Chapter 1

Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by

You never get to stop and open your eyes

One day you're waiting for the sky to fall

The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

- Bruce Cockburn

Ianto Jones sat behind the counter of the illusory harbor tour boat shop twisting the spinner on his wedding ring partly out of frustration and partly out of anticipation. After the successful, permanent elimination of the 456, the Hub was immediately reconstructed, per his specifications – it now included a nursey (which Jack Harkness thought was rather large for Gwen's small child), a "reading longue" (as Ianto had given up his flat and moved in, he found sometimes he needed space), an enlarged floor area for access and ease of use to the 3D computer system (Ianto LOVED "Iron Man" and felt Torchwood should be, could be equally as equipped), a new holding area (less dank and more humane), and a state-of-the-art medical theatre. He was quite pleased with himself as he supervised the entire construction and it had come out brilliantly, or at least Gwen and Rhys thought so. Only he hadn't anticipated spending any time in it today, his wedding day.

It was planned as a simple affair and originally he thought they'd have a civil service at the local town hall, a nice lunch with friends and family, then be off for some steamy sex to break in their new rooms at the Hub. However, changes happened in rapid succession to the point where events were out of his control. Rabbi Aliyah, Jack's longtime friend from his days at the Time Agency and leader of Torchwood Tel Aviv insisted that "some sort of ceremony be performed to mark this monumental occasion for you both" (conveniently ignoring the fact that both he and Jack were atheists). Then, Gwen "just won't have it" – they had to have a reception "somewhere romantic" and engaged Ianto's sister, Rhiannon in securing and decorating the Caban Cardiff, the restaurant where the two had their first proper date. And then somehow Martha Jones from U.N.I.T got involved by booking a 10 day stay at a ryokan (Japanese inn), the historic Hiiragiya in Kyoto, where she and her husband Thomas had spent their honeymoon. The Doctor, initially offering a trip to some intergalactic affair, luckily barely made it for the ceremony and had to rush off after getting a urgent call from Clara or ". . . who knows where we might have ended up," Ianto considered. This thought brought a brief smile, not just because he was grateful for his small but deeply caring set of family and friends but because, having finally met the Doctor, he was satisfied that in this incarnation the Doctor was a grumpy older man (which shocked Jack when the TARDIS arrived as he hadn't seen the Doctor since the last regeneration).

Still, one does not like a nice meal interrupted, especially when it is a piece of sister's decadent chocolate and chestnut torte (the proprietress of the Caban Cardiff only allowed this after tasting a sample prior to the reception – Rhiannon now has a contract to make this for the restaurant's menu at least twice a week since she was unwilling to part with their family's 100+ year old secret recipe!). Everyone was taking their first bites and sipping their third (fourth? It was Moët et Chandon Dom Perignon OENOTHÈQUE 1992 after all) glass of champagne when Jack and Rabbi Aliyah's vortex manipulators as well as Martha's and her husband's U.N.I.T. issued mobiles rumbled, lite up, and rattled as if announcing the apocalypse in 3D with surround sound. "It's never done THAT before," said Martha. Jack stood to ridged attention, shook off his intoxication (Rhys always wondered how he did that), and said, "Everyone, back to the Hub!" Rhiannon's husband and children started to run out the door with everyone else when she stopped them. "Let's leave this to the professionals, folks, why don't we?!" she said. "After that madness with the 456, I'd prefer to stay a civilian, thank you." Her husband and kids were slightly disappointed but proceeded helping her clean up.

Jack drove Ianto, Martha and Thomas in the new SUV. Rabbi Aliyah and her wife Sally rode with Rhys, Gwen, and baby Anwen in the family's Honda Odyssey, for over the centuries, the rabbi had had enough of Jack's driving ("Even in open space," she once told Ianto, "Jack is the only pilot to ram at least two asteroids per flight!"). However Aliyah and Jack knew exactly what the signal meant and Martha had an inkling and thus shared it with their riding companions, "It's from Institute headquarters and that it came to all of us, it must be real bad."

"What could be worse than the 456?" a passenger in both cars would ask.

"That's just the point," was the answer.

But, when everyone arrived at the Hub and Jack attempted to contact the Institute via the proverbial intergalactic "red line", there was no answer. Rabbi Aliyah attempted as well and also got no answer. Martha called at U.N.I.T. headquarters but they were all sitting on their hands. Thomas tried some of his friends in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Joint Chiefs of Staff but they too were playing a game of hurry up and wait but for what, nobody knew. Eventually, Ianto distributed coffee and, having snagged cake for everyone before taking off, a slice hoping it would calm nerves but waiting was exhausting. Eventually, everyone found a spot away from everyone else and something to occupy their time while they anticipated what was bound to be bad news. Ianto found himself in the false front door of the Hub thumbing through outdated tourist information just to keep out of the way of an increasingly irritated Jack Harkness who was pacing a hole in his new office carpet.

Ianto put down the brochure and began twisting his 14 kt, two-tone gold spinner wedding band, almost absent-mindedly watching the engraving Ein am byth yn awr, "our forever is now" in Welsh pass his eyes when the outside door of the tourist shop opened. "We're about to close ma'am," a well-rehearsed line he used to get rid of any commoners but when this did not detour, he looked up. Upon an initial glance, she could easily be mistaken for some young British woman with two small children in a double pram used to control the toddler and carry the infant. But this woman's authentic Coach bag and Vera Wang jogging suit gave her away, even underneath cheap sunglasses and a San Francisco Giants baseball cap. Ianto looked at her intently, "May I help you?" She took off the glasses and cap, which revealed her bright brown eyes and lavish brown hair – Ianto immediately recognized her.

Ianto came from around the counter, nearly knocking over an overflowing brochure stand – Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, wife of Prince William, second in line to the British crown and mother of the future King of England was standing in the shop dressed as some lost commoner. "Your Royal Highness," he said, using the traditional head bow and formal address.

As is her way, the Duchess smiled sweetly and said, "It's Ianto Jones, am I right?" offering her hand to shake.

Ianto, still stunned, shook her hand, being careful not to cling too hard. He looked around, looking for her bodyguards. "Ma'am, you and the royal children are out . . . unescorted?"

The Duchess chuckled slightly, "I left them outside and trust, they know how to be discreet so no one will know this isn't a tourist shop." She looked around as if giving away some secret, then pretended to whisper, "We royals have learned a lot about managing paparazzi since we lost Diane." The children, who were asleep in their tram stirred after that comment, as if a kindly ghost had passed them. Ianto could not help but to take a close peek at the darlings who would soon continue the English crown into its 10th century and he was reminded of the second reason he insisted on a larger nursey in the Hub.

"I am sure, Ma'am, you're not out and about for the air," he said after returning from his moment of fancy.

"No, I'm sorry to say," she replied. "I fear grave times for the Kingdom, if not the world, Mr. Jones."

"Yes ma'am but this Torchwood and we're used to that," he said as he lead her inside the Hub (minus that annoying roll away door with the screaming siren and obnoxious red lights; the new alarm system was much more subtle but equally effective). He hesitated a moment though and turned to her to ask, "I'm sorry but how shall I announce you?"

"Oh, don't worry. I have a feeling that will be well taken care of!"

Their entrance interrupted nervous but useless speculation amongst the group about why they were being kept waiting by HQ. The males stood up but everyone looked at Ianto and the guest quizzically. Jack Harkness came out of his office which was still aloft and connected to the main floor by a narrow spiral staircase. "Katie!" he bellowed from the top of the stairs.

It was Gwen who initially mouthed to Ianto "Is that who I think it is?" He nodded. Martha was the next to figure it out and she mouthed, "What is she doing here?" Ianto shrugged. Rhys was the only one who spoke aloud what everyone was also wondering, "How does he know the Royals?" Sally, who was rarely impressed by celebrities, rolled her eyes and sat back on the couch, "Who hasn't Jack Harkness not slept with?" Rabbi Aliyah gave her partner a slight shove and disappointed look like a mother toward an unruly child.

Jack bounced down the stairs and greeted the Duchess with a huge bear hug which she returned eagerly, despite the obvious impropriety. "How are you and Bill? You look as fabulous as ever!" Jack turned to everyone in the room, still with his arm around the Duchess and started to explain his familiarity, "I met those two while I was traveling through Africa. They were doing some 'save the world' work while I was investigating an alien sighting, you remember that quick trip don't you Gwen?" Gwen nodded obediently, clearly aware that Ianto didn't know about this trip as it happened while Ianto was away at a family funeral. Her face communicated to Jack something like "shut up idiot" but he was hell bent on talking. "We all went to this little place just outside of Nairobi, what was it called?" Gwen's nonverbal attempts to hush him became more urgent. "Katie, do you remember that party the Sultan of Brunei threw? He was absolutely wasted! As I remember, you, William and I . . ."

"Well Jack," Gwen finally interrupted, "I'm sure the Royal Highness is not here to exchange remembrances . . ."

The Duchess gave Gwen a grateful smile as she also could feel Ianto's irritated stare burning a hole into the back of her head. "Yes, sometime, hopefully when this is over, we can all meet for tea." She checked on the condition of her children, who were still sleeping despite Jack thunderous voice. She pushed the tram such that the children were facing the wall, as if doing so would protect them from what she was about to say, from what was possibly, likely about to happen. Her face changed and her voice took a tone of someone used to leadership, "Have you been watching the news from Paris?"

Jack stepped away, taking on his captain stance, "We all have been at my wedding." He nodded at Ianto. "I've been rather busy."

"I've kept a watch," said Gwen. "It's truly horrible – all those innocent people out for a night, killed for no reason!"

"They are saying it ISIS," Thomas interjected.

"And some of them may still be on the loose," Rhys added. "They've closed the French borders."

The Duchess took a position in the room as if she was holding court and the others circled around her like King Arthur's knights. "I've been sent here my Her Majesty, the Queen, because England and quite possibly the world, is under threat."

Jack shook his head. "No Kat…, your Highness," he said, "This is against the charter – the Torchwood Institute, and U.N.I.T. as well, are never to interfere with the petty battles amongst the planet's various nations." Martha and Thomas nodded their heads in agreement with Jack.

"What would you say if I told you that those attacks have an alien origin?"

Rabbi Aliyah step forward slightly, "Are you saying that ISIS forces are alien intruders?"

"No, not exactly. But we have intelligence indicating that ISIS and other extremist jihadists groups are being, at the very least, influenced by some alien force."

While the others took a moment to let this idea sink in, Jack remained unconvinced that this called for the Institute's involvement, "I am still don't believe this is Torchwood's concern – you all have been squabbling over which g-d ideal is supreme for two millennium. What makes these aliens any different from the arms traders selling nuclear components from the Soviet era, broke, starving citizens in Croatia selling their leftover automatic weapons from the Balkan wars, or drug lords taking advantage of mess the Western leadership left in Afghanistan to sell heroin to U.S. teenagers?" He turned his back, rather disrespectfully, and poured himself more coffee. "I fail to see how Torchwood could do anything more than add to the present misery." He gave a nod toward Martha and Thomas, "However, I can't speak for U.N.I.T."

Martha agreed with Jack. She had never understood how Earth nations had not done more to unite, particularly now that everyone knew that the universe contained a very threatening alien presence. In her travels with the Doctor, she saw how the planets whose different nationalities and creeds forged an unified identity were the only ones able to successfully and, in many cases, permanently, fight off forces like the Daleks and the Cybermen. Thomas' approach was much more mundane – as a physician serving in many military theaters, he had seen how war destroyed the bodies and minds of whole communities.

But Rabbi Aliyah wanted more information. In the past, Aliyah and Sally had to stand against alien forces supporting the Palestinian Liberation Army back in the 1970s. Additionally, she knew that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth was like her namesake, not prone to hyperbola and clearly aware of man's follies. "But this isn't any old dalliance into human affairs, is it?"

"No, Rabbi," she responded. "What I am about to say must not leave this room. Top field agents, like yours, around the world are the only ones being given this information." She took a moment then spoke again, "Intelligence reports from the Americans indicate that this alien element is funding extremist group of various elks all over the globe, urging them individually into war with one another – fueling their deadly cult-like apocalyptic ideologies with the goal of pitting them against one another in a final battle to wipe humankind off this planet. Ladies and gentleman, this threat isn't just against England, France, Israel or America – we all could die in this." Jack waved her off and took a seat at one of the longue chairs, irritated and sullen. The Duchess following him there, "Captain, have you been locked in this Hub for so long that you have failed to pay attention to the world for which you act in?"

"Jack," said Gwen, who was becoming convinced the Duchess was right, "the Middle East is on fire. The so-called 'Arab Spring' has completely deteriorated, leaving countries like Egypt and Libya in a heap of fractional violence and instability."

"She has a point, Jack," interjected Ianto. "There is a rise in support and membership for extremist groups globally. How else can we explain Donald Trump and Ben Carson in the U.S.?"

"Okay, so when did you two start watching CNN and BBC World, eh?"

"Eh!" said Rhys, "that's uncalled for, you! These two have a point and they have a right to say something."

Jack stood up in a challenging manner and charged at Rhys, "Ah, so you're the arbiter of reason now? I don't recall you being initiated into our little club!"

At this, Sally stood up. Although she was barely 5'3" and all but a 115 lbs soaking wet, it was all Mossad and IDF training strong, so her walking toward them stopping the argument from going further. Ianto pulled a still angry Jack Harkness back while Gwen distracted Rhys by putting their daughter in his arms. This worked for Rhys but Jack was not backing down. He stepped toward the Duchess threateningly now – if her guard would've been there, they would have shot so many holes in him, he'd be dead for at least three days. "Do you people understand what these three went through during that 456 fiasco? Do you? Your government disowned us – threw us to the wolves so you had cover for evil you made me do and were going to make me do again!" Tears swelled in his eyes. He formed a fist and shook it in the face of the Duchess, "If the Doctor hadn't come when he did, Ianto would have died and thousands of Earth's children would have been sacrificed, AGAIN!" Ianto reached out and pulled Jack back again, as he was certain Jack would hit the future Queen. Jack went back to his seat, nearly collapsing into it, his mind running the events through like the crawl on some 24 hour news channel.

The Duchess understood. The government had been horrible to Jack and his family as well as thousands of families around the world. There was nothing she could say to clear away what happened. She had to appeal to something else, she had to find out what kept this man working for Torchwood for over a century when he could have, long ago, left it – well after his time was served and neither the Prime Minister nor the Monarchy had any hold over him. "Captain Harkness, you, like the Doctor, have come to the rescue of England, no Earth, so many times . . . We can never repay either of you for what you done, what you have sacrificed for a people, a time that is not yours. And you've often been repaid with, at best, passing acknowledgement." She took a deep breath, then let it out deliberately, "We are asking you again to be our hero, you and your team. Her Majesty is speaking now for the world's leaders - save us, in part from evils we have created, and from an evil that is about to take advantage of it. This time it won't be thousands of children becoming living sacrifices to feed a creature's drug habit, it will be aliens manipulating us to kill ourselves." She heard her son stirring, awakening in his seat. The Duchess went to the tram and pulled him out, careful not to disturb her daughter who was still sleeping blissfully. With an angel faced boy rubbing his eyes resting on her hip, the Duchess of Cambridge looked like any mother, anywhere in the world. "It is because your team faced and slaughtered the 456 that the Queen believes only you have the skill and steadfastness to face this threat." She made eye contact with each of them individually, "I can't make you do it. But Her Majesty and the world's leaders are in agreement, that this is the only group who can save us."

The others looked at one another – her appeal to their patriotism, their dedication to keeping the Earth safe, and frankly their pride – they were all now like some military, special forces group who had been doing this for so long they didn't know how to be or do anything else. It was Rabbi Aliyah who said what they were all thinking, "What information do we have about these aliens?"

But while the others had acquiesced, Jack Harkness stubbornly held his position. Ianto looked at him understandingly – it was out of the disaster of the fight against the 456 that led Jack to proposed. Ianto was in a coma for days, the doctors did not hold much hope as they didn't understand the poison the 456 had exposed him to. Ianto didn't know how he recovered until after it was all over and Gwen told him what she knew – Jack called the Doctor and pleaded with him to help defeat the 456 and save Ianto's life. The Doctor devised a plan to raise the body temperature of the children the 456 were nearly done draining. The change in body temperature triggered puberty in a handful of the children who were close to transitioning when they were enslaved. The testertosone and estrogen are poisonous to the 456. As for saving Ianto, the Doctor told Jack a secret. A small dose of his blood could revive the comatose man but at a price – it would change Jack's immortality, but how, the Doctor could not predict. Gwen didn't know these latter details, only that the Doctor's help saved Ianto.

But despite what happened and Jack's assurances that Torchwood was going to "take a step back", "become less reckless" particularly now that Gwen had the baby coming, Ianto knew his husband was addicted to being a hero, to saving the world and would never live some "nice quiet life in the Welsh countryside". Ianto kneeled down so he could speak to him while the others were distracted by mobile calls to cancel upcoming family visits and to home offices for further instructions. "You remember what our rings say?" Ianto pointed to Jack's ring, "Do you remember why you choose this engraving, why it says, 'our forever is now'?" Jack was resisting his inclination to look at Ianto. "You said that the only way this relationship was going to work is if we treasure and live each moment as if it was the last." Ianto caressed Jack's face like Jack often did whenever Ianto was uncertain or tired, "You ARE Torchwood – we are Torchwood and Torchwood is dedicated to keeping the planet safe from all alien evil that comes through the rift. It has become your life, it is who you are and you're not going to give it up. And if you do, you'll sleep on this downstairs couch until the bloody zombie apocalypse!"

Jack groaned and shook his head, "I knew I shouldn't have let you get Netflix. All that Star Trek binge watching has gone to your head."

Ianto smiled and kissed Jack's hand.

With that, Captain Jack Harkness sprang into action. "Alright Duchess, what's the intel?"

As intelligence goes, there wasn't much.

Martha and Thomas requested to stay and work with Torchwood, which U.N.I.T. high command was not adverse to. As the leader of Torchwood facility, Rabbi Aliyah had the authority to request and receive leave from the Tel Aviv office and have the Institute assign her duties there to her assistants who were more than capable. Of course Rhys was not thinking of asking Gwen to step down but neither was he leaving her side. As for their daughter, in the months since her birth, she only seemed to sleep well at the Hub or whenever both her parents were together – it appeared she was going to be recruited to this life literally from birth. As for Jack, he looked down from the glass door of his loft office at his new team, reviewing and discussing what information they did have. He remembered Tosh and Owen. "They would have loved this," he thought wistfully.

Ianto came up the steps holding a tablet. "I've made sleeping arrangements at the Hub for tonight – we have ample room for everyone. Luckily their all couples." He looked down at the tablet. "I also have booked flights to Paris, Brussels, and Washington, D.C."

"Who's going where?"

"The Rabbi and Sally are going to D.C. – she has good relations with the Administration there, despite the current cool between the two leaders. Martha and Thomas are going to Brussels – they have contacts there. Gwen, Rhys, and Anwen are going to Paris."

Jack looked at Ianto incredulously, "The baby is doing recon?"

"You'd be surprised how quickly people are willing to talk to you when you have baby in your arms."

Jack shrugged, "Okay, so where are we going then."

Ianto smiled, "Nowhere. It shouldn't take long to access the ground information needed – it would be simpler to do conference calls but I don't trust the communication systems. Everyone going as a couple, ostensibly on holiday to visit friends or colleagues, makes everything look less suspicious and won't draw unwarranted attention. At this point, the aliens, whoever they are, don't know we're on to them and keeping it that way gives us a leg up."

"What am I supposed to do? Whose idea was it that I stay behind?"

"I am monitoring Internet chatter, government communiqués, official and otherwise, extremist movements, as well as awaiting additional intel from our official sources. And your job is to stand here and look cute," he smiled invitingly.

Jack brightened, "Ianto, I do THAT naturally! And I ask again, whose idea was it that we stay behind?"

Ianto pointed at the group below, who were starting to break up and move to their quarters. They waved up at the two of them. "It was there's. I guess they figured this was the only honeymoon I was going to get outta you."