Chapter 6

Caitlyn pulled out her headphones as she unlocked the front door to her flat. She'd jogged all the way from Cardiff Bay to Splott, like she did most days now she worked for Torchwood. It helped keep her fit and ready for pursuing any alien that happened to cross her path. Jack had told her from the very start that she needed to be physically fit, and she didn't really have much time for the gym with her irregular shift patterns.

She walked through to her kitchen and turned the kettle on. The faint murmuring of the television indicated the presence of Caitlyn's flatmate, Tamwen Evans, who Caitlyn had met in medical school.

"Tam, do you want a drink? I'm putting the kettle on," she called out, opening the cupboard and taking out a flowery mug. There was no response, so Caitlyn went into the living room.

Tamwen was sat in a black leather armchair, rigidly upright. Caitlyn frowned; her flatmate was the scruffiest, slouchiest person she knew. And that even included her brother, Kai, who, as a teenager, had a bedroom that was deemed out of bounds due to endless clutter.

"Tam?" Caitlyn asked, tapping the woman on the shoulder.

"They are coming," Tamwen replied monotonously.

Caitlyn gasped, and shook Tamwen's shoulder. "Snap out of this, Tam. Nobody's coming."

"They are coming," Tamwen repeated.

Caitlyn crouched down in front of her flatmate and waved in front of her eyes. "They've got you, too. But I don't know who they are." Reaching in her pocket for her mobile, she speed-dialled Jack. "There's someone else been affected," she told him.

"Caitlyn, where are you?" Jack asked.

"I'm at home. It's my flatmate, Tamwen. She's saying the whole 'they are coming' trance thing. I don't know what to do."

"Is there anyone else who lives there?"

"Just us," Caitlyn replied. "Why? Jack, what are you going to do? What should I do?"

"Get her to the Hub," Jack decided. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Ianto's probably there; get your flatmate into a cell."

"Why?" Caitlyn asked. "She hasn't done anything wrong."

"It's the safest place for her," Jack sighed. "We can run tests on her when Gwen and I get there."

Caitlyn heard Gwen's voice protest something in the background, then the line cut off.

"Right then, Tamwen," Caitlyn said, although she doubted the woman understood her. "Don't struggle. I'm taking you to the Hub. They'll help you."

Xxx

Dante paced the length of his hallway for the twenty-seventh time, hands behind his head. Fed up with his father's constant slating of Torchwood, he'd left the room where his sister and mother were sat, entranced, on the sofa. He knew Torchwood could help them, but Tunde's resistance to let his son take charge meant that they were no better off than they had been when Tunde first found them in that state.

At least now Dante knew how to fire a gun. He reassured himself with that fact as Tunde walked into the hallway. If anyone tried to harm his family now, they would have to fight him first. And naturally, he'd shoot them before they came anywhere near.

"There's no improvement," Tunde said quietly, hands in pockets.

Dante nodded. "I didn't think there would be. Look, Dad, we need to do something. If you won't let Jack come here, at least let me take them to Jack."

Tunde frowned. "You're not seriously suggesting we take them to Harkness' place, are you?"

Dante shook his head. "Take them to the Hub." Seeing his father's confused expression, he continued. "It's where we work. There's loads of equipment there; we'll be able to find something to help them."

"And what will I do?"

"Come in, of course." Dante knew he was taking a massive gamble, but he didn't care. Jack's reaction when he found out Tunde had been in the Hub would be nothing compared to how Dante would feel if Daisha and Rosa were to die and he hadn't done anything to try and help them.

Tunde scratched at his ear. "I guess so. But you know how I feel about Harkness."

"You hate him. You think he's an arrogant Yank who's too full of himself and needs bringing down to Earth with a bump," Dante reeled off. "I know, Dad. But think of Mum and Daisha. Please, it's worth a try. If Torchwood can't do anything for them, nobody can."

"And you're Torchwood." Tunde sighed. "Alright, son. I trust you, even if I don't trust Harkness. I guess we'd better get them into the car."

Dante smiled. It had taken the best part of a month to try and convince Tunde of the benefits of Torchwood, and it seemed the policeman had finally been persuaded. He just wished it had been in better circumstances.

Tunde headed into the living room as Dante walked towards the front door. The car keys sat on the table in the hallway, and he picked them up. Opening first the front door then the car, he made his way back to help his father carry Daisha and Rosa into the black Honda.

Once both women were settled in the back, Dante climbed into the passenger seat. Tunde stood outside.

"Aren't you coming, Dad?" Dante asked.

Tunde nodded. "But you're driving. You know where you're going, and somehow I don't think Torchwood would show up on the sat nav."

Dante chuckled as he climbed over. "Alright, just no comments on my driving ability. You're forgetting I haven't taken the police advanced driving course like you."

"As if I'd ever do that," Tunde grinned.

Dante smiled to himself as he reversed out of the drive. Whatever the problem with Rosa and Daisha, at least his relationship with Tunde was back to how it had been before Torchwood. This was, Dante decided, the one good thing to come out of a rather bad day. He was suddenly filled with a new sense of determination. Somehow, he was going to save Rosa and Daisha. And somehow, he was going to prove himself worthy of being a Torchwood operative.