Chapter Five

Newly armed with the name Trace Peterson, Jack and Gwen hurried back to the Hub. On the way over, Jack spoke to Tosh over the comm. system and she set to work searching for any information on the girl.

As soon as the cog door rolled open, Tosh, Owen, and Ianto heard their Captain call out, "Found anything yet?" A few seconds later, he came into view with Gwen right behind him.

The computer genius started spouting out what she learned while Gwen set the food down on her own desk.

"Name Trace Emma Peterson, female, born June 16th, 1991 in London, England. Mother Anne Marie Peterson, born September 26th, 1965 in London, England, died December 28th, 2007."

Jack paled at the name Anne Marie, though no one took notice. After hearing the date of death, Gwen commented, "That was last month!"

Tosh continued as if she hadn't been interrupted, "No father on record."

Owen interrupted then with a snort before saying, "Probably got knocked-up during a one-night stand."

Ignoring the medic, Toshiko kept going. "Currently resides with her mother's younger sister, Clarice Jane Peterson here in Cardiff. Has no other living relatives.

"She receives adequate grades in school and has a knack for getting into trouble," she finished.

Everyone turned to their leader, who was staring off into space, and finally took notice of how pale he was. "Jack, are you alright?" Gwen asked him, both curious and worried.

Jack managed to snap out of his thoughts and gave his team his trade-mark grin. "Of course I'm okay. Now, Tosh, do you think you could set it up so we can watch this kid?"

The young woman nodded, already typing away, and replied, "Already on it."

"Good," the Captain stated, "Now let's eat this food before it gets cold. Ianto, how about some coffee?"

Three days later, Jack knew the girl's basic daily routine like the back of his hand.

She seemed to run out of her house around 7:30 in the morning and walk slowly to school. From the few cameras around campus, he could tell that she was friendly, but seemed to keep to herself.

After school she would walk back to her house, taking her sweet time about it. Once she would finally reach the front door, she'd zoom inside. Then, around 9 or 10, the girl would sneak out of her bedroom window and walk around town for a few hours.

The Captain had been so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice when Ianto entered his office and set down a fresh cup of coffee.

"Sir?"

Jack jumped, startled, before realizing who had spoken.

"Yes, Ianto?"

The Welshman asked cautiously, "Are you alright, sir?"

Jack grinned and replied, "Yeah. Just thinking about some things that happened years ago. Is that fresh?"

Ianto nodded his head. "Is there anything else I can get you, sir?"

After taking a sip of the coffee, the Captain started shaking his head before speaking. "No, but can you tell the others not to make any plans tonight?"

He nodded his head agian. "Yes, sir. Why, may I ask?"

Jack then sighed before replying, "I think it's time we meet this kid."

The team stood in the shadows down the street from the girl's home. 15 seconds after 10, the five saw her walk around the corner of her house and towards the street.

They waited in silence for just the right moment to make themselves known. As soon as she had passed them, Jack gave a small nod and everyone stepped out of the dark and into the warm glow of a street light.

When she heard footsteps behind her, Trace stopped walking and turned around. Jack couldn't help but notice that while she was outwardly calm, her clear blue eyes were guarded.

The two took a moment to stare at the other.

Then Jack stepped up to the girl, smiled, stuck his hand out and said, "Captain Jack Harkness."

He watched intently as she eyed him and his team.

When she still refused his hand, the Captain added, "Torchwood."