An inner cap for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch, the inner cap comprising: an inner component having an interior surface and an exterior surface , the inner component defining a longitudinal axis of the inner cap; an outer component circumferentially disposed around the inner component, the outer component having an interior surface , an exterior surface , and an annular region , the annular region extending beyond the inner component along the longitudinal axis toward a torch end; a set of radial liquid passageways (114A-F) formed in the annular region of the outer component and oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, the set of liquid passageways configured to pass a liquid coolant from a nozzle of the plasma arc torch to a shield of the plasma arc torch; and a gas channel formed within the inner cap, the gas channel comprising: a first portion of the gas channel defined, at least in part, by a portion of the exterior surface of the inner component and a portion of the interior surface of the outer component; and a second portion of the gas channel defined within the annular region of the outer component, the second portion including a set of axial gas passageways (118A-C) configured to pass the gas to the shield of the plasma arc torch, wherein, in the annular region, subsets of passageways in the set of liquid passageways and the set of gas passageways alternate in a rotational direction about the longitudinal axis to create a cross-flow of liquid and gas during operation of the plasma arc torch. an inner component having an interior surface and an exterior surface , the inner component defining a longitudinal axis of the inner cap; an outer component circumferentially disposed around the inner component, the outer component having an interior surface , an exterior surface , and an annular region , the annular region extending beyond the inner component along the longitudinal axis toward a torch end; a set of radial liquid passageways (114A-F) formed in the annular region of the outer component and oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, the set of liquid passageways configured to pass a liquid coolant from a nozzle of the plasma arc torch to a shield of the plasma arc torch; and a gas channel formed within the inner cap, the gas channel comprising: a first portion of the gas channel defined, at least in part, by a portion of the exterior surface of the inner component and a portion of the interior surface of the outer component; and a second portion of the gas channel defined within the annular region of the outer component, the second portion including a set of axial gas passageways (118A-C) configured to pass the gas to the shield of the plasma arc torch, wherein, in the annular region, subsets of passageways in the set of liquid passageways and the set of gas passageways alternate in a rotational direction about the longitudinal axis to create a cross-flow of liquid and gas during operation of the plasma arc torch. a first portion of the gas channel defined, at least in part, by a portion of the exterior surface of the inner component and a portion of the interior surface of the outer component; and a second portion of the gas channel defined within the annular region of the outer component, the second portion including a set of axial gas passageways (118A-C) configured to pass the gas to the shield of the plasma arc torch, wherein, in the annular region, subsets of passageways in the set of liquid passageways and the set of gas passageways alternate in a rotational direction about the longitudinal axis to create a cross-flow of liquid and gas during operation of the plasma arc torch. <EOS>