The Commander looked at his guard somewhat disdainfully. It reminded him that although he and his subordinate regularly investigated alien happenings, the rest of Torchwood didn't really get out much and were very green behind the ears still.

"Aliens?"

"Well. Just one. And Nigel. It's got Nigel hostage. It's got swords!"

The Commander spun round at Jenny's gasp. "Well. It looks like your mistress has come for you. Let's not keep her waiting shall we?"

The guard goggled at Jenny. "Is she an alien too?"

"No."

"Madame Vastra ain't an alien either!" Jenny protested. "She was born on earth. Just...a long time ago."

"I see." The Commander replied flatly. "Bring her." He told Wilton before walking out into the courtyard. Wilton grabbed Jenny's arm and dragged her as he followed the Commander.

Vastra was indeed stood there, having been given entrance by more clearly bewildered guards, holding a sword at the throat of Nigel and sans her veil.

"Nigel." The Commander said evenly.

"Sir." Nigel went to nod back but decided against it.

"Jenny!" Vastra called out as she spotted Jenny. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the manacles.

"Wilton. If you wouldn't mind removing Miss Flint's chains? I feel it would be conducive to a more convivial atmosphere." The Commander had followed Vastra's gaze. "And if you wouldn't mind releasing the good sergeant?" he raised his eyebrows.

Vastra still glowered suspiciously but as Jenny's manacles fell away she lowered her sword. Nigel made a very good attempt at not running away completely. Jenny heard him sigh in relief as he came to stand by Wilton.

"Now then, Madame Vastra. I believe we have much to discuss."

"There is nothing for us to discuss." Vastra snarled, raising her sword as she stalked over to him.

The Commander kept his cool even at sword point. "Your maid has returned the item in question to us. But there are several loose ends, alas. A woman has escaped with knowledge of Torchwood, given to her without permission by your maid. You and your maid now know where Torchwood headquarters are. And my other sergeant is still missing, one Frank Bevan, last known location: your address. You appear to have quite a keen and incisive mind, Madame Vastra, how would you propose resolving this? Without bloodshed." He looked pointedly at the sword.

"Let us leave and I will release your sergeant. He is, at the moment, unharmed." Vastra didn't move her sword an inch.

"Lettie won't be no problem. She just thinks Torchwood is another gang. Bit higher class of a gang but she'll be more concerned about survivin' in London then lookin' out anywhere. She don't even know about aliens or nuffin'. Not even what the locket did." Jenny piped up.

The Commander looked at her disdainfully. "I suppose it would be a waste of resources, scouring London for one ordinary woman." He turned his gaze back to Vastra. "As to your knowing the location of our headquarters, I shall have to ask the Commander in Chief. You will be escorted back to Paternoster Row, where you will both remain under guard. You can choose to escape, if you wish. I doubt you'd have much of a problem doing so. But bear in mind you are not as fortunate as Mrs Palmer; you would not so easily be able to fade into the masses of London, Madame Vastra."

"'ow'd you know anyway?" Jenny voiced a question that had been annoying her. "I mean, you overheard me tellin' Lettie about you, but none of you knew what I looked like?"

"Allow Torchwood some secrets please Miss Flint." The Commander smiled condescendingly at her.

"You got some device like that locket what can listen in on a conversation then. But din't bother to look through the window." Jenny shook her head. "You wouldn't survive long if you was a real gang."

His head jerked in affront and he glowered at her. "Well I suppose to be quite such an exceptional thief taker; one must know the habits of thieves. And you do seem to be very well acquainted with their skill sets. We at Torchwood are used to investigating phenomena. Not whore houses." He smiled nastily at her. "Why do you think we hired you?"

Jenny strode to Vastra's side, grabbed Vastra's sword off her and pointed it squarely between the Commander's eyes.

"Jenny." Vastra said gently in her ear, covering Jenny's hand with her own and forcing her to lower the sword.

"Very sensible, Madame Vastra. Wilton, take Nigel and accompany these two back. I doubt they will give us any more trouble.

Whether Vastra guided her hand, or they moved together, or Vastra's hand was merely taken along for the journey, Jenny was never able to tell afterwards. She only knew that the sword came up in one swift turning gesture, slicing open the front of the Commander's suit, including his belt. To his credit, he didn't move an inch. Not even to retrieve his trousers when they fell to his ankles.

Vastra swiftly took the sword from Jenny and sheaved it before grabbing Jenny's hand and striding across the courtyard, not daring to look back. She hastily arranged her veil as well as she could before they walked through the gate and over to wear Parker was waiting nervously on top of their cab.

"Home, Parker." Vastra said curtly, bundling Jenny in front of her.

"Right ma'am!" Parker urged Alice on.

There was silence apart from the rattling of the wheels over cobblestones. Jenny took a deep breath; she hadn't taken a proper one since the sword had swung and promptly started laughing.

Vastra smiled and let out a small "ha." She allowed Jenny to laugh herself out, recognising the release of sheer nerves.

"D'you think we'll be in trouble?" Jenny asked, once she'd regained control.

"I suspect so." Vastra sighed. Jenny's face fell and her hand crept across to hold Vastra's once more. Vastra smiled truly at that; the little ape was still trying to reassure her. "Well, if nothing else, we did not run." She squeezed Jenny's hand affectionately. "The Commander seems the real threat; the rest are rather lacking in any expertise as you pointed out."

"Well I guess 'e does work fer the Queen."

"The mysterious Commander in Chief, no doubt. He probably reports directly to her."

"Blimey." Jenny sagged. "Fink I preferred the Christmas and New Year on the boat."

"They were certainly quieter." Vastra agreed before lapsing into silence for the rest of the journey.

When they returned to Paternoster Row, Vastra went in doors immediately, to divest herself of her swords. Jenny stayed to help Parker by grooming Alice. She wondered how much he knew now. How much he had seen. But he was uncharacteristically silent too.

"Parker?"

"Yes Miss Jenny?"

"You're a bit quiet."

He sighed and sat down on a hay bale. "Well after all that excitement. I realise you and Madame do somethin' important these days, what with cases an' the like, but high speed runs across London. Bit much on New Year's Day ey?"

"Mm." Jenny nodded in agreement. Her stomach was complaining bitterly that breakfast hadn't happened and prison meals weren't very filling and food wasn't something on the list of things that there'd been a bit much of.

"I mean swords Miss Jenny!" He gestured.

Jenny looked at the man. He seemed visibly shaken and she wondered whether he'd want to retire.

"Sorry Parker. Din't mean to get you involved in quite such a mess." Jenny fiddled with Alice's mane, feeling guilty.

"You and Madame have been very good to me." He replied quietly.

"We'd still keep you around Parker. If you din't want to drive the carriage no more. Plenty to around the house in terms of fixin' an' lookin' after Alice. Wood choppin' an' the like." She offered.

Parker sat considering this. "Did I ever tell you, Miss Jenny, about my son Nicholas?"

"No." Jenny frowned, wondering how she'd missed such a detail. She thought his liking for Boggin was in part because he didn't have any children.

"He um…he isn't the best of lads." Parker sounded guilty. "He drives a cab. But he gets into trouble. For being drunk on the job y'see. Last place he was at turned him out. And well…he's been at a bit of a loose end really. His wife didn't take kindly to him losing his job. And I know it'd be a bit of an arskin' and you an' Madame have been that good to us already. But when he's not in drink he's a very steady hand with a horse. Can whip 'em around London like nothin'. Was brought up to it y'see. If you wanted a driver to go on 'igh speed chases on cobbles, he's yer man."

Jenny smothered a grin. "I'll put it to Madame Vastra. After all, you've been very good to us too Parker. Puttin' up with all sorts."

"Well yer not the most conventional of 'ouseholds no." Parker nodded, but he was smiling and seemed a lot happier.

"As long as yer son don't mind that."

"Oh no Miss Jenny. We've brought 'im up to be very acceptin' of all kinds. Just likes 'is drink a bit too much." Parker sighed.

"C'mon. I'm finished with Alice. Want some dinner?"

"Aye, I'm famished meself Miss Jenny." Parker got up off the hay bale and followed her indoors, leaving Alice munching her own nosebag.

Jenny opened the larder to find food and then shut it again swiftly.

"Fancy goin' out to buy a pie Parker?"

"Cupboard a bit bare is it, Miss Jenny?" he called from the kitchen table.

"Somethin' like that aye." She walked to the chest in the dining room and handed him some money. "Get two. Nice deep ones. Lots of gravy."

"Leave it ter me, Miss Jenny." Parker tipped his hat and walked out the back door whistling.

Jenny waited until he'd shut the door behind him.

"VASTRRAAAA!" she yelled, striding through the house.

"Yes my dear?" Vastra came downstairs in a hurry at the sound of Jenny's voice.

"Why is there a man tied up in our larder?"

"Oh! Yes. I entirely forgot. That must be Frank." Vastra mused. "I suppose I did promise I'd release him." She followed Jenny back into the kitchen, delicately selected the largest knife from the rack and then opened the larder.

The man struggled against his bonds as he spotted the knife, but wordlessly. There was a large wad of material shoved in his mouth effectively gagging him.

Vastra waved the knife between his eyes, making him go cross-eyed.

"I will release you, as I promised. But tell your Commander not to interfere with the Paternoster Gang again." With one smooth movement she cut the ropes holding him. He struggled upright, ripping the wad from his mouth, coughing and heaving as he did so. Vastra grinned at him, showing all of her teeth. "Run."

An: Heh.