Jack and Gwen ran down an alley as their target was slowly drawing closer. 'Almost got you', ran through Jack's mind as they rounded a corner. Their target was approaching the street. She seemed confused and utterly terrified. Jack could tell a female when he saw one, well, for most cases that were true at least, and based on the figure and the fact that her clothes appeared to be from this planet and of this time period he was sure that this was a humanoid female. If she was human from the present, it didn't seem likely that she would have come through the rift. However, the recent disturbance in the rift hadn't been a typical one.
It was early morning during midweek and running through Cardiff at 3AM wasn't necessarily what they'd all had in mind, but a few hours ago a sharp jump in energy readings from the rift had been more than enough to get them all up out of bed. Once they'd all assembled at headquarters, Ianto and Tosh set up a search grid based on readings of remnant rift energy in the area. "Having trouble narrowing it down, Jack. That surge was like nothing we've seen before. It's blanketed Cardiff and we're having a hard time making out anything distinct." Tosh's hands worked deftly at the keyboard, but the furrowing of her brow told Jack Harkness all that he needed to know. "I suppose we'll have to do this the old fashioned way then." Running his fingers under his suspenders and taking a deep breath, he left for his office. Sitting at his desk with a glass of water, he turned on a police scanner and sat patiently, reading through some long-ignored file. A robbery here, a fire there, nothing out of the ordinary until a call from a patrolman came through. He listened closely as the patrolman relayed his encounter.
Grabbing his coat, he called out to the team to get their gear and they set out in search. "A call came through about a young woman who was found stumbling through a back alley. She apparently had some sort of head wound and was bleeding profusely but despite not only her size and injuries, she was able to overpower two officers and run away faster than they could chase. They also said that she kept mumbling something about it all being wrong. That 'this isn't the right one'… "
Owen, always the skeptic, was incredulous. "Sounds like she was on the wrong end of a domestic if you ask me. Nothing special."
"Well, if you'd let me finish, I could tell you the best part. One of the officers said that she started to glow. All of her visible skin had started to emit a "golden light"." Jack finished.
"Okay, it's an alien." Owen conceded. "What's our plan then exactly?"
Jack was driving quickly through the city streets and there was a wondering look on his face. Owen could see the ideas and possibilities whizzing through his mind. "Catch her… it" he corrected himself. "That surge in the rift could be the start of something deeper and much more menacing. If we find the girl, maybe we can get some information on just what exactly is going on." Jack's attention shifted to his comms unit. "Ianto, keep an eye on the scanner and notify me if any reports of glowing people come through."
That's when they spotted the girl and Jack and Gwen had given chase on foot. Just before the girl was able to reach the street, Owen brought the SUV to a halt in front of the alley, blocking all escape routes for the girl. It was grey out now, and dawn was slowly approaching. Owen hopped out of the car and drew his weapon. At the sight of the gun, the girl raised her hands. She was gasping for air, her chest heaving. In the dim light, normally you wouldn't be able to her features, but the officer had been true when he said that she was glowing. Her hooded face and her bare hands seemed to stand against the dark with a dull golden glow. Jack and Gwen approached her slowly, weapons drawn. Jack spoke first,
"Don't be scared, we just want to help. What are you? Where and when are you from?" He wasn't hopeful that she would be able to understand him and respond. They usually didn't speak the same language and unfortunately more than a few had been less than friendly. He was not disappointed then, when the alien held silent except for the ragged terrified breaths. Jack could see the fear in her face and manner. 'If I approach one of a few things will happen, she'll fight, she'll try and run or she'll resign herself to the situation.' He was banking on the last option. Deciding that a show of faith was the only reasonable next move besides tazing or shooting the woman, Jack lowered his weapon and placed it on the ground. "Alright, look, I'm putting my weapon down. I don't want to hurt you. We just want to help you." He slowly stepped closer, moving into the light cast by the lamps in the street. As it illuminated his face, the young woman gasped.
"You… You're Captain Jack Harkness." She rasped out in between her gulps for air. "I'm here, in your world?" At that she dropped to her knees, her body swaying dangerously. Jack ran in and caught her. She looked him in the eyes with utter disbelief, then, her eyelids flitted open and shut as she unsuccessfully struggled to remain conscious. She grabbed Jack's lapel and dug her bloodied face into his coat as she drifted into the dark. Her breathing slowed and her hand fell limp. Readjusting himself, Jack pushed back her hood and noticed for the first time, that she had long orange hair. Confused, he scanned her face, searching for recognition.
"Jack. She knew who you were. Who is she?" Gwen was not surprised that an alien knew who Jack was. It had happened way too often for that. What did surprise her was his response.
He lifted a lock of red and eyed it curiously. "I have no idea… I've never met this woman in my entire life… and that is saying something."