Note: I do not own Torchwood or their characters.

This is where the entire story is AU now I will not follow Season Two Three or Four. Radio plays or books. OC characters and those from later seasons.

Chapter Nine

Gwen read the document in front of her she was in the office like she was meant to be. Unfortunately nothing had happened for which they needed her help. There had been a few police calls which Andy had returned instead. Ianto's reasoning was she was busy with her paperwork.

Ianto was watching her take in the document. He had listed every reason why she was being suspended. He had also written the evidence he had for each one so she couldn't contest them.

Insubordination.

Disrespectful of every member of Torchwood full time and volunteer.

Contempt and disrespect to new members of Torchwood.

Posed a threat to new members resulting in guns being drawn and words exchanged.

Despite clear instruction that all things relevant to safe houses compounds and medical facility were to go through the new caretakers attempts were made to find locations and names of said places.

Disobeying orders – paperwork needed to be completed before the beginning of suspension however point above means paperwork had been ignored.

Evidence: CCTV footage of the meeting and history of database searches while meant to be completing paperwork. Also supported by CCTV footage of the hub.

CONSEQUENCES: RESTRICTED TO HUB ON RETURN FOR ONE WEEK. DUTIES WILL BE PAPERWORK CLEANING AND TOURIST OFFICE DUTIES.

FURTHER DEMOSTRATION OF THESE OFEENCES AND OR OTHERS MAY RESULT IN RETCON DISMISSAL OR JAIL.

She was trying to think of a good argument as to why she couldn't be suspended. Ianto could see the cogs working he had been clear in the reasons why she was to leave the hub for nine days. He had also written to consequences and what could happen if she acted up again. He saw her eyes widen and the words retcon fired and jail. She couldn't believe what she was reading he would really send her to jail just because she challenged him with her out of the way he wouldn't have to worry about Jack leaving him for her when he returned now Rhys had broken up with her.

Ianto could feel satisfaction and lust emanate from her and he could see the reasoning all over her face. Jail would keep her out of the way of Jack's path but that wasn't the reason why he would have done it. She went after Alice and Rhiannon today that was not forgiven easily. She should know from the fact that Ianto Tosh and Rosanne all stood to defend Rhiannon and Alice. Owen was already standing and would not have hesitated in incapacitating her.

"Is it clear to you Gwen?" he asked his voice was calm and controlled she could tell he was trying to not to lose his temper.

"Yes it's clear." She ground out. He knew she would be argumentative so he decided to show her why this was happening. He bought up the CCTV of the meeting and pressed play.

She watched the footage trying to take in what she saw. Even she could see some of what Ianto was talking about if someone had acted that way in front of her she would have been offended and probably would have taken some of the actions Ianto did. But nine days suspension and threat of retcon firing and jail wasn't that too far.

"You know I have seen records of people being retcon here for doing less." She looked up at him as he spoke. "The slightest hint of insubordination and they were gone." Her eyebrows raised at that piece of information. "Jack was always lenient because people who were willing to stand up got the job done. He didn't want to subdue their personalities he wanted them to be and I want to be the same but that wasn't just standing up that was insubordination and you went after my sister and Alice am I meant to just let you get away with that. I'm not Jack Gwen I won't let you bowl me over I am in charge now you want to stay you listen to my orders." Ianto decided to be honest and frank. Her face flushed with embarrassment it wasn't her finest moment and it resulted in a gun to her head literally.

"Alice was trying to protect her son Gwen just like you were trying to protect Rhys when we betrayed Jack. Do you know what people would do to them just to get Jack to do what they wanted that was the reason he kept her so far away. She was protecting Steven it was her right to tell you when she felt comfortable instead of demanding it out of her." Ianto continued.

"And you keep saying we need to be more human so I hired to of the most human people I know to care for those we can't they deserve more than a part time people disturbing them disrupting their already secret life they need 24/7 care and Rhiannon and Alice can give that." why was he explaining himself.

"Jack kept them secret for a reason Gwen he trusted me because I knew what could happen if people find out and trust me Gwen I won't give you the nightmares of what I have seen." He was trying to make her see.

"Your acting like you were the only one Jack left. What about Tosh and Owen they have known him for years worked with him for so long. What about me we were lovers he slept next to me at night he bought me this" he held up the chain that Jack had given him. "He also bought me a mug saying world's best boyfriend. Every night I go to sleep I look over to his side of the bed and know I'll wake up and he isn't there but I still have to come in and run this place. Am I allowed to act like that if I don't get my Gwen?" he asked her. "Can I go off on one just because of a secret? Is that fair?" he leaned forward his voice still calm and collected. Her eyes had widened as she took in the necklace and when he mentioned the mug he thought he eyebrows would disappear into her hair line. "Well would it be okay for me to act the way you did. I certainly have much more of a reason to so shall I scream and shout be ignorant threatening act like I'm the only one in pain?" she sank into her seat trying to disappear watching yourself act in a way you never thought you would and then having it shoved in your face isn't something she thought would happen to her.

"I…I…I…" she didn't know what to say sorry didn't seem appropriate not to mention unwelcomed but what else could she say. She was angry at Jack for not telling her and before he left she had started to understand she was never going to have him. But when he left all she could think about was wasn't she enough for him to stay but that was the problem wasn't it she was thinking about herself.

"When you first started I understood why Jack hired you: you did remind us about humanity but you forget that we are jaded we already saw the evil of the world before we came here. It's why we are here to try and fight what tried to get us. Sometimes it's easier to manage by not seeing the humanity otherwise we wouldn't be able to do the job. You put yourself in the shoes of the victim and then tears us apart for not doing the same. We have been the victims many times over we know what's at stake you can't keep taking away our coping mechanism as well." She sat still waiting for him to finish. She wondered what else he could say to her what else could he throw in her face.

"I expect you to come back next week with a new attitude and an understanding that what I say goes if you want to stay here. You can leave now." He pointed at the door indicating the end of the conversation. He put her paperwork in the in progress tray and switched off the CCTV feed. He didn't look back at her as she stood up. She kept glancing at him as she walked out of the door waiting for him to tell her they needed her. But he didn't he was focused on the work in front of him. She slowly walked down the stairs and to her desk everyone else who was still there were engrossed in their work. What was she going to do for nine days? She could go out with friends visit her parents but what about all the time in-between. As she headed out she realised that Rhys probably hadn't finished packing yet maybe she could change his mind. Getting into her car she headed for home only she didn't know it wasn't a home anymore she had seen to that.

Rhys had unpacked his clothes and essentials in Andy's spare room. They would have to share a bathroom but they would get on fine it would be like in university again. Andy had already text him saying he was staying late at hub so he was to make himself at home. He had picked up all his dirty washing as well as the clean clothes. He put a load of washing on before starting his dinner he really just wanted to relax tonight and take everything that happened in.

Ianto decided to stay late with the others Marc Rick Kate and Jen had left early in the evening Tony and Isabelle left not long after Gwen. Andy James and Rodney were sticking around since they started just before lunch and Tosh Rosanne Owen were coming back to catch up on the work they should have done while they were helping Rhys pack up his stuff. Rhiannon and Alice went back to Rhiannon's the amount of time they were spending there they may as well move in. Maybe he could ask them to move into Jack's house they were three other bedrooms on the same floor as his and Jacks which they had managed to clear out and clean before Jack left not to mention the empty ones that would soon be on the first floor too when everyone moved out so maybe they could be closer to the hub and Rhiannon's. He wasn't expecting her to give up her home but putting it out there couldn't be bad was it? Looking at his desk he couldn't believe that it was still clear. He was ready for it to be a complete mess but he had managed to keep on top of everything. But then again he was good at this.

He couldn't stop clinging at the necklace Jack bought him ever since he had shown Gwen he couldn't stop reminding himself that it was there. It was like exposing it to someone else he had taken it away from just him and Jack. He picked up a pile of files and headed down to his desk in the hub everyone had been great about him keeping both. But they all understood that the office was still Jack's in Ianto's mind. The desk in the hub meant he could hang out with the rest of the team while he worked.

As he sat at his desk he realised that it was exactly the same as it was when they cleaned up nothing had been moved. He felt grateful that they realised that when Jack came back this would be his desk again and they kept it just as he left it. Rosanne quietly set a cup of coffee down next to him.

"How did it go with Rhys?" he asked her taking a sip he hadn't had much to drink that afternoon.

"It was okay you could tell it was hard for him to strip that flat bare he had tried so hard to make it a home and he had to destroy it but he managed it. I was surprised how much he contributed. He left a nearly empty kitchen the furniture he didn't need at Andy's most of the book CD DVD collections. Artwork ornaments etc. The TV DVD player the sound system his laptop. I wanted to hire a van for his furniture but he said he didn't need it at Andy's and since he didn't want to keep it he would rather get new stuff when he got another place he left it for her. But most of the personal items homey items he took. It looks like someone just moved in it's that bare."

"So he left her with an empty house." Well she did deserve it.

"Goes with that things she calls a heart." Rosanne was not happy with Gwen even though they had a truce in place as soon as she hurt Rhys and went after Rhiannon and Alice Rosanne went back to just hating her. Ianto choked on the sip of coffee he had just taken. She slapped his back a couples of times even though it didn't help his breathing any.

"Can you not say stuff like that when I'm eating or drinking please?" He coughed out. Wiping the coffee from his chin. He was glad none of it went on the paperwork or he would have to print them out again.

"Sorry hun." Rosanne was sorry but how was she supposed to know he would have that reaction. She kissed the top if his head and went back to her station. Tosh was busy running another set of security protocols while she did some upgrades on the programs.

Rodney had wandered down the medical bay to see if there was anything Owen could do to speed up his recovery he really wanted to get rid of some of his restless energy working out but Owen kept said not yet last week. He was following Doctors orders and all he wanted to was get back to his usual daily workout.

"Owen you got a minute for a check-up?" he asked as he hopped up onto the table so the doctor couldn't refuse. James chuckled as he handed Owen his stethoscope.

"You really are getting restless aren't you?" Owen started the basic exam.

"Yes I am I don't like sitting around all day." Rodney let him guide him through the exam.

"Well if you are healed enough I can authorise light exercise nothing that would aggravate your back. I've got lots of great equipment here but we still haven't found anything to speed up healing on flesh wounds."

"Just tell me I can work out a little each day." Rodney told him as James set up for imaging of his wounds so they could tell if they had healed well.

"If I know you at all a little wouldn't be accurate." Owen knew as soon as he said yes Rodney would be back to his old workout schedule which was not light exercise.

"I promise I will not overdo it but not getting rid of this restless energy is interrupting my sleep and is putting me off my work I just want to work a little off every day." Rodney was close to whining.

It took a little while for them to determine that he was healing well as long as he didn't over exert himself and his exercises didn't aggravate his back much he would be able to exercise a little.

"YES!" Owen and James grinned as Rodney jumped up from the table and ran up the bay stairs.

"I will go and make sure he doesn't overdo it." James muttered.

"James are you okay?" Owen had noticed he had withdrawn a little.

"It's nothing. I just feel a little alone." James admitted he knew it would be easier in the long run to just say it to Owen whether people believed it or not he was actually good at giving advice.

"I'm guessing you mean romantically." Owen turned to face him leaning against the table. He patted the space next to him and waited for James to join him.

"I know in this job it's hard to have long lasting relationships but it isn't impossible you just have to find the right guy."

"It's not the job. I mean when it was just you lot I could have seen my romantic life take a large hit but now it's all of us I do get out I hang out with friends I have been on a few dates but now I know about this I know that I am condemning them to a life of wondering if tomorrow will be it late nights cold beds even with us all here. I will be easily distracted worried about having a family if it got that far. Even if it got to choose how could I leave this place knowing how much good I am doing?"

"If you love them you would give this up of that I have no doubt because that kind of love is rare." Owen told him, he understood the concerns that James had they had all gone through them at one point. Although he was not happy to admit his solution wasn't a good one but he was trying to work through his issues.

"Will I ever find them if I am always here?" James felt that no matter where he turned he was at a dead end.

"It's not something you can predict you'll know when the time is right." Owen had felt that way with Katie and even Diane but he was sure he wouldn't be lucky a third time. At this moment in time he had resigned himself that he wouldn't find someone else who could deal with him.

"I guess wish it was easier. Anyway I'll keep an eye on Rodney and make sure that he doesn't over so it."

"Stop looking for it and it mind find you." Owen told him as he ascended the steps.

Rodney ran up the stairs and through the hub. Those who were still there were confused but didn't have chance to ask him he was headed wherever he was going in a hurry. They turned back to their work they were doing. About ten minutes later James came up looking a little grim but he headed in the same direction as Rodney. Owen followed him up but went to his desk.

"What's with them?" Ianto asked from his station he didn't want gossip he just wanted to know his team members were okay.

"Rodney is healed enough to start doing light exercise so he happy that he gets to work off some of his restless energy and get back to some of his workout schedule. James is okay other than that I can't tell anything." He would keep his team mates confidence.

"Okay." Ianto didn't push he knew that Owen would not break someone's confidence.

"I'm glad Rodney can finally work out. I think he spends more time here than I do sometimes I don't have any work to do because he has already done it before I get in." Tosh told them as she went through her reports.

"I think it's not so much that he is bored but he is used to military regimen. He has spent over fifteen years living by a strict set of rules and protocols one of those is fitness and he hasn't been able to follow those since he got hurt." Rosanne commented from where she was at her station.

"Yeah that probably has something to do with it. He reminds me of Rhiannon." Owen said facing the rest of them.

"Why?" Ianto wondered.

"Because despite being injured they push themselves to their limits because they don't like being bored." Andy said he had noticed that.

"Huh that sounds about right." Ianto agreed.

"You are too bloody quiet I keep missing you when I get up here." Owen groaned.

"Maybe you should be more observant." Andy snapped back.

"Well sorrrrrry for not seeing you when you hide behind your computer screen and not talk for ages." Ianto Tosh and Rosanne rolled their eyes. Owen and Andy were similar so they snapped a lot but it never meant thy hated each other they just liked to bitch at each other.

"Whatever." Andy focused back on his work effectively ending the fight.

"Irritating Welshman." Owen muttered as he focused on his.

James was glad that he had decided to make sure that Rodney didn't overdo it because as soon as he entered the gym he was rushing over and lowering the rate of the running machine.

"Did you not hear Owen he said light exercise not put yourself back in the hospital?" James snapped at him handing him a water bottle.

"That was light for me." Rodney was defensive he just wanted to burn off some energy.

"It may be light for you but it was still too much for your body to handle." James got on the running machine next to him and started at a slow pace.

"Fine I'll slow down." Rodney wondered why James was on edge normally he wouldn't snap he was a very friendly person. James sighed he didn't mean to snap at Rodney.

"Sorry I shouldn't have snapped. But I was right Owen did mean light exercise if you have a setback healing is just going to take longer."

"I know I just couldn't help it I really miss my daily workout it was great for boosting your energy but you slept well at night. Right now my body is so full of energy I don't sleep well and can't sit still for long." Rodney explained.

"I know I get it but Owen has spent so long helping you heal just go easy yeah." James had gone over everyone's medical file just like Tony had just case Owen wasn't in the field and they needed to act quickly.

"I'll try but I'm used to it so it's difficult to break and now I can get back into it it's going to be hard not to go back to it." Rodney admitted.

"I know. Why don't you run through your daily workout with me and I can tell you where you need to cut down or what you need cut out completely." James suggested.

"Yeah okay." They went through Rodney's workout and only had to cut down a third the rest was okay. The main ones they had to cut were the ones that pulled his back muscles too much.

"I think I can work with this. All I have to do is add more of the training I can do and I'll be able to keep my usual time." Rodney was satisfied that he was able to burn off his excess energy now.

"I do kick boxing so I don't have to do a work out this much."

"How often do you do kick boxing?" Rodney passed him a water bottle sitting down on the floor mat James following him.

"My friend from college runs a twenty four hour gym. I go when I can since is primarily a kick boxing gym there is always someone there to spar with and train with. It's primarily used by doctor's police officers those who don't have regular work hours." James lay on his back his arm pillowing his head.

"Why do you still go there when you have this to work out in." he gestured to the large gym that one of the storage rooms close to the hub had been turned into.

"Because out there I get to see people talk to them have a laugh. It's a place like my home where Torchwood doesn't rule me I just get to be James. I'm not a doctor not Torchwood I don't have to worry about them going off on one because of my sexuality." James loved his work but like all of them they needed somewhere someone something on the outside that gives them a break when they need them.

"Would you mind if I joined you from time to time it sounds like a good place to get away?" Rodney was worried that James would think he was taking to take his place away.

"I don't mind." James was still lying back staring at the ceiling.

"James I know that we don't talk much but we are team mates so you can talk to me if you need to. Sometimes it's easy to feel alone when you're surrounded by couples. Before today there were only four of us that were single. Ianto is trying to carry on without Jack, Owen isn't looking for anything and as far as we know he isn't interested in men. Rhys just broke up with Gwen so those two are not looking right now we are the only one looking for a relationship. You and I are the only ones who want to find someone." They didn't talk much that was true. Rodney was always doing computer work and James was always in the med bay lab or researching.

"Thanks it goes both ways." James said softly. After the workout he just did he was tired but he wanted to stay and get some work done. He suddenly yawned quite loudly and Rodney couldn't help but chuckle. "Maybe you should catch a couple hours."

James couldn't agree more just because he came in just before lunch doesn't mean that he was asleep just before he came in. James had woken at six had breakfast went to the gym and did a two hour workout before running errands and come into work.

"What about you all that exercise you just did you should let your body relax too. Catch a couple of hours."

"I will come on." Rodney reached down to help James to his feet. They ended up closer than they thought and on impulse James hugged him.

"Sorry sorry." he jumped back embarrassed that he felt the need to hug someone. Rodney seemed to understand though. He drew him back and wrapped his arms around him pulling his head to rest against his shoulder.

"Like I said I know we don't talk much but you can always come and talk to me." He told him holding him close.

"Thank you." James murmured into Rodney's shoulder. Maybe he wasn't the only one who felt lonely. They stood there for a little while accepting the comfort from each other.

James was the one to pull back his face still a little flushed from embarrassment but Rodney didn't mention it he knew that in this line of work it was easy to get lonely.

"Come on lets go get some sleep." Rodney slipped his arm through James gently leading him to the on call room. They showered and changed and James was glad when he his head hit the pillow he was surprised when Rodney slid in behind him wrapping his arm around him.

Rodney felt him tense up but didn't stop moving until they were pressed together.

"Turn around." James wanted to say no he wanted to tell him to leave but having someone next to him for a little while he didn't feel so alone. He turned in Rodney's arms letting him tuck his head under Rodney's and the covers pulled up over them.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" James tried to lighten the situation but it didn't work.

"Friends can comfort each other." Rodney told him as he got himself comfortable with his arms still wrapped around James. A small part of James still wanted to move put the rest of him finally felt better than he had in a while.

"Thank you Rodney. And like I said before this will always go both ways I'm here for you too." He said softly surrendering to Rodney's embrace.

"I know. Now sleep you need it." Rodney watched James relax and fall asleep before he let himself relax. Slowly he fell asleep secure in the knowledge that he had a friend who understood him better than most without even trying.

A couple of hours later James and Rodney returned to the main hub. The rest that had stayed still working. When they returned Tosh and Rosanne left to catch a few hours and Owen was still in the med bay while Ianto had already retired to the bunker. He would get up early the next morning to plan for the coming week.

James touched Rodney's shoulder as he headed to the med bay to see what he could work on and if Owen needed any help. Rodney settled in front of his monitor feeling a lot better now he could focus properly. Tosh had left a list of what she and Rosanne had done while he was asleep so he knew what he needed to work on. After a few days of doing something twice or thinking the other had done a task and not getting it done they had decided to make sure the others knew what had already been done so they could start work on what needed to be done right away and no waste time it worked for them.

Owen turned around to face James when he reached the bottom of the steps. Weight seemed to have lifted and his eyes seemed to be brighter.

"You looked better a little more settled." James knew Owen would notice he always did but when you work closely with someone you pick a lot up.

"Rodney and I talked. He said that since we are the only two single people actively looking for someone right now we can relate to each other and even though we don't talk much I can always go to him." James told him. He kept on contact with all of his best friends but there were all over the place. They knew he worked for something top secret and they never pried but they always wanted to know it he had found someone and he kept having to say no it saddened him that he couldn't find someone but at the same time like he told Owen earlier did he really want to find someone while he worked at Torchwood.

"That's good then you have someone else to talk to." Owen could see where Rodney was coming from. He wasn't looking for anything right he was trying to sort himself out and adding another person to the mix would not help. Maybe those two could help each other better than he could help James.

"Do you need help with anything?" James asked. He had already finished his assignment early on in the day and was just pottering around tidying up.

"Yeah I'm going through the database again to see if anymore reports were added on weevils. If you can search for the reports I'll started adding them to the list to be analysed." It was a boring task but it needed to be done. Weevils were the most common creature from the rift and Owen wanted to learn as much as he could. "We'll go up to the main hub since all we need is our computers."

James sat in front of his computer and started up the searches. He glanced over at Rodney who fingers were flying across the keys James knew he would never be able to type that fast. Owen sat down at his desk next to him drawing his gaze away from Rodney.

"Do we have any?" Owen asked.

"A couple but I can search for the other files we need to add to our list." Nodding Owen and James got started on sorting out the case numbers they needed to check out next time they had a research day.

Rodney could see some of the tension had left James' shoulders and he was glad he had helped but the glances James kept shooting his way while working confused him a little but he took it a compliment instead. Bringing up a chat window he sent a short message. "Dinner tomorrow? Smile I see perfection."

James was glad that Owen was making a drink when the message came through because he eyes flew out of their sockets. He typed a reply before Owen came back and saw this he would like to keep to himself a little longer. "I would like that. Smile same reason."

Rodney smiled behind his computer screen as he continued his work they would work out the details tomorrow but for tonight he was very busy as were they.

Gwen entered the flat hoping Rhys was still there. Maybe she could talk him round make him see he needed her. Walking into the living/kitchen area she stopped her bag falling to the floor. The flat was almost bare. He had left furniture and a few things she had bought for the flat a few DVD's CD's and books. Frames ornaments trinkets. The TV DVD and sounds system were gone most of the kitchen things were gone. She wandered to the bedroom peeking in the bathroom which was also half empty. His draws and side of the wardrobe were empty hangars left neatly. The bed was made the bedside cabinet was empty.

She sat down on her side of the bed completely drained. She had a gun pointed at her suspended and now Rhys was actually gone. She didn't realise he must have had help to clear out his things all she could think about was how much she had lost. Still after all that she was still focused on herself.

Marc and Rick Kate and Jen already knew how to work with each other and Isabelle Tony Andy and Gwen pretty much worked alone on what they did. The police liaison Andy and Gwen did depended on who was in or who called a lot of them preferred to speak to Andy which got on her nerves but it meant she had to work harder which everyone thought was a good thing.

Owen preferred to put three files on the table and they randomly picked their assignments and research. It kept things interesting and it meant they all did bits and pieces of everything. But there had been a couple of days where they had holed themselves up in the research room chosen for medical research and just worked on one topic. That type of system worked for them and Ianto had hoped this would happen. Similar minded people working together and progressing faster because more minds meant more ideas.

Ianto worked alone also but he did make sure to include Tosh and Owen when it came to major decisions and made sure they had a meeting every week to go over everything. He was extremely considerate of his operatives and didn't make large decisions without some input. He wanted to make sure that everyone felt included and everyone loved him for it. Especially those who came from One they were so used to taking orders it was different to have someone actually ask for your opinion. He used their skillsets but never stopped them learning something else. His training programme was working sometimes the times were changed around if they had an investigation but it got done somehow.

Ianto was good at his job and it reflected in his operatives but there were times Ianto wished Jack was back not because he thought he couldn't do it but because he would give it up if it meant having him home.

A/N: Gonna start on story three soon. This time I decided to post all at once so it wasn't months before I uploaded again I hope it was okay.

Next One will be called He's Back : )