The rift alarm went off at 1, sending the Torchwood team off in search of the spike. Ianto stayed at the SUV, his foot not lending itself to the rigorous running that usually accompanied field work.
A peculiar species of aliens, sentient, yet small, had fallen from the rift. They were friendly, genuinely intrigued by the new planet, and seemed nonplused at the prospect of never returning home. Ianto joined the team outside, knowing that the likelihood of physical exertion was minimal.
"We are young." They said, through Tosh's translator, purple tentacles waving.
"We were traveling search of a new home. A place to live our lives." Jack nodded.
"What habitat are you used to. You don't seem to have any issue with our atmosphere." THe Captain asked, trying to gather a baseline of data. The creatures nodded, tentacles writhing as their mouth beaks moved.
"It is compatible, though more hydrogen 2 oxygen pairing would be more amicable to our life cycles." Tosh smiled.
"What sort of respiratory system do you have?" SHe inquired.
"Osmotic. Our cells take in nutrients through the surfaces around us. The orifices on our face are merely of reproductive and auditory function." Owen balked, Jack grinned, and Tosh blushed slightly. Ianto's voice hissed in the captain's ear.
"Jack, don't even think of commenting on that." the captain snapped his mouth shut, repressing the remark.
"OK, then, how many offspring will you produce in your life span." Owen stated, composing himself.
The two aliens looked at each other, and started gargling at each other. The Torchwood team took it as the equivalent of laughter.
"None. We are both the male equivalent of our species. We will not breed." Jack grinned broader. The two aliens caught the motion looked at each other, tentacles waving in the direction of Ianto and Jack.
"You two. You are like us. Pair bonded, yet not breeding. Tell us, how that works with your species."
Ianto's eyes bulged and he stammered, his face flushing a soft pink.
Jack grinned ever broader, taking the translator from a giggling Tosh and approaching the aliens. In a language the rest of the team didn't recognize- well Tosh and Owen didn't, Ianto knew it was Jack's home tongue- Jack explained in apparently grand detail the workings of his relationship with Ianto. The Archivist rubbed the back of his neck, trying to subdue the blush that now turned him a beautiful shade of rose. The aliens too seemed quiet flushed, there violet color bordering on deep blue.
"That is quite a, system that you have. Very, elaborate."
Ianto spun around, his face in his hands, trying to compose himself. He faced the aliens again, who were looking at him with what he could only guess to be humor, or admiration one.
"So, osmotic nutrient system, needing to be surrounded by water. What temperature do you thrive in?" Ianto said, pulling the discussion away from the awkward topic of his and Jack's love life.
"Warm waters. especially those that contain habitable structures." the aliens said, flesh tone approaching what was to be assumed as their natural coloring. Owen spoke.
"Mediterranean sea. Call UNIT, have them escort our guests there." Tosh smiled warmly at the dead man, his solution was well planned.
"Ok then. What were your names again?" Jack asked pointing at the aliens.
"They will not translate, but they are also unimportant. We will gladly wait until your colleagues arrive to take us to the newly arranged area." Jack nodded opening the back of the SUV.
"If you would please accompany us back to our base, we will gladly keep you comfortable." The aliens slithered into the vehicle tentacles tangling together.
"We apologize for the cramped ride; it is only a short distance back to where you will be staying for now. Once there I will handle anything else you guys will need." Ianto said, making sure all of the tentacles were in before shutting the door.
The rest of the team got into the SUV, keeping conversation to a minimal. Owen and Tosh whispered conspiratorially in the back, while Ianto kept himself distanced from Jack in the front.
"Yan, they did ask. Was I supposed to say no?" Jack said, not liking the uncomfortable silence coming from his lover.
"No, you did what you were supposed to, and I thank you for not saying it to where Tosh and Owen could understand. It's just a little embarrassing is all?" Jack frowned.
"So sleeping with me is embarrassing?" Ianto turned wide eyed and pink cheeked.
"No! God no, that's not it! I just don't like being the center of attention."
Jack nodded smiling softly at the fact that he could ruffle the usually so reserved Welshman's feathers.
"Making sure. I wouldn't want to do anything that would embarrass you." Ianto rolled his eyes, looking back at Tosh and Owen, who weren't paying any attention, and caught the eye of one of the aliens, who was peering intently at him. Ianto turned in his seat, and Jack caught the aliens gaze in the rearview mirror.
"Yan, as soon as we get these beings settled, I want you to go home, and take Tosh. Owen and I can handle UNIT."
"Yes sir." Ianto said, smiling softly.
The SUV pulled up to the HUB, making good use of the base's underground garage. Ianto was the first to get out, helping Tosh out of the car before heading to the back to release their guests. Tosh handed him the translator as she took the front, the aliens following with Ianto close behind.
"We are most gracious for your helping us in this new environment." They said, as Tosh took them to the interrogation room. Ianto scooted the table to the side, pulling in some padded mats for the aliens to rest on. At least he assumed they would rest on them. Their slender frame was bristling with long tentacles, and Ianto really couldn't discern which appendages belonged were.
"I apologize for the dreariness of your current surroundings. It is only until we can get you a lift somewhere more comfortable. Now. Would you care for a drink?" The aliens gargled their laughter at each other before responding to Ianto's query.
"We tasted something most peculiar in the air when we arrived. The smell was more concentrated from a container on a surface in the big room. Could you bring us a similar container?" Ianto thought quickly, container, container. Mug! Tosh's coffee mug! They wanted coffee.
"Certainly. One for both of you, or would you like individual mugs."
"Individual. It tasted very well." Ianto smiled, leaving the room.