Chapter Nine

Once Jack got back to the Hub, he started researching Trace's aunt. He hadn't missed the way she said "dear, old Aunt Clarice" and her "aunt's house."

Jack spent all night with his research. It would have gone a lot smoother if Tosh hadn't updated the program for the umpteenth time that week.

By the time Ianto strolled in the next morning, Jack had found all the information he could and wasn't too happy.

Ianto, picking up on the Captain's mood, quickly made some industrial-strength coffee before asking what was wrong.

Jack took a long sip of the hot beverage before answering.

"Clarice Jane Peterson, born February 10th, 1968 in London, England. Younger sister to Anne Marie Peterson. Received average grades in school.

"Married Ralph Smith at age 18. The couple moved to Cardiff, Wales in '88. One year later the two divorced. Seems to have had a drinking problem since '87. Last job held was three years ago. Is currently living off the money she inherited when her father died."

Jack paused and, with a sigh, concluded, "And is currently Trace's legal guardian."

Ianto suddenly understood why Jack was so unhappy. "And you're afraid that the drinking problem may affect her."

The Captain nodded. "Yan, what should I do? What can I do?"

The Welshman opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off.

"Maybe I should go over there and see them. Talk to them. You know, find out what their living conditions are like?"

Ianto, while amused, quickly interrupted his boss before he could go any further.

"Personally, sir, I believe you should take a few days to think about this calmly and rationally. You and Miss Peterson only discovered each other last night.

"You may be able to accept it straight away, but she is a teenager. She's going to need some time to get used to the idea before you go barging into her life."

Jack, who by this time had been posed to grab his coat and run out the door, fell back into his chair and put his head in his hands.

"You're right, Yan. It is an awful lot to take in. How long do you think I should wait?"

Ianto studied the calendar on his phone before answering. "Well, seeing as today is Friday, why not wait until, say, Wednesday?"

When he saw that Jack was going to protest, he added, "That should be sufficient time for the both of you to come to terms with this discovery, sir."

Jack could only nod.

By Wednesday, Trace was feeling pretty good. Sure, she had needed to get used to the idea of her father being alive, and from the future no less, but at least he hadn't been pestering her.

No, it was quite the opposite. Trace had not seen or heard from the man since the night she met him.

Unfortunately, on her walk to school, her luck changed. She had been perhaps five blocks from the school when she heard someone walking behind her.

The teen stopped and turned around, unsurprised to be looking at Captain Jack Harkness.

"Any particular reason you're following me?" she asked with an eyebrow raised, yet un-amused.

Jack smiled softly and answered, "Look, I'd really like to get to know you. I was thinking that I could come to your place and have dinner with you and your aunt tonight."

"No thanks." Trace went to turn around, but the Captain grabbed her arm.

"I wasn't really asking. I'll be at your house around, say, 5:30. Tell your aunt to expect company."

Once again, he stopped her from turning around. He easily slid a card into the girl's hand.

Seeing the confused expression upon the girl's face, he elaborated. "It's my number. Just in case you need to reach me. For anything."

With that, he finally let her go.

Trace ended up spending all morning staring at the card. She did not hear a word her teachers said. By lunch, she was desperately trying to think of ways to avoid this dinner.

Her sandwich had been halfway to her mouth when the perfect plan popped into her head.

Glancing up, she saw Todd in his, now usual, seat across from her. While the boy still wanted to date her, he decided last Friday to spend every lunch talking to her in the hopes of becoming, at the very least, friends.

He never gave up, not even when he realized that Trace completely ignored his mindless chatter. And, for the first time, she was grateful for that.

"Hey, Todd."

The boy in question suddenly stared at her with his mouth hanging open.

Realizing how ridiculous he must look, he quickly squeaked out, "Yeah?" before rapidly closing his mouth.

"You're taking me out tonight. I'll meet you outside the movie theatre at 5."

While Todd was ecstatic that she had finally agreed, he also felt suspicious.

"Wait a minute. So, you can kiss me and tell me that you have no interest in me whatsoever one week and the next you ask me out?"

"Yup," came the girl's response.

"Does this mean you actually like me?"

"No."

"Wait, then why am I taking you out?"

"Because I said so."

Todd was really confused. "Let me get this straight. I have to take you out even though you don't like me because you said I have to?"

The bell rang. Trace stood up and said sarcastically, "Glad you understand," before heading inside.

"Well, at least it's a chance," he mumbled to himself before following everyone back to class.

Trace walked to class feeling happy. She would spend the evening out (with Todd, but she could always ditch him) and would not tell her aunt about Jack coming to dinner.

There was no way Clarice would let a stranger into the house, let alone speak with him.