Just a little something and the real Ianto isn't far from arriving back now. I am a couple of chapters ahead so need to get some more done after I've done the Torchwood High Christmas episode. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 9 – UNIT we have a problem

Jack and Johnson made short work of catching the weevil. Jack stood back as Johnson did her stuff. She really was impressive and Jack knew that she would take care of his daughter and granddaughter if anything happened to him. The weevil was loaded into the back of the SUV.

'How's my lovely granddaughter doing? I bet she is changing every day. Keeping you awake much?'

'Alice says I could sleep through an earthquake if I want to but I do some of the hard work. I love bathing her but not over keen on the nappies. I think she's beginning to teethe.'

Jack thought it was typical Torchwood, sitting in the SUV with a weevil in the back discussing such domestic issues.

'Am I OK to pop round on Sunday afternoon just for an hour. I've got something for her.'

'Again Jack, we're going to need a bigger house to fit in all her toys soon and we've only just had Christmas stuff. We'll be in.'

They arrived back at the Hub and put the weevil into a cell. Squee, as usual, did the paperwork while sitting in the tourist office. Later he would go down and sort out providing food for the newest inmate.

To begin with Ellie and Aidan didn't do much with the artefact and nothing really happened. The tests were pretty basic. Aidan was bored with being careful.

'Leave it until tomorrow Aidan it's not going anywhere and I'm out tonight.'

'So am I with Jase and Ianto for a few drinks. In fact I need a night in sometime to get some rest. I'll speak to Gwen about going.'

Aidan went up to Gwen's office.

'We've done some more tests but nothing so far. Is it OK if we both get off as there's nothing expected tonight and it's better to start the difficult stuff in the morning just in case.'

'OK no problem but make sure you're fully focused on the job Aidan. I may be a nice boss but I still expect the work to be done.'

On his way out through the tourist office Aidan reminded Ianto that they were meeting at the rugby club at seven.

'Yes I'll be there on time. Jack is going to drop me off but he has warned me to stay away from six foot blondes!'

'We'll keep you safe Ianto.'

Later Jack pulled up in the car park.

'Keep it simple Squee and no experimenting with alcohol or strange men.'

He leaned over and kissed Squee just in case anyone was about.

'I'll be fine Jack. It's just a few drinks.'

He got out of the car and pushed through the doors. Aidan and Jase were already there plus a couple of others but thankfully no six foot blondes.

'Another round?' he shouted across and went to the bar.

The evening was spent watching and commenting on the rugby game playing on the screen and drinking.

'So Ianto are you going to tell us what you got up to?' Jase asked. By this time it was only Aidan and Jase there.

'By that I think he means where did you go not what did you do. I'm sure we've both some idea of that!'

'We went to lots of places. There was one world with two suns and the skies were orange not blue and the sea was red. There were loads of strange animals. The last planet we visited was called Asturia. They serve this mead there which is to die for. That was our last night before I came back.'

Squee tried looking wistful and thoughtful about it.

'It's OK you don't need to say any more. At least you and Jack seem to be back on track.'

'Yes we're good and we're taking things slowly. Talking of Jack I must get off now. I told him ten thirty and I don't want to keep him waiting; he get's bored so easily.'

Jack was indeed waiting in the car drumming his fingers on the dashboard.

'Sorry have you been waiting long?'

'No but get in I've been watching the new Star Trek film and want to see the end. I love those things.'

The next day Ellie and Aidan continued to investigate the new artefact. It was silver and star shaped. It looked as if it should have some opening mechanism but so far they hadn't been able to work it out. They had set up a series of jars containing various chemical mixes to see if they could work out at least what the metal was. It was something as simple as sugar solution that caused a reaction. The artefact began to glow bright orange.

'This glass can withstand explosions can't it?' Aidan asked.

'Yes, but I don't think its going to explode; it just seems to be flashing. The flashing doesn't seem to be random though. It's almost like Morse code. Jesus, you don't think it's sending a message out somewhere do you? This could mean serious trouble. You start doing some surveys using the satellite system and I'll let Gwen know we may have a potential problem.'

'I've got the pictures locked onto my PDA. I'll go upstairs and use the computer mainframe to do some long range scans.

Ellie moved as quickly as she could to Gwen's office. Gwen looked up when she arrived.

'I think we may have a problem,' Ellie started.

'I assume the artefact has reacted in some way.'

'Yes we were trying out various solutions and when we put it in sugar solution and it turned orange and started flashing. The flashing isn't random and we're worried that it might be communicating to something. Aidan's running scans at the moment.'

'OK keep an eye on it.' Gwen turned on her comm. 'Aidan have you found anything yet?'

'Nothing on the short range scans but I'm spreading out further. It still appears to be flashing but it is slowing down. Hang on I've picked up something moving fast in this direction. It's just passing through the asteroid belt at some speed but it isn't very big. Looking at the trajectory it's on it's aiming for here and should land in the Channel. Should I try to open a communication channel?'

'Yes see what you can do and I'll contact UNIT.'

Gwen picked up the phone. 'Gwen Cooper, Torchwood here put me through to Colonel Alengo. Colonel we have picked up an approaching craft. It's not big but it is heading for the Bristol Channel. We have an artefact that was washed up here and it's now begun to flash. We're not sure if the two things are connected. OK we'll get the boat ready and get out to watch it land. We've a pretty good idea where that will be. Yes we'll meet you there.'

Gwen got up and walked out to the ledge.

'Everyone boardroom now quickly we have a problem.'

All of them appeared, sat and waited. Gwen stood and addressed them. Jack, Johnson, Ellie and Aidan you're taking out the boat to pick up whatever it is that is coming. UNIT are scrambling their boat as well but we'll be quicker. Aidan do you have the projected co-ordinates and ETA?'

'Yes and I've loaded the data into my PDA. ETA is about 60 minutes.'

'OK everyone get going to the Harbour. Let's see what this is and if we should be worried about it.'