I had a dream. Crazy dream.

Rhys watched from his car as his fiancé walked casually with a young man in a finely tailored suit. His suspicions were immediately raised as no one working for the police had that kind of fashion sense and grace. Despite Gwen's many warnings, Rhys still liked to make flat foot jokes whenever he could, so it was particularly strange that she was accompanying a man that would not be caught dead in a uniform. When he followed them to a warehouse, he quickly lost sight of their vehicle and pulled over to look around. Luckily, when he was approached by the men running the dubious organization, he was able to concoct a story about wanting to take over their haulage needs. Once inside, he learned information and saw sights that changed his view of not only his fiancé but the world itself.

Gwen and Ianto watched from the sidelines nervously wondering why Rhys was there.

"I swear, he has nothing to do with this," Gwen told Ianto unconvincingly.

Ianto replied in a reassuring tone, "I know that. He may have followed us. Didn't you say he worked in haulage? Maybe the bloke from this morning was one of his drivers."

Gwen's face fell. "That makes sense. Ianto, I'm going in there."

Ianto grabbed her arm. "I don't think that's a good idea. Any indication that he's been sent in will put him in danger. Try calling his mobile and ask him to meet you at your flat. That'll give him an excuse to leave, if he needs it."

As Rhys stood in shock watching the poor chained up creature, his mobile rang. Gwen nervously asked him if he could meet her at home as soon as possible and was relieved when he said it would be no problem. Using it as a way out, Rhys announced that his girlfriend needed him.

Gwen closed her mobile and turned to Ianto, "That seemed to work. He said he can meet me right away. Do you have any retcon?"

"Maybe it's time you tell him. I don't how much longer you can keep this secret especially now that he's involved."

"What about Jack?"

"Leave that to me." Ianto answered confidently.

Soon, Rhys left the warehouse and went back home deciding Gwen better have a damn good explanation for what he just saw. He arrived at the flat with Gwen joining him a few minutes later.

"So, care to explain any of this?"

Gwen sighed, "Do you believe in aliens?"

"I do now!" Rhys shouted.

"What do you mean?"

"Those blokes at the warehouse had a giant one they were cutting up. Gwen, what are you involved in?"

"I don't work for the police anymore; I work for Torchwood. We track aliens and try to keep Cardiff safe. Those men at the warehouse are selling alien meat and we need to stop them. What did you tell them?"

Rhys leaned back on the counter trying to absorb everything he had just been told. "I said that I wanted to take over driving for them. The man that died this morning was one of my workers, he was moonlighting for them."

Gwen smiled, "That's just what Ianto thought."

"Ianto, is he that young bloke I saw you with, the good looking one?"

"Yes, you don't have to worry, we're just friends."

Rhys let out a big laugh. Gwen indignantly put her hands on her hips. "What's so funny?"

"I love you, sweetheart. You're smart and beautiful, but I know you're not cheating on me with a man that looks like a male model. Someone as pretty as him is either gay or dating a beauty queen."

The oddest flash of jealousy hit Gwen; she had never heard Rhys talk about a man as pretty before. She immediately pushed the thought out of her head and replied, "Well, come with me and you can meet the rest of the team including his boyfriend."

"No. Absolutely not." Jack sternly told Ianto.

In Jack's office, Ianto approached his lover and gently wrapped his arms around his waist. "I know this isn't ideal, but he's a good man and much smarter than he looks. Besides, it'll be better for Gwen having someone to support her."

Jack was weak against Ianto when he spoke in that voice. "Fine, but only because he has an in with this mission. If he gives us any trouble, I'm retconning him."

Ianto leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on Jack's lips. "I love it when you take charge."

"How about tonight I show you just how authoritative I can be?"

"Yes, sir," Ianto purred as they kissed again. Jack moved to deepen the embrace but they were interrupted by Myfanwy screeching at Gwen and Rhys descending into the base.

Striding out of his office, Jack announced himself, "Rhys Williams, welcome to Torchwood. I hear you have some information for us."

When he reached the main Hub, he held out his hand and strongly gripped Rhys', "Captain Jack Harkness, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Gwen began introducing him to the rest of the team, "This is Toshiko Sato, our computer genius. This is Owen Harper, oh I'm sorry, Dr. Owen Harper. And this is Ianto Jones, the man you said looked like a male model," Gwen added teasingly.

Ianto blushed and Rhys shook his hand, smiling, "I'm just not used to Gwen working with good looking people. I mean, have you met her friend, Andy?"

Gwen smacked his arm in response, "Rhys!"

Jack, feeling insecure about his base being invaded and his lover being complimented, wrapped a possessive arm around Ianto's waist as he spoke, "So, tell us everything you know."

As Ianto and Rhys, hands bound, were brought out onto the main floor near the giant space whale, Rhys heard Ianto whisper to him, "Be calm, don't make any sudden movements. Only one of them is armed."

Rhys nodded in understanding, amazed at how calm the young man was. When the lead criminal, Dale, announced he had captives, Rhys prayed that Gwen would not do anything rash. Unfortunately, she walked out from her hiding spot and Rhys knew someone was going to get shot. Unsurprisingly, the gun was immediately turned on him and he closed his eyes when he heard the loud bang. He opened his eyes again when he felt no pain and saw Ianto lying at his feet, bleeding; the young man had taken a bullet for him.

Immediately, Jack leapt from his hiding place and returned fire, shooting the gun out of Dale's hand. The rest of the team rounded up the men, but the creature, startled by the gunfire, was thrashing violently. However, Rhys paid little attention as he knelt down to make sure Ianto was alive. He let out a sigh of relief when the man sputtered and then looked up at Rhys, smiling. "Are you alright, Mr. Williams?"

"I'm fine, but you could've been killed," Rhys replied in exasperation.

"All part of the job."

Back at the Hub, Ianto was laid out on the autopsy table as Owen finished treating his wound. Luckily, the bullet had only pierced his shoulder and there would not be any lasting damage. Jack was at his side, holding his hand as Rhys and Gwen were looking down from the curved staircase. Gwen noticed Rhys staring at the young man intently and could sense his guilt. She then took his arm and jokingly told Ianto, "Next time, let him take the bullet."

Ianto gazed up tenderly at Rhys and smiled, "A civilian? Never."

Rhys returned his gaze and Gwen could swear she saw a slight blush fill his round cheeks. Jack also noticed the exchange and made a show of kissing Ianto before saying, "Never let it be said that Ianto Jones doesn't care about the people of Cardiff."

Gwen asked Rhys to wait on the surface while she finished up things in the Hub. Once he left, she went to Jack's office and sighed, "Maybe it would be best if I retcon him. This had to be a harrowing experience."

Jack nodded in agreement, "I think you're right. We don't want him in any danger."

Suddenly, they were interrupted by Ianto standing in the doorway, "I think he can handle it. Gwen, he loves you and you deserve someone that understands your life and what you deal with. This might just be the painkillers talking, but he was incredibly brave today and erasing all that doesn't seem fair."

Unseen by Ianto, Jack's hand tightened into an angry fist and Gwen's jaw clenched; however, she nodded and told him she would consider it, but when she left to join Rhys, she brought retcon with her. Gwen found Rhys, sitting, eating an ice cream cone while gazing happily at the sky. When she sat down, he spoke, "It's amazing. There's this whole universe out there and nobody knows about it. I feel . . . special; special because I'm part of it now."

A wave of guilt washed over Gwen and she knew that she could not go through with retconning him. Rhys chuckled as he continued, "So what now, Gwen? Do you have an alien machine that'll wipe my memory?"

Gwen laughed as she replied, "Actually, it's a pill, but I told Jack that I wouldn't use it. You understand me now."

Rhys gave her a small kiss that tasted of ice cream. Later that evening, Rhys said something that nearly made her reconsider, "So Ianto is really dating Jack?"

Gwen flinched at his tone, "Yes, don't you think they make a lovely couple?"

Rhys shrugged, "I don't know; I think he's a bit too old. Also, Ianto should be with a good Welshman."

Cautiously, Gwen asked, "Is there someone you have in mind?"

"Actually, Banana Boat's nephew is gay. I bet they would hit it off."

Gwen laughed, "I don't think Ianto is going to leave Jack Harkness for anyone related to Banana Boat."

"I can set up a date, you never know."

Gwen laughed even harder but inside was worrying about how much thought Rhys was giving to her young coworker.

As soon as Gwen left his office, Jack launched himself at Ianto. Still slightly disoriented, Ianto asked between kisses, "What's gotten into you? Tosh and Owen haven't even left yet."

Jack pulled back and gazed deeply into Ianto's eyes, "I almost lost you today; a few inches over and you'd be gone. Besides, I don't like the thought of other men tying you up; that privilege belongs to me exclusively."

"I've never seen you so possessive," Ianto replied in a low, husky voice.

Grinning slightly, Jack answered, "Oh, you have no idea how far I'll go to protect what's mine."

Ianto felt his heart race as he sank into Jack's muscular arms.