A/N: set at the beginning of Season 1 Episode 2 ('Day One')
"Don't mess with me, little girl. You're not Torchwood. And even if you were…"
Jack, overhearing the comment having gone back to the tent when he realised Gwen wasn't with them, felt his blood boil. Oh, no you don't, not on my watch, he thought angrily. You do not get to de-feminise and disempower her. "You'd've put out the welcome banners," he said, re-entering the tent.
He noted the look of relief on Gwen's face. "Now. First of all, she's no little girl - from where I'm standing, all the right curves in all the right places. But she is Torchwood. We both are. And we'd appreciate it if you'd leave us to get on with the real work."
He smiled - a dangerous, feral smile - and held his hand out. Pulling rank, he added as if as an afterthought, "Captain Jack Harkness, by the way." When the sergeant who'd spoken so disrespectfully to Gwen didn't shake his hand - probably a smart move - he extended his hand to Gwen. "Shall we?"
He was glad that she immediately laid her hand in his, going to his side as he drew her gently out of the tent. "Rude bastard," he muttered.
"Thanks for coming back," she said quietly.
He smiled - this time a softer, kinder smile. "I'm sorry, I should've realised they'd see you're not used to just barging your way through brazenly like we do and given you trouble for it. You'll pick it up, don't worry."
She tried to smile gamely. "So much to learn."
"And you'll get there," he said comfortingly, squeezing her hand. "Don't take it to heart." He could tell she was rattled, despite his reassurance. "They just have an inferiority complex. It rubs them up the wrong way because we're outside their jurisdiction and they can't get their testosterone-fuelled minds around that, let alone that a woman can be every bit as competent as a man. Maybe one day they'll leave their caves behind."
She laughed, then, relaxing and squeezing his hand in response. "You can live in hope," she replied, looking up at him.
He looked down at her, dimpling. "Yeah, just don't hold your breath. Better?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "Better."
"Good. Let's go get that alien."
