A/N: Yes, I know and I'm sorry. I don't blame you if you have given up altogether on this story, given the lack of regular updates. Here is the next instalment anyway.

There were times when Lois Habiba was sure Gwen and Tosh were teasing her. It was hard to believe there was ever a time when the only thing protecting the Earth from hordes of unfriendly aliens were the five longest serving members of Torchwood. Not that they weren't brave and resourceful but when it came down to it they were just four ordinary and slightly flawed individuals, lead by one not so ordinary but wholly flawed individual. She raised her eyes, offering up a prayer of forgiveness to Captain Harkness for the description. As much as she adored him for his tenacity and bravery, and his ability to always come out on top, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat time and time again, she couldn't quite see what other people saw in him. Sure he was good looking, but he knew it, and she never could stand a man who spent more time in the bathroom than she did. Given the choice she'd much prefer to be cornered in the stationery cupboard by someone who didn't know how amazing and handsome, and breathtakingly beautiful and totally awesome and...

"Morning, Lois."

She jumped, blushing furiously as the the very person she'd been day dreaming about appeared, seemingly from nowhere, and plopped himself down on her desk with his usual poise and grace.

"oh, erm. Morning, Mr Jones."

"Lois, Please. It's Ianto. I'm not that much older than you."

"Sorry, "she giggled, she actually giggled, inwardly cringing at herself for her inability to maintain any form of dignity around the man.

"Riiiight," he said, pushing himself off the desk and giving her a little wink, "you have a good day, Lois."

"Oh, wait," she called after him, "I nearly forgot, Captain Jackson wants to see you in his office at 10.

Ianto stopped and turned around,

"He wants to see me?" he queried.

"Oh no, not just you, a whole bunch of people."

"Oh," Ianto said, nodding his head. He sounded relieved, "Any idea what it's about?"

"No, sorry," she replied, "I was just told to inform the people on the list."

"Okay, Lois. Thanks."

She watched his bum disappearing through the secret door before she sighed and shook her head sadly, turning around, ready to greet the rest of the day shift as they came in.

TWTWTWTWT

Ianto rushed up the stairs from the basement where he'd spent the first part of the morning assisting in the archives. He was more than happy with his new role in the revamped Torchwood but there were times when he missed the old days, when he'd spent most of his days whiling away the hours in dusty basements only popping up at odd times to order food or make coffee. He'd been the first to volunteer when Mickey had relayed a request for some extra help from the archiving team, but he'd soon become so engrossed in the task that he'd lost track of time.

He walked briskly towards the Director's office, praying he wasn't noticeably late. He knocked once before opening the door, then smiled grimly as several pairs of eyes turned on him. He noted Mickey, Tosh, Gwen and Owen among the operatives in the room, as well as Jack, standing behind Captain Jackson's chair. Jack smiled broadly at him causing Ianto to blush and dip his head.

"Nice of you to join us, Jones." Jackson snapped.

"I'm sorry, Sir." Ianto cleared his throat and took a seat, keeping his head down. He risked a glance at Mickey who sent him a disapproving look and mouthed "later."

"Now we're all here," The Director began, looking pointedly at Ianto, "We can begin. Firstly, I'm sure I don't need to tell you this but you should know everything we discuss in this room today stays between us. You are not to discuss it with anyone, not even other members of your team. Do I make myself clear?"

There was a murmur or agreement and nodding of heads before Jackson continued.

"Two days ago I received a coded message from someone called Rex Matheson. He's a CIA agent in the US but this message comes from him directly, it hasn't come through official channels. Agent Matheson is running scared as he believes he's stumbled upon an alien conspiracy. He believes, and we've uncovered evidence which supports his beliefs, that the conspiracy goes as high as the presidency itself. There is something strange going on in the US and I've asked Captain Harkness, here to put together a team to investigate further. This may involve going to America under cover so I want you all to be prepared for that. Those of you with young children," he looked over at Tosh and Owen, "will of course be given the option to stay at home and coordinate the mission from here but the rest of you should let your loved ones know you may be going away on business soon."

"Are we allowed to know what this is about?" Owen asked, "after all if you're asking us to risk our lives, I'd like to know what's it's for."

With that Jack stepped forward and looked around the room.

"Good question, Owen and it's one I'm prepared to answer, but how about I ask you a question first."

Owen shrugged and nodded.

"Okay can you tell me the name of the president of the United States."

Owen laughed,

"What's this about, Jack?"

"How about you, Gwen. Can you tell me who it is?"

"Of course, Jack," she rolled her eyes, "It's," she stopped dead, "Um, oh." She frowned.

"Isn't it..." Mickey scratched his head, "wait a minute, I should know this."

Jack leant against the front of the desk, crossing his legs and folding his hands across his chest.

"Anyone? How about what he looks like. Anyone remember seeing a picture of him?"

"No," Ianto answered for everyone, "Jack what's going on."

"Our best guess is some kind of low level psychic field, probably transmitted via television and the internet. Anyone with any kind of contact with technology will have being effected."

"And how exactly have we been affected?" Owen asked.

"It's a kind of perception filter which seems to be focussed on the president of the United States of America. We know he's there, but none of us have really noticed him."

"Like the invisible lift?" Gwen asked with a puzzled frown.

"Sort of," Jack said. He picked up a remote control from the desk and pointed it at the big screen positioned behind the director's chair. An image of a man appeared. The man was standing at a podium giving a speech.

"This," Jack said, "was transmitted by Agent Matheson alongside his message. One of the reasons I picked you for this mission is that everyone in this room has some experience with perception filters, you all know how to see around them."

The room was silent for a few moments while the Torchwood Operatives studied the image, turning their heads this way and that as they tried not to look at it too closely, looking past it rather than directly at it. Ianto thought the method was something similar to looking at those Magic Eye pictures that were popular a few years ago. He was the first to break through the filter.

"But that's..." he frowned.

"Yes, Ianto it is," Jack agreed.

"But...," Gwen said, catching up with Ianto. "It can't be. He's dead. At least I think he is," her brow furrowed, "I can't quite remember what happened to him now."

"No, you can't," Jack smiled at her sadly for a moment before turning his attention back to the rest of the room. "but he is dead or at least he was. Ladies and Gentleman," he went on, "the president of the United States is none other than," he paused for dramatic effect before continuing with a flourish, "the former prime Minister of Great Britain. Harold Saxon...deceased."

TWTWTWTWTW

Gwen found the whole situation unsettling. It wasn't the fact that a former Prime Minister of Great Britain had somehow managed to get themselves elected to the US presidency, overcoming the twin handicaps of being a, not American and b, dead. Working for Torchwood, you came to expect the unexpected. Nor was it the fact that they were enjoying an evening out, seemingly without a care in the world when the world was probably ending, after all as Ianto had once said, the world was always ending. It wasn't even the fact that John Hart had appeared half way through the evening and wrapped his arms around Ianto, kissing the back of the young man's neck and declaring how romantic the setting was because it was where he and "eye-candy" had first met. John was a cocky git and nothing he did would surprise Gwen. No it was none of these things that made her eyes goggle and had her wondering if she'd wandered into an alternative universe by mistake. It was when instead of turning around and punching the former time agent, Ianto simply rolled his eyes and smiled at him, then carried on the conversation as if he didn't have an overly confident, annoying bastard attached to his back like a limpet. After a while, John whispered something in his ear and the two of them gravitated away from the main group, sitting opposite each other at another table and speaking in whispered tones with their heads bent together. From the looks Tosh and Owen were throwing both her and each other, Gwen could tell she wasn't the only one surprised by this turn of events.

"Right," Owen said looking pointedly at the Welshwomen, "I think it's time Tosh and I were going, the baby sitter will be wondering where we are."

Tosh was about to say something when she noticed her husband giving a slight nod towards John and Ianto and then discretely pointing at Jack behind the immortal's back, inclining his head towards Gwen.

"Oh," Tosh leapt up, "oh, yeah. You're right. Gosh, look at the time, oh well goodnight all."

"See ya," Jack gave a little wave to the two of them, "Get a good night's rest. I want you in bright and early tomorrow."

As soon as they left, Gwen leant over the table and started talking to Jack. He caught the eye of a girl who happened to be passing by the table at that very moment and grinned at her, his eyes twinkling as he turned his head to track her progress. She threw him a bright smile over her shoulder as she walked away and Jack finally turned his attention back to his colleague.

"Sorry, Gwen," he said, his grin still in place, "what did you say?"

"I said, so Ianto's with John now?"

"Sure looks that way."

"John, John Hart?" Gwen said unbelievingly.

"Yes Gwen," Jack sounded irritated, "John Hart. What's your point?"

"And you're okay with that are you?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders,

"Would it change anything if I said I wasn't?"

"I could kill Ianto," she spat, "why is he doing this to you?"

"It's not his fault, Gwen. When we found him, he tried, he really tried but I know now, the truth was he'd all ready fallen out of love with me. He was away for a long time and before he left I never gave him any reason to believe I'd be waiting for him. It's no wonder he gave up hope. Besides he had to. It was the only way he could do what he had to do to survive. And then there's John and he's everything I'm not, everything I could never be. He's open and honest, and full of romantic gestures and declarations of love. He can give Ianto the love and security he'd never get from me because let's face it, If he hadn't gone away when he did, I'd have probably got bored of him soon anyway. It's just typical of me to want what I can't have."

"But I mean, it's John," Gwen said, "you really think John will be good for Ianto"

"You'd be surprised," Jack replied, "he can be incredibly loyal."

"Loyal?" Gwen scoffed, "how is it loyal when he claims to love you then steals Ianto right from under your nose," she paused for a moment, "you don't think that's why he's doing do you? To get back at you?"

"No," Jack sighed, "It's not John's style to hold a grudge. I know they both love me but they're in love with each other. They're both in it for the long haul."

Gwen nodded over her shoulder at the two men on the other table,

"Actually, I wouldn't be so sure about that, Jack?"

The immortal frowned. He slowly turned around to see that Ianto was standing up while John hung on to his wrist. Ianto was wearing an expression which Jack recognised. It was one he had seen only rarely but knew meant trouble. Like many outwardly placid people, Ianto had a spectacularly fiery temper and although he didn't lose it very often, when he did, if you had any sense you'd find somewhere to hide until it was all over.

"I've told you there's nothing wrong now get the fuck off me, Jamal?" he yelled.

"Who's Jamal?" Gwen whispered to Jack. Jack shook his head and said nothing.

"You're forgetting," John tried to whisper but had to raise his voice a little to be heard over the din of the busy pub. He tapped the side of his head, "I know there's something wrong with you."

"Then have some fucking boundaries, man and get the hell out of my head, you bastard."

Ianto pulled his arm free and stormed out of the pub. John made to follow but no sooner had he stood up than he thought better of it and sat down again. He looked over to Jack and smiled weakly,

"Welshmen, eh?"

TWTWTWTWTW

Rhiannon was just settling down in front of the TV to watch her favourite soap when the door bell rang. She groaned and stood up. On answering the door and seeing her brother standing there she rolled her eyes by way of a greeting and went back to sit down, leaving the door open for him to follow. She turned the TV off and shouted to him, "are you going to stand there all night."

He came in a sat down, looking sheepishly at her.

"So," she said, "tell your big sister what's up. Have you had a fight with your fella, what's his name Jack."

"sort of," he nodded, "but his name's not Jack, it's John."

"No," she insisted, "No. It's not. It's definitely Jack."

"No, It's John, Rhi," he snapped, "I should know."

"I'm pretty sure it's Jack," she insisted, "he came to see me you know, when you were," she paused,"away. He came around here, shouting his mouth off..." She paused again, rolling her eyes before continuing, "bloody hell," she cried, "it's a different guy, isn't it."

"God, Rhi, you make it sound like I've had a whole rugby squad, it's two, that it. Just two."

"Still," she raised her eye-brows at him, "two's rather a lot for someone who claims he's not gay."

"Oh you know what," he barked, "forget it, I didn't come here so we could debate my sexuality." he made to stand up but she stopped him,

"No wait," she said, "I'm sorry. Tell me about him, this John. When do we get to meet him?"

"When hell freezes over I should think."

She chuckled.

"What's he like, then. Is he nice."

"I dunno, Rhi. It's complicated."

"Isn't it always with you," she sighed.

"In some ways, he's a lot like Jack," Ianto said, ignoring her comment. He gave a small smile and shrugged.

"Oh, Right," Rhiannon said, "He's an arrogant bastard as well then."

Ianto laughed,

"Yeah, I guess he is, but he's my arrogant bastard. That's the difference between him and Jack. I could never say Jack was mine, he wouldn't allow it, wouldn't let himself be lo...cared for by just one person. Everyone loves Jack and Jack loves everyone, I could never be enough for him. "

"But this John, are you sure you're enough for him?"

"Yeah," Ianto grinned at her and dipped his head. She smiled back, ruffling his hair as she used to when he was little.

"So, then what's the the problem?" she asked.

"I dunno, it just gets a bit much sometimes. I mean, I can't hide anything from him. Everything has to be open and upfront. There's no privacy, no secrets."

"Ah," she gave her head a small nod, "and we know how you like your secrets, Ianto."

"Hmm," he nodded thoughtfully, "I just don't like sharing. Not all the time anyway. Look, Rhi, don't freak out, but while I was away, we sort of went through a...a kind of bonding thing."

"Married?" she cried, her eyes widening, "You got married?"

"No. God no," he scoffed, laughingly, "not married. John's not from around here, the bonding thing, it's something from his culture. I can't explain, there's no equivalent in our society but it means we are...linked...he's part of me and I'm part of him."

Rhiannon pulled a confused face and shook her head and Ianto shrugged.

"I know I'm not explaining it very well, I don't understand it myself. It's just the way it is. It is what it is." He sighed.

"Do you love him?"

"You know me, Rhi. I never was very good at the casual thing."

"What are you doing here then, if you love him. Go and find him and sort it out. Mind, I want to meet him, this John and soon."

"Yeah, maybe," he chuckled, "thanks Rhi."

She slapped him playfully on the side the head,

"Go on with you, what are big sisters for?"

By the time Ianto left Rhiannon's house, it was getting late. He wrapped his overcoat around himself shivering slightly in the cool night air as he set off to walk home. He had only walked a few yards when he spotted a familiar figure sitting cross legged on the pavement with his back resting against the garden wall of one of Rhiannon's neighbours. Ianto came to a full stop in front of the man, sighing and giving an exaggerated eye-roll as John looked up at him with an apologetic pout. The Welshman shook his head and held out his hand and John took it. As he stood up, the former time agent went to wrap his arms around Ianto but the younger man stepped back and shook his head, "not here," he said, "I grew up on these streets. People around here aren't always that tolerant."

John wanted to argue but Ianto was probably right and anyway it wasn't their fight. He raised his arm and pulled back his sleeve, exposing his wrist strap, "Fancy a lift,"

"Nah, C'mon Captain, let's walk."

They walked together in silence for a while, their bodies not touching apart from the occasional brush of their arms.

"You know," John said, breaking the silence, "you can't go to America. You have to tell Jack."

"Yeah," Ianto sighed, "I know."