Oh, God. It seems like it's been so long! I have the urge to write, but I can only think of half of the chapter, and my hands smell like potatoes. Mother of mine had me peeling them for din-din. I don't like the smell of potatoes, and with the way I type on the laptop, my hands are closer to my face than usual. So as a result, I'm not in a good mood, and I may just end up killing everyone this chapter and ending the story right now. Unfortunately, I have annoyingly (not really) devoted fans who want me to keep writing, so I will. See, this is the kind of mood I should be writing angst in. This isn't angsty, I think. I'm not really sure yet.

Disclaimer: Torchwood and the lord-and-master-Ianto belong to the Beeb and RTD.


Andy

I sat quietly in my chair, thinking over what happened. I decided I liked Ianto. He was clever from what I'd seen and resourceful; two traits I seem to lack form time to time. From the previous conversations, I had figured out the relationships of each of the Torchwood team relative to Ianto: he and Jack were sleeping together, Toshiko was a close friend, Gwen was a motherly/sisterly figure, and he and Owen were like brothers. They bickered and teased, but they cared about each other.

Said doctor was looking over the charts again and again, as if trying to catch any sort of mistake. Every so often, he would glance up at Ianto, sometimes checking his injuries, and go back to the charts.

A low groan alerted us to Ianto's waking. The young man rubbed his eyes with his hand, yawing.

"Hello," he said pleasantly, smiling at me.

"How was your nap, Ianto?" Owen asked in a motherly way, his voice over-sweet.

"Oh, it was wonderful, mum," Ianto replied, not missing a beat. He noticed Owen going over his info again. His face was serious. "Is there something wrong, Owen?"

"No, no. It's just that some of these injuries don't look like- well… they look like a weevil, but…"

"It just doesn't look like something a weevil would do?" Owen nodded. I sighed. Again with the weevils. If Torchwood's main mission was to go up against giant beetles, I reckoned they really needed to get their priorities straight. "I didn't mention it, but they were acting very human," Ianto muttered, and I could barely hear him, "at least enough to trying to keep anyone from hearing or finding me." His words were somber, and a chill was evident in his voice.

Owen shook his head, sighing, "I guess…"

"But you just think these other doctors are incompetent?" Ianto finished his sentence yet again.

Owen replied, smirking, "Spot on, tea-boy!" I still wondered exactly why he was the "tea-boy." The doctor continued, "I think they're all nincompoops. But that's just my opinion."

We sat in silence for a minute or two before Ianto spoke up. "Well, at least I don't have to take my shirt off for you now," he said, referring to Owen and the clipboard.

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" And once again, I was lost. I felt like the outcast kid at school.

"No, not really," Ianto quipped. He exhaled. "And for a second time, I feel like raw meat." For the second time?

Owen got his hint and rifled through his bag again. "You can relax, mate. No one's going to try and eat you here," he joked. Wait? Were they talking about the cannibals at the Beacons? They'd mentioned it before. Had Ianto almost been a victim? Owen, of course, was oblivious to my thoughts. "Well, I won't. Not so sure about the PC over there, though." Was he talking about me? Yes. Yes he was.

The doctor stuck the needle in the IV and injected the drug. While Ianto was asleep, Owen had bossed around the other doctors, claiming he was 'more qualified to do this,' and that 'when this particular patient needs something' he'd get it. He took control over Ianto's care, showing exactly how inept he thought they were.

"You're trying to turn me into a morphine addict, aren't you?" Ianto asked, mock-suspiciously.

"Do you really think I would do something like that?" Owen retorted. Ianto nodded. "I liked you better when you were asleep."

The day went on like that. Most of the time, I was appalled at the things they were saying to each other, but I'd understood that Owen was taking Ianto's mind off of things. Torchwood people seemed very good at that kind of thing.

By the time it was dark, Ianto had once again fallen asleep. I, myself, was dozing off in my chair. It wasn't the same one as before. Over the hours, I'd played musical chairs sans the music and was now on the opposite side of the room. Owen was outside 'standing guard,' as he'd referred to it. I couldn't really be sure what he was doing.

The full moon filtered through the blinds, casting the most unnerving shadows around the room. I was only barely aware of the menacing shades, for I could feel my eyelids drooping and I knew I was on the brink of shut down.

A low, almost unnoticeable creaking filled the room. Low light from outside the door illuminated the inside. There was a soft click of heels as a woman walked in. I recognized her as Dr. Albert. I stayed put, deciding to let the doctor through. I was too sleepy anyhow. She made her way to the side of Ianto's bed, her back to me.

That's when I noticed something was wrong. She'd taken the pillow from under Ianto and covered his face with it. My mind just couldn't seem to grasp what was going on until the Welshman's struggles became weaker. My head suddenly cleared, and I sprang to action. I took the handgun Owen had given me and fiercely slammed the butt of the gun to the back of her head. She crumpled weakly to the ground.

"Oh, God Ianto! Are you okay?" I ran to him, removing the pillow. The younger man coughed and gasped.

He held up his hand, sputtering, "Y-Yes…" He winced. "Where's… Owen?" He rasped. His breathing was ragged and irregular. He clutched his chest and I noticed his face was flushed to an unhealthy color.

It dawned on me that Ianto's doctor had just tried to kill him, and the only one we could trust for sure was Owen. "I'll get him!" I assured.

I dashed out the door, expecting to find Owen snoozing by it. I had no such luck. Did he really not care about Ianto's well being that he would just run off like that after the specific order from Harkness?

A whistling filled the empty halls and Owen walked into view. He had his hands were stuffed in his pockets, and I noted that he was taking his bloody time.

"OWEN!" I bellowed. He looked up at me, nonplussed. "Get your arse over here! It's Ianto!" His eyes widened and his whistling stopped. He jogged to meet me.

"What happened?"

"Where were you?" I demanded.

"I was taking a piss!" he snapped, annoyed that I hadn't answered.

I felt a bit guilty thinking badly of him, but there was no time to dwell. Ianto had been attacked… I smacked my forehead. Owen looked at me. I'd left Ianto alone with a psychopathic-bitch-doctor who could wake up at any moment!

"Ianto!" I shot back into the room. I flicked the switch to the light. Instead of finding a dead Ianto and a crazy lady laughing maniacally, I found a still unconscious doctor and gown-clad Ianto over her.

"What's going on here?" Owen ordered. "You shouldn't be out of bed!"

Ianto shook his head, not replying. He gasped with exertion as he squatted next to Dr. Albert. His face was contorted with pain.

"Ianto, please! Get back in the bed. You'll hurt yourself!" I pleaded with the injured man.

"Look," he managed, pointing to her neck. I couldn't see a thing. "Owen, this is the same thing I saw on the weevils; the 'blinking necklace.'"

"Jewelry or not," Owen told him sternly, "You need to get back in bed. Andy, help him."

"Alright, but restrain her! She's insane! She tried to smother Ianto." A look of pure concern passed over Owen's face.

"I'm fine," Ianto coughed. "Andy saved me once again."

I blushed. I grabbed his arm, pulling him up gently. He leaned on me and I lifted him onto the white sheets. He held onto my arm gratefully, flashing a small, frail smile at me. Behind me, Owen had successfully tied Dr. Albert to the chair using his belt.

"What happened?"

I answered, "She just came in here and covered his face with the pillow."

"I'll call Jack," Ianto offered. "Give me your phone. I want you to look at the device, but don't attempt to remove it, it might hurt her. Andy," he said, facing me.

"Yes?"

"You should go now," he informed me sternly. "I know you saved me, and were useful- I appreciate that, but I think it'll be too dangerous from now on." Was he trying to protect me, or just get me out of the way? "Once you get in too deep, you'll never get out," he warned.

"It's a good idea, mate," Owen agreed.

I wanted to protest, but I knew they were smart. If they predicted danger for me this far ahead… I was doubtful. I still wanted to help, but Torchwood can handle itself, right? My overwhelming curiosity wouldn't allow me to back down.

"Owen, actually, I'll call Jack. You go get us all a cup of coffee," there was something in his voice, like a hint, or a secret, underlying message.

Owen agreed briskly, "Yeah, I'll do that." He looked through is bag, grabbing a wallet or something, then he turned to me. "Don't touch her!" I held my hands up in a defensive position, nodding. The Cockney smirked, tossed his mobile to Ianto, and left us.

"It shouldn't take long…"

"You Torchwood people absolutely live on coffee, don't you?"

"It's essential for our very functioning. Coffee is good for any situation," Ianto said brightly. I knew hat he was trying to deter me from the mysterious attack with small talk. Sly bastard. Were all Torchwood employees trained to be good at diverting attention from the blatantly obvious?

"I have to call Jack now. Hold on, alright?" He dialed the number, and holding the phone to his ear, he waited.

"Jack? No, it's Ianto… You need to be up here qui- no, I'm fine… Yes… everyone… Owen went to get some coffee… Yes, for Andy too… Just hurry… Goodbye, sir."

"They're coming again?"

"Yes, but you should be home by then- Owen! Thank you." Ianto graciously accepted the cup, nursing it in his hands. I took mine doubtfully, but eventually took a sip.

A minute passed, and I began feeling drowsy. My first thought was that they'd drugged me, but that didn't make much sense. I was tired before the attack, so it must just be that coming back. That was sensible, right?

"You're not looking too awake? The coffee's not helping?" Owen asked me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"You should go get some rest, Andy," Ianto advised. I nodded weakly. I just hoped I'd be able to make it home. I staggered out the door, heading to the lift. Sleep sounded very nice right then.


Toshiko

"Gwen, Toshiko! We gotta leave, now! Something happened up at the hospital!" Jack's voice called from his office. I caught a glimpse of him hurrying to put on his coat.

"Why?" Apprehension filled my voice. "Are Ianto and Owen okay?"

The captain came out. "Apparently, but Ianto said quickly. Bring some equipment just in case."

Gwen rushed from upstairs. "Let's go then!" She and Jack were already halfway out the door before I got everything I thought I'd need.

"Wait for me!" I ambled after them, my heavy bag slowing me down.


When we arrived at the hospital for what seemed like the millionth time, we ignored every protest or question and headed straight for Ianto's room. The lift ride seemed to take forever. I kept fidgeting nervously, not really sure what we were walking into this time.

Jack took long strides over to our destination. He threw open the door to the room, rushing in immediately. Gwen and I followed at his heels.

"Wow Owen, I didn't know you were into that sort of thing," Jack howled with laughter.

"Ha, ha Jack. We have an emergency here, and all you can think of is bondage. Lovely!" Owen retorted.

I craned my neck around Jack to see what he meant. There was Dr. Albert, tied to a chair, unconscious, with Owen's belt.

"Emergency, huh?" Gwen piped up.

"Doctor Albert came in while I was sleeping and tried to suffocate me. Andy knocked her unconscious." We all took a step forward, worried. Ianto continued. "Look at her," he ordered. We did. I didn't see anything unusual at first, but I noticed a weak blue blinking from her neck. A closer look on my part showed a small gray collar-like thing.

"'Blinking necklace'…" I whispered.

"Exactly. You were right, Jack. Whoever controlled those weevils in the first place attached a device to Dr. Albert and sent her after me. I wanted to se if Toshiko could remove it. I don't want to hurt the doctor, and we may be able to use it to find the culprit. There must be a traceable signal," Ianto concluded. Jack beamed at the young man, proud of his intuition.

"I'll try," I said. "It shouldn't be too hard."

I went straight to work, observing and calculating. I fiddled with the collar, careful not to harm the woman. I pulled another tool out of my kit, and was finally able to pop the device open. I studied the wires closely. Soon after, the apparatus split from the front, hissing. It fell uselessly and clattered on the floor. I picked it up, holding it gingerly in my hands.

"This is indeed a control device," I mused. "See this needle?" I gestured to the piece at the back of the collar. "I noticed a red mark on the back of the doctor's neck. If I'm correct, then it's not just mind control, but full body control and it is happening via the brain stem. There must be something inside, I'll have to look later, but this is a highly advanced piece of alien tech. It's amazing, even compared to many of the things we've already collected," I said, wrapping up uninterrupted.

"It makes sense. What did you say before, Ianto?" Jack turned from me to the Welshman.

Ianto gestured to the collar with his good hand. "If they're being controlled from far away, then there must be a transmission. You'll be able to trace it, Tosh?"

"I think so," I answered a little unsurely. "Like I said, it's very advanced. It might take a few days."

"That's good," Jack sighed. The relieved expression left his face in an instant, instead changing to a stern one. "Now, I want to know exactly how she got in here! Owen, you were supposed to be with Ianto, and where's that PC?"

I cringed. They were in for a chewing out. Ianto had been in danger, and was nearly killed, and Jack wanted to blame somebody.

"It's not my fault!" Owen protested. "I was with him all day! My bladder needed a break!" he growled. "And Andy was here, but I retconned him."

"You brought retcon?" Jack asked incredulously.

"Yes. I figured we'd need if or him sooner or later. He's just going to forget all our Top Secret Torchwood talk."

"But you should've-"

"Jack," Ianto interrupted. "I'm not dead, so can we just get on with finding the alien that did this? I'm feeling quite useless bedridden."


?

I shrieked. The sound resounded off the warehouse walls. "He's still alive!"

I clutched my head in frustration. "Why won't he just die?" I sobbed. My new servants were standing like statues against the wall. They did nothing unless I told them to, and they had failed. I wanted them to kill Ianto Jones, yet somehow, he was still breathing.

"The doctor failed me too!" I screeched at the 'weevils,' not caring that they were basically comatose at this point. "Why, why, WHY?!" my cries echoed, just reminding me of this anguish.

My breathing slowed, and I tried to calm myself. "It's that damn team of his," I decided. "They keep preventing it. I was going to leave them alone, but they are becoming another thorn in my side." My voice was but a whisper.

"I may just have to go after him myself…" I knew full well this would be hard. He was a clever one. I'd seen what he was capable of doing. "This must be approached with the utmost caution," I muttered to myself. "I must prepare."


Argh! What is this crazy author doing? She keeps throwing in twists and loopholes!

Bwahahahaha! Yes, I am incredibly dastardly! Fear my plot twists!

Cough… Anyways. I wasn't going to add the last part, truth be told, but I thought of it whilst writing the chapter and I thought it sounded good. No, I did not kill off everyone like I said I would. Yes, I did retcon Andy. I strategically removed him from the story. I dunno. I guess he served his purpose? He still remembers most of it, though. Like Owen said, he forgot only stuff that he really shouldn't know. I am very pleased with this chapter, and I hope you are too. So please, review! Everyone review! Your reviews are the lifeblood of this fic! And I'm off to eat the potatoes I so lovingly peeled! Goodnight/day.