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NCIS: Torchwood V1- Chapter 4

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NCIS: Torchwood-  When Worlds Collide

Chapter Four: Torchwood


It had only been a week but Kate liked the new office that Torchwood had acquired for them in DC.  It was small, yet guarded.  It had all the look of a regular office, yet was fully stocked with all the latest human technology to give it a feel of something more to the casual observer.   The top floor of the office building was the best part.  It had been converted into apartments for personnel both working with in DC or other Torchwood agents passing though who needed a place to stay.
Luna and Kate had gotten the largest one for them selves.   Kate still kept her old place for appearance, and for when they had company over as rare as that was.  They were still new to this playing field and wanted to be more safe than sorry.   Kate sat satisfied that her office looked proper.  She could hear Tosh and Luna in the "Lab" in the back bemoaning the computer net work.

Gwen and Tosh were the only other two Torchwood members from main facility that they had gotten to met so far.  They had not returned to the place Jack had taken them that first day yet, however Gwen assured them once they got the DC office in functioning order, and gone over some other personal files that they would be getting a proper introduction to Torchwood Hub.
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It had only been a week, and Kate's desk looked so empty.  Abby's lab felt much the same.  Tony and Abby sat in Autopsy with Ducky bemoaning the fact that their two friends had just picked up and gone.  No long goodbyes, no returned phone calls... nothing.    
The Director had made it clear that while Agents Todd and Voltair now held the titles NCIS Liaison Special Agents, they were in fact being inducted as full members of a special covert ops group, and for the time being Abby, Ducky and Tony's team was not to try to contact them.  Not that they listened.  They called, they emailed, and one evening they even broke into Kate's apartment.
It wasn't empty but it had not been lived in for days.   The girls were simply gone....
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For the first month of their new training, Kate and Luna had found themselves relocated to Torchwoods main base of operations in Cardiff, at least as Gwen explained until their "backer" in the States had the DC Torchwood office completed.
The "backer" as he was referred to was an Non-Human Humanoid from a race of Nymph like Fay.  His kind had visited earth frequently in the distant past, and were often written about in stories and sung of in songs.   These days the Fay as Jack referred to their race still visited, but mostly to study humanity and all their quarks.  There were a few however from the old days who had stayed on earth indefinitely.  This one was one of the few who did.  He had an arranged me with Torchwood, he would keep out of trouble, and he would use the wealth and power he had accumulated in his tenure on earth to help finance their projects in the states.

"He doesn't look any different than us...." said Luna as she sat with Jack down in the shooting gallery.
Jack smiled at the comment.  After several rounds had been fired off in the background between Gwen and Kate he spoke up.
"A lot of non-humans have the ability to mimic or camouflage them selves to blend in.  Its something that makes some of the more... aggressive ones a bit harder to pick out in a crowd but in time you will pick up subtle hints.  The Fay, look more human that not so its much easer for them to be inconspicuous.
She just looked at the picture again, even turning it sideways which Jack found most amusing.

Kate and Gwen talked as they reloaded the pistols.  They found they had quite a lot in common.  As they approached the two people sitting at the far end of the range.
"Your turn..." Gwen said to Luna and she made a face.
"What?"  Gwen asked  "We need to see what sort of shot you are..."

"Well the only guns I've ever fired were in the ballistics lab...." she started which caused Kate to smile.
"Your kidding me..." Gwen said shooting Jack a look.  He just shrugged.
"No, I mean.. I took Kendo in college, give me a sword and I'm quite proficient but I've never had much experience with fire arms of any type."
Gwen just rolled her eyes,  "Come on then, Ill get you fix up in no time....."  that... was an understatement.

The rest of the week rolled on.  Kate found her self spending time with Gwen and Jack, while Luna found her self paired up with Tosh and Ianto.  They found little time for anything other than work, reading files, learning about things they only though exited in their wildest imaginations.

Tosh tapped the screen in front of her.  "How did you get around this one?" she asked the girl next to her.
The girl typed in a few lines of code and Tosh tiled her head.....

"So..." came a male voice behind them  "Your saying the machines... they just talk to you some times?"
Tosh gave him a look.   He handed her one of the drinks he had been holding.

"Sometimes... its just difficult to explained..." Luna said quietly
"I understand" Tosh said with a smile putting her arm around the girl.
"Women..." Ianto muttered playfully..
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Kate and Gwen sat going over some paper work and some plans.  
"No one will be able to access the transport door with out verification here first" she said pointing to a place on the blue prints.  
"So this door way will open some sort of gateway directly here?" Kate asked.
Gwen nodded  "Its something Tosh and Ianto came up with.  It will allow instantaneous transport between the hub and your office.  That way if we need you and your team you can be here almost at moments notice, when you need to be back to DC..."
"And its safe?" Kate asked which drew a look from Gwen..
"Well.... we are still looking into that...." Gwen said.  Kate just groaned.
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At the end of the month Kate, and Luna were scheduled to go back to DC.  The 'Gateway' as Tosh put it was now in working full working order, but needed a few more tests to be sure... So Jack was taking them back to met with Darrell Vanlorrn, and show them their new office.

While Kate and Luna slept their last night in Cardiff, Jack sat in Owens lab.
"Well..." Owen began.  "From what I can tell the fathers side of the family had some faint non human DNA, maybe 5 or 6 generations back.  Would account for why both of the girls seem to heal quicker than normal humans...." he said as he clicked on his keyboard.
Jack just nodded.  "What about...."
"Im getting to that..." Owen cut him off.   "but your probably not going to like it."
Jack just looked at the man.
"Ah.. right then." Said Owen going back to his computer.   "As you know there are several families around the world who though their generations have had dealings with non human species, but to what end we don't know.  Her DNA is the first real untainted look we have had at one of them in a while..." he prattled on.
Jack looked annoyed.
After a moment Owen collected him self.  "I'm sorry Jack,  I can't indentify it....  "
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A little over a month had past since they had last been in DC.  Now they were standing in what appeared to be a small normal looking office.  Behind the desk Ianto stood next to a tall, dark skinned Amazon of a woman or what pasted as a woman.  She was something of Iantos own design... of sorts.

"Ladies, I would like you to met your "secretary"" he said using his fingers to make air quotes.
Luna poked at her while Owen  snickered.
"She feels almost real...." She commented.
"That's Owens doing.  Synthetic hair, skin the whole nine yards.  All backward engineered from alien tech, but build from scratch with all human components so there is no risk of alien influence on her hardware.  Unless someone were to open her up, Zoe Jane here will appear to be just a normal every day girl." he said with a large smile.
"Zoe Jane?" Kate asked.
Before Ianto could say anything  Owen spoke up.  "He named her after some American TV show that's captured his fascination"
Ianto straightened him self up a bit embarrassed.... "Yes.. well... She will be functional twenty four seven, as her power source is grounded in the building she wont be able to go outside for long with out having to return or run the risk of shutting down as a safety precaution.  Also in the event that the agency is breached by hostile forces she serves as the first line of defense.  She should be fully functioning by the end of today if I stop being interrupted." he said batting Luna's hand away.

The front of the building was fairly standard, four offices, a break room, a conference room and a  Computer lab of sorts next to two sets of elevators in the hall.  The Basement level however, restricted by access held the Lab, the computer core, holding cells, a small autopsy room and small room with the "Gateway" door which was now functioning between DC and the Cardiff hub.

The top floor of the building had been turned into a residence area,  4 large apartment type rooms with a large open concourse.  As they opened the largest of the apartment doors they were greeted by a man in a black suit.  He had dark eyes, and black hair and was lounging in one of the chairs with a drink in his hand.

"Ladies, may I introduce you to Darrell Vanlorrn, our financier in the DC area.  He and his company will be maintaining our operations here and supplying you with what ever you need." he said as the man made his way over to them.
"Nice of you to join us on our tour Darrell.." Jack said sarcastically.  If the man heard him he was ignoring Jack.  He studied the two woman before him for a moment before saying  "So Ladies, how do you like my building.  Im sure Jack has shown you all of the top end technology and goodies that money can provide, but me..." he said smacking him self on the chest "I Enjoy the finer things in life... like Egyptian silk sheets, and the fully stocked wet bar. "
Jack just rolled his eyes, while Kate and Luna giggled.

As Darrell continued to show Luna around the apartment Kate pulled Jack aside.  
"This is all so much, " she started.  "The tech is out of this world... literally and the office is state of the art, but why apartments?" she asked.
"Well because of the nature of our work, we provide living quarters for our agents.  The Hub has several as you noticed, and your work will mostly keep you away from your primary residence more often than not.  You by no means have to live here permanently, in fact it is a good idea to keep your other place should you wish to entertain anyone.  Plus its always nice to have some were to get away too....." he said his voice trailing off.
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Jack and Darrell stood in the elevator quietly at first as it headed back to the ground floor leaving Luna and Kate to look over the new apartment themselves.
"So...." Jack said.   "What was on their minds...."
"Kate, is very overwhelmed but very very eager to start anew here.... and she thinks you have a cute butt..." Darrell said smirking.
"Not funny Darrell..." he said giving the man a odd look.
"Suit  your self..." he said looking forward....
"What about her sister...."
Darrell took a moment before turning to Jack.  "Fascinating creature that one is... full of life and sprit... not to mention great looking..." Jack cut him off
"Im not interested in your outward assessment of her... looks... what was she..." he said but Darrell wave his hand.
"I don't think you understand Jack... I couldn't read one blasted thing from her... she's a wall just like you... blank as can be... most exhilarating if you ask me." Darrell said with a rather mischievous look on his face.  A look that was lost on Jack as he was deep in thought... there was some one he was going to have to look up if he wanted some possible answers, and soon....
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Kate was dismayed that some one had broken into her apartment, but was surprised that nothing was missing except several bottle of Luna's beer, and Kate's snack mix.  She had a feeling she knew who had been here, but in the long run she felt it was better to let it be than pursue it.  Jacks idea of having them live mainly at the Torchwood DC branch was looking more and more appealing.
"Luna, you may wana pack as much as you can....." she called down the hall.
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In the Weeks that followed the sisters were getting used to working with in the environment of  Torchwood.  They were able to move from DC to Cardiff with ease thanks to the alien gateway tech, for training and what ever else needed their attention.

One evening Gwen insisted that they come with them to Cardiff to work a small case.  Reading about the strange things in the world was one thing, but Jack though and Gwen agreed it was about time they experienced more of what was out there.

They found them selves in a huge field.  Owen and Gwen had explained they were searching for a Weevil reported in the area.  Jack was talking on his phone near the truck while Luna, and Tosh were running an analysis on some strange dust found in the nearby field.

For weeks there had been reports of anything electronical going haywire in the area, from dimming car lights to exploding cell phones.  Tosh's lap top was no expectation to the energy waves coming from the dust.
She smacked the side of the computer as the screen blipped again and again.
"Well this for sure isn't a Weevils doing." she said as she smacked the screen again before handing it to Luna.
"You talk to it..." she said in an annoyed tone, which caused Owen to laugh.
"Yes Luna, romance the computer... It will do as you ask because you are gentle and soft with it.  Not like Tosh she likes it ruff....."

Ianto and Kate were walking though the field  and looked up when they heard yelling from the truck.  They saw Owen moving quickly away from Tosh, who had something big and heavy in her hands perusing  him.  Ianto just shook his head and groaned towards Kate.
"They are usually much more collected that this..."  
Kate just smiled.

Jack moved around the truck to were Luna was.  She indeed had a knack with any sort of tech.  The screen lit up for a moment and he read it but not before it sparked then went out completely, followed by the lights on the truck, and everything else near by.

"I think what ever  "they" are, they have noticed us....." Luna said quietly.

What the team came upon was a pair of Dark Fairy type creatures.  Apparently during their mating cycles they cause small but extremely strong EMP bursts that disrupt all nearby electronical devices.  They also are rather vicious during this time the team found out.
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Back at the Hub Kate, and Luna marveled at the pair of creatures they had captures.  Even in the short time they had been with Torchwood. the things they had read about, the things they had seen still had not prepared them for this... or for many of the things to come.
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For the next few months Jack decided to leave Gwen and Ianto in charge of the UK Hub as he packed his things up to move to the DC Branch.
Something had been bothering Jack for some time now, Gwen was sure of it.  She was also sure it had something to do with the two new recruits though she wasn't sure which one.  He was friendly enough with them both, though she did notice that from time to time he seemed to take exception to Kate, even catching a glimpse of him checking her out one evening after a rather tiring chase of a Weevil.

"I still think this is a bad idea Jack." Stated Ianto in a rather annoyed tone.
"I agree..:" said Gwen.   "Nothing big has happened in the states as of late, there is no need for you to over see their operation at this time.  I mean the worst thing they are going to have in the next week or two is picking out additional team members to fill out their ranks..."
But Jack just waved them off.  "We have the gateway and, I can be back here in no time... " he said not evening turning to them.
"There is something your not telling us." Ianto stated

Jack knew that tone in his voice, but even if he was sure of his suspicions which he wasn't yet, he was not sure if this was something even his team mates needed to know about... at least not yet..

"I understand both of your concerns, however they are still a fledgling operation in DC, and they need all the help they can get for the time being.  End of discussion..." and he went back to packing.

Ianto just fumed as he walked away.  Gwen on the other hand...
"We are here if you need us Jack..." she said...
"I know..." he replied.
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The next few months were an eye opening experience for Kate and her sister Luna, as they worked side by side with Jack and the UK branch of Torchwood.  They ran the gamut with everything from collecting extraterrestrial artifacts and tech, extracting Weevils, and even fighting off some sort of mist like parasite that Jack referred to as a Sprit Leach.  That had been particularly nasty, especially when the Weevil it ended up leaching onto... sort of exploded.... it had not been a good day.

Lately Tosh had been spending time at the DC Center with Luna updating and modifying the computer array.  Even though Luna had become a fairly good hacker recently, much in the way of Tosh's teachings she was glad to have some tech savy company as she worked.  If Tosh hadn't been there with her then Darrell would have certainly shown up.
Since taking up residence in the new building Darrell had taking a rather uncomfortable interest in Luna, much to her dismay and much to Kate, and Jacks enjoyment.
Every Wednesday he showed up like clockwork with flowers, or food or something or other trying to persuade Luna to accompany him to dinner.  She would always politely turn him down, but her refusals only seemed to fuel his determination to get her to say yes.
It had gotten so routine that even their Android secretary Zoe, didn't bother to stop him from entering the restricted areas any longer.

"Its Wednesday..." said Tosh as her left foot tapped Luna's right.
Both girls were laying flat on their backs underneath a large piece of equipment of sorts.  Luna ignored her.
"Oh come on, its cute how he's always trying to get your attention..." she said with a smirk.   Luna just groaned.
"If you like him so much why don't you go out with him for dinner?" she asked Tosh.
Tosh just blushed then asked... "Hey do you think he will bring any more of those chocolate thingies from last time, they were bloody brilliant."
"I wouldn't know..." Commented Luna shinning her light in Tosh's face.  "You ate the whole box yourself before I could even get to them."
Tosh just snickered as Luna smiled at her.  "That should do it." Tosh said waving the light away.  
"We should be able to navigate around those pesky government servers much much faster now.  Be in and out four times as fast as before."

"That's wonderful news..." came a voice from outside in the room.  Before either girl could say anything some one grabbed Luna by the foot and yanked her out from under the machine.  Darrell let him self fall to the floor almost on top of her only stopping inches away from her face smiling.   "Its Wednesday...." he said.
Luna groaned, Tosh however couldn't contain her laughter.
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Kate was sitting in her office.  In front of here were several piles of folders.  Each stack was a different agencies agents files.  ATF, CID, FBI and most surprisingly CIA,  While most of the piles contained several recommendations the CIA folder only had one.... a name that had caught her attention.... Trent Kort.   A long time ago she had heard Tony and Gibbs bring his name up.... a long time ago...
Kate slid his folder to the edge of her desk as she looked though the others.  After setting some aside in the rejected pile she saw a shadow go past her door, and heard the elevators click.
"Wednesday..." she muttered with a smile on her face.  " That man never learns...."

She sat for a few more minuets flipping though file after file.  Nothing of interest caught her attention until she started in on the FBI file base.  The second folder she opened up she glanced though and was about to push aside when something caught her eye.
Vivian Blackadder, recently put on suspension due to suspicions raised by her superiors of involvement in the murder investigation of DoD's Agent Dodd's.....   She remembered that murder.   Jack had the autopsy reports pulled for them.  The agents murder wasn't by human hands.  It had been vicious, as if some one or something tore him apart looking for something.   According to the report Agent Blackadder had been walking one evening when she heard screams from inside a parking garage.  When she entered she claimed she saw something... monstrous ripping into the DoD Agent.

The report went on for a bit, but Kate just skimmed it.  In the end her superiors first recommended her for medical leave citing exhaustion and mental stress.  Then when stumped for answers they turned to her as a suspect.   As she continued further down the file, she paused and smiled.   
Listed under her work profile, a brief stint at NCIS a few months before Kate had started... and wouldn't you know it she had worked with her old team... with Gibbs.   Not only was Vivian now a person of interest due to the case they were looking into, but Kate liked what she saw in her file.  She slid it over on top of Trent's.

Kate heard  the elevator doors open again, and voices down the hall. As she poked her head out of her door way  she was almost run over by Darrell.  Luna was pushing him from behind as the two argued, Tosh trailing not far back laughing all the way.
"But the London Symphony is something that...."
"No Darrell..."
"Then how about dinner at the..."
"I said No Darrell...."
"Alright then, how about...."
"NO Darrell...."
Tosh stopped by Kate and smiled.  "The new system is all up and running.  I have a search going for those files you asked about earlier." she said as they watched Luna push Darrell around the corner.

"So." Kate said tuning to Tosh.  "Does his race even understand the concept of No?"
"Bugger if I know Kate, but something about your sister gets him all riled up.  In all the time I've known him I've never seen him chase after some on like this..."
Kate smiled softly... "She has that effect on some people..."
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Two Weeks Later...

Their investigation into the murder of DoD Agent Dodd's was as a stand still.  The FBI unfortunately and Unknowing contaminated the corpse and the crime scene before Torchwood could get there, on top of that Tosh and Luna found that some one else had been poking around in the FBI data base, and had corrupted most of the reports on the case.  Some one didn't want this seen....  Even with long hours and both of them working, Tosh and Luna were only able to restore a fraction of the information gathered, and most of that was just the autopsy files which Jack had gathered for them earlier...


Out side in the waiting area sat a rather tall man,  Trent Kort in fact.  He has been ordered by the higher ups to make contact with the mysterious Torchwood group.   While they were something of a mystery to all agencies, some sort of special ops group the CIA had a better feel on what they really were, and they wanted in on it.

"Agent Todd will be with you in a moment" said the Tall dark beauty from behind the reception desk.  
She smiled at him, and he suddenly felt like some one had walked on his grave.  She was hard to read, that was for sure, and some on in the back of Trent's mind an alarm went off... this woman... she was dangerous.


The door next to him opened, and in walked a well dressed business man carrying a bouquet of fragrant purple lily's of some sort.  He walked past Trent with out acknowledgement, and meant to go past the reception desk.  With surprising speed the woman behind the desk moved to block his way, her arms crossed over her chest.

He stopped for a moment, almost surprised... "Zoe..." he said
"Mr. Vanlorrn." she replied plainly staring him down.
"Its Wednesday." He said shaking the bouquet of flowers at her to no avail.
"Im quite aware of what day of the week it is." she said as she moved to block his attempts to get around her.

This exchange between the two went on for a few minuets,  much to the amusement of Trent.  Then it clicked... Vanlorrn... he was one of the richest Industrialist in the DC area, and yet here he was... in the offices of Torchwood... this was very curious.
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"So you haven't heard back from Agent Blackadder yet have you?" Luna asked sitting on the edge of Kate's desk.
"Ive left two messages, but no I haven't gotten to speak to her in person."  she said shuffling papers before handing one of them to Luna.
"What's this?" she asked
"Agent Blackaddre's address.  I can only assume from what Jack provided us that she's being watched by her former co workers, and It wouldn't surprise me if she never got any of my messages.  I think a personal visit is in order."
"You mean me?" she said looking at her sister.
"Yes Agent Voltair." she said with a smile.  "Mr. Kort is already here, so I need to speak with him.  I don't see why you couldn't go, and give her an interview."
"Even though she's probably being watched..." she said back to Kate.
"Well Jack wanted to see more non-technical based field work from you.  Consider this a trial run." she said as the two of them made their way to the front officer just in time to see Zoe grabbing Darrell by the back of his jacket.

Luna couldn't help but snicker.  Kate had left strict orders with Zoe, not to let Darrell into the offices today with the interviews going on.  She just smiled back at Luna with an evil grin.

"You can take Darrell with you." she said pointing at him much to Luna's chagrin...

Zoe, upon hearing Kate speak Darrel's name released him.  He in turned straightened out his blazer and slid past her.
"Ah... my two favorite special agents."  he said as he pried one of the purple flowers loose from the bundle and handed it to Kate.  He steeped between the two women and put his hand around Luna's shoulders while shoving the rest of the bouquet into her free hands.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to hold out on me forever... so were are we going?" he asked with a mischievous grin.  Luna only rolled her eyes.   
As Kate watch Luna begrudging left  with Darrell she introduced her self to the man trying desperately not to laugh out loud at the scene before him.

"Agent Kort, Im..." Kate started as she extended her hand, but he finished her sentence for her
"Special Agent Caitlin Todd, formerly of NCIS, now second of Torchwood DC Branch..." he said shaking it firmly.
His acknowledgment of her titles current and former caused not only her but Zoe to raise an eyebrow.

"I believe we have a lot to talk about." He said letting her lead the way.
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Luna was not having the best of days, though it was looking up.  Darrell had given her the keys to his Bugatti Veyron which was now streaking though the streets of DC at unsafe speeds.  
"If I knew all it took was a fast car to get you out with me I would have done this weeks ago." he said as he gripped the door handle as she rocked around a corner.
"Darrell..." she said but he kept talking
"Though I would have never expected our first date to be a working date...."
"Its not a...." she said as she took another corner cutting off a rather angry looking delivery driver.
"So afterwards you want to get some dinner... maybe a movie...." He started to say as she hit the breaks pulled up on the emergency break and slid sideways up against the curb.
"Darrell..." she said giving him a look.
"Im glad you liked the flowers..." he said changing the subject as he quickly got out of the car.

"We are still a few blocks away..." he said as she locked the car, and started down the sidewalk.
"Pretty much.  That toy of yours draws way to much attention." she said.
"The way you drive it ... yes it does."
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Trent, and Kate sat quietly in Kates office.  Each had a folder the other had given to be read.  Kate had finished hers long before Trent.  As he closed the file he smirked.
"Isn't it amazing how much we have in common..." he said.
"Yes, except that we deal with the extraterrestrial and the paranormal on an everyday basis while you deal with the human factor." she said.
"True, but it seems after the... incident... at groom lake and the subsequent disillusion of section 13 and the DoD picking up said pieces...."
"And the fact that we know that the DoD has been infiltrated by an... outside force...." she said finishing his sentence.
"It would be in both of our Agencies interests to work together in all aspects of what ever is to come...." he said with a smile.
"Yes, it would...." Kate said.  "But are you prepared to work fully with us?" she asked.
"I have my orders ... and your group has sparked a bit of personal curiosity in me." he said.  "Although my first duty will always be to the CIA."

Kate thought on this for a moment,  Trent was a hard man to read, but then again she knew he was in trouble with the agency.  He had some questionable dealings as of late and was looking at being put on desk duty... permanently.   She knew he was trying to play her.... but he needed an out.. something to keep him in the field.   There were no orders, if he didn't get this.... then he was as good as done.      
"Well Mr. Kort... Welcome to Torchwood...." she said extending her hand once again.
The sudden surprise that crossed his face he couldn't have hid if he tried.
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"Well this is a problem...." Darrell said as he and Luna surveyed the street in front of them.  A black van with dark windows sat across from Vivians building.  Down the street at least 2 more FBI agents sat on a bench watching.
"It is... if she doesn't let us in when we buzz her then I have a feeling that those FBI agents are going to become a lot more friendly with us." she said.
"Well then, I guess we need to make sure we don't get seen." he said.
Luna looked at him not sure what he meant.  "What are you...." she started to say but before she could finish Darrell had swooped her into his arms and darted back into the ally behind the building.   He was fast, and much stronger than she thought and then she realized much more agile.   He jumped his foot barely touching the side of the buildings as he propelled them upwards towards the roof.

They landed with a soft thump on top of the apartment complex.  There were several chairs and strings of lights around the roof but no one to see them luckily.   Darrell just smiled at her.
"You can put me down now hot shot." she said trying not to smile, but he saw though her.

The lock on the roof access was easy enough to pick.  The hallway to Vivian's apartment was empty.  Luna pulled a device from her pocket and clicked it on before knocking on the woman's door.  

For the men in the FBI van out-front it took them a good 10 minuets to realize that it wasn't their equipment that was malfunctioning, there was now in fact no sound emanating from their targets building... not one sound..  The lead agent picked up the phone, and made a call.

"Who is it?"  came a tired voice from inside.
Luna took a moment as she rummaged though her pockets.  She slid one of her ids back and pulled out an older looking wallet.  She flipped it open and held it up to the peep hole.
"Im Agent Voltair... NCIS" she said flipping the badge around.
Darrell gave her a look....
"What..." she whispered.  "I never got to say it before... and shes... familiar with them... and I am technically still an agent with them...."

The door opened slowly.  A tired looking woman stepped into the door way and took Luna's ID and looked it over.
"What's NCIS want with me?" she asked.
"Just a few words." she said holding up a file folder.  Vivian looked at her then to Darrell.
"Ill go wait in the car..." He whispered in Luna's ear before walking back the way they came.
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Vivian sat on her couch reading the file.  It had only been a few minuets but Luna could tell she was intrigued.
"Your not really with NCIS are you?" she asked.
"I use to be..." she said.  
"So what I saw..." she said looking up
"IS what you saw.  Not human... "
"But, how... I mean, they are now blaming me..." she said
"I know, and shortly they will be showing up here because of this..." Luna said tossing a small device on the table.  "Its buffing all the noise in your apartment building.  They will know something is wrong."
"If I don't accept?" she said.
"Then I go away... and your problem stays. Vivian." she replied.
"Viv..." came the dark haired woman.
"Excuse me?" Luna asked.
"My friends call me Viv...."
.
.
Luna returned alone to Torchwood.  Darrell had literally left her stranded after the FBI decided to follow him as he shot up the road making quite the spectacle.
Kate sat in her office with Jack.  They were discussing Mr. Kort and the files he had left them in good faith when Luna entered.
"How did it go?" Kate asked.
"I don't think your friend Agent Fornell likes me very much.   He was happy at first when I gave him the evidence that cleared Viv.  His mood quite changed once he found out about the job offer." she said as Jack passed her some Chinese.
"And?" Kate asked already knowing the answer from the look on her sisters face.
"She wants to know when she can start,  how about you?" she asked.
"Well..." Jack started as he slid over.  "Agent Kort left us some very interesting reading material." and he handed her a folder.  It was going to be a long night.
.
.
.

It had been a year since Gibbs death, a long long year.  Jack parked the car along the cemetery road, and looked over at his passengers.  Both had been quite the entire drive.  Kate was still stricken with guilt over so many things.  Luna on the other hand... she was harder to read but if he had to guess he would say she was still heart broken.

While Kate really never talked about what happened to anyone other than her sister, he got the faint impression her guilt was not just because she had failed to take the second bullet for her former boss.
.
.
As the three of them walked to the grave, they took note they were not alone.   Jack stopped for a moment to observe the man leaning over the headstone they were heading towards.  
"Who's that?" he questioned

The man seemed to realize that he was being watched and straighten up and turned their way.
Kate couldn't help but let a smile pass between her lips... "Its Ducky...."
.
.
Dr Donald "Ducky" Mallard was in a somber  mood.  It was a little past 5 and the sun was still peering out from behind the clouds.  He rested  he hand on his former friends headstone and sighed out loud.
"Oh Jethero...."  then he heard the muffled sounds of talking coming from behind him.  He composed him self for a moment then turned around.  The most wonderful  sight greeted him.

Two young women accompanied by a rather out of place looking man walked towards him.  The first to reach him was the blonde one, who threw her arms around him with warms greetings,  the brunette joined her seconds later.
"My words...." was the only thing he mutter as he was over whelmed by the emotional reunion.

As he pulled away from the girls he couldn't help but smile at them.  "Caitlin, Luna.... its been far to long since we have seen each other in person..."  
Luna nodded her head, and it was Kate who was the first to speak.  "Yes Ducky it had been a while.  I know phone calls, and emails don't do much, but works been... hectic as of late."

"Speaking of work... who is this fine young lad?" Ducky asked sizing up Jack.
Jack couldn't help but snicker at the comment before extending his hand " Jack Harkness" he said shaking Ducky's  hand firmly.
.
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For the next half hour the four of them sat on a near by bench with some idle conversation.  The topic of their work seemed to be a bit touchy, so Ducky told them how  Abby and Tim were fairing, how things were slow at the agency and so on.  About 5:30 Ducky stood up, and turned to the Trio.

"Tony is having a small gathering at his house"  Ducky began.  "Why don't you join us all... Im sure he would love to see you girls again."
Kate cringed at the mention.  Not only was she still unhappy with how she and Tony had left things, he was now living in Gibbs old house... and she wasn't ready yet to spend any long amount of time around either.
"Oh, Ducky I can't...." she said looking quickly to Jack  "Um... Jack, and I have plans already... But I bet Luna would love to accompany you." she said pushing Luna forward before she could question Kate.  Luna was on much better terms with Tony than she, and she knew she missed the friends she had made at NCIS, especially Ducky.
"Are you sure Caitlin?  You and your friend Jack would be most welcome" he asked as he took Luna by the arm.
"We are sure, "Piped up Jack.   "It was a pleasure to meet you Dr. Mallard." he said as he offered him another firm hand shake.   "Call us when you need us to pick you up Luna."
.
.
As Ducky and Luna walked away Kate moved towards Gibbs headstone.  She knelt down and placed the flower on it she had been gripping in her hand, and no longer able to contain her self she began to cry.   
In all the time Jack had known her, she had been strong and commanding.  He had never seen her quite like this.  The sisters rarely ever spoke about the days leading up to the death of  Kate's former boss.  He did get the impression that there had been something between him and Luna, and that Kate blamed her self in part for her death.
He also knew that something had transpired between her and that man that the man Luna was off to visit.  He wanted to ask, but then again he didn't want to push Kate.

"Are you sure you don't want to join your sister?" he asked as she moved back to the bench with him.
"No, im sure." She said.  "Its more complicated that you know...."
He looked at her and smiled.  "Id know if you told me."  he stated.
She looked up at him for a moment and sighed.  She had never shared what had happened with any one other than Luna, and Luna had kept that secret well.  Jack on the other hand, he had opened their world up to so many things.  Perhaps it was time to tell him.
She stood up and  moved back towards the grave, and Jack followed.  "It started right after Gibbs funeral..." she said lightly brushing her fingers against the headstone as she walked by.  "Tony and I... we.... we broke one of Gibbs rules.... "
.
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Ducky had given her a bottle to hold on the drive to Gibbs old house.  She wondered what Tony did with the place.    It hadn't been long after the funeral that Gibbs ex-wives had cleaned out most of the house.  The furniture, pictures, anything of value they took.  They did however leave Gibbs clothing, a few personal knick knacks and of course his tools and tools in the basement.  None of them had the heart or the want to take that.  As they pulled up Ducky smiled at her.
"Tony is going to be most surprised to see you my dear." he said as he started up the walk.  Luna knew Ducky was right.
.
.
It was a little before 6:30 when DiNozzo heard a car pull up, and some one get out.  He had straightened up the house as best he could.  It wasn't one of his better days.  Abby and Tim had made their own plans, and Director Sheppard had been in a fowl mood all day at work.  He was glad tomorrow was Saturday,  Then there came a knock at the door.

"Its open Ducky." He called as he set out some snacks on the table..
"Tony, I hope you don't mind, but I brought a guest along..." he said while Tony's back was still turned to him.
Tony turned around and thought ' a guest... who would Ducky bring to....'  and his mind just stopped.  Standing before him was a woman he wasn't sure if he would ever see again.  

Ducky barely had time to get out of the way as Tony took two long strides across the room and enveloped the girl in a massive bear hug.  "God Lulu, its been forever." he mumbled into her long blonde hair.  
"Its only been six months...." She murmured against his head
"I know, but that's been way to long..."  he replied.
.
.

Tony walked into the living room with 2 more bottles of alcohol under his arms as he sat down on the couch next to Luna.  The thudded them down on the table in front of them next to the bottle of bourbon that Ducky had  brought along.
"Now what do we have here?" asked Ducky as he looked at the bottles.
"This," he said spinning the first bottle around, "Was sent by Gibbs father.  He wanted to be here but he wasn't able to make it. And this one.... " He said reaching for the clearest bottle.. "Is the finest bottles of Tequila from Mexico complements of Mike Franks."   With a snap he opened it and started pouring.
Luna and Ducky took their glasses and raised them in a toast.  "So..." Luna said after she downed the liquor "Who is Mike Franks?" she asked.
Tony couldn't help but laugh, and Ducky just smiled.... "Let me tell you about the time...."
And that was how the evening went.  Tony and Ducky told Luna stories upon stories about their time with Gibbs.  

By 1 Am all three bottles had been emptied.  Ducky slept comfortably  in one of Tony's large plush chairs.   Tony, and Luna however had left the room and had made their way to the basement.  It had an entirely different feeling from the rest of the house.  While the upstairs was totally Tony... this place was the one thing Tony couldn't bring him self to change... this space still belonged to Gibbs.

The only time she had been in this part of the house was a year ago... during the wake.  She and Tony were now sitting on the stairs with the last bits of bourbon sitting in their glasses.
"This place... it feels like hes... here you know..." Tony said wagging her finger at her.  
"Ive only seen this one... well you ... last time I was here.... " she stumbled a bit.
Tony laughed at her inebriation...   "See... you may be part of that special ops group... whatcah callit... Torchlight or whatever... but your still one of us...."
She smiled at him and punched him gently in his arm, and he in turn in a very DiNozzo like manner Gibbs slapped her upside the head ever so gently so that she wouldn't spill her drink.  She snickered as she got up and moved slowly down to the floor.
"Ive missed that....." She said quietly.
"Oh don't worry... " Tony said as he leaned up against the wall behind her.  "Ive kept the tradition alive.."

"This all looks so much the same... even the boat... what are you going to do with it Tony?" she ask as she tried not to fall over the skeletal beginning of the boat Gibbs had started working on before..

"Im not sure..." Tony said moving towards the work bench,  "You and Kate... you guys were here when his ex-wives descended on this place.  This was the only room they refused to touch, and anything they did leave, I either sent to his dad or are still over in those boxes there." He said moving towards a small pile of boxes in the corner .  
"Only thing not in the boxes was ones of the pictures Abby took of us all in her Lab... That's over dare..." he said as he opened on of the boxes. They were filled with mostly clothing, a few things from his days at NCIS and some nick knacks.
Out of one of the boxes Tony pulled an old USMC sweatshirt and tossed it to her.  "Now that... that there... that would look good on you..." he said.
She smiled at him sadly as she looked down at the shirt in her hands.  When she looked up Tony had moved next to her....  "You and Gibbs looked good on each other.... " he said pulling her into a hug.... then.... "Wow... that came out so wrong..." he said as the two of them couldn't contain their laughter..
.
.
Earlier....

Kate sat with Jack on the hood of the car.  She had not said a word since leaving the cemetery, since confiding in him.  She seemed almost relieved that he knew.  He was glad he had told her, but now his distasted for Agent DiNozzo was even greater than before.  He had no idea how Kate could have let her sister go visit him, let alone her sister willingly spending time with him.   Kate had always told him Luna had a very forgiving nature about her, and now he truly believe that.

Now however they had found them selves sitting on the piers watching the dark waters, and the occasional light that danced across them.  Kate leaned in to Jack unconsciously as a cool breeze came in off the waters.  She wanted to say more to him, he in the short time they had been working together had gotten to know each other a good bit.   Despite her sisters teasing that Jack was hot, and Kate should totally hit that up... she actually found her self lowering her defenses around him.

"Do you mind if we stay here a while?" she asked
Jack put his arm around her pulling her in close and said "We can stay here all night if you want..." in a tone that even for him seemed unusual..
.

It was nearly 6am when they pulled up to Gibbs old place.  Tony and Ducky's cars were still there, and since Luna never called her, Kate could only assumed that she was either passed out drunk or she had killed Tony, and Ducky was trying to help her hide the body.   The later of the two scenarios were very unlikely... but she could still hope.

Jack noticed the smile on her face to which he gave her a quizzical look.  "Are you sure you want me to stay in the car?" he asked.
"Ill be fine.  I think I need to do this..." she said as she stepped out of the car.   "Ill yell if  I need back up." She quipped.

The front door was unlocked which didn't surprise her in the least.  What made her jump was before she could open the door herself it moved.  As the door opened a sleepy yet happy looking Ducky greeted her.
"I was never one for sleeping in, even after a night of drinking." he said in a quite voice as he welcomed her into the home.
As she walked into the main room she made a face at Tony's  choice of decor.  Movie posters and memorabilia lined the walls and shelves, all except for one piece.  In the middle of the living room she noticed a picture... a picture which she and Luna to this day still had hanging in her office.  It was one of several that Abby had insisted of taking of them and the team... so long ago it seemed....

Ducky rested his hand on her shoulder and nodded towards the other end of the room.  As she turned the sight that greeted her made her giggle.  Luna was sprawled out on one end of the couch wearing a worn USMC sweatshirt which Kate was almost positive was Gibbs, and on the other end of the couch was Tony, who was holding her sisters foot.

"Im assuming your sister kicks in her sleep, and that's why the boys holding her down" Ducky said looking at the face she was making.  "She was wearing that shirt when I woke up....  I think im going to put some coffee on." he said as he left the room slowly.

Kate walked over to Luna and shook her gently being sure to keep out of arms reach just in case.... She opened her eyes slowly, blinking.... "Kate... what time is it?" she said as she tried to sit up.
This motion caused her to still despite her feet being held down, to kick Tony.   Tony moaned while Kate couldn't help but laugh.
As he wiped the sleep from his eyes, he was surprised to see Kate standing in his living room next to her sister.
"Kate?" he asked make sure he wasn't imagining it after a night of heavy drinking.

"Yes DiNozzo, its me...." she said before her sister interrupted  her.....
"Kate I think im going to go to the bathroom and see if I can find what's left of my dignity..."  she said trying to straighten the shirt she was wearing....

As she disappeared around the corner, the two former team mates were left standing face to face... the first time in months....

"Kate... "Tony began as he stood up..
"I was worried about Luna... she didn't call so I came by to make sure everything was ok" she started...
"Kate..." Tony said again this time making his way over to her....
"I know you know about her and Gibbs, and she really never talks about him much... except to Ducky.. so I ...."
"Kate." Tony said now standing face to face with her.  
She stopped talking as she looked into his eyes and he took her hands in his...

"I know... how thing ended up, how I .... I'm sorry...." he said.   She just looked  back at him, unsure what to say... she had been so angry for so long.. she still was... but maybe.... no.. they could never have again what they once had, but maybe it was time to move on.....

"You just broke another one of Gibbs rules..." she said quietly...

"Maybe... sometimes the rules... are just wrong."
NCIS: Torchwood- When Worlds Collide - Chapter Four: Torchwood
© 2011 - 2024 Vonvoltair
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