Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood.

Summary: Ianto starts to heal, Gwen cooks and Jack gets to talk to UNIT.

A/N: I hope above hope that this chapter is better than the last. Please let me know if it is. ENJOY!


The Road To Happiness

Ianto told Mathew all about his life in London where he had a girlfriend, friends, a home, a career. About the battle at Canary Warf, his betrayal with Lisa to Jack, how he found love again and re-built his whole life again and how they had lost Toshiko and Owen.

"It has been three months since they died, and we only just started healing." Said Ianto. "But at least we're healing none the less and we'll be OK, we have no choice really."

"Why?"

"We save the world for a living. Toshiko would kill me if she knew I was wallowing in my own misery and Owen would say something like; 'stop being such a cry baby Tea Boy and get back to work'. So that's what I've done, well that's what I've started to do and I know its going to be OK. Like what Jack said when it first happened; 'the end is where we start from'."

"So you lost everyone you loved, your whole life essentially because of Torchwood and yet you're still here, you're still fighting." Said Mathew. "You're still fighting even though you know it can't last, that you will end up alone."

"That's the life of Torchwood, there are no certainties." Said Ianto.

"Then how come you do it?" said Mathew. "Why put yourself through some thing that you know can't end well, that will only bring pain."

"It's not all bad." Said Ianto with a wide grin. "It has certain… perks."

"Like what?"

"Like dashing immortals from the 51st century."

Mathew couldn't make any sense of this statement, so he just gave Ianto a blank look.

Ianto chuckled and said; "Not only that, in the end I think it's worth all of the pain. We have saved the world so many times and no one knows who we are. When I see people simply living their lives I can't help but smile, even though they don't know it, I help them keep that."

"That must feel fantastic." Said Mathew.

"It does, don't get me wrong, it's scary as hell. You are very lucky that once this is all over you can go back to living your life." Said Ianto.

"Yeah, my life." Mathew said with a sad smile. "But maybe you're right, maybe it will get better."

"Yes Mathew it will." Said Ianto getting up. "We can't really hang around here all day; we should head back to mine.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gwen was in her kitchen cooking, she hadn't cooked in months but here she was frying up a stir. She ran straight up to Rhys when he got home, jumped into his arms and kissed him hotly.

"What's all this then?" Rhys said with a smile.

"Well, I love you for one. And you have had to put up with a lot from me, especially over the last few months. So I thought I would make you a late lunch to say thank you."

Rhys pulled Gwen in for a gentle intimate embrace and said; "so I gather last night went well, I was really worried until I got your message this morning."

"Last night was exactly what we needed. Jack was there and we ended up laughing ourselves to sleep. Just being with them outside of the Hub was enough to make most of my stress disappear, which can only help baby." Said Gwen.

"So, Jack and Ianto?" said Rhys.

"They made up," Gwen said with a wide smile. "Jack actually told Ianto that he loves him. I think I might have interrupted the best part of making up though. Both last night and this morning."

Rhys kissed Gwen softly and said; "I guess things are going to be back to normal then."

"Since when has anything been normal around here?"

"True. Well I guess I'm going to be a Torchwood husband again."

"Well, I was thinking, I'm pregnant so I really can't go on any actual field missions. So I was thinking of getting Jack to put me on desk duty. Maybe put me in charge of the 'Tourist Information Office'. Ianto can take my place on the field, Jack was looking for new staff today so I won't be missed."

"I think that is a wonderful idea." Said Rhys.

"OK it's settled. I'll tell him tomorrow." Gwen said with a smile. "Now go get yourself cleaned up, the food should be just about done.

Gwen smiled when Rhys left the room, she was starting to think that maybe, just maybe, she could have a normal life.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

'Lieutenant Hull speaking' said a female voice.

"Lieutenant Hull how nice it is to hear your voice, captain Jack Harkness." Jack said, trying to push all the charm he possessed down the phone. "How are you on this fine after noon?"

"I'm fine Captain Harkness, what do you want?"

"What makes you so sure I want something? Maybe I was just bored and wanted to hear your gorgeous voice."

'Captain you always want something. And if you are 'just bored' you could make a start on the reports you owe us, honestly that pile must be getting astounding.'

"Now, now lieutenant, if you're not careful I might start to think that you're only after me for my reports and not my perfect jaw line."

'Captain is there something I can do for you? Or are you going too flirt your way through this entire conversation? Because if you are I really have a lot to do.'

"Well in that case, I need to talk to the General."

'Can I ask why?'

"Mathew Davies."

"Hold please."

"No, wait, don't, damn it!" Jack hated being on hold, especially with UNIT.

Fifteen minutes later the lieutenant's voice came down the line again. "Captain?"

"Yes lieutenant Hull?"

'The General said to tell you that the Mathew Davies situation has nothing to do with Torchwood.'

"Well you can tell the happy General that 'the Mathew Davies situation' has recently become Torchwood's business. Also, as of this afternoon he is officially in Torchwoods custody, so you can remind him that UNIT can not touch him while he is in said custody. Or do I need to jump on the phone to our lovely queen to remind him."

'One moment please Captain."

Twenty minutes later; 'Captain, the General would require a meeting with you.'

"Yes I thought he might tell him to be at my base at 11 tomorrow morning."

'But the General would prefer…'

"I really don't care in the slightest what the General would prefer I will be expecting him at 11 o'clock tomorrow. Good day lieutenant." Jack hung up the smile with a wide grin; he loved throwing his weight around UNIT.

He looked down at the small clock on his desk, it said 3:13. Jack sighed to himself and though; 'I wonder if Ianto would mind me coming over three and a half hours early.'

Deciding Ianto probably would mind, but knowing ways he could be swayed in to forgiveness, Jack grabbed his coat walk out of his office.

"Where are you off to Jack?" John said from Gwen's desk, not bothering to close the video he was watching or to even look guilty for watching it.

"Ianto's" Jack said, tilting his head to get a better look at the video.

"So you took my advice last night and went and had crazy wild sex with Eye Candy?"

"Partly."

"Partly? How do you mean … Oh, you haven't had sex yet. Why?"

"Interruptions."

"So you're going over to his place now to have crazy wild sex then?"

"Oh yeah, he's really going to be in the mood, he's been baby sitting a 19-year-old all after noon."

"I'm sure Toy Boy would be more than happy to join in."

Jack gave John a look that clearly said 'You're an idiot'.

"Well then maybe you could borrow this." John pointed to the screen.

"Sorry john, but Ianto isn't turned on by 7, no 8 legged aliens. Where did you get this any way?"

"Archives."

"Don't let Ianto catch you down there."

Jack walk to the SUV and was amazed to find he had butterflies. Ianto Jones had some how made Jack Harkness get butterflies. This scared Jack completely, but in the best way possible.


So was it better? Please let me know! Also, should the next chapter be at Ianto's flat or the next day with UNIT?