Author Note: Torchwood is owned by the BBC.

Chapter One

Gwen entered the dimly lit hub, the huge cog wheel turning behind her. "Jack?" she called out. Gwen looked around, the computers were off and only a few soft lamps illuminated the hub. 'Perhaps he's asleep' thought Gwen. She sighed, she'd lied to Rhys to get out of the flat saying that she had work to do; she was hoping that Jack would be about so they could have a chat about their relationship, whether or not she should marry Rhys. She knew that Jack would never acknowledge his feelings for her without being pushed to do so, and lately…

Gwen shook her head, she didn't know but Jack had been acting differently, less flirty and more comfortable with himself. She wanted to make sure that he wasn't losing interest, that he knew that he could have her. Gwen frowned, she had noticed that Jack seemed to be flirting with Ianto more; she should really put a stop to that before Ianto got any ideas, or freaked out because he wouldn't know how to deal with the captain's jokes. Gwen couldn't deny it any longer, Jack was her captain, her hero, she needed him, he needed her and she didn't want Ianto to get hurt in the process, that would be all they need. She shivered at the idea of decaf coffee.

Suddenly, Gwen heard a noise and was shaken out of her thoughts. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Ianto running from Jack's office, taking the steps two at a time. She rubbed her eyes in shock, what the hell was going on? Ianto ran over to the kitchenette wearing only tight black boxers and a red tie that hung around his pale neck. He reached into the fridge and pulled out a can of whipped cream. Gwen's breathing hitched as she heard Jack's voice, "Ianto!"

Ianto just grinned and shouted, "I've got it. I'm coming!" moving back up to Jack's office, the smile on his face and his voice dying as he saw a clearly shocked and angry Gwen.

"Not yet you're not" said Jack poking his head around his office door. "What's the hold up?" Ianto couldn't say anything, he just looked from Gwen to Jack and back again, suddenly, horribly aware that he was practically naked. "Ah." Said Jack, noticing Gwen.

He opened the door fully, and met Ianto on the stairs. Gwen blushed as she saw that Jack was naked under his RAF coat and was suddenly filled with desire. Jack, stood behind his silent lover and wrapped the coat around him too, covering Ianto up and binding them together, knowing full well that Ianto was dying of embarrassment. His beetroot red ears were a give away.

"Gwen, what can we do for you?" Gwen's mouth opened and shut again, never once looking at Ianto, just staring at Jack.

Ianto pushed against Jack gently, "I should…I should go." He whispered.

Jack looked down at him and frowned, "why?"

Ianto sighed, "Jack just let me go, you guys obviously need to talk."

With that Ianto pushed his way out of the coat and walked back up the stairs as quickly, and with as much remaining dignity, as possible. Jack raised an eyebrow and said, "right now seeing as you've ruined what could have potentially have been a very good night, what you doing here?"

Gwen struggled to remember how to speak, jealousy and anger built up in her, a heavy weight feeling like it was pushing on her chest. "How could you do this to me?" She hissed.

Jack's eyes widened in surprise and he wrapped his coat more tightly to himself. "What on earth do you mean?"

Gwen looked pointedly at the office where Ianto was stooping to pick up his shirt. "What do I mean? Am I not good enough for you? Why are you shagging tea boy and not being with me?"

Jack frowned and his eyes narrowed, "Gwen I don't know what you're talking about, go home to your fiancé" he placed heavy emphasis on the word fiancé, "and we'll talk about this tomorrow".

"No" said Gwen, "I want to talk about this now." She crossed her arms and glared at Jack.

"Fine" snapped Jack, getting really irritated and angry now, "let me get dressed." He marched his way up to his office and slammed the door.

Gwen winced at the sound of the glass shaking but she didn't care, 'how could Jack do this to me?' she thought, 'he must know that we are meant to be together, we get along so well, he confides in me... And what on earth was Ianto doing? He used to have Lisa, he was straight!' Gwen realised now that this was Ianto's fault, perhaps he thought that he could worm his way into Jack's good books, maybe she had just saved Jack from making a big mistake. Hopefully they hadn't have slept together yet, that would just make things awkward when she and Jack were together in the hub.

As soon as Jack entered the office he saw that Ianto was perched on the end of his desk tying his shoe laces. "Hey" he said softly.

Ianto didn't look up 'this is it', he realised. 'I always knew that one day Gwen would take Jack from me, that I am second best…It doesn't matter' Ianto chided himself, 'don't get upset, this was just sex, sure we got dinner and watched films and stuff but it always ended in sex, Jack was just being kind to me.'

Whilst staring at the floor, Ianto didn't hear Jack walk over to him, didn't realise until he felt fingers brush down the side of his face, lifting his chin up. "There's no need to be embarrassed" Jack said, "it could have been worse, we could've got caught having sex over her desk."

Ianto flushed as the memory of that happening filled him with an immature sense of triumph over Gwen, his smile dropped quickly as he realised that Jack would probably be shagging Gwen in his kitchen before he knew it…and she wouldn't have the decency to clean it afterwards.

Ianto moved his head from Jack's hand and stood up. He rolled up his sleeves, making sure not to make eye contact with Jack; he didn't want to see any pity in them. "It's fine sir, I'm sure you should go find her…Gwen I mean and sort things out. I won't bother you."

Jack stared at Ianto hurt saying, "why am I back to sir? We're not at work you know" whilst also thinking 'and right now you're not trying to turn me on'.

Ianto, still avoiding Jack's gaze, said "I best be getting out of your way, I'm sure the two of you have a lot to discuss" and made to move to the door.

Jack grabbed his arm, "Ianto…why are you going? I thought you were staying the night?"

Ianto finally met Jack's gaze and saw nothing but hurt and concern in his eyes, whilst Jack gasped inwardly as Ianto's eyes revealed hurt and a look of defeat.

"Oh no…you don't think…? That I… that I want Gwen, do you?" Ianto shrugged dropping his gaze. Jack laughed softly and pulled Ianto towards him. "Ianto, look at me…I. Do. Not. Want. Gwen. I want you, I need you…I…I think I'm falling in love with you." Ianto stood there dumbstruck; he hadn't really heard that had he? Why would Jack want him?

"Really?" he whispered.

"Yes." Said Jack, "I…really…mean…it" he whispered puncturing each word with a kiss on Ianto's neck and around his face.

"I think I'm falling for you too" whispered Ianto.

Jack smiled and said, "glad to hear it" before pulling Ianto into a kiss.

This kiss was like none that Ianto had experienced before, Jack's lips were soft and gentle, yet he felt great passion passing through them. Ianto tilted his neck as Jack took everything from him in that kiss. Every fear of him losing Jack to Gwen, every fear of Jack leaving him and every doubt he ever had in where he was in Jack's affections left him, through that kiss. Ianto felt his knees go weak as Jack's tongue swiped against his lips softly and immediately opened his mouth, letting Jack taste him and he taste Jack in return. Their bodies moulded into one another and Ianto had never felt so close to someone in his whole life. The kiss ended as the need for air got too much and both men broke apart, breathing heavily.

Jack dropped his head to Ianto's shoulder, kissing his neck slowly as Ianto ran his fingers through Jack's hair. Jack straightened and said, "so this is official yeah? No messing around with each other… just you and me… in a proper relationship."

Ianto honestly felt like his heart was going to burst, it was hammering against his chest so fast, he was surprised that Jack couldn't hear it. He looked into Jack's beautiful blue eyes. "A proper relationship" he echoed with a soft, shy smile on his lips. Jack sighed happily and hugged Ianto tightly.

Pulling apart, Jack groaned as he remembered Gwen was waiting downstairs. "Is she waiting?" Ianto murmured, barely standing apart from Jack, enjoying their closeness.

"Yeah" said Jack, "I'll go sort her out."

Ianto bent down and picked up Jack's boxers, "we'll do it together" he said quietly,

Jack looked at him, "are you sure?"

Ianto smiled, passing the boxers and whispering in Jack's ear, "yeah and afterwards I think we should experiment with this proper relationship…sir"

Jack grinned and hurriedly dressed, "we'll get rid of her quickly" he promised. Ianto just smirked.