Shady Lady

---

Ryan Davies switched off the TV with a groan as he spotted the time. It was far too late already and yet he couldn't seem to stop channel hopping. With an effort he stood and moved over to the window, the blinds only half closed against the night, and reached out for the lamp alongside it. As he clicked it off there was a strange surge of light, as though the streetlight outside had flared for a moment.

Blearily gazing out into the street he hesitated as he spotted a dark figure that he could have sworn hadn't been there a moment ago. The crouching figure stood slowly, looking around as though it had just arrived, a flash of longer hair streaking out in the lamplight suggesting it was a woman. A woman who had just arrived in a blaze of golden light...

Chuckling he turned away from the window and rubbed his eyes. People appearing in a flash of light? He had been watching too much of the Sarah Connor Chronicles. As he shut the living room door a grin ghosted over his face. If he was going to imagine strange sci-fi stuff he really needed to fantasise some naked women next time.

---

Ianto looked up from the pillow with a soft growl as he realised he'd been left alone yet again. Jack's bunk was slowly getting better, the threadbare utilitarian sheets had been replaced with a much higher cotton count and the scratchy blankets were long gone but it still needed a new mattress. Ianto was getting sick of having old springs dig into his side - or worse - at just the wrong moment.

As a result when Ianto did end up sleeping here he usually slept half over Jack, deciding his boss made a much comfier surface than the bed. But when his mattress decided to get up in the middle of the night Ianto was sure to wake up a little later.

Grabbing the thin dressing gown he had tried in vain to get Jack to wear on his midnight strolls Ianto pulled on his pyjama trousers and swung the gown on over them. A pair of slippers to navigate the ladder completed his look as he pulled his way up the ladder and poked his head out the top, the hatch already open.

As he suspected, a soft blue glow from one of the monitors was shining over Jack's naked body, highlighting the smooth skin of his chest and soft lines of his muscles as he frowned slightly at something on the screen. The cold colours of the screen cast a shifting glow over his body, almost making it look as though he was underwater. Jack moved with an easy grace as he worked, his arms casting strange shadows on the wall as he called up different data and Ianto chuckled as he noticed Jack wasn't entirely naked.

Pulling himself up into Jack's office Ianto straightened up and padded quietly through the Hub. Sliding his arms around Jack he looked over his shoulder at the monitors, smiling as he leaned against his lover tiredly. "Should I be getting dressed and warming up the SUV?" Jack shook his head and Ianto could hear the frown in his voice as he answered.

"I don't think so. There was a flare of rift activity over in Splott-"

"Sploe."

"Sploe. Splott, Sploe, tom-A-to, tom-ah-to, should we call the whole thing off?" Ianto chuckled and hugged him tight for a moment, Jack's arms shifting to cover his, the leather of his wrist strap cooler against Ianto's skin.

"Jack if I was really going to get upset over you mangling words I'd start with the way when we met you could never decide how to pronounce my name from one day to the next-"

"Oh come on, Welsh is a very hard language!"

"Which you have had over one hundred years to practice!" Jack mumbled something under his breath which earned him a sharp jab to his side. "You really don't want to go there Harkness. Now, you were saying?" Grinning in spite of himself Jack reached out and touched the monitor, a wireframe map of Cardiff zooming in on the area of Splott, the small residential area coming into focus. Data streamed across one corner of the screen and Ianto soon spotted the familiar peak of a surge in rift activity that corresponded with the area.

"There was a surge in rift activity over at - well, right there. It looks as though something might have come through." Ianto nodded sleepily but his eyes were alert as he watched Jack work.

"Weevil?" Ianto suggested. Jack shrugged gently and wrapped his arms over Ianto's again.

"Possibly. No reports have come in yet and I've been checking the CCTV for that area but no sign of anyone walking weevil style. Just your usual stragglers and returning revellers. Nothing that stands out."

"So..." Ianto placed a kiss on the side on Jack's neck. "There's no sign that anything large and mean came through..." He planted another kiss lower down, his lips playing over the base of Jack's neck. "No reports coming in of anything seriously wrong..." Jack grinned as Ianto slid along his shoulder, a slow drag of teeth promising more "...and nothing to imply that we should do anything other than go back to bed and look again in the morning?"

"I guess not." Jack tried to keep his face serious as Ianto flicked his tongue over a sweet spot just on the top of his shoulder. "Of course that does mean I'm gonna have to get you out of those stupid clothes you're wearing." He didn't react as Ianto's hands slid down his arm to brush over his wriststrap, unfastening it and placing it on the desk with a loud clunk before tickling the inside of Jack's wrist lightly.

"That can be arranged."

With a chuckle Jack turned and wrapped his arms around Ianto, the pair of them wandering leisurely back to bed, pausing only to leave behind a trail of nightclothes.

Neither of them heard the soft beeps from the wrist strap ten minutes later.

---

Captain John Hart didn't take his wrist strap off even for sex. Not that his current partners had objected. He stretched his arms out above his head lazily and grinned, kissing the pair of lips that dragged over his hungrily. The blindfold left him guessing as to which of his pair of Welsh fuck buddies was in front and which behind but as four hands slid over his body he didn't really care.

Being dragged back to Cardiff to avoid the cops not only had the advantage of pissing off Jack and his little boy toy but it also had the bonus of Cardiff boys. There really was something about the accent - or maybe it was all those weird tongue rolling things they had to do to speak it - that made them extra gifted. Plus he half suspected a century of the Harkness influence on the Bay area had something to do with the tricks that the local boys had picked up. Even if Jack had only fucked one in ten of them they went on to teach others, who taught others...

He groaned as a firm tongue slid over his arse and a second mouth fluttered over his stomach. Oh here came the best moment, the one he'd been imagining ever since he came across this pair in the bar. There was nothing quite like two tongues for the price of one. He leaned back, lost in the sensations and missed the soft metallic click over the noise of his two friends. He did not however miss the sharp point pressing against his temple, nor the unmistakeable threat of the pressure as it pushed against him just gently.

"Boys, if you don't mind, I think I can handle this from here." John sighed as he recognised the crisp pronunciation and English accent; that unmistakeable touch of posh in the soft female voice. Judging from the noise of his friends scrambling out the way he hadn't been mistaken about the thing pressed against his skull being a weapon either. Even though he knew the answer already he couldn't help groaning as a harsh Welsh voice called out in surprise.

"Bloody hell woman, who the fuck are you?"

"I am the one with the weapon pointed at his head who is advising you to pull on your trousers and go. Who am I?" John lowered his hands slightly and sucked his lower lip in frustration as the answer he expected came. "Why my dear fellow, I'm his wife."

Oh he was definitely in trouble now. This was going to be painful.

---

Gwen liked it when it was quiet. Quiet meant no one died or got mangled. Quiet meant she didn't have to use the spare clothes in her drawer and borrow Ianto's special all-purpose alien stain remover. Quiet meant she got to go home and see Rhys and have nice cuddles on the sofa and good meals and lots of fun practising making babies. Quiet was good.

The Hub was quiet as she entered. The soft glow of the computers shone out across the space as she flicked the main lights on, the light changing the almost purple glow of her top in the blue lights to its normal red. She was a little earlier than usual; Rhys had needed to go in early for a meeting which had her up before she really wanted to be but she didn't mind. When it was quiet she had time to work on some special projects of her own - working out if she and Rhys could afford a bigger place with a room perfect for a nursery and nearby some good schools...

Ok, so technically it was an abuse of resources to use the Hub's computers to find her a new house but it could have been worse. At least she didn't take up vast areas of the hard drive with a porn collection that would put Hugh Hefner to shame. Jack swore it wasn't his but he hadn't exactly rushed to purge it either.

Casting her eyes around the Hub she stifled a laugh as she spotted the abandoned dressing gown and a slipper half caught in the hatch leading down to Jack's room. Dumping her bags at her desk she made her way across the Hub picking up discarded clothing and grabbing Jack's wrist strap from underneath the monitors. Her fingers brushed over the soft leather lingeringly for a moment, trying to remember the last time she had seen him without it.

Folding and placing everything neatly on his desk she switched his desk lamp on to make it easier for him to find it all. She was about to turn away when a soft beep caught her attention. Frowning she worked through the pile, searching for Ianto's mobile phone when she suddenly realised she was wrong about the source.

"Jack!" Her yell revealed her slight panic and picking up the wrist strap she couldn't help shuddering at the all too innocent beep coming from it. As Ianto had once said, that thing never beeped. But when it did it always seemed to mean trouble. It looked like her quiet spell was over.

Gwen watched as the hatch slammed open and a tousle-haired Jack stuck his head out, a t-shirt visible over his shoulders and a sleepy grin on his face.

"Gwen! Hi, I didn't think you would be in this early or we would have um-" Jack paused as he spotted the pile of belongings on the desk and ignored the laugh coming from below him as he continued. "Tidied up."

It usually took a lot to faze Jack so she hated to think what was going on out of her sight. Rolling her eyes and crouching down to his level she handed him his wrist strap, waving it in front of his face.

"Well I do hate to interrupt your lie in but this was beeping..." With her other hand she set about retrieving the slipper from the hatch as she continued. "And as we all know that John knows the phone number here now, what with him having used it as his 'one phone call' more than once, I thought it might be important."

Jack was not so sleepy that he didn't recognise the slight overemphasis of her accent that she used when she was annoyed. John still hadn't managed to get back into her good books and he couldn't blame her, the man was trouble. Judging from the slap to his backside and the muffled Welsh curse from below he guessed Ianto wasn't too impressed with the thought of John coming over again either. John hadn't even left the Bay again yet so how much trouble could he get himself into just in Cardiff? Jack closed his eyes in pain, deciding not to follow that thought through after all.

"Right, John, yes. Um, I'll be right out." Taking the wrist strap off her Jack pulled the hatch closed and vanished again leaving Gwen to chuckle at the curses coming from the room, her nervousness obvious even to herself. She took a deep breath to calm herself and moving back over to the desk she cleared a space and perched on the edge, trying to look casual. It only took a couple of minutes for the pair of them to climb out, Jack half dressed in his usual grey trousers and white T-shirt whereas Ianto even had his shoes on and was adjusting his striped tie above his red shirt as he stood.

Unlike Jack he was even wearing different clothes to yesterday and Gwen wondered for a moment how it must look to outsiders when they turned up in complimentary outfits. The red and black had almost become a uniform for them - mostly because after much trial and error they had decided those colours better survived the blood, mud, slime and goo that generally went with the job.

Grabbing his dark suit jacket off the hook by Jack's office door Ianto slipped it on before coming to perch beside her on the desk, one arm sliding around her as he gave her a friendly peck on the cheek.

"Morning Gwen," he asked, "did I miss much?" Gwen shook her head and wrapped her arm around him in return with a cheeky grin as she stared at Jack and spotted something.

"Oh I don't know that I'd say much exactly but a little something yes." She inclined her head towards Jack's waist. Ianto raised an eyebrow questioningly before following her gaze and groaning.

"You're flying too low, Captain" Ianto called out. Their boss looked at them in confusion for a moment before looking down and hastily doing his trousers up properly.

"Oops. Thanks for that..." Grinning sheepishly Jack brought his hands back up and flicked open the cover on his wrist strap. "Right, let's have a look and see what mess John's got himself into now shall we?" They watched as he frowned at the strap and after pressing a couple of buttons he sighed. "Answer phone." His eyebrows rose in surprise and he waggled them at Ianto. "Ooo he left a video message-"

"I really hope it isn't another one of his booty calls," Ianto interjected, "the last one almost gave me nightmares." He looked annoyed in spite of the joke but Gwen chuckled and looked at them both.

"Booty call? What on earth did he say?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Well..." Ianto smiled knowingly and leaned in closer, his voice dropping to whisper even though Jack could hear every word. "He was stark naked and wearing a-"

"Ianto, some things should remain private!" At the incredulous look he received from them both, Jack laughed out loud and shook his head. "Ok, ok, how about we leave it for now and I'll show you the real thing later. As for today's entry..." He pressed a few buttons and a soft beam of blue light shone from the wrist strap resolving itself into a full sized image of-

"Oh my God," Gwen cried out before laughing and hiding her face in Ianto's shoulder as he groaned.

"Jack, I think you've got the wrong message," Ianto pointed at the hologram helpfully as he spoke, "that's the one he sent last time."

"Huh?" Jack frowned and checked the date on his display before refocusing on the naked, full size, image of Captain John Hart. "Nope. Definitely a new one." Pressing another button, Jack watched as the image started to move and it was only now he spotted the slight look of panic on John's face. Not to mention the complete lack of any physical signs that he was aroused. This was serious.

"Captain Jack Harkness, this is Captain John Hart. Please report to my lo- oh fuck this." The hologram of John turned to one side before hastily tilting his head back as a long blade, recognisable as probably being the samurai sword he carried, placed itself against his throat.

"Jack I could really do with a hand here, preferably as soon as possible, there's a good chap. Co-ordinates on the message but hell you already know where I'm staying. If you don't come soon I'm going to be um-" A pause came as the blade slid lower, floating threateningly over his most useful body part and he looked to his side at his unseen assailant again.

"Oh come on, that's not bloody fair!" Jack couldn't hear any reply but John snarled at the figure before looking back at the recorder. "Jack, come alone but come quickly. Please." The image flashed out leaving them all staring somewhat aghast.

"Is he for real?" Gwen asked as she slid off the desk, confusion etched onto her face. Jack looked blank and Gwen instinctively moved to his side. "Jack?"

"I don't know. I honestly can't tell with him any more" Jack paused as he shook his head slowly "but there's only one way to find out."

---

Jack was silent during the drive, the slight play of the muscles along his neck showing the tension in his body as Ianto and Gwen chatted quietly and speculated on what trouble John could have possibly got himself in this time. Lost in his thoughts Jack barely even watched the road, cursing as he was forced to brake for the workday traffic in spite of the cars lights. He didn't like using them during the day, especially as he was sure the locals had figured out that if they didn't give way to Torchwood then they would be severely punished with - absolutely nothing. Even Andy refused to give tickets to anyone getting in Torchwood's way. Maybe they should invest in a helicopter...

He was starting to think they should have walked when even a lollypop lady decided his flashing lights had nothing to do with her. Slaloming around her he ignored the less than child friendly gesture she gave him and he also chose not to notice Gwen's angry tirade about what was the point of protecting Cardiff's children from aliens if they were just going to run them over instead.

It was too early in the day to deal with John; hell there was never a good time to deal with Captain John Hart as he had taken to calling himself. But that didn't mean Jack wasn't worried about what could cause that look of panic in his eyes. He was worried about more than that though.

Just on the very edge of the hologram, for one instant in the recording he had seen the handle of the sword and the hand holding it. Whoever the assailant was, they had looked human enough from there.

And a human who knew John well enough to want to kill him could be the most dangerous threat of all.

---

They spread out along the corridor silently, Jack in the lead as he reached the solid door. Gwen had protested letting John use Owen's old flat at first but it was either here or Tosh's and that they had all objected to. Still, even knowing it was empty it had felt odd giving John access to the home of someone he had once shot just for the fun of it.

Jack tried the door and a cautious smile came onto his lips as the handle turned easily. Signalling to Gwen to stay outside and watch their backs Ianto shifted beside the doorway, his back against the wall ready to enter behind Jack. Jack looked at them and grinned before turning the handle and pushing the door open quickly.

Owen's flat was almost empty, just a couple of chairs and a bed left from the painful task of boxing up all his stuff. The sound of the door and Jack's boots echoed around the empty space; the sheer feeling of the abandoned place was not exactly welcoming. And then he spotted John.

The thief was still naked but he was now tied to a chair at the far end of the room by the brick wall. A simple cloth gag in his mouth would have stopped him calling out to them anyway but the way his eyes were closed and the thin trail of blood down his temple suggested that even without it he wouldn't have been much help. The big question was, was he alone? Gun at the ready Jack inched his way into the room, the open space appearing clear and his footsteps the only ones echoing around the mostly empty apartment.

Ianto followed him in, similarly armed and ready but unable to resist a grin at John's predicament. It was cold in the room now, a slightly open window not helping John look his best and the wicked side of Ianto couldn't help wondering idly if they would have time to get a picture of him like that.

Jack crossed the space quickly, easing the gag out of John's mouth before taking a look at his head.

"Just a simple blow. Looks recent too" Jack added before he jumped as an unexpected and distinctly feminine voice rang out through the flat.

"Well of course it's recent, I just needed him not to warn you and you know full well he's immune to that stupid lip gloss." Spinning at the new voice both men raised their guns and froze as the sight dawned on them.

Gwen, an annoyed expression on her face, was walking into the room with her empty hands held high ahead of a hooded and cloaked figure who was moving as though she had something pointed into Gwen's back. Judging by his second in command's empty holster it was possibly Gwen's gun.

"Plus I must admit," the figure spoke again, her voice echoing slightly in the empty flat, "the violent way is more fun sometimes. I didn't want him too damaged though. Not yet anyway." Jack couldn't see her face or recognise the figure but that voice... the clear English, almost Lara Croft posh sound of the tones rang a distinct familiarity with him, even though he couldn't be entirely certain, faces drifting in and out of his mind as he tried to match it to the voice. "As it happens I was right to keep him alive, his advice was most helpful. He knew you wouldn't come alone. Lucky old me, even more to play with."

A memory so old he couldn't be sure it was real was on the very edge of his mind but he couldn't quite bring it into focus. Shaking off the thought he refocused, his gun sight searching for enough of a shot.

"Leave her alone," Jack ordered.

"Oh come on Jack, I'm just playing. All work and no play..." A covered head appeared next to Gwen's and he resisted the urge to take the shot, the memory almost there. A pale hand rose from beneath the cloak and pushed back the hood to reveal a slightly pouting woman with a wicked grin in her eyes. Her angled jaw added strength to her beauty but as her dark blonde hair tumbled free from the hood it was the eyes Jack found himself lost in, his gun lowering in spite of himself. "... Make Jack a very dull boy indeed."

The hair was shorter and lighter than he remembered and the face less round, much more grown up than the young woman he had known. Her cheeks looked sharper and her eyes were colder but there was still that sparkle of a hidden joke behind them, the glow that he could remember staring at in a darkened room on a distant planet...

"Juice?" Laughing, the blonde eyed Ianto's unwavering aim and lifted both hands into the air. Her gaze stayed fixed on the Welshman as she revealed a small crossbow in her hands before crouching to place it safely on the floor. Stepping aside she ran a hand across her captive's shoulder softly before retrieving one of their guns from behind her own back and handing it back to Gwen.

"Sorry I scared you," the stranger apologised. Jack holstered his gun but Ianto merely lowered his, his two handed grip still strong as the woman stepped past Gwen and walked towards Jack, the cloak flowing out around her as her heels clacked on the floor underneath a long skirt. "Long time no see, Jack." Still flabbergasted Jack simply stared, uncomprehending.

"But- What- How- Oh hell, come here you!" Laughing out loud she ran the last few steps and jumped into Jack's arms, wrapping her legs around his waist in a move that had both his team staring slightly open-mouthed as she hugged him tight. His arms quickly shifted to hold her in place in a gesture that looked well practised.

"Missed you too hun." Leaning back but staying in his arms she reached up to grab his head, kissing him fiercely, her fingers burying themselves in his hair.

Gwen quickly moved over to stand beside Ianto, both practically counting the seconds as they watched the pair embrace. She could see the look of surprise on his face before he hid it, his eyes locked still on both the newcomer and Jack and she could see by the tension in his arms that he was resisting the urge to shoot; which one of them though she couldn't have said. To diffuse the tension Gwen broke the silence first with a rhetorical question.

"Do you think they know each other then?" she whispered loudly. Ianto flicked his gaze to Gwen, his grip relaxing just a fraction.

"I hope so," he whispered back, a small quirk of his lips accompanying his low answer, "I thought we'd managed to train him not to jump people he'd just met. Although there was that incident with the stationery rep-"

At the sound of their voices Jack twisted to look round at them guiltily before he broke off the kiss, pushing the newcomer off him. Gracefully she slid her legs down his body before jumping to the floor, her hands leaving his face last of all, slightly muffling his voice as he spoke.

"Gwen, Ianto, um this is Juice, I mean this is- Um, this is..." Jack quickly straightened his hair as he tried to cope with the clashing of his past and present lives. Giggling the woman inclined her head towards them as she stepped back from Jack at last, her fingers dragging off his chin before rising towards her own.

"The Right Honourable Lady Justine Hartless. Or Baroness Hartless. Or Lady Justine, or just Justine, or in Jack's case Juice. I really don't stand on ceremony that much; to be honest I have answered to so many names in my time I will respond to pretty much anything you shout in my direction. It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Lady Justine undid her cloak and tossed it over the empty kitchen counter, letting the team see her properly for the first time. Her hair was dark blonde or light brown, the colour seeming to change depending on the light and it fell just below her shoulders with a kink to it like a soft curl. Soft brown eyes stared back at them and if they had to guess her age she looked early thirties perhaps, a good few years younger than the Captains at any rate but not much older than Ianto or Gwen. Her skin was pale against her bright red lipstick but she looked as though she had been in the sun recently and the way she carried herself made Gwen feel like an awkward teenager again. It was her outfit that stood out the most though.

A simple black flowing skirt draped over her legs hiding them from view whilst low heeled laced boots peeked out from the bottom which all seemed normal enough but the top - a bunched peasant style blouse covered the tops of her arms, revealing a cleavage that would have been impressive enough even without the tight corset style cincher around her waist which gave her almost a pirate or gypsy style. The elaborate red spiral embroidery on the blouse only added to the look, as did the bright red sash tied around her waist and gold hoop earrings.

But her necklace was something else. What appeared to be a circuit board of silver metal on a gold chain rested in the crease of her bosom, adding a touch of the mechanical to her look. What caught their attention the most though was the black leather straps covering both her wrists, one smooth like an archer's wrist guard but the other-

"You're a Time Agent," Gwen stated, catching the slight look of surprise on the newcomer's face as she glanced back at Jack curiously.

"My, haven't you been a chatty one? Although by the shock on their faces I get the feeling you haven't actually mentioned me by name. Unless you still talk in your sleep?"

"Only when he's been drinking," Ianto interrupted, his face blank and politely controlled. Turning back Lady Justine grinned and stepped forwards, holding out her hand.

"You must be Ianto Jones." She looked him up and down slowly, one eyebrow rising questioningly at the gun still held in his hand. "Mmmmmm John was right, you are a pretty one - suspicious too. Although as you've met my dear John, that's understandable." At the mention of his name the naked thief began to stir, his head rising off his chest. Lady Justine glanced over at him, the distraction giving Ianto a chance to receive a discreet nod from Jack.

Ianto holstered his weapon as she looked back and reached out to shake her hand, but then on impulse, and perhaps to make Jack a little jealous in return, he lifted it to his lips to kiss it instead.

"My lady," he whispered. Grinning wickedly, Justine gave a small curtsey and looked over her shoulder at Jack again.

"Oh my Jack, this one is definitely a keeper." Turning back to Ianto she almost purred as she continued, "oh what I wouldn't give to have you as my valet..."

"Lady?" Blinking blearily, John fidgeted in the chair, shivering in the chilly room. "Since when have you been any kind of a lady, sweetheart? That's just typical, hope you lot are all having a swell time catching up and having a bloody tea party." John raised his voice to shout at them, "now could someone get me the hell out of here!"

All of them turned to face him, various states of amusement on their faces and it was Jack who stated the obvious this time. With one hand on his hip he pointed at the bound Captain but addressed the newcomer.

"Juice, why do you want to kill John? I mean not that we haven't all had that urge at some time or another-"

"Oi!" John shouted indignantly.

"-but why the whole kidnapper message and dragging me into it? Cos I really don't want to be involved," Jack said, holding his arms out wide, "it takes ages to get blood out of this coat."

"That's certainly true," Ianto piped up again, "took me three hours of scrubbing last time." Laughing again Justine pulled away from Ianto and stalked over towards John.

"Oh I'm sorry Jack," she said cheerily, "I just couldn't resist having a little fun when John told me you were here." Drawing a small knife out from under the smooth wrist guard she crouched down in front of John, holding the blade against his throat. "He was so forthcoming when properly motivated. How could I resist a little family reunion?" Rising to her feet slowly she leaned over him, her hand sliding down his back to where his bound wrists were. With a flick of her wrist he was free.

"You're just letting me go?" John asked as he brought his hands up to his lap.

"Of course." Shrugging, she rose to stand up straight again and grinned. "I just wanted you to squirm for a bit, darling." Ianto could feel himself itching to raise the gun again as John began to recover, wriggling in the cold seat, but it was Jack's incredulous voice that rang out.

"Hang on, if you're letting him go what is all this about anyway?" Jack asked, as she tousled John's hair before moving over to Jack again.

"Short story, with the collapse of the Time Agency I find myself involuntarily unemployed, in a teeny bit of a bind financially speaking and a completely innocent fugitive. As I am the reputable one out of the three of us I thought you two might be able to help me out." John and Jack both snorted derisively at the same time.

"Reputable?" Jack sneered. "Come on Juicy, you know full well you are just a thief like him. And John's right, since when have you been any kind of a lady?" Hand on her hips she stared Jack down, her eyes blazing.

"And since when have you two been Captains? And I am not a thief; I'm an archaeologist who has been unfairly persecuted." Sighing softly, Justine lowered her hands and her voice, sidling up to him again. "Oh come on Jack, you know I was always the brains to your brawn, my sweet loving husbands. A perfect match. Although a less than perfect marriage..." As she stroked her finger along his chest Ianto's hand subconsciously shifted towards his holster again.

"Married?" Gwen half squeaked in surprise.

"Oh come on." John looked up from his chair and rubbed his bleeding lip. "It was valid on just one planet, it was only for one month, and it was purely for cover on a job." Shifting, he shivered in the cold flat. "And could we please save the chat until I get my clothes back!" Jack gave him a quick glare but shrugged and grabbed Justine's wrist, pushing her away from him gently.

"Justine, give him back his clothes, that's really not something I want to see this early in the morning." Jack turned back to John. "John, stop complaining, you got caught with your trousers down-"

"Quite literally actually, he was all alone with two little boyfriends, it was so sweet." Justine chuckled and looked over at John. "It reminded me of that time the three of us-"

"Justine if you don't be quiet so help me I'll-" Jack tried to interrupt as she raised her voice to speak over him again.

"You'll what Jack? Spank me?" She grinned wickedly, revealing a row of perfect teeth. "You know how much I enjoy it. Almost as much as you do..."

"Just deal with John and I'll take the pair of you back to the Hub and see if I can find a way to get both of you out of my hair again." Pouting slightly she curtseyed again, holding out her skirts before turning and striding back over to John, moving off into the flat to retrieve his clothes whilst Jack returned to Gwen and Ianto, whispering softly.

"Gwen, I want you to check with Andy if there have been any reports of her arrival especially from the guys he was with when she turned up. Also check if there have been any other surges in rift activity. If anyone else turns up I want to know about it ASAP." Turning to Ianto he placed his hand on the younger man's shoulder, gripping it softly as he spoke again.

"Ianto, I need you to bring the SUV round but make sure you put the security locks on first, I am not having her get access to any of that yet. Also nice touch with the hand thing, can you carry on flirting with her like that? Might help distract her enough to work out what she's up to," he added. Gwen nodded but Ianto simply stared at him, a touch of amusement and many unanswered questions on his face.

"So you don't trust her?" Ianto asked, a trace of relief in his voice.

"She's an ex-time agent and she used to be married to both John and I. Simultaneously." Jack laughed quietly and raised an eyebrow in a slightly mocking manner. "I didn't trust her then, there's no way in hell I am trusting her now. But as they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer..." Looking over his shoulder they watched as she threw John's clothes at him and proceeded to unsheathe his sword, carrying out a sequence of practice strokes with it, moving like a pro in the empty flat. "And until I can work out which she is this time I intend to keep her right where I can see her."

---

Jack couldn't resist going for the grand entrance by the Water Tower. He had lived in the area for over a century but the Water Tower and invisible lift were recent enough that even he still found them a novelty. Plus he didn't want to show her the way in that she might be able to get through without them. As the three ex agents stood on the stone Justine looked up at the Water Tower.

"I should have known," she said with a smirk, "why is it every phallus-like structure seems to have an evil genius in it?"

"Hey I'm a good guy now" Jack answered her mock indignantly "although I don't mind the genius bit."

"Bored now." Captain John wriggled beside them and let his unimpressed gaze roam over the Plass. "Been here, done this bit. Don't get your hopes up 'my lady', it's a dump." Turning to face him Justine stroked a finger down his cheek slowly.

"John. If I didn't mind slumming it a bit I would never have ended up married to you now would I?" As the lift began to descend she grabbed his shoulder, wincing at the grating noise and the vibrations from the stones beneath their feet. With a worried expression she regained her balance before looking round at Jack. "Oh my, usually you should ask a girl before going down."

"Whereas you never usually give a guy a chance to offer," John retorted as he wrapped his arms around her, trying to pull her close as the lift descended. Sliding out of his arms Justine turned to gaze around her at the Hub curiously, making sure to stand well clear of the edge of the platform. For all that the men seemed fine with the sheer drop she couldn't help the trace of fear on her face as she looked down. She quickly hid it though, looking out with interest at the Hub.

"Hmm, nice size. Love the tile work, former underground railway platform? Which implies your base was not alone-" Laughing out loud as Myfanwy screeched past, Justine made a cooing noise. "Awww you even have a pet! Beats the last one you had, teenage boys are much more tiresome."

"He was 15, he was not a boy," Jack corrected her quickly, "and besides he was Roman, they mature faster."

"Not that fast." Justine spotted Gwen and Ianto waiting at the bottom for them and raised an eyebrow. "Reception party? Let me guess..." Leaning close to Jack, she played with the top button of his shirt. "Strip search?"

"Maybe later." Glaring at first, but unable to resist a smile, Jack grabbed her wrist again, stopping her with an irritated look. "Just the weapons, for now. John, you first." They watched in silence for a moment as John begrudgingly stepped off the platform and handed over his weapons yet again, both Jack and Justine wincing as he slid the small gun out from the back of his trousers.

"Oh by the goddesses do you two still do that?" Justine asked in disgust. "That is just wrong on so many levels."

Looking over his shoulder John continued disarming as he leered at her. "Oh come on sweetheart, like you've never done the same." Justine sighed and looked up at Jack as she smiled suggestively.

"Do you still keep a loaded weapon in your trousers," she whispered, her hand once again trying to slide down his chest, "or just the usual lethal one?" Glaring warningly Jack stepped down off the lift as John moved out the way, the scan showing him to be clean at last.

"My lady." Offering his hand to Justine, Jack bowed slightly mockingly. "Your weapons." About to protest she cast a sideways glance at the scanner in Gwen's hand before sighing.

"You can start," Gwen motioned towards Justine's waist, "with that crossbow." As one, everyone apart from Gwen shook their heads quickly and spoke.

"Arbalet."

"Whatever you want to call it, on the tray." Gwen tried not to let them get to her but glared at the amused look on Jack's face as she motioned with the scanner again. "Now."

Taking Jack's offered hand, Justine jumped down lightly and began to disarm. Reaching down to her waist she removed the small Arbalet hanging from her hip, placing it onto the tray without a word. Two small guns from the back of her waistband followed suit before she crouched down, no fewer than four different blades coming from her boots. A long length of wire was pulled free from her waistband and a smaller thin string of wire emerged from her second wrist plate before she pulled the same knife she had used on John out from it.

From her cleavage she retrieved a tiny spray bottle whilst a pouch attached to her waist yielded what at first glance appeared to be a makeup set but which made Gwen's scanner went crazy when passed over it. One more small pistol to go and the tray was almost overflowing when she took off her cape and let it drape over the tray.

Jack looked at her somewhat incredulously. "What, no longbow and quiver this time?"

"They're in my other cloak." Shrugging, Justine held out her arms as the scanner pronounced her clean and did a small pirouette as though to demonstrate. "Oh and I decided to leave my sword behind, although having seen John's I'm now incredibly jealous." As she pouted at John, Jack grabbed her arm in one hand and John's in the other before marching them through the Hub. "My, so masterful. So when do we get to see your room?"

Jack looked over his shoulder at the others almost apologetically and mouthed 'conference room' to them as he dragged the bickering pair away, leaving the others to lock up the weapons. Returning his attention to his old friends he steered them deeper into the Hub. Upon reaching the conference room he let go of John and pushed him into the room.

"John, sit. Justine, we need to talk." Grumbling John did as he was told, moving out of earshot as Jack pushed Justine into the wall, the force of the move making her smile. "Last chance to tell me the truth before everyone else turns up. What are you doing here? And in all seriousness, you're a Baroness now?" Jack lowered his voice after a glance at John. "What happened to your grandfather? When did you get his title?"

Sighing she looked past him at John and, content he couldn't hear, looked back before she answered, her voice low. "He died a few months ago and the authorities may have found his collection-"

"You mean the artefacts you've been stealing all across the universe from most major historical sites?"

"I did not steal them, they weren't protected when they were originally in use, it's only later they become archaeological sites and came under the Heritage Agency's remit! Besides, those idiots at the HA always had it in for my Grandfather. But..." She grinned and slid her arms around his waist, looking into his eyes. "Technically..." She practically purred as she felt his arms wrap around her in return, albeit a little hesitantly. "It was a teensy bit illegal. So they may have seized the estate, stripped me-"

"Now that must have been a sight," Jack interrupted as he pulled her closer, his hands playing with the laces on her corset even as her hands began to slide lower than his waist.

"-of my title and tried to arrest me. But I managed to persuade one of the agents to, um, cut a deal-"

"I'll bet it was your winning smile that did it."

"And I just need a little bit of help getting some... leverage." Jack froze and let her go, pushing her back with a frown.

"Leverage? What sort of leverage?"

"My you haven't held me like that in years," she whispered as she looked down at his hands on her shoulders and then up at him again, "happy memories." As his fingers tightened she winced and sighed deeply. "Okay, okay. Nothing exactly illegal, just some... Artefacts. There's a couple of key pieces that the HA has decided it would be happy to 'seize', supposedly as part of Grandfather's collection, but in reality I have a shopping list."

"In return for my assistance," she continued, "they are going to drop the charges against me and make out that it was all his work, even reward me for my co-operation. My record at the Time Agency was never exactly what you would call spotless but they are willing to lose my file and let me start again, be respectable."

"Respectable?" Jack laughed derisively and let go of her, folding his arms across his chest. "You?"

"Good guy? You?" She folded her arms in return, mirroring his gesture. "People change, Jack. This is my chance to start again, to go home at last. Nobody in the public eye knows who I really am, who I have been, not all of us were the agency pin up, 'Boeshane Boy'. I can start again. From the looks of things you've had your chance to, why not help me do the same?" Jack glanced through to where John was sitting with his boots on the table, playing with the rock they sometimes used as a centrepiece.

"And John? Why bring him into it? Does he know?" He lowered his voice again. "I thought no one else knew about your grandfather." Justine bit her lip as she followed his gaze before turning back to him.

"I never told him but unlike myself he is a thief and has skills we may need so I thought he would be useful to have around. Plus he was going to work out I was here anyway, I spotted his signal as soon as I arrived and I knew he would find me too. Much better to have our contact be on my terms."

"However..." She glanced over at John again and shook her head slowly. "He is still far too volatile to tell the truth, and I definitely can't trust him not to turn me in and take the deal for himself. You know his record; he is effectively banned from three different centuries across fifteen galaxies. Plus until I make the deal there's a bounty on my head that he wouldn't think twice about claiming, loyalty be damned." She shrugged and stepped closer again.

"Hell, I know I'd turn him in for half that," Justine admitted. She placed a hand on his chest and looked up at him innocently. "You on the other hand, the reward would have to be at least twice what it is before I'd turn you in." She leaned in close, her hands sliding around his chest to grab his braces tight before pulling him forwards, her mouth hovering over his-

"Right," Ianto interrupted as he walked past with a tray of drinks, "I was going to offer to serve the refreshments but I see everyone is happy to just help themselves." Gwen threw Justine a quick glare and Jack a 'how could you' look as she hurried after Ianto.

"Oops." Justine giggled and let go of his braces, straightening them with a mock guilty look. "Didn't mean to get you in trouble with the wife." He grabbed her wrists and pushed her away gently but his voice stern.

"Don't call him that," he whispered fiercely. Justine looked up into his eyes and her smile faded, a small frown line appearing above her eyes as she regarded him.

"Oh. You're serious about him?" She looked over to where Ianto and Gwen were chatting and arguing with John. "Younger and prettier. Should have known, you always were moving on. I assume inviting him for a little game of butler and mistress would be out of the question then?" Casting her eye over Gwen as she leaned over the table to smack John's boot off it Justine grinned. "And the girl?"

"Married," Jack answered coldly, "in the traditional sense." Justine growled in frustration.

"Pity. I guess I'm stuck with John then." Turning back she placed a finger on his lips and brushed it across slowly. "You're always welcome to rejoin us though. Just like the old days."

Stepping aside Jack moved away from her without answering, following the others into the room. Staying in place for a moment Justine shrugged at the rejection as she watched him go.

"Yep, just like the old days."

---

Gwen watched suspiciously as they came in, Justine and John ending up taking seats on one side of the table, herself and Ianto on the other and Jack at the head. After a few pleasantries about coffee the conversation died into an awkward silence before Gwen spoke up.

"Well I don't know about Ianto but before we go any further I think we are owed an explanation - and a few answers." Glancing at John, Gwen hesitated a moment before continuing. "After all that's happened the last few times people from Jack's past have turned up I think that's not an unreasonable request."

Jack looked at her, considering for a moment before leaning back in his chair, his hands folded neatly in his lap. In marked contrast John was slouching right down in his chair whilst Justine was sitting almost primly, her hands on the table in front of her. Nodding, Jack glanced at his old colleagues before he answered Gwen, even though his eyes shifted to Ianto.

"What do you want to know?"

Gwen shrugged and folded her arms slightly confrontationally as she looked over at John again. "Well, I guess we could start with the big one, were you really married to HIM?" All three of them burst out laughing, both men hastily talking over each other.

"What? No, not to John-" Jack answered quickly before John interrupted.

"Are you kidding sweetie, he makes a lousy-"

"What I think these two are trying to say..." Justine cut over them loudly before quietening down as they stopped. "No they never married each other. They were both married to me." She smiled slyly and cast a sideways glance at the two men. "Not that I took much persuading you understand. But the fact is we had a job to do on a planet that had a strict Matriarchal society." She leaned back and little and stroked her hand along John's shoulder lingeringly as she continued.

"Unmarried men were not allowed to go out unaccompanied and could be 'pursued' by any female - and were obligated to submit, which would have caused a lot of complications. Not least of all that these two lacked certain appendages that the local boys had."

"It's not the number that count," John retorted quickly, "it's how you use them." Gwen couldn't help laughing at that and John smirked back. Ianto rolled his eyes in silence as Gwen calmed down before exchanging a knowing look with Justine. Jack watched them closely, spotting how Gwen was becoming more relaxed with the conversation but still slightly suspicious.

"So to make things easier I married them," Justine continued, shifting her gaze away and answering Gwen but addressing Ianto, "as in I married John then I married Jack. I was allowed as many husbands as I liked but they were never joined to each other," an impish grin lit up her face as she gave her ex-husbands another sideways glance, "well, not in that sense anyway."

Jack cleared his throat and spread his arms wide, gesturing as he spoke. "It was just one month. And being 'spoken for' meant John and I could get around safely and get the job done." Justine nodded and chuckled softly.

"Except for when you nearly got us all killed-"

"That was his fault!" Jack laughed and pointed at John, an amused grin on his face that somehow made him look younger. "Anyway, it was a very long time ago."

"Depends on whose timeline you are working from but yes, it was long ago." Justine nodded and fiddled with the leather of her wrist guard. "Oh and in case anyone is worried I made sure I carried out the divorce ceremony before we left, so they are completely free men again." Her gaze flickered to Ianto again and his eyes met hers without flinching. "Well, maybe not completely free."

"Okay that explains that." Gwen placed her hand flat on the table and leaned forward. "So what are you doing here? Why come and visit now? I assume this isn't just a social call?" Justine sat back in her chair and looked over at Jack, letting him take the lead.

Coughing politely Jack pulled Gwen's attention back to him before he spoke. "Juice has been asked by the, well our-" He motioned his hand to indicate all three of them. "Old government to track down certain items from the past. She has some archaeological experience-"

"Yeah she's a regular little tomb raider," John interrupted with a snort, "wait until she slips her shorts on."

"Every time." Justine closed her eyes at John's remark. "I knew I should never have slept with a games designer. How was I supposed to know he would steal my life and put it in a game?" Sighing she looked at Jack, her eyes opening slowly. "I've changed my mind, I don't need John after all, can I kill him here or would you rather I took it outside?"

Jack silenced them both with a look before he continued, "And we are going to help her to get what she needs quickly so she can get back."

Gwen nodded before looking back at Justine. "Forgive me if I seem rude Lady Hartless- or is it Lady Justine?"

"Please, just call me Justine."

"Justine, but John came here with some cock and bull story too. We trusted him and lost some very good friends because of it so why the hell should we believe you let alone help you?"

"You have no reason to." Shrugging, Justine leaned back in her chair and folded her arms lightly. "And I suspect when you hear what I have planned you will most definitely not want to help me. All I can say is that I will proceed with or without your help. So if you throw me out now all I ask in the way of co-operation is not to let the authorities know I am coming." She leaned forwards and placed her hands flat on the table, her voice strong and clear as she spoke. "If they are waiting for me then I promise you people will get hurt."

"Juice calm down, there's no need to get wound up," Jack said quickly, "we will do what we can to help and get you back on your way. Won't we?" Jack leaned forwards now, his hands wrapping around his coffee mug and his pose casual. But both his team members caught the warning tone in his voice and nodded just slightly. "Good. So, what's the damage this time?" A slow smile crept over Lady Hartless' features as she leaned back and looked at each of them in turn.

"Oh I think you will be pleasantly surprised. This should be a walk in the park..."

---

With a nod of permission from Jack, Lady Hartless flicked open the cover of her wrist strap, the design in simple black leather somehow more slender than either of the two Captains, and stood gracefully, pushing the chair back as she moved over to their display screen. Easily interfacing with the computer she inclined her head to the side as a list filled the screen. A few more presses and pictures took shape alongside some of the names, images of a variety of strange objects rotating slowly on the blue-backed screen.

"Thirty three objects of various ages, all of which will be lost forever in the next couple of centuries, most in just a few years when the-" She stopped short at a pointed cough from Jack and a slow smile formed on her lips as she nodded at the warning. "My apologies. Suffice to say by the 51st century all of these objects were lost, their significance overlooked during this particular century and inadequate steps taken to ensure their long term survival. It is only after recent research that the Heritage Agency or HA in the future has realised that some of these object possessed a certain significance."

She paused and looked at them each in turn as she spoke, gesturing with her hands as she continued. "As you can see most of the list is actually more of a shopping list than anything else - artefacts that at this time are fairly commonplace such as the first class stamp, a complete set of current coinage for the UK, a commemorative plate from the Queen's Jubilee-"

"All items bearing the image of Queen Elizabeth II" Ianto interrupted smoothly as his eyes skipped through the next few lines on the list and made the connection.

"Correct." Lady Justine nodded with a smile and inclined her head to him. "What can I say, there's an anniversary coming up and her image is in big demand. There's also some other things, a Starbucks cup-"

"Starbucks?" Gwen's outburst was far less polite than Ianto's and the laugh that accompanied it lit up her whole face as she looked at Justine incredulously. "You've got to be kidding." Justine shrugged and folded her arms, staring back seriously.

"Have you ever been to a museum, Gwen?" The men watched with interest, Ianto subtly shifting his chair back from Gwen's as they caught the competitive edge to the air.

"Of course I have," she replied. Justine smiled sarcastically and came back over, shifting to sit on the table beside Gwen, looking down at Gwen and placing her hands on her knees in an almost school mistress way.

"Have you ever wondered how they decide what goes on display," Justine asked softly, "what is collected and kept and preserved and what isn't? Have you ever thought that it is impossible to keep everything, to preserve everything, that someone, somewhere, must take on responsibility for deciding what is important?" Looking down at Gwen sadly she shook her head slowly.

"Do you really think if you went back to, say, the invention of the postal service and bought a penny black stamp because you wanted to put it in a museum people then wouldn't laugh too? Just because something is commonplace or insignificant in one time doesn't mean it can't be of value in the future. Paper is a fragile material. It breaks down, degrades. And that is where I come in; I scavenge items from the past to take them forward to the future. So yes I want a paper cup." She looked at Ianto who was mouthing the rest of the list to himself as he read, a similar look of bemusement breaking over his features. "And plastic. All sorts of plastic."

"Why plastic?" Gwen asked Justine but Ianto answered, his fingers interlacing as he leaned on the table.

"It degrades over time," he explained, "the plastic starts to quite literally sweat, oozing liquid and making the material very brittle. Like paper it's unlikely to survive anywhere near as long as is needed for Lady Justine's purposes." His gaze turned back to Justine as he read out a few of the items with a small smile. "Lego bricks, plastic framed glasses, Happy Meal toys, a crash test dummy, a rampant rab-"

"It shouldn't be hard to get those together for you," Jack interrupted smoothly, sharing a knowing grin with Ianto. "I think we may even have a few things lying around here that can get you started. But you didn't really need our help for a scavenger hunt. Did you?" Her eyes closed slowly, almost in pleasure at the stern tone and she slid off the table smoothly, moving back over to the screen.

"You're right; most of these things I could have got on my own, it just would have taken time - which I don't really have. This one is a bit trickier though." Playing with her wrist strap the list on the screen continued scrolling serenely on the left whilst an image flickered to life on the right.

"I need a piece of a meteorite that fell to Earth in 1905 as part of the usual space debris." The image resolved into a small but beautiful rock, its surface marked with almost marble-like veins of a silvery metal but it was the small crystals embedded in the metal that caught the eye. "Actually I say meteorite, this is a pallasite. Those crystals were identified as Olivine; what you would consider peridot when it's of gem quality."

"A Pallasite?" Ianto looked over at Jack with a small smile. "Wasn't that the type of rock Lex Luthor got Kryptonite from in the recent Superman film?" Jack laughed and nodded, some shared secret in that gaze as he grinned at Ianto.

"Good memory," Jack confirmed. "I didn't realise you were paying that much attention." Ianto inclined his head in acceptance of the compliment and Justine shook her head slightly in confusion at their irrelevant statements.

"So anyway, it's been classified as a pallasite. They're rare but often quite big, so not considered that precious as there is so much material from each impact that it's easy to study them. So all in all, pretty but nothing to stand out. Most of the samples are held by museums and that sort of place for study and display and so on. Unfortunately not generally speaking the sort of thing you can pick up at the corner shop but I thought you might be able to 'borrow' one for me. I could of course just steal one-" John snorted, finally paying attention to the conversation.

"You really have changed, paper, plastic and rocks?" John sneered. "Since when did you risk your pretty little neck for something that wasn't encrusted with diamonds or at least made of gold?" Quick as a flash she faced him, her hands on her hips.

"Since when did you care about anything that didn't involve killing or fucking?" she retorted. John grinned at her lazily but with a ghost of a leer on his face.

"Well I haven't heard anything so far that involves either so I'm gonna have to ask, what's in it for me?" He pushed back from the table and rose to his feet, stalking towards her with his usual swagger and his hands spread wide. "You gonna make it worth my while, kid?" Justine folded her arms, the move emphasising her cleavage as she pouted softly.

"Worth your while?" Justine walked behind him, whispering into his ear as she looked at Jack over his shoulder, a wicked grin on her face. None of the others heard what she said but John's eyes lit up and he laughed in surprise. Spinning around he grabbed her arms, shaking her slightly and making Jack start to rise from his chair.

"If you try to con me..." John warned her. Shaking him off Justine pushed him back against the table angrily before he deflected a slap, their arms bouncing off each others as they fought.

"Like I could con a con man! Like I would do to you what you did to me on Celene Prime-" She ducked beneath a punch aimed at her head and stepped back a fraction before pushing into John, slamming them both down onto the table.

Gwen pushed back from the table hastily, Ianto already on his feet beside her as he slid his hands into his pockets. Gwen stared at the battling pair aghast and rounded on Jack.

"Jack, you have to stop them!" she insisted. Jack stepped forward unhurriedly but didn't answer as Ianto shrugged and tilted his head to one side to watch. An amused tone crept into his voice as he interrupted.

"Alternatively I could fetch some pop corn?" Ianto suggested. The battling couple rolled, Justine forced onto her back on the table as she wrapped her legs around John's waist, though whether to kick him or pull him close it wasn't immediately clear. "Or maybe some wine," Ianto glanced at his boss quickly, "Jack what is the correct vintage for a bare knuckle fight?"

"That was only to get you back for-" John snarled down at Justine as he fought to grab her wrists and stop her from scratching at his face.

"Red of course," Jack interrupted smoothly, "preferably something Californian." His exes rolled yet again, Justine shifting to leap astride John's chest, pinning him to the table as he grappled with her hands. The three of them watched as they struggled then, as one, his team tilted their heads to the side as the outsiders rolled yet again. But this time the pair were grinning, the grunts of their struggle no longer pain but something else.

"Jack..." Gwen said as she raised an eyebrow curiously. Ianto sighed and stepped forwards to retrieve the coffee tray as they rolled yet again, saving the digestives from being crushed by Justine as they came closer. "You really should stop them," she continued. They stepped back as one as the two began to kiss fiercely, Jack shrugging as he folded his arms. If Ianto didn't of course know that Jack never pouted he would swear that he was doing so now.

"I don't see why I should have to," Jack said sulkily, "let them wear themselves out, they'll behave better later. It's not my problem."

"Oh really," Gwen slapped his arm and rounded on him, "so if Rhys thinks the Arkafreean ambassador is getting too friendly with me and picks a fight he's my responsibility but your ex-wife and old buddy start making out on our conference room table and it's not your problem?"

Rolling his eyes Jack held up his hands in defeat and stepped forwards, waiting until Justine was pressed against the table with John atop her, belted hips rubbing against her before he darted forwards slipping his hands between them.

"Okay kids," Jack shouted wearily, "you've had your fun, that's enough." He grabbed John's shoulder and pulled him off Justine, throwing him against the wall but at the same time pressing firmly against her chest, keeping her pinned to the table. Both were panting hard and Justine couldn't resist sliding a booted foot along the outside of Jack's thigh, watching his reaction. "Juice, I said that's enough!"

Pressing her hard against the wood he kicked her foot away before stepping back, anger on his face as he held a finger up to warn John. Rolling his eyes John stepped past him and offered his hand to Justine.

"Typical Jack," John said, pulling Justine up from the table with a grin, "always trying to come between us."

Justine shrugged as she slid to her feet, releasing John's hand and brushing herself down. "Between us, behind us, over us..."

"Enough!" Jack snarled as he pointed at the chairs and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Juice, if you really want us to help you, you had better start behaving yourself. John, if you no longer want me to smooth things over with the police I can either turn you over to them right now or give you a rift prediction and a packed lunch, understood?"

Pulling serious faces but fighting back grins like naughty schoolchildren they took their seats again, ignoring Ianto as he slid the tray back onto the table and took his seat next to Gwen. Shifting to sit close to each other John leaned in and mock-whispered to Justine.

"I do love it when he gets all masterly," he hissed softly. Justine nodded in reply but bit her lips, childishly putting her finger across them as Jack glared. John chuckled and leaned back in his chair, putting his hands up to rest behind his head, lacing his fingers as he sat back, quiet at last. Jack retook his seat and leaned his elbows on the table, resting his head heavily on his hands.

"Juice, can we just get through the rest of the list so I can go back to work?" Jack's voice was muffled and as he looked up a weary expression was on his face. "Please?" Smiling softly Justine nodded and rose to her feet again.

"Sorry Jack." Moving past him she dragged her fingertips over his shoulder apologetically. "A couple of the artefacts are going to be a real pain in the arse..." Justine paused in front of the screen and using her strap brought three objects to the foreground, one image spinning sedately on the screen whilst the other listings simply stated that no visual record had been found.

"Number one, a celestial sphere, catalogued as being made in the 18th century and considered to be a relatively inferior specimen at that." The screen filled with the image of what appeared to Gwen to be an old fashioned globe, a simple sphere with a pole through its axis allowing it to spin, except that this one was a glass sphere. Instead of the usual blues and greens, small dots covered its surface and at the centre of the hollow sphere a small metal ball could be seen. "Very pretty but otherwise it seems unremarkable at the present time."

"Secondly, we have a pocket watch. It belongs to a London family but is on loan as part of a touring exhibition on World War One; it was owned by an ancestor of theirs who fought in the war. Apparently it was his lucky charm, so to speak. It appears they will put it into auction immediately after the tour and are in fact using it as free publicity. The auction listing is the last anyone ever saw of it and that is in one month's time so we need to find it soon." The words 'no image available' flashed mockingly as she spoke.

"I don't have an image sadly but I have the exhibition details and the family name, we should be able to track it down." Pressing a button again another listing filled the screen, her eyes watching Jack closely.

"And finally," she continued, "this is a tricky one. A charm bracelet, once owned by an English lady before it was passed down through her family. At this moment in time it has just been inherited by her great grandson. By the time he dies next year it will have vanished, probably sold on or stolen. He is the last of the family and in his eighties. The bracelet is gold but not of particularly great quality. It wouldn't fetch that much but enough to be attractive to anyone who wanted to take advantage of an old man. Again, I don't have an image to go on, just a name." She sighed as she looked at the screen and switched the screen back to the main list again.

"The rest of the objects on the list are your bulk standard artefacts - the sort of thing that even if they are preserved they simply end up in a museum as one of many, nothing to mark them out. But these three are special, specific, the HA really wants these particular ones or nothing. And these are where I need your help."

She moved back over to her chair, sliding in beside an unusually silent John, his face still showing an impish grin. Gwen looked at the screen once more before letting her gaze roam back to Jack. He gave her a small nod, giving her the floor. He didn't trust his own judgement where those two were concerned and was happy to let her take the lead. Every time he tried to stay in control when his own friends were involved ended up in disaster.

Besides, having someone John and Justine didn't have a hold over calling the shots would be a bonus. And being able to re-establish her authority with Justine was important. Accepting his trust she leaned forwards, interlacing her fingers on the table as she let her eyes lock on to the other woman, staring her out in that way that only a woman can.

"Do you have the details of the family the bracelet belongs to?" Gwen asked. "And where that globe is?"

"Actually yes." Justine flicked through the listing. "The globe is currently on display in a stately home type place, one of those ancient buildings with the pretty grounds and no environmental controls" she glanced over at Jack with a grin "rather like that dump of a hotel you took me to on Kalmar." At a pointed cough from Gwen she turned back, professional again. "I have a file with all the details of the specific items on. With Jack's permission I'll send you a copy if you let me know where."

"Ianto," Gwen nodded to him, "if you could take a look and work out what we can gather quickly that would be great. Perhaps you can take John and grab the easy bits today. Jack, do you still have those friends at the museum?"

"Oh yes." Jack nodded and grinned slightly cheekily. "They still owe me a few favours for the stuff I donated for the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War - who knew my old junk would be worth something some day? I can get onto them and see if I can get some help with the watch."

"Perfect." Gwen smiled softly and turned back to his old flames. "As for the bracelet I'll pass the details on to Andy, see if he can find out anything about the old man and where the bracelet might be now. Ianto, if you want to take Justine upstairs and get those files off her that would be great; we'll be with you in a moment."

"Certainly." Ianto nodded and pushed back from the table. Standing smoothly he offered his arm to Justine who took it with a grin. "My lady, this way."

Peeking back over her shoulder at Jack she mouthed 'He's so cute!' before letting him lead her upstairs, leaving the three of them alone in the conference room.

---

"Okay John," Jack said, leaning forward "what's the con?"

"What makes you think she would tell me?" John laughed and leaned back in his chair, shifting his feet onto the table before Gwen leaned over and pushed them off again. "I'm as much in the dark as you are and believe me, it doesn't sound very profitable so far. And can you believe that Lady bullshit? She's getting as bad at making up names as you are." Jack help up his hand warningly but Gwen interrupted.

"Actually I wanted to ask about that," she said, "Jack, John and Justine. How come you all have the same initials, it's getting a bit like a children's book in here."

"Well...." Jack sighed and leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "We were assigned the letter J at the agency. It's kind of our... category, a reflection of our personality, aptitude and so on - consider it a reflection of our final grade or rank." Jack paused for a moment, trying to work out how to explain it. "The first agent on any scene establishes a cover identity using their rank initial, in our case J so John, Jack, James and so on, hopefully based on a real person from that era." Grinning Jack looked at Gwen as he continued.

"The surnames are just an optional extra, a bit of fun." Jack pointed at John carelessly. "We all worked together before and decided to go for the same initials; it makes it easier if there's any cleanup involved. So when John heard I was Jack Harkness he went with a J H name too. Which may also explain where Justine got Hartless from, she heard John's name and-"

"Decided to take the piss." Grinning, Captain John Hart folded his arms behind his head, sniffing slightly. "Should be offended I suppose but I think it's sweet she never quite got over me. Unlike some people."

"Well she was just a kid at the time and I suppose to a nineteen year old you do make an impression." Jack replied sarcastically.

Nineteen?" Gwen's eyes widened as she looked between them both. "Do you mean you were both married to her when she was nineteen?" Jack actually looked embarrassed but John merely shrugged as he spoke.

"That was the job. It wasn't like we were her first or anything." John paused a moment. "Well there were a couple of things she tried for the first time with us, do you remember that night-"

"But..." Jack held up his hand to stop him as he spotted the horrified look on Gwen's face. Regardless of age she was still an agent. And a damn good one - which means she is ruthless, determined, selfish, and highly skilled, a fighter, interrogator, torturer, temptress, a liar and I know full well she's a thief. She can't be trusted Gwen. But..." Jack hesitated and glanced at John who was watching him curiously. "It has been a long time since we saw her last and people can change. Hell I was worse than she was and I managed to do alright; even John here may become a decent human being one day-"

"I'm right here you know!"

"So it's possible she's changed." Jack smiled ruefully as he leaned back in his chair. "It's also possible she's playing me like a grand piano. Gwen, I am going to need you and Ianto to watch my back on this one. And keep an eye on your own whilst you're at it; I am not losing any more staff. The paperwork's a bitch." He winked at her and Gwen smiled at the joke.

"Right well I'd better get on to Andy," she said as she pushed back from the table, "check that she hasn't aroused any suspicion so far." As Gwen stood, Jack made to follow until John tutted and shook his head slowly to stop him. John waited until Gwen was out of the room before speaking.

"You still have a thing for the kid," John asked quietly, "don't you? Juice, not sexy eyes there. Although I suspect that is a whole different matter..."

"Leave Gwen out of it. As for Juice I... I guess I just feel like I owe her one." Jack stood then hesitated and looked over at John, one hand on his hip. "What we did to her wasn't fair." He started towards the door then stopped as John called after him.

"Life isn't fair!" John sighed heavily then chuckled. "You know they partnered me with her again after you buggered off in a huff?" Jack turned back, surprise on his face. "Just for a couple of things. She wasn't a kid any more and she was definitely older and wiser by then - not that she would tell me what she'd been up to whilst she was away." A strange look crossed John's face as his tone became more serious. "Don't underestimate her, Jack." He paused a moment, considering.

"She isn't the kid you knew," John continued. "Whilst you and I were playing happy families in that godforsaken time loop she was still working and still learning. She's dangerous." He rose to his feet slowly and placed a hand on Jack's chest. "And in case you're wondering, yeah I think she did fall for you, you daft bastard. And I don't know what you did to her last time you saw her but she is pissed off about it." Pushing past Jack carefully he sauntered off after Gwen, chuckling as he called back. "And you know what they say about a woman scorned..."

---

"Okay I'm starting the download... now," Justine said as she placed her wrist strap on the desk. Ianto watched as the data began to form into a file, details of the different artefacts spinning past on the screen. "It shouldn't take too long."

"Great." Ianto nodded and moved back from the desk, discreetly locking the controls so she couldn't access them before rising to his feet. Stretching a moment he watched the screen for a bit longer before turning to their new guest. "Can I get you a coffee or tea whilst we wait?"

"Tea please." Justine followed him over to the coffee machine, watching him work with a smile.

"I never could get the hang of coffee, far too bitter for my liking. Oh and with lemon, not milk, please. Such a barbaric habit."

"Barbaric." Ianto chuckled as he set to work. "I've never heard it described quite like that before." He glanced up as Justine leaned forwards over the machine, peering at him from the other side.

"I bet you've never met anyone quite like me before," she said slowly, watching his face intently as he worked. "Well, except for darling Jack." She caught the slight change in Ianto's expression and tilted her head to the side curiously. "What?"

"I didn't say anything." Looking up Ianto put on his best politician's smile and moved to grab a lemon and a knife as Justine chuckled and shifted to stand beside him.

"Your eyes did all the talking for you." Sliding her hand across the top of the machine she stepped closer, almost on top of him. "Has anyone ever told you, you have the most gorgeously expressive blue eyes...?" As he turned back, a small knife held tight in his hand she giggled and stepped back, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Although," she added, "you seem to find many ways to show me exactly how you feel." Ianto laughed and held the knife lower and unthreatening as she moved back to the other side of the coffee machine again. Leaning on the table she looked at him curiously. "You want to ask me something?"

"You do seem to know what I'm thinking." Ianto coughed a little embarrassedly and looked up, handing her the tea and motioning to the couch. "You're not telepathic or anything I hope or I am going to have some serious explaining to do."

"Now I really am curious." Chuckling, she shook her head quickly, her fingers wrapping around the tea as she walked over to the sofa. "Sadly that little quirk is not in my genes, although my grandfather did have the uncanny ability to know when I was lying so maybe there is some hope for me yet."

Laughing politely Ianto glanced at the computer as he passed he saw they had a couple of minutes left to go. Justine made herself comfortable on the sofa and patted the seat beside her then chuckled as Ianto opted to pull over a desk chair instead.

"I don't bite." She smiled wickedly. "Not without establishing the ground rules first anyway."

Smiling back Ianto nevertheless stayed where he was on the chair facing her. He watched closely as she sipped her tea, picking his moment with care...

"Juice?" he asked softly. Snorting into her cup Justine hastily leaned forwards and put the mug down on the table.

"Okay, I wasn't expecting that to be your question," she managed to say as she quickly wiped a stray trickle of tea off her lip "and your timing is mean." Recovering her composure she sat up again and looked up at him with a genuine grin. "Are you asking if I want some or querying the nickname?"

"The nickname." Ianto smiled at her softly. "Jack's called you it a few times and I was just wondering where it came from."

"Oh by the goddesses, I got that on my very first mission." Giggling she looked younger than her years as she played with the edge of her mug shyly. "I was dealing with this um, client, and he had a heck of a lisp. I introduced myself as Justine and he insisted on pronouncing it 'Juicy Teen'. As I was only a kid at the time it was actually rather appropriate." She blushed just lightly and shrugged. "And, well, when the story became agency gossip that became my official nickname, my call sign if you will. I've been Juice ever since."

"Ianto..." Looking up at him slyly she took another sip and cradled the mug in her lap. "Can I ask you something?" Nodding hesitantly Ianto leaned back in the chair. "Is Jack really... I mean John said something, and whilst I do believe John would push him off a roof he's been known to lie with every single breath so I never really believe him; besides it's impossible, how on Europa could Jack be-"

"Immortal?" he guessed. Ianto watched as she sucked in a surprised breath and looked up at him, genuine shock on her face before she looked away into the distance. Hesitantly he nodded to her. "It's true."

"Damn." Shaking her head softly she subconsciously traced her fingertips along the side of her eyes as though checking for wrinkles. "No wonder it took him so long to recognise me. He's probably forgotten more than I could ever remember. No wonder he forgot about me." She chuckled bitterly. "Again. Ah well, third time's the charm-" The beeping of the monitor snapped their attention back to the present and jumping to his feet Ianto turned to the computer, Justine following close behind. "Sounds promising."

"The download is done," he confirmed as he scrolled through the information quickly, taking in the images and data with a practised eye. "Looks like most things will be simple enough," he added, "I'll start making those shopping lists." Nodding Justine picked up her wrist strap again and slipped it back onto her arm.

"Excellent, I-" The sound of voices coming from the stairs down into the depths of the Hub cut short whatever she had been about to say and she placed a hand on his arm lightly. "Thanks for the tea."

Straightening up she seemed to Ianto to change, the slight vulnerability he had seen a moment ago vanishing as Jack and John emerged into the room, bickering as usual. She appeared cocky again as she strode over to them, telling them off and flirting with Jack as he watched. Gwen slid unnoticed past the three ex-time agents and came over to Ianto.

"Anything worth reporting?" Gwen whispered to him, looking over his shoulder. He didn't react as he carried on scrolling through the files but couldn't help glancing at the trio as he replied.

"She didn't believe Jack was immortal, John had told her." Ianto looked back at the list before turning to Gwen and continuing. "Nothing other than that really. She seems trustworthy so far."

"So did John for the first bit." Gwen snorted softly and glanced at the trio again. "Trust me, from what I gather from those two she is just as bad, and worst still is it just me or does Jack have a bit of a soft spot for her?"

"Really?" Ianto smiled slightly oddly as he spotted Jack touching Justine more than was usual even for him. "I hadn't noticed."

"Really," Gwen repeated, smiling at his sarcasm. "I don't know about you but I think anyone who comes under the heading of 'Jack's ex' never brings anything but trouble." Serious again she put her hand on his shoulder. "I've a feeling we are going to end up doing more than just shopping."

Ianto nodded and ignored the raucous laughter coming from the other three over some shared reminiscence. Even forgetting that jealousy was a factor Gwen had a point. The sooner Lady Justine was gone again the better.

---

"So wait," John said, holding out his arms to point at Ianto in spite of the bags he was carrying, "you're seriously telling me you have to wait days just to send a message?"

Ianto resisted from rolling his eyes and hoisted the carrier bags he was holding higher, ignoring the slight ache in his arms. If he could cope with carrying Jack's entire body weight during some of his more adventurous ideas he could cope with carrying a bit of shopping. He could even just about cope with dragging John around with him. Explaining the postal system to the time agent had not been something he had counted on though, and he still wasn't sure if he was being taken for a ride.

"I fail to see why this is such a strange concept to you. You are supposed to be a time traveller, didn't they teach you anything first or did they just send you on your merry way?"

"I didn't pay that much attention in class..." Captain John paused to eye up a couple of young men heading the opposite way up Queen Street before hastening after Ianto again. "And it's not like I ever had to send a let-ter." Ianto closed his eyes for a moment and stopped walking, John almost going into the back of him, his arms instinctively grabbing Ianto's as he leaned in to whisper to Ianto softly. "Mmmm if you wanted me this close you only have to ask Eye Candy, no need to get all forceful on me. Not that I'd complain if you did...."

Ianto didn't answer and instead pulled a printed list from his pocket and checked off the items they had just bought. Damn. There were only a few things left, all of which required going to just one shop. Unfortunately it was the last place on Earth he wanted to go to with John.

"So where next Sweet Cheeks." Captain John Hart looked over his shoulder, the smell of his breath making Ianto pull away.

"Just one more shop to go." Ianto hastily folded the paper and took a deep breath, steeling himself for the bad news.

"Thank the goddesses." John stretched out his arms and tilted his head back. "I still don't know why we had to do this, I thought in this century women were supposed to enjoy the whole shopping bit. Couldn't Gwen have done this?"

"They thought my knowledge of the local area was better suited to the task." Ianto peeked at the list again and a small smile grew on his lips at the thought of Gwen shopping for the remaining items Justine was after. "I can handle the last bits on my own though if you want to head back to the Hub." John looked at him curiously, suspicion on his face at Ianto's attitude.

"I'm fine thanks, why don't we just-" Darting forward John snatched the list from Ianto and looked at it quickly, a broad grin lighting up his features. "Oh yes. Yes, yes, yes, YES!" He threw back his head and shouted the last, causing quite a few people to look round in surprise as he distracted them from their shopping and socialising.

"If it's not too much trouble," Ianto hissed, "could you please try to keep it down a bit?"

"You'd rather me strong and silent?" John shook his head and waved the list in triumph. "Oh come on, this is my specialty! Now I know where this one is-" Spinning round he quickly got his bearings before pointing down the path and grinning at a purple sign sticking out into the path. "Yes! Knew it. Juice may know her historical shit, Jack may be a whizz with the chemicals but me, I have my own talents. Put me down in any city in any era and I can always find the sex shop."

Grabbing Ianto's arm in his, he literally dragged the younger man along the path, almost knocking an elderly couple out of the way. Ianto hastily yelled his apologies behind them as he was pulled along, fighting to get his arm back only to find their shopping bags were entangled and trapping him there still.

Pulling up in front of the shop John grinned evilly at the mannequins in the window wearing lingerie and frilly feather boas. Letting go of Ianto and pulling his bags away he rubbed his hands together happily and bounded on in. John bounced straight over to the counter, Ianto following at a somewhat more sedate pace. John smiled with charm at the assistant and leaned over the counter.

"Good afternoon sir," she said politely, her broad Welsh accent making John smile, "how can I help you?"

"My friend and I want to do a fairly intense bit of shopping in here but we've got all these bags of junk weighing us down." John leaned over to stroke his fingertips on the counter, tracking small patterns over the plastic surface. "Now, I wouldn't want you to have to worry about watching out for us shop fitting-"

"Shoplifting." Ianto closed his eyes almost in pain as he corrected John, smiling somewhat apologetically at the assistant.

"Lifting, right," John corrected hastily "and well, not that I'd object to a little strip search from a lovely lady such as yourself, but for ease and enjoyment all round perhaps there is somewhere we can leave our bags whilst we shop."

"Of course sir." The assistant smiled politely at John before nodding to Ianto. "Afternoon Ianto. You can leave them by the changing room doors as usual."

"Much obliged Carys." Inclining his head in thanks Ianto stepped back with a small smile.

"I see you've got yourself a new shopping buddy," she added quickly, nodding at John with a raised eyebrow. "I do hope the lovely Captain hasn't done anything to upset you. Although this one seems very friendly too, you lucky thing."

"No, no, it's not like that." Ianto shook his head quickly. "Jack's fine, this is-"

"Captain John Hart, an old colleague of Jack's." Leaning over the counter John took her hand in his and kissed it softly. "And if you think he's lovely just wait until you try me."

"He's not really with me with me," Ianto hastily added, "we're just shopping."

"Ianto, sweetheart," John shook his head and pulled back, placing his hand over his heart as though in pain and began camping up his actions to Julian Clary proportions, "you know how much you mean to me. This shopping trip was supposed to help cement our relationship but instead you're bringing me to the same places you brought him aren't you? How could you?" Flinging his bags down, John paced away, holding his arm across his face dramatically.

"John!" Ianto hurried after him and found his fingers itching to reach for his gun. Leaning close he hissed into John's ear angrily. "Will you just behave for once in your miserable life?" Pouting but with an unmistakeable gleam in his eye John turned back before whispering to him.

"What's in it for me?"

"For you?" Rolling his eyes Ianto resisted the urge to say his life. "You can pick one thing from the shop, fifty quid maximum," Ianto quickly clarified, "if you just behave yourself so we can get this done quickly. Deal?" A lazy smile spread over John face and he nodded happily.

"Deal." Hugging Ianto tight John pretended to wipe a tear from his face before he headed back over to the till. "Sooo Carys is it? Tell me sweet Carys, what are your latest lines?"

Ianto had a feeling he was going to regret this.

---

Gwen didn't like the way Justine was hovering around the room, her hands roaming over everything, just touching it or moving it fractionally. She looked bored; or as though she was memorising everything. Plus she was humming. And tapping. John and Ianto had gone shopping, Jack was on the phone to his museum contacts - and judging by the flirtatious laughter that was going okay - which left the two women alone together. Just her and Jack's ex-wife.

Gwen tried to concentrate on her work, surfing through online auction sites for some of the more obscure items on the list, but as Justine drifted closer she couldn't help getting more and more irritated by her presence. She wasn't jealous of the woman, of course not; there was nothing to be jealous of. Besides, Gwen was happily married and-

"That's a lovely picture," Justine said, her voice interrupting Gwen's train of thought.

Gwen turned, her irritation unable to win out over the smile that broke out at the sight of the picture. It was a candid shot of her and Rhys and all the team at the wedding. Her dress was a mess, Rhys looked a sight and Ianto had a slightly shocked expression on his face that she was sure was down to wherever Jack's hand was at that moment. It was a lovely shot though and one she had only recently been able to look at again.

"Thanks." Gwen smiled happily and pointed at the picture. "It was my wedding day."

"I take it from this lot it wasn't formal wear then?" Justine grinned broadly. "Or did something come up?" Looking at the mix of outfits and Owen waving his bandaged hand Gwen laughed and shrugged.

"Something came up. Very nearly ruined the whole day but we got through it. And my lovely Rhys helped save the day," she added proudly.

"He must love you very much to put up with all this." Justine peered closely at the picture and smiled softly at the way everyone else was looking at the camera but Rhys only had eyes for his new bride.

"Jobs like these don't exactly lend themselves to a happy family life."

"It's very hard." Gwen caught an edge of sadness in the other woman's voice and nodded slowly. "But we take it a day at a time. Is there anyone back home waiting for you?"

"No one." Justine shook her head and stepped back, folding her arms gently. "Jack and John are the closest thing to family I have left." She pulled a disgusted face. "Oh goddesses save me; I can't believe things are so bad I'd consider John family." She sighed heavily and looked down at Gwen with a soft smile. "I was once part of a huge family, so many wonderful get-togethers we used to have when I was a kid. I remember this one time I was playing with my cousins and my grandfather..."

Justine's voice trailed off and she shrugged, dismissing the memory. "They're all gone now. I lost them a long time ago. And my grandfather died more recently. It's just me now." She looked at the picture of Gwen's wedding again and sighed. "Treasure him Gwen. Tell him every day how much he means to you. You never know for sure when you will get the chance to say it again."

"Now how come I haven't met her yet?" She pointed at Tosh and her grin grew broader. "She's pretty..." Gwen couldn't bring herself to say it but Justine caught the silence and stared at her thoughtfully. "Ah. The good friends you mentioned losing thanks to John." She placed a hand on Gwen's shoulder lightly. "I'm sorry for your loss." Gwen nodded in acknowledgement of the gesture as Lady Hartless continued.

"Actually I'm surprised you let John stick around. To be perfectly honest, I would have shot him for less." Justine's eyes crinkled into a slight frown as she thought about it. "Actually I have shot him for less."

"I can imagine." Gwen could feel her lips quirking into a guilty smile which she tried to hide. "Well it wasn't really his fault and he did try to help us in the end, without him it could have been much worse. Gray wasn't exactly-"

"Gray?" Justine's fingers tightened around Gwen's shoulder. "As in... Gray?"

"Jack's brother," Gwen clarified, frowning at the mixture of shock and something like delight on Justine's face. "John found him and-" Gwen stood up quickly as Justine ran across the Hub, bursting into Jack's office. She made to follow but a reassuring hand gesture from Jack through the window sent her back to her seat.

That was definitely odd but if Jack was going to deal with it at least she could get back to work. Catching sight of her phone on her desk she smiled and picked it up, running her thumb over the keys. Maybe a quick text to Rhys first wouldn't hurt. If she was lucky she would catch him at his desk, sandwich in one hand and grumpy expression on his face. Maybe she would make him smile. That was surely worth a two minute break....

---

"Mmmm these are always fun," John said, waving something long and pink, "what do you think Ianto? No, wait, I prefer silicone based." With a sigh he tossed the dildo back onto the shelf before pouncing on something else. "Oh but yes, now these are brilliant."

Ianto resisted the urge to turn around, instead concentrating on the list in his hand and the wall of sex toys in front of him, comparing the unfamiliar names to the list in his hand and selecting the right ones. He growled as a feather boa looped itself around his neck and quickly flicked the length of it off again.

"John, this does not fit my definition of behaving." Ianto glanced round and bit back a smile at the sight of the pink feather boa wrapped around John's neck. John was rifling through the boxes of toys and trying to select the right one for his treat but stopped as he spotted the novelty items.

"Ooooo candy!" John exclaimed happily. Pulling a candy posing pouch off the shelf John turned and threw it at Ianto, his instincts making him catch it easily before it hit him. "Candy for the Candy." Raising his eyebrows suggestively John swaggered forwards and looked Ianto up and down slowly. "You know, they do have changing rooms here if you want to go try it on. I'm sure it's your colour."

"I'm flattered you think so." Throwing the sweets back at John, Ianto returned to the wall of dildos. Shrugging but undeterred John carried on rifling through the stock.

"Tried this," John muttered to himself, "and this. This is rubbish. This is better in Polyplas, just wait until that stuff's invented, best thing since silicone. Now these are good but pink isn't my colour. Batteries eh? Well I can always hook them up to the wrist strap, divert the excess energy... Oh that's too hard, sleek but I always prefer a little give to make the whole thing more enjoyable-"

"John." Ianto turned away from the list and glared at his accomplice again. "Is there any chance that if I asked you to be quiet you actually would?" John grinned and pointed a finger at him accusingly.

"You're no fun. You know there are far too many girlie toys in here; where are the butt plugs?"

Ianto closed his eyes yet again and turned away, wishing for the fiftieth time in the past hour that John would either go back to the Hub, go dumb, go back into the rift or even just plain go.

"This store caters more for the female market but they do have a few items." Ianto didn't even bother to look up again as he pointed over towards John's right. "Over there." Out of the corner of his eye he saw John rush past him, a flash of pink from the end of his feather boa flicking at the edge of his vision.

"Oh yes, that's more like it..."

"Select quickly, I'm almost done," Ianto called after John as he crossed another item off the list and turned, stifling a groan as he spotted John comparing shapes and sizes of various products.

"I love the way they come up with such sweet names for them in this century." John glanced back and held out a pink and bobbly vibrating butt plug to Ianto. "Makes it seem as though you lot are afraid to admit what you have in your hands. A bullet, an egg, a berry, it all sounds so clean and good." Stalking closer John twisted the box in his fingers deftly.

"I bet that's what keeps Jack in this century," John added, "it's the way you all try to act so respectable but underneath you're just as kinky and twisted as every other human in every other century. Hell, you lot go out of your way to make things naughty or taboo just so you can get that extra kick out of doing it." Placing the butt plug in the basket he leaned close to Ianto. "Present for you and Jack. There," he whispered quietly, "don't say I never get you anything."

"How generous." Ianto turned and looked at him sceptically. "It would only be a present if YOU paid." Taking the box out of his basket Ianto pushed it into John's chest, forcing him to grab it. "Just pick what you want and we can get the hell out of here." John tossed the box back over towards the shelf and nodded.

"Okay I'll pick but I really need your advice." Dashing into the lingerie section he beckoned Ianto after him. Grabbing a blue Basque and suspender set off the rail he held it up to himself and fluttered his eyelashes at Ianto. "Do you think this is my colour?" Grabbing the lingerie off him Ianto shoved it back onto the rail, ignoring the giggles from the shop assistants. He was never going to be able to show his face in here after this.

"No," Ianto hissed, "it's not." John shrugged then looked at him thoughtfully.

"You're right," John admitted, "blue is much more your colour than mine." Reaching out he brushed a finger along Ianto's cheek before the younger man flinched away. "Tell me Ianto, have you ever tried one of those? The feel of the softness of it against your skin, the way it feels hugging your chest... The way the silk of the stockings makes your legs so much more sensitive than usual..."

Closing his eyes and breathing deeply John missed Ianto walking past him to the till and placing the basket on the counter. But upon opening them again he was just in time to see the blush on Ianto's face start to fade. Blinking once in surprise John hurried forward, running over and almost banging into the counter as he slammed his hands down on it.

"By the moons of Alpha Centauri, you HAVE!" Laughing raucously John slammed his hand down again and missed Ianto's despairing look at the sales girl. "Yes, now that I would pay to see!" Turning his back to the counter he leaned against it, dipping back casually so he could see Ianto's face better and the deliciously angry blush still spread across it.

"Any chance of a re-enactment?" John continued eagerly. "Was it just the once or do you guys do this often? Does Jack dress up too? Oh tell me Jack dresses up. Oh please tell me Jack dresses up too? I knew that military kink of his would spill over to a little extra role play. Is he the naughty nurse or schoolgirl?" At the giggle from the shop assistant John glanced round, catching the quick shh Ianto gave her.

"Wait a moment..." John grinned in triumph. "You got it from here, didn't you?" Turning back around, he leaned across the counter and gave the girl his most charming smile. "Hi. Carys wasn't it? You can tell me," John lowered his voice and nodded towards Ianto, "he won't mind really."

"Oh really?" Ianto tutted and shook his head, his composure recovered and a smug smile on his face. "She won't tell you for one very good reason. I don't want her to. And..." Reaching into his jacket he pulled out his wallet and slid out a small pink and well used store card, offering it to the assistant. "The customer is always right."

---

"Jack!" Jack shushed Justine quickly as he ended his call.

"That's great, you've been an amazing help," he said, laughing at the reply. "Oh I'd be happy to attend your openings any time." Jack did not miss the impatient eye roll Justine gave him, nor the gagging move she made with her fingers and mouth. "Until then. I'll see you soon Maggie. Bye for now." Hanging up the phone Jack leaned back in his chair and stretched, his dark blue shirt sleeves rising up his arms as he raised his hands up to the ceiling.

"Good news, I've made progress getting us into the museum for the watch and we've some details on the stately home for the sphere. Plus," he added with a grin, "some old friends at UNIT just happen to have a sample of your pallasite that they're happy to lend me." He brought his arms down with a shrug. "Well I say happy, I think begrudging may be more the correct ter-"

"You found Gray," Justine interrupted at last, unable to wait any longer. "Jack why didn't you tell me? Where is he?"

"I..." He froze, caught out by the sudden change in conversation and the look of joy on her face. "You know about Gray? I mean I told you?"

"Of course you told me about Gray, you thought you would tell Captain Jerkoff but not me?" She shook her head and began to pace impatiently, her hands waving animatedly as her heels clicked on the hard floor. "Hell, you would have told a single celled organism with no ears about Gray if you thought there was a possibility there was a sensory membrane and a hive mind involved that could lead you to him. But that's not the point." She paused and turned to him again.

"The point is you found him again! And alive!" she added, as she began to pace again. "After all this time! You were the one who first told me there was always hope, that I shouldn't give up but you actually DID it you found him again and-"

"Juice, slow down, please. It's not-" He leaned forwards and rested his elbows on the desk, his fingers interlacing as he looked up at her. "It's not as good as it sounds. He... he'd changed and-" Justine stopped pacing and frowned at him as she placed her hands on her hips.

"He was alive wasn't he?" A slight edge of panic crept into her features but Jack nodded slowly and she smiled again.

"He was. But he'd been kept by them for so long, he wasn't... he wasn't really Gray any more." Jack sighed and looked up at her seriously. "He hated me, Juice. I'd been looking for him for so long and he hated me, he killed me and he killed my friends for no reason other than to get back at me. He's insane."

"But you did find him again." She leaned over the desk, placing her palms flat against the wood as she looked at him thoughtfully, her hair hanging in curtains either side of her face. "Who cares if a couple of people died because of it, he's your brother Jack, blood is thicker than-"

Justine's voice was cut off as Jack's hand shot out and wrapped itself around her throat, holding her tight but not hurting too much. He always had been good at knowing exactly how much force to use, an expert in the proper application of pressure to induce pleasure or pain, whichever would help him the most. She could feel her pulse pounding against his fingers and she froze in place, staring impassively at his angry face.

"Who CARES?" he shouted at her. "People died because of him, people suffered because of him, because of me. I CARE. Nothing is more important than human life and if you can't accept that you'd better get the hell out of here, Juice or I swear I will make damn sure you can't hurt any one. And you know how good I am at that."

"You and what army, Harkness?" Swallowing hard against his hand she grinned slightly and placed her hands over his wrist gently before with a hard press and a twist she broke his grip and slammed his hand down into the desk. "Just remember I know all the same tricks you do, and probably a few more." Swatting aside his other hand as it reached for her she stepped back from the desk, her hands on her hips as he pulled out his gun.

"But," Justine conceded with a bow, "this is your home so we'll do things your way. No killing. No deaths. Just a simple scavenger hunt." She stuck her tongue out just slightly at him. "Agent's honour."

"Like you ever had any honour to give, Juice." Putting his gun away Jack stood, walking around the desk to go past her, suddenly unable to stand being in the same room.

"Of course," she said quietly, "maybe your lack of determination to do whatever it took to find him is why Gray hates you. And why John had to do your dirty work for you."

Jack changed course towards her and slapped her hard across the face, sending her sprawling to the floor, her skirts flying out around her in a dark black pool. Justine held her red cheek gently and looked up at him, licking blood from a split lip.

"One more chance, Juice," he snarled, "if you ever say anything like that again I will throw you through time myself, without a manipulator to protect you. I've ridden the time vortex bareback and believe me it is not a pleasant experience. Understood?" Without waiting for an answer he barged past her before stopping at the doorway, breathing deeply to calm himself down. "Sometimes you're better off not knowing what happened. And some things should stay lost." Leaving her on the floor he strode out into the Hub.

Gwen was looking at him in shock but Jack ignored her, heading straight for the coffee machine instead. He needed to calm down. How Justine always managed to find the right buttons to press to provoke him he had no idea. His fingers were shaking slightly as he set to work and he didn't react as Gwen came over.

The door rolling open interrupted her though and as Juice came out of the office, the back of her hand against her damaged face, John and Ianto walked in. Their arms were full of carrier bags and they were in the middle of bickering but stopped short as they took in the tension in the room. It was John who finally broke the silence.

"Right, what did we miss?"

---

The sound of the rift monitor beeping broke the awkward silence, Gwen hastening over to check it out. Ianto dumped all the bags on John and quickly hurried over to save the coffee machine from Jack. Justine simply gave John a knowing smile and grinned as he nodded back at her before he chuckled and headed over to dump the bags on the couch. Justine licked the blood of her lip and strolled over to stand behind Gwen, watching over her shoulder again as she worked.

"I'm a little busy right now, Justine," Gwen said quickly.

"Obviously." Smiling softly she watched Gwen try to get narrow down the location of the rift spike and shrugged. "I'm guessing you don't do this that often."

"I know what I'm doing." Gwen threw her an angry look before getting back to work, missing Tosh even more as she tried to narrow down the readings.

"I don't doubt that." Justine held her hands up in surrender and shifted to perch on the edge of the desk. "I just meant you look like you are out of practice."

"Thanks." Gwen snorted slightly and tried to concentrate, ignoring John shouting coffee orders at the others. "We're a little short handed and having to cover some extra duties, that's all." She took a deep breath. "I'll get the hang of it."

"I'm sure you will but if I may..." Justine reached out to tap a fingertip against the screen. "You need to compensate for the frequency variation in the spike to separate it from the background level of the rift." Gwen looked at her with suspicion before doing as she suggested and a small smile crept onto her lips as the changes worked, the signal narrowing down.

"It worked!" she exclaimed in surprise. Justine laughed quietly and shrugged.

"The rift is a tricky thing sometimes; the frequency shift in the spikes can be a killer at first." she explained. Gwen locked in the co-ordinates and checked the local CCTV, grinning in triumph as she spotted a weevil heading down to the sewers.

"Jack," Gwen called out, "we've got a new weevil just arrived; it's heading down to the sewers though so no immediate threat." Glancing over her shoulder Gwen saw him hastily try to wipe the scowl off his face as he nodded to her. Ianto was standing close beside him and looking at her too. From the look of frustration on Ianto's face it seemed as though Jack wasn't feeling talkative and she took it as a silent cue to leave him be for a bit. Turning back to the monitor she finished off the trace before looking round at Justine again. "You know a bit about the rift then?"

"More than most." Justine nodded and glanced over at John. "Some people learn just enough to be able to use it as a cheap form of transport but I spent some time studying the rift. It helps to know your enemy."

Sliding off the desk Justine folded her arms and watched as Jack stalked past, heading back to his office and ignoring her. Ianto was watching her closely from the coffee machine whilst John simply raised an eyebrow at her questioningly. Turning back to Gwen she shrugged carelessly.

"What did I do now?"

---

Jack sighed heavily and leaned forwards on his desk, resting his head in his hands as the sound of his exes arguing in the autopsy room echoed through the Hub. He was still slightly shaky from earlier but had managed to put it down to the stress of having them here. One of them at a time he could just about handle. Both at once always led to trouble.

A reluctant smile crept over his face as a memory intervened to contradict that thought. Maybe not always trouble as such. But definitely the sort of fun that nice boys and girls weren't supposed to enjoy - or go looking for. Say what you like about Time Agents though, nice boys and girls was never a term that was applied to them.

He traced his fingers over the leather strap on his wrist slowly as he tried to remember how he had felt when he had first been given it, along with his ranking. J. A very special section of the agency. Near the middle of the alphabet, just edging towards the darker part of the agency spectrum, they were an almost perfect balance of ruthlessness and charm, looks and detachment.

J's were among the group of general agents, suitable for any mission, any team. As one of his old teachers used to say, you could do a mission without a J but it would be a hell of a lot more fun with one. J's were regarded as the agency sluts, the ones who would do literally anything, who could deliver and withstand pleasure or pain with equal enthusiasm.

Pretty, deadly and the category voted most likely to get into trouble - or simply be trouble. No other agents could really understand them and very few could control them. So they often got grouped together, and the sex was... Jack shivered in spite of himself at the memories. He was surprised he hadn't recognised Juice earlier but as much as he hated to admit it her face was not the part of her that sprung to his mind first. Actually his memories of their time together were more feelings and sensations than images. He had been so young, so stupid and really reckless. It was a miracle any of them had made it out of there alive. Three of them together had certainly been fun and definitely the best kind of trouble.

But on the other hand the clash of egos made for some really spectacular rows - as he himself had demonstrated earlier. If he didn't know full well that Justine had enjoyed their little spat a bit too much and had been deliberately pushing him he would feel guilty for striking her. She always had known exactly how to wind him up but losing control like that had taken him by surprise. He had spent decades controlling his anger, overcoming all the training of the agency and to lose it just because of a vicious remark was worrying. She really did provoke the most amazing fights.

One of which had been raging in the autopsy room for the past hour as John and Justine debated the finer points of who had conned who last. Jack looked out through the window as Gwen swore, a tray of medical instruments clattering across the Hub floor from the direction of the Autopsy room.

The missiles were new and the shouting had changed from basic English to Judoon - for a race of policemen they had the best swear words in the universe - and he had a feeling that if he didn't intervene soon the pair of them would either be bleeding or fucking on the autopsy table. With a small smile Jack realised he wasn't sure which of those mental images appealed to him the most.

Ianto strolled unhurriedly past the staircase, neatly sidestepping the glass from a blood sample vial that shattered against the top step but frowning as he spotted the spray on his trouser leg. Picking up the pace his face was dark as he almost stomped towards Jack's office. Damn. Now he was really going to get it.

Ianto didn't bother knocking or hesitating but instead walked straight into the office and shut the door behind him, marching over to Jack's desk and leaning on it heavily, the glare on his face one that threatened Jack's right hand was going to be the only one getting any action any time soon. He hadn't looked this mad since Jack had spilled red wine over Ianto's white sheets. In his defence he had been aiming for Ianto's belly button at the time, if only he hadn't moved....

"Jack, they have got to leave. At our best guess it's going to take at least the rest of the day just to track down the more difficult items and John and I have already picked up most of the easier bits, they're in the cells." Hesitating a moment and breathing deeply to calm himself down Ianto pulled out his wallet and removed a pink store card, placing it on the table along with a pile of receipts.

"By the way we got some of Justine's more expensive 'plastic' items from your favourite shop." A reluctant smile crept onto Ianto's features as he continued. "Incidentally the girls in there didn't even bat an eyelid this time; we go there far too often. Although I did have to bribe John to get him to behave, item fifteen on the receipt."

"Shall we switch back to online for a bit?" Jack took the receipts from him and nodded as he flicked through them. "I'll miss the changing rooms there, those little peep holes are just delicious and the attendants know me so well now they even suggest things for me to try. Little minxes....." He frowned as he found the receipt for the well known high street shop with the surprising mix of lingerie and rabbits.

"He wanted one of those?" Jack asked in surprise. "Raising one eyebrow in surprise he glanced out the window as another crash from outside brought their attention back to the matter at hand. "Seems a little optimistic to be after a two player game to me. I don't think she can stand being in the same room with him at the moment let alone be in the mood for indulging his little fantasies."

"And speaking of them," Ianto said quickly, "as I was saying, the point is there is not much more we can do for her for now. So why do they have to stay here?" They both winced as a particularly loud curse echoed through the Hub, making Myfanwy shriek in reply and Gwen put her fingers in her ears. The pair in the autopsy Bay had reached the anatomically impossible insults; it wouldn't be long now until they shut up one way or the other.

"Because," Jack sighed as he leaned back in his chair, "I don't trust them out there?" Ianto closed his eyes as another screech echoed through the Hub.

"Right, whereas if they carry on in here nobody could possibly get hurt." Glancing at Jack, Ianto watched his lover closely as he pushed a little more. "Unlike earlier." Jack shot him a look but his gaze softened slightly and he inclined his head in acknowledgement. They would talk about that little spat later. Mollified slightly Ianto leaned forwards, carrying on.

"Look, why don't I knock them out and put them in a cell, at least then they can't scare the Pterodactyl-" Ianto began before both men turned as a bang interrupted them. Gwen had slammed her hands down on the keyboard and was stood up, her gaze fixed on the armoury and a steely look in her eye. "Or alternatively," Ianto added with a grin, "I think Gwen has come up with her own solution...."

"Gwen!" Jack hastily pushed back from the desk and ran from his office, dashing across the Hub to grab Gwen's arm. Ianto on the other hand simply leaned against the office doorframe and watched. "Gwen, don't even think about it." Jack gripped her arms firmly as she tried to shake him off but unable to she settled for stabbing her finger against his chest with every word instead.

"Don't even think about it?" She poked him hard. "Jack, I've been thinking of nothing else for the past hour, I have been fantasising about shooting them both and feeding the corpses to the weevils! So God help me Jack, either you let me go or you get them out of here because I can't take it a moment longer!"

Jack turned around and steered her back across the Hub before pushing her to sit down in her chair, letting go of her long enough to put his finger across his lips. As soon as she was sat quietly he smiled briefly then turned, striding towards the Autopsy room. His mouth was just opening to speak when a stray scalpel embedded itself in his chest.

"Ow!" Jack roared as he looked down at the blade. For the first time in what felt like hours the Hub fell silent. Ianto and Gwen tentatively walked over to join Jack, staring into the mess that used to be their main medical facility. Medical equipment was everywhere and both John and Justine were breathing heavily, caught between laughing and looking guilty as they looked at Jack. Wincing, Jack pulled the small blade out of his skin and tossed it down onto the floor with a loud clatter, his fingers covering the small wound ineffectually.

"That's it," Jack shouted, "I've had enough of your squabbling. It's all fun and games until someone gets stabbed." Ianto slid past him into the room and hurried down the steps, heading for the equipment drawers. "Get up here, both of you."

"Gwen." Jack turned and pointed at his second in command. "Let them have two items each back from their little arsenal for defence and put them in the SUV. They can go finish this off at Owen's flat." Turning back he looked down the stairs at his old partners again. "And if you two make a mess there YOU are cleaning it up!" Looking like guilty kids the pair of them headed for the stairs, stepping over the scattered equipment.

"Oh and Gwen-" Jack added, as he turned to face her once more before glancing down at the blood staining his shirt and fingers. "Make sure you take a gun for yourself. If they give you any trouble, aim for their legs but if you miss I won't be that upset."

Gwen chuckled and gestured for them to follow her, her heels clicking across the Hub whilst the pair of them whispered to each other behind her. Ianto came back up the stairs with a bandage pad for Jack's wound and some wipes, pointing him back towards his office with the faintest trace of a smile on his face.

"You can say it if you really want," Jack said in defeat. Ianto put on his very best 'I don't know what you mean' face and raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"I wouldn't dream of saying anything Sir." His emphasis on the word made Jack growl in frustration and wince as he looked at Ianto.

"I'm going to get the 'I was right' look for the rest of the day aren't I?" Jack asked. Ianto shrugged and walked past him, heading towards Jack's office as his boss trailed after him.

"If you're very lucky," Ianto called back over his shoulder, "you might get it all night too."

Jack perked up as he followed after Ianto, ignoring the yelled goodbyes from John and Justine as Gwen steered them towards the door. All night implied he wasn't going to be alone in bed and he could handle any amount of 'I told you so's' from Ianto for that.

---

"Well here we are again dear, home sweet home." John opened the door with a grin and looked around the empty flat, throwing the keys onto the kitchen counter with a half-hearted toss. He turned back and looked at Justine standing just outside the door. "What, are you waiting for me to carry you over the threshold or have you gone vampire and need an invite?"

"What's a vampire?" She frowned and followed him in, looking around with an edge of disdain.

"And no thanks, the last time you carried me anywhere was quite memorable enough thank you." Chuckling John pushed the door closed behind her and shrugged.

"Was a good trip huh?" he said with a suggestive grin. Walking off into the space she glanced over her shoulder at him with a matching grin.

"It was sufficient." She carried on walking then sighed as she stood in the centre of the almost empty room. "Unlike this place. Does he seriously expect us to stay here? I mean we have no food-"

"Oh," John quickly cut her off, "Ianto says he has an understanding with all the takeaways round here, well the ones that deliver anyway. We can order what we like and he will get billed at the end of the week. Apparently the delivery boys were getting so fed up with not getting paid when team Torchwood run off to do the whole hero thing they set up an account and now dump the food on the doorstep instead."

"And where shall we sit with this feast you want to order?" Growling softly Justine carried on wondering through the flat, impatiently looking for what they had to work with. "We have no table, one chair-"

"One bed," he added. Justine turned back suddenly and raised her eyebrows.

"You are not bringing anything smelly or messy into my bed, not again."

"You didn't object at first." John wiped his thumb across his lip thoughtfully and sauntered towards her slowly, almost swaggering as he looked her up and down. Rolling her eyes Justine held out her hand to stop him coming any closer, pressing against his chest and keeping him at arms' length.

"You were cleaning it all up at first," she pointed out. She couldn't help the small smile that played over her lips at the memory. "Actually now I think of it, it might have been partly my fault you stopped..."

"As I recall..." John pressed against her hand, leaning in towards her, his tongue curling up over his teeth for a slow swipe across his upper lip. "You were pulling my hair so tightly if I'd tried to move I'd be bald now."

"It might have been an improvement...! Justine let out a slow breath as her arm bent, letting him lean closer towards her. "Especially compared to this hideous style you're trying now. And just for the record where did you get that jacket? You look like you should be on horseback somewhere."

"As opposed to a life on the ocean wave?" John reached out and trailed his fingertips down her throat, sliding into her cleavage with a thoughtful look. "Since when did the pirate look come into fashion? Or is it gypsy, I always get those two mixed up." Shrugging she slid closer, letting her free hand slide along the holster for his guns before gliding over his crotch.

"The 32nd century, little planet called Noosan." Justine leaned closer, both her arm and his crushed between them as her lips hovered over his. "Say what you like about our dress sense though, no one else could pull it off quite like us...." John laughed and let his hand slide under her top, pushing up towards her shoulder and sliding the fabric back.

"Very true." Leaning in as though to kiss her shoulder he paused, his lips brushing against her ear. "Juice, what are you really doing here?" he whispered softly to her. "What's the con?"

"Did dear Jack ask you to pump me for information?" Growling softly she pushed him away and pulled back, standing clear of him. "Is that it?" John put his hands on his hips, leaning back again.

"Oh I see," he snarled, "so it's alright for you two to have quiet little chats in dark corners but oh no, don't tell John. You two always did that, always kept secrets from me. I was just the little optional extra for when you got bored."

"Optional extra?" Laughing in disbelief Justine stepped closer again but pushed him hard, making him take a step back. "Have you ever SEEN the pair of you together? You were already a team, I was just..." She hesitated then pulled back.

"John, I am not having this same argument with you over and over again; for goodness sake anyone would think we were the ones who got caught in a time loop." Justine sighed heavily and ran a hand through her hair, pushing it back off her face. "There is no con. I need those items, I need to gather them up and get the hell out of this time and I need to do it quickly. I'm not here for you." She looked into his eyes and to his surprise he found himself believing her. "I'm not here to con anyone. I just want to do my job and go home." John nodded but looked at her sceptically.

"And Jack?" he asked quietly. Justine looked thoughtful for a moment before shrugging, her hands behind her back.

"He has nothing I need. He's no use to me any more." Smiling softly she leaned in close again. "He's just the... optional extra. Now, shall we go check out that nice little room I found you in last night and continue our chat about optional extras in there or am I going to have to go for a walk and find some 21st century boy instead?"

"You think you can just turn up here and I'll just fall back into bed with you?" John laughed and stepped back, ducking his head to look at her. "Maybe I've changed sweetheart, maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"Maybe I don't but maybe I do." She nodded, considering his statement before stepping closer again, her hands still behind her as she leaned in to whisper in his ear. "How about... you get out that strap-on you conned Ianto into buying for you and I'll peg you for as long as you can handle. And then some." She bit his earlobe gently, grinning as she released it and purred against his skin. "I'll even let you call me Jack when you come all over my fingers."

"You think you can buy me off with cheap sex?" Swallowing hard John snorted softly, trying to act as though the idea didn't appeal to him even though his reply was slightly too fast and faltering to be convincing. "I'm not that easy sweetheart." Justine glanced down between them to the growing bulge in his trousers and raised one eyebrow sceptically.

"All evidence to the contrary, John - and who said anything about cheap sex, I intend to make it very expensive for you, at least in terms of energy." Kissing his cheek lightly she dropped her voice to a whisper. "I already told you. Help me out and I'll make sure you are handsomely rewarded. Not to mention I can get the bounty placed on you by the head of the Albax syndicate lifted."

"How the hell can you manage that?" John looked at her in surprise. Justine shrugged slowly and grinned.

"I have some influence with his youngest daughter. She has such a wonderful set of spines..."

"I'll bet." Laughing, John wrapped an arm around her and tugged her close, pressing against her. "Fine, I'll behave. But if you try to hurt this lot I'll stop you." Laughing in surprise she nodded slowly.

"Oh John, you've started regrowing your soul, how sweet!" She leaned in and kissed him softly. "I have no intention of hurting them; I'm just here for the souvenirs." Grinning at his sceptical expression she held her hand up to her temple in a salute. "Space scouts honour." In spite of his best efforts the edge of John's mouth began to curl up into a smile.

"You were never a scout," he said sceptically. Shrugging she walked past him to the counter and pulled herself up to sit on it, her legs dangling down.

"I don't see why you are so concerned about this lot anyway," she replied, "it's not like you were ever exactly a team player."

"Depends on the game sweetheart, as you may remember." John shrugged and stepped closer again. "Maybe I find them useful." Raising an eyebrow Justine leaned back on the counter, resting her weight on her elbows.

"And maybe you are still pining around after our lovely Jack like a lovesick puppy," she guessed. Seeing the look on his face she sighed and reached out a hand, letting her fingertips scrape over the scrollwork on his jacket. "Whatever. As if it would bother me." She looked at him thoughtfully and smiled. "So, what do you fancy first, food, shopping or sex?"

"Well..." John considered for a moment before reaching into his pocket for the small pile of menus Ianto had given him. "Most of these places take at least thirty minutes to deliver, such a backwards little century." He slid between her legs, pushing her skirt up around her waist and reached past her for the phone on the wall. "Now, just how much damage do you think we can do in an empty flat in thirty minutes?"

---

Ianto hung up the phone and closed his eyes almost in pain. How he was going to explain to Jack that they had been banned from yet another takeaway all because of an incident with the delivery boy was beyond him. At least this time the man was alive and, from what he could work out, in very good spirits. Sadly though he no longer had a job and they were banned from yet another fast food outlet. Ianto leaned down to rest his head on the cool desk for a moment and took a deep breath. Quite what two ex time agents, a pizza delivery guy and three deep dish pizzas could get up to in an empty flat he really didn't want to know.

---

Lady Justine Hartless stirred lazily in the bed, stretching as best she could whilst sandwiched between the two men. Grinning to herself she tickled along the young pizza boy's side slowly. He had been quite a surprise she had to admit. So many young men in this era would have stopped well short of what he had been up for but the boy - there really was no denying his youth compared to them - was just what she had needed for a pick me up.

It took her a moment to extricate her limbs from theirs and slide down the bed, placing the boy's arm over John instead to avoid waking him. Slipping from the bed she grabbed her cloak from the corner and draped it over her shoulders, covering her naked form and keeping off the slight chill from the empty flat. As she crept away she stopped as a familiar voice, low and quiet but more than enough to reach her, drifted through the room.

"You wouldn't be planning on sneaking out on us now would you, Juice?" John whispered softly. Smiling she turned, looking over her shoulder at John as he idly stroked his way along the younger man's sleeping body.

"I think you two will be just fine for a few minutes. I won't be long but feel free to..." She grinned as the younger man stirred, blinking blearily in surprise at John before blushing. "Start without me." Turning away she pulled her cloak close and let the thin fabric adapt to the temperature, warming her cooling limbs as she paced into the empty space. She could hear the youth's uncertain protestations turn to enthusiastic agreement as she moved away and reflected that at least she hadn't had to pull John off an unwilling partner this time.

His obsession with non-sentient life forms was more than a little confusing to her as, like many of their colleagues, she preferred her partners to at least be capable of expressing some form of consent - or not as the situation and personal preference demanded.

The boys' noisy cries were soon echoing through the empty space as she leaned against the kitchen counter, picking her wrist strap up off the side and scrolling through the most recent entries. It had been easy to get a copy of all the data on the SIM card in Gwen's phone and she tapped the readings, smiling softly as she read the text message the other woman had sent to Rhys before rolling her eyes. Romance. So overrated.

She knew it would be impossible to access Jack's data without knocking him out - or getting him into bed - but John's wrist strap had been easily accessed when she first arrived. Chuckling to herself she wondered if he knew just how easy his encryption key was to figure out. She continued sorting through the data and mentally began working out how to get near enough to Ianto Jones' phone to copy it too. She didn't even notice when the boy went quiet again.

She did however hear Captain John Hart, as he was now calling himself, padding quietly across the floor towards her and quickly changed the data to something innocuous. She otherwise refused to react to his presence, even when his hands pulled at her cloak and slid themselves around her waist.

"That was a quickie even for you, John dear," she said softly. Chuckling he pulled her close, his right arm pressed against her belly whilst his left pulled the cloak back from her shoulder, tracing his fingers over a developing bite mark from earlier.

"What can I say; I was a bit too much for the poor little chap. He's happy enough to receive but isn't really ready to give yet because for some reason having another man suck him off isn't gay but if he returns the favour it is."

"Quaint little categories," she agreed. She chuckled at the frustration in John's voice and was grateful again that she didn't intend to stay in this time for long. "I take it you aren't interested in just taking care of yourself then?" Her face lit up with a feral grin as he slid one hand along her arm before scraping the short nails of the other across her thigh, the burn of the move sending a shiver through her. As he sank his teeth into the soft curve of her shoulder she reached back, her longer nails grabbing his hips and pulling him forwards, enjoying the feel of him pressing against her back.

"Ah well," she sighed, "the things I do for old time's sake..."

---

Jack didn't remember when he fell asleep but as he lifted his head up from the desk he hoped his aching muscles would ease soon. Looking round he quickly spotted Ianto working away quietly in the next room, the Hub dark apart from the pool of light around his desk. The shadow of stubble on Ianto's face made him look as old as Jack felt in the harsh light.

Pushing back from his desk Jack stretched out his back and made his way through the dark Hub with an ease born of far too many years of practice. Ianto didn't look round as he approached but Jack could tell by the slight slowing of his movements that he knew he was there. Slowing Jack moved to stand behind him, his hand brushing over Ianto's shoulder in a familiar gesture. Leaning back into his touch Ianto looked up with a tired grin on his face.

"When I signed up with Torchwood I expected the late nights, the research and the interesting life forms." Ianto sighed tiredly. "I did not expect the research to be eBay and the interesting life forms to be my boss' exes."

"I guess at Torchwood One that was less of an issue." Jack squeezed his shoulder gently as Ianto turned back to the screen to place another bid. "I heard Yvonne wasn't exactly a big socialiser herself even though she turned a blind eye to everyone else's little get-togethers." He watched the slight grin spread across Ianto's profile and the way even the turn up of his nose seemed to smile along with his lips.

"You'd be surprised what she let go on," Ianto said cryptically. "But I can't exactly complain as it worked in my favour a few times." Jack watched the slightly distant look on Ianto's face and pulled back a little, not wanting to interrupt the memories of the person he knew was in Ianto's mind. But just as Jack was about to let go of his shoulder Ianto turned again and reached up, placing a hand over his. "Although never anything like what I get away with here."

"Hey!" Jack laughed and put on a stern look "I'm a very strict boss as you well know; I treat you all like slaves." Ianto raised one eyebrow quizzically.

"And here I thought I was the only one you treated like that," he said, sounding hurt. Letting go of Jack's hand Ianto stood, pushing the chair back and turning to stand face to face with Jack as he grinned. "But only when I let you of course."

"Mmmm yes Sir, Mr. Jones Sir." Grinning Jack raised his eyebrows and let his hands slide around Ianto's waist. Jack leaned in for a kiss before pausing as his face twisted, shaking his head quickly before bringing his hand up to cover his mouth as he yawned widely. "Although perhaps a little coffee slave moment might be an idea first." Ianto slipped out of his grasp and quickly checked the computer before, satisfied, he headed over to the coffee machine.

"Your usual or something stronger?" he called back.

"My usual is great." Jack nodded as he followed, his eyes tracking every move Ianto made. "I think we are going to have to call it a night soon, I can't take looking at those stupid artefacts much longer." Ianto nodded and Jack saw the way his eyes took longer than usual to open with every blink and the way he was moving. He was exhausted too.

"I couldn't agree with you more," Ianto said, stifling a yawn. "My last auction of the day will end in about half an hour so we should be fine after that." Jack nodded and moved closer, his hands in his trousers as he stood still by the machine.

"Thank you for this," Jack said softly.

"For the coffee?" Ianto looked up in polite bemusement. "Like I would trust you to make it yourself again."

"I don't think it's forgiven me for the last time yet," Jack admitted as he stroked his hand across the machine before pulling back in mock pain as though it had bitten him. Ianto laughed quietly and Jack smiled softly before his expression grew serious again. "And I don't mean the coffee," he clarified, "I mean all this. John, Justine... I know it must be hard." He paused a moment.

"I mean you know I've got a hell of a back catalogue," Jack suddenly continued, "and I know you don't really like to talk about it - except for the good stories anyway, you always enjoy those really." Ianto smiled in spite of himself and concentrated on the coffee to try to hide it. Jack carried on hesitantly. "But it's different when it's abstract and I just mean, well, if I could choose two of my legions of ex-lovers to turn up at once it would not be those two." Shrugging Jack looked down for a moment, lost in memory. "Hell, out of my ex-wives Juice wouldn't even make the top three-"

"Jack," Ianto sighed softly, "you know we talked about when you try to make things better but actually start making it worse?" Looking up again Ianto worked the machine to its final stage and slid the fresh cup of coffee off the stand and passed it to Jack. "Just shut up and drink your coffee."

Smiling, Jack took the cup and made his way over to the sofa, Ianto finishing his own off before bringing it over and sitting beside him. They sat in silence for a moment before Jack looked at Ianto curiously and tried to look casual as he asked something that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Do you think," Jack asked quietly, "that you and Lisa would ever have got married?" Ianto paused mid-sip for a second before lowering the mug down to rest on his thigh, both hands wrapped around it.

"I honestly don't know." Ianto thought for a moment. "If we hadn't of been part of Torchwood and just a normal couple I don't know how long we would have lasted in the first place. Sometimes I think Gwen and Rhys only got this far because they met before she came here. There really is something about this job that makes everything that much more intense, much more crazy..." Jack chuckled softly into his own mug and nodded briefly.

"Hell yes," he agreed with a grin, "why do you think I put up with it for so long?" Ianto chuckled too, his thumb rubbing over the rim of his mug slowly.

"But were we really going to be together forever?" Ianto continued, talking to himself almost as much as to Jack. He shrugged and stared down at his mug thoughtfully. "Maybe for a little while I wanted that. I guess it's only when you realise you can't have something that you start to think you should have it and forget to think about whether you actually want it at all." He shrugged lightly. "No, I don't think I'm really the marrying kind."

Jack looked at him carefully and smiled sadly. "Liar."

"You're right Jack." Ianto grinned and turned to face him with an impish expression on his face. "Let's go register a civil partnership, move to the countryside, buy a dog, adopt a few kids or get Gwen to be our surrogate and live happily ever after." Jack laughed loudly, the sound echoing around the deserted Hub for a moment and making Myfanwy shriek in answer.

"We both know that's not an option," Jack said softly, "I can't think of anything that could make either of us stop doing exactly what we do now." Ianto nodded and looked at him, his face so open and honest it made Jack's heart ache to see it.

"Exactly. And I'm happy with things just the way they are," Ianto added. "Completely happy."

Jack smiled back and suddenly remembered all over again just why he was so crazy about this young man. Leaning forward he placed his mug on the table before draping his left hand over Ianto's, holding it steady as he leaned in to kiss him. Three hands carefully felt their way to put Ianto's mug on the table before sliding themselves into hair and over skin, working their way with an easy familiarity in the dim light.

By the time they returned to the coffee again it was already cold.

---

Ianto collected John and Justine from the flat the next morning, pointedly ignoring the abandoned bike propped outside with the now empty pizza box holder on the back. The pair of them looked smug and had at least stopped arguing which made the journey more bearable. By the time they made it back to the Hub Jack was waiting for them by the lift stone, his eyes squinting slightly in the bright morning sunshine as the SUV pulled up. His arms were folded across his chest, though whether to appear sterner to the others or to fend off the slight chill of the morning air Ianto couldn't tell. From the way Jack had tucked his hands in tight Ianto suspected the latter.

He watched as his quiet passengers slid out of the SUV and strode across Plass, the swagger on John somehow more pronounced this morning whilst Justine's cloak rippled behind her in the gentle breeze. The three of them were not exactly inconspicuous and he half wondered if even the invisible lift could hide them. Pulling away he wondered idly if Gwen had arrived yet and whether Time Agents even liked continental breakfasts. As long as they didn't start without him that was the main thing.

---

Gwen hurried into the conference room; hastily sliding her jacket off as she pulled out a chair, smiling politely at the end of the story Jack had obviously been regaling them all with. "... And so then the seer said 'I should have seen that coming!'" Jack finished with a grin. Raucous laughter from John and Jack filled the room whilst Ianto and Justine exchanged what almost appeared to be despairing looks. It looked as though Jack had either patched things up with Justine or they were simply ignoring the argument yesterday. Knowing Jack it was probably the latter.

"Very witty, Jack," Justine said as she took another sip of her tea and smiled at Gwen welcomingly. "Although perhaps not a suitable topic for polite breakfast chit chat. So, now the whole teams here what's the plan for today? Any progress with our little hunt?"

"Okay, well..." Jack took a gulp of his coffee before leaning back in his chair as he regarded them all. "Ianto and Gwen have managed to locate most of the items on the list although for a couple we had to resort to eBay. They should be here tomorrow with any luck. Thank goodness for geeks who collect strange things. We've also tracked down the watch with the information you gave us and thanks to my contacts in the museum world-"

"Who goes by the name of Professor Silmore and fancies Jack," Ianto smirked as he interrupted.

"- who was able to make me an appointment at the museum where the exhibition is being held at the moment. It's going to be a bit of a drive but Gwen and I should be able to be there and back in a couple of hours plus say an hour to get the watch from them and it's done."

"And what exactly are we going to tell them?" Gwen accepted a coffee from Ianto and helped herself to a croissant as she continued. "I can't see them just giving it to us." Jack grinned winningly and tapped his fingertips against his mug.

"What," he asked teasingly, "you don't think the name Torchwood carries much weight in the museum world?" Jack laughed at the matching looks they all gave him before shrugging. "The family was going to put it up for auction. Well let's just say we made them an offer they couldn't refuse. You owe me some money by the way, Juice."

"Makes a nice change." Shrugging, Lady Hartless gently popped the last of her breakfast into her mouth and brushed a stray crumb off her lip as she chewed thoughtfully. "I'm sure we can come to some arrangement..."

"Behave." Pointing at her warningly Jack continued. "So, we now own the watch, we just need to pick it up. The sphere is local and not for sale so Ianto, I need you to take Justine and John to the home and get a good look at it. John, we need you to see if there is any way of... liberating it."

"So you do need my help after all?" John chuckled and leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head as he regarded Jack. "Always nice to be needed for something other than my body." His gaze slipped to Justine and he waggled his eyebrows as he spoke. Closing her eyes for a moment Justine rested her elbow on the table, supporting her chin on her fingertips.

"Thankfully," she sighed tiredly, "you do actually have other skills you can call upon or you would never have managed to stay alive this long. I have to say if your performance last night is anything to go by you wouldn't last the-"

"That's enough," Jack said, cutting them off quickly. He was slowly getting better at intercepting their fights before they got going. Jack took a deep breath before continuing. "The bracelet is also fairly local; Andy came up with an address for the old man, a Mr Taylor. Ianto, on the way to the home can you call in and see if you can charm some info out of him about where the bracelet is. If it's been sold hopefully we can track it down quickly and get our hands on it again." Ianto grinned slightly as he spotted Jack fight back a yawn and try to disguise it by reaching for a doughnut from the tray.

"Excellent." Justine nodded with a smile. "I'll sort out the transport back though the rift; if you can help me with some rift predictions I'll set the beacons to call the boxes through."

"Hang on a minute, boxes?" Gwen shook her head quickly. "What sort of thing are you pulling through the rift? This isn't going to cause any damage is it?"

"No, no, no damage." Justine hastily shook her head, holding her hand out to placate Gwen. "Using the rift as a way to enhance time travel is relatively new technology but we discovered that there are in fact benefits from having a great big hole in space and time, as well as the hideous problems and disasters associated with it. It took a while but we worked out a way to map the flow of the rift, to an extent, and use it to get across the universe. It can only do certain routes but it's more comfortable than a normal jump. Jack here used to compare it to one of those fast roads you have, those Motorways." Jack frowned slightly at that and held out his hand.

"I said that?" he asked uncertainly. Justine looked momentarily startled, a slight look of panic or guilt on her face.

"Maybe it was John," she suggested. A wicked grin that looked slightly forced spread over her features. "Or maybe that cute technician, the one with the amazing dimples, he was always saying crazy things about cars and roads and stuff. Then again his parents were Clarkson worshippers so maybe it's not that surprising."

"Clarkson worshippers?" Ianto couldn't help the look of complete bemusement on his face as he interrupted. "You don't mean as in Jeremy Clarkson?"

"Of course." Justine nodded matter of factly. "In the 23rd century a cult formed with the Clarkson as their official saint. The 23rd century was one of those centuries really though, there was the cult of Elvis, the cult of Marilyn Monroe, Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, pretty much everyone had a cult. Most of them died out but a few proved annoyingly stubborn and just-"

"Hold on." Gwen shook her head and held out her hand to stop them. "I'm sorry but as fascinating as this is you were talking about boxes? And pulling them through the rift? Isn't that going to be dangerous?"

"Not at all," Justine reassured her, shaking her head quickly. "In just the same way that I can travel through the rift using a wrist strap these storage boxes have been adapted to do the same but with less style. I use my wrist strap to act as a beacon and give them a location and they come through to join me. I just have to be careful not to stand too close or I could get a smack in the face from one-"

"No damage we wouldn't quite enjoy then," John smirked to himself as everyone else ignored him.

"Then," Justine continued without missing a beat, "once we fill the boxes up I reprogram their destination and push them back into the rift." She used her hands to indicate boxes swirling in the air. "They will then travel back to the future and be picked up by my contact there. Simple."

"Sounds it." Gwen looked sceptical but nodded and took another sip of her coffee.

"So, Mr. Jones," Justine continued, "it looks as though I have the pleasure of your company today. How delightful. John always performs better with an audience, it's the ego. I'm sure you've spotted how Jack loves an audience too. Although I noticed he prefers the more subtle 'forgetting to lock the door'-"

"Thank you Juice," Jack quickly interrupted, "as if I would do something like that." Gwen and Ianto exchanged knowing looks and Justine grinned in response, settling back in her chair with an 'I rest my case' look on her face. Sighing and conceding the point Jack moved swiftly on.

"Gwen, with me. Ianto..." Jack looked at him seriously. "You'd better re-arm these two. No guns, no sword, but the more discreet weapons they can have back as well as anything else you might need for getting the Sphere out." He pushed back from the table and downed the last of his coffee as Gwen hastily grabbed a muffin, wrapping it in a napkin as she gulped down her coffee.

"Keep in contact at hourly intervals," Jack added quickly, "Ianto, if I don't hear from you I'm coming straight back so stay in touch. And feel free to shoot them if you need to, I really won't mind." Justine and John stood as one and moved to stand behind Ianto, each placing a hand on his shoulder.

"As if we would ever want to stop this one from talking," she said "such a lovely accent."

"Besides..." John nodded and smirked at Jack. "We all know you're the one who needs gagging. Such a screamer."

"Oh totally." Justine nodded seriously. "I swear my hearing hasn't been the same since that night with the giant-"

"Enough!" Jack shook his head and threw up his hands in defeat. "Ianto, good luck." Ianto watched as Jack swept out with an apologetic look and ignored the increasingly annoying squeezing of his shoulders by his new team. This was going to be a long day.

He had no idea how right he was going to be...

---

Ianto couldn't quite believe he was left looking after both of them whilst Jack got to go flirt with curators. Sometimes he wondered if the Universe liked tormenting him. Heading to the armoury he hastily took a gun for himself before retrieving the time travellers assorted weapons. Ianto brought them back up to the Hub and looked over to where the weapons owners were curled up on the sofa, Justine draped across John's lap and playing with the buttons on his coat.

Dumping their things on the table he started heading back to Gwen's desk to grab the addresses when the door began rolling open again and Jack came back in.

"Jack?" Ianto asked quickly, "what's wrong?" Jack glanced over at the other two who were still making out on the sofa.

"Shouldn't those two be doing something?" Jack asked impatiently. Both men watched as Justine began working her way under John's top.

"I believe she is in the process of doing something," Ianto suggested helpfully. Jack glared and turned back to him.

"Something helpful. Justine!" Jack called out loudly. Lady Justine looked up from her progress in exposing John's stomach but Jack didn't bother turning round as he continued. "The pair of you have sixty seconds to re-arm. Whatever is not stashed by then you're leaving behind."

Ianto quickly slipped his stopwatch out of his pocket and smirked at John as he started it up, the scowl from the thief as he recognised the accessory making his grin even wider. As they lazily set to work Ianto turned back to Jack, his frown returning.

"I thought you two had left already. What's the problem?" Ianto asked quietly.

"We were just on our way out..." Jack grinned and shifted closer to Ianto, his hands moving over Ianto's trouser pockets. "But it appears somebody still has the keys to the SUV..." Ianto clamped his hands over Jack's and pulled them away.

"Whoa, I'm taking the SUV today; you can take Gwen's car!" Jack pulled back and put his hands on his hips.

"Gwen's car?" Jack pulled back and put his hands on his hips. "You must be kidding, you can take Gwen's car or your car, the three of you will fit in just fine."

"Yes the three of us as opposed to the two of you," Ianto retorted sharply, "don't you think we need the bigger car? Plus we might be bringing back the sphere, are you suggesting I simply tie it to the roof? Or maybe get a little baby seat and strap it in the back."

"We'll be bringing back something too," Jack replied, in a tone that suggested even he knew it was a weak argument.

"Oooo a whole watch; that should take up lots of room in the glove box. Or maybe we should hook a trailer for you instead."

"Look if you're mad about having to look after those two-"

"Why would I possibly be upset at having to babysit horny and hornier whilst you go make eyes at some academic?" Ianto took a deep breath and put his hands on his hips. "Look, if I'm going to have to put up with those two I'm taking the SUV. Besides, depending on what happens today we may need to look official - or make a speedy getaway - whereas you are just on a jolly to a museum. Besides, you know how grumpy I get when I've been in a small car all day."

He said it so deadpan Jack almost missed the slight threat in his tone and suddenly remembered what had happened the last time they had taken Ianto's car out. Not to mention the memory of having to try to explain away to the mechanic just how the suspension had gotten so wrecked on one side. Gathering his wits again he tried to carry on with his argument but Ianto just looked so adorable he knew he was going to lose.

"It's not just a jolly, we might need the equipment in the SUV for-" Jack paused, waving his hand distractedly. "For... stuff." Ianto simply raised an eyebrow and Jack groaned, shrugging his shoulders in defeat. "Fine, you get the SUV. But you owe me." As John and Justine came bounding over like a pair of eager dogs at the word 'walkies' Ianto clicked the stopwatch off.

"45 seconds," he said in begrudging admiration. John smirked and wrapped an arm around Justine who pushed him away.

"A good time," she said with a grin, "even including him shoving things places I don't want to think about." Ianto closed his eyes in a grimace then opened them again, glaring at Jack.

"I owe you?" he asked.

Rolling his eyes Jack backed away, heading to the door again. He sighed as the pair waved at him with big grins on their faces before moving to stand either side of Ianto, each grabbing an arm and hooking it in theirs. Glaring at Jack, Ianto watched as the door began to close, Jack still facing them.

"How about we call it quits?" Jack quickly shouted as the door rolled into place again. The sound of the door alarms cut off any chance Ianto had to reply and he reflected wryly that Jack either really trusted him with these two or he was being punished somehow.

He hoped it was the former...

---

Jack winced as he saw Gwen's car and was once again reminded why he had taken so much time and effort making sure they had really cool transport. Her car was, well he had to say it, ordinary. Heading for the driver's side he was cut off by Gwen who jumped in front of him, holding her hand up to stop him.

"Oh no you don't, it's my car so I get to drive. You boys are always hogging the SUV but you're on my territory now, Jack Harkness." Grinning challengingly she stood her ground as he leaned in close, pressing his chest against her hand.

She could feel the muscles of his chest under her fingers and not for the first time thoughts she had tried to block out for so long crept back through her mind. They both knew she would never act on them - and she suspected Jack's sense of honour, unlike Owen's, would never let him respond to her either - but still, they enjoyed the game. Torchwood without a little flirting would just be, well, it wouldn't be Torchwood somehow. At least that was what she told herself...

"I'm on your territory am I? Does that mean I have to do whatever you say?" Jack placed his hand over hers, pressing her against him. "Because I'm willing if you are." He flashed her that grin and she could feel herself starting to laugh but held it together a little longer, leaning in close before looking up at him through her lashes.

"Oh really? Then I order you to... get in the car and don't make any comments about my driving!" Laughing Jack pulled her hand up from his chest to kiss her fingers as he bowed to her.

"Your wish is my command, my lady."

Scooting round the car she rolled her eyes as she watched him go before she slid into the driver's seat, grinning as she watched him adjust the chair to make enough room for his legs - and his coat.

"Seat belt," she reminded him. Jack shot her a slight glare before submitting and pulling on the strap, practically pouting with every move. "So, how come you wanted to take my car? I thought you would have pulled rank and insisted on the SUV?"

Jack sighed heavily and began to drum his fingertips on the dashboard as she set off, the reasonable speed she was taking seeming to annoy him somehow as he played with the air freshener hanging from her rear view mirror.

"I thought about it but then decided it wouldn't be fair to have the three of them in a small space." Nodding sagely Gwen couldn't quite wipe the smirk off her face.

"You mean," she interpreted correctly, "he pulled rank on you instead." Laughing loudly Jack grinned and looked round at her.

"Something like that." He was about to continue when something caught his eye. Reaching into the back he frowned as he pulled something bright red from the back seat. "What have you got stashed in here, it had better not be Torchwood property-" He pulled the soft velvety cushion into the front of the car and grimaced at the giant red and white heart with two puppy dogs embroidered on to it. "Oh this is definitely not Torchwood property. I'd remember anything this-"

"Oh God, it was a present."

"Schmaltzy." Jack turned the cushion to face her and she glanced sideways, blushing almost as red as the cushion at the big 'I love you' written across it. "I assume from Rhys?" She shrugged and brought her attention back to the road.

"He won it at a fair and was so proud I couldn't bring myself to bin it," she explained, "but I also couldn't bear it in the flat so-"

"You keep a cushion in your car." Jack frowned and squeezed the soft pad thoughtfully. "Actually that's an idea, would be more comfortable and easier on the paintwork..."

"Paintwork?"

"Oh you know how irritated Ianto gets about polishing prints off the cars."

"Oh yes, he does go on about all those fingerprints. But I don't see how a cushion would..." Gwen's move fell open and she looked round at Jack for a full three second before quickly returning her attention to the road. "You don't mean fingers."

"I don't mean fingers. Actually you'd be amazed how perfect a print you can get off of almost any body part on a nice shiny surface-"

"Jack, remember I'm giving the orders?" Gwen quickly reminded him, "you can stop now."

"Yes Ma'am. Captain's honour." Snapping off a salute as best he could in the car Jack grinned and tossed the cushion back behind her chair. Harrumphing slightly Gwen weaved her way through the traffic and began to pick up more speed as they left the city.

"Jack, about the whole Captain thing, if you took that name and John made up his does that mean Justine isn't a real lady?"

"If you check the records you will never find a Lady Justine Hartless." Jack chuckled and shifted his attention from her to the road, watching the way the vehicles moved. "But that doesn't mean the woman sitting in the nice big comfy seat in the SUV right now isn't nobility." Gwen made a dismissive noise.

"I'm serious," he said with a reluctant grin, "she, as in the real her, is a lady. Don't tell John though, he assumes it's all just a cover. Just as it sometimes helps us to take on military titles as we travel the better spoken ladies with the right accent occasionally take on, well, peerages when they travel. It's actually pretty commonplace. But she let slip to me once about her family. Her grandfather has - had - the title of Baron and it passed to her when he died."

"Why her?" Gwen frowned and looked at him questioningly. "Why not her parents?"

"Well because her parents are..." Jack began to answer before trailing off slowly. He frowned. "Her parents... Actually I don't know. I don't think I ever asked."

"Typical." Gwen shook her head slightly. "Always chasing after the bride but never a thought to spare for the in-laws." Laughing, Jack shot her a slightly apologetic look.

"Is Rhys still pissed that I insulted his mother?" Gwen could feel the edges of her lips forcing their way into a grin against her will.

"He'll get over it. Probably around the time of our silver anniversary." Jack laughed again and she couldn't help grinning fully. "You remember when she, the fake her, blew up? You have no idea how many times I've played that image over in my head. Usually every time I see her." They both laughed and Jack checked his wrist strap at a beep, pulling it open before sighing and closing it again. "All ok?" Jack nodded quickly.

"Just John. He just decided he had to let me know how comfy the SUV was." He tapped the dashboard again distractedly. "I hope Ianto's okay with them both," he said thoughtfully, "maybe we should have brought one of them with us instead." Gwen shrugged.

"I'm sure he's got them eating out of his hands by now." Jack chuckled and looked over at her with a strange look.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

---

Ianto watched in the rear view mirror as John and Justine tried to play with the various gadgets back there and felt a moment's relief that he had removed the power connection, rendering them useless, before they got in. Soon bored of that, they began to talk to him. Actually more at him, John's suggestions of what the three of them could get up to becoming more and more graphic as he drove, unable to stop them and unsure whether talking was justification enough to shoot them yet.

When they were unable to get a rise out of him they reverted to their other favourite way of killing time and Ianto suddenly found himself not only very grateful he wasn't in his car but also wishing for a bucket of cold water. Putting the radio on he forced himself to concentrate on the road and not on his two passengers as they sank out of sight on the seat. By the time he pulled up at the address for the elderly gentleman they had been down there for ten minutes and he coughed loudly, Justine's face popping up between the seats after a moment's delay.

"I'll go see the old man," Ianto suggested as he took in the slightly dishevelled look of her, "why don't you two stay here." John's head appeared beside hers a moment later and nodded quickly.

"Excellent idea, we'll guard the car. Oh and Eye Candy?" he added quickly. Ianto had already turned away, his hand on the door handle but froze. "No need to hurry back..."

Rolling his eyes Ianto slipped out of the SUV and looked around the street, identifying the house and heading towards it as fast as he could. As much as he hated leaving them to it, or thinking about what they were doing back there, he had to admit, like a kid in front of a television set he might feel guilty but at least it did keep them out of trouble...

---

Gwen always had that moment of slight discomfort as she watched Jack around other women. It wasn't jealousy, she didn't feel angry when he flirted; it was more amusement at the way in which women (and men) would sometimes melt in his presence. The discomfort came when she recognised a gesture as one she used herself. The slightly too long eye contact. The touches to his arm. The laughing at his occasionally bad or obscure jokes.

As much as it was amusing to watch it on someone else it always left her wondering if she looked that bad. Flirting with Jack was such a way of life at Torchwood she barely even noticed it any more but to an outsider did she ever appear as simpering as-

"Oh Captain Harkness, you are such a naughty one!" Gwen resisted from rolling her eyes and instead feigned interest in a collection of wartime journals adorning the cabinet before her. The glass was bright enough that she could see Jack's reflection in it as he flirted shamelessly with the curator. For a respectable academic woman she had that air of dotty granny about her that Jack just seemed to bring out with a wink.

The transformation from the businesslike and frankly grumpy way she had greeted Gwen to the flirting temptress she was for Jack had almost been startling enough to make Gwen reach for her gun. It took her a moment to remember that just because someone was creepy they weren't necessarily alien. Closing her eyes for a moment she pushed her hair back from her face and slid her hand behind her neck, rubbing the muscles lightly.

"You ok?" Jack asked quietly. Gwen jumped, her eyes flying open to see his ghostly reflection in the glass of the cabinet, his eyes cast into dark holes by the lighting but the concerned look on his face instantly reassuring her. The curator had vanished and with a wry grin of relief Gwen turned, making sure they were alone again before she spoke.

"Just taking a break from your number one fan," she said with a grin. Jack laughed out loud and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her gently across the room to another cabinet, this one filled with medals and what looked like pieces of scrap metal.

"Now come on, you know that's Doctor Silmore." Jack leaned closer to the case and smiled as he recognised the medals. "Ms Goodman is simply being very helpful - she was going to refuse to help us and claim she needed another week at least to get the watch ready for transport. As it is technically in her care at the moment she would have been perfectly within her rights to claim lack of staff or resources and stall us for longer."

"Dare I ask what you promised to get her to change her mind?" Gwen raised her eyebrows quizzically. Jack chuckled again and shrugged lightly, the movement of his arm around her almost tempting Gwen to rest her head on his shoulder after it was jostled there.

"Well, we are leaving a watch-shaped hole in her exhibition." Tilting his head to the side he tapped the case lightly with his knuckles. "I may have told her I was a collector and would be happy to lend her another watch instead. Admittedly she is sad to lose such a unique piece with a good family legend behind it but when I said I would be willing to do an interview with her about the one I'm donating and the stories of the soldier who owned it she cheered right up." Gwen frowned and pulled out from under his arm.

"Whose watch are you going to give them then?" she asked. Smiling softly Jack shrugged and placed his hands on his hips.

"Well I do have a couple of watches from World War One in the archives and believe me," he said suggestively, "I know more than a few stories about the soldiers who owned them..." Gwen chuckled and punched him playfully.

"I don't think those sort of stories are what she had in mind, Jack." Laughing he was about to continue but his gaze shifted behind her as she heard footsteps approaching.

"Ms Goodman, that was fast!" Slipping past her Jack greeted the curator again. "You must have them well trained back there; I bet you rule them with an iron fist in a velvet glove." Gwen stayed facing the cabinet, afraid if she turned round the disgust would be all too evident on her face. To her surprise the curator appeared to be lapping it up, a girlish giggle cutting through the air.

"Well it does help to know how to handle your...staff." Gwen shuddered but quickly shifted on the spot to disguise it as a fidget. "And Captain, please, call me Brenda." Gwen couldn't help screwing up her face as the image of her mother-in-law flirting with Jack pushed its way into her head. Biting her lip hard, she hoped they wouldn't want her to join in the conversation any time soon.

"Brenda. Such a wonderful name." Jack really was shameless sometimes. "Is this it?" Gwen forced her best polite policeman's stare onto her face and turned, taking in the small box in the curator's hands and the forms underneath it.

"All boxed up ready for transport," the curator confirmed, "if I can just get you to sign for it?" Gwen followed them over to a waist height display table and watched as Jack signed the paperwork before taking the box from Brenda with a slightly too lengthy pause as their hands touched. "There we go then, Captain. Do you fancy a naughty peek?"

"Always the best kind." Jack grinned wickedly and let his fingers spread wide over the top of the box, holding it firm in his other hand. The box was simple cardboard, the sort of archival box she had seen Ianto use for the everyday objects in the archives but it was tied with a plain white cotton ribbon of sorts. Jack tugged the knot loose carefully and held the box firm whilst Brenda let her fingers brush over his as she eased the lid off slowly.

"I'll just get rid of this," Brenda said quietly.

Gwen watched with mild interest as the lid lifted free to reveal what looked like a square shaped piece of foam cut to fit the dimensions of the box. Brenda's fingernails gently snagged the edges of the foam and teased it up before getting a grip on it and pulling it free. The watch was secured in another piece of the foam, snug in a cut out chamber that it fit into perfectly.

It was a silver pocket watch, nothing too remarkable about it but the design on the front was very pretty. The strange circular shapes reminded her of planets and orbits, or the gears of a clock perhaps. Definitely pretty. Gwen frowned as she heard the slight gasp from Jack and quickly glanced at him, catching the look of complete shock on his face.

"It is a beautiful piece isn't it?" The curator looked up, mistaking his surprise for something else and smiled teasingly. "The design is unique as far as we can tell, possibly a bespoke engraving made for the original owner. Unusually there are no maker's marks on it but-" She pulled back, hastily pulling a pair of white cotton gloves from her pocket and slipping them on with a few expert twists of her fingers.

"May I?" the curator asked. Jack nodded, slightly dumbstruck as she eased the watch out of its bed and turned it over. "There are these strange indentations on the back, almost as though it is a part of a larger device. My personal theory is that it was designed to be mounted onto a larger clock, possibly as part of the pendulum." She giggled slightly and ran her gloved fingertip over the strange holes. "Either that or the watch maker was trying to cover up blemishes in the back. Whatever the reason it is certainly a one of a kind piece that we shall be most sad to see go. Although if you are still up for your offer?"

Jack didn't reply, his gaze remained fixed on the watch as he reached out to her, ignoring the slight hesitation on her face as she took in his bare fingers before with a swift manoeuvre she pulled the glove off her hand, blanketing it around the watch and placing the bundle in his palm. He was staring at the watch as though trying to make sense of something impossible.

"Captain?" The curator looked at him, confused. "I do hope you aren't going to stand me up?" Snapping back, Jack's trademark grin slipped onto his face and he slid the watch back into the box, quickly grabbing the foam and pushing it back into place.

"As if." Jack slid the box into his coat pocket and slipped his arm through the curators. "You have my number, just let me know a good week for you and I'll bring a couple of pieces over, we can go through the stories, work out which fits better in the exhibition and sort out that loan. Maybe over dinner?"

Gwen ignored the giggle and felt the conversation start to wash over her as she concentrated on Jack, the tell-tale signs of his concern obvious to her even though to the curator he was back to his usual self. Something was wrong with that watch and she had a horrible feeling that this scavenger hunt was about to become something a lot more serious.

Pulling her phone from her pocket she began to discreetly text Rhys to tell him she would be late. No point spoiling both their evenings...

---

Ianto was always somewhat amazed by how low human beings could go sometimes. He walked out of Mr Taylor's house and pulled out his phone, making a swift call to social services. He slid back into the SUV, somehow not surprised when John's face appeared between the seats a good foot lower than it should be if they had been sitting quietly and behaving themselves.

"So what's the verdict on the old git?"John asked half heartedly. "Any bracelet?"

"Ianto?" Justine's face appeared beside his before pushing him out the way as her hands gripped the sides of the front seats, pulling herself back up onto her seat. "Come on, how about some good news?"

"Mr Taylor's family have got him a private carer but sadly they didn't bother screening properly and went for bargain basement." Ianto pulled out a notepad and passed it back, a single name and address on the top sheet. "She's been stealing from him for months and threatening him that she will get him put in a home if he tells any one." Justine's face darkened as she peered at the small terraced house.

"I just don't get this century sometimes," she said thoughtfully, "so many wonderful cultures and times when the elderly were revered and cared for or when you had whole families living together, supporting one another. But you lot let your parents raise you then shove them in a home when they need your help in return. And instead of doctors and nurses who do their jobs and take pride in their work you get caring and dedicated but overworked and demoralised staff run into the ground by targets and managers - or mercenaries who are after a quick buck and a bit of power. Some care."

"It's not all like that." Ianto glared at her in the rear view mirror.

"It's enough." Sighing, Justine passed him back the notepad and leaned back in her seat, adjusting her blouse slightly as she moved. "Right, are we going to go pay this wonderful Florence Nightingale of the 21st century a visit or not? I wouldn't mind a quick chat with her about this. Not to mention any other patients on her rounds." Ianto nodded and watched as John finally finished adjusting his clothing and slid into the seat beside her.

"Do I get to see your interrogator routine again?" John asked hopefully. "Oh let me be good cop this time, Jack never lets me play good cop." Ianto rolled his eyes and turned round to face them.

"You are not to hurt her in any way. Understood?" The pair of them pouted in unison and glanced at each other.

"He never lets us have any fun," John said to her sulkily.

"And we could have such fun the three of us," she added, "if he only gave us a chance-"

Ianto turned round again and started the SUV, easily ignoring the lewd comments and innuendos from the back seat. Working for Jack for so long he was used to it. He was glad they couldn't tell that his mind wasn't one hundred percent on his driving though as his mind ran through a couple of the options they were outlining; particularly one involving the three of them, the bonnet of the SUV, some duct tape and Jack's emergency glove box lube. They were definitely ideas worth considering for another time - and with a different cast.

---

"Jack, will you please watch where you are going! Just slow down a bit and tell me what the bloody hell is going on!" Gwen winced, her fingers spread wide over the dashboard in the vain hope that if he did crash she might somehow save herself by sheer force of will and her arms. The box with the watch in was between her feet and she wasn't sure whether she was protecting it or stopping it from... from whatever it was that had Jack looking so scared. "Jack, you are scaring me."

Glancing sideways at her quickly Jack's expression softened a little and he slowed, swinging out around the cars ahead and relaxing a little as they hit the open road.

"We have to get back to the Hub; I have to find out what Justine is up to." His face was still grim as he gripped the steering wheel tight, his eyes locked on the road. Gwen nodded quickly and pulled one hand off the dashboard, her fingers so stiff with the tense pressure she had been putting on them that she had to wriggle her fingers to get the blood back into them.

"But what's so special about that watch?" she asked. "You recognised it, didn't you?" She watched as Jack swallowed hard, her eyes tracing his neck and seeing the way his muscles tensed. She hadn't seen him so scared for a long time and it was freaking her out more than she could say. At the same time though she became stronger in return, her training and instincts calming her down to be able to support him.

"I've seen one like it, yes." He sighed heavily and banged one hand against the wheel. "And it is dangerous, the last time I saw a watch like that it was bad news of the worst kind."

"But this had been in the museum for ages." Gwen glanced down at the box between her feet and fought the urge to throw it out the window. "They will have cleaned it and photographed it and all sorts. If it was dangerous wouldn't they have, well, had something happen?"

"I'm not sure exactly how it works but sometimes the right person has to open it." Jack shrugged and ran a hand through his hair distractedly as Gwen fought the urge to tell him to keep his hands on the wheel. "But I can't take the risk that Juice wants it for something dangerous or is working for someone else who does know how to use it. I am not taking that risk. That watch has to be kept away from her at all costs. We need to stop her." He paused, his hand fumbling in his jacket before passing her the phone. "Ianto, we need to warn him, he needs to contain her until we get to them."

"And then what?" Grabbing the phone she dialled quickly and put it on loudspeaker, holding it near his ear as it connected. "What are you going to do with her?" Looking at her grimly for a moment he turned back to pay attention to the road but the set of his jaw left her in no doubt that he was deadly serious.

"Whatever it takes to stop her."

---

Ianto felt his phone vibrate as John and Justine towered over the frightened care worker as she hastily began pulling out stashes of stolen valuables from around her small flat. Catching John's eye as he pulled the earpiece out of his pocket he slipped out of the room, heading down the hall to the woman's bedroom and closing the door behind him. Smiling to himself he put on his earpiece and peered through the net curtains of the room out to the street below to check on the SUV.

"I thought I was supposed to be the one calling you every hour, not the other way round." Ianto's smile faded as he caught the urgency in Jack's voice.

"Ianto, where are you? Where's Justine?"

"She and John are having a little chat with Mr. Taylor's carer. It seems as though the home help has been helping herself to a few little trinkets here and there from her patient's homes. Justine insisted the honourable thing to do would be to retrieve all the stolen objects. She and John are just persuading the helper to show them where the rest is." He sighed slightly and moved further away from the door as a loud shout from John echoed through the flat. They had promised not to hurt her but there was no sense in making Jack worry about it.

"She can't hear you right now, can she?"

"No, she's down the hall." Ianto frowned and moved further away from the door, lowering his voice. "Jack what's wrong?"

"The watch, it's not as harmless as she made out. It has some pretty powerful alien technology involved with it and she conveniently forgot to mention it. She's up to something. Listen, I want you to get the bracelet and get back to the Hub. Forget the sphere. Just get her back and put her in a cell, knock her out, just make her safe until I can get back. We're still a couple of hours away so just..."

Ianto winced as a loud expletive from Gwen in the background confirmed his fears that Jack was on the phone whilst driving at high speed again. "Just neutralise her until I can get there." Jack's voice sounded strained and he could hear Gwen saying something that sounded like truck. He wasn't sure which of the alternatives his mind came up for to fit the situation he preferred. "And whatever you do keep your distance if you can, she's deadly." Ianto nodded and listened as the voices quietened down and footsteps came down the hall towards them.

"Not a problem Jack, we'll see you back at the Hub. Gotta go." Ianto hung up hastily and put the earpiece back in his pocket as the door opened and Justine peered around it, a triumphant smile on her face.

"Got it!" Grinning, Lady Justine stepped fully into the room, her hands on her hips. "Along with quite a few other pieces actually. Mostly jewellery and shiny things, this carer was quite the magpie. John's just packing it all up with a list of her patients, I figure we can pass it to the lovely Gwen and her police friends to do their-" She waved her hands dismissively. "Police thing. I never did really get what it is they do at the moment other than wear hideous uniforms. Although those truncheons are rather interesting..." She stepped into the room fully and tilted her head to one side quizzically at the polite smile on Ianto's face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ianto shook his head quickly and his smile broadened. "Jack's just going to be a little longer than he thought and needs me to check out something at the Hub. Probably just a weevil, nothing to worry about really but you know how he is. We might have to delay getting the sphere until later. So, if you're all done we can get going then!"

"Ianto I already told you, you have such expressive eyes." Justine pushed the door closed and stepped further into the room, her eyes cold. "Why don't you tell me what's really going on."

"It's nothing really, probably just Jack being paranoid, but better to humour him." Ianto watched her hands slide along her hips and tried to resist the urge to back away. "So, shall we just get back in the SUV and-"

The door burst open and Captain John stepped in, raising an eyebrow at the way they were standing so rigidly apart.

"And here when I saw you two sneak off to the bedroom I thought we were finally gonna have some fun," John complained as he sniffed slightly and folded his arms.

"John, why is your mind always in the gutter?" Justine turned to face him as she spoke, her back to Ianto, and he took advantage of the distraction to move past her towards the door. "We were just-" Quick as a flash she pulled a small spray bottle, no bigger than a lipstick, from her waistband and spun around. Squirting the liquid into Ianto's face she watched dispassionately as he collapsed to the floor. "Strategising. And it's time for a change in the plans." Whipping out her Arbalet she pointed the small crossbow at John and grinned at him evilly.

"Dear John. The big question is; can I trust you?" Justine looked at him, considering his reactions and sighed as she saw him glance at Ianto with concern. "Obviously not. You really have been working on that soul thing haven't you?" Shrugging, she motioned him into the room, careful to keep well clear of the range of his legs. "Take his clothes off. Then yours." John shrugged, and hauled Ianto on to the bed.

"You know, generally speaking it goes better when you keep them conscious." John began efficiently stripping Ianto of his clothes as he spoke. "More fun that way, you get all the screaming and everything." Sighing, Justine watched as the pile of clothes grew and Ianto's smart suit was flung carelessly across the room before being joined by underwear. Finally John was free to start on himself.

"I don't have any kinky plans for you my dear," she said with a pout, "sorry to disappoint you. I just figured this would be a good way to leave you unarmed. And of course the added bonus of the thought of the look on his face when he wakes up with you next to him. I must admit that is a delicious thought."

"It's not exactly one I normally object to either darling." John stripped without any trace of embarrassment or modesty, his clothes joining Ianto's. "Rather his than yours," he said as he looked her up and down.

"Right, onto the bed John. Put Ianto face down, hands by the headboard, then do the same." She watched as he pushed and pulled the unconscious man into place before taking his place beside him. "Perfect." Walking over behind him she pressed the point of the arrow into his back before leaning over him and whispering in his ear. "Time to say goodnight, John. Lift up your head and take a deep breath." She paused and thought for a moment. "Or I'll just club you instead and you know how much that hurts when you wake up naked and tied down. Again." Lifting himself up John looked at her angrily.

"I don't know what the hell you're up to, Juice but I swear when I get my hands on you I'll-"

Justine sprayed him and watched as the drug got to work, his eyes closing almost instantly as he crashed back into the mattress. Keeping the arrow against his spine she swiftly pulled an old fashioned set of police handcuffs from under her corset and grinned happily. Scanners, always looking for the high-tech and forgetting the old school tricks.

Wrapping the chain around the bars of the headboard she fastened the cuffs tight around his wrist before stroking the arrow down his back thoughtfully. She should really kill him now and be done with it; he had definitely become too soft to be predictable. Unlike Jack who was now so soft it was easy to know what he would do next - and how to stop him.

But a promise was a promise. Besides, it was so hard to find a good lay in this universe and John certainly was that if nothing else. Considering for a moment she shrugged and pulled the Arbalet away. Taking off her hooped earrings she tapped them together with a grin before fastening one around Ianto's wrist and one around John's. Electric cuffs. She had always had such fun with those. And she had been right, cover them with a thin layer of gold and not even Jack and John, who were intimately familiar with them, had recognised them for what they were.

Finally pulling the sash from her waist she tied Ianto's hands to the headboard too and stroked her fingers down his bare spine. Grinning to herself she took a moment to record the image using her wrist strap and debated whether to send it to Jack straight away or save it for later. She licked her lips as she took in the sight of the pair of them together. It was a pity to let such a fine menu go unsampled but she had work to do.

And whilst Jack wouldn't be helping her this time, she was going to have to make sure he and his little helper were in no position to stop her either. That would require one last stop on her way back...

---

Matthew fidgeted slightly in his dark uniform and, for the fifth time that hour, glanced at the clock. The last part of the afternoon always seemed to drag when he was on gallery duty. Being asked for directions to the bathroom every ten minutes during the morning by bored school kids wasn't exactly fun but it did make the day go quicker. The afternoons were deadly though, especially when there was nothing but him and the ticking of the huge grandfather clock in the hallway.

Annoyingly enough it didn't matter which room he was in, he could still hear it. He wasn't sure sometimes if it was really the clock or his imagination, the ticking was so engrained in his brain by now. Looking at the time yet again he sighed and began to pace, walking his familiar route through the houses many rooms, making sure everything was ok. If it wasn't for the new portrait they had recently borrowed from the National Museums of Wales they wouldn't need to man the galleries at all. He could instead be back at the gift shop reading his book under the counter, or chatting to the cafe girls...

Rounding the corner he was snapped out of his thoughts by the figure in the room, a dark cloak making him hesitate for a moment in shock. The house, like every old building, was supposedly haunted but he had never really believed it. As she turned around though he hid his fright with his polite smile he reserved for customers and his bank manager. She was definitely not a ghost although her outfit was odd. Maybe she was a new costumed guide in for orientation.

"Good afternoon, miss," he said politely.

"Oh good afternoon." Her smile really was very nice and he found himself relaxing a little more, although still unsure whether to treat her as staff or a guest. "I was just admiring the astronomy display. Such beautiful pieces."

Matt nodded and stepped closer, pointing to the display and ready to enter tour guide mode again. Her Home Counties accent had marked her as possibly a tourist as opposed to new staff. A shame, it might have been nice to have some fresh gossip in the staff room.

"Yes they are and it's quite an unusual collection even if not very accurate."

She looked at him quizzically and frowned. "You mean compared to modern instruments?"

"I mean even compared to the time." Matthew felt his smile slip from his customer smile into a genuine one as she stood a little taller, back on familiar territory. "The family seem to have had a strange curiosity with collecting beautiful but completely faulty examples of instruments, even though with the knowledge of the time they should have been fine. The Celestial Sphere for example..." He saw her gaze was fixed on the globe and smiled knowingly. They were such beautiful pieces the visitors always went for those first.

"Some of the constellations are recognisable but their placement in the heavens is wrong," he said, pointing to a poster illustrating the display, "and there are several theories about why that is. It's possible they were working from inaccurate charts or old books or trying to recreate a different time period -"

"Or that the stars are in the right place but as viewed from another planet in the Sol system," she interrupted quietly then turned to face him, a strange smile on her face. "Or perhaps a moon such as Europa."

Matt quickly forced the surprised frown off his face and nodded happily as he continued. "That's one explanation I suppose! Sadly no one has ever been able to properly identify the makers mark on the base; there's never been another example of his work to compare it to as far as we can tell so we may never work out just why it went so wrong."

"That's not a makers mark it's a seal." The woman laughed and ran a hand down his arm lightly. "To be precise, it's the seal of the oldest family on Europa in the fifty first century. It's my family seal and this sphere was meant as a message for me. And I've come to collect it."

Matt backed away slightly, unsure exactly why all the crazy people seemed to decide to spend their afternoons visiting museums. Nodding and smiling politely he let his hand drift towards his radio.

"Oh don't bother; I blocked the frequency a little while ago," she said with a wicked grin, "I didn't want us to be disturbed."

The smile on her face grew broader as she punched the glass of the display case hard, something gripped tight in her hand smashing through the glass easily before she quickly pulled back to avoid being cut. To his surprise the alarms didn't sound and he backed towards the door as she reached into the case and calmly wrapped her hand around the metal base of the sphere, lifting it out of the case carefully. Grabbing his radio he quickly hit the emergency button but nothing seemed to happen. Shaking stray pieces of glass off the sphere she walked towards him unhurriedly.

"Stop right there," he shouted, "I can't let you take that!"

Shrugging she nodded and reached under her cape, pulling a small crossbow off her hip and pointing it at him. Okay, that changed things for Matthew. No one here was paid enough to risk their lives for anything from the collections. Better to play it safe. Stepping aside he stood well back as she walked past. Following her all the way out of the building he tried to ignore the various screams and phone calls to the police that were left in her wake and focused on keeping her in his sights.

Watching from a safe distance he saw her place the sphere in a large black vehicle, definitely a four wheel drive but he couldn't work out the make. Matthew hastily wrote down it's details as she drove away. As she left his sight suddenly he jumped as his radio burst into life and a faint alarm could be heard coming from the house. Perfect timing.

Matt took a deep breath to calm himself and wondered how he was ever going to explain this. Broken radios, an alarm that went off after the thief had already gone and the staff being threatened with an old-fashioned type of weapon that he wasn't even sure was real.

Maybe they had a point about needing extra security here after all.

---

Jack hurried towards the Hub's rolling door and listened to the grinding of it's gears as it slowly opened, his Webley held in front of him in a two handed grip. So many times he had walked through that door. Most of the time it was just business as usual. Far too many times it had been to find chaos and death and destruction. Stepping through cautiously he looked around, the place appearing deserted but he found his attention wavering as his gaze flicked over the fountain.

"Oh no." Darting forwards Jack continued to check around the Hub as he headed for the rift manipulator. "Not again." To an outsider the machine was always a mess, a mass of wires and switches and strange machinery that looked a perpetual tangle. But to Jack, to someone who had watched as every circuit was put into place or adjusted over the past century, any changes stuck out like a naked Slitheen on a London fashion week catwalk.

"Jack?" Gwen entered the Hub more cautiously behind him, her eyes scanning over the levels and trying to catch any sign of Justine.

Jack frowned as he checked the controls and ran his fingers over the unfamiliar additions, a small table wedged close to the machine held some borrowed and a couple of unfamiliar implements and a scanner of some sort was positioned over the flat surface almost like a microscope.

"Jack," Gwen continued, her gun following her eyes as she continued to search, "where is she?"

Pulling his attention away from the changes Justine had made Jack quickly looked for the main power supply for the manipulator, determined to make the machine safe again regardless of what she had done. Moving around the machine he had to holster his gun to release the catch, his hands sliding onto the thick cable and gripping tight, trying to pull it free.

Jack actually heard the click and swish almost before he registered the pain in his back, his hands instinctively reaching back to the arrow now embedded in his ribs.

"JACK!" Gwen wisely stayed back as she shouted. Her eyes and weapon were pointing up to the upper balconies where the shot had to have come from whilst she stayed below the overhang as best she could. "Jack!"

Jack could feel the burn of poison running through his veins as he fell to his knees on the grating, trying to get his arms to obey him and continue to disconnect the machine. He wanted to shout to Gwen, to tell her what to do but his tongue wouldn't co-operate. His numb fingers slipped from the cable and he collapsed on to the grating, annoyed that he was going to revive with the biggest grid pattern on his face yet.

But to his surprise he didn't pass out, his senses still telling him what was going on but his body paralysed on the floor. He felt a moments surprise and hope that Justine wasn't using lethal force, even though that would be the more efficient way to move. Maybe she hadn't killed Ianto, maybe she had just...

"Justine? Justine, it's Gwen. Look I don't want to hurt you, I just want to talk. Can we talk?"

Jack couldn't see anything, his face pressed against the floor but he could hear Gwen's voice echoing round the Hub. In spite of the situation he couldn't help wondering why she was introducing herself; it wasn't like Justine wouldn't know who she was anyway.

"Did you tell him?" Justine's voice was distant, echoing around the quiet Hub. She sounded far away, possibly up on the higher levels somewhere. The height advantage was always a killer. If he wouldn't have been a sitting duck on the invisible lift that's what he would have gone for. He really needed to think about the design of the Hub and work on a couple more ways in and out.

"Did I tell who?" Gwen asked calmly, "Justine, just come down so we can talk, ok?" Gwen sounded nervous in spite of the steel in her voice. Jack doubted anyone else would even notice it but he could almost feel Gwen's concern. She really did feel too easily and too openly for her own good at times, her heart well and truly on her sleeve. He loved that about her really but right now he wished she could hide it better. Justine would be able to take advantage of it too easily. Hell, a few lifetimes ago he would have too.

"Did you tell him that you love him?" Justine's voice was dangerously calm. "Did you take that moment, that brief pause in a busy day to just think of him, to talk to him; to tell him that you loved him for no reason other than your heart couldn't hold it in any longer? Did you think if something happened to him today, right now, right this second, would he die knowing you loved him?" Jack heard a soft clink of metal high above him, his mind imagining the sight of Justine's boot on the balcony.

"You're not going to play any mind games with me, Justine so you might as well stop that right now and just come down here." Gwen sounded as though she had moved away from the door more, maybe edging into the open space. Jack hoped she would be careful. "You can't get to the rift manipulator without coming past me so you might as well give up."

"You're right, I can't get past you." Justine's soft chuckle sent a shiver up Jack's spine as it echoed around the Hub. "I can only go through you. It would be a pity though as I did promise not to hurt any of you. And a Lady should keep her word. But is it my fault if he dies simply because you didn't get to him in time? If you decide your mission, your job was more important than the love of your life."

Jack wished he could groan as a hideous thought occurred to him. As much as his ego might like to think it he knew Justine would never refer to him as the love of Gwen's life. Which left-

"Jack will be just fine," Gwen said strongly, a touch of confusion in her voice.

"Of course Jack will be fine." Justine's laugh, the one that made him want to curl his hands into fists and pull a trigger, echoed round the Hub again. "Even when the toxin shuts down his lungs, even when the paralytic finally hits his slowly beating heart he will be fine. But he is special and your poor love is only mortal. And incidentally, a sucker for a pretty face and a line about being 'a friend of that bloody Jack Harkness'..."

"Rhys?" Gwen yelped in surprise. Jack wished he could yell to her to stay calm but he knew full well how useless it was.

"Ah yes, Rhys. He was most concerned to hear you had been hurt and he needed to come here." Justine's voice took on a mocking tone. "He was even more surprised when I paralysed him and locked him in your cells. That was, oh, a couple of hours ago. Sorry, I thought you two would be back sooner. Of course that does mean you only have another half hour at most to get the antidote into him before his organs start to fail. Actually it may be less than that; it's not a very accurate science."

"You're lying!" Gwen snarled as Justine continued.

"I understand my darling John did the same thing to you a while ago so you know how it feels. How you want to scream but can't, how you can feel your body shutting down and the pain, oh goddesses the sweet fire of it all, but there's nothing you can do to make it stop-"

"Shut up!"

"Of course there is something you can do." Justine paused, her tone soft and gentle, seductive. "The antidote isn't that hard to make really. And I even saved you the trouble of having to make it. It's right there beside him in the cell. He can actually see it. He just can't reach it. He is lying there, in pain, waiting for you to come save him. I've checked the records; you once nearly destroyed the world to save him. You don't have to do anything so dramatic this time. Just run. Run to him, Gwen. Before it's too late."

"Jack," Gwen whispered quietly. Jack could almost feel Gwen's eyes on him, he could sense her despair. He knew her decision even before she did and wished he could smile at her, let her know it was going to be ok. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Jack heard her desperate footsteps run across the Hub, could picture her flying down the stairs to the cells. It had to be the cells. He still remembered finding her there with Rhys' body before, her screams cutting through his very soul. There was no way she could risk that again. He heard her steps fade and listened for Justine.

A soft swishing noise sounded through the Hub before a loud clang that he could swear he felt reverberate through his body marked her arrival back on his level. He'd forgotten that about her, the way she always loved a climbing line. The edges of her boots and the very hem of her skirt came into sight beside him and he wished he could grab them and flip her to the floor.

"Right," Justine said happily, "now we've got her out the way - I must admit, she is a bit of a gooseberry, isn't she? How do you and Ianto cope? Anyway, to business." Jack felt her hand on his shoulders and winced as she flipped him onto his back and dragged him across the grating, the harsh flooring scraping against his skin and ripping the arrow from his back, making him wish he could scream.

"Goodness Jack, you need to lay off the 21st century cooking. Or maybe it's just because you're not taking your weight on your arms that you feel so heavy." Jack watched the Water Tower leave his angle of sight and found himself wishing Myfanwy would just for once act like the guard dog he had envisaged when he first brought her here.

"Right, that's better," Justine carried on, talking as much to herself as to her captive audience. "Oh before I forget..." Jack swore in his head as the Hub went into lockdown, the lights dying and casting that sickly glow over the place before a soft click and a hum came from the direction of the rift manipulator. "Always pays to have a back-up generator don't you think?"

He couldn't see where she went but when she returned he winced as best he could as she sat across his waist, her hands digging through his pockets until she found the pocket watch. "I knew you wouldn't let the watch out of your sight." Quickly she began stripping off his wrist strap. "So predictable."

Justine leaned over his face, grinning down at him happily as she brought the end of a length of rope into his sight. "Ah Jack. You, me, a rope and a place no one will hear you scream. Although I have to say, when they say the bonds of holy matrimony I don't think they usually have this in mind...."

---

Gwen could feel the soles of her shoes slipping on the smooth stone as she ran through the Hub but she couldn't stop. Rhys. She had to get to Rhys. Visions of his bloodied body on the floor of the cells were so strong in her mind she could feel her breath catch in her throat as she fought back the panic. Not her Rhys. Not again. Darting round the last corner she hurried along the doors of the cells, peering through to see who was in them, wanting to get to Rhys as quickly as possible.

There. Stopping she tried to open the door before realising her gun was still clenched tight in her fingers. Holstering it she quickly pushed the door open and stepped inside, her heart almost stopping as she saw Rhys. He looked like he was sleeping, curled up on the bench almost peacefully but her gaze fell on the syringe on the opposite side of the cell, propped against the clear wall.

Darting forwards she dimly heard the cell door shut behind her but didn't care, her focus only on the syringe and getting the contents into Rhys. Her fingers shook as she tried to grip it properly, falling to her knees on the dirty cell floor as she grabbed Rhys' arm, turning him to face her.

"Rhys? Come on sweetheart, open your eyes for me. It's ok, I'm here." Pulling at his shirt she hesitated, unsure where she should inject him. Taking a deep breath she pressed the syringe against his arm and pulled the trigger, watching the liquid in the chamber enter his body then sat back, the syringe dropping to the floor as she sat still, watching for any change. "Come on Rhys. Open your eyes for me."

Nothing.

Leaning over him she grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Rhys! Come on, wake up!" Gwen could feel herself starting to lose control and tears starting to well up in her eyes. "Rhys Alun Williams, if you don't open your eyes right now I... I'm divorcing you."

"Already?" Rhys' eyes began to flicker slightly and she sobbed with joy as they opened slowly, his hands rising to grab her shoulders lightly. "Banana Boat said you'd at least put up with me for a year." Collapsing into his arms Gwen hugged her husband tight and buried her face in his chest. "Hey what's going on?" he asked tiredly. "Last thing I remember some woman said you'd been hurt then all of a sudden here you are." Looking up from his chest Gwen blinked unsteadily.

"You weren't conscious?" she asked quietly.

"No." Smiling sleepily Rhys hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head. "I remember something like perfume then nothing." He blinked slowly, as though his thoughts were starting to catch up with him then suddenly sat up, wincing at the move and grabbing her tight. "Are you ok? She said you were hurt, that I had to come quickly. I was so bloody worried!"

"I'm fine." Shaking her head quickly Gwen moved to sit with him, holding him tight. "I'm fine, it was just a trick." Pulling back she hastily wiped her eyes, rising to her feet and turning to the now locked door. "But we need to get out of here." Banging on the door she shook her head and was about to continue when the lights went out, a sickly red glow replacing the usual yellow tones of the cells. "Oh no."

"Gwen?"

"She's put the Hub into lockdown." Returning to sit beside him she took his hand and looked out through the clear cell front. "Even if we get out of the cell I can't get us out of the Hub. We're trapped here." Rhys nodded then frowned and shook his head impatiently.

"Gwen, what the bloody hell is going on? Who is she and what has that bloody Jack got you into this time? I was worried sick about you!" Gwen patted his hand softly and looked around the cell, trying to figure out a way round this. Pulling out her phone she groaned at the lack of signal. Great.

"Rhys, it's a long story."

"Well..." Shrugging, her husband wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "It doesn't look like we're going anywhere any time soon, so you may as well tell me."

---

Jack stared up along the height of the Water Tower, unable to move his head and waiting for the poison to take him. But instead of getting worse he almost felt as though he was regaining some feeling in his fingers. He could hear Justine moving around and working on her machine in the dim Hub, the red glow turning the Water Tower an ominous red.

His fingers twitched and in his surprise Jack made a small cry, his paralysed muscles starting to reawaken and his voice returning. He heard Justine stop working and the sound of her heels tapping on the grate as she came over to stand over him.

"Hello there handsome. Don't worry about that, it will take you a while to be able to move again but you'll be just fine. I used the mild version." Grinning she stood astride him and looked down at him, the hem of her skirt dragging over his chest. "I didn't want you completely immobile. After all, your best bits needs a bit of blood to really work properly..." She dropped to her knees to sit astride him and looked down at him curiously, grabbing his head and turning it to the left and right as she considered it.

"You are older than I remember, even without the immortality thing." Her fingertips ran over his forehead and the edges of his eyes. "Here. Right here." Her fingertips strayed into his hairline and she smiled lopsidedly. "And here. Just a little. Makes you look almost respectable Jack." Sighing, she wriggled down his body and shifted to lie half atop him, her hands flat on the grate as she hovered over his face.

"What happened to us all, Jack? We were trained so well, to kiss and to kill. And yet we grow old and suddenly all we want is a place to call home." She tilted her head to one side and grinned. "Well except for John of course. I swear, he has barely changed. Still as predictable as ever." She pushed her hair back from her face, the red glow of the lights shining over half her face, the other side lost in hair and shadow. "Although even he is showing signs of sentimentality..."

Jack groaned again, a feeble sound but enough for her to notice and sit up again. "Sorry baby, am I squashing you? You never used to complain." She looked at the open top button of his shirt and grinned wickedly as she dragged her fingers along his shoulders to tug at the next one, opening his shirt just another inch. "Of course neither did I. Even though I could have had you both shot for what you did." Another feeble protest from him and she let go, her hands falling to her sides before with a shrug she stood up again, easily rising up to stand over him. "Yes, I know it was mostly John's fault. Still, everything worked out great in the end."

She left him, returning to her equipment and leaving his sight. "Thanks for the watch by the way." She chuckled softly to herself, the sound of the faint scrapes of metal on metal reaching Jack. "I keep meaning to ask you how you worked out what I was doing from it though, what tipped you off? I would love to know where you might have seen one of these before."

"Such a rare item," she said quietly, her voice growing distant for a moment as though she was looking away or bent over. "It took me years to find any trace of their technology. They are barely a legend to most races but I always did have a healthy obsession with time travel. When I was a child my grandfather used to tell me those old myths and legends, the Greek Gods, the Vikings and Valhalla, the Maylon nomads wandering the stars forever and of course, the legend of the Time Lords."

"I never told you my father once fought against the Daleks did I?" Her voice grew stronger again and Jack found he could turn his head a little, just enough to make out the top of her head at the manipulator. "Or maybe I did. You wouldn't remember though so what does it matter." She chuckled again and turned back to the machine she was working on.

"My grandfather used to threaten my cousins and me with stories of lost Daleks who escaped the war coming to take us from our beds if they found us awake. We used to lie awake whispering to each other, wondering what a Dalek looked like. We didn't really believe they would hurt children." She glanced back at Jack and this time he could just about make out her face and the sad look on it. "Fortune favours fools and small children. Of course there don't have to be Daleks in the universe for it to be a dangerous place. Even for children."

"Mmm..." Jack could just about move his tongue as he wriggled again, confused by what she was saying and trying desperately to get her attention and get her away from the rift manipulator. He almost felt as though he should know what she was talking about, as though she was expecting him to know where this was going, but he just couldn't seem to make sense of it all. Summoning his strength Jack let his head loll to look at her fully and shouted as best he could, "Juuuuuuuuu."

"Shhhhh." Laughing she looked down at him and took a step closer, raising her eyebrows quizzically. "You'll hurt yourself if you try too much too soon. Oh, I wanted to show you something!" Leaving his view again she ducked out of sight before returning, the Celestial Sphere held lightly in her hands, her fingertips spread over its glass surface.

"Isn't it beautiful? If you look close you can make out the starscape," she said, twisting it to point to a particular section. "I remember seeing those stars every night growing up. It's almost a shame to have to destroy it." Placing it on his chest she stepped back and pulled out her Arbalet, aiming at the glass sphere and grinning at Jack. Her face was partly distorted by the glass and Jack was suddenly grateful he had enough control to close his eyes as he realised with only a second to spare what it was she was going to do.

With a soft click then a loud crash the bolt pierced through the glass, shattering the fragile layer and the shards showering over his chest. The bolt slammed into the grate beside his ear, the sound reverberating through his skull. Opening his eyes hesitantly Jack watched as she leaned over him, picking up the metal base and pulling the sphere at the centre of the globe out and rolling it between her fingertips. At her touch the metal seemed to melt, morphing into a different shape that he frowned as he recognised.

"Ahhh you see now!" She held it up for him. "Data spheres, such a fabulous invention." Standing again, Justine left him covered in glass and the abandoned stand and moved over to the Hub computers, putting the now flat square of circuitry flat against the screen. Jack could see the look of triumph on her face as whatever was on it flashed across the display. "Perfect. They did survive the jump. Oh they are going to be so surprised when they see me!" Her smile faded and a frown took its place before she slammed her hand against the screen, swearing loudly in Judoon.

"Just two? Where are the others...?" Shaking her head she pulled the square off the screen and hurried back over to her machine. "They gave me dates though, it's possible the others were nearer than they thought. The rift nearly always brings them here, I just have to find the right time..." Jack could feel his fingers twitching under his control once more and slowly tried to feel his way to the ropes she had tied around his wrists.

"Tiiiiiiiiiime..." His voice was still weak as he tried to speak but she looked at him curiously and he tried again. "Ti-" A fit of coughing overtook him and she grinned at him, enjoying his discomfort as his lungs screamed back into full action.

"Time?" she asked with a chuckle, "oh Jack, you picked the right word there. Time is the key to everything - and you have a key to time." A soft beep from her machine made her turn her attention back to it. "No more? I guess they didn't have the technology with them to give me more data..." Sighing Justine shook her head dismissively. "It will be enough. It has to be."

"And with a little bit of luck there will be enough Time Lord magic left in this watch to help me out." She looked over at him and looked young again; almost as young as when he first met her. "Even if it's dormant there should be enough residual energy in it to help me out. And if not..." She shrugged. "I think this still makes an appropriate good luck charm."

Jack shivered as a painful spasm ripped through his body as his muscles protested the feeling returning to them and began to cramp. Crying out he pulled tight against the ropes reflexively, the sensations too much.

"You okay Jack?" Justine asked as she walked over, standing clear of him and regarding him curiously. "Poor thing. Condemned to always fight, to always try to fit in and never succeed. You should never have left the agency, Jack." Her face grew dark for a moment and she crouched down beside him, pulling the knife from underneath her wrist guard and sliding it along his throat thoughtfully.

"You should never have left us. Things were never the same after you left." She smiled as her eyes focused not on him but some memory. "I kept hearing stories of you though. Those cons of yours were truly brilliant sometimes. I met a couple of the lovely young agents you had conned before and helped them commiserate their rotten luck - and all the while laughing at them for being so gullible." She stroked the blade along his throat, tracing over the familiar map of veins and arteries thoughtfully. "Why did you leave Jack? We needed you. I needed you."

"They stole" Jack started before he coughed again. With a shudder he looked up at her, his voice hoarse but working at last. "They stole my memories Juice, what choice did I have?" Her eyes widened in surprise and she laughed disbelievingly.

"Is THAT what you've been telling yourself all this time? That they were stolen from you?" She slapped him hard across the face, the blade in her hand slashing along his cheek and leaving a gash. "Did it really never occur to you that you might have asked for it?" Justine looked at his face and then the blade in her hand in confusion, as though uncertain as to why he was bleeding. Standing up again she wiped the blood off the blade using his trousers before sheathing the knife.

"Did you never believe that you might have begged and pleaded, been screaming in the dark and made them take them from you? That you were too big a coward to face up to what had happened and you had to forget instead?" Her voice was shaking now, the anger plain on her face as tears of rage and sorrow threatened to escape her brown eyes.

"Two years Jack," she said shakily, her voice speeding up as though the words had been waiting for too long to come out. "You had to go and lose the whole two years, you couldn't risk having the slightest trace of those memories resurface so you went and lost the whole two years. Jack, I needed those memories!" Her voice lowered to a whisper. "You were the only other person who knew!" .

"Is that was this is all about, Juice?" Jack looked up at her in confusion, his voice returning fully at last. "You're pissed at me because I forgot some dirty weekend with you?" Laughing in exasperation she turned away, returning to her machine and raising her voice.

"You are unbelievably arrogant Jack, has anyone ever told you that? Of course it must all be about you, you are the only person in my life who I could ever have loved and I've spent the last decade trying to find you again just so we can get back together." Turning back a moment she pointed at him angrily. "You're an arsehole, you know that right? Never, ever mistake someone needing you for wanting you, Jack. You would do well to remember that, especially with your little team."

She returned to her work and he could hear the hum of power entering the rift manipulator build up a level, the buzz increasing in volume a notch along with her voice, "two whole years of your life Jack, that's a lot of time to lose. And ironically I only needed two months of that back from you." She looked at him and considered him carefully, her head tilted to the side. "It was right at the beginning and you do remember some of it, you just don't know it." Grinning softly she shrugged and turned back to her work. "It doesn't matter, I'll be able to introduce you to everyone soon enough. None of it will have ever happened."

Jack lay still against the grate for a moment and tried to take in what she was saying. He'd always thought in films when the baddie started talking it would make sense but right now he was more confused than ever and had to consider one terrifying possibility.

She was crazy. Absolutely crazy. And lethal.

As the strength began returning to his body Jack hoped he would be able to get free somehow and stop her in time, or that someone else would. Feeling his wrists chafe against the rope he wondered idly how many people she had tied up like this before. Because he had to give her this; she was good. It would take an escape artist to get through those bonds.

Or just someone who was very good with knots....

---

Captain John Hart awoke slowly and wasn't surprised to be naked. Waking up naked and tied down was less common but not unheard of - but twice in two days and because of the same woman had never happened before. A soft groan from beside him made him groggily lift his head, his eyes blearily focusing on the naked Welshman beside him.

"Hello there handsome," John said with a broad grin in spite of the situation - not to mention the complete lack of feeling in his arms - as Ianto froze and turned every so slowly to face him. "Are we awake?" Ianto blinked slowly and stared dumbly at John for a moment before answering.

"I don't know," Ianto answered hesitantly, as though hoping it was a bad dream, "are we... naked?"

"Yep."

"Oh. Thought so." Ianto closed his eyes but resisted the urge to sink down into the cover again. "Then we're awake but we're very confused." Tugging on his bonds Ianto sighed and buried his head in the pillow for a moment.

The bed smelt slightly musty and overly perfumed, as though the woman sprayed her bed with something or used way too much fabric conditioner. Ianto lay there for a moment, taking in their situation and hoping it wasn't actually as bad as he thought. He lifted up a little, wriggling his hands numbly and trying to get enough blood back into his hands to make his fingers uncurl.

"So Ianto Jones..." John shifted on the bed, trying to relieve the strain in his shoulders. "Any great ideas for an escape plan?" Ianto rolled onto his side, wishing it didn't mean moving his bare backside against John's hip but reflecting on that he decided he would prefer it was that side of his body than the other.

John continued lazily, "course it's not that I'm complaining about a bit of bondage between the two of us. I just didn't imagine us both tied down at the same time, gets a bit more complicated that way."

"Just a bit," Ianto agreed stiffly as he pulled his legs up towards his chest, his muscles protesting the move and the soft covers rumpling around him making it awkward. "You're the handcuffs expert; can't you get yourself out of there?" John laughed and with an effort rolled on to his side, his arms twisting uncomfortably but the view more than making up for it.

"I'm good but even I need something to work with," he said, clinking the handcuff against the bed to draw the other man's attention. "Besides, she did them up extra tight just to make sure I didn't have enough room to move. Unlike you..." He grinned as Ianto with some effort rolled on to his knees, kneeling awkwardly on the bed and wincing as the blood began to flow back into his arms. "Now there's a sight for sore eyes."

Ianto closed his eyes in pain, whether from his arms or the remark it wasn't clear but he shifted his knees on the bed, working to get a firm position and trying to uncurl his dead fingers.

"Enjoy it whilst you can, you are never seeing it again."

"Oh I intend to." John chuckled evilly and shifted his head to see as much of Ianto as possible. "And never say never, Eye Candy, stranger things have happened." Ianto glared at John and instantly regretted glancing sideways; John was hard and even though Ianto looked away again straight away John chuckled evilly. "You can look. It's ok, I won't bite. Unless you want me to..." Growling softly Ianto shifted again, making sure he kept as much of his body turned away from John as possible. As blood returned to his fingers he set to work on the knot, trying to work it loose.

"What is it with you lot and biting? And no thanks, I would rather sleep with Janet than you." At John's silence Ianto sighed and clarified. "She's a weevil." John laughed in delight and bounced a little on the bed, the movement making his whole body shake, something Ianto was all too aware of even out of the corner of his eye.

"Well, well, kinky to the last, Mr Jones. You do surprise me."

"I'm sure there are many things about me that would surprise you, John." Ianto tried to concentrate on his work, wanting nothing more than to be out of this situation - and preferably dressed again. "But the best bit is you are never going to find them out so would you just shut up and let me get on with it." John purred softly and wriggled closer on the bed.

"Now there's something I've often pictured you saying whilst naked with me tied to the bed beside you."

Ianto froze as the door opened and turned, the carer stumbling into the room as though recovering from the same drugs they had been exposed to. She stared at him, then John, then back to him before screaming loudly and running from the room. He heard the front door slam and turned to John as the thief spoke.

"What's the betting," John said slowly, "she's about to go get either the police or her friendly neighbourhood lynch mob?" Ianto swallowed hard and got back to work as he answered, John rolling fully onto his back and looking around the room for their clothes, weapons, anything that might help.

"As I am known to the local police I'm not sure which I'd prefer," Ianto replied with a shiver, "so let's just get out of here before she gets back shall we?" John nodded as his eyes settled on the woman's dressing table.

"If you can get free there's bound to be a hairpin, brooch, something with a point I can use on these handcuffs. Wonder if Juice was nice enough to leave our clothes at all..."

"She drugged us, stripped us and tied us to a bed," Ianto pointed out sarcastically, "I don't think 'nice' is going to be a phrase I'll apply to her any time soon."

"She could have just killed us." John shrugged carelessly. "I'd say this is much nicer than that option." Ianto smiled in spite of himself but the smile faded a moment later and John continued. "Oh and just for the record, she didn't strip us. She made me do it so there's no reason to be so coy. I've already seen it all."

"Fabulous." Ianto felt his eyes close in embarrassment and tried desperately not to blush. Not in front of John.

"Hell yeah." John chuckled wickedly. "So listen, whilst we got a few moments something's been bothering me. You know we um, accidentally of course, stabbed Jack yesterday, is he healed yet? I mean does it happen instantly or does it take time? I only ask cos Juice and I were reminiscing about this thing we did on Centauri Prime with knives but that wouldn't be any fun if he just healed up again-"

"Do you really think I want to discuss your kinky sex life right now?"

"You're right." John nodded thoughtfully and shifted on his side. "We should be discussing yours. So if Jack's up for a caning does he still get the red marks or do they fade right away? Don't know about you but I'd find that annoy-"

"The only thing I find annoying right now is you!" Ianto shouted angrily, losing his cool at last. John just looked up at Ianto questioningly. With a soft sigh Ianto conceded defeat, hoping it would end the conversation - or at least steer it away from sex. "Small wounds take a while to heal, faster than ours but still same process. If you kill him outright though everything usually heals at once." John nodded thoughtfully.

"So if we say took him to one of those tattoo parlours and-"

"How about you do me a favour and just shut up for a few minutes and listen out for trouble, I need to concentrate on this." Ianto winced and closed his eyes again as his fingers began to work their way under the scarf, trying to pull on the slightly slippery fabric. John nodded and wriggled to make himself comfy on the bed, content to simply watch Ianto work for a moment.

It took him a good few minutes but eventually Ianto felt the fabric start to give and quickly stopped putting any pressure on it, concentrating on using the slack to start working the knot loose.

"Almost there..." Ianto whispered softly. He was sweating slightly from the strain of the task, his body complaining about being made to work so soon after regaining consciousness. He could still feel the traces of the drugs at the edge of his mind, affecting his concentration and making his limbs feel like lead but it was easing. Slowly. As the scarf began to shift free Ianto froze, spotting the gold band on his wrist under the fabric.

"John...." he asked cautiously. The thief looked up at him expectantly and Ianto glanced at his wrists in the handcuffs. "Why did she give us matching gold bracelets?"

"She what?" John frowned and leaned back, looking up above his head at his bound wrists before saying something that could only be a swear word in some language. "Ianto, I know you don't like me but just in case you had any thoughts about leaving me here and running off to save your precious captain on your own I wouldn't advise it." John looked at him again, deadly serious. "They're electroshock cuffs. You go more than a certain distance from me and we both get zapped." Ianto growled and got back to work, careful not to disturb the band.

"Any idea how far exactly?"

"User preference," John replied as he ran his numb fingertips over the band as best he could,

"but last time she used them on me it was one metre. We should get a minor discharge if we stray by ten percent, as a warning. More than that and it's goodnight again."

"Better not test it too much then." Ianto could feel the scarf giving way and grinned ferociously.

"Almost..." With a final pull the scarf slid off one wrist, letting Ianto pull free of the headboard to sit upright on the bed, his back to John. "Right, face down then John."

Raising his eyebrows in surprise the ex time agent wriggled to lie face down on the bed, grinning as he felt Ianto's hand slide down his body, gripping lightly along his leg as the Welshman stood up and began to slide around the bed.

"Is this my lucky day?" John asked hopefully as he twisted to face to his side. He frowned as he saw Ianto reaching out with his bare wrist to the dressing table, searching its surface for suitable metal objects whilst never getting too far from John. "Oh right. Escape. Pity..."

Ianto grabbed a small dish of hair pins and came back over to the bed, climbing over John to reach up to the handcuffs. Picking one pin from the bowl he straightened it before slipping it into John's fingers, his hand over John's and one knee between the thief's spread legs.

It was at that moment that the bedroom door flew open and a Welsh voice Ianto knew all too well echoed around the room.

"This is the police, get your... Oh." As one they both turned to look at the shocked policeman before Ianto forced a cheery tone into his voice.

"Hello Andy," Ianto said cheerfully, "how's it going?" Andy's mouth was wide open and they watched as he closed it then opened it again a few times before replying.

"Not too bad. You?"

"Oh you know, same old." Ianto shrugged and smiled politely. "Actually it's good you showed up, we could use a bit of a hand."

"Or more if you're interested," John added as he leaned further from round beneath Ianto to grin at the cop lasciviously. "Nice truncheon by the way..." Andy holstered his truncheon and stared blankly at Ianto before leaving the room and pulling the door closed again. Sighing, Ianto smacked John on the head and returned his attention to the pin.

"I can't take you anywhere," Ianto growled. Finally setting to work John chuckled, his eyes closing as he concentrated on the touch of the improvised pick.

"Eye Candy you can take me anywhere you like. Any time, any place, any way..." Ianto shifted back off the thief and sat on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.

He was definitely never going to live this one down....

---

Jack lay quiet, watching her work for a while and struggling to get out of the ropes before finally admitting to himself that there was no way he was going to be able to get free. Time to try another tactic.

"Justine, I know you're angry about something but I really have no idea what you are talking about. Two months of what? What did we do?" She turned to him and softened at the pleading look on his face.

"Jack," she asked quietly, "who is my grandfather?"

"Lord Albram, the Baron of Europa." The question took him by surprise and he found himself answering automatically. "Your ancestors were one of the first colonists from Earth, way back in the frontier days." He frowned as he tried to work out how he knew that but she nodded and smiled at him softly.

"Correct. Where was I born?"

"Europa, you joined the agency straight out of school." Jack chuckled softly as he added, "your grandfather was mad about that." She looked up at him again, her eyes boring into his.

"Why was my grandfather mad, Jack?"

"He was worried about you." Jack shrugged, not really sure where this was going any more and a little surprised that the knowledge was coming to him so easily. "He wanted you to carry on the family name and be a good girl, not a rogue. He was always so angry at you for running away, especially after..." He frowned, a memory playing at the edge of his mind as she looked at him almost pleadingly.

"After what?"

"You... You had a brother. He was supposed to inherit the title. But he..." Jack frowned, trying hard to remember but feeling the memory slide around his mind like wet soap, every time he tried to hold it tight it slipped away again. Her smile softened again and she came over, kneeling beside him and stroking her fingertips over his forehead softly.

"That's the thing about pioneering families; you never quite lose the urge to travel. As for me, I was the ambitious one. It was time travel that held the lure, the urge to explore different eras, to touch the past that was just too incredible an idea for me to refuse." Her smile broadened. "I blame my grandfather's stories of the Time Lords for that really." She pulled back and pulled her legs up against her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees and looking into the distance as she carried on.

"But the rest of my family they were happy with just exploring space." She glanced back at him again. "Grandfather was stuck on Europa, he was too old to go off exploring any more but he couldn't hold us back. He raised us you know. He didn't want us all to go, never forgave me for leaving him behind especially after..." She sighed heavily and pressed her hands against her face, her body showing the strain.

"I can't believe I'm telling you this all over again," she whispered, "it was painful enough the first time. But when you told me about Gray I thought... I thought here's someone who understands." Jack glared at her and pulled at his ropes again.

"I told you not to mention him again."

"Such a change of story." Justine shot him an angry stare, peering through a curtain of hair at him. "You used to tell anyone who would listen about Gray. You hoped one of us would somehow stumble across him, bring him home." She laughed bitterly. "Always the optimist. You thought if you just kept believing then you could bring him back by sheer force of will. Me on the other hand, I knew it would be me or no one." Slamming her hands against the grate she pushed back up to her feet and turned back to the controls.

"What happened to your brother?" Jack asked quietly.

"He..." Justine didn't turn back, continuing to work, but her voice was softer as she answered him. "He was lost. Along with his family, my cousins and half the colonists." She shook her head slowly. "They didn't know it when they settled there but there are certain worlds in the universe that are connected by cracks in the fabric of space and time, almost like a giant web. You can live there quite happily for years, centuries even, but every now and then the web vibrates and you get stuck, you get taken." Pausing she stepped away from the machine and stared at him again.

"It took us years to figure out what it was and where the centre of the web was and guess where it was, Jack?" Justine spread her arms wide and looked up through the centre of the Hub at the expanse of the Water Tower shooting upwards. "Your rift. Just as the Weevil's home world is on one of the strands of the web so was the colony, my family's home. And one by one over the course of a few weeks fifty people vanished." Her voice cracked slightly as she continued.

"By the time the evacuation team arrived only 64 survivors were left. The rest had been taken and dumped by the rift here on Earth but over the course of several centuries." She sighed heavily and rubbed her hands over her face before sliding them back through her hair, pushing it off her face.

"Did they ever try to find them?" Jack asked softly, not wanting to push too hard. She shook her head and looked round at him again with a strange expression on her face.

"Jack, you came with me to the colony." Folding her arms across her chest she rubbed her arms as though chilled. "We were investigating the rift energy, the agency wanted to find a way to harness its power as a boost for the Vortex Manipulators." Tapping her wrist she smiled slightly. "Incidentally that old research was still programmed into your wrist strap, which is probably how you ended up here in the first place."

"But I confided in you about my brother, about my family," she continued quickly. "I even took you to meet my grandfather, do you remember?" Jack shook his head slowly and she growled softly. "Of course you don't, you got yourself a two year memory wipe. It never occurred to you that I might need the knowledge you had of the rift and the accident. So instead I'm going to have to do this myself. Trial and error."

"What are you going to do?" Jack asked quietly. Ignoring him Justine started powering up the rift manipulator and Jack pulled against the ropes, trying to get to her. "Juice!" Sighing, Justine pulled the gold bracelet from her pocket and removed one of the charms, placing it into the extra assembly she had built onto the machine.

"You don't recognise this bracelet, do you?" she asked rhetorically. "It was mine. I threw it into the rift back on the colony. We watched it vanish before our eyes and I've spent ten years tracking it down again. But the charms are also programmed to record the rift energy, find the exact frequency of the strand that brought it here and record it." She watched the red glow of the manipulator and grinned wickedly.

"I'm going to grab that strand and reposition it," she said happily, "I'm going to bring the end of it here to this time. If I do this right everything that travelled along that strand will land here, now, instead of across time."

"Juice you can't!" Jack shouted, his face pale as he watched her start the machine up. "It's too dangerous! The rift is unstable as it is, if you play with it you don't know what you might bring through!" Lowering his voice he began to plead with her. "Last time the rift was opened all hell broke loose, plague, violence, people pulled from their times to ours - you're risking the entire planet for fifty people, Juice that's crazy!" Justine rounded on him, pulling out her Arbalet and firing the bolt into his stomach, enjoying the pain on his face as his body curled around the arrow.

"It wasn't just fifty people Jack!" Justine shouted as she fired again, enjoying watching him squirm. "It was my whole bloody family! Everyone I loved was taken by your rift and I want them back! My nephew was just nine when he vanished. If he landed somewhere different to the others do you really think he stood a chance? I have to find them Jack. And you are not going to stop me."

Jack began to gasp for breath as blood began to ooze from his chest, small bubbles in the flow confirming his suspicion that she had pierced his lung. Great. The rift manipulator began to slide up and down, the energy crackling around the machine as he tried to keep his focus on her.

"Justine... don't," he pleaded breathlessly, "please. They're part of events now; you could screw up the entire time line."

"Who cares?" Shrugging, Justine continued to watch the machine, ignoring him dying beside her. "I'll tell you what Jack; I'll do you a deal." Moving back to crouch beside him she stroked a hand across his forehead. "I'll stop, right now, I'll switch it all off and walk away if you can do one thing for me. I'll stop if you can tell me my real name."

Jack struggled against the ropes, his body fighting for air and losing and trying desperately to find the knowledge she sought, the memory of what name was at the core of her, hidden from the world. She saw the blankness in his eyes and shrugged.

"Thought not," she said tiredly as she stood up and moved back to the machine. "You didn't care enough about me to keep those memories so tell me Jack, why should I care about this little home of yours either?" She flicked a switch and stood back, her face lighting up as a roar of power surged through the Hub.

"Oh and by the way Jack, did you never wonder why so many fifty first century sex toys made their way through the rift?" She glanced over at him with a smirk that he could barely see as his sight began to fade but her voice continued to taunt him as he died. "I wasn't the only one throwing things into the rift. You always were a careless lover. Throwing away things you really should have tried to hold on to. Things, people, memories...."

---

It was funny how some days you could never get a policeman to a call but as soon as the opportunity to gawk at naked members of Torchwood arose there were suddenly dozens of officers who just happened to be in the area. On the plus side it did mean Ianto had no trouble arranging a fast ride back to the Hub, although the borrowed clothes they had to squeeze into made the whole thing that much more irritating.

The gawking didn't bother Ianto as much as the faint look of disappointment on most of the officer's faces when they realised that it wasn't Jack. He was really going to have to have a word with his boss about the fact that when anyone heard the words 'naked' and 'Torchwood' they instantly thought of Captain Jack Harkness...

---

Lady Justine Hartless sighed as the dead body of her ex-husband dripped blood into the strange pool of water that covered the floor of the place he called home. Cold, damp and dark it wasn't exactly her idea of a fun place to spend time but it did have one redeeming feature. Running a hand across the Water Tower she looked at the rift manipulator and an excited grin broke out on her face.

All these years she had hoped she would find the source of the rift. She had hoped that she would perhaps be able to cannibalise something to control it but this... This was so much more than she could have hoped for. And Jack had given it to her. Hell, he had practically gift-wrapped it, bringing her in through his magic entrance and leaving it there on display, just asking for it.

Of course it was going to take some time to get the mix right. And time was something she should have plenty of, with all of Jack's precious team indisposed. For a moment she considered whether it had been a mistake to let John and Ianto live. But a deal was a deal and a promise a promise, even for rogues like them. Besides, she was locked in and they were locked up. She had plenty of time.

Playing with Jack's stolen vortex manipulator Justine brought it over to her machine and accessed the files, bypassing the final safety system and using Jack's access codes to activate the machine. Really, some people were just far too predictable when it came to encryption keys. Or she was just too good, either way it was child's play to her.

Starting up the manipulator she watched as the column began to rise and fall and turned back to her cannibalised equipment, focusing on the signature recorded in the charm from her old bracelet. To move the strand she had to find it first. The only way to find it though was to activate the rift.

And that would mean a few things would slip through whilst she searched. But that couldn't be avoided. Actually it could even be helpful. Grinning, Justine made a few adjustments to the machine. After all, there was nothing to say a little chaos couldn't help to make sure she was undisturbed for a bit longer...

---

Andy couldn't help glancing in his rear view mirror at the two men crammed into the back of his police car. Both were now thankfully at least half dressed; a couple of pairs of tracksuit bottoms had been found that sort of did the job. John's were a good inch or two too short in the leg and Ianto's were pink with "Pineapple" written across his arse but at least they were no longer naked. Although the reaction Ianto would get from Jack and Gwen was one Andy was actually quite interested to see. Speaking of Gwen...

"So you think Gwen's in danger?" Andy asked. He glanced in the mirror to catch Ianto's reaction as he looked up from his frantic use of Andy's phone to answer.

"She's not answering her phone."

"Not exactly conclusive," John sniffed beside Ianto and closed the cover on his wrist strap, "but Jack's not home either so yeah, I'd say big eyes might have bitten off more than she can chew this time." He tapped his strap thoughtfully. "I still can't work out why Juice left me with this. She could easily have taken it."

"Doesn't look that important." Andy shrugged and steered around the cars moving out of his way because of the siren. "Maybe she just forgot?"

"Nobody ever forgets the wrist strap." John leaned forwards, resting his arm on the back of Andy's chair and grinning at the policeman. "Believe me, when they leave it behind it's for a reason and the reason is never good. Last time your lovely city got some major redecoration work." Ianto winced as Andy spun round to shout at John.

"Andy, road!" Ianto shouted quickly. The policeman turned back and muttered something under his breath that made Ianto smirk before he spoke up again.

"So you think this Lady person," Andy asked, waving his hand around in a regal wave, "is going to blow up the city or something? Should I get everyone on standby?" John and Ianto exchanged looks, for the first time really considering what she might do.

"Possibly," Ianto said slowly, watching as John nodded. "Might be best to just get everyone on the look out for anything suspicious, no harm in being prepared. I don't think she's going to blow anything up exactly, she might just want to take whatever grudge it is out on Jack rather than Cardiff this time." Ianto didn't look happy at the thought and not for the first time Andy wondered whether Ianto might have a bit of a crush on Jack.

"I'm sure he can handle her," Andy reassured him and quickly changed the subject. "So, John is it? Are you a new member of the team? Only Gwen did promise to let me know if there were any vacancies..." Both John and Ianto laughed dismissively - before looking at each other as though to ask why the other was laughing.

"I am not part of the team, no." John sounded offended at the implication that he might be part of Torchwood. "I'm an old friend of Jack's."

"Oh from his military days? Another Captain, right?" Andy nodded to himself, picking up speed again as the road ahead became clear. "I wouldn't mind making Chief one day myself. Course if you lot keep having disasters that kill off half the police force in Cardiff who knows, I could be Chief before I'm forty at this rate. I don't know why Gwen's bloody rift chose Cardiff for its home."

John shrugged and leaned back in the seat, trying not to show the slight panic he was feeling at Andy's driving as they swerved around yet another car.

"Cardiff may be the centre of the rift but it's not just your little planet that has it," John explained, "the rift spreads across the universe. You're just the place things come out. Consider Cardiff the interplanetary arsehole." Ianto gave him a look that could kill before trying yet another number.

"That's odd...." Ianto murmured. Both men glanced at Ianto questioningly as he listened to the phone. "The Hub phone isn't just not being answered it's off line. The whole place is in lockdown."

"What could cause that?" Andy asked. Ianto shrugged and hung up the phone, thinking fast.

"Lot's of things," he listed slowly, "you can voluntarily put it in lockdown, power failures can trigger it, quarantine alerts. It's designed to stop anything or anyone getting out." John growled and slammed the door with his hand.

"Great! So we can't get in?" John said in exasperation.

"I said it's designed to stop things getting OUT." Ianto turned in his seat to face John as he continued. "After the last time Jack installed an override in the tourist office, I just need to get in the door. Problem is it will warn them we're coming."

"So we could go marching straight into a trap?" John asked with a wry smile. "Perfect. And here I thought after our little adventure earlier that today couldn't get any better." Andy coughed to get their attention before hesitantly speaking.

"About that..." Andy began before trailing off. Ianto could feel himself blushing but kept a straight face as best he could. "You know what, never mind. Just be grateful I was the one who took the call. Actually they sort of knew it was you. A brunette woman and two men, one in a suit and one in a bizarre military type jacket with a black SUV, bit of a give away. I just thought the military jacket would be Jack." Ianto smiled softly and glanced sideways at John.

"Believe me; I'd have preferred it that way too." John smirked and leaned back.

"I'm trying not to take offence here," Jack said, pretending to be hurt by the remark.

"Oh please don't go to any trouble on my account," Ianto replied smoothly.

"You know you enjoyed it too Eye Candy. You know what, when we get the key back we can always put these handcuffs to better use - or borrow some off your cute friend here with the lovely hair." Andy squeaked and looked back at them.

"No you bloody well can't", the policeman spluttered, "I-"

"ANDY!" Ianto shouted again, panic on his face. Not a moment too soon Andy looked back and swung the car out the way as a weevil appeared in the centre of the road, the gold light fading around it as it ran off into a side street.

Braking hard Andy slammed the car to a halt, John ending up almost burying his face in Andy's neck restraint whilst Ianto braced himself with his arms against the back of the passenger seat. Breathing heavily they all looked round at the spot where the weevil had appeared. Swearing loudly, John opened his wrist strap and searched through the settings before going pale.

"Police boy, you might want to drive faster." John swallowed visibly, his face going pale. "Now."

"What's wrong?" Ianto shifted to look over his shoulder, even knowing he couldn't understand the strap. John shook his head and pointed at a flashing purple symbol on the strap.

"She's playing with the rift and pulling stuff through," John explained, "I don't know how she thinks she is controlling it but all sorts of shit is coming through the rift and homing in on her signals." He held up his strap. "Told you she wouldn't let me keep it without a catch. She's turned me into a bloody homing beacon for rift crap and if you don't drive there's a good chance the next one will be able to land right in this car."

Swallowing hard Andy hastily put the car back into gear and swung out, accelerating as he hit the road again. "When you say rift crap do you just mean weevils or other stuff?" Ianto shrugged and looked out through the windows, scanning their surroundings carefully as though trying to spot the rift flares forming.

"All sorts of aliens come through," Ianto said distractedly, "vicious ones, cheeky ones, little ones, huge ones-" He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as something slammed hard onto the top of the car.

---

Jack was never fond of reviving. Regaining consciousness to find himself in the dim red lights and tied down he had an uncontrollable moment of panic, thrashing against the ropes before he realised where he was. He could hear his pulse hammering through his body as he calmed down, the remembered nightmare still enough to terrify him for a moment as he feared everything else had been the dream. He wasn't on the Valiant. He was home.

"Hello handsome," Justine called over to him, "nice nap?" Jack watched her work for a moment as he calmed himself before shifting carefully in the ropes.

"Wonderful thanks, very refreshing. Why don't you take one yourself?" He struggled against the ropes again, trying to judge if they were loosening at all. "Say for eternity?"

"Thank you for the kind offer, but I'm wide awake and more than a little busy thank you. Some of us have work to do. But feel free to put your feet up, have a cup of coffee and read the paper."

"Some work." Laughing roughly, Jack snarled up at her as she worked the glow of the lights turning her blouse a vibrant red and making her look vaguely like she belonged in one of those old paintings of Hell. "We never even finished your little game. You sure you can manage with just what you've got? What about that rock you wanted, what's the secret behind that one? And the toys and the other crap you've had us running around after?" Jack snarled angrily. "Come on then Juice, I can't work it out. What's the brilliant scheme?"

"Oh Jack." Sighing she glanced over at him before a quick smile quirked across her face. "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And sometimes a rock is just a rock. I know a geologist who collects old meteors and such; she would have enjoyed it that's all. As for everything else..." Grinning she turned back to him.

"Actually that part of the story was true," Justine admitted. "The Heritage Agency are doing a bit of a twenty first century exhibit for the anniversary. They know I have a knack for acquiring such objects and asked me to help out." Laughing she returned to her work. "As though they would really seize my estate. We already own half the agency. Honestly Jack, I fear you underestimated me again. You really do need to work on that weakness for a good sob story, my dear."

She winced as a loud alarm came from the manipulator and let go of the machine for a moment. "Oh dear. I may have bumped into another strand." Grinning she shrugged and turned back to him. "Oops. Well I am still a learner. I'm sure it won't have been anything that bad that slipped through..."

---

"What the hell is that thing?" Andy asked incredulously.

Ianto cradled the - well there really was no way to describe it other than gray blob of tough skin, almost like elephant hide - in his lap and checked it over as best as he could for injuries. The fall onto the now dented roof of Andy's car seemed to have sent it into shock and it hadn't done much good for the car either. The lights were now refusing to flash and the siren sounded several notes lower than it should be but at least it was making a bit of impact on the traffic.

The occasional flashes of light and close calls with appearing creatures were making the drive back to the Hub something of an assault course. Not to mention this poor creature they had had to stop and grab off the roof.

Captain John Hart sighed and scanned it as best he could with his wrist strap whilst Ianto tried to check if he was holding it the right way up or if it even had an up. Answering Andy at last John sat back and shrugged.

"It's alive, I can tell you that much." John switched off the scanner and looked at the blob. "Plus I know this sounds crazy but I think it's growing."

Ianto looked at the blob in his lap and tried to remember if it had always covered the whole of his pink clad thighs - or when his legs had gone numb from the pressure. Hefting the mound of grey flesh to one side he yelled as an eye rolled open slowly and regarded him for a moment before the blob started keening.

"What the heck?" Andy yelped. "Ianto can't you keep it quiet, I'm trying to-" Ianto, John and the blob slid an inch to the right as Andy swerved to avoid another flash of light. "Drive. This is ridiculous. Even for you lot this is ridiculous. Besides I thought you always preferred to trash my city after dark."

"Depends on whether Jack has a hot date that night." Ianto didn't pause from his examination of the creature, stroking over its skin until the keening finally resolved into a more contented noise, almost a cross between whale song and purring. "Andy, just get us to the Hub, okay? John and I will take care of the rest."

"Oh we will, will we?" John snorted and leaned back against the seat. "If by taking care of the rest you mean slip off somewhere nice and discreet and get all cosy like to ride out the end of the world, I'm all for it, but if you had any other use of the word 'we' in mind you can forget it."

"So you think your ex-wife trashing the city you are staying in and doing God only knows what to your old partner is none of your business?" Ianto kept his voice quiet to avoid upsetting the creature but he glared at John nonetheless. "You are coming in there with me; maybe Justine will be distracted long enough killing you to give me a chance to stop her." Raising an eyebrow John leaned forwards and draped his arm across Ianto's bare back and pulled his close, taking advantage of the fact that Ianto needed both his hands to steady the creature.

"Well when you put it like that, how could I refuse?" John murmured into his ear. Ignoring John's touch Ianto carried on soothing the blob and tried not to wince as he realised it was definitely getting heavier.

"Plus you will get electrocuted if I leave you behind," Ianto added.

"There is that." John shrugged again and sniffed slightly as he leaned close and stroked Ianto's hair. "Who knows, maybe if I help save the day we could have that orgy to celebrate..."

"John, at the risk of sounding like a complete girl right now I'm going to have to say I wouldn't sleep with you even I was the only man and you were the only other sentient bipedal life form left on the planet." John laughed and pulled away again, folding his arms.

"Oh come on, that's hardly fair," John complained, "that still leaves you with all those cute dogs - and I hear the sheep are very good around here..."

Captain John Hart reflected later that it was probably a good thing he had made the sheep gag at the one point that day when the two Welshmen were unarmed.

---

"Wow." Rhys nodded understandingly and stroked his hand along Gwen's back as she finished bringing him up to date with the situation. "Blimey, that's a bit crazy isn't it?" Nodding she pulled away from him and kicked at the clear wall of the cell door angrily.

"She is, and now I'm stuck in here and Justine's doing God only knows what!" Pressing her hand against the door Gwen frowned and leaned closer, pressing her body against the toughened glass.

"Gwen, what-" Waving her hand at Rhys she shushed him quickly before returning her attention to the wall.

"I can hear..." She pulled back and moved closer to the edge of the wall, pressing her ear against it. "They're moaning."

"Jack's moaning?" Rhys folded his arms, rubbing them quickly as his body adjusted to the loss of her warmth. "That can't be good."

"It's not Jack." Shaking her head, Gwen stepped back and looked at the wall thoughtfully. "It's the Weevils. The Weevils are moaning." Rhys shrugged and stood to join her, his arms wrapping around her.

"They're the weird ones with all the teeth right? Maybe they're just doing, you know, Weevil stuff."

"Don't be daft," Gwen said dismissively as she pushed his arms away, turning to face him, "this sound they make, they do it when they're upset or scared or sometimes when the rifts playing up-" Swallowing hard she pushed past him to the cell door, banging against it angrily. "We've got to get out of here." Slamming her hand against the metal, she looked up at the ceiling as though looking for divine inspiration. "What is it with this place and ex-girlfriends?" Rhys nodded even though he didn't understand and sat down again before frowning.

"Ex-girlfriend? Hang on, I thought Jack was gay?"

"I never said he was gay." Gwen sighed and kept banging at the door even though she knew it wouldn't do any good.

"You said he and Ianto were..." Rhys waved his hands in a limp wristed motion and pulled a slight face. "You know." Looking heavenward again Gwen reflected idly that as much as she loved Rhys, and knew he was actually an open-minded bloke, his mouth didn't always show that.

"They are. Jack is just a bit...flexible."

"Flexible eh? So he plays for both teams?" Rhys stood up, visibly puffing up as he came over to her. "Well he had just better behave himself and not try to make a play for you or I'll bloody 'ave him!" Closing her eyes and biting her lip to keep from laughing at the way he had put it, Gwen straightened her face and turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Rhys, you have nothing to worry about. Just because I'm irresistible..." Grinning and wrapping his arms around her Rhys raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Irresistible are you? Well you know what they say about being in love with a beautiful woman; maybe I'd better watch my back..."

"Oh no you don't." Pushing him away with a smile Gwen held her hand out warningly. "This is no time for singing. Now, help me figure out a way out of here." Taking off his shoe Rhys gently pushed her aside and began smacking it against the door in a regular three dots, three dashes, and three dots pattern. "What the hell?" Gwen shouted, covering her ears against the noise and looking at him as though he had gone crazy.

"You said Ianto was still out there," he explained. "Maybe if he comes back he will hear us. Can't hurt." Shaking her head Gwen stood back and yelled at him over the noise.

"Hang on, where did you learn how to do an SOS?" Pausing for a moment Rhys looked back over his shoulder and grinned wickedly.

"Titanic of course. I was dating this bird that had a thing for Leonardo Di Caprio and made me watch it like three times."

"This bird eh?" Folding her arms Gwen gave him her best 'you have some explaining to do look' and watched as he hastily got back to work to avoid further questioning. She leaned back against the wall and just hoped that his efforts would do some good.

---

By the time the police car reached the Plass the grey blob was taking up an entire seat on it's own and Ianto was being forced a lot closer to John than he would ever choose. The finally indignity of having to wait for Andy to come round and let them out was just one more thing to set Ianto's mood firmly to pissed off. John slid out first and stretched in the early evening sunlight of the Plass before shivering slightly and dropping his arm to rest on the doorframe, closer to Ianto and within the cuffs range again.

"Eye Candy," John asked quietly, "this might seem a bit like stating the obvious but do you not think parking under the CCTV might let them know we're coming?"

Sliding his way out of the car Ianto looked around and wished for probably the hundredth time since regaining consciousness that afternoon that he was fully dressed again. Or at least that the little clothing he was wearing could be menswear. The pink tracksuit bottoms ended abruptly at the socks Andy had found him but his feet complained at the lack of shoes and the gravel of the Plass.

"No John," Ianto replied with the trace of sarcasm that was rapidly becoming a standard when talking to Captain John, "it had never occurred to me that they might use the CCTV to track us arriving. Obviously I am completely new to this whole sneaking around thing and have never worked for a secret agency before. It would also never have occurred to me that she may be tracking you through your wrist strap as well as making you into a bigger Weevil magnet than Owen ever was." Slamming the car door closed he shifted his sock clad feet carefully.

"And I would naturally never think that," Ianto continued, "as the Hub is in lockdown, the instant we lift the lockdown to get in it will of course restore power, phones and all manner of other equipment and generally give the game away in great big brilliant Technicolor even if the sight of my pink tracksuit making its way through the Plass didn't."

"Ianto, hang on a minute," Andy quickly cut in, "you two can't go running off and leave me here with this-" He stood by the open door on the other side of the car and pointed at the blob that he had been trying to wrestle out of the car before it grew too big and had to be cut out.

"It will be fine," Ianto reassured him, "just keep an eye on it and we'll come back and get it later."

"Assuming we survive of course." John sniffed and folded his arms across his bare chest.

"Look Andy consider it... an initiation." Ianto couldn't believe he was saying this. "If you can take good care of that... creature then I'm sure I can put in a good word with Jack about those vacancies." Andy perked up visibly to the extent that Ianto was sure if the cop had a tail it would be wagging.

"Right, well..." Andy patted the blob carefully. "I suppose I can handle this on my own. You sure you won't need a hand down there though?" He paused, the crackle of his radio making him frown and shake his head. "Hang on a tick." Sighing Ianto rubbed his arms, trying to keep warm as he fidgeted on the spot. "That's great, I'll let them know." As Andy signed off Ianto looked up hopefully. "They've found your SUV, spotted it whilst on patrol a few minutes ago. It's actually just round the corner in the Red Dragon centre car park."

Grinning, Ianto grabbed John's wrist to keep him close and dragged him around the car towards Andy. "That's the best news I've heard all day, I could kiss you Andy!" Hesitating, he stepped back and let go of John, folding his arms across his chest quickly. "I won't though, obviously." Shrugging carelessly John stepped forwards, grabbing the cop in a tight hug.

"I wouldn't say no to a quick snog though...." John said with a grin before darting in and kissing Andy full on the lips; much to the policeman's disgust. Ianto hastily pulled him off and shot Andy an apologetic look before dragging John away towards the car park, his unwilling helper shouting back across the Plass. "Mmm I do love a man in uniform!"

"That's, that's, that's..." Andy blustered as he blushed bright red, trying to think. "That's assaulting a police officer I'll have you know! I could arrest you for that!" Pulling out his truncheon he waved it at John angrily.

Captain John glanced back over his shoulder, his mouth opening into a wide O at the sight of the policeman waving his truncheon. Spotting the look Andy hastily put it away again and looked around to see if anyone had seen. Turning to the blob he sighed heavily and set to work pulling it loose again.

"Snogged by a half naked man, blob wrestling, high speed driving and the city in danger." Andy leaned on the blob for a moment as he regarded it with a slightly deflated expression. "If this is what working for Torchwood is really like maybe I'll stick with the police after all."

---

"Oh yes!" John exclaimed. "My jacket! I never realised how much I missed this thing." Shrugging his way back into the red jacket John watched as Ianto grabbed his clothes hastily and pulled on his jacket and shoes, simply bundling the rest up. "Shit no weapons." Looking under the seat John laughed as he pulled out a small pearl handled gun. "Well, almost no weapons. I guess her ladyship didn't want to hang on to this one."

"Better than nothing I suppose," John admitted. Shrugging and sticking the gun into his waistband he grabbed his boots and began pulling them on. "Although what are we going to do, run in there with our fingers pointed and yell bang bang at her?" Smoothing down his jacket, he automatically began checking the pockets for any of his hidden armoury. "Nope, she really did clean me out. I am getting really sick of her doing this to me." Ianto looked round and froze, checking the car park quickly.

"John?" The thief looked at him but carried on checking his boots. "When was the last time we had any new guests?"

"Huh?" John looked confused then glanced at his wrist strap. "Oh. Huh." Ianto gestured impatiently for him to continue. "Well the good news is the random ones have stopped. The rift is quiet for the moment."

"I sense a but..." John grinned, his eyes travelling down Ianto's hips to where his trousers were slipping down.

"If you don't hitch those lovely trousers up soon Eye Candy I'll be sensing one too." Scowling Ianto pulled up his borrowed pink tracksuit bottoms and ignored the leer on John's face.

"The rift?" Ianto prompted. Nodding quickly John returned to his clothes as he answered.

"It's still giving off a hell of a strong signal. So whilst it's possible she's been stopped and someone just hasn't shut it down yet I'm guessing our luck isn't that good. I suspect those early ones were just practice runs for something and now she's powering up for the main event."

"Fabulous. Any idea how lo-" Ianto yelled and dropped his clothes at the electric shock shooting through his wrist. Instinctively he turned and grabbed John to stop the other man from trying to get away. To his relief John had simply staggered in his boots, losing his balance a moment. Grabbing him by his jacket Ianto pulled him back again, slamming the thief against the SUV in a move that made the older man chuckle and grin at him.

"Easy on the threads Eye Candy. Unless of course," John added, "you've changed your mind about that going out in style offer?"

"Do you and Jack naturally have a talent for innuendo or did they teach you that too?"

"Oh I'm very naturally gifted." Shrugging off the younger man's arms John slid his hand down to grab Ianto's wrist. "But you'd be surprised what they taught us. And what we taught each other. I wonder, how many of my old tricks has Jack taught you..." Shifting Ianto brought his arm up to press his forearm against John's throat, forcing him back against the side of the car.

"Do these bracelets still work if one of us is dead?" Ianto asked. John nodded as best he could but in spite of the pressure on his throat his grin still remained. "Then just shut up and come with me. There are weapons in the office. As for stopping Lady Justine..." Ianto shrugged and pulled back, grabbing John's wrist tight and dragging him across the car park back towards the Hub. "You'll find I've learned more from Jack than the Kalbraxian tongue twist."

---

Ianto stopped at the small wooden door and set to work on unlocking it whilst John looked around with an incredulous look on his face, taking in the faded newspaper on the window and generally shabby look of the place.

"This is it?" John asked disappointedly. "Time was Jack would take more care over how his back entrance looked."

Ianto ignored him and concentrated on getting them in as quickly as possible. The shoppers were already heading home but the evening tourists were only just starting to trickle in, taking a stroll around the Bay before dinner or grabbing a drink after work. He did not want to be spotted, not least of all because of the trousers he was still wearing. After struggling for a moment to juggle his armful of clothes and the key, he turned and thrust the bundle into John's arms.

"Hold," Ianto ordered. "And is there anything you won't turn into a sex joke?" Returning to his work he added, "I was just wondering in case there is some kind of innuendo per minute record contest we could enter you for. You're worse than The Todd."

"Who?" John asked in confusion as Ianto shook his head quickly, not wanting to get into a discussion on 21st century television shows. Pushing the door open he grabbed John's arm to push him in ahead.

"Never mind." Grabbing the bundle back Ianto hastily slid behind the counter, placing the clothes to one side and taking in the darkness of the office, a single red light from behind the beaded curtain all the glow they had to move by. Ianto grabbed John's wrist and pulled his arm to stretch across the counter, making sure they would still be in range, before he crouched down behind it. He delved through the cupboards before re-emerging with a pair of torches.

"Hold this," Ianto said as he thrust one of them at John. "Point it behind the counter so I can see." Raising his eyebrows at the tone, John tossed off a salute before leaning fully over the countertop, his jacket rising up his back as he gazed down at Ianto and shone the torch down for him.

"So where's this magic button of yours?" John asked suggestively. "Need a hand finding it?"

Ianto decided to let that one go and instead pulled a box of leaflets out from under the counter and shoved them to one side before pulling out a sleek grey metal case with a small metal plate on the top just above the handle. Pressing his thumb to the plate a soft glow shone from the scanner as it read his print before popping the case open. Hesitating a moment Ianto pulled out one of the guns, holding it in his hands as he looked up at John and ignored the other matching gun and a third smaller weapon still in the case.

"Double-cross me John and I will make sure you suffer for it."

"Nice to know how you feel." John shrugged and held out a hand for the gun. "If I was trying to stop you I could have taken you out at the house. And if I was working with her would she have left me there?" Smiling softly, John waved his hand at Ianto again, encouraging him to hand over the weapon. "Whether you arm me or not I've got to come down there with you and believe me, I want her too. That's twice she's got me naked now without making with the goods so I'm not impressed." Ianto nodded slightly and held out the gun by the handle.

"You ready for this?"

John shifted the torch to his mouth, biting down on the slim tube and grinning wickedly as he sucked on it gently, hollowing his cheeks around it as he raised his eyebrows suggestively. Checking the weapon he swung it around his fingers gunslinger style before holding it properly. Whilst John was distracted Ianto slid the smaller weapon from the case into the back of his waistband.

"Forget I asked," Ianto said, not waiting for whatever innuendo John would come up with this time. Returning to his work Ianto pulled out a small hand held scanner and held it up to his eye, trying not to blink as the light shone from it. Pulling it away he blinked rapidly, trying to clear the dark spot in his vision, as he connected the scanner up to a small panel under the counter. John pulled the torch out of his mouth and leaned closer.

"You'd think for an emergency override it would be a bit simpler," John said. Ianto shrugged.

"If it was simple..." Ianto fought to keep his balance as he reached deep under the counter and pressed down on a hidden switch. "Then anyone could use it." Tapping out a pattern Ianto grinned as a soft beep sounded from the panel and it lit up, the soft blue glow of the Hub computers showing in a tiny screen. "Last step. As soon as I do this power comes back up and she will know we are coming. You ready for this?" John nodded and moved around the counter to stand closer to Ianto, shifting his grip so the torch was in his grip under the gun, shining wherever he aimed.

"Let's party Eye Candy."

Ianto pulled the remaining gun from the case and, holding his free hand over the panel, he nodded at John.

"Let's go," Ianto said as he pressed the button.

---

Jack looked up as the lights came on in the Hub and the hum of power returning to the computers filled the air. To his surprise Justine merely smiled and looked round from her work for a moment, adjusting some settings on her wrist strap.

"Well what do you know," she said in admiration, "your boy is even more efficient than I thought, even allowing for John. Or maybe I have underestimated him too." A quick shrug as she diverted the returning power to the manipulator was the only sign that their return bothered her. "Not that it matters..." Grinning she closed the cover on her wrist strap and patted her machine lightly.

"Actually the extra power is definitely useful," she added thoughtfully, "they have excellent timing. It's all in progress now." Just a little bit of a build up then I can start bringing them through all from here." She tapped the cover of her wrist strap as, striding closer, she crouched down next to him, her eyes bright in the familiar lights of the Hub. "I've found it Jack. I've got the strand. It's coming closer." She stared up at the Water Tower and shifted to place a palm flat against it, her eyes closing. "Can you feel it, Jack?"

Jack could feel the slight vibrations of the manipulator starting to grow along with a quiet hum from the machine that was beginning to build in pitch. A soft tremble was also beginning to rumble through the metal grating of the Hub and Jack shook his head frantically.

"Juice, no, you'll pull the city apart not to mention you'll bring this place down on top of us. You have to stop it, now."

"I can't stop, Jack. I have to find them." Opening her eyes again she regarded him curiously. "You once understood that." Her gaze grew angry as she pressed down against his chest with her hand before sliding her hand lower down his body.

"You were the one who taught me about persistence and not giving up," she added. Sliding her hand over his crotch Justine gripped him tightly and grinned at the discomfort on his face. "You know, if I didn't have evidence to the contrary I would almost suspect that they had taken your balls as well as your memory."

"Justine, please you have to stop this." Jack could feel the hum of the machine building and could hear the sound of the Hub walls starting to creak with the pressure building as he pleaded with her. "I'm begging you, please, just stop." Tutting, Justine pushed up and moved back over to the manipulator.

"Begging is so beneath you Jack. Now hush a bye. We have company coming." Frowning she peered more closely at the screen. "And someone has disabled your cameras. Well, well, looks like dear John will be taking a pay cut." Jack wriggled furiously on the floor, his fingers clenching into fists in a futile gesture.

"I knew that little bastard was helping you!"

"Birds of a feather Jack." Grinning slyly at him she chuckled. As she looked at him writhing Justine frowned as something occurred to her. "Hmm. Something isn't right here. I want your lovely Mr. Jones to be properly distracted by you." Glancing at the Hub door she grinned and quickly paced over to Jack, kneeling beside him and ripping his shirt open, exposing his blood stained white t-shirt underneath.

"Oh Jack, far too many layers!" she exclaimed. Standing up again she pulled out her Arbalet and tilted her head to one side as she considered his prone form. "Now, I think the human pin cushion look will be just right."

---

Ianto watched as John disabled the CCTV and sent a silent prayer of thanks that at least there would be no visual record of this. Their outfits were not exactly flattering and having to stay right next to each other was starting to really annoy him, especially as John kept stopping.

"What now?" Ianto growled. John shook his head and brought his finger up to his lips.

"Can't you hear that?" The banging was very faint but Ianto nodded as he picked it out. "SOS." John confirmed. "Been a while since I've heard that. We should follow it." Ianto hesitated, wanting to carry on to the lift and get to the main Hub but also wanting to follow the banging. If it was Gwen or Jack they could use the extra pair of hands. For the fiftieth time that hour he wished he wasn't so literally unable to get rid of John.

"Sounds like it's coming from the cell level." Ianto considered the situation for a moment then nodded. "Ok. But keep it quiet, it could be a trap."

"Fine, we won't go into any empty cells this time." John grinned in the harsh blue light and curled his tongue over his lip lightly. "At least not alone. Maybe together it would be more fun..." Ianto sighed and grabbed John's wrist yet again, dragging him towards the lift. "Um, Eye Candy, don't take this the wrong way but I think we should take the stairs."

Raising his eyebrows as though pointing out the obvious John waved his gun around at the lights and looked around as a slight shudder went through the building, just a small tremor but enough to make them stagger.

"If the missus could shut this place down once," John explained, "she can do it again. Plus with this place building looking like it's gonna fall apart I don't really want to get stuck in a lift with you." Stepping closer John grinned evilly. "Not unless you want to have the other kind of going down going on..."

---

Gwen leaned against the clear wall of the cell and watched Rhys work, her hands over her ears and a headache building. This was never going to work. Closing her eyes she turned around to lean her head against the cooler wall. As she opened her eyes slowly she screamed and jumped back.

"Jesus!" Gwen shouted. Rhys stopped his banging and turned as Gwen got over her shock and took in the sight of Ianto and John standing on the other side of the wall, Ianto's hands pressed against the glass. Captain John Hart raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ianto before grinning at Gwen.

"Not quite the messiah" John confirmed "but I'm sure I can arrange for a second coming if you want, sweetheart." Rolling his eyes Ianto glared at John before looking back at Gwen.

"Give me a sec, I'll get you out."

"Who the bloody hell does that guy he think he is?" Rhys blustered, moving to stand behind her in an instant. "And did you see what your Ianto was wearing, try and tell me now that he isn't gay." Growling softly and ignoring John's laugh from outside Gwen turned around and pushed Rhys down to sit on the bench.

"Rhys just- just sit here, ok?" she asked. "Please just stay here and out of trouble for me?"

"Oh no," Rhys complained as he pushed back up again in protest, "I'm not having you run off again and get yourself hurt! Either they can handle it themselves and we can both get out of here or you need all the help you can get. Either way I'm bloody coming with you." He was shouting so loud they both missed the creak of the door opening until Ianto coughed.

"Gwen." Ianto nodded at them both and smiled politely. "We need to hurry." Nodding she tried to step away from Rhys but he held her arm tight.

"I'm serious Gwen," Rhys said angrily, "don't you dare!"

"Oooo what a lovely sight." John pressed his head against the glass and pulled a face at them. "You know you're beautiful when you're angry."

"Oi you!" Rhys let go of Gwen and rounded on John, banging on the wall - and giving her the chance to slip past him. "Stay the hell away from my wife!" John chuckled and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"I wasn't talking to big eyes, big boy, you know you'd make some guy very happy-"

Quick as a flash Gwen pushed him clear and ran out of the cell, letting Ianto slam the door closed behind her.

"GWEN!" Rhys roared. Pressing her hands against the door she leaned against it and shook her head quickly.

"I'm so sorry Rhys but I have to keep you safe. I'll be back for you. I promise." Ianto touched her shoulder softly and she let herself be guided away. "I'm sorry."

"GWEN! You get back here right now, do you hear me?" Rhys' shout followed them through the cells. "GWEN!" Pulling the cells door closed behind them Gwen leaned against the cool metal for a moment, steeling herself for the next bit as Ianto gently brushed a hand over her arm.

"You ok?" Ianto asked softly. Nodding quickly she pulled her gun out from behind her back and pushed her hair back from her face distractedly.

"I will be," she confirmed. "Justine's in the Hub, she's got Jack with her and she's doing something to the rift manipulator. When I went in before she was up on one of the higher balconies, she took Jack out before he even saw her. I suggest we split up and do the same thing to her if we can." Nodding Ianto placed his hands on his hips.

"John and I can't split up," he explained as John held up his bracelet with a sardonic grin, "so we'd be wasted on the balconies. We have to go in the front door, maybe we can distract her or reason with her. Or I could just stick a white flag on John and offer him as a human sacrifice."

"Oi!" John pouted. "Ianto I'm hurt, after all we've been through together, and won't you please think of our blob? If anything happens to us who's going to raise it?" Shaking his head quickly at Gwen's startled look Ianto cut her off before she could start.

"I'll tell you everything later," Ianto promised, "assuming Andy doesn't get there first of course. Gwen, if you copy her move and head for the higher levels do you think you can get off a decent shot from there?"

"I was ready to shoot her even before she poisoned Rhys." Cocking her weapon and pursing her lips Gwen nodded sharply. "You bet I can."

"We'll see you in there." Grinning slightly Ianto gave her a quick hug and took John's wrist in his hand again, the pair of them resembling naughty school children. "Good luck," he added quickly.

"You too." Nodding she pushed back her hair and glanced towards the stairs up to the balcony levels. "Let's go get that bitch." As she headed off Gwen ignored John's shouted suggestion that maybe they actually should let Gwen go in the front first and maybe get a catfight going instead of a gun fight.

Nor, sadly, did she miss his final suggestion of adding in bikinis and mud...

---

Ianto took a deep breath as the door of the Hub rolled open and stepped forward, his gun held out in his familiar two-handed grip as he swept the room with his eyes. Justine stepped out from behind the Water Tower, her Arbalet in one hand and a gun in the other. John stepped forward with Ianto, careful not to move too far away. As they moved closer Justine leaned back against the table holding the equipment she had hooked up to the rift manipulator at the heart of the Water Tower.

"Boys," she said politely as she nodded to them, "what took you so long; we were expecting you ages ago? Wake up sweetie, your boyfriend's back." Lashing out with her foot Ianto heard a tired groan come from out of his sight. "I'm in trouble now." Ianto couldn't help stepping forwards, the concrete slab floor of the raised work area shifting out of his view until he saw...

"Oh Jack," Ianto breathed softly. With a muffled groan the immortal turned a distinctly pain-addled gaze towards them. Jack looked like a hedgehog, no fewer than perhaps twenty small arrows embedded into his chest and his t-shirt stained red with blood. Blinking, as though having trouble focusing or drugged, Jack shook his head and looked again, focusing on John for a moment before panic filled his face.

"Ianto don't trust him," Jack shouted, "he's working with Justine!"

Ianto instantly turned to face John, swinging his gun between Justine and John swiftly. John kept his aim on Justine but threw Jack and Ianto incredulous looks.

"Oh that's just great," John snarled, "after all we've been through all it still takes is one word from lady muck over there and I'm the bad guy again!" Throwing his head back he growled low in his throat then yelled over to Jack. "Thanks for believing in me, Jack. I should have known, always taken in by a pretty face and a sob story."

"It worked for you, didn't it?" Ianto's snide remark made John shrug dismissively.

"But just think of all we've been through since then." John grinned evilly. "Don't tell me that this afternoon, all that time we spent cuddled up in bed together, it all meant nothing to you." Ianto's aiming at John increased in length significantly before he swung back to cover Justine.

"You were what?" Jack's slurred but angry outburst from the floor was not unexpected but still rankled Ianto a little.

"Jack, time and a place," Ianto called back before ignoring his lover and focusing on John again. "Why should I believe you over her? At least she hasn't shot anyone just for the sake of it yet." John laughed and shook his head impatiently.

"Oh come on, that was before I knew him!"

"That's true." Jack shrugged as best he could on the floor and lay back with an odd look on his face. "Most of us waited until we really got to know Owen before wanting to shoot him."

"Not helping Jack." Ianto yelled back, the muscles in his back tense as he swung back and forth. "What makes you think they're together in this?" Jack wriggled on the floor and lifted his head as best he could to try and make out what Ianto was doing, a dopey look on his face.

"She said so!"

"Oh that's just brilliant, Juice." John laughed out loud and brought his gun down, sliding it down the back of his trousers and started to slow clap before blowing a kiss at Justine. "You said so? That's it? No story about how you seduced me over a hot pizza boy or bought me out with Umari Moon crystals? Seems a bit brief for you, I thought you were more the long story type. You certainly used to bore me rigid with your tales." Shrugging she placed her gun hand on her hip, her Arbalet never wavering in its aim at Ianto.

"Sometimes the simplest ways are the best," she answered smoothly. Growling low in his throat John turned to Ianto and held out his hands imploring him to trust him.

"Ianto, you can't trust her". John lowered his voice. "I know I'm the last person you will accept this from but I need you to listen to me." Ianto looked at John but tried to keep his aim between both of them as John subtly angled himself to face Ianto but so that Justine couldn't see his face. "We can't beat her like this." As he spoke his eyes fixed on the cuff around his wrist. "It's impossible. The only way we are going to get through this is if you trust me." Inclining his head slightly John smiled at him and Ianto found his haze flicking between the two thieves, torn.

"Devil I know versus the devil I don't," Ianto asked, "is that really the best you can do?"

"Best I've got time for." John shrugged and brought his hands up behind his head then staggered as another tremor ripped through the Hub. "This place is falling apart, your precious Jack is no bloody use to you and you literally can't get rid of me. If she's right and I'm the big bad then you're screwed whatever you do. If you shoot her I can simply not move and you won't get five meters towards the manipulator before you're screaming like a banshee and she will still win - or this place will be torn apart, same difference. If you shoot me, same thing. Shoot us both before one of us manages to shoot you..." John grinned evilly. "That would be fun to see you try, no matter what Jack's taught you."

"If you're lying to me-"

"Yeah, yeah I know, you'll hunt me down etcetera, etcetera," John said in a bored tone. As another rumble built through the room and a glow began to build around the Water Tower John threw his head back in frustration. "By the Goddesses Eye Candy, it's decision time! Do you trust me or not?" Ianto took a deep breath and looked over at Justine as she put down her gun and used her now free hand to stabilise the manipulator, the glow fading slightly. Her Arbalet was still pointed straight at him.

"Like you say," Ianto whispered quietly, "what choice do I have?" Shifting his aim from John, Ianto stepped forwards and fixed his aim on Justine again. "Stop what you're doing, Justine." She glanced up from her work and shrugged.

"No," she answered carelessly. A warning shot pinged across the Hub in front of her, the bullet ricocheting off the toughened metal of the Water Tower and making her duck.

"I said," Ianto repeated, "stop what you're doing, or we will stop you."

"Will you?" Grinning she glanced past Ianto's shoulder at John who had moved behind him. "Would you really shoot me John? After all we've been through together?" John laughed and Ianto could see the barrel of the other man's gun out of the corner of his eye, the cold metal pointed at Justine.

"In an instant babe. But just out of interest," John asked, "in this fantasy world of yours what was it you thought would ever persuade me to side with you?" At that she stopped her work and shrugged, the arm holding the crossbow never wavering.

"In addition to what I'd already offered you just for the hunt?" She thought for a moment. "Well, do you still have a thing for Arcadian Diamonds?" John snorted derisively.

"Yeah right, like you would have one," he spat back. Justine simply looked at him as though the comment didn't merit a reply. "You don't." She smiled slightly and shifted her aim just to cover Ianto as John's voice took on a thoughtful tone. "You do...." he said thoughtfully. Justine held up her hand, fingers spread before curling three into her palm, leaving two outstretched. "Two?"

"Ianto, just shoot her!" Jack shouted at last. But Ianto merely closed his eyes; Jack's cry coming too late as the barrel of Captain John Hart's gun swung round and was pressed against his temple.

"Oh Ianto." Laughing, Justine lowered her Arbalet and placed it on the side, returning her attention to her work. "Jack really should have taught you an old saying of ours. Never trust a Judoon, never trust a child and never trust a Time Agent." Clicking the safety on to his gun Ianto raised his hands above his head and let John take it from him before opening his eyes and leaning his head back in defeat.

"You bastard," Ianto snarled.

"Sticks and stones love," John replied blandly. Ianto shuddered as John leaned in and nipped his ear lobe lightly between his teeth. He could feel every muscle in his body tensing with the urge to punch John, gun or no gun. "You made a wise move there, Eye Candy." John stepped around him, standing face to face with the Welshman and dragged the gun along the side of his face. "No one should ever trust me." Ianto couldn't keep the glare off his face and tried very hard not to react as John did something quite unexpected.

He winked.

"Now then sweetheart." Turning around, but keeping his gun on Ianto, John called out cheerily over his shoulder to Justine. "Don't you agree that if I'm gonna earn my diamond that might be easier if you help me out of this stupid toy you left me with?" Glancing back at Ianto he grinned and raised his eyebrow as he held out the wrist with the bracelet on and waved it. "Gold just really isn't our colour."

---

Captain Jack Harkness had had a lot of experience with pain. He had a lot of experience with mind altering drugs too, human and alien and had taken them intentionally, accidentally and under force. Generally speaking though, this one wasn't that bad. The pain had been pretty intense but the arrows weren't very deep and as he healed around them the pain faded quickly. It was getting them out again that was going to be a nightmare.

The drugs coating the arrows and now coursing through his system actually helped with the pain, although they did nothing for his concentration. He watched through bleary eyes as Captain John Hart disarmed Ianto and felt his concentration waning. His eyes didn't seem to want to stay open as John refastened his cuff around the chain of the railing, forcing Ianto to stay put whilst he swaggered over to Justine. Jack could feel his stomach churn in a way that had nothing to do with the pins in his chest or the drugs in his blood as the pair kissed before she returned to her work.

"John..." Jack called tiredly. John looked over and grinned before swaggering over and kneeling beside Jack, that familiar face slipping in and out of focus. Jack frowned in confusion as he realised something wasn't quite right. "Where's that hideous t-shirt of yours?" John laughed and reached out to ruffle Jack's hair.

"Wait until you see what Ianto is wearing," John replied. "It's quite a treat." He looked up as a tremor rumbled through the Hub, almost knocking him to one side. "Assuming we live that long."

"John dear," Justine called over her shoulder, "would I really do something as stupid as that? Suicide isn't my thing." Jack could feel his gaze pulling out of focus as another wave of the drugs hit his system. Closing his eyes for a moment he lay still to gather his strength as John patted his chest lightly.

"You take it easy, mate," John said reassuringly. "It will all be over before you know it." Looking over his shoulder he called back to Justine. "Speaking of which, I don't suppose you want to fill me in on the whole scheme here? What's the con?" Jack could feel himself slipping away and missed Justine's reply. He forced his eyes open, his gaze travelling up the length of the Water Tower to the top of the Hub.

It was when he thought he saw the face of Gwen Cooper peek over the edge of the upper balcony that he decided, if he was really going to start hallucinating then it must be time to black out again soon. Jack was forced back to the present by the feel of John's gun pressed against his forehead.

"Oh before you do," John called back to Justine, "just want to take care of something." He leaned close and whispered hoarsely to Jack. "Remember Alkabar Three? This is for then."

Jack frowned tiredly, dragging a reluctant memory of a partly successful con they had pulled back into his brain. That made no sense, Alkabar had ended on a high, with them pretending to be enemies to hoodwink-

He never got a chance to finish the thought as a bullet passed effortlessly through his brain and into the pool of water beneath them.

---

"Shit." Even though no one could hear her, and it did no good, Gwen couldn't help swearing as she watched John disarm Ianto. She couldn't hear most of what they were saying but it looked pretty certain he wasn't on their side any more. As a tremor ran through the Hub she grabbed the edge of the balcony reflexively, her head sticking out more than she wanted as she fell flat against the floor.

Slowly creeping back she could have sworn Jack looked at her but as his head lolled back from the gunshot she shook it off. She was the only one left now.

"Shit." Shifting up onto her elbows Gwen tried to steady her hands and focus on aiming the gun. Jack hadn't really covered horizontal shooting in his lessons - although not for a lack of trying. She had been so sure it was just an excuse to lie on top of her that she had turned down all his offers of extra tuition. Now she wished she had paid more attention. Shooting up from lying down was one thing. Shooting down was another.

Wriggling into position Gwen tried to compensate for the steady wave of vibrations starting to build through the Hub. She would probably only get one shot, two at most before they hid or spotted her.

She just wished she wasn't aiming for such a small target.

---

Captain John Hart had heard a lot of stories in his lifetime. He had also told quite a few whoppers and he considered himself a pretty good judge of a lie. The best place to hide a lie was within a truth. The problem was figuring out what was the truth and what was the lie.

"So," John said loudly but carefully, keeping his tone deliberately light, "you're saying these lost colonists include some noble family and there's a reward for their return?" He watched as Justine nodded and returned to her work. The small graphic display on her machine showed the rift as a mess of lines and fractures as she tried to pull the correct one closer and keep it steady. But the line kept intersecting with others, dragging other debris through. This was causing the rift monitors to go off like crazy, the rumble of the vibrations from the rift manipulator and the alarms forming a competing chaos as new rift activity broke out all over the city. Both time travellers had to shout to be heard over the racket.

"You know what inheritance rules are like with disappearances in space," Justine yelled back to him, "the whole estate has been impounded and the rightful heir has one hundred years to come forward. You were not exactly easy to contact so you weren't invited to join the hunt but I figured you may be useful." She grinned at him over her shoulder before quickly returning her gaze to the screen. "Now, I need you to monitor the incoming and try and check the reports from the local authorities and tell me what's come through."

John nodded back and moved behind her, moving quickly to the desk nearest Jack's office. Using his wrist strap to interface with the controls he quickly pulled up the information she wanted and killed the alarms. Instead of the whine a new sound filled his ears. The Hub itself was creaking.

"We've got reports of strange creatures and some structural damage to the Bay area," John shouted as he assessed the information. "I'm reading various alien life signs but no extra humans so far." Pausing he looked up and caught her attention with a wave. "Not that I would necessarily be able to distinguish them from the surrounding population. And Juice, just so you know if you don't stop this soon the whole bloody structure IS going to collapse around us. Is this reward really worth that much?"

She shot him a glare but nodded, concentrating on the manipulator. John's wrist strap was already flashing as purple as it could get, the careful measurements of future time lines and possibilities all screaming that this was a Very Bad Idea. As he watched the reports he kept half an eye on her, reading her body language carefully. She was worried, scared and more than a little excited.

And John knew all too well that Lady Justine Hartless, Juice to those who really knew her, was never that worked up over money. There was more to it. John was almost certain that there were indeed people involved, someone she was connected to. But who? A lover? A friend? The reward was a lie; that much he was sure of. Where money was concerned he always knew the truth.

As John reflected on his last encounter with a woman claiming to possess an Arcadian diamond he mentally revised his own thought. Okay so he nearly always knew the truth. As he watched Justine work, as he saw the fear and anger on Ianto's face and as he thought of watching Rhys and Gwen earlier John wondered idly if anyone would ever be that worried about him. Grinning and shaking the slightly melancholy thought off he returned to his work. If that kind of love made you do crazy things like this he was better off out of it.

Although he still wouldn't say no to that orgy...

---

"Bloody hell." PC Andy Davidson was not enjoying this day. He watched with a groan as the Plass shook, cracks beginning to zig zag their way across the small stone and rough surface. "Great," he said to no one in particular, "do you have any idea how much money it took to repair the damage after the last 'earthquake'? Not to mention the bombing - two lots of bombing actually. That's just typical." The blob whined uncertainly beside him and he patted the grey top of its body reassuringly.

"Yep, Torchwood are on the case." Shaking his head he adopted a mocking tone. "Oh no, we don't need any help Andy. Armed officers? No they might shoot something valuable Andy. Top secret Andy. You stay here and mind the blob, Andy. Same as always, they run off doing their own thing and I'm left standing outside as usual. Torchwood, nothing ever changes." Huffing he leaned back against the car to steady himself as another tremor ran through the Bay then blinked in disbelief as three young men in strange clothing appeared in the centre of the Plass.

"Oh," he conceded, "well maybe that's new."

---

Ianto Jones watched Captain John Hart carefully, loathing etched onto every line of his face but his eyes clear and alert, looking for any sign, any clue from John as to what to do. He was trapped, unable to move more than a metre from the chain railings and his main gun in John's possession.

He still had the smaller one from the box in his waistband though.

At first he had thought John had missed it but now he suspected the thief had deliberately left him with it. The question was, when to use it. If they shot her now, with the rift under her control they could actually make things worse. As much as he hated to admit it he had to wait for John's signal.

That and pray Gwen didn't shoot too soon.

---

She had been Juice for more years than she had kept her birth name and had spent so many years running away from home that she had never thought she would ever feel like a child again. She had lost most of her innocence on the darker side of Europa and the Time Agency had stripped any last shreds of her childhood from her before she even turned 19. Her loving husbands may have liked to believe that she was young and naive when they met her but even then she had been working out the best ways to play them, to get them to do what she wanted.

It seemed fitting that she had them both here beside her at the end of it all, just as they had been at the beginning. As John shouted something about humans in the Plass she quickly pulled through the CCTV image from his feeds and squinted at the shaking screen. It took her a few moments to place them but she had spent years memorising the colony list, studying the faces of the lost, searching for them every time she had visited Earth.

"That's some of them, they're from the colony, we're doing it!" she shouted in joy. As she watched, the figures glanced around before running off, getting away from yet another huge crack opening in the ground. The city would shake itself apart soon if they didn't stop. Justine winced as John shouted about damage across the city, the vibrations stirring up the water of the Bay and putting pressure on the barrage at its entrance.

She concentrated on her wrist strap and the readings, helping the machine guide the strand closer, correcting for faults in it's path by instinct more than mathematics, feeling it's way across the universe. It was like dangling a swinging pendulum, a charm on a necklace perhaps, and trying to guide it into a tiny hole without hitting the sides. You had to find the motion then dip at exactly the right second to make the hit.

She almost had it when the sound of Captain Jack Harkness gasping back to life distracted her. Damn.

---

Jack gasped back to life loudly, arching off the grating yet again and wishing it didn't feel like the imprint of it was permanently marked on his arse. Distracted by the coughs racking his body it took him a minute to realise there was a difference to before. His mind was clear. The drugs in his system had been neutralised when he died, his body finally taking enough notice of them to wipe them out. Feigning weakness he lazily peered around the Hub, his eyes taking in Gwen on the upper balcony properly at last and the way Ianto was watching John like a hawk.

Finally he looked at John. The thief was working behind Justine, out of her line of sight, and he wasn't hiding the slight edge of panic in his moves as he tried to track the rift. Looking up for a moment John shot Jack a weak, slightly nervous, smile and Jack resisted the urge to smile back, instead letting his head roll to the side to watch Ianto. Blinking, he caught a flash of pink where Ianto's legs ought to be and realised there was going to some interesting stories to hear later, assuming there was a later of course.

"I've got another three!" John shouted. "They've come out... on that barrage bit, blimey are they gonna be confused." Another violent shudder ran through the Hub and a loud creak echoed from the balconies. Looking up, Jack could see Gwen duck back as something nearby her hit the floor with a loud crash. He could see the Water Tower trembling slightly, his reflection in its surface jiggling back and forth. The vibrations through the Hub were sending shivers through his whole body and as he watched the others shifted to steady themselves more as the tremors built.

"Can you identify them?" Justine called back to John. Jack caught the edge of hope in her voice and hoped that it was her family this time; at least then she might stop. "Any children or all adults?" John shook his head and slammed the monitor as the lights flickered, blacking out the monitors briefly and matching an unstable looking shudder that ran through the Water Tower.

"I can't tell." John shook his head quickly. "Juice, we're losing control, there isn't enough power to keep this stable. You have to shut it down!"

"No I won't," she shouted back as a shower of dust fell from the roof above them, "not until I'm sure they're through." Jack could see John take a deep breath, steeling himself for action as he paused on the controls for a moment.

Suddenly everyone ducked as the glass from the hot house exploded out into the Hub with a crash, a glittering rain of shards falling across the centre and forcing Jack to close his eyes as he was helpless in their path.

"Reward's no bloody good if we're buried under Cardiff Bay," John yelled angrily. As the last pieces fell over his face Jack hesitantly opened his eyes again. He could see Justine shake her head before throwing a glance back at John, then ducking again as a loud bang echoed through the Hub. A shower of dust and debris fell from above them as part of the roof began to break, a zig zag line of cracks forming in it.

"Oh no," Ianto breathed as he stepped forwards, stretching as close as he could without being shocked by the cuffs linking him to the railing. "Justine, you have to stop this now. Whatever it is you are trying to do, maybe with more time and working together, we can find a safer way to do this. But you're going to get us all killed and take innocent people with us, is that what you want?" Jack could feel the small hairs on the back of his wrist start to stand on end, static electricity building around the Water Tower from the sheer power running through it filling the air.

Justine looked desperate, one hand fighting to hold on to the machine whilst her over fought to keep the controls steady. Her voice was shakier than he had ever heard her and for a moment he felt hope that they could talk her down after all but her words shattered that hope.

"I don't care about your innocent people," she shouted in despair, "I have to do this, I've been studying it for years and there IS no other way! I have to bring them back, I have to take them home or what use is it all, what use is all this technology and all I've done over the past twenty years, all of it was for him, all I've done..."

Her voice trailed off and her face grew blank for a moment. She looked so distant, lost in memory. Jack could see the disgust on her face and recognised it. He knew what she was ashamed of; all the things the Agency taught them to do. It was the same memories that made it hard for him to look in the mirror sometimes, he could see those so clearly on her face. But then her face changed, the familiar mask and control returning.

"I have to do this." Turning her head she looked at Jack strangely. "Sometimes things happen for a reason and the Universe gives us a purpose. This is mine. I have to bring them home." Returning her attention to the controls Jack winced as another loud creak rang through the Hub, metal moaning mournfully then shrieking as it tore. But then Jack realised in horror that the shrieking wasn't just metal, another sound could be heard too.

Screaming.

---

Gwen Cooper clung tight to the edge of the balcony, the vibrations making it almost impossible to aim as they shook free dust and small chunks of masonry around her. For a moment she felt a flare of exasperation; they had only just finished tidying up after the last near disaster in here. As another loud creak echoed behind her she turned round, rolling to the side just in time as a chunk of plaster impacted on the balcony where she had been lying.

"Oh. Shit." Gwen breathed almost silently. Looking up at the ceiling of the Hub she could see the fine cracks travelling along its sides and spreading through the building. The whole place was going to fall apart soon.

Rolling to her front and shuffling forward she took a deep breath and steadied her aim as best she could. The way the gun was trembling with the motion of the building she reckoned her aim would be out by up to a metre. She had to be sure she had a decent shot before she pulled the trigger. Holding steady she took a deep breath and waited, a momentary lull in the tremors steadying her a little more. Almost.

She was concentrating so hard she missed the crack as the wall behind her collapsed.

---

Ianto looked up as Gwen's scream echoed through the Hub and could just about see her hands stretching out from the balcony, a shower of small pebbles and bricks cascading over the edge. Her head was hanging down but then she lifted it up and he could just about see the horror on Gwen's face.

"Oh what have we here?" Lady Hartless looked up, a slightly surprised expression on her face. "Now then, I wonder who let you out." Pulling out her Arbalet she turned, aiming at John as she tried to hold the machine's course steady. "I should have known better than to trust you, John. Once a bastard always a bastard. Gun, over here, now." John shrugged and continued to work before haphazardly tossing the gun across the Hub to land at her feet.

"What? It was before you upped your offer," he explained. Looking up he grinned evilly. "Gotta keep all my options open, sweetheart. You know how it is." Tilting her head to the side in acknowledgement she turned back to the machine but her weapon remained next to her hand.

"Justine," Ianto pleaded as he looked up at the balcony, "let me go! Let me help her, please!" He inched forwards as far as he could, feeling the tell tale tingle of the warning charge in his wrist. Another step and he would be fried. Justine turned to glance at him, her hair starting to rise in a fine cloud around her face from the energy building up in the Hub.

"And have you try to stop me?" she spat back. "I'm afraid not, sweet cheeks. Besides, don't you want to stay and enjoy the show?" John glanced at Ianto and shook his head quickly, just the tiniest move, before quickly patting the back of his trousers. For an insane moment Ianto thought he was referring to an annoying supermarket advert of a few years ago but then realised what he meant.

"You have to stop this," Ianto shouted desperately as Justine turned back. But kept his gaze fixed on Captain John Hart. He hadn't actually expected a reply and quickly brought his gaze back to her as she faced him again; but not before he spotted the three finger signal John was giving him.

"No," she said with a cheery grin. As she looked away again Ianto nodded, just once, to let John know he understood. He would go on John's mark, on three. Ianto Jones carefully shifted so that he was face on to Justine, his cuffed hand outstretched behind him and hidden from her view. They were going to get one shot at this. To pull this off he had to trust John. Completely.

Ianto wondered for a moment why was it that every time he thought things couldn't get any worse that seemed to be the Universe's cue to prove him wrong.

---

Captain John Hart worked fast, his past experience with the rift here letting him sift through the data and find what he was looking for. Linking the data to his wrist strap he glanced up, his gaze roaming over the woman standing in front of the rift manipulator, her hair flying out around her head as she worked. He knew literally every curve of that body, how she tasted and moved and fucked and felt under his touch. He was going to miss her; she had certainly been a lot of fun over the years.

"I've got five more humans dropped somewhere in the Millennium centre," he called out to Justine. "Can't get visuals." Glancing at Ianto he nodded and held out his fingers, his other hand hovering over the keypad.

Ianto nodded and shifted, spreading his legs wider to balance himself against the tremors and his muscles tensed for action. Tapping his hand against the edge of the desk Captain John Hart began to count down.

Three...

---

Ianto Jones shifted as a violent tremor shook through the Hub and dropped to his knees, screaming as though his body was being ripped apart. He leaned away from Lady Hartless, his hands moving behind his back, stretching back towards the railing and the other cuff.

And brushing over the gun concealed in his waistband.

Two....

---

Gwen Cooper bit down hard on her lip against the pain spiking through her body. She was completely pinned to the floor, trapped, but her arms were free and other than a gash on her forehead she was going to be alright. Or at least well enough to shoot. She breathed deeply, trying to ignore the shivers of pain and adrenaline running through her body and concentrated on her shot. She couldn't see John from this distance; or the moment when he curled another finger into his palm.

One....

---

Captain Jack Harkness watched helplessly as Ianto yelled in pain, the sounds distracting Justine and making her look round for a moment. As a smile spread over her face Jack lifted his head to look past her at John, watching as his hand came down on the keypad, one finger rising to his mouth to blow a farewell kiss to Justine as he pressed the button.

Zero.

---

The Right Honourable Lady Justine Hartless, Baroness of Europa but under another name, sister and cousin and aunt to a lost family, ex time agent and historical scavenger yelled in vain. Her head whipped back round to face her machine, the power fading from it's screen and the rift manipulator groaning loudly as it began to power down.

"NO!" Screaming in rage, she grabbed her Arbalet and span, facing John and running forward as he hastily worked to bring the rift under control. "Give it back!"

"Justine!" another voice yelled to her. Turning, her face twisted in rage as she took in the sight of Ianto Jones kneeling on the Hub floor, a small gun aimed at her. His lips twisted into a slight smile that she wanted to beat right off his face. "Give it up. It's over."

"No I won't, I can't, not when I'm so close!" Stepping forward she pressed the point of the arrow loaded into her Arbalet against John's forehead, the tremors in the building starting to subside as he brought the rift under his control. "Give it back to me, John!" He didn't even flinch or look at her and for some reason that just made her angrier. "You owe me this." Glancing up he laughed, just once, a short bark of a sound and returned to his work.

"I don't owe you anything kid." Looking at her slightly strangely John shrugged and entered a final command into the machine before standing back. He was just out of her reach but still more than close enough for her to kill him. "However, your wish is my command," he said softly as he inclined his head to her, "my lady." Frowning she glanced at her wrist strap and gasped at the soft beeping coming from it.

"You son of a..." Justine stepped back to better her aim and shook her head quickly. "If I'm going then I'm taking you with me, husband of mine." Smiling slightly she began to pull her finger back on the trigger. "Goodbye, John. See you in hell."

---

Captain Jack Harkness watched helplessly as Lady Justine Hartless, Juice, staggered backwards, red stains of blood seeping through her blouse as gunshots echoed around the Hub. As she dropped to her knees in shock her Arbalet went off, the shot going wide of her mark but the arrow embedding itself into John's shoulder. As he pulled back Jack saw him drop a small pearl handled gun to the floor, the sound of it clattering to the grating suddenly loud in the relative silence following the shots.

Jack could see Ianto breathing heavily, his gun still raised as though to fire again. Looking up, he could make out Gwen, sagging against the walkway and dropping her gun to the balcony below. Any one of them could have made the shot but, as Justine turned to face him with a look of complete surprise on her face, he realised that it was equally likely that she had more than one wound in her body. Jack could see the pain on her face and shook his head slowly.

"I'm sorry," he whispered to her, shaking her head as he wished desperately it could have ended differently. Even after all she had done he couldn't hate her. Worst of all he understood her completely. Nodding weakly Justine wrapped the arm holding her Arbalet across her stomach, hooking it close to her body before she opened the cover on her wrist strap. The soft beeping coming it from it was growing more urgent.

"I'm not," she replied, tiredly. "Take them home, Jack. For me." Smiling sadly she pressed a control on her wrist strap, the familiar glow of the rift building around her. Tilting her head back Justine screamed in pain as she fell into the rift. As the light faded Jack let his head fall back against the grating. It was over.

"John," Ianto called across the hub, "I really hope you know how to get me out of these cuffs because you're the only one who can move right now." Jack chuckled as Ianto rose to his feet and holstered his gun, looking over at Captain John Hart as he leaned against the Hub wall, his blood smearing the surface.

"Oh that's nice," John snarled back in indignation, "I save all your necks and no one even asks how I'm doing! The little witch shot me! If this is one of her poison specials I could be dying for all we know." Ianto shot him an angry look and stood back, his hands on his hips.

"Then all the more reason to get me or Jack out so we can help you before you pass out!" he shouted back.

Jack closed his eyes, ignoring their bickering, and suddenly felt every one of his many years. As he lay still and tried not to think of the arrows stuck in his chest he wondered where the rift had taken her body. There was no way Justine could have survived an unplanned jump whilst that badly injured. Although a part of him hoped she could and that she would find some peace wherever she ended up.

She was gone. But as for what she had left behind, he and his team were all trapped in different places around the Hub, the Plass was trashed, they needed to reglaze the place yet again and he had maybe a dozen lost colonists from the 51st century to get home - not to mention he needed to work out how much damage she had done to the time line.

Maybe it wasn't over quite yet.

---

An hour later Ianto shivered slightly in the cooling air of the Hub and did his best to ignore the way Rhys was hovering around him as he tried his best to patch Gwen up at her desk. Amazingly none of her bones had broken although she was going to be black and blue for weeks and had badly hurt her ankle. A good few days at home were in order but he couldn't help wishing Owen was there just to be sure.

"Are you sure she's gonna be alright?" Rhys asked for at least the fifth time. Gwen nodded and held Rhys' hand tight, smiling at him tiredly.

"I'll be fine as soon as you get me home," she replied, leaning up to kiss him softly. Ianto finished bandaging her ankle as best he could and looked up at her from his position kneeling at the foot of her chair.

"That's the best I can do I'm afraid." Ianto secured the end of the bandage and placed his hand on her ankle lightly. "Take the painkillers and see how you get on but if it gets worse just go to the hospital." Nodding, Gwen shifted to sit up and winced as her muscles protested the move. Shifting to put her foot on the floor she leaned her hands on Ianto's shoulders and tried to stand up before collapsing back again with a cry.

"That's it," Rhys said impatiently, "I'm getting you out of here!" Leaning down Rhys wrapped his arms around Gwen and lifted her up, her hands flying to link around his neck tightly.

"Rhys! I'm not a baby I can walk!" Shaking his head he headed for the steps, trying to be careful of her foot as he carried her across the Hub.

"No you are not a baby. You're my wife- and a bloody stubborn one at that sometimes - and it's my turn to make sure you're out of danger this time and if that means I have to gag you and tie you to the bed then so be it. You are not going anywhere until you are better, is that clear?" Rhys paused at the door to the Hub and looked back as Jack appeared from the Autopsy Bay, his forehead covered in a soft sheen of sweat and fresh blood marks on his shirt but finally arrow free. "You hear me Jack Harkness, no asking for her back until she's better! Understood?" Leaning heavily against the wall Jack grinned and saluted cheerily.

"Yes sir," Jack shouted back, military style. Nodding, Rhys turned away as the door rolled over but paused as Jack yelled after him. "Although that tied down and gagged bit sounds like fun if you fancy some extra company?" Glaring at Jack, Rhys turned and marched off, Gwen waving and grinning slightly bemusedly from his arms as they went out of sight. Jack just couldn't resist yelling one last parting shot after them, "I'll even bring my own gag!" Shrugging as the door rolled closed again he walked over to Ianto and sat down on the chair, rolling across the floor to part his legs either side of Ianto's kneeling form.

"Me next?" Jack asked quietly. Ianto nodded and leaned up to wrap his arms around his lover carefully, feeling Jack pull him into his embrace. He was about to answer when another voice interrupted them.

"I don't suppose any of that could come my way?" John Hart sauntered up the steps from the Autopsy room and shifted the sling half covering his bare chest. His jacket was draped over his shoulders and he had a hopeful expression on his face. "Okay, how about a celebratory threesome? No? Group shower at least than, we could all use it. And I could use a hand scrubbing my back." Grinning suggestively he walked over and rested his good hand on Jack's shoulder. "For old times sake?" Growling low Jack shrugged off his hand and let go of Ianto to point at John crossly.

"You shot me!"

"To help you!" John quickly replied, stepping back and holding his hands up defensively, "Eye Candy said you healed faster with a clean wound!" Sniffing, John shrugged and placed his hand on his hip. "Not that it wasn't also fun of course..."

"Thanks." Jack glared and pointed at the Hub door. "Go. Just grab the rest of your clothes, grab a taxi and get out of here." Scowling, John folded his arms as best he could and marched towards the Hub door, the cog rolling open mostly smoothly but with a slight crunching sound to its gears that they would need to fix later. Along with everything else.

"Fine," John called back over his shoulder, "but if you get a hankering for that threesome later don't bother calling me cos I'll have found someone better to do." As he marched out John paused and turned as Jack called after him.

"Oh and John?" Jack added quietly as he smiled at his old partner. "Thank you." Smiling softly, John nodded then shrugged slightly defensively.

"She was never gonna pay me anyway."

As he walked off Ianto looked up at Jack and lifted up his bloodstained t-shirt carefully, taking in the fading marks on his chest. He was a mess but healing at last.

"I thought you were going to wait for me to do those," Ianto pointed out. Jack shrugged and wrapped his arms around Ianto again, forcing him to look up from Jack's pockmarked stomach.

"You were helping Gwen and John offered." Jack looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think he enjoyed it actually. A bit too much perhaps, maybe he has a thing for hedgehogs?" Ianto shuddered and pulled back from Jack, rising to his feet.

"I hate to think about John with any life form that's more of a prick than he is." Laughing at Ianto's joke, Jack let himself be pulled up off the chair, wincing at the ache from his healing muscles. "He did have one good point though," Ianto admitted, "you need a shower." Jack raised an eyebrow suggestively and let Ianto support him as they headed off through the Hub, crunching through the broken glass and debris.

"I could also do with a hand scrubbing my back, you up for it?" Laughing, Ianto nodded.

"Now that there's no risk of my being electrocuted why not?" Ianto agreed as he helped Jack on the stairs. "Incidentally, how on Earth do you know the factory default unlock setting for that brand of cuffs?" Jack laughed loudly and grinned and they headed for the shower.

"Now then," Jack said temptingly, "that's an interesting story and involves me, three lovely young ladies, one pair of cuffs, ten hyper vodkas and a lost key code. I'll trade you for the story of where you got those fascinating trousers?" Nodding, Ianto self consciously hoisted his borrowed clothes up yet again and grinned slightly shyly.

"Well now that's an interesting story involving me, your ex-spouses, a home carer with an obsession for shiny objects that weren't hers, a pair of electro shock handcuffs and a truncheon...."

---

PC Andy Davidson sighed as he looked up at the grey blob towering over his car and warbling happily to itself in the evening air. Trying the Torchwood emergency line for the fifth time since getting updated by Ianto over an hour ago he waved at his colleagues who were busy escorting the new arrivals. They were taking them to Saint David's hotel where a lovely nurse called Helen was apparently taking care of them. Alright for some.

Leaning against the blob Andy listened to the phone ring off yet again and folded his arms angrily. All this chaos was Jack's fault, Torchwood had wrecked the city once again but who was left holding the blob long past the end of his shift at the end of the day? Andy. Typical, just typical. Muttering under his breath Andy redialled yet again and looked out over the mess that was Roald Dahl Plass.

"Bloody Torchwood."

---

Captain Jack Harkness stood by the wall in the Hot House, tapping the new glass with his knuckles. It was always so hard to find security cleared glaziers and they had already retconned most of the decent workmen in the Bay area over the past few years. But Ianto and his magic book of contacts had come up trumps yet again. There had been some damage to a few of the plants but a bit of tender loving care and most of them had forgiven him. Except for the Venusian moon blossom but she hadn't forgiven him for the underwear flinging incident yet so he wasn't counting on absolution any time soon.

Absolution. Forgiveness. Justine had been his responsibility, he had trusted her and he had been played yet again; the damage was all his fault. He could only count his lucky stars that no one had died this time. Quite the opposite in fact. Twelve people had been brought through the rift to this time, no serious ill effects from their travel, just a bit of confusion and a lot of questions. The damage to the Plass was going to really annoy the insurers and the council but it was being fixed, slowly but surely. Everything was getting back to normal. Speaking of which...

"You're not getting all moody and maudlin again are you?" a familiar rough voice called to him. "Cos you know, you're boring when you're sulky." Jack turned to find Captain John Hart in the doorway, his healing arms folded across his chest and his usual outfit complete again. Jack smiled slightly and turned back, his fingers playing with the leaves of a purple plant hidden in amongst the more normal green ones.

"Don't you have somewhere you should be?" Jack asked. Shrugging, the thief stepped forwards and moved to stand behind Jack, staring out the glass across the Hub. They watched as Ianto moved across their view quickly, hugging Gwen as she hobbled over to her desk before moving away to get her a coffee. They could see the pair of them laugh at some joke as she settled down.

"Just waiting on that rift prediction Eye Candy promised," John answered, "no sense heading back if I end up in the wrong era." His voice softened slightly as he reached out to place his hand flat on Jack's shoulder. "Once I've smoothed things over we can start sending that lot back home through the rift. At least some good should come out of this." Jack nodded and looked back at John questioningly.

"Am I that big of a pushover?" he asked, John looking at him in surprise at the change of subject. "I mean, do I have victim on my forehead or something?" John laughed loudly, a raucous noise that made Gwen and Ianto glance up at the glass before Ianto made some comment that caused Gwen to look away with a mischievous expression on her face.

"You?" John laughed. "As if. You remember that con we pulled on Klom, the one with the-"

"-blind Glimmerbug? Oh I remember the mess that thing made, we were cleaning it up for weeks!"

"And the smell!" John added, "I still can't believe you didn't know they were hallucinogenic."

"I still can't believe you tried to figure out how to have sex with it!" Jack replied with a grin. John grinned back evilly and shrugged.

"Hey she was gorgeous! It's not my fault she went all ink explody on me." They both laughed and Jack smiled genuinely, moving to lean against the small counter in the room.

"But really. I used to be able to spot a liar a galaxy away." Jack said seriously. "Now I can't even tell what those closest to me are thinking. I've messed up so many times and I still don't seem to learn. I've lost my touch." John looked thoughtful and moved to lean against the counter beside him.

"Maybe you have," he answered quietly. Jack pulled a face.

"Thanks." John laughed softly and looked at Jack seriously.

"Or," John continued, "maybe you've got comfortable here; you've invested yourself in a life and lost your objectivity. Maybe you're more trusting. Maybe you spend so much effort on hiding who you have been and what you are from everyone you don't have any attention left to see that they're just as busy hiding from you." Shrugging, John looked away again, as though uncomfortable with the conversation. "Or maybe you actually care about what people say now."

Pushing off from the counter he rubbed his hands together as he finished up, "course maybe you're just a bloody idiot who's gone soft in his old age." Mock shivering John rubbed his hands up and down his arms and stepped away from Jack. "By the Goddess, I hope it's not catching! I was planning to stop by a telekpoker game in the Vegas galaxy with the money I should get from Juice's stupid salvage collection. I'm sure the Heritage Agency will pay a freelancer." John nodded thoughtfully. "Who knows, maybe I should start a new career, pop back every now and then for a spot of shopping and a few drinks, we can catch up, talk about old times, finally have that orgy-"

"Never gonna happen." John looked sceptical and pointed through the glass at Ianto.

"You say that but he wants me and you know it, Jack." Grinning wickedly John placed his hands on his hips and licked his lips, his eyes open wide. "Just think what we could do for him, the things we could teach him-" Jack pushed back off the side and planted his hand flat against John's chest, pushing him back against the hot house door. Gwen and Ianto looked up from below at the sound of it banging slightly.

"Stick to Glimmerbugs and Poodles John, you're less likely to get hurt," Jack mocked. Pulling back from Jack, John pushed back through the door and headed towards the stairs, swaggering down them and grinning cockily as he glanced back at Jack.

"Eye Candy," John called out, "if you don't find me a decent rift flare soon I'm going to think you're trying to keep me here." Ianto looked up and glared, his hands moving to his hips defensively.

"John, the only way I would want to keep you here is chained and gagged in the cells or as a barbecue flavoured plaything for Myfanwy." Captain John laughed and jumped the last few steps, striding across the Hub to stand face to face with Ianto.

"I knew you were a kinky one, Ianto Jones, one afternoon of bondage with me just wasn't enough for you, was it?" John raised his eyebrows suggestively as he leaned forward.

"Unless you want a matching hole in your other shoulder," Ianto replied politely, "I suggest you back off right now, John or so help me..."

Jack watched them bickering and followed John's path onto the balcony. He leaned against the railing, letting Ianto handle John on his own and just concentrated on enjoying the sight. There was no denying it, it was a turn on to see them arguing together, to maybe picture them working out their differences in a more physical way, perhaps involving some form of wrestling-

Shaking off the pleasant thought Jack made his way down the stairs to join them and sat on Gwen's desk, laughing with her as the pair sparred and traded insults. But his thoughts weren't really on them. Jack was thinking of those colonists, the ones who were even now being prepared to take a one way trip through the rift and back home to their families over twenty years after they had first vanished. They had been interviewed extensively but none of them had been the missing Lord or his family. None of them even knew Justine's real name.

Jack wondered for a moment whether she had survived the journey. John had routed a back surge of rift energy through her vortex manipulator, effectively tying the end of the stream to her and dragging her into the rift. Her journey was uncontrolled, unshielded and she was badly hurt. All three of them had shot at her but no one could be sure whether their shot had been true. There was no way of knowing if she had been alive when the rift finally let her go, wherever or whenever it threw her.

It was always possible the rift had flung her where it had flung the others, whenever her brother had ended up. Maybe she had got her happy ending after all.

As Ianto pulled out a gun Jack quickly hurried forward, putting himself between the two men and holding them apart. He grinned at the feel of the pair of them under his control, suddenly remembering a teenage Juice pinned between him and John and screaming at them to stop right before the local law enforcement team showed up. On a matriarchal planet two mere men appearing to be overpowering and molesting a woman was no joking matter. It was only thanks to her fast talking, good acting - not to mention forgiving them for what they had actually been up to - that they hadn't both been shot.

Pushing off the thought Jack returned his attention to the pair at hand, pinning himself between them as they fought to reach each other. It didn't matter any more anyway; Justine was well and truly in his past now and it was time to say goodbye. Speaking of which... Pushing John hard, Jack shoved him away and held out a warning hand whilst holding Ianto back.

"Enough!" Jack shouted at them both before turning to each of the three in turn. "Gwen, find John a rift spike before someone finally gives in and shoots him. Ianto, try to remember, he'd just enjoy it. John, sit down and shut up or get out of here. Understood?" As all three nodded Jack took the gun off Ianto with a hard stare that promised questions would be asked later then headed towards his office. Jack turned back as something occurred to him. "Oh and Ianto, have we heard anything from Andy today?" Ianto nodded again, his face still red but his anger fading.

"He's just saying goodbye," Ianto explained, "the UNIT ship is waiting to take his little friend off our hands and that will be one less alien to worry about." Turning away from Jack, Ianto continued under his breath, "One blob down, fifteen weevils, two blowfish and a pain in the arse to go..."

---

PC Andy stood on the deck of the HMS Cornwall and watched as the grey blob, which was now the size and rough shape of a small whale, swam alongside the huge ship and played in its wake.

"You stay clear of the engines now you hear me?" Andy shouted to it. A burst of water from the creature was it's reply to his yell and Andy held his hands up. "Fine, you know best. Just follow them where they tell you ok? You'll enjoy the Bermuda Triangle. I hear it's very nice there, not too much shipping traffic and Jack says all sorts of marine creatures that shouldn't be here hide out there. You'll feel right at home." Leaning on the railing he fought down a wave of seasickness yet again and closed his eyes. The UNIT research vessel was approaching and they would lead the creature the rest of the way.

As his phone rang Andy glanced at the number then hung up. Oh no. After leaving him standing on the Plass with Bobby the Blob for three hours whilst they messed around they could wait on him for a change. Putting his phone away he clapped as Bobby flung himself out of the water happily before crashing back down again. Sod Torchwood, he was going to enjoy the time he had left with the first friendly alien he had met.

Unless that John bloke had been an alien... Subconsciously touching his lips, Andy shook his head as he recalled what he had seen in that bedroom. Nope, John had definitely looked very human. As he recalled the kiss he had received Andy tried to fight the urge to go below and clean his teeth yet again. He had kissed a boy and he most definitely had not liked it. Although, if he had been an alien did it count?

Shivering in the cold air Andy wrapped his arms around himself and watched the blob greet the research ship, swimming around it curiously. He'd either been kissed by another bloke or an alien.

He knew which he'd prefer.

---

Ianto knocked on the doorframe and smiled at Jack as he stepped into his office, a folder clutched in his hands. "No answer from Andy yet I'm afraid Jack; I think he might still be mad at me." Jack laughed and leaned forward in his chair, stretching across his desk to clear a space on the wood. Ianto grinning as he perched on the edge and handed Jack the update.

"I'll give Gwen some petty cash to take him for an apology tea or something," Jack said unconcernedly, "I'm sure he'll get over it eventually. Oh and make sure we get something complimentary put on his service record. Hopefully if he gets promoted there soon he might stop sniffing round here." Ianto chuckled and glanced through the glass at Gwen who was shooting them both evil looks; John was right behind her, leaning on the back of her chair and obviously the real source of her anger.

"I think Andy will only stop that when he finally gives up on Gwen," Ianto admitted. Jack growled softly and glanced through the report.

"What is it with Gwen and her admirers, Rhys, Andy, Owen-"

"You," Ianto added with a smirk. Jack coughed and tapped the report, changing the subject hastily.

"So the rift is more active again?" he quickly asked. Ianto nodded, but his slightly smug smile showed Jack had given him an answer even with his silence.

"We're going to be getting an increase in visitors over we think the next month." Ianto paused a moment before continuing. "Tosh could probably have given you a more accurate timescale but the best we can work out is about five weeks, maybe six. We've already got an increase in Weevil sightings but hopefully they will find their way down to the sewers with the rest soon enough. As for the other new arrivals..." Jack winced as he took in the list of unexplained sightings and strange phenomenon being reported.

"We are going to be doing some serious overtime." Sighing Jack tossed the report on to the desk and rubbed his hands over his eyes. "Tell me you've got some good news?" Ianto grinned slyly and picked up the report, tucking it against his chest and folding his arms across it.

"Well," Ianto said in a bored tone, "we have identified a rift flare that John can use..." Jack looked up, a lopsided grin breaking out over his face.

"That is good news." Pushing back from the desk he stood up and quickly walked round it, grabbing his coat from the hat stand. "Is it far?" Ianto stood up and followed him.

"It's actually just out by the Norwegian Church; it's fairly stable so we can take our time if we want-"

"No time like the present!" Jack interrupted him happily. Marching through the door he strode across the Hub, yelling jauntily. "Grab your coat John, it's time to go!" Grabbing his own jacket Ianto hastily followed him out, still clutching the file Jack had only half read.

"Jack, there's something I-"

"I'm trying not to be offended by your haste to get rid of me Jack," Captain John Hart said with a distinct pout. Ianto glared at him and it was only the file, temporarily clamped between his lips, that prevented him from adding a comment. Ianto quickly followed the two Captains out of the Hub, waving an apologetic goodbye to Gwen on the way. He had to almost run to keep up with them in Jack's haste and Ianto, not for the first time, cursed Jack's impatience. There was something he would really want to know and John should probably be forewarned too-

Ianto hesitated for a moment, the evil part of his mind suddenly tempted to stay and tell Jack when he got back and just let John take his chances. Jack held the lift door and looked at him questioningly.

"Ianto, if you're coming come on!"

"Always room for one more," John added as he folded his arms across his chest lightly. "Course if you're scared of getting stuck in here with us I could always promise to think about trying to behave..."

In the end Ianto's better side won out, although whether it was in order to warn John or to hopefully have the satisfaction of wiping that smug grin off his face he wasn't entirely sure. Hurrying into the lift he put Jack between him and John and steadfastly ignored the other Captain.

"Up we go then eh Jack?" John chirped happily. "Ianto and me riding up your shaft at the same time; must be a dream come true."

It was a shame ignoring John was so very hard to do...

---

The wind was sharp across the Bay, Jack's coat flapping behind him as they walked along the path to the church. The whole Bay was quieter than usual for the time of year, people having been scared off by the "quake" as they were calling it yet again. Two supposed earthquakes in just a few years were not going to do wonders for the local tourism but they would recover. They always did.

The three of them stopped in front of the church and tracked down the location of the rift spike easily enough.

"Ianto." Jack glanced at Ianto and shot him a small smile. "Can we just have a minute?" Jack couldn't see John making suggestive movements behind his back but was relieved when Ianto nodded and walked over to the railings overlooking the Bay. He was still clutching that file and Jack had a feeling he wasn't using it as a security blanket. There was more news. But first...

"So big boy," John purred suggestively, "is this the bit where you confess your true feelings to me and we walk off into the rift and live happily ever after?" Jack laughed in spite of himself and shook his head.

"It would take a hell of a lot more than that collection of scavenged junk you're taking back with you to convince me to go with you and you know it."

"Oh Jack," John moaned as he placed his hands over his heart as though wounded, "how will I ever live without you!" Mock swooning he laughed as Jack pushed him lightly, forcing him back towards the wall of the church. "I'd watch how you use those hands if I were you Jack. People seem to have a funny way of going insane around you. Maybe you've got some kind of magic touch to go with that immortality bit." Jack shrugged and looked around casually.

"What can I say? I can think of worse people to get obsessed with."

"Modesty too," John said, raising an eyebrow, "such a complete package."

"Not that complete." Jack's smile faded slightly. He glanced back at Ianto and spoke quietly as he looked at John seriously for a moment. "I need to know something. She said she knew what had happened to my memories, John. She says I gave them up, I begged for them to be taken. I'm sure she was lying but I can't tell what was real and what wasn't any more." Swallowing hard he stared deep into the other man's eyes, searching for any hints of deception. "You said you worked with her after I left. Did she... Do you know if she was telling the truth? Do you know what happened to me?"

Captain John Hart looked back at his former partner, former lover and the being in the universe that knew him best of all yet still knew nothing about him. That was the way it should be for a Time Agent, even a former one. Placing his hand over Jack's he lifted it off his chest and brought it up to his face, kissing Jack's palm softly.

"Some things are better left lost, Jack," he said quietly. "Like her." Nodding, Jack pulled his hand away guiltily as he caught Ianto watching them and stepped back, straightening himself up and beckoning Ianto over again.

"To lost things," Jack added. Ianto coughed to interrupt and they both looked at him questioningly.

"About Lady Justine being lost..." Ianto began. Jack could feel his heart start to race slightly at the look on Ianto's face and he hastily took the file off him. "It's possible we may have found her. It's an old file, one of the one's we recovered from Torchwood One's stores, dating back to the 1920's. But there's a report..."

Jack pulled out the piece of paper, smiling slightly at the way it had been folded at the bottom to keep it's awkward size within the modern A4 folder. The typing on the paper was a little wonky and from the lack of letterhead it looked like the carbon copy of an old letter between Torchwood One and the original Torchwood estate in Scotland. Jack read it carefully, not quite able to believe what he was reading...

FAO Head of Visitations;

Cc: Head of Temporal Investigations

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to inform you of a curious incident which took place in Elephant and Castle this weekend just gone. We had received reports of an injured person of unusual appearance (even for Elephant and Castle) being discovered on the tracks of the Baker Street & Waterloo Railway. Upon examining the woman, who in appearance superficially resembled a member of the gypsy or carnival classes (see appendix a), we discovered that she was armed with an unusual projectile weapon resembling a crossbow. She was also seriously injured.

She responded well to treatment and was confirmed as being human although her mind seemed addled; she was prone to babbling and talking as though she was nobility. However, she was in possession of clothing made of a variety of most unusual fabrics as well as many other hidden weapons and machinery. This included one device resembling a device known to Torchwood Three as being capable of moving a person through time. (See appendix b; cross reference Harkness, J)

The individual was immediately quarantined along with all her belongings to protect the time line from further damage until she could be interrogated by the Temporal Investigations specialist from Torchwood Three. Unfortunately she escaped detention, apparently vanishing into thin air in front of the medical team's eyes, before the investigative team could arrive. (See appendix c for list of casualties and damage)

Due to the subject escaping prior to questioning, because of the lack of availability of experts from Torchwood Three, I hereby request a second team be created and based at Torchwood One-

Jack uncurled the flap of paper at the bottom of the page to try to carry on but it was too old and fragile to make the last lines legible. It didn't matter though; he had seen enough.

"She survived," Jack whispered. John swore quietly as Ianto nodded, watching the file like a hawk in the breeze from the Bay.

"It's impossible to be certain it's her but it does seem like it," Ianto confirmed. "Justine survived the journey through the rift and it looks as though she jumped again. She could have gone anywhere." John mock shivered and rubbed his hands up and down his arms.

"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the vortex," John quipped. As they regarded him pityingly he held his hands wide. "Oh come on, that was a good joke!" Shrugging, John stepped back as Jack handed the file back to Ianto.

"She's not going to be happy you shot her John," Jack warned softly. "Might be worth watching your back." John laughed and shook his head quickly.

"That just makes me owe her one is all." John shook his head quickly. "Besides, she has to catch me first. You on the other hand, you and your bloody temple to the rift are just what she wanted and she knows exactly where and when to find you." Grinning, he pressed his finger against Jack's chest. "If I were you I'd watch your back." Leaning closer he whispered to Jack softly but his eyes were fixed on Ianto. "Course if you want I could stay and watch it for you-"

"Goodbye John." Pushing him away again Jack stepped back and stood beside Ianto. Sighing John nodded and shook his head sadly.

"Whatever you want Jack. I'll let you know once we've got a home for the colonists sorted. But I'll be seeing you soon," John added, nodding to Ianto, "both of you." John opened his wrist strap and played with the controls and they watched as the controlled glow of the rift started to flare behind him. "Course, maybe next time we can try that threesome, you two, me, maybe those electric cuffs-" As John stepped into the rift Ianto could feel muscles he didn't even know were tense start to relax at last.

"He. Is. Incorrigible." Ianto concluded. Jack nodded in agreement.

"He certainly is." Wrapping his arm around Ianto the pair started to walk back to the Hub. "You should have seen some of the others though," Jack admitted, "there were some much worse than us." Ianto chuckled and leaned close to Jack tiredly.

"Just promise me there aren't any more time travelling friends of your going to be paying us a visit anytime soon." Jack laughed and kissed his temple firmly.

"I doubt it very much," Jack confirmed, "it should be just us and Gwen and Rhys and the weevils-"

"-And the blowfish and the blobs-"

"And Myfanwy," Jack finished up, "for the foreseeable future." Ianto nodded and stopped them walking, turning to Jack and smiling.

"Sounds good to me." Wrapping his free hand around the back of Jack's neck Ianto pulled him close, kissing him deeply. As he melted into the kiss Jack forced the memory of his and John's conversation back in the old Bar Reunion about the agency and Time Agents out of his mind. It was so unlikely that any more of them would be someone he knew, it would be better to just forget all about Time Agents and the agency and his past life.

Besides, Jack couldn't bring himself to tell Ianto about the other five agents who were still out there....

The End.