voice was a whisper in his ear and all he could do was nod. He felt like putty in Ianto's hands and he loved it. Not many people had the ability to manipulate him like that but, when it happened, he surrendered to it.
A moan, a groan and a minute later Jack opened his eyes and placed his right hand on his left shoulder over Ianto's. As he did so, he used the legs of his chair to spin himself round to face the Welshman. "What would I ever do without you?"
A Welsh hand was suddenly on his cheek and hot breath flowed over his face. "I don't know," Ianto replied as he placed a soft kiss to the Captains slightly open lips. He pulled back before Jack could react and a cheeky smile graced Ianto's lips as he heard the small whimper his lover produced at the loss of contact.
"You are such a tease Ianto Jones," Jack pouted as Ianto back away from the desk towards the door but he ended up laughing at the previous event.
As Ianto was about to exit the office he spoke. "You love me for it though."
Before Jack had a chance to reply the man was gone. So he voiced it out to a photo of Ianto and himself which was next to the teams' picture. "That I do." With a happy sigh he rose from his seat and gradually made his way out of the office.
The noise of boiling water cascading from the machines taps filled the Captain's ears and then he was met with the sight of Ianto and Toshiko laughing in private conversation. It was good to see the team happy again. It suited them.
As he drew nearer to the pair he picked out a few words from their talk. Owen's name was mentioned and something about then it was followed by a laugh from each of them.
"I see Owen has arisen in conversation again," Jack chuckled as he stopped beside Ianto and their shoulders brushed slightly.
"He always does Jack, haven't you learnt that yet?" Ianto asked amused at the situation.
"Well you better had been saying good things about me!" A shout came from the autopsy bay then the man appeared at the top of the steps, cleaning cloth and a piece of equipment in hand.
"Oh it was Owen," Tosh replied ever so innocently.
The friendly banter carried on as the coffee machine pinged signalling its creation of Ianto's amazing coffee. The Welshman momentarily left the conversation but not without a quick peck on the lips from Jack.
The happy atmosphere shielded the team from their surroundings and they failed to noticing the cog door rolling open and revealing a figure in black.
A clatter of cutlery and a metallic click caught the team's attention. Three pairs of eyes were fixed on the women who had Ianto's back pressed to her front, her left arm around his throat and her right holding the barrel of the gun to the Welshman's temple.
Jack's eyes widened in alarm but he quickly tried to hide it from the women. Then he was suddenly aware of Owen and Tosh standing either side of him with their guns aimed at the intruder.
Looking from side to side Jack sighed and put a hand on each of their shoulders. The two adults relaxed their aim as The Captain took a slow step forward.
"Put the gun down Gwen," He spoke softly trying not to alarm her.
"Give me one good reason why I should listen to you?" The sentence was spat out between gritted teeth.
"Because there is too much violence in the world and it doesn't need anymore blood spilt," It was a valid reason but Gwen thought otherwise.
"Yeah right, but someone is always going to hate someone!" She declared basically shouting into Ianto's ear as she did so.
Jack chose to ignore her statement. "Why are you here?" The Captain was surprised at how calm he was remaining considering Ianto -his lover- was being held at gun point by Gwen.
"To take back what is rightfully mine."
"And what is that?"
"You," She saw Jack's jaw clench. "You chose me Jack. You said I was special. The heart of Torchwood and then you do this," She indicated to Ianto with her eyes.
"Yes, that's true. You are special and that is why I let you join this team because we needed you-"
"You mean, you needed me," She interrupted.
Jack rolled his eyes. When was she going to learn? "Look Gwen, put the gun down and then we can discuss this properly,"
"No! This is the only way you will listen," She took in a deep breath. "I love you."
Ianto's eyes screwed shut as the pressure around his neck grew as Gwen became more frustrated.
Jack dropped his head and sighed.
"Say it," Gwen said looking at Jack. "Say it Jack," The anger grew inside her. "Say it back to me, Jack, say it back to me!"
As Jack hung his head he could hear the screeching of the overused spring within the firearm. His head shot up at the realisation of what Gwen was unknowingly doing.
"Gwen, no!" Jack shouted as the sound of a single gunshot reverberated around the stone and metal walls of the Hub.
