Chapter 8: 'Weevil Hunting'

Ianto and Jack were in total silence for about an hour. They knew that Gwen knew they weren't actually out hunting for Weevils. They used that as a code to get out of the Hub. The only reason Gwen knew this was, because after neither of them answered their mobiles, Gwen decided to track the SUV and found they were at a very cute cafe. As soon as Gwen had seen them there, she really didn't want to disturb them so she quickly got back in her car and drove back to the Hub. But this time Jack and Ianto weren't sure what they were going to do, Jack was tense and Ianto was upset. Ianto drifted into a trance to try and rid his mind of what Gwen had said,

"Ianto, why don't stop kissing up to the boss, literally, and have your own opinion."

"DAMN IT IANTO!" IS THIS WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO HIM JACK? MADE HIM INTO A MINI YOU?!"

The words were printed in Ianto's mind, just like a tattoo.

"Thank you."

Jack said gratefully, grabbing Ianto's hand and pulling him out of his trance.

"What?" Ianto questioned, not really listening.

"Thank you, babes."

At this comment, Ianto smiled and gently squeezed Jack's hand. The car came to a stop and Ianto gave Jack a quizzical look,

"You hungry, Ianto?" Ianto looked past Jack and saw the cafe that they always went to on their 'Weevil Hunting' trip.

"Yes Jack. Dinner would be great!" Ianto smiled.

Jack loved it when he smiled, it made his eyes sparkle and if possible, made him even more attractive. Ianto always seemed to brighten up the dull and dreary Hub. Even though Jack was immortal, he never actually felt alive, until he met Ianto. He loved Ianto so much and Ianto loved him, after everything Jack had done, Ianto loved him. As much as Jack loved Ianto's smile, he loved something more... Ianto's kiss. Jack leaned in and kissed Ianto, and Ianto kissed Jack.

"Let's eat." Ianto mumbled.

"Ok." Jack agreed.

They went into the cafe and Margaret, or Maggie as everyone called her, saw them,

"Jack and Ianto are in, usual don't forget Ianto has two sugars in his coffee and they both like their coffees strong." The waitress shouted across the counter.

Jack looked up at her and smiled, "Hey Maggie, been busy?" Jack asked, as though he was talking to an old friend.

"Not really, Wednesdays are always quiet, Fridays are worse, especially when men come in to sober up a bit because they told the girlfriend they wouldn't get too p.i.s.s.e.d."

Ianto smiled. Maggie never swore in front of children, even when she got angry she'd manage to keep enough cool not to swear. She was so lovely and genuine, that's probably why she was so easy to get on with and she was so pretty; straight brown hair, green eyes, slim, always wore tight jeans, trainers, a cute top and a stylish jacket. She had great fashion sense.

"Hey Ianto, you alright sweetheart?"

Ianto looked up at her, "Yeh, thanks. What about you?"

Maggie smiled, "You know me, I get by. How's the team, kicking alien ass as usual?"

Ianto looked at the floor and Jack just closed his eyes.

"Guys, what's up?"

Jack took a breath and replied, "Two members of our team died a couple of days ago."

Maggie looked shocked and immediately mumbled, "Sorry."

And then walked away in silence.

Back at the Hub, Gwen was so bored at the lack of Rift activity that she decided to get in her car and track the SUV, she loved the way Ianto and Jack were with each other when no-one else was around. After all she could use the portable Rift detector Tosh had created. Brilliant, clever Tosh. She got to the cute cafe in no time at all, it was only 30 minutes away from the Hub and the traffic had been on her side for once. She looked through the window of the cafe and saw Ianto and Jack sat there chatting, Gwen was glad that they were 'carrying on', as Jack had put it. Jack turned round to look out the window, Gwen turned around and leant against a lamppost, hoping Jack hadn't seen her. But Jack had. He turned and looked at Ianto, who had also noticed her.

Jack gently grabbed Ianto's hand and asked, "Can Gwen join us, Yan?"

Ianto squeezed Jack's hand gently and replied, "I don't mind Jack."

Jack knew Ianto didn't want him to feel guilty and smiled. Then Jack got up, went through the door, up to the lamppost and grabbed Gwen's hand. Gwen knew exactly who it was and turned around.

"Jack, I'm sorry, it's just you and Ianto look so sweet together, especially when you can be yourselves."

Jack just smiled, "Come on."

Gwen followed but was completely confused. Gwen looked at Ianto and saw him smiling at her. Jack offered Gwen a chair and they both sat down.

"Jack what's going on?" Gwen asked, still confused.

Jack grabbed Ianto's hand, just as he had before and put his other hand on Gwen's shoulder.

"We are going to have dinner together. It was best that we got out of the Hub and I'm..."

Ianto coughed and continued Jack's sentence, "We're glad you're here Gwen."

Gwen didn't understand.

"Even after what I said earlier, I'm sorry it's just, Tosh and Owen are dead and.." Gwen stammered.

"Ssssh, Gwen it's ok."

He wrapped an arm around her to let her know she was forgiven.

"Oh, hi" Maggie had come back, she was hoping that what she had said had not upset them too much.

"Maggie, are you ok?" Ianto asked, he was really concerned because she wasn't smiling.

"About before, I didn't mean to upset anyone."

Ianto grabbed her hand and said sweetly, "It's ok, Maggie."

He smiled at her, making her feel better.

"Hi, I'm Maggie."

She directed at Gwen.

"Hi, I'm Gwen. Nice to meet you Maggie." She too smiled.

"So what would you like, Gwen?" Maggie was feeling slightly cheerier again.

"Just a coffee please, two sugars."

Maggie noted this down and shouted over the counter. After they had finished, the three headed for the SUV (and Gwen's car) feeling a lot happier, and just hoped the traffic wouldn't be too bad.