Thanks: kateg123 and GossipGirl17. Also, I'd like to wish GossipGirl17 a happy 17th birthday. Have a great one and I hope this chapter is a good birthday present! :)

Notice: I have been udating fairly recently lately, but with quite a few school projects fast approaching, I can't promise another update before Friday. I don't know if I'll be able to stay away that long so I wouldn't be too worried, but I just wanted to give you a head's up. MY SUGGESTION TO ALL READERS is to put this story on story-alert. Honestly if you like the story it'll make your life easier since my updating will be less regular than it has been while I was on break.

Chapter 4

As he had expected, Jack had found no sleep last night. Instead he had watched the ripples from the fish tanks play across the walls as question upon question filled his mind about the creature a couple floors beneath him. He refused to let his curiosity get the better of him though, Gwen was right and he needed to be alert and careful. Still, he allowed himself to secretly look forward to the time when he could ask his questions in a few hours.

Unable to stay still any longer in his miniature living space, he got up and got dressed. Only when he finished buttoning up his shirt and putting his suspenders in place did he remember that he had loaned his greatcoat to Alethea the night before. He started heading towards the basement to retrieve it before Gwen saw and had a fit, but was stopped when Ianto stepped through the cog door.

Jack glanced at his watch, "You're early." He changed his direction to walk over to the Welshman whose cheeks were slightly pink from the morning chill. He leaned against the wall as the man bustled about preparing for the day ahead.

"Well I figured I'd come in a bit early incase the creature was causing any problems," he explained with a shrug, filling the coffee maker with freshly ground coffee beans.

"Alethea," Jack corrected without thought.

"Hm?"

"Her name is Alethea," he explained. Ianto looked over his shoulder at him questioningly, "I asked last night after I put her in the cell."

"Ah, I see. Nice name, rather uncommon, but certainly an Earth name from what I know. Wouldn't you say, sir?" Jack, still leaning against the wall, frowned lightly. He hadn't even thought about that last night; of course, Ianto was full of that ability to make connections between seemingly separate facts.

"Yes, I'd agree. It's definitely a human name, not one you'd hear floating around other alien species, at least not many. And we've been over this, Jack will do," he pushed himself off of the wall and walked slowly up to the younger man.

"Of course, s-Jack," the Captain let off a heart-warming smile and patted the other man's shoulder. Ianto cleared his throat, "So I guess I'll get a small breakfast made up for Alethea. Would you like anything at the same time?"

Jack didn't fail to notice the fact that the Tea Boy's cheeks were still a cute shade of pink. "What do you do? Go down there and say 'Oh yeah, sorry about holding you hostage, but here's a bagel'?" he rolled his eyes at how ridiculous that sounded.

"Actually it will be a croissant, as well as a green apple, and coffee," he gave Jack a small smile.

"Order me up two my good man," he said heartily before sauntering off oh so casually towards the basement door. He was halfway there when the cog door opened again to admit Tosh, who looked like she was seriously lacking sleep but content. "Morning Tosh, have fun last night?" he stopped.

She yawned and then nodded. "Yeah, it was good. Nothing happened though!" she said quickly, causing Jack to laugh and look at her expectantly. She became flustered, fidgeting with her handbag. "Well unless you count Owen not ditching me as something."

"With Owen? I'd say you were practically married with that type of step," he nudged her jokingly, "So let's see the engagement ring," he reached for her hand, still laughing.

"Stop it Jack," she said, though she was smiling too. She shoved him away and he raised his hands in defeat. "You really think?"

"Don't give up Tosh, trust me," her Captain enveloped her in a bear hug just as the cog door opened once more. This time a rather grumpy and tired Owen stormed through.

"Morning Owen," Tosh said cheerfully to him. He merely grunted in return, yawning widely. Jack wondered how late the two had been out last night, or should he say this morning?

He noticed Tosh looking dejected after this encounter and whispered in her ear, "In monkey language that means 'Hello to you also. How are you?'" he patted her shoulder and nudged her off in the direction of her computers.

Owen stumbled over to Jack, looking as though he was trying to be inconspicuous and failing, "So did uh…the girl say anything about me last night?"

"Her name's Alethea, and what would she possibly have said?" Jack rolled up his shirt sleeves before crossing his arms.

"Oh, oh nothing," Owen shook his head and waved a hand as if bored by the conversation, "just maybe something about plans to attack, maim, or otherwise mock me. You know…something I could use to prepare against her?" Rolling his eyes, Jack started steering him towards his desk. "You don't know why she's here! She could be planning to destroy my reputation!" the Torchwood doctor yelled as Jack started walking away from where he had deposited Owen.

He passed by Ianto and snatched up the tray filled with food and two mugs of steaming coffee before the other man could blink and headed towards the basement. Finally, he'd get to ask some questions! Before Gwen arrived too; now he wouldn't have to have her worrying about his safety while he asked his many questions. Though it was rather difficult balancing everything and opening the doors, Jack finally made it down to the small hallway of cells.

Ignoring Janet all together, he quickly walked the last few steps until he was outside Alethea's cell. He was disappointed to see that his questions would still have to wait as she was still curled up, asleep, inside his greatcoat. He didn't think anyone evil could look so innocent, even in sleep. Her legs were curled up, only her hands holding the coat in place and her face, half hidden under the worn fabric, were visible. He set the tray down, grabbing his mug of coffee and a green apple and stood outside the glass wall for a few moments, debating on whether or not to wake her.

Finally he decided that his questions had waited long enough and that she could sleep later and knocked on the glass. It took a couple of hard raps on the glass to get her to stir, but finally Alethea's eyes blinked open and focused on him. She smiled at him and he couldn't help but smile back through the glass at her, but before he could say anything the alarms went off. Cursing, he gave her an apologetic shrug and dashed off for the exit.

When he got back upstairs everyone was already in the process of getting ready to head out. As Gwen passed him he took hold of her arm and pulled her aside. "Hey, are you feeling better?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I just needed a night to calm down and relax. Thanks," she then proceeded to wrap her arms around his neck for a quick hug and even managed to sneak a quick peck on the cheek in while everyone else was distracted.

Jack smiled down at her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before stepping away and asking, "So what do we have?" his voice completely authoritative despite a moment before. "Not another alien like Alethea I'm hoping?"

"Nope, definitely weevil signatures, but it's weird since they aren't usually active during the day. Nonetheless, there are signals of four weevils in the area of the Cardiff University," Tosh read the facts off the computer screen.

"Four weevils? At the university? Oh what a way to start the day," Jack sighed and rushed up to his office to grab another coat since hadn't had time to get his greatcoat back. "I want everyone in the SUV in one minute; everyone's going to have to come if there are four in a crowded area." He dashed back down the stairs, pulling his arm through the jacket sleeve as he went. By the time he slipped into the driver's seat of the shiny back vehicle, everyone else was already squished inside and complaining loudly about the lack of space.

"Why don't we have a bigger car? Or another one?" Owen whined.

"Ow, that was my hand!" Gwen jerked away from Owen, who was sitting between the two women of Torchwood.

"Owen don't knock that, you might disconnect the computer…" Tosh muttered while powering up the computers.

"I mean, if we have nearly unlimited funds why can't we get another car? Then we'd--"

"—can't believe I'm stuck next to such a--"

"Quiet please, I'm trying to--"

"I guess this is why all five of us never go out on a mission together, eh Jack?" Ianto said and the two shared a look across the front seats before Jack put the SUV into gear and started driving.

"I mean, why not just bring Janet and Alethea along too? Make it into a game--"

"Who's Alethea?"

"Why are the computers never working when we need them? If only I could reach…Owen can you--?"

"—and see how many people you can fit into an SUV before murder is committed and—no Tosh, I can't – see how long I can go before Alethea--"

"Seriously, who's Alethea? Ow Owen, that was my foot!"

"I can't get the co-ordinates if you don't get that cable and--"

"—know she's planning something," Owen finally looked at Tosh. "What bloody cable do you need? Can't you see I'm planning how to keep my reputation alive from Alethea's plans?"

"Who the fuck is Alethea?" Gwen was getting seriously pissed now, but was unable to move in the slightest.

"The red one," Tosh said simply.

"There are like…twenty fucking red cables, Tosh," Owen muttered before leaning over. He proceeded to pick them up, one after the other so Tosh could see until he found the right one and plugged it in.

"Can someone please tell me who Alethea is?" Gwen seethed, about ready to strangle Owen since he was the only thing she had a chance of reaching with such limited space. When he started whining about his reputation's health again she started trying to pull her hands free to do so.

"Alethea is the girl we picked up yesterday; I thought someone would've told you already. Now get on the phone with the police and tell them to stay away from Cardiff University even if there are calls. We'll handle it," Jack said.

"And how do you expect me to do that, Jack? I can't move," she glared at his eyes in the rearview mirror, extra pissed now that she knew she was the only one who hadn't been told about the thing's name.

"Oh you're flexible enough. And a little bit more practice in flexibility can always come in handy," Jack winked at her in the mirror. Cheeks turning red, she began to fumble for her phone and tried to free her arms. "Now, Tosh get me directions to the university. I haven't been by there in a while. Owen, shut up and stop whining. You're sitting between two very beautiful women; I don't see how you aren't enjoying yourself. And Ianto," he glanced briefly at the man sitting beside him, "please never turn into them. Stay exactly as you are."

Ianto smiled and Jack smiled back before returning his focus to the road, following Tosh's directions to the university. After an uncomfortable twelve minutes, when everyone was beginning to think murder would be worth Jack's wrath, Tosh called out, "Nearly there. It should be just up ahead, off North Road."

The SUV was driven into one of the visitor's parking lots and everyone fell out of the car gratefully. Owen lay face down on the grass, attempting to hug said grass and began muttering, "Oh ground, never shall I forsake you again."

Jack took hold of his collar and pulled Owen from the ground, setting him back on his feet before scanning the area. "Well I don't see any blood or people running, nor do I hear screaming. Are you sure this is where they are, Tosh?"

"It's still early, and a Sunday. No one is up at this time. But the weevils' signals are coming from the courtyard just a little way to the east," she said, now wielding a complex version of a GPS.

"Alright, lead the way and everyone stay alert!" he warned before taking out his gun. The others did likewise and headed in the direction the machine was displaying. When they reached the courtyard they saw that it was relatively out of the way, against the back of two large buildings.

Their eyes focused on the weevil devouring a human body on the fountain, which was spraying water tinted red from the blood of the body that had seeped in. Gwen turned and retched and Jack put a hand on her back to steady her, disgusted by the scene. Without thought he pointed the gun and shot the weevil in the back of the head. It let out a screech before collapsing into the fountain with the body.

When Gwen was finished he rubbed circles on her back and helped her stand up again. "Owen, go and get the SUV and drive it over here. Ianto call a taxi; we aren't going to be able to fit the weevil bodies and all of us inside the SUV." Both males nodded and Ianto pulled out a cell phone while Owen dashed back to the parking lot, gun drawn and raised. "Tosh, where are the other three?"

"Not far off. They're all together and moving up through that alleyway between the two buildings, possibly looking for a door to get inside," she suggested before showing Jack and Gwen the screen.

"Alright, let's go," Jack led the two girls into the alleyway, gun pointing directly ahead as he watched for movement. A shadow streaked by above him and he pointed his gun upwards, but there was nothing there but a clear blue sky. He checked both directions of the alleyway but there was nothing besides him, Tosh and Gwen.

He figured it had been a startled bird and continued on, "Wait hold on," Tosh paused and the other two turned to look at her. "They stopped moving. They should be just up ahead and around a corner." They continued down the alleyway, Jack and Gwen's guns facing forward and Tosh watching their back. "Just up here," she whispered.

Jack held up his hand to stop the others and slipped quickly around the corner, pointing the gun around. He certainly wasn't expecting what he found. There, in a pile, where the other three weevils. Eyes glazed over and dark blood welling up on the grass, they were most definitely dead, though the small daggers protruding from all three chests could've given the same indication. He dropped his hand, signaling that the others could come forward, as he walked up to the three and nudged one with his foot just to be safe; there was no response. "You're sure there are no other aliens around here?"

"Positive…wait…no, never mind. I thought I saw something on the screen but it must have been the sun reflecting on the screen. There's nothing else around." Jack trusted Tosh's word, but checked for himself anyways. She was right, nothing out of the ordinary nearby, or in the surrounding area.

He sighed and knelt down, pulling one of the three daggers out of the weevil's chest. He wiped off the blood on the grass and then looked it over. It shone as if it was made of silver and the blood hadn't tainted it at all. There was also letters engraved into the blade, and a small, light blue jewel in the hilt. From its appearance to Jack it looked like aquamarine.

He pulled out the other two, both of which had pierced the weevils' hearts precisely. Both were also identical to the first in every way, from the jewel to the engravings, to the size; they couldn't have been longer than ten inches and felt as light as a feather. Finally he stood up, "We're going to have to get these guys back to the courtyard fast. If you can't drag one on your own then drag one together and I'll come back for the third," he said before stuffing the daggers in his coat pocket and grabbing hold of the first weevil's arms.

Jack grunted as he pulled the weevil through the grass towards the courtyard. Weevils were heavy enough as it was, but dragging dead weight through unsmooth ground was even more of a pain in the ass. He watched Gwen and Tosh work together to drag another of the weevils out of the alleyway behind him, and after a few pained minutes the two bodies were deposited next to the vehicle. Owen and Ianto had done a great job of cleaning up already, the human and weevil body gone and the cobblestone and fountain cleaned of blood.

As the others began to work on getting the two new bodies into the SUV, Jack turned back to get the final body. As he scanned the courtyard he spotted a student sitting on the edge of the roof of one of the buildings, as he often did himself on the top of a building near Torchwood's Hub. He began turning away, but familiar ice eyes flashed in his mind. He looked back up, this time shielding his eyes from the sun to see better.

There was Alethea, legs swinging slightly, Jack's own greatcoat around her shoulders with the ends fluttering in the wind. He couldn't make out her face well, but like at the bar, her eyes held his from across the distance of the courtyard. "Guys," he turned back to the group, "Look! It's Alethea on top of the building! Who let her out?"

The others all looked up at where he was pointing and then looked back down at him, "Jack, there's no one there."

"Don't be stupid, she's right…" he turned back towards the building, "…there." But she wasn't. There was no one on the roof at all, let alone a creature with ice eyes wearing his own greatcoat.

"Why don't you stay here, Jack? I'll get the last body," Ianto offered. "The taxi will be here soon anyways."

"Guys I'm fine! I swear she was right there!" he pointed at the roof again, speaking in a deadly calm voice. Ianto headed off in the direction of the alley and Owen finished packing away the dead bodies. Gwen came over to check his temperature by placing her hand on his forehead, but he was not in the mood.

"Look Jack, this didn't pick up any alien traces. It was probably just a trick of the light, and the stress. Did you sleep last night?" Tosh asked in concern after showing him the GPS screen to confirm her facts.

"No Tosh, I didn't, but it's not like that's out of the ordinary. And I don't feel very much like being babied right now, thank you," he rubbed the heels of his palms into his eyes, leaving red dots dancing in his eyesight afterwards. The others got the final body in the SUV, which would need serious cleaning after this trip, and cleaned up the blood that had streaked the grass and cobblestones. Meanwhile Jack continued to watch the roof where he had seen Alethea sitting calmly. When they got back to the Hub and she was gone, that'd show the team.

And if she was there, well…she had a lot of questions to start answering.

Right, so you still need to wait for answers, though I promise they are coming next chapter so stay tuned! A little side note, I don't know if Torchwood actually has fish tanks, I just remember there being ripples on the walls at night so I took a guess. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Please review, only takes a second and it also makes me update faster :)