Torchwood: Divergence
Book Two: Adferiad
Chapter 39
It was nearly 6:00 pm, and the Torchwood Holiday team of two had revelled in their afternoon of fun in the snow, as well as the stop for hot cocoa and scones at their favourite café, all before the alert system had pinged their separate devices. Fortunately, it had been a simple matter of finding a bit of alien tech that had dropped into the back lot of St. Mary's. Not Time Lord related this round but possibly a weapon, they'd gotten it into a containment box, peeked in on the sleeping Weevils, and headed back to the Hub. The device was now being analysed by the system, with Jack and Ianto down on the firing range doing a little competitive target practice while waiting for the next alert.
"I'd give anything to see the face of whoever finds what you left at that building site," Harkness chuckled as they both reloaded. "I'll have to keep an eye on news reports, see if someone throws a fit over it."
His partner smiled, eyes shining wickedly. Right before they'd left the unfinished apartment complex, the young Changeling had made a snow angel by simply jumping out of a first storey opening and landing flat on his back in a huge drift with his wings fully spread out behind him. Between the folds of his coat and the clear imprints of the feathers in his wings, it looked like a robed angel had hit the ground there. And because he was able to generate two lances to use like ski poles so he could carefully lift himself out of the imprint cleanly, and avoid leaving footprints near the area by using his wings to hush back to his companion's side, there was no way to tell it was simply a Torchwood spawned lark. It was possible no-one would ever see it… but then again, someone might. Not quite standing on the roof of St. Joseph's, but a bit of evil fun nonetheless.
"I'm almost tempted to go post a camera out there," the older man continued. "Maybe…"
Ianto's mobile rang, interrupting the conversation.
"'Lo," the Welshman answered the call casually and switched it to speaker, having recognised the number displayed on the phone.
[Hey, you,] Gwen's voice called cheerfully over the device. [Not interrupting anything naughty, am I?]
"Not yet," Ianto smiled, his partner laughing. "How was the day with your parents? Everyone have a nice time?"
[It was good,] their friend replied. [Dad watched Rhys and Eb make a tiny snowman in the back plot. Lots of lovely gifts all around and tonnes of food. Which is why I'm calling. Our poor fridge is filled to bursting… can I interest you in two full plates of goose with every trimming imaginable, and enough desserts to induce a sugar shock coma?]
"I believe you can, Agent Cooper," Jack answered good naturedly. "Perfect timing too. Ianto and I just finished playing on the firing range, so we'll be back up in the Hub whenever you get here. Thanks for sharing."
[Thanks for keeping my fridge from exploding,] the woman on the other end of the line laughed. [I should be there in about thirty minutes. Would you prefer I come alone for a quick drop-off, or is it okay to bring Rhys and the baby down to say 'hi'?]
Harkness looked to his lover, who shrugged and left the decision to the older immortal.
"Bring the family," he offered with a half-smile. "It's Christmas after all. Can't let it pass without proper Holiday greetings to our goddaughter."
[Lovely,] Cooper chirped, obviously pleased. [We'll see you shortly then.]
"Drive safe," Ianto cautioned, then disconnected the call when he heard the line shut down on the other end, and pocketed the phone. "So… go ahead and dump the safety glasses and ear guards on the table here. If you don't mind putting my gun away, I'll clean this lot up and join you in the Hub shortly."
"Fair enough," the American nodded, taking possession of the Desert Eagle the younger man handed him after flicking the safety on. "I'll feed the Weevils on my way through the Vaults. Don't be too long, yeah?"
"Quick sweep and get the gear back in the proper places," his companion promised. "Ten minutes tops. Oh, watch Jerry when you hit that cell. She's been really cranky lately, had to put her by herself because she attacked Joan. Now she rushes the slot when the trough goes in according to Martha and Turlough. If she's too rowdy, just leave the trough covered in the corridor and I'll put it in on my way through."
"Any idea why only one of them is acting out?" Jack asked as he started up the stairs. "Seems kind of odd."
"Martha's not sure," Ianto stated evenly, fielding items needing to go back inside the ammunition room. "But she thinks Jerry might be in heat… And being locked up is really cramping her style."
"Brilliant," the Captain snorted derisively. "Thank every God and Goddess in the Universe that humans evolved out of that. I'll be careful with Weevil-slut… see you in a few."
He disappeared into the corridor, leaving the younger immortal to finish cleaning up. Ianto disposed of all the used targets via the big paper shredder under the risers, swept up all the spent casings and slugs for the munitions recycling bin UNIT now collected each month, then trotted up the stairs and turned off the lights. He followed the path his partner would have taken, didn't see any troughs in the corridor outside the cells… but there was a small spay of fresh blood on the floor by Jerry's.
"What did you do?" he growled at the Weevil, that unlike the others didn't moan and cower away from him, rather it snarled and slammed against the door. "You are a dead shit-eater if you hurt him."
Angry and worried, the young Guardian took off at a run for the Hub, heading straight for the medical area when he got there.
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AN: Evil fun ending with a bit of anxiety…
Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM