AN: Thank You x
Jack found Gwen near where Ianto had left her, now sat on a bench still looking out across the bay. He sat down silently beside her, waiting for her to speak first.
"Is he alright?" She asked.
"Not especially." Jack commented.
"I'm sorry Jack. I don't want to see Ianto get hurt, I'm just so tired of the lies." She said.
Jack scoffed.
"What you enjoy this? How can you lie to him? It's not fair on any of us." She said, surprised by his reaction.
"I find your aversion to lies rather hypocritical Gwen – precisely how many times have you lied to Rhys? Or me? What exactly do you want from me Gwen? I am in love with Ianto and I am marrying Ianto. I don't know how to make it any clearer."
"After all we have been through Jack, how can you sit there and claim there's nothing between us? All I want from you is the truth." She asked.
"All we've been through?" Jack echoed. "Gwen you're married to Rhys, you're having his baby, you had an affair with Owen, you bat your eyelids at any man that comes near you. What have we been through Gwen, other than a few years of flirting that, in case it has escaped your attention, I used to do with most people? Used to being the key part of that sentence. No more. I have Ianto now. I don't want anyone else Gwen." He sighed. "Look, Ianto is the most important person in my life – he is my priority. Nobody else – not even you. I don't to lose you Gwen, from my team or my life, but if you make me choose between you, I will. And you wont like my decision. Nothing will ever happen between us Gwen… nothing. I'm sorry if that hurts you… but it's the truth."
Jack got up and strode back to the Hub, leaving Gwen on the bench, a tear rolling down her cheek.
TW
"Is she coming back?" Ianto asked as Jack walked back inside.
"I have no idea." He said, slumping down on the sofa beside Ianto.
"What did you say to her?" Ianto asked.
"The truth. That I love you. That if she expects me to choose I will choose you. I'm sorry about this." He said.
"This isn't your fault Jack." Ianto said taking the hand of his fiancé.
"Isn't it? Ianto I don't love her… I've never loved her… but I used to have feelings for her. I wanted her… so badly when she joined us. And I'll admit I flirted with her more than anyone else. It was meant to be harmless fun – she had Rhys. Then she had Owen too, and that really hurt. But by then… well… I'd started to notice someone else… someone I wanted so much more. A year or so ago… maybe I would have gone for her. But not now… not any more. I don't want anyone else. Not now… not ever. I just feel responsible… I feel like my stupid flirtation is backfiring… and now you're hurt… and so is she. And it's my fault." Jack confessed.
Ianto let go of Jack's hand and instead put his arm around the older man, pulling him close to him and kissing the side of his head.
"I trust you Jack. With my life… and with my heart. And I know you had feelings for her… you were never very subtle about it… and I'll admit if used to break my heart when you'd look at her… or hold her… especially when you and I were… well whatever we were doing. But that doesn't give her any right to do what she's doing or say what she said. I don't blame you Jack. The only person who is hurting me right now is Gwen. Not you. If she comes back to Torchwood to work then we'll be fine… we can get through this… you're not that irresistible. But if she comes back to cause trouble… I won't work with her. You are far too important to me to have her destroy what we've become. I love you so much Jack. I don't want to lose you. I won't. I can't." Ianto said, his voice soft and reassuring, but becoming less audible by the end.
"I'm going nowhere Ianto. Not without you. And I am sorry if I ever hurt you in the past… I won't let that happen again. And I won't let her hurt you either. Come on." Jack said rising to his feet and pulling a somewhat reluctant Welshman up with him.
"I'm not sure now is the best time for this Jack." Ianto smirked.
Jack grinned. "We're going ring shopping." He explained.
"I don't need an engagement ring." Ianto pointed out.
"I proposed… therefore you need a ring. It's in the rules." Jack said, tugging Ianto towards the Hub door.
"Can I get a copy of these rules?" Ianto asked as Jack finally dragged him through the door.
AN2: You guys are THE greatest. Your reviews make me smile. Please keep reviewing… letting me know where you think I should take this… I have plans… but I will read and consider any and all suggestions. Next chapter coming soon hopefully. I am heading to Arundel Castle on Saturday night to see Mr Barrowman live for the second time this year… I'm sure I'll get a little inspiration from that… so if there's a delay in my uploading – blame him :)
