Chapter 2

2008

"What the hell happened Roy? Where are we...and why is it dark? It was just morning!"

Roy could tell his partner was on the verge of hysterics. Johnny did have a tendency to go from zero to rant mode in mere seconds. Not that Roy wasn't far behind but someone had to be the rational one. 'And that's usually me.' Roy thought with resignation.

"I don't know Johnny but it's pretty clear we're not on Willow Ridge anymore. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I was jogging to the squad to get the ropes and belt for the rescue and you'd just come up next to me when this weird squiggly light popped up in front of us. It was so strange. It kinda looked like a hole or somethin ya know? And then, I don't know man...now we're here! I tell ya Roy, if Chet drugged our coffee with some sort of hallucinogen, I'm gonna kill im!"

While Roy doubted Chet would dose their coffee while on shift, silently he wondered though if maybe Johnny was on to something and they were in fact suffering from some form of mind altering drug. Perhaps something was burning in that fire that was causing hallucinations all over Topanga Canyon. 'Great, that's just what we need. A bunch of firemen stumbling into burning brush while chasing after an over sized rabbit or something with a purple bow that was dancing in twinkling fairy lights.' Just that thought alone made Roy second guess his own sanity at that moment.

"Yeah that's pretty much what I remember too. We should probably take a look around. See what we can fi..."

A sound of a vehicle coming to a stop just past the bushes they apparently landed in halted Roy from finishing his statement. Two men climbed from a large black vehicle. A type of vehicle he'd never seen before. It was somewhat similar to the shape of Johnny's Rover but also very different. More futuristic. Like something you'd see at a World Fair Expo where you'd find displays of what the future of home and transportation would look like in fifty years. Roy never thought the predictions were all that realistic himself.

The first man to exit the vehicle wore what looked to be an expensive well fitted suit and carried some sort of instrument that beeped and flashed. He stared at it as he walked past the play equipment in front of them. The other man who appeared to be older than the first looked like he was wearing some kind of costume. Like an old time military uniform. If it wasn't for the fact that he pulled a gun out of a holster at his hip and pointed it out in front of him, Roy would have pondered more on their fashion sense.

"Roy you see that? That guy's gotta a gun! Do you think they're looking for us? I swear I'm gonna kill Chet for this!"

Before Roy could attempt to calm his partner, the newcomers parted the bushes and looked down at them as they sat where they'd been dumped.

"Well well well, Look at this Ianto, we've got ourselves a couple of firemen. Cute too."

Both Johnny and Roy watched with relief as Military Costume Man who appeared to be American based on his accent, holstered his gun while Suit Man just rolled is eyes at the strange comment his companion had made.

"Yes sir I see that."

Suit Man turned and looked at the two men still on the ground with what Roy assumed was meant to be a disarming smile, "Hello gentlemen. I'm Ianto Jones and this is Captain Jack Harkness. We're Torchwood,"

Roy and John turned toward one another with wide eyes wondering what these men wanted with them and why in the hell they had a gun. Surprisingly, or not, Johnny found his voice first.

"Where are we? How'd we get here? We were in the middle of a rescue in Topanga Canyon. In the daylight and now we're here! What's going on?"

Johnny got more agitated with each question he threw at them. By that point Roy recovered enough to lay a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder as he spoke.

"Junior, calm down. It's gonna be okay." turning toward their two...what? rescuers, jailers, executioners, he didn't know.

"I apologize for my partner here but we're a bit lost it seems. Just a little while ago we were preparing for a rescue when a light appeared in front of us and I guess for a lack of a better word, engulfed us and now we're here. Wherever here is. I know it sounds crazy but I don't know how else to explain it. Would you fellas by chance know what happened?"

'Great', Roy thought, 'now they're going to think we're nuts.'

Harkness spoke first. "We'll explain but first, what's your names?"

The two men on the ground shared a look, silently asking the other if they should divulge their identity. Seeing very little reason not to, Roy provided the requested information.

"This here is John Gage and my name is Roy DeSoto. We're Firemen/Paramedics with Los Angeles County Fire Department in California."

Roy noticed that when he gave their names, Harkness and Jones shared a look that if he didn't know any better, spoke of recognition. Roy was sure he did not know either of these men and he didn't believe Johnny did either. They would not easily be forgotten if they had met them in the past. Looking at Johnny, Roy thought his partner had noticed the look that passed as well, however he decided for the moment to just chalk it up to their imagination.

"If you gentlemen could follow us, we'll take you back to our headquarters and get you settled and perhaps some food if you're hungry."

Johnny and Roy stood up but made no move to follow.

"What about our explanation? You don't expect us to just follow two strangers God knows where, do you?"

Harkness turned toward Johnny with an air of impatience. "Mr. Gage, we will give you your explanations back at our base, now please get into the SUV."

Johnny did not budge but Roy took a few steps toward the other two men intending to follow.

"Uh uh, I ain't going anywhere until someone tells me what the hell is going on."

Whatever patience Harkness had ended at that moment. He stalked toward Johnny and Roy was sure the man was going to take a swing at his friend. Roy moved closer in case he had to intervene however Harkness did not reach out but instead stopped and got right up into John's face.

"Alright Gage, you want an explanation right now?"

"Yes as a matter a fact I do!"

Harkness puffed up his chest before he spoke and if Roy was in the mood to be amused, he certainly would have been seeing this man gear up for what looked to possibly be a Gage worthy rant.

"You and your friend have fallen through a rift in time and space. It is Torchwood's job to monitor what is taken by the rift and what it spits out. You and your friend Mr. Gage, have been plucked out of your own time and from the comforts of the sunny state of California. You are no longer in the year that you remember nor the place that you lived." Harkness opened up his arms wide and pronounced. "Welcome to Cardiff, Wales gentlemen, you are now in the year 2008. Any questions? No? Good, let's go."

Without another word, Harkness turned around and stalked back to their vehicle.

The two paramedics stood with a bemused expression on their faces until Johnny broke the silence.

"Roy, man I don't know if I'm more afraid of what he just said or of getting into that car with a crazy military costume wearing man with a bad temper."

Roy had to agree with Johnny. Surely the explanation they'd received was nothing but a bunch of nonsense. Before he could respond, Jones appeared to have heard Johnny's comments and came over to speak with them. More calmly at least than the surly Captain had a moment before.

"While Captain Harkness spoke with very little finesse and tact regarding your current situation, I assure you, what he said is in fact true. Regarding your fears of him being crazy and ill tempered, I will admit he does have his moments but you'll find the more you get to know him, his bark his much worse then his bite. Now if you will please follow me to our vehicle, we'll escort you to our headquarters and provide answers to any questions you may have. We will also provide food and accommodations so you'll feel more comfortable."

As he turned to head to the vehicle, he threw over his shoulder, "And you'll learn to love the coat."

With a resigned look on their faces, Johnny and Roy followed the two strangers, Harkness and Jones to their even stranger looking car. They were ushered into the backseat and glimpsed at the interior. There appeared to be some sort of typewriter and very thin looking TV screen that occupied a portion of the rear compartment. Taking in their surroundings, the two friends decided that regardless of how nice and sane Jones appeared to be when speaking to them and how he seemed believable, that their earlier assessment of being under the influence of some sort of hallucinogenic was in fact far more likely and that this was all one big hallucination. At least they prayed it was because the alternative was unthinkable.

TBC