"Ah, you are early. We thought you might be," Ianto greeted. Let me get that bag for you, Luke." Ianto took the smaller bag from Luke and led the way into the Hub lift.

"I am fine with this big one, mate," Clyde snorted as he hefted it over his shoulder once more. Luke stayed at Ianto's side, Sarah Jane not more than half a pace behind. "Shite," Clyde thought as he watched his young lover disappear.

**************

As the heavy door rolled out of the way, they were once more greeted — this time by the Captain. "Welcome back to Torchwood, Luke. And Sarah Jane — looking as lovely as ever. It was so nice of you to bring your son to his first day of work."

Sarah Jane grimaced, not sure whether to accept the compliment or start off straight away on the caddy insult. Before she could decide Clyde bumped into her while dropping Luke's oversized bag.

"And the boyfriend," said Jack. "Did you bring Maria and K-9 to this little send-off, too?" Jack had that winning smile on his face, ensuring them all he was just joking, but Clyde wasn't having any of it.

"Did you really think I — we — would just send him off on his own? Don't think you can get rid of me — us — that easily," Clyde spouted out. Sarah Jane, for once, stood beside Clyde with full confidence, nodding in agreement.

Luke looked on with fear. This seemed inappropriate. He wasn't sure if this was making a bad first impression at his new workplace.

"Now, now. There is no reason to get upset. I was only kidding. We are always glad to have 'visitors' in the hub. Well, sometimes. But I am really glad you both came today. I want to make sure everyone is comfortable with Luke joining our little group," Jack said, trying to ease things.

Ianto moved between the standoff to diffuse the situation. "Let's all have a seat. I'll just go prepare us some tea." He pointed to the sitting area off the main hub area and allowed Sarah Jane, Clyde, and Luke to make their way over. "Sir, let's try to make this easy on them. They've had a long drive and this is a stressful situation. Sarah Jane is leaving her only son — a mere boy — and Clyde is about to embark on a long distance relationship. I am sure you aren't helping." There were some things Jack would just never understand.

**************

"So that is how Ianto here got that big bruise on his cheek!" Jack was finishing his latest alien encounter story as Ianto returned with tea for everyone. Sarah Jane's face was the color of his new red Armani shirt, and Clyde was pacing nervously.

"Damnit, when will he learn to shut up," thought Ianto.

"Here is the tea! And really, I just fell down the stairs. Jack tries to make me sound less clumsy by making up these wild stories. Right, Sir?"

"What? Oh! Yeah — well, I don't want everyone to know I am shagging — ouch — I mean that I employ such a klutz," Jack responded, finally understanding Ianto's cover-up and subsequent pinch to the neck.

Luke, having grown more aware of tension and social politeness over the years, decided to change the subject. "So where are Gwen and Mickey at? It is very quiet here today."

"Well," started Jack, "I heard that the word on the street was that I didn't give my people vacation time. Mickey's gone on a singles' cruise and Gwen is taking some time at home with her newest baby and Rhys. Did you all hear that Gwen gave birth last Spring to her second — a little girl named Tosha."

Knowing she needed to cool off, Sarah Jane decided to focus on the positive and let Jack's vacation nip slide. "Yes, I did read about that in the U.N.I.T. email digest a couple months ago. That is wonderful. It is good to hear that Torchwood has become so progressive and lenient — allowing staff to have children."

Feeling that disaster had been averted — for now — Ianto passed around the tea.

**************

Jack and Ianto were gathered around one of the larger monitors in Jack's office watching on as Luke walked his mum and boyfriend back out a couple of hours later. They wanted to make sure everything would be okay when their newest member returned on his own.

**************

"Well I guess this is it, mum," Luke almost whispered to his mom by the car.

"There is so much I want to say to you, son -- " Sarah Jane began, but was cut off by a crushing hug from her almost grown child.

"Don't. You've said it all before — all that is needed now is this." Sarah Jane couldn't stop the tear from rolling down her face. "I love you, mum. I have my mobile. You can reach me 24 hours a day. I will call you tonight once I get settled. And you know Clyde will have to check in daily. Maria has already said I have to call her every other day. I will be fine. I've been doing this for years with you."

"How did my son grow into this amazing person?" Sarah Jane asked herself silently. She felt so lucky at this moment, even though she was leaving him in such a dangerous place. Finally able to speak, she choked out, "I love you, too. Now go say goodbye to Clyde." She stepped back and slid into the car, leaving the two young men alone.

"So this is it, huh," Clyde said solemnly. Luke slowly walked towards him, not really sure how to handle the situation. His mum he knew, but this was still relatively new. His books did not prepare him for this part of their relationship.

"No. You will be here next weekend. I already cleared it with Ianto." This comment earned a smirk from Clyde. They had started planning this first weekend alone together as soon as he heard Luke was to be living with Ianto. They knew he and Jack would be all about giving them some alone time.

"I know. And I can't wait. But you know what I mean. I am really going to miss you, Luke," Clyde said, getting serious again.

"I'll miss you, too. But we will be fine. You just make sure you take care of mum. Don't let her whine about Maria too much."

"Ha. I won't. Okay. I am not going to cry. I am a man, not some silly nancy boy. Just come kiss me," he chuckled while pulling Luke close. They knew Sarah Jane was probably watching from the car, so they couldn't be over the top, but it was definitely a kiss to show all of Cardiff that these two men were in love — whether they wanted to admit it or not.

"Bye," Clyde whispered, pulling away and jumping in the car.

Luke stood there waving as the car pulled away. He didn't move to go back inside until there wasn't even a glimpse of them anymore.

**************

As Luke reentered the Hub, he was not entirely shocked to find Jack and Ianto standing with smug smiles.

"Say your goodbyes, Luke?" Jack questioned jokingly.

He smiled. Luke knew he had made the right decision. He had chosen his adventure and it was going to be brilliant.

To be continued . . . .