Upon re-entering the console room the Doctor immediately went about pressing buttons and throwing levers. Jack stood higher up watching the Doctor and Castle and Beckett as they took up their position on the stairs again. Once he had set the TARDIS in motion, the time rotor at the centre began to rise and fall; as if she were breathing; Castle thought. Why had the TARDIS lead them there? His thoughts were interrupted by a shout from Jack.
'You've changed the desktop in here.' he said
'Oh, yes for a while now.' The Doctor told him. It was another curious statement that Castle couldn't help but wonder on. What was the TARDIS? As a mystery writer he was more inquisitive than most and the TARDIS and the Doctor were the biggest mystery he had ever encountered. It fascinated him and the alien aspect only added to his excitement. Beckett was excited as well, though she didn't show it as much he could see it in her eyes sometimes but she was wary too. Her cop instincts more than anything, that and the fact that they didn't exist here. Castle tried not to think about it too much, all the things he had done in his life and things that hadn't happened yet and people here would know all about him about his family. Part of him wanted to know, to know whether he would ever tell Beckett he loved her when she wasn't dying on the ground or what Alexis would decide to do or even what he was going to call his next book – but then what if he died or Beckett died or something happened to Alexis or his Mother. Did he really want to know. Caste shuddered at the thought of losing the people he loved most. Gladly though his thoughts were interrupted once more, this time by Beckett.
'Doctor where are we going?' Beckett asked.
'The Torchwood Hub.' he said without further explanation. 'Quiet now, short hops are tricky.' Beckett turned to Castle who just shrugged, neither any the wiser, though they had a feeling Jack might. Though the Doctor had introduced him he hadn't given any details, as usual, it seemed to Beckett as though he was always holding back, only telling them things when they became relevant. She trusted him but it frustrated her that it wasn't mutual. She glanced at Castle, she was sure he felt the same, she trusted him with her life, he always needed the details and they both were diligent to getting it right. From the moment they met he hadn't stop searching for the truth. As the TARDIS began to shake once more Castle Beckett and Jack held on tight managing this time to all remain on their feet. The ride was even bumpier than the last time but the Doctor took it all in his stride leaping around the console with ease. 'Tight space, got to get this just right or we could end up in the wall.' the Doctor said not raising any confidence in his companions. Sensing the concern he turned to look at them. 'Don't worry I've been doing this for 900 years and its never happened yet.' he reassured.
'900?' Castle and Beckett retorted bemused.
'Oh I can beat that!' Jack shouted down. 'Actually I've lost count. But still, looking good!' he said with a wink. They decided it was better not to ask as the TARDIS set down once more.
'Actually it would be quite interesting to see what happened if we did materialize in the wall.' The Doctor added casually as though he was actually considering. Beckett gave him a look. 'Yeah some things are better off not knowing.' Castle nodded agreeing with the sentiment of his partners look. 'Right then, Jack you had better go first, explain what is going on.'
'Will do!' Jack said walking with a confident stride down the steps and out through the TARDIS doors. As soon as he has left Castle asked.
'Who is he? Jack?' he clarified.
'An old friend.' The Doctor said vaguely. 'He runs Torchwood based here in Cardiff, there's a rift here you see and aliens come through sometimes. Mostly Weevils, but if something big has been happening they will know more about it. The ship that we were on will have been big enough to track, we can see what it's been doing.' Conveniently Jack chose this moment to re-enter.
'We've been tracking it for a while now.' he said 'Come and have a look.' Not waiting he left once more to join his team expecting them to follow. The Doctor turned to Castle and Beckett.
'Right then, off we go!' he said with a grin. 'You can come this time, Torchwood is self contained under the bay. You can meet Gary!'
'Gary?' Castle asked.
'My pterodactyl.' The Doctor said enthusiastically which again received a concerned look from the pair. 'Oh don't worry he wouldn't hurt a fly.' He finished before heading for the door. They looked at one another cautious, but excited as they followed him out into the unknown, preparing themselves for dinosaurs and cyborgs and whatever else could be out of those doors. Simultaneously they stepped out of the threshold, ready for anything as long as they were together.
Author's Note: It wasn't my intention for Torchwood to play such a big part in this story but the Doctor just said they were going there and who am I to argue with him! :)
Thank you for reading! :) And one day I'll get the whole regular updating thing I promise! It turns out I'm still busy at the moment, but once my courses finish in a few weeks I'll have a long summer break so hopefully I'll update more then! :)
