Chapter Twenty-Five: Torchwood Junior

"But it can't be Tony! He's on another universe… Could it be?" Cassie looked at Luke, who shrugged. "I suppose there's only one way to find out…" She flipped open the phone. "Hello?"

"Miss me?"

"Oh my God, Tony, it's really you!" Cassie was on the verge of tears. "But how? You're on another universe; how can you be calling me? It's impossible!"

"I'm not on another universe," Tony explained. "The team and I salvaged your old technology from Operation TARDIS and teleported across. We're tracing your call right now-hold on. What is it, Lis?" Cassie could hear Elisabeth's voice and then Tony's again. "Cassie, are you in the TARDIS right now?"

"Yeah, I am, why?"

"Step outside for a minute. We can't trace your call when you're in the TARDIS."

"The TARDIS is parked in the Hub, if that helps."

"Definitely helps. Okay, guys, program your teleports to the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff. And remember, we're doing this one at a time, by number. Don't want to overload the system. Okay, Cassie, come outside so you can see us and let us in."

"Got it. Come on, Luke! You can meet all of my old friends!"

"Sounds great," Luke grinned, and Cassie took his hand.

"Where are you going?" Jack asked as the kids walked out of the TARDIS and to the lift

"We have some unexpected guests," Cassie grinned, and before anyone could say anything, Cassie activated the lift and they started going up.

They reached the top and stepped off of the perception filter. Cassie put the phone back to her ear. "Okay, Tony, ready to receive." Ready to receive was an old code that they used before hearing important information.

"Wrong use of code, Cassie," Tony chastised. "Okay! One!" There was a flash of light and he appeared in front of them.

Five seconds later, Elisabeth zapped in, saying "Two!"

"Oh my god, you still use my old numbers!" Cassie practically started crying. "I've missed you!"

"Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight!" In turn, Billy, Piper, Noelle, Clark, Catherine, and Tate teleported in.

"Nine! Ten! Eleven! Twelve!" The Four Musketeers all zapped in.

"Thirteen! Fourteen!" John came in, followed by Eve, the latter still clearly infatuated with the former. Cassie was strongly reminded of Gwen and Jack. Rassilon knows why.

"Fifteen! Sixteen! Seventeen" Jenna, Cole, and Alex were next. "You misnumbered us, Cassie," Jenna explained when Cassie looked confused. "You made us thirteen and fourteen as well."

"Why didn't you point that out?" Cassie exclaimed. Jenna shrugged and began to laugh. "Oh my god, I never noticed that!"

"Seventeen! Eighteen!" The two little twins, not so little anymore, zapped in last…

"Nineteen!" A new girl, around Eve's age, zapped in.

Tony introduced the girl, "This is Kylie. She's a good friend of Eve's and she asked to join."

"Nice to meet you," Cassie began, but Kylie ran off and joined Eve, clearly trying to get her attention away from John.

"Eve begged me to let her in, even though she's not quite cut out for the job. She's very jealous of John and she's frankly a bit of a jerk to the others."

"I can tell she's jealous," Cassie laughed. "And lacking on the politeness front for sure. Speaking of John and Eve, is he still playing hard to get with the poor girl?"

"Poor girl indeed: he flirts with Kylie too. And anyone else he can find."

"Oh, that little bastard," Cassie groaned, and the two of them laughed heartily. "I swear, they're just like Gwen and Jack in a lot of ways." Cassie thought for a moment. "Actually, I think Kylie fits into the comparison as well… and that's decidedly not a compliment."

"Ah, well, what can I do? In other news, I'm dating Elisabeth."

"I knew that would work out!" Cassie laughed as she hugged her brother. "I've never heard anyone call her Lis. Is that your thing?"

"No, everyone calls her Lis now."

"Speaking of which… Luke!" She waved to Luke to come over. "Tony, this is my boyfriend, Luke Smith. Sarah Jane's son," she explained. "Luke, my brother Tony."

"Cassie's told me all about you," Luke grinned as the two shook hands. "Says that if not for you, she'd never have been able to come across. Ever grateful to you there."

"Alright, you guys! Let's go into the TARDIS - we're having a party!" And Cassie led the group back inside, overjoyed to be reunited with her old team.

Hey guys! Here's chapter 25! There's going to be one more chapter in the birthday party sequence, and then we move on to another event in the Hub!

If you haven't caught this already, "Kylie" refers to Kai Owens, who plays our "favorite" Rhys Williams.

Also, I've noticed some reviewers that say they ship Harcooper more than they ship Ianto. I personally invite you all to join The Lone Shippers! TLS is a club I formed originally with Rachel and Jubilee, of people who ship Harcooper (or Gwack, if you absolutely must) that are prepared to stand against the Vast Dark Sea of Jantomaniacs! PM me if you'd like to join, and give me a name (can be a pseudonym if you so choose) so I can give you love and ducks at the end of each chapter. (The love and ducks thing refers to the fact that Jubilee insists upon calling Harcooper "Gwack," and it sounds like a duck. Basically a way for me and Rachel to tease her.)

And on that note, as always, Love and Ducks to Rachel, Jubilee, Emma, and any new Lone Shippers, hugs to supporters, thanks to Eleonora, Noe, Hanul, and Kizzie, and cookies for all!

Love,

Ofelia xxx