Daniel watched two officers in bright reflective yellow safety jackets approach the car from his rear view mirror. The blue lights reflecting in the mirrors compounded the headache that now sat behind his right eye. He noted that they split walking to opposites of the car, probably as a precaution against anyone bolting from the passenger side. Daniel lowered his window and grimaced when the officer shone his light inside their car.

"License and registration, sir."

Daniel reached up in the visor, pulled the registration out and handed it along with his ID to the officer, "We have an injured agent in the back. I need to get him to National Hospital. We're in a bit of a hurry."

"Yes sir, I can tell, you were doing nearly eighty," the man said this time sweeping the light in the back over Jack's form. "Why didn't you call for an ambulance sir?"

"Because, I didn't need them. We had the emergency equipment necessary to stabilise him, and I used it. Now, I need to get him to Casualty at National. Now - please."

"You work for Torchwood, then?" he asked whilst studying Daniel's paper.

"Yes, could you just follow me?" Daniel snapped. The change in his tone brought a groan from Jake. "That would be now, if you please!"

"Daniel," Steve cautioned.

Daniel glared at the officer who responded by shining his torch light over Jake who shifted his legs restlessly, in obvious pain. "If you don't want to lead us, you can follow us, but I'm leavin' - now." Daniel glared expectantly at the officer, waiting for him to hand his I.D.'s back. "Did I say - Torchwood?" He wondered how Jack's Torchwood just sailed past the police with such ease.

The officer hesitated a moment, looked back at Jake and then handed Daniel's I.D., nodded at his partner. "Follow me, sir," he finally ordered.

Daniel tucked his I.D.'s back in his pocket, muttered "bloody wanker" under his breath whilst watching the officer walk back to his car. Seconds later, he pulled off behind the police car. The flashing blue lights and siren contributed to his growing unease, but he stayed in place for the two mile trip to National Hospital's A&E. He ignored both the headache and Steve's worried glances. All he cared about or could think of lay in the back of his SUV moaning in agony.

The police car led Daniel under the glass roofed ambulance bay. He did have to give it to the officer, an emergency team stood waiting for them, meaning the officer had called ahead. Daniel slammed the car in park and jumped out of the car. "I need the trolley," he barked as he ran to the back of the SUV. "It'll be alright, Jake." He yanked the back gate open. "He was mugged by an unknown assailant," he reported to someone he just assumed was a physician. "He has a head injury, fractured arm, possible fractured clavicle and multiple contusions. We think he fell about ten feet," he rattled as they slid Jake's stretcher on the trolley. With practised ease, he tossed his keys to Steve. "Move the car and get in here. He nodded toward the officer. Answer their questions best you can. Remember, you're Torchwood."

Daniel turned his attention to Jake and followed the hospital staff inside. The impossibly young doctor looked back at him, "What's his name, sir?"

"Jake Simmonds," Daniel answered brusquely. "He's twenty-seven, no allergies, no illnesses."

They pushed through the double doors to the exam room. Daniel used his fragile Torchwood authority, claiming state secrets for anything Jake might mutter to stay with him. It got him as far as the outside of the exam, but no further. He pushed his hands through his hair trying to figure out why he felt so out of sorts, then tucked his hands under his armpits to hide that they were shaking. He jumped when Steven appeared next to him. They both stood at the observation window watching the medical staff tend to Jake. With expert precision, the staff started an IV, put him on a heart monitor, slipped an oxygen mask over his face and began their initial exam. At least, Daniel didn't have to explain away claw or teeth marks.

Steven pulled him sideways to allow an x-ray technician with his machine roll through the door. Daniel silently thanked the universe that, for the most part, medical care and standards equalled and some circumstances exceeded 21st century Earth in his home universe. He wondered how they could advance medicine and not develop airplanes, but then that thought was gone. The young doctor came out and began to natter at him, forcing him to focus on the young man's mouth.

"Does he have a family, sir?"

"Torchwood has power of attorney over medical treatment delivered to agents before the arrival of our own staff," Daniel responded.

"Yes, sir, but what about his family?" The young doctor persisted.

"Right, Rose - we should call Rose," Daniel replied some what distracted.

"What, no," Steve interjected. "Nick - Nick Peters is his partner. He's on his way; I've already contacted him. "Daniel, look at me," Steve ordered.

When Daniel complied, Steve groaned. Daniel's bloodshot eyes looked dull and filled with pain. "Doctor?" He looked at the young physician. "You need to get fifty ML's of dextrose - now."

"What? Why, is he injured or diabetic? " The doctor turned Daniel to look at him. "Sir, are you alright?" he asked.

"Fine, I'm fine. I'm always fine." Daniel stumbled back as he pushed the young man's hand away.

"Daniel, how's your head?" Steve asked. He glanced at the now worried physician. "He has acute hypoglycaemia and with all the hunting and running through alleys looking for Jake, I think he has burned off his reserves. We have about five minutes to reverse it before he has a seizure. God, we are all gonna get fired if any thing happens to him. He's not even supposed to be in the field."

"Stevo," Daniel glanced at the young scientist in confusion.

"Yeah, boss?"

"My head hurts. Where's Rose?" With that, Daniel's eyes rolled up and he collapsed in the arms of the medic and scientist.

A disembodied voice called code three over the loud speaker while Steve was quickly pushed aside for the now unconscious man on the floor.

o0o

The last time Jan Harkness saw Daniel, he lay unconscious connected to an EEG with an IV in his arm. Now here she was again, staring sown at his lovely sleeping face disconnecting wires from his head. At least this time, he didn't look like that face had met with a meat grinder. He just looked asleep. She'd watched his readings for the last three hours and now that they were stable, she felt safe in taking the leads off. He would be waking up soon. She found Daniel's brain fascinating. She'd never seen someone use so much of their grey matter. She smoothed a lock of hair from his forehead to clean the residue of EEG gel from his forehead, and found herself wishing that she could carry on a conversation with him longer than five minutes without niel groaned, becoming vaguely aware that someone was messing with his hair and he didn't like it. He scrubbed a hand across his face then tried to turn over annoyed by the resulting wave of dizziness that swept over him. A soft, feminine voice urged him back from oblivion. He knew that voice and its owner always annoyed him.

"Jan?" he asked huskily without bothering to open his eyes. "Where am I?" Don't say Torchwood infirmary, he thought.

"You're home, in the infirmary," she answered.

"Damn," he replied squeezing his shut tighter trying not to accept the reality that Marcus had found reason to return him to safe confines of Torchwood's medical facilities. "What happened?" He groaned his way through the question.

"Well, from what I gather, you saved Jake's arse, the lives of eight girls, captured an alien and evacuated Jake to hospital. Oh and then you bottomed your blood sugar and -"

"Don't you dare say it." Daniel eyes snapped open. He lifted his hand knowing what he would find. "Get this out of me, find Marcus and my clothes. I have to get home. I need to install some equipment and check on Jake at National."

"Look, you should know if we brought you home, we'd bring Jake."

"How is he?" Daniel dropped back against the pillow.

"Sore, headachy and feeling a bit ashamed everything went wrong."

"Make yourself useful and get this IV out." Daniel glared. He didn't know why he didn't like her, but he just couldn't be around her. He watched a moment of indecision flash in her eyes before she whirled to the counter to retrieve tape and a gauze pad. Seconds later, he was IV free and glaring at her to leave.

"Right, your clothes are in the cupboard. I'll fetch Marcus to deal with you."

Daniel laid his head back feeling a bit ashamed that he'd snapped at the woman for doing her job. That he was here wasn't her fault, his precautions simply weren't good enough. He drew a breath, sat up, waited for the dizziness to pass and then swung his long legs over the bed's edge. He caught a whiff of his armpits and blanched. To say that he reeked was an understatement. He passed a mirror on the way to the bathroom and was stunned to see a two day growth of beard on his face. That wasn't possible. That meant he'd skipped right over Friday which meant -

Daniel turned to the cupboard to rummage through his jacket for his mobile. His heart sunk when he checked to discover six messages from Nora. He dialled her number hoping that she would answer the phone, but it went to voice mail. Daniel clutched the phone to his forehead frustrated and angry. He wanted to smack someone, anyone. He took a breath and dialled her number again trying to think of a message he could leave in thirty seconds.

"Nora, forgive me please. Something happened to Jake and I had to go to London. I will be back tonight."

The disembodied voice of the computer answered, you have exceed your time, please try again.

"Nora, sorry, In hospital, I will call."

Thank you. Your message is in queue.

Daniel stared at the phone and began to laugh. Every time the Doctor wore a Tux, a disaster occurred. Every time, Daniel kissed a woman, a disaster occurred. No wonder there were no Time Lords left. He dialled Adela's mobile. He knew without question that she would answer. Her phone didn't make it past the second ring when her worried German accent flooded through to him.

"Mein schotz, are you all right?" Addie's voice dripped with worry.

"I'm fine. Things just got a bit intense. Can you do me a favour?"

"Of course, what?"

"I sort of - had a date with Nora for Friday and it seems, I might have messed up - a bit. She wouldn't answer when I called. Can you call her and tell her that I'm really sorry and that I will back tonight. I have to see Don before I leave and then I'm coming home. I'm not sure of the time, though."

"Yes of course, Schotz. You are okay now, no seizures. Miss Jackie didn't say."

"No," Daniel lied. "It just got a little intense with Jake, but I'm fine. I promise and I haven't forgotten the dog. Nora and I found a breed on line that will be perfect. I'll tell you later." Daniel sighed when he disconnected and dropped the mobile on the table. He hated lying to her.

Daniel walked to the shower stripping the hospital gown as he went. He wished that he were stepping under the powerful water flow from the multiple shower heads at home instead of what amounted to this gentle rain fall. Still it was hot and he could scrub the sweat off his aching body. The ache felt more in line with how he felt after a bad day at school than the misery of having his muscles trying to split apart which meant this latest round of seizures weren't all that bad. It was a disappointment that his precautions had failed.

Part of the ache in his muscles came from his anger with Pete. He intended to discuss the stepchild treatment that Torchwood suffered. Sticking Jake with stuck with five brand new agents was unconscionable. The agents that he met here in London trained rigorously to handle the unexpected. They trained sometimes just to train to recognise aliens, get them safely off the streets and send them packing off the planet. He'd even helped develop a safe place to hide the rare ones they had to detain. Since Davros' messed with reality, alien sightings had increased, even in Scotland. Most were just lost, but a few like last night caused trouble. Pete couldn't leave Scotland without agents at least as well trained as the folks in the Ukraine.

Daniel turned to place his hands on the shower stall wall letting the water wash away his anger replacing it with worry over Nora. He really hoped that he hadn't blown things with her. Other than Rose, he couldn't imagine spending time with anyone else. He wanted a chance with her, a chance to make her happy, a chance for them both to be happy. He blew out a frustrated sigh and then turned the water off. He stepped out to see a toothbrush on the sink, mentally thanked someone, and spent a good three minutes scrubbing the scum from his teeth while making a mental list of the things he needed to do. First Pete: he was definitely getting told off and then Don. He needed to convince Don to come to Glesca. He remembered Jake telling him that the police were becoming difficult and Friday proved the point. Jake could have died while the man insisted on license and registration.

Mindful Gwen or someone female might walk in, Daniel wrapped the towel around his waist before walking back to his room. The sight of Marcus laying his mobile stopped him midstride through the doorway. Daniel just stood there for a second. "Checkin' my messages now , are ya." Daniel arched an eyebrow as his eyes shifted first to the mobile and then Marcus.

"Jan said that you were a bit short tempered," Marcus stated quietly.

"Well, you can tell her that I'm sorry." Daniel crossed to the cupboard to retrieve his clothes grateful that whoever left the toothbrush had taken the time to wash them and replaced his jumper. He tossed the towel aside not caring whether Marcus watched him step into his pants.

"The hospital cut the other off ya, Jackie bought that one for you."

"I'll tell her thanks later." Daniel grabbed his jeans and stepped into them.

"Do you think that I'm letting you out of here or something? I'm not discharging you until I've run a scan and made sure you're stable."

"I'm stable. The patch strength is fine for normal life, but obviously not for stress," Daniel answered defiantly as he slipped his vest and the new jumper over his head. Inwardly, he smiled at Jackie for remembering that he liked cable knits.

"Daniel, I told you not to go in the field. I told you it was dangerous. You were damned lucky," Marcus stood up to face Daniel squarely.

"So when Harry called to say they were in trouble, I should have said what: sorry boys, I'm not allowed. They sent Jake a poorly trained group of kids who barely knew what the net cannon was used for. They left the damn equipment in the van, Marcus. They took Steve along as back up! What should have been simple with a well trained crew nearly cost my best friend his life. That's not happening again, Marcus. Now you want to try and keep me here, give it your best shot because, frankly, it's not happening!" Daniel stopped to suck deep breaths to bring his temper under control. The sudden ring of his mobile startled them both.

Marcus looked down at the caller I.D. "It's Nora," he said softly holding the phone out to Daniel almost as a peace offering.

Daniel snatched it, ignoring the hurt look in the doctor's eyes. Daniel hit the little green phone on the screen. "Nora," he smiled. "Nora, I am so sorry about Friday."

"Daniel, Adela said that you were in hospital, in London. What happened?"

"Um, Jake disappeared Thursday night," he lied. "They boys called me just as I got back to the flat. We found him, but someone mugged him. I guess, I didn't take proper precautions because I passed out in casualty. Marcus scooped both of us up and brought us to London."

"Daniel," she said sounding terrified. "Are you okay? Is Jake okay?"

"He will be, they got his wallet and his commitment ring, which will kill Nick, but we can worry about that later. I will be there tonight, before Robbie gets home. That is - if I can come; can I... come?"

"He won't be back until tomorrow night. I thought - I'm sorry. Yes, come - please, I'll fix a proper tea."

"Good, that's really good. We'll talk. I have to finish here and then I will be there. I just don't know when," he said softly, a gentle smile softened the anger in his eyes. The smile faded when he looked up at Marcus. "I have to see Pete and then I need to find Don. Marcus, you're my friend, but I'm not the confused abandoned being that I was a few months ago. I've changed and I have a life now, friends and ... a life."

"Daniel, we had a deal about your care. I'm just trying to do what's best for you, to give you the best shot at a normal life."

"And I'm grateful Marcus, I am. I've kept that deal. I'm not rushing around the world hunting aliens. This was practically in my back yard. I won't abandon my friends when they're in trouble, I just won't. Especially when I think, they've gotten the short end of the stick. Now, if you want to call a guard to stop me, go ahead. If you do, I quit. That ends your authority over me. Pete might not like it, though."

"Alright, I give. Do me one favour."

"What?" Daniel replied still sounding sullen.

"I've prepared new patches with higher levels of acetylcholine. If you're going to put your self in these situations, at home, wear them. You need a neurologist in Glesca. I know someone who I absolutely trust. Let me go see him and explain your - difficulties and how we treat the seizures."

"You won't tell him to yank my licence?" Daniel said quietly.

"As long as this is an aberrant episode, no one will yank your license, but I will not permit you to go gallivanting the world getting yourself and everyone else in trouble. This episode proved that I was right in that regard."

For a long moment, Daniel said nothing. Running his tongue along the back of his teeth, he shifted his gaze to a picture above the bed. "I'm not angry at you, Marcus. I'm angry that Glesca is treated like a step child. I'm angry that because of that, I had to go out after being up for almost twenty hours. And most of all, I'm angry that Jake was hurt. Can I go see him?" He finished softly.

"Damn, no wonder you crashed," Marcus muttered. "Yeah, go on. Nick is with him."

Daniel walked out of the infirmary headed for Pete's office. He'd spent thirty minutes with Nick watching Jake sleep. The visit had produced a couple of pieces of information that he wished he didn't have. First, he discovered that he'd suffered two seizures, one while the hospital was on the phone with Marcus and two, Pete had put the entire division on report. That was something he intended to correct now. He paid little attention to the employees in the commons area on a Saturday afternoon. All of them were Torchwood employees. He reached Vitex's onsite building surprised to find two well dressed men with earwigs. He walked up as if he were the most important individual on this Earth. The two stone faced men stepped together blocking his access to the doors.

Daniel whipped his Torchwood ID out, flashed it at the men and smiled. "Sorry, I'm late for a meeting with Mr Tyler. I'm Torchwood's lead science advisor."

"You're not on the list, sir. This is a classified meeting." The fact the agent had an American accent was a source of immediate concern to Daniel.

"Right, I'm not because my security clearance is above your pay grade. I'm not on any list. Now excuse me." Daniel tapped his foot. The American flashed a look at his partner and then spoke into his mike. Two sets of muffled voices later, the men stepped aside letting Daniel enter the building. The memory of his last time here flashed as he headed for the lift and Pete's office. It didn't seem possible that it had literally been months since he walked the halls of this building. He'd told Pete that he was leaving for Scotland. Today, he was about to yell over Scotland.

He'd expected the lift doors to open to an empty reception area. Instead, Daniel waved to the secretary whilst flashing a self-assured smile at the men. "I'm expected," he answered their calls to stop. He knew that they would not move to interfere for fearing offend whoever sat in comfy chairs. he waved to the secretary and pushed the doors open to see Pete engaged in a conversation with two men, one of whom was Vice President of Great Britain, John Claymer.

"Hello gentlemen," Daniel said brightly, "Doctor Daniel Barrows." He held his hand out. "Sorry that I'm late."

Pete's face darkened. Daniel didn't miss the vein in his temple throbbing. "Daniel," Pete said coldly. Gentlemen this is our lead science advisor whose services are not yet needed."

"Um, sorry did I get the time wrong? I am sorry. Pete, if I could just borrow you for a moment, I can give you the information you wanted and I will recheck how I went wrong on the time. Again, gentlemen, sorry." He flashed a cheeky grin.

Pete grabbed Daniel by the elbow and let him back to reception. He glared at his secretary who shrank in her chair. "I'm sorry, he just moved too quick to stop," she apologised.

"Damn good thing he wasn't a terrorist," Pete spat at the two agents. "What are you doing here," he snapped at the man he considered almost a son.

"I need to talk to you about the shite training you are giving the agents in Glesca, and then you put them on report because Jake was trying to do his job. Come on, Pete, that's not fair. Why did you send him a team with zero experience? And while we're at it, when are we getting Don to the liaison position with Glesca? The team is havin' a terrible time with the locals."

"We will discuss this later, Daniel. I have the bloody vice presidents of two countries in my office. I don't have time for this." Pete snarled.

"When, Pete? I asked you to do this a week ago. How can you allow them to be put on report for something they weren't trained for?"

"The same way I am putting you on report, Daniel. If Marcus says you can run loose, go back to the mansion and wait for me!"

"No, I need a ride to the copter pad. I am going home. I have things to do; a security grid to put up at the house. There was an event."

"Daniel I will tell you this once, go back to the house!"

Daniel scoffed, "Not bloody likely; I'm going home. Find some agents to train the team properly, Pete. Scotland has had five alien incursions in the last two months and your response was to send unqualified kids. I don't think you'd have sent that team to Rose!"

Pete straightened. "You're suspended, Daniel - for thirty days. I am deducting the helicopter ride from your salary. Margaret?"

"Yes, sir?" the secretary squeaked.

"Give Daniel authorisation to use a land rover and arrange a copter to take him back to Torchwood Four. Notify Human Resources that as of now, he is suspended with half pay for thirty days. If he gives them a hard time, make it zero pay. And," Pete added when he saw the expression of complete defiance in Daniel's glare, "if he isn't out of my office in ten seconds have him arrested!"

"You wouldn't dare," Daniel hissed.

"Try me, Daniel. Nine ..."

Daniel continued to glare, but didn't move. "Send a team to train those kids. I'm not always going to be around to pull the bacon from the fire!" Daniel snarled.

"Eight …." Pete replied.

"Margaret, I know the way to HR." Daniel relented, turned on his heels and stormed out of the office.

"Sir, who was that?" the American agent asked.

"That, gentlemen, was my science advisor and ... my pseudo son. It's a long story which you don't have clearance to hear." Pete shook his head and returned to his meeting.

"Full stop, that one," Margaret commented, dialling the phone.

o0o

Daniel sagged behind the wheel of his SUV. He was exhausted. By the time that he'd talked to Jackie to reassure and thank her and then found Don to talk to him about moving to Glesca, he'd felt like his brain would explode. Before leaving London, he'd managed a short conversation with Jake, and picked up a new supply of patches from Marcus. He was certain that Pete would relent on the suspension and charging him for the flight home. If he didn't, paying Adela would pinch the budget. He sighed and pulled the car out of Torchwood Four's car park for the trip to Nora's. Right now, she filled his thoughts. Light traffic made for a quick trip. Tension fled when he finally pulled the SUV behind her sedan. Seeing Nora walk across the garden to the side walk prompted Daniel to get out of the car.

"Hi," he hesitated slightly. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Can I kiss you? Properly."

Nora laughed slightly. "Why?"

"Because every time I kiss someone properly, bad things happen shortly after. I just want to know if the world will implode if I kiss you," he said only half kidding.