Chapter 6

Rose's diary.

Entry Date: Monday, 2nd April, 2018.

'New York, New York, a helluva town, the Bronx is up, but the Battery's down. We're going to New York! Apparently the Americans want to set up their own Torchwood institute and Dad as arranged for John, Jack and me to act as advisors. EJ is coming as well and it's going to be like a working holiday for us….'

Doctor's diary.

Entry Date: Monday, 2nd April, 2018.

'New York, New York I want to wake up in that city that never sleeps, and find I'm king of the hill, top of the list, head of the heap. Hah! I love that song. Well, it looks like our American cousins are keen to emulate our successful institute….'

Torchwood Special Operations Unit.

"Good morning people," Captain Andy McNab said, giving his usual greeting to the assembled team of agents. They settled into the Special Operations room with their coffees and teas, ready for the briefing.

"Settle down and listen up. Director Tyler will be in shortly to bring us up to speed with a covert operation that went down last night. It was a direct result of the intelligence gathered by The Doc and Wife on their 'holiday' at Costa del Centauri VI."

"You two were on a mission?" Jack asked incredulously.

Rose leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Yeah, sorry about that. We were under orders to keep it hush-hush."

"Good morning everyone," Pete said as he walked into the room. "I won't keep you long. I just wanted to bring you up to speed with events that happened overnight, and then you can get back to your briefing."

Andy handed him the remote, and he activated the media screens.

"A few weeks ago, Rose had a chance encounter with a Dalek Intelligence Officer who happened to have been asked a question by a not-to-bright drug dealer," Pete started.

Julia De Graff asked the question everyone was thinking. "What was the question?"

Pete smiled and raised his eyebrows at Rose, offering her the opportunity to answer. Rose gave a single giggle before answering.

"He wanted to know if Daleks ever used recreational drugs, and if they did then…. how?" There was a murmur of titters through the room. "He then said that he was only askin' because he had some good stuff from Sol III."

Pete took up the narrative again. "John and Rose followed up on the information and found an informant who gave them the information. Yesterday afternoon I was in a high level meeting with the President and the heads of MI5 and 6, UNIT, CIA, FBI and the KGB."

"Phew. That's heavy duty," Jake said.

"Yes it was. But then it had to be, we had the whole cartel in our grasp. We hit them fast and hard last night on three continents and in a dozen countries. It was an unparalleled success. The United Nations Assembly is applauding the level of cooperation and the sharing of resources."

The room broke into cheering and applause. Pete nodded at Andy and handed over the remote.

"Right then people, let's get down to business. We'll probably get a request to collect the off world tech from the raids, so we'll be on standby for that," he started. "Next. The A120 at Chelmsford. The RAC have had a speight of unexplained engine electrical failures…."

It was mid morning, and most of the team were in the standby room drinking tea or coffee, and snacking on biscuits, waiting for things to 'kick off'. John was sat at the table being challenged to a game of mental calculus with Gwen 'Numbers' O'Toole.

Rose was on the couch between her two favourite men, after her husband and her dad of course. Jake was discussing their favourite sci fi show with her, while Jack was just finishing a call on his mobile.

"Doc, Wife, Handsome. The Directors asking if you'll join him in Communications," Andy said as he popped his head around the door.

They finished their drinks and headed out of the door for the lifts.

The Communications Department looked like a television news studio, the sort that you see behind the presenters fronting the news. It had large media screens, multimedia mixing desks and control consoles. Incoming feeds were directed from this hub direct to the dispatch desk in Special Operations.

One wall was taken up with a media screen that had a life sized image of a woman in an immaculate and obviously expensive business suit. Pete turned from his conversation to greet his daughter, son-in-law and deputy as they entered the room.

"Deputy Director Jameson, may I introduce three of my field agents. My daughter Rose, her husband, Dr. John Smith, and my deputy Jack Harkness."

"Oh at last, the famous Dr. Smith and his wife. My name's Louise and it's very nice to meet you both. I've been following your career with a great deal of interest," she told them. "And your deputy, you never told me he was so handsome."

Jack gave her his winning smile, as John and Rose smiled at each other knowingly. That made a change, someone flirting with Jack instead of the other way around.

"Well hello Louise," Jack said in full flirt mode. "As one deputy to another, I look forward to furthering the relationship between our two organisations."

Louise gave a bubbly, sexy laugh. "Oh Pete, when can he start?"

They all laughed and then Jack stopped. "Start what?" he asked Pete.

"Ah, yes." Pete ran his hand over his shaven head. "I'm afraid Louise has let the cat out of the bag. President Romney has been talking to President Jones for a while now about setting up their own version of Torchwood in America. Harriet has asked if we can send some advisors to help achieve this."

Louise took up the explanation from there. "The President was impressed with the way Torchwood dealt with the Peladonian cartel and their off-world tech."

"What, and you want us to be the advisors?" Rose asked.

"Can't think of anyone better," Pete said with a grin.

"Well, I can't argue with you there," John said, waggling his eyebrows at Rose before turning back to the screen. "But you lot have got Area 51 out at Groom Lake. What do you need us for?"

"Oh Dr. Smith, I think you have been listening to too many conspiracy theories," Louise said with a smile.

"Yeah, I know. And I've been the subject of a few of them in my past…. including Area 51, he added mysteriously.

Louise sounded slightly miffed. "Dr. Smith, I can assure you…."

"Deputy Director Jameson, I have been to Area 51. Y'know, inside the base," he told her. "I have the greatest respect for the CIA, but you keep too many secrets for my liking."

"I told you he was good Louise," Pete said with a grin.

Louise gave a single laugh. "You did warn me, yes. He's just the kind of person we need to help us set up a non-secretive organisation. Dr. Smith, may I call you John?" she asked.

"Er, yes, of course Louise."

"Well John. Area 51 attracts so much interest because of its secrets, that every conspiracy theorist on the planet watches it like a hawk."

"And off the planet," John added.

Louise was momentarily stunned by his comment. "What? Oh, right. Of course, you would know that wouldn't you? Your Torchwood Institute has been very clever by announcing that you have contact with extraterrestrials and exchange technology."

"That's right," Jack said. "If there's no secrets or conspiracies to uncover, people aren't interested."

"Exactly. That's why we'd like you to set up a Torchwood franchise here that people would know and trust."

"That sounds great. It would certainly take the pressure off us when we have a global investigation," John said.

"Oh excellent. Thank you for agreeing to help us. Pete can we firm up some of the details and come up with a timetable?"

"Of course Louise. I'll go to my office and we can continue our video conference."

Pete clicked the remote and the screen went dark. "Okay folks, it'll probably be a week or two before we have anything definate. I'll let you know after I've finished the conference."

LaGuardia Airport.

New York.

Two weeks later.

John, Rose, Eyulf and Jack were strolling through the main concourse of the airport, heading for the entrance. Rose and Jack were dragging wheeled suitcases, whilst John had a holdall over one shoulder and held Eyulf's hand with the other.

"Dr Smith! Mrs. Smith! Captain Harkness! Over here." They looked to their left and saw CIA Deputy Director Louise Jameson waving at them. She enthusiastically shook their hands.

"It's so nice to finally meet you face to face," she told them. "I have a Limo outside, I'll take you to your apartment."

"Apartment!? I thought we would be stayin' in a hotel," Rose said.

"Well. We thought that as you would be staying for a while, and having a young son, an apartment would be more homely."

"That's very kind of you," John said with a smile.

"Think nothing of it," Louise said as they moved towards a long black car. "Let the driver have your luggage, he'll put it in the trunk."

"That's the boot to you Rose," Jack said with a grin. "And don't try and walk on the pavement, they haven't got one."

"Shut up," she said playfully, sticking out her tongue. "I know it's a sidewalk."

The driver put their luggage in the trunk, (or boot) and they climbed in the back of the very large car. Louise and Jack sat on a backward facing seat opposite John, Rose and EJ so that they could chat whilst travelling.

"This is a bit posh," Rose observed, looking at the plush interior.

"Only the best for our celebrity guest consultants," she said with a smile.

"Oh please don't," Rose laughed. "We get enough of that at home."

"Ah, right. I would avoid the newscasts while you're here then. The media have got wind of a new Torchwood franchise and are running stories. Only to be expected really with Torchwood being so high profile."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," John said.

The car headed west, away from the airport along Grand Central Parkway a three lane expressway, past various buildings and a cemetery. They headed north over the East river onto Randall's Island, before crossing it again into East Harlem and south towards Yorkville. The car pulled up to a white stone apartment block on 91st street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

"Wow. This is a bit lush," Jack said, looking out the window.

"Come on, let's get you settled and then you can do a bit of sightseeing for the rest of the day," Louise said, stepping onto the sidewalk, or pavement as Rose insisted on calling it.

As they walked into the lobby, a man came to the reception desk.

"Afternoon. What can I do for you folks," he asked with a genuine smile. Louise showed him her CIA identification. "Ah. You must be our British visitors. Welcome to New York, my name's Carlton, and if you need anything then I'm your man."

"Well hello Carlton. Jack Harkness's the name, and technically, I'm not a Brit." John and Rose looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

"No kidding. I can tell by the accent that your from this side of the pond," Carlton said as he finished shaking their hands.

"Ah, well," Jack started.

"That one's a bit complicated. Tell you what Carlton why don't you grab the keys and show us to our apartments?" John said with a smile.

"Sure thing." He took a couple of keys off the board behind the desk. "Here ma'am, let me get that for you." He took the handle of Rose's suitcase and pulled it behind him as he headed for the elevator (or was that a lift?).

"Oh John, this is like bein' in an episode of 'Frasier' or 'Friends' or somethin'," Rose said as she entered the apartment. EJ ran to the balcony door and looked out over Lower Manhattan.

"Cor! We're in the sky Mummy," he said, obviously impressed with the view.

"Captain Harkness, you're in the apartment across the hall," Carlton said as he handed him the key and left.

"I'll leave you to unpack and explore. I've taken the liberty of booking a table for 7.30 at a local restaurant. You'll be able to meet some of the section heads that we're recruiting," Louise said.

"Good idea," John said.

"I'll send a car for you. Until then, enjoy yourselves." She gave them a little wave as she left the apartment.

"It still gives me goosebumps seeing those over there in the distance," Rose said.

John and Jack came and stood by her, looking out over the New York sky line. "Yeah, I know what you mean," John said. They were looking at the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. When Rose first arrived in Pete's world and saw them on news footage, she thought they were using archive footage.

When John arrived and found out that the 9/11 attacks hadn't happened, he quickly worked out why. It was the airships, and peoples attitude to flying.

Early attempts at transatlantic flights in winged aircraft had been disastrous, whereas the Hindenburg hadn't crashed and airship design went from strength to strength. They were now state of the art, carbon fibre airframes with a variety of anti collision devices.

No airship could collide with another airship, a mountain, or any man made structure, they simply slowed down, avoided the collision or just stopped moving. And now the South Tower of the World Trade Centre was to become Torchwood New York.

The restaurant was near Central Park, and was classy and upmarket. They didn't really cater for children, but for the first time, John and Rose found that being celebrities did have some advantages. The fact that Eyulf was a little charmer also helped. The waitresses were cooing over him and finding cushions that he could sit on to reach the table. He was loving the attention.

John and Jack were wearing jacket and ties, whilst Rose wore her jumper dress that John had bought her for Christmas. Louise led them to a large table where some people were already seated. She introduced them as Heads of Public Relations, Human Resources, Multimedia, Forensics, Engineering and an awkward looking geek who was head of Computer Sciences.

"There will be a couple more guest coming along later, but they said for us to go ahead and order our meals," Louise said.

The menu was a mix of French and traditional American. Jack had a grin on his face as he looked at Rose. "Don't order chips Rosie or you'll get a packet of crisps."

John snorted a laugh as Rose rolled her eyes. "Knock it off Harkness or I'll push your head in the hand basin and turn on the faucet," she said with a laugh.

Jack laughed with her. "Have you got a universal translator hidden in your cleavage." The other diners were enjoying the banter of two people who were obviously very close friends.

The food that they ordered was delivered to their table and they started eating, discussing the technicalities of setting up a Torchwood institute. Towards the end of the meal, a tall gentleman entered the restaurant and walked over to the table. John and Rose recognised him immediately.

"Charles!" Rose said in surprise, rising and giving him a big hug.

"Hello Rose. How are you? It's been a while."

"I'm fine thanks. You remember John of course," she said, turning to her husband. John rose from his seat to shake his hand.

"Of course. How could I forget the incredible Dr. Smith," he said with a warm smile. "And this must be Eyulf," he said with a sheepish smile. "I've been keeping up with the gossip mags…. Sorry." Everyone laughed at his confession.

Charles DeCaprio was Professor of Particle physics at M.I.T and had been part of the 'Dream Team' that had worked on the dimension buttons and the dimension cannon.

"Ladies and gentlemen. May I introduce the Director of Torchwood New York," Louise said.

"Oh what an inspired choice," John said. "Brilliant!"

"Malcolm Taylor at UNIT recommended him as Scientific Advisor, and it made perfect sense to have him as Director as well," Louise told them. "John, we'd like you to help Charles finalise the set up of Torchwood, and Jack, if you could give him the benefit of your experience of being Deputy Director…. Oh, did you get your itineraries by the way?"

"Yes. We've got them on our tablets," John said.

"They are just a suggested timetable, it's all flexible, feel free to adjust as necessary," Louise said.

"A bit wibbly-wobbly then," Rose said with her teasing smile.

"Jelly wibble-wobbles," EJ said with a smile. "I like jelly."

"Shouldn't that be jello?" Jack asked. "I think your translator is on the blink Rose. I'd better have a look at it. In your cleavage wasn't it?" he said breathing on his hands and rubbing them together.

Rose wagged a finger at him. "Don't even think about it," she said with a laugh. Jack started to tickle her ribs.

"Gerroff!" she said in a fit of giggles.

A man had approached the table unnoticed and cleared his throat before speaking. "Well, it's nice to see such a friendly and happy team. I'm sure we'll all work very well together."

Jack noticed that Rose's and John's faces had suddenly turned very serious and he switched to Torchwood mode. "Rose, what is it?"

Before Rose could answer, Louise stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the patron of the New York Torchwood Institute..."

"Henry van Statten," John said, giving him a look of suspicion.

"The famous Dr. Smith," van Statten said with a charming smile. "It's really good to meet you at last. I've been following your work for a while now." John reluctantly accepted his handshake.

["He probably wants you in his collection if he's anything like the other one,"] Rose thought to John.

"And Mrs. Smith. Your photos in the tabloids do not do you justice, you are even more beautiful in the flesh." He took Rose's hand and kissed it.

["Yeuk,"] John thought to her.

"And Captain Harkness, a pleasure to meet you."

Jack shook his hand. "You'll have to forgive me, but I have no idea who you are."

"Oh, excuse me. I'm the CEO of GeoComTex. I tend to stay out of the limelight. Not too keen on all the media attention."

"And why would that be I wonder?" John said, trying to get information about this world's van Statten.

"Well, I like my privacy. I'm a bit of a recluse... Excuse me for asking Dr. Smith, but have I upset you or your wife in some way? From your tone of voice and body language I get the impression that you don't like me."

["Busted,"] Rose thought.

["Yeah, and to be fair, if the Daleks here can be different..."]

"I'm sorry. It's a bit complicated, but we once met someone just like you, a doppelganger in fact, and he was a psychopathic megalomaniac. At one point I thought Rose had been killed, and a lot of good people died," John told him.

"Ah, I can understand how that would colour your judgment," van Statten replied. "Is there anything I can say or do to change your perception of me?"

John thought about it briefly before continuing. "Why are you interested in Torchwood?"

"Ah, direct and to the point. I like that," van Statten said with a smile. "So much more refreshing than 'yes Mr. van Statten, of course Mr. van Statten."

He looked at the group sat at the table. "I've been interested in UFO's and aliens since I was a child. And then there's the money, retro engineering alien tech and marketing it through GeoComTex, like Torchwood London does through Cybus industries."

"Did," John corrected.

"Pardon?" van Statten said.

"Torchwood used to retro engineer alien tech, but since Pete Tyler took over and employed me, all the inventions have been mine," John told him.

"Really? I had no idea. That's very impressive."

John had been listening to the inflection in his voice and reading his body language. Henry van Statten was driven, and he had an idea what was driving him.

"Have you found it yet?" John asked him.

"Excuse me?" van Statten said.

"Have you found what you've been looking for since it happened? How old were you?" John reached into his jacket and took out his sonic screw driver. "I have a scanning device here, do you mind?"

The usually unflappable Henry van Statten was definitely flapped. "Er, yes, of course. Is that an example of Torchwood tech?"

"No, this ones all mine," John said as he scanned him. He checked the results and nodded to himself. "How old were you when you lost those memories? Around 11 or 12 I'd say. They're not missing you know, just hidden. You know they are there, but they hide in the dark places." John looked around the table ar the puzzled faces. "It's like catching a glimpse of something in a mirror, when you turn around, it's gone."

The man who was normally outspoken to the point of arrogance, was speechless. "How….?"

John didn't want to discuss personal and private details about an event that van Statten was obviously sensitive about. "It happened. It was real," was all he would say. John held out his hand, which van Statten took with a trembling hand. "I apologise for our initial reaction. Welcome aboard Henry. I look forward to working with you in the future."

"Thank you John," Henry said with a breaking voice full of emotion.

["So, you gonna tell me what all that was about?"] Rose asked him.

["Since he was abducted by aliens as a child, he's been obsessed with trying to find out what happened to him. There's residual traces of energy in his body."]

["Bloody hell!"]