Chapter Two

"Tosh, stay here, I'll keep on the phone while you check the rift signals," Jack gathered his things whilst talking to the team. "Owen, Gwen, with me. If anyone gets a call from Ianto, hell, even if your ear is hanging off and there's blood everywhere; answer it."

There was a mumble of 'Yes Jack''s before he started talking again. "Now, Gwen, tell us everything about that phonecall, I want every last detail." The others stopped, staring at her and anxiously waiting for an explanation.

"Well..." Gwen gulped, trying to think of what exactly happened, "I was looking for him, and I... I called him. But he didn't answer. Instead there was this... little girl. She was about four of five years old and she just kept saying over and over 'I'm scared. Please help me,' and she wouldn't answer any questions I asked. Just the same thing... I was scared Jack," she paused, looking him in the eye. "What if something terrible has happened to him and its our fault? What if its my fault?" Jack gripped her hand lightly and told her firmly, "Its not your fault. Its mine."

"Hold on a second here, I thought we were going to investigate the coffee kid, not kiss and make-up." Owen interrupted, sticking his chin out, cocky as ever.

"Yeah yeah," Jack grinned, looking over to Tosh and Owen. "Gwen, Owen, get in the SUV. Tosh, I'll call you as soon as I start the engine. Let's go guys."

They sprinted out, using the docks to get to the SUV as quickly as they could. They slammed the doors as they got in, Jack revving up the engine loudly. He used his earpeice to call Tosh, but it wasn't his Japanese colleage on the end of the line.

"Tosh, talk to me." he said, expecting her to fill him in on the recent events.

"I'm so scared," sounded a timid voice.

"Tosh?"

"I'm scared, please help me..." it sobbed into Jack's ear.

"Who are you...?"

"Please," it begged, "Please help me!"

"I said, Who are you?" Jack raised his voice slightly.

"I'm so scared... help me."

"This is Captain Jack Harkness, of Torchwood Three. Now whoever is playing silly games with my team can stop. It ends now, you hear me?"

"I'm so alone... so scared..." it wailed.

"Whatever you've done with Ianto and Tosh, I'll kill you. If you've hurt them, I'll hurt you ten times more. Now, for the last time, Who are you?" Jack almost yelled the last question. But all he could hear was a dosen more sobs and a "Please," before the call was disconnected.

"They've got Tosh, haven't they?" Gwen asked some time later, as they cruised down the street.

"Yes," Jack sighed. He didn't understand. A few minutes later, he spoke again. "I think we should stick together now," said Jack, not taking his eyes off the road ahead. "If we're on our own, we'll get taken. I know it."

"What if we need to piss?" interjected Owen curiously.

"Go together."

"I don't want you two looking at me while I do my business!" Gwen cried, furious.

"Then you'll just have to hold it in, won't you?" Jack frowned as they pulled up.

"Now," he turned, undoing his seatbelt so he could address Owen at the same time. "whatever this thing is, its decided to pick us off one by one. We might have to lay a trap for it."

"But-"

"Gwen, don't worry. You don't need me. I'll be fine. You'll be fine. Tosh and Ianto are probably too scared to fight this thing, and I know they aren't armed. I always carry a gun." He flashed his classic Webley at them, then hid it away again.

"But Jack, you don't know what this thing is. you can't just go running into a trap!"

"I'll be all right," he said, flashing her a smile.

"Think of the bright side," Owen joked at her, "you'll have me all to yourself until them lot come back!"

Gwen rolled her eyes, "All the more fun, then, I suppose."

"Anyway, Gwen," said Jack, "What were you and Rhys fighting about again?"

"Nothing," Gwen hung her head, but sneaked a glance at Owen.

"A lovers' tiff, eh?" Owen laughed, but quietened when Jack shot him a look.

"Just stay with him. Don't let him out alone. Or in, for that this thing wants us, it'll want those closer to us, too."

Gwen nodded, straightening up. "I guess this is goodbye, then. Good luck, and all."

Jack laughed, "I doubt I'll need it."

"Good luck, mate." that was Owen, shaking Jack's a couple of seconds, Jack had jumped from the car and was gone.

"So," Owen grinned, cocking his head to one side. "Your place or mine?" He climbed into the front seat and started the engine.

"If Jack catches you ever driving this thing, you'll be killed."

"Let's just hope he doesn't see then," the engire roared and they were off, driving down the highway towards Owen's flat.

"you have to admit though," Gwen said thoughtfully, "it isn't like Jack just jumping into things without a plan. What are we meant to do until its all sorted out, anyway?"

"I could... think of a few things." Owen's left hand snaked down Gwen's thigh, where he spread his palm on her knee, squeezing it tightly before moving it to change gears. "But no, you're right. He's either finally cracked, or he's leaving it down to the element of surprise."

"He knows something, Owen. Oh god, we're really gonners now, aren't we?"

"relax," Owen pulled up outside, undid his seatbelt, and soon enough his arms were around Gwen, lips locked passionately. When they came up for breath, Gwen added, "besides, it isn't as if he would just abandon us, right? This is Jack we're talking about."

"Unless he wants to save his precious Ianto," scoffed Owen, but winking at Gwen all the same as he opened the SUV door and led her inside.

They wasted no time in doing what they were there to do, hastily throwing clothes aside and bits of junk scattered around the flat. Never taking their eyes of eachother, never leaving the other's side. Eventually as the night drew to a close and the morning creeped in, Owen found himself sleeping with his arms wrapped around Gwen. he was happy, or happier, anyway. Happier than just after... her. Diane Holmes. The name never left his mind. She was his everything. In the short time they had had together he finally experienced true love. but now she was gone. She chose the 'Sky Gypsy' over him, but he was sure he still crossed her mind. Everything about her hung over him. Her looks, her personality, All the precious moments they had. Their memories. Little things, the smell her of her hair and the way it fell through his fingers like silk; the looks she gave him when she thought he wasn't looking; her laugh. That laugh lit up her eyes and showed how amazingly beautiful she was. Until that night, all those things had haunted him, but for the moment he felt okay. He was Owen Harper, and he was happy that the girl in his arms was Gwen Cooper.