A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to get the next chapter up! I've had issues with my internet... --" But it's here now, and the next few should be up shortly thereafter!

Chapter 8: Headed Out

Gwen was sitting at her desk that evening when her mobile rang. Glancing at the screen, she frowned slightly to see Rhys calling her. It was still a bit too early for him to go out to the pub with his mates, and they were hardly the friendly happy couple anymore who would call one another up just to say 'hi'. She answered on the third ring.

"Hullo?"

"Hey Gwen. It's Rhys. I'm just gonna head down to London with Dav and his lot for the weekend. Hope that's okay with you?" His voice sounded tinny, but that might have been the connection. Disappointment, and something akin to relief filled her.

"Oh, no, of course it's fine. Go on and have a great time! I guess I'll talk to you when you get back."

"You all right?" His concern sounded a little forced, as if he was only halfway paying attention to her. Gwen strained to hear what was going on in the background, and when the noise of cheering came across the line, Gwen understood. There was a match on, and when there was a match on, Rhys only had half a mind for anything else. She smiled at the thought that she knew him so well.

"Yep, just fine. Have a good time."

"Huh?" Came the undistinguishable reply. "Oh, yeah, thanks. Talk to you soon." Then he hung up. Gwen shouldn't be put out by his lack of responsiveness. She looked down at the phone in her hand. It shouldn't bother her, but it still did. Sighing, she put her mobile away, and sat back in her chair. At least she wouldn't have to contend with telling him until at least Monday. Maybe if she found some paperwork to keep her busy, she could put it off until Wednesday. She knew he went out with his friends to the pub on Tuesday nights. He had done for as long as she could remember, and it had been their tradition long before Gwen had ever met Rhys.

"Everything ok?" Tosh asked, handing her a plate with a slice of pizza on it. The thought of eating made Gwen's stomach churn, but she accepted it with a tiny word of thanks.

"Yeah, Rhys is just going to be out for the weekend. I guess I'll have the flat all to myself then."

"You could always come stay with me, if you wanted to." Tosh offered, sitting down next to her, her own pizza in her hand. Gwen watched as Tosh took a big bite out of her slice, and the queasy feeling in her stomach increased. Owen walked past them without looking their direction, intent on getting his own dinner, and then returning to the examination room where he'd hid most of the day.

"Thanks, Tosh, but I'll be ok. I think I could use the time to think anyway."

Tosh nodded her understanding, and got to her feet again.

"I think I'll just get the rest of those translations done for Jack then." Gwen reached out a hand and placed it on Tosh's arm.

"Thank you Tosh. I couldn't have asked for a better friend." Tosh smiled at Gwen, then turned to go back to her desk. Owen walked past Gwen again, this time pizza in hand, and returned to the exam room. She watched him go sadly. She wished that she could just talk to him like she used to. They had been so happy before all this. Sure things between her and Tosh had gotten exponentially better, but at what cost to her relationship with Owen? Gwen bit her lip, and went back to filling out the data on their latest escapade with the squirrels. Ianto wanted all the paperwork finished so he could file it, and it had taken them a couple days of cleanup before they could get around to it.

Two hours later, Gwen leaned back in her chair. She hadn't realized how much time had passed until Tosh came up to her with her coat on. She gave Gwen a hug, and said her goodbyes.

"If you need anything, even if it's just someone to talk to, call me." Tosh told her, and Gwen thanked her again, touched by the care that was being shown to her. It was wonderful to know she wasn't completely alone in this. Jack came out of his office, smiling and glancing at his watch. He had his coat on, and it surprised Gwen to see him looking so put together.

"Going somewhere?" She quipped, catching him by surprise. He glanced at her.

"I thought you went home already." When she shook her head, he walked over. As he got closer, Gwen got a good look at him.

"New outfit? Where could you be going all dressed up, I wonder." She mused. He stopped next to her, and glanced down at his shirt. He smiled at the royal blue satin, then looked back up at Gwen.

"I like it." He defended lightly. Gwen casually sniffed the air.

"Are you wearing cologne?" She teased, and Jack looked at her sharply.

"Too much?" He asked, worriedly running a hand along his jaw. Gwen chuckled.

"Not at all. You look very handsome. Ianto's a lucky man." Jack grinned like a cat that caught the canary, and Gwen laughed outright. Jack patted her on the shoulder and walked toward the reception area, still grinning like a fool. She called after him.

"Take cares Jack. We don't need two of us knocked up around here." Jack froze and turned back to her, his smile strangely lilting.

"You okay?" He asked, the concern for her real and unabated. She smiled widely at him. Even though she felt like she was going to be sick, she didn't want him to worry through his date now that he'd finally gotten it.

"Just fine. Go on and have a good time." She laughed at him, as he watched her a moment longer, then reinstated his grin.

"Don't wait up for me." He called with a wink.