torchwoodinstitute | Welcome to the Hub

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Welcome to the Hub

Who: Gabriel and Mohinder with appearances by Jack Harkness and JC.
When: July 20, after this thread of doom.
What: Mohinder and Gabriel accept Jack's invitation and join Torchwood.

Mohinder might as well have had his hands and nose pressed to the ass as the SUV descended on the platform from the plaza above. The Hub was darker and less clinical than he had imagined from the way Jack had spoken briefly about Torchwood Institute. The walls were either brick of off white ceramic subway tiles, shaped like a massive tube around a central core. Walkways and stairs connected levels above and below them and rooms seemed to jut off from the main area like the spokes of a wheel.

No wonder Jack called it a Hub.

Wide eyed and half confused, when the car stopped moving, Mohinder jumped out of it to examine the winch system and try to find the opening they had slowly dropped through, though that had disappeared. He gripped the yellow industrial lift control box, which looked like something out of a warehouse or a mine, and frowned at the buttons.

"I was expecting something more... Futuristic, I suppose," Mohinder muttered to himself and set out around the catwalk, trying to look both up and down at the same time.

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Mohinder's expression was understandable. Gabriel couldn't quite feel the same. He had tried to forget that he lived half the past year by taking naps in motels and the beds of those he killed, their rotting corpses one or two rooms away. He still had to acknowledge that he had no right lingering on the dead. So his expression was rather unreadable for a moment, then he shrugged. "I know, but- Jack made the offer to us. It has to be all right with him."

He turned, looking at the rest of the bedroom, and waving with a sweeping gesture. "So I think we should take this one. I like it about the same as the first, and a change of pace would be good for me. I can tell you like this one better, too. I might pick up the occasional memory, but that's always true. Plus, I'll get some practice in with the ability."

He stepped closer, bringing his face close to Mohinder's. He smiled gently at him. "So what do you say?"

"I say quite a few things," Mohinder teased, turning so he didn't have to arch his back. "Though in this particular case, I believe a simple 'yes' might do." Even Mohinder's simple yeses took two sentences to get out! It was lucky that Gabriel liked that about him. "And I also say that we have some things to clear out and possibly return to Jack."

He didn't want to sleep in a dead man's sheets or use his mugs. No, rather, he didn't want Gabriel to share them with him because of the memory factor. Mohinder was ready to make new memories.

"And I say that you'd better kiss me or I'll likely say far more," he teased.

Yes, changing items out was a very good idea. He was about to say as much, but then Mohinder gave him something of an ultimatum. "And what if I said I could be happy listening to you read the phone book, because your voice is just that perfect?" Gabriel never used the word 'perfect' lightly, either. "Your ultimatum isn't terribly effective," he added, smirking slightly. But he leaned in for a kiss, anyway.

Mohinder's lips were soft and dry as they pressed against his own. Gabriel quickly upped the ante, opening his mouth and lightly brushing his fingers over Mohinder's neck and ears, then gripping the front of the man's shirt as he pressed forward even more. His kiss became intense, needy, and wanton.

And then, just as quickly, he pulled away, a teasing glee in his eyes. "So we've got some shopping to do. We should probably go grab the things we need for tonight. Then we can settle in." those things included new sheets, probably some groceries, and definitely some other items that would go unmentioned. He had just needed a taste of what was to come, especially since they'd both gotten a bit worked up in that first apartment.

Mohinder had half a mind to wrestle Gabriel's pants to his knees but did think better of it for the time being. That kiss had taken his breath away with his words and he was only now just realising what he had said about his voice. Mohinder was rather pleased by that and as they moved about the house cleaning up things that Gabriel might not care to touch (both in gloves found under the sink) to put in boxes, he chatted softly away about things of very little consequence.

While making eyes. Because he could. Thankfully, his current state of bruising wasn't an issue with the way Gabriel looked at him! That wolffish grin had on d been terrifying. Now it was something else all together.

There were several boxes to deliver by the end of the afternoon but Mohinder suggested that they leave them. "Torchwood has a car we can borrow. Shall we return the other keys and make this new home ours?"

They both were very efficient, the looks they gave each other spurring them to work even faster. Gabriel's fastidiousness meant that they didn't miss anything while they cleaned up, and the gloves meant that he didn't accidentally touch anything that looked like a memento, or that looked well-used. He could've used telekinesis for most of this, but carrying things side by side with Mohinder actually felt more natural, to his surprise.

He'd practically forgotten about that SUV- he grinned and nodded. "Let's go." This would give them a chance to warn Jack that items were incoming- plus, he didn't know if Jack actually knew about the clairsentience, since that was a recent acquirement.

They took the Underground back to the Wales Millenium Center. Gabriel stared at the fountain appreciatively before finding his way to the tourist center they'd been shown on the way out. "We could actually use some of these," he said of the various brochures on and near the desk, looking amused. He'd feel like a tourist for quite awhile, he thought.

"This feels a bit like when I was younger," Mohinder said as he shoved some brochures into pockets that barely had room for a wallet or phone. "I was engaged once, an arranged engagement between my family and hers. Fairly common even now in India though typically the arrangements are made while a couple are dating. We started at a pharmaceutical firm together and moved away to Mumbai."

He pressed in the code Jack had given them to work the door and waited for it to open so that they could head into the HUB.

"I'm rather amazed you appreciate the way I speak. I've been told, and often, that my pillow talk had little to be desired." Mohinder laughed in that velvety musical way of his as he turned the small curve in the wall only to be confronted by a tall blond haired and blue eyed man.

Jim had been twirling in a chair at the control screens watching the camera feed from the unmanned visitor center (an alarm had gone off when someone entered) but it took him a moment to really focus on the paler of the two men in the shot. So when the door opened, he'd grabbed a gun, shoved it in the back of his pants, and got ready to try to explain this place away in case his eyes were deceiving him.

But they hadn't been.

"What the hell are you doing here, Spock?!"

He was a little surprised to hear that Mohinder had an arranged engagement, but clearly that hadn't worked out. That little piece of information did make him realize that he didn't know much about Mohinder's past, other than the few things Chandra had told him in between tests. He'd ask when they had some downtime.

Gabriel was equally amazed that Mohinder didn't know he had an amazing voice, especially with that laugh right afterwards. "Well, they clearly don't--"

His intended compliment was cut off by the man in front of them, who looked very much like he'd seen a ghost. Gabriel glanced at Mohinder, his brows furrowing. "We...work here? Or at least, we will, starting tomorrow. Guess Jack hasn't had enough time to fill everyone in."

Gabriel wanted to get the best first impression he could manage with these people. So despite his confusion, he held a hand out for shaking. "I'm Gabriel Gray, this is Doctor Mohinder Suresh. Good to meet you."

"Yes, a pleasure," Mohinder was saying before the blond did his wander in a half arc around the other man. He wasn't interested in Mohinder at all (Mohinder was getting use to this and stepped aside). His eyes were only for Gabriel.

Was this someone else Sylar had wronged? He did call him but a somewhat similar name. Another pseudonym? Like Zane Taylor had been? Mohinder had tried his best not to let it get to him. Jumping to conclusions would help no one.

"Cut the crap, Spock. It's me," Jim all but pleaded. "I didn't think I'd even see you again!"

Gabriel didn't take very well to being circled, and raised an eyebrow at the man while turning to follow him.

"Spock? I've never heard of him." That was a bit of a strange name, but he knew he should expect strange once they got into Torchwood. And it was strange that this man was still insisting, even after getting a good look at him.

He spared a quick glance at Mohinder, and shook his head, shrugging a little. Mohinder had no idea either, that was obvious. And he looked a little peeved. Great.

Turning back to the blonde, he sighed slightly. "Do I really look like this guy?" There weren't a ton of people with his build and facial features. He knew that- he had to go a bit out of the way to be inconspicuous at times, after all.

"Do you-- Okay, I know you're not him. He doesn't have a sense of humor," Jim replied, still looking mildly worried before he reached out to take Gabriel by the ear and run his finger over the smooth, rounded edge of it. He stepped back after a moment, clearly disconcerted, and bit his lower lip.

Mohinder wasn't really sure that he liked this particular brand of questioning and so he slipped between the two. He was good at that, getting in the middle of things.

"Uh...excuse me... Hi. Who are you?"

Jim only offered Mohinder a glance. "James T. Kirk. Time Agent." He shook his head at Gabriel and then offered Mohinder his hand. "Sorry. I knew this could happen but...your friend looks exactly like my First Officer."

He wasn't entirely sure what Jim was doing as he reached up to touch his ear, but he let him do it. He was fairly sure the man wasn't trying to attack him or anything. He clearly missed his friend....who had something weird about his ears, apparently.

He was rather grateful for Mohinder stepping in, however. It saved him from having to push the guy off him. Could've gotten awkward. He was a little annoyed that everyone seemed to pay no attention to Mohinder, though. As much as he liked attention, he'd finally found someone who was amazing enough to be around, and apparently no one else was going to acknowledge that. It made him mildly frustrated.

"First Officer, where you originally came from?" he asked. He doubted there were First Officers for Time Agents. "I didn't know this could happen. I'm gonna guess it has to do with the Rift?" James seemed to know more than they did, unsurprisingly, so it fell on him to explain.

"Captain of a starship," Jim said, still trying to pick out the differences that Gabriel might have that Spock did not. "He might be your great-great grandson. He's half human," the blond pointed out before he finally smiled at Mohinder. "Jack did tell me there was a Gabriel and Mohinder coming. Sorry about that."

He wasn't really the sort to stick around when he was feeling some sort of way and oh, yes, he was really feeling weird here. He wasn't sure how he felt working with a Spock lookalike to be perfectly honest... And it showed.

Mohinder started after Jim but instead, turned back to Gabriel and arched an eyebrow. "Did he say half human...?"

"He also said starship," Gabriel noted. "Sounds fun."

He didn't mind Jim heading off so quickly- he was feeling really weird about this, too. Out of all the strange possibilities, that he might look exactly like (or at least really close to) someone from the future? And it was someone Jim thought he'd never see again.

He didn't say any of that, although Mohinder might've noticed the conflict on his face. Instead, he added, "Must be a race with elf ears, the way he was looking at mine."

He was going to follow that up with another off-hand remark to get the conversation going. But he couldn't think of anything to say, for once. So instead, he shrugged at the strangeness and started heading down the hallway to the Hub proper. "C'mon, let's see if we can find Jack." Somehow, his hand found Mohinder's, while he stared straight ahead. He wanted the contact, all of a sudden.

Mohinder had to laugh. "You focus on the space ships and I focus on the biology," he noted. "Perhaps that's why we get along? We have just enough interest to make us compatible and outlying interests to keep ourselves amused. He climbed the steps two at a time, up and around the central core, glancing at the doors as they passed them until one stood open with a certain greatcoat hanging on an old fashioned rack nearby.

Jack Harkness was in the building.

Mohinder poked his head inside and gave a little knock on the door. With all of the upgraded technology, he was a little surprised to see that Jack was flipping through a paper file, presumably whatever mission the others had been on if Jim was back.

"We've chosen the seaside cottage," he said cheerfully and Jack's face was unreadable before he smiled.

"Good. It needs some life in it."

"Maybe," Gabriel replied to Mohinder, a smile creeping back onto his face. It was a good explanation, their mixture of interests, always seeming to meet at the middle.

Jack seemed okay with them taking the cottage. Gabriel figured he would be, but sometimes he made the wrong call on these things. As Jack talked about bringing life back to it, Gabriel's mouth drew back into a line- not quite a smile, but certainly not a frown. "We'll take good care of it. It's beautiful there."

He glanced down at the floor for a moment before continuing. "And- well, we packed some things away, too. I don't know if you knew, but I recently picked up clairsentience from someone at Primatech. I'm still not an expert with it, and I didn't want to needlessly intrude. We can leave that in the second bedroom for awhile, or bring it over here, whatever you want." He gave the option because he didn't think he'd want to be confronted with that sort of thing, all of a sudden.

Jack had that awful, knowing smile of his plastered intently on his face. "I handed Mohinder the keys for a reason. I didn't want who those places belonged to to influence you."

First it had been the doctor's flat. Owen had been resurrected through alien technology to the point where he was alive but his flesh was not. He could no longer eat or feel and his skin could not heal but he lived... Until he didn't.

The second was Gwen's place. She and her husband and her baby wanted nothing to do with Jack and he never blamed them. Not with a little girl to look after.

And finally... Ianto's cottage. He couldn't just keep that to himself forever. Most of the other man's possessions were moved. Gone. He kept his pocket watch close.

"But you should move whatever you want. I'll put the boxes in storage. I guess this means you'll want a salary advance? What was Angie paying you?"

Mohinder smiled sheepishly. "Letting us be together I suppose was payment...?"

Oh, so Mohinder getting the keys was just so he wouldn't be pushed one way or another. Jack earned a smirk and a slight eyeroll with that knowing smile. Gabriel thought he'd probably have kept informed on any powers he'd developed. At least that meant that if he popped up with information he probably shouldn't have, Jack would know where it came from. That tended to make people less suspicious, if more annoyed.

Jack started talking about moving things (and that was good to hear, he had been thinking about making the second bedroom a study) and salary advances. Mohinder tried to explain their 'arrangement' with Primatech and Gabriel laughed. "It was more of a congenial hostage situation than it was a job. Although it looked like Angela was going to try to pay me in suits, eventually. And Mohinder in high-tech lab equipment."

He shrugged. "If it helps, I made about 45 grand a year in my watchmaking business, when I didn't put it all back into the business." It was clear he wasn't terribly concerned about the money. He could scrimp pretty easily, and they both were workaholics regardless of their salary. An advance for moving-in materials would be nice, though- especially since Peter wasn't around to trick people into taking American money.

"How did you survive in New York on that?" Jack laughed, teasing.

"You make due," Mohinder said, coming quick to the rescue. "I managed to survive in Brooklyn on a cab driver's salary--"

"And a trust fund. And your father's life insurance..." Jack let it go. He could see from Mohinder's eyes that the father topic was not something to be brought up. And he could understand that.

Mohinder took the seat across from Jack and folded his hands on the desk. "What are you offering, other than room and board?"

Jack wrote a figure on a piece of paper. There were at least six digits. He folded the paper and handed it to Mohinder. "How about that, each, to start?"

Mohinder had never seen half a million dollars before, let alone half a million pounds. His mouth dropped.

Neither Mohinder and Gabriel wanted Jack talking about Chandra's life insurance. Or Chandra. Gabriel made a sour face at the mention, as well. They got on, so far, by not talking about him as much as possible.

Gabriel had been about to assert that he did all right in Queens on his salary, even if it was difficult sometimes. But Mohinder thankfully interjected with a different subject.

While Mohinder's mouth dropped, Gabriel's eyes bulged. He didn't even see the amount, but he saw that extra digit there. And that was in addition to the place? He glanced at Mohinder, slightly dumbstruck but also amused. "Well, this is different than Primatech. I think that'd be just fine with me. You, Mohinder?"

"Why so much?" Mohinder had learned to be skeptical beyond just scientifically. He'd been beaten and used and hurt badly enough that he was almost touch shy to these companies. "What do you want from us?"

Jack had given much the same speech to a hundred before Mohinder. He would give it to a hundred after too. Closing the file, Jack smiled. It was hollow but mohinder couldn't read him that well. Gabriel, who had given those same smiles, would know it far better than his boyfriend. "The average life expectancy for a Torchwood Agent is forty or a decade of service. Whatever comes first. You're compensated for risking your life just being in the Hub, before you're sent on any missions. You might not be a field man, doctor. But you will be exposed to likely toxic alien biology on a regular basis. Your pay is to give you a good life while you're here, saving the future of humanity. Gabriel's is to make sure he enjoys yours while you are with us."

There wasn't an ounce of candy coating there. The two had a choice to make now.

Gabriel started frowning as soon as Jack said 'life expectancy' and that frown only deepened while the man went on. He'd known this, of course- it wasn't just the money. Knowing that they worked at fixing time itself, seeing that remains were kept here, hearing and seeing displays of mourning the lost. This was a dangerous job, even moreso than Primatech. Or perhaps they just acknowledged it.

But the thing was, Gabriel didn't want to acknowledge it. He wanted to find a way around it, because this didn't suit him at all. His eyes hardened as he looked somewhere behind Jack, off into the distance. He'd have to start carrying around a syringe of his blood, in case Mohinder got infected with something or injured badly. And he'd have to prioritize finding a way to make Mohinder immortal, as well.

He chewed on his lip for a moment, thinking about it, before turning to look at Mohinder. "This is up to you. I can do anything, with you. We could head somewhere else, get settled somewhere, you could focus on your research." But he thought he knew the answer he'd get already. They'd seen too much here, and it was all too tempting.

"And leave the world hanging?" Mohinder asked, relatively serene. "I think it's a small price to pay. And you'll never need to watch me grow old," he pointed out, which struck a cord in Jack. Wives, lovers, Ianto had said the same thing to him. It was why Jack grew wise and left when it became obvious that he was never aging.

It was harder on the people he loved than their deaths were on him. He kept going on. But they obsessed. Their lives were stretched and horrible. And Jack didn't want it for them. "Let me add one more pleasantry. I'm not telling you to cut ties but no one can know about us or the details of what we do. Understood?"

Mohinder nodded quickly. "Just show me where to sign, Captain. I'm ready to see what the universe has to offer."

This was the first time that Gabriel really had to face the implications of his immortality. He hadn't had time yet to see things and people grow old around him, and he couldn't- didn't want to- guess at what that would be like. Mohinder's reassurance that Gabriel 'wouldn't watch him grow old' was anything but reassuring.

But as he suspected, Mohinder had already made the decision. In fact, no matter what they got into, it'd likely be fairly dangerous- it was the sort of people they were. Gabriel allowed himself a brief moment of sadness, rubbing the palms of his hands on his eyes and down his face, before he reasserted to himself that he'd find a more acceptable solution.

He took a deep breath, in and out, and then he smiled. It was the same fake smile Jack had given them. "We're on board, then. And don't worry, I don't think my mom's heart could handle this. She's going to have a hard enough time accepting that I can manage to move out of New York."

When the ink was drying and Jack was done flirting, Mohinder and Gabriel were told to report tomorrow around noon for training. It was going to give them the rest of the afternoon and morning tomorrow to spend together before Jack purposefully separated them. He didn't think Mohinder really needed to be going through pocket portals and Gabriel was going to have to learn to experience days or weeks or months at a time while Mohinder only went through a few hours without him.

Time travel, like time itself, was not only relative but kind of a bitch like that.

Mohinder was somewhat surprised when he stopped to get milk and some bread and cereal and whatever else Gabriel wanted at the Tescos and saw what was left in his account after running the card through the chip and pin machine.

He almost choked.

"This is going to take so much getting use to!"

Gabriel heard the strange noise Mohinder made and leaned over his shoulder to snoop on the amount. He let out a low whistle. "I knew we'd be getting an advance, but it still hasn't sunk in yet. I'd ask you to pinch me, but- well, we can get to that." He smirked at Mohinder. "Looks like I'll be able to afford more than one suit, now." He was planning on getting good use out of that fancy closet.

Gabriel helped Mohinder carry the groceries back to their new home, and it felt great to talk and laugh and to not have to worry about goals or betrayal or anything but getting home. Of course, his mind was still on the lookout for the unusual, but being away from Primatech made him feel like a heavy weight had been lifted off of him.

Taking the time to put the groceries away, at this point, was the hardest thing his willpower had to endure. It was shortly after Tesco that the two had gotten back to full-on 'making eyes' at each other, and it was difficult for him to keep from immediately kissing Mohinder as they walked in the door. But Gabriel reminded himself that this was truly the last task they had before they could fully enjoy their evening, so they might as well get it done.

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