Torchwood: Divergence
Book Three: Rheoleiddiad
Chapter 55
There were two days left of the holiday Torchwood's leader and his Archivist had taken, Valentine's Day and the one after it. As far as Gwen was concerned those forty-eight hours couldn't pass quickly enough. This round as leader having proven so much rougher and busier than the months after Abadon had been.
It had been a struggle dealing with the Rift alerts and day to day running of the Institute this time without Ianto there to share the load. She also had a whole new level of respect for their Captain, especially now that her hormones were levelling out and she didn't feel the desire to argue about everything. The only real problem she was having aside from work itself, was the constant wondering now about whether she'd ever stood a chance at winning the American's heart. It had seemed very likely in the beginning when he'd recruited her from the Heddlu. But so many things had happened since then to put distance between them. Her affair with Owen, Jack's 'sympathy' fling with the team's youngest, the trouble over opening the Rift, his taking back up with Ianto after a never fully explained absence, her marriage to Rhys. Then there'd been the loss of Tosh and Owen, the Captain trying to push their Archivist and her both away, the whole 456 horror show, his abandonment of her and the Earth, her daughter, his continued commitment to their co-worker when the Scieron returned the now forever altered Welshman to the living world. It should be clear where his heart lay, but the former PC couldn't stop thinking about him whenever she had any time alone, and what it would be like to his in every way. She knew the pair were likely in constant company on their holiday, but somehow felt the only way to put her fantasies and yearning to rest, would be to see them together, happy and well. Witness them proving the depth of their bond, watch their eyes for the light of love that only the other could kindle.
So, as she trudged into the house in Penarth around 11:30, she was counting the hours till the couple's holiday was over. Rhys was still up to greet her, had fish and chips warmed and ready in the kitchen.
"Rough day?" he asked as she sat down to the meal, uncapping a beer for her as well.
"Weevils, Hoix, more of those damn singing slugs, some bloody plant that Turlough identified as a juvenile Krynoid," Cooper sighed, going for the beer first. "Total nightmare to kill, we had to use a tonne of quick-set adhesive foam to keep it from crawling away, then get an implosion grenade into the centre of it. Plus, UNIT called for Jack, then asked for Ianto, and finally refused to deal with anyone but Martha since they weren't here. Like the rest of us are halfwits and won't understand what they're talking about. Ianto's bloody Estate Agent popping in at the kiosk to ask Lois how he's getting on with that sodding car he gave Jack. Oh, and the SUV won't run as of this morning because it says the brakes need replaced immediately, and he's the only one who knows where to get the work done. I suggested calling Jack to have him ask, but was loudly overruled by Turlough and Martha, who said we could get by fine with the van for a few days."
"Well… don't know if it'll take the sting off all that," Rhys stated soberly. "But my take home pay'll be going up come March. UNIT renewed their non-hazardous transport contract with Harwood's at a higher rate, and I got that furniture company to finally sign for a full year."
"That's brilliant," Gwen smiled, actually finding the news very exciting and uplifting. "Good for you. I know you've been haggling over those contracts for ages. That does improve my day."
Williams grinned and nicked one of his wife's chips off her plate. He sometimes felt like his business was just a bore compared to what she did for a living with Torchwood. But at the moment, it seemed like his hauling company franchise was the best job in the world. Anytime he could get Gwen to smile like she was now, the day-to-day drudgery of running Harwood's and looking after Ebrill was all worth it.
"Talked to your mam today," Rhys smiled as he watched the one-time constable finish her meal. "She's very excited to do us a favour tomorrow."
"Favour?" Cooper asked blankly.
"She's gonna take Eb when I get off work, so the two of us can have a night alone for Valentine's Day," her husband nodded. "I know you'll be working too late to go out for a fancy mean, but I promise to make up for it here at home."
"I really don't deserve you," Gwen breathed, leaning over to give the man a good, solid kiss.
"Yeah…" Williams laughed as they parted. "But you're stuck with me, so we'll both have to make the best of it."
He took her plate and utensils to wash as she polished off the beer and put the bottle in the recycle bin. Soon they were heading upstairs to peek in on their daughter before going to their own room.
"What say we 'make the best of it' tonight?" she suggested as the moved away from Ebrill's door.
"The woman's a bloody mind reader after all," Rhys chuckled, more than willing to accommodate.
The two quietly closed their door, turned on the baby monitor, and did a little romantic celebrating early.
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AN: Rhys is a saint…
Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM