“He’s very different.”

            Gwen rested her forehead on Jack’s shoulder. “He’s his own person. It’s the only thing that makes it bearable.”

            “I think I like the ponytail and beard look. The muscles don’t hurt, either.” His attempt at behaving like his old self ended in a sob. “Gwen, what’s he like?”

            “Crisp. Abrupt. No shadows or secrets.” Gwen wiped her eyes. “Excels at all forms of combat, armed or unarmed. Learns incredibly fast. Adapts and improvises even faster.”

            “The perfect soldier.”

            “That’s what John thinks.” She went back to her desk, leaving Jack standing by the glass wall, looking down at Ifan and the Doctor. “Here’s his full report. He’s the one who insisted we get you back.”

            “You didn’t want me back, Gwen?”

            She hesitated briefly. “Last week Andy and I were having an argument about something. Ifan made a smartarse crack and rolled his eyes at us. For a moment it was like having Ianto back and it hurt so much I nearly burst into tears.”

            “Gwen…”

            “At first, I would have done anything to have you back. But I had time to think. You paid for the human race’s survival with your blood and your heart, Jack. What right do we have to ask you for more?” She rubbed her knuckles over her eyes. “Martha tried to call the Doctor but couldn’t get through.”

            “So I’m your last resort.” Maybe he should have been angry, but all Jack could feel was gratitude. “I like what you’ve done here. You’ve built a good team.”

            “It was touch and go for a while.”

            “John told me. Recruiting locals would have gone a long way to soothe folk. Although Kathy Swanson was kind of a surprise.”

            “Andy helped me convince her. I think she has ambitions to take over Torchwood London and clean out the muck.”

            “I wonder if she’ll want any help.”

            They grinned at each other.

            “I’ll move back to my own workstation today.” Gwen said. “We’ll need to get you introduced around. There are some…”

            Jack raised his hand to stop the flow. “No. I’ll only be here for a long as it takes to straighten out this mess. You’re the head of Torchwood Cardiff and that’s as it should be.”