Chapter 6

I woke up lying in my bed again. My room was cold. It always was cold when I first woke up. I'm sure that is because we are underground.

I don't remember going to sleep. I had been in deep thought, but I can't remember ever leaving the chair. I noticed a figure sitting in the chair, and flipped the lights on with the switch that is next to the bed.

Jack was observing me. His hands were folded over this stomach, and his eyes studied me. Was he planning to go somewhere? He almost never keeps his coat on while in the hub.

"You're up!" his voice sounded eager.

I nodded groggily as I put my legs over the side of the bed and sat up. From what I can remember about the day I first died, everyone was in a much better mood now. Jack had even mentioned this at one point. He had said that he thought that by having someone younger here, they all felt more eager and excited. It was true. Even Owen had commented on Jack's sudden quickness and excitability during the day.

I smiled and looked up at the well dressed captain. "How come you are so enthusiastic this morning?"

Jack pointed to the clock. It wasn't morning; it was 10:00 at night. I hadn't slept through the night.

"Ianto and I are taking you Weevil hunting!" My tired face lit up at his mention of Weevil hunting. I had hoped they would take me some time.

I tried to keep my excitement from showing, but it must have shown through. My evident anticipation was causing him to grin. It was that signature Captain Jack Harkness grin; the one he uses when he tries to make you think he knows something more than you.

I grabbed my comms unit from the table beside the bed, and placed it into my ear. The soft purple glow from the tip of the unit glowed against my bed frame. It really had been useful. I can communicate with them by the tap of a button in my ear.

The man tossed me a black sweatshirt, and I pulled it over my messy outfit. I tied my curly red hair in a bun, and yawned.

"Are you going to let me carry a gun?" My voice dared Jack to deny me after I had saved his life with one, not long ago.

I could see the contemplation on his face, but the captain had little trouble denying my dare. "No. I need to teach you how to properly use one first."

"Take me to the shooting range." I hadn't said it as a request for him to train me, it was a demand. "I think we both know I can shoot."

After realizing he wouldn't, I practically dragged him from the room to the shooting range. My hands grabbed the safety glasses off the rack, and I headed toward the guns. Jack's hands reached to stop me, but he caught himself and allowed me to continue.

I selected a small pistol similar to the one I had used against the shape shifter. Fifteen minutes later, I found myself cleaning and disassembling the gun before a slightly impressed captain. I had shot very well, and Jack had finally agreed to assign a gun to my name. I did, however, have to be supervised when using it. This made me feel like a little kid, and that aggravated me a little.

It wasn't the first time I had shot a gun, but I wasn't an expert. I had spent hours with my older sister at her lessons. She was going through a self defense class, and was in the gun use section. I had to wait for her every day for an hour. I eventually picked up on the tricks.

After tucking the gun in its usual place beneath my sweatshirt, and catching a questioning glance from Jack, I readied myself to leave. I heard a click in my ear, followed by a Welshman's voice.

"Are you two ready yet?" Ianto called through Jack and my comms.

"On our way up." Jack responded after looking at me. Once again, his signature smile made me shy away from his gaze.

I raced him up to the main part of the hub, and, despite his being much older than me, he beat me. I laughed as I caught my breath. I blamed the captain's immortality for his quickness.

Ianto was standing near the water tower, holding his stopwatch. "It only took you eight minutes and forty-two seconds." His tone hinted at sarcasm.

"How come you always have that stopwatch?" I giggled as I questioned him.

"A stopwatch is very useful!" Ianto returned playfully. Jack was giving him an intense look, but Ianto just turned from him, smirking slightly. I thought I was missing something.

Ianto stopped and looked at me, yet when he spoke, it was directed to Jack. "She doesn't have a gun, does she?"

The immortal looked at the ground, and scuffed his feet like a schoolboy who was in trouble. "She is an excellent shot." I shot the younger man a glimmering smile as his successor said this about me.

"She is also thirteen!" The younger of the two men was scolding his captain. It really did look like a teacher reprimanding his student. I laughed much harder than I should have, causing the two to stop their conversation and look at me. There was a pause, and both men grew a grin on their faces. Apparently, my laugh made them happy.

"She needs to be protected." Jack continued the argument.

"We would protect her!" The conversation continued for a long time more, before an upset Ianto gave up and started for the SUV.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

When we had finished Weevil hunting, and each of us had a numerous amount of scratches and bruises, we returned to the SUV. I had had a lot of fun. The two men had started out by guarding me like a puppy, but by the end of our time, I had proved myself skilled enough.

"Owen is going to be upset with us." Ianto had made reference to his and my cuts and scratches. He knew Jack's would heal soon.

"How come I don't heal as quickly as you, Jack?" I queried.

"I don't know. I really do not even know how it is possible that you can't die." His eyes were worrisome for a moment, but they relaxed as he looked at me. "Your body healed when you died, but it wasn't as quick as me."

TWTWTWTWTWTWTW

The two men and I arrived back at the hub. My bruises were gone, but I was still covered in scrapes and cuts. Jack was perfectly clear, and Ianto looked as he had when we left the hunting spot.

The younger of the two went to get cleaned up in the restroom, while Jack and I sat on the couch. My eyes were heavy with sleep, but I didn't move. Twenty minutes later, Jack walked me to my room and told me to sleep. I didn't put up an argument, and stared at the ivory wall clock. 2:30 a.m.

Despite the great day I had been having, my nightmares took over. I was in such a deep sleep when they started that I could not wake myself. I tried to yell and scream, but only a whisper exited my mouth.

Once again, I was saved from my worry by a soothing tone from the captain. I hated thinking about how loud I must have been yelling for him to be able to hear me in his room. I tried to apologize, but I realized the state I was in. I was crying so hard that my ribs hurt from the pressure.

"Shh, it's ok, Jess, it's ok." The soothing tone tried to bring me from this state, but my emotions were relentless once again. It was as if I had no control over myself at this moment.

"I'm sorry!" I managed to stutter through my quick breaths.

"Don't be sorry. What were you dreaming about?" The immortal was seated on the edge of my bed, and was stroking my hair.

"I was alone." I whispered. "I was trapped and I was alone. No one could hear me scream for help. I was going to die."

"You're not alone."

After a long silence, I finally spoke. "You don't need to comfort me. I'll be fine. I'm not a little kid."

Jack ignored my statement. He started to tell me about his daughter, Alice, and how she would always wake up with night fits. He said he would have to sit with her for hours until she slept, just trying to calm her down.

"I don't see you as a person who would settle down." His laugh joined mine after I spoke.

Jack told me all about Alice, her mother, and Jack's grandson, Steven. He said that Alice did not want him around, but that he only wanted her safe.

I realized why the immortal was acting so nice to me. I reminded him of his daughter. He only wanted me to be safe, and I didn't mind that at all.

Chapter 6 is done! I hope it was ok, and you liked it! Please review! PLEASE! OK, Bye! I will try to update soon.