For the second night in a row, Jack found himself carrying an unconscious Gwen into the hotel. He certainly wasn't planning on her falling asleep so soon. Jack had only mixed in a very mild sedative so that she would be able to stay conscious until they reached the hotel, but Gwen managed to collapse before they had even left the Hub.
The receptionist unfortunately, had been the same nosy woman from the night before. She gave him suspicious glares and reached for the phone when she saw Jack walk in and it wasn't difficult to figure out who she was going to call. Jack didn't blame her either. After all Gwen was very bruised and the only thing he could find to dress her in was a Torchwood embroidered boiler suit normally reserved for clothing weevils. And Jack… well, having borrowed one of Ianto's spare suits, didn't exactly blend in.
"It's ok, there's no need to call the police" Jack began explaining to the receptionist. He could do with the practice. He still wasn't sure what he was going to tell Gwen when she woke up. "We've been having an affair you see and her boyfriend found out and beat her up" Jack paused for dramatic effect, but was really thinking about how Gwen would so kill him for saying this. "He's been arrested now. We've been at the police station all night giving statements" he looked at Gwen. "She's just sleeping poor thing. The incident really took it out of her as I'm sure you can understand."
The woman put the phone down. "Yes I understand sir" she said obediently. Jack turned to leave, satisfied that she was convinced but the woman couldn't help herself and asked "So why are you wearing a suit then?" she said as if she were challenging him.
Jack turned around, the weight of carrying Gwen beginning to show on his face. "Not that it's any of your business" he began. "…When she called me to come help her I was at a wedding. My own wedding" he spat. He knew he was overdoing it, but the woman seemed impressed with his lies.
"And last night?" she added to piss him off even more.
Jack sighed. Goddamn this woman keeping him from taking care of Gwen. "We were drunk" he said. "She had too much to drink and passed out. Now may I please go to my room? As much as I'd love to stay and chat with you all night…" he said sarcastically and once again turned to leave.
"Um…just one more thing" she began. "Why is she dressed like that?"
Jack didn't turn back to face her. An honest tear slid down his cheek and harshly he whispered "She was raped." He turned to look at the woman who averted her eyes and said "If you talk to her about any of this…you will regret it" he warned. "Do we have an understanding?"
She nodded shamefully and went back to her filing.
--
It had now been over seven hours since Gwen had taken retcon. Jack sat in a chair beside her bed contemplating there relationship and what he would tell her when she awoke. Part of him wished she had never joined Torchwood. Her life would have been so much simpler and uncomplicated. He would never forgive himself if he were responsible for her death, but he had worked for Torchwood long enough to know that all those who work for Torchwood have a very short life expectancy. All except for him. He would have to let her go one day. He couldn't promise her forever although forever was exactly what he had. What if he quit Torchwood? No. He couldn't do that and Gwen wouldn't want him too. She had changed so much since they first met. She had too so that she could adjust to all the new knowledge he forced upon her. She was the strongest woman he had ever known. What had happened…didn't change the way he felt about her. She made him feel complete. Never before had he felt so strongly for someone. He loved everything about her. The way she challenged him, the way they argued. Her compassion and her courage. The way she gave him a reason to live, made him want to live…for her. Gwen began to stir. Jack knelt down beside her and gently stroked her hand.
Gwen had the strangest dream. She was crying and she had no idea why. No one ever said why…but Jack was there with her. He was always there when she needed him most, to comfort her and take care of her. Suddenly, he was holding her hand and looking deeply into her eyes. And then he said it. I love you. Yep…she was definitely dreaming.
Gwen slowly opened her eyes. She felt someone beside her, holding her hand. She turned her head and was greeted with the sight of Jack. She sat up quickly. She was not expecting to see him. She blushed slightly as she remembered her dream.
"Jack…what's going on?" she asked already afraid of the answer. "Where are we?"
Jack was smiling at her. "In a hotel" he smirked.
Gwen looked worried. "We didn't" she trailed off. "Did we?"
"No" he said still smiling. Then leaned in closer and whispered seductively in her ear. "Trust me if we did, you wouldn't forget it."
Gwen blushed a deep red, but ignored him. Why couldn't she remember? She was so confused. "What happened?"
"What do you remember?" he mused.
"I can't Jack that's why I'm asking you" she said annoyed.
"Ok calm down. What's the last thing you remember?"
Gwen fought the urged to shout at him for telling her to calm down. She was in a hotel room with her boss and no idea how she got there. "I remember…I was in my apartment…I was alone…but…I think I went out" she gave up frustrated. "I don't know!" she yelled, mostly at herself.
"It's ok Gwen" Jack reassured her.
"So what happened?"
"Come here" he said and helped her up. He led her to the mirror and stood behind her.
Gwen gasped at her reflection. She knew she felt sore, but she didn't expected to look so…beaten.
"I called you to meet me at the pub near the bay to talk. You walked from your apartment. You thought you were being followed so you called me. You were attacked. There were two men wearing balaclavas. They bet you and knocked you unconscious" he paused to let her take it all in as he noticed the tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry…I got there too late" Jack said honestly, thinking about how he let her down at the Hub. "The men were arrested and I took you to the hospital. They said you might have some short term amnesia. You've been asleep for a long time Gwen, but I knew you would wake up. They let me take you out of hospital on the condition that I monitor you. I've been avoiding the Hub lately and you told me Rhys was out of town so I brought you here. I hope that was ok."
"Thankyou Jack" Gwen said softly and squeezed his hand. They stood in front of the mirror for a while as Gwen took in this new information. She had no reason to doubt Jack's word and she could only accept what had happened and move on. She would just have to be more careful next time she went walking at night.
"Jack" Gwen asked suddenly. "Why am I wearing a weevil suit?"
Shit. Whose idea was it to put Gwen in front of a mirror? Good one Jack! "Um…We got wet. It was raining so it was either that or hospital scrubs. What about me, I had to borrow one of Ianto's suits!"
Gwen laughed. There was so much more she wanted to ask him like if Rhys knew what had happened, but Jack seemed different…somewhat nervous even and she enjoyed a little too much having him all to herself.
Unexpectedly, Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out an old looking necklace. "Gwen…there is something I want to give you" Jack began and tenderly put the necklace on for her. It was beautiful. Attached to a long silver chain was a small hollow heart rimmed with tiny sapphires and diamonds. "It belonged to my wife, Rebecca. I gave it to her as an engagement present. I want you to have it." Jack took in Gwen's expression. He knew it was a lot to comprehend.
Gwen head was bursting with new information. Jack had been engaged, Jack had been married. Jack was giving her his wife's necklace, his wife's engagement present. Why was he giving it to her? That was the question which scared her most, but she had to know. She turned to face him. "Why?"
"Because I love you" he said without a second's hesitation, and pressed his lips against hers.
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