A/N: AU Doctor Who, Ten's still around. Torchwood half will probably turn AU once the new season comes out.

Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood or Doctor Who

First Steps

Prologue

It was a moderately cool day in Washington, D.C. in front of the Washington Monument.

"World war II better have a good reason for calling us out her after disappearing for two weeks…" Rex grumbled to Gwen and Rhys as he rubbed the cold from his arms.

"Oh aye, that pain in the neck is always runnin' off and causin' more problems for mah Gwen…"

"Oh there it is, that legendary Welsh complaining…!" The three turned at the sudden sound of Jack's voice, they could see the immortal standing confidently next to a large water fountain about thirty feet from the monument (though Rex couldn't remember ever seeing it there before…). Jack stood in his normal, commanding pose with his long coat flowing in the wind as a glint of approval and cunning glistened in his eyes; a look that Gwen had come to know so well.

"Jack, don't tell me!" Gwen squealed happily as she ran up to hug him, he caught her and swung her around.

"Yup, Torchwood Three is back. It took a pit of scrounging and dealing with U.N.I.T. but I got us a new perception field and computer network that has the Torchwood system running through it." The look on their faces was one that only happy members of Torchwood made, ones that made the others feel like they weren't even there.

"Ooooh. Can ah see it now, Jack?"

"Of course you can, Gwen, come with me." Jack said, gently taking her hand and led her over to one of the large stone slabs surrounding the water fountain.

"Oi! What about us!"

"Rhys, calm down, you and Rex are welcome to come too. It's his new home and practically yours too." Jack gave a soft laugh at the easily upset Welshman, watching as the two hurried over to rock.

"So what, is this rock our new base?" Rex asked sarcastically, only making Jack and Gwen grin as the older immortal tapped the rock three times with his foot. The new immortal jumped slightly at the strange and sudden movement of the lift, making Gwen and Jack laugh.

"Calm down, Rex, it's not gonna kill ya. Believe me."

"Very funny, World war II…" Rex wasn't laughing but he was pulled from his funk at the sheer size and oddness of the new underground base. Where he gasped in shock, Gwen gasped in wonder; this base looked almost exactly the same as the old one.

"Oh Jack, how did you manage this…?"

"Well, sleep isn't exactly required with me."

"Aah, ah see." Gwen whispered contently as she stepped off the lift and started to move about the familiar looking work stations, whispering lost names as she ran a hand over each of her friend's stations. Jack came up behind her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"So what do you think, Gwen? I thought we needed a new base since it looks like Torchwood is back despite our best efforts, an understanding smile passed between them as Gwen nodded before the two broke apart again and headed to check out different areas of the Hub.

"Hey Jack, what is this thing?" Rex called as he poked at a beeping monitor.

"That? Well, that's a Rift monitor." This caught Gwen's attention.

"But Jack, the Rift's all the way back in Cardiff…."

"True, but it would seem that after the 456 incident the Rift close until only the bare minimum was left and barely anything can get through….. But! We now have a major problem."

"And what would that be, Jack?"

"The Blessing! It ripped open a new Rift by awakening, only this time it's here. In Washington D.C., that's why I picked this place. That and we can use the monument as a conductor when needed."

"Ah. Well, then. Ah guess we got our work cut out for us than…"

"Right you are, Gwen. It'll be a bit easier now that we have Rex here to boss around!" The glare the older immortal got only made him laugh, it was going be fun working with the other American.

"Oi, sorry to break up your daydreams but you lot might have a problem."

"What makes you say that, Rhys."

"Oh nothing, Jack, just yer monitor over 'ere is blinkin' up a storm." Jack raced over and jumped over the side railing of station to look at the rift activity monitor, Ghen and Rex close behind.

"Jack, it's like something is stealing the Rift's energy…. What's doing it?"

"One of the most beautiful creatures in the universe…. Let's go, we need to find it!" Jack yelled out joyfully as he raced for the ground floor door as the others just looked at each other in confusion.