Chapter 9: Life Can Be A Real Bitch Sometimes
When they arrived back at the Hub, Gwen went down the lift first, Ianto and Jack were in the SUV talking, actually talking. Gwen was giggling away, she couldn't believe what had happened earlier.
She came through the cog door and said, "Tosh, Owen, you'll never believe what I've been up to, I..."
Then Gwen remembered, she had had such a good time with Jack and Ianto, that she had forgotten that Tosh and Owen were dead. She burst into tears and ran back to the lift, she pressed the button and as the doors opened she saw Ianto and Jack standing there. Ianto saw her first, he saw her crying and diving out of the lift, he wrapped his arms around her.
"I... I forgot... I forgot that they were dead and..." Gwen stammered, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Ssssh Gwen, just breath, everything's going to be alright." Ianto said softly, trying to calm his distressed friend.
"How?" That's all Gwen could manage to say through her tears.
"Remember Gwen, even though they're gone, they'll never be forgotten. We always keep the memories of those we love in our hearts, our memories never die. Remember that Gwen." Ianto replied wisely.
Ianto had always had a way with words. Jack stepped out the lift and listened to them.
This wonderful young Welshman, the man that he loved, and it was so clear why now. Ianto was everything Jack could have wanted in a partner, and a friend; fun, witty, flirty, sweet, selfless, kind and so special. And gorgeous, but funnily Jack didn't care about Ianto's appearance, except from his eyes. Jack thought Ianto's eyes were incredibly beautiful and deep, there was so much emotion in Ianto's eyes.
Ianto grabbed Gwen's hand and walked her back into the Hub, Jack following behind.
Ianto sat Gwen down and ran to the kitchen to make her a brew. While he was away, Gwen sobbed and Jack wrapped an arm around her pulling her into a hug. He didn't know what to say to her, he just hugged her tight.
"You love him, don't you?"
Gwen knew what was on Jack's mind.
Jack didn't even have to think about this, he immediately answered, "Yes, I do."
Jack hadn't noticed Ianto walk back into the room until the last minute, "Ianto, look, I..."
Ianto put the drinks down onto Gwen's desk and walked closer to Jack, Jack didn't know what to say or do.
Gwen knew this was none of her business and simply said, "I'm just nipping to the loo."
Ianto closed the gap between them further, Jack was feeling slightly better. He wrapped an arm around Ianto's waist and as always, Jack's touch made Ianto's heart skip a beat. Jack still wasn't sure what was going to happen but he didn't want Ianto to feel alone in the way he felt. Ianto smiled and brought a hand up to Jack's cheek.
Jack was slightly shocked. Ianto couldn't believe how much he loved Jack, after Lisa he thought he wouldn't love anybody else. "What did you say to Gwen, Jack?"
Jack took a breath, "Gwen asked me if I... if I loved you."
Jack was still shocked.
"And do you Jack?"
Again Jack didn't have to think about this.
"Yes, I do."
Jack brought his free hand up and ran his fingers though Ianto's hair. Ianto loved it when Jack ran his fingers through Ianto's hair. He couldn't take it any longer, he wrapped his arms around Jack's neck and kissed him passionately. And it was obvious that Jack wanted to kiss Ianto too, he was so in love with him and loved every minute he spent with him. Gwen came back in while the two were kissing and decided to head out of the room again.
After they had broken apart, Ianto looked Jack in the eyes and said, "In that case, Jack, I love you too."
Jack smiled but tears were silently falling down his cheek. Ianto wiped them away softly, as he did so Jack grabbed his hand & kissed it softly, making Ianto smile sweetly.
Gwen came back in the room once again and said, "Did Ianto have something stuck down his throat, Jack?"
Jack looked at Gwen with a look of shock on his face and replied, "Actually Gwen, Ianto kissed me."
Gwen looked at Ianto, "Well then, Ianto did Jack have something stuck down his throat?"
Ianto looked at Gwen in mock shock and said, "Gwen, I didn't know you cared so much about Jack. But there's no need to worry, I think I sorted the problem out."
He gave Jack a cheeky wink. Gwen shook her head in disbelieve.
"Men, you're all the same."
Jack and Ianto looked at each other in shock, then Jack decided to divert the conversation, "Gwen, how was the Rift activity earlier?"
Gwen turned and looked at Jack, "Actually, really quiet. I think the Rift has gone sleep for the day. Maybe it decided to be nice for once."
They all looked pretty shocked. That really was unusual. But there were other things on their minds.
"Jack, what do we do now?" Gwen asked, walking closer to Jack and Ianto.
Jack knew what she was talking about so he wrapped an arm around each of them and replied, "We carry on."