My mind was in such a mess after catching the pterodactyl that I realised I'd walked off and left the Captain rather suddenly, without asking him where or when I would report for work tomorrow, and, most embarrassingly on my part, without even thanking him for the opportunity. I felt like there was a war raging through my brain. That night was the first time I had felt truly happy since what happened to Lisa, and the idea that working with Torchwood three might be like this all the time made me feel happier still. Then I remembered Lisa at home, in pain or passed out from the pain (I was never sure which was worse) waiting for me. She was the purpose behind this quest, and the reason for my current and overwhelming guilt for having managed to forget this and enjoy myself. This must why I acted so rashly, so out of character. Captain Harkness was probably regretting offering me a position already, the incompetent fool that doesn't even enquire when he will be needed at work and where work even was. And thinking about it what work was. It was one thing to say it was Torchwood, but Torchwood three was such a small selection of people: the leader and decision maker, the medic, the computer genius and the scientist, second in command. Where did I fit into that?

By the time I made it home Lisa was finally awake, despite it being nearly 2.30 am. The look in her eyes when I told her that I had been successful made my heart skip a beat, she showed so much love through that look so much gratitude. I leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips, I told her I loved her and when I promised to help her I meant it. She reckoned the best thing to do would be for me to smuggle her into to Torchwood's facility somehow, to a disused floor, so that a) I could visit her whilst at work and b) If I found anyone able to help with her condition they would have a variety of alien and non-alien equipment at their disposal. Of course first I had to work out how I was actually going to get myself into Torchwood after making such a mess of it all.

I didn't really sleep last night. I haven't slept properly for months now, but last night was especially bad, it would be optimistic for me to suggest that I had even two hours of sleep. But I thought it was just as well considering I'd be having an early start, no point letting myself fall asleep properly even if I could. It was about 5.30 now and I'd had half an hour or so to think through everything logically and develop a plan. I didn't know exactly where Torchwood three was based, but I did know that it was somewhere near the Millennium Centre. I didn't know what time the captain expected me in, but I did know that when I waited with coffee for him to appear a few mornings ago that it was about 7.00 when I found him. I didn't know what I was expected to bring or to wear, but I did know that he seemed to like both my coffee and my suit. So, the plan? Get to the Millennium Centre for around 6.45 with two cups of coffee and wearing my sharpest suit. Much to my surprise it pretty much worked. The captain did that peculiar trick of his, appearing as if from nowhere by the water feature at around 7.05. I wonder if that's how you got in, through some intriguing hidden door behind the statue, or a trap door or some other secret entrance kept in the centre of the public's eye but completely undetectable. When he saw me he smiled, and when it registered that I was holding two cups of coffee his smile widened. "I think I'm going to like having you work for me Ianto Jones" as he reached out to take a cup. I couldn't help smiling to myself then, although at the back of my mind the thought of Lisa tugged the corners of my mouth back down just a little.

"You're bright and early" he observed.

"I didn't want to risk being late on the first day, I'm sorry I rushed of so suddenly yesterday, I think I was just a little in shock" I replied.

At that moment I replayed the night's events in my mind, the adrenaline rushing through me, how hilarious the whole thing had been, the pterodactyl almost landing on top of us, me actually on top of him… I felt my cheeks burning a little at the embarrassment of it all.

"Don't mention it" he broke my chain of thought. "It takes a while to get used to it all, with the safety harness of your desk and a good encyclopaedia removed" he answered with a slight mocking tone and a wink.

All I could think of to say back was "I guess so" and a smile.

"So are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be, lead the way Sir." I replied, nervously

"Well that makes a nice change, you'll have to introduce Owen to manners, but please call me Jack. Nice suit by the way". I blushed.

He led me to a tourist information centre a few hundred metres from the centre. I kid you not, a tourist information centre. At first I thought it was a prank, something to trick the new boy with. Or a joke at me, the ridiculous little Welsh boy who had believed in him when he said he's give me a chance, that it had all really just been a rouse. Then he pulled out a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. I suddenly felt rather foolish for my 'magic door' idea.

"Welcome home" he said as he opened the door.

Sure enough it looked exactly how one might expect a tourist information centre to look. Relatively small interior, stands with leaflets and postcards and brochures, main help desk at the back, a small door leading to …a staff room? I knew it was going to be different to Torchwood one, but this? An ingenious disguise for a top secret organisation yes, but for all practical intents and purposes it was terrible, it must be one impressive staff room through there.

"It's… cosy" I replied, my usual manners kicking in.

For a second I saw a glimpse of something cross the Captain's eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitch ever so slightly. A further second later and it was too much for him to bear. He broke out into the loudest bout of laughter I have heard in a long time. "Sorry Ianto couldn't resist" He grinned as he reached behind the desk and pressed a button, causing the panelling of the walls to open and a set of tunnels to be revealed. This was more like it. My magic door.

He showed me my way through a series of dark corridors going further and further underground. By the time we reached the final gate which had an impressive amount of entry alarms, he was still chuckling slightly. I took a moment or two just to absorb the place. Yes, definitely nothing like Torchwood one. No stark officey surroundings. No floors and floors of identical set ups. This building, this space, was unbelievable. It was full of character; everywhere you looked something had a story to tell. From the original Torchwood sign preserved on the walls, to wonderfully high ceilings occupied by our pterodactyl, a second floor running around the edge like a balcony, the rift monitor in the centre, and a variety of alien artefacts scattered across the place. It was beautiful. Then I noticed the computer systems which further blew my mind away, they seemed so much more, for want of a better expression, 'high tech' than those at Torchwood one. I was speechless and in awe, so much so that I barely noticed the smell of damp and the slightly flooded parts of the ground floor - but even paradise isn't without its faults...

"A lot to take in isn't it?" The captain summed up as he placed his hands on my shoulders in a friendly manner.

"It is indeed Sir" I replied, not yet comfortable enough with the idea of calling him Jack.

"The rest of the team will be here in say a half hour or there abouts, so I have you all to myself for now" The captain said with a widening smile as I blushed.

I should have known to expect this; I had been warned through my research of his capacity, his need, to flirt with everyone and everything. It still made me feel a little uncomfortable though, but I suppose I should be grateful that he is treating me like everyone else.

"I'll introduce you to the team when they get here but for now just settle yourself in and take a look around"

I had been looking around for what seemed like only 5 minutes, but was actually closer to 35, when I realised that the team had assembled.

"Owen Harper: the resident medic, sarcasm specialist and shirker of responsibility" I was told as I shook the hand of a late twenty year old 'lad'.

"Suzie Costello: second in command, the team's scientist, and incredibly serious" (he winked as she raised an eyebrow) "she has both brains and beauty which seems just a little unfair don't you think?" Captain Harkness teased as I shook her hand.

"And on that note Toshiko Sato: Our technical whizz, although she is incredibly bashful about it. Her intelligence is matched equally with her devilishly good looks. One might almost think that's why I picked all of them" The captain said and winked.

I had no doubt what so ever that that was a contributing factor in the recruitment of his team members…. I shook the hand of Toshiko who had suddenly gone very shy at his kind words.

"And Torchwood meet Ianto Jones: Pterodactyl tamer, the brewer of the best coffee in Cardiff and he sure can pull off a suit"

"Careful Sir, I think that might just constitute harassment" I replied, attempting to play him at his own game, and to which he answered with a hearty laugh.

"Oh Jones, Ianto Jones. Welcome to Torchwood."