A/N: Let's see what the Doctor's first day at Torchwood has in store for him...

Jake leaned casually against Rose's office door and checked his watch.

Quarter to Nine.

He had awoken this morning filled with a feeling of excitement coupled with anxiousness. And Jake rarely felt anxious - even all those times he and Pete went against those Cybermen. Today however, today was different.

The Doctor was coming to Torchwood.

No. Not the Doctor. It was only a version… An exact replica of the slightly manic Time Lord. The result of an event that shouldn't have been able to happen to begin with. Jake huffed as he dug in his pockets for his Yo-Yo, trying to recall the specific wording of the de-briefing given to him by Pete. He knew this duplicate walked, talked, acted and thought like the original, complete with a full package of memories. And Jake was content with that, because he himself had no trouble accepting it. Because he knew what it meant for the man and Rose, and the happiness that they could have.

Before long, his thoughts were broken by the trio of voices coming down the hall.

"Yes, but that still doesn't explain why I can't share an office with Rose."

"Because you'll never let me get anything done, Doctor! I'll be lucky to finish one thing before you're pulling me off to go look at something," Rose had answered for Pete.

"Besides, I need you in the same area as the rest of my team. Do you know how much time can be wasted, if I have to wait for you to be fetched from across the building?" Pete reminded the Doctor as they came to a stop outside Rose's door. "Jake! Thought you would have met us at my office. There isn't anything wrong is there?"

Jake's jaw slacked open as he finally came face to face with the man himself. "Blimey, it's like a carbon copy," Jake blurted out as his hand clapped to his mouth.

The Doctor's lips crooked into a smile. He could guess why Jake had met them here, and he honestly couldn't blame him. Rose had mentioned Jake's initial reaction when the circumstances surrounding his creation were disclosed, before he was sworn to secrecy. "You would be correct there, Jakey boy!"

Jake watched the man continue to smile as he casually stood with his hands in his pockets. "Rose, you weren't kidding," he said as his eyes flicked towards Rose. "He's got the same posture and everything!"

"Told you." Rose winked as she watched her friend begin to relax. When they had parted yesterday afternoon, she could tell he was nervous about the next day, including the upcoming meeting with this Doctor. She knew he and Jake would get along quite well, and Rose even supposed they could become good mates.

The Doctor looked around the hallway as Jake began to fire off questions, to which Rose and Pete patiently answered. Dotted along the walls he could see identical brown varnished door frames, and between each doorway was some sort of art. Pictures of historic meetings between Torchwood and alien visitors, and the Doctor even swore he could make out a few landmark paintings as well; making a mental note to look at them all later.

He then began reading the various office plates next to the nearby door frames. When his eyes traveled back to Rose's office, he didn't bother to stifle a grin when he read her name plate.

Rose Lungbarrow, Senior Agent

"I think he's found your surprise, Rose." Pete scratched his cheek as they all observed the Doctor step forward and run his fingers over the newly engraved plate.

"Yeah? What do you think, Doctor?" Rose fidgeted with her ring. The Doctor had been alright with her announcing the new name within her 'circle' at Torchwood: team members and internal records to start with. Pete had informed them that he had taken the liberty of creating a marriage certificate - not only to give more credence to the story of Rose's 'elopement,' but it also made it easy for Rose to change her last name officially - something else that had made the Doctor grin like a fool.

When she finally did go about changing her last name to Lungbarrow a week after the incident with George, Rose swore she saw him strut towards the car like a proud peacock. She knew why he was so open to this little bit of domestics, and it made her flush. The Doctor was making it known to the world, in most direct way that he could, that she was his.

They were a part of something that would not be torn asunder, nor would they allow anyone or anything to come between them.

"Would be better if under her name it read: Doctor Theta Lungbarrow," the Doctor answered as he stepped back. "Though… Give me a marker and a few moments, and I'll have it sorted." He flashed a charming grin at an unamused Pete Tyler.

"I already said no," Pete sighed as he rubbed his eyes. He could hear Jake's snort of laughter next to him. "Now, you've walked Rose to her office and spent a few moments for a chat. So it's time for us to get on with things. I think you two can handle being apart for a few hours."

The Doctor pouted slightly, as he already made plans to slip into this area whenever he could sneak away. Isn't that why he got a mobile phone? Surely if Pete needed him, he could simply phone him. He stepped up to Rose as her hands found their way to his shoulders. After sharing an intense kiss, Rose gave his hand a squeeze as Pete pulled on his arm with an exasperated sigh. "Let's go, Romeo. It's not like you aren't going to see her later."

Jake and Rose listened to him sputter a reply before Jake winked and took off to catch up. Rose laughed to herself in the now empty hallway before opening her door with a shake of her head, mentally calculating the amount of work she could complete before the Doctor found his way back here.

Duston Sanders was not amused.

He was deep in concentration on the updated archiving system to be used in the lab when the message came. "Doesn't he know I'm busy," he groused as he dropped his pen and sulked towards the lifts. All while pulling out his phone, calling the Director to inform him the message was received.

When he reached the Director's office for the second time this morning, Duston's irritation and impatience grew two-fold when he discovered the man was not in his office. "As if this couldn't get any better," he scoffed while noticing Jake walking with Pete and an unknown male. The scientist in him took quick note of the way the man held himself in confidence mixed with apprehension, while managing to joke with the Director and Jake.

"You weren't waiting too long, were you, Duston?" Pete asked kindly as he unlocked his office door. Behind him, Jake was still snickering about Jackie's little gag as the Doctor sneered that it wasn't that funny.

Jake's grin died on his lips as he saw who joined them. "We're crossing paths twice in one morning, Sanders. People might start to talk," he quipped while dropping into one of the chairs.

"Don't you have aliens to round up, Simmonds? Or did your audaciously spiked hair frighten them all away?" Duston jeered before returning his attentions to Pete.

"That's enough, both of you," Pete warned them both sternly.

"All respect, Sir. Did you need me for anything relevant, or was I summoned to be the butt of Simmond's jokes this morning?" Duston regarded his employer as his hands rested before him. "I was rather busy before Ms. Bradley interrupted me with your message."

Pete pinched the bridge of his nose as he mentally prepared himself for the rest of this interview. "I asked you to join us so that I could introduce you to the man I spoke of this morning."

"Ahh, the mysterious Doctor Lungbarrow." Duston disdainfully eyed the man with the grey suit and blue trainers carefully. Who wears trainers with a suit - especially in a professional environment? He wondered to himself as he inquired of the man, "Tell me… What sort of expert are you supposed to be? My curiosity begs to be satisfied."

"Oh, I don't like you already," the Doctor thought as he tried to keep his expression neutral. He knew when he was being weighed and measured, as he's been guilty of doing the same when meeting someone new. However in the interest of peace, the Doctor then smiled as he stepped forward, offering his hand to shake with the newcomer. "Oh, can't really narrow it down to one specialty."

Duston shook the man's hand, clearing his throat as the two men stepped back to their original positions. Pete smiled proudly as he spoke, "Doctor Theta Lungbarrow, this is Doctor Duston Sanders - head of Research and Development."

Duston chewed the inside of his cheek, jealousy nipping at the edge of his words. "You are to be congratulated then. There are plenty here that have waited years for a coveted spot on the Director's team to vacate. Yet Director Tyler decides to hire from outside the agency. Instead of choosing from a vast pool of candidates."

"Sanders," Pete said in simple warning - as if this topic had arisen prior.

"Yes, Yes I know, Director. Your sole prerogative…" Duston trailed off as he looked to the ceiling. "Enlighten me, Doctor Lungbarrow. Just where did our good Director find you anyways?"

The Doctor's eyebrows quirked as a scathing reply formed on his tongue. The git made it sound like Pete just found him in some random alley and brought him in! Jake and him exchanged glances, with the Doctor silently asking if this was routine and Jake giving a singular nod in reply.

Before the Doctor could reply, Pete crossed his arms with a bemused smile on his lips. "Actually, it was Rose who found him and introduced us."

"Rose… as in your daughter, Rose Tyler?" Duston blinked. "I know Rose has a sharp mind and all, but I didn't think she would hang out in the same crowd as this one," he mused while motioning towards the Doctor.

The Doctor cleared his throat as he glanced at Pete, ready to respond to the insult. However Jake smirked as he beat the Doctor to the punch. "Hasn't been 'Tyler' for a few weeks now. If you'd take your head out of your scanners once in a while - you might be able to keep up with current events."

"Listen, Simmonds…" Duston ground out through clenched teeth - tired of the man's snark - before his brain finally made the connection. Quite embarrassing that it took this long, he considered as his eyes widened. He had remembered hearing a passing rumor that Rose Tyler had eloped with a mystery man after the cannon missions were completed.

Duston considered voicing an opinion that the Director could be considered a nepotist. Except the extremely rational part warned him against antagonizing the Director of Torchwood. Deciding to narrow in on the source of his simmering jealousy, Duston coolly said, "I get the picture now..."

Everyone in the room regarded Duston's growing smugness as he turned his attention to the Doctor. "So what happened? The Doctor didn't want her anymore?"

The Doctor sharply inhaled through his nose, as he kept his hands clenched at his thighs. "Oh... I really don't like you now." He mentally asserted while a sneer crossed his lips.

At the Doctor's visible irritation, Duston believed he was correct and shot another jab. "Let me guess… After all was said and done, the Doctor sent her back home to Mummy and Daddy. And then you were roped into being the consolation prize! You were supposed to make poor, broken hearted Rose Tyler forget all about being dumped back in with the rest of us." Duston clucked his tongue in mock sympathy. "Rose Tyler couldn't have her precious Doctor or Universe… So she eloped with the first man who offered her a ring and a kiss."

Jake was out of his chair in a flash when he watched the Doctor rear up to attack Duston. He heard what the Doctor did to George, and while Duston would deserve the Doctor's wrath, the two men would have to collaborate at times. And a fist fight would not make things productive.

" I AM the Doctor, you twat!" the Doctor fiercely growled as Jake grabbed a hold of his arm. He vaguely heard Jake try to get him to settle down while trying to keep a tight grip on the arm he was trying to yank free. His feet managing to gain a few steps, while Jake put his strength into pulling the agitated man back. "I get that your precious little ego took a hit when someone else got the gig you had an eye on. But insult Rose again and Jake won't be able to keep me back."

Duston jumped back in shock as Pete roughly reminded them both to keep civil. "Implausible!" he asserted as his hands went through his hair. "We've all heard the sob story. The Doctor couldn't remain in this universe, so Rose's only option was to leave everything and everyone behind after finding the correct time line. At least, that was her defense when I asked her to stop pestering the technician from my department who was assigned to the cannon project."

"Instantaneous Biological Meta-Crisis," the Doctor growled out as his only explanation. As Duston's eyebrows furrowed while asking what the hell that was, the Doctor pointed to himself while sneering, "While I don't particularly care to waste my breath explaining it to you, the short of it is that regeneration energy was poured into a matching bio-receptacle. And so you don't hurt your puny ape sized brain trying to figure that out, it means the energy was directed into the hand that my friend managed to recover after I lost it in a sword fight. So to recap: Same man - same thoughts, intelligence, memories, you name it."

"It wasn't a sob story," Pete interjected before another argument broke out. "My wife risked her life to jump after Rose - all for those last few precious hours with her; especially after constantly crying herself to sleep each night wondering if the next day's jump was going to be it. Wondering if she was going to get a phone call from me, telling her that Rose found the Doctor and wasn't coming back."

Duston swallowed as Pete continued to glare him. "Now if that was all a sob story, Jacks wouldn't have done it. Because she would have seen right through it. We all resigned ourselves to the fact that Rose would be gone." Pete then stepped forward, poking a finger in Duston's chest - pure anger on his face making Duston shrink back slightly. "Now, I may not fully understand how all this happened, but I'm not going to complain. So curb your attitude or get out!"

A tense silence permeated the room as the two men continued to stare each other down - waiting for the other to break. Duston finally cleared his throat as he straightened his jacket. "I… I apologize, Director. It won't happen again." He sucked in a breath before turning to the Doctor. "My insinuations were uncalled for - my regrets."

Jake let go of the Doctor's arm as he felt the man loosen. In turn, the Doctor merely nodded coldly, his eyes still flashing with anger at Duston's words. A sharp exhale escaped his lips, as rumbles of hate and repulsion flared through his body. Duston's insult to what he and Rose shared still left him vindictive, and instead of taking the element of surprise to leave a nice bruise on the man's jaw, the Doctor briefly contemplated excusing himself to Rose's office. She always had the best methods and words to calm him, which he felt would be most welcome.

Except the Doctor realized that he needed to learn how to do this on his own. Because what if he got riled up and Rose wasn't there to take his hand. What if Jake or Pete weren't there to hold him back?

No… He promised Rose that he'd put his best effort into being better. He then inwardly preened at the idea of how proud Rose would be at his actions, and he couldn't wait to tell her about it.

Pete clapped his hands together as the tension began to dissipate around them. "Right! Now that we're all being civil again. I'm sure you both will be working together a good bit, so I expect you two to continue to play nice. I expect continued and unhindered cooperation from your department, Duston. I was going to address your technicians and make this fact known myself, however I'll leave that to you as the head of the department. So please instruct them that Doctor Lungbarrow is to be given room to work as needed. And I expect you to keep your cool, Doctor." Came the pointed look in the Doctor's direction.

"Agreed, Sir." Duston nodded as his hands clenched before him while the Doctor murmured his own agreement.

"Great…" Duston thought as he pondered just how much time this Doctor would be taking up in his laboratory. "Maybe I'll get lucky and this Doctor will spend most of his time bothering his wife or even Simmonds." Duston considered as an afterthought before saying, "You recall what I mentioned this morning: I hold no objection as long as it does not interfere with department productivity."

"Of course I recall the fact, and I can agree completely." Pete scratched his chin as he brought his thoughts back on track.

Duston raised his chin proudly, looking to leave the room and hasten back to his territory. His area - where his rules were law and he felt complete control of the situation. "Is there anything else required of me this morning, Sir? The rest of my staff should be arriving shortly, and I was in the middle of a project."

"Actually, there is… I've already made this clear to the other department heads." Pete crossed his arms as he began the same speech he's given a few other times this morning. "While I'm not looking to globally broadcast having a version of the Doctor on our team, I know word is going to get around the building. Especially once the Doctor starts introducing himself. So I want you to know that you clear to confirm if any of your staff come asking if it's true."

Duston nodded. "However the information is to be kept within the walls of Torchwood, and I expect that to be made understood as well." Pete then winked as he added, "I always like to keep an ace up my sleeve - if you catch my drift."

"Understood perfectly, Sir."

"Good, you may go then, and thank you for taking the time to join us."

Without saying a word, Duston quickly turned and left the room. The three men winced as the office door was pulled shut with a light slam.

"That went well… I can tell me and him are going to be the best of mates," the Doctor uttered sarcastically.

Jake snorted. "He gets like that when things don't go his way. Furthermore, he'll use whatever he can to make himself feel like he's more important than you."

"Obviously he wasn't hugged enough as a child," Pete added to the surprise of both Jake and the Doctor. "What? Why are you both staring at me?"

"My father never hugged me, and I'm far from that git." The Doctor smirked as he pointed his thumb towards the doors.

"You're not a narcissist, Doctor," Pete offered as he pulled out a set of keys and badge. "Now on to more pressing matters."

Pete held out the small keyring and badge towards the Doctor. "That's your security badge and keys to your desk, locker room and so on. Jake can fill you in on each one. Your clearance is security level one, which is pretty high on the scale and it's one below myself. It'll permit access to just about 95% of the information in Torchwood, either in the data banks or current going ons around the place." Pete's face grew serious as he wagged a finger at the Doctor. "There is a serious amount of trust in giving this to anyone, Doctor. So I expect you to not abuse the privilege."

The Doctor's face scrunched. "Honestly… What would give you that idea!"

"I've know how inquisitive you can be, Doctor. So while I can understand you taking a peek in our archives, try not to cross the line between satisfying a curiosity and looking for trouble."

"I resent the implication, Pete!"

Pete merely stared at the Doctor wordlessly. There were a momentary silence before Jake's snicker broke the tension. "You know he's right, Doctor. Your reputation precedes you."

"Fine," the Doctor tried to keep a grin off his face as he pretended to concede defeat. He knew that Pete trusted him to respect boundaries, just like how Pete knew his tendencies to explore.

"Now I have some things to get done, so I'll have Jake show you around and introduce you to the rest of the team. I'll need you later on - so not too far," Pete warned him with a knowing glance.

"Oh? And what would you consider too far?" The Doctor rocked on his heels.

"Rose's office."

The Doctor quirked an eyebrow as his suspicions were correct. He planned to go visit Rose regardless, as he certainly didn't need permission to go see his mate when he pleased. Unless of course… If she was extremely busy or something else grabbed his immediate attention. "If you're intending for me to hang about my desk all morning, Pete…"

"No, I'm not chaining you to a desk… unless my hand is forced." Pete put down his pen as he rubbed his eyes.

"Come on, Doctor. I'll show you around and make some introductions." Jake held open the office door, trying to usher the Doctor out.

The Doctor rubbed the back of his neck as he nodded. "Fair enough, I'll see you later on then, Pete."

As the door closed behind the two, Pete rubbed at his temples in contemplation. His hand reached for the phone and dialed an extension. "Rose, I need you to do something for me."

Ground 7 Alpha - Artifact Archives. Came through the loudspeaker as the Doctor stepped out of the lifts. After a long morning of introductions, settling at a desk and an impromptu game of 'help identify the alien' for a fellow member of Pete's team, the Doctor finally had a chance to visit the first place he's been itching to see all morning.

Okay… Second place he's been itching to see, as Rose's office would always be his number one destination. He had already visited the information archive, still grinning at the plethora of information that awaited his perusal. The Doctor was already making plans on how much he could look at during a set block of time, on top of how he was going to tempt Rose into joining him each time he went.

Jake had told him there were two different archives. The one he was just at - filled with histories and documentation, and the one he was currently standing outside of. This one held all the physical objects that were referenced in the archive upstairs. This one would be like his sweets shop… So many things just waiting for him to pick apart and put back together.

His eager feet carried him down the hall towards the desk situated outside the door. Behind the desk sat a rather bored young man who was leafing through a comic book with his feet propped up onto the desk surface.

"Reason for your visit, Sir?" Came the monotonous question as the Doctor swept passed him with a tunnel vision of entering the archives.

The Doctor paused, not turning around as his hand remained on the handle. "What anyone else does when they venture down here," he uttered as he pulled at the handle.

It was locked.

Giving it another futile tug, the Doctor scowled as he heard the clerk snort. He regarded the smirking man while motioning towards the door. "Mind doing your job and opening the door?"

"Mind showing me your credentials? More importantly, the authorization that permits you entry?" the clerk retorted with the self-satisfied smirk still hanging on his lips. It had been boring all morning, and if he could have a bit of fun at the expense of some nitwit who tried to sneak past… Then it was all the more better.

The Doctor rolled his eyes as his hand went to his waist to unclip the newly minted security badge. His eyebrows scrunched together as his fingers only felt the fabric of his trousers. He briefly panicked over how it was only his first day, and he already lost his flipping badge.

The Clerk still held his hand out expectantly. Deciding to switch approaches, the Doctor laid on his best charm as he leaned casually against the desk. "Must have forgotten it on my desk, so just look me up. The name is Doctor Theta Lungbarrow," he asserted while trying to not grimace at this whole song and dance routine. He had aisles and aisles of objects to look through!

"Oh… I'm sorry, Sir!" the clerk replied with false sincerity. "I can't do that, as you could be anyone using that name."

"No you aren't," the Doctor scowled as he crossed his arms, giving the - in his opinion - snot nosed clerk his best stare. "Secondly, if you'd use your bloody brain to make your fingers type the name I just gave you, my picture will pop right up. I trust you can take it from there, and put two and two together."

"Don't have that ability on these computers," came the lie from the clerk when he stood and assumed his own stance of authority. "Because those who come down here are usually smart enough to remember their badges."

"Don't have the abil—" the Doctor exasperated as a hand rubbed down his eyes. "Times like this I could really use my psychic paper," he mused inwardly while switching to plan B. After leaning into the clerk's personal space to glance at the phone extension, the Doctor didn't bother to hide the phone he pulled out as he dialed.

"Who are you dialing? You know, I really don't have time for your games," the clerk protested as it was the Doctor's turn to look smug.

"Don't worry… You'll be back to your 'important business' in a moment."

"Yeah, Pete? It's the Doctor, could you possibly do me a favor? No, I'm not in trouble alr… Wait… What do you mean 'in trouble already?' Have a little faith will you!" The Doctor couldn't help but laugh before continuing, "I left my badge at my desk… Yeah yeah, I know… I have to make sure that thing is attached to my waist at all times." He rolled his eyes at the chiding. "Back to the point. Could you dial extension 258? I'm down in the artifact archives, and the clerk won't look me up in the computer."

"Thanks a lot, Pete. Oh! And another thing," the Doctor said as he looked directly at the clerk. "Someone should really teach him how to properly lie to someone, because he's simply atrocious at it!"

The clerk's mouth gaped open as the Doctor hung up his phone. "The Director is going to call and validate who I am."

Within a moment, the phone rang and the clerk's mouth snapped shut as he plucked up the receiver. "Artifact archives, what can I do for you? Yes, Director… No, I understand completely. I will follow protocol next time."

A small smug smile hung on the Doctor's lips, as the man placed the handset back onto the receiver. "You check out, Doctor Lungbarrow. Next time bring your credentials," the clerk sneered as he pressed the button to unlock the door.

The Doctor gave the man a small salute as he sauntered past. The clerk's eyes held a desire for retaliation once the man was through. Pulling up the security grid on his computer, he changed all section doors so that they required a badge to pass through - instead of open access to all. "Teach him to get me in trouble," he grumbled as his finger hit the enter key.

Rattle Rattle

"Come on…" the Doctor muttered as he yanked at the door between sections. When it refused to give way, he swore silently in Gallifreyan and began deciding where to go first in this room.

"Figures the front room would have a paltry offering, in favor of plants and tables with pamphlet literature scattered across it," he thought as he stuck his hands in his pockets while wandering the aisles. Well… Maybe not too paltry, the Doctor admitted when he came across something he recognized.

To anyone else, it would resemble a 42nd Century music recorder from Earth, when humans had long evolved from primitive players like stereos and iPods. As the Doctor inspected the long thin device, he concluded that it did indeed come from one of those 42nd Century music boxes. The kind where parents could record their child's favorite music or sounds and have it installed into the box.

It disappeared into his pocket as his mind already began forming a use for it. The Doctor's cheer slowly returned as he explored, and a few more nicked items found their way into the Doctor's pockets. When he got to the end of the last aisle, he huffed at being stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

He could go back out and tell the clerk to open the doors… But then that would involve having to get back through the initial set of doors, and he doubted the clerk would allow him re-entry. Or… He could trip the security protocols on the door between sections.

"Easy way or the hard way," the Doctor thought as he pulled his sonic from his inner jacket pocket. Whistling as he pointed towards the door, he thought about what he wanted as he said, "Easy way."

There was a small pop as the light flashed green. The Doctor gripped the door and pulled it open before the short repaired itself.

"I saw that…"

The Doctor paused before his head swiveled to locate the female voice. He instantly knew it wasn't Rose, and if someone else saw him - it could result in trouble for him. "Saw what?" he innocently questioned as he pocketed the sonic.

The mystery woman merely smirked as she inclined her head towards the security mechanism after coming fully into the light. Her arms remained crossed as she sauntered towards him. The Doctor shrugged in return and continued through the door, not bothering to hold it for the woman. He heard her ask as she tried to keep up with him, "What did you do? How did you do that? Why didn't you just use your badge?"

The Doctor groaned as he turned on the spot. "My friend told me the doors between sections were open access, so I gave myself access."

"Gave yourself access? Well, aren't you just the rebel in a suit?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"You still didn't say how. So go on, then," the woman persisted as she eyed him up and down. She licked her lips as she took in his features, and she readily found him fit to be had.

"Just a tool I have, no big deal. Listen… I'm sorry, what was your name?" The Doctor bounced on the balls of his feet as he anxiously looked around. He was ready to excuse himself to keep looking, as he was sure Pete would eventually start calling him to rejoin the team.

"Sorina. Sorina Bradley," she said as she extended her hand. "And you are?"

"I'm the Doctor," he replied with a smile. God, he missed saying that to strangers.

"Funny! No seriously, who are you?"

"I just told you, I'm the Doctor. Weellll… to the government: I'm Doctor Theta Lungbarrow. However, I prefer just Doctor." With that, the Doctor winked and began to walk down the aisles.

Sorina stood there gaping as she remembered Duston gripping earlier about some bloke called the Doctor. "Oi! Wait up!" she called as she hurried after him. After passing a few aisles, Sorina found him staring at a wall panel.

The Doctor hadn't intended to stare this long at the writing. He shouldn't really have been surprised at strange alien writing in a place like Torchwood. What did surprise him however, is that he couldn't place it. Even without the TARDIS translation matrix, the Doctor prided himself on knowing almost every language in the universe. His fingers drifted over it as his brain searched his memory for anything that would help him get close to deciphering the writing.

"I wouldn't pay too much attention to that… Thing's been there since at least the sixties."

The Doctor blinked as he faced Sorina. "Some sort of Torchwood history buff are we?" he gently teased before turning back around. "This writing is alien in nature, but I don't recognize the language. And I know practically every language in the universe."

"Well no duh it's alien… It is sitting in the artifacts archive of an organization that tracks alien movement. It probably came off a ship or something, and someone stuck it in here." Sorina huffed as she wanted to explore some more, and if she could explore with this handsome stranger - then it'd be all that more better.

"No…" the Doctor trailed off as he knocked his knuckles against the surface. "It's pure stone and it matches the other walls in this place." He turned in a circle as his tongue rested against his teeth again in contemplation, before pointing at other visible walls. "See? Exactly the same wall."

"So?" Sorina rolled her eyes.

"So… That means someone had to have carved it into the stone," the Doctor concluded as he stepped back and aimed his sonic at the wall.

"Like that's gonna do anything." Sorina pushed his hand down as she pulled out a tiny camera. Taking a picture of the writing, she smugly looked to the Doctor and waved it before him. "You'll get farther if you take this to information, and compare it against the samples that we've kept archived."

"Impressive," the Doctor congratulated her. He didn't want to admit however, that he had failed to think about that option. Which is normally why he kept companions before: They always pointed out the obvious when he began to over analyze things.

"Yeah, well being an intern, you learn thi—," Sorina answered proudly before they were interrupted.

"Hey! Get away from that!" The Doctor and Sorina spun around to meet the harsh glare of the older man standing behind them.

"Nothing says we can't look," Sorina challenged as the Doctor gave her another impressed glance. "Archive is open to all staff," the Doctor added as the man's glare grew colder.

"It's just writing on the wall - so calm down, Grandpa," Sorina glared right back.

"Hey Hey Hey… We're going… So keep your braces on," the Doctor said as he noticed the man reaching for his phone. Sorina sputtered as she was tugged by the arm down a few aisles. "We should have stayed and made him move on!"

"He was reaching for his phone, and I wouldn't put it past him to dial security. I don't exactly have my badge on me, so I'm not looking to get in an extreme amount of trouble on my first day," the Doctor said lowly as he looked behind Sorina. He wanted to make sure the old man wasn't following them, intent on chasing them completely out of the section.

His eyes narrowed as he observed the old man still standing before the wall, his hand sliding down the stone - almost as if he was searching for something. His musings were broken by Sorina's question. "First day, eh? Well, I was about to have some lunch. Why don't you join me," she breathed out as her eyes traveled down his body again. "Because I'd hate for the new guy to have to eat alone."

"I… uh… Well, actually…" the Doctor stammered as he faintly registered the idea that Sorina was flirting with him. He backed away only to hit the other aisle within two steps. Sorina quickly closed the space between them, her fingers playing with the silken tie that was resting eye level.

The Doctor gave a nervous laugh as he gently grabbed her hand, running their entire conversation through his head - wondering where he might have given her any idea that… She certainly was attractive but…

"Hey! How'd you get in here?!"

"Crap, it's the clerk," the Doctor cursed as he ducked out of Sorina's way. "I think he's the reason I had to find my own way in here."

Sorina rolled her eyes as they ducked through the various aisles in their attempt to lose him. "Yeah, that'd be Steve. Bit of a prat."

"Hadn't noticed that," the Doctor uttered sarcastically. "Ha! Door is only a few aisles away!"

"Watch out!" Sorina pulled him back as he obviously wasn't paying attention, and was about to cause them to smack right into Steve and a fellow guard.

"Alright, you two… Let's go." The guard pointed at the exit. "I don't know which one of you tripped the security protocols on the door, but I want the both of you out of here for the day."

"It's not supposed to be locked!" the Doctor declared as he caught Steve's smug look. "It was you… Wasn't it?"

"Should have just gone back and gotten your badge, eh?" he taunted as the guard gave him a cautious look before warning, "I'm going to have a talk with you as well on that." He turned back towards Sorina and the Doctor and moved to take their arms. "Now if you'd please come with me. This will have to be noted in your files."

The Doctor grabbed Sorina's hand tightly, as he pointed his sonic at the door mechanism behind the guard. "Run!" he shouted as he tripped it again, allowing them to escape the area and put some distance between them and the guard.

Laughter rang out through the halls as the Doctor and Sorina rested against the nearest wall. "One of the distinct disadvantages of being short," Sorina panted, "is that it's hard to keep up with tall blokes such as yourself."

"Sorry," the Doctor laughed as his lungs pulled in the oxygen it craved. "You alright?"

Sorina waved a hand as she stood straighter, hands going to her head in order to smooth the locks of her hair that came loose from her ponytail in their dash down the corridor. After a few moments, they stood awkwardly in silence before Sorina stepped forward and wrapped her arm through the crook of his. "So, how about that lunch date I suggested?"

"Actually," the Doctor started as he began to try and ease her arm from his. He didn't want to be rude to her, as on the overall scale of things, she was a rather likable person. But he already had plans to nab Rose away from her work for a long lunch date.

"Doc!" Sorina and the Doctor jumped as they heard Jake call out down the hall.

"Jake?"

"Don't you pick up your mobile?" Jake chided as he took a double take at who was standing next to the Doctor. More importantly, that said person had their arm in the Doctor's. The Doctor mumbled something in return about horrible signal inside the archives and 'jiggery pokery.'

"I see you met Sorina," Jake said carefully as he eyed them both. Deep down he knew nothing could have happened between them - neither looked unkempt or ruffled.

"Yes! We sorta met up in the archives, which reminds me. That clerk needs an attitude adjustment." The Doctor pointed a thumb behind them. Both Jake and Sorina snorted in agreement.

"Okay, well now that I found you. Pete needs you ASAP - so lets not waste anymore time, eh?" Jake said as he pried Sorina's hand off the Doctor's arm and began tugging him towards the lifts.

"Blimey, Jake! What's the rush? Can't be that bad if there aren't any alarms," the Doctor replied after a few steps.

Jake exhaled roughly. "Remember the group of Stredetrians I was going to have you look over later?" When the Doctor nodded, Jake continued, "Someone let them out of their holding area some time ago."

The Doctor's eyes widened, forgetting that Sorina was still standing there. "What? The ones with the somewhat hostile leader? What are we waiting for?" he called as he pushed past them and ran for the lifts with Jake now on his heels.

Sorina blinked as the two men ran like hell for the lifts. "Oi! Wait for me!" she called as she ducked into the lift as the door was closing.

"What are you doing?" Jake asked.

Sorina shrugged. "What? I don't get to see stuff like this on a daily basis. Now shut it and push the floor button!"

The Doctor and Jake glanced at each other over her head as the lift jolted in its assent. "Well, this should be interesting," Jake muttered as he observed Sorina stealing glances at the Doctor, wondering if the Doctor had a chance to tell her he was married.

Though for some reason, Jake got the feeling that Sorina's charms went right over his head.