Torchwood: Divergence
Book Four: Hatchweliad
Chapter 33

It was quiet and peaceful in Penarth, the night air slightly damp and carrying the scents of new spring growth from the various gardens and green spaces. The houses were mostly dark as those inside slumbered, but on one road there was a light still shining past the downstairs window at the front of a white two-story that had been showing itself more and more often lately.

"You're up late again," Rhys stated with a frown as he came into the sitting room in his sleep wear. "What's bothering you?"

"There was another of those funny Rift Storms tonight," Gwen sighed, slowly paging through the baby book they'd started when Ebrill was born. "Something really horrible is going to happen that's to blame for them. But we don't know exactly when or even what it is. Jack's worried that it could be bad enough to leave a large part of the city in ruin, maybe even kill hundreds of people. Just these Time splintered Storms have left two soldiers dead who are actually still alive until the event happens, and ended the life of an innocent woman who was in the path of the vortex. Who knows how many more will end up the same way before the big upset?"

"And you're afraid we could end up casualties, yeah?" her husband prodded. "So… is this problem city wide then?"

"No," Cooper frowned, looking up to meet his gaze. "So far the Storms have been confined to the area around Dumballs Road and Tresillian Way. But that could change."

"Well then," Williams stated evenly, moving to join her on the sofa. "I'll just avoid that area, and if it changes, I'll keep clear of those places as well. If this isn't something Torchwood can take steps against, we do what we can to stay safe and hope for the best when whatever disaster's coming actually hits, yeah?"

"Yeah," his wife nodded, shifting to lean against his side. "Not much else we can do."

"So, there's no point driving yourself mad over it in the meantime," Rhys insisted, putting an arm around her shoulders and reaching over to turn the page in the book on her lap. "You lot might come up with a solution after all, and you'll be getting grey and hag-faced for nothing. Have a good laugh over Eb's first go at feeding herself porridge, and come to bed."

Gwen's gaze focused on the picture her spouse was referring to, and she couldn't help but smile. They'd been scrubbing goo off the walls and fridge for days after their daughter's introduction to using a spoon. And they'd all needed a serious bath at the end of the meal. She knew Rhys was right about the upcoming crisis. All they could do was try to keep themselves and their baby safe in any way possible, because the rest was pretty much out of their hands. So, they snickered over a few more of the photos in the book, then put it aside and headed upstairs.

"Am I really getting grey hair?" Cooper prodded, wondering if she should check in the mirror.

"Not yet," Rhys reassured as they peeked in on Ebrill. "But you're definitely working on the hag-faced part. You look tired and sour a lot these days."

"Lovely," his wife frowned, striding over into their room. "Just what a girl wants to hear."

"Here to help, sweetheart," the Welshman behind her chuckled, patting her on the bum. "And I've got just the cure for it."

"He says after calling me a hag," Gwen snorted, but she didn't make any effort to escape when he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"That's because I've got the recipe for 'Instant Princess'," Williams grinned, wiggling his brows suggestively before presenting the former PC with a very passionate kiss.

Cooper was smiling when they parted, and pointedly glanced over at the bed.

"So… 'Instant Princess'?" she queried, giggling when her husband nodded. "Crown me, handsome."

The two tumbled onto the mattress, both in the mood for a bit of naughty fun. And Gwen suddenly understood why Jack had always been such a promiscuous flirt in the past, why he and Ianto did so much 'dabbling' when they were alone. It was all about enjoying one of life's pure pleasures, and the incredible stress relief it offered… and if the members of Torchwood didn't need that, no-one did.

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AN: Just a brief interlude…

Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM