Thanks to the...one...reviewer other then Saline Dreamer who reviews and is worried about Marius. I am sad to say that you must continue to worry. Still, thanks for the reviews, bbmcowgirl !

Ten: The Unwanted Connection

Avery leaned back in the chair. "Marius is the Caretaker for the Rift here on Earth. Because of that he extended it to you lot, and thereby records all information about you. Birth dates, important events, etc. Some are also responsible for the growth of a group--."

The Doctor snorted and earned a glare from Avery, "However it might look to the Client Race, it has to be approved and deemed acceptable by the Exarch and other higher members of our race."

Owen chimed in. "So you all do paperwork?"

"On every species, planet, and race in all the known universes," Lilith said, "There are others in our group, because where we live is outside of Time, so what's linear for us is time travel for others. Those who are in charge of keeping records on dead races are called Curators. Lilith was a Curator for the Doctor's race, up until her father took over again and she became a Field Agent."

Toshiko paused. "But he's alive...you said--."

"He's the last of his kind," Jack told them, "and I guess they decided to make that be a 'dead race'."

Lilith nodded. "No point in keeping it open as a Caretaker when you only have one Client...though with all the trouble he gets into..."

The Doctor looked back at her. "Hey! I'm good. I help people!"

Both Jack and Lilith gave a small sound that said all there was about 'helping people'.

"I do!"

Avery shook his head. "It's okay, I know you try. You and Lilith both, but we're getting off topic."

Gwen nodded. "What about Marius?"

"Marius, for all his normal nature, is a member of a line of Seidra. Like Vensha he's an Elder of our Race and people rarely see him, and also like Vensha, his line gains specific powers granted to them. Lilith and I, who are both members of Vensha's line, have a small connection that allows us to see the future. She's better at it then I am...I usually will say something and end up making it like a jinx because it's a future thing. Marius' line, though, are strong telepaths. Strong enough that they made poor Caretakers because they tend to become connected to their Clients, or even to just one of them. Marius himself has a connection to all of you."

Ianto blinked. "What?"

"During that event in the country, Marius left to investigate after the disappearance of another Field Agent. When you reached a certain point, whichever body he had chosen to ride along with he got caught in, and could only leave through physical contact. From what he reported, he decided against it and did what he could to protect that person."

The group looked at Ianto. Despite Gwen having been shot during the trip, Ianto had more bruises and trauma to worry about, which was why Owen had been surprised when he had healed so quickly.

"That crack..."

"He took the blunt of a hit that would've given a massive concussion, and the end result was, as you knew everyone so well, or at least as well as you did, he connected to everyone through you. You became what could only be an accidental Hub for his connection to everyone else. He later chose another Hub for sanity's sake."

Toshiko paused before asking, "You mean a focus point? Who, and why for sanity's sake?"

Avery paused in thought before saying, "The connections created by someone within Seidra's line can only be broken if one person dies. We Sidra are, for all intents and purposes, demi-gods. We only die if forced into such a situation. Most of our Clients, however, have a finite lifespan. The connection Marius created allows him to be connected to all of you until you die. Until then, he feels everything and can take on your hurts or emotional states, but with the Hubs, he feels them more then the others and uses them as a focus point, like Toshiko said. So, given that he's immortal for all rights and purposes, and that Ianto isn't, this leaves him only one other person to turn into a Hub in order to stay sane after any or all of you die."

"Me," Jack said softly. "But that would mean..."

"That if you keep taking risks with your immortal nature I come down and beat sense into you because it causes Marius grief? Yes."

Jack shifted then asked, "And who's Ulamo, then?"

Lilith looked down at the cup before her and glared. "Something that shouldn't have happened or been allowed to live."

Avery nodded. "Of course, Lilith has only heard about Ulamo's exploits. I and her father had to live through it and listen to the trial. I also was brought in to help treat the Sidra that finally found out about Ulamo, but he was dead before I got there."

The Doctor spoke up again, "Considering everything and all the paperwork I've had to go through at least once, how much trouble could he be?"

Avery looked at him before saying, "You would say that what Lilith's done requires some discipline, though not to our standards of course."

The Doctor's face darkened slightly before he nodded.

"Well, Ulamo's actions make Lilith's look like she was applying for the most chaste and holy nunnery in the known galaxies and it makes the Master look like, I dunno...you."

Lilith sat back before saying, "He destroyed, mutilated, or corrupted up to 50 races, destroyed more planets then any other race on record, and is responsible for various 'H'-class races. The one that you might remember best would be the Mondasians."

"WHAT?" The Doctor blinked. "But...they said..."

"Ulamo, from what we could find, traveled to the planet and created a partly-converted Cyberman and left him for others to find. While they ended up killing the man due to his metal instability, the end result was the slow but eventual conversion into Cybermen." Avery paused and considered, "There was some rumor that he was responsible for Skaro too, but he didn't admit to it. Everything else, yes, but that? He seemed disappointed he didn't know about it until later."

The Doctor moved back in his chair and finally asked, "What was his sentence?"

"Death," Lilith said, "Not like mine, but full Death away from our area and in another one where the body could never be recovered. No funeral, no rites as a Sidra, just put him in a body and kill him. He didn't return, no one heard about him, so it was assumed he was dead."

"Until Marius saw the bracelet...thing...in the drawer," Ianto said, "The one I saw."

Avery nodded. "He requested some time off to investigate, and hasn't been heard from since. When I realized what happened, I went to grab the Doctor and get Lilith out. She's the only one who could possibly help you lot find Marius, plus it would be therapeutic for her, since his distress caused her...well...let's not go into that, I'm still trying to figure out the details myself."

Jack cast a look at Lilith before saying, "But if we have a connection, couldn't we try to find him ourselves?"

Avery frowned. "The only one with any possible chance would be Ianto, and only because Marius and he show off too many signs of blending personalities."

"Come again?" Owen asked.

"Ianto and Marius were in the same body when Marius created the connections, making him an accidental Hub," the Doctor tried, "but that would also mean that his connection to Ianto is stronger then if he created a normal Hub, right?"

Avery nodded, "In theory. I'm not a member of the Seidra line, and none of the ones who are sane or living right now have had any accidental Hubs. I'm only going off of what he reports to me as well as noted changes and what I see from his file on Ianto."

Gwen spoke up now. "So Ianto and he are connected, but so are all of us to him. At the same time, he's more connected to Ianto and Jack then he is to anyone else. Why wouldn't Jack be able to have a chance?"

Jack answered, "Because normal Hubs don't get too connected, right? It's just when they die...some part of them dies and it's too much for them to take."

Owen now chimed in, "So with Ianto, the mistaken created Hub, which no offense on that either mate, means that he's more open to Ianto's feelings then anyone else's?"

Avery nodded again. "But again, in theory. I don't know how Ianto or Marius would react to either one actively seeking out the other when they don't want to be seen, and the results could be bad when trying to break the connection and return either of them to their rightful minds, if it were to happen at all."

Ianto leaned back again, taking a quick drink of the coffee before saying, "But we have to try, don't we? I can...it's like on the tip of my tongue, but something's holding it back too. We have to try, in order to find him and rescue him."

Jack reached over and touched Ianto's shoulder. "Ian...it's your choice, though. This is very dangerous."

Avery frowned. "Extremely and with a high possibility that the blending that's already happening will continue at a higher state, or even make it so you stay within Marius, or Marius stays within you. Both result in the total loss of either personality."

Ianto took in a breath, then said, "We have to try. I'm willing to take that risk."

--

"It's primitive, but it'll work for the time being, as long as Lilith and I hold it steady," Avery said, "and no, your head won't explode from this, either."

"It doesn't always explode heads," Gwen said, "It revealed that sleeper agent."

"Oh, them," Lilith snorted, "I'm glad they haven't found out about us yet."

Avery shrugged, "Like they could. Either way, they're rather annoying little parasites, and so is their Caretaker."

"If you two are done," the Doctor pointed out, "we do have a member of your race to save."

Avery cast him a glare. "Don't rush it. You have some telepathic abilities but they're camp compared to a Seidra line's abilities, or even that of Lilith's. Now, Jack...you need to be his connection to this place. If you think he's gone too far, call him back, however you can, but keep it in the PG-13 ratings."

Jack gave her a look and shrugged. "I dunno..."

"Even if he's personality's gone, his body will react, so you won't be able to tell anyway and you'll just be wasting your time. Figure out something else."

Ianto looked up as Gwen slowly placed the probe down on his head and gave him a weak smile. "You come back now, hear?"

Ianto gave a nod and waited as Toshiko powered up the mind probe that had only been taken out a few days ago before he felt it hit him hard. He let out a gasp before it seemed to stop and--

--There was a door, like the one to the Hub, and he was alone within it. Ianto blinked and looked around, noting that despite it being the Hub itself, more things that were personal to himself were there then there where things belonging to others. A few doors that weren't supposed to be there were also nearby, all of them shut tight and with various names or symbols he related to the other Torchwood personnel on them.

He turned back to the door and slowly approached it, noting that it was open but seemed to be stuck, closed from the other side. Curiosity got the better of him and knelt a little to look through the fogged glass on one side.

There was a strange room, featureless and with one door, which appeared simple but Ianto could see the few trap lockings on it. A quick look told him all he needed to know about it and he was amazed to realize he could unlock it if push came to shove and they became trapped there.

Morbid idea.

Ianto stood and put his hand to the door--

--His body jerked against some strange pain in his head, pushing him forward as the two Sidra on his sides touched the mind probe, helping--

--everything hurt, more then that, he couldn't think beyond not giving the names, not saying, staying silent about it even above all the pain and humiliation, they would find him--

Ianto pulled his hand away quickly, holding onto the wrist as if it burned before taking another deep breath. He could do this. He could get past this. He could deal with this, and figure out where that other person in his head was.

With grim determination, Ianto put both hands onto the door and closed his eyes as--

--His body jerked in the chair, held down by the straps as he distantly heard voices--

--the door opened slightly--

--pain, all the pain, and his voice hoarse from screaming as the band was removed and his body slumped, his mind craving unconsciousness but unable to obtain it as the angelic face with pitch-black eyes came into view before the door. "Their names, boy. Who are they?"

No reply, he was too tired and wouldn't anyway. He couldn't.

Colored bands danced before his face then were put to the side as the man said, "I think it's time for another memory. Would you like that?"

A whimper as a hand was placed on his head and then--

--"No, please not again!" He heard someone call out a name that might be his--
The children stood before him, all of them cleaned and in white, all of them ready for what would happen.

"All of you know what is to happen," he told them simply, smiling before pointing to the room. "Go on then."

The children walked single-file into the room, a row of tiny faces smiling upon seeing the gifts and toys spread out before them as they raced in, happily smiling and laughing as the door closed behind them. He waited before motioning and turning on the screen to the other room, which he walked into.

Inside, the parents of the children waited patiently as he said over the communication system. "These are the last children to ever grace this world. Because of what you have done to displease me, I have made it so you cannot have children. Because they are the last...because I couldn't find it in myself to do the same to them...they will live for as long as I deem so. As you have been obedient to me for ten months before this rebellion," he smiled as he pushed the small switch, "They have ten minutes before the gas released in the vents just now will kill them. I expect you all to watch. Anyone who doesn't...well...I have time on my hands. So much time..."

The children continued to play and laugh until one of them coughed. The more did, and suddenly the white became spotted with red as another's cough turned the floor dark with blood. He smiled as the parents wailed while the children cried and bleed out through their pores and eyes, waited as the toys and pristine white gowns became soaked and they fell to the ground, a few convulsing harshly until their spines or necks audibly broke, some enough that bones protruded from the skin.

After the ten minutes was up, all the children were dead and he said over the speakers, "Rejoice that the Mondasians are coming, that they will convert your poor flesh into metal and take away your emotions. You can be their children, and forget this poor sadness...or you can open the door and join them. No matter what, you are done for. Be at peace."

"Murderer! COWARD! Traitor! You promised us salvation!"

The cry continued as he stood and walked back to where the door was, contemplating the idea before switching the vents outward. "Then don't take my gift. I suppose you're all better off out of the picture anyway. There's no room for peace in this universe, anyway."

He couldn't pull away, he—where--why--

--someone held his hand tightly, calling a name he didn't understand where was he--

--"Who are they?"--

--his hand were on fire, merging with the door as if he was falling through--

--a small pat on the face that burned, "Who?"--

--who was calling to him? Was that his name? What was he saying?--

--A wicked smile, nearly splitting the man's face in half. "Who is that in you now, boy?"--

--he couldn't return, he was stuck, falling through the door and oh god--

--voices around him, yelling to break a connection--

--The grin grew closer, hands on the aching shoulders, "Who is that there? Is that one of your Hubs, there to save you?"--

--hub-

--hub--

--hub--the hub—he-the hub--

"IANTO" "MARIUS"

who am I?--the hub—I'm in the Hub...I am a Hub...the Hub...

Torchwood—the Rift—Cardiff--Canary Wharf--

The air was hot and full of screams, her screams, as the Cyberman nearby kept him in place by fear alone, waiting before just as suddenly it was called away and the metallic roar from inside disappeared but the screaming--

--Lisa--Jack

--Jack--

--Jack Harkness--

--Captain Jack Harkness--

--Captain Jack Harkness, leader--

--Leader of Torchwood Three, Cardiff, the Hub...--

--Lover of--

--Lover of Ianto Jones--

Ianto gasped as he found himself back in the present, or what felt like it, fighting to be freed of the restraints as he felt something come off of his head and someone else take off the restraints before he fell forwards, trying to get away but caught in strong arms. The familiar scent, the feel of that, the warmth and security made him stop and return the hug, grasping onto him like a dying man in water.

"I got you, Ianto," Jack's voice flowed through him as he shook, his whole body feeling like it had been through everything that was going on, his shoulders aching but he had to take comfort in the feeling of Jack holding him.

He felt himself slowly dragged up to his feet and didn't quite realize where he was until he was lying on the examination table, slightly panicking until a face that shouldn't have been as familiar as it was looked down at him.

"Avery."

"How do you know me?" Avery asked, looking intently into his eyes.

How did he? He had just met him! But there was another, stranger idea. "I...I just met you. But...but I know you. I trust you."

Avery frowned then asked, "What is the code for the Human Race?"

"Code?"

"Never mind," Avery gave a smile. "You only got a little, but it was enough for some trauma. You might not remember some things for a minute or a day."

Owen frowned as he came up and shook his head. "Whatever happened, he shouldn't have some of these either." He motioned to Jack to help him removed Ianto's jacket before Ianto winced at the pain in his shoulder. Owen scanned it and let out a mild curse. "Your shoulder's nearly dislocated, and on top of that, you have electric burns, mild hypothermia, and more bruises then I care to count."

Lilith looked over at Avery and asked, "Is that was Marius would have?"

"To a degree. My guess is that he and Ianto end up sharing wounds too, so some of his would heal and transfer to Ianto, however unintentional it was."

Her features darkened as the Doctor came up beside her. "Did you find out where he would be?"

Ianto shook his head. "I...there's just a feeling. Like I could find it if I saw it...but I don't know. I don't know if that's what that...that..." he paused, unsure of how to describe the sadistic torturer who had noticed him.

The two Sidra looked at him, worry in their eyes. "You saw Ulamo?"

Ianto grimaced as Owen gave him some painkillers. "He noticed me...in Marius' mind. He put a...a memory...into Marius head. I--" Ianto felt himself shaking, trying to suppress the memory. "I don't want to remember it...but I could feel it. Everything. He..." Ianto choked back bile as a cool hand rubbed up and down his spine.

"You don't have to tell us, Ianto," Jack said as Owen and Toshiko went to help check him over, "It's okay."

Ianto shook his head. "It isn't. He...that was the third memory. The worst. I..."

Avery put a hand on his shoulder and he felt himself wince through the pain. "If you go back, he'll only harm Marius more for the two names. He has yours, and that's bad enough. But we can help out only if you let us heal you first."

Ianto finally nodded and allowed himself to be checked over, Jack staying nearby as Avery, Lilith and the Doctor headed outside to talk.

--

Ulamo walked out of the room, looking over at Andrew who stood with the syringe in hand. "It's ready then?"

"Yes. You seem happy."

Ulamo gave a small grin. "I know who his Hubs are. And they will be on their way shortly."