Five

Bonnie crossed her arms and stood by the airlock door waiting for it to open. Just past the airlock was Zatsaheur Space Port, Junction and sector outpost. The last two days had been the longest she could recall as she reworked the assignment. It was still not up to the required standard and she would have to re-do it again tomorrow, this time under supervision from Steven Carter. 'Well at least it wasn't Commander Jones,' she told herself, not sure she could face him after her meeting with Crew Resources.

She observed the expectant faces as they waited for the portal to open, a mix of annoyance churning in her stomach. Now she was supposed to drop everything and have fun. Every senior officer she had appealed to had parroted the same reply. This was a chance for students who were mostly human to experience alien culture first hand and have some enjoy themselves into the bargain.

Looking across she saw Gwen Cooper smiling. Gwen gave her the thumbs up because she had managed to stand beside Harkness.

She half-listened as he wittered on about how each one of them were representatives of the ship, and Space Command. '….and above all have fun,' Harkness finished his speech and the main door now separated and for a moment there was an equalisation of pressure and air flowed into the ship.

Bonnie found Gwen by her side. 'I've heard there's an alien bar that sells 'Nubreem Sunsets' that actually glow in the dark,' Gwen told her linking their arms.

Mary joined them. 'I'm off to the market. I promised my mum a special something for her birthday and I thought I would buy her something craft-made rather than replicated.'

'Yes, the market is the main thing I've got down on my list,' Carys agreed.

'I'm with you,' Daniela nodded.

Bonnie felt a wave of excited interest as she caught a glimpse of bustle at the far end of the walkway. It might be mandatory to visit the station but she was going to have a quick look around then get back and rework her figures. What was so infuriating was she just couldn't see the mistakes yet when pointed out they were so obvious. What it had made clear was she needed to do some serious revision and…

'Oh-My-God,' Gwen suddenly burst out. Letting go of Bonnie's arm she ran across to the large viewing window on the left hand side of the walk way. Crowding around a support beam they tried to get a view. A long, sleek black space ship was being moved into dock by several oddly named docking dollies.

'Is that what I think it is?' Carys pressed her face up against the window.

'It's a personal space liner,' Gwen enthused.

'Out here? What the hell would one of those be here? There's no leisure worlds in this part of the quadrant,' Bonnie pointed out.

'Someone rich. Someone to keep me in a manner to which I would like to become acquainted with,' Gwen added as she admired the ship's sleek form.

'I was wasting time one day wondering how to spend my expected winnings from the Galactic lottery, Carys told them. 'A ship like this is 500 million credits and that's just the basic model and not counting the crew. Then you need to have it fitted out to the buyer's requirements,' Carys ended in a mock swanky voice.

'More likely to belong to some government. A diplomat visiting the station, trade agreements,' Bonnie told them.

'Agreed,' Daniella nodded not taking her eyes off the ship. 'Very few people can afford their own personal space liner.'

Gwen took a longing look at the opulence it represented. 'As part of the security brief we've been studying ship types. Governments go for really making a statement, with markings all over the hull and armaments so there's no mistaking who it represents. Sort of sending a message about how powerful they are. The only message this ship is sending is I'm rich enough not to tell everyone who I am because you already know.'

'Could be a hire, set to look like a personal yacht,' Daniella suggested.

'I'm telling you this is the real thing.' Gwen strained to see the lettering so she could check the ship's register later.

The airlock door opened. Mary nudged Gwen's arm and they all turned as an older man appeared.

Daniella gasped as he passed.

'What?' Gwen asked as they all watched the man head towards the Torchwood's dock.

'I think that's Senator Jones,' Daniella told them.

'Who?' Carys queried.

'Senator Jones. He's part of Space Industries,' Daniela told their blank faces. 'Senator Jones is head of the Space Command Over-sight Committee. He and his brother own Space Industries.'

'Daniella has this theory that Senator Jones and Commander Jones are somehow related,' Bonnie said as every face now turned to her.

'Never,' Gwen burst out. 'Why the hell would someone like him be on our little ship?'

'Exactly,' Bonnie added. 'Commander Jones is as related to Senator Jones as I am.'

'Oh you are wicked,' Gwen laughed.

Bonnie caught her next remark on her lips. She had got the message loud and clear from Crew Resources. There was zero tolerance for good reason and she had overstepped the mark. She had no idea that her cutting remarks could start a vicious cycle. Later that afternoon as she thought about it she could understand how such a thing could happen. She shuddered involuntarily. 'A whole ship had ganged up on an officer with tragic results and ruined any future he had in active service' Poor sod and it had all started…'

'It is a bit strange him being all this way out here.' Carys brought Bonnie back from her thoughts.

'It's not him,' Bonnie assured her friends.

'Lovely ship though,' Gwen said with a sigh and they took off towards the transit area.

Ianto rubbed his aching neck and turned to read the work in progress from the next student on the list. He never knew paperwork could have such a detrimental effect on the human body. His latest challenge had apparently exposed a number of weak areas for several students requiring a lot of one-on-ones. Steven had come up with the idea of asking each student directly for a summation of where they were and their calculations. It meant a very busy supposed day off as each of them read through and offered hints to solve any given issue causing confusion.

Stretching his back he promised himself a session of squash on the holo-suites, followed by a hot soak in the sauna. Then it was back to going over the figures of Eugene's latest run through. It was so frustrating, it should work but nothing they could do could reform energy back into matter. What was crazy was not only did the math show it was feasible, there were two working examples on this ship; holo-suites and replicators. Holo-suites used polarising light particles to form solid matter and replicators used a number of base molecular substances to re-create almost any object.

Twice now they had managed to get the test cube to de-materialize. The wave would hold in the buffer for exactly 3.4 milliseconds then the system would shut down no matter how much raw energy they poured in to support the process. To be so close. Ianto understood Bonnie's frustration, to know the answer was there but not being able to see it was infuriating.

His door alarm sounded. Groaning he braced himself for John Hart. That knee in the groin idea was becoming more and more likely. 'One day…was it too much too ask for one day's peace and quiet?' he thought and pressed the door release.

'Dad!'

'Don't be angry with me.' Ianto took his Dad into his arms and pulled him a hug. 'I just had to see you.'

'I'm not angry with you Dad,' Ianto added gently, trying to still the frustration in his voice.

'I've been so worried about you.'

'As you can see doing okay.' Ianto smiled and they pulled apart.

Arthur looked around. 'It's not as nice as we could make it at home but it looks comfortable and you've lost weight.'

'I've got more to do here. I've entered the ship's squash league. And my students keep me busy.'

'It's so good to see you,' Arthur repeated not taking his eyes off Ianto.

'Does anyone else know you are here?' Ianto asked.

'I took a page out of your book and ran away from home.'

'I'm sorry about that Dad.'

'You gave me one hell of a fright,' Arthur admonished.

'So you ran away from home?' Ianto said, surprised at his father's admission because his Dad was a man whose life was dictated by his love of order.

'I was halfway through the second meeting of the day which was going to be followed by yet another meeting. During a short break where I stood listened to Sarah Graychild waxing lyrical about her investment returns trying to look as if I was interested when I realised I needed to spend some time in the company of my son. So I bunked off. And I have to say it felt damn good.'

Ianto handed his dad a cup of coffee. Taking his own they now sat down. His dad made himself comfortable in the only easy chair and Ianto sat on the edge of his bed.

'That's not like you Dad.'

'I took a leaf out of the Ianto Jones guide to life and here I am.'

'Does anyone else know you're on board?'

'Several students saw me heading this way so I'm sure the news will have reached the Captain by now.' Just as the words left his lips the door alarm sounded.

'Ianto I'm here to see you,' Arthur said in a plaintive voice and placed his hand on Ianto's forearm. 'I don't want any fuss of people running around trying to make me feel welcome.' Ianto placed hand on his dad's in understanding and nodded.

Ianto opened the door to see Captain Boston. Closing the door Ianto stood with him in the corridor.

'I gather Senator Jones has come aboard,' Ira said wanting to double check what might be required.

'Dad's here to see me. I'm going to take him for lunch in the Hub, possibly with Tosh and Owen. Then give him a quick look around where I work.'

'I'll make sure everything's ship shape,' Ira told him.

'I think it would be nice for Dad to see things how they really are,' Ianto suggested.

Ira nodded. 'I might just put a discrete warning just to let people know he's on board.'

'Might be a good idea but I want to keep this as low-key as possible,' Ianto added.

'Got it,' Ira patted Ianto's back. 'Please give him my kindest regards.'

'I will.' Ianto returned to his room.

'All sorted?' Arthur asked as Ianto re-joined him

'Sorted. Captain Boston is about to make a major announcement, followed by a tour. First there will be a meal in the Hub with the senior officers who are now being recalled to the ship.'

Arthur leaned over and punched his son's arm.

'Ow,' Ianto said rubbing the sore spot in an exaggerated fashion.

'I thought it might be nice to have some lunch in the Hub then I give you a tour around of where I work. I know Owen and Tosh would love to see you.' Ianto sat down and picked up his own coffee cup.

Arthur nodded his agreement. 'I would like that very much to catch up with Owen and Toshiko. You know, Owen is one of the most refreshing people it's been my privilege to meet. He's blunt to the point of rudeness but always honest.'

'He holds nothing back,' Ianto agreed

'There is no dancing around any subject. It's just bam and you know exactly what he thinks and where he stands.'

'He has a sharp tongue,' Ianto took a sip of coffee.

'I have the marks to prove it.' Ianto looked worried. 'He has been instrumental in telling me some home truths,' Arthur reassured him. 'And like all home truths they are painful.'

'I see,' Ianto said in agreement, not sure he fully understood.

'Now enough about other people,' Arthur pronounced. 'I want to hear every last detail of your time here. I want the full works not the amended version and don't spare the any of the gory details.'

Arthur strode next to Ianto as he was escorted first to Ianto's office then the teaching areas. Ianto went into depth about the work his students were doing, including some of the trials and tribulations of the work he was doing with Eugene. Owen had shown him the sick bay. What followed was a delightful lunch where he much enjoyed the playful banter between his son, Owen, and his delightful wife Toshiko. As the tour unfolded he had felt himself relax and many of his worries about how Ianto was coping and the treatment of the crew towards him faded. On a personal level much to his delight everyone treated him as if he wasn't there, it was a complete contrast to how visits normally went down; no fuss, bother, or people preening themselves. For once he was a father spending time with his son. Now they were heading back to Ianto's quarters for his last few hours.

Heading for the lift Ianto saw John Hart coming towards them. He braced himself and his mind raced with explanations he might have to come up with. Approaching, John straightened then took a deep bow as they passed. Looking back Ianto saw John throw the now familiar air kiss.

'Sorry about that,' Ianto tried to explain. 'He can be very flamboyant.'

'Don't apologise for him. Nothing that vile man does comes to any surprise to me.'

'You know him?' Ianto asked stunned. 'You and he…haven't…have you?'

'The less said about our family connection to that man the better,' his Dad announced.

'Please tell me you didn't,' Ianto begged not sure he wanted to know the answer.

'Although I confess to some dalliances in my time I assure you none of them were with him.'

The door of the lift swished open and Ianto stared at his dad, worry creasing his forehead.

'Has been trying to add you to his trophy list?' Arthur asked as they stepped in.

'Yes and I've been saying no,' Ianto replied trying to ignore all the images that kept coming into his mind.

'Good. The last thing we need is for another member of our family added to his repulsive list.'

'Dad, you have me really worried.'

'It wasn't me. Now that is all I am going to say.' Ianto stifled the thousand questions that suddenly flooded his mind and pressed the lift button to his floor.

Bonnie's feet ached she had walked miles. The space station didn't look that big from the outside but it was huge, more like a city in space. She had seen more aliens in the last few hours than her entire life up to this point. Some were so ordinary yet others were down- right exotic. The highlight had been a methane breather complete with jewellery decorating its breathing mask. It had made her smile. 'So it was not just human beings who felt the need to accessorise.'

And then there was the shopping and the restaurants. Eight hours was not enough time to explore. She felt a twinge of guilt. She had told the truth when she had left the group to return and work at her assignment; it was just she got side-tracked into seeing hand, tentacle or feeler-made goods for sale was just too good to resist. No replicator could make such beautiful fragile objects and when faced with all the wonder, excitement, exotic smells, and different peoples here from the entire quadrant, all her good intentions had fallen away.

Her wrist communicator beeped the ship's recall. Picking up her bags of purchases, she started back.

Reaching the main feeder corridor back to the docking area she put herself on the moving travel-way. She noted she was not alone in spending time shopping if the crew members before her, laden with bags, were any indication. The moving way ended and deposited her in the middle of the docking corridor. Now she would have to walk the rest of the way herself. 'Why was it the route away from the ship felt so short and the walk back felt looked like at thousand miles?' she asked herself.

The ship everyone had wowed over was still docked. Slipping behind a solid support beam she wedged herself unable resist another look through the viewing window. It was beautiful and the sleek black understated finish bespoke class on every level.

Her wrist strap beeped the ship's recall again. Letting out a sigh she reached down for her bags.

Glancing down the long walk she saw two men walking towards the portal for this dock. She recognised Commander Jones then the older man who had come out of the ship earlier today.

Curious, she stilled and was rewarded as the pair stopped just on the other side of the pillar. She edged around to get a better look.

Her thoughts stopped as both men hugged.

'Please be careful,' she heard the older man say.

She watched as Jones now took both the man's hands in his. 'Please let me do this my way.'

'I just don't want to see you hurt again.'

'I know you don't. But you can't wrap me in cotton wool and keep me in a box.'

The older man let out a sigh. 'It's one of the hardest things in the world when your children don't need you anymore.'

'Dad. I will always need your support and love.'

'That you will have always.' Arthur struggled to keep his composure. 'But I want to do so much more.'

'Dad, you have to let go. Please.'

'You were always one to make your own way. I never understood.'

'I have to be my own person. I can't let the family dictate who I should be. I have to fail or succeed on my terms.'

'You could never fail me. You make me proud in ways I could never have imagined.'

'I love you Dad. I can't begin to tell you how much. And I loved seeing you today and catching up.'

'Please be safe.' The man seemed to collapse into Jones' arms. 'I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt again.'

'I know.' Ianto held his Dad close.

A few moments passed and his wrist strap beeped with the ship's recall. 'It's just ten more weeks and I will be home. Just in time for Rhianna's birthday.'

'Yes of course.' Arthur pulled back and steadied himself. 'Give my regards to Owen and Tosh. Tell them to expect an invitation.'

'I will,' Ianto said as the man reluctantly drew back and headed for the portal leading to the docking port.

Ianto watched as the portal opened. With a final wave he turned and returned to the ship.

'I thought you might need this,' Owen said as he handed over a glass beer to Ianto as they seated themselves in front of the viewing window that surrounded the front of the Hub.

'He loves you,' Tosh added

'I know,' Ianto agreed.

'And he worries about you.' Owen drained half his own glass

'His turning up today is one for the record books,' Ianto admitted.

'Well, that's what happens when you run away from home and don't answer any of his messages,' Tosh told him a hint of disapproval in her tone.

Ianto felt a race of guilt and hid it by concentrating on the glass in his hand. 'I promise to do better,' he said and they watched the stars streak by.

'I think one royal visit is as much as we can handle,' Owen admitted.

The conversation was interrupted as Bonnie appeared before them, looking made up and in her best uniform.

'Commander Jones I wanted to find you and make an apology.'

Ianto looked confused.

'For the way I've acted. While I was on the station I realised that Space Command is where I really want to be and you will see a new attitude.'

'Excellent. It will be hard work but I know you have the potential to make a fine officer,' Ianto told her.

Bonnie beamed. 'I have a lot to catch up on and I could really use some help with the next assignment,' she said softly looking coy and Owen swore she fluttered her eye lashes.

'Sure, I'll need to check with Steven.'

'No I was thinking you could help me,' Bonnie simpered.

'Sure I'll clear some time.'

'Thank you sir,' she said sweetly and headed out the door.

Ianto took his half full glass and drained it.

'That's a bit of a change,' Owen raised his eyebrows.

Ianto placed his glass on the table. 'This is a perfect example of what I have to put with. Putting aside the nasty gossip, I kinda loved her in your face, you are a complete fat nitwit attitude. It was at least honest.'

'I think it's great she's had an attitude adjustment and none too soon,' Tosh added.

'You'll have to speak up Tosh he can't hear you because his gold-digger alert is going off full tilt,' Owen said and Ianto laughed.

'How do you think she found out?' Tosh asked.

'She was behind one of the support pillars at the docking portal when I was saying good-bye to Dad and she's bright enough to put two and two together.'

'Well, you still have me to keep ya on the straight and narrow. Can't have you fall into the arms of a gold-digger when John Hart has yet to have his wicked way,' Owen told him.

'Bless you Owen Harper,' Ianto teased.

'Smarmy git,' Owen retorted