You Need Me Jack
Jack was fuming by the time he got into his office. He flopped into his chair and placed his head in his hands, trying to calm himself down before he did himself an injury.
How could that girl know so much? And how did she know it all? Jack had to think, what did she say? She could read. But what? She never did say. Stupid girl, he shouldn't have let her get to him like that. He knew there wasn't much hope for Grey but he could still try right?
There was a soft knock on his office door.
'Jack.' A soft tentative voice called into the silent room. 'Jack, love, are you alright?'
Jack looked up to see Ianto walking towards him.
'Jack what's wrong?' Ianto perched himself on the edge of the desk in front of Jack.
Jack breathed deeply calming himself even further before he answered.
'It's nothing really. I was just confronted by someone, a girl, and she just took me by surprise.'
Ianto knew that there had to be more to it so he kept his mouth shut and let Jack continue.
'She said she wanted to join Torchwood. She knew everything. About us what we do, how we do it. She knows about you and me, and the Doctor . . . and she knows about Gray. How can she know Ianto? It's just not possible.' Jack looked straight into Ianto's eyes and Ianto could see, for the first time, the anger he felt.
'Jack everything is going to be okay.' Ianto said. 'Look, check her out okay and if you're still not sure about her, just Retcon her. It's simple.'
Jack nodded in agreement. He felt himself calming down now even further. Ianto was always good for his nerves.
'Yeah, you're right.' He said with a little more confidence.
'Of cause I am.' Ianto laughed. 'I'll get Mickey or Gwen to do a background search when–'
'No!' Jack said a little louder than he intended. 'I'll do it. They have enough work to do as it is.'
'Okay, if you say so. Will you be alright now?' Ianto asked.
Jack smiled one of his heart breaking smiles.
'Yeah, I'll be fine. Thank you, Ianto.'
Ianto stood up and kissed him softly before he left the office closing the door behind him.
Jack took a steadying breath before turning to his computer and typing two words into the search engine.
"Adeline Gowper"
He hit the enter key and the computer brought up a profile of the girl he was looking for.
Name: Gowper, Adeline May
Date of Birth: 31st October 1990
Place of Birth: Perth, Scotland
Parents: Griffin, Annabel (Mother), Father unknown
Place of Residence: 26 Alice Street, Butetown, Cardiff, Wales
Occupation: Weapons Historian and Blacksmith
Jack continued to read but the information was basic, impressive and very boring. Her school grades weren't high but all her teachers said that she could be great if she applied herself. He laughed to himself about that one. Didn't all teachers say that? Nothing about this girl really interested him. But how did she know so much about him?
Jack had a strange feeling that this wasn't the girl he met in the Plass. Sure the picture looked like her but the information just didn't seem to fit the girl he met.
Fed up with the computer he shut it down terminating the profile in the process. He walked out into the main area of the Hub to find Ianto coming up the steps towards him with a mug of steaming coffee.
'So what's the verdict?' Ianto asked handing Jack his mug.
'I'm not sure. She seems harmless enough, but I have this nagging feeling in the back of my head saying she's not safe. The girl I met this morning and what I saw on her profile, they aren't the same person.' Jack took a sip of his hot coffee and he instantly felt the calming powers of the drink as it slid down his throat.
'Well if you're not confident with her roaming the streets, you know what to do.' Ianto said as he walked over to Mickey's computer.
Yeah Jack knew what to do alright. Retcon her. But how would he get in contact with her.
'Ianto, I'm going to go for a walk. I need to clear my head.' Said Jack taking a gulp of his hot coffee and regretting it instantly as it burned his throat on the way down.
'Sure. I'll buzz you when the other's get in . . . if they ever get in.' Ianto smiled then helped the Captain on with his great coat.
'Thanks but you don't need to, I'll be back soon enough. Where did I get you from Ianto Jones?' Jack asked with a smile that just screamed his gratitude for Ianto.
'I stalked you remember.' Ianto replied with a cheeky smile of his own.
'Oh yeah.'
The area around the bay was unusually quiet. Jack guessed it was probably due to the threatening storm clouds that hung over head. He aimlessly walked around the water's edge steadily getting closer to a figure sitting on a bench, staring out to the horizon. As he drew nearer he recognised the girl as Addie. He stopped just behind her; she didn't flinch or turn to see who it was.
'How long did it take you to look me up Jackie?' She asked her tone indifferent.
'Not long.' Jack replied much in the same manner. 'Once I calmed down I guess.'
She turned around to smile at him. Her green eyes sparkling once again and her lips stretched effortlessly over her pearly white teeth. She tapped to seat next to her, encouraging Jack to sit. He slowly walked around and sat next to her on the wooden bench, neither of them breaking eye contact.
'Not as quick as I thought, but as long as I predicted.' Addie said her smile dropping slightly but still retaining its electric vibe.
Jack smiled back, well tried to smile but he couldn't make it reach his eyes. Addie obviously saw this because she sighed and looked out to the bay.
'You've come to Retcon me have you?'
'Yeah, yeah I have. Are you scared?' Jack asked, a slight cheeky taunting edge to his tone.
A smile split across her face revealing her white teeth once again.
'Why would I be scared Jackie? I'm perfectly safe.'
'What?' Jack was getting slightly confused.
'I could take a hundred of your amnesia pills and I'll still have my memory.' Addie turned to face Jack and her smile widened at the sight of his horrified face. 'They don't affect me Jackie. And don't look at me like that. What did you find out about me?'
Jack was still shocked with what she said, that it took a few seconds for him to realise that Addie had asked him a question.
'Er . . . your profile, right. Your name is Adeline May Gowper. Very pretty I must say, you don't get many Adeline's or May's around these days. It's more of an old fashioned thing.' Jack laughed slightly to himself. 'You're born on Halloween in 1990. You were and able student at school. Your records said nothing about a father. You're Scottish born . . . but you don't have an accent. And you live on Alice Street.'
'But?'
'But . . . it's all a lie, isn't it?'
Addie's smile got bigger, but didn't look at Jack.
'Who are you, really?' Jack was annoyed, and when he was annoyed he was no longer rational.
'Myself Jackie. As are you.'
Addie reached into the inside pocket of her coat, which now that Jack could see it closer it was made of a soft leather. She pulled out a long rectangular card which she handed to Jack. He took it apprehensively. The card was red with a black edge which faded into the red.
Addie stood up from the bench and walked a few paces before she turned back to face him.
'You need me Jackie.' She said again, just like before. 'If you want your answers, you know where to go.' And with that she walked away without another glance back.
Jack watched her until she was almost out of sight then he turned to look at the card. He recognised it and tentatively he flipped it over. His whole body went rigid when he saw the picture on the other side.
'Ianto!' He said as calmly as he could over the coms. 'I'm taking the SUV; I'll be back as soon as I can.'
'Where are you off to Jack?' It was Gwen's voice that replied.
'I said Ianto, Gwen.'
'Yeah I'm here Jack. Do you want me to come with you?'
'No I'll be fine, thanks.' He smiled to himself at the kindness of his partner.
'We'll handle things here Jack, you just be careful.'
Jack ran to the SUV. The squeals of the tires could be heard from the hub and Gwen turned to Ianto, who just shrugged and went to busy himself with the coffee machine.