Disclaimer: Don't own torchwood. And unfortunately never will.
A/N: Again sorry for the wait. I use life and writers block as my excuse. Hopefully this will make up for it. love to all my lovely (very patient) readers.
My eyes fluttered open, protesting against the morning light. I groaned and rolled over and was jolted awake by my injuries screaming in protest at the movement. Evidently the pain killers had worn off. I looked at the clock to see it was half past ten. I groaned and struggled painfully into a sitting position blindly groping the bedside cabinet for more pain killers. After swallowing them gratefully I struggled out of bed and painfully padded down the stairs for breakfast.
Sitting at the breakfast table I pondered what to do. I was banned from the hub but there was still things I could do. Tosh still needed watched over as did the girl she was with. I knew that at 10 o'clock in the morning Tosh would probably be in work already so that meant I could drive by her house to see if the other woman was still there. If she wasn't I could wait outside the hub till Tosh left then follow her to see if she met up her.
I moved slightly and a jolt of pain shot through my stomach and back, evidently the new dose of painkillers hadn't set in. I should probably stay indoors till they kicked in. I looked around for what I could do. I wanted to start hunting the alien that attacked those people. I could start a profile of its behaviour and narrow down its territory due to where victims were found and where it's been sighted. But Jack had the case notes.
It was then my eyes fell on the black folder on the table. I smiled slightly. I knew what I could do.
I curled up on the sofa with the book and sat the instruments next to me. I pull out the sheaf of papers and flicked through each one studies them, looking for any flaws. Finding I was happy with them I turned my attention to my latest project. I pulled the paper out from the hidden pocket in the back of the folder. I looked at the black and white outline. I had started this picture so many times but somehow I could never get it right. I settled down and began my work. I wanted to get everything right...the delicate look of a midnight feather, the sculpted shape of toned muscle, a whisper of long red locks and the bright fullness of the moon.
I worked for an hour and a half before I was startled from my work by the post arriving. I looked at the time and realised that it was already 1 o'clock. I tested out the pain factor in my body and it was bearable so I stashed away my work and went upstairs to get ready .
A quick shower later I pulled on a pair of loose black trousers and a black strappy top with trainers. I flung my camera, voice recorder, opal dagger and gun in my bag before going downstairs and grabbing the medication for later. Then grabbing a dark hooded jumper I left my house and got into my car.
As I drove away I could help but smiling.
Jack and Owen would kill me when they found out.
I pulled up outside Tosh's house. Sure enough there was no sign of her car so she had to have been at Torchwood. I grabbed my bag getting my camera and gun out. I got out the car discretely slipping my gun into the waistband of my trousers. I made my way over to the building and with a quick scan to make sure no one was watching disappeared into the ally that lead to the back of the place. I snuck round to the back window and crouched low. I desperately tried to ignore the throbbing pain in my stomach as it protested the position.
Steeling myself I leaned up to try and get a look inside...and I ducked straight back down. The woman was lounging on the sofa watching TV. She was wearing a short, blue, silk dressing gown and what looked like not much else. A lit cigarette was precariously held in her fingers.
Being extra careful I pulled myself up again to look in. She seemed engrossed in what she was seeing on the television screen. I raised the camera making sure the flash was off and snapped a few photos. I saw her head twitched and ducked down again just in time before she looked at the window. I pressed myself flat against the wall and looked up. I saw her approach the window and lean against it trying to see if there were any intruders. I held my breath and willed myself to stay still ignoring the pain that seemed to make my muscles want to spasm. Maybe Jack had been right forbidding me to go out. I watched until I couldn't see her anymore. I counted to five then slowly moved onto my knees and rose into a crouching position and peeked over the ledge of the window sill.
And fell back with a yell.
She was there. She saw me. But it wasn't her... she was an alien!
I scrambled to my feet and bolted as fast as I could adrenaline keeping the pain at bay I raced out from behind the row of houses and was just crossing the street to my car when I heard her shouting. She was screaming to passers by that I had stolen from her and screaming for people to stop me. I saw two guys run for me and I just managed to get to my car and fling the door open. I drove inside and started the ignition when one of the guys reached the car. I really didn't want to have to pull my gun on a civilian. I revved the engine warningly and it did the trick as the people started to back off. I slammed my foot on the pedal and tore out of the street.
I felt my heart thumping in my chest as I drove. Then another pain started to hit me. I put my fingers to my stomach and cursed as I felt blood. My stitches must have burst. I drove home trying to keep calm. The bleeding wasn't that bad.
I let myself in the house and dumped my stuff in the hall. I struggled upstairs pulling off my hoody and top. I got into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror in my bra looking at the damage. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was only a couple of stitches. Although it was from one of the bigger cuts and it was bleeding quite a bit. I rinsed a cloth cleared away the blood. Then came the bit I was dreading... stitching myself back up. Last time I got stitches I fainted when I felt the thread going through my skin.
Just then I jumped as the door slammed open and I heard boots in the hallway
"Anna!"
I cringed. It was Jack. And he was not happy. I heard his boots ascend the stairs obviously following the trail of blood and clothes I had left behind. I crept to the door peeking round it to see him. I paused as he saw me. I knew all he could see was a part of my left side but it was obvious I was only in my bra and trousers. I kept quiet allowing my hair to cover some of my face in shame so I wouldn't have to look at him fully. Very rarely had Jack been truly angry at me but when he was...i got scared.
Jack was quiet too, taking in the evidence of my "adventure". When he did speak it was with a scarily quiet voice.
"I told you to stay away from assignments till you healed" he said, his blue eyes flashed in annoyance "you disobeyed a direct order."
I bowed my head.
"Well actually what you said was that I was to stay out the hub. I didn't disobey you...i just...looked for a loophole." I tried to justify my actions. Usually I would have been more defiant with my words but considering I was standing there in my bra I was feeling very defenceless.
"The implication was there Anna you were to stay off the line of duty till you wounds had healed enough for you to work again" he said now having reached the top of the stairs.
A drop of blood sliding down my waist alerted me once again to my pervious predicament.
"Look Jack I'm in a bit of a spot here so can I clean up and then up can shout at me?" I asked.
"What happened?" He asked moving forward in concern.
"One of my stitches burst when I was running. It's only small but I'm still bleeding a bit and I have to tie it off again" I explained.
He moved forward ushering me into the bathroom. I moved back confused.
"I remember what happened last time. If you try and do it yourself and you faint you'll end up doing more damage. Now where are the supplies." He asked.
I opened the cabinet and pulled out a little sky blue wash bag.
"In here." I said quietly. I could feel myself becoming a bit lightheaded. My mind had raced forward to what was coming.
Jack would have to redo three off the stitches...which meant removing the thread...which meant needles.
I breathed deeply trying to calm down. I felt his hand on my shoulder and I turned to look at him.
"Come on." He instructed taking in my appearance. "You should be lying down"
I shook my head.
"I am not going to be responsible for getting blood out of my parents' carpet. It can be cleared away easier with the tiles" I said stubbornly and sat down propped up against the tub. "This will do."
Jack sighed but crouched down next to me shedding his coat. He reached into the bag and I looked away knowing if I saw the needle I'd freak. I heard him take the thread, needle, scissors and tweezers out of the little bag. It was a little personal kit I had made up at Owens command that each of us have one in case we needed stitched up out on the field and we couldn't get to the hub.
Jack stood up and disappeared out the door. I frowned in confusion but then it made sense when I tracked him by ear going into the kitchen. I waited till he came back up with boiling water to sterilize the equipment...of course by this time I was on the verge of tears...the worst part was the waiting.
He knelt down beside me and placed the metal objects in the water to sterilise them...Then he surprised me...he turned and gathered me in his arms holding me tight against his chest. I clung onto him out of fear. He made soothing, comforting noises in my ear and I froze.
My mind flashed back to when I first realised...it was like this...he was holding me...when I realised that...
I blinked and Jack pulled back looking at me in concern.
"You ready?" he asked. I nodded even though he knew I wasn't.
He got the equipment ready and I looked away to the far wall gripping the edges of the sink and bath in terror the tears starting to leak down my cheeks...I hated being so weak.
I tensed as I felt the tweezers take hold of the old thread and pull it out of my skin. My head swam a bit but I breathed deeply and focused on the cold tile I was sitting on.
I did the same with the others.
Then I felt it. The needle pressing into my skin and a sob broke out through my tears. Jack didn't say anything this time. He just pushed the needle through the other side and pulled the thread through.
I knew it was happening.
My vision narrowed to the bath tap faucet.
I started seeing black spots.
I felt dizzy and nauseous.
"Weevil Pancakes" I muttered before falling into a dead faint.
I woke up with a start. Blinking rapidly I looked around. I was lying on the couch of my parent's living room. A glass of water and two painkillers were on the table next to me. I sat up as quickly as I could swallowing them and slumping back against the cushions. I closed my eyes waiting for the drugs to kick in.
"Weevil pancakes?" I opened my eyes and saw Jack sitting on the armchair opposite the couch. He was holding a mug of coffee relaxing back against the cushion...it had been a while since I'd seen Jack relaxed.
It was strange seeing him like this. It seemed so ...normal.
I looked down at myself to see Jack had put a fresh t-shirt on me after he'd finished stitching me up. I tried not to think about Jack going through my wardrobe.
"What?" I asked addressing his question.
"Weevil Pancakes" he repeated with a smirk evidently trying not to laugh "It's what you said before you fainted"
I looked at him stunned for a moment before laughing.
"Sorry I don't remember" I laughed before stopping abruptly as my wound complained loudly with a short sharp burst of pain. I winced, a hand flying to my side.
"You ok?" Jack asked watching me carefully.
"Yeah" I nodded "Just a bit tender...are you going to tell Owen?" I asked glancing up at him.
"Why?" He asked cocking his head to the side, smirk firmly in place "afraid he's gonna keep you bed bound?"
"Yes" I said frankly. Owen tended to be over protective when it came to me. After he found out what happened today he just might keep me on bed rest till I heal fully.
I was quiet for a long time and Jack was in no hurry to break the silence. I hugged the shawl from the couch tighter around me and watch the news flashes come up on the TV screen. Despite myself I couldn't help but feel relaxed. I was happy I could once again be in Jack presence for an extended amount of time without it getting awkward.
Eventually I spoke as a thought occurred to me.
"Jack?" I asked and he turned to look at me again. "You got here awfully fast. I'd only just got in the door." I said and he nodded. I knew he was fully aware of what I was asking but like always he had to make me work for it. "How did you know I had gone out?"
"Seconds after you left the scene the police were getting phone calls about an attack on Toshiko's street. They read out your licence plate. And as you know any personal information about Torchwood employees such as licence plate and street name get immediately—"
"—redirected to Torchwood" I finished cutting him off. It made sense now. "Does that mean Owen knows?" I asked. He shook his head.
"I was the one who got the call. I followed what had happened on the street cameras before leaving the hub."
"Won't they be expecting you back? I was out for a while right?" I asked.
He shrugged.
"Fine, be like that. " I said, pushing myself up painfully and making my way through to the kitchen.
"I called Owen and told him to take over for a while. He didn't ask questions so they know I won't be back" I turned to see him standing in the kitchen doorway. I clicked on the kettle readying a mug for some hot chocolate.
"Alright…. Why did you stay?" I asked. It had to be asked but I knew why he had stayed…..and I knew what I was going to have to tell him.
"I want to know what you found out." He said confirming my knowledge.
I sigh heavily and moved past him into the dining room clutching the hot chocolate in my hands. I used one hand to pick up my pad and pencils and walked to sit on the couch placing the mug down on the table beside me. I knew Jack was following me with calculating eyes.
"I went over because I was sure Tosh would be at work. The way she and that girl were acting I wondered if the girl had stayed." I started tucking my legs up underneath me and opening the pad carefully to a blank page.
"Yeah I saw her on the street camera's when she was shouting at you" he nodded.
"Yeah well…..I think I shocked her as much as she shocked me." I said quietly starting to sketch.
"Meaning?" he asked.
I hesitated. The girl had been in Tosh's dressing gown, smoking in the living room watching TV…very….domestic. What if Tosh really liked her….was I about to ruin Tosh's relationship? Jack sensed my hesitation immediately.
"Anna what did you see? I know it startled you otherwise you wouldn't have run." He asked and I cringed to hear the "Boss voice" coming back.
"Jack….I think…" I started hating myself for every word coming out my mouth "….I know…she's an alien." I bit my lip…no going back now.
He was quiet for a long time. I continued sketching roughly keeping eyes trained on the page.
"You're sure?" he asked.
I quietly recounted my adventure describing what had happened in vivid detail. He was silent throughout the whole thing. I knew he was listening but his eyes were focused on the pad. He knew what I was doing and was waiting for me to show him.
"…so I ran. She'd seen me. She was waiting for me to look back up again. I jumped the fence and ran through the ally to get to the street and drove off… for a second I was scared I'd have to pull my gun on the civilians but they got the message when I started the car." I finished putting down the pencil and ripping out the page handing it to him.
I watched his eyes take in the image of the alien form on the paper. A long, slender, ghost like form. Floating tendrils of hair. Black eyes. Mouths that remind me of a sting ray.
"This is what you saw?" he asked turning the page round. I nodded.
"It's just a preliminary drawing…but basically yeah. Do you recognise it?" I asked.
"Never seen it before. But it might be related to the Arkan's." he said.
I went silent again trying to convince myself I'd done the right thing by telling him.
"What is it Anna?" Jack asked cutting through my thoughts.
"Jack….she was in Tosh's house…alone…in her dressing gown. Watching TV. Smoking." I explained and he cocked his head slightly to the left still not getting it.
"…What if…" I began but trailed off.
"What if Tosh slept with her?" he asked.
"I am almost 98% sure she did but….what if Tosh really likes this woman?" I asked and Jack went silent. "I…I would never interfere in Tosh's love life. She rarely gets any attention from the outside world but. If this woman is using her to…." I trailed off almost having revealed my big suspicion. Unfortunately Jack was smart enough to guess.
"You think this woman is using her to get into Torchwood?" He asked, but I didn't need to answer.
Jack was silent as he tried to think of a plan.
"Anna, no one else knows of this apart from us so we're not going to let anyone else know until we have more information. Keep going as usual, is that understood? Don't let on that you're suspicious otherwise…"
"…She'll pull away." I cut him off finishing his sentence glumly.
"Come on Anna. It'll be for her own good in the long run. We can save her I promise." He vowed and I looked at him.
"Can we save her heart?" I asked.
He didn't answer. I didn't expect him too. We looked at each other coming to a silent agreement to lay low and look out for Tosh.
"By the way I thought you might like to know about that skeleton." He said changing the subject.
"The one at the building site?" I asked "the girl that got shot?"
I was surprised when Jack smirked
"Not exactly. Turns out Owen was wrong with the initial conclusions at the building site" he said chuckling a bit. "Gwen had a good time laughing at him."
I could feel my expression darkening before I could stop it at Gwen's name. I still was furious at what she was doing with Owen. I wouldn't care so much if she didn't have Rhys at home but she did. Now she'd got her claws into Owen….and I had a suspicion she was beginning to set her eye on Jack. Honestly how greedy can one girl get?
I shook my head and bit my tongue to stop the train of thought and focused back on Jack.
"Well it's like you always tell me. We all make mistakes" I said. "At least he corrected it. Besides, do we know for sure if it's got anything to do with the device we found?"
"Not for sure but something about it's bothering Owen." He said.
That was the great thing about having Jack as a boss. He encouraged us to listen to our instincts and allowed us to follow them.
"And the device?" I asked.
"Ongoing." He said simply. I nodded accepting he wasn't going to tell me anything yet.
Jack stood up and headed for the door. I followed him watching as he put on his greatcoat.
"Anna, I mean it this time, don't leave the house until you're healed" he warned.
"But Jack!" I started to argue.
"No buts Anna. You're staying in until you heal." He said firmly. I fumed before stepping back to take a breath and calm down.
"Compromise?" I offered and he crossed his arms expectantly. "I continue following Tosh but I stay in the car. I don't get out, I don't interfere. You send Owen over here with the information we have on the creature and I continue doing scanning work to see if I find anything. All low key no running around work. I won't go back in the woods I swear it."
Jack was quiet for a while pondering it over my proposal. I bite my lip looking at him hopefully. I needed to do this. If he said know I would go stir crazy with boredom.
"Alright" he finally agreed. "But if you go out you tell me where ok? I don't want you going awol again and us not being able to find you."
I agreed quickly.
Jack nodded curtly before sweeping out the front door. I stood on the front step watching him leave. I couldn't help but smile. Things were finally getting back to normal.
I smiled happily as I bounced into the hub three days later. I turned to the coat stand hanging up my black trench coat shouting.
"Hey I'm back."
Immediately I heard footsteps behind me and turned in time to return the hugs as Gwen leapt on me. I laughed; even though I was still annoyed at her I missed her. I missed the hub whenever I was gone from it and lately I had spent less and less time there.
Moving further into the hub I was greeted with hugs from Owen and Ianto. I looked around for Jack and Tosh.
"They're in Jack's office." Owen said. I turned to see Tosh handing Jack a folder of paper.
"Thanks Owen. Can I talk to you? It's about Hinode." I asked.
He nodded and led my down to the autopsy room. The skeleton was still laying there.
"How's our guy?" I asked nodding to it.
"Difficult" He said. Owen had explained the mistakes when he'd dropped off my work.
"Still not getting anywhere?" I asked and he shook his head.
He rifled through the files on one of the surfaces and handed one to me.
"I can't find anything wrong with her." He said "the venom isn't affecting her for some reason. Not saying it's a bad thing mind you. It's just confusing. We've got 16 bodies down there who have been affected so …why not her."
"She's not the only one who was attacked but not affected. I found three others." I pulled out the three files and handed them to him. "see if they help."
He nodded and set about comparing the files.
I left quickly leaving him to his work and heading to Jack office. I poked my head in the door.
"Nice to see you both missed me enough to come and say hi." I grinned. They turned round and smiled.
"Anna." Tosh got up and hugged me tightly. I returned it hugging her tighter. I caught Jack's eye over her shoulder. I had more information.
"You two busy?" I asked.
"No" Tosh said quickly "just verifying numbers for UNIT." She nodded shyly and scuttled out the office. I watched her go quietly before shutting the door and turning to Jack.
"It's good to have you back." He said and I smiled softly.
"Good to be back. I missed this place." I said looking out over the hub.
"I take it you've been busy?" He asked
"Yeah." I said taking out a bunch of files from my bag. "I got a lot more information on where the creature could be hiding plus information on 13 other attacks but three of them survived, not including Hinode."
"13?" he asked "why didn't we know about them?"
"These were written off as severe drug addiction over doses before people started thinking they needed our help. They kept making excuses like they must have been a part of a cult or something." I said handing the files to him.
He took them quickly scanning through the first few. All the files contained the autopsy pictures.
"Where did you get these?" he asked.
"…I….improvised." I said trying to hold back a blush, picking up one of the objects on his desk suddenly finding it fascinating. I had hoped he wouldn't ask me that.
"How so?" he asked. I hesitated trying to decide if his voice was warning me or he was being sly….maybe a bit of both.
"I got Hinode to give me the number of the coroner's assistant….I flirted a bit…asked him over for a drink….then I….may have…possibly…drugged him, stole his keys broke into the coroner's office and got the information." I said the last bit in a rush avoiding his eyes.
I heard the chair creak slightly as he leant back smirking in what could almost be considered pride.
"Didn't he get suspicious?" he asked.
"No…I dragged him upstairs and put him on my bed and…well made it look like we'd had a good night and just got too drunk" I said feeling the red stain spread over my cheeks.
The smirk widened.
"I'm impressed."
I shrugged.
"But I thought you hated hospitals" he said.
"I do." I said shortly.
I heard him chuckle very softly and flicked my eyes up to glare at him.
"Hey it was for a reason. Not like I actually would've gone through with it" I defended.
He held his hands up in mock surrender though he still had that damn smirk in place.
"You did good Anna" He conceded.
I place another sheaf of papers on the desk. This time it was maps.
"The red dots are victims that died; the green dots are ones that survived. The yellow dots are possible sightings. 30 attacks all round but with 4 survivors. All concentrated in one area…" I indicated a black circle the encased the highest concentration of dots "… I think that's where it is. There are three different areas that could hide a creature like that. Natural burrows as it were" I pointed out three yellow crosses indicating the places I was referring to.
He tilted his head looking at the file.
"Do you have a theory on which one you think it's in?" he asked.
I pointed.
"This one. It's closest to the concentrated area of attacks. If this creature is predatory it will be protecting its territory. It's also closest to a water source" I said.
"You really thought this out" He nodded.
"It's my job" I said simply.
He looked up at that and gave me his 1,000 watt Jack Harkness grin. A grin so contagious I couldn't help but grin back. He got up and went to the door opening it and shouting for Owen and Ianto. I followed him smiling.
"We going to get it then?" I asked
"We are... you aren't" Jack said turning back to me. That made me stop grinning.
"Jack you can't do that" I said frowning.
"Yes I can. It's only been three days you won't be fully healed" he said.
"He's right" Owen said coming up from the autopsy bay, "You shouldn't be out on the field for a few more days"
"No" I said stubbornly, crossing my arms in defiance and narrowing my eyes, "I'm coming with you"
"Anna…" Jack started with a clear warning in his tone.
"No" I cut him off "You need me."
"And why is that?" asked Owen.
"Who out of the three of you knows the way to go?" I asked.
There was a pregnant pause as they all glanced at each other. I smirked triumphantly.
I had won.
"If anything happens you stay out of the way Anna, you get to a safe distance; if you have to intervene use your bow but-"
"Owen"
"-be careful. You don't want to strain your back.-"
"Owen"
"-And if you have to fire please be precise. I don't want to have to stitch up anyone because you missed. If your stitches or wounds reopen-"
"Owen"
"-then don't fire. We'll deal with it just make sure you-"
"OWEN SHUT UP!" I screeched cutting him of. He blinked in shock.
"I know the drill." I growled out slowly through gritted teeth. "I'm not stupid. Now be quiet."
I sat back round cracking my neck, ignoring Jack in the driver's seat next to me who had been laughing softly as I got more and more frustrated at Owens' ranting. I cracked my jaw trying to loosen the tension from gritting my teeth so hard and began to massage my temples.
Five minutes later Jack pulled up at the side of the road.
"It's on foot from here" he said getting out.
Following suit I clipped my belt around my hips and slung my bow pack into position on my back. I walked forward into the edge of the trees and waited for them.
"Alright Anna leads the way. Owen you follow her then Ianto and I'll bring up the rear. Keep your guns out and be careful." Jack instructed.
I was happy he let me lead but I knew he meant for Owen to be behind me in case I got attacked first.
I started on the trail that had been carved out on the forest floor heading to the places I had frequented in my childhood. I pulled my bow out of its clip and knocked an arrow in preparation for an attack.
Despite the imminent danger we were in I couldn't help but feel that rush of adrenaline I had missed so much. It was this excitement that always cemented the feeling that this was where I belonged… Torchwood was where I belonged.
We came to a point in the path that we needed to leave. Leaving the beaten out trail meant there were more obstacles. Branches and leaves made mobility and vision difficult. I breathed in the fresh smell of the wood. I could smell the sweet scent of the budding flowers in the mass of green knowing that in a few weeks this area would be bright with colour. I heard a twig snap behind me as Owen stepped on it and was reminded of our purpose there.
It was a frightening thought ….that something so beautiful could hide something so dangerous.
It made me wonder if all beauty in the world was destined to have a dark element within it….if you looked deep enough…
… So did that mean-
A movement to the right cut off my train of thought. I drew back the bow aiming at the area I saw the movement. I scan my eyes from left to right and back again.
"What is it?"
I hadn't noticed Jack move beside me but I knew we were now in formation; Backs to each other covering the area.
"Movement" I whispered. "Makes sense we're very close."
"There!" I heard Ianto whisper accompanied by the rustle of leaves.
"What did it look like?" Jack demanded.
"Tall, humanoid, thin, bulbous head, large hands, prominent mouth." Ianto described.
"Sounds like the perfect partner." Jack chuckled.
"Jack. There's a time and a place, but not NOW." I hissed.
"Why Anna, is that jealousy I detect in your voice?" he asked, his tone mocking.
I took my eyes of the trees for a split second to spare him a glare. Unfortunately that was all it took for it to attack.
The green form leapt out of the trees to my right between Owen and me. I swung my bow around and loosed of the arrow towards the ground managing to catch its foot as it neared the forest floor. Owen had fallen beside me as he stumbled back shooting at the thing. The creature dropped at the impact of the arrow allowing Jack, Owen and Ianto to shoot at its fallen form.
I watched as the pale mottled green flesh became dotted and streaked with red. Holes ripped through its body allowing the blood to drip onto the forest floor and shreds of flesh blended with the green leaves of the trees.
Then the shooting ceased.
It was over.
That afternoon I was standing in the autopsy bay over looking Owen doing more work on the skeleton. I wasn't doing much to help but I wanted to be there if he found something.
"You're not still worrying about that, are you?" I looked up as Toshiko came in holding two cups of coffee. I kept quiet letting the two of them interact. It was nice to see them working together. Between Tosh's awkward humour compared to Owen's dry wit they made quite a pair.
"Has Jack said anything to you about the hardware we found with the skeleton?" I looked up at that. It wasn't like Tosh to question Jack. I noticed she was pulling something out her pocket
"No, why?" asked Owen not looking. I saw Tosh raise her hands and place on that pretty green necklace I had seen before.
"No worries. Just asking." She replied and I wondered why her smile seemed so false. What interest did Tosh have in that equipment?
I sighed as Gwen walked in stopped that point of the conversation and grabbing the spare coffee from the holder. I watched as Owen told Gwen of somebody still seeing cybermen outside their house and asking her to look into it. Gwen was staring intently at Owens back and Owen refused to turn around instead preferring to shout over his shoulder at her.
Gwen and Owen were many things…subtle is not one of them.
"I think I'll just go over there." I flicked my gaze up to Tosh and was surprised to see her agitated and looking like she wanted to throw up.
"Okay. I'll phone Social Services, see if there's a history of mental illness." Gwen said completely ignoring Tosh.
Wasn't Gwen meant to be the thoughtful, caring mother hen role of the group?
"I think my desk is on fire." Tosh snapped but neither of them looked up as she stormed out.
I followed her quickly grabbing onto her arm.
"Tosh are you ok? You seem really tense" I asked full of concern for her.
She nodded curtly and pulled her arm away disappearing.
She was lying.
I knew it.
She knew it.
What worried me was the thought that Tosh had gotten herself into something so deep that she couldn't even trust me anymore…
…and that thought scared me more than anything.
An hour later I sat at my desk looking intently at the screen of my computer. I was typing up the case file for dealing with the creature. I cracked my neck wondering if I could contact Hinode to say her attacker had been caught ...better not...in case she asked too many questions.
Maybe I could tell her that the attacks had stopped and we didn't know why...that would give her enough peace of mind surely.
"Anna!"
I looked up as the hub door blared and Jack walked in. He jerked his head gesturing me to follow him. I sighed and got up following him to his office. He held the door open for me and closed it after I had passed him.
"What is it Jack?" I asked leaning against the safe.
"What were you doing yesterday at 2 o'clock?" he asked taking of his coat and hanging it on the stand next to me.
"...em...at home doing the finer details of the map for the subject's hideout" I said thinking back. "Why?"
"Did you follow Tosh at all yesterday?" he asked moving to his desk and sitting down
"Yeah. Left her at half one. She was in the centre of town. She looked really weirded out and was acting strange but I turned round to note it down and when I looked back up she was gone." I said. I felt bad now. Had something happened to Tosh after I had stopped looking for her?
I had assumed she'd gone back to the hub.
"Well you seem to have just missed the action then." He said cryptically.
"Action?" I asked confused. I tried to calm my heart now. Obviously Tosh was safe but I had seen her this afternoon with Gwen and Owen in the autopsy bay...she was definitely acting strange...but I wasn't ready to tell Jack my theories just yet. I needed more evidence.
He didn't reply. He just turned to his monitor and brought up the cctv cameras for inside the hub. He focused on the two covering the armoury. I saw the alien device we had picked up from the building site... The one Tosh had been asking about.
Speaking of which I could see her hovering around outside the door before going back to her desk, glancing out Jack's office window I could see her still looking towards the armoury. Jack got out of his seat and guided me to it with firm strong hands on my shoulders. I ignored the goose bumps rising over my arms at the heat of his hands.
"Sit and listen." He said simply sitting me down in the chair and disappearing.
I sat and watched for 10 minutes. Jack was lingering, waiting for Tosh to approach the weapon room. Eventually she made her way over there after Gwen and Owen disappeared saying they were doing the coffee and cake run. As she approached the display table I spotted Jack coming down the stairs. I turned up the volume and watched as Jack entered the armoury startling Tosh.
"So I've just come from a really interesting conversation with a Detective Inspector Henderson." Jack voice crackled from the speakers. For a high tech base we really had crap quality CCTV. Jack continued after Toshiko nodded showing he had her attention "Interesting because, firstly, the man had the biggest hands I've ever seen, and secondly ... because of the story he told me about you saving a woman and her kid from being murdered by her ex-husband."
I raised my eyebrows. So this was why Jack was asking where I was. He wondered why I hadn't seen it…or if I'd just neglected to tell him. I frowned curiously as I took in Tosh's body language. She was intent on keeping the display table between her and Jack. Was she scared of Jack? It certainly seemed so. She looked skittish. Like a doe caught in the hunters trap. Or a rabbit ready to bolt at the slightest hint of danger.
"Yeah, no, I was going to tell you about that." She said. It was hard to tell through the speakers but her voice sounded nervous and shaky. As I heard Tosh justifying why she had neglected to tell anyone about this I grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen off Jack's desk and began to make notes on her behaviour and body language to add to my folder at my desk. There were too many weird things now. But there was one similarity through it that I couldn't quite place.
"The guy they arrested, Henderson, said you heard him muttering to himself as he was walking along, and that's what tipped you off." Jack continued.
Someone was talking to themselves about killing someone while they were in the middle of a busy street? We're they stupid?
"Mm. I couldn't really work out what he was saying at first, and then it was like, "Jesus!"" Tosh agreed. Now her voice definitely sounded weird…false…strained.
"That's weird because when I'm about to murder someone, I'm really careful not to talk to myself about it while I'm in the street." Jack said pointedly. He was focusing on the artifact on the table but I knew it was to make Tosh think it was just a casual conversation.
"No, sure. I mean, that's lesson one." Tosh was laughing but it had a definite nervous ring to it.
Wait….did that mean she hadn't heard him say it? I thought back to Tosh, Owen and Gwen's in the autopsy bay. …Tosh was getting worked up over nothing….I just put it down to Owen ignoring her but….what if she was hearing something I couldn't…and the one thing that would get her that worked up….Owen and Gwen's affair.
But Tosh didn't know about that yet….did she?
"I was wondering how you were getting on with this." I heard Tosh ask and snapped my attention back to the screen.
"It's ongoing." Jack said casually not revealing anything.
"Are you going to dismantle it?" she asked…she sounded worried...or upset. I couldn't decide which
"Like I said, it's ongoing." Jack said again. Since when did Tosh question Jack when his tone was that final?
She realised that Jack wasn't going to reveal any information and turned to leave. I relaxed back in Jack's seat. Only to snap back up again as three things happen.
Tosh's hand flew to her pendant…Jack visibly paused…They both turned quickly and straightened up to look at each other.
What...the…hell?
"What? Have I got something on my face? Is it food?" Jack asked wiping his mouth with the back of his hand…Tosh just stared…then snapped back to reality
"No. Sorry. I zoned out."
"Well, listen. That was a good save, Tosh. Well done." Jack praised her. I could tell he was smiling.
However, as Tosh walked away Jack's smile faded and he glanced to the camera with a grim expression.
A few hours later I shut down my computer. Jack had disappeared after the conversation with Tosh. I had spent the time looking back through all my findings and suspicions and I kept getting one conclusion.
Whatever had happened to Tosh had given her the ability to hear what other people were thinking. I had a feeling it had something to do with that necklace. She kept touching it in confusion.
But that was my theory. Tosh could hear what we were thinking.
The way she had acted around Gwen and Owen this morning proved it. Their "dirty little secret" was obvious to almost everyone in the hub with the way they were acting round each other these days. If they were thinking about being together when Tosh was listening...it was the only explanation I could find that would make Tosh that upset and snappy enough that she would even tell me what was wrong with her.
I gathered my things and shouted a goodbye to Owen as he was down in the autopsy room and left the otherwise empty hub. I flicked open my phone pressing the speed dial to Jack's phone.
"Anna."He answered showing me that he knew who it was.
"Where are you?" I asked "…I think I've figured it out."
"So you think Tosh can hear our thoughts?" Jack asked hearing me at the door to the roof.
"I can't find any other explanations to her actions" I reasoned gripping the door frame securely. "Besides….don't think I didn't notice that look you had after talking to her… you felt her didn't you? Inside your head."
"What makes you say that?" he asked calmly.
"Took me a while to work it out… but she looked confused. Like she couldn't understand what was going on and it was a pretty simple conversation. When she was with Gwen and Owen…well… once I came up with this theory her actions were suddenly explained. And you said yourself, if you're about to kill someone you don't walk down the street talking about it."
"You think the alien gave it to her?" he asked.
"Yes. Think about it. If the alien is connected to the device then it'll want to know what's going on with it. What better way than to gain the trust of an insider and turn her against her team. Tosh is lonely Jack. Of course she's going to reach out for affection."
Jack was silent for a long time. I got the distinct feeling I was saying things he already knew. I kept the silence for a long time. It felt weird. I battled between the decision to leave or to stay. But things had finally begun getting back to normal between Jack and I that I didn't want to ruin it by running away again.
"Jack, why do you always have to pick the high buildings?" I asked stepping fully onto the roof.
I pulled my coat tighter around me shivering. I was immensely grateful for the length of it keeping most of my body shrouded in the black material.
"Don't you find it even a little beautiful Anna?" he asked not looking round. "The light's, the noise, the life-"
"-the people" I cut across him sceptically, staying well back from the edge keep my back pressed against the door I had just come through.
"Anna, whether you want to admit it or not the human race is fascinating" He said and I hummed in disbelief.
It was a conversation Jack and I had had many times before. I didn't see anything special about humans. I hated some of the things I heard humans doing. Humans are dirty, greedy, selfish, spoiled, inconsiderate and narrow minded.
If they weren't we wouldn't need Torchwood to be a secret because mankind would be able to handle alien threats and not just point and shoot. There were some "visitors" we had that were actually very nice to have a conversation with.
I could never see the beauty Jack saw in this city.
"I don't see it Jack" I admitted quietly, looking out at the city following his gaze.
"I don't think you're looking properly Anna" he replied.
Jack turned around and held out his hand to me in a silent command. His hand seemed closer than it should have been. I looked around and backed up in a slight panic realising I had unconsciously moved forward, closer to the edge than I wanted to be.
"Anna" Jack's voice was firm, commanding….magnetic.
I looked at his hand then to his face. Then back again. Hesitantly I reached out towards him and my legs moved forward very slowly. By the time I reached him my heart was beating wildly in fear. I knew what Jack was going to do but my body would not listen to my mind screaming to go back. I grabbed his hand with a weak, trembling grip.
Jack smiled softly and pulled me forward. I had no choice but to follow as he was controlling my actions now. He pushed me closer to the edge, his hands gripping my shoulders firmly.
"Look Anna. Look at them. Those people down there are who we're protecting. Those amazing people with ordinary lives and ordinary jobs. How many times have you saved the world since you joined Torchwood? Have you never stopped to see what your actions saved? Many of those people down there are alive because of us and the team" Jack said.
His breath was brushing over my right ear, tickling the sensitive tip. I shivered and this time it wasn't from the cold. Jacks' proximity and the sheer drop in front of me were making me a little light headed.
"I wish I could see what you see Jack. But look at them. How many people down there are getting beaten up by people they love? Or getting drunk? Or hurting themselves? Or people they know? How many stupid, drunken, jacked up idiots are gonna attack and rob innocent people's houses for the money to get their next fix?" I asked "…We're not beautiful Jack. We're selfish, greedy little people too scared to admit that we don't know why we're here"
Jack spun me round and I yelp in surprise losing my balance a little and grabbing onto his arms pushing against him so his momentum would pull me further onto the roof…unfortunately this brought me closer to his body.
I glanced up at him. My hands gripping his forearms while his hands clasped tight around my shoulders. There was barely three inches between us and I could feel the heat from his body warming up my cold frame. The addicting scent of him made me breathless and I looked into his eyes. They were so soul piercing. The ice blue depths that held so much knowledge looked at me with regret shining through them.
"You're too cynical for one so young Anna" He murmured raising a hand to tuck one of my long red locks of hair behind my ear.
Did he blame himself for that? Did he blame Torchwood?
"I'm sorry Jack" I whispered "but I don't see why we're worth saving. I've seen what humanity is capable of. I saw a lot through the years before I joined Torchwood. If we are the future….then it's looking pretty bleak"
Jack sighed and tilted his head watching me closely still holding me in place.
"Maybe-" He started but his phone started ringing.
I felt an acute loss as he stepped away answering his phone. I looked back out over the city trying to see what he saw… try as I might…I couldn't.
I heard the phone snap shut and Jack turned back to me.
"Owen wants us back at the hub. He's found something" He said.
I nodded and quietly followed him, pausing once more to look out over the city.
Nothing.
I bit my lip in anxiety as I heard the cog door roll open. I silently begged we were wrong. That every theory we had come up with collectively was wrong. That Tosh wasn't about to bring an alien into the Hub and help it escape.
A transporter.
Jack had known for a day or so. Specifically a prison transporter from the Arcan system. And all evidence pointed to Tosh's lover being the prisoner.
After talking with Owen and calling Gwen and Ianto in, Jack and I had talked about how much we were going to reveal to the rest of them. We had agreed that they needed to know everything apart from the necklace giving Tosh the power to listen in on our thoughts. I could just imagine how Owen was going to take that.
I gripped my gun tighter as I watched the garage doors that led through the armoury and into the hub. The glass was frosted so I couldn't see who had entered the hub. I could only listen.
"In Xanadu, did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea"
My heart dropped. That definitely wasn't Tosh's voice. Strong and confident. This was a being who was sure they were about to get exactly what they wanted.
Beside I didn't think Tosh even read works by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
"So, where is it, lover?" I cringed as I heard the word and I heard Tosh try to pacify the woman telling her she had to go and find Jack.
I seemed that no matter what we did…Tosh was going to get hurt.
My grip tightened on my bow in anger as I heard the woman speak again. I growled lowly as I heard the voice dip to a seduction tone.
"Be quick. I've a long journey ahead of me. I might need something to eat before I go"
Yeah, from those files Owen found I could guess the meal wasn't exactly going to be a romantic dinner.
"This what you're looking for?" I straightened at hearing Jack interrupt them and Tosh called out in surprise at him presence. It was time.
I listened as Jack talked. Sometimes I seriously wondered what the points of all these stories were. I mean around the table eating Chinese take away was fine. But not in situations like this. Did he really have to make Tosh feel worse at her behaviour? She was already going to feel guilty enough as it was.
"Now this ... This is incredible. You know what it is?" I heard him ask. Finally we were getting to the point.
"It's a transporter. Mary was a political prisoner - she was exiled here. Look, Jack-"I heard Tosh trying to be reasonable. Clearly the woman, Mary, had played the victim to gain Tosh's trust.
"-You've got half of it right." Jack interrupted and I could hear his voice start to get harder..more…merciless "Mary ... It is Mary, isn't it? You want to tell her the really interesting bit?"
I held my breath…no answer.
"No?" Jack asked in clear mock surprise "Chatty, isn't she? I don't know how you got a word in edgeways, Tosh." I was starting to get scared at how ruthless Jack was being with her. What the hell was he going to do?
"It's a two-man transporter. Or whatever you people may be. You might be squids, for all I
know. A two-squid transporter. Room for one prisoner and one guard. You want to tell us
what happened to the guard, Mary?" He asked. He was goading her into replying. Insulting her by pretending not to know what species she was.
It worked
"I killed him." Mary admitted calmly but with a definite note of satisfaction in her voice
"But I was disturbed"
She proceeded to tell us how she had possessed a human that had stumbled across her during the murder of her guard.
I had had enough and kicked the door with just enough force to get through it without lowering my gun. The others had gotten the same idea as each of them emerged from their hiding places. I noticed I was the only one armed. I moved quickly through the armoury and took a stance to the left hand side of the door.
Mary didn't even take notice of our arrival and kept talking. Telling us of her murder of a solider that had shot had her.
Suddenly all the puncture wounds through the chest were explained. The skeleton down in the autopsy bay being victim number one.
"And that's what you've been doing ever since" Owen stated stepping forward. He was angry and shaken as Mary confirmed his accusation, "All the punctures were all about the size of a fist. My God, all those people. You killed all those people" his voice was trembling and I felt a wave of protectiveness for him wash over me. Very rarely had I seen things like this bother Owen this much.
"I fled before any more soldiers came. I had so much to explore! And how I love this body. So soft. So wicked. The power such a body has in this world."
God was she ever planning on shutting up?
"Within a few years the forest had gone, the transporter was safely buried under the spread of the city. I didn't care, I wasn't exactly in a hurry to get home" she said excitedly like she was telling us a great story.
"And you've been killing ever since" Jack accused
"I knew there might come a time when my situation here became complicated, but I was safe, as long as I knew where the transporter was" Mary said evenly.
My eyes snapped to Tosh as she moved and I saw her put the pendant on. I closed my eyes and concentrated on trying to send her message to tell her it was going to be ok but she was too busy watching Gwen, Owen and Ianto as they watched Jack and Mary talk.
Suddenly she cried out turning to Owen.
"Owen NO!"
It happened in the blink of an eye but before I knew it Mary had grabbed a knife from the armoury and moved back to Tosh grabbing her and pressing the vicious blade to her throat. I cursed as she was using Tosh's body as a shield… I couldn't get a clear shot without risking Tosh moving and getting hit instead.
Everyone reacted but Jack and Owen were closest and they closed in on either side of her demanding that they let Tosh go.
"Toshiko, tell them to give me the transporter" Mary coaxed pressing her cheek to the side of Tosh's head
"I can't, Mary" Tosh sobbed. I could feel my heart breaking for her as I heard the hurt, confusion, fear and suffering in her voice.
"How's this?" Mary asked Owen with a sadistic smile "I'll exchange Toshiko for that one" She motioned to Gwen "Your choice"
No one needed a pendant to know the decision. None of us would have made that choice. We were all staying right were we were.
"Just put the knife down" Owen tried to coax Mary, who had turned her attention back to the terrified woman in her grasp.
"Did you hear him? He didn't want to, did he?" She asked in an 'I told you so voice'. She had been convincing Tosh nobody liked her.
"Please, don't ..." Tosh whimpered. I bite my lip feeling absolutely useless as Mary continued to whisper poisoned words into Tosh's ear.
"That's what they think of you. That's who you've been working with for all these years."
"It's not true, Tosh, don't listen" Owen tried in vain and Mary continued.
"But not me. Whatever I've done, it doesn't change the way I feel about you. We have a connection, Toshiko, something real."
"Please…" Tosh begged but I got the feeling she didn't know what she was pleading for.
"Okay, you want the transporter, we want Toshiko. I think that's a fair swap" I looked at Jack in shock. Did he really think Mary would leave us alone after she left?
"Keep the knife and I'll give you the transporter myself" Jack continued.
"The red head drops the gun" Mary demanded.
"Anna, do it" Jack ordered.
"But Jack…" I started. I had a really bad feeling about this plan.
"Anna!" He barked and I dropped it obediently.
Mary let go of Tosh and shoved her towards Owen. I rushed towards her as she pushed Owen away from her and I gathered my arms around her feeling her cling onto me. I knew she was still watching Mary who was watching the transporter in Jacks arms greedily.
Jack reached her and she reached out touching it. Jack moved closer to allow her to get a good grip on the artifact. I tensed as she paused noticing something else about Jack.
"You smell ... different to them"
I shivered slightly as Jack gave her a lethally dangerous smile.
'That smile would make the devil quiver. I forgot how scary Jack could be when one of us is threatened'
I felt Tosh's grip tighten and I realised she'd heard me.
'Sorry' I thought.
"It's ok" She whispered quietly to only me though her eyes were glue on Mary.
"What are you?" Mary asked Jack leaning a bit too close to him.
"I don't know" Jack said seriously.
"And you would have put me in a cage?" She asked giving him a sickly sweet, fake smile of triumph.
Then a noise was emitted from the transporter and Mary's smile vanished as the machine powered up.
"What's happening?" She asked bluntly.
"Oh, that" Jack said lightly stepping away from her "I re-programmed it for you. It's set to enable."
As he spoke a blinding white light engulfed Mary and she gasped in surprise and rage. Tosh ripped herself away from me trying to take a step towards the light but it was too bright. It rose up rapidly hitting the ceiling and disappearing taking Mary with it.
"…Sort of now" Jack finished looking up at the point it had vanished.
"What did she ... ? Has she gone home?" Tosh asked looking up at where her lover had been ripped away from her.
I looked at Tosh sadly.
"I reset the co-ordinates" Jack said coolly.
"Where to?" She asked managing to conjure up a harsh accusing voice.
"To the centre of the sun" Jack answered simply.
I gapped at him. He'd done what?
"It shouldn't be hot. I mean, we sent her there at night and everything." He continued looking around at everyone else.
"You killed her" Tosh accused.
"Yes" Jack snarled harshly.
I watched as he walked away. I felt lost. Very rarely had I ever totally disagreed with a decision he made but this….he had promised not to hurt her…well…not verbally promised. But I had made it clear I was scared just how broken Tosh would get over this.
I watching as the tears started flowing freely down Tosh's face and realised that it seemed that almost every stunt Jack had pulled there was almost intentional in how much it hurt her.
I was torn between going after Jack or comforting Tosh.
I could shout at Jack later. Right now Tosh needed someone.
I went over to her and took her hand leading her away to the bathrooms. Gwen tried to approach but stopped when I fixed her with a glare. Tosh now knew about her and Owen. Despite any kind words Gwen had Tosh needed to calm down first. Gwen was probably the last person she wanted to talk to.
I sat Tosh down on a chair and soaked a cloth washing her face free of the old tears even as new ones kept falling. I put down the cloth and reached around her neck undoing the clasp of the pendant and taking it off her placing it on the side unit.
She sat there motionless with her tears still falling. I crouched down in front of her and tilted her head to look at me. Her eyes were filled with fear, regret, loss and rejection.
"Tosh…" I started softly "It wasn't real. She didn't love you. We do Tosh. We love you so much. Everything she did was designed to make you believe otherwise. But please believe me when I say we'd be lost without you"
She looked at me as her bottom lip started trembling violently before she broke into loud violent sobs and collapsed in my arms shaking fiercely with the force of her tears.
I sat with her on the cold stone floor rocking her gently trying to offer her comfort. She needed this. The big breakdown. She needed to let all this anger and hurt out or it would eat her up inside. I couldn't do much. But I could be there.
We sat for near on an hour. At one point a movement caught my eye and I glanced to the door to see Jack standing there. I hardened my gaze and glared at him. Tosh wasn't ready to talk. He looked at me for a moment in silence before nodding his head in acceptance and disappearing silently into the main body of the hub.
Nearly twenty minutes later Tosh's sobs had reduced to shallow breathing as she started to compose herself. I sat and waited allowing her time to let her pull away by herself. When she did she looked at me with guilt filled eyes.
"I am so sorry Anna" Her voice was horse and cracked from her crying.
"Tosh it wasn't you're fault. You didn't know" I said taking the cloth again to wipe her face.
"But I-" She started.
"No Tosh. She manipulated you. I know how sorry you are and in my book you're forgiven. We all make mistakes. I'm not going to hold this against you." I said and Tosh went quiet.
As I was clearing up Tosh spoke up.
"I know you don't blame me Anna but I have to say sorry. I invaded your thoughts. That's a very private personal thing and I know you don't like it. But...i just want to say... If you ever want to talk... about this thing with Jack..."
I froze. It hadn't occurred to me that she'd heard that.
"Don't worry." She said hurriedly. "I don't know anything. I just...got an indication." She tapered off.
"Maybe I'll tell you eventually." I sighed. I genuinely didn't blame her for this "but..if I'm honest...I don't even know what's going on...but right now is not the time to talk about it. Focus on yourself."
She nodded accepting that I wasn't going to elaborate. She picked up the pendant and left giving me a hug of gratitude. I knew she was going to apologise to everyone. She had calmed down now that she'd be able to talk.
I sighed.
Talk about a rough day.
Walking up to the hub I saw Tosh leading Ianto to the conference room to talk to him privately. Gwen and Owen were muttering softly to each other, debating on who was going to approach Tosh about the affair.
Usually I would have gone over to tell them to leave it. But there would be no point in that. They weren't the ones in the right over this. If they were scared of being found out they shouldn't have started it in the first place and they should be so obvious about it. They wouldn't cause too much fuss. They knew they were in the wrong as well.
I walked over to my desk and shut down my computer gathering my bag. I briefly muttered goodnight to Gwen and Owen before heading towards the door.
I saw Jack approaching the door. I knew he wanted to talk to me as well but I wasn't in the mood. I looked coldly at him and he paused. I knew he was debating on whether or not to order me to speak to him or let me go and cool off.
"Be in at nine o'clock tomorrow." He ordered before turning on his heel and walking back to his office.
I hurried out to my car and tossed my bags in the boot. I was about to climb in when I paused. I looked out over the quiet expanse of the water in the bay.
Maybe a walk would do me good before I went home.
Pulling my jacket tighter around me I slowly walked over the stone slabs of Roald dhal Plass and made my way to the water's edge. I sat looking over the smooth expanse of liquid feeling a sense of calm wash over my heart.
This was better...the sounds of small waves lapping against the side of the harbour. No pollution of people shouting and hurrying to get to the next place they were needed; just the water relaxing after a day of being churned and tormented by the motors of boats.
A glint caught my eye and I looked down to see a couple of empty cans of beer floating on the surface... the stain of humanity on the beauty of nature.
What the hell did Jack see in us?
I turned away.
I started walking back to my car when two figures sitting on a bench outside the millennium centre caught my eye.
Jack and Tosh.
I ducked into the shadows and waited watching them. I couldn't hear anything but it seemed they were talking things through. I watched as tosh held up the pendant.
Then she dropped it on the ground and crushed it with her boot.
I smiled softly.
She could move on now.
I watched as she and Jack started smiling again and I knew the trust was reforming. But I wasn't ready to forgive him that easily. I wanted to know why he'd acted so callous with the situation.
I watched Jack get up, wipe away the last vestiges of Tosh's tears before cupping her chin in affection and turning to walk away.
Towards me.
He drew level with my hiding spot.
"Happy now?" he asked casually.
"No" I said softly moving out of the shadows. I saw his pupils readjust to see my form in the brighter light.
"Jack, that was completely unnecessary back there. I asked you to protect her heart. Did you have to be so cruel?" I asked trying to keep my temper lid shut.
"Anna it was my call. Tosh needed to know it was a mistake" he said firmly.
"She knew that Jack! She was beating herself up about it you saw the conflict inside her. She didn't need you making it worse" I snapped feeling my ire rise.
"She was considering betraying us Anna" he shot back, this time a little more harsh.
"And whose fault is that! Jack doesn't it worry you that Mary got Tosh to believe we didn't need her so easily?"
"What would you suggest we do Anna?" he barked, "You're part of this team as well, despite the time you decided to take off. Don't you think Tosh was affected during the three weeks you ignored her?"
I gapped at him open mouthed. I couldn't believe he had just flung that back in my face.
"We're all responsible here Anna," he finished, his blue eyes were alight with iced anger.
I couldn't answer. The hurt rose up in my chest making it hard to think up a response. How could he use the time off against me like that. He knew the reason... was he still disappointed I had run from him?
...Probably.
He took a step back and turned to walk away from me clearly feeling the conversation was over. It took a moment or two for my brain to kick into gear and I ran after him. There was no way I was letting him walk away after that.
"Hey we're not finished," I snapped getting in front of him, "I am well aware that my time off affected people but I'm trying to make up for that. But in the past year I've known you Jack, you have never been so careless with the team's emotions. It was like you set out intentionally to hurt her. You haven't given me a descent explanation as to why you decided to do that to her"
His eyes flashed at the challenge.
"I promised you things would be good for her in the long run. Tosh will be fine now go home Anna!" he snarled but I stood my ground.
"Jack the one thing I have always respected you for is how you treat us. Now I want to know why you suddenly decided that how you're employees are feeling doesn't matter anymore. I made it clear that the one thing I was scared of for Tosh was getting her heart broken. But you didn't just help break it Jack, you practically made it as difficult and painful as you could" I growled.
"What is it you want me to say Anna?" he exclaimed in exasperation.
"I want you to explain why I feel I can't trust you with the teams emotions anymore!" I shouted, "Just because you're happy at being alone doesn't give you the right to judge when the rest of us reach out for emotional comfort. Not all of us have to suppress our emotions Jack!"
"Well you would know being the expert in covering up your feelings wouldn't you!" he snapped back.
I saw red at the clear jab to my feelings for him and pulled my right hand back ready to strike him hard across the face.
However, in the few seconds it took me to swing my hand round, Jack done 5 things almost simultaneously.
He grabbed my right hand with his left stopping it inches away from his cheek.
He forced my right hand down to my side.
His left arm curled around my waist.
He pulled me forcefully towards his body.
...Then his commanding lips pressed forcefully onto mine effectively silencing my small shriek of surprise in a forceful passionate kiss.
AN: Cheeky to ask but reveiws are much loved. Till next time My Lovely Readers Xxx