Chapter 21

"So," Gwen smiled, "that brings us back up to four." She looked across to Caitlyn, holding her gaze momentarily before turning to Jack. "Look, Jack, I was out of order earlier. I never should have slapped you. I'm sorry."

"You slapped him?" Rhys mouthed at her, shocked.

"Gwen, I'd completely forgotten about that," Jack replied. It was difficult to tell whether he was lying or not, but Gwen didn't care.

"I know how much Ianto means to you," she continued, "and he wouldn't still be alive if it wasn't for Caitlyn. Look, I'm not totally happy about this but we do need a doctor on the team, and I suppose Caitlyn meets the qualification criteria."

"I did actually ask Caitlyn earlier about joining the team," Jack admitted.

"You did what?" Rhys shouted. "This is the woman who tried to kill my wife, and now you expect her to work alongside Gwen? Harkness, you're even more insane than I thought."

"Rhys, stay out of this," Gwen stepped in front of her husband and looked Jack in the eye. "You're the boss, Jack."

"And you're my second-in-command," Jack reminded her. "Look, if I had to choose between keeping you on my team and hiring Caitlyn, then you know what I'd do."

"You could offer Caitlyn a trial, and if it doesn't work, you can always drug her like you did with my sister," Dante contributed.

"You've got to watch your mouth," Jack warned him. "You need to be able to keep secrets if you're working here. But I like your idea, and I was considering it myself. If you're alright with that?" He addressed Gwen, who nodded.

"I'm sorry," Caitlyn looked at Gwen with tears in her eyes. "I was an idiot; I'll understand if you say you don't want me here."

"You can't leave me on my own with these three," Gwen smiled. "I'll go crazy without another girl to talk to."

Jack knew Gwen was lying, but he was impressed by her powers of persuasion.

"I won't ever try to attack you again, I promise," Caitlyn told them. "I'd like to work here, but I don't think your boyfriend's too happy, Gwen."

"He's my husband, and that's his problem. He doesn't work here; I do."

Rhys rolled his eyes. "She's made up her mind, and there's no changing it now," he told Jack. "As much as I disagree, Gwen's decided what she wants."

"Alright, Caitlyn, I'm offering you the same as Dante; a month's trial at the Torchwood Institute, Cardiff, starting as soon as the hospital sacks you." Jack said as he walked back to Ianto.

"Sacks us?" Caitlyn repeated.

"Don't you think they'll be angry you've skipped a day's work?" Jack asked. "Anyway, it saves us doctoring your files, and if Torchwood doesn't work out, we'll write you a reference for a new hospital or wherever you want to work so it's off your record."

"It will work out," Dante told him defiantly.

"Just make sure you watch your mouth," Gwen reminded him. "You'll do well here, I'm sure of it. So will you, Caitlyn," she told the shocked doctor.

"You might as well clear off home, Gwen," Jack told her. "I'll stay here with Ianto, and I'll see you tomorrow. Actually, you all should get home."

"Don't I get those days off any more?" Gwen joked. "Alright, I'll see you then." She walked across the Hub and hugged Jack before stroking Ianto's hair. "Get well soon, Yan," she smiled. "I can't stand Jack's coffee."

TWTWTW

Dante and Caitlyn walked up to the front of the hospital together. Before they were even past the door, they were ambushed by the chief executive officer, Jason Kennedy.

"You two, my office, now!" he barked.

Dante gulped, following the balding man's lead. "Look, I can explain," he began, before a piercing glare from Caitlyn silenced him.

"Remember what Jack said?" she mouthed. "Let me do the talking." She took a seat next to Dante, on the opposite side of the desk to Jason.

"Where were you two all day?" the CEO asked angrily.

"Dante was taken, and I went to rescue him," Caitlyn replied. That part was truth, at least. Now the lies would kick in. "It was people who wanted to get revenge for something his dad did. It's not safe for Dante at work anymore. They could return any time. They saw my face too, and they might come after me." Caitlyn made her bottom lip quiver to add to the impression she was terrified.

"Who were these people?" Jason asked.

"Two men and a woman, but we don't know who they are or where they're from," Dante told him. "I can't work here without putting everyone's lives at risk. They might be watching the hospital. If you give me, I dunno, a month off work so they think I've left, it should mean you're not in danger."

Jason stroked his beard. "You think the whole hospital's at risk?"

Caitlyn nodded. "All the time Dante and I are here. A month should trick them enough into thinking we've left."

"Very well," Jason sighed. "You'll be off work for a month starting tomorrow, on half pay. I don't expect to see you wasting that time, though. If you remember who these people are, you can always phone me, any time of the day. Don't forget to inform the police about these people, too."

"I will," Dante lied, standing up and shaking Jason's hand. "Thank you, Mr Kennedy. I appreciate this."

"You've probably saved a lot of innocent peoples' lives by doing this," Caitlyn told her boss as she shook his hand before following Dante out of the office.

"Stay safe," Jason called after them, before turning to the pile of paperwork on his desk.

Once they were back in the hospital car park, Dante high-fived Caitlyn. "Torchwood, here we come!" he grinned.

So that's the end. But don't worry, 'cos I'm working on a sequel, so there'll be more Dante and Caitlyn, as well as Jack, Gwen and Ianto. Yey. :)