Chapter two: Captain John Hart

Jackie smiled as she walked towards the lift. The owner had been so happy that he gave her a bottle of champagne, which he refused to take back. She felt much light hearted now. The man could make it to his sister's wedding for the surprise of her life. Jackie didn't even bother to look down at the ground beneath her feet and she found herself falling downwards, as she realized the lift was in use.

She let out a silent groan. She hadn't figured out how to propel herself upwards yet, but she could control her downfall. "Your taste in interior design hasn't got any better, though." The sound of an unfamiliar male voice caused her to look down. To her dismay, Jack was there with an unfamiliar man. She slowed herself down to a hover so she could observe what was going on below her better. "What is this, sewer chic?"

She groaned. Now she was going to make a spectacle of herself! Jack got off the lift and the other man moved to follow, but Jack stopped him. "Weapons." Jackie shook her head as the man handed over his guns and a sword. Jack put them on the silver platter that Ianto is holding. Ianto noted her coming down and smiled at her. Jack held out his hand to the man. "And the rest."

"Oh, you know me." The man said a little too innocently. "I'm a two weapon man."

"One pistol strapped to each leg," Gwen reported and the man shrugged his shoulders in dismay. "laser knife beneath left elbow, seventeen small explosive charges in the lining of his coat."

The man handed the weapons over to Jack who dropped them on the platter. "It slipped my mind."

Gwen glanced upwards, following Ianto's gaze and shook her head. "Trying to make an entrance Jackie?"

All eyes looked upwards at her as Jackie glowered at Gwen. "Just taking the shortcut, but I fell down here because someone was using the lift. So, it's not my fault I had to come down like this." Jack and the stranger just stared at her in shock. She didn't like the look of the other man; he made her skin crawl. She was glad that she'd altered her look to something more action based. She wore a fedora, striped slacks and a white halter-top. She caught Ianto's eye and shot her a small smile and approving look at her. "So, do I get to guess who's coming to dinner?"

The man chuckled. "Always save the best for the last, nice choice. Who needs a blonde when you've got this dark beauty?" He looked her up and down as she floated down to the space beside him. "Who are you?"

Jackie placed a hand on her hip. "The name's Jacqueline and you are?"

"Just how I like them; sexy and spicy." He placed his hand on her hip and smirked down at her. "Captain John Hart."

Jackie glanced down at his hand on her hip and groaned. "Dear God, there's two of them." She stretched out her hand and gave him a small electrical jolt down his arm. "And I don't like the one to begin with."

He let out a howl and grabbed his arm. "Friendly type, isn't she?"

"Depends on how friendly you are with me." She stated as she stepped off the edge of the lift and headed towards Ianto.

Jack seemed only able to stare at her in shock. "What the hell was all that floating and shocking stuff Jackie?"

"I told you I was alien last year, remember, or did that slip your mind as well?" She cleared her throat, determined not to get all riled up again. "I've perfected what few abilities I've have and they're all on file, if you care to read them sometime. No one has any idea what I am."

Jack stepped towards her and shook his head. "This is impossible."

Jackie cleared her throat. "My autobiography can wait. What's he doing here and how does this concern us?"

Ianto spoke up. "Why don't we all convene in the conference room and I'll fill you in?"

Jackie nodded and stepped off the lift. "Thank you Ianto, you're a breath of fresh air." She frowned as she stared at all the weapons he was holding. "Guess our guest doesn't travel lightly, does he?"

He shook his head. "No, he doesn't." She chuckled and followed him towards the weapons room. "So, how are you doing? You look a lot more cheerful now."

"I feel better now." She opened the door for him and stepped in the room. "I mean, naturally, Jack still gets under my skin a bit, but I should be fine in a few days."

Ianto set the weapons down and placed his hands on her waist. "I hate it when you're upset like this. You look like a volcano about to erupt."

Jackie laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "If you didn't have this adorable accent and funny face, I would be very mad at you this moment."

He tilted his head and looked impishly down at her. "Are you saying my face is funny?"

"Yeah." She gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. "And it's just the way I like it."

Ianto didn't say anything as he drew her in for another kiss. Jackie smiled, his kisses always made her smile. She loved a ton of little things about him. Ianto didn't shower her with compliments. They had a fun, almost carefree, teasing relationship. They loved a lot of 'immature' things like Tin-Tin and Star Trek. They watched Disney movies with ice cream or went for walks along the docks for lunch. Ianto was extremely respectful of her wishes and he'd been protective of her in that hard year. He'd been right all along; the first love never truly fades. It had just taken her time to realize that he was right.

Ianto broke the kiss after a few moments. "I better go make the coffee."

Jackie shook her head. "Forget it. We can do without coffee at a meeting for once."

He hesitated for a moment before taking her arm. "One of these days, you're going to tempt me into playing hooky from the office."

She chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't be lying if I said you deserved a day off and you know it too. Where would we go?"

He arched a brow. "I said I was playing hooky, didn't say you had to go with me."

She smirked. "Where you go, I go."

He nodded. "Right. What's the champagne for?"

"A present, for returning the owner's car. Maybe we can crack it open sometime later in the week for dinner?"

Ianto nodded his head in agreement. "Sounds delightful." He spread his hand in the general direction of the meeting room. "Shall we?"

"Yes."

"And incidentally," he said in a low whisper. "you looked fantastic coming down the lift."

"I did?"

He nodded before holding the door open for her. "Like a goddess coming down to deal with her mischievous children."

She laughed and moved to lean against the door and Ianto moved to casually stand beside her. She smiled softly at him as Tosh began to give her report. "Seven hours ago, we logged a minor surge in Rift energy across three locations."

"Six of us, three locations, that's simple." John said from his seat with one leg propped up on the table that she had just polished that afternoon. "Two people per canister."

"Excuse me," Jack said somewhat testily, even though he said it with a smile. "I give the orders."

"Well, give some, big boy." John's voice held a slight note of flirtation.

Jackie rolled her eyes and turned to Gwen, silently begging her to say something. "John's right." Jack's head whipped towards Gwen as she addressed John. "Sorry. Er, do you prefer John or Captain?"

"With eyes like yours," he said slowly. "you can call me Vera, I won't complain."

As Ianto rolled his eyes in irritation, Jackie added. "She's engaged, you prawn."

He smirked and looked at her. "And how about you? Don't see a ring on your hand."

"Just because I don't have a ring on my hand, doesn't mean I'm available." She made a face at him. "I've got a boyfriend and he's definitely more my type. Sweet and sincere."

"Tosh and Owen, take the north." Gwen said as she assumed the role of command. "Jackie and Ianto go west. Me and Vera will take the docks."

As John grinned flirtatiously at Gwen, Jack spoke up. "Excuse me. Not to repeat myself."

"You got a problem with this, Jack?" Gwen questioned innocently, though her eyes held the challenge of a silent dare.

Jack hesitated for a moment before smiling tightly, especially when he noted John watching him closely. "Not at all."

"Now, given the canisters are radioactive," John explained. "don't open them, ok?"

Ianto rolled his eyes as Gwen brushed her hair out of her eyes. "Let's go, guys."

"Gwen," Jack said firmly. "I need a word."

"Oh, can I watch this bit?" John pleaded as the others began to walk out of the room. "He's gonna give you all the dos and don'ts. I love it."

Jack pointed to the door and bit out. "She'll be with you in a second." John smirked at him as he stood up and swaggered cockily out of the room. Jackie stepped forward and fell in beside Gwen. He frowned at her. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm second in command." She stated before reminding him. "Now, you were addressing Gwen."

Jack pressed his hands on the table and leaned forward before quietly demanding. "What the hell are you doing?"

"If I can get him talking, flirt a bit," Gwen reasoned. "he might drop his guard. I can find out what he's really up to."

"Okay, clever." Jack bobbed his head.

"Thank you." Gwen said quickly.

"But dangerous." Jack said firmly. "Leave it to me."

Jackie shook her head and fortunately, Gwen refused to back down. "I led the team while you were away, Jack. I can handle this. He knows you too well." She pointed out. "He'll never tell you the truth."

Jack inhaled sharply. "Three rules. One, don't believe anything he says. Two, always keep him in front of you. And three….under no circumstances let him kiss you."

"As if I would!" Gwen said in disgust.

Jackie spoke up. "Maybe I should go with him."

"Absolutely not!" Jack snapped. "Your heart always rules your head."

"That was a year ago!" She reminded him. "I'm different Jack."

He held her gaze. "You're not different. You're just walking a different path at the moment."

She snorted and straightened up. "You're unbelievable!"

Jackie stomped towards the door, observing John a safe distance away in the shadows. "Has he got on to the no kissing rule yet?" John asked dryly. "He only invented that because he wants me all to himself."

Jack glowered at him. "Yes, I was warning her that I prefer to keep you in one piece." At John's smirk, he added. "I'm also going to say that for your own safety, don't kiss Jackie."

"Why?" John asked with a lazy smile on his face. "She your girl?"

"Yes!" Jack snapped lightly. "And also because she won't hesitate to shoot you and she's the best shot here."

"I'm actually his ex-girlfriend," Jackie stated matter-of-factly, causing Jack's head to jerk up. "but he is right, kiss me and I will shoot you."

John's brow rose with curiosity as she continued walking down the hall. "Right. So, who's your boyfriend?"

"None of your business." She checked her gun before calling. "Ianto? Do you have the coordinates ready?"

"Yes. And, I've got the keys to the SUV. Let's go."

She smiled brightly. "Let's."

"Wait." Jack said firmly behind them. Jackie turned to see him pulling on his coat. "I'm coming with you two." Jackie's heart sank and she glanced at Ianto to see he didn't look as happy either. "Problem?"

"None at all." Ianto assured him before tossing him the keys. "Here you go." Jack caught them neatly and headed towards the SUV. Ianto fell in step with her. "When are we going to tell him about us?"

"As soon as this mission is over." She said as she squeezed his hand quickly. "I don't like causing emotional disturbances until the crisis has passed."

Ianto nodded. "Alright. Do we tell him together?"

Jackie bobbed her head. "That would be best." Ianto opened the door for her and she got into the back seat. Ianto got into the front passenger seat and began telling Jack the coordinates. Jack glanced at her in the mirror and she diverted her gaze. She didn't want to stay mad at him like this, but she was. She had thought she'd gotten over Jack but as his appearance proved, that wasn't so. He was still able to get under her skin without even trying. She needed to forgive him and move on with her life; for hers and Ianto's sake.