Chapter Seventeen

I hope you like this chapter – I'm introducing a few OCs who DOESN'T know about Torchwood, will not know about Torchwood, but are important characters in the investigation. Oh, and I had to throw in a small "oooh..." moment.

Disclaimer: Don't own Torchwood. If I did, there would be far more Janto and Gwack certainly wouldn't exist.

Ianto and Gwen looked up in surprise as a woman with a round face peered down at them.

"Just thought I'd drop by to say hello," she said in a warm voice, beaming down at them. "I'm Julia Applegate."

"Er... hi," Ianto said politely, blinking in surprise. "Ianto Jones."

Gwen smiled and stood up. "I'm Gwen Cooper – why don't you come down and have a cup of tea?"

Julia Applegate chuckled and shook her head. "I'd love to, as long as I'm not imposing on you," she replied.

"Not at all," Ianto said truthfully. "I'll just put the kettle on – coffee or tea?"

"Ianto's coffee is amazing," Gwen added as Julia climbed down the ladder.

Julia sat on the seat next to Gwen. "I'm more of a tea person myself, I'm afraid."

"No problem," said Ianto, hands deftly whizzing around the counter as he set about making the tea.

Gwen smiled brightly at the newcomer. "So, are you on holiday here too?" she asked curiously.

Julia laughed. "No, we live here – the boat in the berth next to you. Her name is Blue Dancer."

"That's a lovely name," Gwen said.

Julia's pale blue eyes were sad as she remembered. "M'daughter named her, before--" She broke off, biting her lip.

"Before what?" Gwen pressed gently.

Julia traced a swirl in the wood of the table. "Clara passed away six months ago, of leukaemia."

"I'm sorry," Gwen said softly, squeezing Julia's hand. Ianto placed a mug of tea

Julia took a deep breath. "Anyway, look at me, dropping in on you like this and dumping all m'burdens. I don't know what you must think of me."

"Don't worry – we've all lost people recently, too," Gwen said, smiling carefully.

Ianto's back tensed, as if he thought she was about to share something she shouldn't – Lisa, or something to do with Torchwood.

"My husband's aunt passed away a couple of months ago," Gwen said quickly.

Julia looked from her to Ianto. "Oh, so you're married?"

"No, no!" Gwen laughed. "My husband's back home in Cardiff. Ianto and I are here on a work-holiday with some colleagues."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Julia blushed. "Look at me, jumping to conclusions like that. What job do you do?"

Gwen opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. Luckily, Ianto had a cover story already planned out. "We're journalists for a holiday magazine," he jumped in swiftly. "We're working on an issue about the Channel Islands."

"That's lovely," Julia beamed. "You must come around for dinner tonight – I've lived here for long enough to know quite a bit about these Islands."

"That'd be wonderful," Gwen said, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear. "What sort—"

"Ianto! If Gwen isn't up yet, can you throw some cold water on her!" she was interrupted by Jack's loud voice as he climbed on the boat.

Gwen smiled apologetically at Julia. "That's Jack," she explained.

Julia laughed. "American?" she asked. "From Cardiff?"

Gwen shrugged. "He's just stubborn."

Ianto had climbed up into the cockpit to inform Jack about their visitor, and Jack now leapt down into the cabin, all brilliant smiles and flapping coat.

"Captain Jack Harkness," he said, holding out his hand. "And who are you?"

Behind him, Owen and Ianto synchronously rolled their eyes, before looking at each other in horror as they realised.

Julia seemed immune to Jack's charm. "Mrs Julia Applegate," she said, putting specific emphasis on the 'mrs'. "I live on the boat next to you."

"Lovely," Jack grinned. "Have you tasted Ianto's coffee yet?"

"I'm more of a tea person, myself," Julia deferred.

Jack looked disbelieving. "Nobody doesn't like Ianto's coffee. Seriously. It's orgasmic."

Ianto blushed slightly and cleared his throat awkwardly, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets.

"Julia here has just invited us round for dinner tonight," Gwen said.

A look of panic flitted over Owen's face, andJack looked slightly worried for a moment, but he covered it up with a customary, mega-watt Harkness grin. "That'd be fantastic!" he said cheerfully. "It'd be nice to get to know some people around here."

"Research for our articles," Ianto put it.

"What sort of time do you want us?" Gwen asked.

"Six-ish okay?" Julia queried. "None of you are allergic to chilli, I hope?"

Owen obviously saw an opening to get out of eating. "I am, I'm afraid."

Julia's face visibly fell. "Oh. That's a shame. I'll see what else I can do, then."

"No, don't worry about it – I've got an interview with a hotel-manager this afternoon anyway," Owen lied. "I can grab something on the way back."

Julia smiled uncertainly. "If you're sure..."

"Totally." Owen gave her a fake smile.

Julia seemed appeased by this. She stood up, putting her mug on the counter. "I really need to be going," she admitted. "Shopping to do."

-T-

Ianto was seated at his laptop, reading through some news on the web, when an e-mail came through.

He opened it, and frowned in confusion. He blinked once, then called over Jack, who came bounding over.

"Yeah?"

Ianto wordlessly pointed at the screen, where the black words stood stark against the light page.

Better get ready, Ianto Jones. For there's a hell of a ride ahead.

Like it? Love it? Hate it? Whatever you think, review and let me know. Want me to speed up the pacing? Add in more Janto? More Towen? More Gwys? Anything – just let me know with a review. It doesn't take long...