Re: Day 1 - ("Meat" has just ended)

[Ianto Jones]

"That's right, I said cancel that consignment of plankton....Well what does it matter what I was going to use it for? I don't need it now do I?"

Ianto looked from Jack in the office to the back of Tosh's head as he talked to the unpleasant sounding seafood supplier on the mobile. "Just cancel the order. Yes, I understand there is a restocking fee! Just do it."

He hung up the phone without saying goodbye. That was good. He had no idea where to store 4000 gallons of the stuff anyway. There wasn't any likelihood of another giant sea creature floating throught the rift anytime soon to save it for.

It wouldn't have been so bad tending the creature. He always wanted an aquarium as a child. Maybe Jack would let them set one up in the hub? His thumbs still hurt from the dislocations to free his wrists, but he was sure it didn't match the pain Owen was feeling at the moment.

It was one thing to kill someone meaning to do them harm or a weevil on the attack they didn't have time to properly subdue, but it was quite another to take a life of an innocent in that way. It wasn't something he wanted to see again. He almost felt sorry for the poor cocky bastard as he heard the doctor tooling around the autopsy.

Jack and Gwen was another story. He couldn't believe she didn't give Rhys the retcon and that Jack let her get away with it! Had it been he on the outside, Jack wouldn't have hesitated for a minute. He didn't like it ... not one bloody bit. This complicated things, having someone not employed by them knowing what they did.

Still, he deferred to Jack's wisdom on this one. He just wished his lover didn't look at Gwen that way when she was with her fiancee. He had never seen Jack look jealous before and it wasn't a pretty side to him. Seeing his boss watching the couple on the CCTV and brooding, Ianto couldn't help feeling a little of 'the green eyed monster' himself.

Poor Tosh looked more alone than ever. It wasn't fair of Gwen to just waltz in and flaunt her normal life outside the hub in everyones' faces but to do it in front of the poor lonely asian girl was just mindlessly cruel. He guessed Gwen would argue that he and Jack did it all the time but that was different. Even Ianto himself didn't know how serious it was getting with Jack.

Yes the sex was good... incredibly good and it made him almost forget about Lisa. Then there were times like this, that reminded him that Jack was first and foremost his boss and it was a 'working relationship with benefits' and nothing more.

He smiled warmly at Tosh as he brought over the tray of tea and biscuits to her. Maybe he couldn't fill the hole in her heart so much, but the hole in her stomach he could tend to very well.

"So what are we up to then?" he chided, as he set the tray down and smiled.

[pixxie]

Tosh starred at the screen, trying to get her mind to start working proberly again. But as much as she wanted she couldn't get her mind of the horrid events of their last mission. She couldn't get her mind around the fact that anyone would do something like that. She could still see the image of huge alien writhing in pain, when she closed her eyes.
She remembered then empty, sad feeling in her chest when she realised Rhys knew, the panic raising, making her dizzy, and her head spinning.

Looking quickly at Owen, Tosh felt her hear rate quicken. She knew all about his and Gwen's relationship, not only having heard their thoughts when she had the necklace, but also having seen the interactions between the two, acting like teenagers in love when they thought she was looking.

Anger rose in her chest as she thought about the fact that they both showed their affection in front of her, both knowing, but not caring, about her feelings towards Owen. She couldn't really blame Owen, it was in his nature to flirt with women, although never her, all the time, and he had never cared much about saving her feelings, often talking loudly about his latest concurring, or even when Suzie still lived, groped other people in front of her.

The click of her coffee mug being placed on the table forced Tosh out of her thoughts, and she looked up to see Ianto smiling down at her. She smiled back, already raising the cup of hot liquid to her lips, enjoying the smell and taste of the miracle drink.

"So what are we up to then?" Ianto said suddenly, and Tosh quickly looked up to see if it was her he had addressed.

Not seeing anyone else near she answered:

"Just.. Thinking" she chided softly, a small smile on her lips. She searched out the others behind him, only finding Owen, standing in his space. Jack and Gwen would proberley be back soon. The two of them seemed to be getting very close and she was beginnig to wonder if Gwen maybe had switched her affections from Owen to Jack. She had always seemed to have a little crush on him. She frowned as the thought of them being together alone somewhere came to her mind. She mentally shook her head, ridding the thoughts of it. Even though it might be true, it wasn't very nice of her to assume it just because they both weren't here. Plus, she saw the way Gwen looked at Rhys. She loved him very much. - although she had slept with Owen – and she had found true love, unlike Tosh, and there was noway she would jeopardize that. Atleast Tosh wouldn't if it was her, that's for sure.

[Ianto Jones]

Ianto affectionately rubbed the young girl's shoulder. He realized by the far away sad look in her eyes she was already deep in her own thoughts again, and with Tosh, it was best to stay there.

Any deep conversation he had ever tried to have with Toshiko always ended up in useless stammer. He felt bad that the only real comfort he could offer her fragile soul came in a cup.

He sighed as he looked up from her desk at the man in the office.
"Still brooding is he?" Of course Jack was. He didn't mind so much that the man he cared for, cared for Gwen more than the others it sometimes seemed. What bothered him is that they didn't just tell each other.

Mr. 'I'm more evolved than the lot of you,' couldn't risk getting shot down to tell her how he really felt when it was quite obvious to everyone around them. Even the great love guru, Dr. Owen Harper made the offhanded comment to him one day that the two should either marry, shag or just toss each other off a cliff. It was the rare occasion they both agreed on something for once.

Looking at Tosh, he realized the collateral damage in all of this was her feelings and there wasn't a thing he could do but offer a friendly pat, beverage and biscuits.

[Tissy (Owen)]

//enters from autopsy bay//

Owen see’s Ianto talking to Tosh at her desk and placing a coffee on her desk. Owen smiles as he walks over to Ianto, patting him on the shoulder.

“Anymore coffee left mate? I’m parched. All this arguing. Makes me feel all funny.” Owen says with a smirk.

The doctor walks over to his desk, putting the clipboard down as he throws himself into his chair, rolling slightly.

“I’ve don’t the inventory Ianto. Well some of it anyway. As usual we don’t need anything. You're methodical ways have kept as all up to date.”

He wondered what they were thinking about him. Were they feeling sorry for him as he had to kill that huge creature? That unlike some of the things they met actually had feelings and didn’t deserve to die. He hoped they didn’t or it would make this day even worse. He couldn’t stand pity. That was why no one knew about his past. It was easier this way.

"Anyone spoken to Jack?" Owen asked turning to his colleagues.

[Ianto Jones]

Ianto nodded as he examined his teammate carefully, "I believe there is." He quickly fetched the doctor his favourite concoction and smirked as he handed Owen the mug.

Even though he knew the young medic was hurting as bad as they were inside, pity was not the antidote. The quickest way to set Owen off would be to show him anything but the snarky, cynical banter that had become the norm between them.

They weren't friends, probably never would be, but they had grown to have a deep respect for each other and that was the best to ask for. For that reason he spat out the perfect one liner with a half-smile, "Hemlock, for our resident seafood butcher."

To anybody else it would be a horrible thing to say after what happened, but the appeal to Owen's gallows humor was sure to get a nodding grin. It was their own way of saying "Sorry Mate" to each other without the belittlement of outright sentiment.

"Well stocked Autopsy, eh? Well that's always a good thing -- I guess." He frowned at his own sad remark. "We do seem to be using it a lot lately."

He then turned to look again at the man up in the room above them. "Our 'Captain Ahab' is still sulking over the missus, I'm afraid. I don't think I'll go near him till he summons me." He shook his head, "I just don't get what is up with him and Gwen."

[pixxie]

Tosh looked up and blushed as she watched Owen walking towards them. As she looked at him she took a moment to admire his looks. He was buff, but still had plenty muscle. His looks was something you didn't see everyday, he looked really good, but not like Ianto and Jack, he was something unlike any other, a special kind of beauty. Her thoughts from broken when she heard Owen asking Ianto for coffee, and she felt her blush darken having caught herself thinking those thoughts with him so near by, and quickly looked back to her computer screen, quickly burying her self in work again.

Owen had yet to talk to her, focusing his attention on Ianto, which was fine with Tosh. She kinda liked it in the dark, it was fine once you got used to it.

"Anyone spoken to Jack?"

Owen suddenly asked, once again bringing Tosh' attention back to earth. She looked up, shaking her head quietly with a frown on her face. Jack hadn't shown himself to anyone yet, as far as she knew. Just stayed in his office, moping about. Not that it concerned him, Jack had done that before. Whenever something was really bothering him, he would lock himself in his office, not talking to anyone until he was ready. And when he finally did come out he would act as if nothing had happened, so Tosh just assumed he didn't need, or wanted any help.

Ianto answered Owen's question more verbally, starting a talk between the two of them. Once again Tosh kept out of it, loosing her self in her own mind. She knew they wouldn't mind if she joined in, but she simply wasn't in the mood right now.

"-I just don't get what is up with him and Gwen."

Tosh frowned. Her thought turning dark once again. It wasn't a secret that there was something between her boss and co-worker. Or at least that Gwen secretly wanted there to be, Tosh could see that. But it also wasn't a secret that there deffiantly was something between Ianto and Jack. And she really didn't want to see her friend getting hurt. Ianto meant a lot to her, he always seemed to know when to be there for her, comforting him in his own way by gentle touches and secret smiles, and it meant the world to her that he would care enough for her to do that, even though they didn't talk that much. Not that she talked much with anyone. It just felt more natural staying in the dark, where she belonged.

[Jack Harkness]

There was only so long that Jack could stay in his office knowing the others were still in the main part of the Hub and he also knew they were, most likely, talking about him. Well that was just fine and dandy -- they could sit there and dissect his decisions because he was the one who had to live with what happened. It was easy to question when you weren't sitting in the role of leader.

Leaving his office momentarily, Jack traversed the pathways from his sanctuary and through the Hub proper to wind up standing near the rest of his team. Arms crossed in front of his chest, Jack looked at each team mate in turn.

"If one of you have something to say to me, say it."

And with that, Jack turned on his heel and walked back into his office, slamming the door behind him. He had a feeling who would come up, it was only a matter of time before he did.

[Ianto Jones]

Ianto stiffened as soon as he heard Jacks military issue shoes hit the iron grating.

"If one of you have something to say to me, say it."

It was facing Jack over Lisa all over again, the dull ache in his stomach. He couldn't hide the feeling of betrayal he felt, none of them could but he felt it especially.

He would go up to face his boss and lover head on. It wouldn't be pretty. It would be loud and ugly but he wouldn't go empty handed.

He knew the fine columbian in the cup he was carrying would end up on either his or Jack's shirt. Either way, it would be up to him to clean it off, after muffled apologies from himself or Jack later.

He sighed at his lot in life, eyes rolling back. He stole a quick glance back at Tosh and Owen pointedly not looking at him as he made the long journey of a few steps to 'Satan's' office. "Cowards," he muttered under his breath.

//Scene change to Jack's Office//

[Tissy (Owen)]

Owen sat holding his drink of coffee in his hands watching Ianto intently. Ianto was a hard person to work out. He kept up the cool demeanour but Owen was sure that he sometimes let it slip. Owen sighed and shrugged, placing it down on his desk.

“Who knows? I mean I used to think they were shagging. But I don’t think they are.” Owen just hummed in thought turning around and taking a sip of his coffee.

The doctor turned around and looked at Jack when he shouted down.

“I don’t think he would appreciate it if I went up there and called him a prick. Don’t think it would get us anywhere.” Owen mumbled under his breath watching as Ianto sigh, realising he would be the only one somewhat brave enough to go up there. Owen frowned, brave wasn’t the right word. It was more like, bothered. Owen and Tosh they knew Gwen came first now. It was a hard hitting fact but it was true. They had learnt to deal with it. Ianto, not so much. It made Owen feel a little sad for his colleague and friend.

Owen watched him walk up the metal stairs, carrying a coffee secularly in his hands. The doctor turned to Tosh.

“I bet you it’s about 30 seconds after he has walked in that the shouting starts.” Owen said.

He couldn’t help but smirk when the shouting started. “Told you. They go at like cat and dog. They are like a bloody married couple. And when they have argued they will have great make up sex against the desk.”

Owen sighed, taking another mouthful from his coffee. “Found anything interesting Tosh?”

[Gwen Cooper]

//Over Comm//

"Is anyone there? I forgot my mobile and I need to come in and get it. Hello?"

Gwen mumbled to herself, "I hope the dust has settled in there."

It was going to be like walking into a beehive, with all the things that had happened. She knew Rhys was trustful. He would never reveal anything about Torchwood unless it was under the influence of a few pints at the pub. Then who would believe him?

She would prove Jack right. It was better to have her fiancee know about her and the secret life she led, better for all of them too. Rhys wasn't as clever as her mates at the hub but he was resourceful and he would have caught on eventually. She wasn't worried about her boyfriend now. She was more concerned by her teammates, especially Ianto.

Over the time Jack was gone, they had grown close. Now she was worried that closeness would be ruined by suspicion and jealousy. She would miss the friendship they were developing if it did. Ianto completed her thoughts when they talked and was becoming closer to her than any girlfriend she had. He was a damn sight easier on the eyes.

She didn't fancy Ianto in as much as she admired him. He came a long way from the dark brooding man she met and became the charming friend who knew exactly how she took her tea, offered shoulder massages after a long day at the console and didn't mind spending all day at the mall when they shopped.

She commed directly to Owen this time, as she was sure he would be the least angry and most emotionally detached from the situation. She stood at the tourist info centre entrance to the hub. "Alright, I'm coming in. You don't have to acknowledge me but at least try not to shoot me."

[pixxie]

(Sorry I havent written in a while, bit of personal stuff clouded my days lately, Tissy knows about it though)

Tosh was brought out of the thoughts when Owen started talking to her. All her attention on the darked haired doctor infront of her now.

"I used to think they were shagging, But I don't think they are" the young doctor mused, forcing Tosh to hold back a small laugh at his bluntness, but also making a blush creep up on her cheeks at hearing the word "shag" from his lips.

She quickly took a sip of her coffee, turning around in her chair so she faced Owen completely, for a small while forgetting about her work, and having a nice conversation with a person she would like to consider a friend.

“I don’t think he would appreciate it if I went up there and called him a prick. Don’t think it would get us anywhere.”
she watched the frown on his lips, and felt the same expression matched on hers. She always, like Owen, assumed that Ianto and Jack was an item of sorts. And she was pretty sure that Ianto felt the same way. But Jack, that was another story. After working with him for as long as she had Tosh had yet too see anyone get really close to the captain. She thought Ianto was the one to finally break the spell, but it seems that Jack was determent to keep the space between all of them.

“I bet you it’s about 30 seconds after he has walked in that the shouting starts.” Owen said, turning to Tosh again after watching the place Jack and Ianto retreated too.

"I recon your right" she answered in a small cheeky voice, carrying the joke on, her mind playing out the scene for her. Them shouting for minutes, perhaps hours, on, and making up afterwards on their table or perhaps in the archives. Tosh almost started scolding herself for those thoughts when the shouting started and Owen himself voices them, making her laugh once again.

"Found anything interesting Tosh?" he asked suddenly, making her turn her attention back to the screen infront of her.

"Well actually I-" she didn't get anymore words out before Gwen's voice sounded in the speakers. Exclaming she had forgetting her mobile, and needed to get it. Beckoning them not to shoot her when she walked in.

Once again, although silently cursing Gwen for interrupting her alone time with Owen, Tosh laughed. 3 times in one day. Maybe this day wasn't as shit as she thought after all.

[Tissy (Owen)]

Owen smiled slightly, watching and listening to Tosh intently. The rise of her cheeks when she smiled and the glistening in her eyes when she smiled. Owen pushed away the slight tiny fluttering he was starting to feel in his stomach.

He groaned when the intercom came through, Gwen’s voice echoing slightly round the hub.

“God, now the fun is really going to start.” Owen whispered, sending a knowing look to Tosh, knowing that she was probably thinking the same.

Owen stayed next to Tosh, and waited patiently for Gwen to enter. Owen had to admit, he was annoyed. Gwen didn’t think she had done anything wrong, you could tell by the tone of her voice. The fact is she had done something wrong, she’d broken one of the biggest rules of Torchwood, and wasn’t willing to rectify it. Owen sure wasn’t going to be nice to her.

(Sorry its not much. )