Chapter 36
Jack finished his explanation to Rhiannon and gazed at her with remorse and regret in his eyes. Toshiko could see that it was genuine, but a part of her was still angry with Jack for treating Rhiannon so badly.
Rhiannon looked into Jack's eyes, recognised the emotions swimming in the blue depths, but maintained a guarded expression on her face. Her voice was calm, controlled when she spoke to him.
"Jack. I don't pretend to understand why you thought your actions were justified. I don't understand how you could perceive me as a threat. And this incident between us has done more damage than you can ever imagine. If you hoped that your frank confession would somehow, magically take away the harm you've caused … then you're wrong. It will take time to get over this … it will take time to trust you … and it will take time to forgive you. If you've finished all that you wanted to say, then I am going down to see my brother."
With those final words, Rhiannon stood up and walked out of the Boardroom, leaving Toshiko and Jack seated at the table. Jack's face showed ragged devastation as he looked down at his clenched fists on the table.
Jack lifted his head and looked at Toshiko, despair in his gaze. Toshiko saw how broken Jack was and wondered if he realised just how much damage he had inflicted on his and Ianto's relationship when he had terrorised his sister.
Toshiko shrugged helplessly, knowing that she couldn't help her Captain. He had to struggle through this mistake on his own. But he owed his team an explanation. She said, "Rhiannon will be with Ianto and if he's okay to be left, I'll ask Owen to come up here. Then you can tell us both why you sent us away, why you wanted to Retcon Rhiannon and why you threatened her with a gun! A full explanation, Jack. Then I'll tell you how my phone call with Gwen, just a few minutes ago, has changed our whole situation. But not before your explanation, Jack … you owe us that much!"
Jack opened his mouth in surprise but Toshiko silenced him with a glare. Jack's jaw clenched in frustration as he watched Toshiko walk out of the room. His eyes followed her as she appeared below him walking over towards the autopsy bay. Then she disappeared from his view.
Jack leaned back in his chair and let out a howl of frustration. He closed his eyes trying to focus his thoughts on the explanation he would provide for Owen and Tosh … and hoped with all his heart they would listen … understand … accept. And so he waited, a veneer of despair overlaying his deepest fear - that he had just destroyed his relationship with Ianto.
Gwen's guttural sobs echoed around the walls of the hotel bedroom she was in, sitting on the bed; legs pressed tight to her chest, arms gripped fiercely around her knees, head hung down. Her emotions swirled and churned in her heart which was now throbbing in agony. Despair, anguish, frustration, anger, humiliation … and a deep sense of loss warred in her heart as she struggled to come to terms with that shocking conversation with Toshiko.
Gwen curled even tighter into herself, barely acknowledging the lack of remorse she felt at what she had done to Rhys, in order to leave her alone to make her call to Jack. She had carefully set up her husband, arranging a bus tour of a local vineyard the day before, paying for it, then pleading a sudden, bad headache when it came time for them to leave.
Rhys had not wanted to go on the tour by himself … had not wanted to leave her alone while she was sick. But Gwen had carefully manipulated him into going, telling him she was best left alone in the dark, to sleep off her headache with painkillers. She had reminded him that it was prepaid with no hope of a refund and had pleaded with him to collect some vintage bottles of wine that they could both enjoy, when she had recovered. Rhys had not been happy to leave his sick wife, but her entreaties to him finally persuaded him … albeit reluctantly … to take the trip without her.
And now she was here in their room … alone … and in greater pain than her faked headache. A part of her wished that Rhys was here by her side, enfolding her in his loving embrace, soothing away her tears, comforting her with consoling words. Her mind searched raggedly, trying to find out how it had all gone wrong.
I'm not a bad person, I'm not! I just love so much that I'd do ANYTHING to win the person who holds my heart in his hands. How is my love for Jack seen as wrong by everyone? Ianto's sick obsession with Lisa was much worse … and much more dangerous! I was nearly bloody converted! Lisa could have killed us all and converted the whole bloody world! But what was Jack's response? To just suspend Ianto, then welcome him back to work! And into his bed! How is that fair?
Why did I let Jack go when we were down in the cells after he came back to us, and he declared his love for me? He told me that all he could think about while he was away, was coming home to me! When he had looked at me, his eyes were shining with love … and I stupidly threw it back in his face! What was I thinking? Foolishly trying to punish him for leaving me? But it was true what I told him. That I accepted Rhys' proposal because no-one had asked me … HE hadn't asked me … and I had given up hope that Jack would ever return.
Now bloody teaboy has got my Jack … he's bloody engaged to him! That should have been me … it was nearly me … now, it will never be me! I've lost him … lost my Jack … lost my one true love, my soul mate, my handsome, dashing Hero … lost him for good!
I bloody well hate Tosh … I hate Owen too! But most of all, I hate Ianto bloody Jones! But I daren't do anything against him … not now. Tosh will carry out her threat if I do and finish me! My life has turned to shit already, losing Jack! But I couldn't survive her destroying my life … my reputation … my position in Torchwood!
I might have lost Jack, but I couldn't bear to never see him again! Surely he doesn't think that badly of me? Bloody hypocritical, if he does, the number of people and aliens he's shagged! At least I had an emotional connection with every man I slept with. I may not have loved them all, but I certainly liked them … cared about them when we were sleeping together. Jack will move past this, I know he will. Because he knows I'm not a bloody harlot! Jack knows that I have a generous, loving spirit and I'd never cheapen myself by sleeping around. He must know that … he must!
When I get back, I'll sort it out with him. He'll understand … he'll move past this … he'll welcome me back with open arms. And when I prove to him that I am the One he truly loves, then he'll break up with Ianto and come to me. This time, I won't pursue him. I'll let him pursue me. Yes … that's what I'll do. Play the 'innocent damsel' all big eyes and fluttering lashes; then after his pent-up passion boils over, let him chase after me. Jack loves a hunt … he'll love pursuing me! But not as much as he will love catching me! Oh yes! Me and Jack!
Gwen's heart wasn't listening to the hope her mind was desperately trying to instil in her. Her heart knew the truth and would no longer be swayed by meaningless dreams, pointless ravings and endless fantasies. It accepted defeat. Gwen had lost … not just this battle … she had lost the whole damn war! Fresh sobs burst out of her in painful grunts as she slid down the bed, curled up in the foetal position she wept and wept and wept … til exhaustion carried her into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When she awoke hours later, Gwen felt the warmth of Rhys' body, spooned around her; felt his arms wrapped protectively around her waist … and agonised why in the world, she could not love this beautiful, caring, wonderful human being who loved her so much, with all her heart. She knew she loved Rhys on many levels … but not like she loved Jack. Tears welled up in her eyes as she bitterly struggled to hold in her burgeoning grief.
As she lay in her cacoon of pain, a darkness entered Gwen's soul and took root deep within her being. Blackness clouded her mind as a woman drowned in sorrow, slowly re-emerged like a phoenix from the ashes of her agony, into a woman cruelly scorned. An ugly grin spread on her face as she allowed the soothing strokes of revenge to caress her, calm her and lead her into new plots … new schemes. No-one would escape the furnace-hot fury of her retribution … not even Captain Jack Harkness!
So … they think I'm beaten … ground down in defeat! Well … my world has already ended. I'm at the bottom of this shit-heap. They can't do anything more to hurt me. There's only one way to go now – up! And I'll make sure I take down every one of those bastards! I'll grind every last one of them down to their knees. A quiet, evil chuckle escaped her lips.
Next to her, Rhys startled, feeling a slight movement beside him. Turning to his wife, he propped himself up and asked anxiously, "Are you alright, love?"
Gwen turned and gave her husband a huge smile, eyes wide and shining with a light he had never seen in her before. She whispered softly, "Oh, sweetheart! Everything is perfect … just perfect!" Rhys returned her smile and placed a quick kiss on her cheek, settling back behind her … then frowned as his body involuntarily shuddered. He frowned briefly, but let the moment pass.
Jack looked up as he heard Owen and Toshiko on the stairs. They entered the room, arm in arm, Owen glaring at Jack as though he was the most hateful thing he had ever laid eyes on; Toshiko carefully hiding her feelings behind an impassive mask. Jack thought bitterly that Toshiko was so close to Ianto, she was beginning to mirror his expressions.
Owen and Toshiko took seats opposite Jack, Owen opening the conversation with a sneer, "Alright Harkness. Care to explain to Tosh and I, what we walked in on with you and Rhiannon?"
Jack nodded curtly, then quietly explained how his reactions to all that had happened today, had culminated in him attempting to put into action Plan A and when that had failed, Plan B. He had run with it, fuelled by panic and a desire to keep the secrets of Torchwood safe … keep Ianto safe … keep himself safe. Jack admitted behaving like a crazed fool and was beginning to understand the incredible damage his actions had inflicted on all of them … especially Rhiannon and Ianto.
Jack was truly sorry for what he had done to Toshiko and Owen, expressing his deepest apology and profound relief that the two had turned up at such an opportune moment. Toshiko admitted to them both that while she had indeed forgotten her purse, and they had both forgotten to get the credit card from Jack, she had harboured a sneaking suspicion that all was not well back in the Hub.
It was messy, painful and incomplete. Feelings were still running high and Jack realised as he looked into Owen's unforgiving eyes and Toshiko's reproachful gaze, that he had a long way to go before he regained the trust and support of his team. He accepted the inconclusive and shaky truce that was offered by Owen and Toshiko, grateful at least for one line of hope cast out to him.
Awkwardly, Jack watched his two team members stumble to their feet; Owen curtly informing Jack he needed to check on his patient; Toshiko muttering apologetically that she should really see to Rhiannon. Jack watched them walk away, then a brief memory stabbed in his brain.
"Tosh!" he called out to her back, watching her stiffen, "You said you were going to tell me about Gwen's phone call. You mentioned that it changed this whole situation. Care to explain?"
Toshiko relaxed and grabbing Owen's hand, dragging him back with her, turned to her Captain and smirked, "Oh yes! I did say that, didn't I?"
Owen and Jack were both puzzled, yet intrigued with the turnaround in Toshiko's demeanour, her eyes now alight with … mischief? Owen took his seat again, pulling the chair out for his lover, an expectant look on his face.
Jack wasn't sure what to expect. He asked, "So, what happened with Gwen?" He was all serious, no-nonsense Captain Jack Harkness … in complete contrast to Toshiko's almost … flippant … manner. He waited for her explanation.
Ten minutes later, Toshiko finished her explanation, a smug expression on her face. Owen was the first to react as laughter burst forth from him like a cracked dam, waiting for that last drop of water to herald the avalanche of water, rushing down a canyon.
Jack raised his hand in a futile effort to control Owen's mirth, but in the end, just lowered it knowing he would have to wait his young medic out. He let a few minutes more pass, not giving a hint in his expression as to how he felt about what Toshiko had just shared. Then the voice of command rang out, "Owen! That's enough!"
Owen struggled to rein in his mirth … somewhat half-heartedly … but managed to control himself enough to ask his boss, "So, Harkness! What do you think?"
Jack turned his face to Toshiko, allowed his mask to fall away, then allowed how he felt and what he thought, translate honestly and openly on his face. His 1,000 megawatt trademark grin lit up his handsome features, while his eyes echoed the dancing humour in Owen's reaction.
"Miss Toshiko Sato … you are more than a bloody genius! You're absolutely brilliant! And so devious! I'm shocked! That's something I should have come up with! Hey, wait a minute … I'll bet Rhiannon had something like this in mind? Why don't we get her back and tell her, then ask her if she'd planned something like this with the info she had about Gwen's behaviour in the Force! Hopefully, we could persuade her to just set her option up as a threat, rather than actually acting upon it! Have two arms of leverage to use against Gwen if she steps out of line again! What do you say?"
Owen nodded in agreement, his grin telling Jack all he needed to know. Toshiko smiled at Jack, but then raised her hand. "Jack", she cautioned softly, "I think it best if just Owen and I talked to Rhiannon about this. I'm sure I can persuade her to adopt the same wait and see attitude that I'm taking. Rhiannon is still very upset at you, you know this, but I'll work on her. I promise."
Jack's bubble of excitement deflated at her words, but he knew it was true. He nodded once in agreement, then settled back in is chair. "Okay, so if you can persuade her to come up here and explain everything, I'll go and spend some time with Ianto. I've got a lot of explaining to do to him."
Owen and Toshiko stared at their Captain, their eyes confirming to him that he had a lot of work to do to bring Ianto round. Owen warned the Captain, "I know it'll be hard for him. Hell … it's hard for us too! But go easy on him, Jack. He's still very fragile. Be careful how you explain it to him."
Jack nodded, then stood up. Just as he was about to leave, Toshiko stopped him. "Jack! Just because we have two arms of leverage to use against Gwen if needed, doesn't mean to say that we relax any of our previous plans … talking to Martha about Lisa … preparing our reports to send to UNIT. No, Jack. We need to keep on target with our plans. Just because Gwen appears to be down and out, doesn't mean to say she will stay that way. I'm a woman, Jack and though Gwen and I are as different as chalk and cheese, I'm well aware of how she might react in this new scenario. You need to remember, Jack, as the old saying goes … hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I might choose not to act on such an instinct, but I know what it feels like to be in that situation … and I understand the temptation to act upon it! I don't believe Gwen has that kind of restraint built into her."
Jack groaned and returned to his seat, seeing realisation spark into Owen's eyes. "You're right, Toshiko. Gwen would react like that, especially if she felt like she'd been beaten. Thanks for the reminder. We'll go ahead as planned. Is your draft report ready for me to see? I'll work on it this evening."
Toshiko nodded and said, "Yes, it's ready and I've arranged the framework of the report so that you can add in anything you think is important. Email it to me at home and I'll have a look at it and have it finalised for you in the morning."
Owen then spoke carefully, a thoughtful look on his face. "Harkness! There's something I need to know … something we all need to know. In view of everything that's happened since Gwen left on her honeymoon … and I mean everything … what do you plan to do when Gwen returns to Cardiff? Are you going to allow her to return to Torchwood?"
Jack sighed bitterly and closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, both Owen and Toshiko were gazing at him intently. So much has happened … so much is happening … so much more will happen before this is over. It's just all blown up out of control! Nothing will ever … can ever … be the same again. We can't go back to a united Team Torchwood. Too much bad blood for that now. But can I, can I really let Gwen go? After all she has done … the damage she has wreaked on me … on the team … on Ianto! Can I really give her up?
Jack shook his head furiously, angry at himself discovering that tiny pocket of love and desire still hidden deep within, that he held for Gwen. He had to get rid of it … purge himself of it … or watch as Gwen slowly destroyed Torchwood Three. Watch her destroy his relationship with Ianto! No! That wasn't going to happen. He would not let that happen!
A fierce determination lit up Jack's eyes and he gazed back at them intently before answering. "As Leader of Torchwood Three, I consider Gwen's actions to have constituted a major threat to Torchwood, not to mention her potential to continue being a threat to us all. Personally, I consider her an ongoing threat to Ianto and as his fiancé, I will not allow him to be put in a such a vulnerable position again! I intend to wait until Gwen returns to Torchwood, then I'll inform her that her employment with Torchwood is terminated, effective immediately. I'll insist that she takes Retcon, along with her husband Rhys, to preserve Torchwood's security … at gunpoint, if necessary! I'll also confront her with an ultimatum that we will act on what we know about her, if she continues with her campaign of harassment. Gwen may think she can bring Torchwood to it's knees … bring me to my knees! But she hasn't factored in two important points: One, I'm an ex-Time Agent and I'll draw on that experience if I have to; secondly, the government knows it needs us and will most likely do anything to ensure we continue doing their 'dirty work' for them. The government knows we're better than UNIT in dealing with any alien threat! So … are there any more questions?"
A new-found respect shone out of Owen and Toshiko's eyes as the young medic shook his head. Discerning the interior battle she had watched Jack wrestle with, Toshiko asked him bluntly. "Jack! Are you sure you can do this? After all you've felt for her? Will you be able to go through with letting Gwen go?"
Jack never hesitated as he looked Toshiko in the eye, a new confidence welling up inside as he acknowledged where his heart truly lay … buried deep within the heart of his fiancé, Ianto Jones. "Yes!" he stated firmly, "I will definitely carry out every promise I've made to you about dealing with Gwen … decisively … once and for all! Because that is what I want to do!"
Owen rose to his feet and leaning over the table, extended his hand to Jack. "Welcome back, Captain Jack Harkness, leader of Torchwood Three. Glad you're back at the helm! Just as well you said that, Jack. Because neither Tosh nor I would stay with Torchwood if you let Gwen back in … and we would have taken Ianto with us!" Toshiko jumped up in delight, a real smile beaming out to Jack.
Owen then smirked at Jack and Toshiko and said, "C'mon love, let's get down and bring Rhiannon up here. Oh and Jack? You still have a bit of grovelling to do before you're forgiven! But you're on the way, mate … you're on the way!"
Toshiko smiled at him, then turned back to Jack. "One more thing. If you honestly think that the Government will not react adversely towards us over the Lisa incident, then we should prepare to send the Home Secretary a copy of the two reports. Explain that a clerical oversight had prevented us from sending it at the time it occurred … that once we had spotted the error, we decided to rectify it. One way to slant the second report in our favour is to strongly highlight two points: One, that we successfully eliminated the physical problem of the cyber threat, destroying all trace of the only surviving cyber equipment from Canary Wharf; two, that we successfully eliminated the potential threatof cybernetics through the unfortunate, but necessary death of the only person in the world who had the ability to create Cybermen in the future … Dr Tanizaki."
Jack pursed his lips thoughtfully. "You know, Tosh, that's not a bad idea. Yeah, we'll put that spin on it. They should gofor that! Hell … we all know the government has covered up a lot worse things in the past! Toshiko Sato, you are a genius! And I have to say, that you would have made a brilliant Time Agent with your brains!" He winked at her as she playfully slapped his arm.
Then the three of them linked arms as they left the Boardroom, smiles and soft laughter shared between them for the first time in soooo long. It was good to be back on track. Now, there was only Ianto to reconcile with …