Cardiff Bay Open to EVERYONE !!

[Owen Harper]

Owen was walking the Mermaid Quay, in Cardiff. The cold sea was blowing its wind against Owen’s face. Owen had his brown leather jacket and his hands are in the pockets. He had his faded blue jeans on, he loved his jeans and he had the annoying cast on his right injured calf. He had been limping with it on and got tired of the limp fast.

Owen had gone with Toshiko to Cardiff. It was Toshiko who needed to go Cardiff. Owen told Toshiko go with her. Owen had given Bailey a break by leaving her there. God he knew she got annoyed him. Owen could not leave and leave them when he feels like it. He could never do that. Lord knows he wanted too many times. But he was a leader of the damn place he had to live with the responsibility, he was not stepping in Torchwood Three again because he will kill Daniel and Jack would not like it. Owen tasted the salt as he licked his lips. He leaned against the railing, looking out at the horizon of the bay. He could feel the some of the warmth of the sun that is trying to fight its rays through clouds.

Owen had hoped Gwen would come up and see him. Who knows Toshiko could have girl talk with Gwen and forget Owen out in Mermaid quay. Owen slowly closed his eyes and listened to the waves hitting the docks, feeling the drizzle hit his face, and he can hear people walking by. Tapping his hands against the rail, Owen was hoping Daniel would not bother Owen. Owen was mad how Daniel decided to play ‘I caught the alien’ and that ego of his drove Owen up the wall.

Opening his eyes, Owen just stared blankly at the horizon. He was feeling zoned out. It took a moment why he was doing it. He blinked his eyes a few times. It was the little empathic link from the Weevils they are resting and sleeping a big group of them. Ever since Owen had been studying them he had some empathic feelings from them before he was Weevil King. He had been getting empathic powers with Janet because he was trying to connect to her in the combat at Mark Lynch’s insane business of freelance combat a weevil in a cage.

Mark Lynch’s words still echoed in Owen’s head. Mark Lynch said ‘what’s the point of your life?’ Mark was going on about success and having all possessions and not feeling satisfied about it. Owen started to wonder about Mark Lynch’s words of wisdom. He had something too. What is the meaning? He lost Katie. He failed helping Jack and Toshiko in the 1940s he ruined the rifts and put the world in trouble. Why couldn’t Jack let him die from the combat with the Weevil. He wanted to end it all after he lost Diane. He had remembered her saying, ‘Love, you’re always at its mercy’. Owen heart panged with the memories how he grew attached to Diane. He was terrified with her. His defense was down. He was going to give her everything she needed. But she decided she needed to go back to her time, leaving Owen behind. God why couldn’t she stayed! Owen then disappeared for a month and Daniel had his job and Jack made Owen leader. Is that worth to live for? Honest? What is there to live for? He had gone deep emo here!

Gwen was happy married with Ryhs. She has a relationship outside of Torchwood. She was the lucking one. And Owen hates Gwen for that but he loved her too. She is the ONLY person Owen most likely can open up too. Unless they fight and that finishes the chit chats. Owen had problems. He figured he was the problem. Did he really want to change? If he change he be opening himself and be a victim to be hurt again by someone else. Like Bailey might be the next dagger to strike his mortal heart. He liked Bailey but she had poisoned him. He had to build a hatred relationship with her he guess. He needed a distant from her perhaps. He could not afford to be hurt again. Owen felt he was alone.

Owen was total zoned out, he had a clear look on his face and he had no aware of the world around him. Owen was totally oblivious to the world. So, anyone could approach him except a Weevil.

[Gwen Cooper]

Gwen was on her break and was sitting on the couch, eating pizza and playing with her phone. Rhys had sent one of his daily funny and sweet emails. Today’s involved a dancing penguin and a slightly dirty caption that had her in a fit of giggles.

As it ended, Gwen glanced up at the computer at her station. It was running programs and tracking a weird freak storm coming in from the north. She saw movement on one of the windows that had a CCTV image feed. It was from the Plas, and while she normally had been able to filter out the regular comings and goings of normal people, this time something was off.

Owen. Of course. He was still wearing the walking cast and the limp was what caught her eye. She noticed that he was leaning on the rail overlooking the Quay, not far from the entrance of the tourist centre that doubled as an entrance to the Hub.

Gwen kept watching Owen while she cleared up her lunch rubbish and wondered why he didn’t try to get in. She knew that Owen and Daniel would have butted heads, but it still didn’t make much sense. He could have at least texted her to say he was there. She also knew that was a sore point for Owen, especially after the wedding, but she thought they were doing so well months before that, so why was he just standing there?

Gwen decided to take matters into her own hands. She put a small hand gun into her boot, just in case, you know, he was possessed or angry or something.

She decided to take the stairs through the tourist centre. She opened the door slowly and peered into the sky. Overcast, just like every other day. She walked her normal pace up to Owen. She didn’t want to scare him but she needed the time to assess him better.

He looked ok, blank. Not angry. That was good. She slowed down as she came up right next to him and touched his elbow. “Owen? What are you doing here?”

[Owen Harper]

Owen had felt the gentle touch on his elbow. It was warm and nice feeling. He blinked slowly and looked at Gwen. It was the Gwen he knew. He could see the concern look in her beautiful dark eyes. Gwen was like the mother of Torchwood in a way. Gwen had the heart of kindness and compassion.

“Well officer I am waiting for a mate, her name is Toshiko,” Owen said being a wise arse. Owen gave her a small smile, “why she did not stop by and have a little girl chat?” Owen had figured Toshiko would go talk to Gwen. Maybe, Owen did not know Toshiko that well. He knew Toshiko can beat his arse in video bowling. She creamed him that one night. She won a date to the cinema this all happened before the cast.

Gwen smelled good and it mixed with the salt breeze, Owen had a good nose when it came to Gwen. He smirked when he was playing with that memory in his mind. He looked at Gwen, “What?” It was one of Owen’s generic reactions trying to cover up his dirty mind. And we won’t go there for now.

Owen pulled up his collar to protect his neck from the cold. Owen looked at Gwen, he was thinking he missed her and how he wished he could be working along her. Owen was thinking how he just wanted a good talking with her and to get a good warm Gwen hug from her. The thought of hugging Gwen would make Owen feel things will be right. Owen just was lost. Owen was stirring with angry because of Daniel and the situation he was.

This was getting too deep, the toughness of Owen’s emotions wanted to change the topic or better off Owen was freezing. He started to feel the cold damp hit his bones. Looking over Gwen’s shoulder, “Oh no…” there were five Weevil’s near by all seem to looming near them but not moving near them. “Spidey senses are acting up?” Owen said to the small gang of Weevils.

Owen was looking at the Weevils, he slowly limped to them but they slowly moved away. He was thinking I am not going to harm you. Shh. He was concentrating on one and that one Weevil stood still and gazed at Owen as Owen had it under his power. Oh Owen has powers! Ha right! Owen blinked, stepped back away from the Weevil. The Weevil coward away toward to the other Weevils.

“Gwen, they sense something,” Owen said. “It’s like a nagging pressure here,” Owen said pointing to his forehead. “It’s like they have a third eye to sense disturbance,” Owen said. “I don’t understand but it’s a little nagging but I know it bugs them to hell.” Owen kept his dark eyes on them while he was talking to Gwen. “Trouble lurks when we are together…It is so sexy eh?” he so had to say it.

[Gwen Cooper]

Gwen thought about it. Toshiko had come by, but she hadn’t come right out and said anything. She beat herself up. How many times has Toshiko had something on her mind, but didn’t want to spill, and Gwen had outright just let it go? Damn it, not again. Gwen really used to be quite good at this, but she was slipping. She ignored the dirty look and the feigned innocence, as she knew it was just a game, and for that she was grateful that some part of Owen would always be the same.

But she didn’t have much time to deal with that, because Owen looking at something over her shoulder. She turned around followed where he was looking, and it was Weevils. Shit. She watched in horror as he addressed the weevils and watched the silent tug of war that they seemed to be engaged in.

Owen had turned back to her and told her that they sensed something. Despite the innuendo, he was right, trouble did seem to follow them. “Owen, what do you think it is? You, me, or us? Or something else?” Gwen was inwardly freaking out that they could be the cause of all this.

She also knew that she was just as weird as Owen. She had a sneaking suspicion that she was somehow connected to the rift, that there was a reason she was attracted to Torchwood. Could that be it? Did Owen have it as well? Were they together messing up some cosmic thingy?

“I think we should go down into the Hub. We can out together the evidence, like old times, yeah?” Gwen went to reach for Owen to lead him to the door, but something caught her attention behind her. She turned again to look at the Weevils, who were making growling sounds and acting even stranger, if there ever could be a thing. She cursed herself for leaving her spray in the Hub, but remembered her gun.

She hurried to stand behind Owen and whispered in his ear, “Owen, what’s happening? Why are they acting like that?”

[Owen Harper]

Toshiko might be one of the members that everyone had over looked and took for granted as a person. Ianto might know more about Toshiko than anyone. Owen had never given Toshiko much attention and he starting to realize how dependent he is on Toshiko at Torchwood Four.

Things are very slow over in Glasglow. Glasglow Torchwood is small and it was more like an office. But Toshiko had used her computer skills to upgrade its electronic security. Owen remembered over hear Toshiko mutter it might have tougher security that Torchwood Three.
If Owen had an idea of Gwen assuming that Owen and Gwen have to do something with the rift, Owen would point at Gwen and say ‘PC Gwen’ and just smirk at her. Yea, Owen would be a wise arse to Gwen. Owen was not a person who would change overnight.

Owen, what do you think it is? You, me, or us? Or something else?

Owen heard Gwen’s concern. “No, it is not us,” Owen said slowly and keeping his ground. Feeling the little empathic pull from the Weevils, Owen forced his eyes to look away from one Weevil, it was forcing Owen to concentrate on that one Weevil.

A moment of silence, “No, something stirring in the sea,” Owen said. He believed it was the sea. He turned his head to look at the harbor. He was looking but he could not see it. He could sense the small empathy powers from the Weevils feeling discomfort.

“Stay close,” Owen told to Gwen, the Weevils moved around them and blocking them. Great, Owen thought to himself. “Since I was in the cage with that Weevil I learned something,” Owen said. He closed his dark eyes, remembering when Diane was going flying away from Owen and how mad Owen was mad at how unfair life was. How unfair that Daniel had taken his place. He felt the rage in him. He tapped to the hidden rage in his soul. He opened his dark eyes and sneered at the Weevil feeling the rage going toward the Weevils front of him. The Weevils slowly moved way, bowing their heads to Owen, “It’s like I am a King of the Weevils,” He said taking Gwen’s hand in hand and slowly walked by the circle of Weevils.

The Weevils seemed to be in between fearing the bay and Owen at the same time. He guided Gwen to the Hub, “Ever since I vanished and came back the Weevils been acting like that. And I don’t understand. Jack had seemed to ignore the topic.” Owen stopped himself going bitching about Daniel stealing his job.

“But, I have to admit the Weevils are really acting strange…” he said looking back. He was thinking what could be bothering them. “Like old times,” Owen said it a few times. “What the hell---old times. I mean, er, I don't know," Owen was muttering. "How the hell we have old times?" Owen had the pale confused look. "Ever since Daniel replaced me that's when things gone to hell," he looked at Gwen on the invisible lift. "Tell me this and tell me the truth," he held Gwen's shoulders and looking her dark eyes. "Gwen I vanished a month and I don't remember. I wake up on the bay and I am told Daniel is taken my place. Now tell me is something wrong or is it me? I am fucking scared. Shit scared because nothing makes sense. I tried to ignore it," he stopped and the Weevils seem to be wondering a bit around the invisible lift. "Your kidding me..." Owen said sounding scared. "How are they doing that?"

because I walk with you Owen, death said to Owen. But Owen felt it as a chill down his spine.

“What the hell--?” Owen had felt a chill down his spine. He stopped, looking around because it felt something stepped over his grave. Whatever it was there but now it was gone. Sensing Gwen, “Felt like someone walked over my grave,” Owen said but did not mentioned it happened more than once, it fucking scares him and he swear it felt more real to him. “Come on, I bet Toshiko has something already!” he pulled Gwen along and leaving the Weevils sneering around the lift.

[Gwen Cooper]

King of the Weevils? What the hell? But Gwen knew deep down that Owen didn’t make this kind of shit up when it came down to the really serious stuff. And this was turning into one of those situations really fast.

She let him take her hand as he headed towards the Hub. She was apprehensive, because she knew trouble was waiting for them in the form of Daniel. It was not the smoothest move or decision for Jack, or her for that matter, but it was done and she realized she would have to go in mediator mode when the chance arose.

Owen’s next words confirmed her fears as they reached the lift, what with the tourist entrance being currently blocked off by Weevils. However she was not ready for his next question. How would she explain the decision for Daniel, or what happened to Owen? She wasn’t entirely sure herself. She took Jack at his word and left it at that. She did her best to deal with the situation and Daniel and she got along well enough. Things were functioning.

However before she could say anything, Owen brought her attention to the Weevils who seemed to have followed them there. Shit. Gwen noticed the scared tone in Owen’s voice and the even more terrified looked on his face. She turned back to the Weevils and started freaking out. She knew that normally it wouldn’t be too hard to at least distract them while they ran, but something was really off about this group, and it had something to do with Owen. She clamped both her hands around his bicep while she tried to figure out what to do.

Owen shuddered and proclaimed that something felt like someone had walked over his grave. Oh good, more weird feelings, which she knew you could not ignore around here. Owen was dragging her back the way they came and was talking about Tosh. Gwen felt relieved. She pulled out her phone and managed to text Tosh about their arrival, with the implicit warning about Daniel. She hoped Tosh would get the idea.

[Owen Harper]

Toshiko was the brains on the computers. The time Owen and Gwen got down in the Hub. Toshiko was on the computer reading the rift spikes out in the sea. Toshiko mentioned activity in the ocean and there are Weevils hanging about the back entrance and the tourist section. Toshiko called the other members who could answer.

Hearing all what Toshiko was doing, Owen had gone over to Daniel’s work station. Owen pressed the key on the keyboard to show the Weevils in their cells. They seemed to be reacting like the Weevils above and at the tourist section. “Hm? They seem to be on the same empathy page,” Owen said as he hugged himself.

Toshiko had mentioned a rift opened and the Weevils all seemed to fear back and move away from the Hub but the Weevils in the cells just cower and tried to curl up and protect their body and head. Owen held his hands to his head. It looks like he had a link with the Weevils and whatever the thing that is out in the ocean. And by the way it’s something that can make you feel a pressure above the eyes like a small migraine. Everyone can have a minor because it is an empathic creature.

Toshiko seemed to be rubbing her eyes like she was feeling a small pressure herself. “hm,” she said.

[Gwen Cooper]

Gwen followed Owen to his station, listening to Tosh and Owen’s assessments. She peered over his shoulder to look at the Weevil cam he had brought up on Daniel’s monitor. She placed her hand on his shoulder as she noticed him hugging himself. She frowned. Something was wrong, and she had no idea what.

Her head was pounding. She normally didn’t get headaches unless something was wrong with the rift, and her suspicions were confirmed when Tosh said that the rift was open and that was what was affecting the weevils. And Owen, apparently, who was now holding his head in his hands and looking really bad. Shit, with her rift sensitivity and his Weevil sensitivity, this was going to be one long fucking day. More so than usual when there were no explosives involved.

Something on her monitor caught her eye. She pulled up the blinking window and watched. Her atmospheric sensors had caught something out on the bay, far enough to be out of distance of the pier, but close enough that they should be able to get a boat and go take a look. She kept watching as she dug out a bottle of painkillers, took three and handed the bottle to Tosh, who looked like she had an idea, judging by the way she was rubbing her eyes.

“Owen, look. There is something out in the bay, heading towards the sea really fast. It is close enough we can go by boat. I think Andy could get us one, or we could pay off the locals. What do you think is it worth the look?"

[Owen Harper]

The pain in his head was banging away like a drum (no Master here), Gwen touching his shoulder had helped Owen to feel a little better. Gwen had the womanly touch. In a way, Owen had that loving touch with Katie. Not even Owen’s mother never touched him lovingly. The thing was his mum killed herself because his father vanished. Somehow all the blame was on Owen. Owen family was one of those dysfunctional and he never looked back. The family was not part of him and he let them go a long time.

“PC Andy,” Owen said as he followed Gwen to her computer. “Yea that be good,” Owen said and Tosh said she better stay behind and keep an eye on the activity because she went on about something else could happen. “We don’t need more,” Owen snapped at Tosh.

“Show up in a rift in winter season,” Owen said zipping up his jacket. “We need to tell these rift folk to come in the right season at the locations…” he muttered. “And I hate the smell of the ocean. Second to the smell of grass!” Oh yea you bet Owen will complain about his environment! There was a low sound from Owen’s arse, “Now that is a welcome smell!” He quickly gone to his computer, pull out a pain killers from his draw and took some. “These are stronger,” he handed a few to Tosh and toss the bottle to Gwen. “PC Andy is that one who has a crush on you? “ he asked Gwen.

[Gwen Cooper]

Gwen smirked as she pulled out her phone and rang Andy. Hopefully he would be up for it; she knew that she asked more favours than she should. Luckily she always got away with making up for it with dinner. He was a star.

She looked at the painkillers that Owen handed her. Since she already taken some, she would save these for later. She put the bottle in her pocket just as Andy picked up the phone. “Andy love, it’s Gwen. I was wondering if you could be a pet and let us use one of the Bay patrol boats to look at something. You can even come with us if you like.” Gwen listened to the reply on the other end. Andy had turned down the invite but had given permission as long as she paid a deposit and she owed him two dinners.

She grinned. “No problem darling, name the place and time and I am all yours. Rhys knows what the deal is.”

She hung up and smiled to the room. “Ok, well transport is all ours. Give me ten minutes to set up the money transfer and then we can go. Andy will meet us there to sign off the boat.” Gwen turned to her computer and set up an electronic transfer.

She then grabbed her coat as she waited for it to go through and checked her pockets for weevil spray and a few guns hidden in strategic places. She smirked again at the thought of Owen watching this little scene.

“Ok, Owen, you ready to go? Tosh you are welcome to join or watch our progress on the computers.” Gwen made for the door that led to the tourist centre exit.

The computer had indicated it was getting more urgent and she didn’t want to take any chances, so she grabbed GPS trackers and torches and even some snacks, just in case. She knew that the boat came with life vest and warm blankets and extra coats, so they were set on that front. Hopefully they would be ok.

Gwen debated leaving a note for Daniel, but she figured he would call her if he was really worried.

She looked back to see if Owen was behind her.

[Jenny]

The depths of Cardiff Bay were a cold, wet, dark, and dismal place. But it also housed her only reliable transportation, since once again her father was nowhere to be found.

She had felt little guilt in borrowing the duel tank scuba diving apparatus and searching for her submerged ship. She had been out in the water for what seemed like hours. It had taken her approximately 90 min to find her ships remains and another hour and a half to regain access, flush the interior, fix life support, and make attempts at repairing the cloaking shielding.

The last bit had taken hours but by then the scuba tanks were no longer needed and all but the scuba suit had been tossed into her small cargo hold. It was still freezing cold and the suit gave her some protection against the deadly cold.

Jenny didn’t want to cause a commotion when she resurfaced. Unfortunately however, instead of the ship appearing invisible it had a ghostly presents that was visible to the naked eye. There was no help for it; she knew any other repairs would have to be completed on dry land.

Slowly the ship had arisen to the water’s surface and its ghostly echoed appearance did nothing to hide its unnatural bulky presents in the water. She swore as she bypassed a few flight systems and used the engines as a sort of propellant to move the ship quickly away from the bay and out to open sea.

“Need to get you away from the populace; those people are suspicious and insane,” she said out loud, her voice echoing throughout the shuttle. The ship may not have been flight ready but it glided through the dark, cold, waters quit well.

As the ship moved forward she thought back on her landing and all that had happened since she had crashed here.

[Owen Harper]

Owen had stopped sipping his coffee when he gave a glare at Gwen for inviting the PC. Great what he needed Gwen’s puppy to tag along. He shook his head to her. He tried to warn her. “I might get the little puppy a doggy bone,” Owen said to Gwen.

Owen was enjoying the view of Gwen checking up her toys and he was grabbing for his coat. “To easy,” he said smirking at her. “Waaaay to easy…Oh wait…Ryhs” he pushed her aside as he moved away from her. He was toying with her. God he loved playing with Gwen.

He ran ahead. He pulled out his gun before he got in the SUV. He got in the driver side and put the seat belt. “Safety,” he said grinning to Gwen. “For puppy love and he stays put,” Owen said igniting the engine by turning the key of the SUV.

Driving the SUV to the location, Tosh kept them updated on any changes. There was not much for now but a disturbance. Stopping the SUV where PC Andy was waiting by his police cruiser. “Two dinners…” he looked at Gwen. “Two dinners? Him?” he shook his head. “Donut shop quality,” he said getting out.

“Hello PC Andy,” Owen said. “Oh here from Gwen,” Owen actually gave PC Andy a bone. Owen moved back to the SUV to get his gear. Toshiko contacted that there seem to be a reading of something else could be out there. Tosh informed she break it down more if she could. “Thanks Tosh,” Owen told Toshiko.

[Gwen Cooper]

Gwen followed Owen, and decided not to bite at the puppy joke that he made about Andy. While the dock was within walking distance, it was best to drive if they needed to get away in a hurry.

She waved to Andy and again bit back any retort about the dinners. It was actually a very good deal. Andy knew all the best places, Rhys knew what the deal was and was never jealous and she didn’t have to divulge any information that she didn’t have to.

Gwen narrowed her eyes as Owen actually gave Andy a bone and gave Andy an apologetic and sympathetic look. She vowed to get Owen back for that one.

She climbed into the boat and put on her life vest. Andy had given her the keys under the condition that only she would drive it. She waited for Owen to climb aboard and also get buckled into his vest before starting the craft.

After waving to Andy on the shore, she picked up her phone and called Tosh. “Tosh, we have just taken off. I have the radar on the boat as well as the tracker, and I remembered to bring the ear pieces so that we can keep on top of it together.”

She nodded and hung up and put her ear piece in while handing Owen his. She turned to the bay and followed the tracker. The steady beeps were leading them to God knows what, Tosh had told them that there was definitely something out there, and it wasn’t weather. It was moving outwards, not towards the city. Gwen wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not, as she didn’t want to be stranded, but didn’t want people to get hurt.

Then something caught her eye. She wasn’t sure, and as she tried to get a better look at it, it was gone. She was sure that there was something though, her instincts were very rarely wrong. Her tracker was beeping a little bit fast and louder now and the water was a lot more disturbed than the police boat could possibly be capable of. Whatever it was, it was at least the same size as what they were in, and fast.

Then she caught it again. Something shimmery, almost ghostly, yet solid. Gwen’s hand drifted to her gun and looked around the boat, her eyes landing on Owen. “Owen, come here. Do you see what I see?” she whispered, not that it mattered; the engine would give them away.

[Owen Harper]

Owen was looking out of the water. It was hard to believe he was seeing something that was not there. He slowly closed his eyes for half a second. He slowly opened his eyes to look. He had tried to open his eyes to a point where he tried to not look right at but shifted his eyes a bit to see what was not there but he knew it was there. He had learned that trick with the double images people drew.

He peered at the screen Gwen was looking at. He too pulled out his gun out. He checked it. He whispered back to Gwen because she whispered. “Yea” He had put the life preserver on and be sure it was on secure because he can’t float. He sinks. He quickly moved to the dashboard of the boat they were in and he found the magnify goggles on the boat. He put them to his eyes and tried to look. He took them from his eyes.

Owen called Tosh up. “You got the readings we got, Toshiko,” said Owen. Toshiko replied saying that reading wasn’t there before. That wasn’t the rift activity. It has to be something else. Owen thanked Toshiko.

Owen aimed his gun to the area by standing up. He was aiming but he could not figure where he wanted to let a bullet fly. This could be good or bad. He had the gut feeling saying don’t do it but the other side of him was not sure. He was waiting for something to happen. A reason to fire let a shot go. He feared it was dangerous. But he feared it might be something innocent. He was thinking shoot it first before it attacked. He adjusted his finger on the trigger. The look in Owen’s eyes was planning to do it.