You're My Heart But I'm Your Weapon

by Prey To The Predator

A year ago an 18 year old Anastasia Nixon caught the attention of Torchwood when she helped save her school from being overrun with aliens. Now, a year later, she is second-in-command and loving her life.One problem... Captain Jack Harkness. Jack/OC (ON HIATUS)

7. Out Of Time Part 1

Disclaimer: Don't own Torchwood. And unfortunately never will.

A/N: Hey I'm back! Again sorry for the wait. No excuses. Hopefully this chapter will be worth the wait. It's more personal than any other chapter I've done as of yet. love to all my readers. Hope you like it! R&R if you do!

---

"Jack, have you heard from Anna today?" Owen asked poking his head round the door of his employers office.

"No, she's not coming in till later" Jack replied, looking up from the stack of papers in front of him.

"Yeah I know that" Owen nodded coming fully into the room "But even so she usually keeps her phone on"

"Maybe she's rehearsing for that show or she's at a movie" Jack shrugged.

"She'd have her phone on silent not switched off" Owen pointed out.

It was true, Anna almost always kept her phone on incase they needed her.

"What do you need her for anyway?" Jack asked, receiving a grave look from the medic for doing so.

"Something's come up and... we need her opinion on it before we proceed" he said skirting around answering the question directly.

"Owen what is it?" Jack insisted concerned at the man's careful response.

"It's her friend... Hinode"

Jack groaned.

---

1 hour later Jack sat in the SUV outside the huge painted white building. This was the spot where Tosh had tracked Anna's car. Jack could see the dark green vehicle from his current position. So she was here... odd.

Anna would never go to a hospital voluntarily.

There couldn't have been anything wrong with her. It would have flagged up on the Torchwood system as soon as she was admitted as a patient. So what the hell was she doing here?

As he exited the SUV, Jack allowed an amused smile to spread across his lips. He remembered Anna's very brief explanation of her seduction of the hospital's mortician in order to gain access to the hospital records. He would never admit it but seeing her flustered when talking to him about another man... well, it stroked his ego.

Jack was now well aware of the redhead's view of him. He now knew that the reason Anna had never spoken about boys and dates was because since she'd met him she'd never had any.

In her eyes no one could measure up to him. Whilst the vain part of Jack revelled in that knowledge there was a large part of him that wished that wasn't the case.

Anna's view of him was extremely misguided. She had a sort of hero worship infatuation when it came to him. Although he didn't actively work to tarnish that view of him in her eye there was a large part of him that was aware her feelings were not going to be healthy in the long run.

The problem was he didn't want to do anything to deter those feelings.

Jack knew his connection with Anna had been special right from the beginning. She understood him in a way no one else did and she didn't even know him that well. Although her feelings for him had developed over time the sharp red head knew when to talk to him, when to obey him, when to challenge him, when to stand up to him and most important of all... when to comfort him... and when to trust him.

Jack thought back to that moment 2 days ago. Although he had been over whelmed with guilt he couldn't help but feel proud of Anna. When the actually role reversal had happened he wasn't quite sure, but sure enough she had been the one comforting him. She had taken control and assured him that he had nothing to feel guilty over.

Jack wasn't sure how she did it but she seemed to empathise with his feeling when it came to the safety of the team. Over the years he had lost so many friends, colleagues and lovers ... but it was deeper than that... he knew the darkness they were being dragged into.

... And that was something Anna understood now more than ever.

As Jack entered the hospital he consulted his wrist strap trying to trace where Anna was. The signal was faint but eventually led him up to the 4th floor of the building.

"Excuse me sir can I help you?"

Jack looked up at the sound of someone addressing him.

Standing in front of him was a girl who looked not that much older than Anna, he would have hazarded a guess at early twenties which is why he was quite surprised to see her frame adorned in a white doctor's coat.

The young woman's skin tone was strikingly similar to Toshiko's, if a bit lighter. Her hazel green eyes were regarding him with a cool indifference... Jack stole a quick glance at her name tag.

Dr Hinode Sakurai

... ah so this was Hinode.

"Yes actually I believe you can Dr. Sakurai" Jack smiled turning on his charming grin.

Hinode blinked in surprise at the knowledge of her name but then her quick brain remembered her name tag and she relaxed.

"What can I help you with Captain?"

This time it was Jack's turn to be surprised. Hinode allowed a small smirk cross over her expression.

"My grandfather was in the RAF"

"Ah a military man in the family" he smirked, impressed by her observation skills. "Anyway back to business. I'm looking for Anna... I believe you're close with her."

Hinode's eye suddenly became guarded, clearly protective of the girl he was inquiring about.

"Can I see some identification?" she asked.

"I'm a close friend" Jack told her, not wanting to use his Torchwood ID. He knew Hinode didn't know Anna was connected with Torchwood. Working in a hospital meant that she could have a preconceived idea of Torchwood that could tarnish her view of Anna. Jack refused to be responsible for that.

"I'm going to need more than that Captain" Hinode insisted.

"Look just go and see her and tell her Jack's here to talk to her" Jack insisted.

Hinode scrutinized him for a second before relenting.

"No it's ok... I know you know her" Hinode conceded pointing down the corridor "she's in the room on the left at the end of the corridor"

Jack nodded his thanks and went to walk in the direction she pointed but was stopped by a slender hand on his arm.

"Please be careful. She's emotional right now" Hinode pleaded, eyes shining with concern over her best friend. A person being concerned for Anna was not something that was new to Jack. The concern showing in Hinode's eye was the same concern mimicked by Owen and Tosh. However, there was something more there... something that made Jack wonder just how much she knew about him and his connection with Anna.

"Don't worry Doctor Sakurai, I'm not here to cause trouble... and if I do you can take it out on me next time we meet. I've got a feeling I'll be seeing a lot more of you."

And with that Jack walked off leaving Hinode feeling a little more than confused... and not a little concerned.

---

I sat on the chair overlooking the bed that looked too big for the small fragile girl lying in it.

It wasn't fair. She was only seven and her whole life had been centred around this hospital. All that pain, the loneliness...For what?

...To be told she was dying anyway.

...All that...For nothing.

I felt the single drop of warm salt water trail down my cheek. Crying the tear that she wouldn't... she wasn't like me... she didn't believe that she was going to die. When I was at her stage I was planning my funeral. She was still planning her life. She wanted to be a doctor like her best friend.

... Well, my best friend.

I was pulled by my thoughts by a warm sensation brushing against my cheek. I looked up to see Jack retracting his hand with the single tear glistening on his finger.

"Jack!" I jumped out of my seat. He had been the last person I had expected to see here.

"I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever see you smile properly again" he commented softly.

I looked away from him and back to the figure lying prone on the bed.

It was true. I didn't smile as much anymore. Things begin to build up, eat away at the happiness. It wasn't that I was unhappy, far from it... I had a good job, friends both inside and out of Torchwood, stable money and I now knew my feelings for Jack weren't entirely one sided.

Those things made me happy.

...yet I always had a tendency to expect the worst... feel others pain for them... even if they couldn't feel it themselves.

Jack didn't pressure me to say anything nor did he tell me the reason he came to find me. He simply drew up another chair beside mine and sat down. I lowered myself back into my own chair and settled back into contemplation.

"Her name's Bridget... she's my cousin" I said randomly. Explanation that hadn't been asked for but I felt was needed.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked.

"Cystic fibrosis" I said "... she's ... got cysts on her organs ... they're growing... expanding. Taking over her body and slowly killing her. She's been like this... well, she was admitted when she was two"

"And she's been here ever since?"

"...in and out at first... but then it became too much for my Aunt and Uncle... Mum and Dad did what they could to help and support them...They thought they could fix everything" I couldn't stop the bitterness entering my voice as I spat out the last few lines "They should've learned from their experience with me. Everyone's done exactly the same thing to her as they did to me"

"Meaning?"

"... They've abandoned her"

"Abandoned?" he asked.

I stayed silent unwilling to further explain when I was so close to her. I remembered listening to adults talking about how unlikely my survival was when then thought I was sleeping. It was one of the scariest things... hearing what they weren't telling me.

Bridget still had hope for her life and I refused to be the one to shatter those dreams.

Instinctively I reached out taking Jack's hand in my own. The familiar comforting grasp offered me a moment of peace. In front of Bridget I had to be strong. I wasn't always forcing a smile, Bridget was too bright a spark to allow anyone in her presence to be sad for long. But Jack knew that right now my strength was a mask. He didn't know why, but he knew it was a mask.

The girl in the bed shifted slightly and moaned in discomfort. Normally when you think of people being asleep their faces are free from trouble, peaceful in their own dream worlds. But the look in Bridget's face spoke of nothing but pain. Her limp, dark brown hair framed a pale sallow face. She was thin and bony... It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this wasn't a common cold.

"Sorry Anna but you have to go now"

I looked up at Hinode's voice. She was standing in the doorway holding a clipboard watching us carefully. Her eyes alighted on our joined hand and her eyes softened slightly... Jack had just won brownie points.

"We're going to bring her around and give her a bath and something to eat" she explained, walking fully into the room.

I nodded and stood up, Jack rising with me.

"Alright, tell her I'm sorry I wasn't there when she woke up" I said and Hinode nodded, her eyes switching again. She wasn't Doctor Sakurai anymore, she was Hinode, my best friend.

"You going to be ok?" she asked concerned.

"I'll have to be" I replied tonelessly, slipping on my black trench coat.

"Anna..." she started stopping me from turning to go out the door "... don't think it didn't help. The money you gave to give her the room and the treatments made the last year easier on her than it would've been"

I nodded stiffly, trying to calming my choking heart.

"You know she'll want to see you again" Hinode warned "she knows something not right... you're the only one who can calm her with that story of yours. The one about the-"

"- I know" I cut her off quickly "... I'll come by as soon as I can... if I can't come in, I'll phone her and talk to her... I promise" I said, feeling the weight of the chain around my neck. I fingered it thoughtfully my touch running over the pendant dangling from it.

Hinode nodded again and squeezed my arm in comfort.

"I'm sorry it didn't work imooto-chan" she said genuinely sympathetic. Bridget had come to mean as much to her as she had too me. Hinode was the only doctor allowed near her.

I reached out and hugged my best friend sharing the comfort that we were both loosing someone important to us.

"Call me if there's any change" I insisted before leaning down to the bed and kissing my little cousins forehead... she felt cold.

I straightened up and nodded to Jack who led the way out the room and with a finale goodbye to Hinode I followed him silently as he lead me way from the room that held the little girl who was losing the battle for her life.

"You ok?" Jack asked as we climbed into the SUV.

"Yeah, just have to deal with it" I said quietly, settling back into the seat.

"What did Hinode mean when she said 'it didn't work'" He asked not in a prying manner but genuinely curious.

"Her last hope. She had a transplant operation... but her bodies rejecting the new organs. They're trying to give her meds to stop it but she practically lives on medication... she's grown immune to them. Now it's just a matter of time... Hinode said she'll be lucky to reach Christmas."

We were silent again for a couple of minutes before he spoke.

"You said your family abandoned the two of you?"

I kept quiet trying to think of a way to word the answer without making my parents seem uncaring and selfish. True, I held a bit of resentment for their actions but I knew why they had done it.

"I was Bridget's age when I was in the hospital. I was in there for so long, getting weaker and weaker everyday. My body couldn't seem to recover from the ammonia and it was slowly failing... Eventually it became too difficult for mum and dad to watch. They stopped visiting. I would occasionally see them if they were in filling out a form or something but they never stayed long..."

"And they've done the same with Bridget?" he asked.

"Yeah... don't get me wrong it's not exactly the easiest thing to watch. Given the option I might've stopped coming to see her. But my aunt and uncle don't visit and neither do my parents, which doesn't even matter now because everyone is still in Scotland... funnily enough arranging another funeral" I went a silent wondering if I should take the two deaths as some form of sign.

"So why don't you stop visiting? If it's that hard to watch" Jack asked.

"... Because being alone is the thing that kills you the most. I remember wondering if there was any point in fighting because I was convinced mum and dad didn't want me. Bridget at least has me and Hinode. We do our best to keep her going...keep her fighting" I sighed and shook the current situation out of my head. I tried not to let it interfere with me when I wasn't at the hospital. "Ok Jack, now tell me the truth. Why were you at the hospital? It probably wasn't a casual visit" I asked. I wasn't stupid; Jack had been looking for me for a reason.

Jack heaved a sigh, almost like I had asked the inevitable question that he hadn't really wanted me to ask.

"...Let go get something to eat" he suggested.

Softening me up with food first?

Ok, now I knew I wasn't going to like the news he had.

---

15 minutes later we were sat in a little cafe across from the water tower. My right leg was twitching nervously as we waited for Owen to arrive. It seemed like the more tensed the muscles to try and make it stop the more it shook.

I jumped as I felt Jacks hand close over my knee, instantly ceasing the movement.

"Any more of that and the table's going to overturn" He said, ever so slightly amused "Stop worrying"

"Stop worrying?!" I hissed "How can I do that you've told me nothing except it's to do with my best friend. How the hell do you propose I stop worrying?"

"Owen says he doesn't think it's dangerous" Jack assured me.

"But it could be?" I asked. Really it was a rhetorical question. If it didn't at least have the potential of being dangerous Jack would never have come to find me. "Jack what if she finds out about Torchwood? What if we need to bring her in? What if I have to retcon her and she forgets me too? What if-?"

Jack's fingers over my lips quickly silenced my one breath rant. I looked at him like a rabbit caught in headlights.

"Trust me" he smiled. Although I was still worried that smile did melt some of the worry away. Jack knew how to put people at ease when he had too and it was a technique he frequently employed with me.

As he withdrew his hand the tips of his fingers brushed along my lips to the soft skin of my cheek. His lips curled from the soft comforting smile to a slow, sly, seductive smirk. The shade of his eyes changed to a slightly darker, captivating hue.

I felt the blush faintly stain my cheek and I ducked my head to avoid looking into his eyes.

Jack however was having none of it. He gently cupped my chin and tilted my head up to look back at him. I felt my heart thump hard in my chest and goose bumps rise over my arms. His lips were hovering so close to mine, his warm breath skimmed over my face like an invisible caress. The desire to touch those lips again started to clutch at my senses, gently trying to force my mind from our very public situation.

"Watch it" I warned, my lips brushing his as they formed the words my brain couldn't quite believe I was saying "Owen could get here any minute"

Jack nodded slightly in agreement and pulled back slightly, but just as I allowed myself to breathe again he swooped in and granted the kiss my lips had been begging for.

Jack kisses were ultimately going to be a bad thing for me. They were addictive. His skilled lips alone were enough to make my insides quiver. When he added the practised to perfection use of his tongue, well then that was just me gone. Someone could knock me over with a feather.

I moaned and readily returned his kiss, my hand rested on his forearm seeking any form of contact with him, tugging gently to bring him closer to me. I felt his fingers thread through my hair allowing the soft strands to glide through his fingers.

Then all too soon it was over. He pulled away gently smirking when I unconsciously tried to follow him.

"You're not fair" I muttered.

"All good things to those who wait" he replied eyes sparking with mirth and dark promise. The smirk was still firmly decorated on his lips letting me know he knew I really didn't want him to stop. His hand gave a light squeeze on my knee before withdrawing and once again wrapping around his mug of coffee.

I went back to sipping my tea, quelling the desire growing inside me and waited patiently for the good Dr Harper to arrive.

The silence was comfortable. It had become apparent early on in our partnership that Jack and I had the same interest of people watching, just for different reasons. Jack saw hope, I saw corruption.

Eventually we saw Owen make his way over to the cafe.

The next 20 minutes went by in a blur and my previous contentment was shattered as I was aware of what Owen was explaining to me. I slowly felt my brain go into shock and denial.

When would it bloody end?!

I was staring so hard into my mug that I could see myself in the dark brown liquid. I could hear Owens voice around me and feel Jack's hand on the small of my back in comfort...

... I looked up when it went quiet.

They were looking at me expectantly, respecting the fact she was my best friend and it was my choice how to handle the situation.

"It's not immediately fatal?" I asked.

"As far as I'm aware no... but we've never come across it before. We do have something that will help but it means-"

"-bringing her in" I finished Owens' sentence for him.

They both nodded gravely.

I went quiet trying to weigh the pro and cons of bringing Hinode into Torchwood. Letting her know what I do... and would I have it within myself to retcon her.

... on the other hand if I could try and convince Jack to let her remember... she could help... no more unnecessary deaths because people were to proud to call us. Hinode could contact us as soon as anything suspicious turned up.

... but would Jack allow that.

Was it worth the risk to ask him?

"...Alright" I said eventually "I'll bring her in... but everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, every decision goes through me, ok?"

I looked at Jack, pleading with my eyes.

"Please Jack, I need to take charge with this one. She would do the same for me"

Jack scrutinised my face for a few seconds before nodding in agreement. Just then Jack phone went, he excused himself and went to answer it, leaving me and Owen alone.

"Where were you?" he asked.

"Hospital. Bridget got her test results back" I explained.

"Christ Anna, I completely forgot" Owen said "How was it?"

"It failed... she's got three weeks... Possibly less" I admitted.

I hadn't been stupid, of course I had asked Owen if there was anything we could do. Since that time Owen had been informed about everything going on with Bridget. When I told him about Hinode working with her, he had seemed to develop a respect for my best friend because of her dedication to her patient.

"God Anna... I'm sorry"

"... yeah ... me too"

Sensing my need for it Owen reached out and drew me into a hug. We stayed like that for a few minute and I happily drew strength from his embrace.

We were interrupted by Jack clearing his throat

"I'm sorry Anna; Hinode is going to have to wait. We need to go" He said apologetically but firmly.

"What is it? What's happened?" I asked in worry. What could have happened to make Jack cancel the task on Hinode?

"Something's come through the rift. A plane that disappeared in 1953" he explained as we all donned our jackets.

"The rift? It took them?" I asked as I followed him out with Owen hot on our heels.

"Now it seems to have dropped them back here. There's a landing strip about a mile away that's where they're heading" he said as we jumped in the SUV.

"Undamaged?"

"We'll see" was the only response I got.

---

It wasn't long before we were standing on the landing strip watching the plane come into land. The writing on the side of the aircraft told us it's name was Sky Gypsy, which coincided with the information on the missing aircraft from 1953. The plane landed beautifully curling in a graceful arc till it came to a halt directly in front of us. From out of the window of the cockpit a slim gloved hand waved to us as we approached.

"Hello there apologies for the unplanned touchdown, just hit some rotten turbulence" the female pilot said jumping down from the aircraft and reaching to shake Jack's outstretched hand.

"Captain Jack Harkness"

"Diane Holmes, pilot" she introduced herself before looking around "Is this some sort of secret base? You must show me round one day, Captain"

I resisted smiling as Jack said nothing. Maybe it wasn't a laughing matter but seeing their reaction to twenty-first century architecture could be amusing. Either way before either of us could say anything a man's voice cut across the wind howling around us.

"Everything all right?"

The two other occupants of the plane had approached us. One was a man who looked like he wasn't happy about the "unplanned touchdown" and the other was a young girl who looked a lot more timid about her current situation.

"How long before we head off again?" she asked preventing anyone from answering the man next to her "My Uncle's expecting me" she explained quickly

"When did you leave?" Jack asked blatantly not answering any of their questions

"About half an hour ago" Diane answered

"Which date?" Jack continued, this time making her pause before answering the strange question.

"Today, December the 18th"

"Which year?"

Diane actually turned to look at the man next to her this time clearly beginning to question our sanity.

"Which year? Which year? I need to know" Jack persisted and eventually she relented.

"1953"

Jack and I shared a look that spoke volumes. Yes it was them... problem was... what the hell do we do with them?

---

"There's no need to be frightened" Jack reassured them as he brought up the rear of our group entering the hub. The welcome alarms blared making them less than reassured by his words.

"Who are you exactly?" the man asked still not satisfied with the lack of answers he was getting from us.

"The least you know about us, the better" Jack said cutting his way to join me at the front of the group "Meet the team" he said gesturing to the rest of them standing on the stairs leading to the workstation areas.

We all rattled off our names although I was sure they really wouldn't properly take it in. They were too busy trying to take in their surroundings. However they replied in kind:-

"John Ellis"

"Emma Louise Cowell"

"Diane Holmes"

"Please, follow me" Owen invited them having donned his doctors coat and lead them further towards the autopsy room to carry out basic health checks. I stood back as they filed past obediently.

"At least it wasn't a spaceship full of aliens"

I turned to look at Gwen standing beside me as she said the comment which Jack swiftly answered.

"That might have been easier" he said as he started up the stairs.

"What does he mean?" Gwen asked turning to me.

"Aliens are fairly simple, either we attack or diplomatically deal with them to keep our planet safe. With this lot... they're three humans that have been dragged out of their time and flung over fifty years into the future. We need to explain the new way of life, that they can't get back, help them adapt to this world with as little pain as possible. To them, they had families not 2 hours ago, now who know how many of their relatives have died" I explained quietly as we followed Jack up the stairs.

Emma, Diane and John were getting basic medical tests done by Owen to make sure their trip through the rift hadn't affected them. They were still scared and uneasy... well you couldn't blame them. Torchwood is intimidating to people from our time, god knows what it was doing to their perception of the world.

"Tosh, Gwen I want you two to look up on their history from the time they disappeared to now. We need to give them as much evidence as possible to make them believe us. Anna my office, I want to discuss Hinode" Jack said turning to us.

I nodded and headed into the office to wait as Jack issued more orders to keep the team focused on the three new comers. Settling onto the seat across his desk I allowed myself a few moments to reflect.

It was beginning to feel like the walls were closing in. Bridget was dying, Hinode was infected with alien venom, my parents were in Scotland and showing no signs of coming back and still not telling me what the problem was.

Torchwood was meant to be the disruptive force in my life. The one I had to struggle against to keep a normal life. So when had my rules changed? Torchwood was normal, safe... somewhere where the abnormality and unpredictability became the safety net.

It was my outside life that was the trouble and I had a feeling it was only going to get worse. I had informed my family of Bridget's condition. They seemed reluctant to leave... what was more important than her? Surely my Grandmothers will could wait. However, when I pointed this fact out to them... Well let's just say after that conversation I was sure they were hiding something from me. Sheer will power alone stopped me from hacking to the system and finding the will myself.

"You seem distracted"

I looked up to find Jack already seated in front of me.

"How long have you been sitting there?" I asked surprised.

"Wow you really must be distracted" he chuckled teasingly "I mean if you didn't even notice me in the room"

"Shut it" I muttered, trying to not smile. He did have a point and he knew it.

"Wanna tell me about it?" he asked.

"Buy me a drink first" I quipped.

"Deal. Now about your friend. What do you want to do?" he leaned back into the soft leather of his chair.

"Honestly?" I asked, getting a small nod as a reply. "I want to bring her in, help her... and then... let her help us by utilising her position in the hospital to feed us information"

"You mean you want to introduce her to everything?" He asked.

"Well not everything... just ... enough to let her help us. You know... no more waiting for them to explore every other possibility. Hinode would let us know as soon as something strange turned up. She could help"

"And it would negate the need to retcon her afterwards" he said, immediately seeing through to the other agenda in this proposal.

I stayed quiet, not breaking eye contact.

"Look Anna if Hinode can't handle it-"

"-Then by all means do what we have to but... she's my best friend. I can't ... I would rather give her the chance. Please Jack... Give me the chance for someone outside Torchwood to talk to"

"Anna you knew the score when you joined" he said gently but firmly.

"Yeah I know... but her work is so close to mine. So many times I've heard her talking about some of her patients that have injuries she can't explain... but I know we can. Imagine how many people we could save if we had an inside source... even if it is just one hospital..."

Jack watched me for a few seconds but I refused to break his gaze.

"Alright" he said, coming to a decision "We'll bring her in and see how she handles it. Then we'll decide if she gets to remember"

I nodded. It was a test. I had expected it. After all we all had to go through it before we became part of Torchwood.

"Alright deal. When do I bring her in?"

"Immediately" he replied getting up.

"Really? Even with that lot?" I asked gesturing out to Diane, Emma and John.

"Their presence will keep the rest of us busy enough to allow you to concentrate on Hinode" He said, pulling me out of my chair to stand in front of him. "She's your case now. You decide how you deal with her"

I knew what he was doing. This was his way of allowing me to make the decision on how to introduce Hinode into this world. Giving me the responsibility and respecting the trust formed between best friends.

"Thank you Jack" I said smiling in appreciation. This trust allowed me to feel that I had gained some control back.

"And when you put her under in the machine and we get that lot settled you and I can go for that drink" he said.

His hands were clasped gently around my arms and I could feel his body heat warming my skin. I was very aware that his office door was still open with a clear view inside the room yet Jack was maybe just that little bit too close. He didn't seem to care but we had come to this mutual agreement that we didn't want the team to know about whatever was going on between us.

"You're playing this pretty dangerously" I said darkly.

Jack smirked knowingly at the change of subject.

"Excites you doesn't it? Maybe getting caught?" I asked curiously.

"Perhaps... but what are we doing that worth getting caught" he answered, his hands slowly trailing down my arms. I gulped slightly, darting a glance at the door.

Tosh was engrossed at her computer, Gwen didn't have a clear view to Jack's office from her computer and the rest we all down in the autopsy room... Jacks proximity was making it very difficult to think.

I placed my hand firmly on his chest and pushed him back. He stumbled back but the grin just widened as I glared.

"You are far too confidant for your own good" I commented, although it was clear I was biting back a grin of my own.

"Am I?" he said before giving a little mock bow "I beg your forgiveness"

I rolled my eyes, fighting back a smirk and walked past him out the office.

"We'll see. I'll be back soon"

---

I had tried to come up with many different ways on how to approach the subject... but none seemed appropriate. I'd just have to bite the bullet and go with what felt right.

I walked into the building and up to the reception desk. The girl behind the desk looked up at me.

"I'm looking for Doctor Sakurai. Can you call her down please?" I asked in a delicately professional voice.

"Um... Doctor Sakurai may still be on her rounds" The receptionist, whose name tag informed her name was Rachael, hesitated. I tilted my head expectantly "Well ... who should I say is looking for her?"

I had a mental battle... who was looking for her?

Torchwood... or Anna

...was there a difference?

"...Torchwood"

The girls eyes lit in recognition at the name. Fear and respect suddenly infusing her features.

"Oh of course... em one moment"

Rachael disappeared through a door behind the desk, hopefully going to get Hinode here. I turned away from the desk but still stood close by. As I was waiting I tried to calm down enough to confront her. She knew Torchwood was waiting for her but how would she react when she saw who Torchwood was?

My ears pricked as I heard her footsteps; that hurried pace, wanting to please and help where she could.

"Hey Rachael, what is it?" Hinode said in a slightly panicked confusion "Someone said that Torchwood was waiting. What do they want with me?"

"Don't know" Rachael answered "Ask her"

I tried to stop myself reacting in fear as I knew Rachael was now pointing at me.

There was a pregnant pause.

"... Anna?"

I turned around to face my best friend. She stood there practically shell shocked as she took in the smart clothes, confidant stance and business like expression.

"Anna?" she repeated "You're Torchwood?!"

I nodded once and again a strong silence descended over us. I kept quiet allowing everything to sink in for her. I watched as a display of emotions combined and danced across her expression. Confusion, fear, disappointment, awe, worry, suspicion, anger... all of them crossed her feature as she tried to process my conformation.

Eventually I saw the tirade of confusion give way to curiosity. She took a deep inhale of breath to calm and steady herself.

"You have a lot of explaining to do"

---

"You're kidding... you... you have got to be kidding me" she spat out half laughing, half stunned.

"I know it's difficult to believe Hinode, but I swear it's all true" I insisted pushing her mug of green tea closer towards her.

After a brief pull of rank on Hinode's boss we had escaped the hospital after she had changed out of her scrubs. Now we sat in the cafe across from the water tower as I gave her the briefest facts on Torchwood. She nursed the green tea in her hands and took deep breaths... probably trying not to freak out.

"So... for the past year you've been running around with a government group that no one really knows about-"

"- no no" I cut off quickly "We're not the government. We're separate... we work... special cases"

"What kind of special?" she asked.

I didn't think it was really the right time to tell her about the aliens. Maybe Jack's tactic was best... just take them in and let them see it rather than trying to verbally convince them.

"um... I'll get to that in a second" I hadn't banked on how difficult it would be to try and keep the professional face on when I was trying to talk to her about this. "Right now I need to know..." I paused trying to find the way to word it "... what you know about Torchwood... what you've heard... how you feel about it"

She was silent for a while contemplating her answer

"Well..." she started hesitantly "my workmates don't like the name Torchwood, saying the Torchwood throw their weight around and... that they... kill people. I don't know if any of that is true or not so I don't really have an opinion about them. They have a job, like the rest of us I guess"

"Well that's something at least" I sighed deciding to take that as good news "... so you're not scared of us at all?"

"Us?" she asked both eyebrows raising in suspicion and curiosity "There's more of you?"

There was a change in the pitch of her voice raising nearly an octave higher. Meaning that whatever idea she had in her head had now been disproven.

"Yeah there are six of us. The team" I said quietly.

"Ok so ... What exactly do you do?"

"We're sort of like... em ... hunters... scavengers" I said trying to find a roundabout way of explaining it in a way she would accept.

"Hunters?" she asked disbelievingly as she eyebrows drew slightly together in the middle.

... Ok maybe hunter had been the wrong word.

I bit my lower lip nervously, why was this so hard?

"Ok... there's a reason I'm telling you this... it's going to be difficult to hear so... I'll give you two options. I show you then explain everything or I tell you then I show you... It's about that bite and the thing that attacked you"

The panic drained the colour out of Hinode's face and glazed her eyes with a light sheen of fear.

"Is it... is the bite worse than I thought?... I only got a small fever nothing serious" then she straightened up. "Wait what do you mean "thing"?"

I took a deep breath. Ok this was it.

"My job... we... I mean it's our job to hunt down and scavenge alien life forms and technology" I said trying to mimic the confidence and pride that reflects in Jack when he gives this explanation, but failing miserably.

Hinode stared blankly at me before bursting into laughter.

I sighed and made up my mind.

"Come on" I said getting up and pulling on my jacket "Clearly I need to give you the physical evidence"

"Anna I'm not saying I don't believe you but..." She trailed off still laughing slightly. I didn't think she thought I was lying. She was just scared and nervous.

"I know. But this is probably the best way to do this. You've been given the basics now you need to see it. I'm doing this for your own good"

"Why?" She wasn't laughing anymore "Am I in trouble?"

"Just come on. I'll explain everything when we get there"

I exited the cafe heading out across the plass towards the water tower with Hinode running to catch me up.

"Anna, you're really starting to scare me now. You show up at my work, claim to be a part of Torchwood-"

"I am a part of Torchwood Hinode" I cut in

"Either way, you're telling me that aliens exist and I'm in danger. Come on Anna I deserve answers" she pleaded.

"I'm trying to give them to you but I need to let you see for yourself before I try and explain anymore"

"How far away are we?" she asked, I detected a note of fear in her voice.

"Actually we're walking over it now"

I heard the gasp and could almost see her stop and look at the ground like she was expecting it to cave in. I kept walking heading towards the tourist centre. I wasn't about to terrify her on the lift.

"Um Anna, this is the tourist information centre. Why are you bringing me here"

"I told you. Torchwood is a secret" I said as we walked along the wooden board of the harbour.

"You mean...?" she trailed off.

"Yep. Everyone needs a mask" I confirmed opening the door to the centre and escorting her in. From behind the desk Ianto looked up and gave a welcoming smile.

"Welcome back Anna"

"Hey Ianto. They all still down there?" I asked, closing the door and approaching the desk.

"Yes but Jack and Gwen should be coming up with John, Emma and Diane. I've book them into a hostel" he said

"Good. How did they take everything?"

"John seems having trouble letting go as is Emma but Diane seems to be coping" He informed me.

"Ok. This is Hinode my best friend. Hinode this is Ianto Jones. He makes sure Torchwood is kept running smoothly... and makes the best hot drinks ever"

"Pleased to meet you Mr Jones" Hinode said nervously, bowing at the waist in greeting.

"Call me Ianto. Now what would like to drink miss" Ianto said politely.

"Um... green tea... if that's alright"

"Same for me Ianto"

"Of course, I'll have it to you presently" he said pressing the trigger behind the desk that opened the entrancing into the hub. I heard Hinode squeak in surprise.

"See you Ianto"

Leading a wide eyed Hinode through the door, I guided her along the corridor leading to the elevator. As we walked a loud clanging and grinding noise echoed through the bare walls.

"What's that?" she asked startled and gripping my arm.

"Calm down. It's just the lift. It'll be Jack and Gwen. The people they're with arrived this morning. Fell through a gap in time. They're from 1953"

"1953?!" she gasped.

"Just be delicate" I warned as the door slid open to reveal Jack and Gwen escorting John, Emma and Diane out into the corridor.

I brought us to a stop allowing them to approach us. I knew this could end up being a difficult situation. We couldn't be sure how any of our guests would react. We didn't want any of them to act out if something made them feel frightened or upset. I didn't think any of them would lash out but fear makes people do stupid things.

"You were quicker than I expected" Jack commented drawing level with us.

"Couldn't really explain it well, figured your method was easier" I explained and he nodded before looking at Hinode.

"A pleasure to see you again Doctor Sakurai" he said with a small smirk. He was teasing her? Had they spoken before?

"So that's what you meant" Hinode said shocked, apparently he had said something to her "You knew I would be brought in" she was still very shy and quiet but there was a certain edge to her tone.

"The final call was Anna's" He said simply.

She nodded but I could pick up the deep breath huffed out her nose indicating she was annoyed. Hinode wasn't big fan of not knowing everything. Must have been the scientist in her.

"Um, not to interrupt" Gwen started drawing all attention "but shouldn't we be going Jack"

"Yeah" Jack agreed, briefly glancing at her before returning his attention to me "We'll be back soon"

"Sure, we'll hold down the fort here" I nodded, knowing he was telling me not to leave so we could go for that drink he promised.

After a brief goodbye to Gwen and the others I led the now thoroughly confused Hinode into the lift.

"God I wish my boss respected me like that" Hinode breathed as the doors shut blocking the view of the corridor "I mean you're only nineteen and he treats you like an equal"

"I guess" I murmured "but he needs to trust me at least a little, I am his second in command"

"What?!" Hinode chocked on air "How did you manage that?"

"I wish I knew. It was only three months ago. Gwen started around the same time we lost our old second in command" I said quietly.

"Lost?" She asked suspicion heavy in her voice.

"It's a long story" I brushed off as the cog door rolled open revealing the vast inside of the hub.

She didn't pushed the subject, too awe struck by the sight before her. I smiled fondly at her reaction to my second home. The wonder in her eyes as her mouth opened in surprise was slightly amusing.

"Anna..." she breathed "... this..."

"Is Torchwood" I finished proudly.

"How... how..." she gaped at me speechless "How the hell did you end up working here?"

"I was in the right place at the right time" I said laughing slightly "Come on and meet the rest of the team"

I led her up the steps to Tosh's work station where Tosh was staring so intently at her screen she barely noticed us. I peered over her shoulder curiously. She was filing through old specific files that dealt with one subject in particular.

"So what's your bet that most of these feel through a gap in time" I spoke making her jump.

"Christ Anna don't do that!" she scolded.

"Sorry Tosh" I smiled "just wondered what had your attention so captivated"

"Well I just... " she looked hesitantly at the screen "They're really scared Anna. Confused. How many others are out there like them but they don't have people like us to help them adapt?"

"Humans survive Tosh it's what were good at but we can only save the ones we find so no point in worrying about it till we have to ok?" I said rubbing her shoulder in comfort.

"I know" she sighed

"There's someone I want you to meet" I started drawing her attention away from the computers. "This is my best friend Hinode. Hinode this is Toshiko Sato resident computer genius"

I smiled as they both handled their own way introduction, asking about each other's pasts in Japan. I quietly slipped away down to Owens territory.

"Hey Owen" I said announcing myself, making him look up from his paperwork.

"Hey, she here?" he asked.

"Yeah, her and Tosh are bonding over their Japanese roots. I just wanted to see if you've got the machine set up"

"It's down in the old med ward. I've modified it so she can lie on one of the beds rather than sit on the chair. It'll be a long process" he said ascending the stairs towards me.

"How long are we talking?" I asked.

"Three maybe four hours" he replied leading me up to the main platform again. Tosh and Hinode looked over at our presence.

"Hinode this is Doctor Owen Harper, our medical marvel"

"Pleased to meet you" Owen said extending his hand, for once not cocky or sarcastic. He knew the work Hinode had done for Bridget.

"Thanks" Hinode returned nervously "So... when do we get started?"

"Now, I can work the machine" I voiced before turning to Owen and Tosh "You guys can head off now. We'll call if we need help"

"You sure, Anna? Because I've got a lot-" Tosh started

"Go! That's an order" I smiled handing her coat to her and pushing her towards the door. "You work too hard. Switch the brain off for once"

"But what if Jack-" she protested

"Leave Jack to me" I insisted "you need rest Tosh"

"Well... if you're sure" she relented

"Yes I'm sure. It looks like it'll be quiet tonight any so no need to worry"

"Ok night Anna. Bye Hinode, it was nice meeting you" she waved goodbye heading for the door, pausing for Owen to catch up

"Should have known you wouldn't take any convincing" I smiled as he shrugged on his coat.

"Hey, take the breaks when you can" he shrugged "See you tomorrow, kid"

"Hey, I'm still in charge!" I whined playfully, pushing his shoulder.

"Whatever gets you through the night princess" he smirked, running down to join Tosh at the doors.

I waved to them one last time before the cog door slid back into place hiding them from view.

"Wow..." I heard Hinode breath and I turned to her.

I had expected her attention to have been caught by one of the many wonders surrounding her. I expected her to been transfixed on a shiny piece of equipment or looking through one of the files detailing things she could never have imagined. What I did not expect was for her to be staring at me in wonder and confusion.

"What?" I asked, though I had a vague idea of what she was about to say.

"You're all so close" she said quietly "like a family"

"We have to be" I said simply but gently "we only have each other, we have to watch each other's backs and take care of each other. This job has been known to drive people mad. We keep each other grounded. Tosh and Owen are like family to me just as much as you are. My own family appear to have completely turned on me. Friends are the family you choose"

"It must be nice. Too be so close with them" she commented.

"Hey it's not all fun and games. Believe me" I assured her, but went no further into it. I was aware that the more I told her, there was a higher chance of her tripping the retcon if Jack deemed she needed it.

A part of me wanted to give her that advantage... but I had to do my job.

Hinode would understand if she knew. I was sure of that... mostly.

"Your tea, miss"

I chuckled slightly as Hinode jumped at Ianto's sudden presence at her side, bearing a tray loaded with two mugs.

"Don't worry. You get used to it" I smiled taking the mug from him and handing Hinode her own beverage.

After giving Ianto the same assurances that I would be fine by myself he donned his still perfect jacket and followed Tosh and Owens route out of the hub.

The cog door slammed closed behind him and silence reigned within the hub. The only other sounds were the dripping water and the occasional soft beeping of a machine. The sudden lack of people made it seem just ever so slightly colder.

"What now?" Hinode asked.

Anyone who had just met her would not have detected the slight hint of fear and anxiety in her voice. But the slightly more exaggerated rise and fall of her chest, her wide eyes and her middle and forth finger digging into her palm indicated otherwise.

"Drink your tea and then we'll go down to the old med ward. Owen has modified it so you'll be more comfortable"

She nodded quietly and I sensed that I was going to get very little conversation out of her. She was calming herself down in order to not freak out incase of any more surprises.

I watched her carefully. I didn't want to miss any indication that she wasn't handling herself very well. If I could ease some of her worry before Jack appeared she might make a better impression. Hinode was professional when she needed to be but sometimes her mouth ran away with her, especially if it involved her being nervous... which she most defiantly was now.

Then as I watched I noticed something. Her eyelids were dropping. Her breathing slowed down and she relaxed back into the couch.

'Ianto you little miracle' I thought gratefully.

He had used Owens trick when it came to dealing with me and dosed her tea with sleeping pills. A part of me suspected it had been Owens orders in the first place. He modified the machine to let her lie down, remembering my description of the similarities between me and my best friend when it came to needles.

I smiled and crossed over to her, silently helping her get to her feet. She was still lucid enough to move but words came out in unintelligible strings. By the time I manoeuvred her into the med ward I was carrying most of her weight. She flopped down on the bed narrowly missing toppling off the edge, my directing her weight being her saving grace.

She moaned, disgruntled before the effects of the pill took over her senses and she dissolved fully into a peaceful, dreamless slumber.

I looked at the machine next to the bed.

The cold metal dimmed with age shunned any light attempting to penetrate it. Clear tubes and green and blue wires crawled their way around the contraption waiting to close in on its latest subject. There were evil looking needles jutting out of the wires and the bright lights of its interior illuminated Hinode's sleeping face.

For something supposedly used for good, it looked downright evil.

Perhaps Hinode not seeing it first had been the best call.

Making a mental note to buy Owen and Ianto a thank you gift, I hooked Hinode up to the machine, set it to the right settings and quietly left, shutting the door behind me. It was warm enough in that room so she would be comfortable.

I headed straight for the couch. A twenty minute cat nap would do me the world of good.

---

The sense of warm intoxicating lips covering mine roused me back into consciousness. I leaned up slightly, sighing in contented pleasure, wrapping my arms around broad shoulders and playing softly with the hairs at the back of his neck. His arms supported my back as I raised myself off the soft surface of the couch to push the kiss into deeper, more lustful territory. Our tongues duelled fiercely, alternating between attacking and playfully edging away.

Very slowly we both started to pull back into the original familiar, soft territory until he pulled away from me completely causing me to moan in disappointment and finally force my eyes open.

Jack's twinkling gaze and smug smirk greeted me; I glared at him before descending into giggles and pulling myself up into a proper sitting position. Jack laughed and settled down next to me. Now I was more aware of my surroundings and less distracted by the captain another smell infused my senses. A very welcome smell indeed.

"Pizza?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We both know you don't want to leave her to go to a bar. You've had a long day and people are not going to make you feel any better. So pizza and drinks with better company seemed just what the captain ordered" he smirked.

"What makes you think you're better company?" I challenged

"Not me" he smiled "her" he pointed up, drawing my gaze to Myfanway who was gleefully circling overhead, searching for the food hidden for her within the rafters.

"Oh yeah, she is better" I laughed at Jack's put out expression, however fake, it made me smile.

I leaned over and slowly kissed him. Savouring the taste of coffee on his lips and mindfully memorising the feel of skin, day old stubble creating a delightfully rough feeling on my palm.

"Then again, you did bring me pizza" I smiled, pulling away "I guess that gets you brownie points"

"How about pizza and drinks?" he smirked leaning down and pulling up bottles of beer.

"Ok. Now I think you're in the lead" I chuckled accepting one from him.

I didn't drink much and as far as I could tell neither did Jack. Socially mostly, or when we had been through a particularly gruelling day. So for us to start with alcohol meant he was prepared for a long conversation. It felt nice. I hadn't had a proper non-work conversation with Jack since before the incident with the cannibals. Jack had almost always seemed an odd person for me to have these talks with but he had the amazing capability of putting me completely at ease. He always had done. He didn't judge... only listened. It was a rare quality that I deeply valued in him as a friend not just as a boss. I was completely sure of what we were now but I felt a swell of comfort knowing he wouldn't abandon talking about me as a person just because of our unsettled situation. I knew the day for that conversation was coming, but right now he was concerned about everything other than him that was affecting me.

"Is she alright?" he asked, inclining his head to the monitor that had video feed from the camera focused on my sleeping best friend.

"She will be. Ianto drugged her tea so she didn't see what she was being connected up to, on Owens orders I suspect" I murmured watching the screen before another thought slammed into my brain waking me fully.

The cameras!

My eye widened in panic and I jerked up but was stopped by Jacks hand on my shoulder

"Relax" Jack chuckled "they're on a loop"

I sighed and settled back down, reaching for a slice of pizza before nestling into the comforting warmth of the couch.

"Now come on, go through the list" he commanded gently, not beating around the bush any more "talk to me"

"What makes you think there's a list?" I asked noting my own sudden subdued demeanour. No point in pretending anymore.

"This" he reached over running a calloused thumb down the ridge between my eyebrows. I blushed.

I had never known he'd taken so much notice. I had a crease right in that exact spot, whenever it deepened it usually might one of two things a) a headache or b) I was stressed. The longer the crease stayed the more stressed I was getting.

"Which one do you want to hear first?" I asked

"Let's go from lowest to highest" he said, taking his own slice of pizza and settling back.

"You're not going to like it" I warned.

"It about your outside life?" he asked.

"I've quit the concert. I pulled out" I admitted.

"Why? I thought it was your last chance to perform? Since you're not going to study anymore" he asked his own frown lines marring his handsome face.

"They were asking things of me I didn't agree with"

"Like?" he prompted

"Remember Josie and how I told you about Hannah?" I asked. He nodded silently.

Josie had been killed in the raid of our school, when I had first come across Torchwood. I had found her body. The whole school had been given retcon apart from me because I ran away. Still people knew Josie and I had been close.

Hannah had been a friend about a year before that incident. She had been killed. I had heard it myself. Abusive dad who got a bit carried away. She had phoned me that night begging me to help. I didn't know what to do. The police hadn't helped. I grabbed some knives from the kitchen and ran to her house. I wasn't sure what my plan had been but it didn't matter. By the time I got there it was too late. Gwen didn't know this but it was the cause of my distrust of the police.

"They blame me. Now people know about Bridget and my Gran. It's like they think I'm bad luck. Four deaths in three years to people that are close to me. They started pushing me to make the concert a memorial. I agreed but on the condition that it wasn't a complete sob feast. They didn't listen. Every song was a guilt trip. Reminding me of what I know. They didn't know that of course but... I did. Eventually I snapped. Threw down the microphone and walked out"

"They aren't happy with you then?" he asked.

"They never were. I am useful to them Jack. Apart from a few exceptions, they don't count me as a friend. I have a car when they need a lift, I have money if they need help and I have artistic ability that helps sort out difficult situations when devising a show. I'm a leader when they need me to be... it's a recipe to make me an easy enemy...someone to blame when everything goes wrong."

"What about that boy Keith?" he asked

"He does what he can. But I don't want him to make enemies' on my account. Not when I could disappear any day. Keith, Laura, Toby, Kara and Harry tend to stay by me. They're friends but not the friend I need anymore"

"What do you need?" he prompted. He knew the answer, he just wanted to see if I would admit it.

"Torchwood. I need this place. I need Gwen and Ianto. I especially need Tosh and Owen. I need Hinode... and I need you" I looked up at him at this. This was the closest I had ever come to verbally admitting my feelings to him personally. "Jack... After Bridget dies that's all I'll have left. 6 people that mean more to me than anything else"

"What about your parents?" he pointed out. He wasn't ignoring my confession he would get back around to it once everything else was sorted.

"I'm not in their favour anymore" I said quietly not taking my eyes off him. He blinked in genuine surprise.

"What happened?"

"My grandmother. I found out why the will is upsetting them all so much"

"What is it?"

"I'm her sole benefactor"

"That's a good thing isn't it?" he asked confused.

"My parents think I've been lying. So do the rest of the family. I'm not supposed to have seen her since I was nine years old. She left me all her money and her house in Scotland... and a flat" I admitted.

"Why a house and a flat?" he asked

"That's why they think I'm lying. The flat is in Cardiff. Just across the road actually. It looks down on the water tower" Jack was silent considering all the implications of what I just said.

"Do you think she was watching you?" he asked "Did you have contact with her"

"No! I swear I didn't. She was found in Scotland. But her death was expected... it wouldn't be hard for her to have travelled up and down with no one noticing"

"Surely someone would have noticed she was missing" Jack exclaimed

"Nope. I wasn't the only one who shouldn't have seen her for ten years"

"You family disowned her? Why?" he asked shocked.

"I didn't know until a few days ago. Mum called me and spilled everything, demanding me to tell her if I had seen or heard from Gran in the last ten years. I insisted I hadn't and asked her why it was such a big deal even if I had"

I paused for a break taking another slice of pizza. Honestly, I was still in shock at the behaviour of my family. How they had treated my Gran no matter what she did. Jack stayed silent, allowing me breathing space to gather my thoughts. I focused on his presence. Closing my eyes and allowing his warmth to spread through me offering comfort in a silent embrace.

"She married into the family through my grandfather. His family didn't approve of her or her background because she came from a wealthy family. She gave up all that to be with Granddad. I thought it sounded romantic. But apparently it wasn't a match made in heaven. They had been having problems from years, ever since mum can remember. When she was 15 he died of a heart attack. Stress. He worked all the time and never allowed himself a break to work on his health or his marriage. They all mourned him but eventually Gran moved on and married again. The second husband... the granddad I knew died ten years ago. While sorting through his possessions mum came across photo's and letters that proved Gran had been seeing him before Granddad died. After that came out none of them spoke to her again. Forbade me and my cousins from trying to make contact because she was "very ill" and we shouldn't be around her because it would hurt us too much"

"So why you?" Jack asked "What did you do to make her leave everything to you"

"I honestly wish I knew. Maybe Mum has been in contact at some point. Telling her about my new job and how she wasn't happy about it. Maybe she thought the secrets meant the family would isolate me too. It's the only logical explanation I can come up with"

"Why would your mother talk to her and not allow you too?" he asked.

"Maybe to ensure she stayed away" I shrugged "If she gets regular updates then she won't try and contact us directly"

"But now your family thinks she lied and contacted you"

"I keep enough secrets from them, so what's one more"

"So they all gathered in Scotland without you...?" he started

"To try and appeal the will"

"But they can't?" he asked

"Nope. Apparently if I don't get it then all her assets go to charity and "people who deserve more than what life has given them""

"So your Grandmother felt that her connection might be strongest to you cause you're both..." he paused searching for the word

"... Black sheep" I filled in.

"Yeah. You think that's why?"

"I do. Well that... and one more thing" this time I broke eye contact, suddenly finding the material and patterns of the couch very interesting.

"Anna?" he prompting.

"Hmm?" I answered still not looking up.

"What is it?" he insisted, tucking his hand under my chin and coaxing my face up to look at him.

"You'll think it's sappy" I muttered, forcing my eyes back to the floor even though I couldn't move my face.

"Anna" His voice was soft now causing me to be drawn back to his eyes. He leaned in gently and pressed his lips to mine in a tender, undemanding kiss.

Anyone watching would have said that Jack was manipulating me by using my feelings for him. I could feel his coaxing through the kiss, reassuring me that I could trust him. I knew Jack wouldn't use my feelings like that. The kiss just spoke more volumes than words ever could.

I allowed my eyes to slide closed and sighed softly into the kiss. I felt the heat of his hand burning through my shirt to heat the sensitive skin of my waist. His biceps felt strong and solid under my exploring hands and the feel of presence alone was enough to reassure me that if I choose to show him he wouldn't laugh.

When we broke apart I couldn't help but let a small, embarrassed smile creep over my lips and allow a mutter escape my throat.

"You are far, far too used to getting your own way"

"You love it really" he chuckled and kissed me briefly again.

I sighed in over dramatic resignation and stood up, bottle of beer still clutched in my hand and made my way over to my desk. I could see Jack out of the corner of my eye watching me. His lips were curled up in that devastating smirk that never failed to make my heart jump. I found myself wondering what he was looking at.

Was it my blush? The way I subtly had to steady myself when I was walking? Was it my body? Or was he just letting his mind wander?

I turned back around to face him grasping what I had been looking for. I had promised I would tell him. Maybe now was the best time.

He was silent as I approached watching every move in scrutinising detail. I didn't say a word as I handed him the drawing. I had finished it finally. I was finally happy with it.

The black wings finally had the strong, sweeping grace I had been striving for. The bare muscles of the chest had the right definition as the moonlight illuminated them from the shadows. His eyes held a strong desire to fulfil his duty to protect his charge lying in the bed in front of him. The small figure in the bed looked weak and lifeless. Long red hair flowed over the crisp white pillow, falling over the edge of the bed trailing towards the floor. Her body was malnourished and sickly. However, her face held a small, contented smile knowing she was being protected by her angel.

I had expected to be nervous handing it over to him. It was cheesy, girly and overly romantic. But it did have a meaning behind it. For that reason I found myself actually very keen to explain it to him.

"Is this you?" he asked. I knew it would be the first question he asked. It was pretty obvious he was the angel. The likeness wasn't perfect but it was good enough. The girl in the picture however was very young. He'd either think it was me or Bridget.

"Yes. The night I was supposed to die"

"Why an angel?" he looked at me. I noticed something strange glinting in his eye, a foreign emotion that I couldn't put a name to when I connected it with Jack.

"That's the only memory I have of my Gran" I explained placing my bottle back on the table as I sat down next to him once again, curling my feet up under me and leaning against him. "She saw me that night. My parents had told everyone that it was going to happen and they were welcome to come and say goodbye. I admitted to Gran that I was scared. I didn't want to die. I hated everyone coming in looking at me the way they did. I told her I didn't want to be alone. She took my hand..." as I was speaking I interlocked my fingers with his, keeping my eyes fixed on his hand "... and told me that no matter what happened I would never be alone, she would make sure my angel would watch over me... Sounds cheesy I know... but I was seven. That night... I don't remember much ... except... I felt someone else in room. I have... jumbled memories of sounds, touches and smells... even a few words. Nothing definite but ... I felt safe. I woke up the next day and completely baffled everyone"

"So, why this?" He prompted again. His voice had lowered to a near whisper. The warmth of his words skimmed my ear making me shiver.

I tilted my head not surprised that he was so close to me. Our lips were centimetres apart, breaths mingling in the heated air between us. My hands had unconsciously begun exploring him, running up his arms, linking at his neck, threading in his hair. His hands in turn had snuck their way under my top and were teasing the bare skin they found there. I couldn't contain a gasp at the feeling of skin to skin contact.

"I told you..." I whispered a definite tremor in my voice "... I felt safe"

Nothing else was said. Nothing else needed to be said. His lips locked onto mine swallowing the gasp of desire coursing through me. Very quickly, all thoughts of everything else fled in the face of the rising passion igniting sparks over my skin. I kissed back with enthusiasm, delighting in the battle of our tongues. I allowed my ears to drink in the wonderful sounds I never thought I could tease from him as the mingled with my own. A tiny trail of fire echoed the route his hands were taking over my skin. He slid his hands down over my hips trailing down my thigh and curling around my knee. I whimpered as his fingers brushed against a sensitive spot at the back of my knee and clung to him as he hitched my knee around his hip. My own fingers were gleefully exploring the feel of his muscles underneath his shirt and undershirt. I was yearning to feel his warm, hot flesh for myself.

Not in the mood for patience any more, my fingers made their way to the bottom buttons of his shirt, fulfilling a deep desire to be the one to do this I quickly made work of the bottom four buttons for the blue shirt revealing the white t-shirt under it. A quick bend of the wrists and I had breached the barrier and my hands greedily explored the muscled stomach I had for so long wanted to touch and caress. Apparently, he liked it too. His lips broke from mine and the whimper of disappointment faded into a moan of pleasure as he turned his attention to my neck. My head fell back in bliss and I felt my hips reflexively rock into his causing a gasp to rip through us both.

A sudden loud ringing noise pierced the tranquil air making both of us jump apart. Jack leapt up off me, darting over to the monitors. My lust addled brain took a few moments pushing away the disappointment at the loss of his weight and warmth over me before it registered that it was one of Tosh's alarms going off.

"What's going on?" I asked still breathless and panting.

"Nothing. Someone reported a sighting to the police. Aircraft. They thought it was a spaceship"

"It wasn't?" I asked, now not really interested. I was more captured by the fact he sounded none to steady either. I allowed myself a satisfied smile as I watched him. His clothes were rumpled and his eyes were still dark despite the renewed concentration. His hair was a stylized mess from the attention of my hands... to be fair I probably wasn't in a much better state.

He turned to face me smirking.

"What?" I asked innocently despite the smile painted on my lips.

"I asked you a question" he said, one eyebrow rising in humour.

"Did you?"

He chuckled and walked back, barely sitting down before drawing me back to him. Happy with the renewed warmth near me I settled with my ear against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. This was my idea of heaven.

---

"So the next morning I wake up, the other three are still out cold so I know I have a chance to escape. I just had to get out the room, down the corridor, down the back stairs past fifty or so guards and then out into the desert"

"I thought you said they took your clothes?" I laughed

"And?" was the simple reply, sending me hurtling back into a fit of giggles.

"Did you make it?"

"Well once I-"

A sharp burst of sound interrupted the story Jack had been regaling me with. I looked quickly at the monitors in time to see Hinode stirring.

"She's awake" I muttered, jumping up and running bare foot along the cold stone heading towards the med room.

By the time I got there Hinode had struggled into an upright position. She was rubbing her eyes sleepily and starting to take in her surroundings.

"Anna?" she called.

"I'm here" I reassured her.

I reached her bedside and methodically slipped the needles out of her veins before she could register them.

"What happened?" she mumbled, still struggling

"Sorry, Owen thought it would be easier on you if you weren't awake during it" I apologised

"I see" she muttered before actually getting a good look at the machine in front of her. "Oh my god"

"Relax. I know it looks bad but it seems to have worked" I reassured her. The bag of fluid had now turned a bright, vivid shade of purple

"Are you sure?" she asked, eye fixed on the bag.

"Owen will need samples to test but there's no reason for it not to have worked" we both turned as Jack spoke. I hadn't realised he had followed me.

"Oh, hello" Hinode said startled.

Jack nodded his hello back, watching her carefully.

I knew he was looking for any signs of a freak out but, looking at him, something told me that wouldn't be a problem.

Red, bruised lips, dishevelled hair, flushed complexions and clothing all askew. It wasn't a hard leap to guess what had been going on.

I bit my lip as I saw Hinode take in the evidence. She looked at Jack who raised his eyebrow almost daring her to say something. She merely raised hers in return.

She turned to look at me. I averted my eyes. I felt weird but it was like I had been caught doing something bad by my mum. Hinode was like my family so I guess her opinion mattered a great deal to me.

"What do I do now?" she asked me. She was bypassing it. I felt a small part of me sink. Did she disapprove that much that she was just going to ignore it? Or was she waiting till we were alone before she asked about it?

"Go home" I said quietly "Get some sleep to recover"

I scooped up a bottle Owen had left for her.

"Take these. Two before you go to sleep, two when you wake up and two with lunch. We'll bring you in tomorrow to run more tests to make sure it worked"

She nodded not really saying anything. Her silence was slightly worrying me but since Jack didn't know her I hoped he would take it as a good sign that she wasn't freaking out. The fact she had matched him in his challenge with the eyebrow was working in her favour anyway.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'll take you home then I'll go back to mine"

"What about tomorrow? I have work" she said although there was no proper fight to her voice.

"I put in a word with your boss. You only need to go in tomorrow morning to make sure your patients are ok"

She caught my eye at that. I didn't mean patients... I meant patient.

---

"Will you be alright?"

I looked up from slipping my shoes back on to see Jack leaning against Tosh's desk watching me closely.

"Yes" I said smiling "Tonight really helped"

He smiled back, a genuine smile, a caring smile. That smile made me feel warm and protected.

"Maybe that will teach you to stop running away from me" he said, though his tone was not accusatory.

"Can you really blame me?" I asked, standing up and moving over to stand in front of him. He shrugged his head in acceptance, telling me that he did understand even if he didn't like it.

"But you are right" I admitted taking both his hands in mine and staring down at them "I shouldn't have ran. I was stupid and scared. But I've come to a realisation of sorts"

"And what would that be?" he asked. I looked up at him smiling.

"I don't care about what happens in the future. When my future can be so short I can only take things a day at a time. Worry about the future when it gets here"

"Seize the day?" he quipped, smiling back.

"Something like that" I laughed gently.

He leaned in for one last kiss which I happily returned before a soft clearing of a delicate throat broke us apart.

"Sorry Anna, I'm ready now" Hinode said quietly, standing beside the cog door.

I nodded and pulled fully away from Jack's warm body and grabbed my coat.

"Goodbye Captain" Hinode said to Jack as the cog door rolled open.

"Goodbye Dr. Sakurai" he returned.

"See you tomorrow, Jack" I called to him as I reached Hinode and started to lead her out.

"8:30 sharp, Kitten" he replied and I froze causing Hinode to stop in confusion beside me.

Kitten? He hadn't called me that since before the cannibal's incident. But the lack of the nickname recently had been a silent admission of the growing void between us. Now, it was back.

I turned back to look at him. He was leaning on the barrier watching us leave, a devious smirk decorated his features, knowing what the nickname had done. His eyes twinkled with mirth as he dropped me a wink and the smirk transformed into a grin.

I gave him a dazzling smile before turning back and leading Hinode back up to the tourist centre. Finally something in my life was starting to go right. Despite the darkness that seemed to be entrapping me from every angle, I felt safe.

I felt protected.

I felt like me again.

---

"Kitten?"

I looked at Hinode briefly before focusing back on the road. It was the first time she had spoken since we left the hub. She was looking at me for an explanation.

"The first time I met Torchwood Owen tries to take a blood sample. He didn't warn me and I reacted on instinct. I still didn't trust them, so I lashed out and burst his nose. "The kitten has claws", that's what Jack said. It just sort of stuck with him"

"No one else calls you that?" she asked.

"No. Jack calls me Kitten and Owen calls me Princess"

"If you're his superior why does he talk to you like that?"

Clear the lack of formality between the team was something she wasn't used to in a work environment.

"Like I said, we're more like family"

She fell quiet again and I didn't push her to say anything else. I knew it would take time for her to accept everything that had happened tonight.

We pulled up to her house and a quietly bid her goodnight. She paused before getting out the car looking at me closely. I couldn't figure out what her expression was but as it turned out I didn't have to know.

She launched herself into my arm squeezing me in a tight hug. I could feel the worry, fear and utter confusion pouring into every second of that hug. I hugged her closer trying to reassure her but it seemed to be in vain.

She pulled back, eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Please Anna" she pleaded desperately "Don't get hurt"

I gaped at her as she bailed out of the car, running to her front door and letting herself in. The look in her eyes had told the truth of what she was worrying about... and it wasn't the job.

She was worried about Jack.

---

A while later I fell into bed, freshly showered and relaxed, to contemplate everything that had transpired throughout the day. I felt the wave of tiredness wash over my brain demanding I get some rest. I smiled as I realised that relaxing was so much easier. My talk with Jack had clearly done wonders for my stress levels.

I began thinking about what Hinode said:

"Please Anna, don't get hurt"

Those words chased themselves round and round in my head.

How could I explain to her that one way or another I knew I was going to get hurt. Jack didn't do commitments. He wasn't going to be around forever. Something was driving him, motivating him to save the world with as much passion and determination as he possibly could. Eventually he would find what he was looking for... and he would leave.

How could I make her see that the small amount of happiness I found with Jack was worth it. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle losing him. But it would hurt so much more if I never got to be with him in the first place.

My phone buzzed next to my ear, breaking me out of my thoughts. I pick it up and looked at the message. A wide grin spread over my lips as I saw the words on the screen.

'It's been a long time since you've smiled like that'

'I've missed it. The nickname' there was no point in lying about it.

'If I had known that was all it took I would have done it weeks ago! How was she?'

I contemplated the beginning of that message. Had Jack been restraining himself from our normal banter? Had he been giving me time to come to terms with the situation? Did he think I would have rejected him being so familiar with me? The thought of a self conscious Jack didn't settle right with me so I choose to ignore it. It was in the past now.

'Quiet. I don't think you're very popular with her' I replied answering his question.

'She said that?' Although through text I knew the tone wasn't hurt. More curious.

'Not in so many words, but yeah. She's worried about me' I knew I wouldn't have to clarify which aspect my best friend was worried about.

The reply forced a chuckle to escape my lips to penetrate the silent house.

'Afraid I'll corrupt you?'

'If that is what she's worried about she's about 12 months too late!' as soon as I pressed send I wondered if that had been such a smart thing to admit.

'Really? Care to expand on that?'

'Like I'd give you more ammunition against me! I'm not that stupid'

I blushed furiously at the thought of Jack finding out the details of the many fantasies he had starred in since we had met. His ego was big enough without being blessed with that information.

'It's alright. I'll find another way to get the information out of you"

I bit my lip tightly. God I could just imagine what he would come up with.

'I'm sure you won't be short on ideas'

'I'll endeavour to live up to you expectations. But right now I believe you should be sleeping'

I gaped in amused shock at the words. HE had text ME first!

'I would be if my persistent Captain would stop trying to get the last word'

'It's a talent' came the flippant reply 'Now GO TO SLEEP'

I smiled and decided to concede with the order, knowing the comfortable warmth in my skin would aid the comfort of a good night's sleep.

'Yes Captain'

Just as I began to settle one more text roused me from the edge of slumber. The words ignited a spark in my stomach and sent a shiver of anticipation through my body.

'By the way... Persistent? I haven't shown you the meaning of the word... Sweet dreams'

---

Disclaimer: Don't own Torchwood. And unfortunately never will.

A/N: Again sorry for the wait. Hope you liked it! Sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes. Till next time bye!

P.S. I am open to any suggestions any one has for these two. Nothing is set in stone although I do have most of it planned out. See ya!