I made up the name of the pub although there is one of a similar name in Cardiff city centre.

Chapter 24: The Glendower Arms

The pub was nicely busy and a general hubbub greeted Toshiko as she pushed open the doors and led the way inside. Jacks 2 and 3 followed her, taking in the faded decor and the general air of relaxation and drink-fuelled good humour. In a corner, highlights of a football match were being relayed on a large screen and some of the watching crowd cheered as Manchester United scored against a Russian team. Elsewhere in the large L-shaped room were small tables and a few booths where various groups of people – old and young, male and female – talked, laughed and drank. Toshiko was looking for a table when she was hailed by a familiar voice.

"Tosh, over here!"

She looked over and saw Owen waving at her. He was sat at a largish table with Ianto and Jack 5. Making sure Jacks 2 and 3 were following, she eased through the crowd to the table and sat down. "Hi, Owen. Didn't know you'd be in here."

"Jack 5 here remembered it, after we'd tried a few other places. Get you a drink?"

"Please. Spritzer."

"Okay." He turned to the others, "What do you all want?"

"I'll come with you," said Jack 2, "and help carry them back." He moved aside as Owen rose to his feet.

"Scotch on the rocks, please," said Jack 3. "Make it a double." Jack 5 and Ianto had refills for their drinks – whisky and lager respectively – and Owen and Jack 2 went off to the bar. Jack 3 took Owen's vacated chair.

"Did you enjoy your walk?" asked Ianto, glad to have a new topic of conversation; Jack 5 was getting a bit clingy again. He liked the man, really he did, but he just overdid it sometimes and set Ianto's teeth on edge.

"I'd forgotten how much the place changed," answered Jack 3, pinching a crisp from a open packet on the table. "With the docks pulled down and the new buildings it's so different from my time."

"In another 100 years it's back in decay and gets run down again. That's when we get out of the Hub," Jack 5 went on, "we move into a brand new base under the Castle."

"You leave the Hub? Oh, I think that's sad. It's been used by Torchwood for so many years," said Toshiko.

Jack 5 laughed. "No time for sentiment in the 23rd century. We do still keep some stores there and the archives, of course. Ianto here spent so much time in those archives, preserving and ordering the records, I couldn't think of moving them." He smiled at Ianto, remembering more than just records; there had been many intimate encounters in those tunnels and rooms. Ianto blushed.

Owen chose that moment to arrive back with the drinks and they all settled down with them. There was a small flurry from nearby tables, as spare chairs were begged, when they saw the three Jacks together: they really did look identical except for hair styles. The conversation ranged far and wide and all six enjoyed the opportunity to exchange information about their lives and their times; not major stuff, just little things. Around them, the pub emptied as the football ended and others decided to return to their homes. By 12.10am Toshiko yawned widely.

"Ready for bed, Tosh?" asked Jack 2, invitation in his voice.

"You're a married man!" she admonished, but with a smile. "But yes, I am ready to turn in. Where are you all going to sleep?" she asked, looking round the table.

"Good point," said Jack 5, wondering if he might be invited to join Ianto. "Not that I need much sleep normally."

"I can take a couple of you at my place," offered Owen. "You can either share the spare bed or one of you can take the couch."

"I've a spare room too," said Toshiko, to Ianto's immense relief. "It'll sleep one of you."

"Well, if I may, I'll take up your offer, Tosh," replied Jack 2, smiling one of his most seductive smiles. Toshiko recognised Jack 2 was teasing and smiled back at him. Owen did not look too pleased but said nothing.

Jack 3 looked at Jack 5, "I don't mind sharing, if you don't."

"Okay with me," Jack 5 replied, hoping his disappointment didn't show in his voice.