Author's Note: So, I was sitting at home one day, when all of a sudden I was hit with this idea. I sat down, and wrote pretty much the whole thing in a few hours. So, don't blame me for anything weird, blame my fingers. ^_^

I know that some of the information you are going to be reading may not fit with the show's timeline at first, but when you read the last chapter, you'll understand that it fits within the actual timeline. Um, this is set anytime during the second season before Owen gets killed (the first time.)

Thanks to my awesome BetaReader, without you this wouldn't sound like it does.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ideas, my computer, and Katylin.

Sometimes people are born into greatness. Other times they fall into it, or carve their own pathway. Sometimes they're pushed into greatness. I was always different. Me, well, I was adopted into it.

My name is Katylin Lisa Harkness-Jones, and this is my story. I lived a pretty normal (if you can call it that) life, for the first 15 years of my life. Then everything changed on my 16th birthday.

But I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I?

Let me jump back a bit and try to make things less confusing, even though I doubt that will happen. How about a week or so before my 16th birthday? It was several months until High School graduation, and I was at the top of my class. Yeah, that may seem a little bit off, seeing how most seniors graduate at the age of 18, but, according to Tad, I was special. My brain was wired differently than normal kids, allowing me to comprehend and learn faster. Really, it didn't feel all that weird to me; I just never needed anyone to explain anything twice to me.

I wasn't exactly the most popular kid in school, far from it actually. But, then again, I wasn't one of those friendless losers. I had plenty of people I'd hang out with after school, and even more that I partied with. However, I only had two best friends. And one guy that may possibly become my boyfriend.

Julieann, or Jay as I call her, is my best-best friend. I met her the first day I went to school, and we stuck together like glue. She is two years older than I am, but that doesn't make any difference. She's one of the only two people who have ever met my whole family. The other one is Kyle, my flamboyant guy-friend who has this everlasting crush on Jack (although I can't really blame him). Then there's Derek, this boy who I've gone out with a couple times, and we had a few real good snogs, but I don't know if I could classify him as a boyfriend yet. He, and all the rest of my friends, have only met Tad. He's the one who, as Jack puts it, 'represents my home life.' The face of the Harkness-Jones family, I guess.

I live with Tad in his two-bedroom apartment, which is only a few minutes away from his work. Sometimes Jack will stay the night there, other times Tad will stay at Jack's place, leaving me to myself. Sometimes I'll go with them, but ever since Owen sat me down and gave me 'the talk' I've declined every offer of sleeping over at Jack's when Tad went along.

Now, you're probably wondering whether or not I know about Torchwood. Obviously, I do. In fact, it's my life, my second home. I go there every day after school to use the computers for my homework, the gun range for target practice, and the autopsy lab for self-governed dissections. I've been given the job of cleaning Janet's cell, feeding Myfanwy when Tad is too busy, and manning the tourist center when the team is out on a call. In fact, I've been on a few Weevil hunts myself. I've always wanted to be an official part of the Torchwood team; it's something I wanted really badly. And I was going to get it. I learned about Torchwood when I was 13, even though I had it pretty much figured out that Tad didn't afford all his nice suits from a tourist officers salary. Jack had taken me on a tour of the hub and promised me, that on my 16th birthday, I would become part of the Torchwood group.

Of course, he soon regretted that decision.

--Torchwood--

"Kat! Katylin!"

I turned at the sound of my best friend's voice and waved, stopping my quick feet to allow her to catch up with me. She was running, the book bag on her back bouncing with each step. I started to walk again once she had caught up with me, and our feet unconsciously slid into harmony. "What's up Jay?"

"There's a group of us getting together after the game today and going down to Clarks afterwards, want to come?"

I smiled, unable to help it. Clarks was a huge club that was set in downtown Cardiff. It was known for its cheap liquor, good music, and easy ID checks. Even the most rubbish fake ID on the block could get you in (not that mine was rubbish, of course). I made one about a year ago when I was with Jack in the hub in the middle of the night, Tad being gone on some trip and not trusting me on my own. He kept it someplace safe where he said Tad would never find it, although I really didn't believe there was such a place.

"Course I'm in! Will Derek be there?"

Jay nodded, her eyes shining. "Yeah, and this cute bloke I met a few days ago, he's in College."

We both giggled.

The ring of the bell interrupted any further conversation. It was time to go to the second to last class of the day, which, for Jay, was an advanced math class, and for me was Torchwood. I had taken a lot of classes online to get my diploma, and because of that was able to get the last two periods of school free, giving me more time for what I loved the most. I had already gotten letters from pretty much every college in Cardiff, and even a few from America, but I had already made up my mind. College was for normal people who weren't bothered with things like Aliens and the weekly apocalypses, and you didn't need a College education for Torchwood.

I waved at some of my classmates who I barely call friends as I walked down the halls, pausing a moment to talk to one of my teachers about a paper due the next week. I stopped and talked to Kyle for a few moments about the party that night, and shared some gossip with some team members from the Volleyball Varsity team. I was a spiker for the Varsity girls' volleyball team at my high school, the one and only sport that I was good at. Our final game was tonight, and it was set to be a good one.

I finally made it to my car and started the engine, pulling out my cell phone and dialing Tad's number. Yes, I know I'm over a year under the driving age, but having connections with an agency beyond the government has its advantages.

"Tad, I'm on my way, anyone there?" I spoke into the receiver, using only one hand on the steering wheel. Tad hated it when I did that, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

We spoke a little bit more then I hung up and focused on my driving. I made it to Torchwood several minutes later and walked in through the front door, not really feeling like being spontaneous that moment.

A small bell chimed as I pushed through the door to the tourist office and Tad looked up from his position behind the desk. As always, he was wearing a sharp three piece suit, his hair looking messy, but purposefully messy. He gave a small, thoughtful smile before turning his attention back to whatever it was he was looking at. He reached under the counter and pressed a button, opening the door down to Torchwood. I stopped long enough to give him a hug before bolting down to the hub; I needed to get that ID from Jack for the night, and get ready for the game. Tad already said he would come, like he always did. In fact, Tad was the one who came to everything. I knew that the others always recorded the CCTV footage and Tosh and Owen came when they could. Jack, however, had never really shown himself at my High School, and I kinda understand why. I know that he isn't from Earth and that he's immortal and all that, and I understand how he doesn't want to get connected with anything that might be used as leverage later on, but I guess he should have thought about that before getting seriously involved with Tad and agreeing to adopt a child that would carry his surname. Men.

"Oy, how's it?" I called as I entered the first level of the hub. Tosh looked up from her computer and smiled, giving me a little wave. Owen was up to his armpits in some kind of alien, and bothered only to give me a nod. I looked around for Jack, and followed Tosh's nod toward his office. Throwing my book bag down on the couch as I passed it, I shed off my jacket as well.

I knocked on Jack's door, learning the hard way about closed doors and Jack Harkness. Even though I knew Tad was upstairs, I still wasn't ready to take any risks; you had no idea with the man. I heard his voice and entered, smiling as I closed the door behind me.

"Hey Kat." He said, signing off on a paper that I was willing to bet a week's wages he didn't even read. That was Tad's job, and mine.

"'Ey." I sat down, making myself comfortable. "Jack, there's a party after my game today, I was hoping you'd let me use my ID."

Jack raised his eyebrow, but spun around in his chair and opened a filing cabinet, searching around for what I hoped was my fake ID. "Does Ianto know?"

I shook my head. "Does he need to?"

He laughed and pulled the ID out of the cabinet. However, when I reached for it he pulled his hand back. Great.

"I really don't feel like getting on Ianto's bad side." He gave me a meaningful look. "I'll give you the ID after the game when you have his permission to go."

I sighed and crossed my arms, not fully registering the whole sentence. "Why? You're as much as a parental figure on my legal documents as Tad is."

"Yeah, but I don't know how to make the coffee." Good point.

Then, what Jack had said hit me. "Wait, you're coming to the game?"

Jack smirked and nodded and I jumped up from the couch, running around the side of his desk and launching onto his lap, enveloping him with my arms. He had no idea how much it meant that he was coming to my last Volleyball game. As I pulled away I gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, then grabbed the ID out of his hands before running out the door, hearing his playful yelling and empty threats as I left.

I stuck the ID in my pocket and hurried around the hub to finish my chores. I cleaned Janet's place, fed Myfanwy, put any pulled files not being used back where Tad wanted them, and bugged Owen as he worked on the alien he was dissecting, playing around with the time until I needed to get ready for the game. I ended up screwing around with Gwen's computer, replacing her background of Reese and her with a picture of Jack and Ianto making out on the kitchen counter, which I took with my camera a few weeks ago. I'd come home, wanting a peanut butter sandwich and instead saw my Tad and his boyfriend sticky and half-naked on top of each other. I took the picture then alerted them of my presence. The picture I would later use for blackmail, or a Christmas card, whichever came first. Hey, it's not my fault, blame Owen and Jack, they're bad influences.

Checking the time, I grabbed my gym bag and disappeared off to Jack's bedroom, where I used his bathroom to get changed. After I was prepped and ready for action, I took a moment to look at myself in the mirror. It wasn't out of vanity or anything; it was just a pre-game tradition I went through, arming myself for the opponent. The same kind of mental preparation I did when Jack had taken me on those Weevil hunts. It always worked.

I looked like I fit in, with my normally messy brown hair pulled back in a smooth ponytail, the ends of my hair reaching my shoulder blades. My skin wasn't as tan as I would have liked it; I spent too much time under artificial light, although I knew that would change as soon as I became an official member of Torchwood. I was wearing my Volleyball uniform, which was white and black, the two most basic colors. The top of my uniform was a tank top with a V-neck and a collar, making it look professional. The bottoms were no more than spandex booty-shorts made to make fat girls look fat, skinny girls look skinny, and those in-between fat. I thought I fit into my uniform well. I didn't fill it out as much as some of the girls, but I also didn't look like a twig wrapped in blankets either. My kneepads were down around my ankles and my shoes were tied tight and ready for jumping. I felt ready.

I was wrapping my knuckles with white tape as I re-entered the hub, another pre-game tradition that meant nothing but mental readiness. I heard Jack whistle as I walked past and I rolled my eyes, smiling. I picked up my bag and grabbed my car keys, walking out of the door and back into reality.

--Torchwood--

It was all so exhilarating. From the neon scores on the scoreboard that proudly proclaimed victory to your hand still stinging from the last kill you had made to your legs still vibrating from the jump. The look of shock on the other teams faces after having the ball stuffed down their throats. The roar of the crowd as they just realized that the home team had won their final game, putting them in first place over all. The dream-like state you are in as you clap everyone's back, congratulating him or her on a great season, tears coming to your eyes as you realize this is the last game you will ever play. It was heaven.

As I listened to my coach's final words, I looked up in the stands and risked a wave at Tad and Jack, who were sitting up on the bleachers with Owen and Tosh. They all had smiles on their faces; Tad's the largest of them all. I found myself wishing that Gwen was there, but reminded myself for the hundredth time that she and Reese were away for a few days for vacation. The group all looked so normal, wearing jeans and t-shirts and blending in so well… other than Tad and his suit and Jack and his ever-present suspenders (Honestly, I don't know why he wears the things with jeans, I know his pants fit just fine). I turned my attention back to the coach, but her speech was over. I was free.

I spent as little time as possible getting changed, pulling my jeans on over my Volleyball short and switching my shoes for flip-flops. I ran a brush quickly through my hair and pulled it back up into a neater ponytail then changed my shirt to something more appropriate for the evening. I wanted to talk to Tad and the others before going to Clark's with Jay and everyone else. I let Jay know of this plan then ran back out across the court, smiling. "So?"

"That was amazing Kat! Really great!" Tosh was the first to talk, giving me a big hug.

"Oy, pretty good." Owen shrugged and I slapped him on the arm playfully, both of us knowing he was teasing. Tad still hadn't stopped smiling, and Jack had that proud look on his face, which was plenty enough for me.

I saw Jack sneakily slide his hand around Tad's waist, and watched as Tad's face adopted that I'm-annoyed-that-you're-doing-that-in-public-but-I-like-it-too-much-to-say-anything look and I smirked, suppressing a laugh. You have no idea how many times he does that. I heard my name being called again and turned around to see Jay and Kyle walking toward me. Both looked ready to celebrate. Derek was trailing not far behind them, all smiles. I held up a patient finger and gave my attention back to my adopted family. "I'm gonna be with Jay an' them to celebrate tonight."

Jack nodded, his arm growing tighter on Tad's waist. I know understood his motive for the gesture. "Alright, Kat. You have fun, and I'll keep Ianto from worrying."

I gave Jack a 'thank-you' smile and ran off before Tad could get a word in edgewise, my fake ID safe in my back pocket. It was time for some fun.

--Torchwood--

There is one thing that I haven't really told you about me yet that is probably very important for the next part of my story. See, I have anger issues. At least, that's what Tad says. Jack has a simpler way of putting it. He just states that I don't find any obstacles in expressing myself. Basically, it means that I get angry kinda quick, and tend to act on that anger before this genius brain of mine can tell my body that it probably isn't a very good idea.

It was because of this anger problem that I was currently in the back of Derek's car, resting my head on the back of his seat with my nose pointed towards the ceiling in hopes of stopping the bleeding long enough to drive somewhere without damaging his leather seats with blood. This anger problem was also the one to blame for me not being able to feel my right-hand, and for my breathing problems due to the sucker punch I'd just taken.

Turns out that several people at the bar had the same idea that we had, celebration after the Volleyball game. Also turns out that several people had noticed the subtle display of affection that Jack had performed, and were talking about it very loudly and rudely.

Another thing you should know. Although my legal last name is Harkness-Jones, most people know me as Katylin Jones, that being the name I used most of the time (honestly, having to write out 'Harkness-Jones' every time I wanted to sign my name was a pain). Since Jack usually never shows up to any school related function, no one other than my close friends and I know that Tad is in a relationship with another man. Sure, I could've used the term 'gay', or even his 'boyfriend', but I'm following Jack's example and sticking to the labels of either 'human' or 'alien', all other disregarded.

Anyway, I was only on my first drink, so you can't blame intoxication. You can blame my great hearing and enormous ego that picks the worst of times to tell the world that it is very large. I knew that the group of guys was talking about Tad and Jack because the word 'suspenders' kept coming up, along with 'suits.'

Well, I pushed up off my barstool and approached the crowd, hands firmly on my hips. "How 'bout you blokes stop talkin' bout other people."

The leader of the pack of wolves smirked and drained the rest of his beer in a very disgusting manner. "Oy, you got a problem with us talkin' bout a couple of queers?"

"Yes. Yes I do." And my fists said the rest.

Jay, Kyle, and Derek happened to get over to where I was just in time to stop me from knocking out the leader. My nose had already been broken and there was blood down the front of my shirt. The other two boys were long past sleeping, and the head of the pack looked like he was about to pee his pants. That is what they get for messing with a girl trained by Torchwood for six years.

Needless to say, we were kicked out.

And so, that pretty much sums it up to where we are now. That is, lying in the back of Derek's car, wincing every time we went over a bump or pothole (there were a lot of those) and adamantly saying over and over again that I don't need a hospital.

I haven't been to a hospital or doctor's office since I was adopted. Jack says that sometimes, alien artifacts and other things can mess with your body in minor ways, giving doctors strange readings on normal tests. That being said, Owen is the one who takes care of any injury or doctor-related problems, keeping us healthy and away from any testing labs.

I wanted them to take me to Owen's place. He could fix me right up and Tad never needed to know. However, all three of my friends wouldn't hear about it; mainly because Derek had no idea who Owen actually was, and wasn't comfortable leaving me anyplace but my Tad's. Great.

We finally pulled up in front of Tad's apartment complex. He lived on the third floor, so Derek parked the car, and all four of us got out and made the long trek for the elevator. The woman at the front desk gave me a halfhearted wave and shook her head; she was used to me showing up looking like I did now, along with all the other members of my family. The lift let us off on the third floor and we walked down to Tad's place, my head still aimed at the ceiling. I could feel the blood kinda pool in my nose, waiting for the opportune moment to spill everywhere. I was starting to get the feeling back in my right hand, but that wasn't really a good thing, for it bloody hurt.

Jay was the one who knocked on the door while Kyle and Derek held me on either side. I told them I was ok standing on my own, but neither of them believed me. Once again I say: men.

It was a few seconds before I opened the door that I remembered that either Tad would be at Torchwood, or Jack would be here. I was hoping it was the former, for I really didn't want to explain to Derek about the complex relationship between the two men. However, luck never really liked to play my side, and Jack was the one who answered the door.

I was almost expecting him to be half-naked, and let out a large breathe when I noticed he was wearing all of his clothes. He had on the same clothes he wore to my Volleyball game, save the suspenders and shoes. His lips, however, were another story; all red and puffy from whatever he and Tad had been doing. I'd rather not get into that.

He gave a large smile at my friends, until his eyes came to rest on me. Then, his smile grew even larger and he stepped aside to let everyone in. "Who made you mad this time, Kat?" 
I just grunted, not really feeling like speaking.

He gestured for everyone to come in, and I pushed Kyle and Derek off of me, walking myself over to sit on the large couch, my head still tilted backwards. Derek stood uneasily in the doorway, and I inwardly cringed as Jack went over to talk to him.

"You're Derek, right?" I heard Jack say as he offered his hand.

"Uh, yeah." He replied back, shaking the offered hand hesitantly.

Jack seemed to catch on that Derek had no idea who he was. "Oh, I'm Captain Jack Harkness; Kat's dad and Ianto Jones' lover." The whole thing was said with one of his cocky smiles. Idiot. Why did he pick now of all times to be blunt?

Derek's face grew even uneasier. "I…Kat never told me she had two dads."

Jack shrugged. "Technically, she's got three, but who's counting?"

Great.

Of course, it was at that very moment that Tad decided to walk into the room to see exactly what all the commotion was about. He too was wearing the same clothes from that night, and had the same puffy look that Jack had. I grinned despite of myself.

"Bloody hell," was all that came out of his mouth before his cell phone was pressed against his ear. He was calling Owen, no doubt. Tad used his shoulder to hold the phone and made a shooing gesture with his arm. "Sorry 'bout this, but if you don't mind..."

Jay and Kyle got the message; they had been with me during these kinds of things before. No one was allowed to be around when Owen did his thing. Mostly because his thing had to do with alien equipment. They nodded and left, Jay promising to call the next day, and Kyle giving Jack a weak smile. Derek had already disappeared.

The room was quiet. Jack leaned against the closed door, his arms crossed. It was obvious that he wanted to know what happened (because he was curious, of course, not because he was angry) but wasn't going to let Tad know that. Sometimes I wondered who really wore the pants in their relationship.

A rag was stuffed in my hands, and I was finally able to sit up straight. Right away I felt the blood start to trickle down my nose.

"What happened." It was more of a statement that a question, but I knew that Tad still wanted me to answer it.

"Peoble d'nt know how ta keeb deir moudths shud." I managed to slur. It was difficult to talk.

I watched Tad start to nibble on his bottom lip; that was never a good sign. He shook his head then stood up, holding his hand out. "I want your car keys, and you're staying here until your nose and hand are better."

My mouth dropped open. He couldn't be serious. I was supposed to be at the hub this weekend; Jack even promised to take me Weevil hunting. And to take away my car... I was as good as grounded. I looked over to Jack, but he just had his eyebrows raised. So much for the help I was hoping to get. I would have blown steam from my nose, but that was out of the question, so I just made a sound that I hoped was a grunt and dug in my pockets with my good hand, tossing him my keys. I hoped I was putting on a good show; I had another set of keys hidden in my room.

Tad took the keys and disappeared into the kitchen. Jack took that moment to jump onto the couch next to me and sling his arm around the back of it. "So, how many of them were there?" 
I smiled.

--Torchwood--

I woke up fairly early the next morning; my body used to going in to Torchwood before noon on the weekends. I stretched and yawned, slowly opening my eyes, and giving silent thanks to Owen and his magical pain pills that stopped even broken knuckles from hurting.

I slid out of bed and rubbed my right hand, which was bandaged very thickly. The bandages stopped me from seeing the large black-and-blue marks accompanied by swollen skin that surrounded my knuckles. I scratched my nose, which was also covered by some bandages, and grabbed the clothes I'd wear that day. I needed something that said 'staying home all day' but was nice enough to wear outside. I entered the bathroom and stripped down, wrapping a towel around me as a slowly peeled the wrapping off of my nose. Wouldn't do to well if I took a made the bandages wet, now would it?

The first sign that something strange was going on should've been the lack of swelling around my nose and eyes. Last night hints of bruising leaked out under the wrapping, but this morning there were none. The second sign, which was a bit more obvious than the first, was that my nose was completely straight and blood-free. No blood pooled under my nostrils, no sickening bump on my nose showing where the bone broke, no bruising. It was perfect.

Now that I was almost completely freaked out, I quickly unwrapped my hand and stared at it. It too was flawless. No breaks or bruising at all. I flexed my hand, my eyes growing wide.

"Bloody hell."

So, how'd I do? Please drop a review and let me know!