Torchwood

Monday morning was a big day for Rose and Joshua. They would be spending the day at Torchwood, getting his new identification together. Joshua wasn't looking forward to it but no amount of pouting or whining would change Rose's mind.

"Look, if you want to have a life here, this is what has to happen. You don't actually have to do anything with the information. I make enough money, plus what I know Pete is giving me, we're set for life. However, if you want to go and do anything, you have to have a past. Ever since the Cybermen, everyone has to be identified. We don't track people, although some extremist groups have suggested it. But still, better do it now than have to pay for not doing it later."

Joshua grudging assented to the fact that what she was saying made sense. He was no longer capable of just waving his psychic paper in someone's face to gain access. Even though, if he chose to work at Torchwood, his reputation preceded him, so he'd been told.

Over the weekend, he had emptied the pockets of his suit. Various items were thrown away. Others were stored. He was very pleased to find a sonic screwdriver in the mix. With that, he should be able to make his pockets a bit bigger. Rose's as well. He also found a psychic paper. Between him and Rose, they had two. Not that he couldn't make more if they needed it. He was dressed in his new brown pinstriped suit. For the first time since he got here, he felt more like himself. He pocketed the sonic and the psychic paper before following Rose out the door.

They headed to Torchwood with Joshua's packet at 8:00 am. Pete was meeting them and the three would be going in together. Instead of driving to Canary Wharf, like Joshua expected, Rose drove towards some warehouses nestled next to the Thames. They were stopped outside of the gates. Rose entered a code and had her thumb scanned. Immediately, the gate started rolling for them.

Pete met them in the center most building. As soon as Joshua walked through the doors, he had to stop. An overwhelming sense of another telepath assaulted his senses. Whatever it was, it was powerful. It also seemed he didn't have the ability to shield. Joshua closed his eyes and put his own shields up. When he opened his eyes, Pete and Rose were both looking at him concerned.

"Well, Pete, that was a bit rude of a hello." Pete looked confused for a moment, but realization seemed to dawn on him. He looked sheepish for a moment before explaining.

"That's Bob. We don't know what his real name is, but he's a child. We did manage to identify his species. We have a few telepaths that work with him daily but he doesn't seem to really take to the lessons. Be my guest, though. Rose knows where he is. She can take you there later if you want."

They continued on through the complex towards the elevators. Instead of going up, the elevators started downwards. They weren't in the elevator for long before it stopped.

Pete was the first to step out. He swept his arms wide and turned towards Joshua. "Doctor, welcome to Torchwood."

The complex extended for as far as Joshua could see. There were no cubicles. Instead, some islands of desks could be seen littering the area.

"Each of these island sections holds a team. We encounter several different types of aliens each week with most being friendly. Of course, we have had our share of alien invasions. That's where our elite teams come in." No sooner than Pete finished talking, Jake walked around the corner. He looked at Rose, then at Joshua.

"Doctor! Rose! How the hell are ya?" He clasped Joshua's hand and slapped his back.

"Jake. We're doing well, I think?" Joshua turned his head to Rose, almost as if asking if what he said was true. Sensing his insecurity, she stepped up to him and placed her arm around his waist. Joshua immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Jake smiled at the two of them before motioning for Joshua to join him.

"Doctor, if you'll come this way, I'm to take you to Ianto. He'll be the one processing your paperwork." He looked a bit apprehensive, so Rose squeezed him around the middle.

"You'll be fine. Jake has my number. He'll call me if you need anything, k?" Rose leaned up, kissing him on the side of his mouth. He instantly relaxed again. For some reason, her touch seemed to be especially comforting since he'd changed. Joshua reluctantly followed Jake while Rose looked after them until they walked out of sight.

"Rose, is it just me or does he seem a bit anxious. Even depressed?"

"He is, dad. He just lost everything. His home, his best friend. He was tossed aside, almost as if he wasn't a sentient being. It was cruel. Now he's having to adjust to a stationary life. Plus he has all these human hormones running through his system and he doesn't know what to do with them yet. So yeah, I'd say he's depressed."

"Well, hopefully we can offer him what he needs. If not, I'll help him find something. With my connections, he'll have several doors opened for him if he wants them."

"Thanks, dad. I appreciate it and I'm sure he does as well. So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Pete led his daughter towards his office so they could talk.

~DW~~DW~~DW~

Ianto, Joshua soon found, was the same Ianto he knew worked with Jack Harkness at Torchwood 3. He dressed just as sharply and still made a fantastic cuppa.

They sat for what seemed like hours, pouring over paperwork. Ianto was meticulous and single-minded, and Joshua soon found himself grudgingly dedicated to the task at hand. He figured that the sooner they got this over with, the sooner he could get back to Rose. Or at least go look at something more interesting.

The only redeeming part of the whole ordeal was Jake. He stayed with Joshua and talked and joked with him. Once Ianto was finished with the paperwork and had taken Joshua's picture for his ID and passport, he joined in to the conversation. More than once, neighboring departments would yell them to quiet down. Eventually, Jake and Ianto took Joshua on a trip through Torchwood. Nothing extensive, since he wasn't officially an employee, but they did make it a point to swing by Research and Development.

~DW~~DW~~DW~

Rose followed Pete to his office. She'd worked with him long enough to know that if she was pulled aside, it was usually something serious. She just hoped it wasn't anything she couldn't handle.

"Rose, I know you are still adjusting to this new life and everything but we really need you to come back. The Arcanian's have been threatening to sanction us while the Nazurians are threatening war. I need my top negotiator back. Maybe with you and the Doctor, Joshua, working together, you can get these nipped quickly."

"Why are they acting like this? We've had peaceful treaties with both for two years now."

"We think it's because of the dimension cannon. It was giving off some odd readings each time you used it. Apparently, those reading were recorded by both factions. Both are viewing this as an act of war. And because -"

"-Because Arcanian's are a trade-based culture, they will sanction us before they declare war. Alright. I'll see what I can accomplish with them today. Let me talk to them and smoothe things over. Then we can get together a team to take apart the cannon."

"Do you want anyone specific helping you with the cannon?"

"Jake and Marcus and Joshua, obviously. Probably Calvin as well, since he's head of R&D. That's five people total. We should be able to get it done in a day, easily."

"Well, I'll leave the negotiations in your capable hands. I'm off to shmooze the president. She has that benefit dinner next week. Don't worry, I've already told her you're still recuperating."

Rose snorted, looking at her father. Harriet Jones had become the president of Great Britain the year Rose arrived here. She was extremely skeptical of Rose and Jackie Tyler until they saved the world from an attack. While it wasn't the Slitheen or the Sycorax, it was still traumatic for the president. She had been kidnapped and it was a close call getting her back. Rose led Mickey and Jake through the ship, after they had used the short teleports to get on board. They'd saved her life and since then, Harriet took it upon herself to invite Rose to all functions in hopes of "getting her hitched". Rose was grateful not to attend this function.

"I appreciate it. I might still come and drag Joshua along. I'm sure she will back off once she sees I'm with someone, officially. Might ought to get some of the tabloids to get some pictures. That will take the edge off quite a few people." Pete grinned knowingly at his daughter.

"This is about Clyde, isn't it?"

"He's a good agent, Pete. But really, he needs to back off. I haven't been interested in him and will never be, but he seems to not get the point."

"Well, I may have come up with a solution to that. You know that Torchwood 3 is in need of a leader. I'm thinking of sending him out there."

"That might do him good. Gwen could use someone out there to reign Owen in. Unless you intend on sending a whole new team up there."

"I think just him for now."

"Alright, well, I'm heading to my office. I'll send after Jake, Joshua and Ianto. Hopefully they haven't gotten into too much trouble."

~DW~~DW~~DW~

Jake, bring Ianto and Joshua to my office.

Jake blinked at his cell phone, confused. Then it registered who Joshua was and he groaned. Joshua was currently in a deep argument with Calvin, the head of the R&D Department over the misuse of certain energy sources. Apparently, what Calvin had assumed was an inert piece of rock was actually a very potent source of energy and Calvin was about to smash it with a hammer. Not the most delicate way to break something apart but it worked. Or would have, if Joshua hadn't stopped him.

"Now look, I don't care who you are or what you think you know, but this bit of rock is completely inert. It does nothing! We've tried hooking it to every we could and still nothing. It was traded to us as an energy source but it's bunk!"

"No, really it isn't. You just don't know how to use it. Give me five minutes."

Rosie, can we take a few minutes? Joshua and Calvin are currently in an argument. I want to see which one wins.

The Doctor will, hands down. You have 10 minutes or I'll start this conference call without you.

Okay.

Joshua sat down at a work table with the rock and hunched over it. Calvin sat across from him, watching intently.

I think you're right, Rose. Calvin is watching what Joshua is doing very intently.

Joshua selected some wire. It was aluminum instead of copper, which is what Calvin had tried. Joshua then took his sonic out and began soldering. Calvin eyed the tool intently, trying to decipher what exactly it did.

Doctor's got the sonic out.

Be prepared to run!

After soldering the wires, he switched settings. He delicately stimulated the rock. Before their eyes, the rock began to vibrate gently and it emanated soft light. Joshua grinned up at Calvin would was glowering. Secretly, he was beyond pleased. He clapped his hand three times, and the light went out. Joshua looked at Calvin who now had a smirk on his face.

"Doctor, if you find yourself working here, I'd be honored if you'd work with me." Joshua scrunched his face, a bit confused and a bit irritated.

"You mean all this was was a test?"

"Mostly. We have several of these that do work, you see. But this one refused. My team and I tried every which way but we couldn't get it to operate. I wouldn't have brought the hammer down, honestly. It's a bit too valuable for that. I would have eventually contacted those who gave it to us. But yes, seeing that you could fix it makes me admire you more than the stories Rose always spouted about you."

"Stories?" Jake and Ianto nodded but it was Calvin who answered.

"It was mostly Rose's stories. She only told them to those of us who worked on the cannon. She built you up in our minds and so far, you've lived up to what she said."

"Well, it's nice to know I measure up." Jake and Ianto snorted as Calvin howled with laughter. It took Joshua a moment to figure out why they were laughing so hard. He blushed but chuckled lightly at his innuendo. Finally, Jake calmed them all down.

"C'mon mate. Rose wanted us in her office about ten minutes ago. We'd better get going."

~DW~~DW~~DW~

Joshua, Ianto and Jake walked into Rose's office only to find her in a heated debate. Ianto and Jake sat on the love seat in her office. Joshua was stuck at the door. There was his Rose, speaking in perfect Nazurian. He looked at Jake and Ianto but both seemed to be at ease. He caught Jake's eye and Jake nodded. Yes, this was normal for Rose. Joshua plopped down into a chair at her desk, frowning.

"Yes, I am aware that you picked up some disturbing readings from our planet. No, we did not orchestrate the stars doing out."

"But you created the the readings, correct?"

"I...yes."

"Just after these readings started, the stars started going out."

"I'm not sure how close it was." Joshua had heard enough. Regardless of what had or hadn't happened, he could usually bullshit his way through anything. He didn't normally use that phrasing but it was accurate at times. Joshua walked around Rose's desk and made his presence known to the Nazurian. He leaned against the back wall, smiling brightly. His eyes, however, were cold and calculating. He folded his arms across his chest and crossed his ankles. To anyone else, he would look relaxed but not to Rose.

"Excuse me, but what exactly has you so disturbed over these readings?" The Nazurian cocked his head to the side, considering Joshua. Before either could say anything else, Rose interrupted.

"Gloa, this is my mate, Joshua. Joshua, Gloa." Joshua waved at Gloa.

"Hello there. Now that we're properly introduced, why don't you tell us what's really going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, unless you took readings of a catastrophic scale, we wouldn't be here discussing this. It seems you are trying to find an explanation for what has happened and in doing so, you're accusing the people that stopped it."

Gloa glared at Joshua for a moment. Joshua didn't blink, nor did he flinch.

"You are not human."

"Besides the point. Now tell us what is really going on. Why are you planning on attacking us."

"You ask a lot of questions. Fine. We looked in your history. Humans have a very violent history. These readings we gathered are far more advanced that what we thought you were capable. We don't want you coming into space and attacking us."

"Ah. See, I used to have the same views about humans. Used to think they were a bunch of silly, stupid apes. However, in interaction, I have found there are many more that are kind-hearted than cruel. Besides, history has a tendency to paint us all in a bad light."

"And what is your history?"

"Maybe once we're closer, I'll talk. But my history for now is my own. Just be warned, I have much more experience than you will ever think. Don't threaten my home. Don't threaten the people I care about. The device that created those readings is being dismantled. Nothing of that caliber will be made again any time soon. I assume that with this done, you will no longer consider us a threat?"

"You will always be a threat, but this will be dropped for now. Next time, we won't give you warning."

The screen went blank. Joshua continued to glare at it. Ianto and Jake exchanged looks and Rose stood in front of Joshua. She held out her hands, palms up. He grasped her hands gentle and brought her knuckles to his face. He brushed his lips across her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers. Jake cleared his throat and both Joshua and Rose jumped.

"Doctor, Rose, do we need to worry about them?" Joshua took a deep breath, he glanced at Rose. She nodded, the movement barely perceptible.

"Yeah. This was only an excuse. We've already been informed that next time they won't give us warning. They see the human race as a threat."

"Should we go ahead and go on alert?" Rose shook her head.

"Probably not yet. Although if we have any minor altercations with them we will. I think they were acting out of fear of the unknown. Some of those star systems that went out were close to them. They didn't know what was causing it so they wanted to blame someone. I'll talk to Pete and see what he wants to do."

"Right, well, my team's going to the pub tonight. You two want to join?" Rose looked at Joshua, eyebrow cocked. He shrugged and she smiled, making him smile in return.

"Yeah, Jake. I think I'm going to go home and change."