Torchwood: In the beginning was Torchwood

by nemosangel

This is the first in the saga of Major Lilith Lethbridge-Stewart and her adventures with Torchwood. Time has been rewritten by The Shadow Proclamation. Jack is back on Earth and IANTO IS ALIVE! Torchwood is changing. Jack/Ianto/OC Gwen/Rhys.

37. Chapter 37

TITLE:-TORCHWOOD:-

IN THE BEGINNING WAS TORCHWOOD.

THE SAGA'S OF MAJOR LILITH LETHBRIDGE-STEWART.

(CHPT.37)

AUTHOR:- NEMOSANGEL

CHARACTERS:- CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS, IANTO JONES, MAJOR LILITH LETHBRIDGE-STEWART, GWEN WILLIAMS, MICKEY SMITH

MENTIONED CHARACTERS:- DEKKER, THE DOCTOR, ROSE, RHYS

PAIRINGS:- JACK/IANTO

WARNINGS:- INNUENDOS, MILD GWEN BASHING,

RATING:- T WORD COUNT:- 12794

SUMMARY:- LILITH RETURNS JACK TO THE HUB EXHILARATED. IANTO FINDS HE LIKES THE SMELL OF NEW LEATHER AND JACK MIX. MICKEY IS ARRIVING EARLIER THAN PLANNED TO WORK ON GETTING INTO DEKKERS COMPUTER. WHO DOES JACK SEND TO MEET MICKEY FROM THE STATION? GWEN? NO! IANTO? NO, HE IS WAITING FOR A CALL. LILITH? NOT A PEOPLE PERSON... SO LILITH IS WHO HE SENDS. LILITH PICKS MICKEY UP FROM STATION. MICKEY RECOGNISES LILITH, WELL HE KNOWS HER FROM THE PARELLEL UNIVERSE. MICKEY THINKS LILITH HAS TAKEN AN INSTANT DISLIKE OF HIM. DEKKER PHONES. LILITH PUTS ON AN ACT AS DEKKER THREATENS HER. GWEN JUDGES LILITH AS SHE WOULD BE IN THE SITUATION. LILITH SORTS OUT NERO'S ASHES. MICKEY GETS LOGGED INTO THE TORCHWOOD SYSTEM, TRIES AVOIDING GWEN AND HER QUESTIONS. SHE WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT JACK.

AUTHORS NOTE:- THANKS FOR ALL THE FEED BACK AND PM'S. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK. SOME GREAT FEED BACK... BLUSH.

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 37.

Jack and Lilith enter The Hub, making their way down to the main working area. Jack again bounces along next to Lilith, feeling exhilarated, charged, full of energy.

Jack sees Ianto over by his workstation, on his phone. Jack bounds over to Ianto; he slides his arms around his waist.

Ianto rolls his eyes but continues on his conversation on his phone. "Ok Mickey, so your train will arrive at 11.55. Someone will be there to collect you." He says.

"Ok Ianto." Comes Mickey's reply. "See you soon."

"Good bye." Replies Ianto and ends the connection. He turns his head towards Jack, breathing in the unique scent that is Jack mixed with the smell of new leather, he feels a tightening centred around his groin... Well that is new; he has found he finds the smell of the leather a little bit of a turn on, especially when mixed with Jack. "Mickey will be here early. He grabbed an earlier train, which is good. I have been unable to get into Dekker's computer, so will need Mickey's talents."

"Ok, my love." Jack mummers as he buries his face in Ianto's neck, kissing his warm flash.

"Jack!" Says Ianto. "We have work to do."

"Blame the Major. She has brought me back all frisky." Jack breathes.

"Sorry Ianto." Lilith says with a smile.

"You don't sound to sorry." Says Ianto freeing himself from Jack's arms.

"I'm not." Lilith says. "When we get time I will bring you back in just the same condition."

"Can't wait." Ianto says with a slight smile.

Gwen comes up from the guest rooms; she had got one of the rooms ready for Mickey. "Hi there."

"Right a quick meeting in about fifteen minutes which will give me time to get out the leathers." Says Jack. "For now that is." He says looking at Ianto.

"That will give me time to shower and change." Says Lilith, standing there feeling so many emotions, Jack's hands had been on her... How could he touch...? Especially as he knows what her hands have done, she has done... She will never be clean... But she feels so alive... Alive while so many died. "Sorry Jack." She turns, goes off down to the staff changing and shower room, her emotions running wild.

Gwen looks at Jack. "What did you do?" She asks.

"Nothing... It has just been a tough morning for her." Says Jack. "Anyway, I better go and get out of this lot."

"I will get some coffee going." Says Ianto.

"I might need you to help me out my trousers." Says Jack softly.

"Always a pleasure but let me get the coffee machine going then I will come up." Replies Ianto.

"Ok." Says Jack, he heads on up to his office.

Gwen goes to her workstation she checks for any reported disturbances or any more missing persons.

Ianto goes to their kitchen and puts a fresh pot of coffee on. He places four coffee mugs on a tray, ready.

Lilith gets out of her leathers; she gets fresh clothes from her locker, black combats, purple vest top and a fashion leather jacket. She goes to a shower room. She strips the rest of her clothes off avoiding the large mirror on the wall, she get into the shower. She allows the hot water to cascade over her body, stinging her skin, relieving the stiffness of her right side. She does not look at her body, a reminder of that day that will be with her for the rest of her life. She pours some of her vanilla shower gel into her hand.

By the time Ianto gets to Jack's office, Jack is struggling to get his trousers off. Ianto gets Jack to sit on the sofa.

Jack studies Ianto's face as he eases the leather trousers down Jack's legs... Ianto has a rare beauty, his blue eyes full of concentration; his dark hair enhancing his pale complexion, not sick pale, his skin is silver to Jack's gold skin. If they had time he would be pouncing on Ianto, it is taking all his self-control not to... He leans forwards and captures Ianto's face with his hands. He kisses Ianto very gently on his bow shaped lips. "You are so beautiful." Jack breathes.

Ianto blushes. "Sir... Jack I..." He returns the kiss just as gently. He has never considered himself beautiful or handsome. "Come on Sir, let get you dressed."

"Now that is a novelty." Jack grins.

Ianto smiles back. "I suppose it is." He replies. He stands, he carefully puts the leather trousers over the back of the sofa, he will have to find out from Lilith the best way of storing them. He picks the jacket up and hangs it on the coat stand with Jack's coat.

Lilith returns to the main part of The Hub. Gwen is still at her workstation.

"I take it those pair are still in the office?" Says Lilith.

"Yes." Replies Gwen. She looks at Lilith. "Are you ok?"

Lilith looks at Gwen, she knows Gwen does not know her full story but she told her about her parents, in part. "Yes... Well it gave me the opportunity to lay some fresh flowers at the spot my parents were murdered. I have not been there for awhile." Says Lilith. "Anyway coffee should be ready. I will go and pour it out." She says heading towards the kitchen.

"Ok, meet you up in the boardroom." Says Gwen.

Lilith finds the mugs already for the coffee on a tray with a plate of cookies. She pours the coffee out the carries the tray up to the boardroom.

Jack and Ianto come across the metal walkway between the office and the boardroom. Jack is now dressed back in his usual.

Ianto sees Lilith carrying the tray, for a moment he panics; someone like the Major should not be doing... He relaxes, they are equals... He smiles at Lilith. "Thank you Major." He says.

"That is ok Ianto. I guessed you had your hands full." Lilith replies, innocently.

Ianto goes bright red.

Jack laughs. "You heard the rumours then, Major?" He says.

Gwen goes red. "Jack!" She squeals.

"Captain Harkness, that is not what I meant and you know it." Say Lilith sternly.

"Much." Mutters Ianto.

Lilith places the tray on the table; she grins and winks at Ianto. "I don't need rumours to know." She says. Yes, she can play Jack's games.

"Lilith!" Gwen squeals again. When she joined Torchwood, she had been pretty naive. She had grown up in Swansea, a very sheltered upbringing, she went to an all girl's school, she only wanted to see good in the world. Rhys had been her first real serious boyfriend from uni. so working with Jack had been a real eye-opener. She realises by comparison Lilith is a women of the world, not naive, she is use to dealing with males.

"She has seen first hand." Jack says proudly... Hmmm naked in her bed in silk sheets, just ashamed he was unconscious for most of it... Then in the shower room with Ianto... Dam! Again, he was unconscious.

"May I remind Sir we have a busy day." Says Ianto.

"Yes Ianto, sorry." Says Jack. He takes a sip of his coffee.

Lilith takes four sips of her coffee while Gwen nibbles on a cookie.

Jack looks at his watch, not long before someone will need to go and pick up Mickey. Whom does he send? Gwen? No, she is likely to ask to many questions. Ianto? Hmm, he knows Ianto is waiting a call. Lilith? Lilith has a problem with people... Lilith it is then. "Lilith I would like you to go and pick up Mickey after this meeting." Says Jack. He taps on his computer keyboard in from of him and brings up a picture of Mickey. "This is Mickey Smith."

"Ok Jack." Replies Lilith.

"Bring him up to speed with what is going on." Says Jack. "Take the copy of the file on Dekker with you. Tell him we need to get into Dekker's computer as soon as possible. Tell him all the details to save time when you get back here."

"Yes Jack." Says Lilith.

"Then when you get back we will set up your phone up here for when Dekker rings you at thirteen hundred hours. We need to get him to come to Cardiff. We need him to met you. You are the bait in the trap." Jack says.

"Ok." Says Lilith, she can be the bait quite easily but picking up Mickey well...?

"We will plan our next move once we know he will come here to Cardiff and we start to blacken his name, cook up a vice or two." Says Jack. "Once you have had your call we will get some lunch then Lilith you have your visit to Mr & Mrs Griggs to do."

"Oh yes, Nero's ash's." Says Lilith.

"Gwen I shall need you to do an ID up for Lilith for a..." Jack thinks, he looks at Ianto for help.

"A Rebecca Stubbs." Says Ianto.

"Yes, Rebecca Stubbs, police vet." Says Jack. "We were going to do it yesterday but we got a little distracted by Dekker and Lilith's shadow."

"Ok." Replies Gwen, writing down the name in her notebook.

"Lilith, will you need anyone to come with you to see the Griggs?" Jack asks.

"No, I will be fine." Replies Lilith.

"Ianto, once Dekker has phoned and we have had lunch I shall need you to get Mickey logged into our system so he can get to work on Dekker." Says Jack.

"Yes Sir." Replies Ianto.

"Isn't this going to be moving to fast for Mickey?" Gwen asks. "Throwing him in the deep end."

"No, as I said, he has had experience, a lot of experience." Says Jack, not elaborating. "And I am sure I don't need to remind you about the Shini either." He says. "Keep you eyes open. Ianto can you give Mickey a ring in a moment, tell him that Lilith will be out the front of the station... Tell him to look for a vehicle that says me and give him a description of Lilith."

"Yes Sir." Replies Ianto.

Jack looks at his watch again, still got a little time. "Lilith and I saw Sir Alistair this morning; he is arranging a long term cell for Dekker at one of UNIT's main bases, in Snowdonia. Lilith will transport him in the SUV with one of us riding shotgun... Sir Alistair has offered us added help if needed." Says Jack. "I want Dekker transported as quickly as possible, he has powerful friends and equally powerful enemies. Just be very careful when dealing with Dekker."

"Ok Jack." Says Gwen.

Ianto and Lilith both nod.

"Right Lilith, do you want to go, so you can find a parking spot at the station?" Jack asks.

"Yes Jack." Replies Lilith, standing. She puts her mug on the tray. She goes down to the work area and grabs the keys to the SUV and the copy of Dekker's file.

Ianto gathers the rest of the mugs up. He fishes out his phone from his pocket as he goes; he finds Mickey's number and rings him. "Hello Mickey." He says as he walks out the boardroom carrying the tray with the mugs on. "You are being picked up by a Major Lilith Lethbridge-Stewart. She will be out the front of the station. She is wearing black combats, purple top and a black leather jacket, beautiful blue eyes, hair the colour of a raging fire."

Mickey laughs. "Do all employees of Torchwood get described in such a manner?" Comes Mickey's voice.

Despite himself, Ianto blushes a little. "It could have been worse; it could have been Jack describing her." Says Ianto, dryly.

Mickey laughs again. "Point taken."

"Oh and Jack said look for a vehicle that says him." Says Ianto.

"Ok, so something over-stated, flashy, a look at me vehicle." Comes Mickey's reply.

"Yes." Says Ianto with a smile.

"Ok, see you soon." Replies Mickey.

Meanwhile Lilith has driven up to the station; she finds a parking space nearly opposite the exit. She looks at her watch, five more minutes before the train is due. She gets out of the SUV, locks it and wanders over to the station. She looks up at the arrivals screen in the stations hall to check the arrival time from London; it looks like the train is going to be on time. She goes back to the SUV and sits in the driver's seat to wait. She fiddles with the radio, trying to get a descent signal. "All this high tech and the radio does not work properly." She mutters to herself. She hears the train coming in from the London direction. She gets out the SUV and stands by it to wait. She realises, as she stands there, that Jack had sent her for several reasons; she suspects usually it would be Ianto or himself who would usually meet and greet visitors. He has sent her to keep her occupied, to stop her brooding over Dekker. Then he has probably sent her to help her interact, communicate with other people, all right not touch but she will have Mickey working with her a lot... Dam Jack! She is going to seem so rude to this Mickey, most people greet by shaking hands... She does not! She watches the exit from the station as people come out, some on their own, some in pairs, some in groups or families. Lilith watches and waits as the rush of people slowly diminishes. Then she sees her target... Mickey, come out carrying a messenger bag over his shoulder pulling a navy blue kit bag that has the small wheels on the bottom and carrying a slightly smaller navy kit bag. He stops as he gets clear of the station doors and looks around.

Mickey takes a deep breath; the last time he came to Cardiff was to meet up with Rose and The Doctor, which was when he had the misfortune or pleasure of first meeting Captain Jack Harkness or as he calls him, Captain Cheesecake. Ianto had told him to look for a vehicle that says Captain Jack, so something big, flashy and over-stated plus with the description of a woman, a military type from the name and dress. He scans the cars parked in front of him... A Mini, a Citroen, three Fords different models, a Mini Bus, a large SUV with a pretty young woman by it with hair the colour of rose gold in the sunlight with blue eyes, a Saab, a Mazda... Mickey's eyes go back to the young woman, who now with military rigidness walks towards him; he curses himself for not having a free hand.

Lilith walks up to Mickey. "Mickey Smith?" Lilith asks already knowing the answer.

Mickey nods.

"I am Major Lethbridge-Stewart. Please follow me." Lilith says, she turns without giving Mickey a second look, expecting him to follow. She heads back to the SUV. She opens a back passenger door, waiting for Mickey to catch up.

Mickey recognises her, she had her counterpart, her double in the parallel universe he had been in; Pete's World. He is sure she went by a different name though... He tries to remember... Wren... Major Wren. If this Major is only half as good a fighter as the one in Pete's World... Well he is in great company, she was dangerous, a mercenary, a killer... He wonders what this one is like... The other one had held a position near on single-handed against Cybermen when they rose up the second time. She was a little bit of a nutcase, she fought like a Berserker. He saw her empty her gun into the advancing Cybermen, then once she had run out of ammo., she used her gun like a baseball bat. He shakes his head... He is back in his world now ready to carry on the fight... This Major is standing patiently... Yes right, he notices her foot taping slightly... Not patiently waiting.

"Dump you kit in the back." Lilith says, she then goes round to the driver's side and gets in the SUV.

Mickey does as he is told... Yes, the SUV is very Jack... He closes the back door and opens the front passenger door.

Lilith starts up the SUV.

Mickey looks at her while he still stands at the door. "I would like to see some form of ID." Says Mickey. The parallel world Major would rip his head off if he had just got into the vehicle and he has not doubts this one would do similar.

"Very wise, Mr. Smith." Lilith says pulling out her ID.

Mickey looks at the ID...'Major Lilith Lethbridge-Stewart, Chief Security Officer to The Torchwood Institute. Second in command (Missions)'... "I thought Mr. Jones is Jack's second." Mickey says.

"He is in the day to day running of Torchwood." Replies Lilith. "Now if you would be so kind and get in. I have a file for you to look at on the way plus Jack wants me to start filling you in on what is going on."

Mickey gets in the front passenger seat. "Ok, Major." He replies, doing his seatbelt up.

The car in front of them backs out the parking space. Lilith puts the SUV into gear and shoots forwards into the vacated space, she drives out and round from the station out on to the main road.

Lilith pulls out a file from between the seats and hands it to Mickey without taking her eyes off the road ahead. "Read... Our target is Dekker, he sort of works for MI5. He has been trying to recruit me to spy on Torchwood; on Jack." Says Lilith.

Mickey notices Lilith's voice soften when she said Jack's name... Observation one. She is more loyal to Jack than Torchwood. He flips open the file and reads as best as he can while they move in and out of the Cardiff traffic. He looks at the photos'. "Who is the teenager?" He asks.

"My daughter... Lily-Rose." Replies Lilith.

"So this Dekker tried to target you through your daughter?" Mickey asks.

"Yes... Big mistake." Lilith says breaking, then she slips between two lorries at the red traffic lights.

Mickey looks worryingly about... Perhaps he is better off looking at the file than his surroundings. He looks at the next photo, Mr. Miles. "Who is this guy? And what does A.R.R. stand for?" Mickey asks, don't ask, don't learn.

"Mr. Miles worked for Dekker, MI5. He was following me." Replies Lilith.

"Worked? Was?" Says Mickey picking up on the past tense. Yes, he has learnt a lot and has come along way since that day The Doctor came crashing into his life, changing it forever.

"Yes, Jack gets very protective of his employees and by association their families." Says Lilith.

"Like your daughter?" Says Mickey. He knows in Pete's World the Major had lost both her daughter and husband to the Cybermen, she had been bidding her time until she could join them in death, to carry on the battle in the afterlife.

"Yes." Replies Lilith.

"And A.R.R.?" Mickey asks.

"Apprehended, retconned and returned." Replies Lilith with a coldness, pulling away as the traffic lights turn green, beating the two lorries.

Yes, Mickey decides, he is better off looking at the file. "Ianto said about getting into Dekker's computer." Says Mickey.

"Yes, we have been able to get into MI5's system but not Dekker's even though he must be on the same system as he is in the same building." Replies Lilith.

"Ok, I will see what I can do." Mickey says. "What's going to happen to Dekker?" He asks a little unsure, does he really want to know? This is Torchwood; Jack.

"Well Her Majesty has decreed as of Zero hundred hours tonight he will become a none person. We have to draw him out, with me as bait before that plus blacken his name as he has powerful friends and enemies. Her Majesty is leaving it up to our discretion what we do with him after that but we will apprehend him then he will be held indefinitely at a secure facility run by UNIT for us." Replies Lilith, she breaks hard again as a car ahead of them suddenly changes lanes. Mickey shallows and looks back down at the file then he glances across at Lilith, her face is emotionally cold.

"Torchwood and UNIT working together?" Says Mickey shocked. "Jack with UNIT? Working with them? Never! Jack would..."

"Dekker is not the only one to have powerful friends, relatives, employees with connections." Says Lilith. "Jack has been promoted to Head of The Torchwood Institute. He out-ranks UNIT as do Mr. Jones and myself."

"So you... We as Torchwood out-rank Dekker and MI5?" Says Mickey silently reminding himself he is now Torchwood.

"Yes." Says Lilith.

"But I still don't see the link with why Jack would go to UNIT." Says Mickey. Is he missing something? What has changed for Jack apart from the promotion? He is also puzzling... The Major's surname is also known to him... He is sure it is linked to The Doctor, what seems a lifetime ago now when Rose went missing when she travelled with The Doctor he went digging for evidence of The Doctor through out history, it was then he came across the surname. He knows UNIT and Torchwood have always had an uneasy alliance, sharing information but their ways of doing things and the difference of opinion over The Doctor... Plus there was Jack, a man so far out of his time, so far from his planet, as alien as The Doctor is to the twenty first centaury Earth. "It is a little odd that either Jack or UNIT would work so closely with each other. Knowing the differences and Jack."

"Jack has a friend and employee that has very strong relative links with UNIT. Jack is protected by that person." Says Lilith, not giving anything away as she drives into the underground car park. Lilith realises that Mickey knows a lot about Jack, about Torchwood, about UNIT and more.

"Jack has employed someone who has links with UNIT!?" Mickey gasps, surprised.

Lilith stops the SUV and gets out. Mickey also gets out. The Major's avoidance of his queries has not gone unnoticed.

"Grab your gear, I will show you to the guest room first, to drop your stuff off. Then I will show you through to the main part of The Hub." Says Lilith. Lilith looks up at the CCTV camera over the entrance. She knows Jack is probably watching them, which he is in his office.

Lilith and Mickey get in the lift to go down, Mickey struggles a bit with his bags. As the door closes the pair stand their in an uneasy silence.

Lilith knows she has got to work with Mickey. Jack trusts him and he has known him awhile, worked with him.

Mickey fidgets slightly under the gaze of Lilith. What if she is like the Major in the other world? Or worse? What if by his talking he has made an enemy of her? He swallows. He gets the impression that she does not like him much.

Lilith relaxes slightly, she sighs. "My grandfather was the founder of UNIT." Lilith states quietly. "Sir Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart was back then Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart." She says.

Mickey's mind races... The Brigadier had been a friend to The Doctor back in the 70's and 80's... He remains quiet about The Doctor. Jack has already said not to mention The Doctor directly to the Major but had not elaborated; he said he would explain what he could when he got here. "So you didn't want to join UNIT?" Asks Mickey, sometimes he does not know when to back off.

"No! I would never join UNIT! Though a few weeks ago I would have said I would never join Torchwood either. But Torchwood's maverick ways are more suited to me." Says Lilith stepping out the lift as the doors open. "You could call it an uneasy alliance between the two for just this mission. My grandfather already knows not to upset me over Jack and Torchwood. Jack has done a lot for me in a short time." Lilith says as she leads the way through the tunnels towards the guest rooms. She has shocked herself talking to Mickey over the last few minutes. "One of us will show you around properly later." She says they walk along through the tunnel.

"Ok, thank you." Says Mickey. He realises that the Major had just shown a little of the real Major in the last statement. She has made it obvious there are issues between UNIT, her grandfather and Torchwood. It is Jack she seems loyal to, Jack has a friend or is she possibly more?

Lilith opens the door to one of the guest rooms, the one Gwen had made ready. "This will be your room until your flat is ready." She says.

Mickey walks in he places his two navy bags at the foot of the bed, a large single. There is the basic furniture in the room, a small wardrobe, a set of draws, a desk and chair, a bedside cabinet with a lamp on top and a small mirror on the wall. Mickey finds it a little odd the room does not have a window even though he knows they are underground.

"There are shower rooms along this tunnel, plus the medi-unit, staff changing rooms, toilets and the beginnings of a gym that I am working on." Says Lilith. "There is a kitchen of the main working area. Do not touch the coffee machine on pain of death or worse, that is Mr. Jones's baby, even Jack is not allowed to touch it. Ianto's coffee is the best." She says as Mickey looks around the room.

Lilith's headset beeps. She presses the button on the side. "Yes Captain?" She says, knowing it is him.

"Major, can you bring Mickey straight to my office?" Jack's voice comes through the headset.

"Yes Jack." Replies Lilith.

"I hope you have played nicely with Mickey." Jack says playfully, trying to lightening Lilith's moods, the tension in her body. He is studying her body language via the CCTV.

Lilith looks up at the nearest camera in the tunnel. "No I have not. You know I am not a people person but Captain Idiot thought it would be good for me to do this." Says Lilith, her voice soft but with just a hint of bitterness. "It is not fair on Mr. Smith." She says, looking at Mickey as she realises she is now being watched by him.

"I am sorry Lilith... Forgive me. I am sure I can find some way of making it up to you." Jack purrs.

"If you think flirting with me is going to get you out of this you are mistaken." Says Lilith. "I might just have to have words with Mr. Jones. Persuade him to put you on decaff." She says with a slight smile.

Mickey is still studying her, he sees the soft smile.

"You would not do that to me, would you?" Jack whines over the comms. "I can't work without proper coffee." He pauses for a moment as his mills over what she has said. "How would you persuade my Ianto to put me on decaff?"

"Now Captain that would be telling but I have my ways." Lilith says.

"Really? Can I watch?" Jack laughs.

Mickey can only hear Lilith's side of the conversation but he can guess what Jack is saying, he remembers that Jack could say the word hello and make it sound as if he is flirting.

Lilith ignores Jack's comment. "Anyway Captain, work. We are on our way now." She looks at Mickey. "This way Mr. Smith."

"You are so mean to me Major." Whines Jack over the comms.

"Of course I am Jack. Someone has to be." Lilith replies, as she moves back out into the tunnel. She presses the button on her headset to cut communication with Jack.

Mickey walks next to Lilith, taking in his surroundings.

"Dekker is phoning me at 13 hundred hours. We are setting my phone up in the boardroom." Says Lilith as the step into the main part of The Hub.

"Wow!" Breathes Mickey, looking up and around, trying to take everything in. The water tower, the computers, the rift manipulator, the computers, the metal walkways, the computers.

"This is our main working area." Says Lilith. "This way to Jack's office." Lilith moves to the right and starts up the metal stairs. She stops half way up as she realises Mickey is not following, that he is rooted to the spot. "Mickey?" She calls out.

"Hmmm, sorry." Mickey mumbles. He is the tech officer for Torchwood, all this technology. He follows Lilith up the stairs.

Lilith knocks on Jack's door.

"Come." Jack calls out.

Lilith opens the door and ushers Mickey in.

"Mickey Mouse!" Jack shouts out, jumping to his feet, he moves out from his desk. "Good to see you."

"And you Captain Cheesecake." Says Mickey with a grin.

Lilith laughs. "That's about right." She says. She looks at her watch, thirty minutes before Dekker rings.

Jack has pulled Mickey into a hug.

Lilith pulls out her hand gel, four squirts of gel then she starts to rub it in.

Jack looks over at Lilith as he sees her action. "Take a seat Mickey. Just want a quick word with the Major." He says.

Mickey sits, looking around Jack's office.

Lilith starts to turn to go.

"Major...? Lilith?" Jack says her name softly.

Lilith stops.

Jack goes to her by the door. "I am sorry but..." He starts.

"Yes I know Jack. I will have to work with different people." Says Lilith quietly. "Meet them."

Jack moves closer in to Lilith.

Mickey watches, though he cannot hear what is being said. He wonders again, what is between them.

"Do I have your permission to tell Mickey?" Jack says in a near whisper.

"I am trusting you to only tell him what he needs to know like the OCD and gun. I understand he was at Canary Wharf, you can say I was there but... but..." Lilith stutters to a halt.

"He does not need to know any of the other, the details, as Gwen does not need to know. That is for you to tell. Plus neither are cleared to know what went on." Jack says quietly. "Go and get a break, we will meet you in the boardroom at ten to the hour." He says.

"Ok Jack." Replies Lilith. She leaves Jack's office and goes down to the kitchen. As she enters the kitchen, Ianto hands her a mug of coffee. "Thank you Ianto. I need this." She says and proceeds to take four sips of coffee.

"My pleasure." Ianto says, as he picks a tray up with two mugs of coffee, one for Jack and one for Mickey. There is also a small jug of cream and a bowl of sugar on the tray as Ianto, as yet does not know Mickey's preference on how he takes his coffee. Ianto looks at Lilith. "You ok?"

"Hmm fine." Lilith replies taking another four sips.

"My fine?" Ianto asks.

Lilith remembers what Jack had said about the word fine and coming from the same school of fine as Ianto. She gives him a sheepish grin. "Yes. Jack getting me to pick up Mickey when I am not ready for being a people person. Mickey is going to think I am rude or arrogant or snobby." She says. "Or all of the above."

"Plus you are on edge because Dekker." Says Ianto, understanding her.

"Yes. Jack said he was sorry. I told him if he was not careful I would persuade you to put him on decaf. He wanted to know what technique I would use on you and wanted to watch." Says Lilith.

"Did he? Well that on its own deserves decaf. I better get this up to him." Says Ianto.

Up in Jack's office Mickey looks at Jack as he sits the other side of his desk. "I don't think the Major likes me much." He says, a little worried. What if he does not fit in. "Just the impression I got."

"Oh no Mickey, it is not you, it is her." Says Jack. "She has been through so much in her life."

"It does not help that I worked with her double in 'Pete's World'." Says Mickey.

"Pete's World?" Repeats Jack.

"The Doctor called it 'Pete's World'. In that other world Rose's dad was still alive. He took over Torchwood 1 in that world when we found out what Ms. Hartman, in that world, was doing." Explains Mickey. "If this Major is anywhere near as good as that one in a fight I want to be with her." He says.

Jack laughs. "It just so happens you are in luck." He says.

"That Major in that world went under the name of Wren though." Says Mickey.

"That was her husband's name." Says Jack. "He died at Canary Wharf, he was with UNIT."

"I got the impression that the Major has a distinct dislike of UNIT and at one point, Torchwood." Says Mickey.

"Yes." Says Jack. "Right, there is a few things you need to know about Lilith, some she has given permission for me to tell you, some I think you need to know because... just because and some things... Well, one thing in particular she does not know or does not seem to know but I have to tell you because of your connection with The Doctor." Says Jack.

There is a knock at the door.

"Come in Ianto." Jack calls out.

Ianto enters carrying the tray of coffees. "Coffee Sir." He says walking in and placing the tray on Jack's desk.

"Thank you Ianto." Says Jack. He looks at Mickey. "Ianto's coffee is to die for."

"The Major said it is the best coffee." Says Mickey. He studies the young man in front of him. Younger than him, maybe. Welsh by his accent. So young to be a second. Surely, he has not lived long enough to gain the experience needed to hold such a commanding position within Torchwood.

"Oh yes, the Major said she will be persuading me to put you on decaf, Sir." Says Ianto looking at Jack.

"I am sure the Major can be very persuasive, but I bet I can be more persuasive not to put me on decaf." Says Jack seductively.

Ianto starts to blush.

Mickey looks between the two men; even he is heating up slightly.

Ianto swallows and starts to head back towards the door. "Well I guess I am in for some fun as I experience yours and the Major's persuasive techniques then." He purrs as he gets to the door.

Jack groans. "You're a cruel man, Ianto Jones, such a tease." He says.

"I always aim to please or do I mean tease." Says Ianto a smile as he leaves the office, knowing Jack's eyes are on him as he walks away.

"God Jack. Does your flirting rub off on all your staff?" Mickey gasps.

"Oh no..." Starts Jack, seriously. "Some it makes them go beyond flirting."

Mickey laughs. "It is good to know some things don't change." He says.

Jack looks at his watch. Not long until Dekker phones. "Anyway... The Doctor..." Jack quickly goes through things with Mickey.

Lilith meanwhile wanders over to Gwen, who is at her workstation, taking her coffee over to her.

"You ok?" Gwen asks.

"Yes." Replies Lilith.

The two women sit together, drinking their coffee.

"What is Mickey like?" Asks Gwen.

"I can't really say meeting him under strained circumstances." Replies Lilith.

"Sometimes Jack does not think." Says Gwen, as she guesses what part of the problem is. "He makes the wrong call. He should have sent me."

"Maybe the wrong call at the moment but he meant well." Says Lilith with a slight smile.

"Yer." Says Gwen. "Jack can be such an idiot sometimes."

"Anyway it is me that has the problem and not Mickey; he probably thinks I don't like him." Says Lilith, honestly. "So I will have to make that right as I will be working with him a lot."

"You cannot force yourself if you not ready." Says Gwen.

"I know but we are a team here we have to trust each other, rely on each other in tight spots. So I am just going to have to deal with it, face up to my issues." Lilith says.

"Well you have us to help you." Says Gwen with a smile.

"Yes I do." Lilith says. "Come on lets get up to the boardroom." She stands.

"Oh, do you want to see who you are talking to? Ianto managed to find an image of Dekker." Asks Gwen.

"Yes." Replies Lilith.

Gwen quickly brings up the image of Dekker on her computer screen.

"He looks as creepy as he sounds." Says Lilith, even from the digital image she is getting bad vibes off him. She does not like the look of him.

12. . Boardroom of The Hub.

Ianto sets up Lilith's phone in a cradle on the table. The cradle is connected to the computer. Ianto is running a program that will stop Dekker tracing Lilith's exact location plus he has another program running that will pinpoint Dekker's location.

Mickey and Jack enter from Jack's office direction; Lilith and Gwen come in through the other door.

Ianto pulls out the chair in front of the phone. "Major." He says with a gesture to the chair.

"Thank you Ianto." Says Lilith, sitting.

Jack sits in his usual, at the head of the table. With Ianto then Mickey on his right then on his left is Lilith with the phone the Gwen.

Lilith taps her foot slightly, in fours.

"Right, while we are waiting let us do the proper introductions." Says Jack, hoping to distract Lilith a little. "This is Mickey Smith. Mickey, opposite you is Gwen Williams, ex-police constable, her husband, Rhys, is on a retainer with us, he does some of our maintenance and non-threatening odd jobs."

"Hello, nice to meet you." Says Gwen with a warm smile. She has a load of questions for him about Jack; she will ask him later when Jack is not around.

"Gwen is our liaison officer and a field agent." Says Jack. "Next to you is Mr. Ianto Jones. He is my second in the day-to-day running of The Hub and The Institute plus he is the Institutes Chief Archivist. Also he fulfils a few other very important roles." Says Jack, grabbing Ianto's knee under the table.

Ianto jumps. "Jack behave, work time, serious work time." He says, going red.

Mickey looks puzzled for a moment then slowly it dawns on him, Jack and Ianto are in a relationship of some sort, never can tell with Jack what sort though. Is that why Ianto has been promoted to such a high position...? No, Jack is not the sort of person to do that. Then Ianto has come across as highly professional and efficient. Then if this Major were anything like the one in Pete's World, she would not put up with someone who has been promoted because they are sleeping with the boss. So no, Mickey knows Ianto Jones must be someone exceptional. Though out of all of them he would have thought that Jack would go for the Major... Maybe... Possibly.

"Welcome to Torchwood Mickey." Says Ianto, trying to remain professional as Jack gently strokes his thigh under the table.

Lilith watches Ianto's face, as it increases in redness. "Captain Harkness, hands on table. Now!" She orders.

Jack jumps slightly; his hands come up on the table without thinking what he is doing, just obeying an order. A grin spreads across his face as he realises what has just happened. "And this commanding creature, you have already met... Major Lilith Lethbridge-Stewart."

"How does that work between you two? Surely Lilith out-ranks you Jack?" Mickey asks.

"In military terms, yes Lilith does." Says Jack.

"But this is Torchwood and Jack is head, the boss-man." Says Lilith. She knows that Jack, Ianto and herself must always try to show a united front where possible. Though she did tell Jack she will never follow blindly. "Though technically I can use the next rank above Major as I had an honourable discharge and for my length of service. Anyway, hello Mickey welcome to Torchwood." She says with a smile. "I apologise if I came across as rude or arrogant earlier but Captain Idiot here knows I am not to good with people so in his infinite wisdom he sent me to met you."

"No problem Major. Jack has explained a little." Replies Mickey. Yes, Jack explained more than a little. So The Doctors never checked the tower once he had sealed the breach. Though they never picked up on what The Doctor said several times about that anything that came through the breach would go back through... No one thought about all the Torchwood and military staff that had been converted into Cybermen. He also finds it a little odd that Lilith is ex-military, that she deals with dangerous situations yet she will not do guns. Jack assured him she is perfectly capable of fighting, of defending without any firearms. He knows the Major in 'Pete's World' was very capable of killing with just her hands.

Lilith's phone starts to ring. Lilith glares at it for a moment.

"Let it ring couple more times, take a deep breath, don't seem to eager." Says Jack.

Lilith nods, takes a deep breath then presses the receive button.

Ianto looks at his watch... 13.03pm.

"Ahh Major, good afternoon." Dekker's voice comes coldly from the phone. "Glad you have seen sense to answer your phone this time."

"You threaten me; you use my daughter and scared her." Lilith growls.

Jack gently puts his hand on Lilith's arm; he does not want her to frighten Dekker off or to say something that will tip him off that she knows he cannot touch her. Jack leaves his hand on her arm.

"I wanted your attention and now I have it." Comes Dekker's reply.

"What do you want, Dekker?" Lilith says with still a hint of a snarl.

"I told you... You will work for me. You will get yourself recruited by a certain institute." Dekker replies.

"What institute?" Lilith asks, Dekker has not said.

"I am not going to discuss to much with you over the phone." Comes Dekker's reply. "I have already lost one of my men this week to them."

Lilith thinks, would someone who has not been recruited by Torchwood ask about that? Yes, she is having to be careful what she says. "What man? What are you talking about?" She says trying to add a hint of worry in her voice. She doubts her sending photo to UNIT security has filtered down to Dekker yet or maybe it has if he is using a flagging system.

"Don't act so innocent." Dekker hisses down the phone. "You clocked him; you sent his photo to another intelligence service."

"He was yours?" Asks Lilith. Time to give Dekker a little. "I had you, UNIT and my grandfather telling me I was under investigation, warning me... What am I supposed to think...? So what happened to him? Did... Did they kill him?"

"No they didn't." Dekker replies coldly. "He arrived back in London a couple of hours ago, didn't know what day it was... God knows what those bastards did to him but he will be of no use to me."

"You still have not said who is investigating me." Says Lilith.

"It does not matter who it is, you will spy for me regardless." Replies Dekker. "But if you must know it is Torchwood."

Time to act. "Torchwood!" Lilith almost shouts, sounding shocked and angry. "Bloody Torchwood! Have you got the wrong person, anyone who knows me would know I would never ingratiate myself with them!"

"You don't have a choice..." Hisses Dekker. "They are already stalking you, why do you think that is?"

"I... I do not know... I am not going anywhere near them. Because of them hundreds died. No! No! I... I will not!" Stutters Lilith.

Jack watches Lilith... She is good... He knows in part she is acting and in part, she is drawing on her true emotions, her memories.

"This is not open to discussion, Major. If it makes you feel better, look at it as getting revenge for the dead but you will do this." Says Dekker, he know how to manipulate people, to play with their fears, their emotions, their hates. "You will come to London to met." He thinks he reads her right... Revenge!

"I will not." States Lilith. "You want to talk to me about this, you will come to me. I will not return to London under any circumstance, not after what happened. Plus I cannot leave my daughter."

Dekker can sense victory, another puppet in his army. She is worth this little concession; he has not been able to get anyone into Torchwood 3 for over a decade now. "Fine Major." Replies Dekker. "You will work for me, it is non-negotiable. If you continue to refuse from this point... Well, let us just says I have your recall papers in front of me on my desk at this very moment. The only other out come to this situation is you meeting with an accident... A car accident I think would be fitting." Dekker says coldly.

Jack has a growl building up inside, he knows this is a reference to Lilith's parent car accident... Ianto places a hand on his arm... Jack looks at Ianto.

'Calm.' Mouths Ianto. 'We will get him.'

Jack gives Ianto a slight nod.

"You cannot do that!" Lilith says, her voice hitches up a notch in pitch. She can visualise her parents, the car, the flames... She knows Dekker deliberately said that to instil fear into her, he is using psychological manipulation. Keep acting... "I... I... You know whose granddaughter I am? You can't do that."

"Oh but I can." Purrs Dekker, with just a slight hint of victory. "And just so we know where we stand, if you discuss this with anyone or try to run, disappear it will not just be you meeting with an unfortunate ending."

"You bastard!" Lilith snarls back. "Just so we are clear, if you or your people come near my daughter; hurt her in anyway, this planet will not be big enough... I will hunt you down."

Jack shivers; he has no doubts Lilith would... He is going to have to be the one who goes with Lilith to deliver Dekker to UNIT but then is he going to be safe doing it... He can just see himself wringing Dekker's neck... Maybe not him.

Ianto shivers also at her words, he would gladly go with Lilith to deliver Dekker but he doubts he would try to stop Lilith if Dekker himself met with a little accident.

Mickey is not surprised, he saw how Major Wren operated and this Major is no different; there would be no way on any Earth he would get in her way if she wanted to do something damaging to Dekker.

Gwen, meanwhile, wonders just how far she would go for her family, would she be able to kill coldly to the point of protecting her family... Hell, if someone kidnapped Rhys she would gladly give whomever Jack's head on a platter if they asked... Yes she could for her family, she would. She would not be surprised if Lilith double-crosses them or this is just a double bluff. Gwen would do whatever Dekker wanted just to protect her family and if she had children she would deliver Torchwood as a whole to them. She is glad it is not her in Lilith's situation.

Lilith's foot tapes away even faster her rhythm of four; she is wringing her hands in front of her on the table.

Jack can feel the agitation, the intense hatred for Dekker, the hint of panic. Jack can read all her emotions. He is still touching Lilith's arm and Ianto is touching his, Jack can feel an energy building up between the three of them. His computer screen in front of him flares slightly, a crackle comes from Lilith's phone and he sees Ianto's computer screen flare... Oppps.

Ianto can feel... So much intensity, he can feel Lilith's darkness, it is something he understands. He knows from his psi training at Torchwood 1 what is occurring. The three of them need to calm down.

Dekker laughs coldly. "You would not get that close to me."

"I don't need to get close." Snarls Lilith, which she really does not... There are so many ways to...

"Now! Now, Major, that is no way to talk to your new boss." Dekker says with a hint of distain. "I will head your way. Then I will phone you with a place and time just before our meeting... And Major, don't let your daughter down." The line goes dead.

Lilith grabs her phone from the cradle with the intension of throwing it across the room but Jack captures her hand.

"Lilith!" Jack says sternly. "You need your phone operational." He prises the phone from Lilith's hand and puts it on the table.

Lilith pulls her hand away from Jack, her eyes ablaze with anger, with a passion. For one moment, it seems she might hit Jack but instead she gets her hand gel out again, four squirts. She rubs her hands together but her eyes burn into Jack. Suddenly she is on her feet. "I need some air." She walks out the boardroom.

"Jack, you can't let her wander off on her own." Says Gwen before she can stop herself, still thinking how she would do in this situation. "What if she double crosses us or runs?"

Jack looks at Gwen angrily. "Don't judge Lilith by how you would deal with this situation." He says, he knows exactly how Gwen would deal with this if she were in Lilith's shoes.

For a moment Gwen looks at Jack a little afraid... How did he know what she had been thinking, no it must be that he knows her that well, that her family comes first... Maybe. "I am just being the voice of reason." She says trying to bluff it but not looking directly at Jack.

There is a soft noise at the door of the boardroom. Jack looks up.

Lilith stands at the door. She had got to the bottom of the steps and had turned back. "I would like a chaperone so I don't do any thing... hum... stupid. Who's it going to be?" She says.

Jack wonders how much she heard... Jack looks at Ianto. They do a quick best out of three rock, paper, scissors. Ianto lets Jack win, he has a lot to do and lunch to bring up to the boardroom.

Jack stands; he knows that Ianto let him win. He follows Lilith. "You know you don't need someone with you. I trust you." He says, loud enough for Gwen to hear, as they walk down the steps.

"I know you trust me Jack." Lilith says quietly as they go out through the cogged door. "But at the moment I don't trust myself... I have rather a fiery temper and as I feel at the moment, I might just lay in wait for Dekker and... Well do something I shouldn't." She says honestly. "I have a darkness that is frightening. Dekker has threatened my daughter, frightened her, he is threatening you and Torchwood. I need to get my level head on or I do not want to find that when I meet him I... I..."

Jack realises that Lilith can usually deal with a situation with a cold indifference but because of all the emotional upheaval, the other side of her has been ignited. She is as passionate as she is cold, a fire that can burn so cold but equally a fire that burns so hot. He knows this feeling. He also realises she is showing him great trusts again, opening up to him, She does not trust herself but she is trusting him to rein her in.

The pair step out on to the quay, they walk up the steps and across to the Plass. They find a vacant bench and sit.

"I need you focused Major." Jack says softly.

"I know Jack." Lilith replies. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry for being angry." Says jack. "I am angry and I promise we will get him. He will not do this to anyone else again." One way or another, thinks Jack, Dekker is being put out of circulation, permanently.

"I suppose because I have suppressed all my emotions since... since..." Lilith takes a deep breath. "Since Canary Wharf then to suddenly open up to someone, to you and Ianto, after all this time, my dam has cracked." She says. Her shoulders relax. "What is happening Jack? I feel so comfortable talking to you and Ianto. It is as if you are old friends, the pair of you seem right, comfortable, safe. It is like part of me recognises the pair of you."

"Special, those with psi abilities tend to gravitate towards each other but I too feel there is more, a connection." Says Jack. "I have seen enough in the universe to know there is more going on then we know, than is obvious. Some beings are meant to meet, to be, they have to and the universe makes sure it occurs."

"It is a case of, for now, watch this space." Lilith says, she looks at Jack and grins. "And time."

Jack grins back; he knocks her with his shoulder, gently. "Hey, I do the bad time jokes, as I have travelled through time."

Lilith laughs. "But correct me if I am wrong, but Mickey has also done some time travelling, has he not?" She says.

"He has." Says Jack, he wants to add so has she but he refrains as she seems to have no memory of it, true memories, only dreams.

"Why did you really send me to pick up Mickey?" Lilith asks seriously.

"Honestly, a few reasons." Jack replies. "You and Ianto will be working with Mickey the most. Normally Ianto or sometimes Gwen will meet someone depending who it is but Ianto was waiting on a call."

"And Gwen?" Lilith asks.

"And Gwen knows Mickey has known me a while... well technically I have know Mickey longer than he has known me." Jack says with a laugh.

"He knew you before you where changed, so a lot of jumping through time for you." Lilith says, catching on quickly, working it out.

"Yes." Replies Jack. "Gwen would have bombarded Mickey with questions about me... Probably frightening him off."

"Can't have that, can we?" Says Lilith. "So you sent probably the worst person and I bet he believes I don't like him."

"Guilty as charged, Ma'am. And now we are back to punishment." Says Jack, with a grin. His flirting is useful sometimes like taking the Major's mind off Dekker, calming her, making her laugh, relaxing her.

"I think I said something about the pleasant task of persuading Mr. Jones to aid in your punishment." Lilith says back, enjoying Jack's form of distracting her from that... that...

"Only if I can watch and perhaps join in." Says Jack suggestively. "Ianto has sensitive ears, gently caress them or run your tongue slowly around the edge, he will be like putty in your hands." He purrs.

"Good to know." Says Lilith. "For future reference, especially if I want to get my own way over something."

"What about you?" Asks Jack, mischievously.

"What about me?" Lilith asks back, not sure what Jack is asking.

"What part of you needs to be caressed so you are putty in our hands?" Jack asks, seductively. In his past before Ianto, he would have asked just for himself but now they are a package. He watches as Lilith blushes slightly.

Lilith looks across the Plass. at the few people walking about, trying to control herself, trying to keep her imagination in check. "Now that would be telling Captain." Lilith replies.

"Ooh does that mean we have the fun of finding out." Says Jack happily.

"You are so terrible Jack." Laughs Lilith.

"I know." Replies jack, as his head set beeps. He presses the button on it. "Yes Ianto?" He says.

"Lunch is ready Sir." Comes Ianto's beautiful voice.

"We, my gorgeous, will be right there." Replies Jack. He looks at Lilith. "Ready Major?" He asks her.

Lilith nods. "As I will ever be." She says, feeling more relaxed due to Jack's unique way of dealing with a tense situation.

Jack stands. "Scenic route?" He asks.

Lilith stands. "Yes." She replies. "Though I bet you think every route is a scenic route if you are there." She muses as the pair walk towards the invisible lift.

Jack laughs. "But do you think every route is a scenic route if I am there?" Jack asks, fluttering his eyes at Lilith as they start to descend on the lift.

Lilith laughs. "Now, Captain Fishing For Complements that would be telling." She says.

Ianto walks across The Hub below them. He looks up at them.

"Now that is scenic." Jack breathes.

"That I will have to agree with." Lilith says with a small smile.

"Why Major there is hope for you yet." Jack laughs... He feels no jealousy with Lilith, it seems right; it must be that he thinks no one is good enough for his two beautiful damaged creatures, one friend and one lover, apart from each other and himself... Ouch! Then he realises something, Lilith is still not out right saying no or decrying his flirting. "It seems my charms are working on you, Major." He says.

"Oh no Captain Flirt!" Says Lilith in mock shock. "Seriously it is nothing like that at all. As I said I know what is beautiful and you two most definitely are."

"Did you hear that my love, we are beautiful?" Jack calls down to Ianto. Jack lunches himself off the lift platform and land just in front of Ianto.

Ianto laughs at Jack's exuberance.

Lilith launches herself off the lift platform but she does a somersault in mid air and lands softly behind Ianto.

"Now that is just showing off Major." Laughs Jack.

Ianto laughs. "Remind me to put a memo out reminding staff to wait until the lift has stopped before disembarking." He says. "Health and safety."

Jack captures Ianto around his waist. "And what will happen if we don't adhere to your memo?" He breathes.

"I will have to dish out my own from of punishment." Says Ianto. "Now lunch. We have work to do." He says, pointing up to the boardroom.

"Yes my domineering one." Says Jack, he gently plates a kiss on Ianto's forehead and heads towards the metal stairs.

"Major, that includes you." Says Ianto, indicating for Lilith to follow Jack.

"Yes Mr. Jones." Says Lilith, following Jack. "Anything you say Mr. Jones."

Jack laughs.

Lilith is very aware she is technically sandwiched between the two males going up the stairs, Jack in front and Ianto just behind her. Her mind races... Imagination working overtime... Just what the hell is going on?

In the boardroom, Gwen is putting the plates out on the table. In the middle of the table is a large platter of mixed sandwiches, there is also a bowl of fruit and bottles of water.

Gwen looks at the nervous looking Mickey. She smiles at him. "Where are you from?" She asks.

"London." Mickey replies. Jack had warned him that Gwen would try to question him.

"Have you got a girlfriend?" Gwen asks.

"No, I use to but..." Mickey says as he thinks of Rose. "No, not for a while." He says stronger.

"So how long have you known Jack?" Gwen asks, going in feet first.

"A while." Replies Mickey, technically avoiding answering the question properly.

"Where did you meet him?" Gwen asks.

"Here in Cardiff." Mickey replies.

Gwen looks a little deflated, she did not know what to expect but she thought there would be more, something alien. "What was the circumstance of your meeting?" She asks.

Mickey looks about for a way out of Gwen's questioning; he would rather have been left with the Major. "I was visiting a couple of mutual friends." He replies, which is true, he was visiting Rose... And The Doctor.

"Gwen, leave the man alone." Jack says as he enters the boardroom followed by Lilith and Ianto.

"I was trying to be nice, after all I am the liaison office and you three had left us." Says Gwen, with just a hint of a whine. She is annoyed because they had come back before she could get any information from Mickey about Jack.

The three take up their original seats, so Jack at his usual head of the table then Lilith and Ianto sitting either side of him. Then Mickey is next to Ianto and Gwen is next to Lilith.

Jack grabs a couple of sandwiches first. Ianto gesture for Mickey to help himself.

"Get in quick." Says Gwen to Mickey. "Or Jack scoffs the lot." She grabs several sandwiches.

Lilith and Ianto both carefully remove a couple of sandwiches each, putting them carefully on their plates.

Ianto then starts to break his sandwiches up into small pieces. Each piece is near enough the same size. Jack watches, this ritual of Ianto's always fascinates him. When he first saw this, Jack had taken a few of the pieces away and weighted them on a set of atomic scales so he could get an exact weight. There had been virtually nothing in the weight; each piece was virtually the same weight. Once Ianto has broken the sandwiches up he starts to eat moving across the plate right to left.

The Jack notices Lilith, she carefully takes her sandwiches apart then eats one piece of bread then a piece of the contents and so on until she has finished.

Both Gwen and Mickey had watched, fascinated, as the pair had eaten according to their OCD. Gwen is use to Ianto. Mickey has never seen anything like it.

"Mickey," starts Jack, he needs Lilith and Mickey to get on, work together, "once we have this Dekker business out of the way, the Major has already got a project for you." He says.

"Yes boss." Mickey replies, he then looks at Lilith.

Lilith looks up a little puzzled at first... Mapping... Mapping... Oh yes. "Yes Mickey." She says. "The Hub complex is huge, miles of tunnels and rooms, several levels down. We only have a map of part of it. For security, I need a map of all of it. I suggested to Jack using GPS and a mapping program. It is not my area of expertise as such, so I don't know if it is possible."

Mickey looks at Lilith. "Not your area of expertise?" He says, he tries to remember what area...

"The Major has two degrees, one in engineering and one in physics." Says Jack. "So don't let her kid you she knows nothing of the technical side."

"It's the computer side." Says Lilith. "Jack says you are the best when it comes to computers."

Mickey looks a little embarrassed. "Well, I would not go as far as saying that... I just found I had a flare for computers." He says. "It depends, how deep, what the bedrock is and also if it is possible in the time scale as it could take a while."

"Bedrock?" Gwen says, looking puzzled, she was never any good at technical things; she cannot even wire a plug.

"Yes. Different areas of the UK. are made up of different layers of rock." Says Mickey.

"Like the South Downs, the bedrock is chalk, hence the White Cliffs of Dover and Beachy Head." Says Lilith. "Then there are areas where it is predominantly sandstone."

"Then there are area where its granite, like parts of Wales and Scotland." Says Mickey. "Granite can pose a problem; it gives off its own radiation, its own signal. Plus it also depends on what the mineral content is in the ground. If it's high in iron that can effect the magnetic field."

"Or if there is a high quartzes element that can effect the readings." Says Lilith.

"Exactly." Says Mickey.

"That stuff is beyond me." Says Gwen.

Sometimes Jack wonders why he employed Gwen, he thought he employed her because she was good with people, the human facture but she has proved time and time again that she is not a people person, as many occasions she has said the wrong thing and showed a lack of compassion.

"You forget you are working for Torchwood, the computers we have here can be... tweaked." Ianto says giving Jack a side-glance, he sees Jack start to open his mouth. "Jack!" He warns. "We have alien tech. in the computers; we should be able to calibrate the process to take in all variables."

"Ok." Says Mickey. "Then all it will be is the time factor."

"No time restraint." Says Lilith. "I understand it is a long process Mickey. I will just put it down as an on going project."

"Ok Major." Says Mickey, he breathes a sigh of relief, then he should not be surprised, Major Wren was always fair. "I shall see what I can do."

"You will be able to have access to any satellite so you will not be reliant on one, waiting until it passes close, you will be able to piggyback on to the next nearest satellite." Says Ianto.

"That will cut the time down further then." Says Mickey... All this technology that he will have access to... Kid in a sweet shop.

"That's brilliant." Says Jack. "Right, once we have finished lunch. Ianto can you get Mickey logged in to our system first. Then Mickey, see if you can get into Dekker's computer."

"When I get into it, what am I looking for?" Mickey asks, he is confident he will get in... Well, the back door password The Doctor gave him will get him into any computer that is military linked which includes MI5, MI6, CIA and FBI though he knows it does not work on Torchwood computers.

"Anything really, he must keep records of all the people he has investigated, all the dirt he has collected. See if he has any vices also." Says Jack as an after thought. "A man like him must. Ianto will work with you. Once we have access we will want all the information transferred to the Torchwood database. Then for information, a vice or two to be planted to blacken his name, to make sure he has no support. Again Ianto will tell you what sort of vices, stories but that is only if we need to."

"Ok boss." Says Mickey.

"Lilith, you have Nero to return to the Griggs." Says Jack.

"Yes Jack." Says Lilith.

"I have done your ID." Says Gwen

"Ok, thank you." Says Lilith.

"Gwen, I want you to monitor the rift and Cardiff in general for our other problem, The Shini. Also set up a flagging system to see if Dekker books into a hotel or anything relating to him."

"Ok." Replies Gwen. "How do you think he will arrive in Cardiff? By car?"

"I would think he will probably arrive by small private plane or helicopter. He does not strike me as the type to waste time by car." Says Lilith.

"Yes, so monitor the airport arrivals." Says Jack.

"Ok." Says Gwen.

The Torchwood team finish eating.

"Right I am going down to pack up Nero's ashes." Says Lilith, standing.

"Ok Lilith." Says Jack.

Lilith collects up the dirty plates and takes them with her to put in the dishwasher as she passes the kitchen.

"Nero?" Says Mickey. He is sure that Lilith said about ashes.

"Yes, he is linked to our other problem at the moment." Says Ianto, starting to gather up the empty bottles placing them on the now empty platter that had the sandwiches on.

"Nero was a dog that was attacked by The Shini." Explains Jack. "Ianto and Lilith did the clean up on the dog but it was to badly injured to say that it had been hit by a car. So they have cremated the dog and Lilith is returning the ashes so the owners can bury him in their garden."

Mickey realises that Jack had been right about Torchwood 3, it is totally different from Torchwood 1.

Ianto leaves the boardroom with the platter and the empty bottles leaving the bowl of fruit on the table.

Lilith collects the ashes placing them in the urn. Then she returns to the main part of The Hub with them.

Mickey and Ianto are working at what will be Mickey's workstation.

Gwen is at her workstation setting up the flagging system of the hotels. Then she goes into the airport computer system watching for private flights from London over the rest of the day. Gwen loos up at Lilith. "Here's your ID for the police vet, Lilith." She says.

"Thank you Gwen." Says Lilith, taking the ID card from Gwen. She picks up the People Carrier keys. Then she moves over to her workstation. She opens the file for Nero and writes down Mr. and Mrs. Griggs address. She presses the button on the side of her headset. "Jack I am off." She says.

"Ok Major. Just keep an eye out for The Shini." Jack replies over the comms.

"Yes Jack." Says Lilith. She picks up the urn and heads across The Hub. "See you later Jack." She says, ending the connection. As she walks passes Gwen, Mickey and Ianto, Lilith looks down at the urn in her arm. "Come on Nero. I am taking you home." She says.

Gwen looks at the retreating back of Lilith as if she is mad. Did she...? Mickey looks at Ianto to see if he heard, noticed Lilith talking to the urn. Ianto just grins as he continues to look at the computer screen. Mickey looks around at Gwen, who is still staring after Lilith, so he did hear right. This occurrence is obviously not new to Ianto but it is to Gwen.

"Bye guys." Lilith calls back as she heads down the tunnel.

"Bye Major." Ianto calls back. In the past, the old Ianto, would not have called out. "You know one of these days you are going to get a reply." He says, referring to her talking to the dead.

"Who says I don't." Lilith's reply drifts back to Ianto from the tunnel.

Ianto smiles, he can almost hear the grin in her voice. He is really going to enjoy working with Lilith.

"What was that all about?" Gwen asks.

"Lilith has a thing for talking to the bodies when we bring them back." Says Ianto.

"Great, that's going to freak me out no end when working with her." Says Gwen, even after all this time she still feels uneasy when dealing with bodies. In the past, she had managed to minimise her contact with actual bodies as Ianto and Owen dealt with them most of the time with Jack occasionally but since there had been only three of them, she had to do her bit with the bodies.

Jack had come out onto the walkway by his office; he had heard what Gwen had said. "It is good that Lilith can do that after all the death she has witnessed, perhaps it is her way of dealing with it." Jack says quietly. He walks down the metal steps.

"Right Mickey, you are all logged into the system and retina scanned." Says Ianto.

"Ok, thank you Ianto." Says Mickey.

"So what do you think of our system?" Asks Jack as he joins the two males.

"It will take me a while to go through it but..." Mickey looks at Jack and grins. "I love it. I haven't worked with a system this good since..." Mickey stops before he goes any further.

Gwen looks up. "Since when?" She asks, curiously.

"Since Mickey ended up in a parallel universe." Says Jack

"In some ways the technology there was a little more advanced." Says Mickey. "And some of it was not in a good way." He mumbles, as he remembers Cybus Industries and The Cybermen. Then there was Torchwood 1 in the other universe, there it had been influenced by John Lumic creator of that particular model of Cybermen. Though what he learnt about Torchwood 1 in this universe, they were not much better. Least Jack has made a difference.

Gwen looks at her screen. "So how does it work in a parallel world?" She asks. "Is it an exact copy of this world?"

Mickey looks at Jack, can answer those questions? Jack gives him a slight nod. He knows Gwen will keep asking if they do not give her something.

"No, a parallel universe; world is not an exact copy. There are similarities, some events happen in different orders or the end out come is different." Mickey explains. "For example the me in that universe was called Ricky not Mickey. Ricky and his gang fought against the onslaught of Lumic and Cybus Industries who had developed Cybermen." Mickey stops he glances quickly at Ianto, then down at the floor. "It was the Cybus Cybermen that came through the breach to this world at Torchwood 1. Ricky was killed when he got trapped by Cybermen so I took his place there to carry on fighting against the Cybermen."

Gwen had totally over looked the implications of what Mickey had just said, the memories, the pain of the Cybermen and only thought of... "So in that world there is a me, perhaps married to someone rich and famous." She says.

Ianto rolls his eyes and Jack tuts. How shallow, Jack thinks.

"It is possible. I never met you there. There have only been a few people that I have come across in both worlds."

"So you never met me there, so what about Jack?" Gwen asks.

Mickey looks at Jack again, to see whether he can answer that question. Ianto notices Mickey's slight gesture of asking Jack and then he sees Jack's little nod.

"The events that surround Jack are unique to this universe." Says Mickey. God that sounded something The Doctor would say. Mickey gives a little internal groan. "Jack, in that universe, would not be born for, what another three thousand years, if at all, depending what happens from now onwards."

"So you know Jack well." Gwen says, more of a statement to herself, her mind racing. "Only a person that knows Jack well would know when he was born, what time he came from. So have you and Jack ever been lovers?"

Jack notices a flash of pain cross Ianto's face at her words, she really does not care, she does not think. "No we have not!" Jack says more harshly than he intended.

"Yuk! Jack is not my type." Mickey grimaces. "No! Definitely not."

Jack laughs, his laugh hiding his anger at Gwen. "Contrary to popular belief I do not flirt with everyone or jump into bed with everyone." He looks mischievously at Mickey. "I do have some standards."

"I just had to put up with all his cheesy innuendos." Mickey had noticed the flash of anger on Jack's face at Gwen's comment. He also noticed Ianto's head bent down as if he pretended he did not hear the comment, his face slightly blushed.

"What about Ianto?" Gwen blunders on. "Did you meet Ianto in that world?"

"Give the man a break; he needs time to settle in." Says Ianto, hiding his own pain and anger. "We have work to do."

Jack had just about to open his mouth to have a go at Gwen. Jack looks at Ianto, who gives him a slight smile. He had just stopped Jack up setting Gwen, stopped him from having a go at her in front of Mickey. Jack gives Ianto the slightest of nods in thanks. They need to be all happy, working together without arguments while dealing with Dekker.