Wow, I was really surprised and delighted by the enthusiastic response the first chapter got. I really hope that you all continue to enjoy this as it goes on. It may be a bit sporadic in updating, as Salvation's Tears (plus life in general) will probably take me away sometimes.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

The declaration that it was 2028 was enough of a shock to make Gwen, Toshiko, Owen and Jack relatively compliant as they were blindfolded. They were led with care to a vehicle –a truck probably –and taken somewhere else.

Jack's mind was whirling. 2028. 20 years into the future. The Rift must have taken them, but there had been no warning.

What had changed? Clearly Torchwood was still in operation in some form, considering the usage of the name, and the access these people had to the apparently defunct Hub. Who ran it now? What kind of organisation was it?

At the forefront of Jack's mind was his worry over what had happened to Ianto. It seemed impossible that Ianto had survived this long, Torchwood lives were tragically short.

The truck stopped and they were guided out into an air conditioned corridor, moving through it. Jack could hear people talking, machines whirring and there was a smell of Weevil.

"Sorry about the smell. We've a new weevil in and she's not happy." said the woman.

Their blindfolds were removed when they came into a room, which was an infirmary cum medical lab. A young blonde woman came up to them and directed them to a bed each.

"We're just going to run some tests now."

Jack was surprised that they weren't cuffed to the beds, but then noticed their guard was watching them intently. If they sneezed wrong, the guns would be back. For the moment Jack did not see a need to be troublesome. He allowed himself to be examined by the blonde woman. Blood was drawn and as she did so, she asked him questions.

"What do you remember?"

"I remember being in the Hub in 2008, we'd just played a basketball game. Ianto, my general support, he'd gone out to see about booking rooms for Archie and Michaela and Dubhtach, then the lights flickered, and then we were in the Hub now."

"Hmm…" the woman made a note and then pulled out what looked like a scanner. "Need to make sure if you did fall through the Rift you didn't bring any bugs with you."

Jack nodded as she moved the scanner. He studied her carefully for a long moment then said quietly, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." she said with a smile. It was disarming how pleasant everyone was being to them. This was not the Torchwood from Jack's time of employment, and it wasn't even like his own set up. This was bigger, brighter and happier. Three things that did not fit with Jack's idea of the organisation.

"I was wondering if Ianto Jones still works for Torchwood. Or is he dead? What happened to him?"

The young woman hesitated, uncertainty flashing across her face, then she relaxed and said, "Don't worry. He's still around."

Jack felt himself relaxing a little. Well that's something.

After the examinations, they were brought to a kind of bunking area. It was obvious that it was used for over nighters, but it was full of warm wood, bright paintings, and a small kitchenette.

"We can get you some clothing if you want to change." said the woman who had convinced Torin to give them a chance.

"No thanks, erm…"

"Elisa Donovan. But call me Dotty, Captain. Everyone else does." she said with a grin.

"Dotty?" repeated Jack weakly.

Dotty tapped her cheek, indicating her slightly larger than usual freckles.

"Ah…" said Jack feeling dazed by this silly gesture.

"Look, we'll review your test results, and your answers. And then the boss'll see you."

Jack nodded. "Ok… ok thanks."

Dotty nodded, "Get some rest, yeah?"

Jack nodded again, then Dotty shut the door. It was locked from the outside, which unsettled Jack, but he understood that they were being treated pretty damn well all things considered. He inhaled deeply and looked at the others. Gwen was blinking hard and Jack could see she was coming out of her shocked stupor. He knew the first thing out of her mouth would be-

"I need to call Rhys!"

Jack sighed and moved to stand in front of Gwen, taking hold of her hands. "Gwen."

"He'll be worried about me."

"Gwen, you've been missing to Rhys for twenty years."

"I know but, but I need to call him. He, he deserves to know that I'm-"

"Gwen, listen to me." Jack used his captain voice, which she always responded to. Gwen looked up at him, her wide green eyes begging him to make this all right. Jack hated that he would have to disappoint her. "Gwen, we are in the year 2028. It's been twenty years since Rhys last laid eyes on you. You need to absorb this information before you even think about making contact with Rhys. He may have…"

"May have…? What Jack? What might he have?" asked Gwen, voice high and loud, tinged with hysteria.

"Gwen, you need to brace yourself for the fact that Rhys has probably moved on from you. He might be married, he might-"

"No! No Jack. Take that back!" she screeched, pulling away from him. Jack held her firm, preparing to embrace her if he needed to.

"Gwen, I'm sorry, I know this is a lot but you need to calm down."

"Don't you dare! Don't you bloody dare Jack Harkness!"

"Gwen enough!" snapped Owen. "You're not helping."

"Fuck you Owen!"

The tension in the room was snapped when the lock on the door audibly turned and they looked around as Dotty and Torin came in.

"The boss'll see you now, if you're up for it."

"That was quick." said Toshiko. The only hint of the upset she was feeling was the way she was hugging herself.

"Computers are faster than they were back in your day." said Torin carefully. Jack saw Toshiko's wince. He stepped forward, placing himself in front of his team.

"Lets go." he said.

Torin and Dotty led them through a long corridor to a lift. Torin hit the button for the 16th floor. Jack wondered just what kind of building they were really in. So far all he had seen was white walls and no windows.

"Were we underground?"

"Yes. The medical facility is set up so no newcomers can see anything we don't want them to. In case of temporal damage or security risks." said Dotty as the lift moved smoothly upward. "Oh, by the way since he's too rude to do it himself, this is Torin Scully."

Torin rolled his eyes at Dotty, "You and manners."

"Bobby likes it."

"Yeah, but he's the boss. You gotta be nice to the boss."

"Bobby?" asked Owen, narrowing his eyes.

"It's what everyone calls him. Nickname, y'know?"

The lift came to a stop and they entered a bright room. It was large, with a dark wood desk drawing the eye. A man was seated at the desk and he looked up as the door opened. His lips pulled into a wide grin as he rose to his feet. Jack felt his heart stutter as they stepped into the office.

"Ianto!" cried Toshiko.

Ianto moved around his desk and went straight to them. His blue eyes moved over each of their faces carefully, studying them. Jack felt stunned as he stared at the now 44 year old man he had last seen at the age of 24 only three hours ago. He had broadened with age and muscle, and his black hair was longer, pushed back off his face, flecked with grey. His face had lost that angular sharpness of youth and bad eating habits, and there was open joy there as he settled his gaze on Jack.

"It really is you. You're back." he murmured, sounding reverent.

"We didn't realise we were gone." said Jack in a soft voice, stunned by the way Ianto seemed to have become more attractive with age.

Ianto seemed taken aback by his words. Then he laughed and threw his arms around Jack, embracing him tight. Jack held him tight, inhaling the familiar scent of Ianto's skin mingled with the unfamiliar scent of different washing powder on his shirt. Ianto pulled away, touched Jack's face with his hands, then moved to Toshiko, embracing her just as tightly.

"Watashi wa anata no bakku motte irunode shiawasedesu." he murmured to her. Toshiko let out a little whimper and clung to him as the reality of their situation hit her. Ianto passed his hand over her hair and rubbed her back. "It's ok Tosh, you're safe here." he promised.

Toshiko nodded into his shoulder and then pulled back. Ianto moved to Gwen and took her hands in his, holding them to his chest.

"Mae'n dda gweld chi, gariad."

Gwen's face crumpled into tears as she shook her head, "Rhys…"

"I know. We'll let him know you're back. I promise."

Gwen dissolved into sobs, "This can't be happening."

"I'm so sorry Gwen. I tried to find you. But you were gone." said Ianto gently. His voice had deepened but his accent was unchanged. "We'll do whatever you need to adjust."

"We have to go back!" Gwen protested.

Ianto shook his head, releasing Gwen's hands and gesturing to some couches. "Come and sit down. I'll explain what happened as best I can." His eyes locked with Jack's and Jack nodded, taking Gwen's shoulder and leading her over to the couch with an arm around Toshiko who was wiping away a few stray tears. He vaguely noticed Ianto embracing Owen in a one armed hug before Owen joined them. Ianto dismissed Dotty and Torin with a nod and then moved to sit before them. He looked so commanding and calming, in his purple shirt with rolled up sleeves and a black waistcoat with silk back.

"Ok, I'll explain what happened from my viewpoint and then we'll discuss where to go from there." he said. "Food'll be up soon by the way. And tea."

"No coffee?" asked Jack easily, keeping his arm around Gwen who was shaking her head in constant denial.

"I think you've had enough excitement, don't you think?" said Ianto wryly. It was like nothing had changed. And yet, when he smiled there were lines Jack had never seen around his eyes, the grey in his hair was visible in the sunlight filling the room that was changing to pink as the sun started to set. Jack swallowed and nodded.

"Fair point."

"Ok. The day you disappeared we had all played basketball, Jack kept cheating. Archie called us to say he and Michaela were coming down to do some paperwork. I went out to organise the hotel and when I came back, you were all gone."

"It must have been half an hour after you left that the Rift took us, we barely got any warning." said Owen heavily.

"I tried to find you, tried to bring you back, but nothing I or anyone else tried worked." Ianto kept his voice steady, but Jack could see the pain and guilt on his face. Ianto had probably tried for years to find them, and had faced failure each and every time. Many of the lines on his face had probably been earned during his attempts to bring them back. "I did try." Ianto reiterated quietly, looking at the floor.

Toshiko's hand shot out and covered Ianto's at once. "We know you would have tried everything."

Ianto covered her hand with his other one. The gratitude on his face made Jack want to kiss him.

"So what happens now?" asked Owen quietly, looking at his hands. Ianto drew himself up and said,

"You'll need new identities. We can help you find new places to live, and we can help you catch up with everything that's happened in the world now."

"You mean like, new names?" asked Owen, sounding insulted. Ianto spread his hands, shrugging.

"Standard procedure, you know that."

"What about my medical license."

"I'm afraid until you're caught up with all the modern tech Owen, you can't have it renewed."

"This can't be happening." muttered Owen, getting up and looking out the window, his arms folded across his chest.

"I know it's hard," said Ianto in a placating tone.

"No you don't!" barked Owen, whirling around. "You cannot just sit there and say you get it, and all the while you're twenty years older than you were a few hours ago!"

Ianto stared at him hard for a long moment, and then rose to his feet. "You're right. I don't know, but I have dealt with enough displaced people-"

"We are not displaced!" snapped Gwen, getting to her feet.

"Yes, you are." said Ianto, maintaining a calm voice.

"No! We just have to go back, and then everything will be fine." she said looking to Owen for back up, which he gave with a nod.

"All you have to do is give Toshiko some time with the Rift Manipulator and-"

"No."

They stared at Ianto in shock. Jack didn't think he had heard him give such a firm no in all the time he had known him. Not even when he had been defiant about Lisa. Those nos had been uttered in desperation. This was just firm and unmovable certainty.

"What do you mean no?" demanded Gwen.

"You disappearance is established in the time line. Have you any idea how much would be changed if you went back?"

"Bollocks to it!" snapped Gwen.

Ianto closed his eyes and sighed, "You're not thinking straight. You're in shock."

"Don't you bloody dare Ianto! Don't you dare!" she snapped, "You may have grown up, but I-"

The lift door opened with a loud ping and a woman walked in with a wheel-tray. Jack recognised her at once as well. She was the same age as Ianto, dressed as well as him, but not in a suit, with auburn hair.

"Food's here." she said, shattering the tension. Ianto turned to her with an easy smile. "I've brought chicken soup, or thai chicken broth. Figured you'd be better off with something healthy after a trip through the Rift."

"Thanks." said Ianto quietly. She nodded, smiling. Then she looked at Jack, who rose to his feet.

"Michaela?"

"Heya Jack, welcome back." she said with a little wry grin. Jack smiled in relief at seeing another familiar face.

"Who're you?" asked Owen rudely.

"Michaela Murphy. She was second in command at Torchwood Two."

"And now she's second in command here." said Ianto, standing next to Michaela, his hands behind his back.

"You transferred?" asked Jack, glancing between them.

"Actually we merged the Torchwoods. After Archie passed away it… it made sense." Michaela's voice trembled slightly as she mentioned Archie. Jack felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

"Archie's gone?"

"Fifteen years ago." said Ianto gently. "Heart attack."

"Bloody Scottish diet." muttered Michaela, turning to the tray and picking up a bowl. There were two large pots covered with lids near the smaller bowls. "So, anyone hungry?" Jack nodded. "Thai or Chicken?"

"Go for Chicken." said Jack, not trusting his stomach at that moment.

Gwen refused any food, Toshiko accepted some Thai, and Owen took a bowl of chicken soup, then set it down as if it offended him. Ianto accepted a bowl of Thai which he ate with a small smile. Once the first spoonful hit Jack's tongue he realised he was absolutely starving and devoured the soup.

"What else do we need to know?" he asked as he was given seconds.

"There's a few things, but nothing that can't wait until you're more settled." said Michaela, "It's been a long day."

"We'll take you to the House." said Ianto decisively, "You can rest and then we'll go through things properly tomorrow."

"So that's it?" asked Gwen, quieter now. "We're not even going to try to get home?"

"There's no way to send you back. We know you don't come back until today because that's what happened, and we will not mess with the timelines." said Ianto, his arms folded across his stomach. Jack doubted any deity could move him to change his mind.

"Not if we want to avoid a house call from the wrong kind of doctor." sighed Michaela as she finished her own bowl of soup. Jack's eyebrow twitched at the turn of phrase but he said nothing. That was something that could be discussed later.

"Gwen, I know you don't want to hear this, but you are home. This is still Cardiff, it's just twenty years ahead of what you knew." said Ianto gently.

"What about Rhys?"

"Well, he's still alive and he still lives in Cardiff."

"Is he ok? Is he… I mean, did he…?" Gwen couldn't finish the sentence.

Michaela stepped forward and rested her hand on Gwen's back, rubbing in circles, "Shhh… We promise, we'll tell you everything you want to know. Tomorrow. Tonight you need to try and accept what has happened. Then we'll tackle the rest. Ok?"

Something about her tone seemed to do the trick, because Gwen sagged and nodded, dropping her chin and letting her hair fall over her face. Michaela kept up the circles on her back as she said gently, almost motherly in her tone,

"Come on. Let's take you to the House and you can rest there."

Ianto retrieved his jacket, shrugging it on. Jack suppressed a yawn as he began to feel tired, his feet moving on autopilot back to the lift. They went back down to the ground floor and were led to a car park. Ianto pulled out a pair of keys and pressed a button. Headlights flashed on and they moved towards them. The car was almost more like a military truck, designed to take large groups of people to destinations. But it was plush, with windows, leather seats, and small screens for DVDs while still able to accommodate about eighteen people.

Ianto and Michaela climbed into the front and Jack sat behind Ianto, able to see his eyes in the rear-view mirror. He felt relaxed, more at ease now and drowsily realised the soups had probably been drugged with sedatives. But even as he noticed Owen nod off next to him, he found himself trusting Ianto's intentions. He blinked at the mirror and Ianto met his gaze there. They held it for a long moment before Jack closed his eyes and slipped away to sleep.

As always, reviews are appreciated and taken into consideration.

Night's Darkness