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Fan

FranArian - 'Gwen 0 - Rhys 1'...LOVE it! Situation well handled. What to get up to next... I say yes to all the suggestions. See how Ianto/Orin can help at Flat Holm, come across a case that allows UNIT to get a kick in the pants, and maybe find a new honey for Rhys (someone who'll treat him right). W

SuziH-J - Gwen out of Torchwood - excuse me while I do a happy dance. Rhys in, part time for now looks like. What about getting Andy in as well, and get Gwen out of Cardiff, don't need her seeing them all around and possibly breaking retcon again.

Schuneko - First I've seen Gwen realize she's dug a hole she can't slither out of. I also like Rys admitting she wasn't really as great as she would have us think. He was still hopeful and that just shows he's a good guy who won't give up easily. Leave it to Yan to still try and be nice. Gwen was rather rambling quite a bit, probably due to what the stimulant chair did. In that case it works. I can see Rys running into an old crush. Maybe at a Torchwood pub night. I still think Owen would be curious and run every noninvasive test Ianto would let him.

A03

Kathy+C - Yay! No more Gwen and we get to keep Rhys! Works for me.

scoutbokmal - Orins and UNITS reactions to each other would be hilarious.
Maybe Rhys/Andy?

DomIantoRules - Great! And remember, Orin has been out in the galaxy, he will have knowledge of other worlds and other species, just like Jack does (but probably different ones than Jack). If they go to Flat Holm, maybe he could hear one of the inmates raving, and recognize the species that guy met when the rift first took him. He could give the caregivers info that might help them treat him, or at least make him more comfortable. Or he could recognize something that comes through the rift and know how to handle it safely. If he's LIKE the Go'a'ould symbiotes, he could be very old, with LOTS of experience. Also, if he can heal Ianto, can he tweak other things, like increasing his speed or enhancing his senses? Even if he only did it in emergencies, it could be very useful. And the healing means he's less likely to die from some random Torchwood encounter.

Dee - Love how Gwen got her comeuppance here! A Ianto/Orin assistance at Flat Holm would be so good, but watching that duo match wits with UNIT sounds like even more fun. UNIT needs to be taken down a few pegs, especially in their pursuit of Torchwood. Rhys would be a great fit, and his transportation knowledge would be of immense help. Everyone's suggestions have made for a great read in this.

…

Ianto stood on the bow as the boat came close enough to nose the dock and he leapt gracefully to the dock, walking along without waiting for Jack who found himself floundering to solid ground with an unnatural nervousness.

He ran after him and caught up as the door swung open and a heavy set black woman stepped out to greet them.

"Ianto!" she said with delight.

"Hello Helen" he replied calmly as Jack skidded to a halt and flapped his coat like a rooster adjusting his feathers.

"Captain" she said with mirth evident as she took in his dishevelled appearance and the way he stepped closer to Ianto with a possessive hand sliding around his waist. She didn't wait for his reply, choosing to swing and re-enter the building.

Jack let Ianto go first, gallant right? Nah, he was a beat out of sync again and once again found himself putting in a wee burst of speed to catch up. Ianto's hand sliding into his as they walked more than made up for it though and the gentle squeeze was a boon.

As they neared a door Ianto slowed and frowned, "Already?"

"Yes, his cycle was halved with the full moon" she sighed in reply, "I fear his time draws closer."''

"As it does for us all Dearheart" Ianto said as he canted his head to listen and Jack heard the faint screaming inside, the name scrawled on the door was 'Jonas' and Ianto's look of sorrow seemed to say it all as he stepped back and cleared his throat.

Jack reached out to touch the door and felt a heat, pulling his hand back. He remembered now. One of his least pleasant catches.

They moved on, coming to one of the newer ones who seemed calmer than Jack remembered her to be. She was sitting in the sun rocking and as Ianto approached Jack watched his demeanour change and he knew instinctively that Orin was taking control as he knelt and said something that sounded like baby gibberish. The woman's face was one of relief as she responded and he sat with her holding her hands and having the nonsense conversation as Helen waited, another woman that looked identical coming to join and Orin rose to address them.

"Hello Margaret, she does not like the green things on the plate. I am unsure for definite but do believe it is peas she speaks of. On the planet she was held on there were little bugs that looked identical and they gave a nasty bite. It worries her" Orin's chocolaty voice purred and Helen's twin sister nodded as she made notes in a pad, "Secondly, I do like that colour on you. Pretty girls, the both of you."

Now Jack gaped as he saw a soft blush, both of them …giggling? Huh?

A wink at the boss man to close his mouth and on to the next one.

A little boy, his eyes wide and unseeing. Orin hated this one and touched gently hoping for a better response this time and there was a soft grunt as the child accepted the hands and Orin sang a song in a strange language as they watched.

"He was like a wild animal, couldn't' get near him" Helen explained, "Remember? You brought him in a cage? Ianto here had been working with him and we are now able to get closer. Still starts like a rabbit though."

Orin rose and faced the woman, his smile genuine as he told them that the child felt loved and safe now. Was only afraid of one of the other residents that sometimes barked. The dog in question slunk out the door and Jack knew in time that would be fixed.

"Maybe a little one?" he suggested, "A wee terrier or something so the boy can hold it? Love it? Then understand that they make that sound?"

"Wonderful Cariad" Orin said as he waved a hand at the women, "We can try that for sure. Didn't Duncan mention last trip that his sheltie had popped a litter?"

The two women made happy noises as they agreed about the orderly's litter and now they were rolling.

Three more and Orin can to a stop and frowned, "When did this one get here?"

"Jack brought him the other night, seems shell-shocked" Margaret spoke softly, touching his arm affectionately.

"I smell something familiar on him, not like Lucy. Is he?" Orin swung to look at them like he was accusing them and they looked nervous. "Damn it."

He strode over and knelt, raising her face by placing a finger under her chin, the silent staring contest unnerving and then he said something unexpected, "Sound off Solder!"

"I did my duty, I secured the box Sir" she whimpered, "I contained the threat."

Ianto rose, shooting his cuffs in a familiar way as Orin slid back to seethe. Ianto sighed and rolled his head in his shoulder and then turned to face them, his face not the anger or Orin but the sorrow of a good Welshman.

"Unit" he said softly, "She's Unit. Something she's touched or come in contact with had addled her mind. I would say within the last month. I could only hold her attention for a few moments before she slipped away again. They dumped her and she is most likely not the only one sir. I suggest we check facilities for these cases back inland. I would say she escaped a holding facility for those effected and there will be more."

"Her? But she looks...I'll get Tosh on it" Jack frowned at the heavy set man who seeemd to have swapped bodies or something, "A Unit platoon?"

"Five" Ianto agreed, "Looks like she was part of a retrieval team. Couldn't get much more than a containment box and a weird green glow from her thoughts. She's still terrified at the pain it caused. Mind control perhaps? Something similar. They did not inform us and as we got no royal file I assume they didn't report it to her either."

"Right" Jack took a deep breath as he took charge again, "Unit. Goody. Just what I wanted to round out the month. A good go at Unit. Good for the juices!"

Jack helped Ianto back into the boat and Ianto stepped in close, stealing a gentle kiss before sliding into the cabin and the two women tittered softly as Helen spoke, "Knew it! He called you Cariad back there while distracted. Well I never. Always the pretty ones."

Jack grinned up at them and saluted as he called out to them the boat pulling away, "Always my lovelies. After all …you still make a man like me dream! Ahhhhhh Twins!"

The two women howled with glee as the boat turned and headed back inland and Jack entered the cabin to find Ianto already trying on his laptop.

"You OK love?" Jack asked as he settled into a seat to watch.

"Hot bath to wash the weirdness off and I'll be fine" Ianto answered without looking up, "Always freaks me out going there. Always waiting for the day I see my own name on a door."

"Never gonna happen" Jack said firmly. "Your name is on my door back at home. Both your names."

Ianto glanced up finally, looking at Jack long and hard before a sift smile transformed his face.

"Twypsn" he muttered, the affection dripping off the word.

Jack grinned and nodded.

Totally stupid for him.

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So I googled Twypsn the other day sine I use it so much and wondered if others do too…was shocked when Walter 8 Chap 22 came up in the results. Such a wonderful word that needs to be used more I think. That and Twat. Sooooo many twats in the world who don't know their titles. It is our duty to let them know their true selves. Bloody twats!

So, Unit meeting is set up like ya wanted. Now who is going to be there, Jack and Ianto/Orin but who else? Jack gonna drop a name or two like 'Lizzie' or 'Doc' to threaten? Or will Tosh already have what they need and he's just gonna fuck with them cos he wants to.