Aliens!

That was the first thing that came to mind as soon as he heard the message. And probably the same first thing that everyone from nearby rooms had instantly thought as well.

He was in his office at Torchwood, London.

Several heads had turned when the as-of-yet-unnamed alien crossed –and rather politely, to everyone’s amazement- the main door of Seth’s department. Curious and confused eyes had watched as the creature had gone slowly past the desks of that very floor, until it had reached its destination. But Seth was too focused on his work to pay attention to anything else. The silver form had spent the first minute waiting patiently, until Seth finally hung the small mobile phone that he was just then holding.

”No, that’s impossible. It can’t have” he was saying indignantly ”I insist that I personally made sure that the best men were sent over for the job. And I must say, th-” short pause ”The body is being fully examined, I thought I just said that” he replied coldly.”No, no traces of venom, just blood pouring out of him as if he were a bloody fountain” and by bloody, he meant, literally, bloody. With a thoughtful expression written in his face, Seth took the photograph that was laid at arm’s reach in his desk, and glanced back at it. My God, what a terrible sight.

”Cicere, look, I’m a busy man” he retorted impatiently to the other side of the cell phone. ”If you have any more questions, just ask the forensics department, I’m sure they’ll be… ah, ‘delighted’ to explain the situation. Enjoy the day.” and not caring at all on whether or not she would reply to him, he turned off the small device.

And gasped, realizing for the first time that he had… odd company.

Waving his hands in defeated as he rolled his eyes, Seth got up as the alien handed him Pete’s message. ”Like I have any choice” he muttered, exasperated. Hell. Couldn’t aliens try and be more careful just for once? Was that really that much to ask? Apparently so. Well, of course it was -there was always ‘Dear Sethie’ to look forward to, right? Sure, Sethie-Seth could clean up the mess for us evil aliens, so why such a fuss in regards of this whole thing? Let’s all make use of this generous superiority of his!

Le sigh. Life was certainly not for the weak.

* * *

It was just an ordinary routine thing. Since he was a Government Liaison, Seth was expected to keep up with all sorts of updates on all types of issues that came from Torchwood 24 and –if possible- from the other, nearer branches so he could deal with fluency on these tactful matters with less mentally-prepared people.

This, of course, implied having to clean up the mess after every alien disaster. Which wasn't an easy task more often than not.

And so the man walked down to where he was told –and as he walked he thought in silence.

The tall and brooding man in question advanced onwards until he arrived at a certain door, opening it and entering while his eyes searched for a particular trace of flesh that he could actually recognize. And there it was: after a few seconds of observational search, Seth spotted the silhouette. And he smiled cheekily.

”Finally. I thought I’d never see the day when you’d subtly invite me to a picnic.”