At 8.05pm on a cold Thursday in January, Lauren stood outside Bar Reunion in Cardiff city centre. She was waiting for a man who she'd only spoken to once -– via email, earlier that day -– who wanted to offer her a job. Just as she was about to give up and go inside to wallow in the fact that she'd been stood up by buying a good strong drink, someone said her name.
"Miss Valentine, I presume." She was surprised to hear an American voice. "You weren't kidding about the hair." She turned around.
"Jack Harkness?"
"That's Captain Jack Harkness." He said firmly.
"Not big-headed at all, then." She teased.
His only acknowledgement of her teasing was a small smirk. "Would you like a drink?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
He whisked her inside, and before she knew it they were sat in a secluded corner of the bar with their drinks. Jack got straight to the point.
"Can I ask you something, Lauren?"
"Go ahead." There was something about the way he was looking at her that unnerved her slightly.
"How open are you to the whole 'aliens and the supernatural' thing?"
She almost choked on her drink, but then she realised how serious he was. "Is it important?"
"Well," Jack watched her closely. "Yes."
". . . Pretty open, I guess." She looked confused, and he leant forwards over the table between them.
"Good. We've been trying to recruit someone for three months, and we're getting absolutely nowhere if I'm honest." He talked quickly, keeping his voice low. "That's why I resorted to contacting you personally. Normally we like to be inconspicuous about these things but we're pretty desperate and most people just think we're joking anyway."
"Okay. And what makes you think I don't?" Lauren asked him bluntly, causing him to be momentarily silent.
"Promise me you won't freak out."
"I . . . Promise?" She couldn't keep that upward, questioning inflection out of her voice.
"Good. Okay, Lauren, I've learnt things about you. You're education, your career, your family."
"Prove it." She became defensive, more than slightly freaked out.
"You've moved here from London four years ago to get away from your parents. You were trained to use a gun by your cousin when you were sixteen, in a field. You've been trying to find a decent job for months, and failing miserably."
"What the hell is this?" She made to stand up, but he grabbed her arm.
"You promised not to freak out." He reminded her, gently. "What if I told you I had the perfect job for you? At least come and check the position out?"
She stared at him - this strange man who was far too good looking and charming to not be an actor. But here he was, asking her to join . . . What was it on the leaflet? The Torchwood Institute? And all she knew was that apparently that had something to do with aliens.
"All right, I'll come."
"This is . . ." Lauren was speechless as Jack lead her towards Roald Dahl Plass.
"Yeah, I know. We blend in to the scenery. Inconspicuous, like I said." He mentally reminded himself that they'd thrown being 'inconspicuous' out of the window the minute Ianto had made that advert.
"And you call a fountain in the middle of Cardiff Bay inconspicuous?" She asked incredulously.
"People are used to it. Besides, you'll see why we blend in." He linked his arm through hers and made sure she was stood on the paving stone. She gasped and clung onto him as they started to sink down. "Don't worry, it's perfectly normal." He laughed.
"You're underground, that's how you blend in." She realised.
"Well done. Lauren Valentine, welcome to Torchwood Three." Jack smiled. "Guys, come and say hello!" He called, and Gwen appeared.
"Hello!" She beamed at Lauren. She'd been a little apprehensive about this whole situation, but as usual Jack had managed to persuade her to give the possible new recruit he'd found a chance. So here she was, giving her a chance.
"Hi . . ." Lauren replied, taking in the Hub.
"Lauren, meet Gwen Cooper, ex-police constable. I'll go find Ianto while you ladies get acquainted." He left Gwen and Lauren chatting, and went to Ianto's office.
"Hello Jack." Ianto glanced up from the computer screen.
"What have I told you about hiding in here?" Jack gave him a look. "I want you to come and -"
"I know, I know, meet the new girl." He sighed. "Yet another pretty little thing for you to oggle, no doubt."
"Ianto, you know you're the only pretty little thing worth oggling around here." Jack teased him as he stood up.