Author's Notes: How odd. I've got more done of a later story in this series than I do of this one. In any event, here we have Priscilla and Carlyon plotting, Natalie asking questions, Jack in storyteller mode, and people start realizing that there are two missing teens. Oh, and Octavia is harassing Rex (even when he doesn't realize it). I really think that's her new purpose in life. I do apologize for the delay in getting this chapter up, but I've been dealing with some unpleasant real-life issues. Do I have it sorted out? I think so. For now.
Chapter Two
An Unexpected Clue
"Nat just called. . .they're on their way back, and Jack says that we do have a new Rift," Priscilla said quietly, walking into the living room where her father just concluded his meeting with Rex Matheson. Dad looked up with a serene expression, but Priscilla knew her father too well. He was pleased with this new development and Priscilla asked, sitting down beside him, "You're hoping that this convinces Jack to remain here. . .if only long enough to get a proper Torchwood branch set up, which will take time itself. How did your conversation go with Agent Matheson, and do I need to have a big-sister Talk with him?"
"I think Matheson could be an asset. . .I'll need to speak with Ms. Drummond when she gets back, but from what Matheson told me, she took good care of Jack after he was shot. I'm not impressed with her call to Social Services during an operation, but she learned from her mistake. And, she was a green recruit. . .not because she wanted to, at the time, but because the Families' tool forced her into it. Very clumsy of him. I think she'll be a great asset, as well. A bond has developed between her and Natalie. Which brings me to the next question. . .how is Natalie?" he asked, ignoring for the moment her question about Matheson and Octavia.
Priscilla sighed and sat down beside her father, observing, "We'll need to keep an eye on her for a while, Dad. She's got an enormous amount of anger, and I'm not sure how much of it was there before she went undercover at the hospital. For all that I've raised her, Dad, there are times when I really don't know her at all." Her father nodded his understanding, clearly concerned by the frustration they heard in her baby sister's voice at the breakfast table that morning. More, they were both concerned by Natalie's perception of their perception of her, especially her question about their doubts. Part of it was the Families, who regarded others who weren't them as pawns, blockades or subjects, but she truly believed that Natalie's anger and frustration was there long before her undercover assignment.
She added, "By the way, just so you know. . .she almost shot Jack when he came back to life." Her father cringed, but nodded. That was something she forgot to mention to her father the previous night (actually, she didn't want to make Jack any more uncomfortable than he already was). Under the circumstances, it was hard to blame Nat. . .she put off warning her sister after Jack was shot, and Esther was still too disoriented to say anything about Jack's resurrection. Besides, while she had her gun on him, she didn't fire. She wasn't that far gone that she fired at him. That was important. Then again, Natalie was the one with self-control that sometimes terrified Priscilla, and Adriane was. . .well, she was the baby of the family among the adults. And, if pressed, Priscilla would have to admit that her daughter was something of a drama queen.
"We'll keep an eye on her. Whether she accepts it or not, what she just went through was quite traumatic. And if I know my youngest, she doesn't accept that. There are times when I think the kindest thing I ever did for your sister was give her to you to raise, even if it wasn't particularly kind to you," Dad said quietly. Priscilla simply squeezed her father's hand. She told him, so many times, that she was glad he allowed her to raise her baby sister. . .that taking care of Natalie dulled the agony of losing Anthony and their baby. However, Dad considered it a failure on his part, being unable to care for Mom's final gift to him, as he called Natalie. And that brought up another issue.
"We also need to worry about her when we wake Mom up," Priscilla pointed out. Dad nodded, looking troubled. They would be shaking the very roots of her sister's foundation, and since Natalie tended to keep her feelings to herself, except when it came to her love for her daughter, they would have to watch her closely. Priscilla murmured, almost to herself, "I wonder if that's an area where Jack can help. She seemed inclined to confide in him at the breakfast table. And unlike the boys, he doesn't have any preconceived ideas about her." Dad huffed at that and Priscilla looked up at him, just in time to see a smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth. She bumped her shoulder against his, adding, "You know what I mean. He sees the woman she is, rather than the girl whom Jason and Luc grew up with."
"I do know what you mean, Priscilla. And you're quite right," her father responded, "and since Jack will likely stay until after your mother awakens, he might be just the person we need. Speaking of which, do you have any ideas about keeping Jack here? The Rift will certainly help, and those idiots who worked for Green during the 456 mess have made our task somewhat easier, but Jack considers the UK home." Priscilla sighed and sat back, running her hand over her face. That was the question, wasn't it? Like her father, she wanted Jack to stay. . . like her father, she realized that Jack would probably want to return to the UK. And like her father, she knew that they had one helluva job in front of them.
"I wish I knew how to answer that, Dad. Jack's unpredictable, but this I do know: the more we try to hold onto him, the more he's gonna pull away. So, we don't put pressure on him. I think we can remind him how much we need him, how much we've missed him. We don't tell him that we want to make up for what we did to him. . .no, Dad, I am just as responsible as you are. Octavia was just a little girl, only five, so she's not responsible. I was fourteen, so I am responsible," Priscilla told her father.
"It sounds like you answered my question quite well, Priscilla. Yes. Yes, that's what we'll do," her father said, inclining his head. Priscilla smiled, slipping her fingers around his, and he mused, "But don't ever hit him again? I know, you were angry with him for his confrontation with Oswald Danes in Washington DC, and yes, it was very foolish of him. However, it's over, it's done, and Jack was right about Danes being important." Priscilla sulked, just a little, and Dad put his arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. He murmured, "Let it go, Indiana." That made her laugh, as it was meant to, and her father continued, "Regardless of what he decides, let's make sure that Jack has a comfortable room while he's here. . .and after he briefs us, we'll take him out to the bunkhouse, where he can go through what Angelo left for him." Ooh, that was gonna be fun!
TWTWTWTWTWTW
Fortunately, Natalie already told Captain Harkness about the items in the bunkhouse. Something she told her mother when she called to let her know that they were on their way back. She also learned that her daughter was still asleep. . .it seemed the poor kid didn't sleep well in all the time that Natalie was undercover. Her grandfather and mother hadn't said so, but Natalie had a feeling that her little girl had nightmares. She knew she had her share of nightmares, and now they would be increased with her knowledge of Torchwood. Still, it was time she knew these things. . .especially since her instincts were telling her that there were more revelations to come. Wonderful. She was curious about what the contents of the bunkhouse were used for. . .she'd seen some of them. Wondrous things. . .things that were in there because some idiot decided to blow up a man who meant to protect them. Wankers, she thought darkly, remembering a derogatory term that her grandfather used when he didn't realize she was in the room.
Of course, that brought her attention back to the dark-haired man sitting beside her cousin in the front seat of the truck. Captain Jack Harkness, the more or less immortal director of the now-defunct Torchwood Three, was an alarmingly-handsome man who looked to be in his late thirties or very early forties. And quite frankly, she was still trying to figure out how it was that such a man was listening so intently to her during their conversation at the breakfast table, as if she was the most important person in the world. As if. . .as if she mattered. Something in short supply during the last few months, and there was a part of Natalie which wondered why a stranger was able to fulfill that need so well. And, really, did it matter?
Yeah, it mattered, because in her world, stunningly gorgeous men like Captain Jack Harkness didn't give little nothings like her a second glance! That was true even before she went undercover. Hell, the only reason she had a daughter was because Beatriz died. If Beatriz survived her injuries when the tornado hit, then she would have raised Ailsa, rather than Natalie. But Beatriz died, and they were lucky that Ailsa survived. The point was, guys didn't give Natalie Tregarth a second look. She wasn't unattractive, she just wasn't anything special. She'd gone on a grand total of three dates during the course of her life.
So why did Jack Harkness listen to her so intently at breakfast? The other great truth of her life was that guys that good-looking were asses. Yet, Captain Harkness treated her with greater respect than that CIA agent (Matheson?). . .the one who threatened to put a bullet in her brain if she betrayed them. While she could see where he was coming from, given what that little team went through during Miracle Day, she really didn't appreciate being threatened by someone she was helping. It tended to make her less likely to help them. Then again, at that point, she couldn't have turned away from Esther.
Natalie told the captain, "I let Mom know that you know about the bunkhouse. I do so love surprising her." The captain tipped his head back until his eyes met hers in the rearview mirror, and then he smiled at her. . .and oh my God, that smile! Natalie stiffened her muscles to avoid melting into the upholstery, which was not as impossible as it sounded. Her mother and aunt really should have warned her about his smile. . .damn, that needed to be registered as a lethal weapon! However, once she had control of herself once more (and she was sure she wouldn't ruin her panties), Nat continued, "Mom says you're welcome to take a look once we get back. Angelo couldn't save everything, but what he could save, he did."
"I still don't understand this whole business, but since we met you, Captain Harkness, a helluva lot more about my grandfather and his business with Angelo Colasanto makes sense. That was one of the weirdest alliances I've ever seen," Lucas commented. He smiled a little sadly, observing, "You know, Mr. Colasanto stood in for my dad's father when Mom and Dad got married. My grandfather died when Dad was a teenager, and Mr. Colasanto said that no one should ever get married without family. And his eyes were so damn sad." He wasn't alone there. . .there was a terrible pain in the captain's blue eyes.
That was one reason why she carefully changed the subject, saying, "What's in the bunkhouse has been left alone, but if you like, I can help you inventory things, just to be safe. Out of the entire household, only my grandfather has touched the stuff and I'm guessing that's because he actually knows what he's doing. He told the rest of us that if we touched anything, we might end up losing a limb. . .or worse. Not even Mom and Aunt Tavia go into the bunkhouse."
"Thank you, I'd appreciate the help. I know how to handle the technology, so if you could just write down what I say, that would probably be the best system. What was in the bunkhouse before your. . .grandfather began putting Torchwood technology in there?" Captain Harkness asked, stumbling over the word 'grandfather' ever so slightly. Natalie thought briefly about questioning him about that, but chose not to. Too much else going on, and based on what she learned from Esther, it was entirely possible that he'd divert her attention to something else. According to her new friend, Jack was far more likely to let something slip when he wasn't thinking. Natalie still didn't know the entire truth of what happened to cause the Miracle, but having met an immortal, she could make an educated guess. Instead, she focused on the question he just asked. What, exactly, was in the bunkhouse before the Torchwood technology and contraband found its way in there, courtesy of her aunt and mother and possibly grandfather.
"Stuff that my grandfather bought at government auctions, mainly. And come to think of it, I'm not sure where all of that went, unless you and Jase put it on the old school bus that Grandfather bought at auction, Luc?" Natalie asked. Her cousin nodded and in the rearview mirror, Nat saw Captain Harkness mouthing, 'school bus?' in obvious surprise. She shrugged a little, explaining, "My grandfather buys some really weird stuff in really weird places. I love going to rummage sales and swap meets, or flea markets or whatever you want to call them, as much as the next girl, but he left those behind a while back and now he's going to government auctions. He usually takes the boys. Maybe he'll tell you more about it when we get back. Anyhow, when Grandfather first bought this place in the sixties or seventies, the bunkhouse was empty except for cobwebs. Even the bunks were gone." She wasn't born at the time, but Aunt Octavia told her about cleaning out those cobwebs. Natalie shuddered, remembering not just hearing about the cobwebs, but the ghoulish delight her aunt took in describing it for her. There were times when Aunt Octavia had a really warped sense of humor. Kinda like Adriane's, come to think of it, when Adriane wasn't being a drama queen.
"Oh, and just so you know, Nat, something else has been going on. I don't know what, exactly, but there's disturbed land just behind the buildings. Did Grandfather say anything to you about, well, anything new before you left?" Lucas asked, taking his turn with looking at her in the rear view mirror, and Natalie shook her head. No, she didn't know about the disturbed ground. She was on the verge of pointing out to Lucas that she hadn't been around for the last two months, but chose not to. The rage and frustration that marked her days in the Families' hospital was making another, unwelcome return, and dammit, she didn't want to be angry. She spent so much time being angry, and clamping down on her anger, while she was at the Families' hospital. She wanted to put that part of her life behind her, before the bitterness and resentment ate her up from the inside out. Lucas continued, "I didn't think so, but he left for the safe house with Ailsa after we did, so anything's possible."
"Especially with Carlyon," Captain Harkness observed, and both Natalie and her cousin huffed with laughter. Yeah, that was for damn sure. The captain went on, "Did he tell you about how we met? I think he may have told Jason, because your brother and cousin made reference to the Tsinghai earthquake in 1927. Then again, he may have simply told Jason to mention that to me." Natalie shook her head, because this sounded like a story she'd enjoy. Ever since she was a little girl, she loved hearing stories about her grandfather when he was a boy. And Captain Harkness, though he seemed to be only slightly older than Natalie herself, could give her a new perspective on her grandfather. Captain Harkness began, "Well, like I said, it was 1927, and I was in China to meet with your great-grandparents about an artifact. . ."
TWTWTWTWTWTW
"Dad, I think we have a problem."
Octavia, as she always did, retreated to the office after breakfast, to check both her personal email account as well as the 'business' email accounts. And, as usual, she became lost in what she was reading, until something in the current email clicked in her mind, and she called over her shoulder into the main room, where Dad and Priscilla were talking. She didn't bother looking around, hearing her father's footfalls. According to her older sister, Jack and the others would be back soon. That was good. She would need to tell them about this, but before that happened, she needed to brief her father. His warm, heavy hand landed on her shoulder and he said softly, "What do you have, Tavie, what sort of problem has raised its terrible head?" Tavie. For some reason, he was calling her that more often since Jack's return to their life, to their family. It also served to remind her that her father was eighty-nine years old and she really wouldn't have him for much longer. Needless to say, it scared the hell out of her. She grew up with her mother in a cryo-coma from the time she was five years old, and the idea of losing her dad. . .
However, she had a job to do right now, and she told him steadily, "Two girls disappeared last night, and the last time anyone remembers seeing them is a few hours before the earthquake that heralded the opening of the Rift." She looked up at him, to see a familiar expression on his face. His eyes were narrowed and his mouth was pursed. Oh yeah. She had his attention. She had Priscilla's attention, as well. Her older sister had come up behind their father, her arms folded over her chest and a thoughtful expression on her face. Octavia went on, "This email came through at nine am on the community mailing list. Tegan Sawyer and Annis Marchant both have a habit of sneaking out after everyone else has gone to bed. Usually, they're back in their own bed by one in the morning. . .but this time, their beds were empty. Their parents go to bed around nine thirty, which is the last time any adult saw the girls. Luc believes that the Rift opened late last night, early this morning."
The community email list was started five years earlier by Matthew Halloran, their closest neighbor, as a community watch program. On occasion, Torchwood was able to track down some non-terrestrial items thanks to one of their neighbors seeing something that looked odd. Octavia never bothered to mention to her neighbors about this particular use for the list. One of two things would happen. Either a) no one would share such things any more or b) everyone would. Nope. This was one weapon she was keeping silent. If they were able to convince Jack to stay, Octavia thought she would have Esther take over this particular duty. . .after she showed her what to look for. And of course, if she didn't know already, Jack and Priscilla would teach her to shoot. Octavia wasn't entirely sure if CIA analysts were taught to shoot.
"I see. Well, the timing is certainly suspicious. Very well, this will require an information session. I believe that your sister said that Jack and the others will be back in about thirty minutes. Can you gather the information needed and be ready to present it when they return? That way, we can have a proper information session, and start making our plans," her father asked. Octavia bit her lip and looked over the flash drives sitting beside her computer, fingers moving lightly over each one. There were five years worth of emails on these drives. Dad asked, "Oh. Oh, I hadn't even thought of that. Would you prefer to wait until the others get back and Esther or Natalie can help you go through the past emails?"
"I think that would be the best way to handle it, yeah. I want to train Esther in this anyhow, and Natalie can cuddle with Ailsa. Which reminds me, I'm guessing the little lady is in her own bed now?" Octavia asked and Priscilla nodded. Octavia figured as much. If she wasn't in her own bed, she was probably in her mother's bed. The poor baby just wanted to be with her mother, regardless of where she was, but if she couldn't be with Natalie, then Nat's bed would be just as acceptable, thank you very much. She continued after a moment, "Give us about three hours while we go through the emails during the last few hours. Say, around four thirty. . .we can brief each other on what we found, and then we can break for dinner."
"That'll give me time to start taking things downstairs," Priscilla pointed out, "to say nothing of getting things organized for dinner." Ah yes. Downstairs. Octavia knew that both of her boys noticed the disturbed ground behind the buildings. She also knew that they were insanely curious. . .but they would wait until their grandfather brought it up. Priscilla added, almost hesitantly, "I also wanted to let you know, Dad. . .I checked on Mom's unit this morning, when I got up. I think she knows it's time to wake up. . .her vitals have begun improving far more dramatically than they should have at this point in the process. Can. . .I mean, I know that sometimes if he kisses them, Jack can bring someone back to life. But is it possible that his presence is helping Mom, even if she's not aware of it?" Dad inhaled sharply and Octavia twisted in her seat, ignoring the now-familiar twinge of pain in her back that accompanied sudden movements. She heard that story when she was younger, that whatever made Jack immortal could sometimes help bring someone else back to life. But was it possible that simply being around him was enough? Or was something else at work?
At last, Dad said slowly, "I. . .I don't know. Jack has an overabundance of life, and it could be that he's feeding some of that to your mother, maybe without even realizing that he's doing it. Do you remember hearing about the Rift in Cardiff and how it should never be opened?" Octavia and her sister exchanged a look before both daughters nodded. Their father continued, "Part of the reason for that was because it imprisoned a demon prince called Abaddon, who feasted upon the life force of other sentient beings. In the early months of 2007, Abaddon was released. Would either of you beautiful ladies care to guess how Abaddon was stopped?"
"Jack," Priscilla said flatly. Octavia looked at her older sister, who explained, "You don't wanna know, Tavia. Even I don't know how Dad knows these things. Angelo Colasanto had boots on the ground in Cardiff, but they were told to watch at a distance. Regardless, Abaddon overdosed on Jack's life force and from what I remember hearing, Jack was dead for a week or so as a result. So, it is possible that he's been feeding his own life force to Mom, even if he doesn't realize it." Octavia nodded thoughtfully.
"You know, all of this is real interesting, but what does all this mean for the Rift?" a familiar voice asked. Octavia glanced over at her sister, smirking a little when Priscilla rolled her eyes in exasperation. Rex Matheson added, "Look, you gotta learn if you can trust me, I accept that. But I gotta know that I can trust you as well." Octavia cringed, because she knew how her father felt about trust between teammates. She also knew that he had never forgiven himself for her injury years earlier, in part because he put his trust in the wrong person. She wished he would let it go. There was no reason to think that their former teammate would betray them.
"And I understand that you need to trust us, Agent Matheson, but until we have more information, you will not be told anything. Do you wish to make a decision based on incomplete information?" Dad inquired, raising his eyebrows questioningly. Oh. Well. That went better than she was anticipating. Her father continued, "Eighteen years ago, Agent Matheson, I made a decision without all the facts. That decision nearly cost my daughter her life. It did cost her a career she loved. And I will not make such a decision in haste again. I will not endanger my children, grandchildren, or those whom we protect in such a way. You'll find out what we learned at the same time as everyone else. Are we clear on that?" Octavia saw the former CIA agent flinch. Ouch. Maybe not so well after all.
"I understand. . .and it's something I should have thought of myself. I just heard the truck pull in, so they'll be inside in a few minutes. You want me to tell them?" Agent Matheson asked. Dad nodded slowly, his eyes never left the other man's face. The agent turned to leave, but stopped and said, "You know, for what it's worth, I really do hope your wife comes back. But if she does, she's gonna have one helluva recovery ahead of her. Not to mention, thirty-five years of catching up to do."
"Yes, we know, Agent Matheson, but thank you for thinking in those terms," Priscilla answered quietly. The agent nodded again and actually left the room this time. Octavia caught her older sister's eye and mouthed, 'sexy Rexy,' adding a meow to that. Priscilla rolled her eyes again, ruffled her hair, and then left the room, muttering something about annoying CIA agents and equally annoying little sisters being a match made in hell. Their father smirked a little and Octavia waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Well, he is cute. The total opposite of David in every way imaginable, but cute," she pointed out to her father. Maybe that was part of the agent's appeal. He was so different from David in appearance, in manner. The only thing they had in common was their occupation. . .true, David was a New York City police officer, while Rex was a CIA agent, but they both protected people. During the ten years since her husband's death, Octavia never really had an interest in anyone, whether they were male or female. But Matheson. . .he intrigued her. She couldn't put her finger on it, but he did.
"Regardless, my dear, I will warn him that if he dallies with you, I will remove certain appendages that he would miss. I would have that talk with Jack, but I suspect he's more inclined to see you as a surrogate daughter," Dad replied as he kissed the top of her head. Hmm, good point. . .at least as far as Jack was concerned. Although, he certainly wasn't fighting her when she kissed him the day before. He really was a very good kisser. She giggled a little to herself, before turning her attention back to the computer screen. Her father's fading footsteps told her that she was alone and she slid the first flash drive into the corresponding USB port. Octavia smirked, promising to remind herself to say something to Jack about it. No doubt, their old friend would have some innuendo to make!
TBC
