Time Doesn't Always Run Straight
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Part 3
Thank you so much for everyone who has been reading this so far. A special thanks to those who have been following, favorting and reviewing. You guys are just amazing, especially those reviewing. You motivate me to write more and make sure it's the best I can.
Gwen storms into the Hub as the others minus Jack and John follow. Jack had lead John to the invisible lift, not wanting John to know about the easier entrance.
Jestine sighs. "Look I guess you're going to be emotional that I lied to you. But you need to forget about that for the moment. We need to present a united front, otherwise John will use our weakness to manipulate and destroy us."
"What, you just think you can get away with lying to us." Gwen yells at her.
Jestine rolls her eyes. "No, but for the good of the team we need to leave it for the moment."
"Why should we do as you say? You could be working with him, this could be a trap." Owen points out.
Jestine huffs. "You saw him, he thought I was dead."
"Could be a part of the con." Ianto argues.
"But it's not. Look I can't explain everything to you, especially in the time we have but you need to trust me, I have nothing to do with John being here and I want him gone as much as Jack does."
"How can we trust you, everything you've told us is a lie. We should lock you up in the cells." Gwen sneers.
"I didn't mean to, I only did it because I had to. Would you really have been welcoming if I had told you the truth?"
Ianto, Owen and Tosh have to concede that she had a point. Gwen was just angry that she had been lied to.
"Was anything you told us the truth or is it all a lie?" She glares.
Jestine looks away. "Most of it was a lie. But it wasn't all to deceive you."
"Then why else would you lie to us." Gwen scoffs.
Jestine whips around, moving right into Gwen's personal space. The team can feel the anger radiating from her. "Because some it I don't actually know, if that's ok with you." Jestine hisses sarcastically.
Gwen puffs her chest out, pissed that Jestine would invade her space like that. She scoffs. "More you don't want to tell us because you know we have you trapped."
Jestine raises her fist as if about strike before she turns around, muttering words the team can't understand.
"Can't even give us a reply." Gwen smirks, feeling braver now that Jestine wasn't in her face.
"Not that you are worth answering, no I don't know. Some of us didn't grow up in a perfect little world where mummy and daddy loved us and nothing bad ever happened. Some of us never got to meet our parents so just don't know anything about their past." Jestine growls at her.
The team are silent as they process Jestine's revelation.
Gwen glares at Jestine. Who was she to pass judgement on Gwen? "Your parents probably didn't want you."
Owen and Ianto quickly grab hold of Jestine, struggling to stop her grabbing hold of Gwen and doing who knows what.
Jestine spits in Gwen's direction. "How dare you. They died. They died protecting scum like you." She yells as Ianto and Owen drag her away from Gwen.
Tosh scolds Gwen. "Was there really any need for that?"
Gwen snorts. "I was just trying to get to the truth. We know nothing about her and we can't trust her." But even as she storms off, Gwen can't help feeling a little guilty.
Tosh looks up as the lift starts to descend. She sighs, going over to help.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
Jack ignores John as he prattles on about the décor. Instead he is scanning around for his team but it seems only Tosh is waiting for them.
Tosh sighs in relief as Ianto appears out of nowhere. Jack tries his best to not appear too happy to see the man.
"Weapons." Jack demands before he lets John off the lift. John after some persuasion relinquishes all his weapons.
By this point both Gwen and Owen have joined but still no sign of Jestine.
"Right, Tosh I want you looking up any and all rift alerts we've had in say the last 24 hours, Owen help her. It's likely to be only small, too small to trigger any alarms but there will be three locations. Gwen go find Jestine and tell her to get to my office, NOW!" Jack orders the last part forcefully, not liking that she was clearly wondering off by herself when they knew nothing about her. "Ianto, make sure our guest is well looked after." He glares at John, making it clear to everyone what he meant by being looked after.
"I'll get Jestine. I know where she went." Ianto offers instead, knowing the last thing any of them would want is Gwen and Jestine in close quarters any time soon.
Jack's eyes narrow for a moment, not used to Ianto answering back but lets it go, assuming he had a reason.
"Looks like the cats have had their claws out." John smirks as he saunters across to the old battered couch.
"Gwen, don't let him out of your sight." Jack orders her as the others move to their tasks.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
Ianto quickly finds Jestine in front of one of the cell blocks, just watching the Weevil inside.
"Jack's back. He wants to talk to you in his office." Ianto tells her cautiously.
Jestine nods her head mutely without turning around.
"I'm sorry, about what Gwen said."
"Don't be. It's the truth. You don't know anything about me and you have absolutely no reason to trust me and every reason not to. I should leave." Jestine turns, sounding defeated.
"But we do. You saved our lives." Ianto argues.
Jestine shakes her head sadly. "I still shouldn't be here. I should never have come."
"Why do you keep saying that?" Ianto had picked up on the strange statement a number of times during the time Jestine had been at Torchwood.
She ignores his question, instead announcing. "As soon as John is gone so am I."
Without another word she leaves.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
"You wanted to see me?" Jestine flops down on one of the chairs in front of Jack's desk.
Jack glares at her casualness. "Cut the crap. What are you two up to?" He demands.
Jestine rolls her eyes in frustration. "You really aren't that stupid, you saw for yourself that he thought I was dead. Wished it had stayed that way." Jestine glares out the window at John.
Jack raises an eyebrow. "Hiding from something?" He mocks.
"Yeah, the world." Jestine mutters darkly.
Jack waits for her to continue. She just sits there in silence.
Jack gives up with a sigh. "What happened?"
Jestine eyes Jack up for a moment, judging whether to tell him or not. "I did something no one else could and now they would be after me if they knew I was still alive."
Jack is getting annoyed with her avoidance of details but realises that he won't get anything else from her for the time being. He decides instead to focus on the task at hand. "Do you have any idea why John is actually here?"
Jestine shakes her head. "No, I don't. I haven't seen him for a long time."
Jack nods, processing all the information he had gathered from her.
"So you don't believe his story?" He asks.
Jestine scoffs. "If you even have to ask you have gotten stupid in your old age or you take me for an idiot."
Jack decides to ignore the jab. "So what should we do then? Neither of us believes him and we both know he is dangerous."
"We do know what he wants. The canisters probably contain something of value to him so he isn't going to leave without them and the more help he has the sooner he is gone."
Jack ponders over the suggestion.
"If that's it I'm sure I can be doing something productive." Jestine states without much enthusiasm.
"No. I want you within someone's eye line at all times. You understand?"
"Loud and clear." Jestine nods.
"I won't take your weapons from you as I trust him even less than I trust you but you so much as look as my team wrong I will not hesitate to lock you up." Jack threatens.
Jestine doesn't seem fazed by the threat at all. "Right, well if that's all."
"And when he goes, you go." Jack has one last demand.
"Trust me I plan to." Jestine mutters as she rises from her chair.
Jack sighs. He knew Jestine was better gone if she had dealings with the Time Agency. But even with that he couldn't help but feel that if things had been different she could have been a good fit for the team.
"Just be warned, I watching you. You try anything and I will lock you up." Jack dismisses her.
"Yeah sure." Jestine replies absentmindedly as she wanders out of his office.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
John aimlessly walks around the main area of the Hub. He had been annoying Ianto till he had walked off to make coffees and now John was bored. He grins as he sees Jestine exit Jack's office.
"So what did Jack want?" John slides up next to her.
Jestine glares at him. "Piss off, I have things to do."
"Come on, is that really the way to treat an old friend." John grins at her.
Jestine rolls her eyes as she flops down on the old couch under the Torchwood logo. "Like I care. Go bother someone else."
John smirks. "I guess I could go ask Gwen what your two were scratching about before me and Jack came."
Jestine glares at him. "If that is what it takes for you to leave me alone then go ahead."
"Why are you even here?" John asks, changing tact.
Jestine sighs, realising that John is about to go away unless she tells him something. "I set it to random. How was I to know the stupid thing would send me here of all places."
"That's one hell of a coincidence." John remarks.
Jestine eyes open wide. "That bastard. I am going to kill him next time I see him."
John looks at Jestine in confusion. She offers no explanation.
"Look if you aren't going to tell me what you are really up to just go away." Jestine stops any further conversation.
John shrugs and leaves. He had known her long enough to know that if she really didn't want to tell you something she wouldn't, not even torture would get it out of her.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
Jack looks up as Ianto enters with coffee.
"Thanks." Jack smiles at Ianto as he hands him his coffee. "You must be angry I didn't tell you about the Time Agency."
Ianto shrugs. "Wasn't any of my business sir."
Jack hates that Ianto is treating him so formally, it reminds him of the time after Lisa. "How are you, Ianto?"
"All the better for having you back, sir.."
Jack sighs. "Can we maybe drop the sir, now? I know you didn't want anything between us but while I was away, I was thinking.." Jack starts to get tongue tie. "..maybe we could, you know, when this is all done…dinner? A movie?" Jack curses himself, how hard was it to ask someone out on a date.
Ianto stares at Jack. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
"Interested?" Jack tries to keep his cool.
Ianto is surprised, he had never expected Jack to propose something like a date, it just seemed too serious for him. "Well…we better try to hurry John up then." Ianto stammers out. He knew he shouldn't have caved so quickly but he couldn't help himself.
Jack nods. "The sooner he is gone the better."
"Jack?" Ianto asks. "Why are we helping him?"
"He's a reminder of my past. I want him gone."
Ianto nods and turns to leave.
Just as Ianto leaves Jack calls out. "By the way…was that a yes?"
Despite himself Ianto can't help but smile at Jack. "Yes! Yes."
Jack grins as Ianto leaves his office.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
Jack looks up as Gwen storms into his office. He can't help but be annoyed that she hadn't even knocked.
"He's a compulsive liar! Why is he in the building?" Gwen huffs.
Jack grits his teeth, he really hadn't missed Gwen poking her nose into everyone else's business.
"There's the tiniest one percent chance he's breaking a habit of a lifetime and telling the truth. Which means this city is in danger.
"What did he mean by a Time Agent? You've never mentioned it."
Jack has to force himself to stay calm. "That was in the past."
"Oh, okay. Here we go again. You know everything about me, Jack, why do you keep shutting me out?" Gwen just couldn't understand why Jack still didn't trust her enough to tell her everything.
"I'm not shutting you out, it's not any of your business Gwen." Jack knows he should be polite but he was really getting sick of her self-righteous behaviour in believing he should tell her everything.
Gwen is shocked at Jack talking to her like that. "But you trust me. Surely part of that is telling me these things about you."
"Yes I trust you but that doesn't mean I have to tell you anything." Jack realises how much he cherishes the way Ianto respects his wishes. He knows the Welshman wants to know all about Jack but he never asks, knowing that Jack will share when he is ready, unlike Gwen.
"How can I trust you if you keep secrets?" Gwen tries to guilt Jack into telling her.
"My past has nothing to do with that." Jack hisses.
"It does when it puts my life at risk." Gwen retorts. "Who knows what Jestine and John have planned and it's all because of you."
Jack raises an eyebrow. "Is that what it is about? You're jealous that they know more about me than you do?"
Gwen's face flushes red with anger. "How dare you. I would never be jealous of Jestine. I have a heart, I care about others and I certainly don't lie. She claimed her parents were dead to stop us asking questions." Gwen scoffs.
Jack frowns. "When did she say that?" While he hadn't talked to Jestine much, Time Agents were never forthcoming with information about themselves.
Gwen looks away slightly guilty, remembering the fight her and Jestine had.
"Gwen." Jack askes forcefully.
"I was just trying to get the truth from her." Gwen tries to justify her actions.
Jack sighs. "John noticed. He now knows there is a weakness in the team. He will without a doubt exploit that. You've potentially just put all of us in danger."
"It was Jestine's fault. She wouldn't tell us anything. I was just trying to get answers. Make things easier for you." Gwen reaches out and places her hand over Jack's.
Jack suddenly sees a sparkle and looks down at her finger. On her ring finger is an engagement ring. He grins and holds up her hand.
"You're getting married?" Jack is genuinely pleased for Gwen. Sure he had been attracted to her when she first started but that was a long time ago. The only person he could think of being with was Ianto.
"Yes. Rhys asked." Gwen pulls her hand away from his, not sounding at all happy. "When you were away." She hoped it would make Jack feel guilty, remembering he had left her.
Jack grins. "Wow! Gwen Cooper getting married." She nods, without any excitement. "Down on one knee?" He asks.
Gwen is frustrated at Jack's response. She still wasn't sure how she felt about Jack being back but she didn't want him to be happy she was with another guy. Surely he should be jealous. "He tried to, and then he had a twinge in his back and had to lie on the settee, and that's when he popped the question."
"And you said yes." Jack can't help grinning again. He was pleased Gwen was moving on, although a bit sad he had missed it. It seemed he had missed a lot while he was away.
Gwen looks away. "Well, no-one else will have me." She hopes that it will be enough to get Jack to declare his feelings.
Jack is a little taken aback by Gwen's response. Despite what his team might think, he did take commitment seriously and he had thought Gwen would too. Apparently not.
"Good for you." Jack replies, his smile a little forced this time.
"Sorry for interrupting but Tosh has collected that data." Ianto pops his head in. Jack sighs with relief and heads out.
Gwen glares in Ianto's direction for a moment, positive she had been close to Jack revealing his feelings towards her.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
Jestine catches Jack as he starts heading to the conference room.
"Jack I need to speak to you a moment."
Jack almost says no but the look on Jestine's face makes him decide to listen. "I'll be in in a minute." Jack tells Ianto as he passes by. Ianto nods and Jack knows he will tell the rest of the team.
Jack looks at Jestine expectantly but she waits for Gwen to pass first. Gwen glares as she goes past but doesn't say anything.
"Basically Tosh is going to tell you we need to split into three groups, which I expect you already guessed." Jack nods at Jestine assumption.
"You need to think carefully about who will go with John. I know you don't trust me with him but I don't think you should go with him either."
Jack opens his mouth to protest but Jestine cuts him off. "I know you want to but hear me out. We still don't know what he is after. There is no way he will tell either of us. But one of the others might just be able to get the truth from him, maybe."
Jack thinks for a moment and can't fault Jestine's logic. "Who do you think then?"
Jestine bits her lower lip. "I'm not sure. I don't think Owen because someone will without a doubt end up shot. Probably not Tosh either. I know she can handle herself but we both know what John is like."
Jack raises an eyebrow at Jestine's protectiveness of Tosh.
She blushes slightly and looks away.
"You really care about the team don't you?" The more he learns about her, the less he thinks she has to do with John, although he still doesn't trust her.
Jestine avoids eye contact. "They accepted me for who I was. Well who I said I was." She mutters the last part bitterly. "Now I doubt they want anything to do with me, not that I blame them."
Jack gives her a small smile. "I know they are an amazing group."
"Don't worry, I won't put them in anymore danger, I will leave as soon as John is gone." Jestine replies sadly.
"So you think either Gwen or Ianto?" While Jack wasn't sure that he trusted Jestine, he knew to listen to others advice before coming to his own conclusion.
"I don't know if Gwen will be able to handle John. I do think she could get him to open up to her but she is so naïve I don't know if she would get out of it alive." Jestine answers honestly.
"But you don't want Ianto to partner him?" Jack reads between the lines.
"Anyone can see the way you two look at each other. John will use that to manipulate both Ianto and you. I don't think Ianto will be able to handle John's niggling about you two, not so soon after you've come back."
Jack thinks over her answers. "None of them really can handle John can they?"
"I don't think we could. If you warn Gwen about how dangerous he is, maybe she will be right?" Jestine shrugs. "I don't know though, it's a dangerous risk to take."
Jack nods. "I'll think it over.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
Tosh explains her findings when Jack and Jestine join them.
"Seven hours ago we logged a minor surge in rift energy, across three locations."
"Simple. Seven of us, three locations. Assuming Jack lets Jestine out to play" John smirks at Jestine, who scowls back at him.
"Excuse me, I give the orders." Jack glares at John, John rolls his eyes.
Gwen goes to open her mouth but Jack sends her a pointed look. She wisely keeps her mouth shut.
"Right. Tosh and Owen take the north. Gwen and John the docks. Ianto, Jestine and I will go west."
John leers at Gwen. She smiles back at him as Ianto rolls his eyes.
"Now, given the canisters are radioactive, don't open them, eh?" John tells them.
"Ok, get ready to leave guys. Gwen I need to talk to you." Jack dismisses the group but Jestine stays seated.
Gwen glares at Jestine. "Can't you see Jack needs to talk to me?"
"About John. And I know more about him than you do, so you might just want to listen to what both of us have to say." Jestine snaps back.
Jack puts his hands up for silence. "Gwen I want you to be careful with John."
Gwen huffs. "I know what I'm doing. If I can get him talking, flirt a bit, he may drop his guard, I can find out what he's really up to."
Jestine looks at Gwen in surprise. "Good, you actually managed to think of a half decent plan. But you will still have to have your guard up at all times around John. You don't know how dangerous he is." Jestine reminds Gwen.
"I don't need you to tell me how to do my job." Gwen hisses at Jestine. "I know what I'm doing. I led the team while you were away Jack."
"No you didn't. You couldn't see but the team didn't listen to you." Jestine argues. "You either gave them orders that they were already doing or you told them the wrong thing to do. You can give orders but you can't lead."
"She's right, Gwen. John is dangerous." Jack stops Gwen responding to Jestine. "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."
Gwen scoffs. "As if I would." She is sure that Jack only said that through jealously.
"Please Gwen you need to be very careful. The Time Agency only employed certain types of people. Dangerous people." Jestine warns.
"You might not be able to handle him but I have no trouble doing my job." Gwen ignores Jestine's warning before storming out.
Jack sighs, wondering if it was a good idea putting Gwen with John.
"We tried; I guess it's up to Gwen now." Jestine shrugs, although Jack can see she is worried.
Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood-Torchwood
Jestine fidgets as they speed to the location of the canister.
"I still think I should have followed them." She huffs.
Jack glances in the rear-view mirror. "I've told you, I'm not letting you out of our sight. While I'm sure you have nothing to do with John I still don't trust you."
Jestine rolls her eyes. "Yet you let Gwen go off with John alone, I still think you should have let me shadow them."
"And I told you no." Jack responds.
"Fine don't blame me if something happens." Jestine huffs again as they arrive at their destination.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Please let me know what you think or if you have any questions, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Next chapter is last on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and hopefully very exciting.