A/N: I do apologize for the delay in my updates. R/L and the rotation of my other stories have slowed me down immensely. I've made a promise to myself - future stories I am going to write and not begin posting until they are nearly complete. For now, though - I will update as quickly as I can. Thank you for reading. Comments are appreciated and they motivate me to continue on.

They Keep Killing Suzie

Murder, mayhem... just another day in the life of Torchwood. Except, this wasn't just another series of murders. This was a direct attack on Torchwood. Or was it? Even when the day began, Jack wasn't quite certain. There was something ominous, a diabolical scheme to the series of events. He knew he shouldn't have listened to Gwen's sanctimonious words. Jack had felt he had no choice but to use the resurrection glove. He had hidden a smile when Owen bickered about the naming of the glove, and Ianto had immediately supplied his opinion. The Risen Mitten. He agreed with Ianto, it was catchy. More than that it was apt... and it was Ianto.

It didn't take long until the pieces began to fall into place. Suzie was now maneuvering them from the grave. Jack knew there would be no option other than to bring her back. However, the two minute rule didn't quite apply with Suzie Costello. Suzie had always been so clever, so thorough. He should have known better. This plan of cunning deception and murder had been designed when she'd still been alive. Now, they had to sort it all out. Gwen had talked him into using the glove. She had used it on the victims, then Suzie. Now, her life force was draining away from her.

Ianto had once again amazed him with his innate skills when he managed to achieve a workable cell phone signal in the midst of a complete power shutdown. He smiled at him in genuine astonishment and gratitude. He quickly commended him for his efforts, thinking if the time were more appropriate he would kiss him soundly for his actions. Shaking himself from such a train of thought, Jack thought about who to call to assist him. When he realized who he would have to approach, he knew it would he would be at the center of many jokes for awhile to come.

As he had finally managed to escape the masterful lockdown perpetrated on Torchwood, Jack battled with the anger at Gwen's disobedience again... and his remorse at what could befall her if they didn't rectify the situation quickly. Despite their differences, she didn't deserve this – nor was it right. He would save Gwen Cooper... but, when he had – she would answer for breaking his rules again. Not only had she endangered herself; she jeopardized all of them, as well as Torchwood in the process. This time he would be forced to punish her.

He had tried to reason with Suzie, to no avail. She intended to cling to the life she was now stealing from Gwen. Quickly, Gwen was slipping away. The only way he could save her was to destroy Suzie. In the end it had been rather simple, once he realized the glove had to be destroyed. Once his orders to do so were carried out, Gwen came back... the connection shared with Suzie forever broken. As he watched Owen cradling a trembling and still frightened and disoriented Gwen against his chest, Jack remained firm in his resolve regarding her punishment. She looked towards him with that soft, innocent look... one that he was certain others fell for – but, not Captain Jack Harkness. He would have Owen check her out, then... she would learn of his decision.

Leaning down to where Owen still held Gwen, he looked at the both of them intently, before he asked Owen, "She alright now?"

"I think so, Jack. She'll need to be checked out for sure," Owen answered.

"I'm fine, Jack. There's really no need..." Gwen protested, a wide-eyed expression on her face as she took in Jack's stern, yet concerned face. She smiled at him sweetly. Jack does care. I knew it! If I play on his sympathy, maybe he'll forgive me... and more importantly, maybe we can get closer. Yes. That's how it would be.

Jack began walking to the SUV, calling out over his shoulder, "I'll be the judge of what's necessary. I am the boss. Remember?" He pierced her with a sharp look, before he told her, "After Owen checks you out, come to my office."

Owen frowned, knowing Jack as he did, realizing this was bad for Gwen. "Uhhh, Jack. Does it have to be tonight? I – I mean, regardless of what caused this mess, she almost died."

"I'm well aware of that," Jack clipped out. "A line was crossed, and not for the first time. This time it will be addressed. Now, let's go."

Jack watched with cold eyes as Gwen stepped into his office, once again without knocking. He raised his eyebrows, his most stern expression displayed. "Did I miss the knock – again?"

"Oh no." Gwen shrugged, flopping down onto the seat across from his desk without being asked. "I knew you wanted to see me. I wanted to see you, too."

"You might not feel the same once we're finished." Jack breathed in and out deeply. "How many times do I need to remind you about knocking? This is an office, not a damned shop!"

Gwen's eyes widened, surprised at Jack's anger over something so simple, especially in the presence of so many other serious events of the day. "I didn't think it was a big deal, Jack. You told me you wanted to see me."

"Yes, I did. However, a bit of common courtesy would be appreciated," he snapped. "Enough of that, let's get on with it."

Wincing under the cold determination in Jack's eyes, along with his unrelenting tone, Gwen stammered, "J-Jack, I know I broke the rules... but, I just felt so bad for her."

"You risked Torchwood, your own life... that of everyone she came in contact with – because you felt sorry for her!" Jack bellowed. "Do you have any idea the mayhem that Suzie had planned. It wouldn't have ended with your death. That would have only been the beginning!"

"I didn't know she was draining the life from me when I took her. All I could think about was how I'd feel if that were my father in that hospital, dying of cancer with no closure. It was my plan to have her back before any harm could be done." Gwen looked at Jack intently. "Please say you believe that, Jack."

He shook his head in disbelief, realizing in an instant she just didn't get it. "It doesn't matter what I believe, Gwen. All that matters is your continued lack of respect for my authority. The rules we have at Torchwood are in place for good reason. It's not only to protect the organization, it's to protect the human race in general. You have violated those rules, over and over again. I have decided you need time to think that over, and determine if Torchwood is the right fit for you."

"Of course it is, Jack. I love my work," Gwen nearly shrieked. "I'll do better, I promise. Please don't send me away."

"I'm placing you on suspension for one month. It will be unpaid, without any benefits. At the end of that time, we will meet again. If I feel your attitude has changed to the degree that you can be a functioning member of the team that thinks as a part of a team and not a one-woman crusade, then I will reinstate you. This is your last chance, Gwen. In the Torchwood days of old, you would have already been executed..." Jack snapped, trying to drive home the importance of the consequences of her behavior. Much as he didn't want to lose her as an active member of the team, he had no qualms in doing so.

"J-Jack..." she began protesting in astonishment. "This isn't necessary. I've learned my lesson. I swear. Please don't place me on suspension."

"It's done." Jack stood up from his desk, in his mind the meeting over. Now, he needed to deal with the finalizing of Suzie and her death certificate – again. "Go home, Gwen."

Gasping in total disbelief, Gwen hissed in outrage, "A month? You only gave Ianto two weeks... and look what he brought down on us!"

Jack's movement immediately stilled when he heard those words tumbling from her mouth. After all the plotting and back-stabbing she had perpetrated against Ianto, she dared to go there. "Gwen..." he spoke in a low voice, one that was entirely too calm when weighed against the fierceness of his stare, along with the tension in every line of his body. "Don't even mention that. Not tonight. This is your final warning, Gwen. Go home now, while I still give you a free choice – in anything!"

"Fine," she snapped, moving towards the door. Turning she looked at Jack angrily. "You can't function for that long without me. You'll be asking me to come back."

"I expect we will be struggling... but, it's more important that you get your head together. I will not let you back until I'm certain you have. Are we understood?" Jack demanded.

"Yes, I understand." She smiled at him sweetly, the sentiment far from reaching her eyes. You'll see when I'm gone, Jack. I'm indispensible to both you and Torchwood. Before it's over, you'll admit you were wrong. I am more of an asset than your precious Ianto will ever be. In time, you'll know that. Her eyes flickered up at him sweetly. "I think you're making a mistake, but I won't fight your decision."

Jack inwardly groaned, wondering if she'd ever get over herself long enough to fully understand what was going on around her. It was sad she was so full of her own self-importance. She was good at her job. Better than Suzie had been, actually. But, it would all be for nothing if she didn't come to terms with what she could and could not have. He hoped she found a new perspective during her time off. That was the only way he could safely allow her to continue on at Torchwood.

"If you're interested... I've still got that stopwatch," Ianto said, speaking in that eloquent and provocative Welsh accent, one that he knew never ceased to send chills up and down Jack's spine.

"So?" Jack prompted, uncertain of where this could be leading.

Ianto smiled at Jack. It was sensuous and full of promise. "Well, think about it. Lots of things you can do with a stopwatch."

Jack smiled widely. He gave Ianto that 'I got you now' trademark Harkness once-over. "Oh yeah." Jack laughed playfully. "I can think of a few."

"There's quite a list..." Ianto continued, the knowledge that he'd never offered himself in such a manner arousing him more than he ever remembered himself being.

Eyes heated and flickered over the gorgeous Welshman. "I'll send the others home early. I'll see you in my office in ten..."

Ianto smiled, anticipation sharpening his already heightened senses. He removed the stopwatch and pressed the button. "That's ten minutes and counting."

They spoke a few moments longer about the finalization of Suzie, before Jack went off to rush the two remaining team members on their way. Tosh looked a bit befuddled by his haste; Owen as always, wasn't questioning such a gift. Within minutes they were gone. As he watched the hub door closing behind them, he looked down at his watch seeing that five minutes had already passed. Smiling, he sprinted up the stairs and to his office. If things went his way he doubted they'd be in here too long. He'd much rather they proceeded in his bunker, with Ianto's gorgeous body stretched out beneath him. This had been a long time in coming and he could hardly wait.

Not much later, Jack's eyes darkened as he watched the door opening, lust and a deep seeded need defining his every feature. "Ianto," he purred sensually. "I thought you had either lost track of the time, or had changed your mind."

Ianto smiled, before looking down at his watch. "Impatient, Sir? Actually I had seventeen seconds to spare."

Jack moved from behind the desk, his pace that of a stalking jungle cat. His eyes were black, hungrily taking in every inch of the Welshman. Jack outstretched his hand expectantly. As always Ianto knew exactly what Jack wanted. His hand closed around the stopwatch, and the other hand around his other arm, pulling him backwards until his own legs were against the desk. Reaching back, Jack placed the stopwatch on the desk, moving next to slide his hands up and down Ianto's chest. His breathing began to become ragged. "Are you sure, Ianto?"

Nodding, Ianto reached up to stroke the look of concern away from Jack's face. "I've never been more sure of anything."

"Good," he growled in response. "Let's save the stopwatch games for another time. Right now, I just need you. It's been way too fucking long."

"I agree," Ianto whispered. "It was a subtle way to see if you were still interested."

"I'll always be interested..." Jack leaned forward, his lips capturing Ianto's slightly opened ones... tongue quickly striking out to engage Ianto's. Two moans were immediately heard as that much desired connection was once again forged. Neither of them had forgotten this, not even in their most darkest of times. This was where they both belonged, and they both knew it. Jack's voice became husky and full of need. "Ianto, come down to my bunker. I need to be inside you... now."

"I need that, too." Ianto fell under that lust blown stare that his Captain had mastered so well, allowing himself to be led down below to the small bed that was really too small for comfort, yet big enough that they could both enjoy what they each wanted so badly. As he watched Jack quickly stripping, Ianto faultlessly reminded, "We would have been much more comfortable at my place..."

Laughing and nodding, Jack agreed. "That we would, Mr. Jones. However, I wouldn't have been able to wait that long. Now, remove those layers of clothes... and get in bed with me."

"Aye aye, my bossy Captain," Ianto cheekily retorted. His eyes narrowed sharply when he heard a familiar click. "You little cheat. That's the stopwatch."

Jack's eyes brazenly roamed over ever inch of delicious Welsh flesh. He smirked guiltily. "I didn't see the harm in bringing it down. Never know when it might come in useful." He looked at the time he had stopped the watch. "It appears someone is as anxious as I. You stripped all those clothes quicker than the time it came to maneuver down the stairs."

Ianto carefully crawled into the tight space, his body immediately covering Jack's. He groaned as he felt that hard erection pressing against his own. "What can I say? I missed you as much as you seemed to miss me."

"Seemed?" Jack echoed huskily. "I'm about to show you precisely how much." In one instant Jack flipped Ianto over so he was beneath him, his mouth latching onto Ianto's neck before sliding sinuously down his body... his destination never in doubt. Jack expertly applied his tongue to each expanse of Ianto's pulsating skin, a low growl releasing as he once again became reacquainted with the heady enticements that were most simply defined as Ianto Jones.

After thoroughly exploring Ianto with his hands and mouth, Jack once again found himself moving within the tightest and warmest place he'd ever known. Fuck, he felt so good. So right and perfect. One thing Jack knew for certain – this was where he belonged. No matter what bumps lay in the Torchwood road ahead, he vowed this would not change. They were meant to be together. He intended for them to stay together.

Little did Jack realize that Ianto had the same thoughts as he felt the body of his Captain fiercely taking him. Once again, he was complete. He didn't ever want that to change.

TBC