The next morning, Sal arrived at the hub late. She had overslept, having been awake tossing and turning half the night. As she walked to her desk, she hoped that the Captain wouldn't notice her- he still hadn't forgiven her for that thing with the space pig. She reached her desk and sunk quietly into her chair, pulling off her coat in the process. As she was about to log onto the server, an entirely unwelcome sound hit her ears.

"Sal!" Captain Jack bellowed her name from his office.

Sal cringed and stood, getting sympathetic looks from everyone on the team. She walked nervously into the Captain's office and stood before his desk, her hands clasped tightly before her.

"Sit down, please." The Captain had his feet up on his desk, and he was leaning back in his chair, looking like he didn't have a care in the world.

Sal perched on the edge of the chair in front of the desk, resting her hands on her knees.

"Now, I know you think that I called you in here to yell at you, but I really didn't, I promise." The handsome man's rough American accent was strange to Sal's ears- she didn't think she'd ever get used to it. "I called you in here because I wanted to tell you that I think you did very well yesterday, keeping your head. A lot of people would've freaked at what you saw yesterday. I was very pleased by your composure."

Sal shrugged nervously. "It's just the job, sir."

"Haven't I told you to call me Jack?" the Captain smiled at his young employee.

The timid young woman looked at the ground. "Sorry, sir. I mean, Jack."

"That's better." The Captain studied Sal for a long while. "You say it's just the job, and I suppose you're right. But it takes a certain type of person do the job."

"I guess that's why you hired me, sir." Sal looked up at the Captain, who was still studying her.

"I guess so." Jack took his feet off the desk and leaned forward. "You're doing good, Sal. Better than I expected."

"Thank you, sir. Uh, Jack."

Captain Harkness nodded. "Now go back to work."

"Yes, sir." Sal stood and walked slowly out of the office and back to her station. A few seconds after she sat down and logged in, Owen messaged her.

How'd it go?

Not bad, Sal typed. He didn't seem angry. He said I was doing better.

Jesus. Usually he's full of praise.

I guess he just doesn't like me.

Maybe. You wanna go for chinese at lunch?

Sure.

Alright. Oh look, something's happening.

Sal looked up from her monitor. Jack seemed to be arguing with someone on the phone. After a few moments, he slammed the receiver down and swore loudly. The Captain grabbed his signature greatcoat and rushed towards the door. As he reached the exit, he seemed to remember he had a staff, and turned around.

"Uh, I have to go into London- there's a thing with UNIT. You guys can, uh..." Jack paused for a minute, thinking, then continued. "You guys can just have the rest of the day off. I'll call if you're needed." He flashed them all one of his dazzling grins and rushed out without further explanation.

The team exchanged glances as the door shut behind their boss. "Well, that was fun." Owen drawled from across the room.

The rest of the team chuckled, then began preparing to leave. Suzie and Tosh rushed out together, leaving Owen and Sal alone.

Owen sauntered over to Sal's station, where she was carefully closing everything up. "So, you wanna grab a drink or something?"

Sal raised an eyebrow at her pale friend. "It's noon."

Owen grinned. "Yeah, well, we could get a head start on the rest of the city."

Shaking her head, Sal replied "How about this: we grab a bite to eat, see a movie, and then go for a drink."

"That sounds even better. A full rest of the day doing absolutely nothing." Owen held out Sal's coat for her as she stood.

Sal shrugged it on and the two of them headed out. "But first I want to stop at my place. I'm not big on the whole wearing office chic other places than the office thing."

Owen rolled his eyes. "Such a girl. See, if you were sensible like me, you would just wear normal clothes to work and you wouldn't have this problem."

"Well, I like to look professional at work."

"Yeah, but it has to be bloody difficult to chase weevils in heels." Owen held the door open for Sal, and they stepped out into the bright November sunlight.

"For a guy, yeah. But us girls have magical heel-wearing powers."

"Oh really?" Owen led Sal around the corner to his car.

"Yeah."

Owen pulled his car keys out of his pocket and unlocked it with a click of a button. He clambered in the driver's seat as Sal slid into the passenger's.

"So you said chinese?"

"Yeah. Sound good?" Owen looked over at his friend, ignoring the road.

"Sure. And pay attention to where you're driving. And put on your safety belt."

Owen rolled his eyes. "Spoilsport."

"That's me." Sal stared out the window.

The pair was silent for a few moments, until Owen was cut off by a lorry. He swerved to the right, swearing loudly, as he avoided crashing. "Wanker." he muttered darkly as the lorry sped ahead.

Sal looked over at Owen and giggled at his petulant expression. "You're such a baby."

"Oi, I almost got run over, there." Owen harrumphed indignantly, causing Sal to giggle more.

The two of them had settled into a comfortable silence by the time Owen realised he didn't know where Sal lived. "Uh, Sal? Where's your house?"

"Oh! Yeah, that would be helpful for you, eh? It's on Glamorgan, near Parry."

"Thank you." Owen turned the car onto Llandalf and headed north towards Sal's house. It didn't take them long to get there, as the traffic at noon on a Wednesday was pretty much nonexistant.

As the arrived at Sal's place, they pair got out of the car. As he locked it behind him, Owen spoke up. "I forgot to ask- how're you doing today?"

Sal looked up at Owen, shrugging. "I'm better. I don't think I'll ever get rid of that image out of my mind, of those bodies..." Sal swallowed hard, then let out a long breath. "But you know how it is. Keep calm and carry on."

Owen slung him arm around Sal's shoulders. "I'll get better. I promise. It doesn't seem like it now, but it will. It always does."