Anythingdrabble Challenge 135 - Fresh foundations

[m_findlow]

Title: Fresh foundations
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Gwen, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 135 - Cement at anythingdrabble
Summary: Gwen has a sneaky proposition for Ianto on his visit to Cardiff.

Ianto sucked in a deep breath, smelling the salty tang of the bay carrying on the breeze. He'd forgotten how much he missed that fresh smell. London air was congested with the fumes from double decker buses, and strangely, the scent of newspaper print.

Gwen sidled up to him at the edge of the Millennium Centre. Around the space that had been the familiar Plass and water tower was tied yellow tape marked "construction site - do not cross". The loose ends flapped about in the breeze, and temporary cyclone fencing had a permanent lean from being buffeted by the weather.

She handed him a takeaway cup and he prised off the lid, inspecting the contents as the steam rose up and hit his nostrils.

'Don't pull that face,' Gwen scolded. 'It's still coffee, and better than nothing.' She frowned down at her own cup. 'Rhys has me on green tea, or hot chocolate if I'm lucky. Suddenly he's an expert on what is and isn't allowed.' She let her spare hand rest over her swollen belly. Ianto was surprised at how big she was getting. She must be due any day now.

Ianto let his gaze drift back over the Plass. Huge trucks were working overtime on this overcast Saturday morning, pouring fresh concrete down over grids of metal sheeting. Gone was the huge crater and all the rubble from the bomb that had destroyed life as they knew it.

'It almost looks normal again,' he mused. 'I didn't think they'd move this quickly.'

Gwen sipped at her tea. 'That's what happens when you're gone for months,' she replied, keeping her chastisement light.

'Point taken,' he said, accepting he could have visited more often. He'd just been so busy. Rebuilding a world shaken by alien incursion was hard work. And then there was rebuilding his relationship with Jack. That too was taking a lot of time and energy.

'Once they've got the main Plass covered, we can get the hub back up and running.'

'How many people have you had to retcon so far?'

Gwen grinned. 'Who's going to suspect a pregnant lady of anything untoward?'

'We?' Ianto asked, having just picked upon the subtle word. 'Ah, so that's what this was all about. Drag me here and twist my arm.'

Gwen hugged him to her side. 'I did miss you. This wasn't all a ruse.'

'Jack's too coward to ask me himself?' He'd had weeks he could have mentioned it - this big plan to restart Torchwood again. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. 'I'd have to give up my job with UNIT.'

Gwen raised an eyebrow. 'Is that a bad thing?'

'I've gotten used to not having to make the coffee for everyone.'

'Admit it, you like making coffee for everyone. Come on. The old team again. What do you say?'

He smirked. Gwen knew him too well. He sighed and sipped the mediocre cappuccino. If council workers could fix the Plass, perhaps they could fix Torchwood.

Comments

[bk_forever]

Of course Torchwood can be fixed! A few new recruits will be required though; it takes more tan two people and Gwen's going to be on maternity leave soon.

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

They'll figure something out but the most important thing is that the three of them are back together again.