Torchwood: Divergence
Book Three: Rheoleiddiad

Chapter 21

It was barely minutes from 8:00 pm when the two senior members of the team finally reappeared in the Hub. Both were much more relaxed than they had been earlier, and it didn't take a genius to figure out what they'd been doing. Jack's braces were still down, his undershirt was partially untucked and he was minus his long-sleeved button up, which was being carried by Ianto along with is own belt and field jacket.

"Turlough," Harkness called cheerfully. "How are you at industrial welding?"

"Depends on how eager you are to have the base gutted by fire," the redhead replied evenly, closing down his workstation and turning to face the pair. "Why?"

"Ammunition room needs a new panel in the door," the Captain explained.

"Dare I ask?" the team's tech specialist queried with raised brows.

"Ianto put his fist through it," Jack stated matter-of-factly.

"You're not serious," Gwen scoffed, then gaped when the young Welshman shifted his field jacket and his lover's shirt to the other arm to push up his sleeve, exposing the still healing gashes marring his right hand and forearm. "You are! Martha, don't leave yet."

The young black woman came up from the Autopsy Lab with her coat half on and purse dangling from one hand, her eyes widening when she saw their teammate's injuries.

"You did what?" Martha demanded, hurrying over to examine the ugly though obviously healing gouges.

"I was frustrated and hit the ammunition room door," Ianto admitted with a sheepish smile. "Rather a shock when I punched right through the metal grill-work."

"I should bloody hope so," their medic admonished, carefully checking each long, jagged line of damage. "You do realise that these three cuts opened your primary veins in as many places, don't you? I'm surprised you didn't bleed out."

"Intervention," Ianto stated quietly. "Jack rescued me and the Scieron lent a Shadowy hand."

Martha got the feeling he wasn't just referring to the unintentional injuries, but didn't pry.

"Healing nicely too," Turlough commented, heading toward the main door where Lois was waiting with a cheerful smile on her face. "And I'm dead serious about the welding. Not one of my many talents. Might be easier and safer to replace the entire door. See you in the morning."

"He's right," Ianto agreed guiltily. "The only one who could ever use that torch without collateral damage was Suzie. I'll check into a replacement for the door in the morning. Sorry…"

"Hey, better the door than the walkway stanchion," Jack pointed out, amused by the frustrated grumbling Martha was doing.

"Couldn't you at least come up her gouting, so I had something to clean and staple?" she complained, then patted the fingers of the twenty-six-year-old's wounded hand with a smile and zipped up her coat. "Everything looks fine. Probably sore, but at the rate the lacerations are healing, they'll likely be gone before morning. And I'm off for a late cinema showing with Lois. 'Night all."

Gwen drifted over a little closer as she pulled on her own coat, trying to obey the injunction to give her friend some space.

"So…" she began hesitantly. "Plans for this evening?"

Harkness grinned, his partner lowered his gaze with a slight blush, and Cooper couldn't help but laugh.

"As if I had to ask," she chortled, rolling her eyes in annoyed amusement. "And I'd say you've already made an early start of it."

"It was purely business," the American claimed, trying to look innocent.

"I blood-stained another of his shirts," Ianto tutted mournfully, displaying the ruined garment then pulling loose change from his trouser pocket. "And… two pounds ten just wasn't going to cover it."

Jack burst out laughing, not only at the inventive explanation but the look on Gwen's face.

"I think that's my cue to leave," the former PC decided once she'd managed to stop staring open-mouthed at the two men. "Rift's been quiet since that double spike earlier. You two bunnies have a good night and I'll see you in the morning."

She waved and trotted out the cog-wheel door, fighting to keep a straight face. Ianto had almost seemed his old self a moment ago, and Cooper hoped that meant things were finally settling between them. If sneaking a shag with the boss during business hours was what it took to fix things, she'd find the pair opportunities all over the bloody base… no matter how scorchingly jealous it made her feel. Crossing her fingers that the last ten minutes were a good sign, she climbed into her car and headed home.

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AN: Short chapter (sorry), but necessary filler. Things are slowly settling… or are they?

Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM