Several weeks later….

"Jack, I should go with you," Gwen said, trailing Jack around the Hub as he moved about, getting ready to leave.

"I need you here," he said with a glance as he loaded his gun, checked the safety and put it in his holster. "While the rift predictor says that things will be quiet for the next day or two, occasionally it has been wrong. I need you here to keep an eye on things for me."

"But Ianto could do that, while I go with you." She didn't want to beg, but she felt she had to be there when he went to the UNIT base. She was his second-in-command after all.

"Gwen, look. I know you want to be there, but it has to be Ianto. He wrote the report; he needs to be there to give it." He turned to look at her, reaching out and clasping her shoulders. "It won't take us long. We're just going to go in, toss the report at them and leave. We'll be back before you know it." Jack smiled at her. "Listen, call Rhys and have him come in to stay with you if you want."

A step behind him signaled that Ianto was back, attaché in hand. He pulled Gwen towards him and brushed a kiss onto her head. "Be back soon." She nodded reluctantly as he spun on his heel and followed Ianto out the door….

~*~

The black SUV passed through the gates of the UNIT base and headed towards the main building complex. The soldiers standing guard at the doors of the administration building watched with suspicion as the sleek vehicle purred to a stop, blue strip lighting rippling along its surface. The Torchwood name embedded in the fender identified the occupants of the vehicle as both the driver and passenger doors opened.

A tall man emerged from the driver's side of the vehicle. He was dressed in an RAF 1940's style greatcoat, which swirled about his legs as he slammed the door shut. Another tall gentleman in a three piece suit emerged from the passenger side. He briefly opened a rear door and retrieved an attaché case from the back seat.

"I'm sorry sir, but you need to move your vehicle over to the car park," one of the soldiers declared as the two men walked away towards the main entrance of the building. They ignored him and continued to walk past the soldiers guarding the door. "Sir," the soldier persisted. "You can't park here."

"Watch me," came the terse reply in an American accent from the first man. "And don't even think of touching it." The man flicked a glance over the waiting soldiers before nodding. "I don't plan on being here long enough for the engine to cool."

The second man held the door open, allowing the first to pass into the building before following him. They didn't pause at the security desk, but the receptionist had been warned about their arrival and didn't make any attempt to stop them. The only sounds that could be heard were the clicking of their heels on the tile as they made their way across the lobby and up several flights of stairs. The UNIT logo was prominently displayed on the walls, with smaller signs indicating meeting rooms and offices located at each intersection. From the way the two men moved, they had clearly been there before and had no need to consult the signs for directions.

They finally arrived at their destination, which was a room at the end of the hallway. This was the upper administration level for the base and the room was full with men in uniform. The murmur of voices ceased as the door opened and the two men entered. All eyes from around the table followed them as they made their way to the end of the table where two seats were empty.

"Captain Harkness, thank you for coming," one general said gruffly as the first man took one of the available seats. The second man stood behind him.

"General MacMillan," Captain Jack Harkness acknowledged with a nod. He glanced around the room, taking in the group seated about the long table. "Gentlemen."

When it was apparent that the second man had no intention of sitting, an underling nervously cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, and to record the meeting notes verbally into a recorder in front of him. "This meeting has now commenced. Please note that in addition to the aforementioned group from UNIT, that Captain Jack Harkness and Agent Jones from the Torchwood Institute have arrived to report on the events involving that group in Cardiff recently." He looked towards the general who nodded. The young man's glance shifted back to the end of the table where the Captain sat with a stony look on his face. "Captain?"

The man still standing behind and slightly to the right became mobile. He placed the attaché on the table in front of the empty chair and opened it. Retrieving several large reports, he walked around the table, laying one in front of each of the military men seated. Completing the circuit by placing the last report in front of the Captain he placed himself in between Jack's chair and the empty one that was left for himself and stood with his fingertips resting lightly on the tabletop.

"Before you is the completed report from the Torchwood Institute in Cardiff that pertains to the incident in question. Several months ago in mid-September, Cardiff was attacked by person or persons unknown at the time, planting several items which initial scans showed to be alien in nature in a deserted warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The staff of Torchwood Three investigated these items and was caught in a terrorist action as the decoy devices exploded, taking down the building. The staff survived that initial incident, but soon found that this was only one of several terrorist acts that were to happen that day. Multiple locations were targeted – the central IT services building for the area, the police headquarters and St. Helen's Hospital inside the city. A map on page 34 of this report will detail the relevant areas.

"While Torchwood agents were investigating these incidents, the terrorists captured Captain Harkness. The staff worked to neutralize the damage in the city, but local municipal destruction was heavy in the initial attacks. Agent Cooper worked with the South Wales Police to secure that organization which suffered the loss of their central administrative staff, while Agents Sato, Harper and I worked to minimize the destruction in the other locations. The details regarding these incidents can be found on pages 40 through 62." Ianto paused for a moment as the men at the table flipped through the report. He took a deep breath and continued.

"That evening multiple explosions rocked the city, hitting key areas; knocking out central communications throughout the area and targeting the Turnmill Nuclear Power Facility outside the city. Efforts were made to restart the central servers and to prevent a shutdown of the plant, but were unsuccessful. Multiple attacks were now occurring about the city by terrorists posing as gangs along with packs of trained attack animals, causing panic throughout the city. It was an attempt to split the municipal police force and Torchwood.

"Captain Harkness was able to affect an escape from his captor and restrain the terrorist. Agent Sato worked to shut down the reactors with the help of Agent Harper. They were successful in containing the facility, but at the cost of their lives. " Ianto paused, the impassive mask he had held on his face slipping for a moment. He closed his eyes briefly, and then looked down at the table as he took a breath to steady himself. He could see Jack's hand twitch slightly as if restraining himself from reaching out. Raising his gaze to look about the table, he released the breath he had been holding and continued. "While the reactor was contained, it is no longer functional. Cardiff and the surrounding communities are relying on conventional power methods instead.

"The report has additional detail that you may read at your leisure, in appendices A through F. This concludes the report by Torchwood Cardiff." He remained standing, his eyes lowered towards the table. The silence lasted a few moments as the group absorbed the oral report.

"Agent Jones, there are some questions we need ask," one of the three starred generals finally spoke at the other end of the table. Ianto looked up and waited for him to continue. "Were these terrorists extra terrestrial in nature?"

"No sir, they were not. They were human." Ianto replied, his gaze steady on the general's face.

"Were they affiliated with any known terrorist organization?" Another general across the table barked his question.

"No, this was a small independent cell which attempted to infiltrate our organization and was unsuccessful. " Ianto said, his voice, though quiet, carried across the room. "They had no known designation that we could find. We have investigated and are satisfied that there are no links to any international organizations and our conclusions are that this was an isolated incident."

"Where are they now?" The general asked.

"They have been neutralized and are no longer a threat," Ianto replied, staring at the general. The man nodded, taking Ianto's implication that the terrorists were dead.

"What happened to Agents Sato and Harper?" A lower ranked office asked.

"Both killed in the line of duty, sir." Ianto responded, the pain evident in his voice. "Toshiko Sato was shot by one of the terrorists while attempting to shutdown the Turnmill Station and Owen Harper was in the containment field when it went into lockdown." Jack closed his eyes, unable to stare at the wall as he had been throughout Ianto's report.

"And what of the current staff," another question was fired at him.

"Operating at a suitable level of efficiency," Ianto said. "Torchwood Three has been secured and is in normal operation."

"Even though you are down two staff members?" General MacMillan queried.

"Yes, sir." Ianto acknowledged. He met the gaze of the General, who looked down at the report in front of him.

"And what is your part in this organization?" Another question was asked.

"Field Agent and Chief Archivist," Ianto replied steadily. "I came to Torchwood Three after serving several years at Torchwood One in London."

"You were at Canary Wharf?"

"Yes sir, I was." Ianto refused to elaborate further on that and steered the questioning back to the Cardiff incident. Despite the time that had passed, London was still too raw a topic for him, especially after everything that had happened in Cardiff.

He could feel Jack doing a slow burn beside him, so continued to answer the questions so that Jack wouldn't have to. He faced a barrage of questions as each member of the group asked for further clarifications about what happened. Ianto referred them to the written materials, but was reticent about giving further details. The questioning went on for some time, with the same questions being asked over and over again in various ways. Ianto never wavered in his answers.

"Okay, let's cut to the chase," the American general said, sitting back and staring at the duo. "UNIT understands that Torchwood has suffered heavy casualties and is prepared to offer assistance."

"Out of the question!" Jack shouted, finally pushed beyond his level of endurance. "Torchwood does not need the assistance of UNIT, General!" He paused as he saw Ianto gesture with his hand, urging him to calm down.

"Be reasonable, Captain." Another of the UNIT brass spoke now, trying to be conciliatory. "You can't deny your group is working under capacity. Think of it as a loan of some of our key staff to help you get you back on your feet."

"We.. do… not…need…your…assistance." Jack bit each word off slowly, his eyes glaring. "Generals, with all due respect," his tone implied anything but – "Torchwood will not accept UNIT assistance. Not now. Not ever." He stood up and leaned on the table.

"The casualties you refer to were my family," Jack continued, his voice hoarse. "People I selected to work for me because they are the best and the brightest. Individuals with such amazing brilliance; one of whom you would have left languishing in a prison cell not too far from where we stand right now. These people are irreplaceable and there is no one within UNIT with the possible exception of Dr Martha Jones, who would be worthy of taking their places. "

"We would be prepared to loan you the services of Dr. Jones. We understand she has worked with you in the past," General MacMillan said. "And in the future."

"While I would never turn away Dr. Jones' assistance, I will not accept anyone within my group if they had a loyalty to anyone other than myself and Torchwood." Jack retorted, still ignoring Ianto's efforts to get him to calm down. "General, I see this as an attempt by UNIT to infiltrate my organization. I'm not interested."

"Don't be stubborn, man!" Another man cried, reacting to Jack's comments. "We're on the same side here."

"No we are not." Jack said. "Torchwood is an independent organization that was established by Queen Victoria and maintained by royal edict. Outside of the government and answerable to no one. I have seen some of your more questionable uses of alien technology General Collins, and Torchwood will not be a part of it. Enough of this dog and pony show, we are out of here." He pushed away from the table, making it shift several inches before turning and stalking towards the door. Pushing it hard enough that it slammed against the outside wall he stalked through the entryway. "Ianto, we're through here."

Ianto inclined his head gracefully as he took Jack's abandoned report and put it in the attaché case on the table. "Gentlemen, I'm sure you will find our report complete, and that upon referral, will answer any lingering questions."

"Ianto!" Jack's voice could be heard echoing down the hallway.

"Good afternoon," Ianto said before turning precisely in place and leaving the room. The stillness was broken only when the underling pressed the stop on the portable recorder, ending the session. The room erupted as several of the men started complaining at once, talking over one another. General MacMillan ignored them as he stood up and walked towards the window.

In the distance he could hear the revving of a powerful motor as the Torchwood SUV sped away back towards Cardiff, and home.

~*~

The general stood at the window, waiting for the discussion to wind down before addressing them. He turned, looking at each of them one by one. Finally his gaze stopped at a junior member of the group.

"Stan, you have some background on this. You were on the Valiant," he said.

"Yes sir, I was." Stan Seales had been promoted because of his experience on the Valiant. "I did not meet Captain Harkness while I was there, but we all know the stories. They say that Saxon tortured him every day. He never broke."

"What about using Dr. Jones? Can we convince her to infiltrate them on the pretense of joining their group?" General Collins asked. He was still skeptical over the stories that floated around about Harkness. If one believed half of what was said, the man would be immortal.

"She would never go for it, and we can't afford to alienate her," another man at the table spoke up. "Those two are known to be close. They both are dedicated to the Doctor, so we're not going to get her to do anything she might see as a betrayal. We can't even get her to speak about what happened when she was there the last time, other than those parts that pertained to our own investigation."

"What about his staff? That Jones fellow and the Cooper woman? Can we turn either of them?" Another man asked.

"Be serious. You just saw Ianto Jones in action. The man is loyal to a fault. He was one of a couple of dozen of survivors from Canary Wharf and he still transferred over to the Cardiff office, despite what happened. Most of the people who walked away from that battle were broken by it, hospitalized or voluntarily wiped. There is no way he'd ever betray Harkness," Seales said. He knew he was a relative newcomer to this group but he was finding that the older generals were very set in their ways. "Agent Cooper is his second. She also single handedly got the city emergency services organized. She'd no sooner turn on him than Jones would."

"Let's let it lie a bit," General MacMillan said. "We'll keep feelers out to see what's going on in Cardiff. Eventually they'll get overwhelmed, or they'll deal with it. Maybe once Harkness has cooled down a bit we can stop in for a friendly visit."

Seales laughed as the group broke up. The idea of Jack Harkness ever cooling down was akin to taking a ski trip to the sun. He didn't see that it would ever happen.