Gwen carefully wrapped the presents and too care that they were sent out in time for Christmas. Some were easy to deliver (just plopping them on the desk Christmas Eve before heading back to the flat) and some a little harder (even though intergalactic parcel delivery was becoming much easier, considering her contacts.). Each were wrapped the same, with the same bow, and a tiny card with a personalized note.

( To Jack )

( To Ianto )

( To Owen )

( To Katie )

( To the Other Doctor )

( To Jenny )

( To The Doctor )

( To The Master )

( To Captain John Hart )

( To the UNIT People )

The last one she gave next to the lit Christmas tree, in the wee hours of the morning, accompanied with a kiss.

( To Rhys )

Somehow, the Hub had become noisy.

It wasn't so much talking than the nature of the beast. Weevils wailing, the pterodactyl squawking, and the strange, backwards chatter that was induced by two voices that had been forever silenced.

Gwen was under the serious impression she was beginning to feel sorry for herself, so she decided to leave. A jog around the centre would clear her head, get her out of the Hub, and serve as the perfect excuse to avoid the awkward glances between Jack and Ianto over her head, the glances she was beginning to suspect might be her imagination.

That, and she needed a break from bloody paperwork.

So she enjoyed her jog in the cool Cardiff morning, watched people talking and laughing, reveled in the feel of the sun against her skin.

She was beginning to feel almost normal, she thought awkwardly, just as she noticed the familiar red shimmer begin to break through the bright air in front of the invisible lift.