Torchwood Three; Cardiff, Wales

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Dmitri Petrescu headed for Jack's office carrying a notepad and an old book. He spent most of yesterday and half the night sorting through boxes from the former alchemy lab that had been turned into a bedroom. The soul lamp was creepy although he couldn't sense it. The inventory really made him wonder. The alchemist was focused on enhancing scientific equipment. There was nothing questionable or dangerous. A journal let him to look through storage and found an alchemy-related occult library. The information was impressive.

"Good morning." Dmitri stepped through the opening door into the office.

"Were you here all night?" Jack asked absently. He sat behind his desk reviewing something on a tablet.

"Yeah. Reviewing the alchemy lab was time consuming."

Jack looked up. "You found something."

"That prophecy Idrissa mentioned is about alchemy." Dmitri set the book on the desk. "The temple and desert could mean any number of things. The tablet of kings is a large construct similar to what John described seeing in that house before it exploded. The abyss could be evil or it could be space. The language of the gods could mean anything from ancients to aliens or even Hebrew."

"What do you think?" Jack set his hands in front of him.

"I think the prophecy is about John. There is probably a child involved. From what we have from Idrissa and the Refuge, the twins' visions require filtering through perception issues. Add to it they were four at the time." Dmitri looked down at his notes. "I think that house was the temple. John bled after blowing up the tablet. John was sent back in time by a woman who loved him. He was born in space. He speaks multiple languages. The power of the gods could be the Rift ability or an affect caused by the explosion."

"'A child born to parents who have not met.'" Jack quoted.

"I don't know. The two child references might not be John. 'Met' could be the four year-old interpretation of sex. John's DNA could have been stolen. Or 'met' could involve not knowing the mother's name."

"Dragon?"

Dmitri shook his head. "To many possibilities."

"The prediction would have to have a point."

"That's another problem. Psychics come in different types. From my own experience, their ability to see the future is limited to a certain thing. Some predict death. Some know when their friends need them. Keara, the one in Dublin, and the other one involved with changing the past, are something I haven't seen. It defies everything I know about psychics."

"You need a frame of reference?"

Dmitri nodded. "Yeah. What do you know about the kids? Not their ability."

"Not much." Jack took a moment to think. "Their much older half brother took them in because their parents think they're mentally ill. Their parents might be afraid of them."

"Have they had any problems at the Refuge?"

"Not that I know of."

"If they were having parent problems at the time, it could be something about parents. John said he doesn't have kids. Or none he knows about." Dmitri paused. "How would John react to finding out he's a father?"

"I don't know. He's considered the possibility after what happened in Nova Scotia."

Hughes Flats; Cardiff, Wales

When Ken Phillips allowed a gorgeous, charming older man to pick him up in a bar more than a year earlier, he had no idea where that would lead. He wanted something more than a one-off, but never seemed to find the right guy or situation. Then he met John. A jumble of emotions and turmoil followed. The relationship had been off more than on. But something about John kept him hoping.

Whatever Ken expected, it wasn't getting involved with Torchwood. Moving into the building owned by Captain Harkness was unexpected. At least Torchwood's intentions were clear. Dawn needed someone to keep an eye on her despite the obvious conflict she had with the Torchwood team. Ken couldn't help but suspect the baby's father was part of Torchwood. It had to be the reason for the disconnect between protectiveness and the uneasiness over Dawn's presence.

"How did they talk you into this?" Dawn asked that first day.

He explained his connection to Torchwood through John and opted not to mention what happened at St. David's mall. Although understandable, being hospitalized for psychology reasons was not something he wanted to discuss.

After awhile, it seemed normal. With his sisters he'd seen pregnant and the range of complicated and crazy that went with it. Despite being sick, Dawn was mellow. Sad, lonely and confused, but mellow. They were quick friends. Running for ice cream or calling Dr. Petrescu at 2 AM for advice wasn't a big deal.

"I was called in to work," Ken explained "A few hours. You can ride with me. We can have a late lunch."

Dawn looked uncertain. The self-confident woman had faded. Whatever the situation was with Torchwood, it was hard on her. She wouldn't talk about. "I don't want to cause problems."

"It's not a problem. I need to start thinking about Christmas presents." Ianto had an idea about a party for everyone in the building.

Dawn hesitated.

"The store got these adorable plushies last week."

"I ask to much."

Ken sat on the sofa next to her. "No. I don't mind shopping."

"You see women and kids all day at work."

Ken smiled. "When I applied for the job, the manager asked me if I understood. She said I would deal with women and misbehaving kids all day long. And everyone would assume I was gay for working in a Disney store." He paused. "I grew up in a female household. Mom, and three older sisters. Dad took off when I was a baby. I have crashed on my sisters' sofas when they were pregnant and they needed help. I don't mind women and with eight nieces and nephews, I have a lot of experience with pregnant women." He set a hand on hers. "Jack knew that when he asked me be your roommate."

"I feel worthless. I can't work. I whine about everything."

Ken squeezed her hand. "It'll get better. Get your coat. Some retail therapy will help."