Captain Jack Harkness surveyed the deserted parking lot. "I don't see anything," he said to his driver. "Do you, Rhys?"

"No, sir." Rhys replied. "Suzie is sure this is the place. The monitors are usually pretty accurate, even with that small of a trace."

"All right. I'll do some scouting." Jack opened the door. "If I'm not back in half an hour, call the others."

"Got it." Rhys pulled a gun from between the seats. "I'll ping if I see anything."

Jack slid out and around the car. The trees on the University lawn were particularly dark. He headed for them, moving soundlessly. All his senses told him that something was wrong. It wasn't long before he heard the faint cry for help. Wrapping his scarf around his face and lowering the brim of his hat, he dashed toward the sound. Whatever the monitors had picked up could wait; there was someone in trouble.

Four men dressed in black were in the clearing, two of them holding the arms of a small Asian woman. She was struggling and screaming. Jack drew his Webleys and used his powers. His physical form faded from view. He leapt toward the struggling woman and laughed his battle cry.

The strangely distorted sound echoed around the men and they stopped, looking for the source. They wouldn't find it. Jack moved to the side to get a clear shot and fired so that his bullet whistled over the man's head. "Let the lady go," he warned, damping the distortion enough to make his voice understandable. "The next one will be through your brain."

The man's head and gun swung wildly. "Don't interfere!" he growled. He whirled and pointed the gun at the girl. "Don't come any closer."

Guns pointing at victims irritated Jack. Gliding closer he snatched the gun from the man's hand, retreating before his shadow could give away his position. "I'm giving you one more chance," he warned. "Let her go."

The two holding the woman released her arms and fled, followed by the other two. Jack moved to where she couldn't see him and stopped the clouding. He crossed the grass and helped her to her feet. "Who are you?" he asked, moderating his voice so that it still was disguised but much gentler.

Her eyes were wide and her breathing rapid. "I'm Dr. Toshiko Sato," she managed. "Who are you?"

"Don't worry. I'm here to help. Are you all right?"

She nodded, and then shook her head. "Just shaken up. I'll be okay." She was still unsteady on her feet.

Jack took her arm and guided her toward the car. "Let me help you. I'll have someone take you home. Rest and try to forget this happened."

"I wish I could," she said softly, looking away. "Thank you."

He opened the door and spoke to Rhys. "Take Dr. Sato to her home, please. Make sure she arrives safely." He closed the door and disappeared.

Toshiko stared after the mystery man. "Where do you need to go, ma'am?" The man in the front seat spoke as though the situation was the norm for him.

She slumped back. Too exhausted and upset to think clearly, she gave the man the address of the flat she was sharing with Ianto. She couldn't stop thinking about the men who tried to take her and the strange rescue by the mysterious man. It was too much to deal with now. Only one thought was clear. They've found us again.

She and Ianto had moved five times since leaving Australia, but the pursuers always found them. It had taken them only three months, this time. Toshiko was weary of running, weary of hiding. What else could they do?

Finally, she gathered her wits enough to ask, "Who are you? Who was that man?"

At first she thought he wasn't going to answer, but he said, "They call him 'The Shadow'. I just drive where he tells me to go."

"The Shadow?" Tosh repeated. "Isn't he a myth?"

"Maybe."

The car stopped and the stranger opened the door for her. "Which flat, please?" he asked.

Numbly she replied, "Number 1024. But you don't need to…." She stopped as the man took her arm gently.

"My instructions are to see you home safely, ma'am. I'll take you to your door. What if you trip?" He flashed a smile at her. "I have to follow instructions."

For some reason, this struck Tosh as funny and she giggled. She found her security card and used it to open the door. With a nod to the men at the desk, she let the driver lead her to the lift and to her door. Once she got out her keys, he bowed and left.

She could see Ianto waiting for her, silhouetted in front of the wall of glass that gave them a view of Cardiff Bay. "You're late," he said. There was no accusation in his tone. "There's coffee in the kitchen."

Tosh turned on the light in the kitchen and poured herself a cup. She turned to Ianto who was still looking out and said quietly. "I'm sorry. I know you were worried." She took a deep breath. "Ianto, they've found us again."

He whirled around and had her in his arms before she could say any more. "What happened?"

She leaned against him, drawing strength as she always did. "They found me as I was walking to my car. Four of them. They had me before I could run."

"Dammit, Tosh! You were alone, weren't you?"

"I was stupid. You don't have to remind me."

Ianto led her to the sofa and sat her down. He took the chair opposite and turned on a lamp. Tosh could see how concerned he was. "I really am all right," she assured him.

He looked down at his hands and back up at her. "For now." He sighed, "I was afraid of this. I'm sorry I was right."

"You tried to warn me, little brother." She hoped the nickname would make him smile. It didn't, but he relaxed a bit. "Believe it or not, a superhero came to my rescue."

"What are you talking about?" He looked confused.

She told him of her rescue. "I know it sounds weird," Tosh admitted. "It sounds weird to me too. I'm okay now, but I was scared out of my mind."

Ianto took her hands and squeezed them. "They didn't get you. Let's concentrate on that for the moment." Once again he pulled her into a hug. "I'm so relieved that you're okay, I don't have the energy to be mad. Just stop trying to go about alone. At least one other person always."

She patted him gently. "I'm okay. Promise. We'll start the police routine in the morning." She stood.

He stood with her. There was a long pause before he said, "We need to stop letting this dictate how we live, Tosh. We need to make a stand. There must be someone who can help us." He smiled. "Maybe your superhero?"

She gave him a somewhat cocky grin, relieved that his sense of humor was still in place. "I doubt I'll ever see him again, little brother." The last was their private joke. Even in her heels, she barely reached his shoulder.

"You go to bed, big sister." He gave her a squeeze. We'll face this together, like we always have. Maybe this time it will work."