AN: Okay my favourite review for the previous chapter was "yeah, that's our Gwen...just find a scab and start picking at it..." – glad to hear I've got her in character!!!
Let the picking continue… please review x
Owen found himself leaning in to Gwen's comforting hold as she continued to murmur softly in his ear.
"Everything will work out Owen… I promise. Don't worry – you can still be a Dad… you're still young." She said gently. "You don't know what might happen."
He pulled himself out of her embrace and settled himself on the bed. "How? I'm in a relationship with another man. How can I ever have children of my own?" He asked sadly.
"You've only been together for four or five days Owen. Things could change." Gwen pointed out softly.
"I don't want things to change. I want him. I will always want him." Owen replied.
"Even if he can't give you children? What's more important to you – holding your own child in your arms and being a Dad, or him?" Gwen asked placing a delicate hand on Owen's upper arm.
Owen opened his mouth to reply, but closed it again when he found he had no answer.
"This whole thing with him is totally out of character Owen – its just not you. Not who you really are. Not who you really want to be." She spoke with a gentle and concerned tone that masked the bitterness of her words. "People care about you Owen, and they just want what's best for you. I care about you Owen. I just want what's best for you. I want you to be happy. And right now, you're not happy. Let me help you. Let me make you happy." She murmured as she brought her free hand up to Owen's face, cupping his cheek as she leant forward and captured his lips with her own. As she kissed him she stepped closer to the bed and positioned herself between Owen's legs as she tried to deepen the kiss.
"Woah Gwen – no. Stop it." Owen moved as far back on the bed as he could, pulling himself free from her grasp. "This isn't what I want. I don't want you – you know that." He said a little angrily.
"But I can give you what he can't." She said battering her eyes as she spoke.
Owen shook his head. "No you can't. You can't give me anything that I can't get from him. He gives me so much more than you ever could. Jesus Gwen I love Ianto. And you're married for Christ's sake." He said as he jumped down off the table and pushed past her, trying to keep a safe distance between them.
"So what – you'll shag me when I'm with someone, but not when you are? Tiny bit hypocritical don't you think?" She asked as she placed her hands on her hips and her tone changed to anger.
"You're insane." Owen said angrily. "Look you and I were fun, but that's all it was. Just a bit of fun. I was after a few shags and you were after someone to talk to. It was mutually beneficial. I am not going to jeopardise what I have with Ianto for a quick shag on my autopsy table." He snapped.
"What you have with Ianto? You're just after someone new to play with, and he's just after the distraction from Jack. He doesn't love you Owen, not like he loved Jack. It's not as if you could compete with him anyway." She sneered.
"You don't know anything about him, or us. And if you're that convinced of Jack's superiority maybe you should go offer yourself up to him – oh I forgot, you try that daily and he still turns you down. Maybe you're right then, maybe he is better than I am. He certainly has better taste in women." He snarled.
Gwen's palm impacted swiftly and sharply with Owen's cheek. He brought his hand up to his face as she withdrew hers, before turning and walking up the steps to the main Hub. Going over to his desk he pulled his coat from the back of his chair and put it on. As he made his way towards the cog door Gwen ran up the steps.
"You can't leave – you're meant to be on duty." She pointed out.
"Go to hell." Owen replied without a backward glance before walking out through the cog door and out of the Hub. Once out on the Plass he let out a frustrated growl, startling a few passers-by. Stuffing his hands deep into his coat pockets he stalked across the Plass and made his way home. With the adrenaline that was pumping violently through his veins his pace was fast, and he made it to the front door of the apartment quicker than usual. Fishing his key out of his pocket he pushed it roughly into the lock, opening the door and storming inside. Hanging his coat on the nearest hook he kicked off his trainers and strode into the living area where Ianto was settled on the sofa reading. Owen marched straight to the kitchen and pulled open the fridge and grabbing a beer.
"Okay you're early." Ianto commented as he put his bookmark in the page and placed the book on the table. Getting to his feet he moved towards the kitchen, and then spotted the red mark on Owen's cheek.
"What happened?" He asked hurrying over as Owen opened his beer and took a long calming drink.
"I'm so bloody stupid." Owen snapped angrily as he slammed the bottle down on the bench top. "I don't know why I didn't see it coming. I'm such a bloody idiot."
Ianto took hold of Owen's upper arms and held him steady. "Owen what happened?" He asked calmly.
"Gwen bloody Cooper happened." Owen snarled.
Ianto sighed as he pulled the older man close, wrapping his arms around him and holding his tight. "What did she do?" He asked softly, keeping Owen in his arms.
"She basically threw herself at me." Owen said as he nestled in Ianto's warm arms.
"She what?" Ianto asked in shock.
"She kissed me, and made it pretty clear that that was not all that was offer." Owen explained.
"And why does it look likes she hit you?" Ianto asked.
"Because she did." Owen pointed out. "I suggested she had a go with Jack instead, then highlighted the fact he'd turn her down again, and offered the idea that he had better taste in women than me. Apparently she didn't like that idea."
Ianto sniggered. "Nice." He remarked.
Owen extracted himself from Ianto's hold and looked up at him. "Not my finest hour."
"I don't understand though. Why is she throwing herself at you?" Ianto asked leaning back on the kitchen bench.
"Because… god I'm such an idiot… because she thinks she can offer me something that you can't." Owen said.
"Which is?" Ianto asked nervously.
"Children of my own." Owen replied sadly.