Picking up the pieces

"Not the way I want to see the sun come up," PC Andy said, his eyes feeling gritty. He stood on the roof of the police headquarters, scanning the view of the city. Smoke still wafted from isolated locations in the early morning light, but the city was now quiet.

"Aye, I know what you mean," came the tired reply from Rhys as he sat on one of the air con units on the roof. His Harwood Haulage portable CB radio squawked as drivers reported deliveries of critical supplies to people in the outlying areas. "You know, I thought I'd have a nice quiet life. One that involved a little logistics, a bit of fun with the boys, and nights sitting on the sofa with the little woman watching telly. Silly me."

Andy snorted at Rhys' description of his wife as the "little woman." Gwen was tiny, granted, but a firecracker of energy. Seeing her take over last night, organizing rescue efforts and keeping everyone focused had been an eye opening experience. His old partner PC Gwen was definitely a thing of the past, and in her place was a woman in control, who worked well under pressure and despite tremendous odds, was able to motivate the demoralized police department and get them moving. He knew that without her efforts, the sun would have risen on a completely different city this morning.

"Thanks for getting your crews together and helping us out. It made all the difference," Andy said as the reports continued to come in, both through his and Rhys' radios. Communications had just been re-established in the wee hours of the morning, and the telephone system was now working. He had gone up to the roof to escape all the phones that were ringing endlessly in the floors below him.

"Had to be done," Rhys said with a shrug. "Just glad I was in a position to help out." He rubbed his face in an attempt to wake himself up. He couldn't remember when he had last taken a break. He stared over in the direction of Mermaid Quay and his wife. They hadn't talked since she had run off to return to Torchwood, and he was worried. Keeping busy kept him from worrying, but now that things were calming down, he felt an acute anxiety about her. He wasn't the religious sort, but he closed his eyes and offered a brief prayer for whoever watched over alien hunters and American madmen. For he knew that she would be wherever Jack was, if she had found him. A pity he liked the man. He could even acknowledge Jack's charisma when he didn't have to face him. And he knew that whatever happened at work, Gwen would always come back to him. That knowledge was an island of peace inside him, even as the world was falling about his ears. "So what's next?"

"Next, we find out who's in charge and make sure they don't cock it all up again," Andy said tiredly. "We're getting some relief as the MOD sends out troops to help us out, but we're not handing over control to them. They're just bringing engineers and personnel to get us back on our feet. Hopefully that won't be for too long."

"Yeah, the last thing we need is some donkey wallopers to rush in and make a mess of things," Rhys agreed. He shared a look of understanding with the policeman beside him.

A moment later he felt his mobile vibrate. Since it only did it once, he knew he had a SMS from someone, rather than a missed call. Pulling it out of his shirt pocket, he flipped to the screen, wondering if it had been Gwen. It wouldn't be the first time he had a message of "stuck at work" which was easier than having to explain for the umpteenth time that she wasn't coming home again. Though at least he now knew what she really did and if she ever had an excuse, the events of the past few days would be it.

There was a one line message, and it wasn't from his wife. "Please go home – Gwen needs you. JH" He stared at the message while he tried to lift the fog on his mind. Not a message from Gwen, but her boss. He got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he imagined all of the possible things that could have gone wrong with her. On one hand he was relieved that not only was she all right, but that Jack had sent her home. That must mean that things were finally settled. But the fact that he had to send the message at all meant that something wasn't right. He debated ringing her mobile, but something stopped him from hitting the speed dial.

"Right then, I'm off. Gwen needs me," he said, groaning as he stood up and stretched.

"Thanks, Rhys." Andy nodded, exhaustion showing in his face. "Go home to the missus and give her a hug for me."

"Will do. You go get some rest yourself," Rhys said. He felt something pop in his back as he finished his stretch. "Ah, that did it. Damn neck has been bothering me all night. Just call my office if you need any additional help. My boys will be ready to do more if needed."

"G'night," Andy said with a yawn. He turned back to the skyline as Rhys made his way down the fire escape ladder, bypassing the main building completely. When he got to the ground level, he wished he had a motorcycle. Debris was still littered about the streets, so his car wasn't going to be any use. Nothing for it but to go on foot. He set off for his flat, hoping to be there before Gwen got home.