Ianto was amazed by the spaceship. It wasn't the size, after all it was small enough to be hidden in a barn, it wasn't the colour because silvery blue was not that unusual in earth cars. It was the shape. It was round, with what looked like an observation turret in the middle. If he hadn't known better he would have thought he had wandered onto the set of the Jetsons.

Jack looked at him amused. "Cliché isn't it?" he remarked. Ianto shook his head "are you sure this isn't from the set of a sci fi movie?"

Jack grinned wider. "They had to get the idea from somewhere you know. This is your standard galaxy class runaround. Found on planets from across six solar systems, out my way. Built by Ford of course."

"Now you are having me on."

"Nope. Not the same company though. Ford means transport in the standard language of communications on spaceships, not sure what came first, the word or the company. Anyway, work to do!"

Jack had quickly found the fault in the fuel converter, and had moved on to general maintenance. Jed like many humans with cars knew how to drive his spaceship but had no idea how to fix it. He had only had it a few months when the rift deposited him on earth, breaking it in the process.

He showed Ianto how to fire up the computers, then left him to it. This is what had really taken the time. In themselves the computers were intuitive to use, but Ianto had to get his head round the basics of the communications language.

Jed and his wife had declined to come with them. Jed liked it on earth, even if he left he couldn't get back to his own time, and he had a life here, with his wife and his cows.

Ianto found himself shaking as they prepared for takeoff. Jack with his usual chutzpah had insisted Ianto operate the controls. For some reason this involved him standing very close behind Ianto, hands on his hips, chin on shoulder, and it was dammed distracting.

"Sir!" he warned

Jack wormed his arms round Ianto's waist and nuzzled his neck.

"Jack!" He felt Jack smile into his skin.

"I need to know you can operate this ship under any circumstances Ianto"

"Being seduced whilst attempting takeoff is common on spaceships is it?"

"Well it is on mine."

Ianto use a well-placed elbow to shove Jack back, laughing at the "oof" sound that escaped Jack's lips. He reached forward and pressed the final take off command. He couldn't help smiling, in English it read just like a notification in windows.

Warning – pressing this command will cause your spacecraft to fly.

Press continue to carry on or cancel to abort.

The runaround hovered gently above the ground. Ianto had already programmed in the first elements of the journey, he felt the hum of the engine under his feet, and watched the walls of the barn drift by as the craft moved towards the open doors.

The flight up through the atmosphere was just as exciting. They were seated for this, looking up through the observation turret. Jack had an eye on the controls, but Ianto could see the night sky above. It was only slightly cloudy today, and they rapidly ascended through them, till only the stars and satellites twinkled above. Ianto was curious that there still seemed to be areas of cloud and asked Jack, who glanced upwards from his console.

"Galaxies"

"Pardon?"

"They're other galaxies. From this distance they look like clouds."

Ianto finally knew the true meaning of awe.

He was monitoring communications. Their takeoff had been noted by air traffic control, and there had been a lot of excited voices calling for them to identify themselves. Jack only replied to Torchwood using a language Ianto had heard when he was cursing. Gwen replied, and Ianto took the risk of putting her on screen. Jack had always been careful not to allow his language to be put on the database, so allowing Gwen to see them would be the only way to get the help they needed to leave without obstruction.

Her eyes widened when she saw who it was she was talking to. Then she nodded once, and cut the connection. A message was sent to them, telling them that they had overshot the moon transit station, and giving them coordinates for the correct path. Ianto heard her commanding welsh voice informing all the other agencies that they were space tourists who had overshot the moon, and had now been put right. There was some sniggering and sarcastic comments, but they were left alone.

"OK, now we let George take the strain, and you and I can relax," Jack raised his eyebrows, "How about some coffee?"

Ianto realised Jack was hoping he would ask who George was, but he didn't rise to it. On earth automatic pilots were often known as George and he did have a reputation as the man who knew everything to uphold. That reputation was in danger now he was going into uncharted territory, so he needed to cling to what was left. He stood up, and walked downstairs to the small galley area. The spaceship was a bit like a boat in that way, with the observation deck housing the main controls with a small galley, bathroom and sleeping area on the deck below. He had found an unused coffee maker on the farm and installed it along with supplies Jed's wife had kindly given them.


The best defintion I have heard for chutzpah - A small boy pees through a letter box then rings the bell to see how far it went.