6
Tosh and Owen were both watching Gwen emerge from the conference room as they sat at their desks.
Ianto emerged from the conference room to find Jack waiting, his arms open and they embraced in each other's arms. After some whispered conversation Jack sent Ianto to his quarters under his office to rest after everything that had happened.
Gwen felt her whole world was collapsing around her and she sobbed as she looked towards Jack and made a last attempt at him. "Jack, I love you, and now you can be free. I know you feel the same.
Jack looked at her, "Gwen, I'm sorry, but I don't love you. Maybe I'm to blame for this."
Before he could say anything else, Tosh spoke up.
"Jack, I want to talk to you before you deal with Gwen."
"Ok, Tosh. Let's go to the autopsy room." agreed Jack, walking after her curiously.
Going to the autopsy room, Tosh calmly told Jack. "What Gwen did to Ianto is unspeakable, but Jack, whatever punishment you give out has to be fair."
"Tosh, she tried to hurt Ianto and destroy my family," replied the Captain angrily.
Tosh sighed. "Yes, Jack, she did, but you are also to blame. As much as I love you and Ianto, I have to be honest, your actions haven't helped from Day 1. You knew Gwen was obsessed with you, so you flirted, she stared, you made her second in command over Owen after only being here for a few months.
Jack looked at the Japanese woman. "Tosh, what are you saying?"
"You let Gwen break every Torchwood protocol, where others would have been reprimanded. You made her feel superior to us all, she was the only one you confided in, and even after confessing your love for Ianto, getting married and having a son, your flirting never stopped."
"Tosh, I always flirt, but it doesn't mean anything. Ianto knows that."
"Yes, but does Gwen know that? A man who loves his partner doesn't constantly flirt in front of him, especially with the woman who is known to carry a torch for him. We know it's innocent on your part, that it's in your nature, but Gwen sees it as something more. Maybe you didn't want to see it, or you crave the attention of being the dashing hero in her eyes and it just helps your ego."
Jack brought his hands to his face, shaking his head as he was listening intensely to Tosh.
"Jack, this is not Gwen's fault alone. It's you also. Did you ever wonder why Ianto never came to you? Yes, Ianto loves you, but when it comes to Gwen he's very insecure. The evidence she planted made it worse, and the panties in your bed was more than he could bear. Owen believes that was why he blocked out that part of his life, the pain and betrayal was too overwhelming. So, Jack, I suggest you think long and hard before you issue a harsh punishment to Gwen. You are our leader, we look to you for guidance, and we all need to set boundaries, to keep the least amount of friction out of the workplace as is possible."
Jack looked at Tosh. "Thank you for putting things in perspective and opening my eyes."
Jack thought for a while and then sighed, the weight of being a leader on his shoulders seemed as heavy as that of a husband.
Jack later emerged with his arms folded across his chest as he walked towards Gwen.
He started off in his most sincere voice, "Gwen, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt or mislead you, and I never wanted you to stray from your life. I just wanted you to maintain some normalcy with Rhys, to have a family, and to be happy. It can happen, even in Torchwood."
Gwen was sobbing, as she felt like her heart was being ripped from her body.
Jack knelt down in front of Gwen. "I do love you Gwen, just as I love Tosh and Owen, and that will never change. I feel that you just need some time away from Torchwood and from me. Then, you will realize that you never loved me and that your heart and love still belongs to Rhys as it always did.
Gwen sniffed. "You think so?" she asked.
"Yes, Gwen, I do" replied Jack, a smile forming on his face.
Something was still troubling Gwen.
"Jack, what about Ianto?" she asked. "Will he ever forgive me?"
Unbeknownst to her, Ianto wasn't sleeping, but watching and listening to every word on the CCTV in Jack's office."
Coming out of Jack office, he said to her, "Gwen, we all make painful mistake. Mine was Lisa, and all of you have forgiven me. Yes, Gwen, with time, I can forgive you also."
Gwen smiled at this. "Ianto, I'm so sorry. I hope we can become friends."
Ianto nodded, staying silent. The agreement he had made with Jack was binding, he knew from the glances Jack was making that he knew it too. Next time, he walks. They didn't need Gwen or Torchwood in their lives, the real question had been if Jack could live without Torchwood and go with them.
His whispered affections assured Ianto that the safe word would never have to be used.
Hopefully.
Jack spoke again. "Gwen, I'm not firing or retconing you. This wasn't your entire fault; sometimes I forget that things are so much different in the 21st century. Things I perceive as innocent can mean so much more to the other person. I'm suspending you for 2 weeks with pay, so that you and Rhys can take a vacation and relax. Rekindle that special love you have for each other."
Gwen sadly kissed Jack on the cheek saying, "Jack, Ianto, I really am so sorry."
Jack turned to Tosh. "Everything is quiet, so we can call it a day. I'm transferring the rift alarm to my wrist strap so I'll know if anything new comes up."
Jack looked at Ianto. "I want to collect my adorable son and take my gorgeous husband home to celebrate our new little miracle."
Jack knew things would be tense for awhile with Gwen and Ianto, but he had faith that they could overcome this.
Jack knew that he and Ianto loved each other, and with the arrival of another little miracle they couldn't have been happier.
He just hoped this was the final time they had to pull Gwen into line.
He hadn't failed to notice the needle of liquid Retcon on Owen's desk waiting.
.
.
.
.
So this is the end of this …there is a sequel called ''Part If Not All", and I will work on this as well.
If you enjoyed this I urge you to go read the original No Future Without The Past by PCJanto on Fan Fiction.