The metal door crashed open with such force that it rebounded off the wall adjacent to it. Weapon drawn Jack shouldered it aside and entered the small drab room. He quickly surveyed it with a practiced eye. The stained gray walls, exposed piping, bare light bulb protected by a steel cage, the incredible eye watering stench like a mix of urine and carnivore waste, all registered and filed away in his memory. He was focused on the furthest corner of the room, where dressed in a grey boilersuit, curled up in fetal position, facing the wall, was the intended audience for all the drama, Frank, silent and unmoving. Jack holstered his gun and ran to him, cursing under his breath. They had meant to scare him, not kill him.
His hand on Frank's shoulder triggered a reaction that alleviated his worst fears and required his immediate attention. The MI5 member demonstrated he hadn't been totally neglecting his martial arts training by snatching Jack's wrist and throwing him into the wall. That initial assault was followed by a kick of surprising force that only Jack's quick reactions prevented from being disabling. Instead it connected solidly with the wall. The Torchwood leader rolled to his feet and dodged a leg sweep. Frank's eyes were wild with no recognition in them. Jack wasted no time, feinted left, and then dashed around behind Frank to the right. Due to Frank's agitated state it worked and soon Jack had him pinned to the ground.
"Frank!" Jack's voice was urgent but low as his captive continued to struggle. "It's me, Jack! Normally I'd enjoy a little tussle in the afternoon, but there's no time. We've got to get you out of here."
At the sound of Jack's words, Frank quit struggling, but was still tense. "Jack, is it really you?" His voice was horse, desperate.
"Yes, it's me. I'm here to rescue you. Unless you want to keep fighting."
"No, no, I don't. You can let go of me."
Jack slowly released his hold on Frank and stood up, prepared to fend off another attack if need be. Frank rolled over to face him. "You alright now?" Jack asked. "I don't want to have to knock you out."
"Yes, I'm okay," replied Frank, he let out a deep breath and started to stand. There was a gasp of pain as he put weight on his right foot. Jack caught him before he could fall and helped him to his feet, placing Frank's right arm over his shoulders.
"Can you walk?" asked the captain hoping he wouldn't have to carry him out. That would really mess up the plan.
"Yeah, but I'll need to lean on you for a bit." Frank took a little hop step forward as Jack helped him toward the door. "That kick to the wall set off the arthritis in my foot."
"Arthritis? At your age?"
"Childhood injury come back to haunt me," explained Frank. "It's why I was taken off of field work." He looked around at his surroundings with a scowl. "So where is this place? The last thing I remember was us entering Torchwood with the ambassador."
"Later, they could be coming back at any moment. We don't want to be here when they do." Frank froze at that last statement. "Come on Frank don't do this now." Jack's charge shook his head as if trying to clear it.
"Sorry," came Frank's reply breathless as he stepped forward, leaning heavily on Jack, "I… I don't even know what I'm afraid of. I don't remember anything."
"Don't worry about it," Jack assured him. "Amnesia is common in these circumstances. Just keep quiet now. I need to listen as we go. I don't want to accidently run into one of them."
Frank nervously nodded his understanding as they moved forward. Jack stopped at the door and listened before turning to the left. The corridor was darker in that direction, only one third the bulbs were lit. The walls were damp and the sounds of their footsteps echoed against them. After about a hundred meters they encountered a banged up metal door on the right. A large white sign with red letters cautioned that only authorized personnel were allowed through. Jack yanked it open, despite its age and deterioration it was surprisingly quiet, the dim light from the corridor revealed a tiny landing, and a steep narrow staircase whose depth was concealed by the darkness.
"We're going down there?" Frank whispered incredulously.
"No choice, it's the only way out," Jack explained keeping his voice low. "Can you make it using that hand rail, it's only one person wide here. I can't be next to you for this. You'll have to do it on your own."
"If that railing holds I can make it." Frank gingerly put his bad foot on the floor and winced but didn't immediately lift it.
"Alright, I'll go first," Jack explained, "you follow right behind me. Just give me a warning if you are about to fall and I'll brace myself." Jack hoped that would work and not cause them to both wind up in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. With the door shut, the light seeping around it was the only defense against the darkness. The first step was barely visible, the second wasn't.
"Didn't you bring a torch," hissed Frank as they started down the stairs.
"Can't use it here, they might see it. Now keep quiet."
The progress down the stairs was slow. There was an uneven sound of shoe clad feet, accompanied by an ominous metallic creak each time Frank used the railing for support. After about twenty stair steps Frank gasped. Jack quickly pressed a hand against the rough walls on either side of him, not trusting the railing to handle the weight of both of them. Frank's hand landed on his shoulder like a blow and stayed for a few seconds then Jack felt Frank push himself upright. Crisis averted. "Sorry, I trusted that foot when I shouldn't of," was the contrite explanation.
"That's okay, we only have a few more steps," whispered Jack.
"How can you tell? I can't see a thing."
"We have to be, I've just hit the end of the railing. Yeap, we're here." Jack held Frank's forearm to steady him for the final step then resumed his role as a human crutch. "We've got a ways to go still before we're out of their territory. There's going to be more stairs. Are you up for it?"
"If the alternative is leaving me here, then I am."
"Good." Jack smiled in the dark, it was working out better than he had hoped. He started on a circuitous route through the sewers and abandoned underground structures, crisscrossing their path many times, taking multiple stairways, all to confuse the MI5 agent and ensure he never found his own way back. Frank for his part was being a trooper. Not questioning their route and occasionally testing his bad limb, trying to put weight on it. When he pushed it too much, he'd give out a short cry of pain but clamped down on it quickly. The weight Jack felt on his shoulders gradually eased as either the foot got better or Frank learned to deal with the pain. Jack wasn't sure which, but was starting to feel a little guilty over what he was putting the agent through.
Then Jack's cleverness caught up with them. There was movement at the far end of the passageway. Jack saw it and recognized the familiar gait. He swiftly pulled Frank into a narrow side alcove and held his gun at the ready, trying to stay calm as a Weevil drew near. It stopped close to their hiding place and sniffed. Jack knew the dank smell of the passageway wouldn't cover their scent as he watched the weevil move its bulbous ridged head slowly from side to side as if it was scanning the very air itself. He was sure they were about to be found, when there was a clatter and a crash. The creature turned towards it and headed off down the corridor, his bare feet slapping against the damp floor. As the sound retreated Jack breathed a sigh of relief.
"What was that?" whispered Frank after it was gone.
"Later, we need to move fast now."
There was no more time for games, Jack grabbed Frank and hauled him limping down the corridor as fast as he could, taking the most direct route to alley that was his goal. Upon emerging through a manhole cover that had been conveniently removed, he saw the SUV with Ianto standing by it. He signaled for him to come over. He noticed his aid was winded as he helped get Frank up the access ladder and on to the alley. As Jack suspected, the noise that had distracted the Weevil hadn't just been a fortunate coincidence.
"Is he alright sir?" Ianto asked as he assisted Jack in getting Frank into the SUV.
"I think so, he has a bum foot and is shook up. Nothing unusual considering he was with them long enough for…" Jack didn't finish the sentence as he closed Frank's door.
"I was in there long enough for what?" Frank shouted.
The Torchwood members ignored him as they entered the vehicle. Ianto behind the wheel. Jack riding shotgun. He hadn't fully settled in his seat when Frank reached for his arm and pulled Jack towards him. "What do you mean, long enough? What happened to me?" Franks voice was fearful and desperate.
"Don't worry, it's nothing you won't recover from. We've managed to rescue a few others like you. Most had amnesia, a couple didn't, that's how we know what goes on. I told you not to leave the Hub alone at night."
"I left the Hub? What would I leave the Hub? I was there to make sure the ambassador arrived safely."
Jack just shook his head. "You insisted on calling back to your headquarters," he lied, "and was afraid we would listen in. You even avoided the CCTV cameras. That's when they must have gotten you. Lucky, they had you near one of the sensors we have in the sewer system, that's how we were able to locate you. Otherwise…" Jack frowned as he let the sentence trail off.
"But who had me? Why did they want me?"
"Umm… well…" Jack rubbed the back of his neck for effect. "Might be better if you didn't know. Truth doesn't always set you free."
"Jack, please, tell me. Who had me and why?"
Thrilled that this con was going so well, Jack relented and answered the question. "It's not really who, but what. The Weevils had you."
"Weevils? Bugs had me?"
"No, humanoids, nasty looking creatures, ridged heads, black eyes, sharp teeth"
"Like that thing that almost found us?"
"That was one of them. It was probably looking for you."
Frank leaned back, wedging himself against the seat and door of the car. "What would they want me for?" The words came slow and deliberate as if he was having to force them from his throat.
"Breeding," was Jack's short, matter of fact reply.
Eyes wide, mouth open, Frank choked out his next question. "You're saying they used me for breeding? What, with other humans?" his voice contained a small glimmer of hope at the last question. Hope that was quickly snuffed out by Jack.
"No, with weevils. They have something that confuses humans. Makes them…" Jack didn't finish the sentence. "We've seen half-breds, all young ones, so this is something relatively new." Jack smiled at Frank. "Look at it this way. At least they don't know about the court system and child support. You were there long enough you might have a bit of a brood forming."
"Half-breds? You've seen them? How could you tell what they were? Do they look human?"
"A little, enough so we can make guesses as to who the fathers are."
Frank drew in a sharp breath and looked around desperately. Jack was afraid for a moment the man just might try to jump from the speeding vehicle. The con was almost working too well. Then Frank slumped his shoulders and hung his head. "Oh my god, Oh my god," he was saying over and over again.
The litany continued for the rest of the trip. Frank turning paler with each recitation. Until they were in front of his house. A plain brick structure, with no plants to soften the harshness of the architecture. In sharp contrast to the attached houses on either side that boasted traditional gardens and hedges.
"Why are we here?" Frank protested weakly. "I need to go to MI5. Report in."
"No, you don't want to go there in your condition," Jack explained. "You need to sleep this off so you can think more clearly in the morning. Besides," Jack grimaced, "you need a change of clothes and shower."
"But that will destroy evidence!"
"Evidence of what?" Jack asked. "Think about it. Do you really want them to know what happened to you?"
"But, how do I explain?"
"Don't worry about it," Jack replied reasonably. "We'll explain it. Weevils are a known problem. "You ran into one. Fought it off, escaped, but lost your mobile in the fight and got confused in the maze down there. It easy to do, former routes to the surface have caved in, lots of dead ends. You're getting out was further complicated by having to dodge the free roaming Weevils. We realized something had stirred up them up. Went to check and found you. You were exhausted, so we just took you home to sleep it off.
"See, simple explanation for your absence" Jack smiled reassuringly at him. "And coming out ahead in a one on one with a Weevil is pretty impressive. Should serve you well."
"And no mention of the other…"
"None, but that's why you need to get out of that boilersuit. There may be some evidence on it of what you were doing. You wouldn't want anyone at MI5 to get wind of that now would you?"
Frank paled at the thought. "No I wouldn't." He took a deep breath. "You've thought of everything haven't you? I guess I'm in your debt. If you ever need a favor…"
"I'll keep that in mind," Jack replied cheerfully. "But now, you should get cleaned. And honestly, get some rest. You want a clear mind tomorrow."
"Alright but… he stopped and felt for pockets that weren't there. "My keys are gone."
"That's okay, we provide door to door service. I'll get you in." Jack got out of the SUV and opened the door for Frank.
"You're not going to break my door down are you?"
"No, I'm not, I just have a way with locks. Everything will work fine when I'm done. But I'd recommend getting your locks changed. The Weevils do have your keys…"
"You mean they could come after me? Here? In my house?"
"They haven't done anything like that yet," Jack temporized. "I was just suggesting it as a precaution. You should be fine tonight. Don't worry."
"You sure?"
Jack put his hand on Frank's shoulder and smiled reassuringly as they stood on the porch . "Yeah I'm sure. Let's just get you inside now shall we?" The door had a standard dead bolt and the house was equipped with an electronic alarm. Jack used the sonic screwdriver on the dead bolt while Frank punched in the code for the alarm system.
"Is that what that thing is for?" Frank asked indicating the sonic screwdriver.
"Basically," replied Jack as he flipped the screwdriver in the air before pocketing it. "It's harmless. Just makes things easier for the Doctor."
Frank's eyes hardened. "Good thing he doesn't have it then. Nothing should be easy for the likes of him." Before Jack could respond, Frank cut him off. "I'll see you around Jack," he said as he limped through the door and closed it.
Jack frowned and was deep in thought as he reentered the SUV. Any sympathy the Torchwood leader may have been starting to feel for Frank left him with that last exchange. It was obvious Frank was still a danger for the Doctor and that meant Frank had to leave, be neutralized.
"I suppose it would too much to ask that foot of his gives way on his stairs and he breaks his neck," Jack commented as he entered the SUV.
"Is everything alright sir?" Ianto asked as he put the car in gear.
Jack sighed. "I'm not sure. That post hypnotic suggestion may not have been sufficient. He's scared, but it might not be enough. He's still focused on the Doctor. Hopefully he'll have nightmares tonight about having recognizable half-breed children running around under the streets of Cardiff or of that Weevil we ran into coming to visit him. That was too close even for my comfort. It was you who distracted it, wasn't it? I thought I told you to stay here."
"Sorry sir, you were taking longer than expected so I was checking up to see if you needed assistance. I saw the weevil, and that it was heading towards your position and decided to draw it away."
"I'm glad you did. It worked. Now, how is phase two of this operation going?"
"The position in MI5 London HQ is still open. I've applied one of his previous applications against it. The top runner is no longer eligible, some issues with his clearance and background investigation, which his family have decided to handle it by letting him immigrate and sending the girl and child along once she's of age."
Jack laughed "A remittance man? In this day and age?" He shook his head. Some things just never changed with the aristocracy. "So the fancy titled job for useless lords' sons is wide open for our friend?"
"Yes sir, and I've managed to have Mr. Fisher's paper work expedited. He's to report day after tomorrow."
"Good work, I know he's been trying for London for a while. I hate giving him what he wants, but if it keeps him out of our hair and away from the Doctor, it's worth it. Hopefully the scare we gave him will be enough to prevent him from questioning how he became so lucky. What is the job anyway?"
"It's an old section. It seems to involve a threat no longer active, but they do a lot of monitoring and analyzing of radio waves, both terrestrial and space in origin. Especially wavelength 456."
Jack blanched at that last. "456? You sure?"
"Yes, that was it. Why? Is something wrong?"
Staring out the window Jack pondered the question as the rain started up again. Was that a safe unit for Frank to be in? It had been years, decades in fact. They'd gotten what they wanted, if they hadn't come back by now… He stopped himself. He was worried over nothing and once Frank was read in, he would be convinced there were far larger threats than the Doctor to worry about. He turned to Ianto and smiled.
"No, nothing, just old memories. That should be the perfect place for him. Any word on how the Doctor is doing?"
"There's no change. Martha asked me get an oxygen condenser and a few more supplies. I get the impression his recovery will take quite a while if at…"
"Don't say it! Don't even think it," ordered Jack. "He's going to pull through. He has to."
Cowed, Ianto didn't respond. Only the steady beat of the wipers broke the silence until they approached the Plass on the way to the Hub.
"Pull over," Jack directed.
"Sir?" questioned Ianto as he complied with the order.
"I'm going to go to the TARDIS and make her let me in."
"Jack, are you sure? I mean. One time you might not come back."
"Just stay here and don't let any ambulances cart me off."
"Yes, sir." Disapproval was apparent in Ianto's voice in contrast to the words.
Turning his back on Ianto's worried expression, Jack started towards the TARDIS. He could feel her trying to push her away. He set his mind to walk a straight line, concentrating on the ground, not thinking about his goal. He ignored the rain as it ran down the back of his neck, each determined step taking him closer to the goal he dared not let enter his mind. It worked, he was there, he could see the edge of the TARDIS, then he felt Ianto's arms around him as he was looking down at a curb. He was overbalanced would have fallen into the busy street if not for Ianto pulling him back.
"Jack, you awake now? Back with me?"
"Yes," came Jack's disheartened response. "What Happened?"
"You almost walked into traffic. I couldn't stop you."
Jack stood there wavering, trying to make sense of what Ianto was saying. He almost walked into traffic? The words stunned him. He knew he'd been at the TARDIS. He saw the bottom of the door. Shaking his head he realized this wasn't going to work. Ianto could have been hurt trying to save him. Innocent bystanders might have been injured or killed. No matter what his pride told him it was time to give up.
"Alright let's go," ordered Jack, resigned to his failure. Knowing he'd let both the Martha and the Doctor down. One was in no condition know, but the other he would have to face shortly.
Back at the Hub, Martha was just finishing another round of range of motion exercises on the Doctor. There had been no reaction at any time during the procedure. No trace of muscle tone, no pain response, reflexes minimal. She sighed as she laid his leg back on the bed and covered it with the sheet. A few more bruises were starting to heal, but the read outs showed the major organ damage that he had sustained was still unchanged. Brain waves minimal almost an anomaly of the instrumentation.
She replaced his old blanket with a new warmed one from the cabinet. Smoothing it over him she felt its softness and heat, wishing somewhere in the motionless body he felt it too. She adjusted his oxygen mask and checked the reading on the tank. It was running low and she only had one more on hand. Hopefully Ianto would have the oxygen concentrator here soon. Her one attempt at decreasing the flow had resulted in his breath becoming shallow and rapid as the oxygen in his bloodstream dropped.
Wearily she sat down on the stool next to the Doctor's bed and reached under the blanket taking his hand in hers. Feeling on some level he might take some comfort from it. She wanted to speak to him but had no idea what to say as she looked at his motionless form. Her emotions held in check by medical detachment as she treated him, ran rampant through her mind. Anger, despair, heartache, hope all jockeyed for position in her mind. Exhaustion was one she pushed away as she heard the door open. There would be time for that later. With a final squeeze she let go of the Doctor's hand and stood up and turned to see Jack descending the infirmary stairs carrying a package. "I've got that oxygen thing for you," he called out.
"Thank you. Everything go alright?" she asked.
"Mostly," he responded as he put the package on the counter, "we were just tying up some loose ends. Ianto is bringing in the rest of the supplies you ordered. I tried the TARDIS again." He shook his head before Martha could get her hopes up. "I'm sorry. It's just not going to work."
She reached out and took his hand. "It's okay Jack. You tried."
Jack looked away his eyes resting on the Doctor. "It's not right," he said. "There's something I'm missing." He suddenly turned and looked at her. "And you, can't you at least be angry with me."
"Why, so you don't have to be so hard on yourself?" Her voice softened as smiled at him. "Jack, we'll make do with what we have. He's stable now, hopefully he'll start to improve on his own." Then to her embarrassment her stomach growled. "Sorry…"
"Don't be, that's why I came down here. Gwen's coming in soon. I was going to have her pick up some take away. You want fish and chips or curry?"
"Curry."
"I'll let her know. It will be here in twenty minutes. You should join us upstairs."
Martha bit her lip and glanced at the Doctor.
"You said he was stable" Jack asserted. "You need a break. You can't spend every minute in here. You'll go stir crazy. Come on, we have mentors upstairs you can watch him on, see all the readings and you won't be more than fifteen seconds away from him."
"But…"
"No buts, twenty minutes I want to see you upstairs." He put a hand on each of her shoulders and bent down so his face was level with hers. "That's an order. No arguments"
She nodded and he smiled as he let his hands fall away. "Good, now don't forget, twenty minutes."
"I won't. Thank you, Jack"
"Don't mention it." The captain gave on last sad glance at the Doctor before leaving the infirmary.
Martha, opened the package and saw the exact model oxygen concentrator she had ordered. She smiled, she knew Ianto wouldn't let her down. She set it up and transferred the tube from the tank to the device. The Time Lord's oxygen saturation level dipped briefly and then returned to its previous level. She checked the boluses connected to the IV and the IV site itself before putting another warmed blanket on him. With two fingers placed under the side of his jaw she felt his pulse. Slow, faint and barely discernable as the as the instruments said it would feel. As it had felt all day. After a deep breath she ran her fingers once more through his hair, now clean and silky as it should be, combing it back from his face. There was really nothing more to do for now, and her twenty minutes were almost up.
Reluctantly she ascended the stairs. Her hand went out for the door handle and stopped. Her gaze and attention drawn back to the Doctor. Seeming even more helpless when viewed from above. She closed her eyes and told herself she would be gone briefly and only seconds away from him. Opening the door was easy, but stepping through… It was as if there was an invisible barrier, an emotional one, illogically making her feel as if she was deserting him, betraying him. That she had no right to any rest or enjoyment while he was so desperately ill. Jack called out her name, urging her to join them. She stepped forward and the barrier vanished like the illusion it was and she walked towards the sounds of camaraderie and welcome.