A/N: set at the end of Season 1 Episode 13 ("End Of Days"). The fluffier end of friendship for the end of the season (and this series of missing scenes) - but still intended very much as friendship rather than romance.


Days. It had been days. He was ice cold, but she wouldn't leave him. Couldn't leave him.

Tosh's words cut like a knife. Let him go? How could she let him go?

She took his hand between hers, laying her cheek against it. Nothing.

Her heart breaking, she leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips, a final farewell she never thought would happen.

Then she walked away.

"Thank you."

Her eyes widened and she stopped. Had he… had she heard him? She turned and ran; checked; sure enough his eyelids fluttered, and he opened his eyes and laughed weakly.

She nearly collapsed on top of him in relief. "Jesus Christ, Jack…"

He wrapped his fingers round her hand; she could feel his skin warming with every heartbeat. Then she was crying, sobbing uncontrollably, sinking to her knees on the tiles beside him.

He stroked her hair gently from where he lay, still not strong enough to move. "Gwen. Stop crying or I'll tell them exactly how you brought me back."

"Right now I couldn't care less."

He managed to push himself up onto one side, leaning over to look at her. "Okay, different tactic. Get up here with me so I can hug you. I'd haul you up here bodily, but I'm not strong enough yet."

To his relief, she dried her eyes, gave a shaky laugh, and perched beside him. He took her hand, and gently pulled her to him, arm around her, her head on his chest.

She didn't think she'd ever felt so much at peace.

She wasn't sure how long they lay there, not speaking, just cuddling. She didn't want to move. She let her eyes close, and just lay there beside him, curled into his side, waiting for him to feel stronger. I could lie here forever with you, she thought as she listened to his heart beating steadily, felt the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

It was a gentler resurrection than most, Jack reflected as he stroked Gwen's hair. Peaceful, almost - like waking slowly from a deep, restful slumber. He'd be back to full strength once his body temperature matched hers, but he knew they'd both linger there a while longer nonetheless, unwilling to break the stillness.

"How long have I been here?" he asked softly. He realised it must have been longer than normal, or he wouldn't be in the morgue.

She nestled a little closer. "A few days. I lost count."

A few days? Oh, sweetheart… His heart broke a little for her silent vigil for a man she refused to give up on. "You must be exhausted."

"Hadn't noticed. It doesn't matter, anyway."

"Beg to differ." He felt her smile and hugged her tighter to him for a moment. He sighed, gently tracing his fingers up and down her spine. "I should probably at least make an attempt to get up and make myself look presentable."

"Probably," she agreed. "Hospital gown isn't a great look on you."

Neither of them moved.

When Gwen shivered in the chilly air, Jack finally pushed himself up. "Come on. I need to get dressed so we can get out of here. You're cold."

She nodded. "I made them leave clothes down here." She found them out for him and made as if to leave him to dress in private.

He just laughed softly and stopped her. "I don't have a problem with nudity, but if it bothers you, just turn around."

She smiled a little, and sat back on the stool she'd spent so much time on. "I'll just close my eyes. Tell me when you're done."

Jack dressed quickly, and stood for a moment looking down at Gwen. He could see the shadows under her eyes, the traces of salt from her tears. He knelt in front of her, gently stroked his thumbs across her cheeks, and kissed each eyelid in turn. As her eyes fluttered open, he kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and finally brushed his lips softly to hers. "All done," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. To his surprise, Gwen leaned forward and repeated the same gestures, an act almost shocking in its tender intimacy.

His hands found hers and held them. "Ready to go?" she murmured.

He smiled. "Ready as I'll ever be." He pulled her up and into his arms in one fluid movement, holding her close until he felt as ready as he'd claimed. "Let's go."

She held his hand as she walked him into the Hub.