CHAPTER TWO

Ianto bent down and placed Jupiter's bowl of cat biscuits on the floor next to her water bowl. The large ginger cat gazed up at him with a degree of shock, she sniffed at the bowl and turned her nose up. Her meowing resumed and she sat her fat backside down on the tiled floor. The end of her tail was flicking vigorously in annoyance.

Ianto smiled down at her. "I'm sorry, the vet said you are too fat. Its not my fault if you go around the neighbour's and get fed there too, and I know you do. Mrs Willis told me, you had steak with gravy yesterday."

There was a chuckle behind him and Ianto faced Gwen with a serious look on his face. "She's worse than Jack. It was very embarrassing being told my cat had to loose three kilograms."

"She is very large Ianto."

"I know and Jack visits and gives her Salmon mouse and all kinds of other treats, she prefers him to me."

Gwen could only grin back.

"Coffee?"

"Ianto you know you never have to ask that. I just hope you don't mind me coming round so early." Her smile dropped a little.

"Its no problem at all. I can see something is troubling you, did you need to talk?"

Gwen took a seat at Ianto's breakfast bar and watched as he went about preparing an early morning brew, the cat still weaving around between his feet and now purring loudly.

"I talked to Rhys last night, about yesterdays meeting. To be honest, I thought he'd jump at the chance to get me to leave Torchwood but he didn't."

Ianto faced her leaning against the kitchen work top.

"What happened?"

"He was standing in the Kitchen, with Anwen in his arms a bloody great smile on his face. He said he didn't want me to give up a job I clearly love. He said he'd support me as he's always done because he trusts us as a team to protect the Earth."

Gwens eyes were wet with tears. "He said I was not to worry, he'd take care of things at home, just for me to be there as best as I could for Anwen's sake. He said he was proud of me Ianto. He's been so strong and supportive all the years I have known him. I love him so much and our baby girl, and I worry about the risks, about dying." She wiped at her face, smearing mascara. Ianto passed her a paper towel.

"Do you want to leave?"

"No, I just…. I just wonder if Jack would let me stay in the Hub more so I am not at so much risk. But then I feel bad because that means someone has to take my place out there." Gwen dabbed at her face and sniffled.

Ianto slid a mug of coffee toward her.

"May I speak freely?"

Gwen nodded. "Of course Ianto."

"I am quite sure Jack will not have a problem with keeping you at the Hub. He will understand your reasons. I personally think it is the right thing to do. We have three more people joining us now, all of them are more than capable of filling in that gap with field ops. In truth I think Jack would prefer you stayed out of the field now you have a family. We sure as hell don't want to lose you. You are our friend. The main thing is to tell Jack as soon as possible. I can assure you there will be plenty to do at the Hub and we need to strengthen our ties to the local police force even more than ever." Ianto picked up his cat and snuggled her to his chest, the purring increased in volume.

"When you were pregnant having your extra help with the admin was amazing, I was very grateful for it, so between us we can organize the Hub and coordinate the team more efficiently. So no worrying. We will all look after one another as we always do."

Gwen run her fingers through thick ginger fur.

"Thank you Ianto."

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Jack had a long stretch and flung his arm out, only to discover that the space beside him was cold and Ianto was no where to be seen. One glance at the radio clock told him why and grumbling Jack hauled himself out of the bed and stomped off to the bathroom for a shower. He paused on the landing at the sound of voices coming from downstairs and it took him a moment to recognize that Ianto was talking to Gwen. Slightly puzzled Jack carried on to the bathroom, deciding that appearing naked in Ianto's kitchen may be too much of shock so early in the day.

It only took him fifteen minutes and he was down stairs ready for work, minus his coat and grabbing for the coffee that Ianto proffered. Ianto was still in his pajamas.

Ianto smiled briefly. "Don't feed the cat. I shall go and get ready. Gwen would like to talk to you."

Ianto gave Gwen a quick peck on the cheek and left the kitchen. Jack followed him with his gaze.

"Hey where's my good morning kiss?"

"Later." Was called out from the stairs.

Jack smiled into his mug and took a long sip. "Oh that's so good to get up to."

Gwen was cuddling the cat, who was draped over left shoulder. Jack rubbed at Jupiter's back.

"So Gwen, what brings you here so early?"

Sucking in a steadying breath she told him about what she and Rhys had discussed and then what Ianto had said and finally about how she was feeling.

Jack didn't interrupt, but listened carefully, watching her face closely as she poured out her concerns.

When it became clear she was done Jack was refilling his mug and ramming slices of bread into the toaster.

"I think we can manage what you're asking without any trouble. I know Ianto will need more assistance and I was planning to reduce your time out in the field anyway. You're a mother now Gwen and I do not feel happy exposing you to some of the risks we face out there. I am just glad that Rhys has so much faith in us and that we are not going to lose you. Mickey Smith will be filling your place in the field. Owen and Martha will out there too. Tom will be our medic at the Hub. The plan is to eventually have two teams on rotation. I think we may get another couple of ex UNIT personelle joining us, once they have been vetted."

"Unit is really gone then?"

Jack nodded. "In the UK at least and I suspect we can't rely on their assistance in a major case with out certain caveats involved. As an organization we need to strengthen our position and give ourselves credibility. It will mean a lot of changes in how we operate. It may also involve seeking private funding." He replied with a somewhat distasteful edge.

"You mean like corperate sponsorship?"

"Ianto is discreetly looking into it. As you can imagine neither one of us is keen, but Torchwood is an expensive thing to run."

"I don't like the sound of it."

"It's a last resort. But one we may have to consider in the future. Thankfully we have a lot of friends out their willing to lend support anonymously and without oversight. But we will do things, one step at a time. Ianto has also convinced Louis Habiba to join us, you remember her?"

Gwen smiled. "Absolutely, she was brilliant. Its all a bit scary and exciting at the same time."

Jack grinned at her. "That 456 buisness did a lot of damage to the trust people have in politicians and understandably so. It was nothing short of a miracle we managed to send those aliens packing and Ianto's health will never fully recover from that viral infection they gave him. I can't put him in the field as you well know. I wont risk you out there, now you have a child, to be honest I was glad when you yourself came to that conclusion because I was dreading telling you. Tosh will also remain in the Hub for the most part. Micky will be our Tech guy out in the field. There will be more new people coming on board over time. But mostly we cannot rely on the government." He began buttering his toast on Ianto's bench.

"He's gonna moan you haven't used a plate Jack."

Jack stuffed half a slice into his mouth and smiled as he munched.

Gwen shook her head affectionately and the nuzzled the ginger beast on her shoulder.

"I love this cat."

"Isn't she awesome?"

Gwen closed her eyes and enjoyed the purring in her ears. "She certainly is.

AN: This is my usual experimentation with ideas, may not even be a story as such, just reflections on how I think would be in the current climate of UK politics. I decided to include all our original characters simply because I like them best and yes I will pick out a few from the Whoniverse too. I write in a way that assumes established character relationships have developed over the previous decade. And having met Mekhi at MDR last year, Rex will make an appearance because Mekhi was awesome.