Lessons for the team [for slayers_desire]

[fractured_agent]

Every now and again, Jack stumbles over something else about being a leader that he doesn't know, and today is one of those days. While he'd known that Torchwood One trained their operatives in psychic shielding, he wasn't qualified to teach it himself, and psychic aliens are rare enough that it didn't occur to him that it might be necessary, especially with the high turnover rate of Torchwood Three personnel.

But today has reminded him that it's a very real danger, and necessary to shield against those sorts of intrusions.

He's in a bit better mood than last time as he calls the one person he feels is best qualified to teach this skill.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

"The best thing is to make your practice part of your schedule. Find a moment where you can concentrate on the task, without interruptions."

[fractured_agent]

"Not very likely to find that sort of time in our line of work," Tosh says.

"We'll make time," Jack replies. "Before bed, during meal breaks, whenever you find the opportunity."

[slayers_desire]

"I am a mother. A fashion designer. An artist. And a member of my own team that protects innocents. But I still find time."

[fractured_agent]

"We never know when the Rift is going to be active, so it's hard to set time aside," Tosh explains. "Will it hurt us any if it's interrupted?"

[slayers_desire]

"It won't hurt you, as long as you can reclaim your practice time at a later time, once the Rift situation is resolved."

[fractured_agent]

"We can stagger it if the Rift's acting up," Gwen suggests. "Someone usually needs to stay behind in the Hub anyway to monitor things."

[slayers_desire]

"You don't have to do it as a group either..."

[fractured_agent]

"We'll figure something out," Ianto agrees.

[slayers_desire]

"I know you will... you are all strong people, and you did well today."

[fractured_agent]

Though they don't all necessarily show it, they're pleased by the compliment. "Right then, I'm starving," Owen says. "Speaking of meal breaks. Anyone up for pizza?"

There are voices of agreement, and Jack looks over at April. "Want to stay for lunch? It's the least I can do to thank you for your help."

[slayers_desire]

"I would be honored." April smiles in return. She is glad that the others were happy due to her praise. She is also happier that they took the first steps to protecting their own minds.

[fractured_agent]

Ianto nods a little as he makes note of her answer, and heads up to the tourist office to call in the order to the local pizza place.

"Should be here in twenty minutes," Jack tells her. "We order in a lot."

[slayers_desire]

"How do the delivery food get down here, without revealing your location?"

[fractured_agent]

"There's a tourism information centre along the waterfront that serves as an alternate entrance," Jack says. "Ianto usually mans the desk, so he'll pick it up. I bet they're wondering how he can eat four pizzas on the regular and still keep that fine body he's got."

[slayers_desire]

April smiles softly when Jack makes that flirty comment about Ianto. "We usually have one of our members get the take-out order. It usually gets to us faster that way..."

[fractured_agent]

"Yeah, well, we're stuck to only human speeds here," Jack says with a grin. The others have gone to their desks to work on projects while waiting for the pizza to arrive.

[slayers_desire]

"They are a good team Jack. I can see why they work well with each other, considering each of their strengths."

[fractured_agent]

"We don't always have a good balance, but this team, I'm most proud of."

[slayers_desire]

"You should tell them that more often."

"Are you aware of the current tension between them?"

[fractured_agent]

"You're gonna have to be a bit more specific." Jack's aware of a lot more than his team thinks he knows, but he isn't omniscient either.

[slayers_desire]

"Gwen... and Owen?"

[fractured_agent]

"Ah. That." A hint of disappointment is in his eyes. "When Gwen joined us, I encouraged her to hold onto her life outside this place, her boyfriend especially."

[slayers_desire]

"Her guilt is eating away at her."

[fractured_agent]

"I can't do anything about that, much as I'd like to. She has to make the decision to go back to Rhys." Jack is disappointed in Gwen for making this choice, but he's her boss, not her father. He can't dictate what his team does in their off-hours. "Unless it starts disrupting team cohesion, she's an adult and she can make her own mistakes."

[slayers_desire]

"It just might be a sensitive matter right now, since Tosh was able to read it off Gwen while using the talismen. That might be the only disruption..."