Notes: Thank you for all those that jumped aboard the CLCA bandwagon from the first chapter alone, and for your comments and reviews. I hope you enjoy where this story takes us all.

Chapter Spoilers: Episodes 1.11 (Combat – slight) and 1.12 (Captain Jack Harknesss - slight)

Ianto had been staying in Jack's quarters at the Hub on and off, though mostly on, for the past four months. He knew on an emotional level that this choice was anything but wise. However, someone needed to be close by in case of rift activity. Not to mention that with Ianto being out in the field more often, his once daily operations had become off-duty tasks. Most nights he was just too tired to make the drive to his flat. Other times he simply wanted to feel close to his long-gone lover.

Tension rose quickly between the team. For the first month alone there was a constant battle over who was in charge. Even though Owen had been second-in-command since Suzie's death, Gwen wanted to assume control. Another heated argument just broke out over the subject and Ianto was fed up.

"Enough!" he shouted. Once the Hub fell silent, he cleared his throat and continued on. "We need to quit fighting and get focused. Our leader may have left, but we still have work to do. We need to play to our strengths and divide responsibilities."

His three teammates just stared at him, speechless. His outburst had caught them off guard. But they all waited for him to continue.

So Ianto did, turning to each member as he addressed them and assigned their duties. "Okay; Gwen, having been former police, you lead all investigations and liaise when necessary. Tosh, you handle the tech side of things and alien artifacts. Owen, since you have the most field experience, you run point and lead all field operations. I'll handle everything else." As I have been this whole bloody time, he added to himself.

Everyone agreed and went about their work.

Problem solved, Ianto thought as he breathed a sigh of relief. Little did he know that he had other problems to face. Over the next three months he would face joy, concern, and wrath from his teammates over his relationship with Jack.

[Two months (8 weeks) since Jack disappeared-]

Tosh was the first to approach Ianto about Jack. If any of his teammates were to bring up the Immortal, Ianto knew she would be the first. The rift was quiet that afternoon so they went to the nearby coffee shop during their lunch break. After enough painfully awkward silence had passed, Ianto let out a small chuckle.

"What's so amusing?" Tosh asked, confused.

"I always knew you would be the first to approach me about the kiss. I just didn't expect for you to wait this long, nor be this shy about it," he replied with a smirk. Yes, Ianto knew Tosh had her suspicions about Jack and him, and on occasions discovered the technical genius trying to find her proof, especially via CCTV footage.

Tosh blushed slightly. "I...uh...how?"

Searching for the best explanation, Ianto settled for, "The tale of your time in 1941 with Jack."

Tosh nodded her head in confirmation. "I'm so sorry for how everything came out that day. As you know, I suspected... you and Jack... even then, but I kept everything about 1941 bottled up so long that... it all just spilled out."

"I know," Ianto replied, "And Tosh, it's okay." They looked at each other and smiled.

"Are you happy with him?" Tosh asked, breaking the silence.

Ianto hesitated. He was happy with Jack, however the explosive fight and feelings of betrayal still lingered. He didn't know how to answer. Finally he just admitted, "Before Abaddon Jack and I... we had a huge fight and we obviously never had the time to work anything out. Oh, but when he kissed me... I was just happy he was alive. Even with our bad moments, I have never been happier."

Having heard the sincerity in his voice, Tosh carefully asked, "Not even with Lisa? I know you loved her."

Ianto knew he loved Lisa and he was happy during their time together. But he also knew emotionally, the level of intensity was much higher with Jack. He never told anyone, not even the Captain. It took Jack leaving with the Doctor for Ianto to realize and admit it to himself. Ianto desperately wanted and needed to tell someone, so he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and as he exhaled began laying out his confession.

"You're correct. I was happy with Lisa and I loved her, but..." Ianto paused. It's now or never. "I realize now that I wasn't in love with her... or if I was, then I am more in love and happier with Jack." Ianto couldn't believe he just confessed his love for Jack to Tosh. Sure, she's my best friend and confidante, but still! He blushed and looked away from his colleague.

Tosh was equally shocked by Ianto's confession, but she was extremely happy. She knew how much Lisa meant to her young colleague, and to have found someone else to care about and be even happier with was perfect. "I'm happy for you, Ianto."

They looked at each other and smiled, then enjoyed the rest of their break.

[Three weeks later; 11 weeks since Jack disappeared-]

During a not-so-monthly physical and checkup, Owen confronted Ianto with his own concerns.

"So... you and Harkness..." Owen began. "...it really is more than a part-time shag then?"

Ianto winced. Those words, "part-time shag," still struck a bad chord with Ianto, but he was trying to let go of the past. "Yes it is, Owen." Was, he thought to himself momentarily bitter and hurt.

Owen, despite normally being a complete prick, knew he hurt Ianto that day with his comments. He wanted to show Ianto that he is not always an arse and that he truly was sorry. "Ianto..." he said. "...I'm sorry for everything I said that day. I just missed Diane and didn't want to lose anyone else to the bloody rift."

Ianto was stunned. Owen is never so sincere. "It's okay," he responded flatly. It wasn't actually okay, but having received a proper apology, it allowed the wound to begin healing.

Between some tests and awkward silence, "Have you been safe?" Owen asked.

Ianto rolled his eyes. "Owen, you know he can't get sick," he answered, knowing exactly who and what the medic was curious about.

Owen, reverting to his normal demeanor, continued on. "I'm still running a full STI scan on you!"

Ianto just laughed and shook his head. That was the Owen he knew. "If you must."

"We all know how Jack can be, Ianto," Owen continued. "If he comes back..."

"When he's back..." Ianto interrupted, "...you can lecture me then." He didn't want to believe his lover was gone forever. His mood swings regarding the matter have been negative lately, but he wasn't going to give up hope completely, nor show his teammates how truly shattered Jack's leave made him.

Owen gave Ianto a curious look, but then went back to his work, saying, "Ianto, I am happy for you. Just be careful."

"Yes, doctor..." he replied sarcastically, then asked, "...Are we done now?"

"Yeah, yeah..." Owen dismissed Ianto and they both went back to their work for the day.

[Three weeks later – 3 1/2 months (14 weeks) since Jack disappeared-]

It took Gwen the longest to figure out just how and when to discuss Jack with Ianto. It became clear rather fast that Tosh and Owen saw no problem with their supposed-relationship, whereas Gwen only saw fault. Why do they support this? Gwen thought. Ianto is so young and inexperienced. Jack needs a proper lover; someone older, more experienced, better even. He needs someone fun and adventurous, not an office-boy. Jack should be with me!

Similar thoughts ran through Gwen's mind on a daily basis since "the kiss." She was upset and infuriated since just hours before she had confessed her love to the immortal Captain. If Jack heard my confession, then he ignored it. That thought tore at her heart the most. I have to confront Ianto while Jack's still gone. Make him see reason.

Gwen headed into the Archives where Ianto was known to be. Ianto heard her coming and spoke first to catch her off guard, "And last but not least..." he paused to turn around, "...Gwen."

She raised an eyebrow at his comment.

"You're the only one left to say anything," he said simply. Talking to Ianto privately was the only reason for anyone to visit him in the Archives, other than Jack whose focus was on seducing, nine times out of ten. Ianto tried to stay as professional as possible. He remembered Gwen's confession and never got over it, though they seemed to be able to move forward. He had no idea how this conversation would play out, but he was prepared for the worst.

Gwen, trying to keep things calm and simple, "Are you sure you want to be with Jack?"

"Yes," Ianto responded without any hesitation. He could see in her eyes the inner struggle she was having. Keeping a cool façade while trying to manipulate me into leaving Jack; well, it won't work!

"But he's so much older and more... experienced, to put it nicely. That doesn't bother you?"

"No, Gwen, it doesn't," he answered honestly. Ianto would only ever admit to himself that back during his suspension, when he and Jack revisited the subject of their obvious attraction to each other, that Jack's experiences did bother him. But after the cannibals, Ianto knew he needed to push those thoughts aside if he wanted any sort of comfort from Jack, then he had to focus less on either of their pasts and worry solely about the present. Because we never know what the future holds, and we can't be tied down with things we can't change. Even if one of us is a time traveler, or at least knows one.

"Surely you could find someone more... open to commitment... to settle down... to have a normal life," Gwen kept up her routine, prodding and suggesting as gently as possible. But it wouldn't work.

Ianto's patience started growing thin. "Just because that's the life you're choosing with Rhys..." he rebutted, "...doesn't mean that's what we all want."

As busy as things had become since Jack left, Gwen often forgot about Rhys and their engagement. She knew in her heart that she'd rather be with Jack, but said yes to Rhys so she wouldn't end up alone. Trying to change the line of conversation she asked, "So if Jack comes back, you're just going to forgive him and pretend he never left you?"

Now Ianto was just annoyed. "He didn't leave just me, Gwen, and when he comes back, I'm going to do whatever it takes to fix our problems, properly, by talking things out and asking for forgiveness." Silence fell briefly while Gwen searched her thoughts, but then Ianto continued, "And if I need to fight to keep him as well, then I will."

"What does that mean?" Gwen asked, thrown off guard by Ianto's last statement.

"You know exactly what it means, Gwen," he snapped.

"No, actually, I don't."

Ianto knew it was time to come clean to Gwen about hearing her confession of love. It had been troubling him for too long. "If memory serves me correctly, and it always does..." he said with a smirk. "...it all went something like this." Putting on his best Gwen voice, he continued, "Jack, I don't even know if you can hear me, but I need to get this off my chest. I don't know why it's taken me so long to say this... I love you, Jack. Always have since the day we met. Don't get me wrong, I love Rhys, but not in the way nor as much as I love you. You need to come back now, Jack. I need you..."

Gwen was shocked stiff, pale, and silent. She had no idea anyone heard that. "You were spying on me?!" She finally snapped once she came back to reality.

"No, Gwen!" Ianto quickly snapped back. "I was checking to see how my lover was doing and if anything had changed!"

Gwen cringed when Ianto called Jack his lover. "Some lover you are. You didn't once come sit with his body. He deserves better than you!"

Not wanting to deal with this anymore, Ianto just had at Gwen, serving all the low blows he could muster. "And I suppose you think you're better than me?" Ianto laughed. "You're the woman dating Rhys, a really great man, but would spend most nights shagging Owen..."

Ianto started walking towards Gwen, forcing her to back towards the archives entrance. "...Then, instead of coming clean and facing the consequences decided to Retcon Rhys just so you could have a quilt-free conscience... Yes, I know, Gwen. And trust me, I'll be informing Jack once he returns..."

Gwen passed over the threshold as Ianto delivered his final blow. "...Now you're engaged to Rhys, but are so set on being with Jack, who is already happy with what he has, which doesn't include you. If you're anything, Gwen Cooper, it's pathetic! You should focus less on trying to ruin others' lives and more on fixing your own fucked up life."

Ianto slammed the heavy, metal archives door in Gwen's face. She stood there, so taken aback by Ianto's outburst that she couldn't move from the inital aftershock. This battle was far from over.

[PRESENT – Four months since Jack disappeared-]

The day had been quiet so Ianto let the team leave early. Just as he was ready to also call it a day and retreat to Jack's quarters for the night, he received the following alert: red sports car stolen by a Blowfish.