TITLE:-TORCHWOOD:-
IN THE BEGINNING WAS TORCHWOOD.
THE SAGA'S OF MAJOR LILITH LETHBRIDGE-STEWART.
(CHPT.25)
AUTHOR:- NEMOSANGEL
CHARACTERS:- CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS, IANTO JONES, MAJOR LILITH LETHBRIDGE-STEWART, O/C'S.
MENTIONED CHARACTERS :- MICKEY, MARTHA,GRAY
PAIRINGS:- JACK/IANTO
WARNINGS:- INNUENDOS, DEAD DOG, DEAD ALIEN, DEAD HUMAN
RATING:- T WORD COUNT:- 7558
SUMMARY:- JACK, LILITH AND IANTO ARE CALLED OUT TO LLANDAFF CEMETERY DUE TO RIFT ACTIVITY. THEY COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE SHINI. JACK IS IMPRESSED WITH LILITH'S ABILITIES. IANTO IS BAIT TO DRAW OUT THE SHINI. EVEN IN THE MIDSTS OF DANGER THEY STILL MANAGE TO FLIRT. JACK IS ENJOYING THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP;THE DYNAMICS BETWEEN LILITH,IANTO AND HIMSELF. PLUS JACK IS LEARNING NEW THINGS ABOUT THESE TWO TWENTY FIRST CENTURY HUMANS. LILITH FINDS OUT THAT THEY ARE WRITERS OF FAIRYTALES AT TORCHWOOD. AND IANTO INTRODUCES LILITH TO THE LAST RESTING PLACE OF MOST TORCHWOOD EMPLOYEES.
AUTHORS NOTE:- IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE P.M. OR EMAIL ME. I DONT BITE.
DISCLAIMER:- I DON'T OWN TORCHWOOD OR DOCTOR WHO, IT BELONGS TO R.T.D. & BBC. THIS IS JUST FOR FUN AND I HAVE HAD FUN PLAYING IN TORCHWOODS WORLD.
YOU KNOW THE DRILL... READ AND REVIEW... AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT IT IF YOU LIKE IT.
CHAPTER 25.
19.45pm. Lilith drives through the dark streets of the city, heading over the river towards Llandaff. Ianto sits in the back of the SUV looking at the screen in front of him. Jack sits in the passenger seat next to Lilith. Jack watches the way she drives, the way she moves, well very little movement. The journey is smooth but fast. Jack is impressed, she is an excellent driver... She puts him to shame and he's been driving since the motor car was invented. She does not endanger them or any other road user. She weaves the SUV in and out the traffic.
"Ianto, any other rift spikes appearing?" Jack asks.
"No Sir, just that first one in the cemetery, though it is giving off a low reading compared to the earlier ones." Ianto reports, he is relaxed and not on edge. His mind is only on the screen in front of him. Usually if Jack is driving, he has one eye on the road.
As they near their destination, they see the flashing blue lights of the attending police, exaggerated in the darkness.
Lilith pulls up by the four police cars. The three Torchwood operatives get out the SUV and head towards the entrance of the cemetery.
One of the police officers in charge comes forward. "Good evening Captain Harkness." The officer says, Sergeant Gwyn Davis.
"Evening Gwyn." Replies Jack. "What have you got us?"
"A couple, a Mr. and Mrs. Greggs were walking their dog when they saw a flash of light, their dog broke loose and headed into the cemetery. They heard the dog bark then yelp then silence. Just at that time the Verger was locking up when he saw two tall pale people moving amongst the graves near the light." Gwyn states. "I have put an officer on each of the other exits to stop anyone going in or coming out."
"Ok." Replies Jack.
Just as three members of Torchwood continue to move towards the cemetery gate, a mass of tan fur comes flying through the air at them. Lilith pushes the two men out of the way. There is a sickening thud as the mass of fur lands where Jack and Ianto had been walking.
Jack and Ianto look down at what was the escaped dog, then the pair look at Lilith. Her quick action had saved them from being hit by the large dead dog.
"Thanks." Breathes Jack.
Gwyn comes over. "Are you ok?" He asks.
"Fine, thanks to my colleague." Replies Jack. Lilith's quick thinking, her fast reaction time saved Ianto and himself from being hit. The force at which the corpse of the dog had been thrown would have caused a nasty injury especially to Ianto.
Ianto bends down and looks at the dog, its throat has been ripped out. He gets up and goes back to the SUV, he returns with a body bag. He passes Lilith a pair of latex gloves for her to put on. He also puts a pair on.
Lilith helps Ianto get the dog into the body bag. They carry it to the back of the SUV and place it gently down in the back. This is done without any direction from Jack. The pair had just fallen in to working together without words. They then both remove the gloves putting into a bag for disposal.
"The couple will probably want their dog back." Says Gwyn to Jack.
"We will return it when we have cleaned it up and finished our investigation." Replies Jack. He has been on Earth long enough to know humans have a high regard for their pets, even to the point of caring and loving them more than their fellow man.
"You still going in there?" Gwyn asks, nodding to the cemetery gates.
"Yes, that's what we get paid for." Says Jack. He also knows that the dogs body was thrown at them as a challenge and to frighten them, well probably frighten Lilith and Ianto more than him.
As Lilith and Ianto return to Jack's side Lilith pulls out her hand gel, she puts four squirts of the gel into the palm of her hand then rubs it in.
This time, as the three move forward, the two males position themselves so they flank Lilith, Ianto on her left and Jack on her right.
They slowly walk into the cemetery... Away from the streetlights and the police cars lights, the cemetery is dark. Once far enough into the cemetery the three Torchwood operatives stop. They survey the area, watching for anything out of place, any movement. The night air is ice cold and still. The three place their headsets on putting them on open comms. so they are in consent contact even if they get separated.
They take several paces farther along the path just as the trees stir in a light breeze. Lilith puts her hand out to each man for them to stop... She can smell...?
Both men stop at the light touch of her hand on their arms. They watch as Lilith moves her head, it is almost like she is sniffing the air. A gentle breeze blows across the cemetery. The trees rustle.
Jack does not think that Lilith would be one for being afraid of a burial place like most people so he assumes she is sensing danger but... He watches as she closes her eyes for a moment, she is definitely sniffing the air. What is she doing?
Lilith takes a deep breath, she can smell... Can smell... God, she needs to move away from Jack and Ianto they are just so distracting especially Jack's pheromones. She is also getting the feeling they are being watched but that is not what she is concerned with at this moment. Lilith looks at Ianto first, she puts her hand up and mouths the word stay. Ianto nods to acknowledge he understands her request. He knows what she is doing... What she can smell... Lilith then looks at Jack, she mouths the word stay to him as well.
Jack struggles with this request she is unarmed but... He nods... To his relief Lilith only takes five paces then stops.
Lilith stands still, now five paces from the two males, the air is cold with just a slight breeze now... She breathes in deeply... She is not mistaken the air hangs heavy with the smell of... It is coming from their right and the source is not far away... She turns to the two males. "This way." She says quietly directing them. She leads the way and they follow closely.
Both Jack and Ianto draw their guns, both keeping their eyes on their surrounding area, peering into the darkness, watching for anything hidden behind some of the large grave markers. They watch where Lilith is heading, a section where there is a few of the more modern graves, as they get near this area they can see ten marble graves along the edge of the path. They are either made of black or white marble.
Jack looks towards the area Lilith is heading, at first glance nothing seems out of place then he sees... One of the white marble graves looks wrong, it looks like it has been splashed with paint with a bundle of rags left beside it.
Lilith can now see her target, a white marble grave, newly... newly decorated... and next to the grave the empty vessel which had carried the medium.
"I think we have found our missing security guard." States Ianto, quietly as the three of them come to a halt by the grave. He bends down, he pulls out another set of latex gloves and puts them on. He slowly turns the body.
Mr Robert Brown now lies dead, drained of most of his blood with two large chunks missing from his body. One from his neck/shoulder region and the second from the top of his left thigh/groin region.
"Looks like two have feasted on him." States Jack, his mind racing how had Lilith...?
Robert Brown's face has frozen in death with an expression of sheer terror. His blood is splattered across the harsh white marble.
As the two inspect the victim Lilith stands watching their surroundings, guarding. Mr Brown's blood saturates the cold night air.
"I take it they are trying to instil fear into us?" Says Lilith, not looking down at the two men, her eyes, her mind on their surroundings, watching for anything out of place, a movement.
Jack's mind is racing, how did Lilith pin point Mr Brown? How did she track...? He then realises that Lilith has asked a question. "Yes... They will be loving this because even if we are not actually frightened by this there will still be a chemical reaction going on in our bodies, we are on alert, ready for a fight." Says Jack. Is this the time to discuss what Lilith had just done... Is this part of her psi-abilities? No, it was, he thinks, more physical. He thinks... Is she really human or from Earth for she is showing abilities, traits of being from the future, the ultimate warrior, the explorer living and surviving on their extraordinary abilities... Part psi-abilities part physical abilities... She has an awareness most human do not have, again she is more like a Time Agent... The Time Agency took... Will take the best that the universe will have to offer, again both Lilith and Ianto would be in the elite core of The Time Agency like he was.
Lilith knows Jack wants to ask a question about what she did but this is not the time. "We are being watched from the line of trees to the right." She says as she see just a slight movement of white.
Jack stands up right, he casually looks to where Lilith has indicted. He can just make out one of the Shini watching them.
"Not to bright wearing white in such a dark place." Says Ianto, also standing up. There is nothing they can do for Mr. Brown. "We are going to have to bring the SUV in here to clear up."
"We also need to draw out our watching friend." Says Lilith.
"I will be the bait." Says Jack.
"No Jack." Says Ianto. "They are more likely to be drawn out if either Lilith or I are bait."
"But it is the most dangerous part." Says Jack.
"No all parts of this is dangerous, because each of us will be on our own at points." Says Lilith. "One will stay as bait, to stay with the body. Then two will start walking back towards the gate, making our intension known. Once far enough away, one will double back while the other continues to get the SUV."
"So which one of you is going to be bait?" Jack asks. "I will be the one to double back." He will let Lilith and Ianto decide who will be bait and who will be go for the SUV.
Lilith and Ianto look at each other for a moment. A choice is made. Ianto gives Lilith a slight nod. The choice is logical... Both Jack and Lilith have military training even though Ianto is very capable of defending himself he is the logical choice as bait. He trusts them to come to his rescue.
"Come on Captain, let's go and get the SUV." Lilith says loud enough for her voice to carry across to the hiding Shini.
Jack stirs slightly, startled by the pairs ability to make a decision in silence.
"Do not wander beyond the next row of graves Ianto as the ground dips away slightly." Lilith says.
"Yes Ma'am." Ianto replies. She has just given him the area he can move around in. He can move between the path and the next row of graves over as it will give Jack the cover he needs when he returns as there is a large mausoleum flanked by bushes.
"Just remember they are agile, faster and stronger than you. So Major, we will need to move fast." Says Jack.
"Ok Jack." Replies Lilith.
"We are on open comms. so Ianto you will hear us, we will keep you informed where we are." Says Jack quietly.
"Ok Sir." Replies Ianto.
Ianto starts to move about the area around the body. Jack and Lilith start off at a fast pace back along the path.
"We will not be long Ianto." Jack calls out loudly. "We will bring the SUV in."
"Ok Sir." Ianto calls back just as loud.
As Jack and Lilith get to a line of trees Jack peels off and starts to double back.
Ianto paces back and forth, looking about him, he can hear the trees rustling... He watches for any movement, He jumps slightly as he hears Jack's voice over the headset telling him where he is.
Lilith runs the rest of the way along the path to the gate but she keeps her eyes open for any movement. "I am at the gate." She says into her headset to let the two males know where she is.
As Lilith gets to the gate Sergeant Davis come forward. "Everything alright miss?" He asks.
"Captain Harkness just sent me back for the SUV. We need equipment from it." Lilith replies, continuing to it.
"You will keep to the paths with it?" Gwyn says.
"Yes, I promise." Lilith replies. She climbs in and starts the engine up.
Gwyn directs the two officers that are with him to move aside as Lilith drives slowly forward.
"I am on my way back." Lilith says into her headset for Jack and Ianto to hear.
Ianto paces about the area, looking nervously about. He wishes the Shini would make the move he knows it is going to make... He gets the distinct feeling that he is being watched. He stops pacing and looks about. As he turns he comes face to face with one of the Shini. There is only a gravestone between them. The Shini grabs the front of Ianto's hoodie. Ianto braces himself against the gravestone... He remembers that though they are fast and agile, Jack had said they are not as strong as him... Ianto is used to Jack's strength so he holds on tight to the gravestone, lowering his centre of gravity. He will make it difficult for this alien.
"Greetings pretty pet." Hisses the Shini. "We want to play with you."
"Let go of him." Says Jack appearing from between the bush and mausoleum, his Webley drawn but unfortunately he does not have a clear shot at the Shini.
"Hold tight, I'm nearly back." Lilith's voice sounds over the two males headset.
Lilith has driven into the cemetery without putting the SUV's headlights on. She builds up enough speed... Then she takes the SUV out of gear and switches the engine off. The vehicle coasts along in silence. She slowly brakes as she come to the row of bushes by the mausoleum... She quickly gets out. She slowly moves into a position that she can see Ianto, Jack and the Shini. "Keep it focused on you Jack." Lilith instructs, very quietly over the headset.
"What do you want?" Jack asks the Shini, he still does not have a clear shot.
Ianto holds on to the gravestone for dear life... If the Shini wants to drag him back to the rift spike then he... it is going to have to drag the gravestone as well.
"We said... We want to play with your pets... You deprived us of our pleasure." The Shini replies.
Lilith looks at the distance between her and Ianto, she calculates if she runs at Ianto adding her weight plus the speed she achieves, she should be able to break the grip the Shini has on Ianto, her momentum should be enough to take them out of Jack's line of fire. She will only have one chance because as she starts running she will be in full view to the Shini. "Get ready Jack... Ianto as soon as you feel me touch you, you kick yourself away from that gravestone, kick out hard." Lilith whispers into the headset.
If either men heard her they show no evidence.
"Your argument is with me." Says Jack to the Shini.
"And the price is for us to play, have fun with your pets." The Shini replies.
Lilith lunches herself forward, running as fast as she can over the short distance. Jack sees her first, he readies himself.
The Shini sees her to late. Lilith slides her arm around Ianto's waist, she goes in low. Ianto kicks out, with Lilith extra weight, momentum and him kicking out it is enough to break the Shini's grip on Ianto's hoodie. The pair land heavily on the ground narrowly missing a grave.
There are three loud reports as Jack fires his gun, hitting the target, the Shini, square in the chest. The Shini slumps over the gravestone, dead.
Jack rushes over to Ianto and Lilith. The pair are laying on the ground, Lilith's arm is still around Ianto's waist. Both are breathing heavily, they look at each other for a moment then they start laughing, their bodies are so close, this is an adrenaline fuelled moment.
"Are you two ok?" Jack asks, kneeling down by them, they look rather gorgeous laying there together. Hmmm... Adrenaline... Thrill... The things that are going through his head.
The pair sit up.
"I really could hug and kiss you Major." Beams Ianto at her.
"Wow, gone from just kissing to hugging and kissing." Muses Lilith.
"Don't I get a hug and kiss?" Says Jack pouting, he is relieved, the three of them had worked well, very well... God they look sooo...
"Oh you will get far more than a hug and a kiss later Jack." Says Ianto, huskily. Jack will be getting his attention later alright... He has so much energy he wants to... Hmmm Jack is going to...
"I'm glad to hear it, my love." Jack says, he stands back up pulling Ianto to his feet. The two men then hold a hand each out to Lilith... Will she take the offered hand?
Lilith looks at the two males offered hands for a moment.. Wait, she is sitting on the ground, the dirt in a cemetery... She takes each of their hands. They pull her to her feet, pulling her in close to their bodies. There is a moment or two of silence, the air is electric, a connection...
"Right, lets get this area cleaned up." Says Lilith moving out of the two males proximity, moving towards the SUV. "I will move the SUV closer."
The two males hold on to each other but their blue eyes follow Lilith as she walks off. She had taken their hands, touched.
"She needs time." Jack breathes.
"Yes but she will be worth the wait." Says Ianto softly.
Jack looks at his young lover. "Hmmm she sure will, just like you." He says in a near whisper.
"Oi!... Open comms." Comes Lilith's voice over the headset.
"Opps." Ianto says with a smile.
Lilith pulls out her hand gel and puts four squirts of gel in her palm. She wonders if the two males knew the comms. were still open... She feels confused... She feels... She feels alive... Well that's a novelty. She feels excitement... The thrill... She has no right... She climbs into the SUV.
"Don't forget there is possibly a second Shini around." Lilith says reminding the two males over her headset.
"Yes Major." Comes Jack's reply. He had forgotten, he had got caught up in the moment.
"And have you checked that the Shini that you shot is dead?" Says Lilith over her headset as she starts up the SUV.
"Just doing that now Major." Comes back Jack's reply.
Lilith brings up the screen on the passenger side of the SUV. She scans the area. "Jack the rift is still active, just east of our position." Lilith reports over the headset.
"Ok Lilith." Comes back Jack's reply. "Lets clear up this area first then if it is still active then we know there is still a second Shini in the area."
Lilith eases the SUV forwards until she is nearly level to where Mr. Browns body is. She turns the SUV slightly to provide light using the headlights of the SUV. It is then the headlights pick up the second Shini trying to sneak up on Jack and Ianto.
"Watch out!" Lilith warns, jumping out the SUV. She runs forward pulling open the pouch on her belt.
Jack puts himself in front of Ianto as the Shini rushes forward.
Lilith draws out six small slim throwing knives. The first one she throws misses because of the speed of the Shini. She gauges its trajectory still heading towards Jack and Ianto. She throws two knives in quick succession, both finding its mark, a shoulder and an arm.
The Shini screams in frustration, it glares at Lilith, it changes direction and heads off into the darkness, heading east, heading for the rift energy. Lilith starts to pursue it.
"No Major! Don't go after it." Jack orders.
Lilith stops straight away, obeying straight off... Which is refreshing... Jack's reasoning for stopping her going after the injured Shini, is that even though it is injured it would still grab her and take her off.
Lilith retrieves the first knife that she throw.
Jack watches her for a moment, she is a great asset to Torchwood, to him. She is good in dangerous situations. She has many qualities that most twenty first century humans do not possess... There are warrior races scattered out across the Universe that show similar traits. He can see why Ianto and Gwen have voiced admiration for Lilith now that he has worked with her... She is good when facing danger.
Ianto goes to the back of the SUV and gets two more body bags out. Lilith puts a fresh pair of latex gloves on and is at Ianto's side helping him with the two bodies, placing them in the back of the SUV.
Jack goes to the passenger side of the SUV and looks at the screen... The second Shini must still be about as the rift is still active.
Ianto then pulls out a small hose line that is attached to a high-pressure water tank inside the SUV. In the water is a special chemical, a bleaching agent, which destroys any evidence of blood. Ianto washes Mr. Brown's blood away from the white marble gravestone and surrounding ground.
Lilith checks the area to make sure they did not miss any evidence.
"Finished." Reports Ianto to Jack.
Ianto and Lilith remove their gloves, putting them in the small bag from earlier for disposal.
"Right, we will drive round where the rift activity is." Says Jack. "Major if you would be so kind." He says indicating for her to drive again.
"Captain." Replies Lilith.
"Ianto." Jack indicates for Ianto to get into the front passenger seat.
"Sir." Ianto says with a slight nod of his head... Well wonders will never cease. Jack very rarely rides in the back when he is conscious.
Jack gets in the back but instead of sitting back and putting his seatbelt on, he leans between the two front seats.
Lilith follows the path around the cemetery. Ianto watches the screen in front of him.
"Nice knife skills Major by the way." Says Jack. He mind is racing he wants to know.
"Thank you Jack." Replies Lilith. She knows Jack wants to ask another question, he wants to know.
Jack hesitates, he wants to ask a question, he wants to know. He hovers between the pair.
"Well..?" Says Lilith waiting. "You want to know."
"Yes, how did you know?" Starts Jack, this is a rarity and a novelty for him... Lost for words and hesitant.
Ianto tuts... "How long have you been on Earth Jack? Yet some of us can still surprise you." Ianto says with a slight smile, he knows.
"But... But..." Jack stutters. God these two are so... so annoyingly gorgeous.
"You want to know how I knew where to find the body?" Says Lilith. "It's not magic Jack... Well... I suppose in the past it would be classed as magic."
"We said we are unique because of the bad things that have happened to us." States Ianto. "If you are faced with certain situations enough, certain senses become heightened, you become more aware of certain things, of your surroundings."
"Will you two geniuses explain instead of teasing poor me." Pouts Jack. He is definitely missing something.
Ianto laughs. "Oh Jack, I am actually surprised that you cant do it yourself or did not realise what Lilith did. Perhaps you have allowed modern human life to dull your senses or you take them for granted, your survival skills." Says Ianto softly. He would have thought of all people Jack would be even better at what Lilith did, perhaps he has become to soft on Earth.
Jack thinks for a moment... Yes he probably has allowed his senses to become dulled, perhaps it is time he relearnT his old skills, living on his wits... But...
"Granted most modern man who live a nine to five existence, pub, TV and family way of life never coming into a combat situation, never coming across a kill site or war zone would not be able to sense, do as I did and I suspect Ianto knew, can do it too." Says Lilith watching the path ahead of them as she takes the SUV around a wide bend in the path.
Ianto nods in acknowledgement at Lilith's statement. "The blood, Jack." Says Ianto.
"The cold air." Says Lilith.
"Oh..." Says Jack, then he realises. "Oh! Yes the metallic aroma from the blood clings to the cold air. Yes I know of this but... but I suppose I took it for granted, your abilities for granted."
"Blood has a unique smell to it." Says Ianto.
"And so does a decomposing body." Says Lilith.
"I'm sorry I underestimated your abilities... I forget the sort of situations you have been in." Says Jack. "Or I think it is because in a way I wish you never to have been in certain situations or I do not want to think of the situations you have been in." He says honestly.
Ianto reaches around his seat and touches Jack's hand. "I love you dearly Jack but we are not innocent or blinkered to all the bad in the Universe." Says Ianto.
"If everyone was innocent, untouched by evil, the human race would have been wiped out by now Jack." Says Lilith. "There would not be those who are willing to do what is needed, to fight, to go that much further. Though it will always be down to the few of us that are willing... Are able... Are capable of..." Yes she knows what she is!
"We do what we do so other may live in ignorance of what is out there, so they can live their happy lives." Says Ianto, there is no bitterness, it just is a fact. He gets it now.
"Ianto Jones you might be young but you are wise beyond your years." Breathes Jack. "I love you... I am glad you two are on my side... You two could make a lot of riches out there in the future." Jack says waving his hand around towards the sky. They would not be out of place at The Time Agency or for that matter as the conman, criminal he was with John. They would survive out there. If he got the chance he would...
"Rift activity." Says Lilith, as she slows the SUV and stops.
"Any sign of the injured Shini, Ianto?" Jack asks.
"No Sir." Replies Ianto.
The rift spike flares slightly and the injured Shini steps out of it as if on que. The three Torchwood operatives slowly get out the SUV. They stand in front of the SUV. Jack in the middle with Ianto and Lilith flanking him.
"Leave this planet." Says Jack. "This is a closed and protected planet."
The Shini takes two steps closer. It points at Lilith, then slowly pulls out the knife in its left arm. It smiles as it does it, looking directly at Lilith, looking into her. It then does the same with the knife in its shoulder. It then looks at Jack. "Give us your pets or we will take them from you, you who calls himself Captain Jack Harkness." The Shini says, its smile widening, showing its two rows of very sharp teeth. It then turns it attention back to Lilith. "Here, exceptional pet, I return your toys." It says to Lilith and throws her two knives in quick succession.
Lilith does not flinch or react as the knives come flying in her direction, she watches their trajectory, slowing their flight down in her mind, this is just to try and frighten her. In her mind she marks the spot six inches in front of her... The first knife lands, sticks in the ground on that exact spot with the second landing four inches from her feet. Lilith bends down and retrieves them from the ground. "Thank you for returning my knives." She says with a slight nod of her head.
"I am going to have fun with you." The Shini says to Lilith. "Tell me pretty pet, do you like pain?"
Lilith cant help but laugh... Does she like pain? What a stupid question... "You have no idea of the pain I have gone through and keep calling me a pet you might just find out about that pain yourself." Lilith says with a coldness that even sends shivers down Jack's spin.
"A pet with spirit, fire..." The Shini says with glee. "We can explore that pain together."
Jack steps forward. "I will warn you again... Leave or suffer the consequences." Jack orders, drawing his gun.
"You, who calls yourself Captain Harkness, you still live by violence... You will suffer through them." The Shini says, pointing at Ianto and Lilith. "We will collect them soon, when we have had some more fun." The Shini steps back into the rift spike.
Jack fires his gun twice. There is a blinding flash of light, the rift activity disappears, everything around them is plunged into darkness.
Jack is straight away turning to the pair, checking they are safe. "Are you ok..? Unharmed?" He asks, with a slight panic. He pulls Ianto to him, he wants to do the same to Lilith but he controls himself and just places a hand on her arm. He wants to lock them away somewhere safe but he knows he cant, they will not allow it.
"We are fine Jack." Says Ianto.
"Come on Captain. We still have a job to do." Lilith states, guessing what is going through Jack's mind. "No trying to wrap us up in cotton wool."
"But it seems every time something from my past collides with us disaster ensues." Says Jack.
"If we all lived as long as you and came from the future I am sure we would have the same problem." Says Lilith. "Things happen." Lilith just gently touches Jack's arm with her fingertips.
"We will take what the Universe throws at us." Says Ianto.
"We know there is going to be at least three possible outcomes." Says Lilith. "It would either leave us untouched, or it will be our demise or it will enhance us."
"We will settle for the last option though." Says Ianto dryly.
Jack laughs. "Ok, do you two know you are scary." He says, the pair have only known each other for a few days yet they are very alike, working on the same wavelength... He is a very lucky Jack.
Lilith goes around to the passenger side of the SUV and uses the scanner to scan the cemetery, doing her job, checking for any further danger. Then she widens the scan to scan the rest of the city.
"Well Major?" Jack asks, looking at her through the door, his arm firmly around Ianto.
"Patience not one of you strong points Jack." Lilith says as she double checks the city.
Jack grins. "Nope."
"Scanners show this area is clear and there is no evidence of any farther rift activity within the city." Lilith reports satisfied she has been thorough in her scanning.
"Ok, lets get our cargo back to The Hub." Says Jack, he drags Ianto into the back of the SUV with him.
Lilith closes the passenger door with a slight smile and goes around to the drivers side. She makes herself comfortable in the drivers seat... She looks into the rear view mirror only to see the two men kissing. She lets them continue for a moment... "Gentlemen... Seatbelts please." She says.
"Yes, sorry Major." Says Ianto as the pair sit back properly.
Jack and Ianto put their seatbelts on. Jack holds Ianto's hand, his thumb gently caressing the back of Ianto's hand.
Lilith drives back round to the main gate. The police office, Gwyn, steps forward as they approach.
Lilith opens her window. "The area is clear and safe." She informs him.
"Thank you miss." Gwyn replies.
Jack opens his window. "Sorry Gwyn... I forgot to introduce you to our newest member of the team... This is Major Lethbridge-Stewart." He says. "Sergeant Gwyn Davis."
"Ma'am." Gwyn says to Lilith, almost standing to attention.
Lilith nods her head. "Sergeant." She says.
"Gwyn, can you please phone either Mr Jones or myself with the details of the couple the dog belonged to so we can return him to them in the next day or two?" Jack says.
"Yes Captain." Replies Gwyn.
"Ok Major, on we go." Says Jack.
"Yes Captain." Lilith replies, easing her foot on the clutch, putting it into the SUV into first gear and accelerating off down the road.
Lilith drives back through the streets of Cardiff in a smooth safe manner. She drives into the car park. The three Torchwood staff get out. Jack goes to the back of the SUV with Lilith while Ianto enters their base.
Jack opens the back then leans on the SUV while they wait for Ianto to return. "So Major, how are you liking the job so far?" He asks.
"Interesting. The people I am working with are great, though I am a little undecided about the boss still." Lilith replies seriously.
"What's wrong with me?" Jack says with a slight whine. "I'm charming... I'm..."
"Charming? Really?" Says Lilith. "Says who?"
"Everyone." Jack replies.
"Really?" Says Lilith.
Jack nods. "Well, nearly everyone." He says. "Well some people."
"Sure they weren't just being polite?" Asks Lilith seriously.
There is a little chuckle over their headsets as Ianto can hear them. Ianto appears at The Hub's door with a gurney. "I hope you are behaving yourself Jack?" Says Ianto.
"I always behave." Jack says with a pout. "The Major was being mean to me... She does not believe that I am charming."
Ianto kisses Jack's cheek. "Well I think you are charming." He says.
"See?" Jack says looking at Lilith and gesturing to Ianto. "Ianto thinks I'm charming."
"That's one person Captain... Ianto is not everyone." Replies Lilith.
"Well Sir, you know what you have got to do?" Says Ianto.
"No." Says Jack, he is enjoying this... They are unwinding after being in such a tense and dangerous situation.
"You are going to have to show the Major just how charming you can be." Ianto says with a wicked smile.
"Oh yes... I can do that." Purrs Jack.
"That's charming and not cheesy." Says Lilith with a sweet smile.
"You are going to get on with Mickey... He calls me Captain Cheesecake." Jack says giving them one of his big cheesy grins.
"I wonder what ever gave him the idea to call you that?" Lilith muses.
The three laugh... It is good to laugh.
Lilith stops laughing. "Seriously to answer your original question... I have not felt this alive since... Well the night before the battle... I was slowly dying... even biding my time, possibly. So as I said the job is interesting and the people are great." She says.
"And you know when you are ready... You can talk to us." Says Jack seriously.
"Yes Jack." Replies Lilith. "Thank you."
Ianto composes himself. "Anyway Jack... Where do you want the bodies put... Cold storage in the autopsy bay or down in cold storage in the mortuary?" Ianto asks.
"Down in the mortuary for now. We shall need Martha to do the autopsies on the Shini and Mr. Brown." Says Jack. "The dog will need to be cleaned up, checked that the bite marks can passed off as fox bites to the untrained eye."
"So what...?" Lilith starts uncertainly. "We say the dog got hit by car when it run into traffic. It then some how found its way back to the cemetery where it found a place in a corner to die. But unfortunately a fox found it before it was discovered by another dog walker." She says.
"Yes... That sounds plausible." Says Jack. In the past Ianto and Tosh came up with most cover stories... Gwen has always had trouble with the covers stories.
"So not only are we fearless defenders of Earth, we write fairytales too?" Says Lilith.
"Yes." Says Ianto with a wicked smile. "That's Grimm's fairytales though."
Lilith Laughs. "Great, always liked a good fairytale."
Lilith helps Ianto place Mr. Browns body on the gurney.
"Lilith, if you go with Ianto, he can show you our mortuary. I will wait here." Says Jack.
"Ok." Lilith replies, going to the opposite end of the gurney to Ianto to help guide it. "Come on Mr. Brown, we have a nice bed waiting for you." She says talking to the body, her back to the two males.
Ianto rolls his eyes.
"Did you just roll your eyes at me Mr. Jones?" Says Lilith as they enter their base. Even though her back had been to him she had sensed it.
"How did you...?" Ianto stutters as he pushes the gurney.
Jack stifles a laugh as he listens to the pair over their headsets.
"I'm a mother, I have eyes in the back of my head." Says Lilith. "There is nothing wrong with talking to the dead... They are good listeners and they cant talk back... Well most of the time they cant... Their bodies can often tell us a lot though."
The pair go down in the lift and weave through some of the lower tunnels.
"I have helped on some of the autopsies in the past... Some of it is fascinating and some is just gross." Says Ianto.
They enter the mortuary... Well the first level of the mortuary just under the autopsy bay. There are six levels to the mortuary, lined floor to ceiling with wooden doors, behind each door is a cold storage unit. There is also one level that holds those that are not dead but in stasis, cryogenic suspension like Gray. There is a small lift system from the autopsy bay for bodies to be sent down to the mortuary in.
"Welcome to the last resting place of all Torchwood 3 employees." Says Ianto as they enter... Bar one... He thinks as he thinks of Owen.
Lilith looks around the large chamber... They carefully place Mr. Brown's body into one of the compartments. Ianto quickly fills out a form at the desk by the door, putting the corresponding number of the compartment on the form.
"Well I suppose this is better than being buried in the ground, in the dirt." Says Lilith... After thinking about what Ianto had said about it being their last resting place.
"Funny that is how I think." Says Ianto.
"I always wanted to be cremated though." Says Lilith. "And my ashes sent into space."
"This is Torchwood policy." Says Ianto.
"Well at least I know what my future home will look like." Says Lilith. "My final resting place."
"Are you two being morbid?" Jack's voice comes over their headsets.
"No Sir." Replies Ianto.
"Really should remember to turn our communication devices off." Says Lilith.
"Could have been worse Major." Comes Jack's voice.
"Yes, we could have been talking about you, Jack." Says Lilith.
The pair leave the mortuary with the now empty gurney.
"Or we could have been flirting with each other." Says Ianto with a smile and a wink at Lilith.
Lilith laughs. "There is still time." She says.
The pair are still laughing when they get back to the car park.
As they get to the SUV Jack grabs Ianto. "You would not flirt with the Major without me, would you?" He says with a slight pout.
"No Jack I would only flirt with the Major in front of you." Replies Ianto with a slight smile.
"That's what I like to hear." Says Jack kissing Ianto.
Lilith is getting the hang of these two males... She does not take the bait or react. Using her emotional wall to ignore them.
Ianto and Lilith lift the Shini's body on to the gurney.
"Wait!" Orders Lilith. She grabs a hand held scanner. She scans the body for any tracking devices or anything that could be a danger to them. Everything reads as negative. "Ok clear."
Jack is impressed. This is something they have never done before... Scanning a body before it is taken into The Hub... They have always taken it for granted before...
Jack carefully lifts the body bag with the dog in it out of the SUV. He will carry it down to the mortuary. Lilith locks the SUV up. The three enter The Hub, going down to the mortuary and storing the bodies.
They then go up to the main working part of The Hub. Ianto goes and makes three mugs of coffee. Jack goes to his office and makes a phone call to UNIT requesting Martha Jones for the autopsies. They tell him it would take a few days then they will get back to him... He is tempted to pull a 'higher authority' card on them but he wants to wait until they are officially told. Then he will have fun with them. Lilith goes to her workstation and writes up her report on the evenings jaunt to the cemetery. She also pulls out her notepad and makes some more notes to do with security and procedures.
Ianto brings Lilith a coffee.
"Thank you Ianto." Lilith says. She takes four sips. "Heaven." She murmurs.
Ianto smiles as he walks off with Jack's coffee. He takes Jack's coffee up to his office. He knocks on the door.
"Come." Jack call out.
Ianto enters. He walks over to Jack's desk and places the mug down on the desk.
"Once Lilith has finished her report she can go home." Jack says, though he is worried. The Shini could strike at anytime, anywhere.
"Ok Sir." Replies Ianto. "I will inform the Major."
Really Jack would like to suggest Lilith and Ianto stay over in The Hub but he knows Lilith would not, she has her daughter at home. Ianto will be with him tonight they will probably stay in The Hub until one then he will take Ianto home though it depends on how peaceful the night is going to be.
Ianto returns to the kitchen, collects his coffee and then goes to his workstation. "Jack says once you are done with your report Lilith, you can go home." He says.
"Thanks Ianto." Lilith replies, she wants to get out of her clothes and get a shower... She needs a shower.
10.35pm. Lilith closes down her computer. She drinks the last four mouthfuls of coffee. Ianto takes her empty mug from her. Lilith grabs her bag out of the bottom draw. She touches her headset.
"Yes Lilith?" Comes Jack's voice over the headset.
"I have finished my report Jack." Says Lilith.
"Wait..." Jack orders over the headset. Jack opens his office door, comes out on to the gantry and looks down at Lilith. "Be careful walking home. Watch for anything unusual, out of place." He says, he really does not want her to...
"Yes Jack." Replies Lilith.
"Good night Lilith." Jack says.
"Night Jack." Replies Lilith.
Ianto comes out of the from the kitchen. "Good night Lilith." He says.
"Good night Ianto." Replies Lilith. She goes out through the cogged door, up in the lift through the narrow tunnel into the tourist information office. As she leaves the office she locks the door. Then heads off around the bay.
In The Hub the two males watch Lilith ever step of the way home on the CCTV. They notice that every so often Lilith looks up at a camera... She knows they are watching. They watch as she takes out her phone as she walks, tapping the keys.
In The Hub both males phone beep, the same message appears on their screen...'There is a name for men like you :)).' Both men laugh. Jack sends back ';)))).' And Ianto sends back ':P.'
They watch as she enters the apartment block.
11.00pm. The weevil alert sounds out across The Hub.