Foothold Situation

"Come on Susan, it's time for work!" Jack's voice floated through my dreams. I groaned and rolled over on my side, clutching the blanket with me, balling it up in a bunch by my face. It was so warm and soft. I muttered something about five more minutes.

The next thing I knew was freezing and let out a shriek as Jack grabbed me by my ankles and tried to pull me off the bed. "Jack!" I screamed, both arms flying out to grab hold of the other side of the bed. "What the hell?"

I struggled as Jack kept pulling. Then he started tickling me. By now both Jack and I were laughing hysterically, and both of us collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air. "That- that was-"

"So not fun." I said, sitting up and pushing my hair out of my face, though my face betrayed me by smiling.

"Right." Jack said. "We should get changed and ready for breakfast. Oh, I invited Gary over for dinner later today."

I stopped as I tried to get off the bed. I jerked my head towards Jack. I hated his brother. More like loathed him. "Tonight?" I asked, breathing sharply in, hoping Jack didn't notice.

Unfortunately Jack did. "Susan," Jack said, sitting up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I muttered.

Jack looked at me weirdly. "It has to be something."

I shook my head. "It's just… I don't like him. Last time-" I stopped.

"Last time what?" Jack asked, suddenly he was all serious. "Susan, if he has hurt you…."

I looked at Jack with a wavering smile. "I don't want to spoil your relationship with your brother because of me. He needs you, Jack. He needs you to be able to tell right from wrong, from darkness and light. He needs you to do that for him." I stood up. "Let's forget about it for right now and just enjoy today. I'll see you in five for breakfast." I walked out of the room, not looking behind me because I didn't want Jack to see me cry.

We walked down the bustling street holding hands, Jack holding a cappuccino in his right hand and I held a hot chocolate in my free hand. "I can't believe the weather has gotten this cold already." I said. I had on my normal outfit for my age and had a black wool coat and black leather gloves.

"Well, you left in the middle of summer, and were missing for four months. So, July, August, September, and October. Four months. You missed the first snow fall."

I winced. I wish Jack wouldn't keep on bringing my absence up. He still didn't know what I was doing and I couldn't tell him. Jack still thought I had been held in captivity for those four months. Now after spending a couple weeks back at the Agency, I knew for certain that their was a mole. I didn't know who just yet, but I needed concrete evidence before telling Jack my findings.

"I'm sorry." I said sighing. "Jack, it's the past. It's over. I'm safe." I looked up at Jack as we stopped for a red light and pressed the button that let the traffic light know that there was people that needed to cross.

"Saying sorry isn't going to make up for lost time." Jack said stiffly.

At this point I wanted to slap Jack for being so... so... over protective. I was fine. Yes they did hurt me but-"

"Susan! Susan!" Came a female voice from behind us. I turned and saw Mary running up to me, out of breath. "Oh Susan, thank God! I didn't know who to go to. There were these creatures, and they-" Mary took a deep breath to continue.

I grabbed Mary by the shoulders and gently shook her. "Mary, calm down. You're safe with us. Tell me Mary, what happened?"

Mary took a deep breath and said, "Titan has fallen. Code nine."

Jack and I looked at each other in shock and horror. This couldn't happen. We couldn't let other people besides Time Agents use the Vortex Manipulators. If they ever got their hands on one, the whole of history is at stake. I took a deep breath. "Did you see who took over?" I asked in a hush voice as a group of people walked by.

Mary nodded. "I didn't get a good glimpse, I was too busy running. But it was big red... thing, with what looked to be suckers all over the body. Then after they started... started... started killing, they would transform back into the person they killed."

My eyes widened. "Zygon." I hissed. I had read about them in the Tardis library when I had free time way back when.

"What?" Mary and Jack asked at the same time.

I sighed. "Great big red alien with suckers. If that is true, and they actually managed to compromise the Agency, we have to be very careful of who to trust. Mary, are you sure you are not a Zygon?"

Mary immediately looked hurt. "Of course not! I escaped and ran the minute I realized something was wrong. Why don't you believe me?"

I sighed. "Mary, I had to make sure, you understand that, right? What if I had come running to you? What would you have done?"

Mary winced. "The same."

"There." I stated. "See. I'm just making sure. So," I turned to Jack. "What do we do now, Captain?"

"Well, I don't know, Captain." Jack flirted back. I blinked. That started to sound like the Jack I knew. "We've only been trained on how to protect the Agency, not what we do once the threat has taken over."

"Great." I said, annoyed. "Well, my first priority is weapons then a location where we can meet up and not be noticed or suspected."

"Susan, I have a place but I don't think you are going to like it." Jack started.

My eyes widened, already guessing. "No. Not his house. Anywhere but there."

"Susan, just hear me out. Gary is not a Time Agent. They won't be looking at him." Jack said. "Please, Susan. We need to take Titan back."

I sighed. "Fine. But he doesn't go anywhere near me." I huffed, throwing my finished hot chocolate in a trash bin and crossing my arms in protest, pouting.

As we started up the front steps of Garys house, Jack put his arms around me, his silent way of saying everything would be fine. Jack glanced at me, then at Mary, then pressed the doorbell which immediately opened to reveal Gary.

"Jack?" Gary asked with a puzzled look on his face. "What are you doing here? And who is this girl?" Gary pointed to Mary.

"Um, we're in a bit of a bind and need somewhere to stay. And that's Mary." Jack said.

Gary's eyes narrowed once he spotted me in Jack's embrace. "She's still here?"

Jack tensed then stepped forward. "Look, all we need is somewhere to stay for a couple of days. After that we will get out of your hair."

Gary growled softly and muttered then stepped back, moving his arm back dramatically and said mockingly, "Come in, my lovely guests and make yourself at home." He said while giving me the death stare.

A/N: Some notes on reviews:

I'm A Witch So Deal With It: Yep, In a couple chapters or so, she'll be back to A** kicking :)

MinecraftLover00: Spoilers...

MandaPanda96: :D