AN: Thanks to my recurring reviewers, and to those first timers amongst you – I appreciate all your comments and support.
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The seven days that made up Gwen's suspension went by quickly for the rest of the team. The mood in the Hub was much lighter than it had been in recent days, and everyone was quietly thankful that she wasn't around to cause any unnecessary trouble. But at the same time they were each also looking forward to her return, and getting back to something almost normal. In the week she'd been away the team had been out on a couple of rift alerts but nothing more than they could easily handle, and Owen had continued to monitor Janet closely. Blood samples had been taken each day to check for anomalies, and it had been confirmed just the day before that Janet was indeed pregnant. Probably. It was just before midnight on the Saturday night, with Gwen due back to work the following day, and Ianto and Owen were working the late shift. Ianto smiled as he watched the clock on his monitor tick over to midnight and the start of a new day. Rising from his seat at Tosh's desk he walked over to Owen, who was dozing idly on the battered Torchwood sofa and crouched down in front of him.
"Happy Birthday." He murmured as he leant forward and kissed the medic softly.
Owen moaned slightly and stretched as he woke up. "Happy what?" He asked through a yawn.
"Happy Birthday." Ianto repeated.
Owen's eyes opened widely. "How do you know that? Nobody knows that." He asked.
"You forget that I file the personnel documents, including the Employee Information Sheet that Jack made you fill in on your first day. You wrote your birth date on that, and I remembered it. So I say again, happy birthday Owen." Ianto smiled.
Owen smiled weakly. "Thanks." He muttered as he hoisted himself into a sitting position. "So can we go home now?" He asked.
Ianto nodded pushing himself to his feet. "Sure." He replied. "You don't seem keen on the idea of your birthday." He commented as he pulled Owen to his feet.
Owen shrugged. "Never seen the point celebrating. Its just another year gone by." He replied.
"Does that mean you don't want your present?" Ianto asked.
Owen glanced up at him. "Present?" He echoed.
Ianto smiled. "I bought you a present, but if you're going to be all grumpy you won't get it." He threatened playfully.
"I bought you a present too." Owen said with a grin.
"Why?" Ianto asked confused.
"The all knowing Ianto Jones forgot Valentines Day?" Owen mocked, his grin widening as Ianto's face showed realisation had hit.
"Oops." Ianto commented softly.
Owen sniggered. "Don't worry about it. You remembered my birthday and you seem keen to celebrate that, which is something I haven't done for years. Nobody has been keen to celebrate that for a long time." He said sadly.
Ianto sighed as he realised that Owen probably had even less reason to celebrate his birthday than he did, and even less family to do it with. He pulled the older man into his arms and kissed the top of his head. "When was the last time you celebrated?" He asked nervously.
"The year I left home. I was kicked out on my eighteenth birthday, so it's been a while." Owen answered.
Ianto positioned Owen in front of him and set his hands firmly on the older man's shoulders, gazing lovingly into his eyes as he spoke. "From now on, we celebrate okay? We will celebrate in style, every year. I promise. I can think of plenty reasons to celebrate your birth, even if you can't."
"Such as?" Owen asked unconvinced.
"Think of all the people whose lives have been changed for the better because you were in it? Torchwood… Katie… mine. If you weren't here Owen, who knows what state I'd be in. I am so thankful to have you in my life, and I always will be." Ianto enthused.
"Thank you." Owen said simply, feeling a little embarrassed.
Ianto kissed him softly. "Right, your gift is waiting for you at home. Come on – we have to be back here in a few hours and I have things I want to do before then." He said as he took Owen's hand and tugged him firmly towards the cog door.
"Oh really?" Owen smirked.
"Yeah – really." Ianto said shoving him playfully into the lift and holding his hand firmly as it rose to ground level and they stepped out into the Tourism Office and onto the Plass.
"So Gwen's back later today." Owen commented as they strolled towards their apartment along the deserted road.
"Yep." Ianto replied.
"Nervous?" Owen asked.
"I'm hoping she'll have calmed down since last week." Ianto said as he let go of Owen's hand and instead fixed his arm around the older man's shoulders. "I'm sure she will have. And anyway, if her suspension is anything like mine he'll have been to see her."
Owen nodded. "He went a couple of days ago." He said as they entered the apartment building and rode the lift to their floor.
"Did he say how she was?" Ianto asked unlocking the front door and walking inside.
"Not that I heard." Owen answered. Both men shook off their coats and toed off their shoes, leaving them in the hall and walking into the living area. "Drink?" He asked.
"There's beer in the fridge. I'll go get your gift." Ianto commented wandering back out the room and disappearing down the hall. Owen plucked two beers from the fridge and opened them both before going over to the windows and gazing out over the Cardiff night sky, placing Ianto's drink on the table as he took a long swig from his own.
"Happy Birthday Owen." Ianto appeared beside him and handed him a shallow rectangular box, adorned with a small blue ribbon.
Owen takes the box in one hand and places his beer bottle beside Ianto's on the table. "Thank you Ianto." He says simply as he separates the lid from the base of the box and reveals his gift.
"Okay the iPod I understand – but the badge?" Owen questioned lifting up the small white badge with the words 'Property Of Ianto Jones' written on it.
"I thought it would make a good addition to your white doctors coat." Ianto smirked. "And the iPod is preloaded with all your music. Just make sure you don't lend this one to Janet."
Owen smirked. "Thank you Ianto." He said kissing his boyfriend gently.
"You're welcome." Ianto replied bobbing his head.
"Your gift isn't highly original I'm afraid, but it occurred to me the other day that we've never been out on a date." Owen began.
Ianto smiled. "That's true. God I must be easy if I'll move in before the first date." He joked.
Owen chuckled. "I booked a table at that fancy French place in town for tonight. I've already cleared it with Jack before you worry. I thought I could do the whole wining dining thing." He offered.
Ianto nodded. "I'd like that." He said, knowing that Owen would never willing go to the rather posh French restaurant, and that he must have chosen it because he knew Ianto would like it.
"Pick you up at 8?" Owen asked.
Ianto nodded. "Don't be late." He replied with a wink.