Disclaimer: The usual; I don't own TW and I make no money from this.
Author's note: A conversation today prompted me to submit this. For my beta, Darcy58, as always and with continued gratitude.
25 Genius at Work
The dim corridor stretched on and on. There were no doors, no signs to mark distance or to indicate what lay ahead. Had it not been for Ianto's detailed instructions, Eo might have assumed he had got lost somewhere along the way and turned back. But Ianto had been clear; if he carried on far enough, he would find Tosh.
Eo was deep underground, far beyond the central area of the Hub and his suit showed that he had been heading south for some time. The damp chill in the air suggested that the corridor ran under the sea. He had taken two different lifts and numerous service tunnels to get this far, and according to Ianto's instructions he was almost there. Somewhere in the gloom would be a set of double doors, beyond which lay Torchwood's supercomputer.
Ahead of him, Eo began to make out a green light in the darkness. He quickened his steps and soon found himself at the double doors. They were locked, but he entered the code Ianto had given him on the keypad next to the doors. Series of clicks followed and he counted no less than five locks disengaging.
The door opened a fraction with a hiss of hydraulics. The first thing that caught Eo's attention was a low rumble, which had been blocked by the thick door. It sounded mechanical, but beyond that Eo could not hazard a guess as to its origin. With a slight shake of his head he adjusted the sensitivity of his ears and stepped through the door.
The lights in the cavernous room were bright after the dimness of the corridor and he shielded his eyes even as he looked around. The room was bigger than he had expected and the computer system far more complex than he had appreciated. Banks of equipment were arranged around a central area of metal walkways. The concrete walls were bare, but on regular intervals large pipes snaked out of them, forming a tangle overhead. More pipes led down between the banks of processors, disappearing under the metal grating that formed most of the floor. It was cold in the room and Eo was grateful for his suit.
Now that he was inside and his ears were used to the noise, he was able to separate two distinct, continuous sounds. One sounded like a giant pump operating in the distance, while the other was a hum akin to the one he had heard in the main area of the Hub around Tosh's workstation. He assumed it was the sound of the supercomputer at work. All was otherwise quiet in the room and there was no sign of the female he was looking for.
Eo began circling the sections of the supercomputer, hoping for a clue as to where Tosh was. Nothing moved, save for him, but he noticed that a section of the metal floor at the centre of the room had been displaced. With a curious glance towards the towering banks of processors, he stepped onto the metal grating and headed for the hatch. Thousands of lights blinked as he passed, but Eo resisted the temptation to pull out his analysis interface so he could attempt to fathom to function of each component.
As he neared the central area, Eo began to distinguish other sounds from the background noise. They were sharper, irregular and seemed like the first signs of life since he had waved goodbye to his team and stepped into the main lift. Eo peered through the hatch and saw a jungle cables, each coil formed of dozens of thinner ones tied together. They all seemed to lead to the central area and on the far side, next to a large console, he spotted Tosh. She was unaware of his presence, too intent upon her task. Despite the chill of the room, she wore only a t-shirt and jeans. There was a smear of oil on her cheek.
Not wishing to startle Tosh, Eo reached out with his mind. Her psychic abilities were too weak for him to announce his presence, but the contact gave her subconscious enough warning that when he cleared his throat, she merely looked up with a smile.
"Eo."
"Mind if I come down?"
"Not at all."
Avoiding the cables on the ground, Eo dropped down to the lower level. The hum of the supercomputer intensified. Dodging the cables and the large metal pipes, he approached her.
"Are you not cold, Toshiko?"
"I'm working next to one of the outflow pipes of the cooling system." She pointed behind her. "But I'm not bothered by the chill anyway."
"And your work, it is going well?"
Tosh chose to keep her cards close. "We'll see."
Eo did not bother hiding his curiosity as he took in the equipment and jumbles of cables scattered around her. She was building a device of sorts, and it reminded him of something he had seen elsewhere in the Hub, though he could not think where or what it had been. Whatever it was, the contraption was plugged into the supercomputer even as it was being built. Next he looked at the monitor and saw strings of numbers and complex equations flashing past, too fast for him to interpret them. His hands itched to take a closer look, but he was reminded of the reason for disturbing Tosh.
"Jack sent me."
She nodded. "We're too far from the main area of the Hub for the comms to work and too deep underground to get mobile reception. There's a reason why I try to do most of my work on the supercomputer from my work station."
"So what led you to come here this time?"
"Faster processing, more calculations per nanosecond. By plugging this machine directly into the main frame, I get the results quicker, since I don't have to allow for data transfer time."
"And the machine you are building, what is it?"
"All in good time, Eo, all in good time." Tosh set down a tiny screwdriver. "So why did Jack send you down here?"
"I think in part to spy on you." Eo grinned. "He's as curious about your plans as I am."
"He too will have to learn some patience."
"But more importantly, Jack and Ianto returned from the grove of memories with a book of some kind. If I understand correctly, it is a personal account by the man who built the grove. Jack wondered whether you wanted to see it now, rather than later." He lifted a paper bag he was carrying. "And Ianto sent you lunch."
Tosh's head snapped up. "What, they found a journal belonging to Jaakko Ojanen?"
"Maybe. I still struggle with human names, so I'm not sure that's who they were talking about."
"Where did they find it?"
"Somewhere within the grove. Ianto wasn't specific."
"But how… Nevermind, it's best if I interrogate him." She set down the rest of the tools she had been holding onto a plastic lid next to her and stood up. Her muscles were stiff after so long in one position and she took a moment to stretch them. "Let's go."
Eo climbed back onto the main level first and extended a hand to help Tosh up. She flashed him a grateful smile and guided them past the pipes and cables. Once they were through the double doors, she activated the locks behind them.
"Thanks for coming to get me."
"My pleasure. I would do more to be of assistance, if you'd let me. It doesn't feel right that you're doing all the hard work to get us home, while we sit idle."
"There'll be plenty you can help me with once I'm a bit further along. But for now, I need to figure things out on my own."
"Very well, but I'll hold you to it."
Their voices and footsteps echoed in the nigh endless corridor. Tosh set a fast pace, but Eo, with his taller frame and superior physique, had no trouble keeping up.
"Why is the supercomputer so far from the main Hub?"
"For cooling, mainly. Every element is heat sensitive and must be kept cool at all times. It made sense to set it up down here, because we can use the seawater as a natural coolant. The outflow pipes run along this corridor and heat much of the rest of the Hub. There is also a power issue. The supercomputer requires enormous amounts of power to run and this location keeps it hidden from satellite images that detect areas with large power inflow. Our electricity comes from an alien fusion generator, which is just as well, as otherwise our electricity bills would be huge."
"It's an impressive set up."
"Thanks. Maintaining and upgrading it has always been my job and Jack has given me free reign to do as I wish. The system we have today is far better than what they had when I joined."
"How did you end up at Torchwood? From what I've seen of this place, I cannot imagine public recruitment is an option, and yet you were made for this job."
A shadow flickered over Tosh's features. "I'd done something I shouldn't have, which was discovered and Jack used his influence. He saved me from a fate worse than death by offering a job here."
Eo's expression grew concerned as he sensed a change in the mood. "I apologise. It was not my intention to pry."
Tosh reached over to touch his arm. "It's okay. It was a long time ago and you're allowed to be curious."
She gave a brief description of the events that had led to her joining Torchwood. Eo listened, sympathy in his eyes. It was clear her words affected him.
"While I'm sorry that you had to go through that, I'm not surprised about Jack saving you. He seems to have a habit of doing such things. I suppose he has a reputation as a dashing hero to live up to. And given the secretive nature of Torchwood, it feels fitting that you should have an unusual background." Tosh looked down at his words, but not before he caught a shadow flickering across her eyes. He copied her gesture from earlier and touched her arm with his fingers. "Whatever your past, I'm glad you ended up at Torchwood and I had a chance to meet you. It has been a true privilege."
"Me too. This place is hard work at times, and it sometimes breaks my heart but it's also amazing and challenging. Coming to the Hub each morning feels like coming home. Days like this are the best; I get to help peaceful people from across time and space. And I'm learning from you! It doesn't get more incredible than this."
Her steps lightened at her joy and as she twisted to face Eo, her eyes were shining. Eo was struck with a thought that in her excitement, Tosh was truly beautiful.
"That is why I became a science officer. The chance to learn and discover new things while helping people out there was my calling. Working side by side with you, helping with the translation programmes and in the archives has been brilliant. It has been fascinating to learn from your team about human history. It is causing me to view your species in a new light, and it's interesting to wonder how you've ended up where you are in my time. I know two hundred thousand years is a long time, but it's gratifying to see that some of characteristics I have observed during my stay on Earth are still visible in humans of my time."
Her smile brightened further. "That alone means that there's hope for us humans yet." She thought for a moment. "Assuming they are good traits you've observed. I know Owen's table manners leave a lot to be desired."
They shared a laugh.
"Yes, I do mean good characteristics. It is your ability to adapt, optimism, problem solving and your capacity for empathy that have impressed me so. Make no mistake, you are good people. And while I realise not all humans are like you and your team, you alone make up for a thousand bad ones."
Tosh stopped Eo and pulled him into a hug. The unexpected move surprised him, but after a brief moment of hesitation he returned the gesture.
"Thank you," she said as she stepped back, still with a smile.
"Whatever for?"
"For the chance to know you. For being you. For understanding."
The words and the sentiment moved him and a tear slipped down his cheek. His long fingers brushed against her cheek, leaving behind a hint of warmth on the edges of her mind. "I came to your planet to fulfil a duty, but I never thought I would find so much beauty and such friends as you have been to me. So know this: two hundred thousand years into your future, I will add you and your team to our songs, so you will never be forgotten. The Sun Gliders will know of your kindness and guard your souls in their eternal rest."
It was Tosh's turn to blink back tears. "Thank you, you do us a great honour."
Eo repeated the gesture of respect Serean had given to Jack at the House of Leaves and brought Tosh's hand to rest against his forehead. "It is you who have honoured us."
After a long moment of regarding each other, Tosh let out a watery laugh. "We better go before I start crying for real."
"Tears are manifestations of our deepest emotions. They should be revered, not hidden away."
"We haven't evolved that far yet, I'm afraid."
They resumed walking and Tosh gave him a sideways glance.
"You're different."
"How so?"
"I don't know. But something about you has changed. Before, there was such sadness in your eyes. It's still there, but it feels lessened somehow."
Eo inclined his head. "My final message was a personal one; a goodbye to my mate. He died some time ago and moving on has been...impossible. I have left a piece of my sorrow and my love for him in the grove, so that the bond we shared will be preserved for many generations to come."
"I can't think of a better way to honour the one you love and I'm glad to know that in our work to keep the House of Leaves safe, we'll protecting not just the messages of your people, but something more personal to you. Whenever the leaves whisper to me in the grove, I'll think of you. And while I understand now why you seem different, do I want to say that I'm sorry for your loss."
"As am I, but alas life has shown me time and time again that happiness is fleeting. Best make the most of it while you can."
Tosh surprised even herself with the directness of her question. "Did you?"
He considered for a long time. The only sound was their footsteps echoing in the corridor.
"I'd like to think so. There is nothing I regret about Vol, except my inability to keep him safe. Not that he would have thanked me for keeping him from his duties. We both risked our lives for others, for peace. I still do, but now I do it in his memory."
"I wish I could have met him. He must have been an extraordinary individual for you to have chosen him."
Eo's laugh held a strangled note of sadness. "I didn't choose him, he chose me. But you are right, he was extraordinary."
He paused for a moment. "Ianto reminds me of Vol," he said with a hint of unease. "There's similar kindness in his eyes, similar calm in the way he speaks."
"Does he? I have noticed he has made an impression on explains why." She did not mention that Jack had noticed the same thing, but Eo seemed to sense what she left unsaid.
"Jack has no cause for concern; Ianto has eyes for him alone."
Tosh nodded, uncertain what to say. "It's impossible not to notice."
"It is Ianto's empathy that has caused me to reach out for him. He has been...understanding. But I never approached him with the intention of intruding into his existing attachments. He, like you, has become a valued friend."
"I'm sure I speak for both Ianto and myself when I say that the feeling is mutual."
They walked the rest of the way in silence. As the lift doors opened to the main Hub, they saw the Torchwood team gathered around Ianto's work station. Serean, Velena and Teron were seated on the sofa, watching the humans with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
Jack waved them over. "I wondered whether you'd be able to resist this discovery."
"You found the journal of the architect? Is it the real thing?"
"Ianto did, and we think so, it appears to be a diary."
"It certainly answers many of our questions," Ianto said as he handed the thin book over to Tosh.
She took it from him and opened it on the first page. The paper was yellowed with age and the ink faded, but still readable. The more she read, the more her eyes widened. Eo glanced at the text over her shoulder, but he was not yet familiar enough with human letters to decipher the text.
"He saw Alexander, didn't he?" Tosh looked up at Jack.
"We think so."
"So he saw the future. But how?"
"Read on and you'll find out."
Every entry added to her awe, each question answered brought with it many new ones. Her hands began to shake.
"He found the stone and turned it into the foundations, because of the dream. I'm assuming it was the alien stone that gave him the visions. But how could it do so?"
"We already knew the stone had some kind of psychic powers. An unguarded human mind would have been easy to influence. It's lucky for Jaakko and the inhabitants of Cardiff that the stone wasn't malevolent."
Flashing a smile at Jack, Tosh finished reading the diary and shook her head. "Remarkable. I'm surprised that Jaakko and Marjaana were so willing to accept their strange house."
"By the time they moved in, the foundations had been quietly influencing their thoughts for weeks and months," Ianto said. "I doubt they had any reason to feel uneasy. After all, from the moment I stepped over the threshold, it felt like a home. The feeling must have been even stronger with them, given they were its builders"
"But how did the stone get there?" Gwen asked.
Jack too had considered that. "I suspect it came through the Rift."
His reply did nothing to lessen Gwen's confusion. "Another one? I'm guessing this one didn't have weird gas inside."
"Maybe it did, who knows. Though given everything we know about the foundations, it's unlikely. I think Jaakko was right, I think it's some form of meteorite. It came through the Rift, crashed outside the city as it was in the past, and for whatever reason went unnoticed. If it can influence thoughts then perhaps it has a way of encouraging people to ignore it until it is ready to be found. Over centuries, as the land rose, it was buried and forgotten. Until along came a Finnish architect, ready to build the House of Leaves."
"What about the Rift inside the house?" Gwen continued her questioning. "How did it get there?"
It was Tosh's turn to respond. "I have two theories: First, there was always an offshoot of the Rift on this spot and the alien stone was drawn to it somehow. And the presence of the stone, even before it was turned into the foundations, kept the Rift dormant. Alternatively, it's possible that passing through the Rift charged the stone itself with Rift energy and it's been using that energy to open portals in the loft and to keep the house and the leaves safe."
Ianto tapped a pen against his lips as he thought. "Or could it be that this remarkable stone, upon passing through the Rift, splintered off a section and drew it away from the main Rift?"
Tosh considered the suggestion and nodded. "I like it. Seems more plausible than stone charged with Rift energy. At least it implies that there's little likelihood of the energy running out in the future."
"But where did the meteorite come from?" asked Gwen.
"I'm not sure we'll ever know," Jack said. "The whole of time and space is out there to choose from. It seems to me that the only way we might find out is if we ask the Doctor to have a look at it when he's next in Cardiff. But I don't know if the where and the when is all that important. It doesn't change anything. Although I must say, if the planet where the meteorite originated from is inhabited, the inhabitants must be remarkable."
"It just seems so unlikely," Gwen pointed at the book, "that an architect just happens to come along and decide to build a house using alien stone that would later become an inter-galactic memory bank."
Eo joined the conversation for the first time. "Why would you think it was just a coincidence?"
Gwen opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. She closed her mouth with a thoughtful expression.
"Go on, Eo," Jack said.
"I think it's safe to say that we all know what a remarkable place the universe is." They all nodded. "So many things seem to have come about as a result of an unlikely chain of events that it's a miracle there's any life at all in the universe. Why should we assume that it's nothing more than random luck? Wouldn't some kind of divine will make for a more plausible explanation?"
Ianto took a step closer to Eo. "You think something orchestrated the creation of the House of Leaves?"
"It seems that your builder incorporated the alien stone and built the House of Leaves because he was influenced by the meteorite. That very same meteorite draws power from the Rift whilst keeping it contained so that the inhabitants of the house do not suffer from the unstable nature of the Rift. Every aspect of the process appears to be connected to the meteorite. Had it not crashed here, there would be no House of Leaves."
"So are you suggesting that someone, or something, sent the meteorite through the Rift deliberately?" asked Jack.
"The House of Leaves has created ripples through time and space; creatures from all across the universe can visit it through the portals. Is it really so inconceivable that somewhere in the past or the future, a series of events has been put in motion to guarantee that the house was brought into existence?"
While Eo spoke, Serean had walked closer so she could hear the conversation better. "Sun Gliders sail in mysterious ways."
"Perhaps." Eo turned to his Captain. "But I ask you this: If during out peace keeping missions in the future we were to come across a planet with the sort of stone used in the House of Leaves, would you not be at least a little bit tempted to send some through the nearest tear in time and space?"
"You're suggesting that the House of Leaves becomes a self-perpetuating entity?"
"It already is that," he said, hands moving to illustrate his point. "The house has been built to shelter the portals and the leaves, and so people come to leave their memories, safe in the knowledge that they will endure. And because people come to the sacred place, portals open to enable them to do so, thereby creating more leaves that need to be protected. The memories exist because of the house and the house exists because of the memories. It stands to reason that the house has been built for that purpose alone."
Ianto nodded in understanding. "And because the grove can be accessed across the whole of time and space, many of the memories will have been made long before the physical house existed."
"Exactly," Eo confirmed. "Just like we travelled far into the past to fulfil our duty."
"How will any of that help us get home?" Velena called out from the sofa.
"It doesn't," Serean said, "but it is at least helpful to have an idea about what we're dealing with."
"With respect, Captain," Tosh joined in, "I think it might. It has reinforced my initial findings about the foundations and given me more confidence that what I'm working on will be effective."
"So what's the plan?" asked Jack, curiosity plain on his face.
"I've said it before, Jack, and I'll say it again: Patience. I'll tell you when I'm ready. Or rather, I'll show you when I'm ready."
He was not ready to drop the subject just yet. "Any idea when that might be?"
"Tomorrow perhaps. If I get as far as I'm hoping tonight, then tomorrow I will need to de-camp to the House of Leaves to run some tests." Tosh's PDA beeped and she glanced at the screen. "And that's my cue to get back to the super-computer. It's finished running the calculations and I need to consider the results and no doubt make endless tweaks."
"Happy tweaking," Jack said, resigned to the fact that he would get nothing further out of Tosh until she was ready. "Let us know if there's anything any of us can do to help."
The others echoed the sentiment.
"Will do." Tosh flashed everyone a smile as she headed for the lift. She had got as far as the water tower when Eo calling her name stopped her. Looking back, she saw that he strode towards her with a paper bag.
"You forgot your lunch."
"Thanks, Eo." She took the bag from him.
"Anything you need, just say the word."
Tosh acknowledged the sentiment with a nod and continued walking. The others watched her go until she disappeared from sight; on her way to her technology domain.
Tosh ended up spending another two days with the supercomputer, emerging only when prompted to eat and to go home for a shower and brief rest. Whatever her plan, she kept it to herself, responding to direct and indirect questions with an enigmatic smile. It was clear they would not get anything out of her until she was ready.
Serean, Teron and Velena grew restless during the wait. Having completed their mission, their thoughts turned to returning home. The restlessness spread to their hosts, until Jack drove the others to distraction with his pacing and Tosh banned him from the supercomputer room.
In an effort to distract everyone, Gwen and Owen took on the role of tourist guides. With Serean, Teron and Velena in tow, they attended a classical music concert, two art exhibitions, a county show and, on Teron's request, a martial arts demonstration. They hiked along the beaches, had a picnic on the hills overlooking the sea and picked the first crop of blackberries along tall hedgerows. To Gwen's surprise, even Owen did not complain about thorns and scratches.
The only ones unaffected by impatience were Ianto and Eo. Taking advantage of the wait, they disappeared back into the archives to cover as much ground as possible. Jack no longer begrudged Eo for dominating Ianto' attention; he could see the friendship developing between them as well as Ianto's enjoyment in it. There were things they were keeping from him, from everyone, but he assumed that Ianto would share them when he was ready. While he did not like the thought of Ianto keeping secrets, he would have been a hypocrite to call Ianto out on it when he himself had countless secrets hidden in the recesses of his mind.
And even though he could admit feeling jealous, it was jealousy of the time Ianto spent with someone else. He trusted Ianto and knew that Eo did not threaten their relationship. As if sensing the source of Jack's disquiet, Ianto made a point to invited Jack home with him every night. They cooked dinner together, each taking an equal share of the preparation as well as the tidying up afterwards. The rest of the night was spent on the sofa, either watching TV or reading. In those quiet moments together, they both knew that their relationship had progressed far beyond casual sex.
When Tosh emerged with a trolley of equipment on the mid afternoon of the third day, everyone in the main Hub area jumped off their seats. She performed an eyeroll that rivalled Ianto's and continued towards the tunnel leading to the garage. When Ianto quirked an eyebrow at her, she nodded and he set down the remains of his coffee to follow her. They had got almost as far as the SUV before he spoke:
"Time for a field test, eh?"
"Yep. I've got as far as I can with the supercomputer. The rest I'll have to do at the House of Leaves."
"Have you got everything you need there or will you need to take more equipment?"
"This should be sufficient."
They spoke no more. Ianto loaded the crates into the back of the car while Tosh settled the machine she had build on the back seat. When he saw it, his smiled deeped in understanding. Tosh nodded to confirm that he was correct.
It was a grey day and fine mist of rain wrapped everything in a damp blanket. Ianto steered the car around a puddle to avoid soaking a pedestrian, before grinning at Tosh.
"Jack is going to be pissed off that you're allowing me to help without including him."
"He will live, I'm sure." She laughed, before casting a curious glance in Ianto's direction. "Is he still jealous of Eo?"
"Less than before, I think." Ianto saw no point in asking how Tosh knew about that. "We've spent most of our free time together and that seems to help."
"I imagine it does. Eo said that his intention was never to complicate things for you and Jack."
"I know. He had his reasons for reaching out to me."
"Without wishing to break his confidence, I think he shared at least part of his reason with me."
Ianto nodded, eyes on the road. "It still seems so surreal that we've been able to connect with aliens for the distant future on this sort of level."
"I know." Tosh's smile brightened. "I love it. I really love it. This has been the best case I've worked on since joining Torchwood and the memory of it will keep me going through a great many bad days."
"Me too. Even more so if we can get Serean and her team safely home."
"No pressure, eh?"
"I'm just saying," Ianto laughed, "although we'd be happy to share that pressure."
"Well, you already know what I'm planning."
"I do now. If it works, it's brilliant."
"That's a big if," Tosh said, a frown forming on her brow.
"I have faith in you." Ianto reached over to rest his hand briefly on Tosh's arm. As he did so, it occurred to him that some of Jack's tactile habits had transferred to him. "I always have faith in you."
"Thanks, Ianto. After days of fighting with the supercomputer, I think I needed that."
The gardens surrounding the House of Leaves glistened from the rain. The lawns along Springwood Lane had yellowed and died in the August sun, but the wildflower meadow under the oak and maple trees had remained lush and green. As they parked on the drive, it occurred to Ianto that the House of Leaves looked like it existed in a whole different era from the rest of the street. There was no satellite dish attached to the roof, no teenager lounging on the porch glued to his mobile. The disparity seemed fitting.
"Where do you want to set everything up?" Ianto asked as he unlocked the front door.
"The loft room. I need to run cables to the cellar, but the rest of it might as well go straight up."
"So you'll connect it to the foundations," he murmured, picking up a stack of crates.
Tosh huffed. "I almost want to say 'spoilers', but then I think you've got it all worked out already."
"Maybe, maybe not."
While Ianto carried in all the crates from the car, Tosh laid out the machine on a clear space of the floor and began unravelling the cables that were attached to it. Those she connected to additional coils of cables from the crates, which led her out of the room and down three flights of stairs. Once in the cellar, she propped the cold room's door open with a rusty can of paint and trailed her cables to the far corner, where the black stone had been exposed. A quick dash upstairs and she retrieved a set of metal clamps, which she attached to the ends of the cables. She was wiring in the last of them, when Ianto appeared in the doorway.
"All set?"
"Yes. I now just need to attach the clamps to the stone."
"I would offer to help," he said, lips twisting into a wry grin," but I don't think that would be such a good idea."
"Indeed not. I can't see Jack liking me much if the foundation stones fry your brain."
"I don't expect he would. What would you do for coffee then, I wonder?"
She flashed him a sideways glance even as she straightened the cables on the floor. "I'm not sure that would quite be his main concern."
When a shrug and a fake innocent look indicated that Ianto did not wish to speculate further on the matter, Tosh turned to focus on the foundations. Easing herself into the trench that had been dug alongside the stones, she attached each clamp in a row, careful not to touch the stone in the process. As a final measure, she checked that the cables were securely attached to the clamps.
"I designed the clamps to be such that any power will pass through them unaltered. At least that's what I'm hoping will happen. It's the first time I'm testing them with alien stone rather than something more mundane."
Ianto helped her out of the trench. "If recalibrating the clamps is the only hitch in the plan, I'd say it's pretty good."
"That's a big 'if'."
"I told you, I have faith in you." He smiled as he followed her up the stairs.
"Thanks, Ianto."
The rest of the day passed in performing test after test on Tosh's machine. The clamps worked fine, but the power channelled through the cables turned out to be far more than she had expected, which led to them to build a transformer between the alien stone and the machine. Part of the problem was caused by the vibrations emitted by the foundations, so the transformer was as much for providing a steady flow of power as it was to ensure that the machine did not short-circuit as soon as it was turned on.
Tosh performed the final tweaks in the light of their battery operated floodlights, well after sunset. When everything had been double and triple checked, she sat back on her haunches and nodded to Ianto.
"Switch off the lights."
"Time for the fireworks?" He did as she asked.
"Indeed."
With the flick of a switch the machine powered up and a hum percolated around the room. There was a tangible sense of gathering power and then a curtain of shifting colours erupted within the perimeters they had set. In response, leaves all around the room lifted into air. Soon they were sitting in the middle of a maelstrom, unable to feel the current that held the leaves aloft. Above the hum of the Rift, the room filled with soft whisper of voices.
Looking at one another from across the machine, they shared a grin.
"You know we've just undone all the progress I made in cataloguing the leaves in this room," Ianto said, eyes dancing with triumph.
"I'm not sorry."
"Me neither."
After another glance at the dancing patterns of the Rift, Tosh switched off the machine. The room was plunged into darkness, save for what little moonlight filtered through the sky lights. Around them, the leaves continued with their dance for a moment longer, some brushing against their cheeks and hair, before all movement stilled in the room and they fell to the floor.
As Ianto turned on one of the floodlights, another grin lit his face. "Tosh, you did it."
"I did." She laughed in relief. "I know how to send Serean and the others home."
"Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow."