A/N: Thanks to all of you lovely people who reviewed... virtual cake for everyone! This chapter is going up today for phoegon, so that I can't be accused of murder! Riss

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine... sadly, because I would very much like to!

Chapter 2: Confusion and Coffee

Tosh was sitting at her desk when they came in, and Ianto looked over from his position at the coffee machine. Tosh frowned slightly, seeing that they were coming together.

"Where've you been? I didn't see any alerts." Tosh glanced back at her computer as if disappointed by its lack of information. Ianto turned back to his preparations, but Jack knew he was listening intently.

"We just went for a quick bite to eat, Tosh. Nothing to be worried about."

Gwen's smile did not yet reach her eyes, and she hurried to her desk, intent on settling into work. Jack watched her for a moment, wondering when she would tell her co-workers what she had imparted to him. Surely she would have to tell Owen, at the very least. Maybe she was waiting to tell Owen first, before the rest of them. It made sense to him, so he went up to his office, telling himself that Gwen was a big girl, and could obviously make decisions on her own.

Ianto found him there a few minutes later, bringing with him a questioning look, and a welcome cup of coffee. When Jack murmured his thanks and took a hearty sip, Ianto leaned against the desk next to him.

"Are you going to ask me, or just hover, hoping I'll let something slip?" Jack asked, smiling in amusement at Ianto's forbearance.

"I wouldn't want to pry sir, but whatever has been affecting a certain member of our team lately has also now extended to you it would seem." Ianto's forwardness should not have surprised Jack as it did, but he quickly reminded himself that this man was an enigma, and found it easy to read the Captain's moods. Jack sighed, settling back in his chair and looking up at Ianto with concern etched in his face.

"I'm not sure I've been given leave to tell you just yet. Let's suffice it to say that our Gwen has a complication that was unforeseen, and as far as I can tell, unasked for. It is not, however, completely unwelcome, if her refusal to give a determined answer is any judge. She will be having a few more difficulties than we could have imagined in the coming months, and it will be our responsibility to make sure that she takes care of herself."

Ianto looked even more confused than he had before Jack had spoken.

"What kind of complications would interfere with her ability to 'take care of herself', as you said, sir?"

"That I can't tell you just now. I believe Gwen would like to talk to another person before it becomes public knowledge. But you know Gwen as well as I do, and if something is bothering her, she will shut out all thoughts of her own well-being to help someone else." Jack thought back to her neglected toast at the diner earlier and frowned. "We should also watch to make sure she's eating regularly."

"You make it sound so serious sir," Ianto tipped his head to one side, watching Jack intently for a moment, then looked through the glass walls to where Gwen and Tosh were chatting.

"Is she unwell, sir?"

"In a manner of speaking, you could say that. Let's just say, our Gwen will not be quite herself for the next several months." Jack smiled slightly, "She might be carrying another burden." Then chuckled quietly as Ianto frowned at him. It was clear that his secretary had no idea what Jack was talking about, and he found great amusement in Ianto's confusion. He took the opportunity to lighten the mood and get them away from the conclusions he could see forming in Ianto's mind.

"You know, if you keep frowning at me like that, you're going to get wrinkles. I'd hate to see that pretty face of yours marred by anything." Winking cheekily, Jack picked up his coffee and took another sip. He closed his eyes momentarily, enjoying the welcome sensation of the warm, but not hot, brew sliding down his throat. He opened his eyes to see Ianto watching him with an odd look on his face.

"What?" Jack asked, and Ianto smiled suddenly.

"You certainly enjoy that coffee, sir."

"I enjoy lots of things Ianto." He said meaningfully. Ianto nodded once, then turned for the door.

"So it would seem sir, so it would seem."