Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood, Doctor Who, God, or anything that is publicly recognised.
A/N: - Well, this is the second chapter of Earth Angels Season One.
- NO LISA present whatsoever
- No Janto in this chapter, but it is hinted at. There is some slight Gwen-bashing, a hint of Doctor-bashing (it's mostly angst driven).
- Enjoy!
Earth Angels: Day One
Jack had to call the team in, he was good with a lot of tech, especially alien tech, but Tosh's cannibalised computers had always confused him, what with their being both advanced and primitive at the same time.
"There seems to be a meteor-like object headed to Earth, better get there before UNIT, Jack." Tosh called.
"Okay then, gear up guys. Ianto, stay at the Hub to coordinate. We need to have that team meeting, later."
"You may need to call Gwen in, Jack. Especially if you have to deal with both UNIT and the police." Ianto suggested as he helped Jack into his greatcoat.
Jack nodded and said "Do it." He then raced out, and Tosh and Owen jumped into the SUV with all their equipment.
Three minutes of driving later, Ianto spoke over the comm.s "She's on her way to the site, apparently it interrupted a romantic meal with her boyfriend. Be careful, Jack, this is her first day, and none of us trust her." Silently, Jack nodded as he drove.
The SUV had passed Gwen on their way to the site, so Jack had stopped and let Gwen hop in.
It was an unmitigated disaster: The gas had escaped in to the atmosphere, and from the very small amount of readings taken by Tosh as it flew away, it was a sentient, gaseous being, and Gwen let it lose on the world. Damn her, damn Owen, and damn himself. He knew they shouldn't have been tossing tools around, but they both had perfect aims and Gwen should have understood that it came from practice. Also, they hadn't thrown a single sharp edged tool. And now, the newbie he wished he didn't have to have hired simply would not stop apologising. Seriously, the self pity was pathetic and annoying and just down right frustrating. Couldn't she see it wasn't helping? And it looked like it was giving poor Tosh a headache, which was extremely difficult to do, considering the amount of time she spent staring at a computer screen without glasses.
Jack sighed heavily, causing another string of apologies, and, to try and shut her up, he said over the comm.s "Ianto, any news in yet?"
In the background, he could hear Myfanwy's squawk as the rarely used fax machine began to hum. "You're in luck, sir." Ianto replied as the machine quieted. "A nightclub just called in a…well, a possible murder. Apparently the man was turned into a pile of ashes. It was only by luck that it was spotted as quickly as it was. You'd better get there quickly. I'm sending the address to the SatNav."
"Thanks Ianto." Jack said before turning the comm.s to mute. "Okay, we're going to take samples of the ash, and commandeer all copies of the CCTV. Tosh, I want you to ensure this stays off the internet, and out of the news. Owen, you'll be with me, and Gwen, just…just stay with me too."
Gwen opened her mouth to protest, but Owen beat her to it "What about the stupid coppers, Jack. They'll be all over the scene, like a Welshman over sheep."
Jack rolled his eyes and said "You really shouldn't stereotype nationalities, especially when you live in the country you're stereotyping, and when a hot, young Welshman can hear you over your comm.s, considering you forgot to mute it. I do believe I foresee much decaf. in your future, young Harper."
"Oh shit!" Owen said, "I swear, it was a joke, Ianto. I'm sorry, but please, whatever you do, don't put me on decaf. I don't care if you decide to spit in it, or change the amount of sugar and milk you put in it, but whatever you do, please do not put me on decaf.!" He begged.
"What would you give me?" Ianto asked maliciously.
"Anything, name your price!"
"Feed and clean out Janet and the Hoix for one month."
"You'd put me on Weevil duty for a month? Deal!"
Gwen watched the exchange with wide-eyed confusion, and Jack could see that she didn't realise how important Ianto was, to both himself and the team. I mean, sure, we're not together yet, but I hope one day, we will be. He thought, and he could feel God's silent assurance and joy at his determination.
From the time they got to the nightclub, to the minute Jack was stood at an impasse with Carys, everything seemed to go at quadruple speed. "Please," Jack begged both the alien and the girl, "please, I'll let you go, just give me the hand. Carefully give me the hand, then you'll be free to leave."
Jack's eyes flashed minutely with relief as Ianto sidled up behind Carys and said "Would you like me to do any attacking, sir?"
"That won't be necessary, Ianto. Just open the door for her, please." Ianto, thankfully, did as asked, and Jack felt a deep relief, before his heart leapt into his throat as she threw the hand. He watched as it arched and he instinctively moved, trying to catch it before the jar smashed. His fingers brushed it but it smashed on the floor before he could stop it. With a cry, he allowed his trajectory to let him fall to the floor, and he lifted the still moving hand and cradled it to his chest, stroking it gently as he whispered to it "Don't worry, you're okay, I'll get you back into something safe, you'll be just fine."
"Sir, she's gone." Ianto said, causing Jack to sigh.
Then Gwen arrived, huffing and puffing, saying "Where is she? What happened?"
"She's gone." Jack stated.
"What!? GONE!? What do you mean, gone? What happened?" she screamed.
"Exactly what I said, she had something more important, and she threatened to destroy it if I didn't let her go. I chose to let her go."
"More important!? More important than a teenage girl!?" Gwen stuttered angrily.
Jack sighed exhaustedly and said "Yes, more important than a single teenage girl. More important than you, even."
Gwen began to splutter in outrage, so Jack sent her a black look and walked away, still cradling the Doctor's severed hand.
Jack knew it would be Tosh who found Carys, no matter the 'profiling' Gwen had done, making their board a mess, and wasting paper – both of which would push more of Ianto's ire onto him, and make it yet more difficult for him to ask his Second on a date.
The multiple piles of ash made Jack feel slightly guilty, but he had made his choice at the Hub, and now he had to deal with the consequences.
Finding Carys nearly dead hadn't been a pleasant experience, so he'd kissed some of his extra life force away, to give her some extra strength whilst they figured out how to save her. Trust Gwen to then be bloody self-sacrificing. At least Jack had been able to amuse himself by all the possible scenarios in which they couldn't save Gwen in time, or even allow her to build up her strength with a Jack-kiss. Jack had almost visibly and audibly sighed in sadness and disappointment as he threw the containment field beneath the gas. It was pure luck the power lasted until after the gas had died. So, overall, one heck of a crappy day, but at least he could have a Ianto-coffee before going to meditate.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it. Please review, and I'll post the next chapter when it's written.
TTFN and DFTBA x