"This is it" Jack announced as they pulled up beside the river. It was a quiet, secluded area beneath the willow trees and not too far from a wooden shelter with an old wood stove.
"Oh it's beautiful" gasped Gwen as she got out of the SUV.
"Lover's Bend?" questioned Ianto, reading from an old wooden sign.
"All the different areas have names Ianto" said Jack.
"Why'd you pick this one then?" asked Gwen.
Jack shrugged. "Because it's quiet…and it sounded good" he added.
Gwen laughed. "You got the tents?"
"Arr…that would be ten-t" Ianto punctuated, already unloading the SUV.
"What?" asked Gwen.
"There's only one tent" Ianto repeated.
"I try not to mix business with pleasure" Jack replied.
"You brought three tents the last time we went camping" Gwen pointed out.
"Yeah well that was business, and this is…" Jack trailed off.
"Fine. I can handle it if you can" said Gwen.
Ianto started putting the poles together while Jack and Gwen began hammering pegs into the ground.
"Don't put them in too far or we'll never get them out" Jack advised Gwen.
"If you don't like the way I'm doing it then you can do it yourself" she retorted.
"Fine but you'll be the one getting them out" he replied.
"Fine then I will" she said quickly.
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Oh for God's sake, I bet you've already forgotten what you're arguing about" said Ianto annoyed.
"Have not, Gwen's being stubborn as usual" said Jack.
"What, because I didn't follow your orders? We're not at work anymore Jack."
"But I'm still your boss Gwen."
"That's it" said Ianto. "I'm going for a walk, you can finish it yourselves. I'll be back once you've made up" he said and walked off.
Gwen continued pegging as did Jack. She knew that she could be stubborn sometimes, but Jack had always encouraged it and said that it was a quality of a good leader. He had never spoken down to her like that before.
"Gwen" said Jack.
"What" she replied coldly.
"I'm sorry" he said.
"Don't worry about it. Let's just get this tent up."
After they had finished pegging the tent to the ground, they started threading the poles that Ianto had put together through the loops of the tent. Gwen waited on one side while Jack pushed the second pole over to her.
"Can you see it?" he called out.
"A little bit further" she called back. "Ok got it."
Jack secured his end of the pole and walked over to Gwen's side. The last part was always the hardest. Gwen was on her toes reaching up at the pole.
"You right?" Jack asked.
"I'm fine" said Gwen determinedly.
"Here let me" said Jack and reached up at the pole.
"I said I'm fine Jack" Gwen snapped. "I'm not incapable of everything you know."
"Why won't you just let me help you?" asked Jack. "You don't have to do everything on your own you know."
Whether they were even talking about the tent anymore it was unclear. As Jack leaned over Gwen who was standing on her toes, Gwen fell forwards bringing Jack and the tent down with her. Gwen landed on her back with Jack lying on top of her and the tent beneath them.
"I'm-"
"Shh…" Jack cut her off. "It wasn't your fault" he said looking into her eyes.
"Then why do I feel this way" she asked, sadness in her voice.
Jack looked at her confused. Before he could ask her what she meant, Ianto returned carrying a bundle of fire wood.
"I see you've made up then, shame you didn't finish the tent though" he said.
Jack looked at Gwen beneath him one last time as she quickly composed herself and wiped away a stray tear. Then he stood up and helped her to her feet. He looked at her worriedly.
"I'm fine Jack" she whispered to reassure him, although she was far from it. She was still a wreck after Rhys and had hoped that the trip would make everything better. She had been foolish. Being around Jack, well, it just made things more complicated.
"We had some trouble" Jack explained to Ianto.
"Sorted now?" he asked, thinking that Jack was referring to himself and Gwen.
"The tent Ianto" said Jack.
"Oh, I see. Suppose I'll have to fix it then" he said.
"We'll all help" said Gwen.
"I think we need a break" said Jack.
"Well what do you suggest" Gwen asked.
"Well…there is always the river" said Jack.
"Oh damn it! I forgot to bring my swimsuit" said Gwen, thinking back to how long it took her to pack.
"So, just do what I do" said Jack.
"What?"
"Improvise."