AN: First off I would like to thank all of you that are still continuing to read and review this they mean a lot to me.
Second I would like to appologise for the delay in this chapter, Gwen was causing me some issues and I had to re-write the first part at least 3 times before I was happy with it. I hope it works and explains why she's been like she has.
Thirdly as always thanks to JonesIantoJones for reading and correcting this.
Disclaimer: The guys are not mine and neveer will be.
Returning to London part 30
The silence on the way back to the Hub was almost unbearable until Gwen could stand it no longer. "So did you know Ianto was still at Owens?"
"Yes. They've been checking in with me, just to let me know how they are both doing. I suggested they get out the flat, get a bit of fresh air and sunshine. But as always Torchwood and the rift have to spoil things." Jack glanced at Gwen and then continued. "They are both dealing with lots of things right now and could really do with our support. And I'm not just talking about the injuries and infections. Ianto will probably be coming back to work in the next couple of days and Owen within the week. I think they would appreciate it if you didn't keep asking them personal things, if they want us to know they will tell us. Do you think you can do that Gwen?"
Gwen stared out the window then turned back to look at Jack. "Do you know what's going on then? Have either of them talked to you about things?" Gwen snipped.
Jack sighed. " I know a little of what's going on but not all of it. And no I haven't asked and nor do I intend to. Like I said if they want to tell us they will. Just be happy that they have each other they can talk to."
Gwen didn't say anymore just continued to stare out the window. She was thinking about what Jack had said. "Why can't I be happy for Ianto?" The answer struck her like a physical blow. He had with Owen what she never did - his love. Yes they had had sex, but that was all it was meaningless sex. At the time she had thought it was love, but in the end all it was was lust and sex. Not only did Ianto have Owen's love he also had two wonderful friends in Tosh and Jack. Gwen vowed to herself that she would try and be friends with Ianto.
Gwen hadn't realised that they were back at the Hub untill she heard Jack calling. "A little help here Gwen if you've finished day dreaming?"
"Oh yeah right. " She flustered.
As Jack carried one of the soldiers throught the basement Gwen led the way opening the doors until they came to the cells where Jack dumped the man down. Once all the soldiers were in the cell Jack locked it and set the scanners going, this would alert them if anything was wrong or when they woke up.
"Jack I'm sorry for all that I've said and done recently and I will try and make it up to both Ianto and Owen - if they'll let me." Gwen said sincerely.
"Just support them, be there for them - but only if they ask - and be happy for them, they both deserve that." Jack said. "Do you remember where Ianto said that shrinking device was kept?"
Gwen smiled at Jack's obviuos change in subject. "Yes. You want me to get it? Oh and Jack thanks."
Jack just nodded his head and smiled. "Please. I'll head up and make sure the monitors and scanners are working then once you've found this thing then I can head back to the Castle and bring Dora in."
As they walked towards the archives Gwen asked. "So where are we going to keep a bloody great dragon? Surely it will burn the place down if it breathes fire? I mean how long will this device keep it small?"
"Not sure yet but I'm sure if we pose the questions to Ianto he will be able to come up with something - he usually does." Jack laughed.
Twenty minutes later and Jack was on his way back to the Castle.
******TORCHWOOD******
Tosh linked her arm through Iantos as they walked back through the castle grounds to Owen. "So how's it going with Owen?" She asked shyly.
Ianto grinned down at her. "It's going well - very well - so well in fact that he's asked me to move in with him."
Tosh squeaked. "Oh my god. What did you say? Isn't it a bit soon? Gwen is going to have a fit."
Iantos face turned serious. "Owen took me completely by surprise. I was speechless. I told him that I need time to think about it, that I wasn't saying no, just that I needed time. What do you think?"
"It's not up to me. But if you want some friendly advice I'll tell you this. We work for Torchwood, it's a known fact that most operatives die young or if they leave they're retconned. Personally I would grab any happiness when you can 'cos you just don't know what's around the corner and if Owen makes you happy then go for it. Does he make you happy?" Tosh asked.
"More than happy. He makes me laugh, makes me feel safe and secure. Simply put - he loves me and I love him. I know it's only been a few weeks but I can't imagine not being with him." Ianto replied with a soppy grin on his face.
"Then I think you've just answered his question, now you just need to tell him." Tosh smirked.
Ianto looked at her apprehensively. "Do you think it's too soon? I mean we've only just admitted our true feelings for each other and while I have loved spending the last few days at Owens am I really ready to move in with him?" Panic rising in Ianto as he talked.
Tosh stopped walking as she felt Ianto start to panic beside her. "Ok breath. Calm down." Once Tosh was sure Ianto wasn't going to panic further she turned to face him. "Right answer me this: How do you feel when you're not with Owen?"
"That I can't wait to see him, to touch him - it's almost like there's a part of me missing. I know it's a cliche but I really think he's my soul mate. I just never realised it." Ianto admitted.
Tosh nodded her head at that revelation then grabbed Ianto's arm again and carried on walking in a comfortable silence both lost in their own thoughts.
Owen spotted them as they rounded a corner and immediately started whinging. "Where the bloody hell have you two been? I thought Gwen was staying not you Tosh?"
"Change of plan. You get my company Jack gets Gwen's." Tosh answered brightly. "So how's Dora? What do you think Jack's going to do with her?"
"Dora's fine - still heavily under the influence of the sedative and knowing Jack he'll probably want to keep her somewhere just like he did with Myfanwy and Janet." Owen laughed. "Something else for you to look after and feed Ianto."
Ianto gasped. "Please don't give him ideas that we can keep her. I mean I know he's going to try and shrink her down but surely that wears off after a while and I for one don't really want a fire-breathing dragon in the Hub. I don't even know if we have a room big enough for her."
Tosh looked thoughtful. "Handy for keeping warm in the winter when it's freezing underground."
Owen and Ianto laughed at that and it didn't take Tosh long to join in. They sat down on the grass a bit of a distance away from Dora and chatted while they waited. Ianto was sat with Owen between his legs who was resting his back against Iantos chest.
"You ok?" Ianto spoke quietly to Owen.
"Mmm bit tired. Not really up to running around chasing dragons and soldiers." Owen admitted tiredly.
"Close your eyes and have a rest until Jack gets back." Ianto suggested. "Tosh and I can keep an eye on Dora."
Owen lent up and brushed his lips to Ianto's. "If you're sure I could use a nap."
"Yes I'm sure. Lean back against me and sleep." Ianto replied.
As Tosh and Ianto continued talking quietly she kept glancing at the couple, thinking how good they looked together she couldn't understand how Gwen didn't see it. "Maybe she just doesn't want to see it." She mused to herself. "If only she could see them together like this maybe then she would get it."
She was startled out of her musings by the arrival of Jack. "Hey kids did you miss me?"
Ianto rolled his eyes as he gently nudged Owen awake and then helped him to stand up. Jack had helped Tosh up and they were all now stood around looking from the dragon to the shrinking device and wondering how it worked.
"You do know how it works don't you Jack?" Tosh asked nervously.
Jack gave her a big Harkness grin - the one which said 'trust me I'm The Captain'. "Of course. You just point it at the object to be shrunk and then press these buttons here."
Three pairs of eyes turned to look at Jack sceptically.
AN 2 please review xx